and blessed yet say 't is Dust and Death the Serpent's Meat c. Apol. Introd p. 18. to his New Rome We do not believe any of these Quakers ever so said of the Precepts and Doctrin nor do they own any such Saying I wholly disown it But then to beg the Question What was it you called Dust and Serpent's Meat Was it nothing else but the Ink and Paper Did any Body ever say That these were not Dust Or Is that any part of the Controversie betwixt us Snake p. 249. Here he yields the Point he grants the Ink and Paper to be Dust. I said Will decay and turn to Dust but so will not the Word the Gospel nor the Holy Doctrin contain'd in Scripture And it has been confess'd by F. B. and others That Holiness is not ascrib'd to the Paper and Ink or Inky Characters that will decay but to the Holy Doctrin and Precepts which will not decay but be permanent and endure and therefore called the Holy Scriptures with respect to the Holy Matters therein contained That the Books and Writings in Ink and Paper will wear out so will not the Word is evident Jehoiakim King of Judah could burn Jeremiah the Prophet's Roll or Book writ with Ink by Barach but not the Word of the Lord nor properly the Words thereof for the same Word caused all the former Words to be written again after the Roll was burnt Jer. 36. If then the Books the Paper and Ink be combustible or will decay and turn to Dust but not the Word nor the Doctrin where 's then the Controversie indeed when the same thing is granted on both sides He quotes Gr. Myst. p. 302. Sect. 11. p. 146 147. as saying Paper and Ink is not infallible that will come to Dust unto which the Word Christ and the Spirit is preferred in the same place quoted And in the said Gr. Myst. p. 78. by Letter he there means Paper and Ink but the Scripture the thing it speaks of is spiritual the Word is Spirit And further p. 127. the Scripture or Writing it self without the Spirit that gave it forth is a dead Letter in it self The Spirit is that that gave forth the Scriptures For my part as I am not in the least conscious to my self of the least Contempt of Holy Scripture nor yet of the Bible for I have always preferr'd it to all other Books extant in the World and more affected Reading therein than any other Book even from my Childhood and often bless divine Providence for preserving to us the Scriptures So I know of none among us guilty of contemning them Neither is what 's said from any Contempt of Scripture no more than it is of the Earth and the Heavens to say They shall wax old and perish but the Word that made them endureth Psal. 102. 25 26. Heb. 1. 11 12. But say what we can in this Case to clear our selves of any Contempt to the Holy Scripture this our uncharitable Judge and Accuser will not believe us He 's bent to asperse he has swallow'd down so much of the soure Leaven of the Malice of a few false Brethren Persecutors and Apostates from whom he derives much of his Authority and thus scurrilously and most falsly imposes upon me viz. And therefore George notwithstanding all thy meally Modesty it is it is indeed George it is the very Doctrin of the Scriptures which you blaspheme as Dust and Death and Serpent's Meat on purpose to bring Men off from trying your pernicious Heresies by those saecred Oracles p. 250. This is a pernicious Abuse and Calumny against my self and others of us to out-face us against our very Sense and Consciences and in good Conscience I testifie against it it never entred into my Intention or Thoughts so to blaspheme the Doctrin of the Scriptures as to term or deem it Dust Death or Serpent's Meat The Lord rebuke this lying envious Spirit Neither do I vilifie the written Doctrin and Precepts of God in comparison of our New Light as he falsly calls it p. 250 251. but reverently esteem them The Man makes no Conscience of defaming us Neither do we quarrel with the Law and the Testimony nor yet with Writing or Scripture as 't is in Ink or Paper but distinguish between the Writing and the Things written which is no Contempt to either We are thankful to Divine Providence for both the Scripture or Writing and the Holy Doctrin and Divine Precepts therein written for they testifie unto Christ our Light and our â—ight to the Truth of them And to what he saith If any do not teach the same i. e. according to the Law and the Testimony or written Word it is because there is no Light in them Isa. 8. 20. And then puts this Emphasis upon it No Light George Mark that Your false Pretences to the Light within are here over-rul'd p. 251. I deny that our Pretences to the Light within is either false or here over-rul'd if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no Morning to them If he 'll see the Note from the Hebrew in some Bibles he may see no Morning in the Margin over against no Light Then let him Mark that But is there no Light in the Creation before Morning either inward or outward pray Did not the Light shine in Darkness before it shined out of Darkness And had not the Believers a more sure Word of Prophecy whereunto they did well to take heed as unto a Light shining in a dark Place until the Day dawned and the Day-star arose in their Hearts 2 Pet. 1. 19. And are not many reproved by the Light them in for telling Lies and speaking contrary to the Word c. And therefore there was some true Light in them before the Morning appeared to them And tho' my Accuser says These and such-like Texts detect and explode the miserable Ignorance and Blasphemy of these Pretenders to Light For which we have his own ipse dixit and much such Raillery but know no plain Texts of Scripture yet produced by him that so detects us but his own Falshood and great Ignorance about the Light is very apparent Again he falsly defames and reprobaches me from p. 28. Of Innocency Triumphant with excusing and justifying Diabolical Suggestions in the Quaker-Refuge he saith against the Authority of the sacred Scripture by saying That it questioned but some not all p. 252. This Accuser has a most odious injurious course of defaming and perverting as well as curtalizing our Words wherein he has taken part with his famous Author F. Bugg to whom the Answer was given on which he grounds his black Charge against me Of justifying Diabolical Suggestions c. In which Answer I expresly declare thus viz. His Accusation that the Quakers insinuate in a Book called The Quakers Refuge That What the true Prophets spake was false and What the false Prophets spoke was true p. 47. New Rome Vnm. p. 23. We
AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST THE VENOME OF The Snake in the Grass Or the Book so stiled AND THE Christian People CALLED QUAKERS Vindicated from its most gross Abuses and Calumnies In certain Reflections detecting the nameless Author's Malice Outrage and Persecution against the said People Unto which is Annex'd A brief Examination of the Author's second Book stil'd Satan Dis-rob'd Also Some Notice taken of his Discourse for the Divine Institution of Water-Baptism Psal. 83. 3. They devise deceitful Matters against them that are quiet in the Land London Printed for Tho. Northcott in George-yard in Lombard-street 1697. THE BOOKSELLER TO THE READER Friendly Reader THE so long delay of this Answer to The Snake in the Grass has been chiefly the Printers occasion and partly to have some Answer to his latter Book still'd Satan Disrob'd So Reader that thou may'st be preserved from the Venom of this Snake in all his twistings and twinings is the desire of him who wisheth the Well-fare of all Men. T. N. ERRATA PAge 37. l. 13. r. Persecutors l. 38. dele as p. 56. l. 6. r. Kingdoms p. 81. l. 1. r. Prosecution p. 166. l. 30. for them in r. in them p. 167. l. 12. for reprobachs r. reproaches p. 200. l. 25. r. universally p. 204. l. 7. r. who rendred p. 232. l. 4. r. of Sin and Death l. 5. r. of Life p. 235. l. 13. d. 60. Some litteral Faults and Points mis-placed may be understood by the sense of the matters Impartial Reader AFter the perusal of the said Snake in the Grass seeing the gross and absurd Aspersions Calumnies Perversions and scornful Stuff therein Contained and the great Malice of the nameless Author's Spirit against the People called Quakers It was slighted by us and laid aside for some Months being stuft with many lying and incredible Stories as scarce deserving any particular Answer except the notice of some few to discredit the Author and invalidate his fruitless attempts of his foul Envy and Falshood But some indifferent Persons being urgent for an Answer and the said Book being rendred as an unanswerable Piece by some too easily imposed upon and others in prejudice gave occasion for the insuing Reflections to be Exhibited in order to obviate the injurious Design of the Author and his Abettors i.e. some wrathful implacable and perfidious Apostates who are of those Cattle he has principally Plowed withal and from whom he has chiefly derived his unjust Authority to Defame and Scandalize the said People with those old false and refuted Aspersions and Slanders as Possessed with the Devil Enthusiastick Madness Blasphemy Heresie denying the true Christ and his holy Humanity or Manhood real Sufferings and Satisfaction and the Resurrection and Contemning the Holy Scriptures Doctrins and Precepts therein contained with abundance more of such like Calumnies and Slanders Abuses and Perversions of our Words and Doctrins frequently answered and refuted by divers of us in our former and latter Books And now because of our present Ease and Liberty which Mercy our Gracious God hath influenced the present Government to afford us from our late grievous and destructive Persecutions for which Liberty we are truly thankful For this Cause the Devil and his Agents appear the more enraged and to have exceeding great Wrath against the remnant of the true Seed and to combine together to persecute us with their most shameful Reproaches Abuses Lyes and Slanders which is the present Persecution we are under When the Devil was suffered to imploy his Agents to Oppress and Persecute us in our Persons and Estates by severe Imprisonments and spoil of Goods tending to Ruin us and our Families then the Pens of his Clerks and Ministers were quiet towards us But seeing his and their wicked ends by that kind of open and cruel Persecution could not be accomplished upon us now they bend their perverse Studies and Pens to persecute us with shameful Reproach and Blasphemy to Destroy and Murther our Reputations both as Men and Christians not sparing either the Living or the Dead The Lord our God will rebuke their Fury and Outrage and confound their mischievous Devices and Confederacies even the just and righteous God who by his power supported us under our deepest Sufferings and Persecutions and gave us Faith and Courage then to Face the severest Storms and Blustering Winds which rose up against us for our Christian Testimony and Assemblies he hath enabled and will enable us to face and outface this Storm of envious and outragious Persecution of our open and secret Enemies And 't is no small shame and disparagement for such Eminent Church of England Men as the Author of the Snake in the Grass would seem one of them to be beholding to pretended Quakers such as George Keith and Thomas Crisp for their Aid or Authority against us and to F. Bugg's Authority also who has been detected of numerous Falshoods against us since he left us and turned to the Priests and to the Publick as he calls it and the said George Keith contrary to his many and frequent Vindications of the People called Quakers and their Principles and above thirty Years Conversation among them now turned an open Adversary to Revile and Reproach them and yet a falsly pretended Quaker as if he would ingratiate himself into favour with the worst of our Enemies the Day will yet further discover him and them I confess where Persons of a contrary Judgment to us appear moderate and civil in their Discourse and Treatment in things wherein they differ from us they deserve to be gently and tenderly Answered and Treated and if such suppose me mistaken in any thing or circumstance of words from which I intend not altogether to excuse my self in all Controversies from my young and early Years and yet be assured by the Spirit of Truth in matters Essential to Salvation I would take kindly their civil and friendly Discovery thereof to me being desirous that the Truth may be exalted above all Self-reputation But when I find Persons like this Author of The Snake in the Grass maliciously set in a persecuting Spirit to defame and reproach Truth and our Christian Society which I am concerned in Conscience for I confess then a holy Zeal the Lord raises and has raised in my very Heart and Soul against such bitter Implacable and Persecuting Spirits And the Lord's Power I have felt and do still feel it to accompany and inable me in Defence of his blessed Truth and People And inasmuch as the said Author of The Snake in the Grass is so very liberal in his most odious Characters upon us and has so frequently Branded us even divers Persons by Name with Blasphemies and Heresies c. who have been and are known to be Persons of good Reputation both as Men and Christians in Life and Conversation 'T is pity but this Defaming Author should be publickly exposed by Name for his Folly and outrage especially if he persists in his Scorn and envious injurious
foolish Hearts thereby darkned others begun in the Spirit yet would end the Flesh. But where 's his Catalogue to prove a greater number of Quakers have run quite mad than among so many of all Mankind Let him produce it if he can Now 't is observable That our Principle of Divine Inspiration Light within the Gift of the Holy Ghost the Work and Ministry thereof are plainly confest unto by this Author of The Snake in the Grass as That the Doctrin of the Church of England allows the same namely as constantly teaching that all saving Graces are wrought in our Hearts by the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost and that this Inspiration is as necessary to our fructifying or bringing forth good Works as the Influence of the Sun is to the Earth's bringing ing forth of her Fruits p. 46 47. Further discovering That they do not only Teach but also Pray for and Sing for God's holy Inspiration of the Holy Ghost and plead for the necessity of Divine Inspiration Light within c. from page 46 to page 53. And that according to their Homilies and Liturgy p. 54 55 56. He also instead of confuting the Principle or proving us all Madmen that profess Divine Inspiration tells us What sort of Enthusiasm or Inspiration is allowed and own'd in the Church and that 't is full as much as any sober Quaker can mean by the Light within and that it is made necessary to every good Work And we are directed to it to follow and be guided by it and are assured that it will lead us to all Truth that is requisite and necessary for our eternal Salvation it is this that opens the Scriptures to us and our Vnderstandings rightly to apprehend the true Sense and Meaning of them and which inclines our Will to love and duly to follow the divine Precepts therein contained If any Quaker as I am confident all that are in the least sober-minded will say That this is all they mean by their Light within then where is the difference Why do they break off and separate from our Communion upon the pretence of the Light within wherein we agree with them pag. 55 56 57. Thus far his Confession to the Principle wherein he is more Ingenuous than in his bitter reproachful Language and foul Raillery against us which he somewhat minceth yet confesseth He is forced to a little Raillery now and then Second Part pag. 12. The greater shame for him thus to manifest himself an open Railer and Reviler about religious Controversies But seeing he has so largely confess'd and vindicated the Church of England's allowing Preaching and Praying for the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost and agreeing with the Quakers about the Light within c. how trifling and fruitless are his Attempts to vilifie and make them odious as Madmen Possest with the Devil Enthusiastick Madness c. from the Personal Miscarriages of some Distracted or Whimsical or Mad or loose extravagant Persons How many of his own Church have run mad How many Debauched and Wicked both of the Clergy and others Would he take it well to have a large Catalogue or Book writ thereof as the Cobler of Gloucester and others have done to shew the Contempt of the Clergy and then upbraid their whole Communion or Society yea and their Principles also therewith Surely no this he would deem very unjust Then let him peruse his own Work and better consider the Nature and Tendency thereof together with the bitter Invectives therein tending to raise a new Persecution which shews not a Christian Spirit or Charity in him or his Abettors Apostates from us or others whose Help by divers of of his silly dirty Stories he appears to have had A Catalogue of some of the great Mistakes Abuses and Calumnies in the Book sliled The Snake in the Grass with brief Reflections thereupon THat G. Fox's chief Principle was at first to direct Men to the inward Anointing and that they needed no Man to teach them but as the Anointing teacheth them and that God is come to Teach his People himself but that he would not trust to this for that he went about Teaching outwardly and has erected an outward Church-Discipline and Authority to over-rule the Anointing c. They keep up outward Ministry and Preaching which are more inconsistant with their Principle of reducing all to the Inward and waiting for the Lord in silence within Reflection Here are 3 Falshoods contained in this Calumnious Charge As 1. That G. F. would not trust to this Anointing 2. Church-Discipline to over-rule the same 3. Keeping up an outward Ministry and Preaching as inconsistant therewith These are both false and apparent Perversions reflecting also upon the Holy Apostles and their Ministry preaching and writing Epistles and Instructions to the Churches relating to both Church Order and Discipline and yet directed and referred them to the same Divine Unction received from the Holy One the Holy Spirit the Word of Faith and Grace of God within them Therefore Ministry and Instructions to good Order and Discipline were not to over-rule the inward Anointing but as proceeding from the same to help strengthen and confirm them in it for if the Doctrin of the Church of England be so much for the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost the Light within c. as he confessed what then is their Ministry and Discipline to over-rule the same How will he reconcile himself to his condemning us in this Case Sn. p. 95 96. These two Madmen Fox and Muggleton both their Inspirations came from the same Author the Father of Lies who in that Hurricane of Schism and Rebellion got an Act of Parliament for Tolleration and Liberty of Conscience to sow his Tares at Noon-day Ref. The first part is a gross Calumny against G. F. whose divine Inspiration and found Testimony given him of God was evident against Muggleton's dark Spirit presumptuous and blasphemious Doctrine 2. The latter part is a bold Calumny and Reflection upon the Parliament and Act thereof for Tolleration and Liberty of Conscience as if the Devil the Father of Lies did influence the Parliament to make the said Act which is a most presumptuous and audacious Aspersion We know no other Act of Parliament obtained for Tolleration and Liberty of Conscience but the Act of Exemption made in the First Year of King William and Queen Mary and which was made for no such end as for the Devil to sow his Tares but for the Ease and Liberty of tender Consciences from the Devil 's envious Work of Persecution God having so order'd it that the Seed of Christ's Kingdom his Word and Gospel may have Liberty and be sown the more plentifully But it appears our present Liberty is greatly envied by this persecuting Author and such scandalous Libellers Sn. p. 104. That one of the Orders given forth by their Yearly Meeting 1693. commands That none shall carry Guns in their Ships Ref. This also is untrue We know no
cleanseth from Sin and that this was not to be resolved into the Light within nor to be spiritualiz'd away from the Letter Re. Let us be excused if we cannot take that Text 1 John 1. 7. altogether literally if cleansing from all Sin be a spiritul and inward Work or Act as no doubt it is there 's as much ascribed to the Spirit as to the Blood in respect to the Work of Sanctification Washing and Cleansing from Sin And therefore the Blood of Christ may be both taken spiritually and literally and this is not to spiritualize away the Letter relating to the outward Blood and Sacrifice of Christ seeing we have always believed both in the Letter and receive the Fruit thereof in the Spirit Sn. p. 148. Sect. 11. These Men whose chief Principle is to decry and damn the Letter Re. This is a most gross and foul Calumny Our preferring the Spirit to the Letter as the Apostles did is no decrying nor damning the Letter nor so intended by us but to bring People to the Life and Substance and real fulfilling of Scripture To what he saith in distinction between Christ the Word of God and the Book of Scriptures p. 151 152. this makes for us and against them who have often affirmed that Book to be the Word in opposition to our owning Christ to be the Word of whom the Scriptures testifie And this on our part is no Contempt of the Holy Scriptures nor in their place any deifying of our own Spirit and our own Scriptures as this Adversary most falsly accuseth us p. 152. His most seeming pretence for Proof against us of Contempt of Holy Scripture is in p. 142. Sect. 11. where he quotes a Passage out of a Book Entituled The Quaker's Refuge c. thus viz. Whether the first Pen-man of the Scriptures was Moses or Hermes Or whether both these are not one Or whether there are not many Words contained in the Scriptures which were not spoken by Inspiration of the Holy Spirit Whether some Words were not spoken by the grand Impostor some by wicked Men some by wise Men ill applied some by good Men ill express'd some by false Prophets and yet true some by true Prophets and yet false And here the Accuser breaks off in his Citation like as F. Bugg used to deal by us who has the same Passage to defame us as he hath done Whereas next after the Words And yet false these follow viz. Is not the Subject of my Argument at this time Here 't is plain the Author R. R. has cited these Questions about the Scriptures not as the Subject of his own Argument but of some others he would not then be concerned to dispute those Questions or Doubts For the said Author farther confesseth That such Scriptures and Prophesies as have been written and prophesied by the Holy Men of God as they were moved by his Spirit treating of the Mystery of God in the Redemption and Salvation of Mankind by Jesus Christ and the Duty of Man in his Obedience to and Worship of the same God as his reasonable Service for the Gift of so great Salvation are the great Concerns now under our most serious Consideration From hence it 's clear the Author was no Contemner of Holy Scripture and 't is clear the Subject of his Argument was for the Authority of the Holy Spirit in judging or discerning the Mind of God in the Holy Scriptures as truly own'd by the Quakers thus in the said Book Quaker's Refuge p. 17. which could not intend any Contempt of the Holy Scriptures much less a deifying either of our own Spirit i. e. the Spirit of Man or our own Writings in their place We have rarely ever met with more mad unlikely and improbable Aspersions than these from our most outragious Adversaries To what is objected p. 155. Sect. 11. viz. That they i. e. the Quakers cannot be bound by any Command in the Scriptures unless their Spirit anew require the same This is falsly stated 't is not our own Spirit i. e. the Spirit of Man abstractly that we profess to be under the Conduct of but the same Spirit which gave forth the Holy Scriptures And is not awanting to require of us the performance of its own necessary Commands and Doctrins contained in the Scriptures seeing 't is the same Spirit which leads it's sincere Followers into all Truth consequently not to undervalue any of those blessed Truths recorded in the Holy Scriptures And therefore this Adversary's Consequence intended against us viz. That the Scripture remains of no Authority with us p. 155. is very unjust being deduced from his own false Suggestions supposing us to set the Spirit in opposition to the Scriptures of Truth whereas we plead for the divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures in so much preferring the Holy Spirit from whence they proceeded and derive their Authority and not from Human Tradition And this is far from spiritualizing away all the Letter of the Scripture or Christ's Humanity as in p. 166. as we are often unjustly aspersed To what he saith p. 168. That Enthusiasts have no Principles they have no Rule but their own Fancy which is strongest in mad Men and this they mistake for Inspiration and then their Madness is at the height We say take Enthusiasm in the truest and best Sense and then such are inspired of God and by his Inspiration have a true Understanding and right Principles given them both Divine and Moral and do not mistake Fancy for Divine Inspiration But to whom does the Man apply this Enthusiasm which he renders Fancy more strong in mad Men and height of Madness In his next Page 't is to the Quakers He says No Quaker can deny but that the Principle of the Quakers is all Enthusiasm There never was any Enthusiasm in the World that exceeded it p. 169. Sect. 11. Here he seems to take Enthusiasm in the Quaker's Sense which is Divine Inspiration or inspired of God which sure cannot be meer Fancy much less the height of Madness as before The Quakers certainly deny this of themselves Thus the Man's confused in 's injurious Attempts to defame us with the height of Madness His Objection against the Quaker's Enthusiasm as he calls it That none that ever called themselves Christians have advanced themselves so high to have the same infallible Spirit and immediate Revelation as the Prophets and Apostles or as Christ himself c. p. 169. Herein he 's greatly out All true Christians are Partakers of the Spirit of Christ in some degree or measure for he that hath not the Spirit of Christ is none of his and his Spirit is infallible and a Manifestation of the same Spirit is given to every Man to profit withal and the Effusion of this Spirit upon all Flesh was promised and we believe the Promises of God which are all Yea and Amen in Christ Jesus Therefore this our Adversary who is so much averse to having the same infallible
our Body as with a Garment or Veil and so of Christ. Which warrants J. P.'s Question against his Author F. B. and himself at least so far as not to make it a Subject of any further Contention against us Again my Accuser brings a heavy black Charge upon me in these Words viz. In this same 11th Article we are now upon after your full and Affirmative Declaration before he would have it Negative you subborn Two Texts as Favourers of your damnable Heresie before-told yet say you slily his Flesh was called the Veil Heb. 10. And he took upon him the form of a Servant and was made like unto Men and was found in the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shape or Figure of a Man Phil. 2. 6 7. And then exclaims Ah George George I could forgive thee any thing but this What put upon us at this rate It seems my citing those Two Texts and alledging them to prove that the word Veil was applied to Christ's Flesh which he took upon him and the Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shape or Figure of a Man to the form of his Manhood or outward Man tho' I intended no other than that without the least Contempt to Christ Such Words might be used as they had been by some of our Friends For this it seems I have committed such a heinous and unpardonable Crime or Sin as this my severe Judge cannot forgive This is represented as my highest Offence and truly I shall not need to seek to him for Absolution or Pardon nor to be my Confessor I have a merciful and faithful High Priest to apply and appeal to I need not go to unmerciful and implacable Ones for Pardon especially such a one as has so shamefully calumniz'd me with subborning Two Texts as Favourers of damnable Heresie How comes this Accuser in his Fallibility or Uncertainty thus severely to condemn me when he cannot refute Matter of Fact about the Two said Texts being alledged in behalf of my Friend's meaning and not at all with the least Intention to lessen the Dignity or Glory of the Son of God No far be it from me And where 's my unpardonable Sin in the Application of the Text Phil. 2 Why he saith George Whitehead brings in the word Figure which is not in the English Translation And what then But let him have it he himself makes it synonimous to Shape p. 263. And he is forced to let me have it because he cannot well deny it without Disparagement to himself But herein he would place on me a Mis-application of the Words Who being found in the Shape or Figure of a Man c. And therefore saith what relation has this to the calling Christ Jesus a Type or Figure of their Light within which I have shewn above out of the Quakers Books And I have denied this as a Falshood before and now declare against his manifest Perversion and Injury to me and my Words herein For as I sincerely disown the Words charged viz. The calling Christ Jesus a Type or Figure of our Light within I could not apply the Words before in the Text Phil. 2. to have any relation thereto much less as proof of that which I never held And I know none of us that doth so call Jesus Christ A Type of our Light within he being the Fountain thereof Nor that Christ is Only a Figure as falsly charged by F. Bugg Which Perversion so far as I can find was first forged from these Words in the Book Saul's Errand viz. Christ in the Flesh without them is their Example or Figure which is both one For his being their Example 1 Pet. 2. 21. 4. 1. 1. 15. John 13. 15. are quoted See also Luke 2. 31. he was called a Sign Now hence to say he was Only a Sign were a gross Perversion Christ was our Example Now hence to say he was nothing else but an Example were an Abuse and to lessen his Dignity and a variation from the Sense as our Adversary has done upon Trust of his Author F. Bugg upon his false Report which is besides all Justice Morality and judicial Proceedings Now the Question is Whether Figure may be made synonimous to Example for the words Example or Figure as before I conceive it may For Type or Figure sometimes points at a thing to come as in Rom. 5. 14. who was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Figure of him that was to come And sometimes Type or Figure denotes a present Example or Pattern as in Phil. 3. 17. Mark them which walk so as ye have us for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Example And the same Word is used in 2 Thes. 3. 9. 1 Tim. 4. 12. Titus 2. 7. 1 Cor. 10. 11. only in different Cases or Terminations And the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Example or Type John 13. 15. Heb. 9. 23. Thus Example or Type are made synonimous in T. C.'s Lexicon and the like in Crit. Sacr. but more fully explain'd for there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Exemplum Exemplar Triplicem habet in Scriptura significatum 1. Significat Typum seu Figuram rerum vel praeteritarum Heb. 8. 5. vel futurarum Heb. 9. 23. 2. Exemplum imitationis John 13. 15. 1 Tim. 4. 12. Titus 4. 7. 3. Exemplum Monitionis sive Cautelae ut 2 Pet. 2. 6. i. e. Exemplum Exemplar hath a threefold Signification in Scripture 1. It signifies a Type or Figure of Things either past or to come 2. An Example of Imitation 3. An Example of Warning or Caution Now see how synonimously the Terms Type Figure Patern and Example are rendered in Scripture and of what extent not only in relation to the Types under the Law but in some respect to Christ and his Ministers tho' he be also confessed to be the Antitype Substance and End of all Legal Shadows Types and Figures But I have not called Christ himself a Type of our Light within nor justified the same As to my Accuser's Offence at my saying Christ's Flesh is called the Veil Heb. 10. 20. it was to remove an Offence taken against my Friend J. P. for using the same And it would have become this Adversary to have forborn his blasphemous Scoffing at my Light as George if thy Light has hitherto forgot to tell thee c. I bless the Lord my God who is my Light Life and Salvation he has shewn me the new and living way of the New Covenant which our blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ consecrated prepared or set open through the Veil that is to say his Flesh yea through his Sufferings and Death as being the Testator he hath enforced that New Testament or second Covenant he took away the first that he might establish the second and so hath open'd the Passage into eternal Life into the Hollest of Holies within the Veil and beyond all the Shadows and Veils under the Law It was in the most holy Place within the second Veil in
reproachful Title Or The Quakers last Shift to cover their monstrous Heresies and being By the Author of the Snake in the Grass I did suppose it to be the Second Part to the same Tune or much of the same Nature with the former full of Bitterness and Scorn by the reviling Title and no fair Reply to T. Ellwood's Answer and so it appears and I expect will be made farther appear if T. Ellwood deems it worth the while to undertake it But that which appear'd most strange to me and some others was in the Title of the said Book it is thus declared Which also may serve for a Reply as to the main Points of Doctrin to Geo. Whitehead 's Answer to the Snake in the Grass to be published the end of the next Month if this prevent it not Which appeared very strange to me and the Man 's presumptive Falshood the greater I having a great part of the Copy of my Answer to The Snake in the Grass in my Hands when I first saw these Words in Print and the rest of my Copy then in the Printers Hands which we did not hear they lent him to make Reply to and when I lookt over his Book I neither found any repetition of my Answer nor Reply thereto However he 's so confident and boasting in his own Work that he takes it for granted That not only the Quakers are put to their last Shift but also that this pretended Reply to T. Ellwood's Answer to G. Keith's Narrative may also serve for a Reply to G. Whitehead's Answer to The Snake in the Grass Which would seem a cunning Piece of Divination indeed to Reply to a Book before he sees it or knows it But if he will still have his said Reply a sufficient Reply thereunto he may go on in 's own Conceit and save himself a further Labour of Replying lest he give himself the Lie by giving the World to understand that what he has said may serve for a Reply to Geo. Whitehead's Answer may not serve for a Reply However he seems to have taken upon himself a heavy Task in being an Advocate for George Keith and more heavy to reconcile the Contradictions charged upon him by Tho. Ellwood John Pennington and his Brother Edward and partly for Baptists and Presbyterians and all against the Quakers in his Reply but very partial in carping at our Words and Answers in many places without taking notice of the unwarrantable Expressions Absurdities and Contradictions of our Adversaries and yet in general Terms excuses them but in no small Contradiction to himself and the sad Account and ill Characters he has given in his Snake in the Grass 2nd Part Sect. 3. pag. 17. 18. both of Presbyter Anabaptist Independent Quaker c. as all under Enthusiasm of Rome's dressing in several Shapes and Forms and as a plentiful Harvest of Rome 's reaping c. But now he can advocate and take part with any of them against the Quakers like some mercinary Soldier of Fortune I do not intend to spend much time here to Answer his said Reply though 't is no great Difficulty to do but to take notice of a few Passages in it wherein I and some others are concerned and injurionsly dealt with therein 1. My excepting against that made Expression Co-creator as used by the Baptist telling of God being Co-creator with the Father I confess I am no more reconciled to the Expression now than I was when first I questioned it as unscriptural whereby I never intended not to allow the Word to be God or to the Son of God as I am most injuriously accused p. 2. For divers of my ancient and first Writings in Print shew the contrary that I own the Word to be God and Creator too But the Phrase God Co-creator with God I think still implies Two Creators and consequently Two Gods 'T is not the Particle co with in this Case will excuse the Matter for co or con is simul together as Co-workers Co-partners which are more distinct Agents than one But the Creator is but one God one Word one Spirit and so one Creator But this invented word Co-creator was brought by the Baptists for proof That the Light in Man wherewith the word God as Co-creator lighteth every Man is the Light of Reason the Light of Nature c. consequently but a created Light which I deny Seeing that it is the same Life that was in the Word that was the Light of Men John 1. 4. What good Doctrin or good Sense were it then to say That the word God was Co-creator with the Father of his own Life Light and Power And no better Sense can I make of the Baptist's Notion of the Light in this Case nor of this Man 's excusing him Besides a learn'd and more moderate and ingenuous Person has lately made the like Exception against the word Co-creator in a printed Paper called Reflections upon some Passages in G. Keith 's Narrative where he saith It seems to me that the word Co-creator might justly be rejected by G. Whitehead being a word neither us'd in the Holy Scriptures nor by any of the ancient Councils and it seems to import a Conceit that there are Two Efficients of the Creation one having a creative Power distinct from the other Yet withal he is pleased to give this gentle Reflection on me by the way Tho' G. W. has not spoken with that Caution and Accuracy which he should have us'd in a Matter of so grand Importance which I do the more easily bear from him because of his Moderation Suppose that in some Passages in some of my former Writings as to the Circumstance of Words or Expressions there may be some Deficiency or want some Explication or Distinction or something dubious and the Particulars thereof were shewn me I hope I should not be wanting to give my Explication to the Satisfaction of the Moderate and Ingenuous As to the Matters intended by me I know the Lord gave me a true Sense and Sight by his Power in my young and early Years he having inclined my Heart after him from my Youth I bless his Holy Name The same Person whom I cited before goes on viz. I do not conceive that he i. e. G. W. denies either the Divinity or Humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ The Father is Creator the Son Creator the Holy Ghost Creator and yet they are not Three Creators but One Creator Thus he Consequently not properly called Co-creators for that would imply Three Creators And I think I might more warrrantably oppose the same than my Adversary imply Three intelligent Beings in the Godhead by his definition of a Person that every intelligent BEING is a Person that is the meaning of the word Person saith he p. 5. Whence it follows That if there be Three distinct Persons in the Deity they are Three distinct intelligent Beings unless he 'll argue as one of his Brethren did They are not Three Substances
Indifferency or disuse of Water Baptizm c. See what a busy Agent this is as if he would have his Hand against every Man But I must leave him for others concerned to deal with him if they see it worth their Time and Labour I having bestowed more for the Truth sake and for the sake of many more sincere than himself than he or his Works deserve G. W. The Contents of the foregoing Treatise WHat Characters are given against the People called Quakers by The Snake in the Grass examined Page 1 to 12. A Catalogue of some abuses against the said People 13 to 49. Concerning Tithes and a Popish Plea for the same confuted by Martyrs and primitive Protestants 17 to 23. A false Charge against G. Fox c. Examin'd and Answer'd 25 26. Of the Man Christ his Body and Blood 29 to 35. Of the holy Scriptures how own'd by the People called Quakers and they cleared from Calumnies in that point 35 36. 40 41. Our Accusers Hiporitical Prayer â— 37. Of Christs ' Body Flesh the Vail and Blood 38 39. For the divine authority of the H. Scriptures 42 43. Our Adversarys false pretence of kindness 44 45. Christ's existence or being and how he is in us 45 46. Of the Quakers general Answer to the seven Queries and of G. Keith's abuse thereupon 46 to 49. The second part begins with Reflection upon the Presbyterians Independents and the Quakers rendering them all obnoxious c. 50 51. The Quakers clear'd from the Arians Heresie 52 53. An unjust comparison and railery against the Quakers 54 55. Both Presbyter Anabaptist Independent and Quakers scandalized and their liberty envied by the Author of The Snake in the Grass 56 57. Popish Emissaries no promoters of Quakerism 57 58. Of the more peculiar Titles of Christ not given to us 59 60. Of the Soul of Man being created and the divine breath or Spirit of Life which God breathed into Man 61 62. Of Infallibily and Omnisciency 62 63. Of the Light given of God to our Souls 63 to 66. Of discerning of Spirits how a gift 67 to 72. Occasion given us to reflect on the incontinency of Priests 73 74. The said Authors general and false Charge about one false Prophet and Story of a Glover in Cheapside c. 75 to 78. His Reflection upon all dissenting Protestants and pleading for Bishops wicked Priests and persecuting Kings 78 to 80. Our Friends misrepresented about G. K. and of the Text 1 Jo. 1. 7. 81 82. Of our preferring the Spirit to the Letter no contempt of Holy Scripture 82 to 86. Of Enthusiasm as charg'd against the Quakers 86 to 89. Of Womens Preaching and Womens Meetings 89 90. Our Doctrin concerning the Light within vindicated and opened 90 to 99. The Quakers vindicated from several Blasphemous Charges as assuming divine Attributes divine Worship divine Honour 99 to 101. Of the Resurrection Heaven and Glory how Scripturally confessed and believed by us 102 to 111. Of the Sacraments so called first of the Supper second of Baptism 111 to 126. Concerning the satisfaction of Christ. 127 to 135. Concerning the holy Trinity 135 to 140. For the Divinity and Incarnation of Christ also 140 to 155. Some Remarks by the Author of the Snake against G. Whitehead examined as about Christ the holy Scriptures the Word the Light c. 155 to 178. The words Type Figure Shape Example Vail most holy places both in the old and new Covenant opened 174 to 182. A brief Examination of some passages in the second Book still'd Satan Disrob'd 185. Some reasons for excepting against the Term Co-creator 188 to 191. Of the Soul and Incarnation of Christ. 191 to 193. A question about the manner of some Men's carnally looking for Christ to Salvation who neglect his inward appearance and for what end his spiritual Appearance is truly expected 193 to 197. Of Christ as at God's right hand and in his People 197 to 199. Of Christ's Appearance at the great day in his glorious spiritual Body and of the Resurrection Bodies 199 to 207. Of Christ's existence in Heaven as at the right hand of God and of God's Omni-presence and indweling in his People 207 to 209. Of the pure Nature of Christ and of some sin-pleasing notions repugnant thereto and to his inward Appearance and Operations of his Spirit 209 to 212. Of the Historical Faith of Christ's death for Sinners and the saving Faith in his Light 212 to 217. Christ's obedience unto death for us Meritorious but not the Act of wicked hands either in murthering him or sheding his blood by the Spear upon the Cross. 217 to 220. The price and work of our Redemption by Jesus Christ. 220 to 221. Of the Object and Foundation of true Faith in Christ and of his blood that was shed an unwarrantable comparison disown'd concerning the same 221 to 225. Of the material and mystical blood of Christ and the Type thereof and shadow of Heavenly things which the Law had 227 to 231. Of God's own blood Acts 20. 28. And Redemption explained with respect both to the Sacrifice and Work of Christ. 232 to 237. Of the words Personality Personal Existence and Humane as ascribed to Christ c. why question'd Christ's coming to Judgment the Resurrection c. how own'd 237 to 240. Some notorious Lyes and Perversions gleaned out of the said Book Satan Disrobed 241 to 245. Some gleanings of Lyes Slanders and Perversions out of the some gleanings of the Author to The Snake in the Grass recharged on him 246 to 263. Some notice taken of the said Author's Discourse for Water-Baptisn 266. c. FINIS Snake p. 93 94. Sn. p. 1. In his Sect. 1. * The Act of shedding that outward Blood was by the Spear which the Soldier thrust into his Side How proves he that Act cleanseth from Sin * See T. Godwyn's Moses and Aaron treating of the Passover c. and Christ's answering the same in his Supper Exod. 12. Mat. 26. 18 19. Luke 22. 8. to ver 15. 1. p. 20.