which, in the kingdom of Christ, according to the outward man, should be continually dead, that Christ in us may live: None is a true shepherd over Christ's sheep unless he hath the spirit of Christ; if he hath not that, then he hath not the true apostolical power and authority of Excommunication: He mus t in Christ's spirit have the key to heaven and to hell, else he is but a vizor and image without life: How can such an one, who is captivated by the devil, judge in the congregation of Christ? Can the word and commandment of such an one be the word of God, whereas he speaketh but from a false spirit?
21. O you false bishops [come] from the universities, how hath the devil of pride blinded you, that you set shepherds over the lambs of Christ, according to your own favour and respect! St. Paul teacheth you, do but read it, what a heavy account you are to give: Nothing availeth with you but art; and in the kingdom of Christ art is but dross and dung: God leadeth a pure heart by his own spirit; if one incline towards him, and submit unto his will, to such an one he teacheth heavenly art.
22. The congregation of Christ should be in one will, and the shepherds thereof should have the spirit and will [or consent] of the congregation: It is not so slight a matter to put on the garment of Christ, as many suppose who seek only covetousness and honour therein, and they find nothing but the anger of God therein.
23. Or, what shall we say? The priest-devil hath blindfolded the kingdom of Christ, so that the congregation of Christ is stark blind, where men suppose they are gods, and that they teach from the Holy Ghost, whereas their own honour and covetousness are merely sought after in deceit and falsehood: Men see how great mischief they have caused in the world: How many countries have they caused to be laid waste, and murdered many hundred thousand persons with their false opinions, and have only served the devil in the garment of Christ. If the congregation did but discern it, they would presently consider it; but all this cometh to pass, in that they afford not honour to the spirit of Christ: Men will choose shepherds themselves, whereas the devil is in all mere human elections, when it concerneth the honour and doctrine of God.
24. The bishops [or pastors] that are grown up of themselves, and chosen for favour, without the spirit of God, are as profitable to the world as a fifth wheel to a waggon: Indeed they do but little, except it be to make the congregation go astray, slander, jangle, and dispute; as their scandalous pamphlets testify, in many of which there is as much of the fear of God, and love to their neighbour, as the devil in hell hath: Bloody provocations are the devil's drums and trumpets, by which he reproacheth the simple congregation of Christ.
25. O dear children, open your eyes wide, go out from the priest's contentions, and enter into combat against the devil, against your voluptuous flesh and blood: A Christian is not a wrathful soldier or warrior, who desireth the kingdom of this world: For Christ saith, My kingdom is not of this world, else my servants would contend for it. St. Paul saith, Seek that which is above, where Christ is; we are called by Christ out of this world, that so we might serve God with the soul, and be in Christ; but with the body in this world, that we may have maintenance and sustenance for it: Therefore the earthly life ought to labour and maintain its body, but the soul should be lord and governor, and rule the body; it should not suffer the starry-spirit to practise any falsehood, and fill itself with lies and deceit, for such things are so brought into the soul.
26. The poor soul is here in this life in very great danger, where the jaws of hell continually reach to its lips, for it is infected with the spirit of the stars and elements, which fight against it day and night: Consider thyself now, thou dear mind, and think in what vessel thy soul, viz. thy best treasure, lieth, and thou wilt surely awake out of the sleep of the bestial life; and consider what will follow hereafter, when the spirit of the stars and elements will leave thee, where then, thy best jewel (which thou thyself art) will remain, in what condition thou wilt be for ever without end;
which, in the kingdom of Christ, according to the outward man, should be continually dead, that Christ in us may live: None is a true shepherd over Christ's sheep unless he has the spirit of Christ; if he has not that, then he has not the true apostolical power and authority of Excommunication: He mus t in Christ's spirit have the key to heaven and to hell, else he is but a vizor and image without life: How can such an one, who is captivated by the devil, judge in the congregation of Christ? Can the word and commandment of such an one be the word of God, whereas he speaks but from a false spirit?
21. O you false bishops [come] from the universities, how has the devil of pride blinded you, that you set shepherds over the lambs of Christ, according to your own favour and respect! St. Paul teaches you, do but read it, what a heavy account you are to give: Nothing avails with you but art; and in the kingdom of Christ art is but dross and dung: God leads a pure heart by his own spirit; if one incline towards him, and submit unto his will, to such an one he teaches heavenly art.
22. The congregation of Christ should be in one will, and the shepherds thereof should have the spirit and will [or consent] of the congregation: It is not so slight a matter to put on the garment of Christ, as many suppose who seek only covetousness and honour therein, and they find nothing but the anger of God therein.
23. Or, what shall we say? The priest-devil has blindfolded the kingdom of Christ, so that the congregation of Christ is stark blind, where men suppose they are gods, and that they teach from the Holy Ghost, whereas their own honour and covetousness are merely sought after in deceit and falsehood: Men see how great mischief they have caused in the world: How many countries have they caused to be laid waste, and murdered many hundred thousand persons with their false opinions, and have only served the devil in the garment of Christ. If the congregation did but discern it, they would presently consider it; but all this comes to pass, in that they afford not honour to the spirit of Christ: Men will choose shepherds themselves, whereas the devil is in all mere human elections, when it concerns the honour and doctrine of God.
24. The bishops [or pastors] that are grown up of themselves, and chosen for favour, without the spirit of God, are as profitable to the world as a fifth wheel to a waggon: Indeed they do but little, except it be to make the congregation go astray, slander, jangle, and dispute; as their scandalous pamphlets testify, in many of which there is as much of the fear of God, and love to their neighbour, as the devil in hell has: Bloody provocations are the devil's drums and trumpets, by which he reproaches the simple congregation of Christ.
25. O dear children, open your eyes wide, go out from the priest's contentions, and enter into combat against the devil, against your voluptuous flesh and blood: A Christian is not a wrathful soldier or warrior, who desires the kingdom of this world: For Christ says, My kingdom is not of this world, else my servants would contend for it. St. Paul says, Seek that which is above, where Christ is; we are called by Christ out of this world, that so we might serve God with the soul, and be in Christ; but with the body in this world, that we may have maintenance and sustenance for it: Therefore the earthly life ought to labour and maintain its body, but the soul should be lord and governor, and rule the body; it should not suffer the starry-spirit to practise any falsehood, and fill itself with lies and deceit, for such things are so brought into the soul.
26. The poor soul is here in this life in very great danger, where the jaws of hell continually reach to its lips, for it is infected with the spirit of the stars and elements, which fight against it day and night: Consider yourself now, you dear mind, and think in what vessel your soul, viz. your best treasure, lies, and you will surely awake out of the sleep of the bestial life; and consider what will follow hereafter, when the spirit of the stars and elements will leave you, where then, your best jewel (which you yourself art) will remain, in what condition you will be for ever without end;
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