breaking forth of the waters and streams of life, upon the thirsty land and parched ground, making them a pool and springs of water; which land, which thus is changed from its wilderness and parched state, into a holy, fresh, and living state, the dragons do not lodge in; nor is it any more a habitation or cage for unclean and noisome birds (as great professing Babylon, the mother of harlots, with all her fleshly professing daughters, is), but life dwells there: the Holy One is in the midst of this land, and it brings forth the fruits of life and righteousness, to the righteous and Holy One. And here the King of glory's highway, even the way of holiness, is known, which none but those whom he makes holy can walk in. Let men profess what they will, yet being unclean in heart and conversation, they cannot pass over to come into this way; but the holy, they which are made holy by God, and keep to, live in, and follow that which is holy, though wayfaring men, and though otherwise fools, yet they shall not err here, but be preserved by the holy power, in the holy way, which is prepared and cast up for these: and as for that which would tear and destroy, it shall not be found on all that holy mountain where these live and feed. Yea, here is the house of God and throne of God, and God the Judge of all, and Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and the blood of sprinkling, where the ransomed of the Lord enjoy the presence of the bridegroom, whom God hath set King, and who reigns on his holy hill of inward and spiritual Zion, and causeth them to sing, who feel him reign (even the everlasting seed of life to reign inwardly in the heart). Oh, everlasting joy is upon their heads! they have obtained joy and gladness; and sorrow and sighing flee away, when the joy unspeakable and full of glory is felt springing in the heart, from the sense of the presence and enjoyment of the bridegroom. For of a truth, the Lord hath comforted Zion; yea, he hath comforted many of her waste places (he was angry with her daughters, before their filth was purged away by the Spirit of judgment and burning; since that time his anger hath been turned away, and he hath comforted them, Isa. xii. 1,

&c.); and he hath made her wilderness in many hearts like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the Lord (even like the garden that he waters): and how can joy and gladness but be found here, with thanksgiving and the voice of melody? Isa. lviii. 11. and chap. li. 3. Thus it is with such of the gathered people and nation of the Lord, that hearken and give car to him, and have known the way of life to proceed out of his mouth, and his judgment to rest for a light,

ver. 4.

SOME

SENSIBLE, WEIGHTY QUERIES,

CONCERNING

SOME THINGS VERY SWEET AND NECESSARY TO BE EXPERIENCED IN THE TRULY CHRISTIAN STATE.

WHEREUNTO IS ADDED

A POSTSCRIPT,

CONTAINING

SOME QUERIES ON ISAIAH L. 10, 11.

A SCRIPTURE OF DEEP COUNSEL AND CONCERN TO THE

DARKENED AND DISTRESSED STATES OF SOME

AMONG THOSE THAT FEAR AND OBEY

THE LORD.

Written by one who hath been sorely darkened and distressed
for a long season, but at length mercifully enlightened
and comforted by the hand which afflicted

and distressed him;

ISAAC PENINGTON.

"Come, and let us return unto the Lord, for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up." Hos. vi. 1.

"And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee; though thou wast angry with me, thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortest me." Isa. xii. 1.

443

A BRIEF PREFACE.

INDEED the Lord hath reached unto me by his living power, and thereby hath begotten somewhat which he doth own, and which he hath taught to know and own him in his living appearances in my heart; and by its pure life and operations in me, I know it to be the pure power. And truly I would fain have this life and power more and more reach to, prevail, and spread in my own heart, and in the hearts of other men. I am not for any notional religion out of the power, in any way or form whatsoever (no, indeed I am not so much as for the very true form of godliness out of the power); but where there is any touch, any sense, any operation, any savor of the true life and power anywhere, my soul loveth and embraceth it, blessing the Lord for it. And oh! that this might be visited by the Lord wherever it is, and kept alive to the day of redemption, and led by the Lord into the pure and living way, and holy, everlasting covenant of life, wherein he redeems; for which end these queries have broke forth from me: and indeed no less than a necessity (or a necessitous force of love and life pursuing me) hath constrained me to publish them, who with reverence of spirit commit them into the hands of the Lord, who can open the hearts of whom he pleaseth, and give the living sense of what comes from him. I am satisfied that God's powerful work of redeeming will go on. Oh, blessed be his name, who hath a mighty arm, and hath done mighty things with it inwardly in men's hearts! and we are in the true faith assured that he will yet do more mighty things, as he seeth good, to the gladding of the hearts of those whose hope is in him, and who have no help besides him.