PROGRESSIVE WORK OF GOD, EXTENDING FROM THE CREATION OF MILLENNIAL CHURCH. come Salvation, and Strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and ANTICHRIST'S KINGDOM, OR CHURCHES, CONTRASTED WITH THE CHURCH OF CHRIST'S FIRST AND THE KINGDOM OF THE GOD OF HEAVEN. "IN THE DAYS OF THESE KINGS SHALL THE GOD OF HEAVEN SET UP A KINGDOM, PUBLISHED BY THE UNITED SOCIETY, CALLED SHAKERS. FOURTH EDITION. THE first edition of this work was printed in the year 1808, at Lebanon, Warren county, Ohio. But, it being too small to answer the demand, a second edition was printed in 1810, at Albany, New-York, with such improvements as were found expedient for the better understanding of the matters therein contained. Also, a third edition was printed in Cincinnati, Ohio, in the year 1823. 2. This work was written and sent forth, as declaring that spiritual light and wisdom sent down from the heavenly orders above, by the inspired teachings of the Holy Spirit, of which all See 1 Cor. the faithful members of this society are living witnesses, by ii. 12, 13. practical experience of the power and efficacy of the principles thus revealed. 3. The idea which so extensively prevails, that all inspired revelation ceased with the canon of Scripture, is inconsistent with both reason and Scripture. It is not unreasonable to suppose, that the spiritual work of God should alone remain stationary, whilst all the natural arts and sciences among men, are continually improving and increasing, by newly manifested principles of natural light, and are constantly progressing more and more, by the knowledge and further application of the original principles from whence all these are derived? 4. It may be seen by every attentive observer, that these natural revealments and improvements are now more frequent and rapidly developing and increasing, in the present age and time, than in any preceding age of the world. Therefore we may consistently conclude, that the spiritual work of God must be increasing and improving in a corresponding progression, or the things of by far the greatest importance will be left behind; for, in comparison with the spiritual work of redemption and salvation, all earthly knowledge, and all natural improvements, sink into insignificance. 5. For, though man should gain all the natural knowledge in the universe, he could not thereby gain either the knowledge or power of salvation from sin, nor redemption from a sinful nature; because the world, by natural wisdom, never did, and never can, See 1 Cor. know God. Hence we see the indispensable necessity of a continual influx and application of Divine principles, in order to know the things that concern the eternal welfare of the soul, and to enable man "to work the works of God;" and these can only i. 21. 338929 |