(s) I trust that I have seen in that light which doth not deceive me, that all the sin in the world is created by Man, and therefore that he must suffer it all, in order to learn the better way. (Sermon II, North Meeting, p. 23.) in mankind by turning from Satan, the Prince of the Power of darkness, and from mankind themselves, who are by nature in that darkness, unto the Son of God, who is that "true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world." He is always in the world a witness for the Father against the world, and the sins and corruptions of it; a reprover and condemner of the world, until they believe in Him, turn unto Him, and repent, and forsake the evil of their ways, themselves, and the evil One: (t) and then that Divine Light shineth into that darkness-the blind eye is opened the deaf ear is unstopped-and mankind behold the beauty of the Lord in holiness and in truth, and hear the sure voice of salvation by Him. To open the blind eye, &c. This is the work of the ministry which God Himself is the author of, who are raised up and qualified by the Word of Truth working in them to that end, and by no other way. And though they preach Christ the Light of the world, in the demonstration of his Spirit and Power, and those truths and doctrines which tend to the opening of the eyes of the understandings of mankind, yet still it is God Himself who worketh this great work, where it is wrought; his ministers are only coworkers with his Holy Spirit therein, or as feeble instruments in his hand, by whom He Himself bringeth to pass so great works and salvation; as the apostle saith of the redeemed in that day: "We are his workmanship created in Christ Jesus unto good works."* "The Scripture, saith the apostle,† hath concluded all under sin." Was it that mankind should be settled in sin for life in this world, as fools have taught? No, † Gal. iii, 22. * Ephes. ii, 10. (t) Our enemies are those of our own household. Our own propensities, and unruly desires are our greatest, and I may almost say, our alone enemies. And yet in themselves they are all good, because Man could not give himself propensities or desires, and therefore, as there is but one being who creates, and as he is perfect in wisdom, and holiness; and as he is nothing but pure and undefiled love, he could create nothing, but that which is good. (Sermon VII, Byberry, p. 164.) Who are the devils? Apostate men and women who go contrary to God. They are all devils. Every thing that is in opposition to the will of God is a devil.-And that devil is in us all, as sure as the kingdom of God is in us, so sure the devil is in us. Were you ever tempted by any devil but one in your own souls? No, you never were. (Sermon XI, Trenton, p. 293.) by no means! He speaketh more excellent things, That the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe:" so that it is only declaratory of the state of the natural man until he believe in Christ. How then must mankind believe in Christ? According to the promise, I will give thee a Light of the Gentiles; that all mankind might believe in the Son of God, the Light of the world, according to this promise, and come unto the Father by Him who is Light, and be saved from darkness, and from him. who hath the power of darkness, which is the devil. Christ is the Wisdom and Power of God, and, as such, IS GOD: his Wisdom and power is one, and is himself. He is that Wisdom and Power; and the same is the Word: God is One. The human mind is not God, nor is the human body; the human mind and body are effects of that Divine Wisdom and Power. The cause is before the effects; they are subsequent: yet because the humanity is taken unto the Divine nature, absorbed therein, and inseparably united therewith, Jesus Christ, who is that holy and Divine Man, is called God in the Holy Scriptures, because of the superexcellency aud pre-eminence of the Divine nature, with which the human is annexed inseparably for ever: so that the Wisdom and Power of the Father, in this humanity and union, are one Christ; the Messiah, the Saviour of the world, under the Character of Jesus Christ; and therefore let all the world look unto the Father by Him for Salvation; for there is no other Name given under heaven, or ever shall be, but the Name of Jesus, (u) by which mankind ever were, are, or shall be saved. "He had a vesture dipped in blood; his Name is "called "The Word of God."" And at the Name of Jesus, whenever, or in whomsoever the Father |