To all that want peace with God to the sheep everywhere not brought home, ... plainly published, concerning the way of life, and of the gradual comings forth of death through law ... / ... Humphry Smith.

Thirdly, Concerning the Ministration of the Spirit, which abideth for ever.

MOses and his Ministry were visible, and Christ in the form of a servant (and so like unto Moses) was visible, and so was his miracles, and that which is visible to the natural eye, the car∣nal mind can come to profess, and contend about, but the blessed eye, which God openeth with the Light, cometh to see, the one

done away, and the other finished by Christ, the Light and Life.

And the Spirit is that which first moved, and yet moveth, and moved unto, and led through the visible Ministration; and this spi∣rit is invisible, as it is written, the invisible only wise God, whom no eye of flesh hath seen, or can see. and this moving invisible spi∣rit of God which is without limit or end, is that which all people should be led unto, by all its outward visible appearances, ministra∣tions, and dispensations, and this spirit was that which gave forth and ordained the ministration of the law, which was glorious in its time, though to be done away: but how much more glorious is the ministration of that spirit of life it self, from which the ministrati∣on of the Law came, which spirit abideth for ever; And the Second Adam is made a quickning spirit, and the spirit which is the word was with God, and was God, before the body of flesh was made, and that spirit abideth for ever, as is heard out of the Law, he shall abide for ever, and this is that which ever liveth to intercede.

And, this for ever blessed invisibe spirit was before time, and is to be, when time shall be no more, and is without limit; an eternal lively substance, giving life from it self, and secretly covering it self from the carnal part of man, not seen nor understood, but by such as by its secret motions comes to be led to see through that which shadows it forth, and by the Image, Forme, Shaddow, or Figure, to discern the substance, which is the life, where immortality dwel∣leth; for in the most innermost and secret of all, is the life of all, be∣ing couered over with that in which it lies; through the which it breaking forth in any discovery of it self, is that whereby the behol∣ders might be drawn through the discovery to it self, which in the discovery broke forth; for the discovery was still too short of that from whence it came, & that which was discovered forth in any sha∣dow, Forme, or Image, was not to be Idolized, nor set up, for the every thing or substance of life, from whence it proceeded; and herein hath been much mistake, by such, who came not by that, which opened in the visibles, to that from whence it came, in that, to have their un∣derstandings opened, and thereby to be made sensible of that which is eternal, by it to be brought in, where its indwellings abideth fore∣ver, whose breakings forth in the visible (which was to draw to that invisible) refreshed the ••••ul invisibly, in an unexpected manner, and time; but being (after) sought for in the visibles

(and not in the eternal) Withdraws it self out of the visibles, and out of the sight and reach of that which seeks it there, that thereby, that which is to live for ever with it, may come through all that which it appeared in, unto the very thing, and invisible substance it self which is the life of all, and the true center of the living mo∣tion which moveth of it self, and gave forth all things good, as they proceeded from it, by vertue of its gradual, and various motions; and this being come, openeth it self in them that find it, and live therein, and this maketh Darkness Light before the people whose dwelling is with God; and the crooked comes to be made staight by the thing it self, and dark sayings of old comes to be opened, and secret things revealed.

But to write more plain for the sake of the weak, of this glori∣ous indwelling spirit, which in the fulness of time cometh forth in flesh laying hold of the seed of Abraham, the most glorious appea∣rance that ever was, being thus appeared was the express image of God, who dwelleth in his people, whose bodies are flesh and earthly tabernacles; but by the operation of the sanctifying clean∣sing spirit, which the Father sendeth, are made fit habitations of God, and so co-heirs with Christ, and members of his body, flesh, and bones; which Spirit quickneth to God, and being thus recei∣ved and obeyed, is felt to live for ever, though the shadowings forth of it be done away, and this is eternal and never endeth, but abideth with such for ever; and the ministration of it, is life it self to the soul, and more to be valued, and desired, than all that e∣ver was seen before it.

And as the Lord took of that spirit which was upon Moses, and put it upon his brethren, the Elders of Israel, whereby they might Rule, and judge with him; so saith Christ, the Father shall take of mine, & give unto you, even of that spirit of Love, Life, Power, Va∣lour, and Vertue, which was upon and in him (that was like unto Moses) is ministred into, & put upon such as are truly his brethren, & friends, whereby with him they (thus gifted, sanctified, and quali∣fied) judgeth the world, for all judgment is committed to the Son, and of that which the Son hath (and is committed to him) doth the Father give unto his members, and so from Christ the head, they come to receive power over the World, and its Way, Wor∣ship, and Fashions, and over unclean spirits. And that is an unclean

spirit which will lead into any sin, and it is an unclean spirit in which sin standeth, and which pleadeth for the continuance, and uphol∣ding of that which is unclean, and that is of the World, which the Saints judgeth.

And as those Elders of Israel (who were of the Church in the Wilderness) were not made fit to Judge, nor Rule in outward mat∣ters by all the writings and words of the law (though received by disposition of Angels) until the Lord himself took of that Spirit which was upon Moses and put upon them.

So those that profess to be Elders in the Church now, or any o∣ther person whatsoever, are much less made fit to Rule, or Judge in spiritual matters, by all the reading and professing Moses wri∣tings, and Christs words, and the rest of the holy Scriptures (though they were given by the inspiration of God) until the Lord take of that spirit, which was upon, and in Christ (who is like unto Moses) and give unto, and pour it upon, and minister it in unto them. And this is done in Gods way (which is secret) and time (which is in his own hand) to those whom he accounteth worthy thus to honour, and who truly waiteth for it, as a wayfering man for a resting place, and as a Captive for deliverance.

And though Christ (after his resurrection) said, All power in Heaven and in Earth is given unto me, Go ye therefore and teach, yet they were to tarry until they had the power in themselves, and when that was come, which they were to tarry, and wait for, then with that they went and so taught the Nations, from the sensible feeling of that which taught them how to teach, and all thing else, when the same Spirit and power was upon them, which was before committed unto him; and so the coming forth of it from him into them, and filling them therewith, was to them in that work of the Ministry most effectual, like as the vertue going forth of Christ healed the woman; so the power and vertue of the holy spirit, coming forth from Christ, being sent of the Father, and re∣ceived by the Disciples (who with much desire waited for that▪) impowered them to do that which before they were commanded to do, after they were endued with power (or had the power in them) and so what they were commanded to do, they were to wait to receive power in themselves, from God to performe; and Christ did intend to give them power to do that which he commanded: and as he commanded them to go and teach, he also required them

to tarry (and so not to go) until they had received power so to do, and so it was the power of the Holy Ghost in them, which made them Ministers▪ and these were, and such are, truly Ordained Ministers: And after they had received power from on high, even the spirit (or life) of truth, and were filled therewith, and so had it in them, then they went to do that which was commanded them, then they went to teach the Nations, and converted thou∣sands, and turned sinners, and brought soules to God, and then they were called Christians, and then were people brought to be of the true Church which Christ buildeth, upon that which flesh and blood revealeth not.

And this is the entrance into the Church of God, 2 Thes. 1. 1. the receiving of the spirit, and in this God is worshipped, & not else for this hath excluded all, other worship, and those only are the true worshippers, who comes in thus by the door, which is Christ, the light and spirit of truth, sent into the heart from God.

And if all the prudent learned Divines (so called) in Europe, or all, or any of the wisest Orthodox men (so call'd) in any other quarter of the whole World, can prove (by the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament) any other true worship of God (who is a Spirit) now extant among men, and to be performed (especially among them called Christians) with acceptance to God, but only that, which the spirit of truth leadeth such unto, as receive it; then let them bring it forth that we may see it, and prove it by plain undeniable truth of Scripture; or otherwise I shall look upon their proofs, words, wayes, actions, practises, performances, duties, and se∣veral worships as things of no value.

Or if there be any other entrance into the true worship of God than this Spirit that God sendeth (or the Light which leadeth to it) or if there be, any other worship which God doth, or will accept to be after this, spoken or prophesied of in the Scriptures of truth; whereby this shall ever be done away, or ended from being the true, only, and alone worship of God, whil'st men have a being up∣on earth; then let the wisest of the Sons of men bring it forth, and produce there strong reasons therein, that we may plead together, and that the entrance into, and the true worship it self of the only true invisible God, may be declared over all the World, for the sa∣tisfaction of every tender heart concerning this.

For this I am satisfied in, that Christ Jesus (who is the end of

the Law, and who finished his work, when he was upon earth) is made a quickning Spirit, and is the way and truth of life, which bringeth into the worship of God, and he is the beginning and the end, and he leadeth to the beginning of Gods Worship, and he is the end, and the Rest of all the faithful, in whom all the promises are yea and Amen; and without him all is as nothing, and all that come before him are thieves, and robbers, and he it is that abideth a Priest for ever, and his spirit of truth is it which all people, and professors whatsoever, should first wait to receive, thereby to be led into that true spiritual worship, which alone God accepteth; lest they, and their worship, and building fall together, in a day when there is none to deliver.

And then thus I will Query. If Christs own dear Disciples who had forsook all and followed him, (not Priests or Baptists) did not come to receive this spirit, by hearing all the words which he spoke unto them, but by waiting after the words were ended; then, whether those that have not forsaken all (nor so much as the worlds fashions) do now come to receive the Spirit by Reading, Hearing, or Professing the same words of Christ, now written, or any other part of Scriptures?

Or whether a proud man hath received this Spirit, or a lyar, or a prophane person, or any wise, or prudent man whatsoever, by any means or way of his? and whether any such ever did, have, can, or may by any industry, or other way, or means, attain to this spirit which leadeth in the true Worship of God, but as it is freely given forth from God? and then, whether all people are not to be led by that spirit (which God freely giveth) into the Wor∣ship of God; because Christ said, the spirit should lead, which in∣deed doth lead into all truth and nothing else doth so? And they that hath not received this from God to lead them, are not yet come to be led by that which the Sons, and Children of God were, and are, led by.

And the Ministration of the Spirit, which all are now to be taught by, is inwardly to be known, in the nearest, secret invisible manner, and is more out of the sight, comprehension, and reach of mans wisdome, than any other Ministration; and it is given forth from the clear fountain it self, unto the souls satisfaction of man, when he is come to the end of words; or having heard much, or all the words that can be spoken of it, remaineth unsatisfied, in a

restless longing desire to find, receive, feel, and enjoy the thing it self, which the words declared of; and that which satisfieth the true thirsting soul, comes clearly from God to the refreshing of the in∣ward parrs of man, and filling of the empty, barren, hungry spi∣rit, which cannot be satisfied without Gods in-dwellings; and thus the disciples were led along, and at last, in a foolish way to the great Professors they waited among them in Jerusalem, and the Lord had regard unto them, and sent his own Spirit unto them, and then they were filled with the Holy Ghost.

And the secret invisible hand of God, whose power was & is felt in my heart, having out of the sight of flesh and blood, in the hidden counsel of his secret will, led me by the vertue of the opperation & drawings thereof, through those things, which thereby I come to leave behind, and to receive and feel that which now goeth before, and is my leader, in whose Covenant of life eternal, my soul is now satisfied; and so by good experience of the Lords leadings, and from an experimental knowledge, and sensible feeling, and present enjoyment of the incomes of the Spirit of Truth and Life, which fil∣leth the inward parts with the holiness of it self, and giveth power to do the things required before of God, even from the right and good understanding thereof, is this written; That where it meets with the like condition in a weary Traveller, it may answer its own, and be helpful to the weak and feeble, that such may not give over pressing forwards, nor faint in their long travail, though many Mountains on which they did nourish themselves for a time, will not yield them Bread now; yet that they may with me, and the rest of the followers and friends of Christ, (past and present) alwayes continue following the Spirit as it leads, until the inward man be filled therewith; and so power and strength from God come to be known, and received in every particular.

For thus it is with Christs followers now, they are not satisfied until they are filled with that which they heard of, and their souls thirsted after, and so it was with them then, & they were filled with what they wanted before; and then, from that which they were fil∣led with, they spoke forth; and so they did teach the Nations, and brought people under the power of God, and Baptised them into that, and dipt them into the Name of the Father, and brought them under that which saveth from sin, and plunged them into the ho∣ly Spirit; and as they Teacht they did this, Baptising as they did

Teach, and plunging them (as their doctrine went forth) into that which washeth and purifieth the Conscience from the filth and guilt of sin, of which the outward Baptism was a Figure of this which saveth; and so their Doctrine was from an inward life, and pro∣ceeded from that which was invisible; and so reached to that which wanted life in the Hearers, and so brought up the power of God over them, and them under it, and into it; for the word is Into; and they were to bring People into the Name, (not water) and they were to bring or Baptise them into the Name, as they did Teach, Go ye and Teach, Baptising into; Baptising is in the pre∣sent Tense, when they did Teach; and so here the spiritual and in∣ward Baptism goes along with the preaching of the Word of life, which is inward, and brings man to an inward injoyment of God, being Baptised into his Name, which is a strong Tower, which preserveth from the power of the Devil; and we all who are brought into this, and are come in here, are all by one spirit Bap∣tised into one Body, and so worship God in the spirit, having the heart sprinkled from an evil Conscience, by the washig of Regene∣ration in the Ministration of the Gospel of peace, whereby there is a drawing nigh to God, (being brought into his Name) and a free access to the Throne of that Grace, which saveth from, and out of all filthiness of flesh and spirit.