justification by reason of the imputation of the obedience of him who is the Lord our righteousnesse This Reader is their great Idoll and Diana and therefore thou wilt pardon our tediousnesse and clearely see how blinde these men are as to Gospel righteousnesse Position 11. That every man in the world hath a light within him sufficient to guide him to salvation without the help of any outward light or discovery In his answer to this Position he denyes none of our proofs but addes his further profession of the same Principle in these words All the World shall witnesse against you that they have a light that lets them see when they sinne which if they did minde and obey would leade out of sinne unto Christ c. Except The maine part of his answer is by way of rayling all that he speaks to make good this Position is that Christ is the true light and that he enlightneth every man and that where he is there need no outward discovery Reply For the first that Christ is the true light is confessed on all hands but that Iesus Christ is in every man or gives a saving light to every man we utterly deny and we have plentifully proved in our answer to the fourth Position The first Text he proves it by is Iohn 1.9 He is the true light that lightneth every one We have fully opened this Text in our answer to the fourth Position and convincingly shewed it is not meant at all of any Gospel saving light where we desire the Reader to satisfie himselfe at large Io. 8.12 opened For his second Iohn 8.12 I am the light of the World he that followes me shall not walke in darkenesse This proves not that Christ doth give a saving light to the whole world no more then that Text 1 Iohn 2.2 doth prove that the whole world shall have the benefit of Christs propitiation Secondly the words immediately following might satisfie Nayler that he is thus a saving light onely to them that follow him who are Beleevers drawne by the power of the spirit of God Cant. 1.4 No man comes to me except the Father draw me Iohn 6.44.45 Every man that hath heard and learned of the Father commeth to me So that Christ is onely the light of those that have learned of the Father and have been drawne by the Father and follow him Here is a cleare restriction of Christs being a light onely to Beleevers to them that follow him c. Io. 1.4.5 opened The third Scripture Iohn 1.4 5. the light shined in darkenesse and the darkenesse comprehended it not is cleare against him For the Phrase of the light shined in darkenesse imports onely that Jesus Christ was Preached to them Christ came amongst them and Iohn Preached him to them Ver. 29. Behold the Lambe of God c. yet they were in darkenesse for want of light they could not so much as discover him nor receive him so farre were they from knowing Christ or the world from having Christ a light in them all that they could not apprehend him when he was Preached openly to them His fourth Text is Iohn 3.19 this is the condemnation that light is come into the world is as full against Nayler as the former for it speaks this that Jesus Christ is the true light was Preached to the World and discovered to them when he had before been a mistery hid from Ages and Generations Col. 1 28. yet they would not beleeve him but loved to continue in that darkenesse or ignorance of Christ which is in all by nature Now for the third branch of his answer that where this light of Christ is there need no outward discovery We answer 1. We have abundantly proved that Jesus Christ is not in all in out answer to his reply to the fourth Position 2. We have also proved That Iesus Christ neither is in all nor doth he enlighten all by giving every man a knowledge of the Gospel this we have done at large in the same place 3. We have fully proved that all men in the world doe need an outward light or discovery and that it is the way of Christ his making knowne himselfe by outward discovery and Preaching the Gospel in the Perfect Pharisee pag. 18.19 in six arguments to which Nayler answer nothing Necessity of outward reaching further proved All that he brings for it de novo in his answer is onely his bare word without either argument or text so that we need to say no more Yet ex abundanti we shal adde First It was the wisedome of the Father to have the Gospel Preached to every creature and therefore did he send men forth to publish it Marke 16.15 Mat. 28.19.30 2. It pleased the Father to owne Preaching of the Gospel with the conversion of soules Acts 2.41 1 Cor. 1.21 I◠pleased God by the foolishnesse of Preaching to save them that beleeve 3. It pleased the Lord Iesus when he was ascended up to Heaven to give officers for the perfecting of the Saints Ephes 4.11.12 for the edifying of the body of Christ 4. It pleased him also to establish this as an everlasting Ordinance to continue till the end of all things Mat. 28 last Ephes 4 15. He that hath any sense of the wisedome of God and submission to it will not dare to say with Nayler that every man hath a light within him sufficient without the help of any outward discovery or to charge folly in doing all this upon him whose wisedome is admired infinite and acteth nothing needlessely and in vaine But what dare not these men doe who dare lift up themselves in their blasphemous pride to be as pure as God 2 Pet. 1.19 opence vindicated There is one Scripture 2 Peter 1.19 which is not brought by Nayler by way of proofe but is most ignorantly wrested by him to this their Idoll of light within We hinted how little the man had of any knowledge of Scripture by his so blinde and pittifull abusing this Text in that former Booke Perfect Pharisee p. 19. We see he is yet as confident as he was we shall onely say that which is there called the sure Word of Prophesie 2 Peter 1.19 is that word of Prophesie which in old time holy men of God spake c v. 21. and to this he bids them take heed viz. to the Doctrine of the Prophets where Peter doth not send them to the light within them but to the Bookes and Words of the Prophets as Christ sends the Iewes to the same Scriptures Iohn 3.39 Nay the Text is so farre from hinting any light within that the Apostle tells you these words of the Prophets were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a more sure Word then the voyce that came from Heaven ver 17. Thus the man hath still the weakenesse to produce Scripture that fully destroyes his owne Principle We shall adde no more but from these words of Naylers Where this light of Christ is
A Further DISCOVERY of that Generation of men called QVAKERS By way of Reply to an Answer of James Nayler to the Perfect Pharisee Wherein is more fully layd open their Blasphemies notorious Equivocations Lyings wrestings of the Scripture Raylings and other detestable Principles and Practises And the Booke called The Perfect Pharisee is convincingly cleared from James Naylers false Aspersions with many difficult Scriptures by him wrested opened Published for the building up of the perseverance of the Saints till they come to the end of their Faith even the salvation of their soules Mat. 16.18 Vpon this Rocke I will build my Church and the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against it Rev. 2.23 Vnto you I say and unto as many as have not this Doctrine and which have not knowne the depths of Satan as they speake I will put upon you none other burden But that which you have already hold fast till I come Gateside Printed by S. B. 1654. Christian Reader Sâ—nce our Publishing of the Perfect Pharisee as we finde we blesse God it hath been prosperous to the no small satisfaction and establishing of his people who with an humble and sober spirit have been willing to try the spirits whether they be of God So we see it hath provoked the spirits of those Quakers to more obstinacy bitternesse and rayling As in the powring out of the fourth Vioâ— Men were scorched with great heat and blasphemed the Name of God and repented not to give him glory Now though truely we must professe with Reverend Mr. Eaton Writing concerning the same people in his Epistle to his Booke called The Quakers confuted That we cannot apprehend that there is any hope of convincing these persons of the error of their way so farre are they under the very power of the spirit of delusion and professed enmity to the Ordinances of Christ Jesus our Lord Yet for the further securing and fuller satisfying of the people of God we are induced to Answer this Reply of Iames Nayler for the clearer manifesting of the wickednesse and folly of these men and their Principles And though it cost us new revilings and more bitter cursings from this People which we fully expect Yet what are we and our Names though troddon under foot so Iesus Christ may have the glory and his people the advantage of our standing for the truth But that thou mayest know the nature of their Answer thus it is We charge them to hold seventeen Blasphemous and Hereticall Doctrines besides their other principles and practises in our Booke expressed and what he sayes to them we have given thee a short account in the Draught subjoyned to our Epistle Wherein thou wilt easily see with what full proofe we have testified those things concerning them though the tongues of these 〈◊〉 accustomed to nothing more then to rayle doe so confidently charge lyes upon us But we are sure and confident in the Lord that we have spoken that of them which will if not already as it doth to all impartiall Readers fully undeniably and convincingly appeare to be truth if thou reade the clearenesse of the evidence of this ensuing Treatise Reader If thou hast Read our former Booke thou wilt finde our Arguments and assertions against the blasphemous Doctrines of these men fully strengthened by plentifull variety of evident plaine convincing Scriptures to which thou wilt finde Iames Nayler in his Reply answering not one word Certainly the demonstration of the spirit of God either hath convincingly silenced him and stopp'd his mouth for how ready is he to catch at any trifling appearance of advantage or what canst thou or any man imagine of him but that Scripture is nothing to him nor his soule under any obedience unto or conscience of the truth of God either of which What a miserable and deplorable state of soule doth it speake when men can stand out in their blaspemies against the light of Conscience It shall be our worke in this ensuing Treatise in following Iames Nayler in his Reply to answer all such Scriptures as he impertinently and injuriously wrests and to cleare the truths of God from their being misapplyed to his horrid Principles By which and other occasionall passages in this Booke thou wilt find a more full and plaine manifestation of these men and discovery of the mystery of iniquity working in them Consider what thou Readest and the Lord give thee understanding in all things Tho. Weld Rich. Prideaux Sam. Hammond Will. Cole Will. Durant A short Draught of James Naylers Answer to the Booke called The Perfect Pharisee Quakers Positions 1. EQuality with God This we proved by six Evidences He denyes but two of them which yet we shall prove under the hand of witnesses and his very Answers doe amount to an asserting of it 2. No distinction of Persons in the God-head This is denyed by them but we shall by further testimony cleare it to be theirs 3. That the soule is a part of the Divine Essence This he excepteth not against nor takes any notice of our Arguments but is full of bitter Rayling 4. That Christ is in every man and in the Reprobates held under corruption This is confessed clearely though seemingly denyed onely one expression is shuffled which is yet proved by testimony under hand 5. That Christ was but a Figure and Example This is denyed by him and miserably shuffled yet we evidently prove it even by their owne Bookes and other testimony 6. That men are not justified by that Righteousnesse which Christ in his owne Person fulfilled without us This is not denyed though so wicked a Doctrine but a new asserted and no tittle of an answer to our Arguments 7. That men are justified by that Righteousnesse which Christ within them enables to performe This we proved by six evident testimonies two of which Nayler onely shuffles in but we shall cleare them and answers nothing to plaine â—cripture against them 8. That God and Man cannot be wholly reconciled till he be brought to the state of the first Adam and able in hâ—â— oâ—ne power to stand perfect This he denyes but we prove from his owne words it clearely is and must be his â—eaning 9. He that commits sin and is not perfectly holy can never enter into the Kingdome of Heaven unlesse there be a Purgatory This he denyes to be so in his Booke and rayleth as if we charged a lye upon him but we shall further cleare it though in his owne answer he partly confesseth it 10. No reall Saint but he that is perfectly holy c. This he confesseth and answers onely by rayling but takes no notice of the Scriptures against that Principle 11. Every man hath a light within him sufficient to guide him to salvation without the help of outward light He confesseth all but answers nothing 12. No need of outward teaching c. He denyes one testimony of ten which yet is true but confesseth the Doctrine and falls a rayling 13.
rake up a reason out of a heape of rayling this it is Those that doe uphold the Scriptures to be the tryall of Doctrines doe yet differ amongst themselves therefore the Spirits or Doctrines are not to be tryed in Scriptures Reply Quakers Popish argument This as many other of their answers is a knowne thread-bare Popish argument they say You Protestants cannot agree in your Discipline and therefore the Scriptures are not to be the judge of Doctrines but the infallible spirit of the Pope We hope God will discover them ere lonâ— to be men meerely acted by the spirit of Anti-christ but we shall give you a full answer under these two considerations Difference in non-fundamentals no prejudice to the Scriptures being judge of spirits 1. First as it reflects upon our selves We say to differ in discipline is not to worship severall gods as Nayler rayles while it is knowne we hold the head the Lord Jesus but this we looke upon as the spitting of his venome When Peter was for Circumcision and Paul was against Circumcision Gal. 2.13.14 did they worship severall gods So those Acts 15. that contested in different judgements did they worship severall gods But this man cares not what he sayes so be may throw his dirt upon us though he bewray his excessive ignorance in it before the world 2. As it fights against the Scriptures being the judge and tryall of spirits we shall shew there is no strength in this exception at all For the Scripture loseth not its authority for the tryall of spirits by reason of the darkenesse and different apprehensions of spirits How darke were the Apostles in the Prophesies of Christs Resurrection Luke 24 25. Fooles and flow of heart to beleeve all that the Prophets have spoken c. yet the Scriptures lost not their touchstone authority upon the account of their darkenesse though Christ saw thâ—t truth of the Resurrection in the Scriptures spoken of which they could not apprehend ought not Christ ver 26. to have sâ—ffoâ—ed these things and to enter into his glory Doth not Peter say plainely that in the writings of Paul there are 2 Pet 3.10 difficult things and hard to be understood and such as the unstable and unlearned rest and yet those Writings and Epist es doe not lose their authority because of the diversities and darkenesse of Beleevers thoughts Scripture rightly understood will clearely discover every spirit and every Doctrine though the best of men knowing but in part 1 Cor. 13.9 and so not fully taking in the genuine sense of Scripture may have through their darkenesse difference of judgement in things lesse fundamentall But we may be weary in following such triviall arguments onely we would not have the saints entrapped in any of Satans snares nor the blessed word that 's sweeter then hony and the hony combe subjected to the delusions of evill men Thus we have given thee the strength of his answer onely he addes his false glosse upon that of Isay 8.20 Isay 8.20 vindicated by us objected against them in the Perfect Pharisee the glosse is this Whereas you quote that place To the Law and to the testimony it is true the Law of the new Covenant is written in the heart by God and the testimody of Jesus is the spirit of Prophesie and if any be not guided by and speake according to these it is because they have no light in them but without them But we answer As he plainly by this overturnes all Scripture and leaves no rule but the Law written upon mens hearts which we have confuted in the Perfect Pharisee pag. 25. so it is a grosse perverting of the text and truth for it is clearely spoken of the Written Word and the very next words expresseth it clearely If they speake not according to this Word the Hebrew is full beyond exception cedabar hazzeh according to this Word so that that text is no reference that God makes to the Law written upon mens hearts but to the Law written in Tables of stone which tables were called the testimony and the Arke thereof called the Arke of the testimony Exod. 25.22 because the Tables of stone in which the Law was written called Exod. 31.18 the tables of the testimony were layd up there We have fully showne in the Booke called the Perfect Pharisee pag. 26. the sad fruits of this Doctrine of denying the Scripture to be the rule of trying doctrines and spirits that it is to open a gap to all the delusions of Satan and we instanced sin the knowne case of Iohn Gilpin who was sometimes a Quaker to which Nayler replyes onely thus It is no more then if the chiefe priests should have cited Iudas to confute Christ c. as he consulted with the priests to betray the truth so Iohn Gilpin hath done now who shall receive his reward and you priests also as Nayler sayes To which rayling we thus answer Shaking off the Sâ—ripture tâ—e â—â—ler to Satans delusions 1. That Iohn Gilpin was thus acted by the Devill is a known truth beyond questioning 2. That he did verily beleeve he was acted by Christ when yet the Devill acted him is very apparant Nay Atkinson the boy that pretends to answer that reâ—ation of Gilpin doth all along confesse that he was acted by the Devill is plaine to any that reades that his childish â—nd non-sensicall piece of rayling 3. Iohn Gilpin himselfe â—â—ee the Lord hath delivered him in mercy out of the snares of Satan hath fully confest that it was the spirit of Satan and not the Lord Iesus that then acted him 4 And that all this grew â—ut of his casting off the Scriptures searching to a light within Take his owne words pag. 15. of a Booke called The Quakers shaken It was most just with God to give me over to strong delusions to beleeve lyes c. as for other provocations sâ— especially for rejecting the revealed will of God in his Word and heaâ—kning onely to a Voyce within me nay not onely to l sten to the Devils suggestions but to embrace his Voyce for the Voyce of Christ Thou seest now Reader what reason we had to say this rejecting the Scriptures from being the tryer of Doctrines doth open an unavoydable gap to Satans delusions 2. But what reason hath the man to say in this both Iohn Gilpin and we have consulted against Christ Nay have we not been pleading for Christ against Iudas the desperate betrayen of his truth and Gospel while we have been discovering â—he subtilties of Satan in those that are acted by him and pleading for the authority of Christ in his word against all the delusions of the Devill And as we can thankefully and comfortably looke upon it that God hath engaged us in so good a work so we can looke for our reward not what Nayler we beleeve could wish us but how can he defie when God hath not defied but what Christ hath promised to them that can
nakednesse The next exception is against our objecting Perf. Phar. p. 48. Christopher Atkinson his immodest familiarity with a woman of that way c. where Atkinson challengeth the proofe of it we shall onely say that that immodest familiarity if he will needs force us from our modest covering of that carriage to speak out it was his familiar Kissing of her as we are fully informed by the testimony of M. Walker and M. Wallas and we cannot but account it as a sinfull behaviour But to weaken the strength of this testimony Atkinson tells the Reader that M. Wallace said It was no murther in him to murther Christopher Atkinson and the rest of the prisoners at Kendale Truely we are afraid this whole generation of men are in a confederacy of lying we have purposely sent to finde out the truth of this foule challenge and shall give thee his clearing of himselfe word for word as we received it M. Wallace his vindication from Atkinsons lye HAving received a Paper from the Quakers that were prisoners containing horrible blasphemies viz. That they were the searchers of hearts and saying Let them be accursed from God for ever that will have Christ have any other Body but his Church I spoke these words and no more in the hearing of many viz. That I thought it was no murder in the civill Magistrate to put such blasphemers as they were to death it being according to the Law of God Reade Lev 24.10.16 Deut. 13. the vvhole chapter But that I ever said It was no murder in me to murder them or to put them to death I declare it to be a manifest lye Kendale Ian. 14. 1653. Iohn Wallace We whose names are subscribed did heare when M. Wallace spoke these words above written namely these which are inclosed within the parenthesis but no more Thomas Barket Miles Harrison Now let the Reader judge of what spirit these men are and as for the rayling which Atkinson powres out by reason of this testimony like a floud upon W. C. we his Brethren sâ—y we hope he hath learned that of Christ 2 Pet. 2.23 who when he was reviled reviled not againe when he suffered he threatned not but committed himselfe to him that judgeth righteously There is but one thing remains And that is the account we gave why we called our Booke the Perfect Pharisce which thou mayst reade in pages 49. 50. 51. and so conclude We therein prove from Scripture that that Title was most truely and properly applicable to them to which Nayler answers so exceeding weakely and raylingly that we are resolved not to reply one word thereto as having said enough before to that purpose to discover how weakely he struggles to evade the clearenesse of these Scriptures against himselfe and that way Reader thou wilt by this time see the falsenesse of what Nayler speaks in his word of conclusion to us five as if we had uttered many untruths and false reports taken up by heare say without any ground at all and divers things out of Books which we have on purpose wrested to slander with c. Thou wilt in this reply see the fullest evidence we thinke that can be given as to such cases and all these particulars that he excepts against made the more apparant unto all We professe before the Lord that it 〈◊〉 nothing we have against their persons that should any way leade us to wrest any of their writings to make them odious it is our onely zeale for the truth and Saints of the high God that hath carried out our spirits thus to expose our selves to the revilings of all this generation if by any meanes we might be serviceable to the Gospel and save our selves and them that heare us Thou wilt finde in the close of Naylers Booke two leaves put forth in the name of one who sayes his name in the Flesh is Iohn Andland t is such a perfect piece of bitternesse and rayling and no way in answer to our Booke that we leave it for waste Paper Thus having been carried on by the Everlasting Arme and drawne out by the cords of Love to our deare Lord Iesus his Ordinances and his Saints to beare witnesse to the true grace of God wherein we stand we shall sit downe in comfort and fly to him who is a refuge from the storme and a shadow from the beat when the blaâ—â—â—â— the terrible ones shall be as the storme against the Wall FINIS
Scriptures not the Word of God but a Declaration of the conditions of them that spoke them This he denyeth not we proved it by five testimonies He answers by one Scripture grossely perverted and two others ignorantly applyed but gives no answer to many Scripture arguments against it 14 Spirits not to be tryed by Scripture This we proved by three testimonies none of which nor the Position is denyed but goes about to prove it and falls a rayling 15. No sence meaning or exposition to be given or studying of Scripture This we proved in foure testimonies he confesseth goes about to prove it but answers not a word to fourteen evident Scriptures but falls a rayling grossely 16. They cry downe Baptisme and the Lords Supper as types and shadowes For this we gave foure proofes which he denyed not and we further prove it He shuffles from Baptisme in generall to the businesse of Infant Baptisme and falls a rayling 17. No mediate cull to the Ministry Denies not the Proof but falls miserably a rayling as if he would powr out his gall upon us As for the rest of his Reply to what we charged upon them as their Principles and Practises there is such palpable shufflings such miserable weakenesse and such horrible rayling as that we should not have medled with it at all but that we beleeve it is the designe of God to lay more and more open the spirits of these men THis Booke pretending to Answer us is thus subscribed By one whom the World calls Iames Nayler About man being called by names given them by their Parents We are â—ot a little jealous that there lyes a mystery of iniquity in that very stile and expression For first God himselfe whom to thinke to follow any sinfull expression or custome were no lesse then blasphemous calls men by their Names of distinction given by Men. Gen. 22.11 God said unto him Abraham Hannah called her sonne Samuel 1 Sam. 1.20 She called his name Samuel c. and afterwards when the Lord appeared to him to call him out to the worke of the Priest-hood chap. 3.4 and 6. and 8. verses The Lord called Samuel and called him againe so the second and third time here its evident that God himselfe calls him by the Name that his Mother gave him Acts 9.4 there Iesus Christ from Heaven calls him Saul Saul a Name given him before his conversion Christ when upon Earth calls his Disciples by the Names given them at their Circumcision as Philip Iohn Simon sonne of Ionas c. The Apostles doe so constantly as Festus Agrippa Gaius Aristarchus c. and this without such a mysterious preamble as one whâ—â— the World calls Festus Agrippa c. You see how these pretendâ—r to Scripture depart from Scripture as if they would include God and Christ under the carnall observations of the World or else teach them to speake 2. It is apparant That these very men doe constantly call themselves by these Names as Iames Nayler doth in an Epistle at the end of Farneworths Booke George Fox in a Pamphlet lately Printed and the very men of their Generation call them so without any such preamble The mystery of â—â—e 〈…〉 â—riting tâ—emselve such wâ—o the World câ—ll so and so 3. But shall we tell you where the mystery lyes We are satisfied that this expression is meerly to cloake their pretence to an equality with God Our reason is evident For in this very Answer of Naylers pag 4. where he relates Foâ—es his evadâ—ng of the charge against him that he said He was equall with God Nayler thus hints that Fox being asked whether he spake this of George Fox as he was a creature To this he answered I deny George Fox he is dust and must be dust but I and my Father are one Is not this as plaine as the Sunne that he therefore denyes George Fox that he may deny his being a creature one that must returne to dust that so he may set up and assert his onenesse with God Compare but this with that usuall expression of theirs in their Books Whose name in the flesh is James Nayler Whose name in the flesh is Iohn Audland c. and it will be more apparent But more of this you have in our Answer to their Reply to the first Article In the Epistle in the said Answer Written by A. P. he calls us About the word Priest the Priests of the North a word on purpose given us to our reproach Surely their pretended meeknesse should have taught them other expressions though truely we finde and the Reader may even in this their answer finde more cursed rayling then we receive from the worst of men yet our suffering in that kinde from them also is not small But A. P. might know that every Priest was to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sinne and that we waite not upon any such worke and that the Gospel knowes no Chiefe Priest but the Lord Iesus who is a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek not any Priests at all properly but the Saints metaphorically â—â—lled a Royall Priest-hood and shall the stile of the Lord Iesâ—â— and his Saints be a reproach in the mouthes of Quakers He goes on and tells the world That we 〈◊〉 all strangers to that sort of people called Quakers except one A. P. who is none of the least of that sort of people cannot but know that he is too well knowne to all of us Secondly Three of these five also have had cause to know many more of them as M. Taylour Iohn Audland Stubbs Holmes Atkinson Hedgshon Ayry c. and others from whom we suffered disturbance in our publique Ministry and some of these also are pretenders to be eminently sent forth Thirdly Though all of us were strangers to their persons yet are we not strangers to them in their writings and so if it be possible to know them by their Papers which they industriously scatter up and downe we know them fully But whither tends this aspersion that they are strangers to all of us save one but to make the world beleeve that we have taken up these things against them by report But we hope the Reader by this time understands the nakednesse of the slander and the subtilty of A. P. W. C. As for that evidence which one of us gives concerning their principles and practises which A. P. under the name of Reports would insinuate into the people as if they were lyes the Reader shall observe that the most of these evidences are not at all contradicted by Nayler in his Answer but passed over which we take as confessed by him others onely evaded which yet shall appeare to the Reader in the ensuing answer to be either such things as he was an eye or eare witnesse of or shall be fully confirmed by undeniable testimony A. P. goes on and tells the Reader that in this answer What is truth is owned and what is false is
denied truely he could not in so few words have spoken more untruely to prepossesse the Reader but we beg the Reader as to that to suspend his judgement till he have fully read the ensuing Discourse wherein whether any thing have been charged on them that is false and whether Nayler have done faithfully in owning what is truth will appeare at large In the Preface of James Nayler to his answer he tells you The Man of sin and his â—orkings in the last times Revealed That Christ now appearing in his Saints to discover the man of sinne with all his deceits and deceiveable workings now all the powers of darkenesse are gathered against him Gog and Magog As for those deceits and deceiveable workings truely these blasphemous Doctrines of these men with their Diabolicall delusions and quakings will make it appeare where the man of sin is now working To open this we shall stay the Reader a little Agreement betwixt Papists and Quakers 1. It is as claere as the noone day 2 Thes 2. chapter Rev. 12.3 Rev. 13. Rev. 17.4.5.9.10 that the Papall Apostacy and state is The Antichrist so often Prophesied of in Scripture Now it is as plainâ— that the very distinguishing Doctrines and practises of these men are such as are the maine principles of that man of sinne in opposition to Jesus Christ Papist Bell. l. 2. de justif cap. 7. 1. The Papists deny the imputed righteousnesse of Christ for justification and in scorne and derision call it A putative Righteousnesse Quak. These also from the same spirit deny the imputed Righteousnesse of Christ for justification And Nayler himselfe before the whole Court at Appleby discoursing with W. C. about justification by righteousnesse of Christ imputed not onely denyed it but in a sleighting way ended his discourse thereabout with this language That which is without is without So George Fox affirmed That he that is borne of God is justified by Christ alone without imputation Sauls Errand pag. 12. Papist Bell. l. 2. de justif cap. 3. 2. The Papists in their controversies with us doe positively affirme that justification is by inherent Righteousnesse Hence Bellermine Stapleton c. with the rest doe positively affirme that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is onely justum facere per inherentem justitiam that to justifie is onely to make righteous by inherent righteousnesse Quak. So these men doe as confidently affirme that they are onely justified by inherent righteousnesse or that righteousnesse within which Christ within them enableth them to performe See our proofe Perfect Pharisee pag. 10. Papist Bell. de juâ—tif l. 4. c. 11. 12. 13. 14 3. The Papists againe doe confidently conclude that a man may perfectly keep the whole Law Hence their neglect of the righteousnesse of Christ their workes of supererogation and the like Quak So the Quakers their great assertion as a challenge to all is that eâ—ery Saint is perfect that it is pâ—ssible to be perfectly holy and without sinne Perfect obedience to the Law of God is their great Principle which they confidently cry up more then any Papist Bell. l. 3. de verbo Dei c 4. 4. The Papists affirme that the Scriptures or the Written Word of God are not the supreame Iudge of sp rits Quak So these people that the spirits are not to be câ—yed by Scripture So A. P. in the Booke he but forth called Severall Papers p 19. The Woâ—lds touchstone is without them and they try the spirit by the letter c. but the Saints touchstone is within So that though they agree not what shall be yet both of them consent in denying the Scripture to be the judge of spirits Papist 5 The Papists call the Scripture aâ—â— ad letter a nose of wax a scâ—bbard without a sword Coâ—erus in Euchir pag. 44 Pighius lib. 1. cap. 4. So Melchior Canus sayes It is most certaine the Written Word is onely for Babes and is no way necessary for those that are growâ—e as is more fu l Melchior Canus defens each fid contra confess Worâ—berg cap. 36. Quak. So these men also not onely câ—y downe the necessity of the written word see the perfect Pharisee pag. 20. but also call it a dead letter a carnall letter that they are but a declaration of them that spake it So Melchior Canus againe saith the Gospel is not the Scripture as Farnworth in his Booke Discovery of Faith scoffes at our saying the foure Bookes of Matthew Marke Luke and John are the Gospel pag. 1â— Papist 6. The great argument by which the Papists doe goe about to establish the truth of their way is Immediate revelations and pretended miracles the want of which they upbrayd the Protestant Ministers and charge us to be no Church Quak So the Quakers doe in their pretence to an immediate call and their supposed miracle of quaking So A. P. the Word of the Lord came to me saying So Audland the Word of the Lord came to me but of that more hereafter Papist 7. The Papists doe place much of their holinesse in their Eastings beggerly apparell and forsaking the World as they call it as their lâ—â—ing mewed up in convents and cloysters their wandring up and downe as Hermits and begging Fryers c. Quak. So these men is knowne to place abundance of their holinesse in Fasting beggarly apparell wandring up and downe the World c. we might adde much more but here you may see how the man of sinne in these men in their compliance with the principles and practises of the Romish way breaks out in his deceit and deceiveâ—ble workings 2. He is a stâ—anger in the Booke of God as to the discovery of Antichrist The spirit of errour the spirit of Anti-Christ who doth not observe the spirit of God mightily unvailing Antichrist by the revealing of the spirit of errour in him for 1 Iohn 2.18 there it plainly appeares that horrid errors are of that affinity with the Antichrist that when he would describe that man of sinne in the last time he calls the Heretiques by that very name Now are there many Antichrists whereby we know it is the last time c. Now besides those which we have named the Reader will easily observe such a masse and heape of Arminian Socinian Familisticall errors in their Doctrines layd downe in the Perfect Pharisee that he may câ—earely observe where the spirit of Antichrist works in all deceiveablenesse in this last time 3. Lastly It is the Saints bulwarke against the Papists while they call for our miracles that the spirit of God clearely holds forth that the comming of the man of sinne is after the working of Satan with all power and signes and lying wonders 2 Thes 2.9 So Rev. 16.13 the three uncleane spirits ver 14. are the spirits of Devils working miracles to gather together c. Now this further evidenceth the spirit of the man of sinne
Reader If thou wondreâ— at the length of our answer to this particular truely the dread of the great God hath been here in upon our soules and we thinke no time or paines too much to vindicate the honour of our dread Lord and his Sonne Jesus Christ remembring that his glory he will not give to any other Position 2. That there is no distinction of Persons in the God-head Except Against our proofe for this Nayler objects That such a Position is not in Sauls Errand to Damascus and sayes we have not any proofe for what we here accuse of Reply 1 That George Fox in Sauls Errand to Damascus pag. 12. being asked Whether there be one individuall God destinguished into Father Sonne and holy Ghost Answered It was but a busie minde so to aske c. so little respect he hath to that saving mystery of the Trinity this that Booke will witnesse And that we had reason to inferre this Position to be a principle of their way will thus appeare 1. If Nayler had taken notice of our Booke he might have considered these words immediately following With other assertions of the same kinde knowne to some of us Now had he considered this he might have seen that we did not gather that this denying of the Persons c. was their Principle onely from what Fox layes downe in Sauls Errand to Damascus pag. 12. but from that of Fox together with other assertions of the same kinde knowne to some of us We know it to be ther Principle by comparing that expression of Fox with what our selves did know from others of them those truths compared were our proofe of that assertion as the Reader will presently fully see 2. Had we had no other ground but that expression of Foxes when he sayes It s a busie minde to enquire c. this had been enough For certainely if Fox thinke it to be a busie minde to enquire it its cleare he doth not beleeve it himselfe as he would not have it to be a matter of any others Faith 3. But thirdly Doth he say we have not any proofe for what we here accuse of Let both him and all men know that we have not charged that assertion on them without sufficient evidence Tomlinson an eminent man in that way in his Book called A Word of Reproofe to the Priests pag. 4. line 20. boldly affirmes the spirit to be no other but Christ himselfe in flesh Is not this to deny the Trinity and take away the distinction of Persons in the God-head 2. One of us doth know this was the Principle of Mr. Taylour Coll. Benson c. and so it was not asserted without reason and their owne spirits and consciences will beare me witnesse W.C. 3. A godly Minister in Westmoreland wrote to us that one of his charge being perverted to become a Quaker affirmed that there was one God bâ—t no such thing as a distinction of Persons in the God-head and spoke many words passionately against it And now whether there is not just cause to charge them with maintaining this blasphemy will be fully manifest and how unâ—ighteously Nayler hath so reviled us upon this account But we leave him to the Lord to rebuke Position 3. That the soule is a part of the Divine Essence Excep To that we layd downe as to the proofe and confutation of this Nayler onely replyes What the soule is you know not who live in the fall and are vaine contenders and pleaders for sinne and so goes on grossely rayling Reply For the proofe the e set downe let the Reader observe that he doth not in the least deny it though it be a blasphemous Principle W. C. And one of us doth still affirme that he was an eare witnesse of it Secondly Here we might very well expect that sith he could not deny our proofe he shâ—uld answer to our confutation of that blasphemy Against which we have given six reasons but instead thereof he falls a rayling as if a Rabshakehs spirit were divine Rhetoricke And what sayes he He sayes We know not what a soule is and that we pleade for sinne c. and seeke gaine from our quarâ—ers c. This is hâ—s answer to our arguments We shall not trouble the Read â— with answering their scandals and revilingâ— bâ—t sâ—â— the eâ—ample of Christ before our eyes 1 Pet 2.23 who whâ—n he was reviled reviled not againe Position 4. That Christ is in every man and in the reprobates he is held under corruption Excep 1 To this Nayler answers thus When will you cease to adde your lyes to slander withall Reply We admire how the man can have so much impudence to charge lyes upon us When as first within six lines Nayler himselfe confesseth that he said That if an Indian were there he should witnesse against him viz. W. C. for affirming that Christ did not dwell in the Indians that never heard the Gospel For the said W. C. did he not thinke the conscience of Iames Nayler feared durst appeale to himselfe whether that discourse was not about every mans having a light within them and that light to be Christ so that he cannot but remember that he affirmed Christ to be a light within the very Indians Secondly Nay further lines 16. 17. Nayler most ignorantly reasons that Christ is in the most vile in the World else he cannot judge them Certainely had the man any sparke of conscience or ingenuity left he durst not in the same page and with the same breath deny and affirme the same Doctrine Excep 2 But oh thou full of all subtilty Did I say that Christ in the reprobates is held under corruption let all that were there be witnesse against thee Reply 1. In our proofe there is no such thing layd to Naylers charge For that Position of theirs as we layd it consisteth of two parts and Nayler might clearely have seen that he is brought onely as a proofe to the first part of it viz. That Christ is in every man for all he is charged with is that he extended the in-dwellings of Christ to Indians and therefore it shares but of the fulnesse of his gall thus to poure it out without cause The proofe of the second part viz. that Christ in the reprobates is held under corruption we layd downe in our second proofe in a Letter of Iohn Audlands to Edward Briggs which Letter Nayler doth not deny For having told him he was damned yet he also tells him that he crucifieth Christ within him c. What is this but to affirme Christ under corruption But to make this further cleare this Nayler himselfe in Edward Briggs his house used this expression Father rayse up thy owne Sonne from under bondage as we have it from his testimony under his hand in a certificate dated Ian 14. 1653. And to put it yet out of all possibility of denyall that the jugling of these men may further yet appeare in denying their owne Principles We
owne imaginations to make them odious when we say according to their principle those things that are held forth of Christ without us as Hubbethorn sayes must be acted over againe within us and so Christ must be borne of the Virgin in us and Iudas and Herod and Pilate must be in us to betray and crucifie him Is not this the plaine assertion of Hubbethorn the same thiâ—gs must be fulfilled in us that was in Christ Iesus as he was held forth in the Scripture-letter and in the flesh without us And this we also proved by an assertion of George Bateman pag. 29. to which Nayler answers nothing But further it shall yet appeare that its cleare in Sauls Errand to Damâ—scus pag. 14. where George Fox expressâ—â—y sayes Christ his flesh is a figure for every one passeth thrâ—ugh the same way that Christ did who comes to know Christ in the flesh What a seared conscience must this man needâ— have that when this Doctrine is expressely found in those evidâ—nt plâ—ces in that Booke yet hath the impudence against the light of conscience to say Let that Booke he wiâ—nesse agaiâ—st yâ—u and your lying slanders herein to all that reade it But both you and we shall both learne what thâ—s man and his way iâ— Excep 2 You say this was written in a Letter which Nâ—yler wâ—ote to one in Lancashire viz. That â—e that expects to be saved by him that dyed at Ierusalem should be deceived which â—s a mâ—st 〈◊〉 by untruth c and so he goes on â—aâ—ling Reply 1. It is acknowledged thaâ— that Letter which had this Doctrine in it that Chriâ—t was but a figure was not Naylers Letter in which that other passage is we mistooke Nâ—yleâ— for Hubbethorne and that it was in a Letter from Huâ—bethoâ—â—e written to one in Lancashire Take this ensuing Testimony of Mr. Moore a godly Minister in Lancashire RIchard Hubbethorne wrotâ— that the câ—mmiâ—g of Châ—â—st iâ— the flâ—sh is but a figure or an â—olâ—ing 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 and actions amongst men those things that he will truely spiritually and really doe in the spirits of his people at his second comming This but being objected against him as denying the Lord that bought us He replyed in another Letter Thou dost not understand what I meant by that expression c. These words being often objected to the Quakers and particularly to George Fox though some of them made an answer to the but yet none of them deny it in these parts that I can heare of These Letters were sent to Henry Holme and are now in my hands Kellet in Lancash Jan. 16. 1653. William Moore Thus you have our confession of our mistake onely of the Name you see the truth of the thing convincingly evidenced But that it is a filthy untruth that Nayler wrote such a Letter in which were those words He that expects to be saved by him that dyed at Ierusalem should be deceived we answer First Nayler may know that we doe onely affirme that Doctor Marshall did object this against him at Applehy and Master Iaques Minister of Bolton in Lancashire sent his promise that he would make it appeare Had Nayler denyed that either of these two were true he might have charged us with a falsehood but this he doth not he dare not doe 2. Though Nayler doe so cry out against this as a slander yet he that considers this their Principle that Christ with all he did in the flesh is but a figure which is proved to be their principle beyond exception will wonder why Nayler should looke upon this as a slander when it is the necessary consequence of that wicked Doctrine for if Christ were but a Figure I should no more expect to be saved by him then by the figures and types of thâ— Law But because the man so loudly cryes out against this as being a filthy untruth that ever he wrote such a Letter though he deny not what we say that this was objected against him by D. Marshall and that M. Iaques engaged to justifie it yet we have affixed M. Iaques Testimony to satisfie the world of our clearenesse from the scandals and wicked reproaches of Nayler and this sent is under his Hand and Scale JAmes Nayler in a Lettor which he writ to Henry Holme gave out this expression If thou expect to be saved by him that dyed at Ierusalem thou art deceived Hoc unum test John Jaques Excep 3 There is but one thing more in Naylers answer whereby he shuffles this Position and that evasion is this We doe owne and confesse that Iesus Christ in the flesh is a figure or example as if figure and example were all one To which we answer Reply Iesus Christ not a Figure 1. We challenge Iames Nayler to shew one tittle of Scripture wherein Iesus Christ is called a Figure The first Adam is called a Figure Rom. 5.14 the Tabernacle called a Figure Heb. 9.9 but Iesus Christ is never called a Figure and therefore it is a sinfull shuffle of Iames Nayler thus to confound an Example and Figure 2. If he be a Figure we againe affirme he must typifie some thing but we referre you to our Booke as to Christ not being a Figure or onely an example where we have layd downe many Scriptures and arguments to which he answers nothing Perfect Pharisee pag. 8. 9. Position 6. That men are not justified by that righteousnesse of Christ which he in his owne Person did fulfill without us Reader thou wilt see in our Booke we had foure proofes for this three of which Nayler denyeth not and for the fourth we referre thee to Mr. Iaqueâ— testimony so that as to the truth of the assertion we must take it for granted especially considering what George Fox saith in Sauls Errand to Damascus pag. 12. He that is borne of God is iustified by Christ alone without imputation This gives us to understand the meaning of Naylers answer to that Position thus Except That righteousnesse Christ hath performed without me was not my justification c. untill Christ appeared in me c. and appeared in me my righteousnesse sanctification justification and redemption c. Reply Fox denying imputed righteousnesse in plaine tearmes 1. Let but the Reader compare this of Iames Nayler with that expressiâ—n of George Fox viz. he is justified by that alone without imputation and that of Authory Hodgson viz I beleeve to be saved not by the righteousnesse of Christ imputed to me but by the righteousnesse of Christ inherent in me which he doth not deny he wâ—ll learne the meaning of Naylers worâ—s to be clearly this that Christ in a man is the matter of his just fication so that though he labour to colour over the businesse in this answer by saying Christ was not his justification till he appeared in him yet comparing his answer with these testimonies it will appeare to be downe-right equivocation and shuffling Question betwixt Quakers uâ—concerning the
Papists and quâ—keâ—s about justification This is the old thread bare shâ—fâ—lle of the Papists when they are prest by the Protestants and their justification by workes or inherent holinesse is confuted by Scripture they constantly answer as Nayler doth they deny their being justified by their owne workes which flow from a Princip e oâ— their owne power but say that the workes by which they are justified are such as flow from grace or the workings of God within their soules They say that by the first Bell. de justif l. 1. c. 19 ne hominem justificare pâ—sse men cannot be justified but per opera qua ex fide Christi gratiâ fluunt homines justificari by the workes which flow from Christ All this while both Papists and Quakers allâ—â—â— justification by inherent holinesse not by the righteousnesse of Christ imputed onely they pretend it is not by their owne power The full confutation of which Popâ—sh and Anti-christian Doctrine we have layd downe in the Perfect Pharisee at large pag. 11. and to which Nayler according to his wonted presumptuous confidence answers nothing Position 8. That God and man cannot be wholly reconciled till he brought into the state of the first Adam and able in his owne power to stand perfect Excep 1 Nayler first excepts against this assertion that the Booke shall witnesse against us and sayes mans being able to stand in his owne power was never spoken by him nor thought by him and sayes that though the word be twice repeated to stand in Gods power yet they are not ashamed to wrest it to their owne power c. Reply 1 1. To this we answer that the Booke which he saith shall witnesse against us hath not so much as once the words to stand in Gods power though Nayler say those words are twice repeated for the quaere is in these words Whether God created Man and Woman perfect without sinne and able in his power to have stood if they had not forsaken his power and consented to the wisedome of the Serpent The nature of the power of the first Adam considered 2. From these words We considering the nature of the state of the fi st Adam to which Nayler sayes man must be brought before he be reconciled could not but gather that standing in mens owne power must be the sense of those words Our reason is plaine For That power which Adam had to stand in his state of perfection was given to him as the Prodigals portion into his owne hand but the power that the Saints now are to stand by is a power in the hand of the Lord Iesus given to him as a feoffee in trust for in this lyes the difference of the power in the sons of men in the first and second Adam our standing in the second Adam being by a power and support in the hands and dispose of the Lord Iesus by reason of which it is alone that none can plucke us out of the Fathers hands Ioh. 10. And the standing of the first Adam being by that portion of power which was intrusted in his owne hands without any promise of assistance or perseverance from God So that it is apparent that when Nayler saies Man must be brought into the state of the first Adam before he be reconciled he must meane he must be able to stand in his owne power without any engagement of support from God for thaâ— was undeniably the state of Adams power Let Nayler shew us a tittle out of Scripture where Adam had any thing of promise or assistance for his standing more then the power he had in his own hands which was his owne power 3. If yet Nayler will shuffle that this is not one of the Doctrines of the Quakers we shall further convincingly cleare it from the very words of George Fox in a Booke entituled To all that would know the way to the Kingdome pag. 10. he profanely and like a perfect Atheist scoffes at the grace of God saying thus And to you that tempt God and say Lord give us a sight of our sins c. this light within you lets you see it so you need not tempt God to give you a sight of your sins Foxes horrible â—eering at the graâ—e of God for ye know enough c. and give over tempting of God to give you a sight of your sins And to all yee that say God give us grace and we shall refraine from our sins there yee have got a tempting customary word for the free grace of God hath appeared unto all men c. Hence thou seest Fox most wretchedly asserting these two things 1. That to pray for sight of sinne and for power from sinne is a tempting of God 2. That to pray for light and power for the discovery of sinne and refraining from it are needlesse for so he saith yee need not tempt God to give you a sight of sinne and cease from saying God give us grace for the grace of God hath appeared to all men so that he plainely affirmes that all men have both a light and power also that they need not be beholding to God to give them nor to aske them of him for he addes the reason Why you need not aske it of God for you have a light within you and you know enough c. Begging of lâ—ght and power the Saints duty What a wretched Principle is this and how câ—â—trary to plaine Scripture If any man lack Wisedome let him askâ— it of God Iames 1.5 where the Apostle bids the poore creature to beg wisedome of God though Fox scoffe at it Open thaâ— my eyes that I may see Psal 119.18 Give me understanding 〈◊〉 34.31.32 Surely it is meet to be sâ—â—d unto God that which I see not teach thou me 1 Peter 5.10 where Peter prayer the God of all grace mâ—ke you pe fect stabâ— sh strengthen settle 〈◊〉 Ephes 3 14.16 for this cause I bow my kâ—eâ—s 〈◊〉 the Fathe◠〈◊〉 our Lord Iesus that he would grant you to be strengthned 〈◊〉 might by his spirit Every good and every perfect gif◠〈◊〉 downe from above from the Father of lights Iames 1. â—er 17 Now here you may see the practice of the Sain s and the wickednesse of Foxes profane jeering at the grace of God with sending men to theiâ— owne light and power in oppositiâ—â— to the grace of God and how all the lyes that Nayler chargeth on us while he denyes this Position doe fully fall upâ—â— his owne head while it is as confidenâ—ly affeâ—ted by the gâ—◠〈◊〉 Master of this Babylonish mystery The second exception is this You that say that Adam 〈◊〉 the state of innocency was under a covenant of workes make it appearâ— to all that know Adams state that you never knew it for the Law wherein is the covenant of workes was added after c. Reply Adam in innocence under a covenant of vvorkes What we have said at large about Adams being
shall we escape if we neglect the Word which at first began to be spoken by the Lord. 4. Is not this also this fancy of perfection the great root of that great sinne against the Gospel of selfe-righteousnesse which the Apostle so much declares against Rom. 9.31.32 Rom 10.2.3 Gal. 5.4 for such is the remaining pride that is in every one that if they have any thing to glory in they will set it up as their Idoll in their hearts 5. How can sinne be mourned over and mortified when neither owned nor discovered We finde blessed Paul a Saint of another Principle then James Nayler pretends to he good man complaines of an imperfect state 1 Cor. 13.12 I see but in part he mourns over the body of his death Rom. 7.24 Oh! wretched man that I am who shall deliver me But how shall we expect this from such as hide their eyes from their bosome sinnes there can be no sense of an unseen an unfelt an unacknowledged sinne What is the reason why so little mourning and mortifying is it not blindnesse and want of discerning sinne in the exceeding sinfulnesse of it in mens hearts 6. This is to take away the end of Christs convincing men of sinne which is that free grace may superabound Rom. 5.20 What made Paul to cry out of the exceeding abundance of grace 1 Tim. 1.15 but the exceedingnesse of his sinnes I am the chiefe of sinners David though a man after Gods owne heart yet the sight of his great sins after he was in a justified state this is that which makes him cry out to the multitude of Gods tender mercies for pardon Psal 51.1 according to thy loving kindnesse according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions c. How shall a Quaker see any glory in pardoning grace as to its dayly coverings of their weaknesses when they say they are perfect and doe not sinne at all The quakers sinnes discovered notwithstanding their pretence and pleading for perfection 7. This fancy of their perfections is the hiding from their poore deluded soules of those sinnes which they are evidently under the power of in the eyes of any spirituall observer For though they cry up their owne perfections yet who knows not the sinfulnesse of their selfe-righteousnesse of their many blasphemies Heresies denying the Lord that bought them raylings pride lying reproaching of the pretious Ordinances of the living God and Messengers of Jesus Alas what observant eye doth not reade these evidently in their bookes writings words behaviours Now who knowes not if Scripture be true these are wofull corruptions and damning sinnes And shall their fancy of perfection be a covering to such abominations as these No no the Prophet Isaiah will tell them otherwise Isa 28.20 the bed is shorter then that a may can stretch himselfe on it and the covering narrower then that he can wrap himselfe in it Nay their very pleading they are perfect convinceth them of sin ☜ For Job a man of excellency and holines beyond any of them saith chap. 9.20.21 If I justifie my selfe my owne mouth shall condemne me if I say I am perfect it shall also prove me perverse though I were perfect yet would I not know my soule But such broken reeds will one day peirce their hands when the King of terrours shall arrest the body and the sorrowes of death shall compasse them about then their perfection will appeare to be a dreame Oh! that Nayler would thinke of that of Bellarmine who had long disputed for a perfection of holinesse but when he came to dye then he came to see somewhat of the raggs of his owne righteousnesse and cryed out Lord have mercy on me not according to my workings but according to thy mercies in Jesus Christ Reader if God ever open these mens eyes they will then see the need of the blood of Christ when the flames of wrath shall be burning up their straw and stubble but if the spirit of slumber shall keep them in blindnesse and in bondage still that they cannot see and will not owne their imperfection yet when Christ shall coâ—e in flaming fire how shall their righteousnesse shrivell together as a scrowle and be like stubble before the flame then will the vanity of that Quakers expressions be layd open That holy and close walking with God is a Saints covering frâ—m the wrâ—â—◠〈◊〉 God Oh! let the Reader Psal 2.12 Kisse the Sonne lest he be angry when his wrath is kindled â—â—t a little blessed are all they that trust in him E As to this matter of perfection the summe of the rest of his answer is to pleade for perfection here from these considerations That this is the end of Christs comming to present us perfect that not one jot or tittle of the Law must passe till all be fulfilled Rom. 8.3.4 That God sent his Sonne that the righteousnesse of the Law might be fulfilled in us and to dispute against perfection here is to make the commands of Christ and endeavours of the Saints of none effect Reply 1 Iohn 3.8 opened How Christ destroyes the vvorks of the devill 1. As for the first that Christ destroyes the worke of the Devill 1 Iohn 3.8 and to this end was made manifest We answer 1 Christ destroyed the workes of the Devill for his people upon the Crosse Col. 2.14.15 and having spoyled Principalities and Powers he made a shew of them openly tryumphing over them in it Heb. 2.14 Christ himselfe tooke part of flesh and blood that by death he might destroy him that had the power of death viz. the Devill Doe we then by denying perfection of inherent holinesse in this life make voyd the end of Christs comming thus to destroy the workes of the Devill nay we establish it for by discovering of imperfection we send them to glory alone in Christ crucified Gal. 6.14.2 Christ destroyes the workes of the Devill in his people also and this is the constant carrying on of mortification in their hearts with his owne spirit whereby he takes away the doimnion and raigne of sinne Rom. 6.14 As in Paul who though he had the spirit of Christ and the dominion of sinne removed and Christ dayly destroying the workes of the Devill in him yet still he had a Law in his members warring against the Law of his minde Rom 7.23 yet there was the spirit lusting against the flesh and the flesh against the spirit Thus Christ exerciseth his conquering power in the conflicts of his Saints Now though sinne in Paul where not wholly removed or destroyed at present yet did not Christ lose this end of his being made manifest For first as he had it in part in his dayly conquering So secondly he will have it in fulnesse in his owne appointed time when the soule shall see him face to face then that which is in part shall be done away and not till then as is cleare 1 Cor. 13.9.10 3. There are ends of