WAs not there a plant planted amongst you once , a tender plant which had a little rooting in a tender ground , which began to appear out of the earth more in beauty then all the wild trees of the forrest , it also did begin to blosom , and some tender grapes did appear , and the roots and branches began to spread , and to bend it self towa●ds him that planted it , and made its appearance towards heaven , and there was great hopes of a blessing in it , and that it would have covered the earth with its comeliness that was beginning to be put upon it ; insomuch as the Oaks and Cedars , and all the rest of the trees , the bryars and brambles began to envy its appearance , and gathered in Counsel against it , and great strength : but the maker thereof seeing it bending to him ; in that strait undertook to make room for it , cutting down some , and plucking up others by the roots , even of the tallest and strongest that withstood its spreading , until he left scarce a bryar to hinder the fruitfulness thereof . Then he looked that it should arise , and spread , and bring forth fruits , according to its own nature , tender and good ; and this was that which bare the name of tender consciences , and indeed did so prevail in many , as nothing was to be compared with it , n●r valued like it , whose fame was spread in the world .

But now stand still and behold what is become of this plant ; and what the fruits is you bring forth , and how you are turned into a degenerate plant of your selves , since the Lord took away Kings , Bishops , and all the whole body of ●pposition ; compare your spring and your harvest together , and see what was sown , and what is now to reap amongst you for God .

Come to your faith , and come to your fruits , and try if they be of that nature which was sown and planted , which is from above ; or have they that life or power ; or have they that heavenly image ? Are you not conformed to this present world ? And have you not that beastly marke of Pride of covetousness , of self love , and all the works of the flesh ? What testimony hold you forth openly this day from heaven against the wickedness that abounds in your streets , openly , as it abounds openly ; that you may be known to be from above , and not of this world to all that pass by ; that they may believe who cannot receive , a fained profession without works of life , nor faith in words without fruits ? By what will you be known not to be of the world , but to be on the Lambs part this day of battel ? and what marks of his do you bear in your flesh , by which his enemies may be judged in themselves , of all their ungodly wayes , and hard speeches , which a profession without life hath cast upon him these many years of daies ? By what are you manifest to every ones conscience . And by what shall the ignorant say , God is in you of a truth , and fall down before his righteouss power ? Have you his lively image upon you in truth and righteousness in the streets ; Or can you say indeed , The Lord your redeemer liveth , and reigneth in you , in the face of your actions , hath he redeemed you from all iniquity : or are you presented without spot : or doth your faith say , that ever you shall , while you live ? Is not all hope decayed , and many of you gone back from what you once were , many degrees ? Alas for you ! is this the faith of God which with the flesh is overcome ? Or are these the fruits of the heavenly plant ? What is become of your Lords money , and how is your gold become dross ? Is there not a more precious witness troden down under all this ? & doth not the pearl lie covered under all this earth ? Is there not a holy one of another nature : and feel you nothing moving to bring forth better fruits ? I know there is a measure of Christ in you ; why is it you are so gone astray from his counsel , and erred in your hearts from his pretious life ? Why will you not hearken to that which once was drawing you out of the world , for which you did bear the cross and reproach thereof ? were not you once they that were called the spiritual men and women , and became a scorn because you professed the obedience to its moving ? And what way did it then lead you , and into what was it turning you ? Were you not then hated for this names sake ; and did not it lead you down into meekness and patient sufferings ? and could you not then rejoyce in that you were counted worthy to bear his reproach openly in hope of his appearance to plead your innocency . How did you then begin to preach and practise lowliness of mind ; and pride began to become a shame , and covetousness abominable ; and a spiritual man , who had a tender conscience , who could rather die then defile himself with vain customes , was not such a one , a jewel in your eyes ? and in his sufferings you could feelingly share . Did not that spirit lead you out of your old dark forms of worship which you received by tradition ? and did not your light and life arise as you removed by following thereafter : and did you not leave them in darkness that came not out with you ? and none was able to withstand that spirit by which you then spoke and walked whilst you were going that way ; but your adversary was forced to betake him self to carnal weapons . And did not your God then save you by his spirit , and by weak means scatter the mighty , that he might make way for this plant to grow ? But what way did you then take ? let that of God in you be witness . Did you not soon grow into ease and carelesness , and so let the Spirit of your old enemies overtake you , and many of those things by which your consciences was then oppressed , are you yielded to , and the worldly spirit you have suffered to beset you , and enter you again , which hath turned your faces into the worlds riches and glory , with which you are covered at this day , and soon left off to follow that spirit that led out of this ; which the Lord seeing , was grieved : But for his names sake , not willing his work should fall , did call another people to his light , and many from far whom you then counted not a people , are come to the brightness of his rising , to follow his spirit ; and what is now become of the children of the kingdom ? and what is the fruit of that Vineyard ? Are not you now the great opposers of that spirit , and of its light within ? undervaluing it as though it were not worthy to be a leader , nor able to keep in the paths of safety . Ah foolish people , have you well requited your Redeemer ? or did his leadings deserve this from you ? While you followed him in spirit , the husband of your youth ; what evil found you in his light while you hearkened to it ? compare your way then and your way now , and be witnesses against your selves for ever . What is this you have done ? How is that spirit become your enemie , that then was your leader ? Was he your enemy till you changed your way , and returned back into the love of the world , in which that spirit could not follow you , nor own you , nor change with you ? So him that doth not change , you have left ; and testifie against his light since you received the spirit of the World . So darkness now cannot comprehend the light , nor his own receive him . Who hath changed their God like you ? The guid of your youth is now as an adversary in your way , testifying against you in your own hearts ; so you would stop his way in the heart of others . If this be not so , let him be witnesse , whose spirit condemns sin in the flesh , with all its motions in every one where his light is minded ; which will truly let you see ( as many as with faith and diligence hearken thereto ) what way you are going , and what hath befallen you since you became resisters of that holy Spirit in its Temple , and hath set up Idols without you , and how the spirit of the world hath prevailed to cover you with his own vanities , and fading glory , till you have nothing left to separate you from the world but a form , without the life of the Saints .

And now you having suffered the plant of life to be covered with the earthly spirit , and having sold your selves under the fleshly power for want of a stedfast and faithful watch in the Spirit of life , which did once redeem you in measure ; now is the same spirit coming over you in the powers of the world , ready to rise up against your form also ( which is all you have left ) under which you must either join or suffer . And when this comes upon you , to whom will you cry for help ? or where will you leave your glory ? or how will you do to save your Sanctuary in which you trust ? If you look to the god of this world , you may easily have his favour , but then you must take upon you his form , and then what must become of your own you have trusted in , and so cryed up for a Sanctuary ?

And if you cry to the Lord , will not his light in your consciences tell you , that he was once your Redeemer , whilst you would own his Spirit in you for a leader , and that it was not he that sold you , but your iniquities , and chusing other gods , and letting in the worlds Idols into his Temple , and denying him therein , that hath now overtaken you again ; and will not the second evil be worse then the first ? When every sacrifice comes to be salted with fire , then will you know what it is for the salt to lose its savour : then will such be seen to be blessed , who have salt in themselves , and who have not turned their light into darkness , nor denyed the Lord that bought them ; then wo to the vessel which is filled with that which will not abide the fire . And this day is near at hand to come upon him that believes , and him that believes not .

And at that day , that which you have been filling the vessel with will be a heavy burthen , though pleasant in the heaping up , with which you have oppressed the just , and darkened that holy light that should have shined in your hearts , which once was arising to have given you the knowledge of God in purity : which gives to see the odiousness of all iniquity , and a way out of it ; which spirit had you retained ( as God ) you should not have slain the just , nor taken pleasure in unrighteousness , nor been filled with ungodliness , like the world , as at this day your works are found to be , nor opposers of the spiritual light that leads out of the world . For in the light , which now you oppose , dwells no wickedness , nor unrighteousnes ; no covetousness , fornication , malice , envy , deceit , hatred , pride , despight , lust , nor oppression , nor fleshly pleasures inhabits in the light ; but with it are judged and condemned , and cast out : for it is the house of God , who dwells in the light , which sees all these to be vile affections , to which they are given up , who are children that disobey the light and deny it , and take pleasure in these deeds of darkness , on whom the wrath of God abides ; on which works the fire wil take hold , and whose end is to be burnt : which works you have seen to be evil with the light , while you were led by the spirit , and did condemn them in others , and preach against them , and do the same things ; and plead for them now in your selves , and now having no excuse to cover you , you rage when you are told thereof in sound words : But your Teachers you will hear , which are of your own , and one with you herein , who feed the ear , but starves the soul .

And now when you hear of these things from such as love your souls , take heed to your spirits , that nothing arise as in the dayes of Cain : for the strong man hath had a time to fortifie himself within you , and he will rage if his kingdom be entred . Wherefore hearken not to that which is above in the high mind , but return to that spirit which is lowly , and sink down into meekness , and take counsel at that spirit which receives truth in love , and abides the search with patience , and in whom there is no guilt , there will be no wrath , for we do not this to stir up the evil , but to overcome it with truth . And as many of you as upon true search are justified in the light of life , with such we rejoyce , and are one , and seek unity herein , in one testimony of life ; and for such as have put on a fair covering , and a large garment above , but these evils are seen in the skirts of it ; this is not to discover any thing which true love can hide , but that such might see with that , with which they are seen and mourn in secret with those that mourn for you in secret , seeking the way to return . But for most part it is too plain a truth to need a secret search to be seen , for it s come into the streets , and in the places of your worships , and in your daily imployment ; it is found upon all these . So wickedness , being come into the streets , truth may not creep into a corner to reprove it . Nay , it s high time to cry aloud , not to spare the whore ; for with an impudent face hath she back-slided from her youth , and hath decked her self with the attire of a harlot . Is not pride become a glory openly amongst you ? and to deceive souls hath got the name of decency , and covered under the finest forms of Religion ; and the Scriptures of truth which forbids it , wrested through your subtilty to plead for it , against the light in your own consciences ; and how can humility hold her peace thereat ? How are our honourable men and women , who were once covered with grace , and lovely in the beauty of holiness and modesty , bedaubed with ribbons , lace , bables , and foolish vanities not worth the naming , and too many to mention ? And how can wisdom but utter her voice against such whoredoms , and call her children from the paths of the destroyer . And to that of God in you all we appear , what spirit that is which is offended therein ; or can he that glories in such folly hear Wisdoms voice ? See what spirits you are of .

And if you be the Churches of Christ , or if any of you be sensible of his suffering , who hath long suffered under all this filth , then strip your selves thereof , and come forth to his help against this height of wickedness that is now grown to the full , and hath fenced its way against all reproof and teaching , so that nothing is now left but the life to finish its testimony against it unto blood-suffering , which now is at the door . So if you be on the Lambs part , who now hath a controversie with the whore , then come take his Cross and follow him , and hold forth his contrary life a witness in your bodies against all this wickedness . If you be baptized into him , put him on , and if you have received him , walk in him openly : for his coming is not in the secret Chambers , to witnesse against wickedness that s come forth in the open streets , nor in the desert to testifie against his enemie that rules in the places of greatest concourse ; but in streets , and markets , temples and Synagogues , where these whoredoms are acted , there he utters his voice , and layes down his pretious life for a witnesse against them , as in the daies of old in his Saints , so now it is , glory to God for evermore , whose day is world without end , which who ever comes to , must give up their bodies as a sacrifice , holy , and they onely are acceptable at his coming , and fit for his use , glory for ever .

Wherefore be not so deceived , to think that long preaching and praying against these evils in your words , with the power thereof ruling in your hearts , captivated within , and covered therewith without , hath power to overcome this spiritual wickedness , or make it ashamed in the streets , or drive it into a corner which you practice your selves openly ; for it s the life of Christ that s cross to all this , and the Lamb must take the victory . Therefore in the fear of God , turn to the spirit from whence you are gone , that his light may give you the knowledge of God in your hearts , and what you have of his power to save you from this evil generation , by reedeeming your minds out of these vanities , your hearts out of the wo●ld , and your bodies and estates to himself , as a sacrifice freelie given up to bear his testimonie in your bodies , and in your estates , against the evil that now abounds , to the convincing of such as are out of the wayes of God , by his walkings in you , by the steps of his spirit which will shine forth as a light in your lives , if you become obedient thereto , forsaking your own waies to be led thereby . And let not your high thoughts deceive you , nor trust in lying words ; for you are no further redeemed then you have this power given from above , and this treasure in the earthen vessel , which is life from the dead ; this is the riches of his grace , which saves by faith , and the gift of God , glorie and life eternal . And he that saith , he is redeemed , and yet is led captive in his mind into these evils , and walks in them , is a lyar before the Son , and blasphems the holy Name of Christ , and causes it to be blasphemed through the world . But he that is baptised into Christ , and all this filth buried , and that life that delights in them mortified , and self covered with his lowly spirit , having received the gift of God , and put him on , and walks in him , honours him , and him that sent him , and hath fellowship with the father and the Son , led with the spirit out of the world , through his sufferings , his death and resurrection , and such onely know the life of Christ , and gift of God , to whom it is given not onely to believe , but to suffer for to spread his Name and Power , and to preach his truth and righteousness , and to hold forth his vertue , as it is in him , according to the measure of him received in spirit , not adding nor deminishing : and this is the true ministration of life , and gospel-light , which calls to the simple with power , and which is manifest to that of God in every conscience , and that lively faith which is known by its works , which attains the glory of God , for its witness . But a faith there is which to this life is reprobate , which stands not upon the foundation of righteousness , but stands in lying words without fruits of the spirit , to glorifie God , or evidence the substance in life , and whose conversation is not Christ , yesterday , to day , and for ever ; but glories in swelling words and conceivings of what Christ was and will be ; putting him a far off , but to day hears not his voice , nor bears his image ; and these are they that glory in word , but not in power , whose faith doth not overcome the world , but gives way to the Devil , alwayes promising great things to come , but themselves servants to these corrupt things , and this is faith without works .

And with this net are many easily caught , who being convinced in their understanding of a form nearer the letter , and having got words sutable thereto , then are received Church-members , and presently having changed their opinion , become new believers , and teachers of others , as though they had attained some great thing , not minding to prove their new faith with the light of life , and truly to try it , what life is in the new , more then in the old , by its powerful working in the vessel : whether it be that faith which purifies the hart and hands , which mistery stands not in fained words , but in a pure conscience , purging the vessel , and fitting the temple of God for his coming by the spirit of his Son , which faith opens as it cleanses , drinking in the new through the death of the old ; by which the just lives , which gives the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus , not in vain words , and who are gathered into this faith are gathered with the living faith , which worketh and conforms to Christ , within , and without , to live his life , and manifest his life to the world , in their mortal bodies , and to bear his name and nature , his marks and sufferings in their conversation before his enemies , shewing him to be the same to day blessed for evermore , and such are baptised into his likeness in death and resurrection in a true measure .

But who are gathered with words without power , and a faith without this holy life , such may run a heaps , swel high , and make many heads & horns , yet all make but one beast , and their several names serve but to make up his number , to which they must arise , all against the Lamb : but his life and power they cannot reach , neither can they read his Name nor bear his marke who are not redeemed from the earth , but the whores heart , and the beasts image is their mark , which now is come into the open view , and cannot be hid : that being the whorish heart which loves the things of this world ; and that s the beast which bears her , whose life is in them , and lusts after them , striving and fighting for them , and whose glory stands therein , and to be covered therewith , so that you need not dive so deep with your dark wisdom , to find whose you are , for the light is come which gives the knowledge of God , and who are his Temples , and in whom he walks , and in the face of Jesus this is known in every conversation , which light God hath shined in the heart for that purpose : And the power of the beast is seen with the light in all consciences , his Image and mark shining out of his Temple , wherein his seat and kingdom is ; so that he that runs may read , each head , and their mark , and they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts , and have put on Christ , and walk in him , and his face is seen , and in such onely are the fruits of the spirit manifest ; and they that have denyed the spirit , it s light and leadings are enemies to its life , and in such the fruits of the flesh are manifest , and can be no longer hid . And all you who have followed your own spirits , and denyed the light of Christ , with the light in every conscience are you made manifest , not to be spiritual men and women , which light judges pride , covetousness , deceitful dealing , and all your wanton pleasures , and vain customs , to be works of the flesh , so the light denies you , and therefore you deny it before men , and these are found amongst your Churches , and the light hath laid you so naked , that the blind world sees you , and have power over your holy things , to trample them under feet , saying , What is their profession worth ? they are as proud and covetous , &c. as we are ; and can lye and dissemble as others , and we will never more trust them for their professions . Thus is your Ordinances covered with reproach , because you have denied the spirit , and have covered your selves with that which spiritual men count dross and dung , and you are not found tender consciences . And to that of God in your consciences are we manifest , that this is truth ; and to God Almighty , that this is not to upbraid any one , or to glory in wickedness , but in love to the Spirit of God , who hath quickened us out of these things , and to your souls , which are wounded and slain thereby , and to warn you of what we see coming on , having felt the terror of the Almighty against the way you have chosen , who could rejoyce to meet you in your return , and desires to separate from none of you but in your sin , and that which devours t●e Creation to feed the lust , which is separated from God for ever , and you as long as to it you joyn , whatever you profess . And this is to call to you all to return to the Lord , who is that Spirit , and that life wherein all must worship that would be received of the Father ; for God will confound Babel , and all that give glory to Images , and all that confess a likeness instead of life ; and that you might all see that this is coming upon you , who cry the Ordinances of God in words with your lips , but deny his light in your hearts , and his Spirit and Word there , which is the great Ordinance of God written with the finger of God before the letter was , and endures to all generations , and that by which all outward shadows were given forth , which changes shadows : and it is the substance and body , which is Christ within , the hope of glory , and worship in spirit , and the truth in heart , which changes not , which God looks at , and seeks such this day to worship him , and gives them power over the world , who confess to the spirit and life within , and worships God in his Temple made without hands , wherein he is lifted up in truth and righteousness , light and true Judgement this day in your streets against the horn of wickednesse , where he is confessed in life and power , and glory is given to the spirit alone , and he owns it , and receives it , and bears witnesse to it , with his presence , with his sufferings , and with his blood , and is daily cloathing such vessels with the Son , whom he brings forth in the everlasting arm and life , and this is the birth he loves , and the child of his own bosom begotten again , which bears his Image lively against all the world , though it be but never so little , that dare not disobey what he leads to in spirit , to conform to the will of man , though to save their lives or liberties , but daily cast up all as dung that they may win Christ , this spirit and life , to lead and redeem them out of the dark world , which nothing else can do but this spirit , and this is the Immanuel and the man-child that was and is , and is to come , world without end . And since the father saw him appear upon earth , in this image , he hath loved him , and owned him , though his appearance be as a lilly amongst the thorns , and many tall trees which have great names would stop his appearance , that he might not be seen , nor confession made to his light and rising in this lowly stature , yet is the father daily making his way before him , cutting down many high grown plants , who are not of this lowly nature , and many fall on each hand , some into the earth are sunk and buried , some into the red sea raging , into blood and persecution , and all to make way for the Lamb to be seen and known by his life to be he that was to come , for whose sake God is selling Egypt , and spoiling them of their jewels , and confounding of Babel , whose lives and language are now seen to be contrary . And thus is he drying up the sea , that Kings may come and worship in spirit , and they that overcome the world , may confess thereto , and that he may recover his glory to himself in spirit , which men have given to visible things , and shaddowes , that can neither see nor save , and where the pearl is lost , God loves not for your sacrifice .

And this is written to you all , that you may see what hath covered you since you have erred in spirit , denyed the light , and have walked in the wind , and have exalted great forms and outward things above the spirit ; so with outward earthly things are you covered , and not with the spirit , and as you have delighted to spend your strength and studdy to set up the letter above the light , and your carnal Ordinances to be the salvation , and so have not given glory to the spirit , but have given glory to that which is not God , to oppose the light and spirit of God , and his living word in the heart , which onely hath power to save , and enlighten the heart against the powers of the prince of this world . So with the light you may see what power now rules in your hearts , and with what glory you are covered , and that which you have been contending for with others , against the spirit hath not given you power to contend against the world , and overcome , but you may feel your selves captivated to that which some of you ( who are not yet hardened ) would not : others are come so as to glory in their shame , in open pride and vanity , and fleshly pleasures ; and with the same mouth they plead for the idol , with the same they plead for his fruits .