"led captive" and "it being"

Preliminary analysis.

Occurrences of the phrase "led captive" in the scriptures.

OT (0) NT (0) BM (1) DC (0) PGP (0) JE (1)

BM:

this because of their own iniquity, being led captive by the will of the devil.

(Alma 40:13)

JE (1808 edition on sale in Palmyra):

to see this people, who, not long since were led captive by Satan at his will, and living in the practice of all manner of abominations... 

So many wicked men, especially false professors of religion and sinners under gospel light, are led captive by Satan at his will, are under the power and dominion of their lusts...

JE paraphrasing 2 Timothy:

He gives them up to the power of Satan, and to his temptations to be deluded and decoyed, and led "captive by him at his will"

_____

26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

(2 Timothy 2:26)

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

(2 Timothy 3:6–7)

_____

"it being"

BM (10) DC (1) PGP (1) JE (100+) 

JE: "it being a difficult thing to walk out in the woods in the morning without disturbing persons at their secret devotion.... It is observable here, that many children, if not the children in general, retire into secret places to pray."

like a stream from a living spring

 Mr. Flavel, speaking of these changeable professors, says, "These professors have more of the moon than of the sun; little light, less heat, and many changes. They deceive many, yea, they deceive themselves, but cannot deceive God. They want that ballast and establishment in themselves, that would have kept them tight and steady." Flavel, Touchstone, ch. 2, sec. 2, [pp. 18–19].

They are like the waters in the time of a shower of rain, which during the shower, and a little after, run like a brook, and flow abundantly; but are presently quite dry: and when another shower comes, then they will flow again. 

Whereas a true saint is like a stream from a living spring; which though it may be greatly increased by a shower of rain, and diminished in time of drought; yet constantly runs (John 4:14, "The water that I shall give him, shall be in him, a well of water springing up," etc.): or like a tree planted by such a stream, that has a constant supply at the root, and is always green, even in time of the greatest drought. Jeremiah 17:7–8, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is. For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth out her roots by the river; and shall not see when heat cometh; but her leaf shall be green; and shall not be careful in the year of drought; neither shall cease from yielding fruit." 

Many hypocrites are like comets, that appear for a while with a mighty blaze; but are very unsteady and irregular in their motion (and are therefore called wandering stars, Jude 13), and their blaze soon disappears, and they appear but once in a great while. 

But the true saints are like the fixed stars, which, though they rise and set, and are often clouded, yet are steadfast in their orb, and may truly be said to shine with a constant light. 

Hypocritical affections are like a violent motion; like that of the air that is moved with winds (Jude 12). 

But gracious affections are more a natural motion, like the stream of a river; which though it has many turns hither and thither, and may meet with obstacles, and run more freely and swiftly in some places than others; yet in the general, with a steady and constant course, tends the same way, till it gets to the ocean.

And as there is a strange unevenness and disproportion in false affections, at different times; so there often is in different places. Some are greatly affected from time to time, when in company; but have nothing that bears any manner of proportion to it, in secret, in close meditation, secret prayer, and conversing with God, when alone, and separated from all the world.4

"The Lord is neglected secretly, yet honored openly; because there is no wind in their chambers to blow their sails; and therefore there they stand still. Hence many men keep their profession, when they loose their affection. They have by the one a name to live (and that is enough), though their hearts be dead. And hence so long as you love and commend them, so long they love you; but if not, they will forsake you. They were warm only by another's fire, and hence having no principle of life within, soon grow dead. This is the water that turns a Pharisee's mill." Shepard, Parable, pt. I, p. 180.

"The hypocrite," says Mr. Flavel, "is not for the closet, but the synagogue; Matthew 6:5–6: 'Tis not his meat and drink to retire from the clamor of the world, to enjoy God in secret." Flavel, Touchstone, ch. 7, sec. 2, [p. 148].

Dr. Ames, in his Cases of Conscience, speaks of it as a thing by which sincerity may be known, "That persons be obedient in the absence, as well as in the presence of lookers-on; in secret, as well, yea more than in public"; alleging Philippians 2:12 and Matthew 6:6. Ames, Cases of Conscience, bk. III, ch. 5, [p. 55].

A true Christian doubtless delights in religious fellowship, and Christian conversation, and finds much to affect his heart in it: but he also delights at times to retire from all mankind, to converse with God in solitary places. 

And this also has its peculiar advantages for fixing his heart, and engaging its affections. 

True religion disposes persons to be much alone, in solitary places, for holy meditation and prayer. So it wrought in Isaac (Genesis 24:63). And which is much more, so it wrought in Jesus Christ. How often do we read of his retiring into mountains and solitary places, for holy converse with his Father? 

'Tis difficult to conceal great affections, but yet gracious affections are of a much more silent and secret nature, than those that are counterfeit. So it is with the gracious sorrow of the saints. So it is with their sorrow for their own sins.5

Correspondence

The nonbiblical term "correspondence" appears 4 times in the Book of Mormon.

18 And they began to be a very industrious people; yea, and they were friendly with the Nephites; therefore, they did open a correspondence with them, and the curse of God did no more follow them. (Alma 23:18)

8 And behold, I thank my great God that he has given us a portion of his Spirit to soften our hearts, that we have opened a correspondence with these brethren, the Nephites.

9 And behold, I also thank my God, that by opening this correspondence we have been convinced of our sins, and of the many murders which we have committed. (Alma 24:8–9)

4 Now the Nephites greatly feared that the Zoramites would enter into a correspondence with the Lamanites, and that it would be the means of great loss on the part of the Nephites. (Alma 31:4)

Jonathan Edwards used the term frequently, as well as several variations. Here's an example from the 1808 edition on sale in Palmyra, NY. This has the same connotation as the Book of Mormon, meaning not exchanging letters but interacting.

"I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them and their children after them." A time wherein the whole earth shall be united as one holy city, one heavenly family, men of all nations shall as it were dwell together, and sweetly correspond one with another as brethren and children of the same father; as the prophecies often speak of all God's people at that time as the children of God, and brethren one to another, all appointing over 'em one head, gathered to one house of God, to worship the king, the Lord of Hosts. a time wherein this whole great society shall appear in glorious beauty, in genuine amiable Christianity, and excellent order,

also

For there is a most wonderful analogy and natural correspondence between one and the other; which one will see the more, the more they have of a poetical and gracious disposition, and clear and comprehensive understanding of these matters. 

Full quotation:

2. The future promised advancement of the kingdom of Christ is an event unspeakably happy and glorious. 

The Scriptures speak of that time, as a time wherein God and his Son Jesus Christ will be most eminently glorified on earth; a time, wherein God, who till then had dwelt between the cherubims, and concealed himself in the Holy of Holies, in the secret of his tabernacle, behind the veil, in the thick darkness, should openly shine forth, and all flesh should see his glory, and God's people in general have as great a privilege as the high priest alone had once a year, or as Moses had in the mount; 

a time, wherein "the temple of God in heaven should be opened, and there should be seen the ark of his testament" (Revelation 11:19); 

a time, wherein both God will be greatly glorified, and his saints made unspeakably happy in the view of his glory; 

a time, wherein God's people should not only once see the light of God's glory, as Moses, or see it once a year with the high priest, but should dwell and walk continually in it, and it should be their constant daily light, instead of the light of the sun (Isaiah 2:5; Psalms 89:15; Isaiah 60:19), which light should be so much more glorious than the light of the sun or moon, that "the moon shall be confounded, and the sun ashamed, when the Lord of Hosts should reign in Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem before his ancients gloriously" (Isaiah 24:23).

It is represented as a time of vast increase of knowledge and understanding, especially in divine things; 

a time wherein God would "destroy the face of the covering cast over all people, and the veil spread over all nations" (Isaiah 25:7), wherein "the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun sevenfold" (Isaiah 30:26), "and the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the heart of the rash shall understand knowledge" (Isaiah 32:3–4), "and they shall no more teach every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord, because they shall all know him from the least to the greatest" (Jeremiah 31:34). 

And a time of general holiness, (Isaiah 60:21) "Thy people shall be all righteous"; and 

a time of a great prevailing of eminent holiness, when little children should, in spiritual attainments, be as though they were "a hundred years old" (Isaiah 65:20), and wherein "he that is feeble among God's people should be as David" (Zechariah 12:8). 

A time wherein holiness should be as it were inscribed on everything, on all men's common business and employments, and the common utensils of life, all shall be dedicated to God, and improved to holy purposes; (Isaiah 23:18) "and her merchandise and hire shall be holiness to the Lord." Zechariah 14:20–21, "In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, 'Holiness unto the Lord'; and the pots in the Lord's house shall be like the bowls before the altar; yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the Lord of Hosts." 

A time wherein religion and true Christianity shall in every respect be uppermost in the world; wherein God will cause his church to arise and shake herself from the dust, and put on her beautiful garments, and sit down on a throne [Isaiah 52:1–2]; 

and the poor shall be raised from the dust, and the beggar from the dunghill, and shall be set among princes, and made to inherit the throne of God's glory [Psalms 113:7–8]. 

A time wherein vital piety shall take possession of thrones and palaces, and those that are in most exalted stations shall be eminent in holiness. Isaiah 49:23, "And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers." Isaiah 60:16, "Thou shalt suck the breasts of kings." Psalms 45:12, "The daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift, the rich among the people shall entreat thy favor." 

A time of wonderful union, and the most universal peace, love and sweet harmony; wherein the nations shall "beat their swords into plowshares" [Isaiah 2:4], etc., and God will "cause wars to cease to the ends of the earth, and break the bow, and cut the spear in sunder, and burn the chariot in the fire" [Psalms 46:9]; "and the mountains shall bring forth peace to God's people, and the little hills by righteousness" [Psalms 72:3]; wherein "the wolf should dwell with the lamb" [Isaiah 11:6], etc., and wherein "God's people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and quiet resting places" (Isaiah 32:17–18 and Isaiah 33:20–21). 

A time wherein all heresies and false doctrines shall be exploded, and the church of God shall not be rent with a variety of jarring opinions; (Zechariah 14:9) "the Lord shall be king over all the earth: in that day there shall be one Lord, and his name one." 

And all superstitious ways of worship shall be abolished, and all agree in worshiping God in his own appointed way, and agreeable to the purity of his institutions; (Jeremiah 32:39) "I will give them one heart and one way, that they may fear me forever, for the good of them and their children after them." 

A time wherein the whole earth shall be united as one holy city, one heavenly family, men of all nations shall as it were dwell together, and sweetly correspond one with another as brethren and children of the same father; as the prophecies often speak of all God's people at that time as the children of God, and brethren one to another, all appointing over 'em one head, gathered to one house of God, to worship the king, the Lord of Hosts [Zechariah 14:16]. 

A time wherein this whole great society shall appear in glorious beauty, in genuine amiable Christianity, and excellent order, as "a city compact together" [Psalms 122:3], "the perfection of beauty" [Psalms 50:2], "an eternal excellency" [Isaiah 60:15], shining with a reflection of the glory of Jehovah risen upon it, which shall be attractive and ravishing to all kings and nations, and it shall appear "as a bride adorned for her husband" [Revelation 21:2]. A time of great temporal prosperity; of great health (Isaiah 33:24, "The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick."); of long life (Isaiah 65:22, "As the days of a tree, are the days of my people."). 

A time wherein the earth shall be abundantly fruitful; (Psalms 67:6; Isaiah 30:23–24; Amos 9:14 and many other places). 

A time wherein the world shall be delivered from that multitude of sore calamities that before had prevailed (Ezekiel 47:12), and there shall be an universal blessing of God upon mankind, in soul and body, and in all their concerns, and all manner of tokens of God's presence and favor, and "God shall rejoice over them, as the bridegroom rejoiceth over his bride" [Isaiah 62:5], and "the mountains shall as it were drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk" (Joel 3:18). 

A time of great and universal joy through the earth, when "from the utmost ends of the earth shall be heard songs, even glory to the righteous" [Isaiah 24:16], and God's people "shall with joy draw water out of the wells of salvation" [Isaiah 12:3], and God shall "prepare in his holy mountain, a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined" [Isaiah 25:6], which feast is represented (Revelation 19), as "the marriage supper of the Lamb." 

Yea, the Scriptures represent it not only as a time of universal joy on earth, but extraordinary joy in heaven, among the angels and saints, the holy apostles and prophets there (Revelation 18:20 and Revelation 19:1–9). 

Yea, the Scriptures represent it as a time of extraordinary rejoicing with Christ himself, the glorious head, in whom all things in heaven and earth shall then be gathered together in one. Zephaniah 3:17, "The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save; he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love; he will joy over thee with singing." 

And the very fields, trees and mountains shall then as it were rejoice, and break forth into singing. Isaiah 55:12, "Ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands." Isaiah 44:23, "Sing, O heavens, for the Lord hath done it; shout, ye lower parts of the earth; break forth into singing, ye mountains; O forest, and every tree therein; for the Lord hath redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel."

Such being the state of things in this future promised glorious day of the church's prosperity, surely 'tis worth praying for. 

Nor is there any one thing whatsoever, if we viewed things aright, which a regard to the glory of God, a concern for the kingdom and honor of our Redeemer, a love to his people, pity to perishing sinners, love to our fellow creatures in general, compassion to mankind under its various and sore calamities and miseries, a desire of their temporal and spiritual prosperity, love to our country, our neighbors and friends, yea, and to our own souls, would dispose us to be so much in prayer for, as for the dawning of this happy day, and the accomplishment of that glorious event.

http://edwards.yale.edu/archive?path=aHR0cDovL2Vkd2FyZHMueWFsZS5lZHUvY2dpLWJpbi9uZXdwaGlsby9nZXRvYmplY3QucGw/Yy40OjUud2plby4xMDY3MTgy