Heed to the Manifestation of it that they may read pray praise preach and live in the Spirit to God's Glory and their eternal Comfort â—at 11. â—7 Cor. 2. 1. Eph. 5. 1 Rom. 1. 1 Mic. 58 Iren. l. 2. 30. Tert con Jud. 184. Quakeri â—â— a new Nicâ— name for 〈◊〉 Christiani P. 54. 55. Invalid 〈◊〉 J. F's Vâ— p. 69 70. Reas agaâ—â— Rail p. 40. Rom. 2. 14 15. Justin Martyr saith That all are Christians who live with Christ as Abraham and Elias and amongst the Greeks as Socrates Heroclitus c. See Scultetus on him who also saith That some at this day are of his Judgment who have taught that Melchizedech Abimelech Ruth Rachab the Queen of Sheba Hyram of Tyre Naaman the Syrian and the City of Ninive are in the Catalogue of Christians Eusebius Pamph. in his Ecclesiastical History saith That Abraham and the ancient Fathers were Christians And defines a Christian to be one that by the Knowledge and Doctrine of Christ excels in Moderation of Mind in Righteousness and Continency of Life and Strength of Vertue and Godliness towards one only God see Scultetus on him Clemens Alexandrinus saith The Law of Nature and of Discipline is one And Moses seems to call the Lord the Covenant For he had said before the Covenant was not to be sought in Scripture for that is the Covenant which God the Cause of all setteth whence his Name in Greek is derived And in the Preaching of Peter thou mayest find the Lord called the Word or Reason and the Law See his 1 Book Strom. at the end And before Page 353. he saith The Law and the Gospel is the Operation of one Lord who is the Vertue and Wisdom of God And the Fear which the Law had bred is merciful to Salvation And the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom That She that is Wisdom that ministreth Providence is Mistress and Good and the Power of both procureth Salvation The one Chastizing as Mistress the other being Bountiful as a Benefactor for one must pass from Darkness to Life and applying his Ear to Wisdom first be a Servant then a faithful Minister and so ascend into the number of Sons and be brought into the elect Adoption of Sons That the Law works to make them Immortal that chuse to Live temperately and justly And again Evil Men do not understand the Law but they that seek the Lord do understand in every good thing And the whole first Book of the Stromata is especially to prove the Antiquity of the one true Religion or Philosophy as he calls it Eph. 2. 8. 1 John 5. 4. Gen. 17. Gal. 5. 1 2. Acts 25. 26. There 's laid down Scripture â—ny generâ—â— Rule how answer bâ—â—fore Magiâ—strates 〈◊〉 to act in Times of Suffering John 1. Titus 2. 11. 12. John 18. 36. Isa 54. 13. Joel 2. 28. Mal. 2. 7. Heb. 7. 24 25 26 27. Isa 9. 6 7. Luke 17. 20 21. Heb. 8. 10. Rev. 21. 3. Joel 2. 28. Tit. 2. 11 12. Job 32. 8. Rom. 1. 19. Gal. 5. 16. 1 John 1. 7. Isa 2. 5. Rev. 21. 23. Gal. 6. 15 16. Galat. 6. 16. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in this Rule as it is translated Phil. 3. 16. which is spoken of the Measure of Attainment And Grotius saith in the Manuscript Rule is not so it must be understood let us walk in the same Attainment as also in 2 Cor 10. 13 15. in which three Places that word is only found See Erasmus Vatablus Zegerus Cameron Jac. Capellus and Grotius on those places none whereof can be drawn to the Scriptures Zegerus interprets this Place of Gal. 6. 16. thus They that have followed this Form of Life or Rule of the new Creature having turned away from the invalid Ceremonies of the Law Peace c. Drusius explains it from Chap. 5. 6. The new Creation 1. Faith which worketh by Love Grotius saith Rule here is a Way made as to a Rule that is plainly Right such is that Way of the new Creation which was foretold Isa 42. 9. And signifies the State of the new Man of which paul speaks Col. 3. 10. Eph. 2. 15. Rom. 6. 4. Bp. Rob. Sand. de Regul Cons Proeâ— 4 ta sect 31. Tertul. de Prescript Heraetic pag. 204. Dell. Confut of Simps P. 89 90. Hieron Tom. 4. 70. Bp. Jewel p. 532. Polano Histor Counc Tr. p. 150. Erasmus on 1 Pet. 1. 19. Ib. on 1 Cor. 2. Luther Tom. 3. fol. 169. Peter Martyr Com. loc p. 1. c. 6. Ibid. p. 2. c. 18. Book of Martyr 3 vol. p. 298. Calvin Instit lic 〈◊〉 cap. 8. Beza on 2 Pet. 1. 19. Tindal Works p. 319. 80. Jewel agai Harding p. 532 534. D. Ames against Bellarm l. 1. c. 5. Thes 32. G. Cradock Divin drops page 217. C. Goad Refr drops page 12. Exercit 2. 7. 9. against Quak. John 7. 17. 1 Cor. â— 10. 1 Pet. 1. 11. Cor. 2. â—0 11. Eph. 5. 13. Prelect 4. §. 21 22. Josephus Wars of the Jews l. 2. c. 7. Philo de spec leg decalog Laert. Hermip Orig. contr Cels Quint. Curtius ni vit Alex. H. Grotius on Mat. 5. 34. Book Martyr vol. 3. p. 475. G. Crad Divine Drops p. 210. Phil. 3. 16. 1 Cor. 2. 1 John 2. 20 27. B. Martyr vol. 3. P. 577. B. Martyr vol. 3. p. 475. Rev. 21. 3 7. Isa 54. 13. Rom. 11. 28 29. Rom. 8. 14 15. 1 Tim. 4. 8. Col. 2. 20 21 22 23. Mat. 10. 38 Gal. 5. 16 22 23. Gal. 6. 16. Prov. 6. 23.
the Consequence of our Principles but without great Injustice to us The Scriptures are uncertain upon their â—â—â—ndation but not upon ours Doth our â—â—â—ifesting their Faith concerning the Scriptures to be grounded upon their own Imaâ—â—â—ations or humane Traditions make void Scriptures or render them uncertain By means for we would have them receivupon the Spirit 's Testimony and Evidence which gave them forth And though cannot allow them to be The Rule of 〈◊〉 and Life under the Dispensation of 〈◊〉 Gospel which is Power and Life it self 〈◊〉 are they to be reverently Read Believed 〈◊〉 Fulfilled under the Gospel For notwithstanding the Law written upon Stone was 〈◊〉 Paul's Rule after the Son of God was â—â—vealed in him yet the Son of God taught 〈◊〉 to fulfil the Righteousness declared by 〈◊〉 Law If it be to deny and reject as 〈◊〉 have enviously said of us yea to vilifie the Scripture because we cannot allow to be The Rule c. Paul then may be said deny reject and vilifie the written Law what time the Law of the Spirit of 〈◊〉 in Christ Jesus became his Rule There a great Difference between asserting that 〈◊〉 Spirit is the Rule and casting away and â—â—lifying of Scripture And indeed it is but 〈◊〉 old Fetch of the Devil 's to pretend Hoâ—our to the Letter that he might the more unsuspectedly oppose the bringing in of Dispensation of the Spirit which the 〈◊〉 it self testifies of and to They that 〈◊〉 to be led of the Spirit arrive at the End which the Scripture was given forth 〈◊〉 Apostle John did as good as say the 〈◊〉 thing when he told them to whom wrote That the Anointing which they had â—â—ceived and abode in them would lead them all Truth and that they needed not that Man should teach them To deny this to 〈◊〉 been the Saints Teacher is to deny as 〈◊〉 a Proposition as is in the whole Scripture And that one Age of Christianity 〈◊〉 have one Rule and another Age anoâ—â—â— Rule That Age the Spirit and This but Letter is more then any Man can 〈◊〉 Yet did John's so writing to the Believers valid the Scripture or vilifie his own 〈◊〉 I would think none could talk so 〈◊〉 How then doth our Exalting the Light 〈◊〉 Spirit of Christ which fulfils the Scripture by bringing such as are led by It to enjoy the good things therein declared reject 〈◊〉 vilifie the Scriptures Does our living up them by an higher Rule make us to deny aâ—â— reprobate them Erasmus and Grotius thiâ—â— them then most to be valued when 〈◊〉 are Witnesses of their Truth in themselveâ— See them on 2 Pet. 1. 19 20. I do acknowledge they contain an Account of sever heavenly Prophecies Godly Reproofs Instructions and Examples that ought to be â—â—beyed and followed Object If so Then how are they not A Rule Faith and Life Answ A Rule and the Rule are two â—â—â—ngs By The Rule of Faith and Practice understand the Living Spiritual Immediate â—mipresent Discovering Ordering Spirit of 〈◊〉 And by A Rule I apprehend some Inâ—â—â—ment by and through which this Great 〈◊〉 Universal Rule may convey its Directiâ—â—â— Such a Subordinate Secondary and Deâ—â—ratory Rule we never said several parts of â—â—ripture were not Yet we Confess the â—eason of our Obedience is not meerly because they are there written for that were 〈◊〉 but because they are the Eternal Preâ—â—â—ts of the Spirit in Mens Consciences There â—epeated and Declared It is the Testimony of 〈◊〉 Spirit which is The True Rule for believing â—nd understanding of the Scripture therefore 〈◊〉 the Scripture but the Spirit of Truth must 〈◊〉 The Rule for our believing and understanding Them Thus held the Ancients Tertullion saith Worldly Wisdom the Lord â—alls Foolishness he hath chosen the foolish things of the World to the confounding of Philosophy â—or that is the Matter of Worldly Wisdom a divine Interpreter of the divine Nature and Disposings Justin Martyr in Exposit fid The Interpretation of the Scriptures is to be accommodated to the Will of the Doctrine of the Spirit and not to humane Reasonings Hieron saith The Scriptures must be open with Spiritual Exposition Epiphanius saith Only to the Children the Holy Ghost all the Scriptures are plain 〈◊〉 clear Nor were the most approved Protestants any sort who have been so reputed in Oâ—â—position to Popery of another mind It the Substance of the Fourth Article exâ—bited against the Lutherans in the Council Trent as an Erroneous Doctrine they heâ— That to understand the Scripture neither Gloss 〈◊〉 Comment is necessary but only to have the 〈◊〉 of a Sheep of Christ's Pasture Erasmus tells us What Man sets forth Man's Device may be received by Man's 〈◊〉 But the thing that is set forth by the Inspiration the Holy Ghost requireth an Interpreter inspire with the like Spirit and without the Inspiration of it the Secrets of God cannot 〈◊〉 known Luther giveth us his Mind thus The Scripâ—tures are not to be understood but by that 〈◊〉 Spirit by which they were writ Peter Martyr that famous Italian Proteâ—stant teacheth us The Spirit is the Abettâ—â— by which we must assure our selves for underâ—standing of the Scriptures that thereby we may discern between Christ's Words and a Stranger quoting Christ's words My Sheep know my Voice and several other places of Scripâ—ture Again The Spirit of God revealeth the Truth in the Scriptures H. Bullinger Decad. 4. Serm. 8. Men fetch â—he Understanding of Heavenly Things and Knowledge of the Holy Ghost from No where â—lse but from the same Spirit John Bradford answer'd to the Arch-Bishop of York thus We know the Scriptures as Christ's Sheep by the same Spirit that wrote and spake them being thereby assured c. 〈◊〉 teacheth thus in his Institutes It necessary the same Spirit that spake by the Mouth of the Prophets should Pierce into our Hearts to perswade us that they Faithfully Delivered that which was committed to them of God Beza saith That the Way of understanding Prophecies and referring them to the right Scope must be sought or fetcht from the Same Spirit which dictated them to the Prophets themselves and more to that purpose W. Tindal call'd the English Apostle by J. Fox saith It is impossible to understand in the Scriptures more than a Turk for any that hath not the Law of God writ in the Heart to fulfil it Bp. Jewel says thus against Harding The Spirit of God is bound neither to Sharpness of Wit nor to abundance of Learning Flesh and Blood is not able to understand the Holy Will of God without Special Revelation Without This Special Help and Prompting of God's Spirit the Scripture is to the Reader be he never so Wise and well Learned as the Vision of a Sealed Book D. Ames a great Father of the Independents saith upon occasion of Bellarmin's words The Anointing of the Holy Spirit doth teach the
Faithful to understand those things which they received of the Apostles therefore to understand the Scriptures in those things which are necessary to Salvation with more to that purpose Vatablus on Job 32. 8. with Drusius 〈…〉 and others speak to the same effect G. Cradock a famous Independent Preacher preach'd That the Scripture is a Speechless Thing without the Spirit Ch. Goad an Eminent Separate in his Works stil'd B. D. of K. College in Cambridge and an Independent Pastor thus taught There is no Knowledge of Christ nor of the Scripture but by Revelation D. J. Owen a Man of greatest Fame among the present Independents saith The◠Publick Authentick and Infallible Interpreter of the holy Scripture is He who is the Author of them from the Breathing of whose Spirit it Deriveth all its Verity Perspicuity and Authority So that we see upon the Judgment of many considerable Persons the Scripture is no◠Rule for our believing and understanding 〈◊〉 It self and therefore not The Rule of Faith and Practice concerning the things therein declared I will give a short Instance in Christ's words about Regeneration He taught and strange it was no doubt to wise Nicodemus That unless a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God This is as plain a Proposition as can be laid down and may be credited Historically But what is that to the Knowledge and Experience of the New Birth That they are never like to be informed of there Nor can that Scripture be my Rule in that Heavenly Travel respecting the many and wonderful Trials and Exercises that are to be met with in the way to It Neither can any other Writing whatever This only is the Office of that Spirit and Word Immortal by which we are begotten again What then is my Rule to inform order strengthen and lead through the whole Operation but the Same Spirit All Doctrinal Scripture was experienced before written or they had not been true Witnesses who wrote it Now that which was their Rule can only guide us into the same Experiences nor are they to be rightly known before experienced Do my Will and you shall know more of my Doctrine saith Christ I read the History of such things This saves not Neither can the History be the Rule leading into the Mystery That belongs only to the Spirit that searcheth out the deep things of God Consequently the Spirit and not the Scripture is the Rule for So believing and living Obj. But is not this to make void the Protestants Plea against the Papists viz. That the Scriptures are the Rule of Faith and Practice Answ No such matter For the Question was not Whether the Spirit of Christ or the Scripture was the Rule But Whether the Scripture which is God's Tradition or Popish Traditions were the Rule to measure the Truth of Doctrines and Practices by We grant that particular Scriptures rightly understood may measure what is agreeable or disagreeable to them That is such Doctrines and Practices as are contrary to that part of Scripture more particularly relating to our days are questionable by the Scripture especially since all Parties pretend that what they say and do is according to Scripture Yet this concludes not the Scripture to be The General and Evangelical Rule Obj. But if God had not revealed those things that are in Scripture by it to us how could they have been known by us Answ They were known by the Light and Spirit of Christ before they were written for from being written they are called Scripture Therefore it is said That the Prophets searched diligently what and what manner of Time the Spirit of Christ tha◠was in them did signifie when it testified before hand of the Sufferings of Christ No◠are they ever the more reveal'd to the blind and dark Mind because they are written The Mysteries of Regeneration are as Puzling to Natural Wit and Earthly Wisdom as before Therefore well said Epiphanius Only to the Children of the Holy Ghost all the Holy Scriptures are Plain and Easie Mens going to hammer out Principles without this Infallible Guide and Rule hath been the Cause of that great Confusion that is over Mankind about Religion to this very day Obj. But how else could you have known those Prophesies to be true for that is not matter of Witnessing but Fore-telling Answ That is an extraordinary Revelation not falling within the Ordinary Discoveries that are absolutely necessary to Man's Salvation by which he shews his Power and Faithfulness that he is God and can foretell and will bring to pass But therefore must there be an Extraordinary Light or Spirit and not rather an Extraordinary Sight and Sense from One and the Same Light and Spirit in them Besides That which gives me to Believe and Savour it to be from the Spirit and not by Imposture is my Rule for believing it Now that the Spirit so doth both Calvin and Beza as before cited assert for me viz. The Same Spirit that spake by the Mouth of the Prophets must Pierce into our Hearts to perswade us that they Faithfully Declared that which was committed to them of God Obj. But this Light you speak of could not tell you which way Sin came into the World That there was an Adam and Eve that they fell after that manner and that Sin so entered the World That Christ was born of a Virgin suffered Death and rose again That you ought not to Swear in any case c. If the Scriptures had not told you so Answ That is boldly said But consider well Moses says the vulgar Opinion had that Account of the Creation above Two Thousand Years after it by Revelation which we find in Genesis Now that there could be no Revelation without this Divine Light or Spirit which is the Life of the Eternal Creating Word must needs be granted For saith the Apostle Paul the Spirit of God knoweth Only the Things of God and whatever makes manifest is Light And that the Spirit and Light are One tho' Two Names has been sufficiently evidenced already If then it was This Light of the Eternal Word that delivered those past things to Moses and gave that Prospect of future things to the Prophets as no doubt it was if the Scripture be Credible then to say the Light or Spirit could not do it is Blasphemous as well as absurd Again To argue because the Light does not Reveal every Circumstance of History to each Individual that hath already an Account thereof of therefore it could not is Unreasonable Were the History of the Transactions of Christ and his Followers wanting as before Moses was that of Adam and his Posterity and that the Lord saw it needful to acquaint Mankind therewith no doubt but the Light and Spirit which revealed the Account of the Creation above Two Thousand Years after to Moses and fore-told several Hundred Years many of those Transactions of Christ by the Prophets would