incongruity I am the Living Bread which came down from Heaven If any Man eat this Bread he shall Live for ever And the Bread which I will give is this my Flesh which your Eyes behold which I will give for the Life of the World or say we And the Bread which I will give is my Life which I will give for the Life of the World for that that is the meaning of giving his Flesh for the Life of the World shall be shewed anon And that he gave his Bodily Life that which he took of the B. Virgin for the Life of the World I hope you will not deny But the words being thus put there is no incongruity but it is the very same in sense with the Text and therefore the visible Flesh of Christ is here meant So that the whole is this Christ who now was Man having said that he is the Bread of Life which came down from Heaven shews in one eminent particular wherein he is so viz in Dying for us he being likewise the Bread of Life in other respects namely as to his Doctrine and Spirit and raising unto eternal Life at the last day Which Death is our eternal Life as Bread is our Temporal 2 From these last words I will give my Flesh for the Life of the World I prove that the Flesh and Blood here spoken of are not a spiritual invisible substance which you Imagine Christ always dwelt in and brought from Heaven with him but that visible which he took of the Virgin For to give his Flesh for the Life of the World signifies to offer up himself a Sacrifice for Sin by Death upon the Cross thereby obtaining Life for the World Pardon and Redemption As is manifest from the like expressions which frequently occur Mat. 20. 28. The Son of Man came to give his Life a Ransom for many Eph. 5. 2. Christ hath given himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God Heb. 9. 28. He was once offered to bear the Sins of many Chap. 3. 14. As the Children are partakers of Flesh and Blood he himself likewise took part of the same that through Death he might destroy him that had the power of Death the Devil And it being altogether thus spoken of his visible Flesh it is sure enough that this place speaketh of the same For shew another Text if you can that speaketh thus of a spiritual Flesh of his But then the importance of the Phrase being such as you have heard you must affirm that the spiritual Flesh was offered and Died and so obtained Redemption for us Which is altogether a stranger to the Scripture Whether you will affirm this I cannot tell But this we all see that you Interpret the Life which is by Christ's Flesh viz. The spiritual which you phansie of his quickening of our Souls by his Life and Spirit which dwelleth in us Which is quite another thing than to give it for the Life of the World that importing Dying as a sacrifice and atoning for Sin 3 The Flesh and Blood here are two distinct things vers 53. Whereas the spiritual substance which you imagine can have but one part And moreover the Flesh forasmuch as the giving of it as hath been proved signifies Christ's Death must needs be that which was Broken and the Blood that which was shed And accordingly the Bread and Wine which our Lord Ordeined in remembrance of his same Death are symbols of this same Flesh and Blood and of no other 1 Cor. 11. Mat. 26. This is my Body which is Broken for you This is my Blood which is shed for you But spiritual Flesh cannot be broken nor spiritual Blood shed and indeed there are not these two distinct parts in a spiritual substance nor are the Bread and Wine in the Lord's Supper symbols of such and therefore we must conclude that such are not here meant Im. Revel p. 55. Scripture is frequent in its testimonies concerning the appearance of Jesus Christ in his Saints Can any thing which is without Man speak so immediatly to the Soul as Christ who made it and is in it and comes in for that end to reveal himself and his Father therein and so to fulfil that Prayer of his Joh. 17. 24. Father I will that they whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me But this Text speaks not of the Saints being with Christ and beholding his Glory whilst they are upon Earth by his operation in their Hearts but of their real presence with him in Heaven after this Life and then and as so present beholding his Glory For as he departed out of this World to be in the place where he is and to receive the Glory there which he hath vers 1. The hour is come Glorifie thy Son Vers. 5. Glorifie thou me with thine own self Ver. 11. I am no more in the World I come to thee Chap. 7. 39. Jesus was not yet Glorified Chap. 20. 17. I am not Yet ascended to my Father Eph. 1. 20. God raised him from the Dead and set him at his own right hand in the Heavenly places 1 Tim. 3. 16. Received up into Glory vide Joh. 6. 62. So must we likewise depart hence that we may be in the same place with him and behold as there present his Glory For thus it is said 2 Cor. 5. 6. Whilst we are at home in the Body we are absent from the Lord Phil. 1. 23. I have a desire to depart and be with Christ 1 Joh. 4. 2. When he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is And plain enough is it that our Saviour speaks not of our Beholding his Glory whilst we are absent from him but when we are in the same place with him I will that they be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory And that really and personally there by a proper local removal hence as himself went thither For thus says he vers 11. I am no more in the World I come to thee Whereas then he prays that they that are his may be with him it is manifest he means that they might come to the Father as he did be removed from Earth into Heaven for the same says he of those that lay down their Lives for him Which must therefore needs mean their being with him in the other World so as to be glorified and receive eternal Life Chap. 12. 25. 26. He that hateth his Life in this World shall keep it unto Life eternal If any man serve me let him follow me and where I am there shall also my Servant be So says he to the Jews Chap. 7. 33. 34. Yet a little while I am with you and then I go unto him that sent me Ye shall seek me and shall not find me and where I am thither ye cannot come i. e. Ye cannot come unto God in Heaven
according to you the manifestation of the Spirit doth signifie as to some men Heathens namely and the darkest and wickedest the least measure of light and the smallest spiritual operation and motion in the Heart you understanding that it is given to every man And this so ill agreeing with the Apostles discourse it was necessary that you should take away the emphasis as you have done saying a manifestation of the Spirit is given to every Man But what reason and authority you have for so doing I know not the Greek having its Article which commonly enough is emphatical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but especially there being the greatest emphasis in the thing it self the manifestation of the Spirit the Apostle expressing it by many eminent Gifts such as Tongues Miracles c. and not saying one ordinary thing of it such namely as is the light in every man Heathens as well as Christians G. K. Help p. 2. Eating and drinking Damnation spoken of 1 Cor. 11. is where this discerning of the Lord's Body is not rightly made the Dead and Crucified Body from the Living Body the living Soul as it is first from the quickning Spirit which follows after Surely men may say any thing when they assume the liberty of proving nothing The Text is this He that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh Damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's Body Not discerning it in what I demand In eating and drinking you must say if you will speak according to the Apostle I demand further in eating and drinking what This Bread and Wine you must answer which the Lord ordeined in remembrance of his Death if you will again speak as the Apostle doth Friend Dost thou eat and drink this I neither do nor will must thou reply according to thy opinion and practice I tell thee then that thou discernest not the Lord's Body according to the mind of the Apostle in this place And it is no wonder that thou hast invented a strange interpretation hereof so long as thou wilt have nothing to do with the Institution Do this in remembrance of me But since the Apostle speaks of the Lord's Supper shew that he means here that another body is to be discerned than that which is to be remembred as Crucified whereof the Bread and Wine are Symbols Shew a syllable here that intimates a spiritual body I will shew thee and I wish thou would'st learn thy duty what it is according to the Apostles mind to discern the Lords Body viz. to come to the Supper of the Lord not as to a common Feast but with heavenly affection and all due preparation of Soul minding his Death the death of so great an one as the Son of God the Lord of Glory and not of an ordinary man and that ignominious and painful the death of the Cross his Love herein and the Love of his Father and our inestimable benefit eternal Redemption so as to be sutably wrought upon by all Thus much you might have learned from the Apostle if you had observed his words who tells us that as for eating and drinking that is after the common manner we have houses to do that in but this bread is Christ's Body broken for us and this Cup is the New Testament in his Blood and we are to examin our selves and to receive these in remembrance of him shewing forth his Death herein And I pray you what is here unworthy of a Christian and unfit for you to do what that is meau and elementary and not divine enough for the best But as for your discerning of the Lord's Body his dead Body from his living Body the living Soul from the quickning Spirit as you intend it not of his Supper so hath it nothing to do with the Text. J. N. Love to the Lost p. 54. c. This was Instituted by Christ as they sate at Meat and did eat and so often as they did eat and drink thereof they were to do it in remembrance of him shewing his Death till he came And this was that the Apostles received of the Lord and was practised in the purity of the Church which breaking Bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart And this was to be done at all seasons when they eat and drank in their eating and drinking they were to do it to the Lord and herein to have communion with his Body and Blood Yea when they were to have communion with the Gentiles they were to partake of the Table of the Lord 1 Cor. 10. Many excess having overtaken them for want of eating always in his fear and in remembrance of his coming have put his coming afar off into another world and are become reprobate in the Faith as to his appearance and to avoid this it was that the Lord Jesus commanded his Disciples in eating and drinking to shew forth his death till he came It must needs be that they return into the pleasures of the flesh that discern not his Body in their eatings who is the Body of all creatures And this is known from the Lord in the Eternal to be the true end of the Supper of the Lord instituted and appointed that in remembrance of his death they might be kept from all excess It is easie to say This is from the Lord but nothing is more dreadful than to lay Errour upon the Holy Ghost notwithstanding the people out of reverence to that holy one believe it and reverence the Assertor Shew a syllable that intimates that our Lord instituted his Supper for a remembrance of his Death in our ordinary daily eating and drinking or that the reason he took Bread and Wine when he did eat the Passeover with his Disciples and said Take eat this is my Body Drink ye all of it for this is my Blood This do in remembrance of me was to shew us that whenever we take our common meals we should feed our selves in his fear as the remembrance of his Death requires Nothing is more clear than that he meaneth a peculiar eating and drinking For says he This is my Body This is my Blood Is all Bread and Wine his Body and Blood or do they so signify Nay though there be on our Tables neither of these creatures but only Butter and Cheese and Eggs Beer and Water and Milk Again the Apostle doth not say as oft as ye eat and drink but as oft as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup you shew the Lord's death 1 Cor. 11. manifestly distinguishing this Bread and Wine from Cabbage and Ale and whatsoever else is our common food And again 1 Cor. 10. The Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the Blood of Christ Is every Cup this And chap. 11. Let a man examine himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fit and so let him eat of this Bread and drink of this Cup. I pray you must we examine and fit our selves whenever we
immortal power which is over all Transgressors and above the Devil contrary to which the Rulers Act through their corruptions and to which those higher powers are to be subject G. F. Catech. p. 71. If they were acquainted with the Gospel Christ Jesus which is the power of God Rom. 1. 16. they would be all in unity The Text says not I am not ashamed of the Gospel Christ but the Gospel of Christ so distinguishing it from him As St. Paul again doth when he faith Christ hath brought Life and Immortality to to light through the Gospel And God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel Left the Reader should think the Printer hath omitted the word of let him know that they frequently thus write Return to Priests about Beverly p. 10. You have put the Books Mathew Mark Luke John for the Gospel which are the carnal letter and part of the declaration of the Gospel which Gospel is Christ. G. F. Catech. p. 59. The Teachers of the World say To the Law and to the Testimonie and they call the Scripture so The Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of prophecy and the Scriptures are not the Spirit and the Law is Light Rev. 19 10. Pro. 6. 23. And the Testimony was put in the Ark and the pot of Manna was laid up before it unto it the Tribes went up unto Jerusalem and the Testimony Jehojada brought sorth and gave it to Jehoash The Spirit of Prophecy was not put in the Ark nor the pot of Manna laid up before it nor to it went the Tribes unto Jerusalem nor did Jehojada bring forth the Spirit of Prophecy and give it unto Jehoash Again the Gentiles had not the Law we are not now under it we are delivered from it But the Gentiles had the Law within which is Light and we are still under this we are not delivered from it Again the Law is Light Then we may be sure that is so which Moses wrot sorasmuch as that is the Law The just conclusion therefore is that there are more Laws and Lights and Testimonies than one Yes and more Testimonies of Jesus there are than the Spirit of Prophecy for the Scriptures testifie of him and you your selves say they are not the Spirit Well be it known unto you that as there is a Law within so there is a Law without and this is a greater and more perfect Light being added to that within since the corruption of it by the Fall for the better information of mankind insomuch that all that partake hereof are in a better condition than they that want it as partaking of a peculiar priviledge and special benefit This was the difference of the Jews and Gentiles they had the Law these not And what I pray you was this Law which the Jews enjoyed but that which was published by Moses and the Prophets for as for the internal that the Gentiles had as well as they Rom. 2. 14. When the Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things conteined in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves Chap. 3. 1 2. What advantage then hath the Jew much every way chiefly that unto them were committed the Oracles of God Chap. 9. 4. To them was the giving of the Law and the Services of God and the Promises Now when God saith to the Jews to the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no Light in them Isa. 8. 20. Let any man judge whether he sends them for the knowledge of his Will to the Law of the Gentiles or to that given by Moses which is peculiarly called their Law It is written in your Law Joh 8. 17. and 10. 34. Moses gave you the Law Chap. 7. 19. whether to the Light of their own hearts or to his Oracles Statutes and Judgments as they were externally published Or when he says the same to us Christians whether he sends us to the Light in us that we may know whether this Doctrine or the other which Men Teach be the Truth or to the Scriptures the Light especially in every one to whom this is said being not perfect especially not so perfect as the Scriptures in which God hath declared all his Will every one being not like Moses and the Prophets Christ and his Apostles Let any man judge since God hath sent Prophets and by them hath published his Will and that in writing he yet sends us to the Light in us for the knowledg of his Will and for the determination of all controversies And whether if he had not externally published a Law and Testimony by his Servants the Prophets he would say to us To the Law and Testimony Let me know whether the Light in the Jews told them God would have them circumcise burn incense offer sacrifice and slay such and such Beasts and not others keep holy the seventh day abstein from several sorts of Meats from Blood and things strangled and if a controversie should arise about these whether they were to go to the written Law of Moses or to the unwritten Law of Light in every one of their own Hearts Let me know whether the Light within sufficiently tells us that the Meslias is come or indeed that one was promised that Jesus Born of Mary is he or indeed that he was Born at all of a Woman and had real Flesh that he Died and by that Death redeemed us and through his Blood shed we are Saved upon our Repentance and an holy Life that our Spirits do not Die we shall be made Alive again and rise from the Grave the Wicked shall have endless Torment the Righteous endless Joy insomuch that if Christ and his Apostles had never spoken a word and we had never received the Scriptures nor had heard a syllable of all this Preached by Men we should have known it all and as firmly have believed it as now we do For it is said we are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles And Jesus Christ hath brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel The Life was manifested and we have seen it and shew unto you the Eternal Life which was with the Father and was manifested unto us The mystery hid from Ages is now made manifest The things which God hath prepared for us have not entred into the heart of Man but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit And these things were Preached unto others that they might know them and believe and have Eternal Life Lastly the Spirit of Prophecy in the Text you cite Rev. 19. 10. is not the Spirit as it is in every man as you understood it unless you will say contrary to St. Paul all are Prophets 1 Cor. 12. 29. Eph. 4. 11. for it is the Spirit as Prophesying and that in the strict signification of the word which is to praedict as the Angel and St. John
Instruct your Children Love your Enemies Render to every man his due follow peace Make not the Kingdom of God Meat and Drink the Hat and a Lace and cast off all superstitions Search the Scriptures and read them with diligence The fruits and effects of the Death of Christ part not with That Blood remember which he offered that Death of the Cross Preach which he suffered whereby he made atonement and obteined eternal redemption for us And firmly believe the Resurrection of the Dead at the last day For if they rise not What doth it advantage me says St. Paul that I have Fought with Beasts at Ephesus and why stand we in jeopardy every hour 1 Cor. 15. And what I say to you I say to all Abstein from those abominable Sins which dishonour our Christian Religion provoke our gracious God and Damn mens Souls everlastingly And with all your might pursue the other Righteous things and whatsoever else is divine and praise worthy The Lord Jesus be with your Spirits Amen He that Replies let him do it in order and distinctly to every thing material and not dictate but produce his Reasons The Reader I desire to consult the place in my own Book to which the Reply is made as knowing that the neglect of this may be injurious to himself and me And once more I desire him seeing our present business is about Interpretations to consult the Text as it stands in the Bible Pro. 15. 28. The heart of the Righteous Studieth to answer but the Mouth of the Wicked poureth forth evil things FINIS THE TEXTS Vindicated ISa. 2. 3 4. Out of Sion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem and he shall judge among the Nations Psal. 119. The word of the Lord. Prov. 6. 24. To keep thee from the evil woman Rev. 5. 6. Seven Spirits of God 2 Cor. 12. 2. Caught up to the third Heaven Joh. 6. 50 51. This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven And the Bread which I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the world Joh. 17. 24. Father I will that those thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me Jam. 5. 9. Grudge not lest ye be condemned Behold The Judge standeth before the door Heb. 9. 28. Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto Salvation Act. 1. 11. This same jesus that is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into Heaven 2 Pet. 1. 19. We have also a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto you do well to take heed c. 1 Cor. 12. 7. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal Cor. 11. 29. He that Eateth and Drinketh unworthily eatcth and drinketh Damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's Body 1 Cor. 11. 25. This do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me c. 10. 21. Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's Table and the Table of Devils 1 Cor. 11. 26. As often as ye eat this Bread and Drink this Cup ye shew the Lord's Death till he come 1 Joh. 4. 2 3. Every Spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh is of God And every Spirit that confesseth not Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh is not of God And this is that Spirit of Antichrist c. Joh. 4. 29. Come see a man which told me all things which ever I did 1 Tim. 2. 12. But I suffer not a Woman to Teach c. Cor. 14. 34. Let your Women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted to them to speak but c. Jer. 23. 30 31 32. I am against the Prophets which steal my Word every one from his neighbour that say He saith that Prophesie false Dreams and cause my people to erre by their Lies yet I sent them not Therefore they shall not profit this people at all Mat. 6. 5. They love to pray standing in the Synagogues and in the corners of Streets that they may be seen of men Mat. 23. 6. And love uppermost Rooms at Feasts and Chief-seats in the Synagogues and greetings in the Market and to be called of Men Rabbi Rabbi but be not ye called Rabbi c. neither be ye called Master for one is your Master Christ. Jer. 5. 31. The Prophets Prophesie falsly and the Priests bear rule by their means Rev. 17. 15. 13. 7. Power was given the Beast over all Kindreads and Tongues c. 1 Cor. 15. 22. As in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive Rom. 13. 1. Let every Soul be subject to the Higher Powers Rom. 1. 16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ifa 8. 20. To the Law and to the Testimony c. Rev. 19. 10. The Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Prophecy Ifa 47. 5. Sit in silence c. Isa. 15. 1. Kir of Moab is laid wast and brought to silence Psal. 31. 18. Let the lying Lips be put to silence 1 Cor. 13. 8. Tongues shall cease Joh. 15. 3. Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken unto you 2 Cor. 5. 19. And hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 3. 6. Who hath also made us able Ministers of the New-Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit c. Est. 6. 2. Mordecay bowed not c. 1 Pet. 2. 17. Honour all Men. Honour the King Lev. 19. 15. Ye shall do no unrightcousness in judgment thou shalt not respect the person of the Poor nor Honour the person of the Mighty c. Luk. 15. 21 22. Master we know thou sayest and teachest rightly neither acceptest thou the person of any Jam. 2. 2. Have not the Faith of our Lord Jesus with respect of persons for if there come c. Mat. 5. 33 34. But I say unto you Swear not at all c. Act. 7. 38 39. This is he which was in the wilderness Mat. 10. 34. I came not to send Peace but a Sword Joh. 15. 22. If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin c. 12. 46. I am come a Light into the world Mat. 28. 19. Baptising them in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Mark 16. 16. He that Believeth and is Baptized shall be saved 1 Joh 3. 9. Whosoever is Born of God doth not commit sin Rom. 14. 7. Render to all their dues Tribute c. Rev. 11. 7 8. The Beast shall kill the two Witnesses c. c. 17. 5. Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots 2 Thes. 2. 4. The Man of Sin sitteth in the Temple of God FINIS Books Printed and are to be Sold by Benjamin Harris at the Stationers-Arms at the East-end of the Royal-Exchange in Cornhil Octavo and