Some questions and answers for the opening of the eyes of the Jews natural that they may see the hope of Israel which hath so long been hid from them : with some questions and answers for the direction, comfort, help and furtherance of God's spiritual Israel in their travels in spirit from spiritual Egypt through the spiritual wilderness to spiritual Canaan ... / by Isaac Penington, the younger.
         Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
      
       
         
           1661
        
      
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             Some questions and answers for the opening of the eyes of the Jews natural that they may see the hope of Israel which hath so long been hid from them : with some questions and answers for the direction, comfort, help and furtherance of God's spiritual Israel in their travels in spirit from spiritual Egypt through the spiritual wilderness to spiritual Canaan ... / by Isaac Penington, the younger.
             Penington, Isaac, 1616-1679.
          
           125 p.
           
             Printed for Robert Wilson,
             London :
             1661.
          
           
             Imperfect: pages torn, faded and stained.
             Reproduction of original in the Harvard University Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Jews -- Conversion to Christianity.
           Christian life -- Quaker authors.
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           SOME
           QUESTIO●●
           AND
           ANSVVERS
           ▪
           For
           the
           opening
           of
           the
           Eyes
           the
           
             JEWS
             NATURAL
          
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           see
           the
           Hope
           of
           Israel
           ,
           which
           hath
           so
           long
           been
           hid
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           WITH
           Some
           QUESTIONS
           and
           ANSWER●
           for
           the
           Direction
           ,
           Comfort
           ,
           Help
           and
           ●●●therance
           of
           God's
           Spiritual
           Israel
           ,
           in
           〈◊〉
           Travels
           in
           Spirit
           from
           Spiritual
           〈◊〉
           through
           the
           Spiritual
           Wilderness
           to
           Spi●●●●al
           Canaan
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Land
           where
           〈◊〉
           Redeemed
           Soul
           flourisheth
           in
           the
           Life
           〈◊〉
           with
           God
           and
           worshipping
           him
           〈…〉
           and
           Truth
           .
        
         
           By
           
             Isaac
             Penington
          
           ,
           the
           you●●●●
        
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Robert
             Wilson
             ,
             〈…〉
             Le
             Grand
             ,
          
           1661.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           The
           Preface
           .
        
         
           SEveral
           things
           hath
           the
           Life
           ,
           begotten
           by
           the
           Eternal
           vertue
           ,
           breathed
           in
           me
           towards
           my
           Father
           for
           ,
           in
           relation
           both
           to
           my self
           and
           others
           ,
           from
           my
           Childhood
           .
           As
           touching
           my self
           ,
           First
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           be
           a
           Vessel
           for
           Him
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           be
           freed
           from
           the
           bondage
           of
           Corruption
           and
           brought
           forth
           in
           the
           Image
           of
           his
           Life
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           be
           filled
           with
           his
           Life
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           be
           satisfied
           in
           the
           presence
           and
           with
           the
           fulness
           of
           the
           Spring
           of
           my
           Life
           :
           even
           that
           I
           might
           have
           enough
           of
           my
           God
           in
           my
           heart
           continually
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           that
           he
           would
           of
           his
           own
           meer
           goodness
           both
           preserve
           the
           Vessel
           and
           dwell
           in
           it
           for
           ever
           :
           that
           so
           my
           Tenure
           and
           Possession
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           fitness
           for
           him
           might
           be
           of
           his
           Grace
           ,
           of
           his
           Love
           ,
           of
           his
           good
           Will
           ,
           of
           his
           own
           Nature
           ,
           depending
           wholly
           and
           altogether
           on
           him
           ,
           and
           not
           at
           all
           on
           any
           thing
           that
           can
           
           be
           expected
           from
           the
           Creature-hood
           in
           its
           purest
           State.
           And
           likewise
           ,
           that
           if
           he
           pleased
           to
           use
           me
           in
           any
           service
           ,
           it
           might
           be
           of
           him
           ,
           and
           for
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           him
           :
           that
           he
           would
           bring
           me
           so
           low
           in
           my self
           ,
           that
           I
           might
           not
           be
           able
           to
           detain
           any
           of
           his
           Glory
           and
           vertue
           from
           him
           ,
           but
           the
           meanness
           of
           the
           Vessel
           might
           still
           so
           appear
           to
           me
           ,
           and
           also
           be
           so
           sensibly
           discerned
           and
           acknowledged
           by
           all
           other
           eyes
           also
           ,
           that
           the
           Excellency
           of
           the
           Power
           and
           of
           the
           Glory
           might
           run
           back
           entirely
           into
           his
           pure
           Bosom
           .
        
         
           Besides
           these
           ,
           there
           have
           been
           Vehement
           desires
           in
           me
           concerning
           others
           also
           .
           First
           ,
           towards
           Mankind
           in
           general
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           have
           an
           exceeding
           merciful
           and
           powerful
           day
           of
           Visitation
           ,
           even
           that
           the
           whole
           Earth
           might
           be
           touched
           with
           the
           Power
           of
           Life
           and
           drawn
           out
           of
           the
           Darkness
           .
           O
           how
           hath
           my
           Soul
           breathed
           for
           poor
           lost
           mankind
           ,
           and
           how
           hath
           my
           Spirit
           travelled
           (
           with
           unutterable
           pangs
           and
           earnestness
           )
           for
           unheard
           of
           ,
           unthought
           of
           ,
           and
           altogether
           unexpected
           
           mercy
           and
           good
           will
           towards
           the
           Sons
           of
           Men
           in
           general
           !
           Secondly
           ,
           towards
           my
           Brethren
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           know
           the
           day
           of
           Redemption
           and
           Power
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           not
           alwayes
           lie
           groveling
           on
           the
           Earth
           ,
           and
           groaning
           and
           mourning
           because
           of
           the
           Lusts
           and
           Corruptions
           ,
           but
           might
           know
           Deliverance
           in
           Power
           ,
           and
           might
           sing
           the
           Song
           of
           Moses
           and
           the
           Song
           of
           the
           Lamb
           (
           because
           of
           their
           feeling
           Victory
           over
           Pharaoh
           and
           the
           Dragon
           )
           and
           might
           serve
           and
           worship
           the
           living
           God
           in
           Spirit
           and
           Truth
           ,
           without
           fear
           of
           interruption
           ,
           and
           Captivity
           from
           the
           Enemy
           any
           more
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           towards
           the
           Jews
           after
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           that
           their
           Iniquity
           might
           be
           blotted
           out
           ,
           their
           wound
           healed
           ,
           the
           pure
           Eye
           opened
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           the
           pure
           Glory
           revealed
           to
           them
           :
           that
           they
           might
           know
           the
           Shepherd
           of
           Israel
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           Spiritual
           Tents
           of
           Jacob
           ,
           the
           Beauty
           of
           the
           Footsteps
           of
           the
           Spiritual
           Flock
           ,
           and
           might
           Travel
           out
           of
           their
           Darkness
           ,
           Earthliness
           and
           litteral
           Knowledge
           into
           the
           Land
           of
           pure
           Life
           ,
           
           Rest
           ▪
           Peace
           and
           fresh
           Joy
           in
           the
           living
           God
           (
           whereof
           their
           Land
           of
           Canaan
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           good
           things
           thereof
           ,
           was
           but
           a
           shadow
           )
           and
           might
           be
           Annointed
           with
           the
           fresh
           oyl
           of
           the
           Salvation
           of
           the
           Messiah
           ,
           and
           might
           become
           indeed
           an
           holy
           Nation
           ,
           yea
           ,
           a
           Kingdom
           of
           Priests
           to
           offer
           up
           Spiritual
           Sacrifices
           on
           God's
           spiritual
           Altar
           .
        
         
           My
           Soul
           still
           breatheth
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           waiteth
           on
           him
           ,
           for
           all
           these
           things
           :
           and
           as
           he
           draweth
           my
           Spirit
           forth
           ,
           so
           am
           I
           ready
           in
           Spirit
           to
           be
           serviceable
           unto
           him
           therein
           .
           These
           present
           drawings
           and
           openings
           of
           my
           Life
           ,
           in
           the
           Questions
           and
           Answers
           following
           ,
           are
           both
           towards
           the
           Jews
           in
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           also
           the
           Jews
           in
           Spirit
           ;
           that
           they
           may
           meet
           in
           one
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           One
           Path
           and
           Pasture
           of
           life
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           one
           Shepherd
           ,
           one
           Seed
           ,
           one
           Flock
           ,
           one
           Spirit
           ,
           one
           Beginning
           ,
           one
           Progress
           ,
           one
           End
           in
           one
           and
           the
           same
           Circle
           of
           Life
           .
           The
           Lord
           my
           God
           take
           it
           into
           his
           own
           Hand
           ,
           dispose
           of
           it
           for
           good
           ,
           Mannage
           and
           Bless
           it
           according
           to
           his
           Pleasure
           .
        
         
           
             J.
             P.
             
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           Some
           QUESTIONS
           and
           ANSWERS
           for
           the
           opening
           of
           the
           eyes
           of
           the
           Jews
           natural
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           see
           the
           Hope
           of
           ISRAEL
           ,
           which
           hath
           so
           long
           been
           hid
           from
           them
           .
        
         
           Question
           .
           
             WHat
             was
             the
             Rise
             of
             that
             People
             the
             Jewes
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           They
           came
           of
           Abraham
           after
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           who
           was
           God's
           Friend
           ,
           whom
           God
           took
           from
           his
           Father's
           House
           and
           from
           his
           Native
           Country
           (
           where
           he
           was
           worshipping
           and
           serving
           Idols
           )
           to
           be
           the
           Stock
           and
           Pattern
           of
           the
           Faithful
           ,
           both
           of
           the
           Jews
           according
           to
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           Jews
           in
           Spirit
           .
           Of
           this
           Root
           ,
           of
           this
           Stock
           came
           this
           People
           according
           to
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           who
           were
           an
           Holy
           Nation
           ,
           a
           Circumcised
           People
           ,
           a
           Sanctified
           People
           outwardly
           :
           and
           (
           as
           long
           as
           
           their
           day
           lasted
           )
           were
           the
           Beloved
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Pitied
           ,
           the
           Pardoned
           ,
           the
           Redeemed
           Ones
           ,
           even
           until
           the
           Shadows
           were
           finished
           ,
           and
           the
           Season
           came
           ,
           for
           the
           Substance
           to
           appear
           and
           be
           set
           up
           in
           the
           World
           ;
           whereof
           they
           had
           the
           first
           offer
           also
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           whom
           was
           the
           first
           gathering
           for
           the
           Spiritual
           building
           .
           But
           they
           generally
           hardening
           their
           hearts
           ,
           and
           cleaving
           to
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Knowledge
           which
           their
           wise
           Ones
           had
           taught
           them
           (
           from
           their
           mis-understanding
           the
           Letter
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           )
           missed
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           Rebelled
           against
           the
           Redeeming
           Power
           ,
           and
           so
           lost
           their
           share
           in
           the
           Inward
           Glory
           ,
           and
           by
           God's
           Righteous
           hand
           were
           cut
           off
           from
           their
           outward
           also
           ,
           their
           day
           being
           spent
           ,
           and
           the
           Blood
           not
           onely
           of
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           Son
           and
           Heir
           himself
           also
           required
           at
           their
           hands
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             came
             this
             People
             to
             be
             the
             chosen
             People
             at
             first
             ,
             and
             so
             long
             to
             continue
             such
             ?
          
        
         
         
           Answ
           .
           It
           was
           not
           for
           their
           Righteousness
           ,
           not
           for
           their
           Loveliness
           ,
           or
           plyableness
           to
           God
           above
           other
           People
           :
           but
           because
           it
           pleased
           the
           Lord
           freely
           to
           love
           them
           ,
           and
           to
           pitch
           upon
           them
           for
           the
           People
           of
           his
           Choice
           after
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           in
           the
           free
           Covenant
           which
           he
           made
           with
           
             Abraham
             .
             The
             Earth
             is
             the
             Lord
             's
             with
             the
             fulness
             thereof
             ,
          
           and
           he
           may
           chuse
           whom
           he
           will
           to
           fill
           with
           his
           Inward
           and
           Spiritual
           Glory
           (
           even
           with
           the
           manifestations
           of
           his
           pure
           Love
           ,
           Life
           and
           Presence
           )
           and
           he
           may
           also
           chuse
           whom
           he
           will
           to
           make
           outwardly
           or
           typically
           Beloved
           ,
           Great
           and
           Glorious
           .
           He
           chose
           Abraham
           freely
           ,
           he
           gave
           to
           Abraham
           an
           Heart
           to
           follow
           him
           ,
           he
           gave
           him
           the
           Faith
           and
           Obedience
           which
           made
           him
           accepted
           with
           him
           :
           and
           he
           chose
           his
           Seed
           after
           the
           Spirit
           to
           be
           his
           Eternal
           Heir
           ,
           and
           his
           Seed
           after
           the
           Flesh
           to
           be
           his
           Temporary
           Heir
           .
           Thus
           of
           Isaac
           in
           Spirit
           came
           the
           Children
           of
           the
           
           Promise
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           of
           Isaac
           after
           the
           Flesh
           came
           the
           Seed
           of
           Promise
           after
           the
           Flesh
           .
           Sarah
           after
           the
           Flesh
           bare
           one
           of
           these
           ,
           the
           Sarah
           represented
           by
           her
           (
           or
           the
           Free
           Woman
           which
           is
           from
           above
           )
           bare
           the
           other
           .
           And
           of
           Isaac
           comes
           Jacob
           ,
           Worm
           Jacob
           ,
           who
           serves
           for
           his
           Wife
           ,
           who
           flies
           from
           the
           face
           of
           Esau
           ,
           yet
           afterwards
           finds
           favour
           in
           his
           Eyes
           :
           from
           this
           Worm
           do
           the
           Twelve
           Patriarks
           branch
           forth
           ,
           who
           were
           the
           Heads
           of
           the
           Tribes
           of
           Israel
           .
           Thus
           hath
           it
           been
           with
           that
           Nation
           according
           to
           the
           letter
           ;
           &
           thus
           it
           hath
           also
           been
           and
           is
           still
           inwardly
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           as
           the
           Israel
           of
           God
           ,
           the
           Jews
           in
           Spirit
           (
           who
           are
           Learned
           in
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Life
           )
           can
           very
           well
           read
           .
           Thus
           outwardly
           Israel
           was
           God's
           Child
           ,
           Ephraim
           his
           Dear
           ,
           his
           Beloved
           ,
           his
           pleasant
           Son
           ;
           Judah
           his
           Praise
           ,
           whom
           his
           heart
           was
           towards
           ,
           and
           to
           whom
           he
           stretched
           forth
           his
           Arm
           of
           
           Salvation
           all
           the
           day
           long
           .
           
             In
             all
             their
             Affliction
             he
             was
             afflicted
             ,
             and
             the
             Angel
             of
             his
             presence
             saved
             them
             :
             and
             he
             said
             ,
             Surely
             they
             are
             my
             People
             ,
             Children
             that
             will
             not
             lie
             ,
             so
             he
             became
             their
             Saviour
             .
          
           Thus
           it
           was
           with
           them
           till
           the
           day
           of
           Israel
           after
           the
           Flesh
           expired
           ,
           and
           the
           day
           of
           Israel
           in
           Spirit
           was
           to
           succeed
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           World.
           
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             was
             the
             end
             for
             which
             God
             chose
             that
             People
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           It
           was
           to
           be
           a
           Vessel
           for
           him
           to
           form
           ,
           to
           try
           and
           experiment
           what
           his
           Love
           could
           bring
           them
           to
           ,
           and
           bring
           forth
           in
           them
           in
           that
           way
           of
           Manifestation
           and
           Operation
           .
           This
           God
           opens
           to
           Jeremiah
           concerning
           them
           ,
           bidding
           him
           go
           down
           to
           the
           house
           of
           the
           Potter
           ,
           where
           ,
           in
           a
           Parable
           ,
           they
           might
           read
           their
           own
           State
           ,
           and
           what
           they
           were
           to
           expect
           from
           God
           ,
           even
           to
           be
           formed
           by
           God
           unto
           the
           utmost
           ,
           untill
           he
           had
           made
           a
           perfect
           tryal
           of
           them
           ,
           and
           then
           to
           be
           broken
           and
           
           laid
           aside
           ,
           as
           a
           Vessel
           that
           could
           never
           be
           fitted
           for
           the
           Master's
           use
           in
           this
           way
           of
           Dispensation
           ,
           Jer.
           18.4
           .
           On
           the
           Lord's
           part
           there
           was
           no
           defect
           towards
           his
           Child
           ,
           his
           Spouse
           ,
           his
           Vineyard
           ,
           his
           Garden
           of
           pleasant
           Plants
           (
           as
           this
           People
           was
           in
           that
           Dispensation
           :
           )
           for
           he
           was
           still
           a
           Father
           to
           them
           ,
           Faithful
           in
           Covenant
           ,
           Tender
           in
           Bowels
           ,
           abundant
           in
           Loving
           Kindness
           and
           Mercies
           :
           Yea
           what
           could
           be
           expected
           from
           the
           Lord
           towards
           a
           People
           ,
           according
           to
           that
           Dispensation
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           failed
           in
           ?
           But
           they
           were
           still
           faithless
           ,
           continually
           breaking
           Covenant
           ,
           Erring
           from
           his
           Dear
           and
           tender
           Love
           ,
           and
           drawing
           down
           the
           strokes
           of
           his
           Wrath
           upon
           them
           ,
           forsaking
           the
           guide
           of
           their
           youth
           ,
           forgetting
           the
           Love
           of
           their
           Espo●sals
           ,
           continually
           starting
           aside
           from
           the
           right
           State
           ,
           wherein
           God
           pleased
           at
           first
           to
           set
           them
           ,
           or
           at
           any
           time
           afterwards
           in
           any
           measure
           to
           reduce
           them
           .
        
         
         
           Q.
           
             How
             did
             God
             exercise
             and
             try
             them
             to
             the
             utmost
             ,
             even
             till
             at
             length
             it
             was
             plainly
             manifest
             ,
             that
             there
             was
             no
             firm
             keeping
             a
             People
             to
             him
             by
             Vertue
             of
             that
             Dispensation
             ,
             but
             he
             must
             necessarily
             cut
             them
             off
             ,
             chuse
             another
             People
             ,
             and
             take
             another
             course
             ,
             if
             he
             would
             have
             a
             People
             for
             his
             Heart
             to
             love
             and
             delight
             in
             ,
             and
             for
             them
             to
             injoy
             and
             possess
             him
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           He
           tryed
           them
           several
           ways
           ,
           and
           in
           several
           States
           and
           Conditions
           :
           as
           First
           ,
           in
           a
           State
           of
           Captivity
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           Egypt
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           in
           a
           State
           of
           Straits
           and
           continual
           Dependance
           upon
           God
           ,
           even
           for
           Necessaries
           ,
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           in
           a
           state
           of
           Enlargedness
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           Canaan
           ,
           which
           flowed
           with
           plentiful
           provisions
           for
           the
           outward
           man
           (
           which
           were
           also
           shadows
           and
           instructions
           concerning
           the
           inward
           Blessedness
           .
           )
           Fourthly
           ,
           in
           often
           Captivities
           .
           Fifthly
           ,
           in
           Returns
           to
           their
           Land
           again
           ,
           with
           Settlement
           and
           Peace
           and
           many
           Blessings
           therein
           .
        
         
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             did
             God
             try
             them
             in
             Egypt
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
             First
          
           ,
           with
           sore
           Bondage
           and
           Oppression
           from
           Pharaoh
           and
           the
           Egyptians
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           with
           giving
           them
           the
           feeling
           of
           their
           state
           ,
           the
           sence
           of
           their
           bondage
           ,
           and
           causing
           them
           to
           cry
           unto
           the
           Lord
           for
           Deliverance
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           in
           raising
           up
           a
           Deliverer
           ,
           and
           giving
           them
           a
           Sign
           of
           the
           Deliverance
           by
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           Deliverer
           ,
           in
           his
           smiting
           of
           an
           Egyptian
           and
           saving
           an
           Hebrew
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           in
           sending
           the
           Deliverer
           to
           them
           with
           Promises
           of
           Deliverance
           ,
           and
           with
           Signs
           and
           Symptoms
           of
           the
           Delivering
           Power
           .
           Fifthly
           ,
           in
           Pardoning
           their
           Unbelief
           and
           Rebellions
           against
           him
           in
           Egypt
           ,
           and
           shewing
           many
           Signs
           and
           Wonders
           for
           them
           in
           that
           Land
           ,
           till
           at
           length
           he
           had
           brought
           them
           forth
           by
           his
           Mighty
           outstretched
           Arm
           ,
           even
           against
           the
           will
           and
           mind
           of
           Pharaoh
           and
           their
           Task-masters
           .
        
         
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             did
             God
             find
             them
             in
             Egypt
             upon
             this
             Tryal
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           Very
           unbelieving
           ,
           very
           stubborn
           ,
           mis-interpreting
           his
           Sign
           of
           Deliverance
           ,
           reasoning
           against
           his
           Promise
           ,
           because
           it
           came
           not
           so
           soon
           and
           after
           the
           manner
           they
           expected
           .
           When
           he
           lift
           up
           his
           hand
           to
           them
           to
           redeem
           them
           from
           under
           Pharaoh
           ,
           to
           bring
           them
           forth
           of
           the
           Land
           of
           Bondage
           ,
           to
           the
           good
           Land
           he
           had
           espied
           for
           them
           ,
           and
           bid
           them
           forsake
           the
           Idolatrous
           worships
           of
           Egypt
           ,
           and
           not
           defile
           themselves
           any
           longer
           therewith
           ;
           because
           he
           was
           now
           to
           become
           the
           Lord
           their
           God
           ,
           &
           to
           appear
           in
           his
           Power
           for
           them
           ;
           yet
           they
           would
           not
           ,
           Ezek.
           20.5
           .
           &c.
           When
           Moses
           would
           have
           reconciled
           and
           Hebrew
           to
           his
           Brother
           ,
           he
           would
           not
           hear
           him
           ,
           but
           upbraided
           him
           for
           slaying
           the
           Egyptian
           ,
           not
           waiting
           on
           God
           to
           understand
           the
           Figure
           ,
           but
           mis-interpreting
           and
           abusing
           it
           in
           the
           Fleshly
           Mind
           .
           When
           
           the
           Deliverance
           succeeded
           not
           according
           to
           their
           expectations
           ,
           they
           Murmured
           against
           Moses
           and
           Aaron
           :
           and
           when
           God
           sent
           them
           again
           with
           a
           fresh
           Promise
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           mind
           it
           .
           Yet
           God
           bare
           with
           all
           this
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           did
           not
           cast
           them
           off
           ,
           but
           asswaged
           his
           Wrath
           ,
           and
           stirred
           up
           his
           Love
           to
           make
           a
           further
           Tryal
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             did
             God
             Try
             them
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           By
           many
           Temptations
           ,
           Signs
           and
           Wonders
           ;
           by
           Powerful
           Appearances
           for
           them
           against
           their
           Enemies
           ;
           by
           bringing
           them
           into
           many
           straits
           ;
           by
           unexpected
           and
           impossible
           supplies
           (
           I
           mean
           impossible
           to
           the
           sight
           or
           expectation
           of
           the
           outward
           Eye
           )
           as
           with
           Bread
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           Multitudes
           of
           Quails
           ,
           Water
           from
           the
           Rock
           ,
           keeping
           their
           Cloaths
           and
           Shoes
           from
           wearing
           out
           and
           decaying
           .
           Likewise
           he
           gave
           them
           an
           Holy
           and
           Righteous
           Law
           to
           Inform
           their
           Minds
           in
           Equity
           
           and
           Righteousness
           ,
           directing
           them
           in
           an
           holy
           way
           ,
           walking
           with
           God
           ,
           and
           one
           towards
           another
           ,
           and
           chalking
           out
           unto
           them
           an
           acceptable
           path
           of
           Worship
           :
           and
           this
           Law
           was
           delivered
           in
           great
           Majesty
           ,
           dread
           and
           terrour
           ,
           to
           cause
           a
           deep
           impression
           thereof
           upon
           their
           minds
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             did
             God
             find
             them
             in
             the
             Wildernesse
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Full
           of
           discontent
           ,
           full
           of
           murmuring
           ,
           full
           of
           self-will
           ,
           full
           of
           doubts
           and
           questionings
           concerning
           God's
           Power
           .
           They
           did
           not
           wait
           on
           him
           ,
           who
           had
           delivered
           them
           out
           of
           the
           hand
           of
           Pharaoh
           ,
           and
           from
           under
           the
           Egyptian
           Task-masters
           ,
           but
           they
           murmured
           against
           him
           .
           They
           did
           not
           wait
           for
           food
           ,
           or
           water
           when
           they
           wanted
           ,
           but
           distrusted
           and
           complained
           ,
           repining
           at
           Moses
           and
           Aaron
           ,
           and
           sometimes
           talking
           of
           making
           a
           Captain
           to
           lead
           them
           backward
           .
           Neither
           were
           they
           content
           
           with
           the
           Provision
           which
           God
           allotted
           them
           (
           that
           was
           mean
           in
           their
           eyes
           )
           but
           they
           would
           have
           flesh
           :
           Though
           the
           Manna
           ,
           the
           light
           Bread
           (
           as
           they
           esteemed
           it
           )
           of
           God's
           choice
           and
           with
           God's
           Blessing
           ,
           had
           been
           far
           better
           for
           them
           ,
           then
           the
           flesh
           with
           his
           curse
           ,
           upon
           that
           lust
           which
           asked
           it
           ,
           and
           would
           not
           be
           content
           without
           it
           .
           Again
           ,
           They
           would
           not
           go
           on
           towards
           Canaan
           or
           Fight
           when
           God
           would
           have
           them
           ,
           and
           when
           his
           strength
           would
           have
           gone
           along
           with
           them
           :
           but
           when
           he
           forbad
           them
           ,
           of
           their
           own
           will
           ,
           and
           trusting
           to
           their
           own
           strength
           ,
           they
           would
           go
           on
           and
           Fight
           .
           It
           is
           a
           sad
           record
           which
           Moses
           their
           tender
           Shepherd
           (
           who
           with
           the
           Eye
           of
           true
           Light
           had
           faithfully
           observed
           them
           )
           left
           concerning
           them
           ,
           Deut.
           9.24
           .
           
             You
             have
             been
             Rebellious
             against
             the
             Lord
             ,
             from
             the
             day
             that
             I
             knew
             you
             .
          
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             did
             God
             deal
             with
             them
             in
             reference
             to
             the
             Land
             of
             Canaan
             ?
          
        
         
         
           
             Answ
             .
             First
          
           ,
           he
           prepared
           them
           for
           it
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           he
           dispossessed
           their
           Enemies
           ,
           and
           placed
           them
           in
           it
           ,
           giving
           them
           an
           Inheritance
           according
           to
           his
           will.
           Thirdly
           ,
           he
           poured
           down
           Blessings
           upon
           them
           therein
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             did
             God
             prepare
             them
             for
             the
             good
             Land
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Answ
             .
             Eirst
          
           ,
           By
           many
           Afflictions
           and
           Exercises
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           wherein
           he
           judged
           and
           wore
           out
           the
           Rebellious
           Generation
           (
           who
           were
           consumed
           with
           dying
           )
           and
           raised
           up
           their
           Children
           in
           the
           awe
           and
           dread
           of
           his
           Mighty
           Power
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           by
           giving
           them
           a
           Righteous
           Law
           to
           walk
           by
           in
           every
           respect
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           not
           be
           to
           seek
           how
           to
           please
           God
           ,
           or
           how
           to
           walk
           one
           towards
           another
           ,
           or
           towards
           the
           Heathen
           among
           them
           ,
           or
           round
           about
           them
           ,
           but
           in
           every
           thing
           might
           be
           rightly
           instructed
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           by
           warning
           them
           of
           their
           own
           proneness
           to
           err
           from
           God
           ,
           
           and
           of
           the
           Danger
           thereof
           ,
           both
           in
           Relation
           to
           the
           loss
           of
           Mercies
           and
           drawing
           down
           of
           Judgements
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           watch
           against
           the
           Erring
           Nature
           and
           Transgressing
           Spirit
           in
           their
           hearts
           .
           Fourthly
           ,
           by
           appointing
           a
           way
           of
           Sacrifice
           and
           Mediation
           ,
           whereby
           God
           might
           be
           atoned
           either
           for
           Particular
           Persons
           ,
           or
           for
           the
           Land
           in
           General
           .
           Fifthly
           ,
           by
           directing
           them
           to
           a
           Principle
           as
           near
           to
           them
           ,
           and
           more
           strong
           than
           the
           unrighteous
           Principle
           ;
           whereby
           they
           might
           be
           preserved
           in
           the
           Obedience
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           and
           from
           out
           of
           the
           reach
           of
           the
           Curse
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             did
             God
             find
             them
             in
             their
             own
             Land
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           That
           Generation
           which
           was
           thus
           Prepared
           ,
           thus
           Taught
           ,
           thus
           Directed
           ,
           walked
           sweetly
           with
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           was
           a
           precious
           savour
           in
           his
           Nostrils
           :
           but
           soon
           after
           the
           evil
           thing
           sprang
           up
           again
           in
           the
           Generations
           
           following
           ,
           and
           they
           did
           quickly
           corrupt
           themselves
           ,
           departing
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           running
           a
           whoreing
           after
           their
           own
           hearts
           lusts
           ,
           Judg.
           2.7
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             did
             God
             deal
             with
             them
             then
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           He
           brought
           Judgment
           upon
           Judgement
           ,
           still
           Weightier
           and
           Weightier
           upon
           them
           ,
           according
           as
           their
           need
           required
           ,
           exercising
           loving
           kindness
           and
           Mercy
           towards
           them
           ,
           as
           much
           as
           possibly
           their
           Estate
           could
           bear
           .
           He
           sent
           his
           Prophets
           to
           forewarn
           them
           of
           the
           Wrath
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           be
           spared
           ,
           if
           possible
           :
           and
           when
           his
           Judgments
           and
           Severity
           came
           ,
           he
           mingled
           Mercy
           therewith
           ,
           that
           by
           both
           he
           might
           try
           to
           the
           utmost
           ,
           what
           they
           might
           be
           wrought
           to
           .
           He
           tryed
           them
           a
           long
           while
           under
           the
           Judges
           ,
           and
           a
           long
           while
           under
           the
           Kings
           ,
           often
           recovering
           them
           and
           setting
           them
           to
           rights
           ,
           expecting
           
           the
           Fruit
           of
           his
           Rod
           and
           of
           his
           Love
           towards
           them
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             was
             the
             result
             of
             God's
             trying
             them
             under
             the
             Judges
             and
             Kings
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           They
           wearied
           out
           God's
           Prophets
           ,
           yea
           ,
           they
           wearied
           out
           the
           Lord
           also
           in
           that
           way
           of
           his
           Dispensation
           .
           They
           chose
           the
           false
           Prophets
           before
           the
           true
           ,
           lying
           Divinations
           before
           the
           openings
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           dead
           Idols
           before
           the
           living
           God.
           The
           Kindnesses
           and
           Mercies
           of
           God
           were
           wasted
           upon
           them
           ,
           for
           with
           his
           Love
           they
           were
           not
           drawn
           :
           the
           Bellowes
           also
           were
           burnt
           ,
           the
           Lead
           consumed
           ,
           the
           heat
           of
           the
           Furnace
           spent
           upon
           them
           ,
           and
           yet
           their
           Tin
           and
           Dross
           not
           purged
           away
           .
           Under
           the
           Judges
           they
           tired
           out
           the
           Lord
           's
           Patient
           Expectation
           of
           Good
           from
           his
           Delivering
           hand
           ,
           insomuch
           as
           he
           resolved
           to
           deliver
           them
           no
           more
           ,
           Judg.
           10.13
           .
           Under
           the
           Kings
           they
           
           were
           as
           unruly
           (
           whether
           good
           Kings
           or
           bad
           Kings
           ,
           given
           in
           love
           or
           wrath
           )
           insomuch
           as
           the
           Lord
           said
           ,
           
             Why
             should
             ye
             be
             stricken
             any
             more
             ?
             ye
             will
             revolt
             more
             and
             more
             ,
          
           Isai
           .
           1.5
           .
           There
           was
           indeed
           no
           bending
           of
           Israel
           after
           the
           Flesh
           &
           keeping
           him
           Strait
           to
           God
           ,
           in
           that
           way
           of
           Dispensation
           :
           therefore
           must
           he
           be
           cast
           off
           ,
           even
           becoming
           Reprobate
           Silver
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           whole
           Earth
           ,
           because
           the
           Lord
           would
           reject
           him
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             came
             Israel
             after
             the
             Flesh
             to
             be
             rejected
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           His
           day
           of
           Flesh
           was
           out
           ,
           and
           the
           day
           of
           Spirit
           was
           come
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Spiritual
           Glory
           (
           which
           was
           to
           succeed
           the
           Shadows
           of
           the
           Fleshly
           )
           was
           to
           be
           set
           up
           :
           and
           so
           he
           not
           seeing
           that
           ,
           nor
           entring
           into
           that
           ,
           his
           own
           Sun
           set
           ,
           and
           he
           hath
           abode
           in
           the
           Darkness
           unto
           this
           day
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             came
             he
             not
             to
             see
             the
             Spiritual
             Glory
             ?
          
        
         
         
           Ans
           .
           Because
           the
           Eye
           of
           the
           Flesh
           was
           open
           in
           him
           ,
           which
           Eye
           cannot
           see
           it
           .
           He
           Read
           the
           Law
           in
           a
           gathered
           Light
           ,
           in
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           earthly
           Wisdom
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Spring
           from
           whence
           it
           came
           :
           and
           then
           how
           could
           he
           possibly
           understand
           the
           Law
           aright
           ?
           Could
           he
           then
           chuse
           but
           set
           up
           the
           Shadows
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           in
           the
           stead
           of
           the
           Substance
           which
           was
           vailed
           therein
           ?
           He
           read
           Moses
           with
           the
           Eye
           which
           can
           see
           but
           to
           the
           vail
           ,
           and
           not
           to
           the
           Glory
           which
           was
           revealed
           to
           Moses
           ,
           &
           which
           Moses
           hid
           under
           the
           Vail
           .
           And
           thus
           likewise
           he
           beheld
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           their
           Appearance
           ;
           not
           in
           the
           Light
           in
           which
           they
           appeared
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           Light
           of
           his
           own
           Reason
           and
           Imaginations
           :
           and
           upon
           this
           ground
           the
           Jews
           still
           chose
           and
           cryed
           up
           the
           false
           Prophets
           ,
           but
           Persecuted
           the
           True.
           Now
           not
           seeing
           Moses
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           nor
           the
           Prophets
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           
           how
           could
           they
           see
           Him
           who
           was
           greater
           then
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           he
           looking
           so
           Contemptibly
           to
           the
           Sight
           of
           that
           Eye
           ,
           wherewith
           they
           expected
           to
           see
           him
           ?
           It
           is
           the
           Jew
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           who
           alone
           can
           see
           and
           own
           the
           Messiah
           in
           Spirit
           :
           yea
           ,
           no
           fleshly
           Jew
           could
           possibly
           discern
           him
           then
           ,
           whose
           Eternal
           Life
           (
           Light
           and
           Power
           )
           was
           hid
           under
           so
           mean
           a
           Vail
           .
           He
           must
           be
           more
           than
           a
           Jew
           after
           the
           flesh
           ,
           who
           can
           own
           so
           much
           as
           the
           Law
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           the
           Prophets
           in
           Spirit
           :
           and
           then
           surely
           it
           can
           require
           no
           less
           than
           Inward
           Jewship
           ,
           to
           discern
           the
           Messiah
           himself
           .
           They
           knew
           by
           the
           Letter
           ,
           that
           then
           he
           was
           to
           come
           and
           to
           appear
           ;
           but
           they
           could
           not
           know
           by
           their
           Observations
           from
           the
           Letter
           ,
           which
           was
           he
           ,
           but
           alone
           by
           the
           pointing
           of
           the
           Finger
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           which
           they
           were
           unacquainted
           with
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             did
             they
             do
             to
             him
             ,
             not
             seeing
             his
             Glory
             ?
          
        
         
         
           An.
           They
           dealt
           with
           him
           as
           they
           had
           dealt
           with
           the
           Prophets
           before
           him
           ,
           disdained
           him
           that
           he
           should
           Claim
           to
           be
           the
           Son
           of
           God
           ,
           Slighted
           him
           ,
           Reviled
           him
           ,
           Reproached
           him
           ,
           preferred
           Moses
           and
           the
           Prophets
           above
           him
           (
           who
           all
           did
           but
           declare
           of
           him
           )
           yea
           at
           last
           they
           preferred
           a
           Thief
           and
           Murderer
           before
           him
           ,
           and
           put
           him
           to
           Death
           after
           that
           manner
           that
           the
           Prophets
           had
           foretold
           they
           would
           do
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Did
             the
             Prophets
             foretel
             that
             the
          
           Jews
           
             would
             put
             the
          
           Messiah
           
             to
             Death
          
           ?
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Yea
           ,
           very
           manifestly
           ,
           with
           the
           manner
           and
           Circumstances
           thereof
           .
           Daniel
           said
           plainly
           that
           the
           Messiah
           should
           be
           cut
           off
           ;
           though
           not
           for
           himself
           ,
           Chap.
           9.26
           .
           Isaiah
           shews
           the
           Cause
           why
           he
           was
           cut
           off
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           
             for
             the
             Transgression
             of
             my
             People
             was
             the
             Stroke
             upon
             him
             ,
          
           Chap.
           53.8
           .
           He
           was
           the
           Lamb
           without
           Spot
           ,
           there
           
           was
           no
           Iniquity
           found
           in
           his
           Heart
           ,
           nor
           guile
           in
           his
           mouth
           ,
           but
           he
           offered
           up
           his
           spotless
           Soul
           (
           through
           the
           Eternal
           Spirit
           )
           as
           a
           Ransom
           for
           the
           Souls
           of
           Transgressors
           ,
           and
           with
           his
           Bruise
           are
           they
           healed
           .
           David
           shews
           yet
           more
           particularly
           how
           he
           should
           be
           cut
           off
           ,
           
             They
             Pierced
             my
             Hands
             and
             my
             Feet
             ,
          
           Psal
           ,
           22.16
           .
           and
           Zachary
           saith
           ,
           that
           afterwards
           in
           the
           Day
           of
           their
           Visitation
           ,
           they
           shall
           look
           upon
           him
           whom
           they
           have
           Pierced
           ,
           Ch.
           12.10
           .
           Was
           he
           not
           Betrayed
           by
           one
           of
           his
           own
           Table
           ?
           (
           Psal
           .
           41.9
           .
           )
           Did
           they
           not
           cast
           Lots
           for
           his
           Garments
           ?
           (
           Psal
           .
           22.18
           .
           )
           Was
           not
           Gall
           also
           given
           him
           ,
           and
           Vinegar
           to
           Drink
           ?
           (
           Psal
           .
           69.21
           )
           Were
           not
           his
           Bones
           kept
           from
           being
           broken
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Paschal
           Lamb
           the
           Type
           ?
           (
           Exod.
           12.46
           .
           )
           O
           that
           the
           Jews
           could
           read
           the
           words
           of
           their
           own
           Prophets
           in
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           not
           in
           the
           Light
           of
           man's
           Imagination
           ,
           and
           
           then
           they
           could
           not
           but
           Bow
           before
           the
           Spring
           &
           Fountain
           of
           that
           Light
           ,
           as
           it
           was
           Revealed
           in
           Flesh
           according
           to
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           and
           see
           how
           that
           Body
           was
           prepared
           for
           the
           Light
           to
           shine
           in
           ,
           and
           for
           it
           to
           do
           the
           Will
           in
           ,
           and
           to
           offer
           up
           the
           Sacrifice
           which
           God
           would
           have
           ,
           that
           so
           an
           end
           might
           be
           put
           to
           all
           the
           Sacrifices
           and
           Offerings
           which
           God
           would
           not
           have
           ,
           Psal
           .
           40.6
           .
           Dan.
           9.27
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             was
             to
             befall
             the
          
           Jews
           
             for
             refusing
             the
             Day
             of
             their
             Visitation
             by
             the
          
           Messiah
           ,
           
             and
             for
             the
             putting
             of
             him
             to
             Death
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           They
           were
           to
           be
           cast
           off
           ,
           to
           become
           no
           People
           ,
           their
           Covenant
           to
           be
           broken
           ,
           their
           Glory
           turned
           into
           shame
           ,
           their
           Light
           set
           in
           obscurity
           ,
           their
           House
           made
           Desolate
           ,
           and
           the
           hand
           of
           God
           pursuing
           this
           desolate
           People
           ,
           making
           them
           a
           Scorn
           and
           Reproach
           throughout
           all
           Nations
           (
           Dan.
           9.27
           .
           And
           is
           not
           this
           come
           
           to
           pass
           upon
           them
           ?
           for
           what
           Person
           hath
           been
           more
           hateful
           and
           hated
           than
           a
           Jew
           ,
           who
           was
           once
           the
           Glory
           and
           Envy
           of
           all
           Nations
           ?
           yea
           ,
           hardness
           and
           blindness
           hath
           so
           happened
           to
           them
           ,
           that
           they
           cannot
           see
           the
           plainest
           things
           written
           in
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           concerning
           the
           Expiration
           of
           the
           Day
           of
           Moses
           with
           all
           his
           Shadows
           ,
           and
           the
           succeeding
           of
           the
           Spiritual
           Glory
           in
           the
           dayes
           of
           the
           Messiah
           ,
           but
           their
           Eyes
           and
           Hearts
           are
           still
           blinded
           and
           held
           Captive
           in
           the
           Figures
           of
           things
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Is
             there
             any
             Scripture
             of
             the
             Prophets
             ,
             which
             declareth
             that
             they
             should
             be
             thus
             blind
             and
             hard
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           the
           Prophet
           David
           (
           the
           Beloved
           King
           and
           Figure
           of
           the
           Messiah
           )
           prayed
           for
           this
           Righteous
           Recompence
           to
           them
           .
           
             Let
             their
             Table
             become
             a
             Snare
             before
             them
             ,
             and
             for
             Welfare
             a
             Trap.
             Let
             their
             Eyes
             be
             Darkned
             that
             they
             see
             
             not
             ,
          
           &c.
           
           
             Let
             their
             Habitation
             be
             Desolate
          
           ,
           &c.
           Psal
           .
           69.22
           ,
           &c.
           What
           is
           their
           Table
           ?
           where
           and
           on
           what
           do
           they
           Feed
           ?
           Is
           it
           not
           on
           the
           Writings
           of
           Moses
           and
           the
           Prophets
           ?
           Now
           all
           the
           Meanings
           ,
           Observations
           and
           Hopes
           which
           they
           gather
           from
           these
           (
           being
           under
           the
           Curse
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Prophets
           )
           cannot
           but
           be
           their
           Snare
           and
           Trap
           :
           and
           that
           which
           entangleth
           them
           deeply
           to
           this
           day
           is
           ,
           their
           mis-understanding
           and
           mis-interpreting
           of
           Moses
           and
           the
           Prophets
           .
           
             O
             Lord
             my
             God
             ,
             in
             the
             abundant
             Riches
             of
             thy
             Goodness
             at
             length
             Pity
             them
             ,
             and
             let
             the
             fierceness
             of
             thine
             Indignation
             abate
             towards
             them
             ,
             and
             in
             thy
             Love
             open
             their
             Eyes
             to
             see
             their
             state
             ,
             &
             what
             they
             have
             refused
             ,
             and
             against
             whom
             they
             have
             lift
             up
             their
             heel
             in
             their
             conceited
             Wisdom
             &
             Knowledge
             ,
             which
             they
             have
             gathered
             from
          
           Moses
           
             and
             the
             Prophets
             Writings
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             mourn
             after
             thee
             ,
             and
             wait
             for
             thee
             in
             the
             way
             of
             thy
             Redemption
             .
          
        
         
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             long
             is
             this
             Desolation
             and
             Hardness
             to
             abide
             upon
             them
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           Until
           God
           visit
           them
           with
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           open
           their
           eyes
           to
           see
           his
           Spiritual
           Glory
           ,
           and
           turn
           their
           hearts
           towards
           it
           .
           Then
           their
           outward
           expectations
           ,
           and
           desires
           after
           an
           outward
           Glorious
           Kingdom
           ,
           will
           soon
           come
           to
           an
           end
           ;
           and
           the
           Messiah
           will
           be
           known
           ,
           owned
           and
           received
           by
           them
           in
           Spirit
           :
           yet
           any
           outward
           Glory
           that
           the
           Lord
           God
           sees
           good
           for
           them
           ,
           they
           shall
           not
           want
           neither
           .
           This
           the
           Prophet
           Isaiah
           plainly
           Relates
           to
           the
           Ear
           that
           is
           Spiritual
           ,
           Chap.
           32.15
           .
           (
           
             Until
             the
             Spirit
             be
             poured
             upon
             us
             from
             on
             High
             ,
             and
             the
             Wilderness
             be
             a
             Fruitfull
             Field
             ,
             and
             the
             Fruitful
             Field
             be
             counted
             for
             a
             Forrest
             .
          
           )
           They
           must
           lie
           wast
           ,
           until
           the
           Lord
           God
           please
           to
           let
           forth
           his
           Spirit
           upon
           them
           ,
           to
           gather
           them
           into
           his
           Spiritual
           Glory
           :
           for
           the
           Day
           of
           their
           outward
           Glory
           did
           end
           ,
           and
           a
           Spiritual
           
           succeeded
           ,
           which
           they
           are
           to
           be
           gathered
           into
           ,
           when
           the
           days
           of
           their
           Distress
           and
           Tribulation
           are
           accomplished
           .
        
         
           The
           Spirit
           was
           once
           poured
           down
           from
           on
           High
           on
           the
           Disciples
           of
           the
           Messiah
           ,
           upon
           his
           Ascending
           into
           his
           Glory
           ,
           and
           the
           Wilderness
           then
           became
           a
           Fruitful
           Field
           ,
           and
           the
           Fruitful
           Field
           was
           accounted
           for
           a
           Forrest
           :
           but
           over
           that
           Glory
           the
           Defence
           was
           not
           so
           stretched
           forth
           ,
           but
           that
           a
           night
           overtook
           that
           day
           ,
           and
           the
           Wild
           Beasts
           made
           a
           Prey
           of
           that
           Vineyard
           and
           Fruitful
           Field
           also
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           of
           the
           former
           .
           But
           there
           is
           to
           be
           a
           more
           general
           pouring
           out
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           even
           upon
           all
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           the
           Wilderness
           is
           more
           generally
           to
           be
           visited
           &
           become
           a
           fruitful
           Field
           ,
           and
           the
           fruitful
           Field
           is
           more
           generally
           to
           be
           blasted
           &
           made
           a
           forrest
           :
           insomuch
           as
           all
           Flesh
           every
           where
           shall
           appear
           Grass
           ,
           and
           the
           Glory
           thereof
           as
           the
           
           Flower
           of
           the
           Field
           ,
           which
           shall
           fade
           and
           wither
           before
           the
           breath
           of
           God's
           Spirit
           .
           Then
           Judgment
           shall
           dwell
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           which
           is
           then
           visited
           ,
           and
           Righteousness
           shall
           remain
           in
           the
           Field
           which
           is
           then
           made
           fruitful
           :
           and
           Righteousness
           shall
           be
           Powerfully-operative
           ,
           working
           out
           the
           lasting
           Peace
           ,
           and
           the
           effect
           of
           it
           shall
           be
           
             Quietness
             and
             Assurance
             for
             ever
          
           ▪
           No
           more
           War
           ,
           no
           more
           Fighting
           with
           Creatures
           ,
           no
           more
           burthening
           and
           oppressing
           of
           the
           Creation
           ,
           no
           more
           sinning
           and
           offending
           against
           the
           Creator
           ,
           no
           more
           being
           dispossessed
           of
           his
           Life
           and
           Glory
           ,
           but
           the
           Dwellings
           ,
           which
           God
           reareth
           up
           in
           the
           last
           dayes
           for
           Israel
           his
           People
           ,
           shall
           be
           Peaceable
           Habitations
           ,
           sure
           Dwellings
           and
           quiet
           Resting-places
           for
           evermore
           .
           O
           let
           Israel
           feel
           that
           which
           is
           able
           to
           awaken
           him
           ,
           and
           wait
           for
           this
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             shall
             they
             be
             visited
             and
             gathered
             ?
          
        
         
         
           Answ
           .
           By
           the
           new
           Covenant
           ,
           by
           by
           the
           new
           Law
           of
           the
           Messiah
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           go
           forth
           out
           of
           the
           new
           Sion
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Word
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           issue
           out
           of
           the
           new
           Jerusalem
           .
           Not
           by
           the
           Covenant
           of
           Moses
           (
           their
           Eyes
           may
           fail
           in
           hoping
           and
           looking
           out
           that
           way
           )
           but
           by
           the
           Covenant
           of
           the
           Messiah
           ,
           where
           the
           Law
           of
           Life
           is
           Written
           ,
           not
           in
           Tables
           of
           stone
           or
           outward
           writings
           of
           the
           Letter
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           heart
           by
           the
           Spirit
           .
           There
           they
           shall
           be
           cleansed
           by
           inward
           Water
           ,
           receive
           the
           inward
           Circumcision
           and
           Mark
           of
           the
           inward
           Jew
           ,
           be
           sprinkled
           with
           the
           everlasting
           Blood
           of
           the
           Lamb
           ,
           and
           taught
           to
           offer
           up
           the
           spiritual
           Sacrifice
           ,
           and
           shall
           hear
           the
           Voice
           which
           will
           tell
           them
           of
           the
           Way
           ,
           and
           which
           will
           lead
           them
           in
           Paths
           they
           have
           not
           known
           .
           There
           the
           spiritual
           Seed
           ,
           the
           spiritual
           Israel
           shall
           find
           the
           Shepherd
           of
           Israel
           ,
           who
           leads
           into
           the
           Land
           of
           Life
           ,
           puts
           forth
           
           his
           Sheep
           into
           the
           Pastures
           of
           Life
           ,
           gives
           them
           of
           the
           living
           Streams
           to
           drink
           ,
           begetting
           them
           as
           Heirs
           of
           ,
           and
           bringing
           them
           up
           in
           the
           everlasting
           Power
           and
           Dominion
           of
           the
           Life
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             may
             old
          
           Israel
           
             enter
             into
             this
             Path
             ,
             and
             so
             become
             new
             Israel
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           By
           waiting
           on
           the
           Lord
           for
           the
           closing
           of
           that
           Eye
           ,
           which
           is
           wise
           according
           to
           the
           Flesh
           ;
           and
           for
           the
           opening
           of
           that
           Eye
           which
           is
           at
           first
           weak
           in
           Spirit
           .
           There
           must
           be
           a
           low
           beginning
           .
           Israel
           must
           know
           and
           not
           despise
           the
           Day
           of
           small
           things
           ,
           if
           ever
           he
           will
           grow
           up
           into
           the
           Riches
           and
           Inheritance
           of
           this
           Glory
           .
           There
           is
           a
           Light
           in
           every
           heart
           ,
           which
           gives
           a
           sound
           in
           the
           natural
           Vessel
           ,
           which
           is
           very
           hardly
           at
           first
           distinguishable
           from
           the
           natural
           ,
           till
           (
           by
           obedience
           and
           subjection
           thereto
           )
           its
           living
           Touch
           ,
           Vertue
           and
           Power
           comes
           to
           be
           felt
           and
           distinguished
           :
           but
           in
           the
           Meek
           ,
           
           Humble
           ,
           Believing
           and
           Obidient
           ,
           it
           daily
           appears
           more
           and
           more
           ,
           and
           makes
           it self
           more
           clearly
           manifest
           to
           them
           ,
           who
           are
           walking
           on
           unto
           the
           Kingdom
           and
           Inheritance
           in
           it
           ,
           while
           others
           are
           disputing
           about
           it
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             may
          
           Israel
           
             believe
             ,
             and
             become
             subject
             to
             the
             Light
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           When
           there
           is
           a
           drawing
           felt
           in
           the
           heart
           ,
           either
           to
           good
           ,
           or
           against
           evil
           ,
           he
           must
           not
           dispute
           concerning
           it
           on
           the
           one
           hand
           ,
           nor
           run
           on
           in
           the
           forwardness
           on
           the
           other
           ,
           (
           for
           both
           these
           wayes
           ,
           the
           breathings
           of
           the
           Spirit
           on
           him
           ,
           and
           springings
           up
           of
           the
           good
           Seed
           in
           him
           are
           easily
           quenched
           )
           but
           in
           the
           Fear
           he
           is
           to
           trust
           himself
           with
           what
           his
           heart
           certainly
           feels
           in
           the
           drawing
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           Humility
           to
           give
           up
           the
           Members
           to
           the
           Good
           and
           to
           withhold
           them
           from
           the
           Evil
           ,
           waiting
           for
           strength
           from
           the
           Fountain
           of
           strength
           towards
           both
           .
           By
           this
           means
           
           there
           is
           a
           Travell
           and
           removal
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           corruption
           and
           filth
           of
           the
           heart
           ,
           into
           the
           pure
           holy
           Law
           ,
           Nature
           ,
           Image
           and
           Will
           of
           God.
           
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Where
             doth
             God
             find
             the
             heart
             ,
             when
             he
             first
             visiteth
             it
             with
             his
             Light
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           In
           Egypt
           ,
           in
           the
           Darkness
           ,
           in
           the
           Bonds
           and
           Captivity
           of
           Death
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             doth
             the
             Lord
             do
             with
             it
             there
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           He
           Exerciseth
           it
           a
           while
           there
           ,
           till
           he
           hath
           made
           it
           fit
           for
           a
           Wilderness-state
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             doth
             he
             do
             with
             it
             then
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           He
           bringeth
           it
           into
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           which
           he
           hath
           fitted
           it
           for
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             doth
             he
             do
             with
             it
             in
             the
             Wilderness
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           He
           prepareth
           it
           for
           ,
           and
           leadeth
           it
           towards
           the
           Land
           of
           Life
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             doth
             he
             do
             with
             it
             then
             ?
          
        
         
         
           Ans
           .
           He
           giveth
           it
           an
           entrance
           into
           the
           everlasting
           Kingdom
           (
           which
           is
           the
           Land
           of
           Life
           )
           according
           as
           he
           hath
           prepared
           and
           fitted
           it
           .
           That
           which
           is
           new-begotten
           ,
           new-created
           and
           formed
           ,
           new-born
           in
           the
           Messiah's
           Eternal
           Light
           ,
           findeth
           an
           Entrance
           into
           and
           an
           Habitation
           in
           the
           Light
           ,
           and
           is
           not
           turned
           back
           into
           the
           Land
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           it
           abiding
           in
           the
           Vertue
           and
           Principle
           of
           its
           Life
           ,
           although
           sometimes
           it
           may
           be
           exercised
           with
           the
           Darkness
           for
           its
           further
           advantage
           .
           
             Thou
             art
             our
             Habitation
             from
             everlasting
             to
             everlasting
             ,
          
           saith
           the
           Child
           of
           Light
           unto
           the
           Father
           of
           Spirits
           ,
           in
           all
           Ages
           and
           Generations
           .
        
         
           Now
           that
           Israel
           after
           the
           Flesh
           may
           the
           better
           understand
           the
           Path
           of
           the
           spiritual
           Israel
           in
           the
           way
           of
           Redemption
           ,
           by
           the
           powerful
           visitations
           of
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Messiah
           in
           
           their
           hearts
           and
           Consciences
           ;
           &
           may
           know
           the
           Gospel
           of
           his
           Salvation
           ,
           which
           is
           able
           to
           effect
           that
           ,
           which
           the
           Law
           of
           Moses
           could
           not
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           weakness
           of
           the
           Flesh
           on
           their
           parts
           ;
           let
           them
           in
           fear
           and
           silence
           of
           the
           natural
           wisdom
           ,
           and
           in
           waiting
           on
           the
           Lord
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           consider
           these
           Questions
           and
           Answers
           following
           ,
           relating
           to
           spiritual
           Israel
           .
        
      
       
         
           Some
           Questions
           and
           Answers
           ,
           for
           the
           Direction
           ,
           Comfort
           ,
           Help
           and
           Furtherance
           of
           God
           's
           Spiritual
           Israel
           ,
           in
           their
           Travels
           in
           Spirit
           from
           Spiritual
           Egypt
           ,
           through
           the
           Spiritual
           Wilderness
           to
           Spiritual
           Canaan
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Land
           where
           the
           Redeemed
           Soul
           flourisheth
           in
           the
           Life
           ,
           walking
           with
           God
           and
           Worshiping
           Him
           in
           Spirit
           and
           Truth
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             WHat
             is
             the
             Gospel
          
           ?
        
         
           Answ
           .
           A
           good
           Message
           or
           
           glad
           Tydings
           to
           man
           in
           the
           fallen
           estate
           ,
           concerning
           a
           Promise
           of
           Redemption
           out
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Is
             man
             then
             in
             a
             fallen
             Estate
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           His
           present
           Temper
           ,
           Constitution
           ,
           Disposition
           and
           whole
           Course
           ,
           upon
           the
           least
           touch
           of
           God
           upon
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           do
           in
           some
           measure
           discover
           his
           fall
           unto
           him
           ;
           though
           the
           insensibleness
           ,
           which
           is
           come
           upon
           him
           by
           his
           grievous
           wound
           and
           death
           through
           the
           fall
           ,
           maketh
           him
           very
           unapt
           to
           take
           notice
           thereof
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             was
             his
             Estate
             before
             his
             fall
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           A
           State
           of
           Glory
           and
           Blessedness
           ,
           wherein
           he
           came
           pure
           out
           of
           the
           hands
           of
           his
           Creator
           ,
           was
           fitted
           for
           his
           use
           ,
           service
           ,
           enjoyment
           and
           delight
           ,
           even
           for
           him
           to
           appear
           or
           disappear
           in
           ,
           and
           exercise
           according
           to
           his
           pleasure
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Wherein
             did
             his
             Glory
             and
             Blessedness
             consist
             ?
          
        
         
         
           Ans
           .
           Chiefly
           in
           these
           four
           things
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           In
           the
           Light
           ;
           in
           the
           Life
           ;
           in
           the
           Liberty
           in
           which
           the
           Vessel
           was
           formed
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           Indwelling
           and
           appearing
           of
           the
           Creator
           there
           ,
           according
           to
           his
           pleasure
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Open
             this
             a
             little
             further
          
           .
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Man
           was
           made
           a
           Vessel
           of
           Light
           ,
           a
           Vessel
           of
           Life
           ,
           a
           Vessel
           of
           pure
           Freedom
           .
           He
           was
           formed
           in
           the
           Eternal
           Image
           ,
           and
           had
           a
           pure
           being
           in
           that
           Image
           .
           He
           was
           Light
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           living
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           free
           unto
           all
           Good
           ,
           and
           from
           all
           Evil
           in
           the
           Lord.
           This
           was
           the
           state
           of
           his
           being
           at
           first
           ,
           and
           thus
           was
           he
           made
           in
           the
           Image
           a
           pure
           resemblance
           of
           the
           Eternal
           Purity
           and
           Blessedness
           :
           but
           besides
           this
           he
           had
           the
           Eternal
           Life
           ,
           the
           Eternal
           Substance
           ,
           the
           Eternal
           Purity
           it self
           dwelling
           in
           the
           Vessel
           ,
           shining
           in
           it
           ,
           and
           manifesting
           it self
           from
           it
           according
           to
           its
           pleasure
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             came
             man
             to
             fall
             from
             this
             Estate
             ?
          
        
         
         
           Answ
           .
           Not
           willingly
           ,
           not
           of
           an
           inclination
           of
           his
           own
           ,
           but
           he
           was
           deceived
           ,
           through
           the
           subtilty
           of
           Temptation
           ,
           to
           entertain
           a
           desire
           of
           enlarging
           his
           blessedness
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           limits
           of
           the
           will
           of
           his
           Creator
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             could
             such
             a
             Temptation
             enter
             man
             ,
             he
             being
             Pure
             and
             Holy
             ,
             inclined
             to
             Good
             and
             against
             Evil
             ,
             after
             the
             Image
             of
             his
             Creator
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Man
           was
           not
           made
           to
           enjoy
           a
           Perfection
           in
           himself
           separate
           from
           his
           Creator
           ,
           or
           to
           live
           of
           himself
           ,
           but
           by
           dependance
           .
           Now
           though
           he
           had
           no
           inclination
           in
           him
           not
           to
           depend
           ,
           or
           to
           seek
           a
           Life
           in
           himself
           out
           of
           the
           Fountain
           ,
           yet
           there
           was
           a
           Capacity
           of
           so
           doing
           :
           before
           which
           Capacity
           the
           Tempter
           laid
           his
           bait
           of
           advancing
           him
           to
           a
           greater
           Wisdom
           ,
           Glory
           and
           Excellency
           ,
           than
           his
           Creator
           had
           placed
           him
           in
           ;
           with
           which
           he
           consulting
           out
           of
           the
           dependance
           upon
           his
           Creator
           ,
           fell
           from
           that
           which
           alone
           
           was
           able
           to
           uphold
           him
           in
           the
           pure
           state
           ,
           wherein
           he
           was
           made
           .
           Thus
           was
           he
           taken
           in
           the
           snare
           of
           misery
           and
           brought
           to
           that
           loss
           ,
           which
           all
           the
           Sons
           of
           Adam
           lie
           groveling
           under
           to
           this
           day
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           at
           any
           time
           awakens
           the
           sence
           thereof
           in
           them
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             was
             the
             State
             of
             man
             in
             and
             since
             the
             fall
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           A
           state
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           a
           state
           of
           Death
           ,
           a
           state
           of
           deep
           Captivity
           ,
           wherein
           his
           Soul
           ,
           Body
           and
           Spirit
           are
           become
           dark
           as
           to
           the
           Light
           of
           God
           ,
           dead
           as
           to
           the
           Life
           of
           Righteousness
           ,
           and
           Captive
           unto
           that
           spirit
           which
           hath
           entred
           them
           by
           their
           hearkning
           thereto
           ,
           who
           dwelleth
           and
           ruleth
           in
           them
           in
           the
           Darkness
           ,
           as
           God
           did
           before
           in
           the
           Light.
           
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             is
             man
             dark
             ?
             how
             is
             man
             dead
             ?
             is
             his
             Soul
             or
             body
             dead
             as
             to
             their
             being
             ?
             or
             how
             else
             is
             it
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Man
           is
           not
           dead
           as
           to
           his
           being
           either
           in
           Soul
           or
           Body
           ,
           but
           as
           to
           the
           right
           ,
           pure
           and
           sanctified
           state
           
           of
           each
           .
           The
           Vessels
           still
           remain
           the
           same
           in
           being
           ,
           but
           they
           are
           emptied
           of
           their
           proper
           Liquor
           ,
           and
           filled
           with
           other
           Wine
           .
           The
           Understanding
           is
           the
           same
           ,
           the
           Reason
           the
           same
           ,
           the
           Will
           the
           same
           ,
           the
           Memory
           the
           same
           ,
           the
           bodily
           Members
           the
           same
           as
           to
           their
           being
           or
           matter
           :
           but
           they
           are
           all
           otherwise
           leavened
           ,
           and
           another
           King
           now
           dwells
           in
           them
           and
           Reigns
           over
           them
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Then
             there
             needs
             not
             any
             dissolution
             of
             man's
             Reason
             ,
             or
             bringing
             it
             to
             nothing
             ,
             in
             relation
             to
             man's
             Recovery
             ,
             but
             onely
             a
             changing
             of
             the
             Leaven
             .
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Man
           is
           become
           another
           thing
           by
           degeneration
           from
           the
           Life
           .
           He
           is
           so
           poisoned
           by
           Sin
           and
           Corruption
           ,
           that
           he
           is
           to
           be
           wholly
           broken
           down
           and
           brought
           to
           nothing
           ,
           even
           in
           the
           very
           Naturals
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           be
           new
           made
           and
           built
           up
           in
           the
           newness
           of
           the
           Spirit
           .
           Thus
           he
           is
           to
           become
           as
           a
           Fool
           ,
           as
           a
           little
           Child
           ,
           or
           
           rather
           as
           a
           Seed
           to
           be
           cast
           into
           the
           womb
           of
           Life
           ,
           there
           to
           be
           formed
           and
           born
           of
           the
           Spirit
           .
           And
           as
           he
           springs
           up
           in
           the
           Life
           ,
           he
           is
           to
           forget
           his
           own
           Country
           ,
           living
           in
           the
           Spirit
           and
           walking
           in
           the
           Spirit
           :
           where
           watching
           to
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           against
           his
           own
           Reason
           in
           the
           pure
           Childishess
           ,
           in
           the
           simple
           instinct
           and
           naturalness
           of
           the
           Life
           ,
           he
           shall
           at
           length
           find
           a
           Reason
           new
           formed
           and
           springing
           up
           in
           him
           ,
           which
           waiting
           on
           the
           Lord
           in
           Obedience
           and
           subjection
           ,
           shall
           be
           taken
           into
           Unity
           with
           the
           Life
           :
           but
           if
           the
           Eye
           of
           Reason
           open
           too
           fast
           ,
           and
           be
           not
           kept
           down
           to
           the
           Light
           of
           Life
           ,
           the
           Betrayer
           will
           enter
           again
           at
           that
           door
           ,
           and
           bring
           the
           Soul
           into
           Death
           ,
           after
           it
           hath
           had
           sweet
           and
           Precious
           Tasts
           of
           the
           Redeeming
           Vertue
           and
           Power
           .
        
         
           Quest
           ,
           
             Can
             Man
             in
             the
             fall
             see
             his
             fallen
             Estate
             ,
             and
             so
             seek
             after
             a
             recovery
             out
             of
             it
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           It
           is
           not
           possible
           for
           him
           
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           without
           some
           Light
           shining
           upon
           him
           from
           the
           Redeemer
           .
           How
           can
           Darkness
           discover
           Darkness
           ?
           That
           which
           maketh
           mamanifest
           the
           Darkness
           is
           Light.
           When
           the
           Vessel
           is
           dark
           ,
           and
           the
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           filleth
           it
           and
           dwelleth
           in
           it
           ,
           what
           can
           that
           Eye
           see
           but
           according
           to
           the
           Darkness
           ,
           judging
           Evil
           Good
           and
           Good
           Evil
           ,
           bitter
           sweet
           and
           sweet
           bitter
           ?
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             But
             there
             is
             no
             man
             but
             hath
             some
             Light
             ,
             no
             man
             but
             at
             some
             time
             or
             other
             seeth
             Good
             or
             Evil
             in
             some
             measure
             .
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           That
           ariseth
           not
           from
           the
           light
           of
           Man's
           Nature
           ,
           as
           it
           now
           stands
           in
           the
           fall
           (
           which
           being
           wholly
           in
           the
           Enemie's
           hands
           ,
           and
           being
           it self
           become
           darkness
           ,
           cannot
           at
           all
           give
           man
           notice
           of
           or
           light
           him
           out
           of
           the
           darkness
           )
           but
           from
           a
           fresh
           Visitation
           of
           the
           Life
           ,
           which
           giveth
           all
           men
           a
           day
           of
           Visitation
           by
           the
           shining
           of
           its
           Light
           ,
           wherein
           is
           some
           
           manifestation
           to
           man
           ,
           and
           some
           certain
           sight
           by
           him
           both
           of
           the
           Good
           and
           of
           the
           Evil
           :
           and
           not
           onely
           so
           ,
           but
           there
           is
           also
           the
           living
           Spirit
           striving
           with
           him
           ,
           and
           attracting
           him
           from
           the
           one
           to
           the
           other
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           Lord
           's
           good
           pleasure
           ,
           whose
           is
           both
           the
           Light
           ,
           and
           also
           the
           determination
           of
           the
           proportion
           of
           every
           man's
           Visitation
           by
           it
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             But
             hath
             not
             man
             naturally
             a
             Light
             in
             the
             fallen
             Estate
             ,
             which
             discovereth
             unto
             him
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Not
           a
           true
           Light
           ,
           not
           a
           true
           Discovery
           ,
           but
           onely
           somewhat
           which
           the
           Enemy
           setteth
           up
           in
           man
           as
           such
           ,
           to
           keep
           him
           in
           the
           entanglements
           of
           the
           Deceit
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           the
           suspition
           of
           it
           .
           For
           the
           Enemy
           entring
           into
           him
           ,
           by
           his
           subtilty
           blindeth
           and
           deceiveth
           his
           Eye
           (
           that
           he
           may
           the
           better
           hold
           him
           Captive
           in
           the
           deceit
           )
           insomuch
           as
           he
           discerneth
           not
           the
           false
           Image
           which
           the
           Enemy
           hath
           stamped
           upon
           him
           :
           for
           though
           
           the
           Enemy
           bringeth
           man
           into
           a
           state
           of
           real
           Darkness
           ,
           Death
           and
           Captivity
           ;
           yet
           these
           do
           not
           at
           present
           appear
           to
           man
           what
           they
           are
           ,
           but
           are
           miscoloured
           or
           Painted
           to
           appear
           what
           they
           are
           not
           ,
           the
           better
           to
           deceive
           ,
           bewitch
           and
           entangle
           man
           therein
           .
           The
           Enemy
           did
           not
           represent
           Darkness
           in
           its
           Black
           hue
           ,
           Death
           and
           Captivity
           in
           its
           dreadful
           Appearance
           to
           Adam
           ;
           but
           as
           Wisdom
           ,
           as
           Light
           ,
           as
           a
           better
           Life
           ,
           as
           a
           greater
           Freedom
           .
           And
           thus
           he
           still
           enters
           man
           ,
           and
           after
           this
           manner
           he
           still
           dwells
           in
           man
           ,
           until
           the
           true
           Light
           pursue
           him
           ,
           opening
           and
           discovering
           his
           Deceit
           ,
           and
           drawing
           man
           back
           from
           this
           false
           Paradise
           of
           pleasure
           in
           wisdom
           and
           liberty
           out
           of
           the
           Life
           ,
           into
           a
           sence
           of
           his
           want
           of
           ,
           and
           breathings
           after
           the
           true
           Garden
           of
           the
           living
           God.
           
        
         
           Q.
           
             Is
             man
             then
             mistaken
             in
             his
             Judgment
             of
             Good
             and
             Evil
             since
             the
             fall
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Yes
           ,
           altogether
           :
           and
           by
           this
           means
           doth
           he
           so
           pleasingly
           scituate
           
           himself
           ,
           and
           take
           up
           his
           Habitation
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           wherein
           are
           strong
           holds
           and
           wise
           reasonings
           against
           the
           true
           God
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           false
           Appearances
           of
           good
           ,
           which
           the
           Enemy
           of
           the
           Soul
           strongly
           makes
           men
           believe
           to
           be
           such
           as
           he
           represents
           them
           for
           ,
           in
           the
           darkness
           .
           Thus
           in
           particular
           persons
           ,
           and
           also
           in
           Societies
           evil
           is
           pursued
           after
           ,
           and
           advanced
           for
           good
           ,
           and
           the
           true
           good
           suppressed
           as
           evil
           ,
           through
           the
           working
           of
           the
           Mystery
           of
           Darkness
           in
           mens
           hearts
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             then
             is
             the
             proper
             Estate
             and
             Condition
             of
             man
             in
             the
             fall
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           A
           State
           of
           false
           light
           ,
           of
           false
           life
           ,
           of
           false
           liberty
           .
           He
           seemeth
           to
           himself
           advanced
           in
           Wisdom
           above
           the
           low
           ,
           empty
           ,
           naked
           Estate
           of
           Innocency
           ,
           which
           is
           nothing
           and
           hath
           nothing
           ,
           but
           by
           a
           continual
           dependance
           on
           the
           Goodness
           of
           the
           Creator
           .
           He
           seemeth
           also
           advanced
           
           in
           Life
           ,
           advanced
           in
           Liberty
           .
           He
           can
           speak
           his
           own
           words
           ,
           think
           his
           own
           thoughts
           ,
           do
           his
           own
           will
           ,
           seek
           himself
           ,
           please
           himself
           ,
           satisfie
           himself
           .
           The
           life
           of
           Righteousness
           is
           a
           yoak
           ,
           a
           bond
           in
           his
           Eye
           :
           He
           is
           free
           from
           the
           restraint
           of
           it
           .
           He
           hath
           Life
           in
           himself
           ,
           and
           is
           exceeding
           wise
           in
           the
           compass
           of
           his
           own
           dominions
           .
           Thus
           doth
           the
           Enemy
           transform
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Darkness
           and
           Death
           ,
           giving
           fallen
           Man
           a
           share
           with
           him
           in
           it
           ,
           while
           he
           remains
           his
           willing
           Subject
           .
           And
           here
           the
           Goods
           of
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           the
           Heart
           estranged
           from
           God
           ,
           yea
           ,
           not
           onely
           the
           devout
           and
           zealous
           Worshipper
           in
           invented
           Forms
           ,
           but
           also
           the
           gross
           Sinner
           ,
           the
           envious
           ,
           lustful
           and
           wicked
           Mind
           ,
           the
           perverse
           Tongue
           ,
           the
           bloody
           Hands
           and
           Feet
           are
           at
           peace
           ,
           and
           have
           joy
           and
           pleasure
           in
           their
           course
           and
           circuit
           in
           the
           Earth
           .
           But
           all
           this
           is
           but
           the
           Deceit
           of
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           wherewith
           he
           hath
           
           cheated
           Man
           ,
           with
           false
           appearances
           and
           representations
           instead
           of
           the
           true
           ,
           as
           man
           himself
           will
           see
           ,
           when
           ever
           the
           Eye
           of
           his
           Soul
           comes
           to
           be
           throughly
           awakened
           by
           the
           Eternal
           Light
           ,
           whether
           here
           or
           hereafter
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             is
             the
             Work
             of
             Redemption
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           To
           purge
           this
           old
           Leaven
           out
           of
           the
           Vessel
           ,
           to
           purifie
           the
           Vessel
           from
           all
           the
           false
           Appearances
           of
           Light
           ,
           to
           batter
           down
           all
           the
           strong
           holds
           of
           the
           Enemy
           in
           the
           Mind
           ,
           all
           the
           Reasonings
           ,
           Thoughts
           ,
           Imaginations
           and
           Consultations
           ,
           which
           are
           not
           of
           the
           pure
           nor
           in
           the
           pure
           ;
           and
           so
           to
           New-create
           and
           New-form
           the
           Vessel
           in
           the
           Image
           of
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           Purity
           ,
           wherein
           it
           was
           at
           first
           formed
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Who
             doth
             this
             Work
             ,
             or
             who
             is
             Man's
             Redeemer
             out
             of
             the
             Fall
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           Eternal
           Word
           or
           Son
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           even
           the
           Wisdom
           and
           
           Power
           which
           went
           forth
           from
           the
           Fountain
           in
           the
           Creation
           ,
           the
           same
           goeth
           forth
           from
           the
           Bosome
           of
           the
           Father
           to
           purifie
           the
           Creature
           ,
           and
           so
           bringeth
           the
           Creature
           back
           (
           being
           purified
           and
           cleansed
           )
           into
           his
           bosom
           again
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             With
             what
             doth
             this
             Word
             or
             Redeemer
             redeem
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           With
           his
           own
           life
           ,
           with
           his
           own
           blood
           ,
           with
           his
           own
           Eternal
           virtue
           and
           purity
           .
           He
           descendeth
           into
           the
           lower
           parts
           of
           the
           Earth
           ,
           becomes
           Flesh
           there
           ,
           sows
           his
           own
           Seed
           in
           his
           prepared
           Earth
           ,
           begets
           of
           his
           flesh
           and
           of
           his
           bone
           in
           his
           own
           likeness
           ,
           and
           nourisheth
           up
           his
           Birth
           with
           his
           flesh
           and
           blood
           unto
           Life
           Everlasting
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             is
             this
             Life
             ,
             or
             how
             doth
             it
             first
             manifest
             it self
             in
             the
             darkness
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           It
           is
           the
           Light
           of
           Men.
           It
           is
           that
           which
           gave
           light
           to
           Adam
           at
           
           first
           ,
           and
           again
           to
           him
           after
           the
           Fall
           ,
           and
           to
           all
           men
           since
           the
           Fall.
           It
           enlightens
           in
           Nature
           ,
           it
           enlightened
           under
           the
           Law
           :
           it
           did
           enlighten
           under
           the
           Gospel
           before
           the
           Apostacy
           ,
           and
           again
           since
           the
           Apostacy
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             doth
             the
             Light
             enlighten
          
           ?
        
         
           Ans
           .
           By
           its
           shining
           .
           The
           Eternal
           Word
           moves
           ,
           the
           Life
           opens
           ,
           the
           Light
           shines
           .
           This
           in
           the
           least
           degree
           is
           a
           beginning
           of
           Redemption
           ;
           in
           its
           fulness
           it
           is
           Redemption
           perfected
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             doth
             the
             Light
             work
             Redemption
             in
             its
             shining
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           Two
           wayes
           .
           First
           ,
           by
           turning
           the
           heart
           from
           the
           darkness
           towards
           it self
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           by
           exercising
           the
           heart
           being
           turned
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             doth
             it
             turn
             the
             heart
             from
             the
             darkness
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           Light
           by
           its
           shining
           and
           enlightening
           findeth
           out
           it
           s
           own
           ,
           openeth
           it
           ,
           toucheth
           it
           with
           a
           secret
           Virtue
           ,
           which
           perswades
           out
           of
           ,
           and
           
           draws
           the
           heart
           ,
           from
           the
           principle
           and
           power
           of
           Death
           and
           Darkness
           ,
           towards
           its
           own
           native
           spring
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             May
             not
             these
             drawings
             be
             quenched
             ,
             and
             the
             Work
             of
             God
             stopped
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           Plant
           of
           the
           Lord
           is
           exceeding
           tender
           ,
           his
           pure
           Spirit
           jealous
           ,
           the
           Enemy
           very
           strong
           and
           subtil
           ;
           insomuch
           as
           the
           Plant
           it self
           may
           easily
           be
           crushed
           ,
           the
           Spirit
           grieved
           and
           quenched
           ,
           and
           the
           Captivity
           redoubled
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           If
           Adam
           
             was
             betrayed
             in
             his
             full
             strength
             ,
             how
             shall
             this
             poor
             weak
             Plant
             spring
             up
             and
             grow
             ,
             without
             being
             supplanted
             by
             the
             violence
             and
             treachery
             of
             the
             Enemy
             ?
             Or
             how
             shall
             the
             grieving
             of
             the
             Spirit
             be
             avoyded
             ,
             by
             an
             heart
             so
             full
             of
             corruption
             and
             provocations
             ,
             us
             man
             in
             the
             alienated
             state
             is
             ,
             when
             the
             Light
             first
             visits
             him
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           Lord
           God
           is
           nigh
           to
           help
           ,
           nigh
           to
           pitty
           ,
           nigh
           to
           pardon
           ,
           
           nigh
           to
           watch
           over
           and
           support
           Worm
           Jacob
           ,
           yea
           nigh
           to
           revive
           life
           and
           spirit
           in
           him
           freely
           ,
           and
           to
           heal
           his
           backslidings
           and
           multiply
           pardons
           ,
           or
           it
           could
           never
           be
           .
           Yea
           ,
           the
           Creature
           can
           never
           be
           brought
           so
           low
           or
           so
           far
           lost
           ,
           but
           there
           is
           still
           help
           in
           the
           nature
           of
           God
           concerning
           him
           ,
           though
           there
           may
           not
           be
           help
           in
           any
           revealed
           Promise
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             doth
             God
             exercise
             the
             heart
             that
             is
             turned
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           In
           Faith
           and
           Obedience
           through
           very
           great
           varieties
           and
           changes
           of
           conditions
           .
           He
           exerciseth
           it
           in
           believing
           his
           voyce
           ,
           and
           in
           obeying
           his
           voyce
           and
           following
           him
           ,
           in
           what
           ever
           and
           into
           whatsoever
           he
           draws
           and
           requires
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             is
             the
             Voyce
             of
             God
             known
             ?
             Doth
             not
             the
             Enemy
             speak
             inwardly
             also
             ,
             and
             resemble
             his
             voyce
             ?
             how
             then
             is
             the
             voyce
             of
             the
             Redeemer
             distinguished
             from
             him
             ,
             who
             counterfeiteth
             
             the
             Shepherd
             and
             his
             voyce
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           By
           these
           two
           means
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           The
           Soul
           lying
           low
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           Wisdom
           in
           which
           the
           Enemy
           appears
           and
           forms
           his
           likenesses
           ,
           in
           the
           Simplicity
           which
           the
           Lord
           hath
           begotten
           ,
           the
           Life
           opens
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           the
           true
           Light
           appears
           ,
           which
           manifests
           the
           false
           light
           and
           false
           appearances
           of
           the
           Deceiver
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           In
           that
           which
           is
           begotten
           of
           God
           there
           is
           not
           an
           hastiness
           or
           suddenness
           to
           determine
           ,
           but
           a
           silent
           waiting
           on
           the
           Lord
           in
           Subjection
           ,
           till
           the
           Life
           speak
           and
           make
           things
           manifest
           .
           Thus
           the
           knowledge
           and
           light
           of
           the
           Child
           is
           held
           in
           the
           will
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           and
           received
           from
           his
           hand
           and
           according
           to
           his
           pleasure
           .
           Thus
           what
           he
           will
           he
           hides
           ,
           and
           what
           he
           will
           he
           makes
           manifest
           ,
           and
           the
           Child
           which
           is
           born
           of
           his
           will
           is
           content
           with
           his
           will
           ;
           and
           lying
           down
           there
           ,
           it
           keeps
           out
           of
           the
           Enemie's
           
           Territories
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           the
           reach
           of
           his
           Temptations
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             are
             the
             several
             Estates
             or
             Conditions
             ,
             wherein
             God
             exerciseth
             the
             Spirit
             of
             man
             in
             Faith
             and
             Obedience
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           particular
           Estates
           and
           Conditions
           are
           innumerable
           ,
           but
           they
           may
           be
           referred
           to
           these
           three
           general
           heads
           .
           First
           ,
           An
           Estate
           of
           breaking
           down
           the
           former
           Building
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           An
           Estate
           of
           Devastation
           or
           Preparation
           to
           be
           New-built
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           An
           Estate
           of
           Rebuilding
           .
           God
           doth
           not
           forget
           ,
           but
           exercise
           his
           People
           in
           Egypt
           ,
           even
           while
           they
           are
           in
           Bondage
           ,
           before
           they
           come
           to
           receive
           his
           Law
           :
           he
           is
           visiting
           them
           in
           the
           dark
           Land
           ,
           opening
           the
           Eye
           that
           can
           see
           the
           Captivity
           ,
           causing
           groans
           and
           sighs
           in
           their
           oppressed
           Spirits
           ;
           and
           then
           holding
           forth
           to
           them
           the
           Promise
           ,
           and
           preparing
           them
           for
           a
           departure
           from
           that
           
           Land.
           Secondly
           ,
           He
           hath
           a
           time
           of
           stripping
           them
           ,
           of
           Nurturing
           and
           bringing
           them
           up
           under
           his
           Discipline
           and
           close
           exercises
           ,
           wherein
           they
           are
           Desolate
           and
           ready
           to
           Sin
           and
           perish
           every
           moment
           ,
           but
           as
           they
           are
           wonderfully
           provided
           for
           and
           abundantly
           helped
           and
           Pardoned
           .
           Thirdly
           ,
           There
           is
           a
           state
           of
           rebuilding
           the
           Stones
           ,
           when
           they
           are
           prepared
           therefore
           ,
           into
           a
           New-building
           for
           the
           Life
           to
           dwell
           in
           ,
           and
           for
           their
           entrance
           into
           the
           Land
           of
           Life
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Declare
             these
             Estates
             and
             the
             exercises
             therein
             more
             plainly
             ,
             and
             first
             shew
             what
             is
             the
             Estate
             of
             the
          
           Soul
           in
           Egypt
           
             Spiritually
             ,
             when
             the
             Lord
             visiteth
             it
             there
             with
             his
             Light
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           An
           Estate
           of
           deep
           Bondage
           and
           groaning
           under
           the
           Powers
           of
           Darkness
           ,
           whose
           bitter
           Oppressions
           thereof
           increase
           ,
           even
           as
           the
           sensibleness
           and
           tyredness
           of
           the
           Soul
           increases
           .
           The
           Soul
           then
           sees
           its
           Captivity
           
           from
           the
           Life
           ,
           and
           finds
           a
           building
           of
           Death
           and
           Corruption
           raised
           up
           in
           it
           ,
           in
           which
           the
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           dwells
           and
           bears
           rule
           :
           and
           then
           O
           how
           it
           groans
           and
           longs
           after
           departure
           from
           that
           Land
           ,
           and
           waits
           for
           the
           Promise
           of
           Redemption
           out
           of
           it
           !
           but
           yet
           it
           is
           still
           left
           in
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           dayly
           feels
           the
           bitter
           Bondage
           ,
           from
           the
           Powerfull
           Law
           of
           Sin
           and
           Death
           springing
           up
           in
           the
           heart
           ,
           and
           issuing
           out
           through
           the
           Members
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             is
             Faith
             and
             Obedience
             here
             exercised
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           In
           believing
           the
           Promise
           ,
           in
           waiting
           for
           the
           Promise
           ,
           in
           feeling
           some
           remote
           drawings
           of
           the
           Life
           and
           Uniting
           therewith
           ,
           so
           far
           as
           is
           possible
           in
           this
           Dark
           and
           Captived
           Estate
           .
           There
           is
           an
           acknowledgement
           of
           the
           true
           Prince
           ,
           and
           a
           bowing
           to
           him
           even
           in
           this
           Estate
           of
           Captivity
           ,
           until
           he
           please
           to
           break
           the
           
           Bands
           thereof
           and
           receive
           under
           his
           guidance
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             is
             the
             Estate
             of
             the
             Wilderness
             Spiritually
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           It
           is
           an
           Estate
           of
           waiting
           for
           the
           guidance
           of
           the
           leader
           ,
           of
           receiving
           direction
           and
           Laws
           from
           the
           leader
           ,
           of
           following
           the
           leader
           as
           he
           pleaseth
           to
           lead
           ,
           through
           the
           Entanglements
           ,
           Temptations
           ,
           Straits
           and
           Necessities
           ,
           which
           he
           seeth
           fit
           to
           exercise
           the
           Spirit
           with
           ,
           for
           the
           wearing
           out
           of
           that
           which
           is
           not
           to
           inherit
           ,
           and
           for
           preparing
           the
           Heir
           for
           the
           Inheritance
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             is
             Faith
             and
             Obedience
             here
             exercised
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           In
           waiting
           on
           the
           Light
           for
           the
           leadings
           in
           the
           Law
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           then
           in
           subjecting
           to
           the
           leader
           ,
           being
           content
           with
           all
           his
           Dispensations
           therein
           :
           with
           the
           time
           he
           chuseth
           for
           standing
           still
           ,
           and
           with
           the
           time
           he
           chuseth
           for
           Travelling
           on
           ,
           with
           the
           
           Proportion
           of
           Light
           and
           leading
           that
           he
           judgeth
           fit
           ,
           with
           the
           food
           and
           cloathing
           which
           he
           prepares
           and
           preserves
           ,
           with
           the
           Enemies
           which
           he
           sees
           fit
           to
           have
           avoided
           or
           encountred
           with
           .
           Hereby
           the
           own
           Wisdom
           ,
           the
           own
           will
           ,
           the
           own
           Strength
           ,
           the
           own
           Desires
           ,
           the
           own
           Delights
           ,
           with
           all
           the
           murmurings
           ,
           weariness
           and
           discontents
           ,
           which
           arise
           from
           the
           earthly
           part
           ,
           are
           by
           degrees
           worn
           out
           ,
           and
           a
           pure
           Vessel
           prepared
           for
           the
           pure
           Birth
           to
           spring
           up
           and
           appear
           in
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             is
             Spiritual
          
           Canaan
           ,
           
             or
             the
             Heavenly-built
             State
             or
             State
             of
             the
             Gospel
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           A
           State
           of
           Regenerating
           or
           renewing
           in
           the
           Life
           and
           pure
           Image
           ,
           where
           the
           building
           is
           reared
           up
           which
           is
           made
           without
           hands
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           a
           sweet
           and
           peaceable
           growth
           in
           the
           Life
           ,
           and
           a
           fresh
           and
           satisfactory
           enjoyment
           of
           the
           Life
           .
        
         
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             is
             Faith
             and
             Obedience
             here
             exercised
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           In
           abiding
           in
           the
           Vine
           ,
           in
           drawing
           from
           the
           Vine
           ,
           in
           returning
           the
           Sap
           and
           Vertue
           back
           into
           the
           Vine
           ,
           and
           living
           according
           to
           the
           Will
           and
           in
           the
           free
           Dispensation
           thereof
           .
           Thus
           Works
           are
           excluded
           with
           Self
           from
           whom
           they
           proceed
           ,
           and
           the
           Vine
           becomes
           all
           in
           all
           .
        
         
           Quest
           ,
           Are
           Egypt
           
             with
             the
             Wilderness
             and
          
           Canaan
           
             Spiritually
             as
             distinct
             Estates
             ,
             as
             they
             were
             Litterally
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           There
           are
           such
           distinct
           several
           Estates
           Spiritually
           ,
           wherein
           a
           man
           may
           be
           Spiritually
           in
           Egypt
           ,
           and
           neither
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           nor
           Canaan
           .
           So
           there
           is
           an
           Estate
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           which
           is
           out
           of
           Egypt
           and
           not
           in
           Canaan
           :
           and
           an
           Estate
           in
           Canaan
           ,
           which
           is
           beyond
           both
           Egypt
           and
           the
           Wilderness
           .
           Yet
           these
           Estates
           in
           Spirit
           are
           oftentimes
           inter-woven
           ,
           with
           the
           exercises
           thereof
           :
           insomuch
           
           as
           the
           Soul
           may
           in
           part
           ,
           or
           in
           some
           respect
           (
           to
           his
           own
           understanding
           )
           be
           in
           Egypt
           ,
           in
           part
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           and
           in
           part
           in
           the
           rest
           ,
           Life
           and
           Peace
           .
           But
           these
           things
           are
           not
           to
           be
           curiously
           sought
           into
           ,
           lest
           a
           wrong
           Wisdom
           and
           Knowledge
           get
           up
           ;
           but
           abiding
           low
           and
           little
           in
           the
           little
           Seed
           ,
           the
           Kingdom
           and
           everlasting
           Inheritance
           grows
           dayly
           in
           the
           Soul
           ,
           and
           the
           Soul
           dayly
           shoots
           up
           into
           it
           and
           is
           enlarged
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Is
             there
             any
             return
             back
             into
          
           Egypt
           
             or
             into
             the
             Wilderness
             ,
             after
             the
             State
             of
             the
             Soul
             is
             advanced
             higher
             ,
             the
             entrance
             into
             the
             everlasting
             Inheritance
             being
             administred
             ,
             and
             the
             Soul
             partly
             taken
             into
             and
             having
             found
             a
             place
             of
             rest
             in
             the
             Life
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           Enemy
           lies
           near
           to
           deceive
           :
           and
           while
           he
           hath
           Power
           to
           tempt
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           an
           hearkening
           to
           his
           Temptations
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           departure
           from
           the
           pure
           Life
           ,
           and
           a
           return
           
           of
           the
           Captivity
           or
           bewildering
           in
           some
           measure
           .
           In
           the
           Faith
           and
           in
           the
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Light
           of
           Life
           is
           the
           preservation
           ,
           out
           of
           it
           is
           Death
           and
           Destruction
           Eternally
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Is
             not
             the
             pure
             being
             untouched
             by
             Death
             and
             Destruction
             ?
             and
             shall
             not
             the
             Creature
             ,
             when
             it
             is
             Redeemed
             into
             him
             ,
             be
             as
             he
             is
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           pure
           being
           cannot
           be
           impure
           ,
           evil
           cannot
           enter
           upon
           him
           ,
           it
           hath
           no
           place
           in
           him
           ,
           his
           nature
           excluding
           it
           :
           nor
           can
           it
           enter
           into
           the
           Principle
           of
           Life
           that
           comes
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           is
           always
           preserved
           by
           him
           :
           nor
           can
           it
           enter
           upon
           that
           man
           ,
           who
           is
           begotten
           of
           that
           Principle
           ,
           abideth
           with
           it
           and
           is
           preserved
           in
           it
           .
           But
           so
           to
           be
           in
           him
           ,
           as
           to
           abide
           and
           not
           go
           forth
           is
           a
           great
           State
           ,
           even
           higher
           then
           the
           first
           Adam
           knew
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             But
             is
             not
             Light
             and
             Darkness
             ,
             Good
             and
             Evil
             all
             alike
             to
             God
             ?
             &
             shall
             they
             not
             be
             so
             also
             to
             him
             ,
             who
             is
             in
             
             perfect
             Unity
             and
             Fellowship
             with
             God
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           All
           the
           Light
           and
           Darkness
           ,
           Good
           and
           Evil
           which
           can
           issue
           from
           the
           Creature
           ,
           cannot
           reach
           God's
           being
           as
           it
           is
           in
           it self
           ,
           but
           only
           so
           far
           as
           he
           hath
           pleased
           to
           expose
           his
           Life
           (
           in
           the
           various
           manifestations
           thereof
           )
           to
           be
           reached
           thereby
           .
           Yet
           his
           Eye
           seeth
           the
           Evil
           and
           the
           Good
           ,
           the
           Perfection
           &
           the
           Imperfection
           ,
           and
           his
           Nature
           is
           perfectly
           excluded
           from
           all
           Evil
           and
           Imperfection
           ;
           insomuch
           as
           he
           cannot
           possibly
           lie
           or
           deceive
           ,
           or
           be
           unrighteous
           or
           unmerciful
           in
           any
           of
           his
           Dispensations
           :
           and
           that
           which
           is
           gathered
           into
           him
           ,
           is
           thus
           one
           with
           him
           .
           But
           that
           which
           can
           do
           any
           thing
           which
           is
           sinful
           and
           evil
           in
           it self
           ,
           is
           not
           in
           the
           true
           Unity
           with
           the
           Eternal
           Being
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           deceit
           of
           that
           Spirit
           which
           Erreth
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           centereth
           the
           creature
           in
           the
           imagined
           likeness
           of
           his
           Life
           and
           Happiness
           .
        
         
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             far
             may
             Persons
             go
             ,
             and
             yet
             be
             lyable
             to
             the
             Enemies
             snare
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Very
           far
           .
           They
           may
           come
           out
           of
           Egypt
           ,
           they
           may
           pass
           through
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           they
           may
           receive
           an
           Inheritance
           or
           Portion
           in
           the
           Holy
           Land
           ,
           they
           may
           have
           Houses
           and
           Vineyards
           which
           they
           Builded
           not
           nor
           Planted
           ,
           they
           may
           have
           had
           deep
           Draughts
           of
           the
           Life
           ,
           deep
           Incomes
           of
           the
           Love
           ,
           large
           Riches
           of
           the
           Grace
           ,
           and
           precious
           Tasts
           of
           the
           Fulness
           :
           They
           may
           have
           been
           in
           the
           Paradise
           of
           God
           ,
           may
           have
           been
           Anointed
           by
           God
           ,
           may
           have
           stood
           upon
           his
           Holy
           Mountain
           ,
           and
           walked
           up
           and
           down
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           stones
           of
           Fire
           ,
           &c.
           and
           yet
           the
           Enemy
           may
           have
           leave
           to
           tempt
           ,
           and
           may
           find
           entrance
           for
           his
           Temptation
           ,
           advancing
           above
           this
           Estate
           in
           the
           Deceiveableness
           ,
           and
           increasing
           the
           Glory
           in
           the
           Eye
           of
           the
           wisdom
           which
           he
           steals
           in
           ,
           and
           so
           hold
           the
           
           Spirit
           Captive
           in
           his
           Golden
           Chains
           ,
           and
           lead
           it
           back
           again
           to
           the
           Chambers
           of
           Death
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             doth
             or
             can
             the
             Enemy
             prevail
             over
             Persons
             in
             so
             Glorious
             an
             Estate
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           By
           opening
           a
           larger
           Eye
           in
           them
           ,
           than
           is
           given
           them
           in
           the
           Life
           to
           see
           with
           .
           The
           Eye
           of
           Life
           is
           limited
           in
           man
           ,
           and
           man
           is
           to
           be
           held
           within
           the
           limits
           and
           openings
           of
           Life
           ,
           and
           his
           Heart
           and
           Mind
           to
           be
           bounded
           within
           the
           Desires
           and
           Delights
           ,
           which
           arise
           from
           the
           Life
           :
           he
           is
           to
           wait
           on
           the
           Life
           for
           its
           living
           ,
           moving
           and
           being
           all
           in
           his
           Being
           :
           and
           here
           he
           shall
           be
           large
           enough
           ,
           and
           full
           enough
           ,
           and
           wise
           enough
           ,
           and
           happy
           enough
           .
           But
           there
           is
           somewhat
           which
           presents
           to
           him
           a
           Kingdom
           ,
           a
           Riches
           ,
           a
           Dominion
           ,
           a
           Vastness
           of
           Perfection
           in
           himself
           &
           at
           his
           own
           command
           ;
           the
           which
           he
           beginning
           to
           listen
           unto
           ,
           the
           same
           opens
           
           an
           Eye
           in
           him
           to
           see
           the
           Beauty
           and
           Glory
           thereof
           ,
           and
           then
           Immediately
           his
           heart
           is
           taken
           ,
           and
           he
           cannot
           avoid
           the
           snare
           :
           nor
           can
           he
           henceforth
           know
           where
           he
           is
           ,
           until
           that
           which
           he
           hath
           forsaken
           ,
           again
           please
           to
           visit
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           discover
           to
           him
           his
           Iniquity
           and
           Errour
           from
           the
           true
           Root
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             is
             the
             way
             of
             safety
             ,
             when
             God
             enlargeth
             the
             Territories
             of
             Life
             in
             the
             Soul
             ,
             and
             causeth
             his
             Love
             and
             Grace
             to
             abound
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           To
           Drink
           the
           Draughts
           of
           Joy
           and
           Sweetness
           in
           the
           pure
           Fear
           and
           Trembling
           ,
           not
           departing
           therefrom
           in
           what
           ever
           it
           doth
           for
           God
           or
           receives
           from
           him
           ,
           till
           the
           Salvation
           be
           wholly
           wrought
           out
           and
           perfected
           ,
           the
           Habitation
           of
           unspotted
           Love
           prepared
           ,
           and
           the
           Soul
           led
           into
           ,
           and
           seated
           in
           its
           compleat
           Mansion
           therein
           .
           And
           then
           the
           Name
           of
           Fear
           is
           no
           more
           heard
           of
           in
           the
           Land
           
           of
           Life
           ,
           though
           the
           Principle
           from
           whence
           the
           Fear
           sprang
           ,
           and
           the
           Birth
           and
           building
           (
           which
           was
           begotten
           ,
           raised
           up
           ,
           formed
           and
           perfected
           in
           the
           Fear
           )
           abideth
           for
           ever
           .
           So
           that
           the
           pure
           Love
           doth
           not
           cast
           out
           the
           pure
           Fear
           (
           wherein
           is
           no
           Bondage
           of
           the
           Life
           ,
           but
           the
           preservation
           of
           the
           Life
           from
           the
           Bondage
           )
           but
           swallows
           it
           up
           and
           comprehends
           it
           :
           for
           the
           pure
           Fear
           is
           but
           Love
           descended
           ,
           and
           the
           pure
           Love
           is
           but
           Fear
           ascended
           ,
           the
           Eternal
           Principle
           or
           Substance
           being
           one
           and
           the
           same
           in
           both
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Is
             there
             then
             such
             a
             State
             of
             Safety
             ,
             upon
             which
             the
             Enemy
             cannot
             Intrench
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           There
           is
           a
           State
           of
           such
           Union
           with
           the
           Life
           ,
           as
           the
           Enemy
           cannot
           come
           between
           ,
           where
           there
           is
           lying
           down
           and
           rising
           up
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Life
           ,
           and
           no
           Beast
           of
           prey
           can
           make
           afraid
           any
           more
           ;
           nor
           can
           any
           Root
           of
           bitterness
           spring
           up
           
           from
           within
           ,
           to
           trouble
           or
           make
           any
           disturbance
           between
           the
           Life
           and
           the
           Soul
           any
           more
           .
        
      
       
         
           Some
           Questions
           and
           Answers
           conducing
           towards
           the
           further
           manifestation
           ,
           and
           opening
           the
           Path
           of
           Redemption
           and
           Eternal
           Life
           to
           the
           Eye
           of
           Spiritual
           Israel
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             HOw
             doth
             the
             Son
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             Eternal
             Word
             ,
             in
             whom
             is
             the
             Light
             of
             Life
             ,
             Redeem
             man
             out
             of
             the
             fallen
             Estate
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             Darkness
             and
             Death
             ,
             into
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             everlasting
             Righteousness
             and
             Peace
             in
             the
             Life
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Three
           wayes
           .
           First
           ,
           by
           wounding
           him
           in
           the
           Natural
           and
           corrupt
           Estate
           ,
           and
           so
           breaking
           his
           Peace
           and
           Pleasure
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           of
           Darkness
           and
           making
           him
           weary
           thereof
           .
           Secondly
           ,
           By
           weakening
           him
           
           under
           the
           Teachings
           and
           Chastizements
           of
           the
           Law.
           Thirdly
           ,
           By
           healing
           and
           binding
           him
           up
           with
           the
           Oil
           of
           Salvation
           in
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           endless
           Life
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           Gospel
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             doth
             God
             wound
             him
             in
             the
             natural
             and
             corrupt
             State
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           By
           pursuing
           him
           with
           his
           Light
           ,
           which
           letteth
           him
           see
           what
           it
           is
           ,
           discovering
           the
           Evil
           and
           Danger
           of
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           weaning
           his
           heart
           from
           it
           ,
           and
           making
           him
           look
           out
           after
           ,
           and
           long
           for
           a
           Redeemer
           .
           O
           how
           Burthensome
           is
           the
           Captivity
           to
           the
           awakened
           Soul
           ,
           when
           he
           hath
           a
           glimpse
           of
           what
           man
           was
           before
           his
           fall
           (
           when
           he
           had
           a
           place
           and
           being
           in
           the
           Life
           ,
           with
           a
           Spirit
           suitable
           to
           the
           Life
           )
           and
           what
           he
           is
           now
           in
           his
           Estate
           of
           estrangedness
           and
           alienation
           from
           the
           Life
           ,
           and
           whither
           he
           is
           going
           in
           his
           Paths
           of
           unrighteousness
           ,
           estrangedness
           and
           alienation
           !
           And
           while
           his
           heart
           is
           thus
           turning
           
           from
           the
           Land
           of
           Death
           and
           Captivity
           ,
           and
           longing
           after
           the
           Redeeming
           Power
           and
           Vertue
           of
           the
           Life
           ,
           the
           Enemy
           (
           the
           Power
           of
           Darkness
           )
           layes
           load
           upon
           him
           ,
           drawing
           him
           more
           and
           more
           under
           the
           Chains
           and
           Bonds
           of
           Iniquity
           to
           the
           utmost
           of
           its
           strength
           .
           So
           that
           now
           Lusts
           abound
           ,
           Evils
           increase
           ,
           Temptations
           and
           Snares
           multiply
           ;
           and
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           Captivity
           their
           strength
           is
           great
           ,
           the
           Soul
           weak
           and
           faint
           ,
           and
           the
           Redeeming
           Power
           and
           Vertue
           seems
           very
           far
           off
           .
           Now
           this
           is
           the
           Estate
           of
           Conversion
           ;
           when
           the
           Lord
           ,
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           the
           Powers
           of
           Death
           and
           Darkness
           ,
           turns
           the
           heart
           from
           them
           towards
           himself
           ,
           causing
           it
           to
           wait
           (
           under
           the
           Captivity
           )
           for
           the
           Appearance
           of
           the
           Arm
           of
           his
           strength
           ,
           to
           break
           the
           yoke
           of
           the
           Oppressor
           from
           off
           the
           Necks
           of
           the
           oppressed
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           bring
           out
           of
           the
           Land
           of
           Death
           and
           Darkness
           ,
           into
           the
           Travels
           
           towards
           the
           Land
           of
           Promise
           ,
           where
           the
           Peace
           ,
           the
           Life
           ,
           the
           Liberty
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           the
           Rest
           ,
           the
           Joy
           ,
           the
           full
           Content
           and
           Happiness
           is
           reaped
           by
           the
           Soul
           ,
           which
           follows
           the
           Lamb
           thither
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             doth
             God
             weaken
             the
             Creature
             under
             the
             Teachings
             and
             Chastisements
             of
             the
             Law
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           By
           exercising
           him
           towards
           Good
           and
           Evil
           ,
           and
           correcting
           him
           for
           his
           unbelief
           and
           disobedience
           ,
           as
           he
           finds
           good
           ,
           just
           and
           necessary
           for
           him
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             doth
             God
             exercise
             him
             towards
             Good
             and
             Evil
             ,
             and
             correct
             him
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           When
           he
           hath
           brought
           him
           from
           under
           the
           Power
           of
           Darkness
           in
           some
           measure
           ,
           and
           in
           some
           measure
           set
           the
           Spirit
           free
           there-from
           ,
           by
           the
           Vertue
           of
           his
           Life
           springing
           up
           in
           the
           heart
           ,
           then
           he
           exerciseth
           the
           Heart
           and
           Conversation
           towards
           the
           Good
           
           and
           from
           the
           Evil
           :
           then
           he
           giveth
           out
           Laws
           for
           ,
           or
           against
           things
           ,
           according
           as
           he
           findeth
           most
           Proper
           to
           the
           Estate
           of
           every
           Particular
           Soul.
           Now
           upon
           the
           giving
           forth
           of
           the
           Law
           (
           the
           Life
           being
           in
           some
           measure
           raised
           )
           there
           is
           that
           which
           loves
           its
           Teachings
           and
           pure
           Path
           ,
           and
           there
           is
           that
           also
           which
           draws
           back
           from
           it
           ;
           and
           that
           being
           yet
           strong
           ,
           there
           come
           many
           strokes
           and
           Chastisements
           from
           the
           Lord
           upon
           his
           own
           Dear
           Child
           .
           And
           these
           are
           bitter
           ;
           and
           to
           be
           forced
           into
           the
           Sin
           which
           it
           loaths
           and
           in
           Heart
           is
           turned
           from
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           kept
           from
           the
           Good
           which
           it
           longs
           after
           ,
           &
           in
           heart
           is
           United
           to
           ,
           (
           partly
           by
           the
           strength
           of
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           partly
           by
           reason
           of
           its
           own
           weakness
           and
           negligence
           )
           this
           is
           bitter
           also
           :
           insomuch
           as
           it
           cryeth
           out
           Day
           after
           Day
           ,
           and
           findeth
           this
           Administration
           of
           the
           Law
           almost
           as
           heavy
           a
           yoke
           ,
           as
           the
           Land
           of
           Captivity
           
           it self
           was
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           weakness
           of
           it
           through
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           the
           strength
           and
           advantages
           which
           the
           corruption
           of
           the
           Heart
           and
           Prince
           of
           Darkness
           gather
           thereby
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             is
             the
             benefit
             of
             these
             Exercises
             upon
             the
             Soul
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           They
           melt
           ,
           they
           break
           ,
           they
           make
           the
           Heart
           Tender
           and
           fit
           to
           be
           moulded
           by
           the
           Eternal
           Vertue
           and
           Power
           ,
           into
           a
           Vessel
           for
           the
           Power
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             frames
             of
             Spirit
             do
             they
             work
             the
             Heart
             or
             Mind
             into
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Into
           very
           many
           precious
           Ones
           .
           As
           for
           Instance
           ,
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             They
             make
             the
             Spirit
             poor
          
           .
           The
           daily
           inroads
           of
           Sin
           and
           Corruption
           dashing
           against
           the
           Holy
           and
           Righteous
           Law
           of
           Life
           ,
           the
           over-bearing
           the
           strong
           Desires
           after
           Purity
           and
           forcing
           into
           the
           Defilement
           ,
           hindring
           the
           Soul
           from
           doing
           what
           it
           loves
           ,
           and
           making
           it
           to
           do
           what
           it
           
           hates
           and
           would
           not
           ;
           this
           makes
           it
           become
           poorer
           and
           poorer
           ,
           and
           more
           Afflicted
           Day
           by
           Day
           .
           Upon
           some
           Visitations
           of
           the
           pure
           Life
           and
           some
           fresh
           Vertue
           received
           ,
           Oh
           how
           strong
           doth
           the
           Soul
           seem
           !
           but
           when
           it
           suddenly
           Forfeits
           its
           Mercies
           ,
           loses
           its
           freshness
           ,
           and
           is
           Plunged
           deeper
           in
           the
           Pit
           than
           before
           ,
           how
           poor
           and
           weak
           doth
           it
           then
           feel
           it self
           ,
           Trembling
           at
           the
           next
           openings
           of
           the
           Life
           and
           Springings
           up
           of
           the
           Vertue
           thereof
           in
           it
           ,
           not
           knowing
           what
           Weakness
           ,
           Captivity
           ,
           Entanglements
           and
           Misery
           from
           the
           Snares
           of
           Death
           remain
           to
           follow
           !
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             They
             bring
             into
             a
             mourning
             Estate
             .
          
           They
           fill
           the
           Eyes
           with
           Tears
           and
           the
           Heart
           with
           Sorrow
           ,
           yea
           they
           cause
           an
           entrance
           into
           
             the
             House
             of
             mourning
          
           .
           To
           be
           accustomed
           to
           Wounds
           ,
           Bruises
           ,
           Snares
           ,
           grieving
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           provoking
           of
           the
           Deliverer
           ,
           furthering
           and
           giving
           
           Advantages
           to
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           &c.
           the
           sence
           of
           this
           overwhelms
           the
           Heart
           with
           grief
           ,
           and
           causeth
           continual
           Sorrow
           and
           Lamentation
           to
           that
           which
           is
           upright
           towards
           God.
           
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             They
             bring
             into
             a
             meek
             ,
             merciful
             and
             Tender-hearted
             frame
             towards
             others
             .
          
           He
           that
           is
           tempted
           ,
           he
           that
           often
           falls
           ,
           and
           is
           so
           often
           wounded
           and
           made
           miserable
           ,
           he
           pitties
           those
           that
           err
           ,
           he
           mourns
           over
           the
           miserable
           .
           His
           heart
           is
           broken
           with
           the
           Sins
           and
           Afflictions
           of
           others
           ,
           and
           he
           knoweth
           not
           how
           to
           be
           hard
           towards
           them
           ,
           feeling
           such
           continual
           need
           of
           abundant
           mercy
           himself
           .
           It
           is
           the
           rich
           man
           ,
           the
           sound
           man
           in
           Religion
           ,
           that
           is
           rough
           and
           hard
           :
           but
           he
           that
           is
           once
           throughly
           melted
           in
           the
           Furnace
           and
           made
           up
           again
           ,
           is
           made
           up
           Tender
           ,
           and
           retaineth
           the
           impression
           of
           the
           Meekness
           ,
           Love
           and
           Mercy
           for
           ever
           .
           Now
           a
           broken
           Estate
           in
           Religion
           ,
           or
           a
           state
           of
           waiting
           
           for
           the
           Life
           is
           much
           more
           precious
           ,
           than
           that
           which
           is
           rich
           and
           full
           by
           what
           it
           had
           formerly
           received
           and
           still
           holdeth
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           Immediate
           feeling
           and
           fresh
           Vertue
           of
           the
           Life
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           
             They
             bring
             into
             an
             hungry
             and
             thirsty
             state
             after
             Holiness
             and
             Righteousness
             .
          
           O
           how
           the
           Soul
           ,
           that
           is
           sensible
           of
           its
           filth
           ,
           longeth
           to
           be
           washed
           !
           how
           it
           panteth
           after
           the
           Pastures
           of
           Life
           ,
           the
           food
           of
           Life
           ,
           the
           living
           Waters
           :
           to
           appear
           before
           and
           enjoy
           God
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           the
           living
           !
           O
           how
           doth
           the
           heart
           ,
           that
           is
           dayly
           afflicted
           with
           its
           Unbelief
           ,
           and
           Disobedience
           ,
           long
           for
           the
           Faith
           that
           stands
           in
           the
           Power
           ,
           and
           the
           Obedience
           that
           flowes
           from
           the
           Power
           !
           
             O
             Teach
             me
             thy
             Statutes
             ,
             shew
             me
             the
             pure
             Path
             of
             Obedience
             in
             the
             way
             of
             Life
             ,
             guide
             my
             feet
             in
             the
             way
             everlasting
             :
             O
             write
             thy
             Fear
             in
             my
             Heart
             ,
             that
             I
             may
             not
             depart
             from
             thee
             :
             Create
             a
             clean
             heart
             in
             me
             ,
             and
             put
             thy
             Spirit
             within
             me
             to
             be
             my
             strength
             .
             
             O
             continue
             thy
             Loving-kindness
             to
             them
             that
             know
             thee
             ,
             and
             thy
             Righteousness
             to
             the
             upright
             in
             Heart
             .
          
           O
           what
           unutterable
           Breathings
           dayly
           issue
           out
           from
           the
           broken
           Spirit
           ,
           towards
           the
           Spring
           of
           its
           Life
           !
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           
             They
             bring
             into
             a
             pure
             frame
             ,
          
           into
           a
           cleanness
           of
           inside
           .
           
             Cleanse
             first
             the
             inside
             of
             the
             Cup
             and
             Platter
             ,
          
           said
           Christ
           to
           the
           Pharisees
           ,
           and
           he
           doth
           so
           in
           his
           Disciples
           .
           
             With
             the
             mind
             I
             serve
             the
             Law
             of
             God
             ,
          
           said
           Paul
           when
           he
           cryed
           out
           ,
           
             O
             wretched
             man
             that
             I
             am
             ,
             who
             shall
             deliver
             !
          
           It
           is
           not
           conceiveable
           what
           purity
           of
           heart
           is
           Formed
           by
           God
           in
           his
           Israel
           ,
           by
           the
           fire
           which
           he
           kindleth
           in
           his
           Sion
           ,
           and
           by
           the
           Furnace
           which
           he
           setteth
           up
           in
           his
           Jerusalem
           :
           for
           though
           in
           the
           Furnace
           the
           Dross
           still
           appears
           ,
           the
           sight
           whereof
           is
           apt
           to
           grieve
           and
           afflict
           the
           precious
           Heart
           ,
           yet
           the
           melting
           and
           purifying
           sweetly
           goes
           on
           ,
           and
           the
           Soul
           (
           which
           abideth
           the
           heat
           )
           is
           effectually
           cleansed
           thereby
           ,
           
           as
           is
           very
           manifest
           afterwards
           ,
           when
           Righteousness
           springs
           up
           with
           the
           quiet
           Fruit
           thereof
           ;
           but
           this
           cannot
           be
           discerned
           ,
           while
           the
           flames
           are
           discovering
           and
           taking
           hold
           of
           the
           Unrighteousness
           .
        
         
           Sixtly
           ,
           
             They
             bring
             into
             a
             Patient
             Frame
          
           ;
           fit
           to
           bear
           Reproaches
           and
           Persecutions
           from
           the
           World
           ,
           who
           in
           the
           midst
           of
           all
           this
           weakness
           (
           misery
           and
           distress
           )
           lay
           load
           upon
           the
           Poor
           Soul
           ,
           Persecuting
           him
           whom
           God
           hath
           smitten
           ,
           and
           speaking
           to
           the
           grief
           of
           him
           whom
           God
           hath
           wounded
           .
           God
           smites
           for
           want
           of
           Obedience
           ,
           for
           too
           much
           propensity
           to
           please
           the
           World
           ,
           for
           not
           coming
           soon
           enough
           out
           of
           their
           Customes
           ,
           Vanities
           ,
           Earthly
           wayes
           and
           Worships
           :
           and
           so
           soon
           as
           the
           Heart
           and
           Conversation
           is
           given
           up
           in
           Obedience
           to
           the
           Lord
           ,
           the
           World
           is
           discontent
           ,
           and
           they
           smite
           and
           Persecute
           because
           of
           the
           Obedience
           .
           Now
           the
           more
           the
           Spirit
           is
           broken
           
           by
           the
           hand
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           and
           taught
           thereby
           to
           fear
           him
           ;
           and
           the
           less
           strength
           it
           hath
           in
           it self
           ,
           to
           grapple
           with
           the
           Persecuting
           Spirit
           of
           the
           World
           ,
           the
           fitter
           it
           is
           to
           stand
           in
           God's
           Counsel
           ,
           to
           wait
           for
           his
           strength
           and
           preservation
           ,
           which
           is
           able
           to
           bear
           up
           its
           head
           ,
           above
           all
           the
           rage
           and
           swelling
           of
           the
           waters
           of
           the
           worldly
           Spirit
           in
           the
           men
           of
           this
           World.
           
        
         
           Much
           more
           might
           be
           said
           ,
           but
           this
           may
           suffice
           .
           What
           is
           behind
           will
           be
           felt
           inwardly
           ,
           as
           the
           Soul
           waits
           on
           God
           in
           the
           leadings
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           through
           the
           Teachings
           ,
           Chastisements
           and
           Distresses
           of
           the
           Law.
           
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             With
             what
             kind
             of
             things
             doth
             the
             Lord
             exercise
             the
             Spirits
             of
             his
          
           Israel
           ,
           
             to
             bring
             their
             hearts
             into
             these
             and
             such
             other
             like
             precious
             frames
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           With
           several
           sorts
           and
           kinds
           of
           things
           both
           outward
           and
           inward
           .
           As
           ,
        
         
         
           First
           ,
           With
           oppositions
           ,
           reproaches
           and
           interruptions
           from
           the
           earthly
           part
           ,
           both
           in
           the
           men
           of
           this
           World
           and
           in
           themselves
           .
           There
           is
           abundance
           within
           and
           abundance
           without
           to
           resist
           ,
           disdain
           and
           interrupt
           the
           Work
           of
           God
           in
           the
           heart
           to
           oppose
           and
           withstand
           that
           which
           he
           hath
           begotten
           there
           ,
           his
           leadings
           of
           it
           and
           its
           Obedience
           to
           him
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           with
           Temptations
           from
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           even
           of
           many
           Kinds
           ,
           Natures
           and
           Degrees
           ,
           according
           to
           the
           present
           temper
           and
           Condition
           of
           the
           Soul
           :
           as
           either
           to
           doubt
           and
           so
           despaire
           ,
           or
           be
           Confident
           in
           the
           Flesh
           from
           Knowledge
           received
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           pure
           Fear
           and
           fresh
           feeling
           of
           the
           Life
           :
           so
           again
           either
           to
           halt
           and
           draw
           back
           ,
           or
           to
           be
           over-hasty
           and
           forward
           :
           so
           likewise
           either
           not
           to
           obey
           and
           Act
           for
           God
           ,
           or
           to
           Act
           in
           that
           Will
           and
           Wisdom
           which
           is
           against
           God.
           Now
           these
           ,
           with
           such
           like
           ,
           are
           very
           Numerous
           ,
           Frequent
           ,
           
           and
           sometimes
           very
           violent
           〈◊〉
           ●●petuous
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           By
           withdrawings
           o●
           〈◊〉
           Life
           and
           sweet
           presence
           of
           God
           〈◊〉
           the
           Soul.
           These
           are
           very
           frequ●●●
           from
           the
           Lord
           towards
           his
           peop●●
           ,
           insomuch
           as
           he
           is
           called
           by
           this
           Title
           ;
           "
           the
           God
           
             that
             hideth
             his
             face
             from
             the
             house
             of
             Jacob
             ,
          
           "
           Isai
           .
           8.17
           .
           chap.
           45.15
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           By
           Buffettings
           and
           prevailings
           of
           the
           Enemy
           .
           When
           the
           Spirit
           is
           grieved
           ,
           the
           Life
           wounded
           and
           withdraws
           inward
           ,
           the
           Enemy
           often
           gets
           ground
           ,
           giving
           wounds
           and
           causing
           Bruises
           to
           the
           Soul
           ;
           not
           onely
           tempting
           ,
           but
           finding
           entrance
           and
           taking
           in
           the
           snare
           the
           Bird
           ,
           which
           once
           escaped
           &
           was
           delivered
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           By
           doubts
           ,
           Fears
           and
           confused
           reasonings
           concerning
           the
           voice
           of
           God
           and
           the
           voice
           of
           the
           Enemy
           .
           In
           the
           hour
           of
           Darkness
           (
           when
           the
           Lord
           seeth
           good
           to
           let
           forth
           the
           Power
           thereof
           ,
           and
           to
           withdraw
           the
           Beams
           of
           his
           Light
           )
           how
           
           〈◊〉
           ●●at
           be
           clearly
           distinguished
           ,
           〈◊〉
           alone
           is
           known
           and
           seen
           in
           the
           〈◊〉
           ?
           how
           can
           the
           motions
           ,
           draw●●●●
           and
           pure
           low-workings
           of
           the
           〈◊〉
           be
           discerned
           ,
           from
           the
           false
           Images
           and
           Transformings
           of
           the
           Enemy
           ?
           O
           the
           misery
           and
           anguish
           of
           the
           Poor
           Soul
           in
           this
           Condition
           !
           how
           is
           the
           Poor
           upright-heart
           pained
           between
           Faith
           and
           Unbelief
           ,
           Obedience
           &
           Disobedience
           ,
           &c
           ,
           not
           knowing
           when
           it
           is
           drawn
           forward
           or
           Backward
           ,
           or
           by
           whom
           !
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             When
             do
             these
             exercises
             begin
             ,
             and
             how
             long
             do
             they
             continue
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           Lord
           doth
           begin
           to
           exercise
           the
           Soul
           even
           in
           Egypt
           :
           for
           after
           the
           Promise
           (
           of
           Deliverance
           from
           Spiritual
           Pharaoh
           )
           the
           bonds
           increase
           ,
           the
           yoke
           grows
           more
           heavy
           ,
           Pharaoh
           grows
           more
           Violent
           and
           Furious
           ,
           the
           Captivity
           increaseth
           much
           ;
           but
           there
           is
           no
           sight
           of
           Redemption
           at
           all
           ,
           save
           to
           that
           Eye
           which
           is
           weak
           and
           easily
           over-born
           in
           Israel
           .
           But
           
           the
           exercises
           are
           much
           more
           full
           〈◊〉
           sharp
           in
           the
           wilderness
           ,
           where
           Is●●●●
           is
           led
           about
           ,
           tried
           ,
           afflicted
           ,
           c●●sumed
           Day
           by
           Day
           ,
           as
           if
           he
           sho●●●
           never
           come
           to
           the
           Holy
           Land
           ,
           〈◊〉
           any
           of
           Israel
           be
           left
           to
           enter
           therei●
           ▪
           Yea
           in
           Canaan
           ,
           in
           the
           rich
           possession
           ,
           in
           the
           plenteous
           overflowings
           of
           the
           Life
           ,
           there
           is
           still
           somewhat
           left
           to
           try
           Israel
           and
           bring
           him
           low
           with
           ,
           if
           at
           any
           time
           he
           be
           exalted
           with
           the
           Glory
           and
           fulness
           of
           his
           own
           Estate
           ,
           and
           begin
           to
           forget
           his
           God.
           
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             Why
             doth
             God
             thus
             exercise
             his
          
           Israel
           ?
           
             why
             doth
             he
             lead
             them
             in
             such
             a
             knotty
             ,
             and
             not
             in
             a
             more
             easie
             and
             ready
             way
             to
             the
             everlasting
             possession
             ,
             and
             to
             the
             fulness
             thereof
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           Because
           their
           Estate
           and
           Condition
           requires
           it
           .
           They
           could
           not
           be
           so
           purified
           and
           fitted
           for
           the
           Life
           ,
           their
           Vessels
           would
           not
           be
           so
           inlarged
           to
           receive
           it
           in
           ,
           nor
           they
           so
           safely
           enjoy
           it
           ,
           were
           it
           not
           for
           this
           course
           of
           Wisdom
           ,
           wherein
           God
           
           ●●●●●ises
           and
           tryeth
           every
           cranny
           of
           〈◊〉
           Spirits
           ,
           until
           he
           hath
           perfected
           〈◊〉
           and
           stopped
           up
           the
           entrance
           of
           ●●●th
           every
           where
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             do
             these
             exercises
             puri●●
             and
             enlarge
             them
             ?
          
        
         
           
             Ans
             .
             First
          
           ,
           They
           try
           the
           strength
           and
           vertue
           of
           the
           Life
           in
           them
           ,
           and
           discover
           to
           them
           their
           further
           want
           thereof
           .
           In
           the
           time
           of
           the
           Soul's
           prosperity
           there
           seems
           to
           be
           enough
           :
           but
           the
           Day
           of
           distress
           maketh
           manifest
           the
           Estate
           and
           Condition
           as
           it
           is
           .
           Then
           the
           Faith
           ,
           the
           Love
           ,
           the
           Patience
           ,
           the
           Meekness
           ,
           the
           Constancy
           and
           Chastness
           to
           the
           Spouse
           (
           loving
           him
           ,
           and
           cleaving
           to
           him
           above
           all
           ,
           and
           in
           all
           )
           many
           times
           is
           found
           to
           be
           less
           ,
           then
           it
           was
           judged
           to
           be
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           brings
           to
           a
           waiting
           on
           God
           for
           support
           ,
           and
           for
           receiving
           of
           more
           from
           him
           .
           Then
           the
           Life
           breaths
           vigourously
           ,
           and
           the
           Soul
           hankers
           after
           ,
           cleaves
           to
           ,
           and
           sees
           its
           need
           both
           of
           the
           presence
           and
           increase
           
           of
           the
           Vertue
           of
           the
           Life
           .
           Then
           he
           that
           was
           rich
           becomes
           poor
           ,
           and
           he
           that
           was
           full
           becomes
           empty
           and
           nothing
           :
           yea
           he
           that
           had
           enough
           to
           live
           on
           and
           to
           spare
           ,
           is
           now
           pressed
           with
           hunger
           ,
           want
           and
           penury
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           It
           prepares
           for
           a
           clear●●
           entrance
           into
           and
           safer
           enjoyment
           of
           the
           fulness
           .
           As
           the
           Soul
           is
           more
           emptied
           of
           the
           strength
           and
           Riches
           it
           received
           from
           God
           :
           so
           it
           is
           more
           prepared
           to
           enter
           into
           and
           live
           in
           the
           pure
           Being
           it self
           .
           For
           nothing
           can
           live
           there
           ,
           which
           Vails
           .
           In
           the
           Life
           God
           was
           ,
           and
           is
           ,
           and
           is
           to
           be
           all
           in
           all
           for
           ever
           .
           That
           therefore
           which
           enters
           there
           ,
           and
           lives
           and
           abides
           there
           ,
           must
           be
           poor
           ,
           empty
           ,
           naked
           ,
           nothing
           ,
           and
           remain
           nothing
           for
           ever
           .
           As
           it
           gathers
           any
           thing
           from
           the
           fulness
           and
           becomes
           any
           thing
           in
           it self
           thereby
           ,
           it
           is
           shut
           out
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             How
             doth
             God
             heal
             and
             bind
             up
             that
             ,
             which
             he
             hath
             wounded
             and
             broken
             to
             pieces
             with
             his
             various
             and
             frequent
             exercises
             ?
          
        
         
         
           Answ
           .
           By
           opening
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           endless
           Life
           ,
           in
           the
           Vessel
           which
           he
           hath
           throughly
           purified
           and
           prepared
           ,
           and
           filling
           it
           with
           the
           Power
           .
           The
           free
           Power
           of
           Life
           ,
           that
           's
           the
           Gospel
           .
           To
           the
           meek
           ,
           to
           the
           broken-hearted
           ,
           to
           the
           cleansed
           it
           is
           Promised
           :
           and
           when
           the
           work
           of
           cleansing
           is
           finished
           ,
           the
           wound
           made
           wide
           enough
           and
           kept
           open
           long
           enough
           ,
           and
           the
           Death
           to
           the
           first
           Husband
           fully
           accomplished
           ,
           then
           the
           perfect
           oyl
           is
           perfectly
           poured
           in
           ,
           and
           everlasting
           health
           and
           Salvation
           obtained
           .
           This
           is
           the
           end
           ,
           which
           God
           Aims
           at
           in
           the
           Visitations
           and
           leadings
           of
           his
           Seed
           :
           happy
           are
           they
           that
           pass
           through
           the
           Vail
           of
           Misery
           ,
           and
           drink
           off
           the
           dregs
           of
           the
           Cup
           of
           Trembling
           ,
           not
           fainting
           nor
           sitting
           down
           by
           the
           way
           ,
           but
           following
           the
           faithful
           Shepherd
           and
           leader
           of
           Israel
           ,
           till
           they
           Arive
           here
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             is
             the
             great
             danger
             in
             the
             Path
             of
             Life
             ?
          
        
         
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           great
           danger
           is
           of
           Ascending
           a
           step
           higher
           ,
           then
           the
           present
           Estate
           and
           Condition
           will
           bear
           :
           for
           by
           this
           means
           the
           aspiring
           Mind
           gets
           up
           ,
           and
           is
           exalted
           and
           holdeth
           somewhat
           received
           from
           the
           Life
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           pure
           fear
           which
           preserves
           the
           heart
           clean
           ,
           and
           out
           of
           the
           sencible
           feeling
           which
           keepeth
           fresh
           and
           living
           to
           God
           ;
           and
           then
           the
           simplicity
           is
           betrayed
           ,
           and
           a
           wrong
           Spirit
           lives
           ,
           and
           a
           wrong
           Eye
           is
           opened
           :
           so
           that
           there
           is
           nothing
           now
           but
           Whoredom
           from
           the
           Life
           ,
           and
           the
           heart
           exalted
           and
           conceited
           in
           the
           way
           of
           its
           Whoredoms
           ,
           as
           if
           it
           were
           the
           pure
           Bed
           and
           most
           excellent
           way
           of
           enjoyment
           of
           the
           Life
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             What
             way
             is
             there
             of
             preservation
             here-from
             ?
          
        
         
           Ans
           .
           Watching
           to
           the
           Life
           ,
           keeping
           low
           in
           the
           fear
           and
           close
           to
           the
           feeling
           .
           Here
           the
           aspirer
           is
           shut
           out
           ,
           or
           soon
           espied
           at
           his
           beginning
           to
           
           enter
           ,
           and
           then
           the
           living
           Cross
           received
           ,
           which
           Crucifieth
           and
           driveth
           him
           back
           .
           And
           indeed
           there
           is
           no
           way
           of
           safety
           in
           the
           Travels
           towards
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           Life
           ,
           or
           under
           any
           enjoyment
           before
           the
           state
           of
           perfect
           Death
           ,
           but
           under
           the
           Cross
           to
           that
           Spirit
           and
           Nature
           which
           would
           dwell
           there
           ,
           and
           please
           it self
           therewith
           ,
           and
           be
           somewhat
           therein
           ,
           and
           so
           forget
           the
           pure
           everlasting
           Spring
           .
           Adulterating
           with
           the
           streamings
           forth
           of
           it
           .
        
         
           Man
           was
           made
           for
           God
           ,
           to
           be
           a
           Vessel
           of
           his
           pleasure
           ,
           and
           to
           receive
           his
           content
           ,
           Enjoyment
           and
           Happiness
           by
           reflection
           .
           So
           that
           man's
           proper
           work
           was
           to
           watch
           to
           the
           spring
           from
           whence
           he
           came
           ;
           to
           be
           disposed
           of
           ,
           ordered
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           according
           to
           his
           pleasure
           .
           This
           was
           Natural
           to
           man
           before
           his
           fall
           ,
           till
           a
           corrupt
           spirit
           by
           deceit
           entred
           him
           &
           corrupted
           him
           .
           And
           while
           any
           thing
           of
           that
           corrupt
           spirit
           or
           fallen
           nature
           
           remains
           ,
           he
           is
           apt
           to
           aspire
           in
           the
           Self-hood
           ,
           and
           to
           seek
           the
           enjoyment
           of
           what
           comes
           from
           the
           Fountain
           (
           yea
           and
           of
           the
           Fountain
           it self
           also
           )
           in
           and
           according
           to
           the
           will
           and
           Wisdom
           of
           the
           selfhood
           .
           And
           here
           let
           man
           receive
           what
           Gifts
           soever
           from
           God
           ,
           be
           advanced
           to
           never
           so
           high
           an
           Habitation
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           Life
           ,
           yea
           have
           the
           very
           Fountain
           it self
           given
           him
           ,
           yet
           by
           this
           means
           he
           will
           corrupt
           ,
           lose
           the
           Gift
           or
           Spring
           ,
           be
           separated
           from
           it
           ,
           and
           Adulterate
           with
           what
           he
           can
           still
           retain
           or
           gather
           in
           his
           own
           Principle
           .
           And
           here
           do
           deep
           Travellers
           lose
           their
           way
           ,
           falling
           from
           their
           Portion
           in
           the
           Land
           of
           Life
           and
           from
           their
           enjoyments
           in
           the
           Paradice
           of
           the
           Pleasure
           of
           the
           Life
           ,
           into
           the
           earthly
           and
           sensual
           Spirit
           ,
           holding
           things
           wisely
           and
           richly
           there
           in
           the
           earthly
           Principle
           ,
           not
           knowing
           the
           remove
           of
           their
           Habitation
           thither
           ,
           nor
           thinking
           that
           they
           are
           there
           .
        
         
         
           He
           that
           readeth
           these
           things
           ,
           let
           him
           not
           strive
           to
           comprehend
           them
           ,
           but
           be
           content
           with
           what
           he
           feeleth
           thereof
           suitable
           to
           his
           own
           present
           Estate
           :
           and
           as
           the
           Life
           grows
           in
           him
           and
           he
           in
           the
           Life
           ,
           and
           he
           comes
           to
           meet
           with
           the
           things
           and
           exercises
           spoken
           of
           ,
           the
           words
           and
           experiences
           concerning
           them
           will
           of
           themselves
           open
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           be
           useful
           and
           serviceable
           to
           him
           so
           far
           as
           the
           Lord
           pleaseth
           ,
           he
           keeping
           to
           the
           leadings
           ,
           savour
           and
           Principle
           of
           Life
           in
           in
           himself
           ,
           wherein
           alone
           his
           knowledge
           ,
           sight
           ,
           growth
           and
           experiences
           are
           safe
           .
        
         
           Now
           he
           that
           would
           travel
           safely
           in
           Spirit
           unto
           the
           Land
           of
           Life
           ,
           let
           him
           wait
           to
           have
           these
           things
           following
           ,
           written
           by
           the
           Finger
           of
           God
           in
           his
           heart
           ,
           and
           the
           sence
           and
           Impression
           thereof
           preserved
           fresh
           in
           him
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           It
           is
           the
           Free
           Grace
           of
           God
           
           which
           begins
           the
           Work
           of
           Redemption
           ,
           which
           causeth
           the
           Light
           to
           shine
           ,
           which
           worketh
           the
           Repentance
           or
           turning
           from
           the
           dead
           State
           ,
           and
           also
           the
           belief
           in
           and
           turning
           towards
           the
           living
           God.
           
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           It
           is
           the
           same
           grace
           alone
           ,
           that
           can
           preserve
           and
           cause
           the
           Plant
           of
           Grace
           to
           grow
           .
           If
           there
           be
           a
           withdrawing
           of
           the
           Light
           ,
           a
           withholding
           of
           the
           free
           influence
           ,
           that
           which
           depends
           thereupon
           cannot
           retain
           its
           freshness
           :
           which
           the
           Lord
           may
           do
           as
           often
           as
           he
           pleaseth
           ,
           for
           the
           chastisement
           of
           the
           Rebellious
           part
           ,
           or
           for
           the
           Tryal
           of
           his
           Pure
           Life
           and
           Vertue
           in
           his
           Plants
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           grace
           of
           God
           visiting
           the
           Soul
           in
           the
           Death
           ,
           in
           the
           Darkness
           in
           the
           fallen
           Estate
           ,
           begetteth
           Life
           anew
           in
           it
           ,
           maketh
           it
           in
           some
           measure
           Light
           in
           the
           Lord
           ,
           openeth
           an
           Eye
           in
           it
           to
           see
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           an
           Ear
           to
           hear
           and
           distinguish
           between
           the
           
           sound
           of
           Life
           and
           of
           Death
           ,
           an
           heart
           to
           turn
           from
           and
           refuse
           the
           vanity
           ,
           and
           to
           turn
           towards
           and
           abide
           in
           the
           living
           Substance
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           The
           Spirit
           of
           God
           carryes
           on
           the
           Work
           of
           Redemption
           by
           drawing
           ,
           leading
           and
           acting
           the
           quickened
           Soul
           ,
           by
           exercising
           that
           which
           he
           hath
           begotten
           in
           the
           Life
           ,
           under
           the
           Law
           of
           the
           Life
           .
           Thus
           the
           Life
           draws
           the
           Soul
           dayly
           nearer
           and
           nearer
           towards
           the
           everlasting
           spring
           ,
           and
           from
           the
           fading
           emptiness
           of
           Sin
           ,
           Vanity
           and
           the
           Creature-hood
           ;
           and
           the
           Soul
           ,
           by
           the
           enlivened
           Vertue
           ,
           dayly
           follows
           on
           after
           the
           Life
           ,
           in
           the
           leadings
           ,
           Spirit
           and
           Power
           thereof
           .
           There
           is
           a
           living
           Soul
           begotten
           by
           the
           Vertue
           of
           the
           Grace
           ,
           and
           the
           living
           Soul
           dayly
           lives
           in
           the
           Grace
           ,
           and
           travels
           in
           the
           Vertue
           thereof
           from
           the
           Unbelief
           to
           the
           Faith
           ,
           from
           the
           Enmity
           to
           the
           Love
           ,
           from
           the
           perversness
           to
           the
           
           Straitness
           ,
           from
           the
           Iniquity
           to
           this
           Righteousness
           ,
           even
           from
           all
           the
           territories
           of
           the
           Darkness
           ,
           and
           also
           from
           the
           weak
           Measures
           and
           Degrees
           of
           the
           Grace
           and
           Life
           towards
           the
           Fulness
           it self
           ,
           even
           until
           it
           perfectly
           Center
           in
           ,
           and
           be
           fully
           filled
           therewith
           .
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           Where
           there
           is
           a
           stopping
           of
           the
           Vertue
           received
           from
           the
           Grace
           ,
           and
           not
           an
           Answer
           of
           it
           in
           the
           heart
           ,
           there
           the
           Work
           of
           Redemption
           is
           stopped
           .
           If
           the
           Soul
           follow
           not
           in
           the
           drawing
           ,
           the
           drawing
           is
           lost
           ,
           as
           to
           it
           .
           If
           the
           Ear
           open
           not
           to
           hear
           the
           voyce
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           or
           if
           it
           be
           not
           mixed
           with
           Faith
           in
           the
           heart
           hearing
           ,
           it
           proves
           ineffectual
           .
           If
           strength
           issue
           forth
           from
           the
           Lord
           ,
           yet
           if
           the
           Soul
           receive
           not
           the
           strength
           which
           issueth
           forth
           and
           Bubleth
           up
           in
           it
           ,
           or
           answer
           it
           not
           in
           giving
           up
           to
           it
           and
           Travelling
           on
           ,
           the
           Soul
           abideth
           where
           it
           was
           at
           least
           ,
           if
           
           it
           also
           retire
           not
           backward
           from
           that
           Estate
           and
           Condition
           ,
           whereto
           the
           Life
           had
           advanced
           it
           :
           for
           if
           the
           Vertue
           of
           the
           Life
           and
           Grace
           be
           refused
           ,
           there
           is
           an
           advantage
           given
           to
           Death
           to
           re-enter
           ,
           and
           gain
           ground
           by
           its
           contrary
           Vertue
           and
           Power
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           ,
           Mark
           therefore
           diligently
           ,
           how
           the
           Lord
           doth
           carry
           on
           the
           Dispensation
           of
           his
           Love
           and
           Free
           Grace
           ,
           even
           as
           if
           there
           were
           much
           done
           by
           the
           strength
           and
           Diligence
           of
           the
           Creature
           .
           What
           wounding
           of
           it self
           by
           Repentance
           !
           what
           striving
           to
           believe
           !
           what
           wrestling
           against
           Enemies
           and
           for
           the
           Influences
           of
           the
           Grace
           ,
           and
           to
           keep
           the
           hope
           up
           and
           the
           distrust
           out
           !
           what
           strict
           watching
           and
           waiting
           ,
           even
           as
           if
           the
           Creature
           did
           work
           out
           its
           whole
           Salvation
           !
        
         
           Seventhly
           ,
           Though
           the
           Creature
           seemeth
           to
           do
           much
           it self
           (
           having
           received
           Life
           from
           the
           Grace
           ,
           and
           
           acting
           abundantly
           towards
           God
           in
           the
           Grace
           )
           yet
           it
           is
           the
           Grace
           and
           Vertue
           which
           comes
           from
           the
           Creator
           (
           who
           is
           also
           the
           Redeemer
           )
           which
           indeed
           doth
           all
           :
           for
           though
           the
           creature
           repent
           really
           ,
           and
           turn
           from
           the
           Darkness
           with
           its
           whole
           heart
           ,
           yet
           the
           Repentance
           is
           of
           the
           Vertue
           which
           flows
           from
           the
           Grace
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           the
           creature
           which
           receives
           the
           Grace
           :
           and
           so
           likewise
           is
           the
           Faith
           ,
           the
           Love
           ,
           the
           Obedience
           ,
           the
           Meekness
           ,
           the
           Patience
           ,
           the
           Watching
           ,
           the
           Waiting
           ,
           the
           Hoping
           ,
           &c.
           
           Yea
           the
           very
           receiving
           the
           Grace
           ,
           is
           not
           of
           the
           creature
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           Grace
           :
           for
           the
           creature
           is
           dead
           ,
           until
           it
           be
           visited
           by
           the
           Grace
           ;
           and
           by
           the
           Visitation
           of
           the
           Grace
           alone
           is
           made
           alive
           ,
           and
           able
           to
           receive
           it
           .
        
         
           Behold
           then
           the
           mystery
           of
           Redemption
           .
           God
           is
           all
           in
           Redemption
           .
           God
           doth
           all
           therein
           as
           fully
           as
           in
           Creation
           (
           it
           is
           a
           new
           Creation
           )
           even
           
           the
           whole
           Work
           thereof
           ;
           yet
           the
           creature
           quickened
           and
           renewed
           is
           in
           Unity
           with
           him
           in
           his
           Operations
           ,
           Phil.
           2.12
           ,
           13.
           
           He
           whose
           Eyes
           are
           opened
           can
           read
           the
           Mystery
           ,
           and
           in
           true
           understanding
           say
           (
           if
           he
           hath
           been
           led
           and
           hath
           proceeded
           so
           far
           )
           
             I
             am
             able
             to
             do
             all
             things
             through
             Christ
             that
             strengtheneth
             me
             ;
             yet
             not
             I
             ,
             but
             the
             Grace
             of
             God
             in
             me
             .
          
           Now
           to
           bring
           the
           creature
           to
           this
           ,
           the
           Lord
           exerciseth
           it
           dayly
           in
           Obedience
           unto
           him
           ,
           in
           the
           Life
           and
           Vertue
           which
           floweth
           forth
           from
           him
           ,
           causing
           it
           to
           feel
           its
           weakness
           as
           it
           forgets
           the
           Vertue
           ,
           or
           aspires
           to
           live
           of
           it self
           on
           the
           Vertue
           received
           ,
           out
           of
           the
           sensible
           feeling
           of
           its
           Dependance
           upon
           the
           Spring
           .
           And
           indeed
           ,
           the
           Vertue
           that
           comes
           from
           God
           can
           alone
           Answer
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           creature
           is
           onely
           accepted
           with
           the
           Spring
           and
           Father
           of
           Life
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           found
           therein
           .
        
         
           Quest
           .
           
             But
             if
             the
             Work
             of
             Redemption
             
             be
             wrought
             by
             God's
             creating
             Power
             ,
             how
             cometh
             it
             to
             meet
             with
             so
             many
             rubs
             and
             interruptions
             ,
             and
             sometimes
             overturnings
             ?
             can
             any
             thing
             stop
             God's
             Creating
             Power
             ?
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           So
           far
           as
           God
           absolutely
           pleaseth
           to
           Create
           ,
           nothing
           can
           stop
           or
           hinder
           :
           but
           the
           entrance
           of
           that
           ,
           which
           he
           beginneth
           to
           Create
           ,
           into
           the
           creature
           and
           its
           getting
           a
           being
           there
           ,
           as
           also
           the
           growth
           and
           preservation
           of
           it
           there
           ,
           may
           be
           hindred
           by
           the
           force
           of
           Spiritual
           Enemies
           ,
           if
           the
           Lord
           please
           to
           permit
           ,
           or
           by
           the
           grieving
           and
           provoking
           of
           that
           Free
           Power
           ,
           which
           alone
           begetteth
           and
           preserveth
           Life
           in
           the
           Heart
           .
        
         
           Object
           .
           
             Then
             the
             Work
             of
             Redemption
             is
             not
             carryed
             on
             by
             an
             absolute
             free-creating
             Power
             .
          
        
         
           Answ
           .
           The
           Creating
           Power
           and
           preserving
           Power
           is
           the
           same
           ,
           but
           the
           work
           is
           somewhat
           different
           ,
           both
           in
           the
           outward
           visible
           Creation
           ,
           and
           in
           
           the
           inward
           New-Creation
           .
           The
           preservation
           of
           that
           which
           is
           Created
           and
           Planted
           (
           unto
           its
           growth
           and
           Perfection
           )
           is
           by
           the
           same
           Power
           which
           Created
           and
           Planted
           :
           but
           rather
           in
           a
           way
           of
           Care
           ,
           Industry
           ,
           Art
           and
           Skill
           ,
           than
           of
           such
           Immediate
           Force
           and
           Power
           ,
           though
           by
           the
           exercise
           and
           putting
           forth
           of
           the
           same
           Vertue
           and
           Power
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           Three
           things
           in
           Redemption
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           There
           is
           the
           issuing
           out
           of
           the
           Free
           Grace
           ,
           Love
           ,
           Vertue
           and
           Divine
           Power
           towards
           the
           Creature
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           There
           is
           the
           opening
           of
           the
           Estate
           of
           the
           Creature
           thereby
           ,
           convincing
           and
           drawing
           it
           out
           of
           the
           Alienation
           from
           the
           Life
           ,
           towards
           Unity
           with
           the
           Life
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           There
           is
           the
           following
           of
           the
           creature
           after
           the
           Life
           ,
           in
           the
           quickening
           Vertue
           of
           the
           drawings
           ,
           
           through
           all
           the
           Snares
           ,
           Temptations
           ,
           Diversions
           and
           Oppositions
           of
           the
           Enemy
           .
        
         
           Now
           there
           is
           no
           hindring
           of
           the
           issuing
           forth
           of
           the
           Free
           Grace
           towards
           the
           creature
           ,
           or
           of
           those
           convictions
           and
           inclinations
           of
           the
           creature
           to
           follow
           ,
           which
           necessarily
           ensue
           thereupon
           .
           But
           the
           Pursuit
           and
           Progress
           of
           the
           creature
           (
           or
           its
           abiding
           with
           the
           quickening
           Vertue
           and
           Power
           )
           may
           many
           wayes
           be
           interrupted
           and
           diverted
           ,
           and
           so
           the
           creature
           drawn
           from
           under
           the
           influence
           of
           the
           free
           Covenant
           :
           for
           though
           the
           Covenant
           be
           free
           ,
           yet
           the
           creature
           onely
           partakes
           of
           it
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           drawn
           into
           it
           and
           preserved
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           Therefore
           let
           those
           Fear
           ,
           who
           feel
           the
           Power
           and
           Redeeming
           Vertue
           ,
           and
           know
           ,
           that
           notwithstanding
           the
           free
           and
           certain
           Promise
           to
           the
           Seed
           ,
           yet
           the
           creature
           is
           as
           Clay
           in
           the
           hands
           of
           the
           Potter
           ,
           which
           may
           
           be
           made
           a
           Vessel
           of
           Honour
           or
           Dishonour
           ,
           as
           he
           pleaseth
           to
           favour
           it
           or
           take
           occasion
           against
           it
           .
           And
           who
           ever
           would
           pass
           through
           the
           Work
           of
           Salvation
           and
           Redemption
           ,
           unto
           the
           Salvation
           and
           Redemption
           it self
           ;
           in
           the
           living
           Vertue
           received
           from
           the
           Life
           ,
           let
           him
           keep
           fast
           hold
           on
           the
           good
           Pleasure
           ,
           and
           in
           it
           give
           all
           diligence
           to
           make
           his
           Calling
           and
           Election
           sure
           ,
           working
           out
           his
           Salvation
           with
           Fear
           and
           Trembling
           ,
           because
           God
           worketh
           in
           him
           both
           to
           will
           and
           to
           do
           of
           his
           good
           Will.
           And
           walking
           diligently
           and
           industriously
           in
           this
           Path
           ,
           he
           may
           attain
           the
           Seal
           of
           the
           Redemption
           ,
           even
           that
           Mark
           which
           can
           never
           be
           worn
           out
           ,
           and
           to
           full
           Assurance
           of
           Faith
           in
           the
           Redeeming
           Power
           :
           though
           it
           is
           also
           possible
           for
           him
           afterwards
           ,
           through
           much
           negligence
           &
           grieving
           the
           Spirit
           whereby
           he
           was
           sealed
           ,
           to
           lose
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           Mark
           and
           the
           comfort
           of
           
           the
           Assurance
           ,
           which
           was
           once
           fresh
           and
           clear
           in
           his
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           For
           a
           close
           at
           this
           time
           ,
           I
           shall
           add
           a
           few
           words
           concerning
           the
           Unity
           of
           God's
           Grace
           (
           or
           free
           Light
           of
           his
           Spirit
           )
           notwithstanding
           the
           various
           Estates
           and
           Conditions
           of
           man
           whom
           it
           visits
           ,
           and
           the
           variety
           of
           its
           Operations
           .
        
         
           There
           is
           a
           threefold
           state
           of
           Man
           ,
           wherein
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           visits
           him
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           The
           Gentile-state
           ,
           or
           state
           of
           Nature
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           The
           Jew-state
           or
           Administration
           of
           the
           Law
           ,
           wherein
           God
           takes
           him
           under
           his
           own
           Tuition
           ,
           making
           known
           his
           will
           to
           him
           ,
           and
           requiring
           Obedience
           of
           him
           :
           and
           not
           only
           so
           ,
           but
           also
           directs
           him
           to
           the
           inward
           Teacher
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Principle
           of
           the
           pure
           Fear
           ,
           which
           is
           the
           place
           of
           Wisdom's
           teaching
           and
           instructions
           .
        
         
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           Gospel-state
           ,
           or
           state
           of
           Faith
           ,
           where
           the
           Principle
           is
           raised
           ,
           the
           Seed
           lives
           ,
           and
           that
           is
           felt
           springing
           up
           ,
           known
           and
           enjoyed
           ,
           which
           does
           the
           Will
           and
           receives
           the
           Promise
           .
        
         
           Now
           in
           all
           these
           the
           Law
           ,
           the
           Light
           ,
           the
           Life
           ,
           the
           Wisdom
           ,
           the
           Power
           is
           one
           and
           the
           same
           ;
           but
           the
           Administrations
           are
           different
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           Gentile-state
           or
           state
           of
           Nature
           ,
           the
           ●ight
           which
           man
           receives
           there
           (
           to
           discover
           Evil
           and
           work
           him
           into
           Good
           )
           is
           of
           the
           Spirit
           and
           by
           vertue
           of
           the
           Promise
           .
           For
           he
           had
           been
           everlastingly
           shut
           up
           in
           the
           Darkness
           ,
           had
           it
           not
           been
           for
           the
           Promise
           :
           and
           it
           is
           for
           the
           Promise
           sake
           and
           from
           the
           free
           Grace
           ,
           that
           he
           hath
           any
           Visitation
           in
           the
           state
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           any
           desires
           after
           or
           leadings
           towards
           the
           good
           and
           from
           the
           evil
           ;
           which
           spring
           not
           nor
           can
           spring
           from
           corrupted
           Nature
           ,
           but
           from
           
           the
           free
           Fountain
           of
           the
           new
           Life
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           Law-state
           the
           Light
           grows
           more
           clear
           ,
           the
           Teacher
           is
           there
           discerned
           and
           acknowledged
           ,
           his
           drawings
           ,
           warnings
           ,
           instructions
           and
           reproofs
           felt
           more
           distinctly
           ,
           and
           the
           Soul
           (
           that
           is
           watchful
           )
           continually
           exercised
           therein
           .
        
         
           In
           the
           Gospel-state
           the
           Principle
           of
           Life
           is
           raised
           ,
           the
           promised
           Seed
           come
           ,
           the
           Power
           which
           doth
           the
           Will
           received
           ,
           and
           the
           Light
           of
           Life
           entring
           into
           and
           possessing
           the
           Vessel
           .
        
         
           Now
           this
           is
           the
           whole
           of
           Man
           ,
           to
           wait
           on
           the
           Ministration
           of
           the
           Life
           to
           him
           in
           his
           present-estate
           ,
           whether
           he
           be
           yet
           in
           the
           estate
           of
           Nature
           ,
           or
           under
           the
           Law
           or
           under
           Grace
           .
           To
           know
           whence
           his
           Redemption
           springs
           ,
           and
           to
           wait
           on
           the
           Redeeming
           Arm
           for
           the
           beginnings
           ,
           progress
           and
           perfecting
           of
           it
           :
           And
           if
           he
           be
           in
           the
           feeling
           of
           that
           Vertue
           ,
           it
           is
           
           enough
           :
           or
           if
           he
           be
           but
           kept
           longing
           and
           panting
           after
           it
           ,
           it
           is
           well
           :
           yea
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           but
           a
           desire
           in
           him
           after
           a
           thirst
           ,
           there
           is
           hope
           :
           nay
           ,
           if
           there
           be
           but
           the
           least
           feeling
           of
           his
           dead
           ,
           barren
           and
           sensless
           Estate
           ,
           there
           is
           some
           Life
           in
           him
           ,
           which
           the
           Lord
           loves
           and
           will
           find
           a
           time
           to
           express
           his
           bowels
           towards
           :
           yea
           ,
           that
           which
           is
           wholly
           in
           the
           Darkness
           and
           shut
           up
           in
           the
           Pit
           ,
           the
           Lord
           hath
           bowels
           in
           him
           towards
           ,
           and
           after
           many
           dayes
           may
           please
           to
           visit
           .
           Oh
           the
           height
           ,
           the
           depth
           ,
           the
           length
           ,
           the
           breadth
           of
           the
           Riches
           of
           the
           Mercy
           and
           Love
           of
           God!
           who
           knows
           his
           yearning
           towards
           Souls
           ,
           and
           his
           wayes
           of
           visiting
           and
           redeeming
           !
           O
           my
           Soul
           ,
           hope
           thou
           in
           the
           Lord
           for
           evermore
           ,
           and
           leave
           not
           breathing
           towards
           him
           ,
           till
           thou
           and
           his
           whole
           Creation
           be
           filled
           and
           satisfied
           with
           him
           ;
           and
           then
           fetch
           the
           full
           breath
           of
           Life
           in
           him
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           THE
           END
           .
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           Post-script
           .
        
         
           I
           Have
           been
           Treating
           of
           the
           Inward
           Work
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           wrought
           in
           the
           heart
           by
           the
           Power
           ,
           and
           brought
           to
           the
           sensible
           Experimental
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Creature
           ;
           yet
           would
           not
           be
           so
           understood
           ,
           as
           if
           I
           made
           void
           what
           was
           done
           without
           by
           Christ
           in
           his
           own
           Person
           ,
           or
           any
           of
           those
           ends
           and
           purposes
           for
           which
           it
           was
           wrought
           ,
           and
           appointed
           so
           to
           be
           done
           by
           the
           Father
           :
           though
           this
           I
           know
           ,
           that
           the
           knowledge
           of
           those
           things
           with
           the
           belief
           therein
           ,
           or
           any
           Practices
           and
           observations
           therefrom
           without
           the
           Life
           ,
           can
           no
           more
           profit
           now
           ,
           than
           the
           Jews
           literal
           knowledge
           of
           the
           Law
           could
           profit
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           were
           rejected
           therewith
           .
           And
           since
           the
           Apostacy
           ,
           of
           this
           latter
           
           Age
           especially
           ,
           I
           have
           clearly
           seen
           in
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           ,
           that
           the
           Professors
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Letter
           of
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           cleaving
           to
           their
           apprehensions
           which
           they
           gather
           therefrom
           ,
           is
           become
           a
           Snare
           and
           Trap
           to
           them
           ,
           to
           keep
           them
           from
           feeling
           the
           Power
           ,
           and
           living
           in
           the
           sensibility
           of
           the
           Vertue
           of
           the
           Grace
           ,
           even
           as
           the
           Jews
           Table
           (
           or
           gathered
           knowledge
           from
           Moses
           and
           the
           Prophets
           )
           became
           their
           Snare
           and
           Trap.
           The
           Lord
           open
           their
           Eyes
           in
           his
           due
           time
           to
           discern
           it
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           not
           withstand
           that
           Ministration
           and
           Revelation
           of
           his
           everlasting
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           God
           seeth
           good
           to
           visit
           the
           Apostatised
           world
           with
           ,
           after
           this
           long
           dark
           night
           of
           the
           Apostacy
           ;
           whereof
           those
           that
           stick
           in
           Forms
           ,
           or
           knowledge
           of
           things
           from
           the
           Letter
           without
           the
           Power
           ,
           cannot
           but
           prove
           the
           greatest
           
           Enemies
           ,
           Opposers
           and
           Persecutors
           .
        
         
           Now
           to
           help
           them
           a
           little
           ,
           if
           the
           Lord
           please
           ,
           in
           the
           rouling
           of
           my
           bowels
           towards
           them
           I
           find
           my
           heart
           opened
           ,
           to
           lay
           a
           few
           things
           before
           them
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           With
           my
           heart
           ,
           in
           the
           sight
           of
           the
           Lord
           do
           I
           own
           that
           Principle
           ,
           which
           formerly
           wrought
           in
           some
           of
           them
           ,
           which
           I
           my self
           was
           wrought
           upon
           by
           ,
           and
           knew
           not
           onely
           the
           outward
           knowledge
           which
           they
           were
           acquainted
           with
           ,
           but
           also
           the
           inward
           work
           :
           and
           I
           also
           knew
           what
           I
           called
           the
           Light
           of
           Nature
           ,
           and
           what
           I
           called
           the
           Light
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           the
           one
           whereof
           was
           not
           the
           other
           ,
           but
           differed
           as
           far
           as
           Spirit
           and
           Flesh
           .
        
         
           Second●●
           I
           also
           own
           all
           the
           Openings
           and
           Refreshments
           which
           they
           received
           from
           the
           Lord
           in
           reading
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           in
           their
           Publick
           or
           
           Private
           Exercises
           ,
           and
           the
           Experiences
           which
           they
           had
           from
           God
           in
           their
           own
           hearts
           :
           and
           I
           know
           that
           these
           things
           in
           themselves
           were
           true
           ,
           in
           their
           Proportion
           ;
           however
           their
           present
           sence
           ,
           and
           holding
           of
           them
           out
           of
           that
           wherein
           they
           received
           them
           ,
           may
           justly
           be
           judged
           by
           the
           Spirit
           of
           the
           Lord
           in
           his
           Servants
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           Though
           those
           things
           were
           true
           in
           their
           day
           ,
           and
           in
           their
           Proportion
           and
           Measure
           ,
           yet
           in
           them
           they
           might
           lose
           their
           vertue
           and
           die
           ;
           and
           so
           they
           not
           retain
           the
           thing
           in
           its
           Life
           ,
           in
           its
           own
           Principle
           ,
           in
           the
           newness
           of
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           in
           that
           Birth
           to
           which
           God
           gave
           it
           ,
           but
           onely
           an
           Image
           of
           it
           in
           the
           Natural
           understanding
           ,
           in
           the
           earthly
           part
           ,
           in
           the
           dead
           Principle
           :
           and
           then
           their
           knowledge
           of
           God
           and
           their
           Experiences
           cannot
           but
           be
           corrupted
           ,
           and
           now
           become
           the
           possession
           of
           Death
           ,
           and
           the
           Engines
           of
           Death
           in
           their
           
           hearts
           .
           Again
           ,
           God
           had
           somewhat
           further
           to
           manifest
           ,
           even
           to
           bring
           forth
           that
           ,
           which
           they
           so
           earnestly
           prayed
           for
           in
           that
           Day
           ;
           which
           they
           ,
           having
           abided
           in
           that
           Vertue
           wherin
           they
           prayed
           ,
           might
           easily
           have
           discerned
           and
           embraced
           :
           but
           being
           out
           of
           that
           ,
           and
           pleasing
           themselves
           with
           the
           litteral
           knowledge
           of
           the
           things
           they
           then
           received
           ,
           holding
           them
           in
           the
           wise
           earthly
           part
           ,
           that
           part
           cannot
           but
           stumble
           at
           the
           low
           and
           contemptible
           Appearances
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           are
           still
           offensive
           to
           that
           part
           .
           The
           great
           Glory
           of
           God
           is
           hid
           in
           a
           little
           Seed
           ,
           and
           how
           can
           the
           great
           Eye
           of
           the
           fleshly-wise
           see
           it
           ?
           We
           have
           Moses
           and
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           said
           the
           Jews
           after
           the
           Flesh
           ;
           But
           as
           for
           this
           man
           ,
           we
           know
           not
           whence
           he
           is
           .
           Even
           so
           it
           is
           now
           :
           We
           know
           the
           Relation
           which
           the
           Scriptures
           have
           given
           of
           Christ
           by
           the
           Apostles
           ,
           we
           are
           sure
           this
           is
           of
           God
           ,
           say
           the
           Professors
           ;
           
           but
           as
           for
           this
           little
           Seed
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           or
           Light
           of
           God
           in
           the
           heart
           ,
           we
           cannot
           believe
           that
           all
           we
           want
           is
           to
           spring
           up
           in
           it
           .
        
         
           Now
           Fourthly
           ,
           there
           is
           a
           necessity
           both
           of
           the
           knowledge
           of
           Persons
           to
           pass
           away
           ,
           and
           also
           of
           their
           Experiences
           to
           be
           given
           up
           and
           let
           fall
           ,
           in
           these
           two
           cases
           following
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           When
           the
           Vertue
           is
           withdrawn
           from
           them
           ,
           when
           Death
           hath
           caught
           them
           ,
           when
           they
           become
           Death's
           goods
           .
           For
           that
           which
           is
           received
           from
           the
           Life
           ,
           is
           onely
           profitable
           to
           the
           Soul
           in
           the
           vertue
           of
           the
           Life
           .
           When
           the
           earthly
           part
           hath
           caught
           them
           and
           seated
           it self
           there
           ,
           they
           then
           become
           the
           strong
           holds
           of
           the
           Enemy
           ,
           and
           the
           Engines
           of
           Death
           to
           the
           heart
           ;
           so
           that
           then
           Life
           and
           true
           Relief
           is
           not
           to
           be
           had
           in
           them
           ,
           but
           where
           the
           Eternal
           Vertue
           pleases
           next
           to
           appear
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           When
           God
           hath
           somewhat
           
           to
           bring
           forth
           further
           in
           the
           world
           or
           in
           any
           particular
           heart
           ,
           to
           make
           way
           for
           it
           ,
           he
           brings
           Death
           upon
           that
           which
           was
           before
           living
           .
           Thus
           when
           God
           is
           pleased
           to
           bring
           forth
           a
           greater
           Measure
           of
           Faith
           and
           Power
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           he
           distresseth
           the
           heart
           ,
           making
           the
           fore-going
           Faith
           and
           Power
           appear
           weak
           and
           pass
           away
           ,
           and
           many
           times
           for
           a
           season
           shutteth
           up
           the
           Soul
           in
           the
           unbelief
           ,
           until
           the
           Fresh
           Faith
           and
           Fresh
           Power
           spring
           up
           and
           arise
           .
           And
           this
           causeth
           the
           necessity
           of
           the
           further
           Dispensations
           of
           his
           Eternal
           Vertue
           to
           appear
           ,
           and
           the
           Beauty
           of
           them
           to
           shine
           ,
           which
           they
           would
           not
           have
           done
           so
           abundantly
           ,
           had
           it
           not
           been
           for
           the
           fore-going
           distresse
           of
           the
           hea●
           ▪
        
         
           The●●●●●e
           yet
           some
           things
           further
           weighty
           upon
           my
           heart
           to
           lay
           before
           them
           ,
           needful
           for
           them
           to
           consider
           of
           ,
           which
           may
           be
           serviceable
           and
           
           helpful
           to
           them
           in
           their
           present
           Condition
           ,
           if
           the
           Lord
           please
           to
           open
           their
           hearts
           and
           impress
           them
           thereon
           .
           They
           are
           four
           Propositions
           ,
           relating
           to
           the
           right
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           which
           are
           these
           following
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             the
             things
             of
             God
             comes
             from
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           As
           the
           Scriptures
           themselves
           came
           from
           the
           Spirit
           :
           so
           the
           true
           Knowledge
           of
           them
           is
           alone
           given
           ,
           to
           any
           man
           which
           receiveth
           it
           ,
           by
           the
           same
           Spirit
           .
           And
           no
           man
           living
           can
           know
           the
           mind
           of
           the
           words
           which
           the
           Spirit
           spake
           ,
           but
           as
           the
           same
           Spirit
           which
           spake
           them
           ,
           gives
           the
           meaning
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Knowledge
             of
             God
          
           (
           the
           living
           Knowledge
           the
           serviceable
           Knowledge
           )
           
             is
             〈◊〉
             held
             in
             the
             Spirit
             and
             in
             the
             Birth
             which
             is
             of
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           Man's
           natural
           part
           is
           not
           the
           true
           Treasury
           ,
           nor
           is
           man's
           Reason
           
           to
           be
           Master
           of
           any
           of
           the
           things
           of
           God's
           Spirit
           ;
           but
           that
           which
           holds
           the
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           the
           Grace
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           the
           living
           Experiences
           ,
           is
           that
           which
           is
           born
           of
           the
           Seed
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ;
           and
           man's
           Reason
           is
           for
           ever
           to
           be
           shut
           out
           of
           the
           things
           of
           God
           ,
           further
           than
           it
           bowes
           ,
           is
           limited
           and
           subjected
           .
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             That
             the
             Knowledge
             received
             from
             the
             Spirit
             ,
             is
             still
             to
             be
             tryed
             by
             the
             Spirit
             .
          
           The
           Spirit
           alone
           can
           keep
           it
           living
           ,
           and
           the
           Spirit
           alone
           can
           tell
           whether
           the
           Life
           and
           Vertue
           be
           still
           in
           it
           ,
           or
           whether
           Death
           hath
           caught
           it
           :
           whether
           it
           be
           Manna
           fit
           for
           the
           Soul's
           Food
           ;
           or
           Manna
           once
           given
           ,
           but
           now
           corrupted
           .
           O
           my
           Dear
           Friends
           ,
           wait
           to
           understand
           my
           Experience
           concerning
           this
           thing
           ,
           which
           is
           this
           .
           That
           which
           I
           had
           certainly
           received
           from
           God
           ,
           and
           which
           the
           true
           Birth
           at
           first
           had
           
           fed
           on
           ,
           the
           earthly
           Birth
           would
           be
           catching
           at
           ,
           laying
           hold
           of
           ,
           and
           treasuring
           up
           to
           feed
           on
           at
           another
           time
           .
           Likewise
           in
           my
           reading
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           I
           lay
           open
           to
           this
           great
           snare
           of
           reading
           in
           my
           own
           will
           ,
           and
           of
           gathering
           from
           thence
           in
           mine
           own
           understanding
           ,
           &
           so
           growing
           wise
           concerning
           the
           things
           of
           God
           after
           the
           Flesh
           :
           for
           though
           ,
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           I
           was
           not
           without
           living
           Knowledge
           and
           Experiences
           of
           God
           ,
           yet
           I
           knew
           not
           how
           to
           turn
           from
           the
           Death
           ,
           nor
           to
           keep
           to
           the
           Life
           ;
           and
           so
           the
           bad
           ,
           the
           lean
           ,
           the
           earthly
           ,
           the
           ill-favoured
           overgrew
           the
           good
           and
           wel-pleasing
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           brought
           it
           into
           bitter
           misery
           and
           Death
           .
           O
           that
           ye
           knew
           being
           begotten
           of
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           and
           keeping
           the
           Will
           of
           the
           Father
           ,
           &
           receiving
           the
           Bread
           dayly
           from
           his
           hand
           .
           That
           which
           man
           conceiveth
           concerning
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           is
           not
           the
           pure
           Milk
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           but
           
           that
           which
           the
           Breasts
           gives
           out
           :
           that
           is
           it
           which
           hath
           the
           Immediate
           Life
           ,
           Vertue
           and
           true
           Nourishment
           in
           it
           .
           And
           this
           must
           be
           returned
           back
           into
           the
           Treasury
           ,
           and
           not
           held
           in
           the
           earthly
           part
           ,
           in
           the
           earthly
           will
           and
           understanding
           ,
           but
           received
           from
           the
           Life
           again
           when
           it
           is
           again
           needed
           :
           yea
           ,
           this
           have
           I
           often
           known
           ,
           that
           when
           I
           have
           been
           in
           great
           distress
           ,
           I
           have
           received
           fresh
           comfort
           from
           the
           Lord
           :
           but
           running
           to
           that
           afterwards
           ,
           it
           never
           was
           able
           to
           comfort
           me
           ,
           but
           more
           deeply
           wounded
           me
           .
           And
           thus
           hath
           the
           Lord
           been
           Teaching
           me
           to
           live
           upon
           himself
           ,
           and
           not
           upon
           any
           thing
           received
           from
           him
           ,
           but
           upon
           the
           Life
           it self
           ,
           the
           Mercy
           ,
           the
           good
           Pleasure
           ,
           which
           Proportions
           out
           the
           living
           Bread
           dayly
           to
           the
           living
           Birth
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           
             It
             is
             easie
             receiving
             of
             Knowledge
             in
             the
             earthly
             part
             ,
             in
             the
             
             earthly
             Wisdom
             ,
             out
             of
             the
             Spirit
             and
             living
             Vertue
             .
          
           When
           one
           readeth
           a
           Scripture
           ,
           it
           is
           easie
           conceiving
           and
           apprehending
           a
           meaning
           ones
           self
           ,
           or
           taking
           in
           another
           man's
           meaning
           ;
           but
           it
           is
           hard
           abstaining
           from
           all
           conceivings
           and
           reasonings
           of
           the
           mind
           ,
           and
           waiting
           for
           the
           pure
           Will
           and
           Opening
           of
           the
           Spirit
           therein
           .
           Also
           it
           is
           easie
           retaining
           of
           Knowledge
           ,
           and
           making
           use
           of
           it
           in
           the
           will
           and
           wisdom
           of
           the
           earthly
           mind
           (
           for
           both
           these
           are
           natural
           )
           but
           it
           is
           hard
           denying
           the
           reason
           ,
           the
           thoughts
           and
           imaginations
           ,
           and
           watching
           to
           the
           Spirit
           .
        
         
           O
           Professors
           !
           wait
           for
           the
           living
           Appearance
           of
           God
           ,
           even
           for
           the
           freshness
           of
           his
           Spirit
           in
           your
           spirits
           ,
           that
           in
           that
           which
           cometh
           from
           the
           Spirit
           ye
           may
           know
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           may
           also
           know
           how
           to
           turn
           to
           him
           and
           abide
           with
           him
           ,
           having
           the
           
           watch
           set
           against
           that
           wisdom
           in
           your selves
           ,
           which
           in
           all
           Ages
           and
           Generations
           is
           eternally
           shut
           out
           of
           the
           things
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           ,
           although
           it
           may
           gather
           ,
           get
           and
           hold
           a
           vast
           Knowledge
           of
           the
           things
           of
           the
           Kingdom
           in
           the
           earthly
           Treasury
           .
           Thus
           Fleshly
           -
           Israel
           hath
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           the
           Letter
           ,
           but
           Spiritual
           -
           Israel
           the
           Wisdom
           ,
           Vertue
           and
           Life
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           all
           Ages
           and
           Generations
           .
           And
           though
           he
           that
           is
           born
           after
           the
           Flesh
           ,
           despiseth
           him
           who
           is
           born
           after
           the
           Spirit
           ,
           yet
           this
           is
           God's
           Heir
           :
           and
           the
           bond-woman
           ,
           the
           earthly
           wisdom
           ,
           with
           all
           her
           Children
           (
           even
           the
           greatest
           Giants
           in
           Knowledge
           ,
           Profe●●●●n
           of
           Religion
           and
           Scripture
           o●
           〈◊〉
           )
           must
           be
           cast
           out
           ,
           and
           〈◊〉
           Inherit
           the
           Land
           of
           Life
           .
           This
           is
           written
           that
           that
           might
           be
           raised
           in
           you
           by
           the
           Power
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           Inherit
           the
           
           Life
           Eternal
           :
           and
           ye
           not
           find
           your
           Souls
           deceived
           when
           the
           Light
           of
           that
           Day
           fully
           opens
           ,
           which
           hath
           already
           dawned
           .
        
         
           I
           was
           in
           a
           poor
           low
           Condition
           ,
           when
           the
           Lord
           formerly
           visited
           me
           ;
           as
           lost
           ,
           as
           undone
           ,
           as
           miserable
           as
           any
           .
           What
           Knowledge
           ,
           what
           Life
           ,
           what
           precious
           Vertue
           I
           then
           received
           ,
           was
           from
           God's
           Grace
           ;
           which
           was
           still
           his
           own
           ,
           and
           he
           might
           call
           for
           it
           at
           his
           pleasure
           .
           And
           surely
           ,
           he
           which
           hath
           received
           from
           the
           Fountain
           ,
           ought
           to
           trust
           and
           to
           give
           back
           again
           to
           the
           Fountain
           ,
           when
           he
           calleth
           for
           it
           ;
           and
           then
           to
           remain
           Empty
           ▪
           Naked
           and
           Desolate
           ,
           until
           he
           be
           〈◊〉
           freely
           visited
           .
           This
           is
           an
           hard
           ●●ss●n
           ,
           who
           can
           learn
           it
           ?
           Who
           can
           trust
           his
           Life
           with
           the
           Fountain
           ,
           and
           lie
           open
           to
           what
           follows
           ?
           Yet
           this
           did
           the
           Lord
           require
           of
           me
           :
           and
           my
           heart
           being
           not
           
           willing
           to
           part
           with
           my
           Life
           ,
           but
           striving
           to
           retain
           it
           ,
           and
           grow
           in
           the
           first
           way
           of
           the
           Dispensation
           of
           the
           Grace
           unto
           Perfection
           ,
           he
           brake
           it
           after
           an
           unutterable
           manner
           ,
           and
           brought
           such
           a
           Misery
           &
           Desolation
           upon
           me
           as
           I
           could
           not
           possibly
           have
           suspected
           ,
           having
           been
           sealed
           by
           him
           .
           And
           now
           he
           is
           Teaching
           me
           to
           live
           more
           fully
           upon
           his
           Grace
           ,
           or
           rather
           upon
           the
           Spring
           ,
           where
           I
           am
           nothing
           ,
           where
           I
           can
           be
           nothing
           for
           ever
           :
           but
           he
           is
           and
           will
           be
           what
           he
           will
           be
           ,
           and
           when
           he
           will
           be
           ;
           and
           nothing
           in
           me
           can
           be
           satisfied
           with
           him
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           of
           him
           and
           lives
           in
           him
           .
           And
           here
           all
           that
           I
           have
           known
           ,
           or
           formerly
           tasted
           of
           him
           ,
           springs
           up
           again
           at
           his
           pleasure
           ;
           and
           I
           drink
           of
           the
           old
           Wine
           and
           also
           of
           the
           new
           ,
           but
           have
           nothing
           at
           my
           own
           dispose
           .
           And
           when
           I
           catch
           at
           any
           thing
           or
           would
           be
           any
           thing
           ,
           I
           lose
           the
           Spring
           and
           
           am
           Corrected
           for
           my
           Backsliding
           and
           Adultery
           of
           spirit
           ,
           but
           am
           still
           again
           visited
           with
           fresh
           Love
           ,
           and
           the
           springings
           up
           of
           the
           fresh
           Power
           and
           Life
           ,
           and
           fresh
           Visitations
           of
           the
           rich
           Mercy
           and
           Grace
           ,
           which
           the
           everlasting
           Fountain
           naturally
           openeth
           in
           its
           own
           .
           The
           Pearl
           is
           exceeding
           Rich
           ,
           the
           Treasure
           of
           Life
           unutterable
           ;
           and
           he
           that
           will
           possesse
           it
           must
           sell
           all
           for
           it
           ,
           even
           all
           his
           Lusts
           and
           Corruptions
           ,
           yea
           all
           the
           Riches
           of
           his
           Nature
           (
           the
           best
           of
           his
           Will
           ,
           the
           best
           of
           his
           Wisdom
           most
           refined
           )
           nay
           not
           onely
           so
           ,
           but
           all
           the
           Riches
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           all
           that
           he
           hath
           held
           or
           can
           hold
           out
           of
           the
           Life
           .
           Then
           ,
           when
           he
           is
           poor
           in
           Spirit
           ,
           and
           hath
           nothing
           in
           himself
           but
           emptiness
           ,
           nothing
           so
           much
           as
           to
           receive
           or
           retain
           the
           Life
           ,
           but
           what
           is
           formed
           ,
           groweth
           up
           in
           ,
           and
           is
           preserved
           in
           the
           Life
           according
           to
           its
           own
           meer
           will
           
           and
           good
           pleasure
           ;
           then
           alone
           is
           h●
           fit
           to
           be
           comprehended
           and
           brought
           forth
           in
           the
           Eternal
           Spring
           .
           Perfectly
           happy
           is
           he
           ,
           who
           is
           perfectly
           possessed
           thereof
           :
           yet
           he
           is
           not
           without
           a
           Proportion
           of
           blessedness
           also
           ,
           who
           is
           mourning
           after
           it
           and
           Travelling
           towards
           it
           ;
           which
           can
           never
           be
           attained
           by
           the
           Natural
           Part
           's
           retaining
           the
           Letter
           of
           any
           Spiritual
           Revelation
           or
           Knowledge
           ,
           but
           onely
           by
           beginning
           in
           the
           Eternal
           Vertue
           ,
           abiding
           in
           it
           and
           Travelling
           from
           Death
           to
           Death
           ,
           and
           from
           Life
           to
           Life
           ,
           till
           all
           be
           slain
           which
           is
           to
           die
           and
           perish
           in
           the
           way
           ,
           and
           all
           be
           raised
           and
           perfected
           which
           is
           to
           receive
           ,
           and
           live
           in
           the
           Kingdom
           and
           Crown
           of
           Life
           for
           ever
           ;
           which
           the
           Lord
           layes
           before
           all
           to
           run
           after
           ,
           but
           none
           but
           the
           Spiritual
           Seed
           (
           begotten
           of
           and
           abiding
           in
           the
           Spirit
           )
           can
           obtain
           .
           Mind
           then
           this
           brief
           Summ.
           
        
         
         
           The
           lost
           Creature
           ,
           the
           undone
           Creature
           ,
           is
           graciously
           sought
           after
           and
           visited
           by
           the
           Fountain
           of
           its
           Life
           and
           being
           .
        
         
           Being
           visited
           with
           the
           Mercy
           and
           Grace
           ,
           and
           impressed
           ,
           it
           receiveth
           somewhat
           of
           the
           Grace
           and
           Living
           Vertue
           from
           the
           Fountain
           .
        
         
           Having
           received
           somewhat
           ,
           the
           Creature
           is
           apt
           to
           retain
           it
           in
           the
           Creaturely
           Vessel
           (
           even
           in
           the
           own
           will
           ,
           and
           to
           inlarge
           the
           own
           Wisdom
           thereby
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           become
           somewhat
           again
           in
           it self
           )
           forgetting
           the
           Spring
           .
        
         
           As
           the
           Creature
           retaineth
           any
           thing
           in
           the
           Natural
           part
           out
           of
           the
           Immediate
           feeling
           of
           the
           Living
           Vertue
           ,
           it
           corrupts
           ,
           it
           Adulterates
           〈…〉
           the
           living
           Spring
           .
        
         
         
           And
           that
           ,
           which
           any
           one
           hath
           thus
           Adulterated
           with
           ,
           must
           be
           taken
           from
           him
           ,
           and
           he
           be
           made
           dead
           to
           it
           ,
           and
           it
           to
           him
           ,
           before
           he
           can
           be
           recovered
           into
           a
           Living
           State
           ,
           fit
           to
           enjoy
           what
           he
           formerly
           received
           ,
           or
           further
           to
           receive
           of
           and
           grow
           up
           in
           the
           fresh
           Living
           Vertue
           .
        
         
           THE
           END
           .