Neither they who are Learned in Humane Learning, nor the Unlearned, who will not come to learn of the Spirit of Chrift, nor receive the Teachings of the Grace of God, are able to Read in the Lamb's Book of Life, or understand the Myfteries of God's Kingdom; but they are as a Sealed Book to 'em, and this Book none but Chrift Jefus, who is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, can open the Seals thereof.

And therefore if ever Men come to underftand thofe things which belong to their Peace, they muft Receive Him in the Manifeftation of his Light and Spirit, who opens the Understandings of them that receive him, and makes them Wifer" in the Wifdom of God than their Teachers: He opens the deep things of the Father's Kingdom; and by his Gofpel Life and Immortality is brought to Light.

Now therefore, You who are feeking after the Way of Righteoufnefs, open the Door of your Hearts, and let Him in, who faid, Bes bold, I ftand at the Door and knock, if any Man hear my Voice, and open the Door, I will come in to him, and will fup with him, and he with me, Revel. 3. 20. He ftands at the Door of your Hearts, and knocks for an Entrance; be not Hard-hearted, fhut not the Door against him; but let him in, receive him as your Lord and Law-giver, your

King,

King, Prieft and Prophet: then fhall ye eat of his Bread, and Drink of the Wine which he mingles. He called to his Spoufe of old, faying, Open to me, my Love, my Dove, my Undefiled; for my Head is filled with the Dew, and my Locks with the Drops of the Night: But the made Excufes, faying. I have put off my Cloths; how shall I put them on? I have washed my Feet; how fhall I defile them? She thought her felf to be washed, and made clean, and feemed afraid of being defiled.

This is the State of many in our Day, they are too apt to conclude, That 'tis well with them, while Chrift is fhut out of their Hearts. Some of them have been wathed, but never with the Water by the Word; that Water of Life which Regenerates, and washeth the Soul from the Filth of Sin, they are ignorant of And though they fay they have Faith in Chrift, and hope to be faved by Him; yet, not knowing Him to dwell in their Hearts by Faith, they remain ignorant of, and Strangers to that Faith which purifies the Heart, and gives Victory over the World. And though they fay they have, and receive the Ordinances; yet not having truly opened the Door of their Hearts to Him, and received Him, whom God hath ordained to be a Light to the Gentiles, that he might be his Salvation to the Ends of the Earth, all their own Righteoufnefs will not avail them; 'twill all prove but Will-Worship, after the

Rudi

Rudiments of the World, and the Traditions of Men: And from these they muft arife; they must be ftripped of them all, though they appear in their Eyes as fine Linnen, clean and white, if they come unto Chrift, and receive Him as the only Beloved of their Souls; whofe Controverfie is against the Inventions, Will-Worship, and Righteoufnefs of Men.

:

And out of these things they must come, even out of their own Inventions, Wifdom and Righteoufnefs, as well as out of Grofs Wickedness, if ever they know the Power and Spirit of Chrift to bear Rule in them For he became the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him, Heb. 5. 9. And therefore make no Delays, but open to your Beloved, while his Call and Vifitation of Love is unto you: be like minded with thofe of Old, who faid, Draw me, we will run after thee.

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When you find fomething within your felves inclining, and drawing of you to feek after the Lord, clofe with it, for it is the Manifeftation of the Spirit which is given you to profit withal: And as you close with it, and mind the Drawings of it, thereby you will be drawn to Chrift, to partake of the Life and Virtue of Chrift, and the Power and Love of the Father will replenish your Souls, and fill you with inward Joy; yea, with Joy Unfpeakable, and full of Glory: But if you reject that which would draw C.

you

you to feek after God, then Condemnation will be your Portion, and you will not know. a Profiting in thofe things that belong to your Everlasting Peace.

And therefore mind that which Reproves for Evil, and inclines to Good; love it, and the Love of God through Jefus Chrift will more and more be fhed abroad in your Hearts. And as you turn your Backs upon that which the Light makes manifeft to be Evil, and the Spirit reproves you for, you will feel inward Peace fpring in your Souls, and the Comfort, Joy, and Refreshment of the Holy Ghoft will be with you, and this will tend to lead you into a more Diligent Search and Enquiry after the further Enjoyment of the Prefence of God, In whofe

And

Prefence there is Fulness of Joy, Pfalm 16.11. and at his Right Hand there are Pleafures for evermore. therefore let us feek Him with Diligence, for he hath faid, Te shall feek me, and find me, when ye shall fearch for me with all your Hearts, Jerem. 29. 13. It is the Heart of Man which God requires: And therefore give up with your whole Hearts to feek after, and ferve Him. Be not fatisfied until you find him, and by finding him, find Life to your Inmortal Souls. And moft certain it is, That the Soul cannot live to God, but by the Enjoyment of the Prefence of God; 'tis the Prefence of God which gives Life and Com

fort,

fort, Strength and Ability to perform that which he requires.

And therefore feek him early and late, feek him upon your Beds, and meditate on him in the Night-Watches: Seek him not with Indifferency; be not at eafe in your Minds, the Spoufe would not give over feeking him, until fhe had found him: She found him when he had paffed from the Watch-Men. The Watch-Men of the Night did not bring her to her Beloved, but when fhe had paffed from them a little, fhe found him whom her Soul Loved; and when she had found him, fhe held him faft, and would not let him go. When you have met with Peace and Comfort in the Enjoyment of the Prefence of Chrift, who is GOD, bleffed over all, hold him faft, keep close to the Manifeftation of his Light and Grace, that fo you may grow in Grace, and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrift; who gave himself for us, that he might Redeem us from all Iniquity, and purifie us to Himfelf, a peculiar People, Zealous of Good Works, Titus 2. 14. It is not only fome, but all Iniquity that Chrift is come to Redeem us from, that we might be a peculiar People to himself, zealous of good Works.

And they who are truly Zealous of Good Works, will be careful to fhun every Evil Work; yea, every Appearance of Evil: Depart

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