not Life How could his People in all Ages partake of him if he were not present in them Surely this Doctrin don't deserve to be scoft but is most comfortable to those who are sick of Love and thirst ardently after the Enjoyment not Hear-say of him Consider seriously these things which are agreeable to Scripture Ro. 10.6 7 8. 2 Cor. 13.5 Col. 1.27 and with what reason People have derided us for our Belief herein terming it the Quakers Christ as though his manifesting himself in our Hearts were another or distinct from Jesus Christ of Nazareth that is glorified with God the Father in Heaven which we deny For though he be ascended into Heaven and sits at the right hand of God far above all Principalities and Powers yet is not he so circumscribed but that as by him all things were made and created so he is the Life and Fulness Col. 1.16 Eph. 1.23 3.9 4.10 and filleth all in all in his Church and People Is the Divinity and Humanity of Christ divided Is not their inseparable Union the true and intire Christ Can then his God-head be present and he who is the Heavenly Man be absent What think you of him that appear'd to John and gave him his Commission to the Seven Churches whom he describes Rev. Ch. 1. who saith Behold I stand at the door and knock Rev. 3.20 2.23 if any Man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me The same saith I am he which searches the reins and hearts and I will give unto every one of you according to your works Was not this the true Christ the Mediator Act. 17.31 Ro. 2.16 by whom God will judge the World And can he make this near inspection into the innermost part of the Minds of Men so as no Thought can escape his notice if he be not present there What made Paul desire that our Lord Jesus Christ might be with Timothy's Spirit 2 Tim. 4.22 Joh. 1.16 1 Joh. 4.13 if he thought it impossible Do not all acknowledge the Spirit of Christ who is the Anointed to be in his People and is he then absent Is its being a Mystery far beyond our comprehension to conceive how it can be a sufficient Argument that therefore 't is not so Ought we not in such cases to exercise Faith and acquiesce in the Testimony of the Holy Ghost exprest in the Sacred Scriptures rather than interpose with our nice and curious Subtilties prying unnecessarily into things that are too high for us remembring that Secret things belong to God and that those that know most here know only in part the things that are invisible 1 Cor. 13.9 12. and see them but as through a Glass Shall Men that neither know themselves nor have any intuitive knowledge of the Essences even of the meanest things wherewith Nature every-where presents us which are obvious to our Senses aspire to those yet more abstruce and undertake to account for that which is beyond the reach of the most pregnant Wits to penetrate Nor do we thus celebrate Christ's inward and spiritual appearance in the Soul of Man with the least intent to diminish the true value and efficacy of what he did without us or transacted for us as God manifested in Flesh but in concurrence with it and pursuant to it for the compleating the Salvation intended in it neither is it in opposition to him as he is without us but we believe in him as he is inwardly revealed in measure and also as he is in his own immense fulness without us both as he is the one Offering for Sin and also as he is that quickening Spirit and immortal Seed by which we are begotten again and made alive to God and the Author of that Living Faith through which 't is savingly applied to us For though he offered up himself once for all and sat down at the right hand of God yet 't is of absolute necessity that he thus appear and operate in the Hearts of his People through all times or otherwise they can never be happy nor they receive the full advantage of his Death But that he doth thus appear and work is most evident for since he is the alone Saviour and none are saved but those who are Regenerated that Grace or Operative Divine Agent that is the Efficient of true saving Faith and Regeneration must needs be Christ in us our Hope of Glory Wherefore 't is that we so frequently invite People to regard believe in close with and submit to him as he is the true Light discovering Evil thus manifested in their inward Parts for the full accomplishing their Redemption and Restoration that they may taste and see for themselves that the Lord is good and gracious and to Christ within otherwise than thus a measure of the anointing from the Anointed we don't pretend whatever People have apprehended concerning us Which truth our very Opposers are obliged to acknowledge notwithstanding they so ridicule it in us We hope it 's no Error to avouch the Power of Christ to be stronger than that of the Devil Gen. 3.15 that he is able really to bind him to bruise his Head and break his Power to dispossess and cast him out to fulfil to the uttermost the end of his coming to destroy the Works of the Devil and to save those from their Sins who shall have true Faith in his Name and Power Surely it 's not inconsistent with Christianity to believe that Christ can or will throughly purge his Floor that he can indeed deliver out of the Prison-house 1 Thes 5.23 and restore Man out of the Fall to God again and give him power to forsake the Devil and all his Works c. We find it consonant to Scripture and the Gospel-dispensation to believe that those who are regenerated and born again of the Spirit Ro. 6.6 7 11. 2 Pet. 1.4 have through the Spirit mortified the first carnal corrupt Nature which cannot please God and if dead Eph. 4.22 23 24. Col. 3.9 10. and slain and buried too surely then it no longer lives but the Mind is at liberty and restored to act in a new Life to walk after the Spirit and fulfil the Righteousness of the Law the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus Ro. 8.2 4. having set them free from the Law of Sin and Death which is its Wages 'T is for want of Peoples experiencing this real Birth of the Spirit brought forth and knowing Freedom in themselves by it which no Duties or Performances in the Will of Man nor entertaining of the most refined Opinions in Religion can administer short of the Law of the Spirit of Christ in their Hearts 't is for want of this that People are so very apprehensive of difficulty even to impossibility of living a Holy Righteous Life which yet is so necessary to our Salvation
A Brief APOLOGY IN Behalf of the PEOPLE In Derision Call'd QVAKERS WRITTEN For the Information of our Sober and Well-inclined Neighbours in and about the Town of Warminster in the County of Wilts BY Wil. Chandler Alex. Pyott Io. Hodges And some others By honour and dishonour by evil report and good report as deceivers and yet true as unknown and yet well known as dying and behold we live 2 Cor. 6.8 9. LONDON Printed for Thomas Northcott in George-Yard in Lumbard-Street and are to be Sold by William Longford Bookseller in Warminster 1694. A Brief Apology c. IT is not that we love Contention or desire Controversie or are impatient in bearing Reproaches that we appear thus publick but such have been the repeated high Charges and smart Lashes that our Adversaries more especially some of the Presbyterian Assembly have of late taken a liberty liberally and lavishly to bestow upon us that we find our selves concern'd to Clear and Vindicate the Truth and Innocency of our Christian Profession from those black Aspersions that have rendred it so frightful and formidable as though 't were only a meer complication of pestilent Errors as well as to satisfie the Minds of such of our piously inclined Neighbours as may be desirous to hear us speak for our selves as also for the information of those who may have been imposed upon by that dress wherein our Opposers have represented us And although these can Object nothing material against us now that hath not been long since over and over offer'd by some of the same Perswasion and have as often received Answers from some or other of our Friends some of which have never yet been by them replyed unto yet forasmuch as those may not have come to the view of many of our Neighbours for whom this is chiefly intended we thought it fit briefly to say so much as we think may be accommodate to the present occasion and which perhaps with unprejudic'd Minds may bespeak our Creed not so unsound and erroneous Esth 3.5 as our somewhat different deportment hath rendred us obnoxious and contemptible as well as distasteful to those who either ambitiously affect honour and respect Joh. 5.44 Mat. 23.10 and love greetings or think a complaisant complyance to the Fashions customs and complements of the Age to be one of the chiefest felicities of this Life and best expression of their Civility and good Manners We therefore desire our well-disposed Neighbours candidly to weigh what we have to alledge against the Clamours of those who to be sure will not set us out to our best advantage and to receive an Account from our selves what we are and what we believe and hold for Christian Truths who certainly must needs know better our own Belief than those who perhaps never examined it to any other end than to find fault if ever they did it and also that you will not think it strange that we express not our Belief in some particulars in the affected Terms of other Professors of Christianity but think it more reasonable and safe to content our selves with that Dress of Language in which the Holy Ghost thought fit to hand them to us in the Holy Scriptures Those most Excellent and Divine Writings which above all others in the World challenge our Reverence and most diligent Reading those Oracles of God and rich Christian Treasury of Divine saving Truths which were written for our Learning Ro. 15.4 that we through patience and comfort of them may have hope and are profitable for doctrine reproof correction 2. Tim. c. 3. v. 15 16 17. and instruction in righteousness to the perfecting and thoroughly furnishing of the Man of GOD to every good Work making him wise unto Salvation thro' Faith which is in Christ Jesus containing all Christian Doctrins necessary to be believed for Salvation and are a sufficient external standard and touchstone to try the Doctrins of Men and we say with the Apostle Gal. 1.8 whosoever shall publish and propagate any other Gospel and Faith than is therein testified of to us by those inspired Pen-men who were the first Promulgators thereof though he were an Angel let him be accursed all which and whatsoever is therein contained we as firmly believe as any of you do and as 't is the duty of every sincere Christian we are heartily thankful to God for them who through his good Providence hath preserved them to our Time to our great benefit and comfort We Believe in that Great Omnipotent God that made and created all things and gave us our Being whom in sincerity of heart we fear reverence and worship being seriously concern'd for our souls welfare to eternity We believe that Great Mystery that there are Three that bear Record in Heaven 1 Joh. 5.7 the Father Son and Holy Ghost and that these Three are One in Being and Substance And as do ye so do we also hope for and expect Salvation only and alone through the Son of God our blessed Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth believing that God the Father hath ordained him for Salvation to the ends of the Earth Isa 49.6 Act. 13.47 4.12 and that no other Name is given under Heaven by which Men shall be saved who being conceived by the Holy Ghost in the Womb of the Virgin Mary was born of her at Bethlehem 1 Pet. 2.21 22. Heb. 4.15 as also his Holy and Exemplary Life perfectly free from sin his Doctrin Miracles Sufferings and Death upon the Cross without the Gates of Jerusalem his Resurrection from the Dead and Ascension into Heaven Ro. 8.34 1 Tim. 2.5 6. 1 Jo. 2.12 where he is at the Right Hand of God the Father perfect GOD and perfect Man and the alone Mediator between GOD and Man and is our Advocate with the Father and ever liveth to make Intercession for us and also shall judge both Quick and Dead Act. 10.42 All which and whatsoever else is recorded of him in the Sacred Scriptures we firmly believe This Jesus Col. 2.9 in whom dwelt the fulness of the God-head we believe offer'd up himself according to the Will of the Father Eph. 5.2 1 Joh. 2.2 Heb. 10.12 an acceptable Sacrifice to God and became a Propitiation for the sins of Mankind to the end of the World and died for all Men Rom. 5. v. 12.18 as all died in Adam through whose Blood God proclaims Redemption and Salvation to Man 2 Cor. 5.19 Ro. 3.25 and offers to be reconciled and freely for his Sons sake to remit forgive and pass by all past Offences to as many as shall truly and heartily repent of their Sins Luk. 24.47 Acts 10.43 26.20 Eph. 4.22 23 24. Ro. 8.3 4. 2. Cor. 5.15.17 Tit. 2.14 Joh. 14 15 21 23 24. 15.10 2 Tim. 2.19 1 Pet. 4.1 2 3. Jam. 2 12. to the end and turn from the same and shall so believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and
3.2 Act. 17.30 and the time come wherein God commanded the Jews as well as others every where to Repent 't was not sufficient for them to go on in sinning and then offer those respective Sacrifices which the Law enjoyn'd them for the same but now the Wrath of God was near to be reveal'd from Heaven against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of Men Ro. 1.18 't was not sufficient to deck and make clean the outside of the Cup and Platter Mat. 23.25 26. but the inside was to be cleansed and then the outside would be clean also The Axe was now laid to the Root Mat. 3.10 and every Tree that brought not forth good Fruit was to be hewn down The Law of Moses took hold on exterior Acts Heb. 9.9 2 Cor. 10.5 and could not make perfect as pertaining to the Conscience but now that Dispensation was about to be established that comes nearer home James 1.15 and takes cognizance of the very Thoughts â—hat Sin be not so much as conceived â—y the Wills joyning thereto Wherefore John was sent to administer the Baptism of Repentance as a lively â—igure of that which was presently after to follow for John's Baptism was not capable to produce this Effect â—pon the Mind And he himself testifies That though he baptized them with Water yet he that came after him that was before him and more honourable than â—e should baptize them with the Holy Ghost and with Fire Mat. 3.11 12. that his Fan was â—n his Hand and that 't was he should throughly purge his floor Which is the great Work that is to be done under his Gospel-dispensation to take away the Sins of the World 1 Joh. 3.8 and destroy the Works of the Devil to purifie Peoples Hearts and make them spiritually minded this is the proper effect of Christ's lasting Baptism not the washing away of the Filth of the Flesh 1 Pet. 3.21 but the answer of a good Conscience towards God to purge our Consciences from dead Works to serve the Living God in Newness of Life The Baptism of Christ is but one Eph. 4.5 and those who by it are Baptized into Jâ—sus Christ Ro. 6.3.6 7 8 11. are Baptized into hâ—… Death and their Old Man Crucifieâ— with him that the Body of Sin maâ— be destroyed and they no longer servâ— Sin because they that are dead witâ— Christ are freed from Sin and madâ— alive to God to live a Holy Righteous Life These are the blessed Effects of the Baptism of the Holy Ghost and Fire 1 Cor. 12.13 Zech. 13.1 and Benefits that redound to those who are in truth washed by Christ in that holy Laver which entitles us to a part in him 't is our chiefest Concern to know this inward spiritual Baptism of Christ thaâ— our Hearts may be Washed Purified and Sanctified by the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 6.11 and that we really put on Christ and are in him who is the Substance in whom the Types ended John knew and foretold himself that he must decrease Joh. 3.30 but Christ must encrease he doth not say I shall cease presently at once so soon as Christ's Baptism takes place but I must decrease but were Water-Baptism to continue always amongst Christians then would not John decrease Nor will it solve this Allegation That 't was abolish'd as John's and instituted a new as Christ's for then hath Christ his different Gospel-Baptisms which is erronious We grant that some of the Apostles did use Water-Baptism for a time but we believe 't was rather in compliance with the Circumstances of Time than of Necessity and in condescention to the Weakness of Believers in the very Infancy of the Church and even the same Age wherein John Baptized who was not only a true Messenger of God in his time but had gained great Credit among the People and his Memory and Message could not soon be forgotten nor was it easie to draw them from a Practice that but just before was acknowledged to be of Divine Authority For we find the Apostles tolerated the believing Jews to live in certain Rites and Ceremonies of the Mosaical Law notwithstanding the Messiah was come in the Flesh and abrogated them so difficult 't is to disengage People from those things wherein they have been educated and to which their Minds are once glewed and some of them would have had the believing Gentiles come under that Yoak and be Ciâ—cumcised which Paeul their great Apostle withstood seeing beyond aâ—… those things knowing that the Kingdom of God was not Meats and Drinks but Righteousness Ro. 14.17 Peace and Joy iâ— the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 4.20 and not in Word buâ— Power not divers Washings and carnal Ordinances which were Shadows and to perish Col. 2.14 16 17 22 10. Heb. 9.9 10. Gal. 5.2 but the Body is oâ— Christ and those that are in him are in him compleat believing that if they were Circumcised Christ should profit them nothing and yet we see such was his Condescention that he himself notwithstanding Circumcised Timothy and when he was at Jerusalem shaved his Head Act. 21.20 to the 28. c. behaving himself as a Jew for the sakes of those who saw not so far as himself And notwithstanding he was such a laborious and zealous Publisher of the Gospel yet we find he Baptized but very few 1 Cor. 1.14 and thanks God that he Baptized no more surely 't was not then essential to the Gospel but saith plainly 1 Cor. 1.17 Col. 1.13 That he was not sent to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel to turn People from Darkness to Light from the Power of Satan to God who â—ad delivered them from the Power of Darkness and translated them into the Kingdom of his dear Son 't is this that is of absolute Necessity to our Salvation he did not then Baptize because some others did it which yet is as large a Commission as perhaps any pretend to now-a-days Of which we say as he did of Circumcision though we don't grant 't is the Seal of the Covenant and introduced in room of Circumcision as some will have it but without Scripture-authority neither Baptism nor no Baptism availeth any thing short of a New Creature which is the truest Sign of possessing the inward Spiritual Grace and of being in Christ and is beyond all visible Signs whatsoever The Apostles having thus indulged it 't is no wonder that 't was continued and since got footing under the Degeneracy for as Corruption entred the Church and was encreased the Spirit and Life of Christianity was more and more eclipsed and the Minds of its Professors grew darker and then adhered more to external Performances and not only continued that which had been used by their Predecessors or at least something 〈◊〉 its stead but by degrees added moâ—… Rites and Ceremonies and at lengâ—â— began to trim and deck that Relâ—gion that in it self was plain simple
and homely and consisted more iâ—… Power and Divine Love than outward Observations Which in process of time was so drest and garnished that its August Splendour becamâ— inviting to others Under this Degeneracy in degree sprung up Infant Baptism a meer Humane Invention without any Scripture-authority either by Precept or Practice wherefore for those who don't use Baptism as 't was instituted under its proper Dispensation to upbraid us for neglecting it is absurd and unreasonable But that which makes the loudest Out-cry of all is our Dis-use of the Sacrament so called of Bread and Wine 't is this is that pestilent mortal Error that in our Opposer's Account renders us worse than the Papists whatever 't is that makes us the Spawn of the Jesuites which with several others are Epithets that to be sure were calculated tho' unjustly to render us as odious as may be to the People and carry a great deal of Rancour in them and savour of too much Gall to proceed from the meek Spirit of Christianity that teacheth to be at Peace with 2 Tim. 2.22 and have Charity for all that call on the Lord out of a pure Heart But whether upon the whole Matter we deserve this severe bitter Censure or whether those that so liberally bestow it upon us have a just right to cast the first Stone is what we desire our sober Neighbours to consider and not judge us also meerly from an implicit Belief of what others say of us We are not ignorant of the great Noise and Stir there hath been about this in Christendom to the scandalizing Christianity among both Jews and Turks The Papists have improv'd it to downright â—dolatry affirming 't is the real Body and Blood and as such adore it one would think 't were better let aâ—one Others that Christ is in it though they know not how One faith t is this another 't is that while they all seem to expect that from it which â—t doth not necessarily administer for want of distinguishing between that Bread of Life that came down from Heaven Joh. 6.51 56. that Flesh and Blood of Christ that giveth Life to all that feeâ—… thereon by which they dwell in him and he in them and that Supper which was eaten by the Primitive Christians in Commemoration of his Death and Sacrifice which are not so conâ—… next as that the one necessarily in cludes the other as Experience abundantly testifies would People but bâ— true to themselves herein how manâ— are there that receive this from Yeaâ— to Year who yet complain all theiâ— Lives of Deadness Dryness and Leanness of Soul and want of Power noâ— receiving that renewing of Life and Spiritual Strength that is proposed iâ— it and so but an empty Shadow indeed For how can they in truth expect to feed on Christ Spiritually iâ— their Hearts Joh. 14.20 21 23. who will not admit thaâ— he really dwells in his Saints but esteem it an Error in those that do However we believe all People oughâ— to be well perswaded in their owâ— Minds and seriously considerate in thesâ— and other Religious Practises and noâ— take up things meerly traditionally because others do it nor ought they to be vehemently prest to or against things not absolutely essential to Salvation in which their Understandings are not clear Nor should any be scoft or reproacht for those things which to them are Matter of Conscience and therefore Sacred though to others it may appear of less moment a Practice that â—…s a great Shame among People professing Christianity Nor do we judge and condemn those that are found in the Practice either of this or Water-Baptism as 't was primitively used whose Sober Christian Circumspect Lives witnesseth to their sincere Intentions herein who may be conscienciously tender in it and fearful to omit it till they are otherwise fully perswaded But for us to whom the barâ—enness and emptiness of these outward visible Things are manifest we cannot continue therein they yielding no true Soul-satisfaction nor administring any â—nward Spiritual Grace to us 1 Pet. 2.2 3. Wherefore having tasted that the Lord is good and gracious we wait for the sincere Milk of that Word by which we have been begotten to God that we may receive strength thereby 2 Pet. 3.18 and grow in Grace and the Knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ and a greater Acquaintance with that true inward Spiritual Communion and Fellowship with him wherein he sups with his Saints and they with him Rev. 3.20 and receive Life by him who dwells in them and they in him as the Members are joyned to the Head Eph. 5.30 Joh. 15.5 and partake of its Life and live by it or the Branches to the vine which receive Life Vertue and Nourishment from him whereby Fruit is brought forth to the glory of God and well-pleasing to him 'T is not sufficient that we participate hereof once a Month or Quarter but as the Jewâ— had their Manna Exod. 16.21 fresh every Morning so ought we to receive a daily Supply and renewing of Strength in our inward Man by eating that Heavenly Bread that nourisheth up to Eternal Life and drinking plentifully of that Well of Living-Water Joh. 4.14 which in the Saints springs up to Life Eternal for as in God we live move and have our very being so is Christ the true and proper Life of the inward Man by which it truly lives to God nor can it live but by him Those that are begotten to God by the Word of Life and are born again of the Spirit are prlvileged thus to feed on Christ and enjoy him which none can do that are not first quickened and made alive by him none can receive Life Sap and Vertue from him as Head and Vine that are not first joyned to him as Members and Branches of him nor is it sufficient to make People Members of Christ and give them admittance to feed on him in that they were sprinkled when Infants c. as we have already express'd though they should eat Bread and drink Wine all their Days Since then we no less enjoy the Substance without the Sign why may we not omit it as either being but temporary or not of absolute necessity as well as our Opposers do that which was instituted to use their own term at the same time and with as great solemnity and greater formality and was no less positively commanded under the same pretence Why may not the same Authority absolve us from the use of this and exempt us from being chargeable with the breach of a Command of Christ as discharge them from washing one anothers Feet Jo. 13.4 5 8 14 15. and secure them from the like censure As also that of the Apostles Acts 15.20 29. concerning things strangled and Blood and that of James Jam. 5.14 15. anointing the Sick with Oil Why should they be thus partial Have we not good reason to conclude that if
these had not been long since laid down they would have cleav'd as close to them and that had those of Baptism and Bread and Wine been then discontinued also they would be now as easie under its omission For Tradition Custom and Education makes greater impressions on Mens Minds than perhaps every one may be sensible of nor is it an easie task at first to move them from those things to which they have been fastned by it Would but People wholly relinquish these Prejudices and consider it impartially 't is probable there may appear no such real difference as justly to omit the one and yet with equal reason to continue the other since 't is not that Bread that gives Life to the Soul nor doth necessarily include it but that Christ may be and is received and fed on without it Nor that those can be thought to forget his Death and Sacrifice Tit. 2.14 who sensibly partake of the Benefits thereof and pursue its Ends who are taught and assisted by him to live a Godly Righteous Life Gal. 1.4 and bear about in them the Marks of the Dying of our Lord Jesus who died for all Mat. 1.21 2 Cor. 5.15 that those who live should no longer live to themselves fulfilling the Desires of their Minds but to him that died for them Phil. 3.10 that through the power of his Resurrection they may mortifie the Deeds of the Flesh and have Fellowship with his Sufferings in whom his Life is made manifest Neither can those who acknowledge his Death and Sacrifice and partake from time to time of this Bread and Wine in memory of it and yet are not by him redeemed from a vain Conversation and made conformable to his Death and so feed on him as to participate of that Life that comes by him in any wise escape Damnation let their Pretensions be what they will Since then God hath replenish'd our Hearts with his Grace and hath not with-held his Heavenly Manna from us but daily owns us by his comfortable Presence to our great satisfaction under the Omission of these things supplying our Wants and Necessities as we have recourse unto him in that which ever hath access unto him having our continual Dependancy on him who enables and strengthens those of us * For we intend not to Apologize for those who tho' they may be call'd by our Name yet live loosly and walk disorderly and are Blemishes and a Grief to us which yet ought to be imputed to their Insincerity or Unwatchfulness and not to the Insufficiency of the Principle they pretend to that retain our Primitive Sincerity and Integrity to lead a Sober Pious Christian Life as becomes the Gospel of Christ which is the certain Product of Spiritual Grace and forasmuch as our Opposers acknowledge it to be but an outward visible Sign and dare not say that the inward Spiritual Grace is tied to it nor that 't is of absolute necessity to Salvation with what Reason do they Unchristian us and so load us with Calumnies and Accusations on this Account using it as an Instance to blacken us and condemn in gross our whole Christian Profession principally from hence as though 't were the chief thing that constitutes a Christian and entitles him to the Benefits that come by Christ What shall we think then of perhaps more than Two parts in Three of their own Assembly who no more practice this than do we and yet are many of them as sober People and if we may know as Christ directs us by their Fruits are doubtless as near the Kingdom and no less in a State of Grace than are those who so exult in and value themselves upon this Performance which however it may bound and distinguish particular Societies and Communions 't is certain no Observations nor Performances short of being ruled and governed by the Spirit of Christ as Head can entitle us to a Membership in him we may make a specious shew and carry a System of Divinity in our Heads but if he rules not our Hearts we are none of his 'T were well they were as thoughtful to fulfil all Righteousness in every respect and as zealously careful and concern'd to observe and punctually perform all the Commands and Injunctions to which the Christian Religion obligeth them and to qualify themselves to be rightful Inheritors of those Blessings and Promises pronounced by our Saviour as they tenaciously adhere to this as though 't were indeed the Sum both of Mens Duty and Enjoyments and that their Salvation turned upon this very Pin which yet People may perform while their Wills are unsubdued and Lusts unmortified But we find that Men have been apt enough to be busily employed about Mint Annis and Cummin whilst they neglect the weightier Matters to run into and cry up and maintain those exterior parts of Religion that are reconcilable to an Unconverted State If the Professors of Christianity were less taken up about Signs and Shadows and nice and unnecessary Scrutinies and Distinctions wherewith they perplex it and more devoted to observe the weighty important and indispensable Precepts of Christ and demonstrate the Power that Christianity hath over their Minds by affording signal Instances of their being his true Disciples and rightful Heirs of his Kingdom being in measure invested with his Divine Vertues and Graces we should have less Envy Variance Back-biting and Detraction which weaken the common Interest and Piety and give our common Enemy an advantage and more Christian Love Peace Concord and good Neighbourhood amongst us If all that mean well did but pursue Vertue love it and encourage it where-ever it appears and hate Vice and Evil in all and discountenance it every where and make these the Measures of their Christian Charity rather than Parallel Opinions in lesser Matters 't would bring us nearer together and more advance True Piety than all their contending about different Apprehensions in things far less essential God who regards not Names but Natures knows among all Nations and People who are his and the Rule he left us to know also was their Fruits their Actions being the exertion of their Wills all Mankind are either under the Power and Conduct of the Spirit of God or else of the Devil all are either Carnal or Spiritual-minded and as is the spring and bent of their Desires and Affections so is their Actions each Birth have their proper Products which are contrary to each other So that let what Notions or Opinions soever possess Mens Heads they live according to that Spirit and Principle that governs their Hearts We cannot gather Grapes of Thorns nor Figs of Thistles no Fountain sends forth bitter Water and sweet at the same time 'T is an Evangelical Truth Gal. 5.19 20 21 22 23 24. Those that live in Envy and Strife and bring forth the Fruits of the Flesh are of their Father the Devil Eph. 5.9 and those who by the Spirit mortifie those corrupt