which was brought forth in the daies of the Apostles? Must there not be a perfect coming out of the corrupt state (in the whole nature, several parts and degrees of it) be∣fore there can be a restoration to and witnessing of the true and pure state? Must not the Christians now come out of all the Antichristian Inventions and Churches, as well as the Christians of old came out of all the Heathenish worships, yea out of the Jewish worship and Church (which once was of God) before they can become an holy building and habita∣tion to God in the spirit? Yea doth not the same spirit, which cryed to the people of God then, Come out from among them, and be ye separate &c. call and cry now, Come out of her, my people, out of Babylon, out of the false Church, out of all the Antichristian buildings, which are reared up after the se∣veral forms and waies of mens inventing, but out of the spi∣rit, life and power, which alone is able to build up in and unto the Lord? And what is that which cries out against se∣paration, in this day of the Lord's dividing and separating, but that spirit which would hold back the soul, from being gathered to the Lord, in the Chains of darkness and in the Land of death and confusion?
O that men knew that which divides and separates, and which is appointed by God to divide and separate both in∣wardly and outwardly, and might feel the full work and ef∣fect of it, even perfect separation from all that is not of God, that so they might be joyned to him and built up in him, who is the life, rest, peace, joy and pure breath of the soul for ever! The word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any two-edged Sword, and what doth it do? Why, it separates between Nation and Nation, between Church and Church, between People and People, between Cattel and Cattel, between Soul and Soul, yea between the thoughts and intents of the same heart, owning and cherishing all that is of the pure, and condemning and destroying all that is of