diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/68704-0.txt | 3447 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/68704-0.zip | bin | 63606 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/68704-h.zip | bin | 6404755 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/68704-h/68704-h.htm | 3655 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/68704-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 6363589 -> 0 bytes |
8 files changed, 17 insertions, 7102 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..be2cfc1 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #68704 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/68704) diff --git a/old/68704-0.txt b/old/68704-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 2d846f7..0000000 --- a/old/68704-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3447 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of A True Interpretation of the Witch of -Endor, by Lodowick Muggleton - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: A True Interpretation of the Witch of Endor - -Author: Lodowick Muggleton - -Release Date: August 7, 2022 [eBook #68704] - -Language: English - -Produced by: deaurider, David King, and the Online Distributed - Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. (This file was - produced from images generously made available by The - Internet Archive.) - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TRUE INTERPRETATION OF THE -WITCH OF ENDOR *** - - - A True Interpretation of the Witch of Endor - - - - - A TRUE INTERPRETATION OF THE WITCH OF ENDOR, - - Spoken of in 1 Sam. XXVIII. begin. at the 11th Verse. - - SHEWING, - - -1. How She and all other Witches do beget or produce that Familiar -Spirit they deal with, and what a Familiar Spirit is, and how those -Voices are procured, and Shapes appear unto them, whereby the Ignorant -and Unbelieving People are deceived by them. - -2. It is clearly made appear in this TREATISE, that no Spirit can be -raised without its Body, neither can any Spirit assume any Body after -Death; For if the Spirit doth walk, the Body must walk also. - -3. An Interpretation of all those Scriptures, that doth seem as if -Spirits might go out of Men's Bodies when they die, and subsist in some -Place or other without Bodies. - -Lastly, Several other Things needful for the Mind of Man to know; which -whoever doth understand, it will be great Satisfaction. - - - By LODOWICKE MUGGLETON, - - -_Penman hereof, and the last chosen Witness unto that Ever-Blessed Body -of Christ Jesus Glorified, to be the only Wise, very True God alone, -Everlasting Father, and Creator of both Worlds, and all that were made -in them._ - - -The Second Edition. - -_LONDON_, - -Printed by SUBSCRIPTION in the YEAR 1724. - - - - - TO THE READER. - - -I Have been desired by several Friends, to set forth the Interpretation -concerning the Witch of _Endor_ and King _Saul_; how it may be -understood how she raised _Samuel_, and how Familiar Spirits came to be -procured, and with what Power they do such strange Things. Many Enemies -also have objected this Place, to prove that Spirits may be raised -without Bodies, and that Spirits may walk, or be happy or miserable -without Bodies: Though I have given an Answer in Discourse to these -Doubts and Questions, but few can retain in their Memory what is spoken -in Discourse; therefore I thought it convenient and necessary to set it -forth in Print, for the Information and Satisfaction of many Friends who -desire it, and for the Convincement of all Gain-sayers. And let them -seriously read it over without Prejudice, and they may see this Point -clearly opened, which hath laid hid this many Hundred Years, with other -Places of Scriptures opened, which many have objected against this -Interpretation, and all those Places of Scripture that is commonly -brought, or doth most seem to hold forth, that Spirits may be without -Bodies, are likewise opened and expounded in short in this Treatise, as -followeth. - - CHAP. I. - 1 SAM. XXVIII. _from the 11th to the 18th Verse_. - - -I Shall give the Interpretation, what is meant by that Familiar Spirit -the Witch of _Endor_ which did raise _Samuel_, so much spoken of in the -Book of _Samuel_, and other Places of Scripture; and so much objected by -many to prove that Spirits may be raised without Bodies, and may appear -unto People in what Shape they please. - -The Belief of this lying Principle, it did proceed out of the -Imagination of Reason, the Devil----The Imagination that doth arise or -proceed from the Seed of Reason in Man, is that Familiar Spirit that -Witches deal with, and that Familiar Spirit it proceedeth from no Spirit -or Devil without a Man, but from the Seed of Reason within Man; for look -what evil Thoughts doth arise out of the Heart of Man, it proceedeth out -of the Seed of Reason in Man, and not from any thing without Man; for -the Imagination of the Heart, it is plac'd in the Seed of Reason, -therefore it is said in Scripture, _That the Imaginations of Man's Heart -was evil, and that every Imagination of the Thoughts of his Heart was -only evil continually_, as in _Gen._ vi. 5. So that there is no other -Devil, or Spirit, or Familiar Spirit for Witches to deal withal, or to -work any Enchantments by, but their own Imagination; there the Familiar -Spirit is produced from whence it came, and there it ceases to be when -they are put to Death, or over-power'd by the Knowledge, and the Power -of Faith in other Men, then the Familiar Spirit centers in the -Imagination again, it being over-powered by the Power of Faith; so -likewise, the good Thoughts that doth proceed out of the Heart of Man, -they do arise or proceed from the Seed of Faith, concerning the true -God, or any heavenly Secret, or temporal Judgments, or temporal -Blessings; if the Foreknowledge of these Things doth arise, or be -foretold by the Revelation of the Seed of Faith, they are and may be -called the Spirit of God. - -Because they were foretold and declared by the Revelation of the Seed of -Faith, which Seed of Faith is the Seed of God, it being of God's own -Nature, therefore called the Spirit of God, and so foretold and declared -by the Spirit of God: So likewise, what Foreknowledge or Declaration of -Things, that are above that which is common to the Seed of Reason, (as -raising of Spirits and such like;) I say, they do proceed from the -Imagination of Reason, the Devil; and this strong Imagination from the -Seed of Reason, is that Familiar Spirit by which Witches do divine or -foretel Things. So that the strong Imagination of Reason, being -exercised about Things that are beyond Trades and Sciences, that are -necessary, needful, and lawful; so it becomes a Familiar Spirit, because -it proceeds from the imagination of Reason, and the Seed of Reason being -the Devil, and the Devil being the fallen Angel; for the Devil is Man -and Woman; and the Seed of Reason is their Seed. And that Seed of Reason -it came from, that Serpent that beguiled _Eve_; and that Serpent was an -Angel, and his Seed was Reason, and this Reason in Man is the Devil; and -the Imagination of Reason is the Father of that Familiar Spirit, by -which a Man or Woman doth Divine, Soothsay, raise Shapes, or hear -Voices, or any such Thing of that Nature, they all proceed from the -Imagination of Reason in Man, and the original Being of this Seed of -Reason. It came from that Serpent-Angel, that was cast down from Heaven -unto this Earth, who deceived our first Parents, as I have abundantly -shewed in _Rev._ xi. and in the Interpretation of the whole Book of the -_Revelation_. - -Now I have laid a Foundation for the Reader, that he may the better -understand the Foundation, from whence these Familiar Spirits that -Witches have, do proceed, and how they are procured, and what Power they -have over the ignorant Mind of Man; therefore to satisfy the Thoughts of -many, who hath desired and requested of me, that I would interpret some -chief Sayings in the Scriptures, that speaketh of Witchcraft, and -Familiar Spirits, and such like; which Sayings are very strange and hard -to be understood; so that most People are very much unsatisfied in these -Things, though clear in their Judgments, in many other Things that are -of more Concernment. And as I have given the Interpretation of the whole -Book of the _Revelation_, with many other Places of Scripture, to the -great Comfort and Satisfaction of many, so I shall add the -Interpretation of this thing also. - -The first Place of Scripture I shall insist upon, is that in 1 _Sam._ -xxviii. beginning at the 11th Verse, concerning the Witch of _Endor_; -this is commonly the Place that most People fetch to prove, that Spirits -may be raised in what Shape the Witch please by their Familiar Spirits; -therefore let the Reader mind the Discourse that followeth. The Words -are these, _Then said the Woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he -said, bring me up_ Samuel. And in the 12th Verse, _And when the Woman -saw_ Samuel, _she cried with aloud Voice, and the Woman spake to_ Saul, -_saying, why hast thou deceived me, for thou art_ Saul? And in the 13th -Verse, _And the King said unto her, be not afraid, for what sawest thou? -And the Woman said unto_ Saul, _I saw Gods ascending out of the Earth_. -The 14th Verse, _And he said unto her, what Form is he of? And she said, -an old Man cometh up, and he is covered with a Mantle. And_ Saul -_perceived it was_ Samuel, _and he stooped with his Face to the Ground, -and bowed himself_. The 15th Verse, _And_ Samuel _said to_ Saul, _Why -hast thou disquieted me to bring me up? And_ Saul _answered, I am sore -distressed: For the_ Philistines _make War against me, and God is -departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by Prophet, nor by -Dreams: Therefore I have called thee, that thou mayst make known unto me -what I shall do_. Verse 16. _Then said_ Samuel, _Wherefore then dost -thou ask of me, seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become -thine Enemy?_ Verse 17. _And the Lord hath done to him, as he spake by -me; for the Lord hath rent the Kingdom out of thine Hand, and given it -to thy Neighbour, even to_ David. Verse 18. _Because thou obeyest not -the Voice of the Lord, nor executed his fierce Wrath upon_ Amalek; -_therefore hath the Lord done this Thing unto thee this Day_. - - - - - CHAP. II. - - -This Familiar Spirit the Witch of _Endor_ and other Witches have, -whereby they do such Things, it is the Imagination of Reason, the Devil -in themselves; that is, they set themselves apart with the Thoughts of -the Imaginations of their Hearts, to dive into the diabolical Power; -that is, that they might know the Depths of Satan, their Imagination -conceiving that the Devil is a Spirit flying in the Air, and that this -Spirit can assume or take up any Shape it please. So that the -Imagination of the Heart hath produced an evil Spirit in it self, so -that this Familiar Spirit is begotten out of the Womb of Reason: For the -Seed of Reason in Man is the Womb or the Mother, and the Imagination of -the Heart is the Father that begets this Familiar Spirit, and this -Familiar Spirit is the Son of Imagination. So that all Thoughts of the -Heart, and that wonderful Knowledge declared by them, it is revealed -through this Son the Familiar Spirit, begotten in themselves by the Seed -of Reason the Mother, and Imagination the Father. So that there is no -Devil, nor Familiar Spirit without them, as People do vainly imagine, -but the Devil and Familiar Spirit is always within them, and no where -else; yet all People fear a Devil without them, but he is no where to be -found but in Man and Woman, this I do certainly know to be true. - -Again, These Witches doth suppose the true God to be an Infinite Spirit, -without any Body or Substance, as all People almost do; and that the -Devil is a Spirit that can assume Bodies or what Shape he pleaseth, or -what Shape or Form the Witch shall call for. This is the Opinion of most -People in the World as well as Witches, yea, even of the most of the -greatest learned Men; Darkness hath overspread the Minds of all learned -Men in the World, so that they cannot find out what the true God is, nor -where he is; nor what the right Devil is, nor where he is; yea Man, -himself is he that cannot find out himself: But no more of this now. - -To the Matter in hand, the Witches they do not know any Divine Being, or -Power, or Form of God, but what their Imagination doth conceive to be -God, for they have full Faith in this Knowledge of theirs, to be the -true Knowledge of God; only the Laws of Men they fear, but no other God, -but that Familiar Spirit which they have produced in themselves, by -giving themselves either to Fasting and Prayer, unto an unknown Divine -Being or Power; supposing this Power to be a Spirit that can appear in -any Shape they shall call for or desire. And all People being ignorant -of the true God, and the right Devil, as they themselves are, so that -the People have a Faith in these Witches, being ignorant as aforesaid. - -What the true God and right Devil is, and the Witches Faith, and their -Faith being joyn'd together, it becometh strong to atchieve such -Apparitions as their Faith hath chose to be the Object of their -Imagination: For he that enquireth of a Witch, his Faith and the Witch's -Faith is all one. - -Also this is to be minded, that all Witches have some Rule by which they -do perceive those Apparitions, and hear those Voices; for their is no -wicked Knowledge or wicked Wisdom as the Wisdom of the World, neither is -there any good Knowledge or good Wisdom as the Wisdom of God. I say, -there is no Knowledge or Wisdom good or bad, but those that have it they -must go by some Rule, else it is meer Nonsense; as most of your -_Quakers_ Matters or Principles are meer Nonsense, that hath neither -Bottom nor Top. - - - - - CHAP. III. - - -But to the Matter in hand, we see the natural Astrologers they go by a -Rule, and their Wisdom and Knowledge in Things of Nature, it is declared -by them from and by a Rule, else that they say would be meer Nonsense -and Foolishness. - -Yet I say, your natural Astrologers they are Witches, and have their -Figure to judge the Effects of the Stars; but this Witchcraft is allowed -by the Powers of the Nations. - -So I say, these Witches that doth do Things by a Familiar Spirit, they -have a Rule to walk by as the other hath; for as the Imagination of the -other hath by the Study of the Figure, attained to give some Judgment -upon the Effects of the Stars, upon a particular Person or Nation. So -likewise those Witches that hath a Familiar Spirit, they have attained -to this Familiar Spirit out of their Imagination of Reason, as I said -before. - -And this Familiar Spirit being begotten in themselves by the Strength of -Imagination their Father; now understand thus much, that this diabolical -Wisdom that is begotten in Man and Woman by the Imagination of Reason, -the Devil is that Familiar Spirit that Men and Women do act by. - -And after this Familiar Spirit is begotten in Man or Woman by -Imagination their father, as I said before, then this Familiar Spirit of -the Witch will motion in the Mind too fast, and pray unto the Host of -Heaven, the Sun, Moon and Planets, supposing that the good Spirit in -some of them, and imagining the evil Spirit or Devil to be in other some -of them. - -Now observe, when this Familiar Spirit is produced in them, then they -observe every Motion of the Mind, and their Faith being in every Motion -of their Minds, it produceth either some farther Knowledge in their own -Apprehension, or else some Visions are presented to their Phantasies; -for they have dedicated some certain Words to be said in their Minds -motional, to be used when they would do any Feats, besides their Fasting -and Prayer. And this Thing they have dedicated to enquire of, is that -which they divine with, or tell any Thing from it, is much like unto the -Astrologers, their Figure is dedicated for that Purpose, that he may -tell Things from, and without the Knowledge of the Figure. He can tell -nothing except he were skilled in it before, but the Figure was the -Thing he came to know more than others at the first; for wonderful -Things may be accomplished through the Imagination of Reason, when it -hath set it self apart on purpose to attain unto such Things. - -For I find by Experience within this seventeen Years, what strange -Things hath been atchieved by Man and Woman, who hath given themselves -up to an unknown God upon a Religious Account. Some hath by their -Fasting and Prayer unto an unknown God, attained unto Visions, -Apparitions, Appearance of Angels, Voices, and many other strange -Things; yet altogether ignorant of the true God and the right Devil, and -what Angels are; so that these Things hath been all within them, and -they thought that God had revealed these Things unto them; when as they -did attain unto these Things aforesaid by their own Endeavours; as many -_Quakers_ and others can Witness at this Day, if they would, by -hearkening to the Light within them, and Fasting, and such like. Neither -did God present any Vision, or speak any Voice unto them, but they do -produce those Things aforesaid by their own Imaginations. - -So is it with Witches, they do raise Shapes and Voices out of -themselves, and those Voices they hear, they are no other but motional -Voices in themselves; and the ignorant People that believes them is -Partakers of those motional Voices also with the Witch. - -For their is no Spirit of the Devil without them, that doth assume any -Shape, or speak any Voice unto the Witch, neither doth any Spirit -without the Witch reveal any Knowledge unto them; it is all produced by -their own wicked Imagination, who hath begotten within themselves that -Familiar Spirit they deal with, and not from any Devil or Spirit without -them. - -But all cometh from the Imagination within, that is, the Devil and no -other; yet this Familiar Spirit is produced from within them, to see -Shapes, and hear motional Voices, meerly by watching the Motion of the -Imagination that is placed in their Minds or Hearts, even as the -_Quakers_ do by hearkening to the Light within them, they do procure -many strange Visions and motional Voices, but they being Groundless and -Nonsensical they come to nothing. - - - - - CHAP. IV. - - -Let the Reader observe when King _Saul_ asked the Witch of _Endor_, -_What Form the Gods was of, she had seen ascend out of the Earth_; The -Woman answered and said, _An old Man with a Mantle, &c._ But _Saul_ saw -nothing but as the Woman told him, and _Saul_ believed her Words, and -bowed himself to the Ground.----Now mind the 15th Verse, Samuel _said -to_ Saul, _why hast thou disquieted me to bring me up_; the Meaning is -this, now the Witch had full Power over _Saul_, so that he did really -believe the Witch, that she had indeed raised up _Samuel_, though he saw -nothing----yet the Fear of being destroyed by the _Philistines_, and the -Belief of the Woman's Words, _Samuel_ began to speak in _Saul_'s -Conscience; there came into _Saul_'s Mind the Words which _Samuel_ had -told him in his Life-time.----So that these was no speaking to _Saul_ by -_Samuel_, but the Reasonings of _Saul_'s own Heart; and these Voices -that _Samuel_ spake to _Saul_, they were motional Voices that did arise -in _Saul_'s own Heart.----For an accusing Conscience will speak dreadful -Voices in the Conscience; as the Blood of _Abel_ cried for Vengeance in -_Cain_'s Conscience, and the Saints that were slain under the Altar; -cried for Vengeance upon those that shed their Blood; so that a sinful -Conscience will have Voices enough to torment him, though God himself, -nor Prophet without him, doth never speak unto him. A guilty Conscience -will speak with a motional Voice their great Terror and Torment, which -is greater than can be born, as it was with _Cain_, _Saul_, and _Judas_. -Yea, it was Fear, and the Remembrance of _Saul_'s Disobedience to -_Samuel_'s Words in his Life-time, this did arise afresh in _Saul_'s -Mind, and spake with motional Voices in _Saul_'s Conscience, accusing -him for his Disobedience to _Samuel_'s Words. - -For the Remembrance of _Samuel_'s Words, may be said to disquiet -_Samuel_; for _Samuel_'s Words were buried in _Saul_'s Conscience. - -But now, by his going to enquire of a Witch, _Samuel_ is revived again -in _Saul_'s Mind, and there _Samuel_ speaks Fear, Wrath, and Terror; for -_Samuel_'s Words spake in _Saul_'s Conscience one motional Voice, and -the Guilt of _Saul_'s Disobedience spake Fear and Horror in _Saul_'s -Conscience, this was a motional Voice in _Saul_'s Conscience also; for -the Voice of Truth will speak, or the Voice of Obedience, and the Voice -of Sin and Disobedience will speak in Man's Conscience, as if they were -two distinct Spirits. - -This many guilty Consciences can witness, as we may read by _Cain_ that -killed his Brother, and _Judas_ that betrayed his Lord, and many others -who hath been guilty of the like Crimes. - -So that the Witch did raise no _Samuel_, nor Spirit, but a meer Shadow -it was the Witch saw, which she could raise by her Art; neither was -there any _Samuel_ or Spirit not at all that did speak to _Saul_, but -that motional Voice in _Saul_'s Conscience as aforesaid. - -And in this Sense _Samuel_ may be said to be disquieted; for if _Saul_ -had never gone to the Witch to enquire of her, _Samuel_'s Words had been -quiet in _Saul_; neither would _Saul_ have had such Reasonings in -himself, nor have been so sensible of the Worm of his Conscience. - -So that there was no Voice of _Samuel_ spoke unto _Saul_, but a motional -Voice in _Saul_'s own Mind or Conscience; his Fear and his Disobedience, -and what _Samuel_ had told him before, these all speaking with Voices in -his wounded Conscience. _Samuel_'s Words spake one Voice, and his own -Disobedience spake another; so that the Witch of _Endor_ did neither -raise _Samuel_, but only made the King believe she did, neither did -_Samuel_ speak to the King but as aforesaid. - -For the Kingdom being rent out of his Hands, his Sons being destroyed, -and all other Threatnings of _Samuel_, they came into _Saul_'s Mind -afresh with strong Motions, so that they became as Voices in _Saul_'s -Heart, as if _Samuel_ had spake to the hearing of the Ear: For there was -no _Samuel_ raised, nor no _Samuel_ spake, but what was motional in the -Mind of _Saul_, and what did visionally appear unto the Witch, which was -a meer Shadow which she could produce by her Witchcraft-Art, to all -those that were more ignorant than her self, or had Faith in her Power. - - - - - CHAP. V. - - -For the Reader must mind, that Witches and all those that doth attain to -the Visions, and hear Voices within them, they do use Means to attain -unto it; also they have some standing Rule or Art, by which they come to -enquire or to know Things, that are above that Knowledge which is common -to other People, it is much like unto the Ways of God. - -Therefore let the Reader mind the Ground work laid down at the first, -that the Imagination of Reason had begotten a Son out of the Womb of the -Seed of Reason in Man, which I call the Mother, and Imagination the -Father, and the Son that is begotten in the Womb of Reason; by -Imagination the Father is that great Wisdom, Knowledge and Power, by -which they go beyond other People who are of a lower Capacity. - -This Son is that Familiar Spirit Witches doth deal with; it is another -Spirit begotten in them, which was not in their Birth, when they were -born, but begotten in themselves since by Imagination as aforesaid; -Neither is this Familiar Spirit produced, or doth come from any Thing, -or any Devil without them, as People do vainly imagine; but the Familiar -Spirit it is produced, and doth come from within, _for out of the Heart -cometh evil Thoughts, Murder, Adultery_, &c. And all Familiar Spirits, -they are all conceived in the Heart, and being conceived there, in its -Season it bringeth forth such Spirits as are conceived in the Heart; if -Envy and Murder be conceived, as it was in _Cain_, then it bringeth -forth the Spirit or Deed of Murder; if Lust be conceived in the Heart, -it bringeth forth the Spirit and Act of Adultery, as it did in _David_; -and if a Familiar Spirit be conceived in the Heart, then it bringeth -forth such a Spirit that shall speak motional Voices within them, as if -some Spirits without them did appear without a Body, and speak to them, -and reveal those Things unto them. - -Many wicked Spirits more then is mentioned, are conceived in the Hearts -of Men and Women, and acted by them, Spirits, I say, that were never of -God's Creation, but hath been conceived in the Mind of Man since; for -when Sin is conceived, as in _James_ i. 15. _When Lust hath conceived, -it bringeth forth Sin; and Sin when it is finished, bringeth forth -Death_: so that there is a Conception of Sin first in the Heart; and if -it doth not die before it quickens into Life, that is, into act; then it -bringeth forth Death, which is the Punishment due to such Sins, that are -alive in Man's Actions, after they were conceived in the Heart. And as -the Evil of Murder, Adultery, and Theft is conceived first in the Heart, -so is that Familiar Spirit Witches and Wizards have; they are first -conceived in the Mind, and in a little Season it groweth alive in them, -and speaketh unto them, as if it were without them: For this I say, that -a Familiar Spirit is conceived and begotten in the Heart of Man and -Woman, as the other Sins aforementioned are, and the Cause why God is -more angry with those that deal with a Familiar Spirit, and hath -commanded them to be put to Death, more than for other Sins conceived in -the Mind is, because they imitate the Way of God. Or the Spirit of -Prophecy, which causeth the People to believe in a meer Fiction or -Shadow without any Substance, that a Spirit may be raised out of the -Ground without a Body, and so they forsake the living God, who hath a -Body of his own, and gave Life to every Creature, that hath a Body and -doth believe a Lie, which hath been conceived in the Mind, and hath -quickned into a Familiar Spirit, and this Spirit doth always live within -the Witch, and not without her; and this Familiar Spirit thus conceived, -first in the evil Mind, and afterward quickning in the evil Heart, _it -goeth from Strength to Strength, and from one Degree of Knowledge, to a -farther Degree of_ evil _Knowledge, and evil Wisdom_, as all Things else -doth that hath Life; for Sin hath Life in it, and the outward Law -causeth Sin to revive in every one that doth evil, as St. _Paul_ saith, -_Rom._ vii. 9. Thus in some Measure the Reader may understand what a -Familiar Spirit is, and how it comes to have a Being in Witches and -Wizards, and how the ignorant are Partakers with the Familiar Spirit. - -In the next Place, I shall shew how those that have a Familiar Spirit do -imitate the way of God, or the way of true Prophets; observe the Way and -Manner of true Prophets, High-Priests, and all other People, who are -richly gifted with the Spirit of Prophecy, or Revelation; for the Seed -of Faith planted in the Heart, is the Seed and Nature of God, as Reason -is the Seed and Nature of the Serpent or Devil; and as the Seed of -Reason is the Womb or Mother for Imagination to get a Son. - -So likewise the Seed of Faith in Man, is the Womb or Mother for the -Revelation of Faith, to beget a Son out of the Seed of Faith, answerable -as the Imagination doth out of the Seed of Reason. - -And this Son the Revelation hath begotten out of the Seed of Faith, is -that heavenly Wisdom, discerning Knowledge and Power over the Spirits of -others, and Knowledge of Things above the Stars, and knoweth the true -God in Form and Nature, with many other heavenly Secrets, which none -else can know but those that believe them. - -So that the Revelation of Faith hath begotten this heavenly Wisdom, -Power and Glory out of the Seed of Faith, which is the Seed of God, even -of his Divine Nature; and this Wisdom, Power, and Glory, is that Son or -Spirit, by which all Prophets, High Priests, Apostles and others that -have it. - -I say this is that by which they can truly divine by, in that they can -foretel truly what shall come to pass, according to the Knowledge of the -Revelation of Faith; and this Wisdom, and Knowledge being produced by -Revelation out of the Womb of the Seed of Faith, it may and is called -the Spirit of God in Man, that doth teach and shew the Wisdom of God to -others, so that others cometh to be taught and subjected by it, to their -great Peace here, and eternal Joy hereafter. - - - - - CHAP. VI. - - -And this Spirit of Wisdom, Knowledge and Power, which is produced by the -Revelation as aforesaid, it hath motional Voices in the Conscience, as -the Familiar Spirit hath in the evil Conscience; but the motional Voices -in a good Conscience speaketh Peace. Likewise this motional Voice in -Prophets, High-Priests, Apostles, and others, is that by which they do -foretel Things by, whether it be good or bad, that shall befal those -that shall enquire. - -Also the Spirit of Revelation hath a standing Rule to enquire by, as -those have that doth tell Things by a Familiar Spirit, as I said before; -for the Witches doth imitate the way of the Prophets, and the Devil's -Way is as like God's Way as he can. - -Now let the Reader mind, and he may see how Men have enquired of the -Lord by motional Voices in the Mind, by that Spirit of Faith which is -gotten by Revelation, which is called the Spirit of God. - -In the Time of the Law of _Moses_, the Ephod was a standing Rule, for to -enquire of God for good or bad Success. Now there was no Man could tell -what the Event would be that looked upon the Ephod, but such Men as had -the Spirit of Revelation and Prophecy in them; as _David_ and the High -Priest, as soon as ever they looked upon the Ephod, they could tell -whether they should prosper in Battle or not; but if any other Man which -had not the Spirit of Revelation and Prophecy should look upon the -Ephod, they could tell nothing by it. - -Though the Ephod was appointed of God, on purpose to enquire of God, yet -none could find out God's Mind, but such Men aforesaid; for as soon as -ever _David_ or the High-Priest looked upon the Ephod, they could tell -what the Event would be, as may be seen, 1 _Sam._ xxiii. 6, 9. how -_David_ called for the Ephod and _Abiathar_ the Priest to bring it to -enquire of the Lord. - -Yet God never spake to them by Voice, yet they had motional Voices in -themselves in their Hearts, assuring them that they prosper or not -prosper; yet God never appeared himself, nor any Angel, neither did God -speak by any Voice, yet they are bid to go and prosper, as if they had -heard some Voice by looking upon the Ephod, so that those Voices that -bid them go and prosper, they were motional Voices that did arise from -the Revelation and Spirit of Prophecy within them by that Skill they had -in the Ephod, which was appointed of God for that Purpose. So that all -_David_'s Voices, and the High-Priest Voices, that were motional Voices, -yet called the Voice of God, because they did arise from the Seed of -Faith in _David_ and others, which is the Divine Nature of God, -therefore called the Spirit of God. - -For this I say, if _Saul_ had not lost that Spirit of Prophecy by his -Disobedience, as he once had, when the good Spirit departed from him, he -might have enquired of the Ephod, and have been answered with a motional -Voice by the Ephod, as he was by enquiring of a Witch. - -For the Spirit of _Samuel_ did speak no more to _Saul_, then the Spirit -of God did speak to _David_, they were both motional Voices that did -arise from their two Seeds the one Voice spake Peace and Deliverance, -and the other spake Wrath and Destruction; the one did enquire in the -Way that God did appoint, even of the Ephod, or of the Lord's Prophets; -the other did enquire of that which was forbidden, and forsook the Lord -and his Prophets, and went to a Witch to enquire: It was because one was -the Seed of _Adam_, which is the Seed of God, and so chosen of God in -Mercy, even _David_; and the other was the Seed of the Serpent, even the -Devil, who was chosen King in God's Wrath even _Saul_. - -This is the true Interpretation of those Voices that _Samuel_ spake to -_Saul_, and of his being raised by the Witch of _Endor_. - -Therefore you that can understand these things as aforementioned, you -may see how the whole World lieth in Darkness, and are cheated of their -Sense and Reason by this lying and vain Imagination, to believe that -Spirits can be without Bodies, or that Spirits can be raised without -Bodies, or that Spirits can speak without Bodies, or that Spirits -departed can assume any Shapes afterwards; these Things and many more -are produced by the dark Imagination of the Heart of Man: And if the -Reader hath any true Light of Faith in him, he may understand the -Interpretation I have given of the Witch of _Endor_, and how a Familiar -Spirit is produced or begotten in them, and be satisfied in his Mind as -to that Matter; so much concerning those Words in _Samuel_ -aforementioned. - - - - - CHAP. VII. - - -Again, it is said, _Isa._ viii. 29. the Prophet speaking there to -unbelieving _Israelites_ that did not believe the Word of the Lord -through the Prophets Mouths, concerning the Destruction that should come -upon _Israel_; this Judgment did the Lord threaten by the Mouth of his -Prophet _Isaiah_ to bring upon _Israel_ for their Unbelief; and this -Prophet seeing the People would not hearken unto the Voice of the Lord's -Prophets, nor inquire of them, but altogether persecuted them as false -Prophets, Deceivers and Liers, and the Inclination of their Hearts was -more willing and desirous to enquire of a Witch or Wizard, who had a -Familiar Spirit then of the Prophet of the Lord, as you may see Chapter -and Verse above-written; the Words are these as followeth. - -_And when they shall say unto you, seek unto them that have Familiar -Spirits, and unto Wizards that peep and that mutter, should not a People -seek unto their God for the living to the dead._ The Meaning of these -Words is this, that unbelieving Men do think and believe that Witches -and Wizards who hath a Familiar Spirit, can rise out of the Ground where -dead Men were buried, living Spirits without Bodies that can reveal -Things unto them, by that motional Voice that doth proceed from these -Familiar Spirits, which doth peep and mutter. - -That is, the Whisperings that proceeds from this Familiar Spirit, that -is begotten by the Imagination of Reason the Father, and the Seed of -Reason the Mother, as I said before, is that motional Voice all Witches -and Wizards have, whereby they peep and mutter in themselves, as if they -did hear Voices and see Shapes, and living Spirits arise out of the -Ground, as the Witch of _Endor_ said to King _Saul_, _She saw Gods -ascend out of the earth_. When as there was no Spirit nor Shape came out -of the Ground, at all; but the Gods she saw ascend out of the Earth came -out of her own Imagination, even that Familiar Spirit begotten in her, -it seemed unto her as if it did ascend out of the Earth, but those Gods -she said she saw ascend out of the Earth, they ascended out of her own -Imagination, and _Saul_ believed her, and so was Partakers with her, and -he did believe that she had raised _Samuel_'s Spirit out of the Earth, -as the Witch had said. - -And this is to be minded by the Reader, that when Spirits are to be -raised by Witches, her Familiar Spirit always ariseth out of her own -self, even from the Seed of Reason and Imagination of her own Heart, -whereby she doth hear Voices within her, whispering low Voices, as if -some other Spirits without her did spake with a low Voice unto her, and -present Shapes unto her dazled Eyes, which seemeth to the Witch to be -real Voices of a Spirit without her, and a real Shape without her; when -as in Deed and in Truth, it ariseth out of her own self, even from the -Seed of Reason, and Imagination of her own Heart, whereby she doth hear -Voices within her, whispering low Voices, as if some other Spirit -without her did speak with a low Voice to her, and present Shapes to her -dazled Eyes, which seemeth to the Witch to be a real Voice of a Spirit -without her, and a real Shape without her, when as in Deed and in Truth -it is nothing else but a motional Voice begotten in her self, and Shapes -begotten in her self, by the Imagination in the Womb of Reason as -aforesaid, which is that Familiar Spirit. - -Which is that Familiar Spirit she doth deal with, she thinking it is -from some Spirit without her, she not knowing it is begotten in her; and -this Familiar Spirit begotten in her, it whispers within her with a low -motional Voice, as if some Spirit did whisper out of the Ground. -According to that saying of the Prophet, _Isa._ xxix. 4. concerning the -Destruction or Judgment of God upon _Jerusalem_; the Words are these, -_And thou shalt be brought down and shalt speak out of the Ground, and -thy Speech shall be low out of the Dust, and thy Voice shall be as one -that hath a Familiar Spirit out of the Ground, and thy Speech shall -whisper out of the Dust_. - -As if the Prophet should say, Seeing you have refused to hearken to the -Voice of the Prophets, which hath declared the Mind of the God of -_Israel_ openly with a loud Voice; you have heard them speak plain Words -with your Ears, but you have not believed they spoke Truth unto you; -therefore you have rejected the Word of the Lord by his Prophets, and -have persecuted and slain some of them as false Prophets, because they -spake unto you in the Name of the Lord, as it was revealed by the Spirit -of Revelation in them. - -They spake plain Words unto you, as might be heard to the outward Ear by -the Standers-by; they were visible Men that spake unto you, so that you -need not to enquire after any that hath a Familiar Spirit, who speaketh -so softly and so low, that no Standers-by can hear this Familiar Spirit -speak, but he or she that hath it. - -But as for plain Words openly declared by the Prophets, and publickly -heard by the outward Ear, these you have rejected, despised, persecuted, -and counted them Liars, Deceivers, false Prophets, and such like: -Therefore God hath given you over to strong Delusions, to enquire of a -Witch, who makes you believe that Spirits may be raised out of the -Ground, and that Spirits do come out of the Dust, and whisper to the -Witch with a low Voice, that none can hear but her self. So that those -that enquire do believe as King _Saul_ did, that a Familiar Spirit can -enter into the Dust or Ground, and bring up another Man's Spirit that is -dead without its Body, and so their two Spirits whisper so low together, -that none can hear that stands by, nor tell what this Spirit that is -raised did say, nor whether the Spirit so raised is gone into the Body -again, or into the Ground from whence the Witch said it was raised; -which Spirit that is said to be raised, or said to speak out of the -Ground, I say, it was raised out of the Witches own Body, and no where -else; and those low Voices and Whisperings were both within her, and not -without her. - - - - - CHAP. VIII. - - -Now how a Man may be said to be brought down, and shall speak out of the -Ground, and their Speech shall be low out of the Dust: The Meaning is, -when a particular Man or Woman, or a People or Nation, be in the same -Distress and Condition as King _Saul_ was; that is, in Danger of loosing -his Crown and Kingdom, his natural Life; and not only so, but his Soul -is tormented with the Fear of eternal Death; this maketh the Heart of -Man to melt in him; it makes his Speech to grow weak and feeble, so that -his Speech can hardly be heard; it is even as if a Man did speak out of -Death, or out of the Ground. - -A Man with the Extremity of outward and inward Trouble, he becomes -Speechless, yet he speaks in his Thoughts, but so low, that none that -stands by can hear or tell what he saith. This many can experience, that -have seen their Friend or Relation in this Condition; this is like -speaking out of the Ground, and low out of the Dust. And the Voice of -every such troubled Soul, who hath the Plagues of this Life, and the -Horror of Conscience as to the Life to come, as King _Saul_ had the -Voice such People have, is as one that hath a Familiar Spirit out of the -Ground, and their Speech shall be as if one did whisper out of the Dust. - -This Place of Scripture hath the same Meaning as the Place -before-mentioned, _Isa._ viii. 19. where such as King _Saul_ was, are -bade to seek unto them that have Familiar Spirits, and unto Wizards, -that peep and mutter, (that is) that whisper out of the Ground; for -whisper, peep, and mutter, signifies all one Thing. - -These Things did _Manasseh_, 2 _Kings_ xxi. 6. he dealt with Familiar -Spirits, and did great Abominations; he made his Sons to pass thorough -the Fire, in offering them up a Sacrifice to an unknown Devil, which he -thought was God; and this he did by the Whisperings of the Familiar -Spirit within him, and being acquainted with others, who were known to -have Familiar Spirits also. And so did several other Kings of _Israel_ -deal with Familiar Spirits, and had those low whispering Voices in -themselves, as if Spirits had risen out of the Ground, or from the Dust -to speak unto them; and this they did attain unto by Industry, in that -they forsook the Words of the Prophets, and would not hearken unto them, -but gave themselves up to follow the Imaginations of their own Hearts; -imagining they might as well know God, and what Worship would please God -as well as the Prophets; therefore why should we, being Kings, hearken -unto such mean inferiour Men as these? May not we by our Familiar Spirit -as well know God, and what Worship will please him by our Familiar -Spirit, as the Prophets do by the Spirit of Prophecy? Why should we be -in such Bondage, that we can do nothing but what they say, the Lord -commands us to do? So the Imagination saith, Come, we will not be tied -up thus; we will see what our Familiar Spirit begotten in us will do; we -will erect and build Altars in several Places, and sacrifice Bullocks -and Lambs to an unknown God; and so by this Means they procure in -themselves low motional Voices, which whisper in themselves, which -becomes in them a Familiar Spirit, is produced in themselves: And there -is a more Increase of low motional Voices, which doth whisper in the -Mind, moving them to a further Degree of Knowledge, and endeavour after -more Voices, so that to attain to this diabolical Wisdom in a more high -Measure. They are moved by this low Voice within them to offer up their -own Children in Sacrifices to their imaginary God, which they believe is -an invisible Spirit without a Body, which reveals these Things unto -them, and whispers and speaks those Voices unto them. - -They count nothing too dear for this their imaginary God, no not their -own Sons and Daughters, as _Manasseh_ and others did, that made their -Sons and Daughters pass through the Fire as a Sacrifice to their -imaginary God, that had spoke so many Voices to them, and had whispered -to them. - -But all these Whisperings and low Voices, and peeping of Spirits out of -the Ground, as they thought, I say, they were all within them; for when -they came in any Trouble, their Familiar Spirit departs from them, and -will not comfort them any more, let it be either in Poor or Rich, nay, -Kings that have dealt with Familiar Spirits, when they have been in -Trouble, all their comfort hath been lost, as the poorest Witch that is, -as may be seen by _Manasseh_ and other King spoken of in the Scripture. - -Now observe, when God doth bring upon a People, Nation, or particular -Person, some great Judgment and Destruction, let it be either outward or -inward in the Mind, when it comes upon a People, Nation, or particular -Person, for their Sins and Wickedness they have committed, in forsaking -the Lord's Prophets, and dealing with Witches and Familiar Spirits; as -_Saul_ forsook the Lord and went to a Witch, and _Manasseh_, and several -other Kings of _Israel_, who ought only to have obeyed the Prophets of -the Lord; but they forsook him, and enquired of Witches and Wizards, and -dealt with Familiar Spirits themselves, and caused the People to worship -the Devil (whom they imagined to be God) instead of the true God, whom -the Prophets would have had them to worship. - -But when this Punishment for Sin is inflicted upon a People, Nation, or -particular Person, for dealing with Familiar Spirits, and worshipping of -Devils; when Punishment comes, it makes the Heart or Hearts to fail, for -the Spirit is brought down by this Judgment even to Death, and so goeth -to the Ground; so that the very Fear, Trouble, and Sorrow of Heart, -shall speak as it were out of the Dust, or out of Death; for Sin will -speak out of the Ground, and the Speech of Death will be low in them -that have escaped the Destruction which others did go through; for there -will be a Resemblance in those that have escaped, how their Friends and -Relations are fallen to the Ground or Dust of the Earth for their -Wickedness, so that Sorrow and Grief will speak in the Mind of those -that have escaped with a low Speech, even as one doth who hath a -Familiar Spirit. Or as if their Friends and Relations, the Remembrance -of their Destruction being taken away in Wrath for Sin, it speaks a -small low Voice of Grief and Sorrow in the Heart of those that are -alive, even as one that hath a Familiar Spirit, even a low motional -Voice of Sorrow and Grief, and it cometh as it were out of the Ground, -or out of the Dust. - -That is the very Influence of Grief and Sorrow, for their dead Friends -and People; it causeth, where Grief is, to hear as it were low Voices -and small Speeches, even out of the Ground or out of the Dust of the -Earth: Just as it was with _Cain_ in another Case, the Lord said to -_Cain_, _Thy Brother's Blood crieth from the Ground for Vengeance_; and -so the Blood of those that were slain under the Altar did _from the -Ground cry for Vengeance_, as in _Rev._ vi. 10. it crieth for Vengeance -in the Consciences of all bloody Persecutors. So in like Manner doth the -Death and Destruction of a People, who are destroyed for wicked -Idolatry, as those were the Prophet _Isaiah_ speaketh of, they spake -from the Ground a low Speech in the Conscience of those that were -concerned, Grief, Sorrow, and Fear of the same Punishment, and such -like. - - - - - CHAP. IX. - - -For where Grief and Sorrow is rooted and settled in the Heart, it -speaketh with low motional Voices in the Mind; that is, the thought of -Fear in the Mind, both of temporal Losses and the Loss of eternal Peace. -The Fear moves to and fro in that Mind, as if it were a Speech out of -the Ground; for the Thoughts of the Heart are low Voices which cannot be -heard by any but themselves. - -So is it with those that have a Familiar Spirit, their Voices and Speech -they hear from Spirits without them, as if Spirits did speak to them out -of the Ground: Which Speech they say they hear, is nothing else but the -Thoughts that pass to and fro in their own Minds, a low motional Voice -in themselves, as if Spirits did speak to them with a low Voice out of -the Ground, or out of the Dust. For their Faith is strong, and above all -those that come to enquire of a Witch, they do all believe that Spirits -may be raised without Bodies out of the Ground, as the Witch doth; so -they both do believe, that the Spirit came out of the Ground that spake -those low Voices to the Witch, and she tells it to the other that -enquire of her, and they believe her as King _Saul_ did. - -So they are wholly departed from the Lord, and believe a Lye, to think -that Spirits can be raised out of the Ground without Bodies after Men -have been dead; it is a Thing God never did; we never read in Scripture, -that God or his Prophets did ever raise any Spirits out of the Ground -without Bodies after they were dead; but we read in Scripture, that God -and his Prophets have raised some from the dead with Bodies, as that of -_Lazarus_ being raised out of the Ground by Christ, and the Child that -was raised from Death by the Prophet _Elijah_, and another Child raised -from Death to Life by the Prophet _Elisha_, and several others come -forth out of the Ground at the rising again of Christ from Death, as -those Saints that did arise out of the Graves, and appeared to many that -were alive; these all did arise out of the Graves with Bodies after they -were dead, and _Lazarus_ came forth out of the Ground after he was dead, -but his Spirit came not out of the Ground without his Body, but Body and -Soul came out of the Ground together. - -For it was always God's Practice to raise Soul and Body together; and -because the Imagination of Reason in those that have a Familiar Spirit -cannot do so, nor those that enquire of them, therefore they do imagine -that Spirit may be raised out of the Ground without Bodies, or assume a -Shape and appear like a Body, yet it shall be of no Substance, a Shape -that can neither be felt nor handled by the Hand of Man. - -Now mind, all those God doth raise out of the Ground after they were -dead, they may be handled and felt, though they be Spiritual Bodies, yet -they may be felt and handled, as Christ said to _Thomas_, _Feel me and -handle me_, after he was risen from the dead, and _Thomas laid his -Fingers in the Print of the Nails, and on his Side_. Yet Christ was at -that time a Spiritual Body that was risen from the Dead, that might be -felt and handled, and not a Spirit without a Body, as most People do -vainly imagine that Spirits may be raised without Bodies. - -And as for that _Lazarus_ and others, that were raised by the Power of -God out of the Ground after they had been dead, they had Bodies as well -as Spirits that might be seen with natural Eyes, and handled and felt -with natural Hands. So that God's Power in raising the Dead, it is no -Cheat; the Creature is not cheated nor deceived, but is fully satisfied -in his Mind. - -But for a Familiar Spirit to say or tell People, they do or can raise -Spirits out of the Ground in such a Shape without a Body or bodily -Substance; or shall say, they hear Voices from this Spirit so raised, is -a mere Cheat to the Ignorant and Unbelieving, and leads them into the -Pit of Darkness, and makes them fear where no Fear is, and are afraid of -their own Shadows; for it is the Nature of Reason the Devil to imagine, -that this way of raising of Spirits without Bodies, to be of a more high -Nature then to raise Spirit and Body together, as God doth; and the -Imagination doth conceive it a more greater Power, to raise Spirits -without Bodies out of the Dust of the Ground, than it is to raise Spirit -and Body together, as Christ did; for Christ always raised Spirit and -Body together, as the Scriptures do testify. - -For the Reason in Man doth send forth the Imagination of the Heart, the -unclean Spirit in Man walking through dry Places, seeking rest but can -find none; the ignorant dark Thoughts of the Imagination goeth out of a -Man, to enquire of one that hath a Familiar Spirit, seeking rest but can -find none, as King _Saul_ did: For the Imagination of the Heart being -continually Evil, it always walketh through dry Places, where no matter -of Life is to be had, to quench the Thirst of Sin or a defiled -Conscience; neither can the Thoughts of Imagination be satisfied with -what a Witch or a Familiar saith; therefore called dry Places: They may -be called dry, because the Heart is never satisfied with what a Witch -saith, for she always saith a Lie. - -To tell a Man or Woman, that she doth or can raise Spirits out of the -Ground without Bodies, as the Witch of _Endor_ did to King Saul, or that -she did hear any low Voice or Speech of _Samuel_ out of the Ground, as -she told the King; I say, she did but cheat the King, and made him -believe she had raised _Samuel_, and had heard him speak to her with a -low Speech out of the Ground, which had revealed unto her what sad -Things would befal the King: so he believing her Words, his Spirit -fainted, so that no Strength was in him; when as in Deed and in Truth, -that _Samuel_ she said she saw arise out of the Earth, he did arise out -of her own Heart; and that low Speech she said _Samuel_ spake, it was -all in her self by the Motions of the Familiar Spirit begotten in her. -And King _Saul_ believing her, being Partaker of her Faith, _Samuel_ -spake a low motional Voice or Speech in him also, he believing it was -_Samuel_ spake out of the Earth, but it was nothing else but the Voice -of his own guilty Conscience within himself, as it was the Voice her -Familiar Spirit in her self that spake as aforesaid. - -So that the Meaning of the Prophet _Isaiah_, Chap. xxix. 4. concerning -the Destruction of _Jerusalem_, that _Grief and Sorrow of Heart should -speak in themselves_; as if the Speech came put of the Ground, because -they saw in themselves nothing but Death and Destruction did approach, -and was like to follow upon them all, fearing they should all be -destroyed by their Enemies, and slain and fall to the Ground: So that -Fear of Heart of Destruction, it spake a low Speech in every Man's -Heart, even as if it spake out of the Ground, or as one that hath a -Familiar Spirit; for it is the Nature of a Familiar Spirit to speak as -if the Speech did proceed from the Earth, and the Speech doth seem to -the Witch, and those that enquire of her, to whisper out of the Dust: -When as the Speech cometh not out of the Ground, neither doth it whisper -out of the Dust, as is imagined by most People, because Ignorance and -Darkness hath overspread the Minds of most People in the World. But that -low Speech the Familiar Spirit speaks or whispers, it is out of her own -Heart, even that Wisdom begotten by the Imagination in her own Thoughts, -that speaks as aforesaid, and no Spirit without her, as hath vainly been -imagined. - -So likewise the People of the _Jews_, the Fear, Grief, and Sorrow of -Heart, being begotten in them for such like Sins, as that of Witchcraft, -Idolatry, dealing with Familiar Spirits, causing their Sons and -Daughters to pass through the Fire as burnt Offerings and Sacrifices -unto Devils, which they supposed to be Gods; these Things caused their -Hearts to fail and faint, and their Thoughts were troubled within -themselves, which causeth their Speech to grow weak and low within them, -even as if some Familiar did speak out of the Ground, or whisper out of -the Dust, Fear, Grief, and Sorrow of Heart: But all come out of their -own grieved Hearts, who were punished for their Sins; and not out of the -natural Ground or natural Dust, as People do vainly imagine. This is the -true Meaning of the Prophet's Words, and how Familiar Spirits may be -said to speak out of the Ground, and whisper out of the Dust. - - - - - CHAP. X. - - -Again, it hath been objected by many, that Spirits may be raised without -Bodies, and that Spirits may be talked with after they have been dead -and buried; and that Spirits have appeared in a Shape to several People, -yet this Spirit so appearing hath no Body nor Substance at all, neither -can it be felt or handled by mortal Man, nor no immortal Creature -neither: this is the vain Conceit of most People. - -But to satisfy the Reader in this, I declare, that there is no immortal -Spirit whatsoever, but it hath a Spiritual Body suitable to its Spirit; -if the Spirit be immortal, the Body is immortal also: For this I say, no -Spirit can have any Being at all without a Body, no not God himself, who -was from Eternity; his Spirit could not be from Eternity without a -Spiritual Body, in Form like Man; they were both from Eternity, and the -one was never divided nor separated from the other, but they were both -Eternal. And further I declare, that God was a Spiritual Body from -Eternity, in Form like a Man; therefore God created Man in his own Image -and Likeness. Now observe, if Man hath a Body suitable to his Spirit, so -hath God a Body suitable to his Spirit, else Man was not created in his -Image, if God hath never a Body, but is all Spirit, as People do vainly -imagine. For this I know, that God was Spirit and Body, in Form like a -Man, from Eternity, and his Spirit was never divided nor separated from -his Body, but they were both Eternal. - -So likewise is it with Angels and Men, and all other Creatures; -where-ever the Spirit of Life is, there is Bodies of Life also; let it -be either in Spiritual Bodies, or in Natural Bodies. For if the Body of -either of these be dead, the Spirit is dead also; and if the Spirit be -dead either in Spiritual Body or Natural Body, the Body is dead also: -For the one cannot have any sensible Being without the other. And -further I say, that they were both together Spirit and Body from -Eternity in God the Creator, and he hath ordered and created all his -Creatures, both celestial and terrestrial, that Spirit and Body should -be one living Being, and that one should not subsist nor have no -sensible being without the other: Even as God himself could not enjoy no -sensible Living being without a Body, he knowing this in himself. - -Therefore he created all his Creatures Spiritual and Natural, with -Bodies suitable to their Spirits, and Spirits suitable to their Bodies, -so that one might not be divided nor separated from the other; for if -one dieth, the other dieth; and if the Spirit live, the Body liveth -also. For this I say, that if the Spirit of God himself could not be -without a Body from Eternity, how then is it possible that his Creatures -should have Spirits without Bodies, seeing he himself his Spirit could -not have any Being without his Body from Eternity. - -But this Conceit, that the Spirit or Soul of Man is immortal, and cannot -die, and may have a Being without a Body, and appear in a Shape without -any Substance; this vain Conceit proceeded first from the Imagination of -Reason in Man, even from _Cain_, the first Devil in Flesh and Bone. And -this Imagination in _Cain_ his Posterity, being Heathen Men, who had no -Communion with God, nor Revelation of Faith, as the Sons of _Adam_ and -the Sons, of _Seth_, the Generation of the Righteous, had; they knew -that the Spirit and Body was all one Substance. - -But the Imagination of Reason, _Cain_ his Posterity, the Heathen -Opinion, do imagine the Spirit of Man to be immortal, and cannot die; -and that Spirits may appear in Shapes without Bodies; and that Spirits -may go out of the Body, and go to Heaven or Hell and leave the Body to -be laid in the Ground, as the Quakers and others do. - -And this Imagination of Reason in Man hath created to it self a new -Creation, which God never created. Man hath created and made in his -Imagination a Spirit without a Body, and that this Spirit so created is -immortal, and cannot die, nor is not capable of Death, that it can slip -out of the Body, and that it can have a Being when it is gone out of the -Body, and appear in a Shape without Substance or hath Power to assume -what Shape it please, and yet this Shape, it doth assume, shall have no -Substance yet it shall appear in a Shape and fright People. - -And the Imagination of Reason in Man hath created Man in his own Image -and Likeness, as God did _Adam_: As thus, First, he hath conceived in -his Imagination, that God is a Spirit without a Body. Secondly, he -conceiveth in his Imagination that the Devil is a Spirit flying in the -Air, which can neither be seen nor felt; yet this Devil or Spirit -without a Body doth tempt Man to Evil, whereby Man is punished, and the -Tempter he is escaped away without Punishment. - -Also it is conceived by the Imagination, that this Devil or Spirit is in -Hell-fire, and in Chains of Darkness, and can go no further then God -will permit him, because his Chain is no longer then God hath limited -him. - -Also it is conceived in the Imagination, notwithstanding the Devil is -chained, and in Hell-fire tormented, yet he being a Spirit without a -Body, he is so swift that he can be in all Places at one Time, so that -he can tempt thousands of Men and Women to sin at one and the same Time, -and they themselves never the wiser, nor know him when he tempted them. -All this the imaginary Devil can do, and much more; and yet be in Hell -fire, and tied in a Chain at the same Time, and all but one Devil, a -Spirit without a Body. - -Also the Imagination hath conceived that the Soul of Man is a Spirit -infused or put into the Body by God himself, and that Man begets the -Body, but not the Soul or Life of Man, that is conceived to be immortal, -or a Spirit that is so invisible, that cannot be seen nor known what it -is, and that it can live of it self when it is gone out of the Body. - -Thus the Imagination of Reason the Devil, hath created its own Soul in -its own Image and Likeness; and this hath been the Occasion of producing -of Familiar Spirits, and of dealing with those that have a Familiar -Spirit, being conformed to the very Image of the Devil. Many Things more -of the like Nature might be said in this Point. - -But here the Reader may see if there be any true Light of Faith in him, -how the Imagination of Reason in Man hath created Spirits without -Bodies, and that the Devil is a Body-less Spirit, and in Hell-fire, and -in a Chain of Darkness, and yet at Liberty at the same time to tempt -People; and in Hell-fire, and yet out of the Fire when he pleaseth; and -that he may be called out of Hell, or out of the Ground, when a Witch by -her Familiar Spirit doth call; and that he shall appear in any Shape -they will have him, yet he shall have no Body nor Substance, but a mere -Shadow; yet this Shadow shall speak with a low Voice or Speech out of -the Ground; as if Speech could proceed from a Shadow without Substance. - -So that the Imagination of the Heart of Man hath created to it self a -Devil, that God never created; and the Imagination of Man's Heart hath -created his own Soul in the Image and Likeness of the Devil, that is to -say, a Spirit without a Body; and that a Spirit without a Body may be -capable of Joy or Sorrow; and that a Spirit may subsist and have a being -in Joy or Sorrow without a Body, which Thing is impossible. - -But observe the Creation that the Imagination of Man hath created to -himself; for it is the Nature of Imagination of Reason the Devil, he -always creates Spirits without Bodies, but God the Creator he always -creates Spirits and Bodies together, for God never created any Spirit -without a Body; for when God made Man after his own Image and Likeness, -he made him with a Body as well as a Spirit, else Man could not be made -in the Image and Likeness of God, if God had a Body of his own as well -as a Spirit. - -So that _Adam_ was made or created in the Image and Likeness of God; for -_Adam_ had a visible Body and Spirit, undivided and unseparable one from -the other; they were but one visible sensible Being, and when the Life -was dead the Body was dead, and when the Body is really dead, the Spirit -and Life was and is dead also; and both are laid in the Ground together, -as is declared in all our Writings, but more especially in that Book -entituled, _The Mortality of the Soul_. - - - - - CHAP. XI. - - -Also I do further declare, that God did never create any Spirit without -a Body, neither of Angels, nor Men, nor no other Creature, neither in -Heaven above, nor in the Earth beneath, nor the Waters under the Earth. -There is no Spirit or Life whatsoever that is created of God, but it -hath a Body to that Life or Spirit; but if a Spirit have any Being -without a Body, that Spirit is none of God's Creation; for God never -created any Spirit whatsoever without a Body, as I said before. - -But the Imagination of Reason in Man, which is the Devil, hath created -all Creatures in the Imagination to have Spirits without Bodies, both of -Angels above and Man here on Earth, and all Creatures upon the Earth, -and in the Waters, that have the Breath of Life, the Imagination of -Reason saith, their Spirits may subsist without Bodies, or go out of -those Bodies they have, and enter into other Bodies, and appear in the -Shape of a Body, and yet be of no Substance: so that the Devil's -Creation is all of Spirits without Bodies, and God's Creation is all -with Bodies and Spirits together. - -And this Darkness hath overspread the Nature of Man all the World over, -which is the Occasion of that Opinion of Houses and Places being haunted -with evil Spirits, and Spirits walking without Bodies, and dealing with -Familiar Spirits, that peep, and mutter, and whisper as it were out of -the Ground. These Things and many more are produced by the Imagination -of the Heart of Man, for the Imagination of Man's Heart is evil, and -continually evil; for it hath given a Being to Spirits without Bodies, -to fright it self to that which hath no Being of it self. - -For I declare and perfectly know, that there is no such Thing as Spirits -to walk without Bodies, nor assume any Shape after Death, nor be raised -out of the Ground by any Witch or any Familiar Spirit whatsoever; it is -all produced out of the dark Imagination of the Heart, where Ignorance -beareth Rule, for there is no such Thing can be presented but to the -Ignorant and dark minded People. - -Thus I have given the Reader to understand something more concerning the -Power of Witches, and how they may be said to raise Spirits out of the -Ground, and from whence that low Speech doth come, with those Scriptures -opened that speak as if a Familiar Spirit did hear whispering out of the -Dust. - -Also I have given the Interpretation of that in _Samuel_ concerning the -Witch of _Endor_, and those Places of Scripture in _Isaiah_; these -Places are the most concerning Spirits being raised without Bodies, of -any in the Scriptures; but there have been some other Places of -Scriptures, that do seem to carry a shew as if Spirits might rise again -without Bodies, and I have been desired by some to open those Scriptures -that seem to tend to that Purpose, though the common and general -Objection amongst all People is, that of the Witch of _Endor_ and King -_Saul_, which I have opened before; yet for the further Satisfaction of -the Reader, I shall open and interprete the other Places objected, that -seem to tend to the same thing. - -The Places of Scripture are three; the first is _Isa._ lxi. 1. the Words -are these, _The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord hath -anointed me to preach good Tidings unto the Meek: He hath sent me to -bind up the Broken-hearted, to proclaim Liberty to the Captives, and the -opening of the Prison to them that are bound_----So _Luke_ iv. 18. the -Words in _Luke_ are much to the same Purpose, and little Difference; -only that which _Isaiah_ did prophesy of, it was fulfilled by Christ in -his time----So the first Epistle of _Peter_, Chap. iii. and 18, 19, 20. -Verses; the Words are these, _For Christ also hath once suffered for -Sin, the Just for the Unjust; that he might bring us to God, being put -to Death in the Flesh, but quickened by the Spirit_. Verse 19. _By which -also he went and preached unto the Spirits in Prison_: Verse 20. _Which -sometime were disobedient, when once the Long-suffering of God waited in -the Days of_ Noah, _while the Ark was a preparing, wherein few (that is) -eight Souls were saved by Water_. - - - - - CHAP. XII. - - -As for that Saying of the Prophet _Isaiah_, it was a Prophecy of Christ, -that he should be anointed to preach Glad-tidings, unto the Meek, and -that he was sent to bind up the Broken-hearted, to proclaim Liberty to -the Captives, and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound. This -Prophecy was fulfilled when he was upon Earth, as may plainly appear by -those Words in _Luke_ aforementioned. - -Also the Reader may understand, that these Places of Scripture have no -Relation at all to the raising of Spirits without Bodies; nor of Spirits -being in Prison, nor delivered out of Prison by the Power of Christ -without Bodies. - -But the Meaning is this, that the Spirit of the Lord Almighty was upon -Christ, and in him, and did anoint him to preach Glad-tidings of -Salvation to the Meek in Heart, who did believe in him and trusted in -his Words; all such as were broken-hearted, who were led Captive by the -Error, Ignorance, and Darkness of the Mind; he came to proclaim Liberty -to the Spirit of Man, who was in Captivity; and to open the Prison-door -of Mens Hearts. - -For this I say, all Mens Spirits by Nature are shut up in the Prison of -Spiritual Darkness in the Mind, and are lead Captive by the Ignorance of -Truth; so that the Spirit or Soul of Man is shut up a Prisoner in the -Body of Man, until the true God and Saviour hath been preached to them, -as it was by Christ himself, when on Earth he was anointed to preach -Glad-tidings of Salvation; and he anointed his Apostles to preach -Glad-tidings of Peace to Men, and to open the Prison, and to deliver the -Captive out of Captivity, and to set the Spirits of many that were in a -Prison of Darkness in their own Minds go free: This Prophecy was -fulfilled at that Time by Christ and his Apostles in their Commission. - -But the same Captivity and Prison of Darkness is now upon the Spirits of -all Men, as it was at that Time: For this I say, and many People can -Witness, that their Spirits have been shut up Prisoners in Spiritual -Darkness in their own Bodies, until the true God the Saviour hath been -preached unto them by his last Messengers. - -For this I declare, that those Words of the Prophet _Isaiah_, they were -spoken with Relation to a Spiritual Liberty, and to a Spiritual -Captivity, of the Mind or Spirit of Man, and not to a Natural Captivity. -Neither was it meant the opening of the natural Prison Doors, to them -that were bound by the Powers of the Nations; but the Doors of Mens -Hearts were opened at the preaching of Christ and his Apostles, in that -Light, and Life, and Salvation was preached unto them, that whoever -Believed that this Jesus is the Christ, the Saviour of the World, should -be saved and delivered from the Fear of Eternal Death: So that the Soul -of Man that was lead Captive into Prison, and bound in Chains of -Darkness, and strong Doors lockt fast to keep the Spirit of Men in -Prison, by the Works of the Law, and the Expounders of the Law before -Christ came, the Spirit of Reason in them did lead the Generality of -People their Spirits into Spiritual Captivity, and shut them up in -Prison, and tied their Spirits up in the Observation of the Ceremonial -Law of _Moses_. - -Which was as Chains of Darkness: and not only so, but shut the Door of -Hope upon them, so that there was no Hope to be saved in them, but by -observing the Law aforesaid, which _Paul_ calls _beggarly Rudiments_, -_Gal._ iii. So that this Spiritual Captivity and being bound in Prison, -and the Doors being shut, it was the Spirits of People that were -Captives and Prisoners in their own Bodies, kept by the Legal and -Ceremonial Righteousness of the Law of _Moses_; and when Christ came to -preach, and to give Power to his Apostles to preach the Gospel of Truth, -both to Jew and Gentile, then was the Door of Hope opened in People's -Hearts, and many that were bound in Prison, whose Spirits were led -Captive, they were set at Liberty from that Bondage of the Ceremonial -Law, wherein they were bound, and brought out of that Prison of Darkness -in the Mind, into the glorious Light and Life of Faith, by the preaching -of Christ and his Apostles. - -Then was this Prophecy of _Isaiah_ fulfilled in the Apostles Commission; -then was Liberty preached to the Spirits of many that were bound and in -Prison in their own Minds, the Word of Faith preached unto them, it -opened a Door of Hope of Deliverance from the Bondage of the Law as -aforesaid, wherewith they were bound; so that by Faith they had in -Christ, their Chains fell off their Feet, and Darkness of their -Understanding; so that they were at perfect Liberty, and delivered out -of Prison, and the Prison-Door of Hope in Christ being opened, all true -Believers in Christ were set at Liberty, free from Captivity, and out of -that Spiritual Prison of Darkness into the glorious Liberty of the Sons -and Daughters of God for ever and ever. - -So is it now in this Commission of the Spirit, we the Witnesses of the -Spirit have preached Glad-tidings of Salvation, and have opened the -Prison-Doors of Mens Hearts, and have let many out of that Spiritual -Prison, that were bound to the Righteousness set up by the Imagination -of Reason now in these last Days, who were led Captive by their own -Traditions, and kept in Prison in their own Bodies for many Years; but -by the Declaration of Truth in all our Writings and our Speakings, many -People have been delivered out of Captivity and out of Prison, their -Spirits have been let loose out of the Chains of Darkness, because the -Door of their Hearts hath been opened by the Word of Faith in the true -God, which we have preached and written; this many can witness at this -Day the Truth of it. So that now that Scripture is fulfilled again these -last days; and this is the true Meaning of the Prophet _Isaiah_, in -those Words concerning opening the Prison, and giving Liberty to the -Captives that were imprisoned in their own Bodies by the Conceptions of -the Imaginations of their own Hearts. - -So that there is not the least Colour or Ground from those Words, for -the Reason of Man to think that Spirits may be let out of Prison without -Bodies, or that the Spirit of Christ did Preach to any Spirit in Prison -without his Body. - - - - - CHAP. XIII. - - -And as for those Words of _Peter_ aforenamed, where he saith, _Christ -was put to Death in the Flesh, but quickened by the Spirit; by which -also he went and preached unto the Spirits in Prison, which sometime -were Disobedient, when once the Long-suffering of God waited in the Days -of_ Noah, _while the Ark was a preparing, &c._ - -The Meaning of those Words are as followeth; that Christ was put to -Death in the Body of his own Flesh, this is confessed by most People -that profess the Scriptures of Truth, but very few do truly believe, -that the Soul or Spirit of Christ did die, or was put to Death at all, -notwithstanding the Scripture saith, that _He poured out his Soul unto -Death_; and he himself saith, _His Soul was heavy unto Death_. Therefore -that the Reader may understand what is meant in that Christ was put to -Death in the Flesh but quickened by the Spirit; mind, - -I declare, that it was the Soul or Spirit of Christ, which was the -Godhead-life that dwelt in that Body of Flesh and Bone of Christ; for, -as the Scripture saith, _In him all the Fulness of the Godhead dwelt -Bodily_: And this Godhead-life that dwelt in the Body of Christ's Flesh, -it was put to Death in the Body of Christ's Flesh, and the same -Godhead-life that was put to Death in the Body of his Flesh. And when -Christ's Body was crucified upon the Cross, then was the Soul and Life -of Christ, or the Godhead-life did die, and was put to Death in that -Flesh of Christ; for that Flesh of Christ was God become Flesh, as the -Scripture saith; and the Soul and Life of Christ was the Soul and Life -of God. And, - -When Christ poured out his Soul unto Death, it was the Godhead Life that -was poured out unto Death; so that the Godhead Spirit was put to Death, -and did die in the Flesh of Christ when he was Crucified. But this -Godhead Life which was put to Death in the Flesh of Christ, it quicken'd -again where it was put to Death, even in the same Flesh where it was put -to Death. And in its quickening again, it raised the same Flesh again, -and so spiritualized the same Flesh that suffered, and made it uncapable -to suffer Death any more. - -For this I say, no Spirit or Life that is put to Death whatsoever, could -possibly quicken again in the same Body, but the Life of God only, so -that Christ must needs be God as well as Man; for it was Christ that was -put to Death in the Flesh, and the same Life that was put to Death, and -did die, that which did die did quicken again, and so is called a -quickening Spirit. - -Now observe, it cannot properly be called a quickening Spirit, if it had -not been once dead: For if the Spirit and Life of Christ did not die, -nor was not dead, then I say, there was no need that this Spirit and -Life, should quicken again, for it was always quick and alive. - -For the Spirit quickening doth imply, a sensible Life is quickned out of -an insensible Life; as a Child in the Womb before it is quick, it -feeleth no Pain, neither doth it stir in the Womb, and the Midwife doth -not care to destroy it to save the Womans Life, because the Child was -not quick, it was an insensible Life, no more capable of Pain then there -is in Death, or a dead Lump of Earth; but when a Child is quick in the -Womb, it is capable of Pain, though it hath not Strength to express it -to us that are strong, yet it is capable of Pain, because it is -quickened into a sensible Life, that is, a living Soul, a living Spirit, -and so may be called a quickened Spirit of Life, out of that which was -dead; yet by the Appointment of God in his Creation, and the Warmness of -the Womb, there is new Life or Spirit doth quicken in the Womb in its -Season, according to the Appointment of God when he created all Things, -and placed a Law of Generation in them. - -So likewise the Spirit or Life of Christ was put to Death in his own -Body of Flesh, as aforesaid; and in its Season he himself had appointed -before, namely three Days and three Nights, this Spirit of Christ so put -to Death, it quickened again in the same Flesh a new and Glorious Life, -which made that Flesh that suffered Glorious also. - -And this is the true Interpretation of _Peter's_ Words, and the Faith of -all true Believers, that the Spirit, Life, and Soul of Christ did die, -and was put to Death in the Body of his own Flesh, that was Crucified on -the Cross by the Jews; and that the same Spirit that was put to Death, -it did quicken again out of Death into a new and Glorious Life by his -own Power, therefore called a quickening Spirit. - -So that here is no Ground at all for that vain Conceit in People, who do -believe that Spirits may be raised without Bodies, or appear without -Bodies, but altogether to the contrary. And as for that saying of -_Peter_, _By which also he went and preached unto the Spirits in Prison, -which sometime were disobedient, when once the Long-suffering of God -waited in the Days of_ Noah _while the Ark was a preparing_. - -These Words do seem to carry some shew, as if the quickening Spirit of -Christ, after he was risen from the Dead, or in the time he did lie in -the Grave, as if his Spirit in that Interim of Time went into some local -Place where Spirits were in Prison without Bodies, to preach unto them, -who had been Disobedient in the Days of _Noah_: This is the vain Conceit -of most People from those Words of _Peter_, who saith, _By which he went -and preached unto the Spirits in Prison_, as if the Spirits of the -Disobedient People in the Days of _Noah_ had been in Prison in some -local Place in the Earth without Bodies, who had been departed in the -Days of _Noah_, in the Destruction of the World by Water. - -This the Imagination of Reason in Man doth imagine, that Spirits may be -shut up in Prison without Bodies, and that the quickening Spirit Christ -might Preach unto them without a Body. - -But the true Light and Revelation of faith doth know to the contrary, -that no Spirits can have any Being at all without Bodies, neither of -God, Angels, nor Man, nor no other living Creature, who hath the Breath -of Life in it. - -But to give the Interpretation of this Scripture, that the Reader may -understand, it is thus; the Spirit of Christ, that quickened from the -Dead to Life again, I say, is the same Spirit that preached to the -Spirits in Prison in the Days of _Noah_, and the Spirits of the -disobedient World were in Prison in their own Bodies in the Days of -_Noah_, as they were when Christ came upon Earth, for then he opened the -Prison to them that were bound, by preaching Glad-tidings of Freedom to -those that were bound, and Liberty to those Spirits that were in -Captivity. - -Now (as I said before) this Captivity is Spiritual Captivity, and to be -bound and in Prison, it is meant a Spiritual Imprisonment in the Mind, -and not a natural Imprisonment of the Body. And this I say, the very -same Spirit of Christ that preached to the Jews when he was upon Earth, -did preach to the old World in the Days of _Noah_, though in a twofold -Manner. - -And as the Spirits of Men were in Prison in their own Ignorance, -Blindness and Darkness of Understandings, in that they were led Captives -and Prisoners by their wicked and unnatural Lusts in the Days of _Noah_: -So were both Jews and Gentiles in the Days of Christ when on Earth, -their Spirits were led Captive, and into the Prison of Unbelief and -Persecution of the Lord of Life, in that their Fathers persecuted the -Lord's Prophets and Messengers he did send; so did these Jews persecute -the Lord himself, when he preached to their Spirits that were in Prison, -and led Captives by their wicked murdering Wills into the Prison of -Unbelief; for he did preach when on Earth, that whosoever did believe in -him should be saved. And as many as did truly believe in him, their -Spirits were brought out of that Captivity of Unbelief, and out of the -Prison of Darkness in the Mind, into a glorious Liberty and Light of -Life Eternal. And thus did the preaching of Christ Spirit deliver many -Spirits of Men and Women out of Prison, in the Days when he was upon -Earth. - -So likewise this quickening Spirit of Christ, it preached unto the -Spirits in Prison in the Days of _Noah_. And why were their Spirits in -Prison in the Days of _Noah_? Because they were disobedient. And how may -they be said to be disobedient? Because they did not believe that good -Man _Noah_, who was a Preacher of Righteousness. And how did he preach -Righteousness unto that wicked People? In that he prepared the Ark, and -being so many as a hundred Years in building, all that while God is said -to wait for their Repentance, and that they might believe that God would -destroy the World by Water. - -But instead of Repentance and believing they hardened their Hearts, and -mocked at _Noah_ and the Ark; so that while the Ark was preparing, God -waited for the People's Repentance; and all that while that _Noah_ was -building he preached to the People, that the World would be drowned. - -And the Spirit of Christ, which is the Spirit of God which was put to -Death in the Flesh, but quickened by the Spirit, by which he went and -preached unto the Spirits in Prison in the Days of _Noah_, it was the -same Spirit that instructed _Noah_ to build the Ark; so that the -building of the Ark by _Noah_, he being a Preacher of Righteousness, in -that he believed God, and built it as the Spirit of God had commanded -and instructed him; as God did _Moses_, shewed him the Pattern of the -Tabernacle in the Mount. - -And in as much as _Noah_ did obey the Commandment of the Lord, according -as the Spirit of the Lord did reveal unto him, _Noah_ may be said to be -a Preacher of Righteousness; and he doing all things by Inspiration of -the Spirit of Christ, which was not at that time made of Flesh, but in -the Fulness of time became pure humane Flesh, and suffered the Pains of -Death. And the same Spirit that suffered Death, that very same Spirit -that quickened, was that Spirit that preached to the Spirits in Prison -in the Days of _Noah_, as aforesaid. - -And the making of the Ark by the Inspiration of God's Spirit in the -Sight of the People, who were in Prison in Ignorance and Darkness of -Mind, is called by the Revelation of Faith, _A preaching to the Spirits -in Prison_: So that the Spirit of God in _Noah_ may be said to preach -unto those Spirits in Prison, in the Days of _Noah_, and that there was -but eight Persons saved from the Flood. - -So that this Place of Scripture doth no way prove, that the Spirit of -Christ did ever preach to Spirits in Prison without Bodies; neither did -Christ's Spirit preach in the Days of _Noah_ without a Body; for he -always preached with a Body himself, or else chose Men that have Bodies, -and gave them Power to preach to Spirits in Prison, and to deliver the -Captives, and to set the Prisoner at Liberty, and the bound in Prison to -go free. - -So that the Reader may see how and in what Manner the Spirit of Christ -did preach unto the Spirits in Prison in the Days of _Noah_, and how -their Spirits may be said to be in Prison, and how their Unbelief in the -Days of _Noah_ was called Disobedience, to the preaching of _Noah_ all -that while the Ark was building. And being built by the Inspiration of -the Spirit of God, it may and is called the preaching of Christ's Spirit -to them that were in Prison in Spiritual Darkness in their Minds; for -their Minds being darkened, they did those Things that were unseemly; -yea, unnatural as the People of _Sodom_ did. Now, were not the Spirits -of these People in Prison, and led Captive of those unnatural Lusts, I -think no sober Man will deny; yet these were those Spirits in Prison -that Christ's Spirit preach unto in the Body of _Noah_, in the Days of -_Noah_; and that there was but eight Persons in the Days of _Noah_, that -were saved from the Destruction by Water, by the preaching of that -Spirit of God in _Noah_. This is the true Interpretation and Meaning of -those Words of _Peter_ the Apostle aforementioned; and how the Spirit of -Christ went and preached unto the Spirits in Prison in the Days of -_Noah_. - - - - - CHAP. XIV. - - -Again, there are some other Places of Scripture, which several People -have objected, as if the Spirit or Soul of Man might go out of the Body, -and subsist in Bliss and Happiness, or in Misery and a tormented -Condition, without its Body it always lived in; from that Place _Luke_ -xxiii. 43. Jesus said to the Thief on the Cross, _Verily I say unto -thee, This Day shalt thou be with me in Paradise_. Now observe, this no -way proves that the Thief's Soul went out of his Body into a -paradisiacal Place, and so escaped suffering Death, or did not die; for -if the Soul of Christ did die at that time, as is clear by Scripture it -did; then the Soul and Life of the Thief did die also. - -Then where was the Paradise the Thief's Soul, and Christ's Soul that was -heavy unto Death, where did they go? To this, I say, they went to a -Place of rest, where all righteous Souls go, which is to the sleep of -Death, for their was nothing did die but the Souls of them both; and the -Paradise Christ and the Thief went into that Day they suffered Death, I -declare it was this, that Christ was sure in himself that he should rise -from the Dead the third Day, and afterward should enter into eternal -Glory, and this Assurance in Christ that he should rise again the third -Day, it was Paradise and Peace to his Soul, that he should pass through -that Death, he was now to suffer that very Day into a new Life, that -should not be capable to die any more. - -So likewise when the Thief did truly believe that Jesus was the Christ, -the Saviour from eternal Death to those that did believe; as it is -certain he did when he said, _Lord, remember me, when thou comest into -thy Kingdom_; for he did really believe, that Christ would rise the -third Day, and that he would raise him to eternal Joy and Happiness at -the last Day; and the Thief dying in this Faith, he entred into Peace of -Mind, and had Rest and Freedom to die, in Hope and full Assurance that -Christ would raise him up Soul and Body to eternal Happiness at the last -Day. - -And this was that Paradise that Christ and the Thief were in, that very -Day they both suffered Death; for the Assurance of everlasting Life in a -Man's self here in Mortality, is the Paradise of Peace in this Life. -This I know to be true, and this was the Paradise Christ did mean the -Thief should be in that very Day he believed; and not that either of -their Souls went out of their Bodies to any other Place or Paradise, -then what was in their own Bodies, as aforesaid. - -In like Manner People imagine, that the Soul of Man goeth out of the -Body at his Death, from that Saying _Acts_ 7. 59. from those Words of -_Stephen_, when he was stoned to Death, he said, _Lord Jesus, receive my -Spirit_. The Meaning is this, that when any Man died in the true Faith -of Christ, in the Hope and full Assurance that Christ will raise him up -to eternal Happiness at the last Day, he commits his Spirit into the -Hands of Christ, knowing that though he doth lose his Life for Christ's -Sake here, that Christ will raise it again, and save his Soul hereafter; -and so Christ may be said to receive his Spirit. For this I must tell -the Reader, that there is not a quarter of an Hour's time to the Dead to -his rising again, no not a Minute; for there is no time to the Dead, not -a Minute of an Hour, though a Man have been dead five thousand Years, -yet it is not a Minute of an Hour to him that is dead. - -For all time belongs to the living; for after Death there is nothing but -Eternity, on the other side of Death either eternal Happiness or eternal -Misery: So that when Men die, they may be said to go immediately to -Heaven or to Hell, to Joy or Torment, to be receiv'd into Christ's Hands -of Mercy, or into the Hands of Christ's Wrath, where they shall be -tormented with the Devil and his Angels, yet shall never see the Devil, -nor his Angels, nor themselves, to Eternity; as they did not know the -Devil here, neither shall they know or see him hereafter, yet be -tormented with him. - -And in this Sense a faithful Spirit or Soul, as _Stephen_ was, may be -said to commit his Spirit into the Hands of Christ, and that Christ doth -receive his Spirit into his Hands, and will raise it up at the last Day, -which will not be a Minute of an Hour's time to the Dead, as I said -before; therefore let not the Seed of Faith think the time long between -Death and the Salvation of their Souls, because so many of the Faithful -have been so many hundred Years in the Grave: And let not the wicked -unbelieving People comfort themselves, that the Dead shall never rise -again, because the Fathers are Dead, and the Prophets are dead, and we -see none of them rise again; therefore we conclude, their Spirits are -gone to Heaven without Bodies, and the Spirits of the Wicked are gone to -Hell without Bodies, but a Minute of an Hour's time will decide this -Matter, when the dead are raised: For they shall not remember they have -been a Sleep in the Dust one Minute of an Hour, for their is no -Remembrance of time in the Grave. Therefore let that vain Conceit that -is in most People fall, of Spirits going to God without Bodies: For I -can assure you there is no such Thing, neither can there be any true -Peace in that Conceit. I know it by Faith now, and by Experience, for I -was of that Opinion once my self, when I was zealous in Religion -according to the Puritan Way; but I knew no Scripture truly, neither was -there one true Interpreter of Scripture, no not one in those Days, that -could shew a Man the true Righteousness of God, or the true Way to -everlasting Life. - - - - - CHAP. XV. - - -There is another Place of Scripture that is objected, that seems as if -the Soul went out of the Body when they die; as in 1 _Kings_ xvii. 21. -where _Elijah_ prayed, that _the Child's Soul might come into him -again_. The Meaning is this, that _Elijah_ did pray in Faith unto God, -that he would assist him in this or other Things; as in shutting up the -Heavens that it should not rain, and calling for Fire from Heaven to -destroy those two Captains and their Fifties, and many other wonderful -Things he did; so he prayed unto God to strengthen his Faith, so that he -might have Power to raise this Child's Life out of Death again. - -Therefore he stretched himself upon the Child, and prayed that the -Child's Soul might come into him again; that is, that the Child's Soul -or Life might quicken in the Body of the Child again; for _Elijah_ knew -the Soul of the Child was dead, and by the warm Flesh of the Prophet -laid upon the Child's dead Flesh, and the Faith and Prayer of the -Prophet together, it begot Life in the Child again; so that the Soul -that was dead it became Life in the Child again; and that Life that was -quickened, it run through the Veins of the Childs Body, and so the -Child's Soul did come into him again. - -For this I say, if the Soul of the Child had been gone out of the Body, -then _Elijah_ did not raise the dead Child to Life again; for how can a -Man be said to be dead, when as Life doth not die, but slips out of the -Body, as most People do vainly imagine; but it may be clear to those -whose Understandings are enlightened, that _Elijah_ did raise the Child -from Death to Life, and that the Child's Soul was dead in its Body, and -that the Soul of the Child was revived in the Child's Body again by the -Power of Faith in _Elijah_. - -And the very same thing was done by the Prophet _Elisha_, as in 2 -_Kings_ iv. 34. the Prophet _Elisha_ did the same thing to the -_Sunamite_ Woman's Son, he _went up, and lay upon the Child, and put his -Mouth upon his Mouth, and his Eyes upon his Eyes, and his Hands upon his -Hands, and he stretch himself upon the Child; and the Flesh of the Child -waxed warm, and_ Elisha _stretched himself upon the Child a second -time_: Here the Reader may see, that the Child was dead, and by the -Faith and Prayer, and by the Warmness of the Prophet _Elisha_ his Flesh, -the Child revived to Life again both Body and Soul. And _Elisha_ did use -the same Means and Way as _Elijah_ did? for he went in and shut the -Door, and prayed unto the Lord as _Elijah_ did, and stretched himself -upon the Child as _Elijah_ did, and raise the Child to Life again by the -Power of Faith. - -Yet _Elisha_ maketh no mention of the Soul coming into the Child again, -but he delivered the Body and Soul of the Child, that were both dead -together, he delivered them both alive together to the Child's Mother. -It was the same thing done by _Elijah_, only some difference in the -Words, but the Sense and Meaning is all one. - -So that the Reader may understand, if any true Light of Life be in him, -that the Soul of the Child went not out of its Body, but died in the -Body; and by the Power of Faith in the Prophet, it quickened alive out -of Death in the Child's Body again; for the Soul or Life of the Child -never went out of the Body as is vainly imagin'd; but the Soul, Life, -and Spirit of the Child was absolutely dead in the Body, and by the -Power of Faith in the Prophet, the dead Soul or Life of the Child was -quickened alive again, and caused the Body to live also. For if the -Woman should have had the Soul of the Child given unto her without the -Body, she would have given the Prophet no Thanks for raising her Child's -Soul without a Body; but the Body and Soul being one Person, they were -both dead together, and the Prophet raised them both together alive, and -the Woman received them both together, and rejoyced greatly in God, and -gave Honour to the Prophet. - -Thus in short, I have given the true Interpretation of all those -Scriptures that most seem, or most commonly are objected against the -Mortality of the Soul, or to prove that Spirits do go out of the Body at -the time of Death, or that Spirits may be raised without Bodies, or have -any Being without Bodies, or that a Spirit may appear in a Shape without -a Body, or that a Spirit can assume what Shape it please, yet have no -Body or Substance. - -These things the vain Imagination of Reason in Man hath created in it -self, to fright it self with, for their is no such thing as Spirits -walking without Bodies, neither doth any Spirit go out of the Body when -Men die, as is imagined by most People; but these are Fictions of Mens -Brains, created by the Imagination in the dark Minds of Men and Women, -for God never created any such thing, as I have shewed before. - -And as for that saying of _Solomon_, _Eccl._ xii. 7. _Then shall the -Dust return to the Earth as it was, and the Spirit shall return to God -who gave it._ His Meaning (I suppose) in these Words is, as is generally -conceived by all People, the Body to the Dust, and the Spirit returns to -God that gave it when Men die: But these Sayings of _Solomon_ are no -Scripture, for _Solomon_ was no Scripture Writer, for his Writings were -not written by the Revelation of Faith, but by the Revelation of Reason; -yet it was the purest of Reason, and he had the greatest Measure of the -Wisdom of Reason, and the Knowledge of Nature, of any that was before -him since _Adam_, or any that shall come after him. - -Therefore God chose him King, and gave him the purest Wisdom of Reason, -according to his Desire in his Prayer to God, that his Wisdom might -resemble Heaven for Glory, as it did; for what Glory could a King have -upon Earth greater than he had? Which was a true Resemblance of the -Glory of Heaven; and this Glory was procured by that Power and great -Wisdom of Reason in him; yet for all this he was ignorant of the -Revelation of Faith, and of spiritual and heavenly Things, ignorant of -the true God, and of the right Devil, and of some things in Nature. - -As that the Spirit of a Man should return to God that gave it without a -Body; when as God never gave any Spirit to Man without a Body, nor to no -other Creature: But _Solomon_ being ignorant, that the Spirit or Soul of -Man is generated and begotten by the Law of Generation as well as the -Body; this was in the Creation when God made Man in his own Image, the -Ignorance of this caused him to speak thus; for he knew not where the -Spirit went when the Body is laid in the Earth, no more than the learned -Philosophers do, who say, A Spirit cannot die; as if the Spirit and Life -of every Creature were the Spirit or Life of God, else they think no -Creature could move and have a Being. - -And though _Solomon_ was a wise Man, as the Heathen Philosophers were -wise Men in Nature; yet they were all ignorant in this one thing, of the -Law of Generation or Procreation, to increase and multiply, as God hath -placed in Nature, when he created the World in the beginning; for every -Creature as well as Man, were to increase and multiply by the Law of -Generation; and this I am sure, they begot Spirit, Life, and Soul by -Generation, as well as Bodies. - -But if it be objected, that God breathed into Man the Breath of Life, -and he became a living Soul; and so Man's Spirit is of a more noble -divine Life or Spirit than any other Creature. - -To this I say, the Law of Generation to increase and multiply, was -placed in Man's Seed and Nature by God the Creator, as in other -Creatures: For this is to be observed, that _Adam_ did not come to be a -living Soul by Generation, as we do ever since; but he and _Eve_ were -first made as a Foundation for Generation; so that God made or created -but one Man and one Woman, all Men and Women that have been generated -and begotten ever since, cannot properly be said to be made nor created, -but begotten by Generation; for God never made and created but one Man -and one Woman, all others are generated and begotten. - -Therefore when Man begets a Son or Daughter in the way of Generation, he -begets the Soul or Spirit of the Child as well as the Body; and the Soul -or Spirit came out of the Man's Loin well as the Body: As it was said by -_Jacob_, _Seventy Souls came out of his Loins_; if so then that Spirit -or Soul that is begotten by Generation, it must and doth die: For this I -say, God never breathed the Breath of Life into no Man, but into _Adam_: -The Spirit of Life in all Men and Women else or since have been -generated and begotten, and what Spirit and Soul of Man that is -generated, it doth die and turn to Dust, till the Regeneration, when God -shall raise it again, which will not be a Minute of an Hour to the dead -Spirit, as I said before. So it may be clear to those that have the true -Light of Faith in them, that the Soul or Spirit of Man doth die as well -as the Body: They both came into the World together alive, and they -shall both go out of the World again dead, as I have shewed before. Also -the Reader may see, that those Scriptures have been misunderstood -through the Ignorance and Darkness of Mens Minds, to think that the Soul -or Spirit of Man doth not die, but slips out of the Body; but to imagine -that Spirits may walk without Bodies, or that any Witch can raise any -Spirit without a Body; and many other Conceits that do arise out of the -dark Mind of Man; which have been grounded upon those Scripture Words; -therefore I have given the Interpretation of all those Places of -Scripture that are of most Concernment, and seem to bear such a Sense, -as is generally conceived among Professors of the Scriptures: So that -whoever understands the Interpretation, may receive great Satisfaction -in their Minds in this Point; so much for Satisfaction of the -Understanding in Heart, and for the Discontent of the Ignorant and -Dark-minded People, who believe by Tradition that their Spirits do not -die, but slide out of the Body at the time of Death; and if they have -been evil and wicked Livers, their Spirits do walk afterwards, and -cannot be at rest. These Conceits have been exceeding brief in the World -heretofore, when People were in Darkness, and so is still where the -Darkness of Mind ruleth. - - - - - CHAP. XVI. - - -There is one thing more that would be necessary for the wise in Heart to -know, which the Scriptures speak of in several Places; but I never heard -any of the Ministry tell what that Satan is the Scriptures speak of, -therefore I shall speak a Word or two to shew what Satan is, and so -conclude. 1 _Chron._ xxi. 1. _And Satan stood up against_ Israel; and -_Job_ i. 6. _And Satan came also among them_; and Chap. xxi. 22. _And -the Lord said to Sathan, From whence comest thou? And God said to Satan, -Hast thou considered my Servant_ Job? Ezek. iii. 1. _And Satan standing -at his right Hand._ Mat. xvi. 23. _Get the behind me, Satan._ Luke x. -18. _I beheld Satan as Lightning fall from Heaven._ - -1 _Chron._ xxi. 1. _And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked_ -David _to number Israel_. This Satan that provoked _David_, it was the -Motions of Reason in himself, being lifted up in his own Mind, in that -he had overcome the Children of _Ammon_, he thought to make nothing of -the _Philistines_; therefore the Thoughts of his Heart moved him to -number the People, to know his Strength. And this Motion that did arise -in his Heart, it was Satan, it is called Satan, because those Motions -proceed from the Spirit or Seed of Reason in him. In 2 _Sam._ xxiv. 1. -it is said, _The Anger of the Lord was kindled against_ Israel, _and he -moved_ David _against them to say, Go, number_ Israel: that is, the Lord -suffered the Motions of Reason in _David_ to be powerful and strong in -him, that no Arguments should disswade him from it, but the People must -be numbred; and this was that Satan in _David_, and no Spirit without -him. - -So _Job_ i. 6. _The Sons of God came to present themselves before the -Lord, and Satan came also among them._ To this I say, the Book of _Job_ -is no Scripture, neither are Men to build their Faith upon it, because -the Book of _Job_ was written before _Moses_, therefore no Scripture; -for _Moses_ his Writing is the first Foundation of Scripture. Yet this I -do confess, that _Job_ was a good and faithful Man; and because he was -afflicted by Satan, and Satan is spoken of in several Places of -Scripture, yet none of them did declare what this Satan is, therefore I -shall declare now what that Satan was, that came among the Sons of God. - -I declare, the Sons of God they were the Sons of _Job_, who feasted -their three Sisters, as you may read. They were called the Sons of God, -because they were that good and faithful Man _Job_'s Sons; as the Sons -of _Seth_ were called the Sons of God, and _they looked upon the -Daughters of Men, and saw that they were fair_, &c. as you may read in -_Genesis_. Now that Satan came amongst them when they presented -themselves before the Lord, it was the Spirit of Reason in _Job_'s seven -Sons, when they feasted their three Sisters, they were moved in their -Minds to Voluptuousness, Drunkenness and Lust, as the rest of the -Heathen were where they lived; so that they did Wickedness in the -Absence of _Job_ their Father: And _Job_ fearing in their Wickedness his -Sons had cursed God in their Hearts, as you may see in the Verse before. -So _Job_ caused his Sons to present themselves before the Lord, and to -worship the Lord, as it was the Manner for _Job_ to do in those times, -and Satan came with them, that is, the Spirit of Reason in his Sons came -with them, reasoning in themselves; why should their Father _Job_ -reprove them for their Wickedness in their Feasts; this was that Satan -that came amongst them, for he was in them, and no other Satan but what -was within them. - -And this is that Satan that goeth to and fro in the Earth, to tempt and -destroy those that are faithful: So that this Spirit of Reason, this -Satan, it goeth to and fro in the Earth, to tempt and destroy the -faithful. - -It was that Satan that did motion the _Sabeans_ and _Chaldaeans_ to take -away _Job_'s Oxen, and slay his servants as they were plowing; and fired -the Sheep, and burnt up _Job_'s Servants; and the _Chaldaeans_ came with -a Band of Men, seeing _Job_ smitten and destroyed by the _Sabeans_; and -they came with three Bands of Men, and destroyed the Camels and the rest -of his Servants. - -For this must be minded, that in those Times there was no Law to deliver -or help the Innocent, but he that had the strongest Sword carried the -Day. And the Lord for Trial of _Job_'s Faith and Patience, and for a -Pattern for the Ages to come, he suffered the Spirit of unclean Reason -in the _Sabeans_ and _Chaldaeans_ to go to and fro in the Earth, to stir -up their People to destroy _Job_ and all his House and Cattle. - -Also God suffered the natural Wind to blow down the House where _Job_'s -Sons were feasting, and destroyed them according to the Desire of the -Spirit of unclean Reason in the _Sabeans_ and _Chaldaeans_. For the Sons -of _Job_ were wicked Children, though called the Sons of God. - -And last of all the Spirit of unclean Reason in _Job_'s Wife was that -Satan that tempted _Job_ to curse God and die: So that there is no other -Spirit or Satan without Man: But that Satan spoken of in _Job_, it was -the Spirit of unclean Reason in the Minds of the _Sabeans_, -_Chaldaeans_, and in _Job_'s Wife and Sons; that was the Satan, and no -other. - -And as for those Disputes; God had with Satan, and Satan with God; it -was nothing else but the Motions of _Job_'s Heart passing through his -troubled Soul, the Seed of Faith disputed in him for God, persuading him -to be patient, and let that have its perfect Work, and so Hope did -increase in him; and the Seed of Reason, which was Satan in him as well -as in others, it pleaded against God, Reasoning in him as if God did not -do well or justly by him, that had been so righteous in his Life, one -who never did no Wrong to his Neighbour, but always feared God; yet that -God should suffer the wicked to destroy his Cattle and Servants, and -suffer the Wind to blow down his House, and destroy his Children; and -not only so, but suffer his Body to break out with Boils and Botches -most loathsome, as if he had been the greatest Sinner in the World; so -that he thought that God dealt more cruelly with him then with any other -Creature. And further, he thought God dealt hardly with him, that he -would neither take away his Life, that he might die out of this troubled -Mind and Pains of Body, nor restore him to Health. These and such like -Reasonings and thoughts passed through _Job_'s troubled Soul even from -the Spirit or Seed of Reason in him, which is the Dispute of Satan: For -as the Seed of Faith in _Job_ disputed for God so did the Seed of Reason -in _Job_ dispute for Satan; for there is no other Satan but what is in -Man, as I said before. - -So in _Zach._ iii. 1. here _Zachariah_ the Prophet saw in a Vision the -Redemption of the Seed of Faith by Christ under the Type of _Joshua_ the -High-Priest, standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan standing -at his right hand to resist him. This High-Priest was Christ clothed -with filthy Garments, when he became Flesh, when on Earth he appeared -unto Men, to be clothed in filthy Garments, being so mean, and had not a -Place to lay his Head yet professed himself to be the Son of God, the -High-Priest that should offer up himself for to save his People; for -High-Priests in former Times did appear to the People with rich and -glorious Garments; but this High-Priest doth appear to the Seed of -Reason, to be clothed in filthy Garments, not fit (as Reason thinks) to -stand before the Angel of the Lord. - -And this Satan that stands as his right Hand to resist him, it was the -Spirit of unclean Reason in those People of the Jews when Christ was -upon Earth, and when that Devil that tempted Christ, spoken of in -_Matthew_, disputed with Christ, he resisted the High-Priest, and stood -at Christ's right Hand at that time; and this Devil that tempted Christ, -it was a Man endued with an high Pitch of Reason, and that Spirit of -Reason, or Wisdom of Reason, in that Man that tempted Christ the -High-Priest, it was Satan that strove to resist Christ in dispute, -whereupon Christ said, _Get thee hence Satan_. - -This Satan was a Man, and the Spirit of Reason in this Man is that Satan -that always resisteth the Wisdom of Faith, which is the Wisdom of God. -But this hath been more largely treated upon in our other Writings, so I -shall speak no more of that Devil and his Temptations here. - -So in _Matth._ xvi. 23. Christ said unto _Peter_, _Get thee behind me -Satan_. Here you see _Peter_ is called Satan, because it was the Spirit -of Reason in _Peter_ that said, Master, pity thy self: That is, the -Thoughts of _Peter's_ Heart they did savour of the fleshly part, that -is, those Motions to persuade Christ to save himself from Death, they -did arise from the Seed of Reason in _Peter_, therefore called Satan; -for there was no new Spirit that came into _Peter_ at that time to cause -him to speak those Words, but those Words proceeded from the Seed of -Reason in him, as aforesaid, therefore called Satan. - -And wheresoever that Expression is used, as _Peter_ said himself in the -_Acts_, _Why hath Satan filled thine Heart to lie unto the Holy Ghost?_ -that is, why hath the Motions of Reason in thee persuaded thy Heart to -tell a Lie unto us, that have the Holy Ghost in us? - -So the Reader may clearly see, there is no other Satan to tempt God or -Man, but the Motions and Words that proceed from the Seed of Reason in -Man and Woman. - -So in _Luke_ x. 18. _And Christ said unto his Disciples, I beheld Satan -as Lightning fall from Heaven_. This Christ spake, because his Disciples -rejoyced that the Devils were subject to them. The Meaning of Christ -was, that he saw the Spirit of Reason, that was in the Rulers of the -_Jews_, very high in the Righteousness of the Law of _Moses_, even as if -they were in Heaven, thinking in themselves that none could be more -happy and surer of Heaven and Peace with God, then they that kept to the -Law of _Moses_. - -Now Christ knowing that this Righteousness of the _Jews_, should be -thrown down by the Righteousness of Faith, which his Apostles should -preach, therefore he saw by Faith that the Spirit of Reason in the -Rulers of the _Jews_ should fall like Lightning from Heaven; and so it -did, and the Disciples of Christ should, by the Doctrine and -Righteousness of Faith, tread upon Serpents, and upon their Persecution, -and upon their Righteousness of the Law of _Moses_, and upon all that -which did fall like Lightning from Heaven; they should tread upon Satan, -that is, upon the very Wisdom of Reason the Devil. - -This is the true meaning of Christ, when he beheld Satan fall from -Heaven like Lightning, and what Satan is so much spoken of in Scripture. -Much more might be said to enlarge this Point, but I have spoken more -already then I did intend; but I suppose there is enough written here in -short to satisfy those, that can understand by a little what a great -deal Means. And also People may know when they speak of Satan what Satan -is, and when they speak of the Devil, they may know what the Devil is. - -So much concerning the Interpretation of Satan, and the Conclusion of -this Epistle, written by - -_Lodowicke Muggleton_. - - - - - _A Copy of a Letter written by the Prophet_ Lodowicks Muggleton, _to - Mr._ Edward Fewterrill _of_ Chesterfield, _bearing Date from_ London - March 29. 1660. - - -_Friend_, - -I Received your Letter, wherein I perceive you are a Man that hath been -led through several Opinions, yet not suffered to joyn with any, but -have been made to wait upon Jesus Christ the only God for Satisfaction; -and now it hath been his great Love, which he hath loved you, to let you -have a Sight of those infinite Truths, written by the Hands of his two -Witnesses, and _Lawrence Claxton_; which Writing of ours, I perceive by -your Letter, have given you more Satisfaction than any that ever you -read before. - -Only this I perceive, that you did and do still much approve of _Jacob -Bemon_'s Works; and for this Cause, because you were as I perceive by -his Writings, exhorted to resign your Will unto God's Will, and to come -unto that happy State, neither to Will or Desire any thing, but to abide -in the Will of God, which is Jesus Christ, into which Estate the Lord -did twice bring you in some Measure. - -Also you say, That it is a hard thing to cast out that Devil that is in -us, nor can it be done as we say or think, but by that Resignation and -Faith in the true God. - -Likewise you say, that you were a great Disputant against all Forms and -formal Worship, till the Lord silenced you, and did let you see it was -but a vain Thing to wrangle and jangle with the Devil more. - -But I shall pass by part of your Letter, and I shall answer you to those -things that are of most Concernment. - -You say, that there was that Portion of Scripture brought into your -Remembrance of his Promise, _I will send the Spirit of Truth, which -shall guide you into all Truth_, and there have you had your rest -reposed. - -In the last Place I find, that you would have some Answer to some -Doubts, concerning that Devil that doth appear to Witches, and suck of -their Bodies, and what that is that doth appear to Conjurers, and the -Authors of lying Wonders of _John Robins_; though you do believe there -is no Devil but Man, you do believe also that the Soul of Man is mortal, -and must needs die, and so cannot appear, though you thought otherwise -in your Reason. - -You say, Whether is there a Spirit in Man that surviveth and is allured -by them, or do they stir up awaking the Power of the first fallen Angel -through their devillish Faith, or is these Things from their vain -Imaginations. If so, how? if not, what it is, is your Desire to know of -me. - -To which I shall give you some Answer both to the first of Part your -Letter, and also to the latter Part of it. - -First you say, that you have been made to wait upon Jesus Christ the -only God; for Satisfaction thereof, I would have you to consider, how -could you wait and be satisfied in the Belief of such a God which you -never knew. For the Letter of the Scriptures did never declare to you, -that Jesus Christ was the only God, neither did God commissionate no -Prophet nor Apostle for to declare it, though their Declarations was as -necessary to be believed in their Time and Place, as this Commission of -the Spirit; which Commission of the Spirit hath deeper Mysteries held -forth in it, than the other two Commissions had: For God never did give -to any Prophets or Apostles, the Knowledge of his own Form or Nature -before he became Flesh. If they did know it, they did not reveal it. But -he hath given it to his two last Spiritual Witnesses and Prophets, _John -Reeve_'s and _Lodowicke Muggleton_, who were those chosen Witnesses of -God, which should have more Understanding of the Mind of God in the -Scriptures, than all Men in the World. - -Which Knowledge of God's Mind in the Scriptures, doth consist of these -six Heads. - -_First_, Of the Form and Nature of God before he became Flesh. - -_Secondly_, Of the Form and Nature of the Devil before he became Flesh. - -_Thirdly_, Of the Place and Nature of Heaven. - -_Fourthly_, Of the Place and Nature of Hell. - -_Fifthly_, Of the Nature and Persons of Angels. - -_Sixthly_, Of the Mortality of the Soul. - -Upon the Knowledge of these six Principles, depends the eternal -Happiness of many. And the Knowledge of the two Seeds, is those two Keys -that doth open those two, namely, the strait and narrow Gate that -leadeth unto Life, and the broad and wide Gate that leadeth to -Destruction. And those two Keys are given unto us two aforesaid, which -hath the Commission of the Spirit given unto us. - -So that there is no coming unto the Knowledge of the true God, nor the -right Devil, but where the Declaration of this Spiritual Commission doth -open the Doors or Gates of Mens Hearts, and lets them see what Seed they -are of, and so Men come to know the true God and the right Devil. And -then a Man may truly say, that he can resign his Will to God's Will, as -you say _Jacob Bemon_ in his Writings doth declare. - -Yet this I would have you to know that _Jacob Bemon_ had no Personal God -at all not to resign his Will unto, but his God was an Infinite, -Incomprehensible, Formless Spirit, as all the World hath. - -Neither had his Devil a Person nor Form; neither had his Angels he -speaketh so much of any Body or Form at all, but they were all Spirits -without Bodies, which in the Conclusion was no more but so many Letters, -that is, three Letters, G, O, D, and so of the Devil and Angels. - -And yet this Man would resign his Will into God's Will, and yet his God -had no Form nor Nature at all; therefore they could be no Will in his -God, whereby any Man should resign his Will into God's Will; whereas -there can be no Will in God, except he hath both Form and Nature. - -And this is that Will of God which you call Jesus Christ, into which -Estate the Lord did twice bring you, which Estate of yours in that Faith -of _Jacob Bemon_'s, could not be a true Estate, because there was not -the Knowledge of the true God; and where there is not the Knowledge of -the true God, there cannot be the Knowledge of the right Devil; without -the Knowledge of these two, there can be no true lasting Peace in Man. - -And as for your being a great Disputant amongst all formal Worship, I do -not question the thing, because I know that the Wisdom of Reason, which -is the Devil, doth love to be uppermost in Disputes. - -But how can you say, that the Lord did Silence you, and made you to see -the Vanity of all Disputes; whereas you did not know any other God, but -what is generally believed on in the World; that is, an Infinite, -Incomprehensible Spirit, not minding whether God had any Nature or Form -at all. - -Therefore it could not be the true Lord that did silence you, but it was -something that did arise out of your own Seed, which did shew you the -Vanity of all Disputes. - -In the next Place you say, that there was brought into your Remembrance -that Portion of Scripture concerning his Promise, _that he would send -his Spirit of Truth, which should guide you into all Truth_, and there -have you had your rest reposed. - -Answer, That this Place of Scripture did not belong unto you, nor to any -Man in the World at this Day; for that Promise was given only unto his -Disciples; which Disciples of his to whom those Words were spoken, were -afterwards made Apostles of Christ; so that the Promise which Christ did -promise to his Disciples before his Death, was that of the Blood which -was given unto his Apostles, which was called the Spirit of Truth, -because they should witness unto the Truth; that is, unto his Death and -Resurrection and Ascension. - -Therefore take Notice of this, that that Promise was fulfilled upon his -Apostles after he was ascended up to Heaven, as you may read in the -second of the _Acts_, and to every Man that doth read the Promises, -which God did make to his Commissionated Apostles, it doth not belong to -every Man that doth read them, but every Man is to mind that Commission -which he is under. - -Therefore for you to repose your Trust upon such Promises as was given -to other Men in their Commissions, that Peace will not endure to the -End, but will vanish like Smoke in the Fire. - -In the next Place, I shall give you some Answers to those Doubts, which -you spake of concerning that Devil which doth appear to Witches and -Conjurers, and how those lying Wonders were acted by _John Robins_. - -Answer, There is a twofold Witchcraft, the one is Natural, the other is -Spiritual. - -Now this natural Witchcraft is acted by such as are called Witches and -Conjurers. Now as for those ignorant Women which are Witches, their -Witchcraft lies in their wicked Nature, by giving themselves up to -believe, that there is no God at all but Nature only, and so by that -strong Faith that they have in Nature, they have Power over those whose -Understandings are of a lower Capacity than themselves, and so People -being ignorant and fearful of them, doth many times disturb and search -their Blood with Extremity of Fear, which they have of one that is -suspected for a Witch, and so by their own Fear and Imagination, they -come to be bewitched. As a Man being overcharged with extream Grief, or -being prevented by one that he loves, he goes Distracted or runneth Mad, -which is no other but his being bewitched. And so it is with all those -that are ignorant, and over charged with Fear: and as for those Children -and Cattle that are bewitched, it is by some other Sorcery which they do -use with Herbs and Plants, and some other things of Nature, they having -some small Knowledge of that Sympathy, and Influence the Stars have over -those Bodies and Herbs, and so mix their Faith and Experience together, -pretending to do all Manner of Good, but intendeth nothing but Evil. So -that there is no such thing as People do vainly imagine as for Spirits -to suck Witches, but all the Devil that is, is their own dark Reason; -and that Spirit that doth bewitch any Creature, it doth arise out of -their own Imagination: And as for Conjurers and Magicians, their Reason -is more enlightened than the others is, because they do go altogether by -the Figure, which is an Art by which the Reason of Man hath produced -Characters and Figures for the several Stars and Planets, and so they -came to imagine the Influence of those Stars and Planets upon the Bodies -of Men, and many times they do hit rightly, yet it is still but -Witchcraft. For it is nothing else but the Imagination of Reason, that -doth pry into the Secrets of Nature. And the first Witchcraft that ever -was, it was produced by learning of Numbers and Figures; I say, it was -first from the _Egyptians_ Arts, and from thence came Conjuration, and -the Knowledge of the Influence of the Stars and Planets and the -Knowledge of Physick, which are no other in the Original but Witches, -only this their Witchcraft is more tolerated by the Power of the -Nations; but I am confident that there is more People in the World -bewitched with them, than there is with the other Sort of Witches, that -is, they are deceived both in Body, and in Mind, and Estate. For when a -Man is deceived in his Expectations and Faith which he had in that Art, -he may very well be said to be bewitched: But as for raising Spirits -without Bodies, there is no Witch, no Conjurer, or Magician, nor the -greatest Artist in the World can do; neither can any Spirit assume any -Body but its own. So much for natural Witches. - -And for those lying Signs and Wonders which _John Robins_ did act, it -was by a more Spiritual Witchcraft; his was not by the Knowledge of the -Stars, though he had some Skill in that too, but the Power of his -Witchcraft did lye in the assuming and taking upon him the Title of the -Great God, as you may read in our Books: And so that his Reason being -more exercised in the Scriptures upon Spiritual Matters, because the -whole Body of the Scriptures doth consist of Spiritual and Heavenly -Matter; and he having more Knowledge in the Mystery of the Scriptures at -that time than all Men in the World, therefore he had many that did fall -down and worship him; because his Knowledge in the Scriptures, did -surpass other Men, and so produced Voices in himself, and could present -lying Signs and Wonders, unto all those that were deceived by him, or -that where afraid of him; yet he did not deal with Spirits that, had not -Bodies; but all that Wisdom and Witchcraft that he did shewn it came or -arose out of his own Spirit of Reason, which was inclosed in his own -Body. - -And there is the Influence of the same Spirit of Witchcraft doth now -remain upon those People called _Quakers_, notwithstanding there seeming -Holiness, for they have many Times such fleshly Fits falling upon them, -which doth seem as if they had the Falling-Sickness, and be as Men dumb, -and will not speak a Word for three or four Hours together, and upon a -Sudden they will break forth into strong Language, as if the Spirit did -immediately move them to speak. This I say, it is nothing else but an -Influence of _John Robins_'s Spiritual Witchcraft, which is produced out -of their own Spirit within them, and not from any Spirit which hath no -Body without them. And all this is, they have no Knowledge of the true -God or the right Devil. - -Therefore it is that the greatest Part of the World doth lie under -Witchcraft, either a Natural Witchcraft or a Spiritual Witchcraft, there -is a very few that is delivered from being under one or both of them; -there is none delivered but those that are come to have Faith in this -Spiritual Commission, which is now extant in the World; for Faith in it -doth lead Men to the Knowledge of the true God and the right Devil, with -all those deep Mysteries which doth depend on them, the Knowledge of -which doth free a Man from all Witchcraft whatsoever. - -Therefore I would advise you to read the Books of ours called the -_Divine-Looking-Glass_, for that you may see there, that there can be no -Spirits without a Body, neither can any Witch or Conjurer raise any -Spirit without a Body: But these Conjurers may do through the Ignorance -and Darkness of Man's Reason, and that Fear and Belief that is in the -Ignorant, they may by their ignorant Power raise a Shadow of things, as -if they were real Bodies, or Spirits in the Shape of Bodies; as the -_Egyptians_ did before _Pharaoh_ King of _Egypt_, they did seem to raise -Frogs and Grashoppers in the Sight of _Pharaoh_ King of _Egypt_; but I -say, they were not real Frogs and Grashoppers, but Shadows of such -things, which as soon as ever the Witchcraft Power or Art was over, -their Frogs and Grashoppers were gone also, else would the King and his -People been as much troubled at those Frogs which the Magicians did -bring upon their Land, as they were with those which _Moses_ brought up, -which went into their Houses. And now if _Moses_ had not raised Bodies -as well as Spirits, or if he had raised Spirits without Bodies, they -would have been as little troubled at those things which _Moses_ did, as -they were at those Shadows or seeming things, which the Magicians of -_Egypt_ did. There is something more in your Letter you sent to me, but -I have not time at present to answer; _So resteth your Friend_, - -Lodowicke Muggleton. - - - - -_The Prophet_ Reeve's _Epistle to his Friend, discovering the dark Light - of the_ Quakers; _written in the Year 1654_ September _the 20th_. - - -_Loving Friend_, Calling to Mind the Letter thou readest to me, which -was sent thee out of the Country, I am moved to present these Lines to -the View of thy ponderous Spirit; for as Words of Truth flowing from a -real Foundation, drew forth Humility and Love to God and Man, from that -Soul that hath received an hearing Ear, so likewise thou mayst know the -glittering Words proceeding from Man's Carnal Wisdom, is that which hath -occasioned many Men to be exalted above Measure, and to imagine himself -so essentially united to the Divine Glory, that at length that Man hath -been so bewitched through the Adorations of Men and Women in deep -Darkness, with high Conceits of his own Spiritual Wisdom, that he hath -been willing to deny his creaturely Condition, and to embrace the Holy -Titles and Honour of an infinite Creator. Yea, and to say in his Heart -and Tongue also, that there is no Spiritual God or Personal Glory in the -least, but what is in Man only, notwithstanding, as sure as the Lord -Jesus liveth, both he and all that is in him must turn into silent Death -and Dust for a Moment, yea, and would so remain unto all Eternity, if -there were not a distinct personal Majesty living without Man to raise -him again, to everlasting sensible Glory or Shame, according to the -Royal Pleasure of that God, that neither will nor can give his Glory to -another. - -_My Dear Friend_, be not deceived with Mens crafty Words, who have no -true spiritual Distinction in them; for if any mortal Man have dwelling -in him the eternal Spirit, all the Motions, Thoughts, Words and Actions -of that Man must needs be as pure, holy and powerful as God himself, -because thou knowest they proceed from a pure, holy, and glorious -Spirit: But of the contrary, if thou perceivest a Measure of Light only -abiding in thee, which thou in Mercy hast received from an everlasting -Jesus without thee, then thou often seest Darkness in thee as well as -Light. For Light entred not into Sinners to make them spiritual Gods one -over another, but it shined into them to discover their natural Enmity -continually warring against a God of eternal Love towards them; and not -only so, but to prevent also their former Darkness from tyrannizing in -them for ever, yea and to consolate their elect Brethren by their -spiritual Experiences. - -Wherefore, from a Divine Gift which I have freely received from an -unerring Spirit, I say unto thee, that those Men which labour to -perswade their Hearers, that if they diligently hearken to the Light -that is in them, they may attain to such a Power, as to be dead in this -Body from all Kind of inward Darkness, Sin, or Evil, have uttered the -falsest Doctrine that ever was declared to Men. Moreover, if the Light -of Life Eternal be thy Guide, though must needs know then, it was -neither the justifying Light of Christ within Man, no nor the Spirit of -Christ without Man, that moved those Men to speak or write to the -People; but it was their own lying Imagination which hurried them about -to beget Proselytes to themselves in the Man Christ Jesus's stead, who -alone _is God over all Blessed for ever and ever_. Amen. - -He that is born of God sinneth not, that is he is not left to his own -Heart to commit the unpardonable Sin of Unbelief in the true God, in -despising the Spirit of Christ Jesus, to be the only Lord God of his -Salvation. _He that believeth shall be saved, but he that believeth not -is condemned already_, not because he hath not believed in a God, or -Christ that is within him, but because he hath not believed in a -personal God or Christ that is without him, whose divine Majesty is -crowned with such immortal bright burning Glory, that if he did not vail -his fiery Nature within his own blessed Body, the Glory of it is so -transcendently infinite, that he in a Moment would consume all created -Beings to Powder. He that committed that Sin of calling God a Lyar, -which is the Sin of not believing in our Lord Jesus Christ as aforesaid, -or he that maketh glorious Pretences of unfeigned Love to Christ and his -tender-hearted People, and yet secretly lyeth under the Power of carnal -Filthiness; such a Man is not only of his Father the Devil, (cursed -_Cain_) but he also is a very Devil himself. _He that saith he hath no -Sin in him, is a Lyar, and the Truth is not in him_; that is, he that -saith Christ is so powerfully risen in him, that all Motions, Thought -and Desire of Sin against God or Man, is perfectly done away, that Man -is an horrible Lyar, and a deadly Enemy to all humble and broken-hearted -Saints; for their natural rebellious warring against the Light within -them, and the Lord of Glory without them. Oh! my precious Friend, for -whom my Soul spiritually travelleth, till thou art firmly established -with glorious Things which are Eternal; not with empty Notions -proceeding from an imaginary God or Christ within Men, only which with -_Syrenion_ Songs is very pleasing to the carnal Ear, which may delude -some undiscerning Spirits for a Season, nor with Pharisaical Looks, -Sighs and Groans, to be seen of Men, which is nothing else but the -Effects of Mens crafty Words and Gestures proceeding from Man's fleshly -Wisdom, which is abominable in the Sight of our God, who is the Lord -Jesus Christ in the Eternal Heavens above the Stars. - -_My beloved Friend_, give me leave a little to reason with thee, about -Things of the greatest Concernment: What excellent Truths above other -Men hast thou heard from the chief Speakers of the _Quakers_? Didst thou -ever hear them speak to the Purpose? Or speak at all of any God or -Christ, but what is in Man only? Or didst thou ever hear them speak of a -bodily Glory and Misery to come sensibly to be enjoyed by the Saints in -the highest Heavens, and to be endured by the Serpents in this World at -the Day of eternal Accounts? Or dost thou see the Image or Likeness the -true Jesus in that Ministry, the true and living Jesus, rejected not the -Company of Publicans and Sinners, even when his Light appeared not in -them; but on the contrary, do they not rashly condemn those Men that -soberly oppose them, and shun the Company of those that are not of their -Opinion, as Serpents; much like unto those Hypocrites of old, who said, -stand farther off, for we are more holy than you. Moreover, in all their -Speakings and Writings to the People, do they not make a grand Idol of -the Word Light, and occasion Men to worship it as their only God; as if -meer Words, were to be adored without a Person, or worshipped within the -Bodies of sinful Man as a God: Or as if those that enjoy true Light in -them, have such a Measure of God in them, that they stand in no need of -any God without them in the least. - -_My Dear Friend_, thou knowest Men of unstable Spirits, Child-like, or -rather Fool-like, are easily taken with every Wind of Doctrine: But if -thou hast a Spirit of true discerning in thee, thou wilt be made -thorowly then to try the Spirits and Doctrines of Men, whether they be -of God or no, before thou embrace them; having been in the Fire of the -Devil already, I hope thou hast gained Experience. Wherefore for thy -clearer Sight concerning of the Fallacy of all Speakers, which say, the -Lord _Jehovah_, or _Jesus_ sent them, I shall give some discovering -Characters; he that saith the everlasting spiritual God or Father, -became not a perfect Man of unspotted Flesh, Blood, and Bone, was never -moved by the Spirit of God or Christ, to preach or speak to the People; -or he that saith, that Spirit which is dwelling in the glorious Body of -Christ Jesus, is not the alone everlasting Father, God and Man in one -distinct Person glorified, is none of Christ's Messenger; or he that -saith, God is not in the Form of a Man, but is an infinite Spirit -essentially abiding in all Creatures, that Man is a Lyar, and the Truth -is not in him; or he that saith, Christ's Godhead died not in the Flesh, -and did not quicken and raise his Manhood to Life again, and in that -Body of Flesh and Bone, did not ascend into a Kingdom of Glory in -another World, the deep Things of God is utterly hid from that Man; or -he that saith all Mankind proceeded from the Loins of the first Man -_Adam_, is ignorant of the two Scripture Seeds (namely) the Seed of the -Woman, and the Seed of the Serpent, therefore he is none of Christ's -sending; or he that saith Mens Souls do not die with their Bodies, and -sleep together in the Dust of the Earth, till the Lord Jesus by the -mighty Power of his Word speaking only, do raise them unto Life again at -the last Day, that Man is in deep Darkness, not knowing the Scriptures -or the Power of God; or he that says Mens Bodies only perish (and not -the Souls) will be saved at the last, that Man is a Lyar, and the Truth -is not in him. - -_Dear Friend_, - -Thus far was I moved to write unto thee, as an eternal Witness between -us, when the Secrets of all Hearts shall be opened. If thou seest good, -thou mayst present this Epistle to the View of those Men called -_Quakers_, not that I can expect a good Issue from any of them, unless -God hath endowed them with hearing Ears, unjudging, meek and patient -Spirits. - -_Sept. 20. 1654._ - -_Thine in all eternal Excellencies._ - -JOHN REEVE. - - - - - _An Epistle of_ JOHN REEVE _to Mr._ HILL. - - -Dear Friend in the eternal Truth, my Love to you and the rest of our -Spiritual Friends remembred. - -_Brother_ Hill, - -It seems very strange to me, That you with the rest of former Friends, -make no Enquiry after me whether I am dead or alive. What have the -unnecessary Things and Cares of this World swallowed up your former Love -to the Truth? Though I am moved in this manner to write unto you, I -trust you have not so learned Christ. - -_Friend_, The Reason of my not sending unto you this long Season is -this, because my Wife and I were both very sick and weak, of which -Sickness the 29th of _March_ last my Wife died. - -Immediately after I had buried my Wife, the Lord our God called me to -visit some of his People living near _Cambridge_, as he once called me -to visit you; yea, it was in the very same Manner: For one of the chief -Speakers of the _Ranters_ being convinced by this Truth, who formerly -had deceived them, took a Parcel of my Books and presented them to them, -upon which they greatly desired me as you formerly did; I hope there is -about half a Score of them that have received the Truth in Sincerity of -Heart, they are Husbandmen and Tradesmen that Labour for their Bread as -you do; they rejoyce in those that really possess this Truth though by -Face unknown. - - _Christopher Hill_, - - You seem to forget your Engagement to your Father-in-Law, you know - the Time is expired concerning your Payment of the Money, which was - lent to you, and not to him; wherefore as you love the Truth, I - desire you to send me the Money remaining behind speedily, that I - may restore it to the right Owner. - - Now concerning my own Condition it is thus; on _May Day_ last, I was - Senseless two or three times, insomuch, that if a faithful Friend - had not been by me to relieve me with a little Cordial, I had - immediately died. I still continue very sick and weak, so that of - Necessity, I must either mend or end in a little Space. As for - Relief now I have most need of it, it hath been very small of late; - I wish it may not be a Burthen to the Conscience of some when I am - gone; the Widow's Mite will be a Witness against all Carnal Excuses - in those that own this Truth. It may be you may think, I have no - need of your Charity now, because the Merchant for a little Season - allowed me a small Matter Weekly; but if you think so, you are much - mistaken, for I have had none from him a pretty while, neither do I - know whether I shall have any more from him at all: For when he took - Ship for _Barbadoes_, he had not wherewithal to leave his Wife and - Children, through the unjust Dealings of unreasonable Men. Brother - _Hill_, You may remember you sent me Word, that if the _London_ - Christians would contribute Weekly or Monthly to my Necessity, you - would do the like, you will do well to keep your Covenant. - - And so I commit you to the most High, and remain yours in all - Righteousness, - - JOHN REEVE. - - My Dwelling is in _Bishopsgate-street_ near _Hog-lane_ End, with - three Sisters that keep a Sempstris Shop. - - Direct your Letters to our Brother _Muggleton_, to be conveyed to - me, and the Money to him for me, you know where he dwells; it is in - _Trinity-lane_, over against a _Brown-Baker_'s. - - _London June 11. 1656._ - - - - - _Another Epistle of_ JOHN REEVE_'s to the same Person_. - - -For his Loving Friend _Christopher Hill, Heel-maker_ in _Stone-street_ -in _Maidstone_, in _Kent_. These - -_Brother_ Hill, - -I Have received your Letter and your kind Token, for which I acknowledge -your Kindness to Truth. - -As for my Neglect in Writing to you, my great Troubles of Sickness and -Mortality hath hindred it, I hope whilst I am able to write, for time to -come, you shall not charge me with any such Neglect; in the mean Season, -I do not desire your Charity unless you can spare it. Remember my kind -Love to your Mother _Wyles_, to _Tho. Martin_, and Goodman _Young_, and -I rejoyce in the Lord for you, that the Truth abides in you. As for the -Money, I am glad of your Care for the Truths sake, because it was lent -to me upon that Account. - -No more at present, but desiring my God abundantly to establish you in -all spiritual Excellencies, unto whose infinite Grace I commend you in -all Righteousness, - -_London_, _June_ the last, 1656. - -JOHN REEVE. - - - - - _Another Epistle of_ JOHN REEVE_'s to the same Person_. - - -_Brother_ Hill, _in the Eternal Truth_, - -My Love to you and the rest of our Friends; this is a Spiritual Love -Letter that I am moved to write unto you, wherefore by Virtue of my -Commission, I pronounce thee _Tho. Martin_, _William Young_, and _Eliz. -Wyles_, the Blessed of the Lord to Eternity; the Remembrance of this the -Lord's Blessing, will do you no harm when I am in my Grave; in the mean -Season, our good God cause you to love one another more than your -temporal Enjoyments, and that will become a Heaven upon Earth in your -innocent Souls; Faith fetcheth Spiritual Comfort, the Fountain to each -particular Soul; but Love fulfilleth all Righteousness both to God and -Man. Oh! the transcendent Excellency of the Love of Christ in his -new-born People, it is not to be express'd by the Tongues of Men or -Angels. - -JOHN REEVE. - - - - - _A Copy of a Letter wrote by the Prophet_ JOHN REEVE _to Mrs._ Alice - Webb, _containing her Blessing and the Six Principles, on_ August 15. - 1656. - - -_Loving Friend_, - -Desiring your Eternal Happiness in that Place of Glory above the Stars, -I am moved from the Spirit of the Lord to write these Lines unto your -Serious Consideration. - -This I know assured as God knows himself, that Jesus Christ from his -Throne of Glory, spake to me by Voice of Words three Mornings together, -which Speaking of his hath opened my dark Understanding to declare such -Spiritual Light to the Chosen of God, as never was so clearly manifested -before, especially in these Six Foundations. - -_First_, What the Person of the true God is, and his Divine Nature. - -_Secondly_, What the Persons of the holy Angels are, and their Nature. - -_Thirdly_, What the Persons of the Devils are and their Natures, and -what the Person of the Devil was before he became a Devil, and begot -Millions of dark Angels or Devils, it being all one. - -_Fourthly_, In what Condition the Man _Adam_ was created in, and by what -Means he lost his first estate and the Effects of it. - -_Fifthly_, What Heaven and Glory is, and the eternal Residence of it. - -_Sixthly_, What Hell and eternal Death is, and the Place where it shall -be to Eternity. - -This I know certainly, That before the Lord sent me to declare his -Pleasure unto his People, no Man upon this Earth did clearly understand -any one of these Six Fundamental Truths, which to understand is Life -Eternal, and to be ignorant of them is Death Eternal. Now the Lord hath -sent his two Messengers to declare them, I mean, to all those that may -be informed in these Spiritual Things, and do reject us (that are the -Lord's Messengers of these Things of Salvation) through the Love of -carnal Things, they must all perish to Eternity. - -Again, We know from the Lord by that infallible Spirit that he hath -given us, of divers Persons that shall be eternally blessed with us: and -all that we pronounce Cursed to Eternity are eternally Cursed, as sure -as Jesus Christ the Lord of Life is Blessed, because it is his Curse and -not ours. - -Again, If the Lord Jesus do not bear Witness unto our Testimony, and -make it evident that he hath sent us in a few Months, then you may -conclude, that there never was any true Prophets nor Christ, nor -Apostles, nor Scripture spoken from the Mouth of God to Men. But there -is nothing but the Wisdom of Men and Nature their God. But this we know, -that those that are joyned with us, are Partakers of those Truths, and -shall be blessed for evermore, and shall in the mean time patiently wait -for the fulfilling of our Prophecy, and shall have Power over their -Thoughts, Words, and Deeds, purifying their Hearts by Faith in the -Person of God even as he is pure, trampling all the Riches and Honour of -this World, under the Feet of their Souls as Dung, because they have -tasted of that Glory to come, that no Tongue of Men or Angels can -express, and this makes them not only love one another in carnal Things, -but for the Truth's sake they are ready if (need require) to forsake all -Relations, and Life itself for one another; and is that Power of that -one only Faith and Truth, declared from the Spirit of God, the Man Jesus -by us, which none enjoys but those of this Faith. - -Much more might I write, but speaking Face to Face, (if it may be) is -far more profitable: _Farewell_. - -JOHN REEVE, _the true Prophet, of the only true Personal God, the Lord -Jesus Christ upon the Throne of immortal Glory in the highest Heavens_. - - - - - _An Epistle of_ JOHN REEVE _to a Friend, written in_ May 1657. - - -_Shewing_, - -That Elect Angels are distinct from him who visibly beheld him Face to -Face, and what that Reprobate Serpent-Angel was in his Creation, which -by the secret Council and unsearchable Wisdom of God, fell from his -created Glory like Lightning from the invisible Heaven above, to this -visible Earth beneath; and through his super-seeming God like Counsel, -he overcame innocent _Eve_; and she yielding unto him, he wholly entred -into her Womb and naturally changed himself into her Seed, and so became -the first-born Son of the Devil, and afterwards a cursed _Cain_, and the -Father of all those _Cananitish_ Reprobate Angels, spoken of in the -visible Records of the Scriptures; _Not as_ Cain, _who was of that -wicked one, and slew his Brother_, the 1st of _John_, the 3d Chapter, -and 18th Verse. _And the Tares are the Children of the wicked one_, -_Math._ 13th Chapter, and the 18th Verse. Also in what Condition _Adam_ -was created in, and how he come to fall from his created Estate, and -what that sin was that _Eve_ and he were guilty of, and how Sin came -first in their pure created Natures. - -Again, what that heavenly Glory is and where it is, that God's Elect -Wheat, which are the Seed of _Adam_, and not of _Cain_ shall possess -when time shall be no more, and what that shameful Eternal Death is, and -where it is reserved for the Seed of _Cain_ and not of _Adam_, who are -either a Spirit given up to Persecution of Mens Consciences, or else -they are left in Darkness to condemn the Things of Eternity, because -they cannot comprehend them for want of a true distinguishing Spirit, -which is a Gift of the Holy Ghost, unto him which is immediately sent by -the Lord of Glory, that he may be distinguished by the new born of God, -from all those counterfeit or deceived Preachers or Speakers in the -World, who are apt and ready to judge Men in Darkness, if they soberly -ask them needful Questions concerning things of Eternity; the -understanding of those glorious Excellencies, which is the Saints -Inheritance, being utterly hid from them, because they went before they -were sent. - -_Friend and Brother in the Eternal Truth_, - -By this infallible Demonstration, you may know a Man that hath not a -Commission from the true God, to preach and speak unto the People. - -If a searching Speaker or Writer, deliver any thing unto those People -that joyn with him, then for fear of his Weakness or Ignorance being -discovered, he will counsel the Hearers to stick close to the Ordinances -in the Word of God, or to hearken to them, or to that in their -Consciences, and to beware of false Christ's and false Prophets, and -such like borrowing Scripture Languages, to prevent the People of ever -hearing the Glorious and Dreadful Things of Eternity from the -ever-living God, revealed both by Voice of Words without, and -Inspiration within, unto his two last despised true Messengers. - -Thus it is clear, they have not the true Spirit of _Paul_ in them, who -gave the true Saints Liberty to try all Things or Opinions of Men, (for -that was his Meaning) but to _hold fast to that which was good_. - -Again, that Speaker or Preacher to People, whether publick or private, -that declares against all Appearances that are contrary to his Way, -discovers himself to a discerning Spirit, not to be of the Lord, unless -he can demonstrate a Spiritual Commission received by Voice from Heaven, -from the Mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ, so that no Man can disprove -him, though few from a true Understanding received him. - -Again, he that preaches or teaches only of a God or Christ in Mens -Consciences, doth he not question the Scripture Records concerning the -Resurrection and Ascension of the glorious Body of the Lord Jesus -Christ, who through Faith in his invaluable Blood-shedding, the -Consciences of the Elect being sprinkled, are purified from the Power of -all Unrighteousness of Flesh and Spirit, and so doth he not question the -Resurrection of Mankind after Death. - -Again if after Death there be no bodily Resurrection for the Spirit to -possess an immortal God-like Glory, or to suffer an eternal Devil-like -Shame, according to their Deeds done in their Bodies; is it not one of -the vainest Babblings under Heaven, for Men to talk of a God or Christ, -or of Righteousness, or Purity, or Mercy, or pure Love without Envy, or -of any Spiritual Excellency whatsoever, unless it be for Gain or Glory -amongst Men. - -The eternal Spirit and alone everlasting Father, which essentially -reigneth in the glorified Body of our Lord Jesus Christ his eternal Son, -and spiritually, or motionally, or virtually liveth or reigneth in elect -Men and Angels, bear Record between me and you for Everlasting, or World -without end, whether this Witnessing be not sent unto you, and all the -Elect that shall view it principally for the re-establishing of your -tender Spirit, upon that spiritual Rock of all Ages, the Lord Jesus -Christ God and Man, in one distinct Person Glorified and everlastingly -Honoured, with all Variety of Spiritual new Songs and Praises, from his -Redeemed or Elect Men or Angels, when all Time or Times is swallowed up -into Eternity or Eternities. - -JOHN REEVE. - - - - - _Another Epistle of_ JOHN REEVE_'s_. - - -_SIR_, - -Your Replication to mine doth but still harp upon the same Matter as -your former, and yet you suppose you have given such Arguments as may -quite silence my former Assertions, were that there are no Spirits -without Bodies, but such as mere Shadows; and that God is not a bodiless -Spirit, but hath and ever had Form, Substance, and Shape, and that is no -other but the Form of a Man. - -This is contradicted by you, and so you affirm these Particulars -following. - -_1st_, You take at those my Words which said, that if a Spirit have no -Body or Shape, then it is no more then a meer Shadow: This you deny, by -saying, that a Shadow is only privative, but a Spirit, say you, is -positive. - -_2dly_, You further say, that there is such immaterial Substances, which -have a separate Existence from such gross Bodies which we have about us; -witness say you the Soul of Man, which is immaterial, and lives after -the Body is dead, which is, say you, confirmed by _Paul_, 2 _Tim._ i. -10. which saith, that the _Gospel brings Life and Immortality to Light_. - -_3dly_, This Doctrine, say you, was known by the Light of Nature to the -Heathen Philosophers, and hath since been confirmed by Scripture of the -New Testament to us, and so conclude it no ways repugnant to right -Reason. - -_4thly_, You charge me with quoting the Scripture falsly, when I said, -that Christ reply'd to the young Man, saying, _That no Man was good but -one, which was God_; therefore say you, it is false that the Scripture -saith, that God is a Man. - -To each of these take this particular Answer, 1. If your Spirit have -neither Shape nor Substance, it is but a Shadow, and no more then what -the _Egyptians_ Sorcerers produced before _Pharaoh_, what _Moses_ -brought up were real Substances, but their's no other but Shadows, but -therefore a Spirit without Substance is not positive; for that which is -privative can have no Being without a positive, because that which is -positive hath a Being or Substance: Now he that will not admit God to -have a distinct Being of himself, his God that he worships is nothing -but a Shadow. - -_2dly_, Where you speak of Spirits being immaterial Substances; if they -be immaterial, how are they Substances, and what Existence can they -have, and how can a Soul be immortal in a mortal Body; it is said, _the -Soul that Sins, it shall die_; yet say you, it is immortal and cannot -die, and would prove it in 2 _Tim._ i. 10. when as that Place shews -plainly, that it was Christ's Death and Resurrection which _brought Life -and Immortality Light_; so that if there be not a Resurrection, then can -there be no immortal Life. - -Therefore it is, that the Scriptures doth affirm, that there can be no -Salvation without a Resurrection, so that if the Dead should not rise, -then were all Faith vain, and God the God of the Dead (seeing Death is -not abolish'd) and not of the Living; so that there is no Spirit that -can subsist or have any Existence without a Body, either Spiritual or -Natural. - -Again, doth not the Gospel _bring Life and Immortality to Light_, and is -this Life and Immortality brought to Light without a Body, but it will -have a Spiritual Body suitable to that mortal Spirit made immortal. And -doth not the Scripture affirm, that it shall have a Body like unto God's -own Glorious Body, and yet you say, God hath no Body, and a Soul hath no -Body. - -Do you not read also, that Christ had a Body, and that it was after the -_express Image of his Father's Person_: Would you trace substantial -Truth into an Allegory, and say Righteousness, Knowledge, and Holiness -is the Image of God, and yet must have no Body to act for it self in. -When God said, _be ye holy, as I am holy_, must we turn our Souls out of -our Bodies, to make them like your bodiless God. - -When we are said to worship God in Spirit and Truth, is this spiritual -Worship performed without a Body, although there is a Mental, Privy, and -Praise without a vocal Expression, yet it must arise from a Heart, and -that Heart must be placed in a Body. - -There is no Light without a Sun, no Stream without a Fountain, and no -Spirit without a Body. - -_3dly._ As to your third particular, this I must tell you, that no Light -of Nature can discover Spiritual and Evangelical Truths, and it is very -gross for any Man to subject the Spiritual Truths of the Gospel, to the -heathenish Principles of Philosophers, making the New Testament no other -but for the Confirmation of the Principles of Nature, which Nature you -call right Reason, which say, you never repugns the Gospel, nor the -Gospel it. - -By this your Discourse I find, that you own that Christ came, but to -confirm the heathenish Principles of Nature, as, that God, and Spirits, -and Angels, were all without Bodies, being immaterial Beings, and you -know not what. - -Now give me leave to be plain with you, and to tell you, that I could -never read that the Gospel of Christ was ever sent to enlighten Nature, -Nature or Reason hath no Interest in it at all. In the moral Law it -hath, and therefore it is written, _the Law came by_ Moses; and what to -do, but only to enlighten Reason unto whom the Law was given: But as to -the Gospel, _it came by Jesus Christ_, and particularly belonged to -another Seed; namely, _to the lost Sheep of the House of_ Israel; so -that you can no more distinguish between the Law and the Gospel, than -between the two Natures of Faith and Reason, it is all a Mystery to you. -Do you know what right Reason is, if you do, you must ascend up into the -Kingdom of Heaven, and view it in the holy Angels; for you will not find -neither pure, nor right, nor uncorrupted Reason any where in this Orb -below the Stars: For it is evident that Reason, Notion can never be -capable to comprehend Spiritual Truths, as from the Power of its own -Nature, it only serves to comprehend natural and temporal Things, it -being but natural it self; but Gospel Truths are comprehended by another -Light, according as it is written by _David_ saying, _in thy Light shall -we see Light_, &c. - -So that from what is said, we need not fear (as the World have) of the -Heathens rising up in Judgment against us, for maintaining Gospel Truths -against their Darkness of Reason. - -_4thly_, As to your fourth Point, where you charge me of fathering upon -the Scripture those things that are not, and you make a Wonderment of -it, that I should say, that God was a Man, and to quote Christ's Words -for it, telling the young Man, _that there was no Man good but one, -which was God_; this you tell me was false, for you say, the Text saith -that _none is good but one, which is God_. Here your Ignorance appears -very great, and may be wonder'd at, considering your great Learning and -continual Study; but it appears, it is but in those heathenish -Philosophers; for observe for better Instruction, did not that young Man -call Christ Master, and own him to be a Man and no more: Now to this you -may find that Christ's Answer did tacitely imply, that if he was but a -Man, he was not perfectly good, and that no Man could be perfectly good. - -And furthermore, for a more full Answer in the Old Translation, -attending to mark it, is render'd thus Word for Word, _that there is no -Man good but one, which is God_. - -This is plain Scripture, and yet you are ignorant of it; I perceive you -are not very conversant in Scripture, your Philosophy turns you out of -all Scripture Knowledge. But to proceed farther, cannot you find by -Scripture, that God was ever called a Man, did not you ever read that -Scripture that saith, _God was a Man of War_. - -Much more might be said of this, and several positive Proofs from -Scripture might be produced to confirm it withal, but because it is not -the general received Opinion, therefore it must be quarrelled with; for -the Honour of this World must be both sought after and submitted to. - -And whereas you farther say, that the Apostles of Christ did ever teach -after they had received their Commission, that Spirits were immaterial -and could subsist without Bodies, now answer to this: - -It is most certainly evident, that the Apostles never taught, that any -Spirit could subsist without a Body, but the contrary altogether; for -their Doctrine was, that as the Soul and Body lives together, so it dies -together, and at the Last Day rises together, and is ever without -Separation. - -When the Apostles said, _That many Spirits were generate into the World, -which denied that Christ was come in the Flesh_, did he mean Spirits -without Bodies: And when _Paul_ said, _that the Spirit speaketh -expresly, that some shall depart from the Faith_: Now what Spirit was -that, but _Paul_'s own Spirit of Faith, in his own mortal Body; for -without a Tongue it could not be expressed. - -And where the Apostles tells of the Doctrine of Devils, were those -Devils bodiless, and teached damnable Doctrine. - -So that the Apostles never taught that there was any Spirits without -Bodies, but always Spirit and Body went together, and so makes Longitude -and Latitude profoundly, as your Philosophical Notions teacheth, -although you cannot apply it to any sublime or spiritual Thing, you -knowing nothing of it, but all is nothing and of no Substance; and so in -that your Darkness I leave you, seeing you are no Friend to the Light; -and rest yours in all civil Respects, - - JOHN REEVE_'s, the only true Witness unto the very true God, amongst - many pretended Spiritual Messengers in this confused Age_. - - - - - _An Epistle wrote by the Prophet_ JOHN REEVE _to_ ISAAC PENNINGTON, - _Esq; dated 1658. concerning an Answer to a Book of his, with several -Mysteries and Divine and Spiritual Revelations declared by the Prophet, - concerning God's visible appearing in the Flesh_. - - -In your Self-return, you seem to mourn over the sunk Spirit of both -Creations, so termed by you. Also you write as though many from a -Satanical Spirit write most accurately, both of the Works of Creation -and Mystery of Redemption by an immediate Gift of God from our Lord -Jesus Christ. To this I answer, a little Season will produce Mourning -enough in you, when you shall see your Angelical Motions like Lightning, -cast down with Confusion of Fear from their former Perfection of -imaginary Glory, rational Dreams and Visions, Revelations, Inspirations, -Experiences, or Voices proceeding from an incomprehensible Spirit. - -Again, I have both read and heard a Voice to say, that the Secrets of -the Lord are his Choice Treasures, reserved only for Redeemed ones; but -I never read or heard from any Spiritual wise Man before now, that any -Satanical Spirit was able to intellect deceived Persons, exactly to -write of the hidden Mysteries of the Everlasting God. Again, you pretend -unto no such Revelations as I proceed upon, but say you, there is -another Way more certain than Reason or Revelation, which whether as I -presume you were led into, the Lord will one Day make manifest, from the -true Light of Life Eternal. To this I answer, your Light as terming of -the true Inspirations of the Lord Jesus Christ, written by me to you, is -because as yet his Holy Spirit vails them from your Eyes; but as for -your new Sound of teaching them from your God, more certain than Reason -or Revelation, from the Divine Voice spoken in the Ear, through the -Glorious Mouth of my Lord. I declare that in all Ages the Elect lost -Sheep of _Israel_, did never read or heard of any more than two original -Ways either Natural or Spiritual in Mankind, whether you call them -Creature or Creator, Light or Darkness, Truth and Error, Revelation and -Reason, Inspiration and Imagination, Truth and Unbelief, Flesh and -Spirit, and such like. - -'Tis confess'd, that visible Appearances of God or any else unto Mortals -is teaching of all, but he that expects that kind of Teaching any more -until Men are immortalized, lieth under at present as great an imaginary -Deceit, as ever yet appeared in this Land. It is also granted that the -most holy God speaketh to his Chosen Messengers by Voice of Words, even -to the hearing of the Ear, unto which Truth for Ends best known unto -himself, by his gracious Power only, can bear Record in this present -Generation, unto the Grief only of all Angelical, Wise, Envious, Proud, -Inglorious, Hypocritical Reprobates that hear of it. - -Moreover, yet if your more sure way of teaching from God were Vision it -self, yet it is impossible for you to enjoy any true and lasting Peace, -unless it swallows up all your former Writings produced from your own -Spirit, without an immediate Commission from God, and in the room -thereof, perswade your Soul to pour in your Oil, into the natural Wounds -of oppressed Persons, under what Opinions or Appearances whatsoever. - -Again, you say, O Lord God, pity the Captivity of Man, yea, pity the -Captivity of thy own poor Seed, hear the Prayers of that Spirit that -interceedeth with thee for every thing, not according to any fleshly -Imaginations, but according to Truth and Righteousness of thine one -Ballance. From the God of Truth, to this I answer, concerning that -Spiritual Captivity of the Elect, in Reference of a right understanding -of the Creator, you need not trouble yourself about that, unless you -think through much importuning the unchangeable God, may be perswaded to -loose their Bonds before the decreed time thereof; but if you think that -Glory of God's Eternal Love towards them, will provoke to their -Spiritual Darknesses through the invisible Appearances of his own pure -Light, then you may know, until his own Glorious Season, that all the -Desires of Men or Angels are of no Effect, no nor of the Son himself, if -you imagine a Father besides. 'Tis confess'd, when the Time draweth near -of some great Deliverance of the Chosen of God, usually the Lord -provokes his People to cry unto him with Sighs and Groans, which cannot -be uttered but from the innocent Spirit of his Spiritual redeemed ones, -as his Due, he may receive all Honour, Praise and Glory for their -Deliverance out of their natural Darknesses, unto his marvellous Light. - -Again, I declare from the true Light of the true God, that the Spirit -which entereth with the Creator for all Mankind, upon the Account of his -Eternal Happiness, was never principled upon a Spiritual Foundation of -Truth, whatever subtile Expressions of God's righteous Ballance -proceedeth from him. Moreover, is it not the new heavenly Glanses of -Christ Jesus in Man's dark Soul, which upon an immortal Account, becomes -all Light, Life, or ravishing Glory in him; and of the contrary, is it -not the absenting Voice or Virtue of the uncreated Spirit of the Lord -Christ Jesus, that occasions Mens Spirits to be full of Satanical -aspiring Wisdom about the Creator; and whence think you cometh this to -pass, or possible could be of the Spirit, if the Creator were, and -Angels were essentially living in one another there. - -Again, if your literal Request unto the Lord God, as in Reference unto -the miserable Captivity of poor Mankind, lying under the miserable Yoak -of unmerciful rich Tyrants, especially over his own innocent Seed or -chosen People, then this will most necessarily follow; nay, you cannot -deny it, if there be any Light in you, that all your conceived Spiritual -Speakings, or Writings, or Prayers, in the Great Day of the Lord Jesus -Christ, will become but fiery burning Death in you of utter Darkness, -according to the true Saying, _If that Light in you be Darkness, how -great is that Darkness_. Unless as before said, answerable to your -Profession of Love unto God, and Pity unto Man, you are a bountiful -Reliever of his oppressed Ones, according to his Bountifulness towards -you, then mind the Virtues of Christ Jesus thus shining in you, will -occasion from the refreshed Bowels of his own Seed new Spiritual -Acknowledgments, and a loving Return in the Lord for you, why because it -is rare to find a merciful rich Man. - -_Friend_, I certainly know that if you are one of God's Elect, you -cannot be offended with me for writing the Truth, though at present, I -be contrary to you in Spirit. Again, you write that you would beg unto -the Lord for me, both with Tears and Blood, and you would speak somewhat -concerning me, but you are afraid to open the Spirit before the Season -thereof. _Friend_, As to that if ever the Lord of Life and Glory -manifest himself to your Soul, then you will see clearly the Vanity of -those Words. - -Moreover, if I should tell you, that in the pure Eyes of the Lord Christ -Jesus, that one Handful of your Silver Tears, are of more Value than a -Horse Load of your Tears and Blood, you might account it a very strange -saying from me; truly I unfeignedly believe it will be found a principal -Truth, when our Lord Jesus Christ shall say in the Day of Judgment, -_Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you, for -when I was a hungry, ye fed me; Go ye Cursed into everlasting Fire, when -I was an hungry ye fed me not_. So that without Controversy, there is -nothing in Man comparable to Love, Mercy and Forgiveness, even to his -greatest Enemies. - -Again, It is a marvellous thing, if you or any other Man, should have a -Spiritual Gift to distinguish between Divine and Diabolical Appearances, -and yet defer the Examination thereof to another Season, or did the most -wise God ever Commission any Man or Angel to make a Discovery of any -Spiritual Counterfeits, and yet that Messenger remaineth dark in his own -Understanding, concerning the Creator that sent him. I remember such a -like Scripture Saying as this, _him whom you ignorantly worship, declare -I unto you_. Moreover, if the most wise Creator, either visible or -invisible by himself or Angel, hath appeared in your Spirit, whereby -unto your thinking, I was clearly discovered as a deceived Person among -the rest, is it not a strange thing that you should have Power over that -Light above Men or Angels, before you for the producing of it at another -Season, the Creator himself will visible make it manifest, _even so come -Lord Jesus Christ, for thy glorious Namesake, come quickly, and in the -visible Sight of Men and Angels bear Record whether thy Holy Spirit sent -me (as I have declared almost these three Years) or no_. Again, when the -Lord made Choice of such a simple poor Man as I was, as many can witness -in the City of _London_, that have known me about these twenty Years, -that I might instrumentally discover the two principal Heads of -mischievous Darkness in the Land; as namely, _John Robins_ past, and -_John Tawney_ almost spent, truly I had no Power in me to put by his -Message until another time; why because (whether you can believe it or -no) his Voice was so Glorious in me, that it shun as the Sun, and it was -of Motion swifter than Thought, and so pleasant to be declared by -Tongue; yet for all that Godlike Glory piercing in me, and through me, -there arose a Desire in me to be eased of that Burden of the Lord -committed to my Charge, because of that sharp Sentence that I was to -declare against any Man that should despise it; then the Lord spake -again unto my Soul, Words of turning Death, of sensible unutterable -Darkness, answerable to that _Jonas_-like Rebellion in me, against so -great convincing Glory; and truly I was compelled immediately to cry -unto him for Deliverance from the Wounds or Anguish of my Soul, that I -might presently obey his Word that shined in me with such Light, and -Majesty, and Glory in whatsoever it should command me. - -Wherefore _Friend_, happy are you if preserved from slighting an -Appearance, that is contrary unto your Light, though it strike at the -Foundation on which is built all your Spiritual Enjoyments; for alas, -you know in the End, all false Lights will be made manifest unto those -that possess the true Light of Eternal Life in them; Blessed therefore -are those, that in Obedience unto the Creator from a purified Spirit are -compassionate to all Men, but especially to those innocent Appearances, -in the Name of the Lord, though they all differ in their Declaration for -them. If there be but one true Messenger from the Lord among the rest, -they shall as formerly, receive an Angel of God unawares, and with him -be Partakers of the Glorious Secrets of the everliving God, to their -eternal Consolation: For this I know, from the Spirit of Truth, that -those that are left under a Spirit of rejecting and despising of false -Appearances, coming forth in the Name of the Lord, they not clearly -knowing them to be so, they will as readily despise a true Messenger of -the Lord to their eternal Hurt; wherefore are all those, that neither -Honour nor Life it self is dear unto them, but upon an Account of -Spiritual Wisdom amongst wise Men, when the Glorious Things of Eternity, -though in base Appearance presented unto them, from that Spiritual Rock -of all Ages, which is our Lord Jesus Christ, God and Man, is one -distinct Body or Person glorified; for whatsoever Men dream from their -imaginary Gods, of two or three Persons, or a vast incomprehensible -Spirit, essentially living in all Things and Places; from an immediate -Voice from the highest Heavens, I positively affirm against Men or -Angels, that there neither is, nor ever was any other God or Creator, -but that God-man Christ Jesus, which was nailed to the Cross, the which -Glorious God will one Day visibly appear with his mighty Angels, to the -Everlasting Terror of those that reject his Person, as to love a thing -for an infinite God to dwell in or to be; yea this very true God in -Opposition to all other Gods, Men, or Angels, is already come with his -invisible pure piercing Light, to make an everlasting Distinction -between the imaginary notional Mysteries of Men in rational Darkness, -and the Spiritual Mysteries of his everlasting Kingdom, by true -Inspirations from an holy and unerring Spirit. _Even so come Lord Jesus -Christ, visibly also according to thine own Word, come quickly._ Amen. - - * * * * * - -Yours with all the Elect, in that only wise very true God, which in the -Sight of Men and Angels visible appeared in Flesh, and in that very Body -of Flesh and Bone, is ascended far above all Gods, Heavens, Angels, or -Men, and there to remain until the Resurrection of all elect Things, or -the Judgment-Day, whose uncreated Spirit of fiery Love, is all Variety -of immortal Crowns of new ravishing Glories, prepared for all those that -long for his visible appearing, to make an everlasting Separation, -between the merciful Elect, and unmerciful Reprobate. - - JOHN REEVE, _the only true Witness unto the very true God, amongst - many pretended Spiritual Messengers in this confused Age_. - -_FINIS._ - - - - -Transcriber's Notes: - -Archaic and colloquial spelling and punctuation was retained. - -Missing or obscured punctuation was corrected. - -Text that was in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_). - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TRUE INTERPRETATION OF THE -WITCH OF ENDOR *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/68704-0.zip b/old/68704-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c50b080..0000000 --- a/old/68704-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/68704-h.zip b/old/68704-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 1de0c1d..0000000 --- a/old/68704-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/68704-h/68704-h.htm b/old/68704-h/68704-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 4d9f688..0000000 --- a/old/68704-h/68704-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3655 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" /> - <title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of A True Interpretation of the Witch of Endor, by Lodowicke Muggleton</title> - <link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> - <style type="text/css"> - body { margin-left: 8%; margin-right: 8%; } - h1 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.4em; } - h2 { text-align: center; font-weight: normal; font-size: 1.2em; } - p { text-indent: 0; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; text-align: justify; } - .fss { font-size: 75%; } - .sc { font-variant: small-caps; } - .xlarge { font-size: x-large; } - .xxlarge { font-size: xx-large; } - div.pbb { page-break-before: always; } - hr.pb { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-bottom: 1em; } - @media handheld { hr.pb { display: none; } } - .chapter { clear: both; page-break-before: always; } - .figcenter { clear: both; max-width: 100%; margin: 2em auto; text-align: center; } - .figcenter img { max-width: 100%; height: auto; } - .id001 { width:80%; } - @media handheld { .id001 { margin-left:10%; width:80%; } } - .ig001 { width:100%; } - .nf-center { text-align: center; } - .nf-center-c1 { text-align: left; margin: 1em 0; } - .c000 { margin-top: 1em; } - .c001 { page-break-before: always; margin-top: 1em; } - .c002 { margin-top: 4em; } - .c003 { margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c004 { margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c005 { margin-top: 2em; } - .c006 { page-break-before:auto; margin-top: 4em; } - .c007 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c008 { margin-left: 5.56%; margin-top: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c009 { border: none; border-bottom: thin solid; margin-top: 0.8em; - margin-bottom: 0.8em; margin-left: 35%; margin-right: 35%; width: 30%; } - .c010 { margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - .c011 { margin-top: 4em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; } - div.tnotes { padding-left:1em;padding-right:1em;background-color:#E3E4FA; - border:1px solid silver;margin:1em 5% 0 5%;text-align:justify; } - </style> - </head> - <body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of A True Interpretation of the Witch of Endor, by Lodowick Muggleton</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: A True Interpretation of the Witch of Endor</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Lodowick Muggleton</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 7, 2022 [eBook #68704]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: deaurider, David King, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net. (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive.)</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TRUE INTERPRETATION OF THE WITCH OF ENDOR ***</div> - -<div class='figcenter id001'> -<img src='images/cover.jpg' alt='' class='ig001' /> -</div> -<div class='pbb'> - <hr class='pb c000' /> -</div> -<div> - <h1 class='c001'>A True Interpretation of the Witch of Endor</h1> -</div> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c002'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'><b>A TRUE INTERPRETATION OF THE WITCH OF ENDOR,</b></span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'><b>Spoken of in 1 Sam. XXVIII. begin. at the 11th Verse.</b></span></div> - <div class='c000'><span class='xlarge'><b>SHEWING,</b></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c003'>1. How She and all other Witches -do beget or produce that Familiar -Spirit they deal with, and -what a Familiar Spirit is, and -how those Voices are procured, -and Shapes appear unto them, -whereby the Ignorant and Unbelieving -People are deceived by -them.</p> - -<p class='c004'>2. It is clearly made appear in this -<span class='fss'>TREATISE</span>, that no Spirit -can be raised without its Body, -neither can any Spirit assume any -Body after Death; For if the -Spirit doth walk, the Body must -walk also.</p> - -<p class='c004'>3. An Interpretation of all those -Scriptures, that doth seem as if -Spirits might go out of Men's -Bodies when they die, and subsist -in some Place or other without -Bodies.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Lastly, Several other Things needful -for the Mind of Man to know; -which whoever doth understand, -it will be great Satisfaction.</p> - -<div class='nf-center-c1'> -<div class='nf-center c005'> - <div><span class='xxlarge'><b>By LODOWICKE MUGGLETON,</b></span></div> - </div> -</div> - -<p class='c003'><i>Penman hereof, and the last chosen Witness unto that Ever-Blessed -Body of Christ Jesus Glorified, to be the only Wise, -very True God alone, Everlasting Father, and Creator of -both Worlds, and all that were made in them.</i></p> -<p class='c003'>The Second Edition.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>LONDON</i>,</p> - -<p class='c004'>Printed by <span class='sc'>Subscription</span> in the YEAR 1724.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>TO THE READER.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>I Have been desired by several Friends, to set -forth the Interpretation concerning the Witch -of <i>Endor</i> and King <i>Saul</i>; how it may be -understood how she raised <i>Samuel</i>, and how -Familiar Spirits came to be procured, and with -what Power they do such strange Things. -Many Enemies also have objected this Place, -to prove that Spirits may be raised without Bodies, -and that Spirits may walk, or be happy or -miserable without Bodies: Though I have given -an Answer in Discourse to these Doubts and -Questions, but few can retain in their Memory -what is spoken in Discourse; therefore I thought -it convenient and necessary to set it forth in -Print, for the Information and Satisfaction of -many Friends who desire it, and for the Convincement -of all Gain-sayers. And let them -seriously read it over without Prejudice, and they -may see this Point clearly opened, which hath -laid hid this many Hundred Years, with other -Places of Scriptures opened, which many have -objected against this Interpretation, and all those -Places of Scripture that is commonly brought, or -doth most seem to hold forth, that Spirits may -be without Bodies, are likewise opened and expounded -in short in this Treatise, as followeth.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_1'></a> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. I. <br /> 1 <span class='sc'>Sam.</span> XXVIII. <i>from the 11th to the 18th Verse</i>.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>I Shall give the Interpretation, what is meant by -that Familiar Spirit the Witch of <i>Endor</i> which did -raise <i>Samuel</i>, so much spoken of in the Book of <i>Samuel</i>, -and other Places of Scripture; and so much objected -by many to prove that Spirits may be raised -without Bodies, and may appear unto People in -what Shape they please.</p> - -<p class='c004'>The Belief of this lying Principle, it did proceed out of the Imagination -of Reason, the Devil——The Imagination that doth arise or -proceed from the Seed of Reason in Man, is that Familiar Spirit that -Witches deal with, and that Familiar Spirit it proceedeth from no -Spirit or Devil without a Man, but from the Seed of Reason within -Man; for look what evil Thoughts doth arise out of the Heart of -Man, it proceedeth out of the Seed of Reason in Man, and not from -any thing without Man; for the Imagination of the Heart, it is plac'd -in the Seed of Reason, therefore it is said in Scripture, <i>That the Imaginations -of Man's Heart was evil, and that every Imagination of the -Thoughts of his Heart was only evil continually</i>, as in <i>Gen.</i> vi. 5. So that -there is no other Devil, or Spirit, or Familiar Spirit for Witches to -deal withal, or to work any Enchantments by, but their own Imagination; -<a id='Page_2'></a>there the Familiar Spirit is produced from whence it came, -and there it ceases to be when they are put to Death, or over-power'd -by the Knowledge, and the Power of Faith in other Men, then the Familiar -Spirit centers in the Imagination again, it being over-powered -by the Power of Faith; so likewise, the good Thoughts that doth -proceed out of the Heart of Man, they do arise or proceed from the -Seed of Faith, concerning the true God, or any heavenly Secret, or -temporal Judgments, or temporal Blessings; if the Foreknowledge -of these Things doth arise, or be foretold by the Revelation of the -Seed of Faith, they are and may be called the Spirit of God.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Because they were foretold and declared by the Revelation of the -Seed of Faith, which Seed of Faith is the Seed of God, it being of -God's own Nature, therefore called the Spirit of God, and so foretold -and declared by the Spirit of God: So likewise, what Foreknowledge -or Declaration of Things, that are above that which is common -to the Seed of Reason, (as raising of Spirits and such like;) I say, -they do proceed from the Imagination of Reason, the Devil; and this -strong Imagination from the Seed of Reason, is that Familiar Spirit -by which Witches do divine or foretel Things. So that the strong -Imagination of Reason, being exercised about Things that are beyond -Trades and Sciences, that are necessary, needful, and lawful; so it -becomes a Familiar Spirit, because it proceeds from the imagination -of Reason, and the Seed of Reason being the Devil, and the Devil -being the fallen Angel; for the Devil is Man and Woman; and the -Seed of Reason is their Seed. And that Seed of Reason it came from, -that Serpent that beguiled <i>Eve</i>; and that Serpent was an Angel, and -his Seed was Reason, and this Reason in Man is the Devil; and the -Imagination of Reason is the Father of that Familiar Spirit, by which -a Man or Woman doth Divine, Soothsay, raise Shapes, or hear Voices, -or any such Thing of that Nature, they all proceed from the Imagination -of Reason in Man, and the original Being of this Seed of Reason. -It came from that Serpent-Angel, that was cast down from -Heaven unto this Earth, who deceived our first Parents, as I have -abundantly shewed in <i>Rev.</i> xi. and in the Interpretation of the whole -Book of the <i>Revelation</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Now I have laid a Foundation for the Reader, that he may the better -understand the Foundation, from whence these Familiar Spirits -that Witches have, do proceed, and how they are procured, and -what Power they have over the ignorant Mind of Man; therefore -to satisfy the Thoughts of many, who hath desired and requested of -me, that I would interpret some chief Sayings in the Scriptures, that -<a id='Page_3'></a>speaketh of Witchcraft, and Familiar Spirits, and such like; which -Sayings are very strange and hard to be understood; so that most People -are very much unsatisfied in these Things, though clear in their -Judgments, in many other Things that are of more Concernment. And -as I have given the Interpretation of the whole Book of the <i>Revelation</i>, -with many other Places of Scripture, to the great Comfort and Satisfaction -of many, so I shall add the Interpretation of this thing also.</p> - -<p class='c004'>The first Place of Scripture I shall insist upon, is that in 1 <i>Sam.</i> xxviii. -beginning at the 11th Verse, concerning the Witch of <i>Endor</i>; this -is commonly the Place that most People fetch to prove, that Spirits -may be raised in what Shape the Witch please by their Familiar Spirits; -therefore let the Reader mind the Discourse that followeth. The -Words are these, <i>Then said the Woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? -And he said, bring me up</i> Samuel. And in the 12th Verse, <i>And when -the Woman saw</i> Samuel, <i>she cried with aloud Voice, and the Woman spake -to</i> Saul, <i>saying, why hast thou deceived me, for thou art</i> Saul? And in -the 13th Verse, <i>And the King said unto her, be not afraid, for what -sawest thou? And the Woman said unto</i> Saul, <i>I saw Gods ascending out -of the Earth</i>. The 14th Verse, <i>And he said unto her, what Form is he of? -And she said, an old Man cometh up, and he is covered with a Mantle. -And</i> Saul <i>perceived it was</i> Samuel, <i>and he stooped with his Face to the -Ground, and bowed himself</i>. The 15th Verse, <i>And</i> Samuel <i>said to</i> Saul, -<i>Why hast thou disquieted me to bring me up? And</i> Saul <i>answered, I am -sore distressed: For the</i> Philistines <i>make War against me, and God is departed -from me, and answereth me no more, neither by Prophet, nor by Dreams: -Therefore I have called thee, that thou mayst make known unto me what I -shall do</i>. Verse 16. <i>Then said</i> Samuel, <i>Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, -seeing the Lord is departed from thee, and is become thine Enemy?</i> Verse -17. <i>And the Lord hath done to him, as he spake by me; for the Lord hath -rent the Kingdom out of thine Hand, and given it to thy Neighbour, even -to</i> David. Verse 18. <i>Because thou obeyest not the Voice of the Lord, nor -executed his fierce Wrath upon</i> Amalek; <i>therefore hath the Lord done this -Thing unto thee this Day</i>.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. II.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>This Familiar Spirit the Witch of <i>Endor</i> and other Witches -have, whereby they do such Things, it is the Imagination of -Reason, the Devil in themselves; that is, they set themselves apart -with the Thoughts of the Imaginations of their Hearts, to dive into -<a id='Page_4'></a>the diabolical Power; that is, that they might know the Depths of -Satan, their Imagination conceiving that the Devil is a Spirit flying -in the Air, and that this Spirit can assume or take up any Shape it -please. So that the Imagination of the Heart hath produced an evil -Spirit in it self, so that this Familiar Spirit is begotten out of the -Womb of Reason: For the Seed of Reason in Man is the Womb or -the Mother, and the Imagination of the Heart is the Father that -begets this Familiar Spirit, and this Familiar Spirit is the Son of -Imagination. So that all Thoughts of the Heart, and that wonderful -Knowledge declared by them, it is revealed through this Son the Familiar -Spirit, begotten in themselves by the Seed of Reason the Mother, -and Imagination the Father. So that there is no Devil, nor -Familiar Spirit without them, as People do vainly imagine, but the -Devil and Familiar Spirit is always within them, and no where else; -yet all People fear a Devil without them, but he is no where to be -found but in Man and Woman, this I do certainly know to be true.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, These Witches doth suppose the true God to be an Infinite -Spirit, without any Body or Substance, as all People almost do; and -that the Devil is a Spirit that can assume Bodies or what Shape he -pleaseth, or what Shape or Form the Witch shall call for. This is -the Opinion of most People in the World as well as Witches, yea, -even of the most of the greatest learned Men; Darkness hath overspread -the Minds of all learned Men in the World, so that they cannot -find out what the true God is, nor where he is; nor what the -right Devil is, nor where he is; yea Man, himself is he that cannot -find out himself: But no more of this now.</p> - -<p class='c004'>To the Matter in hand, the Witches they do not know any Divine -Being, or Power, or Form of God, but what their Imagination doth -conceive to be God, for they have full Faith in this Knowledge of -theirs, to be the true Knowledge of God; only the Laws of Men -they fear, but no other God, but that Familiar Spirit which they -have produced in themselves, by giving themselves either to Fasting -and Prayer, unto an unknown Divine Being or Power; supposing this -Power to be a Spirit that can appear in any Shape they shall call for -or desire. And all People being ignorant of the true God, and the -right Devil, as they themselves are, so that the People have a Faith -in these Witches, being ignorant as aforesaid.</p> - -<p class='c004'>What the true God and right Devil is, and the Witches Faith, and -their Faith being joyn'd together, it becometh strong to atchieve -such Apparitions as their Faith hath chose to be the Object of their -Imagination: For he that enquireth of a Witch, his Faith and the -Witch's Faith is all one.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_5'></a>Also this is to be minded, that all Witches have some Rule by -which they do perceive those Apparitions, and hear those Voices; -for their is no wicked Knowledge or wicked Wisdom as the Wisdom -of the World, neither is there any good Knowledge or good Wisdom -as the Wisdom of God. I say, there is no Knowledge or Wisdom -good or bad, but those that have it they must go by some Rule, else -it is meer Nonsense; as most of your <i>Quakers</i> Matters or Principles -are meer Nonsense, that hath neither Bottom nor Top.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. III.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>But to the Matter in hand, we see the natural Astrologers they -go by a Rule, and their Wisdom and Knowledge in Things of -Nature, it is declared by them from and by a Rule, else that they -say would be meer Nonsense and Foolishness.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Yet I say, your natural Astrologers they are Witches, and have their -Figure to judge the Effects of the Stars; but this Witchcraft is allowed -by the Powers of the Nations.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So I say, these Witches that doth do Things by a Familiar Spirit, -they have a Rule to walk by as the other hath; for as the Imagination -of the other hath by the Study of the Figure, attained to give -some Judgment upon the Effects of the Stars, upon a particular Person -or Nation. So likewise those Witches that hath a Familiar Spirit, -they have attained to this Familiar Spirit out of their Imagination -of Reason, as I said before.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And this Familiar Spirit being begotten in themselves by the -Strength of Imagination their Father; now understand thus much, -that this diabolical Wisdom that is begotten in Man and Woman by -the Imagination of Reason, the Devil is that Familiar Spirit that -Men and Women do act by.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And after this Familiar Spirit is begotten in Man or Woman by -Imagination their father, as I said before, then this Familiar Spirit -of the Witch will motion in the Mind too fast, and pray unto the -Host of Heaven, the Sun, Moon and Planets, supposing that the -good Spirit in some of them, and imagining the evil Spirit or Devil -to be in other some of them.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Now observe, when this Familiar Spirit is produced in them, then -they observe every Motion of the Mind, and their Faith being in -every Motion of their Minds, it produceth either some farther Knowledge -<a id='Page_6'></a>in their own Apprehension, or else some Visions are presented -to their Phantasies; for they have dedicated some certain Words to -be said in their Minds motional, to be used when they would do any -Feats, besides their Fasting and Prayer. And this Thing they have -dedicated to enquire of, is that which they divine with, or tell any -Thing from it, is much like unto the Astrologers, their Figure is dedicated -for that Purpose, that he may tell Things from, and without -the Knowledge of the Figure. He can tell nothing except he -were skilled in it before, but the Figure was the Thing he came to -know more than others at the first; for wonderful Things may be -accomplished through the Imagination of Reason, when it hath set -it self apart on purpose to attain unto such Things.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For I find by Experience within this seventeen Years, what strange -Things hath been atchieved by Man and Woman, who hath given -themselves up to an unknown God upon a Religious Account. Some -hath by their Fasting and Prayer unto an unknown God, attained -unto Visions, Apparitions, Appearance of Angels, Voices, and many -other strange Things; yet altogether ignorant of the true God and -the right Devil, and what Angels are; so that these Things hath -been all within them, and they thought that God had revealed these -Things unto them; when as they did attain unto these Things aforesaid -by their own Endeavours; as many <i>Quakers</i> and others can Witness -at this Day, if they would, by hearkening to the Light within -them, and Fasting, and such like. Neither did God present any Vision, -or speak any Voice unto them, but they do produce those -Things aforesaid by their own Imaginations.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So is it with Witches, they do raise Shapes and Voices out of -themselves, and those Voices they hear, they are no other but motional -Voices in themselves; and the ignorant People that believes -them is Partakers of those motional Voices also with the -Witch.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For their is no Spirit of the Devil without them, that doth assume -any Shape, or speak any Voice unto the Witch, neither doth -any Spirit without the Witch reveal any Knowledge unto them; -it is all produced by their own wicked Imagination, who hath begotten -within themselves that Familiar Spirit they deal with, and not -from any Devil or Spirit without them.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But all cometh from the Imagination within, that is, the Devil -and no other; yet this Familiar Spirit is produced from within -them, to see Shapes, and hear motional Voices, meerly by watching -the Motion of the Imagination that is placed in their Minds -<a id='Page_7'></a>or Hearts, even as the <i>Quakers</i> do by hearkening to the Light within -them, they do procure many strange Visions and motional -Voices, but they being Groundless and Nonsensical they come to -nothing.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. IV.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>Let the Reader observe when King <i>Saul</i> asked the Witch of -<i>Endor</i>, <i>What Form the Gods was of, she had seen ascend out of the -Earth</i>; The Woman answered and said, <i>An old Man with a Mantle, -&c.</i> But <i>Saul</i> saw nothing but as the Woman told him, and <i>Saul</i> believed -her Words, and bowed himself to the Ground.——Now -mind the 15th Verse, Samuel <i>said to</i> Saul, <i>why hast thou disquieted me -to bring me up</i>; the Meaning is this, now the Witch had full Power -over <i>Saul</i>, so that he did really believe the Witch, that she had indeed -raised up <i>Samuel</i>, though he saw nothing——yet the Fear of -being destroyed by the <i>Philistines</i>, and the Belief of the Woman's -Words, <i>Samuel</i> began to speak in <i>Saul</i>'s Conscience; there came into -<i>Saul</i>'s Mind the Words which <i>Samuel</i> had told him in his Life-time.——So -that these was no speaking to <i>Saul</i> by <i>Samuel</i>, but -the Reasonings of <i>Saul</i>'s own Heart; and these Voices that <i>Samuel</i> -spake to <i>Saul</i>, they were motional Voices that did arise in <i>Saul</i>'s own -Heart.——For an accusing Conscience will speak dreadful Voices -in the Conscience; as the Blood of <i>Abel</i> cried for Vengeance in -<i>Cain</i>'s Conscience, and the Saints that were slain under the Altar; -cried for Vengeance upon those that shed their Blood; so that a -sinful Conscience will have Voices enough to torment him, though -God himself, nor Prophet without him, doth never speak unto him. -A guilty Conscience will speak with a motional Voice their great -Terror and Torment, which is greater than can be born, as it was -with <i>Cain</i>, <i>Saul</i>, and <i>Judas</i>. Yea, it was Fear, and the Remembrance -of <i>Saul</i>'s Disobedience to <i>Samuel</i>'s Words in his Life-time, -this did arise afresh in <i>Saul</i>'s Mind, and spake with motional Voices -in <i>Saul</i>'s Conscience, accusing him for his Disobedience to <i>Samuel</i>'s -Words.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For the Remembrance of <i>Samuel</i>'s Words, may be said to disquiet -<i>Samuel</i>; for <i>Samuel</i>'s Words were buried in <i>Saul</i>'s Conscience.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But now, by his going to enquire of a Witch, <i>Samuel</i> is revived -again in <i>Saul</i>'s Mind, and there <i>Samuel</i> speaks Fear, Wrath, and -<a id='Page_8'></a>Terror; for <i>Samuel</i>'s Words spake in <i>Saul</i>'s Conscience one motional -Voice, and the Guilt of <i>Saul</i>'s Disobedience spake Fear and Horror -in <i>Saul</i>'s Conscience, this was a motional Voice in <i>Saul</i>'s Conscience -also; for the Voice of Truth will speak, or the Voice of Obedience, -and the Voice of Sin and Disobedience will speak in Man's Conscience, -as if they were two distinct Spirits.</p> - -<p class='c004'>This many guilty Consciences can witness, as we may read by -<i>Cain</i> that killed his Brother, and <i>Judas</i> that betrayed his Lord, and -many others who hath been guilty of the like Crimes.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that the Witch did raise no <i>Samuel</i>, nor Spirit, but a meer -Shadow it was the Witch saw, which she could raise by her Art; -neither was there any <i>Samuel</i> or Spirit not at all that did speak to -<i>Saul</i>, but that motional Voice in <i>Saul</i>'s Conscience as aforesaid.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And in this Sense <i>Samuel</i> may be said to be disquieted; for if <i>Saul</i> -had never gone to the Witch to enquire of her, <i>Samuel</i>'s Words had -been quiet in <i>Saul</i>; neither would <i>Saul</i> have had such Reasonings in -himself, nor have been so sensible of the Worm of his Conscience.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that there was no Voice of <i>Samuel</i> spoke unto <i>Saul</i>, but a motional -Voice in <i>Saul</i>'s own Mind or Conscience; his Fear and his Disobedience, -and what <i>Samuel</i> had told him before, these all speaking -with Voices in his wounded Conscience. <i>Samuel</i>'s Words spake one -Voice, and his own Disobedience spake another; so that the -Witch of <i>Endor</i> did neither raise <i>Samuel</i>, but only made the King -believe she did, neither did <i>Samuel</i> speak to the King but as aforesaid.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For the Kingdom being rent out of his Hands, his Sons being destroyed, -and all other Threatnings of <i>Samuel</i>, they came into <i>Saul</i>'s -Mind afresh with strong Motions, so that they became as Voices in -<i>Saul</i>'s Heart, as if <i>Samuel</i> had spake to the hearing of the Ear: For -there was no <i>Samuel</i> raised, nor no <i>Samuel</i> spake, but what was motional -in the Mind of <i>Saul</i>, and what did visionally appear unto the -Witch, which was a meer Shadow which she could produce by her -Witchcraft-Art, to all those that were more ignorant than her self, -or had Faith in her Power.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. V.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>For the Reader must mind, that Witches and all those that -doth attain to the Visions, and hear Voices within them, they -do use Means to attain unto it; also they have some standing Rule -<a id='Page_9'></a>or Art, by which they come to enquire or to know Things, that are -above that Knowledge which is common to other People, it is much -like unto the Ways of God.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore let the Reader mind the Ground work laid down at -the first, that the Imagination of Reason had begotten a Son out of -the Womb of the Seed of Reason in Man, which I call the Mother, -and Imagination the Father, and the Son that is begotten in the -Womb of Reason; by Imagination the Father is that great Wisdom, -Knowledge and Power, by which they go beyond other People who -are of a lower Capacity.</p> - -<p class='c004'>This Son is that Familiar Spirit Witches doth deal with; it is -another Spirit begotten in them, which was not in their Birth, -when they were born, but begotten in themselves since by Imagination -as aforesaid; Neither is this Familiar Spirit produced, or -doth come from any Thing, or any Devil without them, as People -do vainly imagine; but the Familiar Spirit it is produced, and -doth come from within, <i>for out of the Heart cometh evil Thoughts, -Murder, Adultery</i>, &c. And all Familiar Spirits, they are all conceived -in the Heart, and being conceived there, in its Season it -bringeth forth such Spirits as are conceived in the Heart; if Envy -and Murder be conceived, as it was in <i>Cain</i>, then it bringeth -forth the Spirit or Deed of Murder; if Lust be conceived in the -Heart, it bringeth forth the Spirit and Act of Adultery, as it did -in <i>David</i>; and if a Familiar Spirit be conceived in the Heart, -then it bringeth forth such a Spirit that shall speak motional -Voices within them, as if some Spirits without them did appear without -a Body, and speak to them, and reveal those Things unto them.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Many wicked Spirits more then is mentioned, are conceived in the -Hearts of Men and Women, and acted by them, Spirits, I say, -that were never of God's Creation, but hath been conceived -in the Mind of Man since; for when Sin is conceived, as in -<i>James</i> i. 15. <i>When Lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth Sin; and Sin -when it is finished, bringeth forth Death</i>: so that there is a Conception -of Sin first in the Heart; and if it doth not die before it quickens -into Life, that is, into act; then it bringeth forth Death, which is -the Punishment due to such Sins, that are alive in Man's Actions, after -they were conceived in the Heart. And as the Evil of Murder, -Adultery, and Theft is conceived first in the Heart, so is that Familiar -Spirit Witches and Wizards have; they are first conceived in -the Mind, and in a little Season it groweth alive in them, and -speaketh unto them, as if it were without them: For this I say, -<a id='Page_10'></a>that a Familiar Spirit is conceived and begotten in the Heart of -Man and Woman, as the other Sins aforementioned are, and the -Cause why God is more angry with those that deal with a Familiar -Spirit, and hath commanded them to be put to Death, more than -for other Sins conceived in the Mind is, because they imitate the -Way of God. Or the Spirit of Prophecy, which causeth the People -to believe in a meer Fiction or Shadow without any Substance, -that a Spirit may be raised out of the Ground without a Body, and -so they forsake the living God, who hath a Body of his own, and -gave Life to every Creature, that hath a Body and doth believe a -Lie, which hath been conceived in the Mind, and hath quickned into -a Familiar Spirit, and this Spirit doth always live within the Witch, -and not without her; and this Familiar Spirit thus conceived, first -in the evil Mind, and afterward quickning in the evil Heart, <i>it goeth -from Strength to Strength, and from one Degree of Knowledge, to a farther -Degree of</i> evil <i>Knowledge, and evil Wisdom</i>, as all Things else -doth that hath Life; for Sin hath Life in it, and the outward Law -causeth Sin to revive in every one that doth evil, as St. <i>Paul</i> saith, -<i>Rom.</i> vii. 9. Thus in some Measure the Reader may understand -what a Familiar Spirit is, and how it comes to have a Being in -Witches and Wizards, and how the ignorant are Partakers with -the Familiar Spirit.</p> - -<p class='c004'>In the next Place, I shall shew how those that have a Familiar -Spirit do imitate the way of God, or the way of true Prophets; observe -the Way and Manner of true Prophets, High-Priests, and all other -People, who are richly gifted with the Spirit of Prophecy, or -Revelation; for the Seed of Faith planted in the Heart, is the Seed -and Nature of God, as Reason is the Seed and Nature of the Serpent -or Devil; and as the Seed of Reason is the Womb or Mother for -Imagination to get a Son.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So likewise the Seed of Faith in Man, is the Womb or Mother for -the Revelation of Faith, to beget a Son out of the Seed of Faith, -answerable as the Imagination doth out of the Seed of Reason.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And this Son the Revelation hath begotten out of the Seed of -Faith, is that heavenly Wisdom, discerning Knowledge and Power -over the Spirits of others, and Knowledge of Things above the -Stars, and knoweth the true God in Form and Nature, with many -other heavenly Secrets, which none else can know but those that -believe them.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that the Revelation of Faith hath begotten this heavenly Wisdom, -Power and Glory out of the Seed of Faith, which is the Seed -<a id='Page_11'></a>of God, even of his Divine Nature; and this Wisdom, Power, and -Glory, is that Son or Spirit, by which all Prophets, High Priests, -Apostles and others that have it.</p> - -<p class='c004'>I say this is that by which they can truly divine by, in that they -can foretel truly what shall come to pass, according to the Knowledge -of the Revelation of Faith; and this Wisdom, and Knowledge -being produced by Revelation out of the Womb of the Seed of Faith, -it may and is called the Spirit of God in Man, that doth teach and -shew the Wisdom of God to others, so that others cometh to be -taught and subjected by it, to their great Peace here, and eternal -Joy hereafter.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. VI.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>And this Spirit of Wisdom, Knowledge and Power, which -is produced by the Revelation as aforesaid, it hath motional -Voices in the Conscience, as the Familiar Spirit hath in the evil Conscience; -but the motional Voices in a good Conscience speaketh -Peace. Likewise this motional Voice in Prophets, High-Priests, -Apostles, and others, is that by which they do foretel Things by, -whether it be good or bad, that shall befal those that shall -enquire.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Also the Spirit of Revelation hath a standing Rule to enquire by, -as those have that doth tell Things by a Familiar Spirit, as I said before; -for the Witches doth imitate the way of the Prophets, and -the Devil's Way is as like God's Way as he can.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Now let the Reader mind, and he may see how Men have enquired -of the Lord by motional Voices in the Mind, by that Spirit of -Faith which is gotten by Revelation, which is called the Spirit of -God.</p> - -<p class='c004'>In the Time of the Law of <i>Moses</i>, the Ephod was a standing -Rule, for to enquire of God for good or bad Success. Now there -was no Man could tell what the Event would be that looked upon -the Ephod, but such Men as had the Spirit of Revelation and Prophecy -in them; as <i>David</i> and the High Priest, as soon as ever they -looked upon the Ephod, they could tell whether they should prosper -in Battle or not; but if any other Man which had not the Spirit -of Revelation and Prophecy should look upon the Ephod, they could -tell nothing by it.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_12'></a>Though the Ephod was appointed of God, on purpose to enquire -of God, yet none could find out God's Mind, but such Men aforesaid; -for as soon as ever <i>David</i> or the High-Priest looked upon the Ephod, -they could tell what the Event would be, as may be seen, 1 <i>Sam.</i> xxiii. -6, 9. how <i>David</i> called for the Ephod and <i>Abiathar</i> the Priest to -bring it to enquire of the Lord.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Yet God never spake to them by Voice, yet they had motional -Voices in themselves in their Hearts, assuring them that they prosper -or not prosper; yet God never appeared himself, nor any Angel, -neither did God speak by any Voice, yet they are bid to go and prosper, -as if they had heard some Voice by looking upon the Ephod, -so that those Voices that bid them go and prosper, they were motional -Voices that did arise from the Revelation and Spirit of Prophecy -within them by that Skill they had in the Ephod, which was -appointed of God for that Purpose. So that all <i>David</i>'s Voices, and -the High-Priest Voices, that were motional Voices, yet called the -Voice of God, because they did arise from the Seed of Faith in <i>David</i> -and others, which is the Divine Nature of God, therefore called -the Spirit of God.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For this I say, if <i>Saul</i> had not lost that Spirit of Prophecy by his -Disobedience, as he once had, when the good Spirit departed from -him, he might have enquired of the Ephod, and have been answered -with a motional Voice by the Ephod, as he was by enquiring of a -Witch.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For the Spirit of <i>Samuel</i> did speak no more to <i>Saul</i>, then the Spirit -of God did speak to <i>David</i>, they were both motional Voices that did -arise from their two Seeds the one Voice spake Peace and Deliverance, -and the other spake Wrath and Destruction; the one did enquire in -the Way that God did appoint, even of the Ephod, or of the Lord's -Prophets; the other did enquire of that which was forbidden, and -forsook the Lord and his Prophets, and went to a Witch to enquire: -It was because one was the Seed of <i>Adam</i>, which is the Seed of God, -and so chosen of God in Mercy, even <i>David</i>; and the other was the -Seed of the Serpent, even the Devil, who was chosen King in God's -Wrath even <i>Saul</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>This is the true Interpretation of those Voices that <i>Samuel</i> spake to -<i>Saul</i>, and of his being raised by the Witch of <i>Endor</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore you that can understand these things as aforementioned, -you may see how the whole World lieth in Darkness, and are cheated -of their Sense and Reason by this lying and vain Imagination, to -believe that Spirits can be without Bodies, or that Spirits can be raised -<a id='Page_13'></a>without Bodies, or that Spirits can speak without Bodies, or that -Spirits departed can assume any Shapes afterwards; these Things and -many more are produced by the dark Imagination of the Heart of -Man: And if the Reader hath any true Light of Faith in him, he may -understand the Interpretation I have given of the Witch of <i>Endor</i>, -and how a Familiar Spirit is produced or begotten in them, and be -satisfied in his Mind as to that Matter; so much concerning those -Words in <i>Samuel</i> aforementioned.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. VII.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>Again, it is said, <i>Isa.</i> viii. 29. the Prophet speaking there to -unbelieving <i>Israelites</i> that did not believe the Word of the Lord -through the Prophets Mouths, concerning the Destruction that should -come upon <i>Israel</i>; this Judgment did the Lord threaten by the -Mouth of his Prophet <i>Isaiah</i> to bring upon <i>Israel</i> for their Unbelief; -and this Prophet seeing the People would not hearken unto the Voice -of the Lord's Prophets, nor inquire of them, but altogether persecuted -them as false Prophets, Deceivers and Liers, and the Inclination -of their Hearts was more willing and desirous to enquire of -a Witch or Wizard, who had a Familiar Spirit then of the Prophet -of the Lord, as you may see Chapter and Verse above-written; the -Words are these as followeth.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>And when they shall say unto you, seek unto them that have Familiar -Spirits, and unto Wizards that peep and that mutter, should not a People -seek unto their God for the living to the dead.</i> The Meaning of -these Words is this, that unbelieving Men do think and believe -that Witches and Wizards who hath a Familiar Spirit, can rise out -of the Ground where dead Men were buried, living Spirits without -Bodies that can reveal Things unto them, by that motional -Voice that doth proceed from these Familiar Spirits, which doth peep -and mutter.</p> - -<p class='c004'>That is, the Whisperings that proceeds from this Familiar Spirit, -that is begotten by the Imagination of Reason the Father, and the -Seed of Reason the Mother, as I said before, is that motional Voice all -Witches and Wizards have, whereby they peep and mutter in themselves, -as if they did hear Voices and see Shapes, and living Spirits -arise out of the Ground, as the Witch of <i>Endor</i> said to King <i>Saul</i>, -<i>She saw Gods ascend out of the earth</i>. When as there was no Spirit nor -<a id='Page_14'></a>Shape came out of the Ground, at all; but the Gods she saw ascend -out of the Earth came out of her own Imagination, even that Familiar -Spirit begotten in her, it seemed unto her as if it did ascend out of the -Earth, but those Gods she said she saw ascend out of the Earth, they -ascended out of her own Imagination, and <i>Saul</i> believed her, and so -was Partakers with her, and he did believe that she had raised <i>Samuel</i>'s -Spirit out of the Earth, as the Witch had said.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And this is to be minded by the Reader, that when Spirits are to -be raised by Witches, her Familiar Spirit always ariseth out of her -own self, even from the Seed of Reason and Imagination of her own -Heart, whereby she doth hear Voices within her, whispering low -Voices, as if some other Spirits without her did spake with a low -Voice unto her, and present Shapes unto her dazled Eyes, which -seemeth to the Witch to be real Voices of a Spirit without her, and -a real Shape without her; when as in Deed and in Truth, it ariseth -out of her own self, even from the Seed of Reason, and Imagination -of her own Heart, whereby she doth hear Voices within her, whispering -low Voices, as if some other Spirit without her did speak with -a low Voice to her, and present Shapes to her dazled Eyes, which -seemeth to the Witch to be a real Voice of a Spirit without her, and -a real Shape without her, when as in Deed and in Truth it is nothing -else but a motional Voice begotten in her self, and Shapes begotten -in her self, by the Imagination in the Womb of Reason as -aforesaid, which is that Familiar Spirit.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Which is that Familiar Spirit she doth deal with, she thinking it -is from some Spirit without her, she not knowing it is begotten in -her; and this Familiar Spirit begotten in her, it whispers within her -with a low motional Voice, as if some Spirit did whisper out of the -Ground. According to that saying of the Prophet, <i>Isa.</i> xxix. 4. concerning -the Destruction or Judgment of God upon <i>Jerusalem</i>; the -Words are these, <i>And thou shalt be brought down and shalt speak out of -the Ground, and thy Speech shall be low out of the Dust, and thy Voice shall -be as one that hath a Familiar Spirit out of the Ground, and thy Speech shall -whisper out of the Dust</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>As if the Prophet should say, Seeing you have refused to hearken -to the Voice of the Prophets, which hath declared the Mind of the -God of <i>Israel</i> openly with a loud Voice; you have heard them speak -plain Words with your Ears, but you have not believed they spoke -Truth unto you; therefore you have rejected the Word of the Lord -by his Prophets, and have persecuted and slain some of them as false -<a id='Page_15'></a>Prophets, because they spake unto you in the Name of the Lord, as -it was revealed by the Spirit of Revelation in them.</p> - -<p class='c004'>They spake plain Words unto you, as might be heard to the outward -Ear by the Standers-by; they were visible Men that spake unto -you, so that you need not to enquire after any that hath a Familiar -Spirit, who speaketh so softly and so low, that no Standers-by can -hear this Familiar Spirit speak, but he or she that hath it.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But as for plain Words openly declared by the Prophets, and -publickly heard by the outward Ear, these you have rejected, despised, -persecuted, and counted them Liars, Deceivers, false Prophets, -and such like: Therefore God hath given you over to strong -Delusions, to enquire of a Witch, who makes you believe that Spirits -may be raised out of the Ground, and that Spirits do come out -of the Dust, and whisper to the Witch with a low Voice, that none -can hear but her self. So that those that enquire do believe as King -<i>Saul</i> did, that a Familiar Spirit can enter into the Dust or Ground, -and bring up another Man's Spirit that is dead without its Body, -and so their two Spirits whisper so low together, that none can hear -that stands by, nor tell what this Spirit that is raised did say, nor -whether the Spirit so raised is gone into the Body again, or into the -Ground from whence the Witch said it was raised; which Spirit -that is said to be raised, or said to speak out of the Ground, I say, it -was raised out of the Witches own Body, and no where else; and -those low Voices and Whisperings were both within her, and not -without her.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. VIII.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>Now how a Man may be said to be brought down, and shall -speak out of the Ground, and their Speech shall be low out -of the Dust: The Meaning is, when a particular Man or Woman, -or a People or Nation, be in the same Distress and Condition as -King <i>Saul</i> was; that is, in Danger of loosing his Crown and Kingdom, -his natural Life; and not only so, but his Soul is tormented -with the Fear of eternal Death; this maketh the Heart of Man to -melt in him; it makes his Speech to grow weak and feeble, so that -his Speech can hardly be heard; it is even as if a Man did speak out -of Death, or out of the Ground.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_16'></a>A Man with the Extremity of outward and inward Trouble, he -becomes Speechless, yet he speaks in his Thoughts, but so low, that -none that stands by can hear or tell what he saith. This many can -experience, that have seen their Friend or Relation in this Condition; -this is like speaking out of the Ground, and low out of the -Dust. And the Voice of every such troubled Soul, who hath the -Plagues of this Life, and the Horror of Conscience as to the Life to -come, as King <i>Saul</i> had the Voice such People have, is as one that -hath a Familiar Spirit out of the Ground, and their Speech shall be -as if one did whisper out of the Dust.</p> - -<p class='c004'>This Place of Scripture hath the same Meaning as the Place before-mentioned, -<i>Isa.</i> viii. 19. where such as King <i>Saul</i> was, are bade -to seek unto them that have Familiar Spirits, and unto Wizards, that -peep and mutter, (that is) that whisper out of the Ground; for -whisper, peep, and mutter, signifies all one Thing.</p> - -<p class='c004'>These Things did <i>Manasseh</i>, 2 <i>Kings</i> xxi. 6. he dealt with Familiar -Spirits, and did great Abominations; he made his Sons to pass -thorough the Fire, in offering them up a Sacrifice to an unknown -Devil, which he thought was God; and this he did by the Whisperings -of the Familiar Spirit within him, and being acquainted -with others, who were known to have Familiar Spirits also. And -so did several other Kings of <i>Israel</i> deal with Familiar Spirits, and -had those low whispering Voices in themselves, as if Spirits had -risen out of the Ground, or from the Dust to speak unto them; and -this they did attain unto by Industry, in that they forsook the Words -of the Prophets, and would not hearken unto them, but gave themselves -up to follow the Imaginations of their own Hearts; imagining -they might as well know God, and what Worship would please God -as well as the Prophets; therefore why should we, being Kings, -hearken unto such mean inferiour Men as these? May not we by our -Familiar Spirit as well know God, and what Worship will please -him by our Familiar Spirit, as the Prophets do by the Spirit of Prophecy? -Why should we be in such Bondage, that we can do nothing -but what they say, the Lord commands us to do? So the Imagination -saith, Come, we will not be tied up thus; we will see -what our Familiar Spirit begotten in us will do; we will erect and -build Altars in several Places, and sacrifice Bullocks and Lambs to an -unknown God; and so by this Means they procure in themselves low -motional Voices, which whisper in themselves, which becomes in -them a Familiar Spirit, is produced in themselves: And there is a more -Increase of low motional Voices, which doth whisper in the Mind, -<a id='Page_17'></a>moving them to a further Degree of Knowledge, and endeavour after -more Voices, so that to attain to this diabolical Wisdom in a more -high Measure. They are moved by this low Voice within them to -offer up their own Children in Sacrifices to their imaginary God, which -they believe is an invisible Spirit without a Body, which reveals these -Things unto them, and whispers and speaks those Voices unto them.</p> - -<p class='c004'>They count nothing too dear for this their imaginary God, -no not their own Sons and Daughters, as <i>Manasseh</i> and others -did, that made their Sons and Daughters pass through the Fire as a -Sacrifice to their imaginary God, that had spoke so many Voices to -them, and had whispered to them.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But all these Whisperings and low Voices, and peeping of Spirits -out of the Ground, as they thought, I say, they were all within them; -for when they came in any Trouble, their Familiar Spirit departs -from them, and will not comfort them any more, let it be either in -Poor or Rich, nay, Kings that have dealt with Familiar Spirits, when -they have been in Trouble, all their comfort hath been lost, as the -poorest Witch that is, as may be seen by <i>Manasseh</i> and other King -spoken of in the Scripture.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Now observe, when God doth bring upon a People, Nation, or -particular Person, some great Judgment and Destruction, let it be -either outward or inward in the Mind, when it comes upon a People, -Nation, or particular Person, for their Sins and Wickedness they -have committed, in forsaking the Lord's Prophets, and dealing with -Witches and Familiar Spirits; as <i>Saul</i> forsook the Lord and went to -a Witch, and <i>Manasseh</i>, and several other Kings of <i>Israel</i>, who ought -only to have obeyed the Prophets of the Lord; but they forsook -him, and enquired of Witches and Wizards, and dealt with Familiar -Spirits themselves, and caused the People to worship the Devil -(whom they imagined to be God) instead of the true God, whom -the Prophets would have had them to worship.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But when this Punishment for Sin is inflicted upon a People, Nation, -or particular Person, for dealing with Familiar Spirits, and -worshipping of Devils; when Punishment comes, it makes the Heart -or Hearts to fail, for the Spirit is brought down by this Judgment -even to Death, and so goeth to the Ground; so that the very Fear, -Trouble, and Sorrow of Heart, shall speak as it were out of the Dust, -or out of Death; for Sin will speak out of the Ground, and the Speech -of Death will be low in them that have escaped the Destruction -which others did go through; for there will be a Resemblance in -those that have escaped, how their Friends and Relations are fallen -<a id='Page_18'></a>to the Ground or Dust of the Earth for their Wickedness, so that -Sorrow and Grief will speak in the Mind of those that have escaped -with a low Speech, even as one doth who hath a Familiar Spirit. -Or as if their Friends and Relations, the Remembrance of their Destruction -being taken away in Wrath for Sin, it speaks a small low -Voice of Grief and Sorrow in the Heart of those that are alive, even -as one that hath a Familiar Spirit, even a low motional Voice of Sorrow -and Grief, and it cometh as it were out of the Ground, or out -of the Dust.</p> - -<p class='c004'>That is the very Influence of Grief and Sorrow, for their dead -Friends and People; it causeth, where Grief is, to hear as it were low -Voices and small Speeches, even out of the Ground or out of the Dust -of the Earth: Just as it was with <i>Cain</i> in another Case, the Lord -said to <i>Cain</i>, <i>Thy Brother's Blood crieth from the Ground for Vengeance</i>; -and so the Blood of those that were slain under the Altar did <i>from the -Ground cry for Vengeance</i>, as in <i>Rev.</i> vi. 10. it crieth for Vengeance in -the Consciences of all bloody Persecutors. So in like Manner doth -the Death and Destruction of a People, who are destroyed for wicked -Idolatry, as those were the Prophet <i>Isaiah</i> speaketh of, they spake -from the Ground a low Speech in the Conscience of those that were -concerned, Grief, Sorrow, and Fear of the same Punishment, and -such like.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. IX.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>For where Grief and Sorrow is rooted and settled in the Heart, -it speaketh with low motional Voices in the Mind; that is, the -thought of Fear in the Mind, both of temporal Losses and the Loss -of eternal Peace. The Fear moves to and fro in that Mind, as if it -were a Speech out of the Ground; for the Thoughts of the Heart -are low Voices which cannot be heard by any but themselves.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So is it with those that have a Familiar Spirit, their Voices and -Speech they hear from Spirits without them, as if Spirits did speak -to them out of the Ground: Which Speech they say they hear, is -nothing else but the Thoughts that pass to and fro in their own -Minds, a low motional Voice in themselves, as if Spirits did speak -to them with a low Voice out of the Ground, or out of the Dust. -For their Faith is strong, and above all those that come to enquire -of a Witch, they do all believe that Spirits may be raised without -<a id='Page_19'></a>Bodies out of the Ground, as the Witch doth; so they both do believe, -that the Spirit came out of the Ground that spake those low -Voices to the Witch, and she tells it to the other that enquire of her, -and they believe her as King <i>Saul</i> did.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So they are wholly departed from the Lord, and believe a Lye, to -think that Spirits can be raised out of the Ground without Bodies -after Men have been dead; it is a Thing God never did; we never -read in Scripture, that God or his Prophets did ever raise any Spirits -out of the Ground without Bodies after they were dead; but we read -in Scripture, that God and his Prophets have raised some from the -dead with Bodies, as that of <i>Lazarus</i> being raised out of the Ground -by Christ, and the Child that was raised from Death by the Prophet -<i>Elijah</i>, and another Child raised from Death to Life by the Prophet -<i>Elisha</i>, and several others come forth out of the Ground at the rising -again of Christ from Death, as those Saints that did arise out of the -Graves, and appeared to many that were alive; these all did arise -out of the Graves with Bodies after they were dead, and <i>Lazarus</i> -came forth out of the Ground after he was dead, but his Spirit came -not out of the Ground without his Body, but Body and Soul came -out of the Ground together.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For it was always God's Practice to raise Soul and Body together; -and because the Imagination of Reason in those that have a Familiar -Spirit cannot do so, nor those that enquire of them, therefore they do -imagine that Spirit may be raised out of the Ground without Bodies, or -assume a Shape and appear like a Body, yet it shall be of no Substance, -a Shape that can neither be felt nor handled by the Hand of Man.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Now mind, all those God doth raise out of the Ground after they -were dead, they may be handled and felt, though they be Spiritual -Bodies, yet they may be felt and handled, as Christ said to <i>Thomas</i>, -<i>Feel me and handle me</i>, after he was risen from the dead, and <i>Thomas -laid his Fingers in the Print of the Nails, and on his Side</i>. Yet Christ -was at that time a Spiritual Body that was risen from the Dead, that -might be felt and handled, and not a Spirit without a Body, as most -People do vainly imagine that Spirits may be raised without Bodies.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And as for that <i>Lazarus</i> and others, that were raised by the Power -of God out of the Ground after they had been dead, they had Bodies -as well as Spirits that might be seen with natural Eyes, and handled -and felt with natural Hands. So that God's Power in raising the -Dead, it is no Cheat; the Creature is not cheated nor deceived, but -is fully satisfied in his Mind.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But for a Familiar Spirit to say or tell People, they do or can raise -<a id='Page_20'></a>Spirits out of the Ground in such a Shape without a Body or bodily -Substance; or shall say, they hear Voices from this Spirit so raised, -is a mere Cheat to the Ignorant and Unbelieving, and leads them into -the Pit of Darkness, and makes them fear where no Fear is, and are -afraid of their own Shadows; for it is the Nature of Reason the Devil -to imagine, that this way of raising of Spirits without Bodies, to -be of a more high Nature then to raise Spirit and Body together, -as God doth; and the Imagination doth conceive it a more greater -Power, to raise Spirits without Bodies out of the Dust of the -Ground, than it is to raise Spirit and Body together, as Christ did; -for Christ always raised Spirit and Body together, as the Scriptures -do testify.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For the Reason in Man doth send forth the Imagination of the -Heart, the unclean Spirit in Man walking through dry Places, seeking -rest but can find none; the ignorant dark Thoughts of the Imagination -goeth out of a Man, to enquire of one that hath a Familiar -Spirit, seeking rest but can find none, as King <i>Saul</i> did: For -the Imagination of the Heart being continually Evil, it always -walketh through dry Places, where no matter of Life is to be had, -to quench the Thirst of Sin or a defiled Conscience; neither can the -Thoughts of Imagination be satisfied with what a Witch or a Familiar -saith; therefore called dry Places: They may be called dry, because -the Heart is never satisfied with what a Witch saith, for she -always saith a Lie.</p> - -<p class='c004'>To tell a Man or Woman, that she doth or can raise Spirits out of -the Ground without Bodies, as the Witch of <i>Endor</i> did to King Saul, -or that she did hear any low Voice or Speech of <i>Samuel</i> out of the -Ground, as she told the King; I say, she did but cheat the King, -and made him believe she had raised <i>Samuel</i>, and had heard him -speak to her with a low Speech out of the Ground, which had revealed -unto her what sad Things would befal the King: so he believing -her Words, his Spirit fainted, so that no Strength was in him; when -as in Deed and in Truth, that <i>Samuel</i> she said she saw arise out of the -Earth, he did arise out of her own Heart; and that low Speech she -said <i>Samuel</i> spake, it was all in her self by the Motions of the Familiar -Spirit begotten in her. And King <i>Saul</i> believing her, being Partaker -of her Faith, <i>Samuel</i> spake a low motional Voice or Speech in him -also, he believing it was <i>Samuel</i> spake out of the Earth, but it was -nothing else but the Voice of his own guilty Conscience within himself, -as it was the Voice her Familiar Spirit in her self that spake as -aforesaid.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_21'></a>So that the Meaning of the Prophet <i>Isaiah</i>, Chap. xxix. 4. concerning -the Destruction of <i>Jerusalem</i>, that <i>Grief and Sorrow of Heart should speak -in themselves</i>; as if the Speech came put of the Ground, because they -saw in themselves nothing but Death and Destruction did approach, -and was like to follow upon them all, fearing they should all be destroyed -by their Enemies, and slain and fall to the Ground: So that -Fear of Heart of Destruction, it spake a low Speech in every Man's -Heart, even as if it spake out of the Ground, or as one that hath a -Familiar Spirit; for it is the Nature of a Familiar Spirit to speak as -if the Speech did proceed from the Earth, and the Speech doth seem -to the Witch, and those that enquire of her, to whisper out of the -Dust: When as the Speech cometh not out of the Ground, neither -doth it whisper out of the Dust, as is imagined by most People, because -Ignorance and Darkness hath overspread the Minds of most -People in the World. But that low Speech the Familiar Spirit speaks -or whispers, it is out of her own Heart, even that Wisdom begotten -by the Imagination in her own Thoughts, that speaks as aforesaid, -and no Spirit without her, as hath vainly been imagined.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So likewise the People of the <i>Jews</i>, the Fear, Grief, and Sorrow -of Heart, being begotten in them for such like Sins, as that of Witchcraft, -Idolatry, dealing with Familiar Spirits, causing their Sons and -Daughters to pass through the Fire as burnt Offerings and Sacrifices -unto Devils, which they supposed to be Gods; these Things caused -their Hearts to fail and faint, and their Thoughts were troubled -within themselves, which causeth their Speech to grow weak and -low within them, even as if some Familiar did speak out of the -Ground, or whisper out of the Dust, Fear, Grief, and Sorrow of -Heart: But all come out of their own grieved Hearts, who were -punished for their Sins; and not out of the natural Ground or natural -Dust, as People do vainly imagine. This is the true Meaning of the -Prophet's Words, and how Familiar Spirits may be said to speak out -of the Ground, and whisper out of the Dust.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. X.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>Again, it hath been objected by many, that Spirits may be -raised without Bodies, and that Spirits may be talked with -after they have been dead and buried; and that Spirits have appeared -in a Shape to several People, yet this Spirit so appearing hath no Body -<a id='Page_22'></a>nor Substance at all, neither can it be felt or handled by mortal Man, -nor no immortal Creature neither: this is the vain Conceit of most -People.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But to satisfy the Reader in this, I declare, that there is no immortal -Spirit whatsoever, but it hath a Spiritual Body suitable to -its Spirit; if the Spirit be immortal, the Body is immortal also: For -this I say, no Spirit can have any Being at all without a Body, no -not God himself, who was from Eternity; his Spirit could not be -from Eternity without a Spiritual Body, in Form like Man; they -were both from Eternity, and the one was never divided nor separated -from the other, but they were both Eternal. And further I declare, -that God was a Spiritual Body from Eternity, in Form like a -Man; therefore God created Man in his own Image and Likeness. -Now observe, if Man hath a Body suitable to his Spirit, so hath God -a Body suitable to his Spirit, else Man was not created in his Image, -if God hath never a Body, but is all Spirit, as People do vainly imagine. -For this I know, that God was Spirit and Body, in Form like -a Man, from Eternity, and his Spirit was never divided nor separated -from his Body, but they were both Eternal.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So likewise is it with Angels and Men, and all other Creatures; -where-ever the Spirit of Life is, there is Bodies of Life also; let it be -either in Spiritual Bodies, or in Natural Bodies. For if the Body -of either of these be dead, the Spirit is dead also; and if the Spirit -be dead either in Spiritual Body or Natural Body, the Body is dead -also: For the one cannot have any sensible Being without the other. -And further I say, that they were both together Spirit and Body -from Eternity in God the Creator, and he hath ordered and created -all his Creatures, both celestial and terrestrial, that Spirit and Body -should be one living Being, and that one should not subsist nor have -no sensible being without the other: Even as God himself could not -enjoy no sensible Living being without a Body, he knowing this in -himself.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore he created all his Creatures Spiritual and Natural, with -Bodies suitable to their Spirits, and Spirits suitable to their Bodies, so -that one might not be divided nor separated from the other; for if -one dieth, the other dieth; and if the Spirit live, the Body liveth -also. For this I say, that if the Spirit of God himself could not be -without a Body from Eternity, how then is it possible that his Creatures -should have Spirits without Bodies, seeing he himself his Spirit -could not have any Being without his Body from Eternity.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But this Conceit, that the Spirit or Soul of Man is immortal, and -<a id='Page_23'></a>cannot die, and may have a Being without a Body, and appear in -a Shape without any Substance; this vain Conceit proceeded first -from the Imagination of Reason in Man, even from <i>Cain</i>, the first -Devil in Flesh and Bone. And this Imagination in <i>Cain</i> his Posterity, -being Heathen Men, who had no Communion with God, nor Revelation -of Faith, as the Sons of <i>Adam</i> and the Sons, of <i>Seth</i>, the Generation -of the Righteous, had; they knew that the Spirit and Body -was all one Substance.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But the Imagination of Reason, <i>Cain</i> his Posterity, the Heathen -Opinion, do imagine the Spirit of Man to be immortal, and cannot -die; and that Spirits may appear in Shapes without Bodies; and -that Spirits may go out of the Body, and go to Heaven or Hell and -leave the Body to be laid in the Ground, as the Quakers and others do.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And this Imagination of Reason in Man hath created to it self a -new Creation, which God never created. Man hath created and -made in his Imagination a Spirit without a Body, and that this Spirit -so created is immortal, and cannot die, nor is not capable of Death, -that it can slip out of the Body, and that it can have a Being when -it is gone out of the Body, and appear in a Shape without Substance -or hath Power to assume what Shape it please, and yet this Shape, -it doth assume, shall have no Substance yet it shall appear in a -Shape and fright People.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And the Imagination of Reason in Man hath created Man in his -own Image and Likeness, as God did <i>Adam</i>: As thus, First, he hath -conceived in his Imagination, that God is a Spirit without a Body. -Secondly, he conceiveth in his Imagination that the Devil is a Spirit -flying in the Air, which can neither be seen nor felt; yet this Devil -or Spirit without a Body doth tempt Man to Evil, whereby Man is -punished, and the Tempter he is escaped away without Punishment.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Also it is conceived by the Imagination, that this Devil or Spirit -is in Hell-fire, and in Chains of Darkness, and can go no further then -God will permit him, because his Chain is no longer then God -hath limited him.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Also it is conceived in the Imagination, notwithstanding the -Devil is chained, and in Hell-fire tormented, yet he being a Spirit -without a Body, he is so swift that he can be in all Places at one -Time, so that he can tempt thousands of Men and Women to sin -at one and the same Time, and they themselves never the wiser, nor -know him when he tempted them. All this the imaginary Devil -can do, and much more; and yet be in Hell fire, and tied in -a Chain at the same Time, and all but one Devil, a Spirit without a -Body.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_24'></a>Also the Imagination hath conceived that the Soul of Man is a -Spirit infused or put into the Body by God himself, and that Man -begets the Body, but not the Soul or Life of Man, that is conceived -to be immortal, or a Spirit that is so invisible, that cannot be seen -nor known what it is, and that it can live of it self when it is gone -out of the Body.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Thus the Imagination of Reason the Devil, hath created its own -Soul in its own Image and Likeness; and this hath been the Occasion -of producing of Familiar Spirits, and of dealing with those that -have a Familiar Spirit, being conformed to the very Image of the -Devil. Many Things more of the like Nature might be said in this -Point.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But here the Reader may see if there be any true Light of Faith in -him, how the Imagination of Reason in Man hath created Spirits -without Bodies, and that the Devil is a Body-less Spirit, and in Hell-fire, -and in a Chain of Darkness, and yet at Liberty at the same time -to tempt People; and in Hell-fire, and yet out of the Fire when he -pleaseth; and that he may be called out of Hell, or out of the Ground, -when a Witch by her Familiar Spirit doth call; and that he shall -appear in any Shape they will have him, yet he shall have no Body -nor Substance, but a mere Shadow; yet this Shadow shall speak with -a low Voice or Speech out of the Ground; as if Speech could proceed -from a Shadow without Substance.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that the Imagination of the Heart of Man hath created to it -self a Devil, that God never created; and the Imagination of Man's -Heart hath created his own Soul in the Image and Likeness of the -Devil, that is to say, a Spirit without a Body; and that a Spirit -without a Body may be capable of Joy or Sorrow; and that a Spirit -may subsist and have a being in Joy or Sorrow without a Body, -which Thing is impossible.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But observe the Creation that the Imagination of Man hath created -to himself; for it is the Nature of Imagination of Reason the Devil, -he always creates Spirits without Bodies, but God the Creator he -always creates Spirits and Bodies together, for God never created any -Spirit without a Body; for when God made Man after his own Image -and Likeness, he made him with a Body as well as a Spirit, else Man -could not be made in the Image and Likeness of God, if God had a -Body of his own as well as a Spirit.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that <i>Adam</i> was made or created in the Image and Likeness of -God; for <i>Adam</i> had a visible Body and Spirit, undivided and unseparable -one from the other; they were but one visible sensible Being, -<a id='Page_25'></a>and when the Life was dead the Body was dead, and when the -Body is really dead, the Spirit and Life was and is dead also; and -both are laid in the Ground together, as is declared in all our -Writings, but more especially in that Book entituled, <i>The Mortality -of the Soul</i>.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. XI.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>Also I do further declare, that God did never create any Spirit -without a Body, neither of Angels, nor Men, nor no other -Creature, neither in Heaven above, nor in the Earth beneath, nor -the Waters under the Earth. There is no Spirit or Life whatsoever -that is created of God, but it hath a Body to that Life or Spirit; but -if a Spirit have any Being without a Body, that Spirit is none of -God's Creation; for God never created any Spirit whatsoever without -a Body, as I said before.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But the Imagination of Reason in Man, which is the Devil, hath -created all Creatures in the Imagination to have Spirits without Bodies, -both of Angels above and Man here on Earth, and all Creatures upon -the Earth, and in the Waters, that have the Breath of Life, -the Imagination of Reason saith, their Spirits may subsist without -Bodies, or go out of those Bodies they have, and enter into other -Bodies, and appear in the Shape of a Body, and yet be of no Substance: -so that the Devil's Creation is all of Spirits without Bodies, -and God's Creation is all with Bodies and Spirits together.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And this Darkness hath overspread the Nature of Man all the -World over, which is the Occasion of that Opinion of Houses and -Places being haunted with evil Spirits, and Spirits walking without -Bodies, and dealing with Familiar Spirits, that peep, and mutter, -and whisper as it were out of the Ground. These Things and many -more are produced by the Imagination of the Heart of Man, for the -Imagination of Man's Heart is evil, and continually evil; for it hath -given a Being to Spirits without Bodies, to fright it self to that -which hath no Being of it self.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For I declare and perfectly know, that there is no such Thing as -Spirits to walk without Bodies, nor assume any Shape after Death, -nor be raised out of the Ground by any Witch or any Familiar Spirit -whatsoever; it is all produced out of the dark Imagination of the -Heart, where Ignorance beareth Rule, for there is no such Thing -<a id='Page_26'></a>can be presented but to the Ignorant and dark minded People.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Thus I have given the Reader to understand something more concerning -the Power of Witches, and how they may be said to raise -Spirits out of the Ground, and from whence that low Speech doth -come, with those Scriptures opened that speak as if a Familiar Spirit -did hear whispering out of the Dust.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Also I have given the Interpretation of that in <i>Samuel</i> concerning -the Witch of <i>Endor</i>, and those Places of Scripture in <i>Isaiah</i>; these -Places are the most concerning Spirits being raised without Bodies, -of any in the Scriptures; but there have been some other Places of -Scriptures, that do seem to carry a shew as if Spirits might rise again -without Bodies, and I have been desired by some to open those -Scriptures that seem to tend to that Purpose, though the common -and general Objection amongst all People is, that of the Witch of -<i>Endor</i> and King <i>Saul</i>, which I have opened before; yet for the further -Satisfaction of the Reader, I shall open and interprete the other -Places objected, that seem to tend to the same thing.</p> - -<p class='c004'>The Places of Scripture are three; the first is <i>Isa.</i> lxi. 1. the -Words are these, <i>The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the -Lord hath anointed me to preach good Tidings unto the Meek: He hath sent -me to bind up the Broken-hearted, to proclaim Liberty to the Captives, -and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound</i>——So <i>Luke</i> iv. 18. -the Words in <i>Luke</i> are much to the same Purpose, and little Difference; -only that which <i>Isaiah</i> did prophesy of, it was fulfilled by -Christ in his time——So the first Epistle of <i>Peter</i>, Chap. iii. and -18, 19, 20. Verses; the Words are these, <i>For Christ also hath once -suffered for Sin, the Just for the Unjust; that he might bring us to God, being -put to Death in the Flesh, but quickened by the Spirit</i>. Verse 19. <i>By -which also he went and preached unto the Spirits in Prison</i>: Verse 20. -<i>Which sometime were disobedient, when once the Long-suffering of God -waited in the Days of</i> Noah, <i>while the Ark was a preparing, wherein few -(that is) eight Souls were saved by Water</i>.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. XII.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>As for that Saying of the Prophet <i>Isaiah</i>, it was a Prophecy of -Christ, that he should be anointed to preach Glad-tidings, -unto the Meek, and that he was sent to bind up the Broken-hearted, -to proclaim Liberty to the Captives, and the opening of the Prison -<a id='Page_27'></a>to them that are bound. This Prophecy was fulfilled when he was -upon Earth, as may plainly appear by those Words in <i>Luke</i> aforementioned.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Also the Reader may understand, that these Places of Scripture -have no Relation at all to the raising of Spirits without Bodies; nor -of Spirits being in Prison, nor delivered out of Prison by the Power -of Christ without Bodies.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But the Meaning is this, that the Spirit of the Lord Almighty -was upon Christ, and in him, and did anoint him to preach Glad-tidings -of Salvation to the Meek in Heart, who did believe in him -and trusted in his Words; all such as were broken-hearted, who -were led Captive by the Error, Ignorance, and Darkness of the -Mind; he came to proclaim Liberty to the Spirit of Man, who was -in Captivity; and to open the Prison-door of Mens Hearts.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For this I say, all Mens Spirits by Nature are shut up in the Prison -of Spiritual Darkness in the Mind, and are lead Captive by the -Ignorance of Truth; so that the Spirit or Soul of Man is shut up -a Prisoner in the Body of Man, until the true God and Saviour hath -been preached to them, as it was by Christ himself, when on Earth -he was anointed to preach Glad-tidings of Salvation; and he -anointed his Apostles to preach Glad-tidings of Peace to Men, and -to open the Prison, and to deliver the Captive out of Captivity, and -to set the Spirits of many that were in a Prison of Darkness in their -own Minds go free: This Prophecy was fulfilled at that Time by -Christ and his Apostles in their Commission.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But the same Captivity and Prison of Darkness is now upon the -Spirits of all Men, as it was at that Time: For this I say, and many People -can Witness, that their Spirits have been shut up Prisoners in Spiritual -Darkness in their own Bodies, until the true God the Saviour -hath been preached unto them by his last Messengers.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For this I declare, that those Words of the Prophet <i>Isaiah</i>, they -were spoken with Relation to a Spiritual Liberty, and to a Spiritual -Captivity, of the Mind or Spirit of Man, and not to a Natural -Captivity. Neither was it meant the opening of the natural Prison -Doors, to them that were bound by the Powers of the Nations; but -the Doors of Mens Hearts were opened at the preaching of Christ -and his Apostles, in that Light, and Life, and Salvation was preached -unto them, that whoever Believed that this Jesus is the Christ, the -Saviour of the World, should be saved and delivered from the Fear -of Eternal Death: So that the Soul of Man that was lead Captive -into Prison, and bound in Chains of Darkness, and strong Doors lockt -<a id='Page_28'></a>fast to keep the Spirit of Men in Prison, by the Works of the Law, -and the Expounders of the Law before Christ came, the Spirit of -Reason in them did lead the Generality of People their Spirits into -Spiritual Captivity, and shut them up in Prison, and tied their Spirits -up in the Observation of the Ceremonial Law of <i>Moses</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Which was as Chains of Darkness: and not only so, but shut the -Door of Hope upon them, so that there was no Hope to be saved in -them, but by observing the Law aforesaid, which <i>Paul</i> calls <i>beggarly -Rudiments</i>, <i>Gal.</i> iii. So that this Spiritual Captivity and being -bound in Prison, and the Doors being shut, it was the Spirits of People -that were Captives and Prisoners in their own Bodies, kept by -the Legal and Ceremonial Righteousness of the Law of <i>Moses</i>; and -when Christ came to preach, and to give Power to his Apostles -to preach the Gospel of Truth, both to Jew and Gentile, then -was the Door of Hope opened in People's Hearts, and many that -were bound in Prison, whose Spirits were led Captive, they -were set at Liberty from that Bondage of the Ceremonial Law, -wherein they were bound, and brought out of that Prison of Darkness -in the Mind, into the glorious Light and Life of Faith, by the -preaching of Christ and his Apostles.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Then was this Prophecy of <i>Isaiah</i> fulfilled in the Apostles -Commission; then was Liberty preached to the Spirits of many that -were bound and in Prison in their own Minds, the Word of Faith -preached unto them, it opened a Door of Hope of Deliverance from -the Bondage of the Law as aforesaid, wherewith they were bound; -so that by Faith they had in Christ, their Chains fell off their Feet, -and Darkness of their Understanding; so that they were at perfect -Liberty, and delivered out of Prison, and the Prison-Door of Hope -in Christ being opened, all true Believers in Christ were set at Liberty, -free from Captivity, and out of that Spiritual Prison of Darkness -into the glorious Liberty of the Sons and Daughters of God for -ever and ever.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So is it now in this Commission of the Spirit, we the Witnesses -of the Spirit have preached Glad-tidings of Salvation, and have -opened the Prison-Doors of Mens Hearts, and have let many out -of that Spiritual Prison, that were bound to the Righteousness set -up by the Imagination of Reason now in these last Days, who were -led Captive by their own Traditions, and kept in Prison in their -own Bodies for many Years; but by the Declaration of Truth in all -our Writings and our Speakings, many People have been delivered -out of Captivity and out of Prison, their Spirits have been let loose -<a id='Page_29'></a>out of the Chains of Darkness, because the Door of their Hearts hath -been opened by the Word of Faith in the true God, which we have -preached and written; this many can witness at this Day the Truth -of it. So that now that Scripture is fulfilled again these last days; -and this is the true Meaning of the Prophet <i>Isaiah</i>, in those Words -concerning opening the Prison, and giving Liberty to the Captives -that were imprisoned in their own Bodies by the Conceptions of the -Imaginations of their own Hearts.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that there is not the least Colour or Ground from those Words, -for the Reason of Man to think that Spirits may be let out of Prison -without Bodies, or that the Spirit of Christ did Preach to any Spirit -in Prison without his Body.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. XIII.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>And as for those Words of <i>Peter</i> aforenamed, where he saith, -<i>Christ was put to Death in the Flesh, but quickened by the Spirit; by -which also he went and preached unto the Spirits in Prison, which sometime -were Disobedient, when once the Long-suffering of God waited in the Days -of</i> Noah, <i>while the Ark was a preparing, &c.</i></p> - -<p class='c004'>The Meaning of those Words are as followeth; that Christ was -put to Death in the Body of his own Flesh, this is confessed by most -People that profess the Scriptures of Truth, but very few do truly -believe, that the Soul or Spirit of Christ did die, or was put to Death -at all, notwithstanding the Scripture saith, that <i>He poured out his Soul -unto Death</i>; and he himself saith, <i>His Soul was heavy unto Death</i>. Therefore -that the Reader may understand what is meant in that Christ -was put to Death in the Flesh but quickened by the Spirit; mind,</p> - -<p class='c004'>I declare, that it was the Soul or Spirit of Christ, which was the -Godhead-life that dwelt in that Body of Flesh and Bone of Christ; -for, as the Scripture saith, <i>In him all the Fulness of the Godhead dwelt -Bodily</i>: And this Godhead-life that dwelt in the Body of Christ's -Flesh, it was put to Death in the Body of Christ's Flesh, and -the same Godhead-life that was put to Death in the Body -of his Flesh. And when Christ's Body was crucified upon the -Cross, then was the Soul and Life of Christ, or the Godhead-life did -die, and was put to Death in that Flesh of Christ; for that Flesh of -Christ was God become Flesh, as the Scripture saith; and the Soul -and Life of Christ was the Soul and Life of God. And,</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_30'></a>When Christ poured out his Soul unto Death, it was the Godhead -Life that was poured out unto Death; so that the Godhead Spirit was -put to Death, and did die in the Flesh of Christ when he was -Crucified. But this Godhead Life which was put to Death in the -Flesh of Christ, it quicken'd again where it was put to Death, even in -the same Flesh where it was put to Death. And in its quickening -again, it raised the same Flesh again, and so spiritualized the same -Flesh that suffered, and made it uncapable to suffer Death any more.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For this I say, no Spirit or Life that is put to Death whatsoever, -could possibly quicken again in the same Body, but the Life of God -only, so that Christ must needs be God as well as Man; for it was -Christ that was put to Death in the Flesh, and the same Life that was -put to Death, and did die, that which did die did quicken again, -and so is called a quickening Spirit.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Now observe, it cannot properly be called a quickening Spirit, if it -had not been once dead: For if the Spirit and Life of Christ did -not die, nor was not dead, then I say, there was no need that this -Spirit and Life, should quicken again, for it was always quick and -alive.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For the Spirit quickening doth imply, a sensible Life is quickned -out of an insensible Life; as a Child in the Womb before it is quick, -it feeleth no Pain, neither doth it stir in the Womb, and the Midwife -doth not care to destroy it to save the Womans Life, because the Child -was not quick, it was an insensible Life, no more capable of Pain then -there is in Death, or a dead Lump of Earth; but when a Child is -quick in the Womb, it is capable of Pain, though it hath not Strength -to express it to us that are strong, yet it is capable of Pain, because it is -quickened into a sensible Life, that is, a living Soul, a living Spirit, -and so may be called a quickened Spirit of Life, out of that which -was dead; yet by the Appointment of God in his Creation, and the -Warmness of the Womb, there is new Life or Spirit doth quicken in -the Womb in its Season, according to the Appointment of God when -he created all Things, and placed a Law of Generation in them.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So likewise the Spirit or Life of Christ was put to Death in his own -Body of Flesh, as aforesaid; and in its Season he himself had -appointed before, namely three Days and three Nights, this Spirit of -Christ so put to Death, it quickened again in the same Flesh a new -and Glorious Life, which made that Flesh that suffered Glorious also.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And this is the true Interpretation of <i>Peter's</i> Words, and the Faith -of all true Believers, that the Spirit, Life, and Soul of Christ did die, -and was put to Death in the Body of his own Flesh, that was Crucified -<a id='Page_31'></a>on the Cross by the Jews; and that the same Spirit that was put to -Death, it did quicken again out of Death into a new and Glorious -Life by his own Power, therefore called a quickening Spirit.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that here is no Ground at all for that vain Conceit in People, -who do believe that Spirits may be raised without Bodies, or appear -without Bodies, but altogether to the contrary. And as for that -saying of <i>Peter</i>, <i>By which also he went and preached unto the Spirits in -Prison, which sometime were disobedient, when once the Long-suffering of -God waited in the Days of</i> Noah <i>while the Ark was a preparing</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>These Words do seem to carry some shew, as if the quickening Spirit -of Christ, after he was risen from the Dead, or in the time he did lie -in the Grave, as if his Spirit in that Interim of Time went into some -local Place where Spirits were in Prison without Bodies, to preach -unto them, who had been Disobedient in the Days of <i>Noah</i>: This is -the vain Conceit of most People from those Words of <i>Peter</i>, who saith, -<i>By which he went and preached unto the Spirits in Prison</i>, as if the Spirits -of the Disobedient People in the Days of <i>Noah</i> had been in Prison in -some local Place in the Earth without Bodies, who had been departed -in the Days of <i>Noah</i>, in the Destruction of the World by Water.</p> - -<p class='c004'>This the Imagination of Reason in Man doth imagine, that Spirits -may be shut up in Prison without Bodies, and that the quickening -Spirit Christ might Preach unto them without a Body.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But the true Light and Revelation of faith doth know to the -contrary, that no Spirits can have any Being at all without Bodies, -neither of God, Angels, nor Man, nor no other living Creature, who -hath the Breath of Life in it.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But to give the Interpretation of this Scripture, that the Reader -may understand, it is thus; the Spirit of Christ, that quickened -from the Dead to Life again, I say, is the same Spirit that preached -to the Spirits in Prison in the Days of <i>Noah</i>, and the Spirits of the -disobedient World were in Prison in their own Bodies in the Days -of <i>Noah</i>, as they were when Christ came upon Earth, for then he -opened the Prison to them that were bound, by preaching Glad-tidings -of Freedom to those that were bound, and Liberty to those -Spirits that were in Captivity.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Now (as I said before) this Captivity is Spiritual Captivity, and to -be bound and in Prison, it is meant a Spiritual Imprisonment in the -Mind, and not a natural Imprisonment of the Body. And this I say, -the very same Spirit of Christ that preached to the Jews when he was -upon Earth, did preach to the old World in the Days of <i>Noah</i>, -though in a twofold Manner.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_32'></a>And as the Spirits of Men were in Prison in their own Ignorance, -Blindness and Darkness of Understandings, in that they were led -Captives and Prisoners by their wicked and unnatural Lusts in the Days -of <i>Noah</i>: So were both Jews and Gentiles in the Days of Christ when -on Earth, their Spirits were led Captive, and into the Prison of Unbelief -and Persecution of the Lord of Life, in that their Fathers persecuted -the Lord's Prophets and Messengers he did send; so did these Jews -persecute the Lord himself, when he preached to their Spirits that -were in Prison, and led Captives by their wicked murdering Wills into -the Prison of Unbelief; for he did preach when on Earth, that whosoever -did believe in him should be saved. And as many as did truly -believe in him, their Spirits were brought out of that Captivity of -Unbelief, and out of the Prison of Darkness in the Mind, into a glorious -Liberty and Light of Life Eternal. And thus did the preaching -of Christ Spirit deliver many Spirits of Men and Women out of -Prison, in the Days when he was upon Earth.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So likewise this quickening Spirit of Christ, it preached unto the -Spirits in Prison in the Days of <i>Noah</i>. And why were their Spirits in -Prison in the Days of <i>Noah</i>? Because they were disobedient. And -how may they be said to be disobedient? Because they did not believe -that good Man <i>Noah</i>, who was a Preacher of Righteousness. And -how did he preach Righteousness unto that wicked People? In that -he prepared the Ark, and being so many as a hundred Years in building, -all that while God is said to wait for their Repentance, and that -they might believe that God would destroy the World by Water.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But instead of Repentance and believing they hardened their -Hearts, and mocked at <i>Noah</i> and the Ark; so that while the Ark -was preparing, God waited for the People's Repentance; and all that -while that <i>Noah</i> was building he preached to the People, that the -World would be drowned.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And the Spirit of Christ, which is the Spirit of God which was -put to Death in the Flesh, but quickened by the Spirit, by which he -went and preached unto the Spirits in Prison in the Days of <i>Noah</i>, -it was the same Spirit that instructed <i>Noah</i> to build the Ark; so that -the building of the Ark by <i>Noah</i>, he being a Preacher of Righteousness, -in that he believed God, and built it as the Spirit of God had commanded -and instructed him; as God did <i>Moses</i>, shewed him the Pattern -of the Tabernacle in the Mount.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And in as much as <i>Noah</i> did obey the Commandment of the Lord, -according as the Spirit of the Lord did reveal unto him, <i>Noah</i> may be -<a id='Page_33'></a>said to be a Preacher of Righteousness; and he doing all things by -Inspiration of the Spirit of Christ, which was not at that time -made of Flesh, but in the Fulness of time became pure humane -Flesh, and suffered the Pains of Death. And the same Spirit that -suffered Death, that very same Spirit that quickened, was that Spirit -that preached to the Spirits in Prison in the Days of <i>Noah</i>, as aforesaid.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And the making of the Ark by the Inspiration of God's Spirit in -the Sight of the People, who were in Prison in Ignorance and Darkness -of Mind, is called by the Revelation of Faith, <i>A preaching to -the Spirits in Prison</i>: So that the Spirit of God in <i>Noah</i> may be said to -preach unto those Spirits in Prison, in the Days of <i>Noah</i>, and that -there was but eight Persons saved from the Flood.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that this Place of Scripture doth no way prove, that the Spirit -of Christ did ever preach to Spirits in Prison without Bodies; -neither did Christ's Spirit preach in the Days of <i>Noah</i> without a Body; -for he always preached with a Body himself, or else chose -Men that have Bodies, and gave them Power to preach to Spirits -in Prison, and to deliver the Captives, and to set the Prisoner at -Liberty, and the bound in Prison to go free.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that the Reader may see how and in what Manner the Spirit -of Christ did preach unto the Spirits in Prison in the Days of <i>Noah</i>, -and how their Spirits may be said to be in Prison, and how their -Unbelief in the Days of <i>Noah</i> was called Disobedience, to the preaching -of <i>Noah</i> all that while the Ark was building. And being built -by the Inspiration of the Spirit of God, it may and is called the -preaching of Christ's Spirit to them that were in Prison in Spiritual -Darkness in their Minds; for their Minds being darkened, they -did those Things that were unseemly; yea, unnatural as the People -of <i>Sodom</i> did. Now, were not the Spirits of these People in Prison, -and led Captive of those unnatural Lusts, I think no sober Man -will deny; yet these were those Spirits in Prison that Christ's Spirit -preach unto in the Body of <i>Noah</i>, in the Days of <i>Noah</i>; and -that there was but eight Persons in the Days of <i>Noah</i>, that were -saved from the Destruction by Water, by the preaching of that -Spirit of God in <i>Noah</i>. This is the true Interpretation and Meaning -of those Words of <i>Peter</i> the Apostle aforementioned; and how the -Spirit of Christ went and preached unto the Spirits in Prison in the -Days of <i>Noah</i>.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_34'></a> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. XIV.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>Again, there are some other Places of Scripture, which several -People have objected, as if the Spirit or Soul of Man -might go out of the Body, and subsist in Bliss and Happiness, or -in Misery and a tormented Condition, without its Body it always -lived in; from that Place <i>Luke</i> xxiii. 43. Jesus said to the Thief -on the Cross, <i>Verily I say unto thee, This Day shalt thou be with -me in Paradise</i>. Now observe, this no way proves that the Thief's -Soul went out of his Body into a paradisiacal Place, and so escaped -suffering Death, or did not die; for if the Soul of Christ did die at -that time, as is clear by Scripture it did; then the Soul and Life of -the Thief did die also.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Then where was the Paradise the Thief's Soul, and Christ's Soul -that was heavy unto Death, where did they go? To this, I say, -they went to a Place of rest, where all righteous Souls go, which -is to the sleep of Death, for their was nothing did die but the Souls -of them both; and the Paradise Christ and the Thief went into -that Day they suffered Death, I declare it was this, that Christ was -sure in himself that he should rise from the Dead the third Day, -and afterward should enter into eternal Glory, and this Assurance -in Christ that he should rise again the third Day, it was Paradise -and Peace to his Soul, that he should pass through that Death, he -was now to suffer that very Day into a new Life, that should not -be capable to die any more.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So likewise when the Thief did truly believe that Jesus was the -Christ, the Saviour from eternal Death to those that did believe; -as it is certain he did when he said, <i>Lord, remember me, when thou -comest into thy Kingdom</i>; for he did really believe, that Christ -would rise the third Day, and that he would raise him to eternal -Joy and Happiness at the last Day; and the Thief dying in this -Faith, he entred into Peace of Mind, and had Rest and Freedom -to die, in Hope and full Assurance that Christ would raise him up -Soul and Body to eternal Happiness at the last Day.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And this was that Paradise that Christ and the Thief were in, -that very Day they both suffered Death; for the Assurance of everlasting -Life in a Man's self here in Mortality, is the Paradise of -Peace in this Life. This I know to be true, and this was the Paradise -Christ did mean the Thief should be in that very Day he believed; -<a id='Page_35'></a>and not that either of their Souls went out of their Bodies -to any other Place or Paradise, then what was in their own -Bodies, as aforesaid.</p> - -<p class='c004'>In like Manner People imagine, that the Soul of Man goeth out -of the Body at his Death, from that Saying <i>Acts</i> 7. 59. from those -Words of <i>Stephen</i>, when he was stoned to Death, he said, <i>Lord -Jesus, receive my Spirit</i>. The Meaning is this, that when any Man -died in the true Faith of Christ, in the Hope and full Assurance -that Christ will raise him up to eternal Happiness at the last Day, -he commits his Spirit into the Hands of Christ, knowing that -though he doth lose his Life for Christ's Sake here, that Christ -will raise it again, and save his Soul hereafter; and so Christ may -be said to receive his Spirit. For this I must tell the Reader, that -there is not a quarter of an Hour's time to the Dead to his rising -again, no not a Minute; for there is no time to the Dead, not a -Minute of an Hour, though a Man have been dead five thousand -Years, yet it is not a Minute of an Hour to him that is dead.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For all time belongs to the living; for after Death there is nothing -but Eternity, on the other side of Death either eternal Happiness -or eternal Misery: So that when Men die, they may be said -to go immediately to Heaven or to Hell, to Joy or Torment, to be -receiv'd into Christ's Hands of Mercy, or into the Hands of Christ's -Wrath, where they shall be tormented with the Devil and his Angels, -yet shall never see the Devil, nor his Angels, nor themselves, to Eternity; -as they did not know the Devil here, neither shall -they know or see him hereafter, yet be tormented with him.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And in this Sense a faithful Spirit or Soul, as <i>Stephen</i> was, may -be said to commit his Spirit into the Hands of Christ, and that -Christ doth receive his Spirit into his Hands, and will raise it up at -the last Day, which will not be a Minute of an Hour's time to the -Dead, as I said before; therefore let not the Seed of Faith think -the time long between Death and the Salvation of their Souls, because -so many of the Faithful have been so many hundred Years in -the Grave: And let not the wicked unbelieving People comfort -themselves, that the Dead shall never rise again, because -the Fathers are Dead, and the Prophets are dead, and we see none -of them rise again; therefore we conclude, their Spirits are gone -to Heaven without Bodies, and the Spirits of the Wicked are gone -to Hell without Bodies, but a Minute of an Hour's time will decide -this Matter, when the dead are raised: For they shall not remember -they have been a Sleep in the Dust one Minute of an Hour, for -<a id='Page_36'></a>their is no Remembrance of time in the Grave. Therefore let -that vain Conceit that is in most People fall, of Spirits going to -God without Bodies: For I can assure you there is no such Thing, -neither can there be any true Peace in that Conceit. I know it by -Faith now, and by Experience, for I was of that Opinion once my -self, when I was zealous in Religion according to the Puritan Way; -but I knew no Scripture truly, neither was there one true Interpreter -of Scripture, no not one in those Days, that could shew a Man -the true Righteousness of God, or the true Way to everlasting Life.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. XV.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>There is another Place of Scripture that is objected, that -seems as if the Soul went out of the Body when they die; as -in 1 <i>Kings</i> xvii. 21. where <i>Elijah</i> prayed, that <i>the Child's Soul might -come into him again</i>. The Meaning is this, that <i>Elijah</i> did pray in -Faith unto God, that he would assist him in this or other Things; -as in shutting up the Heavens that it should not rain, and calling for -Fire from Heaven to destroy those two Captains and their Fifties, -and many other wonderful Things he did; so he prayed unto God -to strengthen his Faith, so that he might have Power to raise this -Child's Life out of Death again.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore he stretched himself upon the Child, and prayed that -the Child's Soul might come into him again; that is, that the -Child's Soul or Life might quicken in the Body of the Child again; for -<i>Elijah</i> knew the Soul of the Child was dead, and by the warm Flesh -of the Prophet laid upon the Child's dead Flesh, and the Faith and -Prayer of the Prophet together, it begot Life in the Child again; so -that the Soul that was dead it became Life in the Child again; and -that Life that was quickened, it run through the Veins of the -Childs Body, and so the Child's Soul did come into him again.</p> - -<p class='c004'>For this I say, if the Soul of the Child had been gone out of the -Body, then <i>Elijah</i> did not raise the dead Child to Life again; for -how can a Man be said to be dead, when as Life doth not die, but -slips out of the Body, as most People do vainly imagine; but it may -be clear to those whose Understandings are enlightened, that <i>Elijah</i> -did raise the Child from Death to Life, and that the Child's Soul -was dead in its Body, and that the Soul of the Child was revived -in the Child's Body again by the Power of Faith in <i>Elijah</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_37'></a>And the very same thing was done by the Prophet <i>Elisha</i>, as in -2 <i>Kings</i> iv. 34. the Prophet <i>Elisha</i> did the same thing to the <i>Sunamite</i> -Woman's Son, he <i>went up, and lay upon the Child, and put his Mouth -upon his Mouth, and his Eyes upon his Eyes, and his Hands upon his Hands, -and he stretch himself upon the Child; and the Flesh of the Child waxed -warm, and</i> Elisha <i>stretched himself upon the Child a second time</i>: Here -the Reader may see, that the Child was dead, and by the Faith -and Prayer, and by the Warmness of the Prophet <i>Elisha</i> his Flesh, -the Child revived to Life again both Body and Soul. And <i>Elisha</i> -did use the same Means and Way as <i>Elijah</i> did? for he went in and -shut the Door, and prayed unto the Lord as <i>Elijah</i> did, and -stretched himself upon the Child as <i>Elijah</i> did, and raise the Child -to Life again by the Power of Faith.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Yet <i>Elisha</i> maketh no mention of the Soul coming into the Child -again, but he delivered the Body and Soul of the Child, that were -both dead together, he delivered them both alive together to the -Child's Mother. It was the same thing done by <i>Elijah</i>, only some -difference in the Words, but the Sense and Meaning is all one.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that the Reader may understand, if any true Light of Life be -in him, that the Soul of the Child went not out of its Body, but -died in the Body; and by the Power of Faith in the Prophet, it -quickened alive out of Death in the Child's Body again; for the Soul -or Life of the Child never went out of the Body as is vainly imagin'd; -but the Soul, Life, and Spirit of the Child was absolutely dead in -the Body, and by the Power of Faith in the Prophet, the dead Soul -or Life of the Child was quickened alive again, and caused the Body -to live also. For if the Woman should have had the Soul of the -Child given unto her without the Body, she would have given the -Prophet no Thanks for raising her Child's Soul without a Body; but -the Body and Soul being one Person, they were both dead together, -and the Prophet raised them both together alive, and the Woman -received them both together, and rejoyced greatly in God, and gave -Honour to the Prophet.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Thus in short, I have given the true Interpretation of all those -Scriptures that most seem, or most commonly are objected against -the Mortality of the Soul, or to prove that Spirits do go out of the -Body at the time of Death, or that Spirits may be raised without -Bodies, or have any Being without Bodies, or that a Spirit may appear -in a Shape without a Body, or that a Spirit can assume what -Shape it please, yet have no Body or Substance.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_38'></a>These things the vain Imagination of Reason in Man hath created -in it self, to fright it self with, for their is no such thing as Spirits -walking without Bodies, neither doth any Spirit go out of the -Body when Men die, as is imagined by most People; but these are -Fictions of Mens Brains, created by the Imagination in the dark -Minds of Men and Women, for God never created any such thing, -as I have shewed before.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And as for that saying of <i>Solomon</i>, <i>Eccl.</i> xii. 7. <i>Then shall the Dust -return to the Earth as it was, and the Spirit shall return to God who gave -it.</i> His Meaning (I suppose) in these Words is, as is generally conceived -by all People, the Body to the Dust, and the Spirit returns -to God that gave it when Men die: But these Sayings of <i>Solomon</i> -are no Scripture, for <i>Solomon</i> was no Scripture Writer, for his Writings -were not written by the Revelation of Faith, but by the Revelation -of Reason; yet it was the purest of Reason, and he had the -greatest Measure of the Wisdom of Reason, and the Knowledge of -Nature, of any that was before him since <i>Adam</i>, or any that shall -come after him.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore God chose him King, and gave him the purest Wisdom -of Reason, according to his Desire in his Prayer to God, that -his Wisdom might resemble Heaven for Glory, as it did; for what -Glory could a King have upon Earth greater than he had? Which -was a true Resemblance of the Glory of Heaven; and this Glory -was procured by that Power and great Wisdom of Reason in him; -yet for all this he was ignorant of the Revelation of Faith, and of -spiritual and heavenly Things, ignorant of the true God, and of -the right Devil, and of some things in Nature.</p> - -<p class='c004'>As that the Spirit of a Man should return to God that gave it -without a Body; when as God never gave any Spirit to Man -without a Body, nor to no other Creature: But <i>Solomon</i> being ignorant, -that the Spirit or Soul of Man is generated and begotten by -the Law of Generation as well as the Body; this was in the Creation -when God made Man in his own Image, the Ignorance of this -caused him to speak thus; for he knew not where the Spirit went -when the Body is laid in the Earth, no more than the learned Philosophers -do, who say, A Spirit cannot die; as if the Spirit and -Life of every Creature were the Spirit or Life of God, else they -think no Creature could move and have a Being.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And though <i>Solomon</i> was a wise Man, as the Heathen Philosophers -were wise Men in Nature; yet they were all ignorant in this -one thing, of the Law of Generation or Procreation, to increase -<a id='Page_39'></a>and multiply, as God hath placed in Nature, when he created the -World in the beginning; for every Creature as well as Man, -were to increase and multiply by the Law of Generation; and this -I am sure, they begot Spirit, Life, and Soul by Generation, as well -as Bodies.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But if it be objected, that God breathed into Man the Breath of -Life, and he became a living Soul; and so Man's Spirit is of a more -noble divine Life or Spirit than any other Creature.</p> - -<p class='c004'>To this I say, the Law of Generation to increase and multiply, -was placed in Man's Seed and Nature by God the Creator, as in other -Creatures: For this is to be observed, that <i>Adam</i> did not come -to be a living Soul by Generation, as we do ever since; but he and -<i>Eve</i> were first made as a Foundation for Generation; so that God -made or created but one Man and one Woman, all Men and Women -that have been generated and begotten ever since, cannot properly -be said to be made nor created, but begotten by Generation; -for God never made and created but one Man and one Woman, all -others are generated and begotten.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore when Man begets a Son or Daughter in the way of Generation, -he begets the Soul or Spirit of the Child as well as the Body; -and the Soul or Spirit came out of the Man's Loin well as the -Body: As it was said by <i>Jacob</i>, <i>Seventy Souls came out of his Loins</i>; if -so then that Spirit or Soul that is begotten by Generation, it must -and doth die: For this I say, God never breathed the Breath of -Life into no Man, but into <i>Adam</i>: The Spirit of Life in all Men -and Women else or since have been generated and begotten, and -what Spirit and Soul of Man that is generated, it doth die and turn -to Dust, till the Regeneration, when God shall raise it again, which -will not be a Minute of an Hour to the dead Spirit, as I said before. -So it may be clear to those that have the true Light of Faith in -them, that the Soul or Spirit of Man doth die as well as the Body: -They both came into the World together alive, and they shall both -go out of the World again dead, as I have shewed before. Also -the Reader may see, that those Scriptures have been misunderstood -through the Ignorance and Darkness of Mens Minds, to think that -the Soul or Spirit of Man doth not die, but slips out of the Body; -but to imagine that Spirits may walk without Bodies, or that any -Witch can raise any Spirit without a Body; and many other Conceits -that do arise out of the dark Mind of Man; which have been -grounded upon those Scripture Words; therefore I have given the -Interpretation of all those Places of Scripture that are of most Concernment, -<a id='Page_40'></a>and seem to bear such a Sense, as is generally conceived -among Professors of the Scriptures: So that whoever understands -the Interpretation, may receive great Satisfaction in their Minds in -this Point; so much for Satisfaction of the Understanding in Heart, -and for the Discontent of the Ignorant and Dark-minded People, who -believe by Tradition that their Spirits do not die, but slide out of -the Body at the time of Death; and if they have been evil and -wicked Livers, their Spirits do walk afterwards, and cannot be at -rest. These Conceits have been exceeding brief in the World -heretofore, when People were in Darkness, and so is still where the -Darkness of Mind ruleth.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'>CHAP. XVI.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>There is one thing more that would be necessary for the wise -in Heart to know, which the Scriptures speak of in several -Places; but I never heard any of the Ministry tell what that Satan -is the Scriptures speak of, therefore I shall speak a Word or two to -shew what Satan is, and so conclude. 1 <i>Chron.</i> xxi. 1. <i>And Satan -stood up against</i> Israel; and <i>Job</i> i. 6. <i>And Satan came also among them</i>; -and Chap. xxi. 22. <i>And the Lord said to Sathan, From whence comest -thou? And God said to Satan, Hast thou considered my Servant</i> Job? -Ezek. iii. 1. <i>And Satan standing at his right Hand.</i> Mat. xvi. 23. -<i>Get the behind me, Satan.</i> Luke x. 18. <i>I beheld Satan as Lightning -fall from Heaven.</i></p> - -<p class='c004'>1 <i>Chron.</i> xxi. 1. <i>And Satan stood up against Israel, and provoked</i> David -<i>to number Israel</i>. This Satan that provoked <i>David</i>, it was the -Motions of Reason in himself, being lifted up in his own Mind, in that -he had overcome the Children of <i>Ammon</i>, he thought to make nothing -of the <i>Philistines</i>; therefore the Thoughts of his Heart moved -him to number the People, to know his Strength. And this Motion -that did arise in his Heart, it was Satan, it is called Satan, because -those Motions proceed from the Spirit or Seed of Reason in him. In -2 <i>Sam.</i> xxiv. 1. it is said, <i>The Anger of the Lord was kindled against</i> -Israel, <i>and he moved</i> David <i>against them to say, Go, number</i> Israel: -that is, the Lord suffered the Motions of Reason in <i>David</i> to be -powerful and strong in him, that no Arguments should disswade him -from it, but the People must be numbred; and this was that Satan -in <i>David</i>, and no Spirit without him.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_41'></a>So <i>Job</i> i. 6. <i>The Sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, -and Satan came also among them.</i> To this I say, the Book of <i>Job</i> is -no Scripture, neither are Men to build their Faith upon it, because -the Book of <i>Job</i> was written before <i>Moses</i>, therefore no Scripture; -for <i>Moses</i> his Writing is the first Foundation of Scripture. Yet this -I do confess, that <i>Job</i> was a good and faithful Man; and because he -was afflicted by Satan, and Satan is spoken of in several Places of -Scripture, yet none of them did declare what this Satan is, therefore -I shall declare now what that Satan was, that came among the -Sons of God.</p> - -<p class='c004'>I declare, the Sons of God they were the Sons of <i>Job</i>, who feasted -their three Sisters, as you may read. They were called the Sons -of God, because they were that good and faithful Man <i>Job</i>'s Sons; -as the Sons of <i>Seth</i> were called the Sons of God, and <i>they looked upon -the Daughters of Men, and saw that they were fair</i>, &c. as you may -read in <i>Genesis</i>. Now that Satan came amongst them when they -presented themselves before the Lord, it was the Spirit of Reason -in <i>Job</i>'s seven Sons, when they feasted their three Sisters, they -were moved in their Minds to Voluptuousness, Drunkenness and -Lust, as the rest of the Heathen were where they lived; so that -they did Wickedness in the Absence of <i>Job</i> their Father: And <i>Job</i> -fearing in their Wickedness his Sons had cursed God in their -Hearts, as you may see in the Verse before. So <i>Job</i> caused his Sons -to present themselves before the Lord, and to worship the Lord, as -it was the Manner for <i>Job</i> to do in those times, and Satan came with -them, that is, the Spirit of Reason in his Sons came with them, -reasoning in themselves; why should their Father <i>Job</i> reprove -them for their Wickedness in their Feasts; this was that Satan that -came amongst them, for he was in them, and no other Satan but -what was within them.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And this is that Satan that goeth to and fro in the Earth, to -tempt and destroy those that are faithful: So that this Spirit of Reason, -this Satan, it goeth to and fro in the Earth, to tempt and destroy -the faithful.</p> - -<p class='c004'>It was that Satan that did motion the <i>Sabeans</i> and <i>Chaldaeans</i> to -take away <i>Job</i>'s Oxen, and slay his servants as they were plowing; -and fired the Sheep, and burnt up <i>Job</i>'s Servants; and the <i>Chaldaeans</i> -came with a Band of Men, seeing <i>Job</i> smitten and destroyed by the -<i>Sabeans</i>; and they came with three Bands of Men, and destroyed -the Camels and the rest of his Servants.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_42'></a>For this must be minded, that in those Times there was no Law to -deliver or help the Innocent, but he that had the strongest Sword carried -the Day. And the Lord for Trial of <i>Job</i>'s Faith and Patience, -and for a Pattern for the Ages to come, he suffered the Spirit of unclean -Reason in the <i>Sabeans</i> and <i>Chaldaeans</i> to go to and fro in the -Earth, to stir up their People to destroy <i>Job</i> and all his House and -Cattle.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Also God suffered the natural Wind to blow down the House -where <i>Job</i>'s Sons were feasting, and destroyed them according to the -Desire of the Spirit of unclean Reason in the <i>Sabeans</i> and <i>Chaldaeans</i>. -For the Sons of <i>Job</i> were wicked Children, though called the Sons -of God.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And last of all the Spirit of unclean Reason in <i>Job</i>'s Wife was that -Satan that tempted <i>Job</i> to curse God and die: So that there is no -other Spirit or Satan without Man: But that Satan spoken of in -<i>Job</i>, it was the Spirit of unclean Reason in the Minds of the <i>Sabeans</i>, -<i>Chaldaeans</i>, and in <i>Job</i>'s Wife and Sons; that was the Satan, and no -other.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And as for those Disputes; God had with Satan, and Satan with -God; it was nothing else but the Motions of <i>Job</i>'s Heart passing -through his troubled Soul, the Seed of Faith disputed in him for God, -persuading him to be patient, and let that have its perfect Work, and -so Hope did increase in him; and the Seed of Reason, which was -Satan in him as well as in others, it pleaded against God, Reasoning -in him as if God did not do well or justly by him, that had been -so righteous in his Life, one who never did no Wrong to his Neighbour, -but always feared God; yet that God should suffer the wicked -to destroy his Cattle and Servants, and suffer the Wind to blow down -his House, and destroy his Children; and not only so, but suffer his -Body to break out with Boils and Botches most loathsome, as if he -had been the greatest Sinner in the World; so that he thought that -God dealt more cruelly with him then with any other Creature. And -further, he thought God dealt hardly with him, that he would -neither take away his Life, that he might die out of this troubled -Mind and Pains of Body, nor restore him to Health. These and such -like Reasonings and thoughts passed through <i>Job</i>'s troubled Soul even -from the Spirit or Seed of Reason in him, which is the Dispute of -Satan: For as the Seed of Faith in <i>Job</i> disputed for God so did the -Seed of Reason in <i>Job</i> dispute for Satan; for there is no other Satan -but what is in Man, as I said before.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_43'></a>So in <i>Zach.</i> iii. 1. here <i>Zachariah</i> the Prophet saw in a Vision the -Redemption of the Seed of Faith by Christ under the Type of <i>Joshua</i> -the High-Priest, standing before the Angel of the Lord, and Satan -standing at his right hand to resist him. This High-Priest was Christ -clothed with filthy Garments, when he became Flesh, when on -Earth he appeared unto Men, to be clothed in filthy Garments, -being so mean, and had not a Place to lay his Head yet professed himself -to be the Son of God, the High-Priest that should offer up himself -for to save his People; for High-Priests in former Times did appear -to the People with rich and glorious Garments; but this High-Priest -doth appear to the Seed of Reason, to be clothed in filthy Garments, -not fit (as Reason thinks) to stand before the Angel of the -Lord.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And this Satan that stands as his right Hand to resist him, it was -the Spirit of unclean Reason in those People of the Jews when Christ -was upon Earth, and when that Devil that tempted Christ, spoken of -in <i>Matthew</i>, disputed with Christ, he resisted the High-Priest, and -stood at Christ's right Hand at that time; and this Devil that tempted -Christ, it was a Man endued with an high Pitch of Reason, and -that Spirit of Reason, or Wisdom of Reason, in that Man that tempted -Christ the High-Priest, it was Satan that strove to resist Christ -in dispute, whereupon Christ said, <i>Get thee hence Satan</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>This Satan was a Man, and the Spirit of Reason in this Man is -that Satan that always resisteth the Wisdom of Faith, which is the -Wisdom of God. But this hath been more largely treated upon in -our other Writings, so I shall speak no more of that Devil and his -Temptations here.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So in <i>Matth.</i> xvi. 23. Christ said unto <i>Peter</i>, <i>Get thee behind me -Satan</i>. Here you see <i>Peter</i> is called Satan, because it was the Spirit -of Reason in <i>Peter</i> that said, Master, pity thy self: That is, the -Thoughts of <i>Peter's</i> Heart they did savour of the fleshly part, that is, -those Motions to persuade Christ to save himself from Death, they -did arise from the Seed of Reason in <i>Peter</i>, therefore called Satan; for -there was no new Spirit that came into <i>Peter</i> at that time to cause -him to speak those Words, but those Words proceeded from the -Seed of Reason in him, as aforesaid, therefore called Satan.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And wheresoever that Expression is used, as <i>Peter</i> said himself in -the <i>Acts</i>, <i>Why hath Satan filled thine Heart to lie unto the Holy -Ghost?</i> that is, why hath the Motions of Reason in thee persuaded -thy Heart to tell a Lie unto us, that have the Holy Ghost in us?</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_44'></a>So the Reader may clearly see, there is no other Satan to tempt -God or Man, but the Motions and Words that proceed from the -Seed of Reason in Man and Woman.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So in <i>Luke</i> x. 18. <i>And Christ said unto his Disciples, I beheld Satan -as Lightning fall from Heaven</i>. This Christ spake, because his Disciples -rejoyced that the Devils were subject to them. The Meaning -of Christ was, that he saw the Spirit of Reason, that was in the -Rulers of the <i>Jews</i>, very high in the Righteousness of the Law of -<i>Moses</i>, even as if they were in Heaven, thinking in themselves that -none could be more happy and surer of Heaven and Peace with God, -then they that kept to the Law of <i>Moses</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Now Christ knowing that this Righteousness of the <i>Jews</i>, should -be thrown down by the Righteousness of Faith, which his Apostles -should preach, therefore he saw by Faith that the Spirit of Reason -in the Rulers of the <i>Jews</i> should fall like Lightning from Heaven; -and so it did, and the Disciples of Christ should, by the Doctrine -and Righteousness of Faith, tread upon Serpents, and upon their -Persecution, and upon their Righteousness of the Law of <i>Moses</i>, -and upon all that which did fall like Lightning from Heaven; they -should tread upon Satan, that is, upon the very Wisdom of Reason -the Devil.</p> - -<p class='c004'>This is the true meaning of Christ, when he beheld Satan fall -from Heaven like Lightning, and what Satan is so much spoken of -in Scripture. Much more might be said to enlarge this Point, but I -have spoken more already then I did intend; but I suppose there is -enough written here in short to satisfy those, that can understand by -a little what a great deal Means. And also People may know when -they speak of Satan what Satan is, and when they speak of the Devil, -they may know what the Devil is.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So much concerning the Interpretation of Satan, and -the Conclusion of this Epistle, written by</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Lodowicke Muggleton</i>.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_45'></a> - <h2 class='c006'><i>A Copy of a Letter written by the Prophet</i> Lodowicks Muggleton, <i>to Mr.</i> Edward Fewterrill <i>of</i> Chesterfield, <i>bearing Date from</i> London March 29. 1660.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'><i>Friend</i>,</p> - -<p class='c004'>I Received your Letter, wherein I perceive you are a Man that -hath been led through several Opinions, yet not suffered to -joyn with any, but have been made to wait upon Jesus Christ the -only God for Satisfaction; and now it hath been his great Love, -which he hath loved you, to let you have a Sight of those infinite -Truths, written by the Hands of his two Witnesses, and <i>Lawrence -Claxton</i>; which Writing of ours, I perceive by your Letter, have -given you more Satisfaction than any that ever you read before.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Only this I perceive, that you did and do still much approve of -<i>Jacob Bemon</i>'s Works; and for this Cause, because you were as I perceive -by his Writings, exhorted to resign your Will unto God's -Will, and to come unto that happy State, neither to Will or Desire -any thing, but to abide in the Will of God, which is Jesus Christ, -into which Estate the Lord did twice bring you in some Measure.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Also you say, That it is a hard thing to cast out that Devil that -is in us, nor can it be done as we say or think, but by that Resignation -and Faith in the true God.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Likewise you say, that you were a great Disputant against all -Forms and formal Worship, till the Lord silenced you, and did let -you see it was but a vain Thing to wrangle and jangle with the -Devil more.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But I shall pass by part of your Letter, and I shall answer you -to those things that are of most Concernment.</p> - -<p class='c004'>You say, that there was that Portion of Scripture brought into -your Remembrance of his Promise, <i>I will send the Spirit of Truth, -which shall guide you into all Truth</i>, and there have you had your rest -reposed.</p> - -<p class='c004'>In the last Place I find, that you would have some Answer to some -Doubts, concerning that Devil that doth appear to Witches, and -suck of their Bodies, and what that is that doth appear to Conjurers, -and the Authors of lying Wonders of <i>John Robins</i>; though you -do believe there is no Devil but Man, you do believe also that the -Soul of Man is mortal, and must needs die, and so cannot appear, -though you thought otherwise in your Reason.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_46'></a>You say, Whether is there a Spirit in Man that surviveth and is -allured by them, or do they stir up awaking the Power of the first -fallen Angel through their devillish Faith, or is these Things from -their vain Imaginations. If so, how? if not, what it is, is your -Desire to know of me.</p> - -<p class='c004'>To which I shall give you some Answer both to the first of Part -your Letter, and also to the latter Part of it.</p> - -<p class='c004'>First you say, that you have been made to wait upon Jesus Christ -the only God; for Satisfaction thereof, I would have you to -consider, how could you wait and be satisfied in the Belief of such -a God which you never knew. For the Letter of the Scriptures -did never declare to you, that Jesus Christ was the only God, neither -did God commissionate no Prophet nor Apostle for to declare -it, though their Declarations was as necessary to be believed in -their Time and Place, as this Commission of the Spirit; which -Commission of the Spirit hath deeper Mysteries held forth in it, -than the other two Commissions had: For God never did give to -any Prophets or Apostles, the Knowledge of his own Form or Nature -before he became Flesh. If they did know it, they did not -reveal it. But he hath given it to his two last Spiritual Witnesses -and Prophets, <i>John Reeve</i>'s and <i>Lodowicke Muggleton</i>, who were those -chosen Witnesses of God, which should have more Understanding -of the Mind of God in the Scriptures, than all Men in the World.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Which Knowledge of God's Mind in the Scriptures, doth consist -of these six Heads.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>First</i>, Of the Form and Nature of God before he became Flesh.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Secondly</i>, Of the Form and Nature of the Devil before he became -Flesh.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Thirdly</i>, Of the Place and Nature of Heaven.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Fourthly</i>, Of the Place and Nature of Hell.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Fifthly</i>, Of the Nature and Persons of Angels.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Sixthly</i>, Of the Mortality of the Soul.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Upon the Knowledge of these six Principles, depends the eternal -Happiness of many. And the Knowledge of the two Seeds, is -those two Keys that doth open those two, namely, the strait and -narrow Gate that leadeth unto Life, and the broad and wide Gate -that leadeth to Destruction. And those two Keys are given unto us -two aforesaid, which hath the Commission of the Spirit given -unto us.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that there is no coming unto the Knowledge of the true God, -nor the right Devil, but where the Declaration of this Spiritual -Commission doth open the Doors or Gates of Mens Hearts, and -<a id='Page_47'></a>lets them see what Seed they are of, and so Men come to know -the true God and the right Devil. And then a Man may truly say, -that he can resign his Will to God's Will, as you say <i>Jacob Bemon</i> -in his Writings doth declare.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Yet this I would have you to know that <i>Jacob Bemon</i> had no Personal -God at all not to resign his Will unto, but his God was an -Infinite, Incomprehensible, Formless Spirit, as all the World hath.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Neither had his Devil a Person nor Form; neither had his Angels -he speaketh so much of any Body or Form at all, but they were all -Spirits without Bodies, which in the Conclusion was no more but -so many Letters, that is, three Letters, G, O, D, and so of the -Devil and Angels.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And yet this Man would resign his Will into God's Will, and -yet his God had no Form nor Nature at all; therefore they could -be no Will in his God, whereby any Man should resign his Will -into God's Will; whereas there can be no Will in God, except he -hath both Form and Nature.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And this is that Will of God which you call Jesus Christ, into -which Estate the Lord did twice bring you, which Estate of yours -in that Faith of <i>Jacob Bemon</i>'s, could not be a true Estate, because -there was not the Knowledge of the true God; and where there is -not the Knowledge of the true God, there cannot be the Knowledge -of the right Devil; without the Knowledge of these two, there -can be no true lasting Peace in Man.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And as for your being a great Disputant amongst all formal Worship, -I do not question the thing, because I know that the Wisdom -of Reason, which is the Devil, doth love to be uppermost in -Disputes.</p> - -<p class='c004'>But how can you say, that the Lord did Silence you, and made -you to see the Vanity of all Disputes; whereas you did not know -any other God, but what is generally believed on in the World; -that is, an Infinite, Incomprehensible Spirit, not minding whether -God had any Nature or Form at all.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore it could not be the true Lord that did silence you, but -it was something that did arise out of your own Seed, which -did shew you the Vanity of all Disputes.</p> - -<p class='c004'>In the next Place you say, that there was brought into your Remembrance -that Portion of Scripture concerning his Promise, <i>that -he would send his Spirit of Truth, which should guide you into all Truth</i>, -and there have you had your rest reposed.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_48'></a>Answer, That this Place of Scripture did not belong unto you, nor -to any Man in the World at this Day; for that Promise was given -only unto his Disciples; which Disciples of his to whom those -Words were spoken, were afterwards made Apostles of Christ; so -that the Promise which Christ did promise to his Disciples before -his Death, was that of the Blood which was given unto his Apostles, -which was called the Spirit of Truth, because they should witness -unto the Truth; that is, unto his Death and Resurrection and -Ascension.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore take Notice of this, that that Promise was fulfilled -upon his Apostles after he was ascended up to Heaven, as you may -read in the second of the <i>Acts</i>, and to every Man that doth read -the Promises, which God did make to his Commissionated Apostles, -it doth not belong to every Man that doth read them, but every -Man is to mind that Commission which he is under.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore for you to repose your Trust upon such Promises as was -given to other Men in their Commissions, that Peace will not endure -to the End, but will vanish like Smoke in the Fire.</p> - -<p class='c004'>In the next Place, I shall give you some Answers to those Doubts, -which you spake of concerning that Devil which doth appear to -Witches and Conjurers, and how those lying Wonders were acted -by <i>John Robins</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Answer, There is a twofold Witchcraft, the one is Natural, the -other is Spiritual.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Now this natural Witchcraft is acted by such as are called Witches -and Conjurers. Now as for those ignorant Women which are -Witches, their Witchcraft lies in their wicked Nature, by giving -themselves up to believe, that there is no God at all but Nature only, -and so by that strong Faith that they have in Nature, they have -Power over those whose Understandings are of a lower Capacity -than themselves, and so People being ignorant and fearful of them, -doth many times disturb and search their Blood with Extremity of -Fear, which they have of one that is suspected for a Witch, and so -by their own Fear and Imagination, they come to be bewitched. -As a Man being overcharged with extream Grief, or being prevented -by one that he loves, he goes Distracted or runneth Mad, which -is no other but his being bewitched. And so it is with all those -that are ignorant, and over charged with Fear: and as for those -Children and Cattle that are bewitched, it is by some other Sorcery -which they do use with Herbs and Plants, and some other -things of Nature, they having some small Knowledge of that Sympathy, -<a id='Page_49'></a>and Influence the Stars have over those Bodies and Herbs, -and so mix their Faith and Experience together, pretending to do -all Manner of Good, but intendeth nothing but Evil. So that there -is no such thing as People do vainly imagine as for Spirits to suck -Witches, but all the Devil that is, is their own dark Reason; and -that Spirit that doth bewitch any Creature, it doth arise out of -their own Imagination: And as for Conjurers and Magicians, their -Reason is more enlightened than the others is, because they do go -altogether by the Figure, which is an Art by which the Reason of -Man hath produced Characters and Figures for the several Stars and -Planets, and so they came to imagine the Influence of those Stars and -Planets upon the Bodies of Men, and many times they do hit rightly, -yet it is still but Witchcraft. For it is nothing else but the Imagination -of Reason, that doth pry into the Secrets of Nature. And the -first Witchcraft that ever was, it was produced by learning of Numbers -and Figures; I say, it was first from the <i>Egyptians</i> Arts, and -from thence came Conjuration, and the Knowledge of the Influence -of the Stars and Planets and the Knowledge of Physick, -which are no other in the Original but Witches, only this their -Witchcraft is more tolerated by the Power of the Nations; but I -am confident that there is more People in the World bewitched -with them, than there is with the other Sort of Witches, that is, -they are deceived both in Body, and in Mind, and Estate. For -when a Man is deceived in his Expectations and Faith which he had -in that Art, he may very well be said to be bewitched: But as for -raising Spirits without Bodies, there is no Witch, no Conjurer, or -Magician, nor the greatest Artist in the World can do; neither can -any Spirit assume any Body but its own. So much for natural Witches.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And for those lying Signs and Wonders which <i>John Robins</i> did -act, it was by a more Spiritual Witchcraft; his was not by the -Knowledge of the Stars, though he had some Skill in that too, but -the Power of his Witchcraft did lye in the assuming and taking -upon him the Title of the Great God, as you may read in our -Books: And so that his Reason being more exercised in the Scriptures -upon Spiritual Matters, because the whole Body of the Scriptures -doth consist of Spiritual and Heavenly Matter; and he having -more Knowledge in the Mystery of the Scriptures at that time than -all Men in the World, therefore he had many that did fall down -and worship him; because his Knowledge in the Scriptures, did surpass -other Men, and so produced Voices in himself, and could present -lying Signs and Wonders, unto all those that were deceived by -<a id='Page_50'></a>him, or that where afraid of him; yet he did not deal with Spirits that, -had not Bodies; but all that Wisdom and Witchcraft that he did shewn -it came or arose out of his own Spirit of Reason, which was inclosed in -his own Body.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And there is the Influence of the same Spirit of Witchcraft doth -now remain upon those People called <i>Quakers</i>, notwithstanding there -seeming Holiness, for they have many Times such fleshly Fits falling upon -them, which doth seem as if they had the Falling-Sickness, and be -as Men dumb, and will not speak a Word for three or four Hours together, -and upon a Sudden they will break forth into strong Language, as if -the Spirit did immediately move them to speak. This I say, it is nothing -else but an Influence of <i>John Robins</i>'s Spiritual Witchcraft, which is produced -out of their own Spirit within them, and not from any Spirit -which hath no Body without them. And all this is, they have no Knowledge -of the true God or the right Devil.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore it is that the greatest Part of the World doth lie under -Witchcraft, either a Natural Witchcraft or a Spiritual Witchcraft, there -is a very few that is delivered from being under one or both of them; -there is none delivered but those that are come to have Faith in this -Spiritual Commission, which is now extant in the World; for Faith -in it doth lead Men to the Knowledge of the true God and the right Devil, -with all those deep Mysteries which doth depend on them, the Knowledge -of which doth free a Man from all Witchcraft whatsoever.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore I would advise you to read the Books of ours called the -<i>Divine-Looking-Glass</i>, for that you may see there, that there can be no -Spirits without a Body, neither can any Witch or Conjurer raise any -Spirit without a Body: But these Conjurers may do through the Ignorance -and Darkness of Man's Reason, and that Fear and Belief that is in -the Ignorant, they may by their ignorant Power raise a Shadow of things, -as if they were real Bodies, or Spirits in the Shape of Bodies; as the -<i>Egyptians</i> did before <i>Pharaoh</i> King of <i>Egypt</i>, they did seem to raise Frogs -and Grashoppers in the Sight of <i>Pharaoh</i> King of <i>Egypt</i>; but I say, they -were not real Frogs and Grashoppers, but Shadows of such things, -which as soon as ever the Witchcraft Power or Art was over, their Frogs -and Grashoppers were gone also, else would the King and his People -been as much troubled at those Frogs which the Magicians did bring -upon their Land, as they were with those which <i>Moses</i> brought up, -which went into their Houses. And now if <i>Moses</i> had not raised Bodies -as well as Spirits, or if he had raised Spirits without Bodies, they would -have been as little troubled at those things which <i>Moses</i> did, as they -were at those Shadows or seeming things, which the Magicians of <i>Egypt</i> -did. There is something more in your Letter you sent to me, but I -have not time at present to answer; <i>So resteth your Friend</i>,</p> - -<p class='c004'>Lodowicke Muggleton.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_51'></a> - <h2 class='c006'><i>The Prophet</i> Reeve's <i>Epistle to his Friend, discovering the dark Light of the</i> Quakers; <i>written in the Year 1654</i> September <i>the 20th</i>.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'><i>Loving Friend</i>, Calling to Mind the Letter thou readest to -me, which was sent thee out of the Country, I am moved -to present these Lines to the View of thy ponderous Spirit; -for as Words of Truth flowing from a real Foundation, -drew forth Humility and Love to God and -Man, from that Soul that hath received an hearing Ear, so likewise -thou mayst know the glittering Words proceeding from Man's -Carnal Wisdom, is that which hath occasioned many Men to be exalted -above Measure, and to imagine himself so essentially united to -the Divine Glory, that at length that Man hath been so bewitched -through the Adorations of Men and Women in deep Darkness, with -high Conceits of his own Spiritual Wisdom, that he hath been willing -to deny his creaturely Condition, and to embrace the Holy Titles -and Honour of an infinite Creator. Yea, and to say in his Heart -and Tongue also, that there is no Spiritual God or Personal Glory -in the least, but what is in Man only, notwithstanding, as sure as -the Lord Jesus liveth, both he and all that is in him must turn into -silent Death and Dust for a Moment, yea, and would so remain unto -all Eternity, if there were not a distinct personal Majesty living -without Man to raise him again, to everlasting sensible Glory or -Shame, according to the Royal Pleasure of that God, that neither -will nor can give his Glory to another.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>My Dear Friend</i>, be not deceived with Mens crafty Words, who -have no true spiritual Distinction in them; for if any mortal Man -have dwelling in him the eternal Spirit, all the Motions, Thoughts, -Words and Actions of that Man must needs be as pure, holy and -powerful as God himself, because thou knowest they proceed from -a pure, holy, and glorious Spirit: But of the contrary, if thou -perceivest a Measure of Light only abiding in thee, which thou in -Mercy hast received from an everlasting Jesus without thee, then -<a id='Page_52'></a>thou often seest Darkness in thee as well as Light. For Light entred -not into Sinners to make them spiritual Gods one over another, but it -shined into them to discover their natural Enmity continually warring -against a God of eternal Love towards them; and not only so, -but to prevent also their former Darkness from tyrannizing in them -for ever, yea and to consolate their elect Brethren by their spiritual -Experiences.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Wherefore, from a Divine Gift which I have freely received from -an unerring Spirit, I say unto thee, that those Men which labour -to perswade their Hearers, that if they diligently hearken to the -Light that is in them, they may attain to such a Power, as to be -dead in this Body from all Kind of inward Darkness, Sin, or Evil, -have uttered the falsest Doctrine that ever was declared to Men. -Moreover, if the Light of Life Eternal be thy Guide, though must -needs know then, it was neither the justifying Light of Christ within -Man, no nor the Spirit of Christ without Man, that moved -those Men to speak or write to the People; but it was their own -lying Imagination which hurried them about to beget Proselytes to -themselves in the Man Christ Jesus's stead, who alone <i>is God over all -Blessed for ever and ever</i>. Amen.</p> - -<p class='c004'>He that is born of God sinneth not, that is he is not left to his -own Heart to commit the unpardonable Sin of Unbelief in the true -God, in despising the Spirit of Christ Jesus, to be the only Lord -God of his Salvation. <i>He that believeth shall be saved, but he that -believeth not is condemned already</i>, not because he hath not believed in -a God, or Christ that is within him, but because he hath not believed -in a personal God or Christ that is without him, whose divine -Majesty is crowned with such immortal bright burning Glory, -that if he did not vail his fiery Nature within his own blessed Body, -the Glory of it is so transcendently infinite, that he in a Moment -would consume all created Beings to Powder. He that committed -that Sin of calling God a Lyar, which is the Sin of not believing in our -Lord Jesus Christ as aforesaid, or he that maketh glorious Pretences -of unfeigned Love to Christ and his tender-hearted People, and yet -secretly lyeth under the Power of carnal Filthiness; such a Man is -not only of his Father the Devil, (cursed <i>Cain</i>) but he also is a -very Devil himself. <i>He that saith he hath no Sin in him, is a Lyar, -and the Truth is not in him</i>; that is, he that saith Christ is so powerfully -risen in him, that all Motions, Thought and Desire of Sin -against God or Man, is perfectly done away, that Man is an horrible -Lyar, and a deadly Enemy to all humble and broken-hearted -<a id='Page_53'></a>Saints; for their natural rebellious warring against the Light within -them, and the Lord of Glory without them. Oh! my precious -Friend, for whom my Soul spiritually travelleth, till thou art -firmly established with glorious Things which are Eternal; not -with empty Notions proceeding from an imaginary God or Christ -within Men, only which with <i>Syrenion</i> Songs is very pleasing to the -carnal Ear, which may delude some undiscerning Spirits for a Season, -nor with Pharisaical Looks, Sighs and Groans, to be seen of -Men, which is nothing else but the Effects of Mens crafty Words -and Gestures proceeding from Man's fleshly Wisdom, which is abominable -in the Sight of our God, who is the Lord Jesus Christ in -the Eternal Heavens above the Stars.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>My beloved Friend</i>, give me leave a little to reason with thee, -about Things of the greatest Concernment: What excellent Truths -above other Men hast thou heard from the chief Speakers of the -<i>Quakers</i>? Didst thou ever hear them speak to the Purpose? Or -speak at all of any God or Christ, but what is in Man only? -Or didst thou ever hear them speak of a bodily Glory and Misery -to come sensibly to be enjoyed by the Saints in the highest Heavens, -and to be endured by the Serpents in this World at the Day -of eternal Accounts? Or dost thou see the Image or Likeness -the true Jesus in that Ministry, the true and living Jesus, rejected -not the Company of Publicans and Sinners, even when his Light -appeared not in them; but on the contrary, do they not rashly condemn -those Men that soberly oppose them, and shun the Company -of those that are not of their Opinion, as Serpents; much like unto -those Hypocrites of old, who said, stand farther off, for we are -more holy than you. Moreover, in all their Speakings and Writings -to the People, do they not make a grand Idol of the Word Light, -and occasion Men to worship it as their only God; as if meer Words, -were to be adored without a Person, or worshipped within the -Bodies of sinful Man as a God: Or as if those that enjoy true Light -in them, have such a Measure of God in them, that they stand in -no need of any God without them in the least.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>My Dear Friend</i>, thou knowest Men of unstable Spirits, Child-like, -or rather Fool-like, are easily taken with every Wind of Doctrine: -But if thou hast a Spirit of true discerning in thee, thou -wilt be made thorowly then to try the Spirits and Doctrines of -Men, whether they be of God or no, before thou embrace them; -having been in the Fire of the Devil already, I hope thou hast -gained Experience. Wherefore for thy clearer Sight concerning of -<a id='Page_54'></a>the Fallacy of all Speakers, which say, the Lord <i>Jehovah</i>, or <i>Jesus</i> -sent them, I shall give some discovering Characters; he that saith -the everlasting spiritual God or Father, became not a perfect Man -of unspotted Flesh, Blood, and Bone, was never moved by the -Spirit of God or Christ, to preach or speak to the People; or he -that saith, that Spirit which is dwelling in the glorious Body of -Christ Jesus, is not the alone everlasting Father, God and Man -in one distinct Person glorified, is none of Christ's Messenger; or -he that saith, God is not in the Form of a Man, but is an infinite -Spirit essentially abiding in all Creatures, that Man is a Lyar, and -the Truth is not in him; or he that saith, Christ's Godhead died -not in the Flesh, and did not quicken and raise his Manhood to Life -again, and in that Body of Flesh and Bone, did not ascend into a -Kingdom of Glory in another World, the deep Things of God is -utterly hid from that Man; or he that saith all Mankind proceeded -from the Loins of the first Man <i>Adam</i>, is ignorant of the two Scripture -Seeds (namely) the Seed of the Woman, and the Seed of the -Serpent, therefore he is none of Christ's sending; or he that saith -Mens Souls do not die with their Bodies, and sleep together in the -Dust of the Earth, till the Lord Jesus by the mighty Power of his -Word speaking only, do raise them unto Life again at the last Day, -that Man is in deep Darkness, not knowing the Scriptures or the -Power of God; or he that says Mens Bodies only perish (and not -the Souls) will be saved at the last, that Man is a Lyar, and the -Truth is not in him.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Dear Friend</i>,</p> - -<p class='c004'>Thus far was I moved to write unto thee, as an eternal Witness -between us, when the Secrets of all Hearts shall be opened. If -thou seest good, thou mayst present this Epistle to the View of -those Men called <i>Quakers</i>, not that I can expect a good Issue from -any of them, unless God hath endowed them with hearing Ears, -unjudging, meek and patient Spirits.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Sept. 20. 1654.</i></p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Thine in all eternal Excellencies.</i></p> - -<p class='c004'><span class='sc'>John Reeve.</span></p> -<div class='chapter'> - <a id='Page_55'></a> - <h2 class='c006'><i>An Epistle of</i> <span class='sc'>John Reeve</span> <i>to Mr.</i> <span class='sc'>Hill</span>.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>Dear Friend in the eternal Truth, my Love to you -and the rest of our Spiritual Friends remembred.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Brother</i> Hill,</p> - -<p class='c004'>It seems very strange to me, That you with the rest of former -Friends, make no Enquiry after me whether I am dead or alive. -What have the unnecessary Things and Cares of this World swallowed -up your former Love to the Truth? Though I am moved -in this manner to write unto you, I trust you have not so learned -Christ.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Friend</i>, The Reason of my not sending unto you this long Season -is this, because my Wife and I were both very sick and weak, of -which Sickness the 29th of <i>March</i> last my Wife died.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Immediately after I had buried my Wife, the Lord our God called -me to visit some of his People living near <i>Cambridge</i>, as he once -called me to visit you; yea, it was in the very same Manner: For -one of the chief Speakers of the <i>Ranters</i> being convinced by this -Truth, who formerly had deceived them, took a Parcel of my -Books and presented them to them, upon which they greatly desired -me as you formerly did; I hope there is about half a Score of -them that have received the Truth in Sincerity of Heart, they are -Husbandmen and Tradesmen that Labour for their Bread as you do; -they rejoyce in those that really possess this Truth though by Face -unknown.</p> - -<p class='c007'><i>Christopher Hill</i>,</p> - -<p class='c008'>You seem to forget your Engagement to your Father-in-Law, you -know the Time is expired concerning your Payment of the Money, -which was lent to you, and not to him; wherefore as you love the -Truth, I desire you to send me the Money remaining behind -speedily, that I may restore it to the right Owner.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Now concerning my own Condition it is thus; on <i>May Day</i> last, -I was Senseless two or three times, insomuch, that if a faithful -Friend had not been by me to relieve me with a little Cordial, I -had immediately died. I still continue very sick and weak, so -that of Necessity, I must either mend or end in a little Space. As -for Relief now I have most need of it, it hath been very -small of late; I wish it may not be a Burthen to the Conscience of -<a id='Page_56'></a>some when I am gone; the Widow's Mite will be a Witness against -all Carnal Excuses in those that own this Truth. It may be you -may think, I have no need of your Charity now, because the Merchant -for a little Season allowed me a small Matter Weekly; but if -you think so, you are much mistaken, for I have had none from him -a pretty while, neither do I know whether I shall have any more -from him at all: For when he took Ship for <i>Barbadoes</i>, he had not -wherewithal to leave his Wife and Children, through the unjust -Dealings of unreasonable Men. Brother <i>Hill</i>, You may remember -you sent me Word, that if the <i>London</i> Christians would contribute -Weekly or Monthly to my Necessity, you would do the like, you -will do well to keep your Covenant.</p> - -<p class='c008'>And so I commit you to the most High, and remain yours in all -Righteousness,</p> - -<p class='c008'><span class='sc'>John Reeve</span>.</p> - -<p class='c008'>My Dwelling is in <i>Bishopsgate-street</i> near <i>Hog-lane</i> End, with three -Sisters that keep a Sempstris Shop.</p> - -<p class='c008'>Direct your Letters to our Brother <i>Muggleton</i>, to be conveyed to -me, and the Money to him for me, you know where he -dwells; it is in <i>Trinity-lane</i>, over against a <i>Brown-Baker</i>'s.</p> - -<p class='c008'><i>London June 11. 1656.</i></p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'><i>Another Epistle of</i> <span class='sc'>John Reeve</span><i>'s to the same Person</i>.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>For his Loving Friend <i>Christopher Hill, Heel-maker</i> in <i>Stone-street</i> -in <i>Maidstone</i>, in <i>Kent</i>. These</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Brother</i> Hill,</p> - -<p class='c004'>I Have received your Letter and your kind Token, for which I -acknowledge your Kindness to Truth.</p> - -<p class='c004'>As for my Neglect in Writing to you, my great Troubles of Sickness -and Mortality hath hindred it, I hope whilst I am able to write, -for time to come, you shall not charge me with any such Neglect; -in the mean Season, I do not desire your Charity unless you can spare -it. Remember my kind Love to your Mother <i>Wyles</i>, to <i>Tho. Martin</i>, -and Goodman <i>Young</i>, and I rejoyce in the Lord for you, that -the Truth abides in you. As for the Money, I am glad of your Care -for the Truths sake, because it was lent to me upon that Account.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_57'></a>No more at present, but desiring my God abundantly to establish -you in all spiritual Excellencies, unto whose infinite Grace I -commend you in all Righteousness,</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>London</i>, <i>June</i> the last, 1656.</p> - -<p class='c004'><span class='sc'>John Reeve.</span></p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'><i>Another Epistle of</i> <span class='sc'>John Reeve</span><i>'s to the same Person</i>.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'><i>Brother</i> Hill, <i>in the Eternal Truth</i>,</p> - -<p class='c004'>My Love to you and the rest of our Friends; this is a Spiritual -Love Letter that I am moved to write unto you, wherefore -by Virtue of my Commission, I pronounce thee <i>Tho. Martin</i>, <i>William -Young</i>, and <i>Eliz. Wyles</i>, the Blessed of the Lord to Eternity; -the Remembrance of this the Lord's Blessing, will do you no -harm when I am in my Grave; in the mean Season, our good God -cause you to love one another more than your temporal Enjoyments, -and that will become a Heaven upon Earth in your innocent Souls; -Faith fetcheth Spiritual Comfort, the Fountain to each particular -Soul; but Love fulfilleth all Righteousness both to God and Man. -Oh! the transcendent Excellency of the Love of Christ in his -new-born People, it is not to be express'd by the Tongues of -Men or Angels.</p> - -<p class='c004'><span class='sc'>John Reeve.</span></p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'><i>A Copy of a Letter wrote by the Prophet</i> <span class='sc'>John Reeve</span> <i>to Mrs.</i> Alice Webb, <i>containing her Blessing and the Six Principles, on</i> August 15. 1656.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'><i>Loving Friend</i>,</p> - -<p class='c004'>Desiring your Eternal Happiness in that Place of Glory -above the Stars, I am moved from the Spirit of the Lord to -write these Lines unto your Serious Consideration.</p> - -<p class='c004'>This I know assured as God knows himself, that Jesus Christ from -his Throne of Glory, spake to me by Voice of Words three Mornings -together, which Speaking of his hath opened my dark Understanding -to declare such Spiritual Light to the Chosen of God, as -never was so clearly manifested before, especially in these Six Foundations.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_58'></a><i>First</i>, What the Person of the true God is, and his Divine Nature.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Secondly</i>, What the Persons of the holy Angels are, and their -Nature.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Thirdly</i>, What the Persons of the Devils are and their Natures, -and what the Person of the Devil was before he became a Devil, -and begot Millions of dark Angels or Devils, it being all one.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Fourthly</i>, In what Condition the Man <i>Adam</i> was created in, and -by what Means he lost his first estate and the Effects of it.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Fifthly</i>, What Heaven and Glory is, and the eternal Residence -of it.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Sixthly</i>, What Hell and eternal Death is, and the Place where it -shall be to Eternity.</p> - -<p class='c004'>This I know certainly, That before the Lord sent me to declare -his Pleasure unto his People, no Man upon this Earth did clearly -understand any one of these Six Fundamental Truths, which to understand -is Life Eternal, and to be ignorant of them is Death -Eternal. Now the Lord hath sent his two Messengers to declare -them, I mean, to all those that may be informed in these Spiritual -Things, and do reject us (that are the Lord's Messengers of these -Things of Salvation) through the Love of carnal Things, they -must all perish to Eternity.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, We know from the Lord by that infallible Spirit that he -hath given us, of divers Persons that shall be eternally blessed -with us: and all that we pronounce Cursed to Eternity are eternally -Cursed, as sure as Jesus Christ the Lord of Life is Blessed, because -it is his Curse and not ours.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, If the Lord Jesus do not bear Witness unto our Testimony, -and make it evident that he hath sent us in a few Months, -then you may conclude, that there never was any true Prophets nor -Christ, nor Apostles, nor Scripture spoken from the Mouth of God -to Men. But there is nothing but the Wisdom of Men and Nature -their God. But this we know, that those that are joyned with us, are -Partakers of those Truths, and shall be blessed for evermore, and shall -in the mean time patiently wait for the fulfilling of our Prophecy, and -shall have Power over their Thoughts, Words, and Deeds, purifying -their Hearts by Faith in the Person of God even as he is pure, trampling -all the Riches and Honour of this World, under the Feet of -their Souls as Dung, because they have tasted of that Glory to come, -that no Tongue of Men or Angels can express, and this makes them -not only love one another in carnal Things, but for the Truth's sake -they are ready if (need require) to forsake all Relations, and Life -<a id='Page_59'></a>itself for one another; and is that Power of that one only Faith -and Truth, declared from the Spirit of God, the Man Jesus by us, -which none enjoys but those of this Faith.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Much more might I write, but speaking Face to Face, (if it may -be) is far more profitable: <i>Farewell</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'><span class='sc'>John Reeve</span>, <i>the true Prophet, of the only true -Personal God, the Lord Jesus Christ upon the -Throne of immortal Glory in the highest Heavens</i>.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'><i>An Epistle of</i> <span class='sc'>John Reeve</span> <i>to a Friend, written in</i> May 1657.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'><i>Shewing</i>,</p> - -<p class='c004'>That Elect Angels are distinct from him who visibly beheld -him Face to Face, and what that Reprobate Serpent-Angel -was in his Creation, which by the secret Council and unsearchable -Wisdom of God, fell from his created Glory like Lightning -from the invisible Heaven above, to this visible Earth beneath; -and through his super-seeming God like Counsel, he overcame -innocent <i>Eve</i>; and she yielding unto him, he wholly entred -into her Womb and naturally changed himself into her Seed, and -so became the first-born Son of the Devil, and afterwards a cursed -<i>Cain</i>, and the Father of all those <i>Cananitish</i> Reprobate Angels, spoken -of in the visible Records of the Scriptures; <i>Not as</i> Cain, <i>who -was of that wicked one, and slew his Brother</i>, the 1st of <i>John</i>, the 3d -Chapter, and 18th Verse. <i>And the Tares are the Children of the -wicked one</i>, <i>Math.</i> 13th Chapter, and the 18th Verse. Also in -what Condition <i>Adam</i> was created in, and how he come to fall -from his created Estate, and what that sin was that <i>Eve</i> and he -were guilty of, and how Sin came first in their pure created Natures.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, what that heavenly Glory is and where it is, that God's -Elect Wheat, which are the Seed of <i>Adam</i>, and not of <i>Cain</i> shall possess -when time shall be no more, and what that shameful Eternal Death -is, and where it is reserved for the Seed of <i>Cain</i> and not of <i>Adam</i>, -who are either a Spirit given up to Persecution of Mens Consciences, -or else they are left in Darkness to condemn the Things of Eternity, -because they cannot comprehend them for want of a true distinguishing -Spirit, which is a Gift of the Holy Ghost, unto him which -<a id='Page_60'></a>is immediately sent by the Lord of Glory, that he may be distinguished -by the new born of God, from all those counterfeit or deceived -Preachers or Speakers in the World, who are apt and ready -to judge Men in Darkness, if they soberly ask them needful Questions -concerning things of Eternity; the understanding of those -glorious Excellencies, which is the Saints Inheritance, being utterly -hid from them, because they went before they were sent.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>Friend and Brother in the Eternal Truth</i>,</p> - -<p class='c004'>By this infallible Demonstration, you may know a Man that hath -not a Commission from the true God, to preach and speak unto the -People.</p> - -<p class='c004'>If a searching Speaker or Writer, deliver any thing unto those -People that joyn with him, then for fear of his Weakness or Ignorance -being discovered, he will counsel the Hearers to stick close -to the Ordinances in the Word of God, or to hearken to them, or -to that in their Consciences, and to beware of false Christ's and -false Prophets, and such like borrowing Scripture Languages, to -prevent the People of ever hearing the Glorious and Dreadful Things -of Eternity from the ever-living God, revealed both by Voice of -Words without, and Inspiration within, unto his two last despised -true Messengers.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Thus it is clear, they have not the true Spirit of <i>Paul</i> in them, -who gave the true Saints Liberty to try all Things or Opinions of -Men, (for that was his Meaning) but to <i>hold fast to that which was -good</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, that Speaker or Preacher to People, whether publick or -private, that declares against all Appearances that are contrary to -his Way, discovers himself to a discerning Spirit, not to be of the -Lord, unless he can demonstrate a Spiritual Commission received -by Voice from Heaven, from the Mouth of the Lord Jesus Christ, -so that no Man can disprove him, though few from a true Understanding -received him.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, he that preaches or teaches only of a God or Christ in -Mens Consciences, doth he not question the Scripture Records concerning -the Resurrection and Ascension of the glorious Body of the -Lord Jesus Christ, who through Faith in his invaluable Blood-shedding, -the Consciences of the Elect being sprinkled, are purified -from the Power of all Unrighteousness of Flesh and Spirit, and so -doth he not question the Resurrection of Mankind after Death.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again if after Death there be no bodily Resurrection for the Spirit -to possess an immortal God-like Glory, or to suffer an eternal -<a id='Page_61'></a>Devil-like Shame, according to their Deeds done in their Bodies; -is it not one of the vainest Babblings under Heaven, for Men to talk -of a God or Christ, or of Righteousness, or Purity, or Mercy, or -pure Love without Envy, or of any Spiritual Excellency whatsoever, -unless it be for Gain or Glory amongst Men.</p> - -<p class='c004'>The eternal Spirit and alone everlasting Father, which essentially -reigneth in the glorified Body of our Lord Jesus Christ his eternal -Son, and spiritually, or motionally, or virtually liveth or reigneth -in elect Men and Angels, bear Record between me and you for Everlasting, -or World without end, whether this Witnessing be not -sent unto you, and all the Elect that shall view it principally for the -re-establishing of your tender Spirit, upon that spiritual Rock of -all Ages, the Lord Jesus Christ God and Man, in one distinct Person -Glorified and everlastingly Honoured, with all Variety of Spiritual -new Songs and Praises, from his Redeemed or Elect Men or -Angels, when all Time or Times is swallowed up into Eternity or -Eternities.</p> - -<p class='c004'><span class='sc'>John Reeve.</span></p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'><i>Another Epistle of</i> <span class='sc'>John Reeve</span><i>'s</i>.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'><i>SIR</i>,</p> - -<p class='c004'>Your Replication to mine doth but still harp upon the same -Matter as your former, and yet you suppose you have given -such Arguments as may quite silence my former Assertions, were -that there are no Spirits without Bodies, but such as mere Shadows; -and that God is not a bodiless Spirit, but hath and ever had Form, -Substance, and Shape, and that is no other but the Form of a Man.</p> - -<p class='c004'>This is contradicted by you, and so you affirm these Particulars -following.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>1st</i>, You take at those my Words which said, that if a Spirit have -no Body or Shape, then it is no more then a meer Shadow: This -you deny, by saying, that a Shadow is only privative, but a Spirit, -say you, is positive.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>2dly</i>, You further say, that there is such immaterial Substances, -which have a separate Existence from such gross Bodies which we -have about us; witness say you the Soul of Man, which is immaterial, -and lives after the Body is dead, which is, say you, confirmed -<a id='Page_62'></a>by <i>Paul</i>, 2 <i>Tim.</i> i. 10. which saith, that the <i>Gospel brings Life -and Immortality to Light</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>3dly</i>, This Doctrine, say you, was known by the Light of Nature -to the Heathen Philosophers, and hath since been confirmed -by Scripture of the New Testament to us, and so conclude it no -ways repugnant to right Reason.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>4thly</i>, You charge me with quoting the Scripture falsly, when I -said, that Christ reply'd to the young Man, saying, <i>That no Man was -good but one, which was God</i>; therefore say you, it is false that the -Scripture saith, that God is a Man.</p> - -<p class='c004'>To each of these take this particular Answer, 1. If your Spirit -have neither Shape nor Substance, it is but a Shadow, and no more -then what the <i>Egyptians</i> Sorcerers produced before <i>Pharaoh</i>, what -<i>Moses</i> brought up were real Substances, but their's no other but Shadows, -but therefore a Spirit without Substance is not positive; for -that which is privative can have no Being without a positive, because -that which is positive hath a Being or Substance: Now he -that will not admit God to have a distinct Being of himself, his -God that he worships is nothing but a Shadow.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>2dly</i>, Where you speak of Spirits being immaterial Substances; -if they be immaterial, how are they Substances, and what Existence -can they have, and how can a Soul be immortal in a mortal -Body; it is said, <i>the Soul that Sins, it shall die</i>; yet say you, it is -immortal and cannot die, and would prove it in 2 <i>Tim.</i> i. 10. -when as that Place shews plainly, that it was Christ's Death -and Resurrection which <i>brought Life and Immortality Light</i>; so that -if there be not a Resurrection, then can there be no immortal Life.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Therefore it is, that the Scriptures doth affirm, that there can be -no Salvation without a Resurrection, so that if the Dead should not -rise, then were all Faith vain, and God the God of the Dead (seeing -Death is not abolish'd) and not of the Living; so that there is no -Spirit that can subsist or have any Existence without a Body, either -Spiritual or Natural.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, doth not the Gospel <i>bring Life and Immortality to Light</i>, -and is this Life and Immortality brought to Light without a Body, -but it will have a Spiritual Body suitable to that mortal Spirit made -immortal. And doth not the Scripture affirm, that it shall have a -Body like unto God's own Glorious Body, and yet you say, God -hath no Body, and a Soul hath no Body.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Do you not read also, that Christ had a Body, and that it was after -the <i>express Image of his Father's Person</i>: Would you trace substantial -<a id='Page_63'></a>Truth into an Allegory, and say Righteousness, Knowledge, -and Holiness is the Image of God, and yet must have no -Body to act for it self in. When God said, <i>be ye holy, as I am holy</i>, -must we turn our Souls out of our Bodies, to make them like your -bodiless God.</p> - -<p class='c004'>When we are said to worship God in Spirit and Truth, is this -spiritual Worship performed without a Body, although there is a -Mental, Privy, and Praise without a vocal Expression, yet it must -arise from a Heart, and that Heart must be placed in a Body.</p> - -<p class='c004'>There is no Light without a Sun, no Stream without a Fountain, -and no Spirit without a Body.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>3dly.</i> As to your third particular, this I must tell you, that no -Light of Nature can discover Spiritual and Evangelical Truths, -and it is very gross for any Man to subject the Spiritual Truths of -the Gospel, to the heathenish Principles of Philosophers, making -the New Testament no other but for the Confirmation of the Principles -of Nature, which Nature you call right Reason, which say, -you never repugns the Gospel, nor the Gospel it.</p> - -<p class='c004'>By this your Discourse I find, that you own that Christ came, -but to confirm the heathenish Principles of Nature, as, that God, -and Spirits, and Angels, were all without Bodies, being immaterial -Beings, and you know not what.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Now give me leave to be plain with you, and to tell you, that I -could never read that the Gospel of Christ was ever sent to enlighten -Nature, Nature or Reason hath no Interest in it at all. In -the moral Law it hath, and therefore it is written, <i>the Law came -by</i> Moses; and what to do, but only to enlighten Reason unto -whom the Law was given: But as to the Gospel, <i>it came by -Jesus Christ</i>, and particularly belonged to another Seed; namely, <i>to -the lost Sheep of the House of</i> Israel; so that you can no more distinguish -between the Law and the Gospel, than between the two Natures -of Faith and Reason, it is all a Mystery to you. Do you -know what right Reason is, if you do, you must ascend up into -the Kingdom of Heaven, and view it in the holy Angels; for you -will not find neither pure, nor right, nor uncorrupted Reason any -where in this Orb below the Stars: For it is evident that Reason, -Notion can never be capable to comprehend Spiritual Truths, as -from the Power of its own Nature, it only serves to comprehend natural -and temporal Things, it being but natural it self; but Gospel -Truths are comprehended by another Light, according as it is -written by <i>David</i> saying, <i>in thy Light shall we see Light</i>, &c.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_64'></a>So that from what is said, we need not fear (as the World have) -of the Heathens rising up in Judgment against us, for maintaining -Gospel Truths against their Darkness of Reason.</p> - -<p class='c004'><i>4thly</i>, As to your fourth Point, where you charge me of fathering -upon the Scripture those things that are not, and you make a Wonderment -of it, that I should say, that God was a Man, and to -quote Christ's Words for it, telling the young Man, <i>that there was no -Man good but one, which was God</i>; this you tell me was false, for you -say, the Text saith that <i>none is good but one, which is God</i>. Here your -Ignorance appears very great, and may be wonder'd at, considering -your great Learning and continual Study; but it appears, it is but -in those heathenish Philosophers; for observe for better Instruction, -did not that young Man call Christ Master, and own him to be a -Man and no more: Now to this you may find that Christ's Answer -did tacitely imply, that if he was but a Man, he was not perfectly -good, and that no Man could be perfectly good.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And furthermore, for a more full Answer in the Old Translation, -attending to mark it, is render'd thus Word for Word, <i>that there -is no Man good but one, which is God</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>This is plain Scripture, and yet you are ignorant of it; I perceive -you are not very conversant in Scripture, your Philosophy -turns you out of all Scripture Knowledge. But to proceed farther, -cannot you find by Scripture, that God was ever called a Man, did -not you ever read that Scripture that saith, <i>God was a Man of War</i>.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Much more might be said of this, and several positive Proofs from -Scripture might be produced to confirm it withal, but because it is -not the general received Opinion, therefore it must be quarrelled with; -for the Honour of this World must be both sought after and submitted -to.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And whereas you farther say, that the Apostles of Christ did -ever teach after they had received their Commission, that Spirits -were immaterial and could subsist without Bodies, now answer -to this:</p> - -<p class='c004'>It is most certainly evident, that the Apostles never taught, that -any Spirit could subsist without a Body, but the contrary altogether; -for their Doctrine was, that as the Soul and Body lives together, -so it dies together, and at the Last Day rises together, and is -ever without Separation.</p> - -<p class='c004'>When the Apostles said, <i>That many Spirits were generate into the -World, which denied that Christ was come in the Flesh</i>, did he mean Spirits -without Bodies: And when <i>Paul</i> said, <i>that the Spirit speaketh -<a id='Page_65'></a>expresly, that some shall depart from the Faith</i>: Now what Spirit was -that, but <i>Paul</i>'s own Spirit of Faith, in his own mortal Body; for -without a Tongue it could not be expressed.</p> - -<p class='c004'>And where the Apostles tells of the Doctrine of Devils, were -those Devils bodiless, and teached damnable Doctrine.</p> - -<p class='c004'>So that the Apostles never taught that there was any Spirits without -Bodies, but always Spirit and Body went together, and so makes -Longitude and Latitude profoundly, as your Philosophical Notions -teacheth, although you cannot apply it to any sublime or -spiritual Thing, you knowing nothing of it, but all is nothing and -of no Substance; and so in that your Darkness I leave you, seeing -you are no Friend to the Light; and rest yours in all civil Respects,</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='sc'>John Reeve</span><i>'s, the only true Witness unto the very -true God, amongst many pretended Spiritual Messengers -in this confused Age</i>.</p> -<div class='chapter'> - <h2 class='c006'><i>An Epistle wrote by the Prophet</i> <span class='sc'>John Reeve</span> <i>to</i> <span class='sc'>Isaac Pennington</span>, <i>Esq; dated 1658. concerning an Answer to a Book of his, with several Mysteries and Divine and Spiritual Revelations declared by the Prophet, concerning God's visible appearing in the Flesh</i>.</h2> -</div> -<p class='c003'>In your Self-return, you seem to mourn over the sunk Spirit of -both Creations, so termed by you. Also you write as though -many from a Satanical Spirit write most accurately, both of the -Works of Creation and Mystery of Redemption by an immediate -Gift of God from our Lord Jesus Christ. To this I answer, a little -Season will produce Mourning enough in you, when you shall -see your Angelical Motions like Lightning, cast down with Confusion -of Fear from their former Perfection of imaginary Glory, -rational Dreams and Visions, Revelations, Inspirations, Experiences, -or Voices proceeding from an incomprehensible Spirit.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, I have both read and heard a Voice to say, that the Secrets -of the Lord are his Choice Treasures, reserved only for Redeemed -ones; but I never read or heard from any Spiritual wise -Man before now, that any Satanical Spirit was able to intellect deceived -Persons, exactly to write of the hidden Mysteries of the Everlasting -<a id='Page_66'></a>God. Again, you pretend unto no such Revelations as I -proceed upon, but say you, there is another Way more certain than -Reason or Revelation, which whether as I presume you were led -into, the Lord will one Day make manifest, from the true Light -of Life Eternal. To this I answer, your Light as terming of the -true Inspirations of the Lord Jesus Christ, written by me to you, is -because as yet his Holy Spirit vails them from your Eyes; but as -for your new Sound of teaching them from your God, more certain -than Reason or Revelation, from the Divine Voice spoken in the -Ear, through the Glorious Mouth of my Lord. I declare that in -all Ages the Elect lost Sheep of <i>Israel</i>, did never read or heard of -any more than two original Ways either Natural or Spiritual in -Mankind, whether you call them Creature or Creator, Light or -Darkness, Truth and Error, Revelation and Reason, Inspiration -and Imagination, Truth and Unbelief, Flesh and Spirit, and such -like.</p> - -<p class='c004'>'Tis confess'd, that visible Appearances of God or any else unto -Mortals is teaching of all, but he that expects that kind of -Teaching any more until Men are immortalized, lieth under at -present as great an imaginary Deceit, as ever yet appeared in this -Land. It is also granted that the most holy God speaketh to his -Chosen Messengers by Voice of Words, even to the hearing of the -Ear, unto which Truth for Ends best known unto himself, by his -gracious Power only, can bear Record in this present Generation, -unto the Grief only of all Angelical, Wise, Envious, Proud, Inglorious, -Hypocritical Reprobates that hear of it.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Moreover, yet if your more sure way of teaching from God were -Vision it self, yet it is impossible for you to enjoy any true and lasting -Peace, unless it swallows up all your former Writings produced -from your own Spirit, without an immediate Commission from God, -and in the room thereof, perswade your Soul to pour in your Oil, -into the natural Wounds of oppressed Persons, under what Opinions -or Appearances whatsoever.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, you say, O Lord God, pity the Captivity of Man, yea, -pity the Captivity of thy own poor Seed, hear the Prayers of that -Spirit that interceedeth with thee for every thing, not according -to any fleshly Imaginations, but according to Truth and Righteousness -of thine one Ballance. From the God of Truth, to this I answer, -concerning that Spiritual Captivity of the Elect, in Reference -of a right understanding of the Creator, you need not trouble yourself -about that, unless you think through much importuning the -<a id='Page_67'></a>unchangeable God, may be perswaded to loose their Bonds before -the decreed time thereof; but if you think that Glory of God's -Eternal Love towards them, will provoke to their Spiritual Darknesses -through the invisible Appearances of his own pure Light, -then you may know, until his own Glorious Season, that all the -Desires of Men or Angels are of no Effect, no nor of the Son himself, -if you imagine a Father besides. 'Tis confess'd, when the -Time draweth near of some great Deliverance of the Chosen -of God, usually the Lord provokes his People to cry unto him -with Sighs and Groans, which cannot be uttered but from the -innocent Spirit of his Spiritual redeemed ones, as his Due, he -may receive all Honour, Praise and Glory for their Deliverance -out of their natural Darknesses, unto his marvellous Light.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, I declare from the true Light of the true God, that the -Spirit which entereth with the Creator for all Mankind, upon the -Account of his Eternal Happiness, was never principled upon a -Spiritual Foundation of Truth, whatever subtile Expressions of -God's righteous Ballance proceedeth from him. Moreover, is it -not the new heavenly Glanses of Christ Jesus in Man's dark -Soul, which upon an immortal Account, becomes all Light, Life, -or ravishing Glory in him; and of the contrary, is it not the absenting -Voice or Virtue of the uncreated Spirit of the Lord Christ Jesus, -that occasions Mens Spirits to be full of Satanical aspiring Wisdom -about the Creator; and whence think you cometh this to pass, or -possible could be of the Spirit, if the Creator were, and Angels -were essentially living in one another there.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, if your literal Request unto the Lord God, as in Reference -unto the miserable Captivity of poor Mankind, lying under -the miserable Yoak of unmerciful rich Tyrants, especially over his -own innocent Seed or chosen People, then this will most necessarily -follow; nay, you cannot deny it, if there be any Light in you, that -all your conceived Spiritual Speakings, or Writings, or Prayers, in -the Great Day of the Lord Jesus Christ, will become but fiery burning -Death in you of utter Darkness, according to the true Saying, -<i>If that Light in you be Darkness, how great is that Darkness</i>. Unless -as before said, answerable to your Profession of Love unto God, -and Pity unto Man, you are a bountiful Reliever of his oppressed -Ones, according to his Bountifulness towards you, then mind the -Virtues of Christ Jesus thus shining in you, will occasion from the -refreshed Bowels of his own Seed new Spiritual Acknowledgments, -and a loving Return in the Lord for you, why because it is rare to -find a merciful rich Man.</p> - -<p class='c004'><a id='Page_68'></a><i>Friend</i>, I certainly know that if you are one of God's Elect, you -cannot be offended with me for writing the Truth, though -at present, I be contrary to you in Spirit. Again, you write -that you would beg unto the Lord for me, both with Tears -and Blood, and you would speak somewhat concerning me, but -you are afraid to open the Spirit before the Season thereof. <i>Friend</i>, -As to that if ever the Lord of Life and Glory manifest himself to -your Soul, then you will see clearly the Vanity of those Words.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Moreover, if I should tell you, that in the pure Eyes of the -Lord Christ Jesus, that one Handful of your Silver Tears, are of -more Value than a Horse Load of your Tears and Blood, you might -account it a very strange saying from me; truly I unfeignedly believe -it will be found a principal Truth, when our Lord Jesus Christ -shall say in the Day of Judgment, <i>Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit -the Kingdom prepared for you, for when I was a hungry, ye fed me; -Go ye Cursed into everlasting Fire, when I was an hungry ye fed me not</i>. -So that without Controversy, there is nothing in Man comparable -to Love, Mercy and Forgiveness, even to his greatest Enemies.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Again, It is a marvellous thing, if you or any other Man, should -have a Spiritual Gift to distinguish between Divine and Diabolical -Appearances, and yet defer the Examination thereof to another -Season, or did the most wise God ever Commission any Man or Angel -to make a Discovery of any Spiritual Counterfeits, and yet that -Messenger remaineth dark in his own Understanding, concerning -the Creator that sent him. I remember such a like Scripture Saying -as this, <i>him whom you ignorantly worship, declare I unto you</i>. Moreover, -if the most wise Creator, either visible or invisible by himself or -Angel, hath appeared in your Spirit, whereby unto your thinking, -I was clearly discovered as a deceived Person among the rest, is it -not a strange thing that you should have Power over that -Light above Men or Angels, before you for the producing of it -at another Season, the Creator himself will visible make it -manifest, <i>even so come Lord Jesus Christ, for thy glorious Namesake, -come quickly, and in the visible Sight of Men and Angels bear -Record whether thy Holy Spirit sent me (as I have declared almost -these three Years) or no</i>. Again, when the Lord made Choice -of such a simple poor Man as I was, as many can witness in the -City of <i>London</i>, that have known me about these twenty Years, -that I might instrumentally discover the two principal Heads of -mischievous Darkness in the Land; as namely, <i>John Robins</i> past, and -<i>John Tawney</i> almost spent, truly I had no Power in me to put by his -<a id='Page_69'></a>Message until another time; why because (whether you can believe -it or no) his Voice was so Glorious in me, that it shun as the -Sun, and it was of Motion swifter than Thought, and so pleasant -to be declared by Tongue; yet for all that Godlike Glory piercing -in me, and through me, there arose a Desire in me to be eased of -that Burden of the Lord committed to my Charge, because of that -sharp Sentence that I was to declare against any Man that should -despise it; then the Lord spake again unto my Soul, Words of -turning Death, of sensible unutterable Darkness, answerable to -that <i>Jonas</i>-like Rebellion in me, against so great convincing Glory; -and truly I was compelled immediately to cry unto him for Deliverance -from the Wounds or Anguish of my Soul, that I might -presently obey his Word that shined in me with such Light, and -Majesty, and Glory in whatsoever it should command me.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Wherefore <i>Friend</i>, happy are you if preserved from slighting an -Appearance, that is contrary unto your Light, though it strike -at the Foundation on which is built all your Spiritual Enjoyments; -for alas, you know in the End, all false Lights will be made -manifest unto those that possess the true Light of Eternal Life in -them; Blessed therefore are those, that in Obedience unto the Creator -from a purified Spirit are compassionate to all Men, but especially -to those innocent Appearances, in the Name of the -Lord, though they all differ in their Declaration for them. If -there be but one true Messenger from the Lord among the rest, they -shall as formerly, receive an Angel of God unawares, and with -him be Partakers of the Glorious Secrets of the everliving God, to -their eternal Consolation: For this I know, from the Spirit of -Truth, that those that are left under a Spirit of rejecting and despising -of false Appearances, coming forth in the Name of the -Lord, they not clearly knowing them to be so, they will as readily -despise a true Messenger of the Lord to their eternal Hurt; wherefore -are all those, that neither Honour nor Life it self is dear unto -them, but upon an Account of Spiritual Wisdom amongst wise -Men, when the Glorious Things of Eternity, though in base Appearance -presented unto them, from that Spiritual Rock of all -Ages, which is our Lord Jesus Christ, God and Man, is one distinct -Body or Person glorified; for whatsoever Men dream from their -imaginary Gods, of two or three Persons, or a vast incomprehensible -Spirit, essentially living in all Things and Places; from an immediate -Voice from the highest Heavens, I positively affirm against -Men or Angels, that there neither is, nor ever was any other God or -<a id='Page_70'></a>Creator, but that God-man Christ Jesus, which was nailed to the -Cross, the which Glorious God will one Day visibly appear with his -mighty Angels, to the Everlasting Terror of those that reject his -Person, as to love a thing for an infinite God to dwell in or to be; -yea this very true God in Opposition to all other Gods, Men, or -Angels, is already come with his invisible pure piercing Light, to -make an everlasting Distinction between the imaginary notional -Mysteries of Men in rational Darkness, and the Spiritual Mysteries -of his everlasting Kingdom, by true Inspirations from an holy and -unerring Spirit. <i>Even so come Lord Jesus Christ, visibly also according -to thine own Word, come quickly.</i> Amen.</p> - -<hr class='c009' /> - -<p class='c004'>Yours with all the Elect, in that only wise very true God, which -in the Sight of Men and Angels visible appeared in Flesh, and -in that very Body of Flesh and Bone, is ascended far above all Gods, -Heavens, Angels, or Men, and there to remain until the Resurrection -of all elect Things, or the Judgment-Day, whose uncreated Spirit of -fiery Love, is all Variety of immortal Crowns of new ravishing Glories, -prepared for all those that long for his visible appearing, to -make an everlasting Separation, between the merciful Elect, and -unmerciful Reprobate.</p> - -<p class='c007'><span class='sc'>John Reeve</span>, <i>the only true Witness unto -the very true God, amongst many pretended -Spiritual Messengers in this confused Age</i>.</p> - -<p class='c010'><i>FINIS.</i></p> -<div class='tnotes'> - -<p class='c011'>Transcriber's Notes:</p> - -<p class='c004'>Archaic and colloquial spelling and punctuation was retained.</p> - -<p class='c004'>Missing or obscured punctuation was corrected.</p> - -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A TRUE INTERPRETATION OF THE WITCH OF ENDOR ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away—you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. -</div> - -<div style='margin-top:1em; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE</div> -<div style='text-align:center;font-size:0.9em'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE</div> -<div style='text-align:center;font-size:0.9em'>PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when -you share it without charge with others. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: -</div> - -<blockquote> - <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most - other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions - whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms - of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online - at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you - are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws - of the country where you are located before using this eBook. - </div> -</blockquote> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format -other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain -Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -provided that: -</div> - -<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation.” - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ - works. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. -</div> - -</div> - </body> - <!-- created with ppgen.py 3.57c (with regex) on 2022-08-07 20:33:57 GMT --> -</html> diff --git a/old/68704-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/68704-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index cf4d519..0000000 --- a/old/68704-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null |
