there is no perfect knowledge of the son of perdition, or man of sin, but by revelation.* Iniquity is a mystery, as well as godliness; and the devil can appear like unto an angel of light, and get into the temple of God, and sit there as God, and be worshipped as God also; and when he thus appears in the temple of God clothed with the sheep's clothing, and in the form of an angel of light, with the saint's words in his mouth, many are then beguiled with him, the veil being over their hearts, and the scales before their eyes, that they see no farther than his appearance, his show and outside. And hereby he deceives many in the form of religion, who could not be deceived by him as a devil, nor drawn into his service in the gross evils that are in the world. This is the mystery of iniquity, which cannot be discerned nor discovered while the veil is over, till revelation be known, and the prophecy of Isaiah witnessed, "I will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations.Ӡ. This is a blessed promise to enjoy, and to witness fulfilled.

Now till it pleased God to reveal his son in Paul, and to shine round about him with a light surpassing the natural sun in his strength, and to cause the scales to fall from his eyes, he was deceived, and captivated with this mystery of iniquity, and in his religious zeal and ignorance thought he was serving God, when he was serving the devil. And in this estate lie all the titular Christians at this day, who are persecuting the true Christians, and hating one another, and destroying, biting and devouring one another about religion, church, and worship; and this comes to pass for want of revelation, for want of true knowledge. All the contentions, envies, quarrellings and divisions among all the sects in Christendom, arise for want of being acquainted with revelation. One saith, "lo here is Christ;" another, "there;" one says, Christ is this; another that; and are of as many minds concerning him now, as they were in the days of his flesh; some saying one thing, and some another of him. But saith Christ to Peter and the rest, "What say ye?" Peter answered, "Thou art Christ, the son of the living God;" Christ saith, "Blessed art thou Peter, &c. for flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven." Revelation was the cause of Peter's surpassing the others in true knowledge; many that eat and drank with him, and had a love for him, and heard his gracious words, and saw his mighty works that he did, yet wanting this revelation, had only a knowledge of him after the flesh, contended and reasoned about him, but this knowledge that was revealed to Peter, they were strangers to. This was the ground of contention then, and is the same at this day, throughout all Christendom.Ӥ

§ Ignorance of revelation; the ground of division and contention.

+ Matt. xvi. 17.

But Peter himself did not abide in this knowledge, which was revealed to him; but for want of watchfulness, and through self-confidence, weakness, and fear, became veiled again, and lost his knowledge, sight, and revelation, and in the day of close trial denied that he knew him at all; "Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man."* This is a great change in Peter, who in his zeal and affection thought, "if all forsook him," he should not; yea, though he should or were to "die with him, he would not deny him;" likewise also said all the disciples.

This may learn all, even those that have had revelations, heavenly sights, and visions, to be watchful, and beware, lest darkness overtake them again, the veil spread over again. These things are written for our learning, and set forth for an example, showing how far self-confidence, zeal, and affections, and a knowledge of Christ after the flesh, can carry men; and how heavenly sights, visions, and revelations may be seen and partaken of, before a thorough conversion. "The wind bloweth where it listeth, and many hear the sound thereof, yet know not whence it comes nor whither it goes, so is every man that is born of the spirit."† Now it is a farther thing to grow up in it, and to increase with the increase of God, unto the stature and fulness of Christ; such are not only born, nor children, but men; such cannot be tossed to and fro with wind: and till this is attained unto, there is much danger.

I knew a man, twenty-four years ago, who had heavenly sights and revelations, and raptures into the third heaven, and heard and saw things unutterable, ravished with delight, overcome with a joy and consolation, while his hand hath been in his outward labour, and would with Peter and John have built tabernacles there, and all before his conversion, before he was endued with power from on high, before the work of regeneration was wrought, and before he knew from whence it came, or whither it went, being as the lightning coming out of the east, and shining into the west; and so knew not how, nor where to wait to receive it again, nor knew a stay to his mind, nor a bridle to his tongue, nor strength to endure temptations, nor patience to have its perfect work; neither was he endued with wisdom and discerning, to discover the divers wiles and devices of that old serpent that betrayed in paradise, being not humbled and brought down to the true foundation, though the seed of the kingdom was sown, and received with much joy; but springing up in great haste, for want of depth of earth, proved like corn upon the house top, or in stony ground, soon withered again.

So, let none be lifted up above measure, because of revelations, heavenly sights, and visions; let none rest in zeal and affections; let

• Matt. xxvi. 70. 73, 74.

H

† John iii. 8.

none deck themselves with God's jewels, and play the harlot with them, nor lay up manna for to-morrow; but wait upon him from whence the daily bread comes, and abide low in the root, from whence all heavenly blessings, gifts, and graces spring; so a growing up in him, which was from everlasting, before evil sprung up, before the veil was spread over, when all was good, yea, very good, will be witnessed. This is the converted estate, in which those that are come unto it, not only stand themselves, but are able to strengthen their brethren, who are begotten by the same Father, and born of the same mother. And this counsel Christ gave unto Peter, that zealous affectionate disciple, after he had had heavenly sights, and revelations, "When thou art converted strengthen thy brethren." Let this be minded by all to whom the Lord hath appeared, and given discoveries of himself, lest they take up their rest by the way, and like Peter and John at the sight of the transfiguration of Christ, say, “Master, it is good for us to be here; let us build three tabernacles, one for thee, one for Moses, and one for Elias." This they spoke in ignorance, while the cloud over-shadowed them, while they saw his raiment shining exceeding white, as snow; but did not see him, nor hear him as the beloved son of God, nor understand the vision: therefore the voice out of the cloud saith to them, “This is my beloved son, hear him."* &c. Heights may separate as well as depths; therefore what Christ saith to one, he saith to all, "Watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation." In hearing and obeying the beloved son, there is peace, blessings, and safety; but in hearing and obeying the serpent, tribulation, anguish, and sorrow, and great danger, which all that wait and watch in that true light, wherewith they are enlightened, enjoy the one and escape the other."t

XVI. The True Christian's Faith and Experience concerning the Gospel, or Glad Tidings of Salvation.

The true Christian believes the Gospel, or Glad tidings of life, liberty, and salvation; and at the hearing the joyful sound thereof he is glad; and he rejoiceth to see the angel fly through the midst of heaven, "having the everlasting gospel to preach again to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgments is come, and worship him that made heaven and earth,

* Mark ix.

The light that shines in the heart, is the safe dwelling place of its children..

the sea and the fountains of water."* And the true Christian hath not only heard, but obeyed this gospel; he knoweth life and immortality brought to light through this gospel;† and the light of this glorious gospel shines in his heart, and he hath repented or turned to the light thereof, received and believed this gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation; which gospel was preached unto Abraham,§ and was and is now preached in every creature under heaven. Of this gospel Paul was a minister. And the true Christian is come to the mystery of the fellowship of the gospel, which stands not in word, but power, and is not of man, nor by man, but of God; and this gospel judgeth the secrets of all men ;|| and he is come to the knowledge of the mystery of the gospel, and through it hath received life, liberty, and salvation; and his feet are shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and his conversation is as becomes the gospel, and he adorns the gospel of his Lord and saviour; and in this abiding he enjoys the privileges of the gospel, and inherits the precious promises made of old, and enjoys that which was prophesied of by that evangelical or gospel prophet Isaiah, when he saw and spoke of the universal love of God to be enjoyed in the gospel days, in making a feast unto all people: "In this mountain shall the Lord of hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things, a feast of wine on the lees; of fat things full of marrow, of wine on the lees well refined; and he will destroy in this mountain the face of the covering that is cast over the face of all people, and the veil that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death in victory; the Lord will wipe away tears from all faces, and the rebuke of his people will he take away from off all the earth; the Lord God hath spoken it. And it shall be said in that day, lo this is our God, we have waited for him, and he will save us; this is the Lord, we have waited for him, and we will be glad, and rejoice in his salvation,"¶ &c. A blessed sight and heavenly prophecy, which the true Christian is come and coming to the full enjoyment and fulfilling of. Glory to God for

ever.

And the anti-type of the year of jubilee is now enjoyed; and the sabbath of rest is entered into; and the holy mountain in which is no destroyer, is now dwelt in; and the light of God's countenance is lifted up, which makes the true Christian's heart more glad, than the joy that comes with the increase of corn, wine, and oil. Many prophets and righteous men saw that afar off which he now possesseth: so that he can truly say, gospel times are glorious times, the privileges of the gospel are glorious privileges; Christ reigning and ruling in his heart,

• Rev. xiv. 16.

† 2 Tim. i. 10.

Gal. iii. 8.

§ Col. i. 23.

That which judgeth the secrets of men's hearts is the gospel. ¶ Isa. xxv. 6, 7, 8, 9.

leading captivity captive, and giving victory over death, hell, and the grave, wiping away all tears, and taking away the reproach, (being sin, which is a reproach to any people,) and giving power to bind kings in chains, and nobles in fetters of iron, and to war with spiritual wickedness in high places, and to bring down every high thought and imagination into the obedience of Christ. This honour have all the saints, who receive the gospel of peace and salvation, and arrive at the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

The titular Christian he saith, he believeth in the gospel, and talks of life, liberty, and salvation by it. He saith, he hath heard the sound of the gospel, and that he obeys the gospel; but how doth he show forth the truth thereof? Let him examine himself. Doth he know the light of the glorious gospel to shine in his heart, whereby the mystery of it is revealed unto him? Hath he repented or turned to the light, and believed the gospel? Doth he know it to be the power of God unto salvation? And is he saved by it, as Abraham was, when preached unto him, and as the primitive Christians were, when they received it? Doth he know life and immortality brought to light through the gospel? Hath he obeyed the gospel? And are his feet shod with the preparation of it? And doth he adorn the gospel with a holy life and conversation? No, the titular Christian knows no such gospel, nor the light of it to shine in his heart, nor the mystery of it to be revealed in him; for he hates the light, and denies revelation, and saith it is ceased, and that there is no revelation to be expected in these days, nor any possibility to live a holy life, as becometh the gospel; nor any inheriting the precious promises, nor enjoying the glorious things prophesied of, while on this side the grave; no having the veil taken off the heart, nor tears wiped away, nor the cause of them removed, nor death swallowed up in victory, while he remains in the body; nor that the anti-type of the year of jubilee, which is perfect liberty and redemption, can be witnessed and enjoyed, by believing in the gospel; nor that the mountain of the Lord's house should be established upon the top of all mountains, or that any can dwell in that where no destroyer is; nor that the sabbath or rest wherein he shall not speak his own words, nor think his own thoughts, nor bear any burden, can be entered into, or dwelled in, while on this side the grave. The titular Christian hath no faith in any of these things; therefore his faith is feigned, and the object of it is imaginary, and is indeed that which may be called another gospel, which he that bringeth is accursed, and is not of God, but of man.

And the titular Christian can be a professor of this gospel, and a hearer of this gospel, and yet never hear the voice of the son of God, nor ever come to be quickened unto life; nor ever receive remission of sin, nor inheritance among them that are sanctified; nor ever come