to the People which he caused the Levites to keep and lay up in the side of the Ark see Deut. 31. 24 25 26 He falls a declaring concerning the New Covenant Deut. 30. from 11 ver to ver 16. This Commandment saith he which I Commanded thee this day is not hidden from thee neither is it far of It is not in Heaven that thou shouldest say Who shall go up for us into Heaven and bring it unto us that we may hear it and do it Neither is it beyond Sea that thou shouldest say who shall go over the Sea for us and bring it unto us that we may hear it and do it But the Word is very nigh unto thee in my 〈◊〉 and in thine Heart that thou mayest do it Now that Moses in these Words points at the New-Covenant is manifest because first he points them to this Word and Commandment not writ in tables of Stone or in the book of the Law But to it in the heart The Word is very nigh thee sayes he in thy Heart This is that which more fully declared Ierem. 31. 32. For then the New-Covenant dispensation came to be more manifestly revealed but in Moses time was more hid and obscure for the Vail hung before his face Secondly 'T is maaifest also from Rom. 10. 5 6 7 8 9. When Paul according to the wisdom given him maketh a full and ample Interpretation upon Moses Words shewing how that Moses described both in the fore-cited place the Old Covenant and the New Which Paul calleth the Righteousness of the Law and the righteousness of Faith ver 5. for sayes he Moses descrybeth the righteousness which is of the Law that the Man which doeth these things shall live by them But the Righteousness which is of Faith saith he speaketh on this wise Say not in thy heart who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ down from above or who shall descend into the Deep that is to bring up Christ again from the Dead But what saith it the Word is â—…gh thee in thy Mouth and in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith saith he which we Preach c. In which word it is clear he points at that spoken by Moses Deut. 30. 12 13. c And he calls them the words of the Righteousness of Faith and that Word Moses poynted the Iews too in their heart he calls it the Word of Faith and it is clear he understands it of Christ for he addeth by way of Interpretation to Moses words speaking from the same Spirit Say not in thy heart who shall Ascend into Heaven that is saith he to bring Christ down from above and this is it which Paul pleadeth so much for in the Epistles Rom. Gal. shewing that there is no Justification by Moses's Law to wit that writ in the book of the Law and delivered to the Levites nor that writ in the Tables of Stone which he calls the Righteousness of the Law but by the Righteousness of Faith the word of Faith which is the New-Covenant Faith in Jesus Christ the word in the heart And elsewhere he saith If there had been a Law which could have given Life then Righteousness had been thereby but now by this Word in the Heart Life is given and therefore is Righteousness thereby for it is â—…he Word of Life living and Powerful c. And Moses pointed at the same Jesus Christ before Deut. 18. 18. 19. where he calleth him a Prophet c. And the Iews and People of Israel who lived in Moses's time and were saved it was through Faith in this Word in this Prophet raised up in them in their hearts not at a distance but nigh the Word is nigh in thy Heart And this is Christ in them the hope of Glory the Mistery hid from eyes and Generations but was ever made manifest in his Saints but in the latter daies more clearly Christ in all that believe the hope of Glory and so from what is said It is Manifest that Moses pointed at this Foundation which is one in all ages of the Church which was not the Words writ in Tables of Stone or Books of the Law but the Word of Faith whereby comes the Righteousness of Faith and the believing Iews in Moses's time made not a Church different from that in the time of the Apostles and down-wards all are one Church and under one Covenant and were saved by one Faith in one Lord and Redeemer though the dispensations did differ in many Circumstances and these who succeeded had more full and large discoveries of the Mistery yet in substance they all agreed and were all one upon the matter This being so weighty and it lying before me so clearly and it being so useful to demonstrate so far as words may be serviceable therein the matter in hand I have been driven to insist the more largely upon it and now to descend to David and the Prophets and Apostles whereas I might instance many hundred places in the book of the Psalmes I shall only point at the 119 Psal. And desire the Reader in the fear of the Lord to ponder and weigh what is therein declared concerning this Foundation and fundamental Principle to witt the Word and what word is it he speaks so much and so frequently of here and else where when he sayes ver 11. Thy word have I hid in my Heart and ver 16. I will not forget thy Word and ver 25. Quicken thou me by or according to thy Word and ver 28. Strengthen me according to thy Word and ver 42. I trust in thy Word and ver 43. He calls it the Word of Truth and ver 50. Thy Word hath quickned me and ver 81 82. I hope in thy Word mine eyes fail for thy Word when wilt thou comfort me and ver 89. For ever O Lord thy Word is setled in Heaven and ver 105. Thy Word is a Lamp unto my Feet and a Light unto my Path. and ver 123. Mine eyes fail for thy Salvation and for the Word of thy righteousness and ver 133. Order my Steps in thy Word and ver 140. Thy word is very pure therefore thy servant loveth it and ver 160. Thy Word is true from the Beginning and ver 162. I rejoyce at thy Words as one that findeth great spoil and ver 169. Give me understanding according to thy Word Let that which is noble and ingenuous in any one answer me what Word this is whether it be the Letter of the Scriptures writ in a Book or that Word of Faith Paul and Moses long before spoke off the Word in the heart That it is not the Letter of the Scripture or any outward Word or Words whatsoever as the national Teachers give poor people to believe may be very clear to that in any man which ever had experience of any opperation of God on his Heart any Life quickning or Comfort from the Lord That which has found this will answer
me That it is the Word of Power even that Eternal Word which is Sealed in Heaven as it is ver 89. and which Created the Heavens and Earth and no less Power can quicken a dead fainting Soul or comfort a weary distressed Mind Alas What can Scripture Words do read of a Book or spoken from mans Mouth when this Eternal Omnipotent Word breathes not in the Heart when it speaks not can the Heart open to receive any Consolation Oh how does the Soul that has once felt living touches and breathings of this Word of Life faint for it how does it wait all the day long till it come how does it watch more than for the Morning And when it reads in the Words of Scripture concerning the sweet and lively opperation of this Word what it has wrought in others and remembers what it has wrought in it self and finds no moving or streaming forth of its Vertue how does it lament after the Lord till he send his Word aâ—…rest and heal and restore and quicken and comfort it to its full satisfaction and then was this Word even then present with it in its Languishing time begetting in it desires after a more full Manifestation and that this Word is that I am pleading for whereof David speaks so much can be the more easily demonstrated to such who are the more insensible of this Word what it is not being acquainted with its living vertue in themselves and therefore are apt to call it a fancy for that David was a Prophet a Man inspired of God to whom the Word of the Lord came immediately from his own mouth for this is generally acknowledged Now was not this a rich dispensation and a glorious Would not David prefer this Immediate Word to the Words writ in a Book either from himself or these before him and in Davids time there was but little of the Scriptures written and if he would prefer this Word immediately proceeding from the mouth of the Lord whereby he was Inspired and Prophecied and Prayed and sung Psalms to the words writ in a book which were but the effect of that Word of Prophecy or Inspiration in the Heart Then is it not clear that in these places above cited he understands this Word and this was the Word in the beginning the Word of Power of Truth of Righteousness of Faith of Life in his Heart which taught him the Laws Judgments Statutes Commandments Precepts Testimonies c. He so much mentions in that Psalm This quenched him this strengthened hâ—…m this comforted him this taught him and made him wiser than his Teachers this was a Rule unto him a Lamp unto his seet and a light to his Paths in this his steps were ordered ver 133. In this he Worshiped â—…e Prayed he sung Psalms and all his springs were in this it was life in his heart and sweet as hony in his Mouth and caused his lips drop as a hony Comb. And Solomon Davids Son how much doth he speak of this Word but under an other Name for it hath many names because it hath many vertues or properties some name pointing at one some at another he calls it Wisdom in his Books of the Proverbs and Eccles. and in the Song he calls it Love Beloved and by many other Names So Iohn Baptist calleth it the Light Iohn the Apostle the Anoynting the Light the Lâ—…mb the Witness and he is most frequently called in the Wrightings of the Evangelists and Apostles Jesus Christ and by whatever name or vertue signified whereby he was known to be a Saviour to all that believed in him whether Iew or Gentiles who enlightens every man that cometh into the World And to return to Solomon how fully and maniâ—…estly points he at this Principle and Foundation under the name of Wisdom and wisdom it is for Jesus Christ is the Wisdom and Power of God how does he bring it in under the designation of a Woman a Spouse a Wife of youth a Mother c. So powerful so earnestly so convincingly pleading with man and even with all men Prov. 1. 20. Wisdom crieth without she uttereth her voice in the streets she cryeth in the chief places of Concourse in the openings of the Gates in the City she uttereth her words or as it is in Iunius and Tremelius Translation more truly In every Ciâ—…y she speaketh her words for her sound is gone forth into all the Earth and her words unto the end of the World Rom. 10. 18 How long ye simple ones will ye love simplicity and scorners delight in scorning and Fools hate knowledg â—…urn you at my reproof behold I will powr out unto you my Spirit and make known my words unto you ver 22 23 and Prov. 8 3 4. She cryeth at the Gates at the entry of the City at the comming in at the dores unto you O men I call and my voice is to the Sons of Men or as it is in the Translation aforesaid I call upon you the Vulgar or the Commons of the Sons of Men She calleth upon all many are called but few hearken and obey and so it is that few are chosen And is not her crying in this place at the â—…ates in every City that is in every man at the coming in at the Doors the same with Jesus Christ his standing at the door the door of the heart saying Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man will open unto me Revel 3. 20 and hear my voice I will come into him and Supp with him c. Now what doth she promise to these that hearken to her and receives her instructions and lay hold thereon Prov. 2. 2 5. If thou incline thine ear unto Wisdom and apply thine heart to understanding c. Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledg of God And Prov. 1. 33. VVho so hearkneth unto me shall dwell safely and shall be quiet from fear of evil and ver 23. Turn you at my reproof behold I will pour out my spirit unto you and Prov. 3. 13. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom c. For her Merchandize is better than silver and the gain thereof than fine Gold She is more precious than Rubies and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her length of daies are in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honor her wayes are wayes of pleasantness and all her paths are peace she is a tree of Life to them that lay hold upon her and happy iâ—… every one that retaineth her and Prov. 3. 23. Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely and thy foot shall not stumble when thou liest down thou shalt not be afraid yea thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet unto thee and Prov. 4. 6. Forsake her not and she shall preserve thee love her and she shall keep thee wisdom is the principal thing exalt hâ—…r and she shall promote thee she shall
he that is born of God desire his Fathers face the Kings face the light of his Countenance this made David and so maketh it all the Children of God say We have more joy and gladness in the light of our Fathers Countenance though it were shut up in a Dungeon with Bread and Water than they whose Corn and Oyl and Wine doth abound Now whereas it is said The Scriptures are plain evident and manifest in themselves they have a secret glory Majesty and Purity in them which mans writings in his own wisdom have not and this abundantly manifests them to the spiritual Eye I grant it is so and certainly knows it to be so which makes them so precious unto me but consider a little what this Glory Majesty Plainness Purity c. is which makes them Manifest and to whom it Manifests them Such an Example will somewhat figure it forth having first known such a man of rare beauty comeliness and majesty which appears in his countenance and afterwards seeing his Portrait drawn so exactly as a Pensel could do this Image or Portrait has a pretty lively representation of him and the Characters of his Beauty and the Majesty of his Countenance appear somewhat in the Portrait whereby I Manifestly know That it is the representation of such a Man Now these Characters of Beauty and Majesty in the Image come far short of the Mans countenance and it was the seeing of him first made me know his Image to be his and so the glory and beauty of his Face may be called Primarie but that in the Portrâ—… Secondary or Derivative and the seeing himself makes me believe that it is his Description and it is Manifest enough so I reading in the Scripture wherein there are as it were rare and excellent draughts shaddowing forth Jesus Christ and I then coming to know himself the Scriptures lye open and plain unto me and they are very evident and manifest but to him that never saw the King of Glory himself they are hid and as a sealed Book and he who has heard God himself speak will manifestly know the words writ or declared by others in whom he has also spoken and he stands near himself to testifie and witness to the truth of these words which come from himself So Queen Sheba easily believed the report concerning Solomon and his wealth when she saw it and I reading the Description of such a Countrey I have been in and travelled thorow it is easie for me to know whether it be true or false and I being so long a hearer of such a Man speaking from word of mouth and afterwards reading a book containing his words I know them to be his having heard him before but the words as they lye in a book come far short of these which proceedeth from his own mouth for these had much móre Life and Power with them Then how much more do the words Immediately proceeding out of the Mouth of God excell a Declaration or writing of them though they be also precious and excellent but where the Word of the King himself is there is Power and blessed are they who know this joyful sound of the Voice of the living God in their hearts and have thus learned the truth as it is in Jesus having so learned Christ having heard himself and so having him the Witness in themselves Ephes. 4. 21. 1 Iohn 5. 10. They are built on a sure Foundation which gives them fullness of Assurance That the Prophets and Apostles Doctrine is of God having found himself Come and seen him of whom Moses and the Prophets wrot Iohn 1. 45. 46. And as it was the Spirit of Jesus Christ Witnessing in the hearts of them who believed to the Truth of the Doctrine of the Prophets and Apostles by which they were made Manifest in their Consciences and their words were believed which proceeded Immediately from their own Mouthes and seeing that was necessary then it must be also necessary now also much if not much more seeing these Apostles and Prophets are not alive themselves in the flesh to tell us that they spoke or wrot so but that their writings are transmitted to us through many generations from hand to hand and no question they have fallen into enemies hands and how can a man be so fully assured as is sufficient for his Salvation but that Papists Iews and others who had them before us have wronged them and both added and taken away and altered if the Spirit of the Lord perswade him not to the contrary seeing it is possible they might have done so if the Lord had permitted and what a light Foundation have they to their Faith which men of corrupt minds or Devils or any powers whatsoever of this World may brangle spoile corrupt add to or take from for as we know through the rich mercy and gracious Providence of God the Lord hath so wonderfully preserved the Scriptures Testimony so far uncorrupt and pure as that they abundantly testifie the true foundation and these things sufficient for Salvation not that they are sufficient themselves but they abundantly testifie to that which is sufficient and this we know by the Spirit of God that wrought them but what a tottering and Lubrick and uncertain Foundation ye have made to your selves some of you affirming and these men of great account with you that the points of the Hebrew Coppies in which Language the old Testament was writ are but mens aditions and the first writers used them not and it is affirmed by many of your selves they are but a late invention Now what a great difference and considerable the pointing makes any skilled in that Language but a little may know the points being the vowells even so great that the points otherwaies set or added may not only alter one or more words but whole sentances and if so what a loss are ye at in your Foundation I found it only to touch this a little and refer the Reader to Sammâ—…el Fishers Book where he treats of this at large and Iohn Owen Confesseth the points or vowels to be so weighty that if they be invented or added since the writeing of the Scriptures by fallible men it mightily threatens the ruine of the Christian Faith thus he in words to the same purpose as may be seen in his book and yet these men who set forth the Biblia Polyglotta and many others affirm the points to be added since or that the contrarie is not Certain but they are happy whose Faith depends not on mans saying or unsaying but on that Word which was in the beginning and this only can certifie us of the Scriptures Argument 12. And as by the Spirit of Jesus Christ his Revealing Immediately in mans heart and bearing testimony to the Scriptures that they are of God and writ from his inspiring and moving of these holy Men of God who penned them Man can only be sufficiently perswaded to believe them so this can only
the Inspiration of the Devil and it is Impossible to know the one from the other but by the Scriptures which ye deny to be a sufficient touch-stone or rule of Tryal of Spirits and there hath many formerly risen up who has pretended to be Inspired of God and were but Deceivers and this makes us fustly suspect all others An. Men keeping their place That is abiding in the fear of God and obedience to his Commands are safe from being deceived for such have a good understanding clear a pure discerning in the Light whereby to know the Spirit of God from the Spirit of Deceit and this was known before Scriptures were written and men are in no greater hazard of being deceived now than Abraham Isaac Iacob Enoch Noah and other Saints were before Scripture was written and if any should say God spoke to them by a voice audible to the fleshly ear I answer If it had been so that sometimes he had yet his speaking inwardly by his Word and the voice of his Spirit into their hearts was more certain satisfying and sufficient and that alone could not have been sufficient but he spoke to many by his Spirit inwardly in their hearts only and this voice was audible and heard to the Spirituall ear and was certain And such who plead against Immediate Revelation or Impiration from the Spirit of God as a thing impossible to be infallibly discerned from a delusion of Satan shew the Atheism of their hearts for if it be impossible then was not Enoch Noah Abraham c. Inspired nor knew God by Revelation but if Revelation was possible then it is possible now for that which is once possible can never in it self become impossible and what though some have falsely pretended thereto and from a pretence of the Spirit have done wickedly will this prove man has not the thing in reality there were pretenders in Ieremiah's time to the Spirit of God and did wickedly under that pretence Ierem. 23. 25 30 31. Ierem. 28. 1 2 3. 4. And so there were many false Prophets in all ages but this is no argument against the true Prophets nor against Immediate Revelation but for it for this only can discover the Deceiver and Spirit of deceipt both in Man himself and in another and many has pretended to Mortification Self-denyal c. but never knew these things in reality none do therefore now know them in reality and many has done wickedly under a pretence of Scripture is therefore Scripture to be denyed 4. Obj. The Scripture is a Cannon or Rule filled up against which who add thereto a Curse is pronounced Revel 22. 18. And this Rule is sufficient being able to make wise unto Salvation and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect thorowly furnished unto all good Works 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. whereby it appears to be a sufficient rule of Faith and Manners containing the whole Counsel of God as our Confession of Faith saies and all things necessary for his own Glory Man's Salvation Faith and Life is either expresly set down in Scripture or by good and necessary consequence may be deduced from Scripture vnto which nothing at any time is to be added by new Revelations of the Spirit and for this they bring in their Confession of Faith These Scriptures further Prov. 22. 19. 20 21. Luke 1 3 4. Rom. 15. 4. Mat. 4. 4 7 10. Isa. 8. 19. 20. 2 Pet. 1. 19. Heb. 1. 1. 2. Luk. 16. 29. 31. Ephes. 2. 20. 2 Pet. 3. 15 16. 17. Gal. 1. 8 9. 2 Thes. 2. 2. And now all these Scriptures being brought for proofs against any New Revelation of the Spirit and the Scriptures being a compleat Cannon or Rule to which nothing is to be added even by the Spirit of the Lord I have set them all down not passing one and it 's in my heart to pass thorow them all and shew how they are wrested and perverted to prove that which the Spirit of the Lord which gave them forth never intended And though all these Scriptures we dearly own and the 〈◊〉 of them yet their abusing of them we cannot own at all and let that of God which is Iust Righteous and Impartial in its Iudgment in the Reader Iudge if they prove any such thing as is intended by these who brought them for that effect who call themselves an Assembly of Divines but in effect are but Diviners and guessers having so plainly denied that which makes the Divine to wit The Mind and Spirit of Christ Revealing in Man the things of his Kingdom Ans. That the Cannon of the Scripture is so filled up and Composed of such Books as are to be found in the Bible betwixt Genesis and Revelations excluding all other Writings whatsoever and Words either of old or late proceeding from the Inspiration of the Spirit of God or as having no such Authority Certainty or Infallability as these particular writings or books aforesaid is an old Popish fansie without any ground from the Scriptures own Testimony for it is altogether silent of the number of the books of Scripture how many they were and 〈◊〉 it is of their order some Popish Counsells determined both the one and the other and Scripture makes mention of several other writings of the holy Men Inspired of God besides these we have in our Bibles and some of them being found and felt to savour of the same Spirit which gave forth the other yet because of their Counsel acts they are not Received But now to come to the Proofs The first is Revel 12 18. 19. But what saies this Concerning the number of the Books or what saies it against the Spirit of the Lord his adding by New Revelations for the words If any Man shall add or take away the words of this book Limits not the Spirit of God from adding other Books of Writeings to the Scripture Now at no â—…e Man is to add to Gods words but what the Lord gives him to speak he is not to go beyond nor to say Thus saith the Lord to that which the Lord hath not spoken nor is man to diminish there from 〈◊〉 See this same Commanded Deut. 4. 2. But do these words prove there were no more Books or Words to proceed from the Inspiration of the Spirit of God how many Prophets came after Moses and how many Books of the Scripture were written after Deut. and Proverbs 30. 6. Add though not unto his Words This we see man limiâ—…ed from adding but not the Spirit of God for much Scripture was writ after Solomon and so these other Scriptures of the old Testament they bring Prov. 22. 19 20 21. And Isa. 8. 19 20. What do they prove that no more Scripture was to be writ after them whereas they themselves acknowledg the most part of Scripture was written afterwards and in the by I would only have the Reader observe how
like these men who talke of the Scripture Canon being filled up so that the Spirit of Prophecy is Ceased are to the Iews who had such a fancy among them concerning the Scriptures of the Old Testament their being filled up and their becoming a Rule to them so that when Christ and his Apostles came and spoke from the same Spirit the Scriptures were writ from they would not hear them but cryed up the Scriptures We have the Scriptures and Moses Law and God spoke unto Moses and our Fathers but this Man we know not from whence he is Joh. 9. 28 29. And as for Prov. 22. 19 20 21. There is wisdom â—…ught in speaking to Solomon and making known her words and writeing unto him but that proves nothing That the speaking of that wisdom or spirit in others as in Solomon is Ceased Nor yet Isa. 8. 19 29. To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word c. Now could this be a good Argument for the Iews against Christ and his Apostles and their Writeings No nor is not now against writeings or words proceeding from the Inspiration of the same Spirit for that which was writ after or is to be writ from the Spirit of God is not contrary to any thing writ before from the same Spirit but according to it for all the words of truth accord and agree together and there was a Law and Testimony writ in Men's Hearts before a Line of Scripture was ever writ in a Book and they who spoke not according thereto were but deceivers and had no morneing in them as the Hebrew carries it And now I come to that Scripture they lay so much weight upon 2 Tim. 3. 15. 16 17. But what Does the Cannon close here is not the next Chapter writ from the Inspiration of the Spirit of God and the other following Books if they were writ after this as they follow after it or if these words prove not but that Paul and others both spoke and wrot afterwards from the Inspiration of the holy Ghost how will it prove that there is no such thing now O say they all new Revelations are superstuous there needs no more Scripture that which is writ is writ is able to make wise unto Salvation from a Tim. 3. 15 16 17. But I say Paul and others wrot Scriptures afterwards But to come to that Scripture It is to be considered there is a writeing by the Spirit of God upon Man's heart See 1 Chron 28. 12. Compared with ver 19. and with Ierem. 31. 33 and 2 Cor. 33. And so this is Scripture or Writeing for both are one by the inspiration of God Scripture or writeing with Pen and Ink upon paper but with the Spirit of the living God upon the heart and these holy writeings are able to make 〈◊〉 unto Salvation And Scripture given unto a Man by Inspiration of God is profitable and the words should be thus Translated All Scripture given by Inspiration of God or all Writting given by Inspiration of God profitable for Doctrine for Reproofs c. That the Man of God may be perfect for the word is is not in the Greek and it 's false that all writeing is by Inspiration of God for much has been writ from the Inspiration of the Devil But I acknowledge these Books set down in our Bible to be writ from the Inspiration of God and when any man receives them by Inspiration that they be given him by Inspiration as to these who wrot them then they are profitable to him but if he come not to that Spirit which inspired the first Writers and there-with to be Inspired they cannot of themselves profit for the Letter kills but the Spirit giveth life and the Inspiration of the holy Spirit giveth understanding as saith Elihu so who come not to this Inspiration they come not to an Understanding of the Scriptures And our very Adversaries dare not plead from this Scripture that there is nothing more required but Scripture to make wise unto Salvation for they acknowledge the inward Illumination of the Spirit to be necessary thereto and if they make one exception why may not we make another That inward Revelâ—…ations and Inspirations are necessary aswel and further it may be said of the Scriptures of the Old Testament all that is spoken here of the use and ability of Scripture yet does not this exclude the writeings of the Evangelists and Apostles and we acknowledge the Scriptures are profitable and useful but not sufficient of themselves to make wise unto Salvation without the inspiration of the same Spirit that gave them forth which can only give the understanding of them But why do they plead that Scripture is able to make the Man of God perfect seeing they deny Perfection and cannot abide to hear that a man can be perfect And that Scripâ—…ure Luke 1. 3 4. Does it prove That no more Scripture is to be written nor any after Luke spoke or wrot from the inspiration of the Spirit of God Was not much writ afterwards Or could Luk's word cause Theophilus to know the certainty of these things of themselves Nay they were a Declaration of what he most surely believed himself and Theophilus reading it having the Spirit of God would find that witnessing in him to the truth of these things and this gives the certainty or assurance See 1 Thes. 1. 5 Their next Scripture is Rom. 15. 4. For whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our learning c. What then is Revelation or the Spirit of Prophecy ceased for all this yet Paul himself had it and he sayes The Scriptures were wrot for his learning and he points here at a Scripture in the old Testamenâ—… but this proves not there was no more Scriptures to be added thereto and Paul sayes not the Scriptures were writ that we should learn only by them or stick to the Letter learning for he had a learning beyond them even that of the Spirit and in this same Epistle he points them to the newness of the Spirit beyond the oldners of the Letter Rom. 7. 6. which compare with 2 Cor. 3. 6. Their next Scripture is Math. 4. 4 7. as for ver 4. It fighteth Manifestly against them Man shall not live by Bread alone but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Now say they The word proceeding from Gods mouth is Ceased he speaks not from word of mouth now as he did of old but from the Scriptures but if God himself speak not Man lives not And what does this prove that Christ used the Scriptures Testimony against the Devil is there not therefore any Inspiration or Revelation was not Christ inspired himself and was not Paul and the other Apostles Inspired who used the Testimony of former Scriptures writ before them against their adversaries but yet they wrot Scriptures themselves from the same Spirit and why may not it be so now Their
Minister from the Spirit nor have received any ordinance there-from as is Manifest both from their Principles and Practises The 7th of the 4th Month 1668. G. K. FINIS POSTSCRIPT RObert Barron his Book Entituled Apodipis Catholica de formali objecto fidei coming to my hands after the finishing of what I had writ concerning Immediate Revelation its remaining a standing Ordnance in the Church I found it fit to cite such particular places directing the Reader to his Words where at large he may see them Where he declareth his Doctrine concerning Immediate or inward Revelation Ex parte Objecti and ex parte Subjecti affirming that ex parte Objecti to be Ceased which conâ—…th the Prophets and Pen-men of the Scriptures to have had and that only this Revelation Ex parte Objecti is Revelation properly simply and according to the more usual way of speaking in the Scripture so called see Tractâ—… 9. Authors Duplic Puncto 2 Num. 13. 14. 15. Again a few leaves after puncto btâ—… num 6. and num 5. Immediately preceeding he saith that which moves the Mind to give one assent to Truth objectively or by way of Object is Medium cognitum a known Midst it must be known and apprehended by the Mind that it may move it to assent but that which moveth effectively upon the part of Subject or Power which he calleth Revelation Ex parte Subjecti is Medium incognitum an unknown mid'st because saith he these helps upon the part of the subject may co-operate to produce one assent of Faith although they are not felt or known by us Let the Reader take a view of these places where he shall see that I have truly set down his Doctrine and his very words in that paper concerning Immediate Revelation and Tract 9. Quest. 8. Num. 5. He saith they falsly assert that we believe the authority of the Scriptures for or because of the inward testimony of the Spirit for we believe saith he the Divine Authority of the Scripture not for another thing but for the Scripture it self because that act of Faith whereby the Authority of the Scripture is believed leaneth upon the Scripture it self as it 's principal Foundation Some will say saith he some Orthodox Theologues speak far otherwayes for they most frequently affirm the Scripture authority to be believed for or because of the Inward Testimony of the Spirit â—…o which he roundly answereth and I desire the Reader to mark the answer whereby he may perceive either their or his Deceipt whereby they give poor people to believe that they deny not the Spirits Testimony or inward Teaching but when it comes to the point their false cover is taken off and they falsly deny it although saith he they speak otherwaies yet they think not otherwise for that word for or because of Latine propter is ambiguous and sometimes importeth a respect to the effective cause of assent but sometimes yea more often to the objective cause or Foundation upon which the assent of our mind leaneth c. This Robert Barron after long debate with the Iesuit Turnbull contending against the Papists That the authority of the Church of Rome is not the formal Object or Foundation of Faith or believing of the Scriptures cometh at last to refute their Doctrine which he calleth Errour and saith that it is most easily refuted who maintain the formal Object of Faith i. e. its Foundation to be the inward Revelation of the holy Spirit properly so called and for the Revelation of this Dectrine which Num. 6. he most of all condemneth he bringeth five Arguments Num. 8. Punct 6. Tract 9. And I find it fit to set them down also Word by Word Translated into English out of the Latin in which his book is writ that the Reader in whom the true discerning in any Measure is opened may see the blindness of this man in the things of God notwithstanding of all his Letter knowledge and what a woful condition this poor Nation has been in these many years for all their high pretences to be the most glorious and most purely reformed Church in the Earth and yet this Doctrine of Immediate Revelation wereby alone God can be sufficiently and saveingly known hath been by them and yet is by the present generation accounted so ridiculous that by this Man R. B. called Doctor of Divinity in Aberdeen and of great fame for his learning at home and abroad it is most of all condemned even more than the Popish Doctrine of resolveing their Faith in the Authority of the Church of Rome so that Scripture is fulfilled upon them Isa. 29. 13. 14. His Arguments are as followeth To every one of which as they ly in order I shall return a few words of answer which I hope shall satisfie the discerning and indeed they are so weak frivolous and vain that little or no answer is required were it not that fools some times are to be answered in their folly least they should seem wise in their own eyes as Solomon speaketh First saith he This way of knowing the Truth of the Doctrines of Faith viz. By the internal Revelation of the holy Spirit properly so called is Extraordinary and Prophetical as is Manifest of the aforesaid and consequentially the truth of the Christian Doctrine formerly and commonly is not so made known unto the Faithful Answ. This way of Internal Revelation Prophecy so called hath alwayes been not only Extraordinary but altogether shut up from the unbelieving and such who stuck in the Letter but it hâ—…h alwayes been common to the true Christians and Saints in all ages being the New Covenant Dispensatory which lâ—…eth not for ever Isa. 59. 21. That it was Prophetical i. e. Imparted to the Prophets is granted but it follows not that therefore it is not the common priviledge of all Saints who were to have the like precious Faith with them and though it was rare in the days of old yet God hath poured cut according to his Promise Ioel 2. 28 29. Largely upon Sons and Daughters of his Spirit whereby they Prophecy Secondly saith he who imbrace this Errour they confound the gift of Faith and the gift of Prophecy for the most noble kâ—…nd of prophetical Revelation is that which is by Intellectual speaking or illumination as Thomas and Suarez teach Answ. 1. Who imbrace this supposed Errâ—…ur but indeed Truth Do not confound the gift of Faith and the gift of Prophecy the spirit of Faith and the spirit of Prophecy is one but the opperations different 1 Cor. 12. 4 5 6. Now if by the gift of Prophecy he understand as he seemeth to do the inward Manifestation or speaking of God Immediately to the mind Faith is hereby wrought viz. God this speaking or Manifesting the truth Immediately in the Mind is the cause of Faith and so as the cause and effect are different so the Prophetical Revelation and the Faith of what is Revealed are different opperations For because God
next proof is 2 Pet. 1. 19. We have a more sure word of Prophecy c. Answ. Supposing but not at all granting hereby he meaned the Scriptures writ or spoke from without he points them to this but till the day dawn and the Day star arise Now some were come to the day and were Children of the day and had the day star arisen in them and then they needed not the Light of the Moon or night starrs But I have shewed before this word of Prophecy is the word in the Heart which was in the beginning before Scriptures was and is that word that came to David Isai Ieremiah and inspired them from which the Scripture came and this Word in my heart maketh me believe the Scriptures and is the more sure and Manifest Word or the most sure as it s in Beza's Translation even surer than Scripture Words which outward violence can rob me off or I may forget them but this remaineth for ever and here lyeth a great deceipt in them where Scripture speaks of the Word and it's Vertue and Excellency and Sufficiency O say they This is Scripture whereas I have shewed though the Scriptures declare of that word yet they are not it but came from it and point to it again for the word is Christ which was in the beginning The next proof Heb. 1. 1 2. This directly proves against them as I have shewed before God spoke to the Fathers in the Prophets but to us in the Son that is more Immediately The next proof Luk. 16. 29. 31. This proves that Moses and the Prophets Testimony is of greater weight then if any should arise and testifie from the dead but it proves nothing that we should stick only to what is written by them for much was writ after nor does it prefer Moses and the Prophets Testimony to the Testimony of the Spirit of Christ this is more certain and satisfactory and the end of their Testimony Their next proof is Ephes. 2. 20. Hereby they would prove That the writeings of the Prophets and Apostles were the foundation of the Church but this Scripture sayes nothing of that kind for Jesus Christ is the Foundation of Prophets and Apostles and the chief or undermost Corner-Stone he is both Foundation-Stone Corner-Stone and Cop-Stone also the First and the Last and there is no other Foundation saith Paul himself 1 Cor. 3. 11. and that Scripture is fully cleared above Their next proof 2 Pet. 3. 15. 16. 17. But of all the Scriptures they have brought this proves least for them but much against them for it mentions Pauls Epistles and Writings which we own and their usefulness also in their place but it sayes nothing that either his Writing or any other are a compleat Cannon or Rule or that Revelation is Ceased but it sayes some things in them are hard to be understood which the unlearned and unstable wrest c. Then I say there is the more need of Revelation to make a man Learned and to open up these hard things seeing only the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation can sufficiently do it as is above Demonstrated The next proof is Gal. 1. 8 9. If any man or an Angel from Heaven Preach any other Gospel unto you let him be accursed Answer The Gospel was Preached unto Abraham saith the Scripture Gal. 3. 8. as well as unto us and it was Preached unto Abel Enoch Noah and to all believers who lived before Scripture was writ in a book and it was spoken into their Hearts by the Spirit of Jesus Christ and the Saints who then lived and were Inspired of God preached the Gospel and the Gospel is the same in all Generations for it is the everlasting Gospel Rev. 4. 6. But now the Declarations Discoveries and Manifestations of this one Gospel hath been many and different under the Law more darkly in the time of the Prophets more Manifestly in the time of the Apostles yet more Manifestly and yet all one Gospel and we Preach no other but the same everlasting Gospel which is the Power of God unto Salvation Rom. 1. 16. The last proof is 2 Thess. 2. 2. Wherein Paul beseeches them not to be shaken in mind or troubled neither by Spirit nor Word nor Letter as from him as that that day of Christ were at hand but this proves nothing against the Inspiration of the Spirit of God as if it were then ceased or to cease for it continued with him and many others long afterwards only it proves they should not recite any such Doctrine aâ—… that That day were suddenly to come he speaks of though some should 〈◊〉 it as proceeding from the Spirit or from Pauls Words or Letters and so that they might not be deceived by pretenders as is said because some has falsely pretended to the Spirit it follows not that none have it in reality And thus I have gone thorow all their Proofs and shewed that they prove no such thing as is intended by them but are abused O j. 5. We much suspect this Doctrine of Immediate Revelation and are feared to receive it lest people coming to this slight the Scriptures and a Ministry Worship and Ordinances for we find you so doing who say ye are come to it and what use hath Scripture or Ministrâ—… if God teach Immediately by the Immediate Revelation of his Spirit Answ. This Doctrine ought not to be suspected by any-honest hearted Man or Woman for it will never teach any to slight the Scriptures but on the contrary They will never know how to use or esteem the Scriptures aright till they come to that Life and Spirit which gave them forth and to which they point and these who were formerly Inspired of God and were taught of him Immediately used and esteemed the Scriptures nor slighted any Ministry Worship or Ordinances of Jesus Christ as neither do we and we acknowledge the Ministry who are sent of God is both useful and comfortable to us and we are bound to hear them and acknowledge them and at all times have we found their Ministry usefull and refreshing unto us having Ministered of the Life and their Gospel came unto us not in Word only but in Power and in the holy Ghost and in much Assurance as Pauls did unto them 1 Thess. 1. 5. And we have also been refreshed with their Prayers in the heart and found the fruit of them and now in our measures are brought to the same Life and yet their Ministry will alwayes be dear and comfortable to us but not absolutely necessary being come to a Teacher even the Spirit of Jesus Christ that cannot be removed into a Corner from us when all men may and be seperated from us and we from them as to bodily presence but indeed who come to the Teachings and Ministry of the Spirit of Christ in themselves this will lead them as it hath done us from the Natural Ministry Worship and Ordinances for that they neither Worship nor