THE
STATE
OF
THE
Philadelphian
Society
.
SIR
,
UPON
occasion
of
those
Philadelphian
Papers
,
and
Theosophical
Transactions
that
fly
about
,
we
are
often
ask'd
in
the
City
,
both
by
our
Friends
in
Conversation
,
and
by
others
that
are
Inquisitive
or
Scrupulous
.
What
these
Philadelphians
are
;
this
new
Sect
with
a
hard
Name
?
What
are
their
peculiar
Principles
or
Practises
?
How
are
they
distinguish'd
from
other
Christians
,
and
particularly
from
those
of
the
Church
of
England
on
the
one
Hand
,
and
from
the
Quakers
on
the
other
?
Why
do
they
seperate
from
us
,
and
affect
Singularity
and
a
particular
Title
?
with
many
such
Questions
which
we
cannot
well
Answer
,
for
want
of
a
full
Account
of
the
true
State
of
this
Society
.
I
Answer
these
Q●estions
as
well
as
I
can
,
but
am
sensible
that
I
want
Instructions
to
give
a
full
Answer
to
some
of
them
.
I
tell
them
they
differ
not
from
the
Protestant
Churches
as
to
external
Communion
;
they
do
not
refuse
Communion
with
them
,
either
in
hearing
the
Word
,
or
receiving
the
Sacraments
,
and
therefore
make
no
Schism
.
But
,
say
they
,
why
then
do
these
Philadelphians
make
their
separate
Meetings
,
and
on
Sundays
,
in
time
of
Divine
Service
in
Our
Churches
?
I
could
not
well
answer
that
Question
,
and
therefore
leave
it
to
you
.
As
to
their
diff●rence
from
the
Quakers
,
I
told
them
,
they
were
not
so
silly
as
to
place
Religion
in
Thouing
and
Theeing
,
in
keeping
on
their
Hats
,
or
in
a
sad
Countenance
,
as
the
Hypocrites
had
in
our
Saviour's
time
.
These
have
no
external
Badge
or
Mark
of
distinction
,
but
are
above
those
little
Affectations
or
Superstitions
.
Very
well
say
they
,
but
do
they
not
agree
with
the
Quakers
,
as
to
the
internal
Principle
of
a
Light
within
,
and
a
private
Spirit
of
Revelation
or
Inspiration
?
I
could
not
fully
answer
to
this
,
which
you
better
understand
,
and
can
inform
us
in
.
Then
as
to
their
peculiar
Principles
,
I
told
them
I
knew
none
but
that
single
Opinion
,
That
the
Coming
of
Christ
was
near
at
Hand
;
and
therefore
they
think
it
their
Duty
to
warn
and
awaken
the
World
,
that
they
may
prepare
for
that
great
and
solemn
Time
,
by
a
good
Life
,
universal
Charity
,
and
Union
amongst
the
Protestant
Churches
.
Very
well
,
said
they
,
This
is
good
Advice
,
and
at
all
times
seasonable
.
But
what
Grounds
have
they
to
believe
and
Affirm
that
the
coming
of
Christ
is
near
at
Hand
.
I
confest
to
them
I
did
not
remember
any
Proof
or
Grounds
they
have
given
us
of
their
Judgment
in
this
particular
,
neither
could
I
discern
from
what
Topicks
they
would
fetch
their
Evidence
.
I
consider'd
with
my self
,
seeing
this
is
a
thing
that
cannot
be
found
out
by
Reason
,
they
must
come
to
the
knowledge
of
it
either
by
private
Revelation
,
or
by
publick
Revelation
,
such
as
is
made
to
us
all
in
Scripture
.
If
they
have
it
,
or
pretend
to
have
it
by
private
Revel●tion
,
they
must
give
us
some
Assurance
,
(
by
Miracles
,
or
some
other
way
)
that
this
is
no
Fiction
or
Delusion
of
theirs
,
but
a
real
Inspiration
from
the
Divine
Spirit
.
They
know
how
many
have
deceiv'd
themselves
,
or
have
deceiv'd
others
by
such
Pretences
;
and
therefore
they
ought
to
be
more
careful
what
they
Vent
and
Affirm
in
this
kind
.
't
is
a
bold
and
presumptuous
a
Thing
to
father
our
Thoughts
upon
the
Spirit
of
God
,
and
obtrude
them
upon
the
World
under
that
sacred
Notion
,
without
sure
Evidence
.
If
they
appeal
to
the
written
Word
of
God
,
we
are
always
ready
to
be
govern'd
by
that
Rule
,
and
desire
them
to
name
those
Texts
of
Scripture
that
declare
,
or
from
whence
it
may
be
collected
,
that
the
coming
of
Christ
is
at
Hand
.
We
know
there
are
several
places
of
Scripture
that
spoke
(
according
to
a
literal
common
Construction
)
of
that
Coming
of
Christ
,
as
near
in
the
Apostles
time
,
but
those
places
cannot
now
be
of
use
to
them
in
this
Case
.
As
to
the
Prophesies
in
the
Revelations
of
St.
John
,
what
is
said
in
the
11
and
16th
.
Chapters
,
seems
rather
to
make
against
them
.
Several
things
there
mentioned
must
be
accomplish'd
before
the
coming
of
our
Saviour
.
In
the
11th
.
Chapter
the
Witnesses
must
rise
,
and
after
their
Resurrection
must
Ascend
,
and
the
tenth
part
of
the
City
must
fall
,
and
the
2d
.
Wo
must
pass
away
before
the
7th
.
Trumpet
sound
,
and
even
in
that
,
there
is
a
Woe
before
the
Blessed
Times
come
on
.
In
the
16th
.
Chapter
the
Vials
of
God's
Wrath
are
poured
out
,
and
whether
any
of
them
be
already
past
,
is
a
disputable
Point
amongst
the
best
Interpreters
;
much
less
do
we
know
what
distance
is
requir'd
betwixt
the
effusion
of
one
Vial
and
another
.
It
is
also
necessary
that
they
should
fix
the
beginning
of
the
Reign
of
Anti-Christ
,
and
those
other
Epocha's
that
seem
to
be
Contemporary
with
it
,
before
they
can
Chronologically
compute
the
time
of
our
Saviour's
coming
.
And
you
know
some
persons
of
late
have
not
had
such
success
in
their
Prophetical
Predictions
and
Calculations
,
as
to
encourage
others
to
venture
upon
the
same
Design
,
without
good
Warrant
.
I
will
not
mention
to
you
the
Conversion
of
the
Jews
,
which
is
usually
look'd
upon
as
Antecedent
to
the
coming
of
Christ
.
But
if
you
make
the
seven
Churches
(
as
you
seem
to
do
)
to
represent
7
Periods
in
the
Christian
Church
,
we
are
not
yet
in
the
last
Period
,
nor
in
the
Penultimate
.
For
suppose
the
Philadelphian
state
to
be
coming
on
,
there
is
still
a
Laodicean
Period
after
that
,
which
must
have
its
time
and
duration
,
how
great
or
how
little
we
cannot
define
.
These
Considerations
are
obvious
to
every
one
that
reflects
upon
the
Question
concerning
the
Distance
or
Approach
of
our
Saviours
coming
.
And
it
seems
necessary
that
the
Philadelphian
Society
(
both
for
their
own
satisfaction
,
and
the
satisfaction
of
others
)
should
distinctly
state
and
explain
these
things
,
before
they
alarm
the
World
,
and
expose
themselves
and
these
mysteries
of
Providence
to
mistaken
Constructions
.
If
you
please
to
Print
this
Paper
with
your
Answer
to
it
,
when
you
have
occasion
,
you
will
Oblige
,
Sir
,
Your
Humble
Servant
;
Philalethes
.
THE
ANSWER
.
SIR
,
WHen
I
received
your
Letter
,
I
was
not
a
little
pleas'd
at
the
Candour
and
Generosity
of
it
on
one
side
:
and
the
more
I
consider'd
how
hard
you
press
the
Philadelphians
on
the
other
side
,
my
Pleasure
still
encreased
,
with
my
Admiration
,
to
find
that
there
are
not
wanting
some
,
who
then
when
they
make
the
most
Vigorous
Attack
,
are
able
to
do
it
without
losing
so
much
as
one
Grain
of
the
True
Christian
Temper
.
For
it
must
needs
be
own'd
,
that
you
have
not
only
fallen
upon
the
True
Knot
of
the
Question
;
but
that
you
have
manag'd
it
with
all
the
Dexterity
,
and
Solidity
,
that
it
is
possible
I
think
for
the
Matter
to
bear
.
I
freely
acknowledge
that
the
Difficulties
by
you
either
Propos'd
or
Imply'd
,
are
weighty
:
I
acknowledge
there
are
knots
not
easily
to
be
Solv'd
.
But
because
I
perceive
that
you
are
a
sincere
Lover
of
Truth
,
(
according
to
the
Name
which
you
take
)
greatly
concern'd
for
the
Honour
of
Religion
,
very
desirous
to
be
Inform'd
about
the
Pretensions
of
the
Philadelphian
Society
,
and
to
know
what
Answers
are
to
be
made
both
to
the
Inquisitive
and
the
Scrupulous
,
concerning
the
true
State
of
this
Society
,
and
the
Grounds
of
their
Appearance
at
this
Time
;
I
count
my Self
however
oblig'd
to
give
you
what
satisfaction
I
can
at
present
in
this
grand
Matter
,
and
in
the
same
Manner
which
you
have
desir'd
it
.
Wherefore
I
shall
first
tell
you
,
What
these
Philadelphians
are
.
You
know
that
Philadelphia
was
,
(
and
is
still
)
a
City
in
the
lesser
Asia
;
call'd
by
the
Turks
at
this
Day
,
the
City
of
God
,
which
is
in
their
Language
Allahscheir
.
But
upon
what
Ground
it
is
so
call'd
,
I
leave
you
to
Inquire
.
It
is
the
sixth
,
you
know
of
those
seven
Cities
,
the
Seats
of
so
many
Churches
,
to
which
the
Lord
after
his
Ascension
wrote
so
many
Epistles
,
full
of
deep
and
secret
Truths
,
hard
to
be
understood
.
Whence
there
is
this
continual
Call
,
He
that
hath
an
Ear
to
hear
,
let
him
hear
,
what
the
SPIRIT
saith
unto
the
Churches
,
or
unto
all
the
Ages
,
Periods
and
Successions
thereof
;
as
the
best
Interpreters
do
gather
.
For
not
unto
them
alone
were
these
Prophetical
Epistles
,
as
we
believe
,
address'd
:
but
unto
all
that
should
come
after
them
;
even
to
us
,
(
though
afar
off
both
with
respect
to
Place
,
and
Time
)
and
to
the
Generations
which
are
yet
to
follow
us
,
and
to
all
that
the
Lord
shall
call
.
You
know
that
the
Church
of
Philadelphia
is
of
all
the
seven
represented
as
without
Fault
or
Blame
,
yet
of
very
low
,
and
mean
esteem
in
the
World
;
having
at
first
but
a
little
Strength
,
Power
or
Splendor
,
and
so
oblig'd
to
pass
through
a
most
severe
Probation
,
beyond
all
others
,
and
to
undergo
all
manner
of
Contempt
and
Ignominious
Treating
,
even
from
those
who
profess
themselves
to
be
Christians
:
and
shall
have
greater
Outward
Power
and
Strength
.
For
it
is
expedient
that
its
Members
be
Try'd
whether
they
will
keep
the
word
of
the
Patience
of
Jesus
;
whether
they
will
boldly
Confess
,
and
not
Deny
his
Spirit
,
or
Name
;
and
whether
they
will
so
hold
fast
unto
the
end
,
as
not
to
suffer
any
to
supplant
or
deprive
them
of
their
Crown
,
or
of
those
high
Prerogatives
which
are
peculiarly
promis'd
to
the
Conquerors
in
this
State
or
Period
.
You
know
that
Love
is
the
Christian
Badg
,
and
that
main
distinguishing
Character
,
whereby
the
Primitive
Christians
were
discern'd
from
all
the
Sects
and
Religions
which
were
then
in
the
World
:
and
that
by
an
Allusion
,
which
is
most
usual
in
Scripture
,
Philadelphia
,
is
set
to
express
Brotherly
Affection
.
If
You
please
to
read
the
Charter
of
Philadelphianism
in
the
Epistle
to
that
Church
,
you
may
thence
best
be
able
to
understand
what
a
True
Philadelphian
is
:
and
to
discern
the
proper
Marks
and
Characteristicks
of
an
Angel
of
this
Church
.
Well
,
but
you
will
justly
say
to
me
,
where
is
there
such
a
Church
as
this
upon
the
Earth
?
Is
it
among
you
?
No
:
ye
your selves
do
not
pretend
that
you
are
either
Infallible
,
or
Impeccable
.
You
cannot
say
that
you
are
without
Fault
or
Blame
,
but
on
the
contrary
,
do
own
your selves
to
stand
in
much
Weakness
and
Imperfection
on
one
Hand
,
and
in
much
superfluity
and
mixture
on
the
other
.
And
where
will
you
find
such
Angels
,
or
Pastors
,
as
may
have
the
Care
of
such
an
Holy
and
True
Church
?
Where
are
these
Pillars
of
the
Philadelphian
Temple
?
These
conquering
Worthies
that
have
endur'd
out
the
Hour
of
Temptation
?
These
Priests
that
do
truly
bear
upon
them
the
Name
of
God
,
and
of
Christ
,
and
of
the
City
of
God
?
Admit
it
be
true
,
that
the
Old
Philadelphian
Church
in
the
Lydian
Asia
might
challenge
these
great
Things
:
admit
also
that
all
these
Promises
may
be
extended
to
future
Successions
in
the
Church
,
and
that
there
is
such
a
Philadelphian
State
or
Aera
to
be
expected
,
that
may
excell
the
former
,
as
the
Antitype
doth
the
Type
,
yet
what
is
all
this
to
that
New
Sect
with
an
hard
Name
,
which
is
Here
started
up
this
present
Year
?
What
are
These
Philadelphians
?
These
are
to
be
known
What
they
are
,
if
you
behold
the
first
Draught
,
for
which
they
have
sat
:
and
do
examine
the
Claims
which
they
make
to
the
Charter
that
I
have
before
referr'd
you
to
.
Wherefore
if
you
will
pass
a
right
Judgment
on
the
Copy
,
I
must
send
to
you
the
Original
,
to
compare
it
by
.
And
here
you
will
do
a
most
excellent
Service
;
for
which
I
my Self
,
and
as
many
as
are
concerned
with
me
in
this
truly
Great
Design
,
shall
be
oblig'd
to
thank
you
,
and
to
own
it
for
the
most
Meritorious
Act
of
Fraternal
Love
;
if
you
please
but
to
discover
the
Defects
of
the
Copy
,
so
that
they
may
be
Corrected
,
and
the
Copy
made
perfectly
conformable
to
its
Original
.
Or
if
it
should
appear
to
you
,
even
Wholly
,
and
Fundamentally
,
Defective
,
I
entreat
you
good
Philalethes
,
whoever
you
are
,
to
propose
any
other
Model
,
that
may
better
serve
all
the
Ends
of
Religion
in
General
,
or
those
which
this
particular
Society
in
England
;
have
had
a
more
principal
Regard
to
,
in
their
Establishment
.
For
the
Ends
which
they
have
set
before
'em
,
(
and
whereof
they
have
given
an
Account
to
the
World
in
their
Reasons
,
and
Propositions
lately
Publish'd
,
and
also
in
other
Books
,
and
Epistles
)
are
so
desirable
,
and
so
very
Justifiable
,
that
I
have
not
yet
found
any
that
have
so
much
as
offer'd
to
condemn
them
:
however
they
may
have
thought
the
Methods
recommended
for
the
attaining
of
these
Ends
to
be
Improper
and
Inadequate
,
or
the
Ends
themselves
not
to
be
Attainable
in
this
Life
.
Wherefore
it
deserves
thoroughly
to
be
examin'd
into
:
whether
these
Ends
(
such
as
,
the
Gifts
and
Graces
of
the
Blessed
Spirit
of
God
in
a
perfect
and
mature
State
,
)
be
attainable
in
this
Life
,
as
these
Philadelphians
seem
to
expect
?
Or
if
in
this
Life
they
be
not
Attainable
,
whether
it
may
not
be
yet
requisite
to
press
forward
,
as
if
they
were
Attainable
,
in
order
to
the
Attainment
of
them
in
another
?
Also
whether
the
Re-union
of
the
divided
and
scatter'd
Limbs
of
Christianity
,
an
Universal
Peace
and
Amnesty
among
contending
Brethren
,
the
Conversion
of
the
Jews
,
the
call
of
the
Turks
and
other
Infidels
,
the
Recovery
of
the
Apostacy
,
the
Renovation
of
all
things
,
and
such
like
,
be
not
great
and
glorious
Ends
,
worthy
of
a
true
Disciplehood
of
JESUS
CHRIST
,
and
most
fit
by
all
that
profess
his
Name
to
be
Pray'd
for
,
and
endeavour'd
after
,
to
their
utmost
Ability
?
Also
whether
the
Methods
which
the
Philadelphian
Society
have
propos'd
be
proper
and
Adequate
to
these
Ends
of
their
Institution
and
Foundation
?
By
the
Designs
which
any
one
has
,
and
by
the
Methods
which
he
takes
to
compass
them
,
we
can
judge
what
he
is
.
So
in
like
manner
you
may
hereby
without
much
Difficulty
collect
What
these
Philadelphians
are
;
and
especially
if
they
may
be
suppos'd
to
be
Sincere
in
their
Designs
,
and
to
follow
the
best
Methods
which
are
made
known
to
them
.
Which
I
believe
you
will
find
no
Reason
to
Question
.
Wherefore
you
may
rectifie
the
several
strange
Mistakes
,
that
are
commonly
Entertain'd
concerning
these
Philadelphians
,
as
if
they
were
a
New
Religion
started
up
in
the
World
,
a
new
Sect
,
a
Cabal
,
and
I
know
not
what
besides
.
For
I
assure
you
they
heartily
lament
the
Divisions
of
Christendom
,
and
especially
of
that
Part
of
it
which
professes
the
Reformation
:
and
they
are
utterly
Averse
to
all
Sectarianism
,
and
Partiality
in
Religion
,
though
even
upon
a
pretence
of
higher
Purity
.
Whence
it
is
,
as
you
rightly
observe
,
that
they
differ
not
from
the
Protestant
Churches
,
as
to
External
Communion
.
Wherefore
whenever
this
Question
shall
be
again
put
to
you
by
any
,
whether
your
Friends
or
others
,
you
may
answer
them
to
this
Effect
:
They
are
a
Religious
Society
for
the
Reformation
of
Manners
,
for
the
Advancement
of
an
Heroical
Christian
Piety
,
and
Universal
Peace
and
Love
towards
All
:
who
though
they
are
deeply
sensible
of
great
Corruptions
and
Deviations
in
most
,
or
all
,
of
the
Christian
Bodies
,
or
Communities
,
from
the
Apostolical
Rule
;
yet
do
not
therefore
formally
Dissent
,
or
separate
from
such
a
particular
Body
,
Community
,
or
Church
in
which
they
have
before
liv'd
according
to
the
best
of
their
Light
,
and
Understanding
:
much
less
do
they
perswade
others
to
Dissent
from
that
Communion
,
which
they
are
Previously
oblig'd
to
Adhere
to
,
or
advise
them
to
Separate
themselves
upon
this
Account
,
or
upon
any
other
:
And
though
they
meet
once
upon
every
Lord's
Day
to
implore
the
good
Spirit
of
God
Unitedly
for
the
effecting
of
all
the
aforesaid
Ends
in
the
Fulness
of
the
times
,
and
particularly
for
a
propitious
Answer
to
all
the
Prayers
and
Intercessions
then
at
the
same
time
offer'd
up
,
in
all
Churches
and
Assemblies
of
Christians
throughout
this
Kingdom
,
and
throughout
the
World
,
which
are
sent
up
with
a
right
Intention
,
and
according
to
his
Blessed
Will
;
yet
do
they
not
esteem
their
meeting
so
together
to
be
a
proper
Breach
of
the
Unity
with
their
particular
Church
,
which
they
would
still
maintain
:
but
as
the
most
Authentick
and
Declarative
Act
which
they
can
make
of
their
Unity
with
the
Catholick
Church
,
and
of
the
Communion
of
Saints
,
which
they
do
assert
to
be
here
Experienc'd
among
them
,
even
after
a
Sensible
,
(
though
Spiritual
)
Manner
.
I
do
not
say
,
that
thus
it
is
:
neither
do
I
hereby
at
present
maintain
that
it
is
a
Real
and
Declarative
Act
of
Communion
with
the
Catholick
Church
,
or
that
it
ought
to
be
so
look'd
on
.
For
that
depends
upon
the
right
stating
of
the
Nature
of
the
Catholick
Church
,
(
about
which
the
present
Christian
World
,
whether
Greek
or
Roman
,
Protestant
or
Evangelical
,
is
so
greatly
Puzled
)
and
of
the
Formal
Reason
of
Communion
with
it
,
and
of
the
different
Degrees
of
this
Communion
,
with
the
various
Modes
and
Expressions
of
the
same
:
And
(
in
some
Measure
)
upon
the
Esteem
which
they
themselves
have
of
it
,
or
that
others
have
of
it
;
or
that
any
Prudent
Person
may
be
suppos'd
to
have
,
when
the
Matter
of
Fact
is
truly
known
,
and
the
Principles
and
Grounds
of
the
Fact
fairly
exhibited
:
And
lastly
upon
the
solution
of
some
other
Intricate
Questions
,
which
others
are
as
much
oblig'd
to
Answer
,
as
the
Philadelphians
.
I
will
not
therefore
now
maintain
their
Meetings
upon
such
Principles
,
and
for
such
Ends
,
as
they
do
hold
them
,
to
be
Positive
and
Real
Acts
of
Catholick
Communion
:
But
I
do
say
,
that
there
are
not
wanting
many
favourable
Presumptions
and
Motives
,
to
incline
one
,
upon
due
Consideration
,
to
believe
that
they
are
so
;
and
that
have
actually
inclin'd
these
to
believe
so
,
who
are
altogether
Disinterested
one
Way
,
or
the
other
,
and
not
Insincere
in
the
search
after
Truth
;
neither
quite
so
Incapable
to
judge
of
its
Criterions
,
and
Signs
,
as
some
would
have
'em
to
be
.
And
I
do
only
desire
every
sober
Christian
,
that
loves
the
Truth
,
which
is
after
God
,
not
to
condemn
such
their
meeting
together
,
though
upon
one
part
of
the
Lord's-Day
,
as
a
Breach
of
Ecclesiastical
Communion
,
untill
they
shall
have
thoroughly
examin'd
the
Present
State
of
the
Christian
Churches
,
or
at
least
so
far
as
may
be
requisite
in
order
to
pass
a
Judicial
and
Definitive
Sentence
in
this
Case
.
I
know
that
you
,
Philalethes
,
are
of
too
Free
and
Noble
a
Spirit
to
deny
me
this
Request
:
and
what
you
can't
Approve
,
(
as
I
would
not
have
you
,
or
indeed
any
,
to
do
without
a
Rational
and
Solid
Conviction
)
you
will
not
Instantly
Condemn
:
but
will
suspend
your
Censure
,
till
the
Matter
upon
which
this
Case
depends
can
be
sufficiently
Clear'd
.
But
to
return
from
this
Digression
,
I
proceed
to
tell
you
.
That
this
Society
of
Philadelphians
are
not
for
turning
the
World
upside
down
,
as
some
have
Represented
'em
;
they
are
not
Enemies
to
the
Civil
or
Ecclesiastical
Rights
of
Any
:
they
know
how
to
bear
with
the
Failures
of
Administration
,
and
the
Exigences
of
Time
,
if
not
directly
against
the
clear
Light
of
Nature
or
of
the
Gospel
;
and
had
rather
chuse
to
Acquiesce
under
some
burthensome
Impositions
,
than
to
run
the
Risque
of
disturbing
the
Peace
and
Rest
of
the
Publick
,
either
as
to
Church
or
State
:
they
so
fix
their
Hearts
upon
the
Magnalia
Dei
,
upon
the
Great
Things
of
God
and
Nature
,
the
deeply
Mystical
Work
of
the
Regeneration
and
Ascension
of
Souls
,
the
Manifestation
of
the
Spiritual
Kingdom
of
the
Messias
,
the
Discipline
of
Divine
Philosophy
to
her
Children
,
the
Glorious
Events
of
the
Future
Blessed
World
;
and
the
Gradual
Preparations
to
it
:
that
they
hardly
think
those
little
Things
,
(
as
they
Appear
to
them
to
be
when
Compar'd
with
These
)
which
divide
the
greatest
part
of
Christians
,
to
be
worth
their
Minding
:
and
are
not
for
setting
a
Value
either
upon
the
Superstitions
,
or
the
Particularities
of
this
or
that
Party
:
As
they
do
not
condemn
the
Externals
or
Rituals
of
the
Christian
Religion
,
so
far
as
they
are
made
Subservient
to
the
Main
Ends
thereof
,
as
Mortification
,
Justification
,
and
the
Communion
of
Christ
with
the
Soul
;
so
also
do
they
not
place
so
much
in
them
,
as
to
endanger
by
an
Eager
Contention
for
or
against
them
,
the
Life
,
Power
,
and
Energy
of
the
Holy
and
Undefiled
Religion
of
JESUS
:
they
seek
to
Worship
the
Father
,
through
his
Son
,
in
Spirit
and
Truth
,
in
whatever
Temple
,
or
Place
,
they
may
appear
as
to
their
Outward
Persons
;
and
Wait
for
that
happy
Day
when
all
shall
go
up
to
Worship
the
Lord
upon
one
Mountain
,
and
in
one
Temple
,
being
united
into
one
Spirit
:
they
are
most
tenderly
Sensible
of
the
Distractions
,
and
Controversies
of
Christendom
,
at
this
Day
;
and
Some
of
them
being
acquainted
with
the
various
Pretensions
of
the
Several
Churches
,
with
the
Methods
that
have
been
taken
for
the
Regulation
,
or
Reformation
of
the
Chief
of
them
both
as
to
Discipline
and
Doctrine
,
and
with
the
remaining
Corruptions
and
Imperfections
in
them
,
after
all
Ordinary
Means
have
been
Try'd
,
have
been
hence
stirr'd
up
to
a
diligent
Research
after
the
Primitive
and
Original
Model
of
the
Church
of
Christ
,
while
it
kept
its
first
Love
,
and
to
an
Endeavour
after
the
most
Successful
Methods
to
retrieve
the
same
,
and
to
re-establish
the
Catholick
Unity
in
the
Band
of
the
Spirit
,
according
to
the
Manifold
and
wise
Distribution
of
its
Pastoral
and
Prophetical
Gifts
:
They
believe
that
all
the
Learning
,
Policy
,
and
Power
of
Man
are
too
Weak
and
Inefficacious
to
undertake
so
Great
a
Work
as
the
Reformation
and
Re-union
of
Religion
;
and
therefore
are
not
without
hopes
of
the
Extraordinary
Appearance
of
God
in
an
Affair
of
so
High
an
Import
:
They
know
that
the
Divine
Wisdom
has
made
frequently
use
of
the
most
frail
and
despicable
Instruments
,
to
bring
the
greatest
Revolutions
about
in
the
World
,
and
has
thought
fit
to
effect
the
most
glorious
Atchievments
through
those
that
have
been
counted
as
the
Dung
of
the
Earth
;
hence
they
are
perswaded
that
God
will
confound
all
the
Wisdom
and
Strength
of
Man
by
the
most
Mysterious
Stratagem
of
his
Providence
,
and
that
he
will
make
All
Flesh
to
be
Asham'd
by
those
Secret
Springs
of
his
Spirit
which
are
Now
at
Work
:
They
have
continually
before
their
eye
the
three
peculiar
(
and
most
comprehensive
)
Titles
of
the
Founder
of
the
Philadelphian
Church
,
and
are
of
the
Opinion
that
they
are
all
Communicable
to
every
Member
of
it
,
when
they
shall
be
fitly
Purify'd
;
and
Prepar'd
for
such
an
Inauguration
:
This
they
say
must
be
by
the
Residence
of
the
Glory
of
God
(
or
the
Divine
Schecinah
)
within
the
Soul
,
variously
displaying
and
manifesting
itself
:
wnich
is
also
what
they
call
the
Internal
Revelation
of
the
Kingdom
of
Christ
;
and
is
what
according
to
the
most
Perfect
Directory
of
all
Prayer
,
they
suppose
themselves
to
be
obliged
Daily
to
Petition
their
Eternal
Father
for
,
and
to
persue
after
by
holy
Watchings
,
Abstractions
,
and
Recollection
of
Mind
.
By
all
this
,
I
hope
you
may
be
able
to
give
a
tolerable
Judgment
,
What
these
Philadelphians
are
,
and
what
they
would
be
..
But
if
what
has
been
already
offer'd
be
not
Satisfaction
enough
,
and
you
still
persist
to
demand
Where
,
and
Who
they
are
,
I
must
beg
leave
,
for
several
weighty
Reasons
,
not
to
be
too
Open
here
,
till
I
shall
have
a
sufficient
Warrant
for
such
a
Publication
.
But
in
short
,
I
would
not
have
you
to
look
for
the
Philadelphian
Society
among
that
little
Company
which
doth
generally
pass
by
that
Name
,
and
is
resorted
to
as
such
.
For
this
Society
doth
not
properly
consist
of
those
who
meet
together
for
Religious
Worship
at
such
certain
Times
,
and
in
such
a
peculiar
Manner
.
No
,
it
is
not
confin'd
to
these
:
but
it
doth
consist
of
as
many
as
are
Fellow
Waiters
for
the
same
glorious
Prize
of
the
first
Resurrection
,
and
the
high
Immunities
of
the
New
Jerusalem-State
;
though
they
never
convers'd
much
with
them
,
nor
ever
saw
one
Book
or
Paper
of
this
kind
,
o●
have
so
much
as
heard
of
the
very
Name
of
Philadelphian
.
Th●
Society
consists
of
all
those
who
sincerely
Pray
and
Labour
for
better
Times
,
of
all
who
bear
the
Testimony
of
Jesus
,
which
is
the
Spirit
of
Prophesie
,
and
the
Spirit
of
Wisdom
and
of
Revelation
;
and
of
all
those
who
in
the
Patience
of
the
Kingdom
of
our
Lord
and
Mighty
Saviour
do
suffer
Tribulation
and
Reproach
.
The
Number
of
whom
may
not
be
so
small
,
as
it
may
appear
to
be
:
and
we
dare
not
say
that
we
are
Alone
,
or
that
Our
Society
is
made
up
of
such
a
little
Handful
.
For
I
do
not
despair
but
that
there
may
be
Seven
Thousand
Undefil'd
Names
found
in
this
Nation
,
that
shall
be
numbred
with
the
Philadelphian
Society
,
when
a
publick
and
Declarative
Inquisition
shall
be
made
by
the
Searcher
of
all
Hearts
.
The
numbers
of
this
Society
in
other
Countries
may
be
more
Considerable
,
then
is
at
first
easie
to
be
believ'd
.
The
first
Motion
or
Eruption
of
it
may
be
said
to
have
been
in
Germany
,
where
it
has
spread
it self
chiefly
through
the
indefatigable
Zeal
of
some
of
the
Clergy
;
under
the
Name
of
PIETISM
.
By
which
a
Foundation
has
been
there
laid
for
a
greater
Spirituality
in
the
Christian
Profession
then
was
before
Known
,
or
Entertain'd
,
except
by
some
few
:
and
for
a
greater
Propagation
thereof
among
well
dispos'd
Souls
,
then
was
from
the
Miraculous
Days
of
the
Church
until
that
Day
.
The
Advancement
that
it
has
already
made
in
a
very
few
Years
is
so
Considerable
,
that
it
much
alarm'd
a
Great
and
Potent
Prince
,
who
is
since
gone
to
his
Fathers
.
Nor
is
it
unknown
,
I
suppose
,
to
the
World
how
great
a
Mediation
did
then
interpose
for
the
Revocation
of
that
Prince's
Designs
.
Concerning
which
it
cannot
be
deny'd
,
but
that
they
had
a
very
good
Umbrage
,
several
plausible
Pretexts
,
and
Reasons
of
State
;
considering
that
the
Worst
Men
will
often
take
up
the
best
Names
;
and
that
even
those
who
are
sincere
and
well
meaning
may
be
attended
with
many
(
and
sometimes
great
)
Imperfections
,
and
not
only
with
Erroneous
,
but
with
Destructive
Notions
;
some
of
them
for
a
shorter
,
others
for
a
longer
while
,
and
some
it
may
be
even
for
their
whole
Lives
:
and
considering
likewise
that
some
lesser
Exorbitances
of
Practice
actually
were
,
and
others
yet
greater
might
have
been
committed
,
by
such
as
,
not
having
been
Taught
by
the
True
Guide
,
had
learn'd
to
attribute
their
vain
and
turbulent
Enthusiasms
to
the
Holy
Spirit
of
God
.
But
though
we
cannot
answer
for
the
Irregularities
,
of
all
that
may
take
up
the
same
Title
,
or
Name
,
with
us
,
or
with
our
Brethren
in
Germany
;
yet
we
doubt
not
but
we
shall
approve
our Selves
,
in
the
sight
of
Heaven
,
and
of
all
the
World
,
as
those
who
follow
the
true
Spiritual
Guide
,
the
Meek
and
Humble
JESUS
.
Who
has
taught
us
to
Pray
and
Wait
diligently
for
his
Appearance
;
that
he
may
not
surprize
us
,
when
he
comes
,
without
Oil
in
our
Vessels
.
I
know
not
what
stress
may
be
laid
upon
the
Observations
which
some
curious
Persons
have
concerning
certain
Places
,
which
they
suppose
to
be
Considerable
for
certain
Fatal
(
which
I
must
rather
call
Providential
)
Propensions
,
certain
Critical
Dispositions
,
and
Periodical
Mutations
in
the
Inhabitants
;
and
particularly
with
respect
to
the
Progress
of
Religion
in
the
World
.
But
however
it
be
,
the
place
of
this
late
Eruption
(
if
I
may
so
call
it
)
of
a
Solid
,
Nervous
,
and
Spiritual
Christianity
,
in
the
Pietist
Divines
,
that
are
truly
so
call'd
,
is
indeed
very
Singular
and
strange
:
and
whatever
Reflexion
may
be
made
hereby
upon
it
,
or
upon
this
Society
,
deserves
not
to
pass
unobserv'd
.
It
is
now
somewhat
above
a
Century
and
an
half
since
there
began
in
Germany
,
and
(
what
is
still
more
remarkable
)
out
of
Saxony
,
that
Grand
Revolution
of
Religion
,
which
by
the
best
allow'd
Expositors
of
Prophetical
Scripture
is
call'd
the
Sardian
Reformation
,
in
Contradistinction
to
the
expected
Philadelphian
:
and
it
seems
a
little
wonderful
that
now
again
something
of
a
like
Scene
,
should
begin
so
to
be
Transacted
about
the
same
Place
;
and
that
as
there
were
then
many
Circumstances
which
did
concur
towards
so
surprizing
and
astonishing
a
Work
,
so
also
at
this
Day
they
There
are
not
lacking
,
if
our
Informations
deceive
us
not
.
And
further
,
as
the
English
are
a
Branch
from
the
German
Root
,
so
some
have
observ'd
a
Circulation
as
it
were
from
the
Root
to
the
Branch
,
and
from
the
Branch
to
the
Root
again
,
in
various
particulars
.
Moreover
at
the
same
time
that
Dr.
Luther
preach'd
in
Germany
against
the
Corruptions
of
the
Court
and
Church
of
Rome
,
there
stood
up
others
at
the
same
time
in
Switzerland
,
who
persued
there
the
samc
Design
,
with
some
little
Alteration
.
So
it
is
also
at
this
Day
.
Neither
are
the
Philadelphian
Society
without
their
Friends
in
Roman
Catholick
Countries
,
as
well
as
in
Protestant
.
It
is
no
longer
now
a
Mystery
ho●
the
Clergy
of
the
Gallican
Church
,
and
that
even
too
the
most
considerable
for
Learning
and
Prudence
,
as
well
as
for
Piety
,
are
Ting'd
w●th
the
very
same
Principles
upon
which
this
Society
is
Founded
.
Some
hints
whereof
were
given
above
two
Years
ago
in
a
Preface
of
the
English
Editor
,
before
a
Book
Translated
out
of
the
High
German
,
and
call'd
,
A
Letter
to
some
Divines
concerning
the
Question
,
Whether
God
since
Christ's
Ascension
doth
any
more
reveal
himself
to
Mankind
?
And
it
begins
to
be
notorious
enough
,
that
this
Spiritual
Devotion
prevails
not
only
among
the
Rechuse
and
the
Regulars
,
but
even
among
Seculars
,
and
such
as
converse
both
in
the
World
and
in
the
Court
.
And
it
is
Observable
,
that
even
that
very
Cardinal
,
who
did
lay
the
Foundation
of
the
Grandeur
of
France
,
was
a
Favourer
of
such
Principles
of
Devotion
:
and
has
left
under
his
own
Hand
a
lasting
Monument
of
such
his
Esteem
,
by
taking
the
Pains
to
Abridge
them
in
a
particular
Treatise
,
that
is
deservedly
valu'd
by
Rationalists
as
well
as
Spiritualists
.
Which
shews
that
the
clearest
Heads
have
fallen
into
this
Way
,
and
that
the
Wisest
Ministers
of
State
have
not
thought
it
of
such
pernicious
Consequence
(
as
some
do
vainly
surmise
)
to
the
Civil
Government
.
What
Emotions
there
have
been
of
late
Years
in
Italy
,
and
in
the
Kingdom
of
Naples
,
as
I
dare
not
undertake
to
justifie
the
purity
of
the
Source
whence
they
proceeded
;
so
they
are
too
well
known
to
be
insisted
on
.
But
thus
much
at
least
may
hence
be
gather'd
,
that
there
is
generally
a
great
Uneasiness
under
the
Burthens
of
the
Dominant
Church
in
those
Parts
;
and
that
there
are
some
good
Souls
dispers'd
who
would
gladly
embrace
a
more
Spiritual
Religion
,
over
looking
the
outward
Strength
and
Pomp
of
a
Church
State
in
Comparison
of
the
Inward
Life
and
Spirit
of
the
Gospel
.
Which
is
that
whereby
the
Philadelphians
desire
that
their
Society
may
be
distinguish'd
.
And
therefore
when
in
the
Title
Page
of
the
Theosophical
Transactions
you
find
under-written
By
the
Philadelphian
Society
,
you
are
not
thence
to
ascribe
or
appropriate
these
to
such
as
wear
the
Badge
of
that
Society
in
this
City
,
or
to
imagin
to
your self
that
they
are
the
Acts
of
any
particular
Convocation
,
or
Assembly
,
of
such
Members
:
but
you
are
to
consider
them
as
the
Acts
,
which
relate
to
the
whole
Philadelphian
Society
,
whither
soever
dispers'd
over
the
whole
Earth
,
(
according
as
the
Message
directed
to
them
the
last
Year
did
signifie
)
and
publish'd
by
some
that
are
of
the
same
Society
in
England
,
who
aspire
after
the
inward
Life
and
Spirit
of
Religion
.
Well
,
you
will
say
,
the
inward
Life
and
Operative
Spirit
of
the
Religion
of
Christ
is
what
we
acknowledge
to
be
the
Principal
,
as
well
as
they
.
Herein
I
find
that
we
do
not
Disagree
.
This
therefore
(
besides
that
it
is
invisible
)
can
be
no
distinctive
Mark
either
of
their
Society
in
general
,
or
of
the
particular
Society
in
England
.
How
therefore
are
they
distinguish'd
from
other
Christians
:
And
particularly
from
those
of
the
Church
of
England
?
I
can
here
tell
you
that
they
seek
not
to
distinguish
themselves
from
others
,
and
that
the
Rule
they
go
by
will
not
suffer
them
to
affect
either
Singularity
,
or
Superiority
:
but
that
they
seek
rather
(
as
far
as
it
is
in
their
Power
)
not
to
be
distinguish'd
from
other
Christians
;
and
more
affect
an
Universality
,
and
generous
and
noble
Parity
,
without
encouraging
the
Sin
of
Schism
by
the
one
,
or
throwing
waste
by
the
other
those
Boundaries
which
the
Laws
either
Divine
,
or
Human
,
have
establish'd
.
They
pretend
not
to
determine
the
Rights
of
the
contending
Parties
,
but
leave
all
things
in
Statu
Quo
;
without
so
much
as
entring
into
the
merit
of
the
Cause
of
the
one
or
of
the
other
.
For
they
hope
,
that
if
the
Dissenting
Parties
,
or
Societies
,
could
be
perswaded
not
to
hate
one
another
,
and
to
retire
more
into
the
inward
meek
Life
of
JESUS
,
Matters
might
possibly
come
to
be
amicably
adjusted
on
both
sides
,
and
a
lasting
Union
in
Religion
concluded
not
only
among
Prote-testants
,
but
even
with
the
whole
Christian
World
.
Therefore
they
freely
admit
to
them
those
that
have
a
good
Will
to
the
Gospel
of
Christ
,
and
seek
to
be
conform'd
to
it
in
a
Pure
,
Lowly
,
Loving
and
Peaceable
Life
,
and
in
all
other
Matters
so
far
as
their
Light
extends
;
of
whatever
different
Perswasions
,
or
Opinions
,
they
may
be
,
which
touch
not
the
Essentials
of
the
Christian
Religion
.
And
let
me
tell
you
they
are
so
much
for
Peace
,
that
they
would
have
nothing
but
these
to
stand
in
competition
with
it
:
and
these
neither
but
so
far
as
that
Peace
and
Truth
may
be
brought
by
this
Means
to
kiss
each
other
.
They
look
beyond
the
most
perfect
external
Constitution
,
as
seeing
that
all
must
be
Broken
,
to
make
way
for
that
Pure
and
Spiritual
Church-State
,
which
is
to
descend
immediately
out
of
Heaven
,
according
to
the
Representation
that
we
have
given
us
in
the
Holy
Visions
of
the
highly
Beloved
John
.
And
,
methinks
,
even
while
I
am
writing
this
,
I
see
darkly
as
through
a
Glass
this
Angel
of
the
Love
descending
as
from
the
Holy
City
,
and
gently
striking
some
of
the
more
eminent
Pastors
of
the
Establish'd
Church
of
this
Nation
,
and
saying
as
it
were
to
them
,
Arise
:
here
is
no
Abiding
Place
.
There
remains
yet
a
more
Glorious
Work
to
be
done
,
than
your
Predecessors
could
accomplish
.
How
are
they
distinguish'd
from
Quakers
?
I
answer
,
they
do
indeed
agree
with
the
Q●akers
,
though
not
as
to
their
external
Habits
,
or
Customs
,
yet
as
to
the
Internal
Principle
of
a
Light
within
.
But
herein
also
,
if
I
mistake
not
,
they
agree
not
only
with
most
of
the
Reformed
Churches
,
but
even
with
the
Church
of
England
it self
:
Who
do
no
less
own
this
Internal
Light
,
or
Divine
Principle
,
when
rightly
Explicated
,
then
the
Quakers
themselves
;
and
who
do
no
less
lay
down
s●ch
Grounds
,
both
in
their
Articles
and
Liturgy
,
from
which
a
Spirit
of
Revelation
,
or
Inspiration
,
in
the
Church
,
may
be
easily
and
fully
deduced
.
I
know
not
,
Sir
,
of
what
Communion
you
are
,
because
you
speak
in
General
Terms
(
somewhat
Ambiguous
)
of
the
Protestant
Churches
:
but
I
am
perswaded
that
I
can
prove
this
to
any
impartial
Person
of
what
Communion
you
please
,
that
is
not
perfectly
a
Socinian
,
or
a
Pelagian
,
if
he
will
but
stick
to
the
Principles
which
he
holds
,
and
be
content
to
follow
,
where
they
will
lead
him
.
But
I
chuse
rather
to
speak
of
the
Church
of
England
,
who
are
usually
(
and
I
think
most
unfairly
)
mis-represented
as
little
Favourers
of
this
internal
Principle
,
of
a
Spiritual
and
Divine
Light
communicated
to
the
Soul
.
I
speak
as
to
their
Principles
:
And
if
they
will
but
be
true
to
these
,
as
I
charitably
hope
they
are
,
they
shall
perhaps
admire
to
find
the
Ground
work
of
that
among
themselves
,
which
they
may
have
never
thought
of
,
or
which
they
may
have
even
thought
themselves
to
be
contrary
to
.
Neither
shall
I
for
this
purpose
refer
any
Man
to
several
of
the
most
celebrated
Writers
of
this
Church
,
ever
since
its
Reformation
;
from
whence
I
could
bring
many
pregnant
Proofs
of
the
Truth
of
this
Internal
Principle
,
and
Light
within
,
as
by
them
maintain'd
:
But
I
shall
appeal
to
the
most
Authentical
Acts
of
its
Communion
,
and
the
most
solemn
and
constant
Offices
,
in
which
all
its
Members
are
oblig'd
to
joyn
,
for
a
Determination
of
the
Faith
of
this
Church
.
Wherefore
I
shall
make
my
Inquisition
according
to
these
Heads
,
viz.
-
I.
The
Manner
of
the
Initiation
of
its
Church
Members
.
-
II
.
The
Manner
of
the
Association
of
its
Initiated
Members
.
-
III
.
The
Manner
of
Commissionating
its
Officers
.
-
IV
.
The
Daily
Ministration
,
in
which
both
the
Church-Governours
and
Subjects
are
jointly
concern'd
.
-
V.
The
Commemorations
of
the
Apostles
.
I.
The
manner
of
the
Initiation
of
its
Church
Members
.
This
certainly
ought
to
be
allow'd
as
the
Test
of
the
Faith
of
any
Church
,
or
Christian
Society
.
And
most
especially
so
it
ought
to
be
of
that
Church
,
or
Society
,
in
that
Point
,
or
Points
;
which
it
has
hereby
an
immediate
Respect
to
;
and
so
much
the
more
still
if
this
be
ot
only
the
Immediate
,
but
also
the
Principal
Respect
,
whence
in
the
Initiation
that
the
Church
of
England
uses
for
the
Admission
of
its
Members
,
if
it
shall
appear
that
this
Church
has
by
it
an
Immediate
and
Principal
Respect
to
the
Internal
Principle
of
a
Light
within
,
I
hope
none
will
be
unwilling
to
submit
to
it
,
who
would
be
thought
Verily
and
Indeed
Members
of
it
.
Now
the
manner
of
Initiation
of
Members
us'd
by
the
Church
of
England
doth
consist
in
the
Office
of
Baptism
,
and
in
that
of
Confirmation
:
which
is
a
Supplement
,
and
Consummation
of
the
former
.
And
that
the
Infusion
of
an
Internal
Permanent
Light
,
Life
,
or
Spirit
,
(
not
barely
for
Actual
Influences
,
but
also
for
Habitual
Residence
)
is
the
Principal
End
of
Baptism
,
and
which
she
has
an
Immediate
Respect
to
in
these
her
Offices
may
be
collected
from
the
following
Considerations
.
I.
That
there
is
a
Baptismal
Illumination
maintain'd
and
defended
by
the
very
Ministers
of
it
:
and
that
from
this
Topick
their
strongest
Arguments
are
drawn
against
those
who
dispute
the
Validity
either
of
Baptism
in
General
,
or
of
that
of
Infants
in
particular
.
It
matters
not
here
whether
there
be
indeed
such
a
Baptismal
Illumination
,
or
that
it
be
only
believ'd
to
be
so
:
for
't
is
enough
that
they
argue
consistently
with
their
own
Principles
;
however
they
may
afterwards
modifie
or
qualifie
the
same
in
their
Controversies
with
others
.
For
this
they
find
themselves
oblig'd
to
,
as
often
as
they
have
to
do
with
those
who
most
loudly
pretend
to
this
Illumination
of
the
Divine
Spirit
,
or
Word
,
ingenerated
into
'em
,
as
a
Vital
and
Habitual
Principle
,
or
as
a
permanent
Light
within
,
variously
and
occasionally
exer●ing
it self
in
actual
Influences
Ordinary
and
Extraordinary
;
as
in
so
m
ny
Rays
of
Light
proceeding
from
that
Life
of
Light
.
And
that
most
chiefly
because
these
do
assert
the
Communication
or
Infusion
hereof
to
be
without
the
Ministration
of
External
Baptism
;
which
they
therefore
lay
aside
.
2.
That
Baptism
and
Illumination
are
taken
by
many
for
Synonymous
Terms
:
and
that
the
most
Classical
Expositors
and
Commentators
of
this
Church
do
make
them
that
are
said
to
have
been
Enlightned
,
to
be
only
the
Baptized
.
And
it
is
by
some
suppos'd
that
the
Internal
Light
of
Baptism
,
did
in
the
early
Days
of
its
Administration
break
forth
even
externally
,
by
a
visible
Coruscation
.
Several
Instances
are
brought
for
the
proof
of
this
Internal
Principle
of
the
Spiritual
Light
,
convev'd
in
Baptism
:
which
,
with
what
further
Arguments
might
be
drawn
from
the
Rights
of
several
Churches
,
and
some
particular
Customs
of
our
Ancestors
,
I
pass
over
.
3.
That
Regeneration
(
which
must
be
not
a
new
Modification
,
but
a
new
Generation
)
is
attributed
to
the
reception
of
Baptism
:
That
the
Subject
upon
which
it
is
confer'd
is
thence
call'd
a
Member
of
Christ
;
to
signifie
that
as
really
as
every
Member
of
the
natural
Body
is
quickened
and
influenc'd
by
the
Natural
Soul
,
so
really
is
every
Member
of
Christ's
Spiritual
(
and
Mystical
)
Body
,
quicken'd
and
influenc'd
by
that
Supernatural
and
Spiritual
Principle
,
which
is
then
suppos'd
to
be
first
infused
;
as
it
were
a
new
and
higher
Soul
,
or
an
inward
Vital
Light
:
That
thence
the
said
Subject
is
call'd
a
Child
of
God
;
which
is
not
properly
Applicable
to
any
Creature
,
as
such
,
but
solely
to
Christ
,
who
is
the
only
Begotten
Son
of
the
Father
;
but
improperly
and
mediately
to
the
Creature
,
so
far
as
it
is
animated
with
the
Spirit
of
the
Son
,
which
teaches
it
to
cry
Abba
Father
;
so
far
as
it
is
made
partaker
with
him
of
the
Divine
Nature
;
so
far
as
it
is
fill'd
with
the
Universal
Light
of
all
Worlds
,
enlightning
every
one
that
comes
to
it
;
and
so
far
lastly
as
Christ
is
formed
within
it
,
who
is
alone
the
Heir
of
the
Father
,
and
the
Inheritor
of
the
Kingdom
of
Heaven
.
And
that
this
Regeneration
by
,
and
into
,
the
Spir●t
of
Christ
is
to
be
counted
for
another
Generation
or
Birth
,
and
not
a
bare
Modification
,
or
Alteration
of
the
first
,
(
but
much
less
an
external
Relation
)
may
be
sufficiently
evinced
both
from
the
Argumentation
of
●t
.
Paul
in
his
Epistles
,
and
from
the
Collects
thence
fitly
adapted
by
the
Judicious
Compilers
of
the
English
Liturgy
.
This
is
also
most
agreeable
to
the
very
Original
Institution
of
Baptism
among
the
Jews
,
for
the
initiating
of
their
Proselytes
:
in
which
they
did
conceive
that
a
New
Soul
was
actually
infus'd
that
,
was
only
capable
of
Immortality
,
and
of
the
Kingdom
of
the
Messias
:
as
it
is
also
to
that
of
the
Purgative
Mysteries
among
the
Pythagoreans
,
which
do
answer
to
the
Christian
Baptism
;
according
to
what
a
most
Learned
Vindicator
of
this
Church
has
prov'd
.
To
conclude
,
the
conveyance
of
such
an
Internal
Principle
,
whether
you
call
it
the
Light
within
,
or
whatever
other
Name
you
give
to
it
,
is
that
which
the
Church
of
England
,
from
these
Considerations
,
appears
to
have
an
Immediate
Respect
to
,
in
her
Baptism
,
whether
it
be
of
Infants
or
of
Adults
;
as
that
whereby
the
Subject
so
admitted
is
conceiv'd
to
be
instated
in
all
the
Church
Priviledges
:
which
must
be
Mediately
convey'd
through
this
inward
Principle
of
the
Light
.
And
it
is
that
also
to
which
the
Church
of
England
has
the
Principal
Respect
;
as
being
that
to
which
all
other
Regards
are
to
be
subservient
and
subordinate
;
as
deriv'd
from
it
,
and
centring
in
it
.
So
that
this
may
be
safely
allow'd
as
a
Test
of
the
Faith
of
a
True
Church
of
England
Man
;
who
by
virtue
of
his
Initiation
into
it
is
no
less
oblig'd
to
believe
this
inspired
Light
in
the
Soul
,
then
a
Quaker
is
.
And
if
there
be
but
such
an
internal
Principle
once
in
the
Soul
,
then
there
can
be
no
possible
Reason
assign'd
why
also
there
may
not
be
true
Inspiration
,
and
Revelation
,
as
the
actual
Influences
and
Operations
of
that
Principle
.
Several
other
Considerations
might
here
be
brought
,
to
conclude
this
to
be
the
Reason
of
such
a
solemn
Rite
of
Initiation
into
the
Church
and
withal
to
shew
that
no
Abuse
of
any
Truth
should
make
us
asham'd
to
profess
it
;
though
we
ought
hereby
to
become
more
Wary
,
and
Tender
,
and
fearful
of
Abusing
it
when
we
have
,
or
pretending
to
it
when
we
have
it
not
.
But
I
must
hasten
to
the
other
Heads
.
Which
I
must
handle
with
more
Brevity
for
the
present
.
The
Second
is
II
.
The
Manner
of
the
Association
of
its
Initiated
Members
.
If
the
former
Supposition
be
True
that
the
External
Baptism
of
the
Church
of
England
is
founded
upon
the
Internal
Baptism
of
the
Holy
Spirit
,
or
upon
the
Infusion
into
the
Baptized
Person
of
a
New
Life
,
Light
,
or
Spirit
;
then
will
not
this
latter
need
to
be
prov'd
,
Namely
,
that
the
Eucharistical
Celebration
in
this
same
Church
is
grounded
upon
the
Sustentation
and
Augmentation
hereof
,
and
is
design'd
for
a
mutual
Confederation
of
all
its
Church-Members
in
the
Holy
and
Spiritual
Principle
of
the
Divine
Paradisiacal
Life
,
in
the
Light
of
the
Eternal
Wisdom
of
God
,
and
in
the
True
Spirit
of
Christ
.
Let
but
the
Order
for
the
Administration
of
the
Lord's
Supper
,
or
Holy
Communion
be
look'd
into
,
and
impartially
Examined
,
how
far
it
may
Agree
or
Disagree
with
this
Notion
of
real
and
proper
Union
with
God
and
Christ
,
and
of
Essential
Communion
in
the
Spirit
,
by
all
the
Participant
Members
.
This
will
be
the
ready
way
to
Decide
the
Matter
:
and
that
even
independently
on
Baptismal
Regeneration
.
And
indeed
I
hardly
know
what
can
be
said
more
Nervous
,
and
Full
to
this
Purpose
,
or
that
would
be
said
with
greater
Force
by
the
very
sublimest
Mysticks
,
then
what
I
find
in
the
Exhortation
:
which
being
Preparatory
and
Instructive
,
ought
therefore
to
be
taken
according
to
the
most
Popular
and
Literal
Sense
.
The
Words
that
I
observe
are
these
,
which
are
(
as
I
have
already
hinted
)
peculiarly
Address'd
to
the
Unlearned
rather
then
to
the
Learned
;
to
the
Idiot
,
rather
then
to
the
Philologist
:
viz.
Then
we
Spiritually
eat
the
Flesh
of
Christ
,
and
Drink
his
Blood
;
then
we
dwell
in
Christ
,
and
Christ
in
us
;
we
are
one
with
Christ
,
and
Christ
with
us
.
In
which
Words
there
are
these
three
things
Doctrinally
Deliver'd
.
1.
A
Spiritual
Manducation
of
the
Flesh
and
Blood
of
Christ
;
concerning
which
the
Philadelphians
have
many
things
to
say
that
cannot
be
declared
among
the
Exotericks
.
2.
A
mutual
Inhabitation
,
or
Circuminsession
,
of
Christ
and
the
Soul
.
3.
A
Reciprocal
Union
,
or
Communication
(
as
the
Schools
speak
)
of
Idioms
.
There
seems
indeed
to
be
a
Limitation
to
the
First
of
these
by
the
Term
Spiritually
:
but
that
only
oppos'd
to
Carnally
;
and
not
to
Really
,
or
Substantially
.
And
it
is
further
also
observable
that
the
Catechumens
are
not
to
be
admitted
to
the
Participation
of
so
High
a
Mystery
,
but
after
a
Profession
made
,
that
the
Body
and
Blood
of
Christ
are
herein
Verily
and
indeed
taken
and
received
by
the
Faithful
.
Which
howsoever
it
be
Explicated
,
if
it
signifie
any
thing
at
all
,
must
import
that
the
Doctrine
of
a
Christ
within
,
or
a
Light
within
,
as
a
Vital
Principle
in
the
Soul
of
every
Worthy
Participant
,
is
not
contrary
,
but
exactly
conformable
to
the
Rites
of
Association
,
or
Confederation
,
of
its
Initiated
Members
.
So
I
proceed
to
III
.
The
Manner
of
Commissionating
its
Officers
.
And
here
the
Church
of
England
seems
to
be
more
Express
,
then
she
is
either
in
the
Forms
of
Initiating
,
or
Associating
her
Subjects
.
For
the
Offices
both
for
the
Ordination
of
her
Priests
and
Deacons
,
and
for
the
Consecration
of
her
Bishops
,
do
wholly
turn
upon
this
one
Principle
,
that
none
ought
to
be
admitted
for
Officers
,
or
Rulers
,
in
the
Church
of
Christ
,
but
those
that
are
truly
Call'd
by
the
Spirit
of
Christ
to
that
particular
Office
or
Government
in
the
same
:
and
that
as
a
Consequent
hereof
none
ought
to
presume
to
Exercise
such
an
Office
or
Government
in
the
Church
,
but
according
as
they
shall
be
fill'd
,
actuated
,
and
guided
by
this
Internal
Spirit
and
Light
of
Christ
,
the
supreme
Pastor
,
and
Head
of
it
.
Which
may
be
made
,
I
think
,
most
Evident
.
1.
From
that
Part
,
which
the
Persons
Commissionating
do
bear
in
this
Sacred
Ministration
.
2ly
.
From
that
which
the
Persons
Commissionated
do
bear
.
3ly
.
From
the
Contents
of
the
Commission
it self
,
that
is
Deliver'd
.
4ly
.
From
the
Rite
of
the
Delivery
of
the
Commission
,
or
the
Imposition
of
Hands
.
And
5ly
.
from
that
part
which
all
the
Assistants
,
whether
of
the
Clergy
or
of
the
Layety
,
do
bear
.
And
the
Evidence
in
all
these
Particulars
will
be
very
clear
from
the
most
natural
and
plain
Sense
of
the
Words
and
Symbolical
Rites
then
us'd
,
without
straining
or
distorting
them
either
way
,
but
taking
them
according
to
the
ordinary
Construction
throughout
the
whole
New
Testament
,
and
the
most
Primitive
Antiquity
.
From
whence
alone
we
can
know
,
what
it
was
to
be
Call'd
and
Mov'd
by
the
Spirit
to
any
Office
,
or
Ministration
in
the
Church
:
and
what
are
properly
to
be
understood
by
the
Pastoral
,
or
Doctoral
Gifts
of
the
Holy
Ghost
.
And
further
yet
to
prove
how
sensible
she
is
of
the
great
need
that
there
is
of
Inspired
and
Enlightn'd
Teachers
in
the
Church
,
this
very
Church
of
England
doth
thrice
every
Week
solemnly
supplicate
the
Blessed
Trinity
to
ILLUMINATE
all
Bishops
,
Priests
,
and
Deacons
.
IV
.
The
Daily
Ministration
,
in
which
both
the
Church-Governors
and
Subjects
are
jointly
Concern'd
.
The
Church
of
England
doth
not
only
teach
her
Children
Occasionally
to
Pray
the
Father
,
through
the
Son
,
for
the
Inspiration
of
his
Holy
Spirit
;
and
instructs
them
every
Lord's
Day
,
and
Holy
Day
,
how
that
without
this
Divine
Inspiration
,
or
Illumination
,
the
Love
of
God
cannot
be
perfect
,
neither
the
Glorification
of
his
Name
suitable
,
or
Worthy
:
But
she
doth
the
same
also
in
her
Constant
Offices
.
For
do
not
her
Children
beg
of
Christ
in
the
first
place
,
that
he
may
open
their
Lips
,
so
that
they
may
be
able
to
shew
forth
his
Praise
;
after
the
manner
that
the
Inspired
Prophets
did
,
when
their
Mouths
were
open'd
by
the
Lord
?
Do
they
not
as
from
this
Opening
proceed
on
,
in
Conjunction
with
the
goodly
Society
,
of
the
Prophets
,
the
Heroical
Army
of
Martyrs
,
and
the
glorious
Colledge
of
the
Apostles
;
and
with
all
the
Angelical
Orders
;
to
Praise
the
LORD
;
that
is
,
after
the
same
Manner
as
they
do
,
in
his
Life
,
Light
,
and
Power
.
Wherefore
also
doth
the
Minister
salute
the
People
with
the
Salutation
of
the
Angel
Gabriel
:
and
the
People
resalute
the
Minister
with
a
Lord
be
with
thy
Spirit
;
that
is
,
that
the
Spirit
of
the
Lord
(
as
Immanu-El
)
may
be
joyn'd
with
his
Spirit
in
his
Ministerial
Offices
then
to
be
perform'd
?
And
wherefore
do
they
both
mutually
Deprecate
the
Removal
of
the
Divine
Spirit
,
but
that
they
may
be
assisted
by
it
,
as
an
inherent
Principle
of
Light
,
how
they
ought
to
Pray
unto
,
and
Praise
him
?
Do
they
not
therefore
Approve
of
Prayer
by
the
Spirit
?
Yea
do
they
not
even
remind
God
of
those
Noble
and
Miraculous
Works
,
that
have
been
wrought
by
his
Spirit
,
both
Internally
and
Externally
,
in
former
Days
?
And
do
they
not
press
him
to
Arise
,
and
Help
them
,
as
Antiently
in
the
Church
he
was
us'd
to
do
:
and
to
deliver
'em
by
some
Wonderful
and
Extraordinary
Appearances
?
And
why
do
they
tell
him
that
his
Honour
is
so
concern'd
to
do
:
than
which
nothing
can
be
more
proper
in
the
Mouth
of
a
Philadelphian
?
V.
The
Commemorations
of
the
Apostles
.
But
as
there
are
several
Footsteps
of
this
Doctrine
of
an
Internal
Principle
of
Light
,
which
the
Philadelphians
strenuously
maintain
,
Obvious
in
the
Daily
Ministration
of
the
Church
of
England
,
wherein
both
Governors
and
Subjects
are
concern'd
;
so
there
is
yet
somewhat
still
more
Notable
in
the
Commemorations
of
the
Holy
Apostles
by
her
Celebrated
.
For
the
very
Original
Institution
of
these
seems
to
be
for
no
other
End
but
to
preserve
an
Useful
Memorial
of
their
Deeds
and
Sufferings
,
and
of
the
great
and
excellent
Gifts
of
the
Holy
Spirit
conferr'd
upon
'em
;
that
so
the
Present
Church
,
and
especially
its
Officers
,
may
be
hereby
incited
to
insist
in
their
Steps
;
and
so
to
hope
for
the
Powerful
Communications
of
the
same
Blessed
Spirit
,
in
order
to
a
Right
Government
of
It.
And
I
do
not
see
why
a
Church
of
England
Man
,
as
Such
,
may
not
pray
to
be
Enlighten'd
,
by
the
Doctrine
of
the
Holy
Apostle
,
and
Evangelist
St.
John
,
who
treats
so
particularly
of
the
Divine
Light
;
to
be
made
a
Partaker
of
the
Gifts
and
Powers
of
the
World
to
come
,
through
the
Preaching
and
Epistles
,
of
the
Blessed
Apostle
St.
Paul
,
who
has
spoken
so
distinctly
concerning
them
;
and
to
be
endued
with
those
Pastoral
Abilities
,
which
were
by
Christ
committed
to
the
Glorious
Apostle
St
Peter
,
that
so
the
Bishops
,
and
Pastors
,
may
be
enabled
(
like
him
)
to
feed
the
Flocks
,
entrusted
to
their
Charge
.
Neither
do
I
see
,
why
any
Church
of
England
Man
may
not
safely
Pray
to
be
filled
with
the
Holy
Ghost
,
for
a
right
Judgment
in
all
Sacred
Matters
,
when
he
commemorates
the
plentiful
Effusion
of
it
upon
all
the
Apostles
:
or
why
,
in
particular
,
he
may
not
wait
in
Faith
for
such
a
Eulness
of
it
,
as
was
given
to
the
first
Martyr
St.
Stephen
:
or
why
stedfastly
looking
up
to
Heaven
,
he
may
not
also
hope
to
behold
the
Revelation
of
the
same
Glory
:
or
lastly
,
why
,
being
establish'd
in
the
Truth
of
the
same
Gospel
,
he
may
not
expect
that
,
as
God
did
endue
his
Holy
Apostle
Barnabas
with
Singular
and
Marvellous
Gifts
of
the
Holy
Ghost
,
he
will
not
leave
him
destitute
of
such
his
Manifold
Gifts
,
(
if
they
be
Pray'd
for
,
and
Believ'd
in
)
nor
yet
of
Grace
to
use
them
aright
.
Now
from
a
sincere
Inquisition
upon
all
these
Heads
I
have
been
driven
ro
conclude
,
that
the
Church
of
England
,
according
to
her
Principles
,
and
also
to
her
Solemn
and
Constant
Devotions
,
doth
no
less
favour
the
Internal
Principle
of
a
Divine
Light
,
when
rightly
stated
,
then
even
those
who
are
at
this
Day
the
most
of
all
Exclaim'd
against
for
it
.
Each
of
these
Heads
might
have
been
much
more
largely
Deduced
:
and
others
also
might
easily
have
been
Added
.
But
if
all
this
should
not
be
Satisfactory
,
I
have
yet
a
Reserve
behind
:
which
I
am
ready
to
produce
,
if
there
shall
be
occasion
for
it
,
to
justifie
the
Principles
as
of
the
Catholick
Church
,
so
of
the
Church
of
Engl●nd
in
this
Point
.
Very
well
,
you
will
say
:
I
desir'd
to
know
,
how
the
Philadelphians
are
distinguish'd
from
the
Quakers
;
and
you
tell
me
that
they
are
not
distinguish'd
from
Them
,
neither
from
the
Church
of
England
it self
,
as
to
the
Grand
Point
of
the
Internal
Light
.
But
then
,
say
you
,
why
do
not
these
distinctly
state
what
they
mean
by
it
;
which
is
so
capable
of
being
misunderstood
,
and
so
liable
to
be
Abus'd
?
This
,
if
it
can
be
done
,
will
answer
the
Intent
of
that
Question
,
concerning
their
Discrimination
from
the
Quakers
.
I
answer
,
that
the
Philadelphians
do
state
it
,
after
the
same
manner
as
Justin
Martyr
,
and
the
most
Early
,
and
Soundest
,
Writers
of
the
Catholick
Church
.
They
will
refer
you
therefore
to
these
,
with
whom
they
express
their
full
Concurrence
:
who
,
they
say
,
were
not
such
Enemies
either
to
a
Publick
,
or
Private
Spirit
of
Revelation
,
as
the
Moderns
commonly
seem
to
be
.
But
these
are
the
more
to
be
excus'd
,
in
that
the
Excesses
of
some
wild
Pretenders
to
Inspiration
have
been
so
Enormous
,
within
our
own
Memory
,
as
to
warp
many
sober
Minds
too
much
to
the
other
side
.
Whereof
this
Society
being
sensible
,
they
study
no
less
to
guard
themselves
against
the
Quick-sands
of
Credulity
,
then
against
the
Rock
of
Incredulity
.
Wherefore
though
they
despise
not
Prophesying
;
yet
they
examine
all
things
,
and
will
have
the
Spirit
of
Prophesie
to
be
try'd
by
the
Prophets
.
Neither
do
they
receive
it
but
according
to
these
Limitations
:
viz.
I.
No
Private
is
to
oppose
its
self
to
a
Publick
Spirit
of
Revelation
.
II
.
No
Private
Spirit
of
Revelation
is
to
oppose
it self
to
a
Publick
Constitution
;
though
it
be
not
of
Immediate
Divine
Appointment
.
[
Where
by
Publick
Constitution
I
mean
both
the
Civil
and
Ecclesiastical
Power
:
and
by
Opposing
it
,
I
mean
the
Usurpation
of
a
Supreme
Dictatorial
Power
,
which
would
oblige
the
Consciences
of
others
.
]
III
.
The
Scriptures
,
according
to
the
Canon
thereof
by
us
receiv'd
,
are
a
Compleat
Rule
to
the
Church
,
both
with
Respect
to
Faith
,
and
Manners
:
and
is
therefore
to
be
the
Standard
of
all
Succeeding
Revelations
,
or
Inspirations
.
IV
.
No
Private
Spirit
of
Revelation
has
a
Right
to
set
up
a
New
Rule
,
but
only
to
Interpret
the
former
;
and
even
that
but
for
its
own
Private
use
,
and
for
that
of
as
many
as
shall
be
convinc'd
of
the
Truth
of
it
.
V.
The
Truth
of
the
History
of
Holy
Scripture
must
remain
inviolable
:
and
must
not
be
taken
away
,
or
diminish'd
,
by
any
Mystical
Interpretations
whatever
.
VI
.
Every
pretended
Spirit
of
Revelation
that
confesses
not
the
Cross
of
JESUS
of
Nazareth
:
or
that
would
find
out
Another
Jesus
,
must
be
Anathema
.
VII
.
The
true
Spirit
of
Revelation
cannot
abide
with
any
but
Holy
and
Humble
Souls
.
According
to
these
Restrictions
and
Limitations
They
can
judge
of
a
Spirit
of
Revelation
,
either
in
themselves
,
or
in
others
;
whether
it
be
True
,
or
False
;
whether
it
be
Good
,
Bad
,
or
Mixt
.
And
if
they
cannot
so
perfectly
judge
in
this
Case
,
they
leave
it
as
it
is
;
without
daring
either
positively
,
to
Accept
,
or
Reject
it
:
until
the
Light
shall
break
so
clearly
up
,
as
to
dispell
all
Doubts
.
According
also
to
these
Restrictions
They
do
judge
of
the
Principles
,
and
the
Practices
,
which
are
said
to
have
been
dictated
,
or
directed
,
by
Divine
Inspiration
:
and
do
leave
others
to
do
so
likewise
.
But
of
these
you
may
see
more
in
some
Experienc'd
Mystics
,
who
have
written
concerning
the
Discernment
of
Spirits
:
and
in
the
Occasional
Writings
of
Some
of
their
Society
,
but
especially
in
the
Editors
Preface
,
before
the
Second
Volume
of
Mrs.
Leads
Fountain
of
Gardens
,
with
respect
to
some
Bocks
of
that
Author
lately
sent
abroad
.
And
here
I
might
speak
to
the
Q●ery
concern●ng
the
Peculiar
Principles
and
Practices
of
the
Philadelphians
;
as
which
are
said
to
be
either
Founded
upon
,
or
Confirm'd
by
such
a
Sp●rit
of
Revelation
in
some
private
Persons
.
But
since
they
do
not
impose
them
on
others
,
I
shall
beg
leave
to
pass
'em
over
at
this
time
.
So
I
shall
only
deliver
you
my
Thoughts
of
that
singular
Opinion
of
Theirs
,
known
by
you
,
That
the
Coming
of
Christ
is
near
at
Hand
.
You
say
you
could
not
discern
from
what
Topicks
They
could
fetch
their
Evidence
:
For
it
cannot
be
found
out
by
Reason
;
neither
by
●r●vate
Revelation
,
without
a
Sign
;
nor
yet
by
the
Publick
Revelation
of
the
Scriptures
,
which
are
by
you
suppos'd
to
make
rather
against
,
then
for
them
.
As
to
the
first
of
these
they
grant
that
this
Thing
cannot
be
found
out
by
it
:
but
yet
they
are
apt
to
think
that
when
once
it
is
Discover'd
by
Revelation
,
it
may
be
Rationally
Confirm'd
by
certain
Phenomena
in
Nature
.
As
to
the
Second
,
they
chuse
rather
to
Wave
,
then
absolutely
to
lay
it
aside
.
For
they
themselves
may
possibly
have
an
Internal
Evidence
hereof
,
without
an
External
Sign
,
or
Assurance
to
others
:
and
therefore
may
be
allow'd
to
warn
and
awaken
the
World
,
that
they
may
prepare
against
that
Great
and
Solemn
Time
.
As
with
some
Prophets
it
has
been
:
who
have
been
found
to
Act
conformably
to
this
Internal
Evidence
alone
,
and
that
with
good
Success
.
But
this
I
am
Inform'd
is
under
the
Management
of
another
Pen
,
upon
whom
this
Task
has
been
laid
by
a
Person
of
very
great
Eminence
.
But
as
to
the
Third
,
which
is
the
Publick
Revelation
of
the
Scriptures
,
they
are
most
willing
to
joyn
Issue
there
.
Notwithstanding
they
distinguish
in
the
first
place
,
what
they
here
mean
by
the
Coming
of
Christ
;
and
what
by
the
near
Approach
of
it
.
Now
I
do
not
find
that
by
the
Coming
of
Christ
,
when
they
say
that
it
is
near
,
they
understand
his
Visible
Appearance
in
the
Clouds
:
but
a
coming
in
Spirit
,
or
in
powerful
Demonstrations
of
the
Holy
Ghost
,
for
the
Edifying
an
Holy
and
Perfect
Church
upon
the
Earth
,
amidst
whom
the
Living
Oracle
,
and
the
Shecinah
,
or
Tabernacle
of
Glory
may
remain
:
that
may
be
as
the
First
Fruits
of
a
Full
Harvest
afterward
to
be
gather'd
in
.
And
by
the
near
Approach
of
this
Spiritual
Coming
of
Christ
,
after
an
Extraordinary
Manner
,
they
mean
no
more
but
that
the
First
Breaking
out
of
it
is
very
nigh
,
(
probably
in
this
present
Generation
)
because
there
are
already
some
Witnesses
hereof
rais'd
up
in
diverse
Countries
;
and
that
there
shall
be
a
Gradual
Succession
and
Augmentation
of
the
same
,
till
the
whole
Number
of
the
First
Born
be
made
up
;
so
that
the
After
Born
,
or
the
Remnant
of
the
Seed
,
may
in
process
of
time
come
also
to
be
Admitted
into
the
same
Fold
,
So
that
the
Difficulties
that
are
by
you
drawn
from
the
11th
.
and
16th
.
Chapters
of
the
Revelations
of
St.
John
,
do
not
so
press
the
Philadelphian
Society
,
as
they
may
at
first
seem
to
do
.
For
they
grant
that
there
are
many
things
yet
to
be
Accomplish'd
before
that
Great
and
Personal
Coming
of
Christ
in
the
Days
of
the
the
Seventh
Trumpet
;
as
relating
to
the
Witnesses
,
the
Earthquake
,
the
Fall
of
the
Tenth
Part
of
the
City
,
the
Second
and
Third
Woe
,
&c.
Neither
do
they
dispute
,
whether
the
Effusion
of
the
Seven
Vials
,
be
to
be
understood
Mystically
,
or
Literally
;
or
both
ways
:
whether
any
of
them
be
yet
past
,
or
whether
all
of
them
remain
still
to
be
pour'd
out
:
whether
they
be
Gradual
Preparations
for
a
General
Conflagration
,
or
what
else
they
may
be
.
For
the
Foundation
of
this
Society
will
still
continue
the
same
:
And
though
they
should
not
be
able
nicely
to
fix
the
Beginning
of
the
Reign
of
Anti-Christ
,
yet
they
may
be
able
to
compute
pretty
well
,
that
the
Coming
of
Christ
(
as
before
Explicated
)
cannot
now
be
far
off
.
For
there
are
many
Motives
of
Credibility
,
and
Rational
Presumptions
,
which
they
draw
from
the
Written
Word
of
God
,
to
confirm
their
Judgment
in
this
Particular
,
of
the
nearness
of
the
Reign
of
Christ
in
Spirit
.
I
shall
instance
in
one
or
two
:
which
I
shall
leave
you
to
deduce
further
.
The
first
Motive
therefore
of
Credibility
for
the
near
Approach
,
of
Christ
in
the
Powers
of
his
Spirit
,
I
shall
take
from
the
Great
Line
of
Eccle-clesiastical
Time
,
which
was
given
by
the
Numberer
of
Secrets
to
the
Prophet
Daniel
,
and
was
to
expire
with
the
Purification
of
the
Sanctuary
,
which
is
the
Restitution
of
the
Church
to
its
Primeval
State
.
Now
nothing
more
will
want
to
be
suppos'd
here
,
but
that
according
to
the
Prophetical
Stile
,
a
Day
is
taken
for
a
Year
.
So
that
from
the
Date
of
the
Vision
untill
that
Blessed
Time
,
there
were
to
pass
away
two
Thousand
and
three
Hundred
Years
.
Now
let
us
examine
,
if
you
please
,
whether
these
be
yet
drawing
near
to
a
Period
.
This
will
not
be
difficult
to
find
out
:
since
it
shall
not
be
necessary
hereto
to
be
very
Nice
in
our
Calculations
.
This
we
may
be
easily
assur'd
of
,
that
Daniel
Prophesied
about
Six
Hundred
Years
before
the
Birth
of
Christ
:
and
that
the
Date
of
this
Vision
,
which
was
in
the
third
Year
of
the
Reign
of
Belshazar
(
call'd
Nebo
Niddochus
)
could
not
be
above
three
or
four
Year
more
or
less
;
according
to
the
Compu●●tion
of
some
Indifferent
Persons
.
Now
if
to
Six
Hundred
you
shall
add
the
Years
,
that
are
lapied
since
Christ
,
you
will
find
this
Term
allotted
for
the
Purification
of
the
Church
to
expire
about
the
end
of
this
present
Century
.
This
gross
Calculation
will
be
sufficient
for
my
Purpose
,
and
for
that
of
the
Society
.
Since
they
are
Sensible
,
that
an
exact
Scrutiny
into
this
Matter
is
of
very
great
Difficulty
,
if
not
of
absolute
Impossibility
:
upon
these
Accounts
,
viz.
1.
We
cannot
be
certain
of
what
Variation
there
may
be
in
the
Years
,
the
odd
Days
in
the
space
of
seventy
Years
making
up
one
Compleat
Year
.
2.
We
cannot
be
very
Certain
what
may
be
the
true
Aera
of
Christ's
Birth
;
som●
Chronologists
placing
it
two
,
three
,
or
even
four
Years
higher
or
lower
.
3.
We
cannot
be
certain
what
,
or
how
long
may
be
the
Shortening
of
the
Time
,
which
is
Promis'd
.
All
which
ought
to
make
every
one
very
Careful
in
Determinations
of
this
Kind
.
But
yet
all
due
Allowances
being
made
,
the
Distance
will
not
be
considerable
:
and
the
Philadelphian
Society
may
well
be
excus'd
for
Alarming
the
World
against
such
a
solemn
Day
,
as
is
drawing
on
,
in
order
to
prepare
for
it
by
a
good
Life
,
Universal
Charity
,
and
Union
among
the
Christian
Churches
.
Another
Motive
of
Credibulity
from
Scripture-Revelation
for
the
near
Approach
of
a
Great
and
Signal
Reformation
in
the
Church
,
according
to
the
most
perfect
Model
,
I
shall
take
from
that
most
Antient
Interpretation
,
or
Application
,
(
Generally
Receiv'd
by
the
Primitive
Christians
)
of
the
Seven
Days
of
the
Creation
and
Rest
of
the
World
;
the
Seven
Great
Days
,
each
containing
a
Thousand
Years
,
which
Allotment
seems
to
be
favour'd
by
no
less
a
Person
than
St.
Peter
.
Whence
if
there
be
,
according
to
the
known
Tradition
of
one
of
the
greatest
Schools
among
the
Jews
,
about
two
Thousand
Years
allow'd
before
the
Law
,
as
many
under
it
;
and
as
many
after
it
,
in
the
present
Dispensation
of
the
Christian
Church
;
it
will
follow
that
as
the
Seventh
Thousand
Years
are
to
be
the
Grand
Sabbatical
Day
of
this
Our
Orb
;
so
the
Preparation
for
it
must
be
some
proportionable
Time
before
,
in
the
Sixth
Thousand
,
like
as
the
Jewish
Sabbath
did
begin
upon
the
Evening
of
the
Sixth
Day
;
and
according
as
it
is
Prophesy'd
,
At
Even
tide
it
shall
belight
.
How
long
this
Proportionable
Time
may
be
I
do
not
fix
:
but
I
think
it
may
be
pretty
nearly
Calculated
●r●m
the
Type
.
However
I
shall
not
lay
any
greater
stress
upon
such
Typical
,
or
Mystical
Explications
,
though
well
grounded
,
than
you
are
willing
to
allow
them
.
Thus
much
at
least
I
dare
to
rely
on
that
it
is
not
contested
,
to
have
been
a
very
early
,
and
a
very
spreading
Belief
in
the
Church
.
There
are
several
other
Arguments
and
Motives
,
which
may
be
extracted
out
of
the
Holy
Scriptures
,
for
the
Authenticating
such
a
Belief
as
this
.
But
because
in
order
to
make
them
Convictive
,
some
things
must
be
previously
Prov'd
,
which
I
will
not
beg
to
be
Suppos'd
;
therefore
I
cannot
make
use
of
'em
at
present
.
So
I
am
necessitated
to
wait
till
the
way
be
more
clear'd
:
and
what
relates
to
the
Course
of
the
Jubilees
,
the
Feast
of
Tabernacles
,
as
also
that
of
Trumpets
,
and
the
Signs
of
the
Times
I
must
pass
over
;
with
some
Chronological
Disquisitions
that
might
be
too
Intricate
for
the
greatest
part
of
Readers
,
who
love
not
to
puzle
themselves
with
Difficulties
of
this
Kind
.
What
relates
to
the
Periodical
Successions
of
the
Church
,
according
to
the
Seven
Typical
Churches
of
Asia
;
and
especially
to
the
Period
now
about
beginning
:
and
to
the
Solution
of
that
Q●estion
,
whether
the
Seventh
and
the
Sixth
be
Concomitant
,
or
Successive
States
;
I
am
oblig'd
to
consider
,
(
if
God
shall
enable
me
by
his
Spirit
,
that
Searcheth
the
hidden
things
)
in
Answer
to
some
Questions
lately
sent
from
a
very
Learned
Querist
.
In
the
mean
time
I
shall
only
say
,
that
we
now
seem
to
be
drawing
near
to
an
End
of
the
Sardian
State
:
and
that
the
Weak
Beginnings
of
the
Philadelphian
will
concur
with
this
,
till
it
obtain
more
Strength
,
and
the
former
be
made
to
give
place
to
it
.
For
which
Blessed
Days
to
Watch
and
Pray
is
the
Peculiar
Employment
of
this
Society
:
that
so
LOVE
may
triumph
over
all
,
unite
all
Breaches
,
cement
all
Ruptures
,
and
reconcile
all
Differences
;
that
amidst
all
the
Contending
Brethren
,
who
profess
the
Name
of
Christ
,
an
Universal
Peace
may
be
establish'd
in
which
Mercy
and
Truth
may
meet
each
other
;
and
that
the
Angelical
Hosts
beholding
the
Peace
of
our
Jerusalem
,
may
again
Sing
Glory
to
God
in
the
Highest
;
and
cry
to
each
other
,
How
Good
and
how
Pleasant
is
it
f●r
Brethren
thus
to
dwell
together
in
Unity
!
This
is
the
Phi●adelphian
Ab●rm
,
which
they
have
now
begun
to
sound
:
and
will
not
give
over
to
sound
,
till
the
Revived
Church
of
Jerusalem
,
in
Philadelphia
,
be
built
as
a
City
that
is
compacted
together
,
by
the
indissoluble
Knot
of
Fraternal
Love
.
Neither
are
they
afraid
to
expose
themselves
so
:
so
Excellent
a
Cause
,
as
they
have
appear'd
for
:
but
do
the
more
loudly
redouble
their
Cry
,
Arise
,
O
ye
Brethren
,
and
let
as
go
up
together
unto
the
TESTIMONY
of
Israel
,
to
give
Thanks
unto
the
Name
of
the
Lord
.
For
there
do
sit
the
Thrones
of
JUDGMENT
.
And
while
I
am
but
mentioning
this
,
my
Heart
even
burns
within
me
for
Zeal
to
our
Common
Country
,
that
they
may
hear
the
Voice
of
this
Cry
,
which
is
now
sounded
in
their
E●rs
:
and
may
lay
aside
all
little
Animosities
and
Bitternesses
;
so
agreeing
to
worship
the
Lord
with
one
Lip
and
with
one
Heart
,
in
Peace
and
Love
without
End.
Whether
this
may
be
thought
Worthy
of
the
Cognisance
,
or
Consultations
,
of
the
Governors
and
Representatives
of
the
Church
Establish'd
by
Law
,
as
also
of
the
several
Classes
of
Dissenting
Brethren
from
her
(
who
do
not
generally
so
much
as
pretend
to
Dissent
,
but
for
the
Cause
of
greater
Purity
and
Spirituality
)
I
leave
you
,
Sir
,
(
and
Them
)
to
consider
.
And
how
far
an
Enterprise
of
this
Nature
,
when
freed
from
Mistaken
Constructions
,
may
be
fit
to
be
Promoted
by
Both
;
and
how
far
it
may
also
hope
for
the
Favourable
Concurrence
at
this
time
,
and
Encouragement
of
all
Reform'd
(
if
not
of
all
Christian
)
Princes
,
and
States
;
and
(
in
a
Special
Manner
)
of
Such
Now
Bearing
the
Key
of
the
Government
in
this
Kingdom
,
for
some
End
yet
reserv'd
in
God's
Secret
Cabinet
;
and
particularly
,
of
that
Noble
and
Honourable
Assembly
which
is
Now
Sitting
,
and
Consulting
the
most
Probable
Ways
and
Means
to
Secure
Peace
and
Prosperity
to
This
Nation
;
If
the
said
Enterprize
shall
be
found
Suitable
and
Proper
to
those
Ends
of
the
Philadelphian
Society
(
at
Home
and
Abroad
)
which
have
been
Propo●'d
;
I
leave
you
also
to
consider
,
and
the
Supreme
Mover
of
all
Hearts
to
direct
.
Thus
have
I
freely
open'd
to
you
the
Sence
of
this
Society
,
and
the
Grounds
of
their
Pretensions
:
And
in
what
I
have
been
defective
you
will
do
,
Sir
,
an
Acceptable
Piece
of
Service
in
signifying
it
to
Your
Humble
Servant
,
Philadelphus
.
Second
Message
to
the
Philadelphi●n
Society
;
and
Touch-stone
to
the
gather'd
Churches
.
p.
107.
This
is
the
PHILADELPHIAN
Church
which
I
must
Proclaim
;
and
which
is
already
,
in
some
Measure
,
Begun
:
And
,
though
at
first
it
has
but
a
little
Strength
,
and
be
Comparatively
as
a
Grain
of
Mustard
Seed
,
it
shall
spring
up
as
a
mighty
Tree
;
whence
the
Lebanon-Glory
,
under
the
Shadow
of
it
,
will
come
to
open
,
in
Power
and
MAJESTY
.
See
Seder
Olam
.
p.
147.