A warning unto apostates & backsliders that formerly have made a profession of the truth, but walk not answerably thereunto but are crucifying to themselves afresh the Son of God, and putting him unto open shame, and thereby are treasuring up wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the reighteous judgements of the Lord : also a visitation and warning to all workers of iniquity, that they may repent and turn to the Lord with speed, before his dreadful judgments be poured forth upon them / by Richard Stubbs.

A WARNING UNTO ALL Apostates & Backsliders, That formerly have made a Profession of the Truth, but walk not answerably thereunto, &c.

HAving been Convinced of God's Everlasting Truth, which is Christ Jesus, the Light of the World, which lightens every one coming into the World, which is the Second Adam, the Lord from Heaven, a Quick∣ening Spirit; the which Light and Spirit, a measure thereof is given unto all, and appears unto all, whereby the Lord is clear of the Blood of all that perish in sin; for their Destru∣ction is of themselves, as the Lord hath said in Ages past, Your Destruction is of your selves, but in me is your Help: For the Light of Christ, or Grace of God, that brings Salvation, hath ap∣peared, and does at this very day appear unto all in their Hearts and Inward Parts, which is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart, and makes manifest sin, and is of a Di∣vine and Heavenly Nature, and hath no Fellowship with Darkness, but leads out of Darkness, and teaches all that give up to be taught by it, To deny Ʋngodliness and Worldly Lusts, and to live Soberly, Righteously and Godly in this present Evil World.

And hereby the Works of Darkness, and the Old Man with his Deeds come to be put off, and the New Man to be put on, which is renewed in Knowledg after the Image of him that cre∣ated him; and here no provision is made for the Flesh, to ful∣fil the Lust thereof: and so let none live in Rioting and Drun∣kenness, nor be Over-charged with the Care of this Life, nor Cumber their Minds with the many things, whereby many are intangled and insnared by the Net of the Cunning Hunter, who goes about seeking whom he may Devour; and as many as are insnared by him, are off their Watch, and are not wait∣ing in the Light of the Lord in their own particulars, and so are neither sensible of the Lord's Presence, nor yet the Work∣ings of the Evil One, whereby many live as without God in the World, and so are Dead while they Live, and so are Unprofi∣table to the Lord, having not a Sense of the Lord's Presence, being gone from his Appearance in their own particulars, and so cast the Law of God behind their backs; and as many as dis∣regard and reject that Light in their own Consciences, which appears against sin, they reject the Lord, and cast his Law be∣hind their backs; and so, when the Presence of the Lord is not minded, nor his Light taken heed unto, then Darkness pre∣vails, and the Worker of Iniquity enters, and sows his Seed, as it was said, While Men slept the Enemy sow'd his Tares: But this is the Day of God's Harvest, wherein he is bundling up the Tares for the Fire of his Wrath, and making a Separation be∣tween the Precious and the Vile, and is gathering the Wheat into his Garner, where the Enemy cannot enter: And the Lord is a sure Refuge to as many as believe in his Light, and stay their Minds upon him, and is a present help in time of Trouble.

I say, When sin appears, when Iniquity would prevail and bear Rule, then by all that believe in Christ, the ••ight of the World, is the Standard of the Lord lifted up against the Man of sin, and in the Sttength of the Lord are his Temptations repell'd, and beaten back; and so the Lord is known and wit∣to be a present. Help in time of Trouble by a Remnant that at this day have their Minds in some measure turned from

Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto the Power of God.

But I was captivated and overcome of the Evil one, by not waiting upon the Lord, nor having the Loins of my Mind girded up unto the Light, that shines in the Heart, and ap∣pears against Evil; nor having my Mind exercised in the Light of Christ Jesus (in my own Heart) at all times; so for want of this, a light and airy spirit begun to prevail, and grew up, whereby the Faithful and True Witness lay slain, as I may say, in the great City, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also the Lord was crucified, and is crucified and pier∣ced at this day, as in Dayes and Ages that are by-past and gone, by all those that art eating and drinking with the Drun∣ken, and live Wantonly upon Earth: For spiritual Sodom is within in the Heart, and spiritual Egypt is within all those that keep the Seed in Bondage, and that will not let it arise: And so all they that are walking contrary to the Light in their own Consciences, which appears against sin, they are crucifying the Lord, and grieving his holy Spirit.

But Blessed be the Name of the Lord forever, who is abun∣dant in Long suffering and Mercy, and is not willing any should dye in their sins; for, whoever dye in sin, whither Christ goes thither they never shall come: But the Loving∣kindness of the Lord is extended, and his Light hath descen∣ded, and the Lord hath reached forth a Hand of Love, and Arm of Salvation, and vouchsafed Help to the Helpless, even to as many as take heed to the Light in their own Hearts, and stay their Mind, upon the Lord, do witness the fulfilling the Pro∣mise of the Lord, That they should look upon him whom they had pierced, and mourn over him: And blessed be the Lord forever, for his Mercy and tender Loving-kindness; there is a Remnant at this day, who have turned the Eye of their Minds unto Christ, the Light of the World, whom they have pierced in their own particulars (as well as others) and have mourned over him, and are now in some measure walking in the Light of the Lord.

And Blessed and Magnified be the Name of the Lord forever and for evermore, who hath in measure inclined my Heart to

wait upon him, that so I may be inabled to withstand the Appearance of Evil, and the Temptations of the Evil One, who by his subtil Workings and cunning Devices, seeks to en∣snare and intangle as many as are off their Watch, and not minding the Appearance of Truth in their own Hearts, which never tempteth any Man to Evil, nor consented unto Sin: but the Evil is judged and condemned by the Light which shines in the Hearts of all, to discover Sin, and to lead out of Iniqui∣ty, and so to Christ reconciling Man unto God again, who is an Enemy unto God by reason of Wicked Works; for Sin separates between God and Man, let their Profession be what it will; without Holiness of Life it is impossible to please God: the Profession of the Truth it self will little avail any without the Possession thereof, it will but increase their Con∣demnation; but they that walk in the Light, and mind the Appearance of Christ Jesus in their own Hearts, these come to have Fellowship with the Lord: And here I speak not of things at a Distance, or because it is thus written, but what I find in my own particular to be true.

And as a Holy, Harmless, Innocent Life comes again to in∣crease and grow up: So Favour with the Lord and Communion and Fellowship with the Light of Jesus, and also with as many as walk therein again comes to be witnessed, and so in a Holy Innocent Life stands the Communion of Saints, and here the Forgiveness of Sins that are past is known, and the Re∣surrection of the Body out of Sin witnessed, even from Death unto Life, from the Death of Sin unto the Life of Righteousness, the which is lost by Sinning against the Lord, and walking contrary to the Light; for so I must call it; for in it is no Darkness at all; I never yet found any, though many through the Darkness of their Minds and Hardness of their Hearts are ready to charge the Sins and Backslidings of them that profess the Truth and Light upon the Truth and Light it self: and so many are saying, We may see what your Light is; And so are speaking Evil of a Thing they know not, and so are Blaspheming God, and his Tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven.

But unto all such I testifie and declare, and it is my Testimony

for the Lord, that the Light which condemns Sin in the Heart, never yet did, and it is my Belief never will lead into any Sin; but when I was off my Watch, and was not waiting upon the Lord, to be ordered and ruled by him, then I was some∣times eating and drinking with the Drunken, and so was cru∣cifying to my self afresh the Son of God, and putting him unto open Shame, even as Ages have done and are doing, that are eating and drinking with the Drunken, and living wantonly upon the Earth, and are crucifying the Just in their own par∣ticulars: And herein was I captivated by Sin, and Peace with the Lord I knew not; but Tribulation and Wrath from the Lord seized upon me because of Sin, for I was disobeying the Lord, and so in that State, as I may say, was shut out from the Lord's Presence and Favour, and at every Entrance was pla∣ced a Flaming Sword, which the Lord hath placed for the De∣struction of the Man of Sin, and for the cutting down the Disobedient Nature, and none can enter or come to enjoy Peace with the Lord again, but as that which hath separated and been as a Partition-Wall be taken out of the Way; and so an Entrance is administred again, as the Man of Sin comes to be slain by the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God which is Quick, Powerful and Sharper then any two-edged Sword, piercing even to the Dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit, and is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart.

And so at this Day, Blessed be the Lord, there is a Remnant that know the Word of the Lord to be as a Sword with two Edges, that cuts every Way, even to the dividing between their Souls and that Spirit of Darkness that would not have Christ to reign.

And also know the Word of the Lord to be as a Fire, even as a Consuming-Fire in their own Particulars, and so come to know the Briers and Thorns to be burnt and burning up, that so Way may be made for the Seed to come forth to the Praise and Glory of the Lord, that so his Name may be renowned and magnified above and over all (the Powers of Darkness) whole Majesty is most Excellent and his Glory to be exalted above and over all that is Mortal, and over all spirits of

Darkness, and over the Prince of the Power of the Air that now rules in those that rebel against the Light of Christ Jesus.

And a Remnant that have believed in the Light, and in some Measure are walking therein, do know the Way of the Lord to burn as an Oven which burns up the Wood, the Bryars, and Thorns, and so in some Measure are come to witness the Man of Sin to be destroyed, even by the Appearance of Christ the Light in the Heart, and by the Brightness of its shining forth, whose Glory and Brightness shall yet shine forth, even to the Abasement of all Worldly Glory and Greatness, and to the Dazelling of the Eyes of the Heathen; for the Lord hath de∣termined to exalt his Truth, and set his King upon his Holy Hill of Sion, and as many as cleave unto the Lord shall live and reign with him; but whoever denyes him, shall be denyed Admittance into Heaven; and the Joy and Peace which is Spiritual, and that abides forever, they shall never come to witness, who vilifie the Light of Christ Jesus; and whoever rebell against its Holy Command and Heavenly Operation, all such forsake the Fountain of Living Waters, and hew unto themselves broken Cesterns, that can hold no Water; But unto as many as wait for his Appearance, and obey his Holy Call, they come to witness the Day of the Lord to burn as an Oven, and all that is Unrighteous to be consumed or consuming, and the Unclean Spirit to be driven or driving out of the Land; and so come to know the Heavens to pass away (with a great Noise, and the Elements to melt with fervent Heat, the Earth also and the Works that are therein to be burnt up in this Day of the Lord's Appearance) in their own particulars, and so are not like the Professors, who are looking for a Day which consists of 12. Hours, or so, wherein all the Outward Fabrick of this visible World, and things therein, should be on Fire, but are come to witness, and in their Measures to testifie unto the World, that the Day of God is come, wherein he is setting Fire to the Earthly Part in Man, and the Works that are there∣in wrought, that so he may make Way for the Seed of the Everla∣sting Kingdom to take root downward in the Hearts and Con∣sciences of Men and Women, that so the Fruit of Holiness and Righteousness may be brought forth to the Praise and

Honour of him who is carrying on this Blessed Work in this the Day of his Appearance; and so know in Measure the New Heaven and the New Earth, wherein dwells Righteousness; and the Tabernacle of God is with Men, as he hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them, and they shall be my People, and I will be their God.

But so long as I was captivated by Sin, though professing the Truth, yet Peace with the Lord I knew not, neither was there any Stedfastness in my going, but was hurried up and down as with a Tempest by the Prince of the Power of the Air, that now works in the Children of Disobedience, who are either Stran∣gers to the Light, or have turned their Backs upon it, and reject it: As the Lord hath complained in dayes past, of some who cast his Law behind their Backs, and would none of his Counsel; and so by Sinning against the Lord, I was treasuring up Wrath against the Day of Wrath, and Revelation of the Righteous Judgments of the Lord, which will certainly come upon all the Workers of Iniquity, that are Disobedient unto the Mani∣festation of God's Holy Spirit in their own Hearts and Con∣sciences; a Measure of which Spirit and Light God hath vouchsafed unto all, which reproves all, and waits upon all, and invites all to come unto him and be saved; and so if any perish in Sin, their Destruction is of themselves; for the Lord waits upon all, that he may be gracious; that that appears against Evil and Sin in the Hearts of all, if it be minded, be∣lieved in and waited upon, it will lead out of Sin.

And having known the Terrors of the Lord, and the Indig∣nation of the Almighty, because of Sin and Transgression, and for Sinning against the Lord, I do warn all, and exhort all to mind the Day of their Visitation, and not to slight God's Love; but while it is called to day, harden not your Hearts against that that reproves, but bow to the Appearance of Christ Jesus in your own particulars; for this is the Day of God's Love, wherein he is stretching forth a Hand and Arm of Love and Salvation unto all.

So let all bow unto the Scepter of Christ Jesus, that so Sal∣vation and cleansing from Sin on this side the Grave thou mayest come to witness; for as the Tree falls so it lyes, and

there is no Work nor Device in the Grave, whither we are all very shortly going; therefore mind the Lord, and walk in the Light of the Lamb, and obey the Lord in all things; for every one must receive according to his Works, and according to this Deeds done in the Body: for the Lord will not condemn the Righteous, nor clear the Guilty, though the Professors of this Age hold forth and believe such a thing, and so are wresting Scriptures to their own Destruction; and they say, That though we are polluted in our selves, and full of Wounds and Bruises, yet God looks upon us in Christ Jesus as righteous, and that he will look upon Persons that are polluted with Sin, as in themselves, yet to be Righteous as in Christ at the same time, while polluted with Sin as in themselves, and so are imagining a Righteousness by Way of Imputation, as they call it; but this Device will not avail any; but all must really come to wit∣ness Christ's Righteousness wrought in them, and the Unrigh∣teousness wrought out, and so to walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit, and so come to witness the Strong Man that hath kept the House to be dispossessed, and his Goods to be spoi∣led by one that is Stronger then he, which is Christ Jesus the Light of the World, who is the Wisdom of God and the Power of God to as many as believe in him, and obey him in all things.

Now this is a Business of the greatest Importance and Con∣cernment, inasmuch as the Soul is of an Immortal Being, and must live or be Eternally either in Joy and Felicity, or else in Wo and Torment forever and evermore; a Condition never to be altred, never to be changed; therefore let all and every one of us mind the Work which lyes before us, and work out every one his own Salvation with Fear and Trembling, for it is God that worketh in us to will and to do of his own Good Pleasure; and let not any of us spend that little time we are yet to remain (in these Houses of Clay) in Vanity and Folly, in Rioting and Drunkenness; but mind the Grace of God that brings Salvation, and appears unto all, and teaches all that are wil∣ling to be taught by it, to deny Ungodliness, and Worldly Lust, and to live soberly and godly in this present Evil World.

Now the Evil One, who is called the Devil, and Satan, the

Enemy of Man kind, endeavours to keep all Hearts and Minds upon Visible, Fading, Perishing things, which are but for a very short Season, and the Glory and Beauty thereof must perish and fade away; and so presenting the Glory of this present World, and the Delights therein, endeavours thereby to keep all from worshipping and serving the Lord in Spirit and Truth, and so out of the Sence of an Eternal State and Being, and from listening to the Voice of Christ Jesus, which is neer at the Heart, that waits upon all, to lead out of Sin, and so to bring into Fellowship with God again.

But so long as I was captivated by Sin, and was not walk∣ing in the Light of the Lord, so I came to stumble and fall; for he that stumbles stumbles in the Night, and they that are drunk are drunk in the Night; and so here I was not regarding the Voice of the Lord, nor walking in his Fear; but was re∣belling against the Light, though the Lord by his gentle Cor∣rections did speak once, yea twice, yet I regarded not his Call, but was even as a Bullock unaccustomed to the Yoak, and in∣stead of receiving Correction, I was oftentimes ready to mur∣mur against the Lord, and repine at his Fatherly Chastize∣ments, though the true and faithful Witness did oftentimes arise in my Heart, and was a swift Witness against every thing that was Evil, and this did shew unto me that I had sinned against the Lord, and therefore his Hand was stretched out against me, and the Lord followed me with his Judgments, and his Judg∣ments are Righteous altogether, and this was the Lord's Love, Blessed and Magnified be his Name for ever; for before I was afflicted I went astray, but now in some Measure am obeying the Voice of the Lord, and herein Peace is witnessed, which is not to be found in the Way of Sin.

And oftentimes I did resolve in my Mind to be more faith∣ful to the Lord, but not looking unto him, so Salvation from Sin I fell short of: So Sin prevalled, and I was led Captive by the Evil One, by not giving Heed unto the Light of Christ Jesus, which shined in my Heart, and appeared against Sin.

But as my Mind came again in some measure to be retired, and waiting upon the Light, which reproves for Sin, so I found

Strength in some Measure to withstand Sin; and so, as ma∣ny as wait upon the Lord will be kept out of Defilement, and Sin, and Pollution, and so in perfect Peace with the Lord; for there is no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the Flesh, but after the Spirit, that walk ac∣cording to the Guidance and Direction of the Spirit, a mea∣sure of which is given unto all to profit withal, which Spirit of Life and Light is given to be a Light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be God's Salvation to the Ends of the Earth, and none need say in their Hearts, who shall ascend or descend to bring him up again from the Dead, or bring him down from above? for the Word is nigh, even in the Heart and Mouth, that we may hear it, and do it.

But not giving up in all things unto this divine Light which appears in the Heart against Sin, which Light never consented unto Evil: I say not waiting in this, the Destroyer entred, and took Possession, and usurped Authority over both Soul and Body, and so both were defiled, while he whose right it was to reign, and unto whom both Soul and Body should have yielded Subjection; I say, he stood without, knocking at the Door of my Heart, and this was his Love, and this was his Kindness, and this ingages me to love his Appearance; for the Lord waits that he may be gracious, notwithstanding the many repulses he meets withal, yet his Patience is lengthened out, and a hand of Love is stretched forth and extended even to those that rebell against him, that he might have the Government of Man and Woman whose right it is to rule.

But I was resisting his Appearance, and the Beast-like Nature was seeding over the Just, the Innocent, the Harmless Life, which as I may say, lay in the Manger, the Inn being taken up with other Guests, and so I was sleighting the Lord's Visitation of Love, and grieving his Holy Spirit, and crucifying to my self afresh the Son of God, and putting him unto open shame, and hereby was laying a stumbling-Block in the Way of others, through the subtil Wiles of the Evil One, who goes about seeking whom he may devour, intangle and ansnare by his sub∣til Stratagems and Devices whereby he lies in wait to deceive, and by being overcome of his Temptations, have I provoked the

Lord, and laid a stumbling Block in the Way of others, and been prejudiciall to the Salvation of others, which causes me thus to write, that I may ease my self, and clear my Consci∣ence in this matter, for I have been regardless of my Words and Wayes, and sometimes was eating and drinking with the Drunken, and so have been a Partaker of her Sin, and so partook of her Plagues, which will first or last come upon all, and seize upon all that sin against the Lord.

And by sinning against the Lord, I thereby exposed the bles∣sed Truth of God to be Contemned and Vilified, and the Pro∣fessors thereof to be Reproached; and hereby have given Ad∣vantage to the Enemies of God's Truth, and Divine Light, who do of late, as formerly, seek Occasion against this blessed Light; and are risen up of late in great Rage against the Truth and the Professors thereof, as if by their Dialogues, as the Title thereof implyes, they would Ʋnchristian the whole Body of Friends, who have believed in the Light of Christ Jesus, who is the Head of his Church over all, God blessed forever and evermore; and so they have Blasphemed God, and his Tabernacle, and them that dwell in Heaven.

And also, I was Hardening others in Wickedness by sinning against the Lord, & so strengthening the Hands of the Wicked. and rejoycing the Hearts of those that live wantonly upon the Earth, and are Enemies to the Cross of Christ Jesus, and are crucifying the just Principle in themselves, which if they would let arise, it would disperse and scatter all those thick Mists, and that Darkness which has spread over Nations and People (in this Night of Apostacy) as it was said, Let God arise, and his E∣nemies shall be scattered, and he shall consume them with the Spirit of his Mouth, & shall destroy with the Brightness of his Coming: and bles∣sed be the Lord forever, a Remnant, whom the Lord hath drawn unto himself in some measure with the Cords of Love, are come to witness his Light to shine out of Darkness, whereby the Man of Sin comes to be weakened and worsted, and so the Lord comes to reign in Sion, and to turn away Ungodliness from Jacob, and so Peace with the Lord comes again to be witnessed.

And also, I was Sadning the Hearts of the Righteous by Disobeying the Lord, wherefore the Indignation of the Lord was against me, and his Righteous Judgments followed me, and

his Wrath begun to burn very hot against me, and the Terrors of the Lord, as I may say, even distracted me, that I was even at my Wits End, because I had sinned against the Lord, and was bound even Hand and Foot, as I may say, and cast into Dark∣ness; and my Understanding was darkned, & Wisdom was with∣held from me, even Wisdom as a Man, because I was gone from the Presence of the Lord, and was not waiting upon him for Counsel and Instruction, insomuch that at last I was even an Astonishment to my self: and when I begun to consider my Wayes and Doings, I saw, that the Hand of the Lord was lifted up against me, because I was not watchful over my Words and Wayes, but was running out into Loosness and Vanity, and was sometimes eating and Drinking with the Drunken; and I became even as a Prey to the Devourer, and Wasting and Destruction was in my Pathes, and Peace with the Lord I knew not; for I was sinning against him, and grieving his holy Spirit, and so the Lord took no Plea∣sure in me, as he hath said in dayes past by his Servants; If any man draw back, my Soul shall have no Pleasure in him; and so I became a Reproach among the Heathen, & a Scorn unto Fools, and was Unfaithful to the Lord, and was not a Faithful Steward in what was committed to my Charge, & was not Honouring the Lord as I ought, nor answering his Requirings; but was doing that which was Dishonourable unto him, and to the Truth which I did profess, and was not waiting in the Light, whereby I might have witnessed a profitting in the Fear & Wisdom of the Lord: For, the Fear of the Lord, that is Wisdom, and a good Ʋnderstan∣ding have all they that wait in the Light of Christ Jesus in their ownhearts, that so they may depart from that which is Evil; that will both discover sin, and give Dominion over it, as it is believed in and obeyed, and then the Willing and the Obe∣dient will eat the Good of the Land, and this is the Portion of them that obey the Voice of the Lord: And thus, so far as I have been obedient, have I witnessed Peace, & in the Lord's Presence is Life, but out of his Presence is Death and Darkness, Distress and Anguish, but at his Right-hand are Rivers of Pleasures for evermore.

But now the Rebe Ilious and Disobedient, which will not how to the Appearance of Christ Jesus in their own hearts, but live in Pride and pleasure upon the Earth, and so are rejoycing

in a thing of naught, the Glory whereof shall soon fade and va∣nish away, and are crucifying and piercing the Just, and dis∣obeying the Lord, they must dwell in a dry Land, and Torment and Wo must unavoidably be the Portion of all they that will not come unto the Lord, and submit to his Government, whose Government is a Righte∣ous Government, and his Law is the Truth.

And so let not any sleight the Day of God's Visitation; for this is the Day of God's Love, wherein he is stretching forth the Arm of his Love and Mercy to gather people out of the crocked Wayes and by-Pathes unto himself; to which end the Lord appears, and shews unto man his Sin and Iniquity, which keeps the Soul in Bondage and Slavery, for so I have found it to be: I say, That that reproves man for sin in the inward parts must be minded & obey'd by all that desire to have Peace with the Lord: for this same Light, which many are vilifying and reproaching, is Christ Jesus, the Light of the World, and is that Great Prophet which Moses spake of in dayes past, say∣ing, A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you, like unto me, him shall you hear in all things; and whoever will not hear him, shall be cut off from among my People: And so, let every one come to hear this Great Prophet, and obey his Voice, that so the Land may be cleansed of Evil-doers; For when the Righteous bears Rule, the Land rejoyces; but when the Wicked bears Rule, the Land mourns (just so) And here I speak not of things at a distance, or because it is thus written, but what I find in my own particular to be true; blessed be the Name of our God, who is Light, and let him be exalted and magnified above & over all forever & evermore.

And so knowing the Terrors of the Lord because of sin, I would perswade all to wait upon the Lord, & then the Wicked shall not bear rule, but be judged and condemned by the Light, and with∣stood in the Power and Strength of the Lord; and so all to wait upon the Lord in the way of his Judgments, though the Flaming Sword turn so that the Transgressor cannot enter: yet wait upon God, and flee not his Righteous Judgments: for the Sword of the Lord is only drawn against the Transgressor in man, and as that comes to be cut down and burnt up: so an Entrance comes to be witnessed again and Peace with the Lord ••o be known; and this is the Way of Sions Redemption, as it is said, Sion must be redeemed through Judgment, and her Converts through

Righteousness, and so Peace with the Lord will be known; for the Lord will speak Peace to his People; but let not any turn again unto Folly, and Peace will be witnessed by all they that lay hold of God's Everlasting Strength, as the Lord hath said by the Prophet Isaiah, if any one will take hold of my Strength, and make Peace with me, he shall make Peace with me. Now Christ Jesus the Light of the World, is the Wisdom of God, the Power and Strength of God, and whoever takes hold of this divine Light which shines in the Heart, & appears against Sin, they take hold of Gods' Strength, and will witness Peace with the Lord, as they keep unto it: and saith my Soul, Return thou never again unto Folly, but abide in the Light, and walk therein, and wait upon the Lord in the Way of his Judgments: For Sion must be redee∣med through Judgment, and her Converts through Righteousness.

And so here is not a putting the Day of Judgment afar off, as the Professors of our Age do, till after Death, or they know not when: but behold the Judge stands at the Door, that which reproves, that which convinces of Sin in the Heart, is that which must judge both Quick and Dead; for the Father judgeth no Man, but hath committed all Judgment unto the Son, and that which appears in the Hearts of Men and Women against Sin, and all manner of Evil, is the Son of Righteousness which doth ap∣pear in the Hearts of Men and Women, and doth give a Dis∣covery of every one's State and Condition, as really as the Na∣tural and Created Light and Sun appears in the Outward World, and gives a Discovery of Persons and Things; So really doth the Increated Light and Spiritual Appearance of Christ Jesus shine in the Hearts of all whereby all as they come to receive of his Life, and partake of his Virtue, do as really grow and flourish in Holiness, and are fresh and lively to the Lord, as any Outward Tree or Plant grows, that receives Influence from the Outward Sun.

And so this Son of Righteousness will arise with Healing un∣der his Wings to them that fear him, and love his Appearance; For he Rejoyces in the Habitable Parts of the Earth, and his Delight is with the Sons of Men: But now here is the Reason why People and Nations are not healed, but Pride hath over-spread the Land, and Oppression bears rule, and Drunkenness, and Swea∣ring, and War, and Blood-shed; and here is the Abominati∣on

that maketh Desolate, and this is the Cause why Iniquity a∣bounds: For though most are in a Profession of Religion, some in one Way, and some in another; yet they have not God's Fear before their Eyes, and so are not mindful of the Lord, nor obedient to his Holy Commands, nor doing unto others as they would others should do to them; but their minds are run out into the Earth, and are gone a whoring from the Lord, and so are not following the Lord, nor obeying his Voice, but provoaking the Lord to pour out his Vials of Wrath and Ven∣geance; and behold the many Vials of God's Fury and Dis∣pleasure, which have of late been poured forth: And hath not the Lord even overthrown and destroyed some, even as he over∣threw Sodom and Gomorrah? and hath the Remnant that esca∣ped Repented, and given Giory to the Lord? And at this very day is the Lord pleading with the Inhabitants of the Earth by Fire and by Sword, and his Hand is stretched forth still, and the Lord hath sent forth his Angels one after another with Vials of his Wrath and Indignation, and hath poured, and is pouring them out upon the Inhabitants of the Earth; yet where is that Repentance and for saking of sin the Lord requires? And though many have been spared with their Lives, though they have been burnt out of their Houses, yet as Proud as before, as Vain and Wicked as before, and so are abusing God's Mercies, and pro∣voaking him to his very Face; and for these things the Lord hath a Controversie with the Inhabitants of the Earth; because they Repent not of their Deeds, therefore the Vials of God's Wrath are yet preparing to be poured out because men are not preparing to meet the Lord by Repentance: And the Lord has determined to make a short Work in the Earth, and to cut his Work short in Righteousness, and will yet plead with the In∣habitants of the Earth by Fire and by Sword, both inwardly and outwardly; and because the Lord will do thus, let all that make mention of the Name of the Lord break off sin speedily, if it may be a lengthening out your Tranquility and Peace, and meet the Lord in the way of his Judgments, and bow before his Presence; For the Lord will put an End to Sin, and finish Trans∣gression, and bring in Everlasting Righteousness: and therefore saith the Lord, Come out of her, my People, and be ye separate, touch

no unclean thing, and I will receive you; but all that will not come out of Babylon, and be separate, but partake of her Sins, they must par∣take of her Plagues: I speak here of Mystery Babylon, the Mother of Harlots, and of all the Abominations of the Earth.

And having a sense of these things upon my heart and spirit, I do warn all, and intreat all, to come unto the Son of Righte∣ousness, which shines in the heart, and appears against sin; and as many as are sheltered here, and are gathered under the Wings of God's Power, here is safety, and no where else to be found. And this is the Day of the Lord that doth burn as an Oven, and all the Proud, and all that do Wickedly, and will not turn to the Lord shall be as Stubble, and shall be burnt up; and so the Determination of the Lord is, to put an End to sin, and to exalt his Truth over all, and to bring swift Destruction upon the Wor∣kers of Iniquity. Therefore Repent quickly, and break off your Sins by Righteousness, lest the Lord swear in his Wrath, that you shall never enter into his Rest, and tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver you.

Now remember this, all you that have drawn back from the Lord, and for saken your first Love; and return unto the Lord before it be too late; for your Account will be dreadful, and his Spirit will not alwayes strive with man.

And remember these things, all you that are taking your fill of Pleasure, and spending your precious time in Playes and Pastimes, and Pride, and Vanity, in Rioting and Drunken∣ness, and are in the Pollution of the World, and are gratify∣ing the Flesh, and living Wantonly upon Earth, and Cruci∣fying the Just in themselves; let your Laughter be turned into Weeping, and your bravery of Attire into Sack-cloth, before the fierce Indignation of the Lord break forth, and there be no Remedy. Therefore now turn unto the Lord, before your Day be over, and your Sun set, and while you find any thing striving in your hearts against Sin, against Pride, against Drunkenness, against Covetousness and Earthly mindedness; I say, while you find any thing striving in your hearts against sin, embrace that that appears against sin, love it, cherish it, and you will find a Growth and Encrease in Holiness; but if you reject it, if you sleight it, and rebel against it, it will set upon you, and

gross Darkness will overtake you, and you will come to be a Habitation for every Foul and Unclean spirit, and never come to know a Habitation in God, nor a Place of Rest when Time shall be no more: But Wo and Torment forever and evermore will be the Portion of all those that Rebel against the Light of Christ Jesus in their own hearts, and will not Return unto the Lord.

And so having pretty well eas'd my self, and clear'd my Con∣science in this Matter, I have little more to say at present, only to warn all, and intreat all (to mind the Light of Christ Jesus, that reproves man of sin) even those, I say, that hitherto have been Quarelling and Contending against the Light, and have, as it were sounded an Alarum of War in the Ears of the people to Battel (either by printing or otherwise) against the Light of Christ, the Lamb of God, which takes away the sin of the World, and against the Followers of the Lamb; but behold, the Lamb and the Saints must have the Victory: And though many Weapons have been formed against Sion, yet none shall prosper. And what though the Heathen rage, and the Wicked (who are gone from the Presence and Appearance of God in themselves) imagine a vain thing, yet the Lord sits in the Hea∣vens and laughs at them, he will have them in Derision; and the Evil that is done to Sion, it will be upon Babylon; for it is a Righteous Thing with God, To Recompence Tribulation to them that Trouble his People: Therefore Repent of all your Blasphe∣my and Rage, and turn unto the Lord, before it be too late, and slight not God's Love.

And whereas in this Book those concerned as Authors of that Dialogue are charged as being guilty of Blasphemy and Rage a∣gainst God and his People; if they shall object and say, This Charge is not sufficient to prove any such thing: I refer them to those Books, which have of late been published concerning them, wherein their Blasphemy and Rage, their self-Contradictions, Lyes and SLanders are sufficiently proved, and also their Injustice (to the People of God called Quakers) manifested. And as to that particular wherein my Name is brought to publick View, I say it is a Lye and Slander.

And whereas he hath said, I denyed that Christ which was born of the Virgin and died at Jerusalem, and called him Anti∣christ:

I do declare and testifie that I do confess and unfeign∣edly believe that that Christ which was born of the Virgin, and was crucifyed at Jerusalem was and is the true Christ, the Son of the Living God, whom the Father hath sent into the World, and that whoever believes in him, shall not perish, but be saved from Sin, and obtain Eternal Life by him.

And now let all and every one of us mind the Appearance of Christ Jesus, that discovers and reproves sin when no Eye outwardly sees, for on this wise have I known God's Appearance against sin, and his Righteous Judgment because of Iniquity. And let none content themselves with a bare Profession of the Truth it self; for this will not bring Peace to the Soul with∣out the Possession and Life of Truth it self; and herein stands the Fellowship and Communion of the Saints, it is in Obedience to the Lord: and so let all & every one that makes mention of the Name of the Lord depart from Iniquity; & let none cumber their Minds with the many things, nor yet mind things too high for them; for hereby the Evil One will have an Advantage against you: Therefore wait upon the Lord for Counsel and Advice in all things, and so we shall be preserved from the many Snares and Intanglements, which they are subject to who have their Minds abroad, and are gadding & going aftray from the Light So let us all give heed to this Light, that we may serve the Lord the remainer of our dayes in Righteousness and true Holiness, that so we may lay down our Heads in Peace, and forever be with the Lord.

Southwark, this 10th Day of the 7th Mo∣neth, 1673.

Richard Stubbs.

THE END.