HEarken and give Ear , all you People , who profess your selves Christians , and yet live ( contrary to Christ and his Servants ) in the Abominations of the Heathens ; many of your exceeding Sodom and Aegypt in your Wickedness , Blindness and Darkness ( which is felt by many that fear God ) your Profession of Christianity is Loathsom before the Lord , and it is even a Shame and a Grief to true Christians that you should take his Name into your Mouthes , who are so full of Deceit , Uncleanness , Oaths , Cursing and Bitterness ) Who can number your Abominations ? How doth Iniquity abound and multiply ? What is become of the Love and Fear of God ? How is Sobriety and Truth wanting amongst you , and Madness and Folly exalted , as if the Kingdom of Darkness were to be established forever , and your only Happiness to bring forth the Works of the Devil ?

Have you yet never read , That every one that doth name the Name of Christ should depart from Iniquity ; and That the Fear of God ( which is to depart from Evil , is the Beginning of true Wisdom ? Are you not yet come to this first Step of Christianity ? Examine your selves a little , you who have got the Sheep's Clothing , the Name [ Christian ] for your Covering : For in the Dreadful Name and Authority of the Everlasting God of Heaven and Earth am I moved to Examine you and Warn you in the Behalf of Truth and Righteousness ( which he is now Exalting . )

How came you by the Name [ Christian ? ] Or who gave it you ? And what is the Ground-cause or Reason that you are so called ? How came you first by it ? You that live like Wild and Savage Beasts ; worse then the Sea-Monsters , Devouring and Destroying one another in your Pride , Envy and Ambition , which is as far from the Spirit and Way of Christ Josus ( whom you profess ) as the East is from the West , and differs from it as Darkness doth from Light . Did not Christ Jesus teach his Disciples ( the true Christians ) to be Merciful , and to Love one another , and to Forgive one another , and to do unto all Men as they would be done unto , and to be Meek and Lowly in Heart ? who were called Christians first at Antioch , as you may read , Acts 11.26 .

But how got you the Name ? Give Account if you can ; for the Lord God is risen to Awaken you , and to call you to an Accompt , both Professor and Prophane , and to make you manifest as you are , even to the Heathen afar off ; and no Vizzard nor Covering of Profession shall be able to hide or shelter you , who say , you are Christians , and are not ; but you will be found Lyars and Blaspheamers , and of the Synagogue of Satan , as they were found to be , who said , they were Jews , and were not .

Did not Christ Jesus ( whose Name you profess ) say , Follow me : I am the Light of the World ; he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness , but shall have the Light of Life ? as you may read John 8.12 . Now if you are his true Followers , you walk not in Darkness ( as he hath said ) but you have the Light of Life . Therefore prove your profession , and the Way you walk in ; for if you walk in Darkness ( Wickedness , Sin and Transgression ) you are no true Followers of Christ , nor his Disciples , and so no true Christians : Wherefore see what Ground you have to claim to your selves this Name ; for Christ puts forth his own Sheep , and leads them out of Darkness , and they are turned from it , and have no Fellowship with the Unfruitful Works of it ; but did ( and do ) reprove them , as may be read plentifully in the Scriptures of Truth . Ephes . 5. You were sometimes Darkness , but now are you Light in the Lord ; walk as Children of the Light . And again , 1 Thes . 5.4 . Ye are not in Darkness , ye are all the Children of the Light ; we are not of the Night , neither of Darkness . And said Peter , Ye are a Chosen Generation , a Royal Priest-hood , a Holy Nation , a People set at Liberty , that ye should shew forth the Vertues of him that hath caued you out of Darkness into his Marvellous Light , 1 Pet . ● . 9 . And said John , The Darkness is past , and the true Light now shineth , 1 John 2.8 . These were called out of Darkness , and were come past it ( and delivered from ) the Power of Darkness , and were translated into the Kingdom of the Dear Son of God , Col. 1.13 . which Kingdom stands in Righteousness and Peace , and Joy in the Holy Ghost .

And they were taught by the Grace of God , to deny Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts , and to live Soberly , Righteously and Godly in this present Evil World , as you may read Tit . 2. Now see if you ( who profess these words ) do walk in their Steps , and are come to be taught by their Teacher ; Is their Way yours ? for the Path of the Just throughout all Ages was and is the shining Light : Or is not your Way the Way of the Wicked , which is as Darkness , who know not at what they Stumble . Read Prov. 4.19 . and let the Witness of God in you ( which is true ) answer : And deal truly with your own Souls ; for God will not be mocked , who is come to try you , and from whose Presence nothing can be hid . Did not the true Christians follow God as Dear Children , and walk in Love ? Was not this the true Mark of Christ's Sheep , To Love one another , by which all men were to know them to be his Followers ? And is this Mark found upon you , that pretend to be his Sheep ? Or is not the Contrary , the Mark of Cain , who slew his Brother ? Are you not all Brethren by your Profession of Christ's Name ? should you not then Love as Brethren , and be Kind and Tender-hearted one to another ? Do you not all in Christendom call God your Father ; and with one Mouth say , You have one Father , even God ? And did not the Hypocrites of old say the same ? Consider it in the Fear of God .

Did not the Apostle John say , He that loveth not , knoweth not God ; for God is Love ? 1 John 4. Then what Good will all your Profession , and Religion , and Name do you , if you know not God ( which is Life Eternal ) ? Are you better then Sounding Brass , or Tinkling Simbals , if you have not the Love of God , and true Knowledge of God in you ? Was not this Paul's Doctrine , whose Sepulchre some of you garnish , like your Fore-Fathers , the Out-side and Lip-Prosessors , whose Brass and Simbals sounded as loud as yours , and had as Long Prayers as you ; and yet Christ told them , That they had not the Love of God in them ; who neglected Judgement , Mercy and Faith , the weightiest Matters ; and were paying Tythe of Annise , Mint and Cummin . Therefore come you to the Line of true Judgment , and measure your Path , your Race and Pedegree .

Did not Christ Jesus bid his Disciples , Be Merciful , as their Heavenly Father is Merciful ? And said , Blessed are the Merciful ; for they shall obtain Mercy , Mat . 5. And Blessed are the Peace-Makers ; for they shall be called the Children of God . Now if you had learned of him , as he hath commanded , where would then be room for Envy and Cruelty , Pride and Oppression , which this day abounds among you ? Did he not bid his Disciples , Love their Enemies ; and if they Hungred , to give them Meat ; and if they Thirsted , to give them Drink ; and to do Good to them that hated them & Despightfully used them ? How much more ought you to love your Brethren , and your Neighbours as your selves ? Surely had you all been found in this ( second ) Lesson [ Thou shalt Love thy Neighbour as thy self ] the Turks and Jews would have taken hold of your Skirts before this day , and acknowledged you to be True Christians . But through your Blasphemy , Hypocrisie , Falseness , Idolatry and Superstition , which abounds among you , you have been a Sumbling-Block and a Cause of Reproach to the Name of Christ Jesus unto many Thousands ; and you have grieved the Lord , even beyond the Old World .

O Christendom ! of whom have you learned all this Wickedness , Madness and Folly , that is so plentifully brought forth among you , for which the very Turks do justly condemn you ? Did you ever learn these things of Christ ( whom you profess ) ? Is he your Way , Pattern or Example in these Abominations ? What Accompt can you give of these things ? Will not the Blood of Souls be charged upon you ? O that you would consider it in this your Day , before it be too late ! Are you like the Sheep of Christ Jesus , which he hath put forth ? Do you bear his Image ( the Holy Innocent Life ) ? Out of what are you put forth ? You who live like Wild Beasts , and Fed Horses without Bridle , did you ever know what the Yoak of Christ was ? you that are Restless , like the troubled Sea , foaming out your own Shame one against another , to the view of Nations , let the Truth ( God's Witness in you ) answer . And do not daub any longer with Untempered Morter : for ( as I said ) The Lord God is arisen to try you , and your Profession of his Holy Name , and to search you as with Candles , and to manifest your Root and Branch , that the Shame of your Nakedness may more appear , who have hid your selves under Falshood in a Pretence of Religion and Holiness .

Did not Christ Jesus ( whom you profess ) Rebuke those that did but desire Destruction to come upon their Enemies , to Destroy their Lives , who knew not what spirit they were of ? Then how Ignorant are you , and greatly to be Reproved , who are so greedily Destroying your Brethren ( striving who shall be Greatest ) about the Earth , and Honour below , that shall Perish ? What spirit do you think you are of , who spend your pretious Time and Days in Pride and Vain Glory , serving divers Lusts and Pleasures ; Envying , Hating , Oppressing , Robbing and Devouring one another ; as if it were the Work of your Day and Generation , and the End for which you were born , to provoke the Righteous God to his Face in these things against you , who giveth you Life , and Breath , and Being , that you should Fear and Dread , and Serve and Worship him . Are ye not them that are without Natural Affection , Heady and Highminded ? Judge ye .

Are these things the Marks of Christ's Innocent Sheep , or of the Ravenous Beasts of Prey , whether these are not the Unfruitful Works of Darkness ? or whom do these things resemble ? and from what Role do these bitter Fruits proceed , which Grieve and Dishonour God and Christ Jesus ( whom you profess ? ) Judge you , whether these Fruits , you bring forth to open View will ever be a Means to Convert the Turks , Jews and Heathen to your Faith and Religion , and acknowledge you to be in the Right Way of Everlasting Peace and Happiness ; who under the Name of Christianity make the World to ring of your Ravenous Impieties beyond Sodom and Gomorrah ; as if by your Name of Profession you had a Priviledge to commit such Abominations , which are Abhorred and Condemned by the very Heathens : And yet , how Distasteful would it be unto you to deny you the Name of Christans ? You in Italy Spain , France , England , Holland , Germany , with many other Kingdoms and Provinces , who have long been Professing Christianity , and have made a large Noise of Religion , and yet striving in your Wills to Exalt your selves over one another , contrary to Christ's Doctrine and Example , who said , He that will be Greatest among you , let him be a Servant ( or a Helper ) to all : But instead of this , your Cruelty one towards another hath exceeded the Measure of Pagans ; for which you may swiftly and justly expect the Dreadful Judgments and Fiery Indignation of the Righteous God to Consume you , who are thus Biting and Devouring one another , which will be your Portion , except speedy Repentance and Amendment of Life : Should you not all be as a Family , who profess one Christ your Head , and you his Servants ? Should you not then help and love as Brethren ? And is not he worse then an Infidel , that do not help and provide for them of his Family .

O Christendom ! be not deceived ; what thou sowest thou shalt assuredly reap : For Christ is not divided , nor his Garment rent , who is the Leader of his People out of those things which you are found wallowing in , who is the Captain of their Salvation , of whom they have learned to be Merciful , and to Love Enemies , and to lay aside all Malice , and Guile , and Hypocrisie , and Evil-speaking , as New-born Babes , feeding on the Sincere Milk of the Ingrafted Word ( which liveth and abideth forever ) that is able to save the Soul , by which they are kept in the Love of God , and in Unity and Peace one with another ; and as Christ Jesus said ( so say I in the Name of the Lord unto thee , O Christendom ) Verily , verily , Except a Man be born again , and become as a little Child , he can in no case enter the Kingdom of God : And except a man take up his Cross daily , and follow me ( saith Christ Jesus ) he cannot be my Disciple . Therefore confider , whether you yet know what this New Birth meaneth , and the Cross of Christ , which Paul preached , which was a Stumbling-block to the Jews , and to the Greeks Foolishness , by which he was Crucified unto the World , and the World was Crucified unto him ? Was this a Cross of Wood , Stone , Brass , Gold or Silver ; or an Ivory Cross , which some of you carry about you daily ? Is this the daily Cross , think you , there spoken of ?

O People ( Papists and Protestants ) Be no longer deceived , but come forth , and Answer , if you can ; who are so full of your Made , Invented , Ignorant , Dumb , Beggarly Idols and Crosses , without Life and Vertue , and even mad on the Works of Mens Hands in your Blind Zeal on those Lying Vanities , by which you grieve and provoke the Spirit of the Lord daily : But what World do all your Crosses crucifie unto you ? Or is not the World alive in you , and you in it , without God in the World ? for God is Love ; and by the abounding of Iniquity Love is not only waxed cold , but even lost among you : And is not all that is in the World the Lust of the Eye , the Lust of the Flesh , and the Pride of Life ; this is not of the Father , but of the World , 1 John 2.16 . And is there any people under Heaven exceeding you ( in these things ) who are called Christians .

O! How have you lost the very Remembance of the true Cross , notwithstanding all your Invented Crosses to put you in Remembrance ? You are such as have forgotten the Lord dayes without number , and therefore are you thus torn in pieces , and divided , and no Deliverance will be found for you , if you Repent not speedily : and if the Cross of Christ you did bear , which is the Power of God , which crosseth the Self-Will of Man ; and if the Love of God dwell in your Hearts , you would then feel a Daily and Hourly Remembrance of him ; were ye but true Disciples indeed , as you profess in words to be , and not Mockers , you would soon throw down all these your Dumb Idols , which arose in the dark Imaginations from the Bottomless Pit of Ignorance , in the Alienation from God , when Iniquity abounded ; and this state hath over-spead Christendom , who are Ignorant of the Strait Gate and Narrow Way of Regeneration , that leads to Life and Peace with God forever .

Oh! how have your Leaders caused you to Err , and even destroyed you , like the False Prophets of old , who were Blind Leaders of the Blind ? How do they still rule with Force and Cruelty over the Consciences , Souls and Bodies of People ? still striving to keep them in the Chains , of Ignorance , Darkness and Blindness ( as blind as Sodom ) making Merchandize of them at their Pleasure , for their Filthy Lucre , Vain Glory , Pomp and Ambition sake : How do they dig in Darkness , and as deep as Hell , to hide their Designs and their Counsel from the Lord , and to mask and amuse poor Ignorant Souls , to make Havock of them , and to captivate them at their Wills ? How are they , like Moules , Bats and Vulters , loving the Pathes of Darkness , and hating the true Light , the Path of the Just , which shines more and more unto the perfect Day ? stumbling at ( and Enemies to ) the Cross of Christ Jesus ; whose Godd is their Belly , who mind Earthly Things , whose Glory is in that which will be their Perpetual Shame , and whose End will be Everlasting Destruction , without speedy Repentance .

Wo be to you , ye blind Guides , ye Hypocrites , who love the Praise of men , and go in your Long and Distinct Robes , to be Seen and Honoured of men , ye love Greetings in the Markets and Streets , and to be called of Men Rabbi , the exact Leaven of your Fore-Fathers , the Hypocrites of old , which is Pride and Hypocrisie , which the true Disciples of Christ were to beware of . This is your State , ye Idol Shepherds and Drones ; by your Fruits ye are known and manifest to Thousands : Your Foundation and Root is Rottenness , and your Building will fall in the Day of Storms that are coming upon you . How can you think that the Rabble of your Lip-Confessions , and Out-side Services , and Blind Inventions , will stand you in any stead in the Day of your Accompt ? How can you expect that God should hear your Prayers , while you thus regard Iniquity in your Hearts ? Is it any thing beter then the Vain Babbling of the Heathen ? Who pray to be forgiven of God as you forgive them that trespass against you , who do not forgive one another ; but are Implacable and Unmerciful one unto another , seeking Revenge and the Ruin one of another ; not at all like unto Christ , who laid down his Life for Enemies , to bring them to God , out of Trangression , and bid them , Be Merciful , ( that is , full of Mercy ) and to do unto all as they would be done unto .

And how can you blame the Infidels ( as you call them ) if they Judge and Condemn you for your Abominations , who make such a large Profession of Christianity ? How can they believe you are good People , when your Works and Fruits declare you otherwise , both Root and Branch ? So that your Name [ Christian ] you have justly made a Reproach ; and the Fame of your Infamous Cruelty , Pride , Lewdness and Hypocrisie hath sounded forth to the Amazement of Heathens , to whom you have been a Stumbling-block for Ages , the Guilt of whose Blood will never be wiped away in this World , nor in the World to come from off you , but by a speedy , true , and unfeigned Repentance ; the Lord hath spoken it .

Do not you call Christ Jesus ( who is the Innocent , Holy , Harmless Lamb of God , the Just One ) your Lord and Saviour frequently ; & say in your Creed , I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord , & c ? But how came you hither ? What Ground have you to call him your Lord ( in whom Guile was never found ? ) And do you indeed believe [ in ] him ? or do you only believe the Report , that there was such a one in Ages past , of whom the Scripture of Truth declares , which Thousands believe , and the Devils believe , which do not believe [ in ] him ? Is he your Governour , and Ruler and Orderer ? Are you commanded and guided by him , and led by his Spirit of Truth into all Truth ? Do you take Counsel and Direction from him , as your Captain , Law-giver and Counsellor ? Do you obey his Commands , and follow him in the Regeneration ? If so , then he is your Lord , and also your Saviour , and no otherwise ; For he saveth none , but whom he guides and governs : He is the Anthor of Eternal Salvation to as many as obey him : They that are led by the Spirit of God , they are the Sons of God , Rom. 8. And not as many as can talk of him , and cry Lord , Lord , and call him their Saviour : It is not sufficient to call him so with your Mouth and Lips , and to imagine , he will be so to you while ye remain in open and secret Rebellion against him ; ye take but his Name in Vain ; it will avail you nothing in the Day of your Account ; but add to your Misery , so to be deceived , and to deceive one another , by promising your selves an Imaginary Liberty and Freedom , while really and indeed ye are Servants to Corruption : For he that committeth Sin is the Servant of Sin , as you may read John 8.34 . And it is written of Christ Jesus , He shall save his People from their Sins ( not [ in ] their Sins ) And that no Man can call Jesus Lord , but by the holy Ghost : And let every one that names the Name of Christ depart from Iniquity , 2 Tim . 2.19 . Are you come hither ? You who so often name the Name of Christ , do you depart from Iniquity , or do you not rather mock at the Holy Ghost , and the Movings of it ? let God's Witness answer : And if you dream of a Purgatory ( as I know many of you do ) to purge and cleanse you between the Grave and Heaven , from all your Filthiness , though you live and wallow in it for term of Life : Be it known unto you ( and I declare in the Name of the Lord ) that this will deceive you ; for it proceeded ( in its Foundation ) from the filthy Dreamer , which hath defiled both flesh and spirit ; and when you awake at the sound of the last Trumpet , ye shall remember this Voice , [ He that is filthy , let him be filthy still ] and he that is holy , let him be holy still : For Time shall be no longer , but the great Gulf of Eternity , which is fixed between Abraham , the true Believer and Follower of God , and the Rich Man , that lived in his Fulness of Fading Pleasures ; if you have Ears to hear , hear , Luke 16. And the Lord God open your Eyes , that you may see , and come to know and witness in this your day the Tree to be made good , and then the Fruit will be good also : For as the Tree falls , so it lies : And men do not gather Grapes of Thorns , nor Figs of Thistles ( as Christ said ) But how hath Christendom ( in this dark Night of Apostacy ( wherein men could not work ) been like a Garden all grown over with Bryers and Thorns , Weeds , Thistles and Nettles , bearing no good Fruit unto God , but Fruits of Unrighteousness , even like the Vine of Sodom ; and this is yet the lamentable State of many Thousands , who are in a large Profession of God and Christ in Words , but in Works deny him , and are Reprobates concerning the true and living Faith , that works by Love , and purifies the heart , in which the true Christians pleased God , & were ( and are ) accepted of him , in which Abel offered a more excellent Sacrifice then Cain ( that slew his Brother ) And without this Faith ( which is holy ) it is impossible to please God . Therefore O ye people of Christendom , whom these things concern , who are out of the true Faith , by which the Just lives , in the Strife and Envy , which kills the Just ; Repent and Turn at the Reproof of the Lord , and fear before him , and be humble , and learn Tenderness and Love , and to be Merciful , that so ye might obtain Mercy from God in time of your Need : and leave off your Cruelty one towards another , and your Envying , Warring and Fighting one against another , which comes from your Lusts , which War against your Immortal Souls , lest ye are ( like Cain ) Vagabonds from the blessed Presence of the Lord God forever , and Consumed and Destroyed with an utter Destruction without Remedy ; and this from God is a Warning unto you in True Love to all your Souls .

Blessed are the Merciful ( saith Christ Jesus ) they shall obtain Mercy ; and blessed are the Peace-Makers , for they shall be called the Children of God .

But whose Children shall they be called , who are Peace-Breakers , and Unmercifully destroying and devouring one another ? Judge ye .

Is not the Devil called a Destroyer and a Murderer from the Beginning ? And were not the Scribes and Pharisees ( who were Hypocrites , Envious and Ambitious ) of their Father the Devil ? though they covered themselves with saying , We have one Father , even God , and we are Abraham's Children ? Could there have been a higher Profession in words then this ? And what was the Proof and Ground of Christ's saying so of them ( who were so zealous and strict Professors , and so exact in observing the Sabboth , and performing their Duties and Services to the Lord , as they judged ? ) Why this was the Infallible Proof [ because his Works ye do ] They did the Devils Works , and yet called God their Father : I could-wish with my Soul , we had no such evident Proofs in Christendom at this day ; and my Soul even travels for the End of them : For what Peace can be expected to people or Nations , so long as the Whoredoms and Witchcrafts of Jezabel are so many ( the Abominations that have made , & will yet make desolate ) for God is not changed , but remains the same yesterday , to day and forever , It s not your many Pater-Nostors , or saying Our Father which art in Heaven ; that will make you the Children of God ; nor your saying , I believe in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord , will not make you True Christians , or Disciples of Christ Jesus , no more then their Sayings of old made them so , who had as large a Name and Covering of Profession ( in their day ) as you , and yet they had not the Love of God in them . Therefore read whose steps you tread in , and see who indeed is your Father , and whose Works ye do and bring forth ; and let the Light ( the true Witness of God ) whose Property is to make manifest ? arise in your Consciences , and answer . Or do you believe , that the Sheep's Clothing will cover the Inwardly Ravener better now under the Name Christian , then it would formerly among the Jews , Scribes and Pharisees , Hypocrites ? Or is Light and Darkness changed from what it was ?

How dare you call God Father ; or say that Prayer without Blushing and Confusion of Face , wherein you ask God , To Forgive you , as you Forgive them that Trespass against you ? Do you understand what you say , and what you desire of him ? Surely if you did , Terror might even Affright you while you are thus speaking ; for you call for Vengeance upon your own selves from God herein ; and it will be even so ; and out of your own Mouthes shall you be judged , according to your Works . For as you do Forgive others the Wrong they have done to you , even so will the Lord forgive you the Wrong you have done to him , and no otherwise , according to your daily Requests .

And this I declare and testifie , in the Name and Heavenly Anthority of the Unchangeable God , who lives forever ; That no people under Heaven ( upon the Face of the whole Earth ) hath done him the like Wrong , as you have done unto him , who have made such a large Profession of the Name of Christ Jesus , and live and act so contrary , which hath caused the very Turks and Indians to Despise and Blaspheme that worthy Name , to whom you have been a Stumbling-block , and an Offence for Ages , even against the Way of Truth , out of which no man can be saved , whose Blood cries for Vengeance against you ; And therefore great is the Lord's Controversie with you this day , who profess Christianity , and in your Works and Practices are found worse then the Infidels ; and he will scourge you above all the Families of the Earth for these things ; and thus am I commanded of the Lord to declare unto you , that you might be warned and Repent : For I have seen a Dreadful Day that is hastening upon you , who have forgotten the Lord , and are walking like Blind Men at Noon Day , because of your Rebellion , spoiling and destroying one another in your Madness , Folly and Blindness , who should hearken to the Voice of God , the Trumpet that is now sounding , and be awakened , that you may see your Enemies to be those in your own House , the Universal Enemy of the Souls of Mankind , against whom should all your Strength and Weapons be turned , and not against Mens Lives , which Christ Jesus is very tender of , who is come to destroy the Works of the Devil : Therefore Fear God , and be Wise , and leave off these things , which grieve and vex his Righteous Spirit ; and give Glory to him alone , who made Heaven and Earth , the Sea , and the Fountains of Waters , in whose Sight all Nations are but as the Drop of a Bucket ; What are you then , ye Sons of Men , who are seeking Glory and Honour one of another , whose Breath is in your Nostrels , as a little Vapour , that soon vanishes away , and then you are gone to your long home forever . Therefore I say again , in the Counsel and Love of the Almighty God , Be you Awakened , & Dread before him ; for the Hour of his Judgments is come , and swiftly coming upon Thousands , that the Inhabitants of the Earth might depart from Iniquity , and learn Righteousness ; and no more deceive themselves and one another with a Talk of Worship and Religion for an Out-side Shew of Feigned Humility and Righteousness , which will not serve , nor stand you in stead in this Day of God's Pure and Glorious Appearance . All is nothing without the Possession of Life ; even the Life of him whom ye profess must be manifest in you ; it must be brought forth to Light , to open View in you and through you , or else you confess not Christ come in the Flesh ; but you are of Antichrist , and not of God , 1 Ioh . 4. For hereby shall you know the Spirit of God , Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh , is of God ; and every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh , is not of God : but this is the Spirit of Antichrist , of whom ye have heard , how that he should come , and now already he is in this World [ Mark ] Little Children , ye are of God , and have overcome them : For greater is he that is in you , then he that is in this World . [ Mark ] They were the little Children ( who were born again ) that were of God , who confessed Christ come in the Flesh : Read you this Chapter throughout , and let it serve as a Glass for all False Christendom , to see whose Image you bear . For if this be now the true Meaning of this place , That every Spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ come in that Flesh only born of the Virgin Mary , and crucified without the Gates of Jerusalem , Sixteen Hundred Years ago , to be of God ; if so , then is all Christendom , both Papists and Protestant , of God ; for they all confess the same , both in England , Holland , France , Spain , Italy , Germany , Scotland , Ireland , Portugall , Denmark , Sweedland , with many others in Europe ; and so are all of God , notwithstanding all their Divisions and Separations in Matters of Religion and Worship , and all their Oppression and Cruelty , Fighting and Warring , Killing and Robbing one another for perishing things ; and all the Whoremongers , Lyars , Adulterers , Swearers , Fornicators , Drunkards , Cheaters , Thieves , Stage-Players , Revilers , Slanderers , Hypocrites , Proud , Envious , Covetous , Ambitious , and all the Idolaters and Ungodly throughout all Europe , professing Christianity , are all of God , who have their Creed ( or Belief , the Confession of their Faith ) made ready to their hands , concerning Jesus Christ's being conceived of the Holy Ghost , born of the Virgin Mary , suffered under Pontius Pilate , crucified , dead and buried , and rose again , &c. so that if this bear Confession of him come in that Flesh be the true Meaning of the holy Apostle John , then are all those before-mentioned of God , though they may out-strip the Heathens and Infidels in Unrighteousness , and exceed Sodom and Gomorrah , and the old World in their Wickedness , whom the Just God destroyed for an Example to all that should hereafter live Ungodly ; the which I might hope , that none are so hardy , and wilfully blind as to believe or imagine : For then might I query with such , Who are then of their Father the Devil in this Age ? And where is the World , that lyeth in Wickedness ? 1 John 5.19 . And where are they to be found who profess they know God , but by Works deny him , and are Abominable , and Disobedient , and unto every Good Work Reprobate ? Tit . 1.16 . See if this come not near your Dwelling , who profess you know God and Christ Jesus , and believe in him ( as in your Creed ) but in Works deny him , and crucifie him afresh , and put him to open Shame , and cause his holy Name to be reproached , and the Truth and Way of Life and Peace to be slighted . For these things will the Lord plead with you , whose Anger is kindled against you , whose Rod you must feel , above all people ; and for this shall your Hearts melt , and tremble at the Presence of God , and your Faces shall gather Paleness ; for the Lord is risen in his dreadful Power to plead with all Flesh , and the Day of your Account hastens ; the Stroke of his Righteous Judgments must come upon you for these things ; Rocks nor Mountains will not hide you from the Wrath of the Lamb ; your Wealths , Honours and Strength will not deliver you , who have exalted your selves above all that is called God , above Truth , above Righteousness , above Love , Mercy and Meekness , above the Fear of God , and every Appearance of his Witness in you , as if ye were to be established forever in Unrighteousness , forgetting that God will bring you to Judgment for all the Deeds done in your Bodies , casting his Word behind you , and feeding on that which dies of it self , like the Beasts that perish : This is your state in the Sight of God , and of those whose Eyes he hath opened by his Grace , the true Light , which hath given them an Understanding , and taught them to deny Ungodliness , and to live Soberly . Therefore I say again unto you , Dread the Lord God Almighty , and Fear and Tremble before him , and come down and Repent , all you high , lofty and exalted Ones , who are but as Chaff in his Sight ; for God will make you Bow , and Tremble , and Quake at his Presence , in this day of his Power , which is broken forth .

And all you False Shepherds , Hirelings and Blind Guides among the People , who have undertaken to be Teachers of them , whom the Lord never sent , but run for your Filthy Lucre , who have not profitted the people at all , but have caus'd them to Err more and more from the right Way , and led them into the Ditch of Darkness & Destruction , for your Belly and Earthly Honours sake ; Tremble ye Corrupters of the Earth , ye Hypocrites , ye Graves and Whited Sepulchres , full of Deceit and Rottenness , the Day of your Trembling and Astonishment is at hand , ye that love Pleasures more then God ; you are Enemies to the Cross of Christ Jesus ; you mind Earthly Things , though ye can talk of Heaven with your Tongues , but your Godd is your Belly , on which you go and creep among the Powers of the Earth ; Dust is your Meat , and with the Serpent you are Cursed above all the people upon the Earth : For ye have been and are the Destroyers of the Souls and Bodies of Millions of poor ignorant People ; and your Glory is in your Shame , and your End will be Everlasting Destruction , without speedy Repentance : Dreadful is the Cup you have to drink , if ever any of you return to the Lord ; But the Wine of his Wrath without Mixture forever will be your Portion , if you Repent not ; the Lord God hath spoken it .

Therefore consider it , all you Pastors , that are Brutish , and have not sought the Lord , nor the Everlasting Well-being of the Souls of People , but have sought your Gain from your Quarter , and Ruled with Force and Cruelty , like your Brethren of old , the False Prophets ; Was not the End of Christ's Coming , his Sufferings , Ministry , Life , Death , Resurrection , &c. to bring people home to God , to lead them out of Unrighteousness , and to Reconcile them to God ? And can any be reconciled to him , while they live in Sin and Unrighteousness , in Disobedience to him ? For without Holiness no man can see the Lord , ( or have Fellowship with him ) Will assuming the Name or Title of Holiness make you Holy , either Pope , or Prelate , or any other ? Will a Name to live be sufficient , while ye are dead , as to God , in your Sins and Trespasses ? Was it not the Travel of Christ's Soul ( which he hath seen ) to bring and gather people out of Sin and Transgression , the Evil that is in this World ; and that they may come to behold his Glory , which was before the World was .

And can any behold his Glory , who shut their Eyes against ( and hate ) the true Light , his pure Appearance , which shines in the Heart ? For it was that which shined in the Hearts of the true Christians , that gave them the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Christ Jesus . And what was that Glory that was in him , which none of the Princes of this World knew , who possessed the Glory of this World ? Was it not Grace and Truth which he was filled withal ? And hath not the Grace of God ( that came by Jesus Christ ) which bringeth Salvation , appeared unto all men ? and do not many turn away , and shut their Eyes and stop their Ears from it now , as in dayes past , lest by it their Evil Deeds should be discovered and reproved ? But the true Disciples were ( and are ) taught by this Grace , To deny Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts , and to live Soberly , Righteously and Godly in this present World ; and who said , By Grace are we saved , through Faith , not of our selves ; for it is the Gift of God : And they beheld the Glory of the Lord as in a Glass , by which they were changed into the same Image ( or Likeness ) even by the Spirit of the Lord , whose Labour also , and the work of their Ministry , was , To turn people from Darkness to the Light , from Satan's power unto God ; and to open their blind Eyes , that they may come to see their Salvation , and to present them perfect in Christ Jesus : And if any man be in Christ , he is a New Creature ( he is changed ) and the old things are past away . Is not this the true and lasting Rule among all true Christians , which only avails with God ( the New Creature avails ) when neither Circumcision nor Uncircumcision availeth any thing ? Is not this the one thing then that is needful for all Mankind to consider ? Did not Abel and Enoch walk by this Rule , and many others , before the Scripture was given forth ? And did they not please God in their Day ? Were they not then in the true Faith , which worketh by Love , without which it is impossible to please God , as it is written , Heb . 11.6 ? And did they not walk with God in this Faith ? And were they not translated ( or changed ? ) And did not Enoch , the seventh from Adam , prophesie , That ( in the latter days ) the Lord would come in many Thousands of his Saints ( or Holy People ) to give Judgment against the Ungodly , and to convince them of their Ungodly Deeds and hard Speeches ? [ Mark ] The Saints , translated and redeemed Ones , whom the Lord hath sanctified , and sent into the World , the Army that is in Heaven , that follow him upon the White Horse , who is come forth conquering and to conquer , whose Name is called the Word of God ( if you have Ears to hear , hear ) against whose Appearance Gogg and Magog have set themselves , and are gathered to Battel , but shall never prevail ; for Death and Hell , Beast and False Prophet , Dragon and Whore , must be cast into the Lake by him that makes War in Righteousness , whose Sword proceedeth out of his Mouth ; and out of the Mouthes of Babes and Sucklings will he perfect his Praise , even those who are weaned from the Brests of this Perishing Vain World , and who suck at the Breasts of the Heavenly Consolations of God ; these are them , through , and by whom the Lord will accomplish his Mighty Work in the Earth , and confound the Wisdom of the Wise ; For the Lord is with them as a Mighty King in Battel , and their Enemies shall fall before them ; for the Work is the Lord's : Therefore Dread before him all you unclean Beasts of Prey , and all you Pale and Black Horsmen of Death and Destruction , who can only talk of the Fame of Wisdom ( which is justified of her Children ) whilst you are wallowing in the Ditch and Mire of Pollution , and yet pretending to help out others , and to cure them of their Sores , when you your selves are full of them , from the Crown of the Head to the Soal of the Foot , by your own Confession . Consider these things , ye blind Guides . For how can you declare against , and reprove another for the same things which you live in , and bring forth ? How can you condemn one for falling into the same Pit , into which you are as deeply plunged your selves ? Is not this like him ( or worse ) that said , Let me pull the mote out of thine Eye , when behold a Beam was in his own ? This is the State of you Blind Leaders in Christendom , who have caused the people to err , at whose hand the Lord will require their Blood , though they perish in their Iniquities : But Blessed be the Lord forever , who hath opened ( and is opening ) the Eyes of Thousands , who see these Deceitful Workers , who can no longer be led nor deceived by them , whom he hath plucked as Brands out of the Fire , and the Knowledge of God is increasing , and Truth exalting , and Deceit and Ignorance shall vanish away , and the Mouth of Iniquity shall be stopped ; and he will bring forth his Glorious Work ( already begun ) in these last dayes ; he is gathering a Seed and People unto himself ( from among the Heathen , which know him not , though they profess his Name ) which shall live to his Praise , and shew forth the Vertues of his Grace and Love , who shall confess Christ to be come in the Flesh even before men , and follow the Lamb where ever he leads them .