CHAP.

X.

The dying thief knew better, when he said, Lord, remember me (not when thou goest, but) when thou comest into thy kingdom. To-day (said Jesus) shalt Luke thou be with me in paradise.

xxii. 42,

43.

35. Now this was the same day in which the Antichristians say he died, and three days before he came to life, and more than forty days before he ascended to heaven. Is this like immediately passing into eternal heaven or hell? or lying dead for a season, and then coming to life again? No such thing. 36. Truly said Christ to the blind leaders of the blind, Ye know not whither I go—but I know whither John rii Igo. And verily, it was not into Joseph's new tomb, for the malefactor could not have the honour of going there with him; but into paradise, that is, a state of happiness and rest, where many bodies of the saints were gathered, and from which they arose after his resurrection, and came into the holy city, in which God had placed salvation; which things the angels desire to look into.

14.

37. Nor was the voice of the Son of God confined to the saints alone, whether in this world, or in a. world of Spirits, but was impartially extended to all; and not overlooking those who through disobedience had forfeited the blessings of former dispensations, he went and preached to the Spirits in prison, which 1Pet. in. were disobedient in the days of Noah, while the ark was preparing.

19, 20.

38. It is inconsistent with a God of infinite justice and goodness, that his work should be confined to the contracted limits of this inferior globe, while worlds of worlds lie naked and open to his view; or that the millions who have departed into a world of spirits, without the knowledge of his will, should be bound in chains of eternal darkness, without ever hearing the gospel, in which only is true happiness and eternal life. For this cause was the gospel preach- 1 Pet. ir. ed also to them that are dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the Spirit.

39. In every dispensation of God's grace, all who were obedient to the light and will of God made known unto them, were accepted of him, in every

6.

X.

CHAP. nation, left this world in peace, and rested in hope of a future resurrection. "Unto which (saith the Actsxxvi apostle) our twelve tribes, instantly, [or in the world of spirits,] serving God day and night, hope to come; for which hope's sake, I am accused of the Jews."

7.

-11.

40. And as that order and eternal glory, which God had reserved for the latter day, was not fully revealed in Christ's first appearing; all the apostles, and true followers of Christ, remained in a state of rest, and acceptance with God, waiting in hope for the coming of that day of glory which was promised.

41. Hence the state of the true witnesses was opened in vision to St. John, relating to the period of AnRev. vi tichrist's reign; and he saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. And it was said unto them that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also, and their brethren that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Eeel. xii. 24.

42. Such then is the truth recorded in the sacred writings, which cannot be broken, and all things written therein, in relation to Christ, and the work of Redemption, will have their full and final accomplishment, and not one jot or tittle thereof fail.

43. And as it is eternal truth, that God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil; so it is eternal truth, that every individual soul, whom God hath created, must have a free and final offer of the gospel, either in this world, or in the world of Spirits,

44. And upon the principles of equal and impar tial justice, the day of God's final visitation and mercy is opened to all; to the Jew and the Greek, the Barbarian and Scythian, the bond and free, the male Rev.x and female, the present and departed, while the Spirit and the bride say, Come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.

27.

16.

33.

45. And as there is a sin unto death, which hath 1 John v. neither forgiveness in this world, nor in the world to Matt. xi. come, which is the sin against the Holy Ghost, in the day of her revelation, or last display of God's grace to man; therefore a final and deliberate choice of evil, in defiance of known and positive good, is

XI.

the separating bar which fixes the final doom of the CHAP. wicked; and from such the mercy of God is excluded forever, in the day of his final judgment, while death and hell are cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death.

46. But to the soul that is willing to rise up in the judgment against sin, and condemn it, the gates into the holy city are open continually, which, in the issue, will make a final end of all those typical distinctions between Pharoah and Moses, Isaac and Ishmael, Jacob and Esau, and the rest.

47. And he alone that rejects the last and final opening of salvation and eternal life, shuts himself out with dogs and sorcerers, into outer darkness, Rev.xxil where shall be weeping and wailing and gnashing of 15. teeth; while the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, Let him hear.

Mat. x

CHAPTER XI.

THE CONCLUSION:

In a few thoughts addressed to Young Believers.

Tof

O all who have received the faith of the Son of God, in the present opening of the everlas ting gospel, and in obedience thereunto, have confessed and forsaken their sins, and have separated themselves from the common course and practice of this present evil world, with a full determination to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth.

2. Brethren and Sisters, dearly beloved for the truth's sake, before we close this present work, we think it expedient, in a few words, to address you in particular; sensible of the important relation which we bear towards you, as well as of the greatness of the work into which you are called, and the effect which it must finally have upon all souls.

3. According to the gift of God committed to us,

XI.

CHAP and the present state of mankind to receive the truth, we have opened the most essential matters of fact, that have taken place in different ages of the world, from the beginning, in relation to the salvation and redemption of souls. And as the way of God is in the great deep, whom no man hath seen nor can see, it is expected that many things, in relation to his work, will appear dark and mysterious to all flesh.

4. However, it has been our aim to state things agreeable to truth, and according to that measure of light and understanding which we have received from God, without any design of pleasing man: we have therefore used great plainness of speech, both in exposing the lost state of man, in all ages, as sunk in the corruptions and lusts of a carnal nature, and in opening the strait and narrow way of self-denial, for both man and woman, according to Christ's first and second appearing.

5. We are fully apprised of the infinite flood of objections, which naturally arise in human nature, against those piercing and very mortifying truths, although we have not thought proper to investigate or answer those objections so fully as some may wish; nor do we suppose that they ever will be fully answered by paper and ink, or any thing short of that convincing arrow, the light and power of God, by which they shall make their own tongue to fall upon themselves.

6. Whatever reasonings the human imagination may invent, they are no more than empty, bubbles, when compared to the power of God, which is made known by real facts, according to the times and seasons of his work. Therefore it is not for us to indulge a spirit of vain reasoning, but to believe what God hath wrought, and by obedience, to reap the everlasting benefit.

7. As the facts which we have stated are plain and simple, it requires nothing more than for the mind to be divested of prejudice and a false education to believe them; and in truth, it is impossible for any soul that is simply honest and bent after the truth and hears it, to believe any thing else.

8. We haye plainly testified the well known and

XI.

undeniable fact, that man, in his natural state, is fal- CHAP. len from God into the nature of the wicked one; that all mankind remained in that fallen state, until Christ the Saviour appeared; that he took that nature and crucified it, as an example to all souls; and that as many as took up the same cross, and followed him in that day, were a kind of first-fruits of his creatures.

9. We have also testified that there was a falling away, that Antichrist reigned, and that no true church, nor the perfect way of God, was known on the earth, for many ages; but that according to the testimony of all the true witnesses, it was to be opened in the latter day. Accordingly, we have plainly stated how, and where, and when the perfect way of God was opened the second time; and what those souls have actually obtained who have come into it.

10. These things, dearly beloved, are not cunningly devised fables, nor matters of mere speculation, as you yourselves also know; but they are the most important facts that ever were exhibited on earth. And we can confidently say, that as universally as Jew and Gentile were convinced of sin, so universally they all expected a Saviour; and as extensive as their expectations were, so extensive hath the news circulated through the earth, that Jesus was the person ordained of God to that office.

11. And again, as extensively as the name of Christ Jesus hath spread through the earth, and souls have been awakened to a deeper sense of their loss, so universally hath the second appearing of Christ been expected; and to the same extent shall it be known, that through the blessed Mother of our redemption, the glory and perfection of his divine nature hath been revealed for salvation, unto the ends of the earth, in these latter days.

12. It would doubtless have been very gratifying to the idolatrous kingdom of Antichrist, had the biography of Jesus of Nazareth been as fully and clearly stated as that of General Washington, or some of the great and noble ones of the earth.

13. Could they have ascertained the precise time of his birth; the name of the inn-keeper in whose