A call out of Egypt,: (where death and darkness is) into the glorious light and liberty of the sons of God, (where life and peace is.) The Lord fulfilling his promises declared by his holy prophets and Apostles, in these later dayes.

The Minister of Christ, his plea for PURITY against the Ministers of Antichrist, and all their Train who plead for sin.

ALL you that plead for sin, whether Priests or People, of what sort soever, who make a profession of the name of God and of Christ, and yet live in sin and plead for sin, and sayes none can be free from sin, or perfect from sin while they live upon the earth; all your talking and outside customary wor∣ship is in vain, and is no more but your own self-righteousnesse which is filthy and abominable, and it will never bring peace to your souls, nor you can never be reconciled to God as long as you live in sin; that's the cause of seperation from God, your sins; your sins have separated between you and me saith the Lord; and as long as sin stands, the Partition wall stands, for it stands betwixt you and the Lord; and there is no Union nor Fellowship with God nor with his Son as long as you live in sin, but aliens you are, and strangers from the pure God and the life of his Son J••sus: And you that plead so strongly for sin, you plead for the Devil whose servants you are as long you live in sin; and you are the Antichrists that are against Christ & oppose him and you are against the end of his coming and be∣ing manifested in flesh; for he came to take awaysin, and so he is called the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world; for, for this purpose was the Son of God made manifest, that he might destroy the works of the Devil, and to dispos∣sesse and cast out the strong man, and so to purifie the heart, and purge the conscience from dead works, and make it a fit Temple for himself to dwell in and he hath promised to dwell in his people and where he dwells purity dwells, and sin can∣not dwell with him, for it defiles and pollutes his Temple and if any man defile the Temple of God him shall God destroy, for the Temple of God is holy, which Temple ye are (speaking to the Saints:) Now this I say, That all sin defiles, as Envy, Wrath, Malice, Pride, Lust, Covetousnesse, and the like; if these evils lodge in your hearts, it is evident and plainly mani∣fest

that the Devil the strong man lodgeth and is axalted above all that is called God in your hearts, and keeps possession there; for all these evils and abominations that are acted and done in the world, the Devil is the Author and Father of them, who hath begotten them into his Image and likenesse to do his will and works, which are works of darknesse; and so all you that live in sin, as pride, hatred, variance, debate, drunkennesse, swearing, lying, false accusing, cozening and cheating in your buyings and sellings, using false weights and measures, and say∣ing and unsaying, boasting of your Wares to be so, and so, when many times you know to the contrary; and so lie one to another to get dishonest gain, and make a prey of the simple, who have not so much of the subtle Serpents wisdom as your selves. All these are the works of the Devil, and as long as you live in these practises the Devil leads you, and so you become his Servants, for his Servants you are, to whom you yeild your selves servants to obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obe∣dience unto righteousnesse, for the wages of sin is death: and all who go in their sin, satisfying and fulfilling the lusts and de∣sires of the flesh, and going from God in the broad way that leads to destruction. But the Serpent is grown very subtle, and the better to hide and cover himself, he brings Scripture to up∣hold his Kingdom all that he can gather up as he conceives makes for his purpose, that he brings, and his Servants make use of to oppose the pure Doctrine of the Son of God, and his faithful and true Ministers, who are sent of God to open the blind eyes, to turn them from darkness unto Light, and from Satant pow∣er unto God, and to present them perfect in Christ Jesus: But saith the Serpent and the Ministers of Antichrist, It is not possible that ever any one should be free from sin while they live; did not David sin, and Peter sin? and did not Paul cry out of a body of sin? and are you better then the Apostles? Thus the carnal professors of our time plead for their Kingdom, being blinded by the God of the World, that the Light of the Glorious Gospel of JESUS CHRIST which makes free from sin, this they know not.

Now all people consider, and see what you do uphold and what you do plead for; will this Plea stand at the great and dreadful Day when the Lord calls you to an Account, to say that others were sinners, & bring that as a cloak to cover you? No, this will not cover you in that dreadful Day of Account; for though David did sin yet he repented, and had no peace till the Lord had pardoned his sin: He wept until his eyes grew dim and his flesh did fail of fatness; he watered his Couch with his tears. Is it so with you? Are you brought down as David was? and though David left these things upon Record, it was not to encourage others to go on in sin, but that all might take example not to do the like, lest the terror and wrath of God come upon them for their rebellion against so good a God: but you sti••l go on in your vile courses, and instead of being hum∣bled by the example of others that have sinned, you bring it to uphold you in your sins; and so goes on daily, treasuring up to your selves wrath against the day of Wrath, which none of them did that you bring the failings of; where did David sin again? or Pe••er? or Paul? but were made instrumental to turn many from their sins: So you being ignorant of the conditi∣ons of the Saints mentioned in Scripture, brings one condition to oppose another; for there was a time when they were dead in sins and trespasses, and were aliens and strangers from the Covenant of Promise; and there was a time when they were dead unto sin, and alive unto God; being reconciled unto God, havnig put off the body of the sin of the flesh, and had put on Christ, and were alive in him, and created in him unto good Works; and by the Son of God, the Covenant of the Father, they were made free from sin, and had passed from death unto life, and Christ lived in them, who had given them the Victory over their sin, and defaced and blotted out the image of the de∣vil, and renewed his own Image in them: and though Paul do speak of a warfare that was in his growth, and through patient waiting in the Crosse of Christ, he witnessed a victory and prai∣sed God who had given him the Victory; so he speaks of seve∣ral times and conditions, as a time without the Law, I was alive without the Law once, and he speaks of a time under the Law, and a time of being made free from the Law, which things you

must all know and witnesse manifested and fulfilled in you if e∣ver you know the truth in its purity; for through the same door that all the holy men of God did passe, must you passe, or else you cannot come to the same rest: And this door and this way is straight; you cannot enter in with your old Garments, you must be stripped of all, end become as a little child, or else you cannot enter; you must know the work of God within you, and the operation of his Power, and his Righteous Law set up with∣in you to kill sin in its rise and conception in your hearts, then will you know the war between the Beast and the Lamb, and the flesh lusting against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, that ye cannot do the things that ye would; and this was Pau••s time of crying out; for saith he When we were in the flesh the motions of sin that were by the Law, did work in our ••e••∣bers to bring forth fruit unto death; but now we are delivered from the Law, that being dead unto which, we were hold that we should serve in newness of the Spirit, and not in the oldness of the Letter; for I was alive without the Law once, but when the Command∣ment came, sin revived and I died: When Paul came to know the Law of the new Covenant written in his heart, he then saw the body of sin, and the Law in his Members warring against the Law of his minde, which led him into captivity into the Law of sin and death, and made him wretched; but the Law was good, as the Apostle confesses, It is holy, just and good; the Law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin; for the good I would do, I do not; and the evil I would not do, that do I: Now all the carnal Professors would own Paul here, and bring these words to hide and cover them in their sins, and so are at ease in their sins, alive without the Law; but Paul had not peace in this condition, but groaned and travelled under the burden of sin; but through Christ he thanked God who had given him the Victory; and even at that time when he writ that Epistle to the Roman he was made free from sin, though he declares of such a condition, speaking to them that know the Law, for to them; that were under the Law he became as under the Law; For when we were in the fl••sh, the motions of sin that were by the Law did work in our member, &c but now we are delivered, now there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not

after the flesh but after the spirit; for the Law of the Spirit of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death; (mark it well, hath mad me free; not will or shall, but he was then made free) for what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and by a Sacrifice for sin condemned sin in the flesh, that the righteousnest of the Law might be fulfilled in us (mind you here, The righteousness of the Law fulfilled in us) who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit: So here you may see he speaks of a time without the Law, and a time under the Law, where the Law was fulfilled in him; and so passing through the Law, he became dead unto the Law, as he declares in another place, For I through the Law am dead unto the Law, that I might live unto God: I am crucified with Christ; yet nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me: Come now and try your selves all you formal and carnal Professors, can you own Paul in this conditi∣on? are you crucified with Christ? or are you alive in your sins? are you crucified to the world and the world unto you? Answer, Paul was so: But are not you wallowing in your sins, living in the pleasures of the world, and no separation made from the world, but even with all your strength griping after the world, loving it, and seeking the honor and glory of the world, which Paul was crucified unto, though once he cried out of the body of sin; and so patiently waiting in the crosse of Christ, he wit∣nessed a Victory.

And so as the eyes of your understandings comes to be ope∣ned, these things will be clear, and you will see the times, that Paul declareth and is left upon Record in the Scriptures of Truth; a time without the Law, and a time under the Law, and a time when he witnessed Christ Jesus the end of the Law: and whereas he saith in one place, I am carnal; he saith in another place, I am crucified; and this is plain to those who have expe∣rience of the workings of God; for that I which was carnal by the Law which was Spiritual, was crucified, and then no more I, but 〈…〉〈…〉. And this was the mysterie that Paul preached, which was hid from Ages and generations but now is made ma∣nifest in his Saints, which Mystery is Christ in you the hope of glo∣ry, whom we preach, teaching and exhorting every man in all wis∣dom,

that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Now this I say, where Christ is manifested sin and iniquity is done a∣way, and the body of sin destroyed and dead; for if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; and if any be in Christ he is a new Creature, Old things are passed away, and behold all things are become new: and if all things are become new, then where is there room for sin, for that is of the old things which passeth away, and doth defile and enters not into the Kingdom of God which stands in righteousnesse; and this is your cry, VVhere were there any that was without sin? I Answer, They that were in Christ and did abide in him were without sin, and werenew creatures; and if you say that none were or are in Christ, then I shall bring the Scripture-Testimony against you, where they bear Testimony of the Son, For we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding to him that is true, and we are in him; [mark well, they were in him] that is true, even in his Son Christ Jesus: and here the Scripture de∣clares that some were in Christ, and if any be in Christ he is a new creature; and they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts; and if the affections and lusts be crucified, then where is the sin or the cause of sin, for lust is the ground of all sin; for as the Apostle saith, There is no man temp∣ted of God, but every man when he is tempted, he is drawn away of his lust, for the lust goes forth, and sin is conceived in the heart, and after it is cenceived it brings forth sin, and sin being finished brings forth death: So the rise of sin is from the lust, which is conceived in the deceitful and deceived heart; but where the life and power of Christ is manifested, and the devils works de∣stroyed, and the creature redeemed from the bondage of cor∣ruption into the glorious liberty of the Sons of God, and is be∣come Christs, bought and redeemed by him, and hath crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts, then where is sin you so much plead for, which is a plant of your Father the Devil whose children and servants ye are as long as you are doing his work, and pleading to uphold that which Christ comes to destroy? but surely you are deceived by him, for none such Plants shall grow in my Fathers Garden; but they must all be plucked up and cast into the fire.

And again, the Enemies of pure Truth who are bent and set to oppose Christ, they bring another place of Scripture, and thinks they are strongly fenced here, where it is said, If we say we have no sin, we deceive our selves, and the truth is not in us: This place is strongly pleaded by all sorts of people and Profes∣sors, who are not in the pure life of Christ; but praised for ever∣more be the righteous God, who hath hid these things from the wise and prudent and revealed them to Babes: Now for the simple ones sake I shall speak and declare, that their minds may be informed, and that they may not be kept in blindnesse by the God of the world: The Apostle John was come to high attainments, and saw through the vail; he saw the first mans state where all are dead in sin; and he saw the second mans state which was born of God and could not sin: Now the natural man by all his wit & wisdom cannot comprehend these things; for as it is written, The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them, for they are spiritually discerned: So it is the Spirit that reveales the deep and hidden things of God; and by the Spirit of God it is seen that the Apostle speaks to a condition before confession of sin; and whereas he saith we, many times they say we when they are passed from such con••itions; as sames saith, speaking of the tongue, herewith bless we God, and there∣with curse we men: but was fames a curser? But read the fol∣lowing Verse, where John saith, But if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to foroive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness; and if you say that John had not confessed his sin, I bear testimony, and the Scripture likewise testifie the same, that he had both confessed and forsaken his sins, for his fellow∣ship was with the Father and the Son; and you may see in the beginning of the Chapter, Tru••y saith he] our followship is with the Father and the Son: Now if John had been in the un∣regenerate state, and had not confessed his sin, then could he not have had Union and Fellowship with the Father; for God is Light, and in him is no darkness a all, if we say ••e have fellow∣ship with God and walk in darkness we lie, and do not the truth; but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light, we have union and fellowship one with another; and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son

cleanseth us from all sin, (mark well, he doth not say from part of your sins, but from all sin) and this is that testimony that we bear of Christ, That his blood cleanseth from all sin, and he sa∣veth to the utmost all that come unto God by him; so if the Son make you free, then are you free indeed: But we do not speak of any freedom but by the light, life and power of Jesus; for if any one say he hath no sin before he come to witnesse Repent∣ance, and the power of Christ not being manifested in him to destroy & take away his Sin, he doth deceive himself, & the wit∣nesse of God in his own conscience will testifie against him; for if we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar; but where the life and power of Christ is manifested, and the Devils works destroyed, and the heart purified, and the body made a temple of God, shall we deny the work of God? No; far be it from us, but to declare his Name abroad in the earth, that others may dread and fear before him, and ••••pent of the evil of their ways; that so they might rejoice with us in the love of our God, and eat with us on the bread of life in our Fathers house, that they may be changed and renewed, and witness the birth which is from above, which except a man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God.

Now this birth and this change hath long been talked of, but who are they that are changed and born again? Surely some there are, God hath some of his own begetting; and the Apo∣stle saith, He that is born of God sins not, for his Seed remaineth in him, and he cannot sin because he is born of God; but this the world and the children of darknesse cannot believe, nor endure to hear tell of; but ready to tear and rend if any one come to know and witnesse a change.

And so all you that plead for sin, you may see whom you serve; even the devil the Prince of Darknesse, who leads you & guides you as long as you live in sin: But blessed be God the happy day is come, and the Lord hath many children who are begot∣ten by the eternal Spirit, and are kept by his power & strength that the wicked one cannot touch them according as the Apo∣stle testifieth, VVe know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not, but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself that the wicked one toucheth him not; let no man therefore deceive you with words, for

he that doth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous; and he that commits sin is of the Devil; hereby are the children of God manifest and the children of the Devil: So all you that live in Envy and Wrath, speaking evil of the things you know not, you manifest your selves to be of the devil who hath begotten you into his image and likeness to do his lusts: and so being af∣ter the flesh are found persecutors of them that are born after the Spirit, as it was in former ages and generations, the chil∣dren of God were ever hated and reproached by the world; but it is our joy, accounting it great riches that we are counted worthy to suffer for his Names sake; knowing this, that all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.