mind what one of you one Henry Bostock an Apostate said to me God forbid that I should own such a God that hath Hands and Feet F. H. saith towards the latter end of this page There is but one living and true God Everlasting Without Body Parts or Passions c. F. H. pag. 11. towards the latter end That we never said that any Children before they were born or any else were in a state of Damnation till with Dives they lift up their Eyes in Hell J. O. pag. 16. lin 3. I speak of Children before they be born the same Scripture that prove them to be guilty of Original Sin proves them to be Children of Wrath and under Condemnation F. H. pag. 13. lin 13. My Friends may know for some time my Reading that Word no other then what is in the English Bible J. O. pag. 14. lin 14. I forgot not wholely the Contention with Mr. Houldcraft about the altering of the Reading from what it is ordinarily in our English Bibles Their Controversie stated here is little else but Fictions Which we have plainly made appear behold their Contradictions The Truth of what is here declared wee 'l certainly Maintain And turn your Cursed Forgeries upon your Backs again Shall Impudence with open Face thus act and not be blamed Who have thus with such foul Disgrace God's Glorious Light defamed Shall Forgeries be counted Zeal or Lyes upon us fall No no the Power of God we feel to Triumph over All Jacob Bakeâ— Here followeth a Testimony against the False Doctrines asserted by these Men who say that Children before they are born are Vessels of Wrath and under Condemnation because of their Fathers Sin which Judgment of theirs is here detected by the Scriptures of Truth and the contrary proved and their wresting the Scriptures discovered THis is the Testimony that God Almighty hath put into my Heart to bear with many more Brethren That God who is rich in Mercy and desires not that any should perish but that all might turn from the Evil of their Wayes and live that the Day of his Power is now in this our Day Age and Generation dawned and broken forth which John saw in the Vision of the Almighty when he was in the Spirit by which the Things of God were revealed unto him who said Rev. 14.6 I saw an Angel fly in the midst of Heaven having the Everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell upon the Earth and to every Nation and Kindred and Tongue and People which Time is now come in which the Lord's Power and Holy Spirit moves upon our Hearts to preach the Word of Reconciliation unto all men which is according to the ancient Testimony of the Servants of God and Ministers of Christ which went before us whereby it appears according to the Scriptures of Truth that the Gospel which we preach is the same that was begun to be preached by the Lord Jesus and was confirmed by them that heard him 1 Tim. 3.4 For this is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour who would have all men to be saved and come to the Knowledge of the Truth And this is the Gospel that the True Ministers now preach which is Glad-tidings unto all that are in their Sins That there is Mercy with the Lord for them all that they may be saved For Christ is come a Light into the World that whosoever believes in him should not perish And The Grace of God that brings Salvation appears unto all men to teach them to deny Vngodliness and whosoever bows to the Teachings of it shall be saved And as Christ stood up in the great Day of the Feast saying If any Man thirst let him come unto me and drink whereby it appears that God's Love is unto all Men and blessed be the Lord there is a Remnant whom God by the Light of his dear Son that shineth in our Hearts he hath brought us to see the same and hath inlarged our Hearts by Faith in his Power to publish Peace by Jesus Christ unto all Men whereby the VVords of Christ are fulfilled Joh. 3.14 As Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness so must the Son of Man be lifted up whereby the Folly of these Men is made manifest and their false Doctrines detected who would tye up the Love of God in Jesus Christ to but a few a certain Number of People now see Numb 21.9 whether that Serpent of Brass that Christ speaks of that was set upon a Pole was only for one or two Tribes of Israel to be healed by as these Men vainly imagine concerning the Love of God now manifested in Christ which they say is but for a few if so that was not a true Figure of the Love of God in Christ or there is a Shortness in Christ the Substance of performing to and for Man that which figured it out if these Mens Doctrines be true for it came to pass that if a Serpent had bit any Man when he beheld the Serpent of Brass he lived Now these Men will readily grant that all are bit or stung by the old Enemy of Man the Serpent that beguiled Eve in the Beginning but they have not so much Faith as to believe that there is Vertue enough in Christ to cure us all or if there be it is not intended for all let such Teachers hold their Tongues that are out of the Faith that was and is delivered unto the Saints and Ministers of Christ for they give an uncertain Sound and are but like sounding Brass and tinkling Cymbals who make a Din in Peoples Ears but do not reach to the VVitness of God in the Hearts and Consciences of Men and VVomen who have not received that Commission that Christ gave unto his Disciples Mark 16.15 who bad his Disciples go and preach the Gospel unto every Creature which Gospel was Glad Tidings to the poor and the opening of the Prison Doors to them that were bound and Light to them that sate in Darkness and in a word to give Knowledge of Salvation and of a Physician that hath Virtue in him to cure all Diseases that come upon Mans Heart and Soul because of Sin and this is freely tendered unto all Men that will believe in him and look unto him And now whereas these Men make a Noise about a State of Children being under Condemnation because of their Fathers Sins which Saying of theirs is altogether contrary to the Scriptures of Truth Jer. 31.30 And concerning Children Christ saith Of such is the Kingdom of Heaven and further saith Whosoever receiveth not the Kingdom as a little Child he shall in no Wise enter therein which Words do plainly imply Children to be in an innocent State and free from Sin and Evil for the Scripture saith Nothing that defileth can enter into God's Kingdom But J. O. having a Desire to prove Children Sinners before they are born he brings iâ— Eph. 2.3 Among whom also we all had our
Conversations in Times past in the Lust of our Flâ—sh following the Desires of the Flesh and of the Mind and were by Nature the Children of Wrath as well as others now all may see how this man wrests the Scriptures to prove their dark Imaginations concerning Children being in a State of Condemnation before they are born now see and consider whether Children before they are born can commit such Things as this Scripture saith that these Ephesians were guilty of before they were converted unto God he brings Rom. 3.9 again 9.33 and Tit. 3.5 6. where all may see whether these Scriptures speak any Thing of Children before they are born being guilty of Sin which he hath a Mind to strain them to but it 's plain to the contrary and speaks of the States of Men and Women and not of Children whereby his Folly is made manifest And this further I ask these men which would have Children before they are born to be Children of Wrath because of their Fathers Sins which they are innocent of where that Scripture is that saith that God ever condemned the Righteous or innocent for the Wicked's sake as they darkly say that God condemns the Innocent Children for their Fathers Sins nay the contrary is easily to be proved that God hath and doth many Times spare the wicked for the sake of the Righteous which is far from destroying the guiltless for the guilty sake so that the Judge of the whole Earth doth right Things Gen. 18.25 So the Way of the Lord is equal who sheweth Mercy without Respect of Persons to all that fear his Name and obey his Grace and his Judgments are just upon all that rebel against the Appearance of his Grace and hate the Light that manifestly shines upon all so that Man's Destruction is of himself for want of receiving Christ the Son of his Love into his Heart who is come a Light into the World and is knocking at every Ones Doâ—r for the awakening of them out of their Sins and that he might purge their Consciences from Dead Works and renew their Minds and enlarge their Hearts to serve the living and true God And as conâ—â—rning Children before they are born they are doubtless in a State of Innocency and after they are born until they come to that Age as to understand Good and Evil then choosing the Evil and refusing knowingly that which is Good that contracts the Guilt upon their Conscience whereby they come under the State of Reproof for it and Condemnation if they continue in that which is Evil which is just upon them for their own Sins and not for their Fathers which they never committed which agrees with the Word of the Lord spoken by his Prophet Jer. 31.30 That every one shall dye for his own Sins he that eateth his Teeth shall be set on Edge so as the Lord saith and complains of a rebellious Generation As the Children grew up so they went from me So that it is plain that People bring forth Fruit according to the Seed which they receive into their Hearts and yield up the Strength of their Desires unto they that receive the good Seed that God hath sown and yield up the Strength of their Desires unto it they bring forth Fruits unto Holiness which Seed Christ saith is sown in all Sorts of Grounds but now who doth not watch unto this blessed Seed and Grace of God the Appearance of which is unto all without respect of Persons but like the Sluggard slumbers away the Time and doth not watch unto the Light of Christ Jesus to lead them keep them preserve them out of the Wicked One's Snares in them the Wicked One sows his Seed which grows up and they in that bring forth Evil Fruits and thus we see the Scriptures fulfilled according as it is written Luke 6.45 A Good Man out of the Good Treasure that is in his Heart bringeth forth Good Things and the Evil Man out of the Evil Treasure of his Heart bringeth forth Evil Things And therefore let every one now examine themselves and see what Root bares them for it is Fruits of Holiness that the Lord looks for and requires ar the Hand of every one which he hath made and given Life and Breath unto and for that End that all may bring forth Fruit to his Glory he hath given unto every man a Manifestation of his own Spirit to profit withal as saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 12.7 and a Measure of his own Light to be a Guide unto them which Spirit and Light appears within Man and Woman whereby that saying is fulfilled which the Apostle speaâ—â— of Rom. chap. 1. vers 19. That which may be known of God is manifest in them And now let none be discouraged by these Blind Guides who say That the Grace of God did not appear unto All Men and now say That it doth not agree with their Rule of Faith to speak and to believe as the Apostle believed and spake as you may see under their own Hands And thus God hath cleared the Innocent from their Slanders and I have faithfully Detected their False Doctrines and asserted the Truth as it is in Jesus who am a Servant to all in the Truth S. Cater THE END
and whosoever receives this Word and Light into their Hearts and continue therein it will bow their Hearts unto the true and living God and keep them from following or worshipping any false God and they shall and do fear following such Teachers who cry Lo here is Christ or lo there is Christ in Carnal Ordinance or in Outward Observation but through waiting upon God in the Exercise of their Hearts and Minds with this precious Light and Word of Faith they know it to be unto them as it was unto David a Light unto their Feet and a Lamp unto their Paths As concerning G. F. the Younger and William Smith whom I knew very well and have this Testimony to bear for them that they were faithful Men in their Day and were well accomplished with Wisdom Zeal and Courage to declare God's Truth and to publish the blessed Gospel as they had received of the Lord and were not ashamed nor afraid to confess Christ to be the true Light before Men whose Testimony we own Page the 7. Line 1. F. H. saith Be astonished O ye Heavens and be ye utterly frighted rend your Hearts and not your Garments that hear these and the like Blasphemies which fills the Books and Speeches of this Generation who cloaâ—h their false Christ and cursed Idol the Light which is in all men by Nature with the secret Names and divine Attributes c. Rep. Now mark this Man's Deceit and Baseness towards us and the precious Truth of our God which we profess which is pure and spiritual and comes from God the Father of Spirits and Light and is the same Yesterday to Day and forever God blessed forever which he calls a Natural Light and a Cursed Idol saith he the Light in all Men if this Man was not darkened with Envy and Malice he would never manifest so much Madness as he doth and to be revenged of us he rails and blasphemes against the true God and Jesus Christ for mark all that read these Lines which are his own Words saith he Who cloath their false Christ and cursed Idol the Light which is in all men And now see what John s Testimony is of Christ John 1.9 the Words are these That was the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World and again John 8.12 And this is the God and Christ whom thou hast cursed which is a Light in all Men whereby thou hast manifested by thy Words that the Spirit of God doth not dwell in thee For no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed 1 Cor. 12.3 Now if this Man thinks that he hath not called Jesus accursed let him tell us setting God and Christ aside what it is that is Light in all Men or doth give Light unto all Men let us see what he saith with his own Tongue and writes with his own Hand of Christ page 5. Line 16. saith he I constantly affirm that all men are by Christ who is the true God and Eternal Life enlightned with the Light of Nature which saith he in page 7. is a cursed Idol And thus his Confusion is made manifest and he to be one of the Merchants of Babylon Rep. He saith in Page 5. of our Book he pretended plainly to confess the Christ but he tells us that he will not believe me and then asks Whether the Virgin Mary 's Son be the Christ that we preach he answers his own Question and saith No like his Brother Thomas Hiâ—ks who made a Dialogue feigning and pretending of A Discourse between a Christian and a Quaker which in Truth and Reality was no such matter but himself stated what Question he pleased and answered them how he would but this know both Presbyterians and Baptists and all others which combine together against the Truth and to withstand the Appearance of God in this the Day of his Power and although Hand joyn in Hand yet the Wicked shall not go unpunished And I tell thee Thou hast made an ungodly Answer for us but however I have in that and in this made a true Confession of my Faith in Christ and have the Evidence of a Good Conscience in what I have done and whether thou â—r any other who envieth me for the Truth 's sake will believe me or not that is little matter to me F. H. asks a Question pag. 6. What say you of John 17.1 These words spake Jesus and lift up his Eyes to Heaven Rep. I say it was well in Christ who was and is in Heaven John 3.13 but that is no Proof that every Pharisee that imitates him doth well or is accepted Remember what Christ saith of thy Brother Pharisee who justified himself and was condemned of Christ but the poor Publican would not so much as lift up his Eyes to Heaven but smote upon his Breast saying God be Merciful to me a Sinner I tell you saith Christ this Man went down to his House rather justified Pag. 11. F. H. saith S. C. tells another notorious Lye that these men had declared That some Children before they were born were in a State of Damnation And this makes way for another Abominable Lye where he brings in Mr. Oddey All fell in Adam and so Children before they are born are Vessels of Wrath and for Destruction We testifie the Truth that we never said that any Children before they were born or any else were in a state of Damnation till with Dives they lift up their Eyes in Hell Rep. As to thy soul Mouth and bitter Speech saying I Lye in those two Passages that I have related of your words and Doctrine that you say and preach That some Children are in a state of Damnation or guilty of Condemnation before they are born that I know and am able to prove if you had denyed it but Joseph Oddey hath confessed it as I shall make it appear so that your Railing against me is manifest to be out of Envy and to cover your selves to the People For you have preached that in the dark which you are ashamed should be brought to the Light and thinking to cover thy self thou runnest into another Extream and sayst We testifie the Truth that we never said that any Children before they were born or any else were in a state of Damnation till with Dives they lift up their Eyes in Hell What Mad Bedlam Stuff is this Was ever the like heard of by one that would be called a Minister of Christ and doth not know that the Vessels of Wrath are fitted for Destruction through Disobedience and Rebellion against God before they be cast into Hell But Francâ—â— remember thy self Didst thou never say That none were Damned nor in a state of Damnation How often have you pronounced that Sentence There remains no more Sacrifice for Sin but a certain fearful looking for of Judgment and fiery Indignation of the Lord against Henry Bostock And how much hast thou said lâ—ss of the Quakers in general Whereby
not believe us which Christ is the true Christ that lighteth all men and witnessed so to be by the Scriptures of Truth spoken by the Prophets and Jesus Christ himself and the holy Apostles which I have before largely proved and in whose Light the Church of Christ had Fellowship one with another 1 John 1.7 And it s said by the Apostle That they that say they have Fellowship with God and walk in Darkness they lye and do not the Truth amongst whom I number thee who hast manifested so much Envy against the Light and the Servants of it and tells us until we cast that away namely Christ the Light which is the Guide and Way to Heaven as before I have proved you will look upon us as Deceivers that we cannot help but I say the more is the pity that thou or any man should be so overcome and led captive by the Power of Darkness that you will not own us nor our Testimony unless we will deny the true God and Jesus Christ I tell thee Francis thou hast set us too dear a Price for us to give you for your Approbation of us nay although you had as much to proffer as your Master the power of Darkness proffered Christ if he would fall down and worship him I hope neither I nor any one amongst us who loves the Light and believes therein and hath seen and felt how good the Lord hath been unto our Souls thereby shall ever so deny the Lord that bought them as in casting away so precious a pearl as this Heavenly and Divine Light of Christ which hath ever been and yet is to all them that believe in it and no man ever was nor can be truly happy without they believe in it and obey it which thou sayest we must cast away but I tell thee that if thou dost expect it thou art mistaken and thy Eyes will sink in their Holes and thy carnal Imaginations will rot in thy Head before thou seest that That ever a People should turn from the Light and Truth of God made manifest in our Hearts and Consciences for the purifying of our Hearts and saving of our Souls to turn unto your dark Imaginations who are such bitter Enemies unto the Light which gives the Knowledge of God and r veals the Mysteries of Life unto all them that believe therein 2 Cor. 4.6 Now I testifie That Widdowhood and Loss of Children must be the Portion of all you Professors as it hath been ever since we have been a People to bear Testimony unto the blessed and spiritual Appearance of God in the Light of his dear Son And I am not without Hope that some that are late turned from you and your dark Imaginations are and will be the more confirmed in this precious Truth unto which their Minds are turned and that those that yet sit under your Dark and Confused Teaching who hate the Light and are Reproachers and Railers against the Lovers of it may thereby be awakened to consider what they are a doing in following such Teachers who are against the True Light and Universal Love of God held forth to all men thereby for there is but Light and Darkness and they that hate the Light must needs be in Darkness And the Apostle John saith They that walk in Darkness they lye and do not the Truth Now I would have all People take notice that F. H. doth not Rail against us for Darkness and express his Envy against us as being led by the power of Darkness for he intitles us that and saith the Quakers God and Christ as you may see all along in his Book the Light that is in All Men which the Scripture witnesseth to be the True God and Jesus Christ which I have before proved by the Scriptures only this I would have all People take notice of which I have hinted at before which is the Practice of him and all such Blind Gâ—ides as he is to call that which is True False and that which is really True he calls False and that which is the True Light he calls Darkness For there is nothing that giveth Light to every Man but the True God and Christ and thus he puts Light for Darkness whereby it appears according to the Scriptures he is under the Wo Isa 5.20 And now I shall take a little Notice of what Joseph Oddey saith page 14. who writes to one Samuel Cater a Deceiver amongst the Quakers who at that Meeting at Thriploe And for what he hath said now in this Paper he deserveth just Reproof for his rude and unsavoury Words which do not become a Man that professeth himself to be a Minister of Christ Rep. And now J. O. I do tell thee that the Light of Christ tâ—at I with many more have received teacheth us not to render Evil for Evil nor Railing for Railing but contrarywise to speak the Truth in Soberness and with sound Words to demonstrate and declare the Truth as it is in Jesus And now thou hast called me a Deceiver which is a false Accusation and thou might'st better have left it until thou hadst proved me so which thou nor thy Brother could not do although promised to do it and thou called'st us a Generation of Vipers and said'st Thou would'st prove us so to be before you went away and did'st not then do it so that it appears it is an easier Matter to cast Reproaches and Slanders upon a People then it is to prove it when you have done But Joseph thou manifests by thy Fruit what Spirit rules thy Heart for saith the Scripture An Evil Man out of the Evil Treasure of his Heart brings forth Evil Things from that cometh Railing and Evil-speaking and Backbiting Page 14. he pretends to examine me with what Face I could say that his Brother Holdcraft did not read the Scripture right Tit. 2.11 The Grace of God that brings Salvation hath appeared unto Men and that he left out the Word ALL and impudently said it was not in the Greek can this be a bare mistake in thy self and others Rep. I say no it is no Mistake we do still affirm the same to be true of him as we have published and there are three of our Names to it and many more will witness it to your Faces to be true if an Opportunity be afforded and further there was a Man that at the same time when Francis said that the Word ALL was not in the Greek as it is in our Books reproved him and asked him why he brought his Bible hither if it were wrong translated a Man that stood by as a Hearer well known in the Country to be a Man of Estate and Credit who was not then nor is now one with us in Principle or Practice Page 14. How J. O proves that I have belyed his Brother Holdcraft saith he I stood next him on the one side had my Hearing through God's Goodness I think I may say as well as you could this