him in his natural birth whereby he is enbabled to see himself quite thorow and to know all his own inward motions and outward actions and to look upon things that are made without and upon a Law of works within written in his heart and thereby we know something of his Creator and of his own dutie what is right to be done â—â—d not only so but by reflecting upon that Law he may see the regularitie or inregularitie of his own actions and according to their conformitie or non-conformitie thereto may have peace a legal peace or trouble in his conscience and this it may do where Christ as the way the truth and the life is not so much heard of thus it was with Adam the light and Law within him first convinceth him of sin troubles and torments him so that he runs to hide himself from the presence of God Gen. 3. 10. I was afraid and hid my self before the promise of grace was held forth in the seed of the woman ver 15. And thus having declared how much is to be acknowledged concerning the light within common to all men whereby it evidently appears to be a great an excellent and in many respects a very necessarie light I proceed to speak of the second branch namely What the remaining Light in every man cannot do But first by the way it ought to be remembred that the light whereof we speak whether we respect the Candle-Light of mans spirit or the Light of the Law written in his heart is a natural Light that is a Light that is in the nature of all men for though it be true that if this Light be considered abstractly and apart or with respect to its Author and efficient cause the Father of Lights and Spirits it is Spiritual in which sence not only the Law as the Apostle speaks Rom. 7. 14. but all Light whatsoever may be called Spiritual yet when this Light is considered as united to its subject and by the Law of Creation according to the good pleasure of the Creator put into the nature of man for the enabling him as a man to perform that obedience which God requires of him for his own glory thus it is a natural Light or a Light flowing from the principles of nature without which as was said before there could not be a man so that as there is a natural man 1 Cor. 2. 14. a natural mind a natural understanding a natural conscience so is there a natural Light in man This is evident from the Apostles words Rom. 2. 14. For when the Gentiles that is unconverted Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law to themselves Mark here they do the things contained in the Law but how the Apostle answers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by nature that is by the Light of nature or by natural internal Light there being no other inward guide but Light so when the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 11. 14. Doth not nature it self teach c. It must be understood of inward Light which is natural and it remains that I shew what this Light cannot do Notwithstanding this Light of nature remaining in man since the fall be an excellent Light and very useful as hath been said yet in several respects it is â—o deficient and useless even in those things that concern his everlasting happiness that unless the help of a greater Light be given in for his reliefe he will perish everlastingly For first it is utterly unable to bring any man to life that doth most exactly obey and follow it its true the Law which is a Light in a natural mans heart was ordained to life that is to be a Rule which if man had obeyed he should have had life as a just and equal reward of his obedience according to that of the Apostle Rom. 7. 10. The Commandment which was ordained to life c. and Rom. 4 4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of Grace but of debt And this was the tenor of the Law Do and live as the Scripture testifies Rom. 10. 5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall live by them But when sin entred into the world by Adam and death by sin and so passed upon all men for that all have sinned in him according to Rom. 5. 12. Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in whom all have sinned Now I say Adam is driven out of Paradice and a flaming sword that turns every way guards the way of the Tree of Life that neither he nor any of his posterity over whom the death reigned though they had not sinned after the similitude of Adamâ— transgression Rom. 5. 14. could enter into the Life by the Gate of doing or working as the Apostle teacheth Rom. 3. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight for now all being under sin Rom. 3. 9. and subject to the judgement of God Rom. 3. 19. the Law can only make known the transgression to the sinner Rom. 3. 20. for by the Law is the knowledge of sin but cannot offer the least help grace mercy compassion or life it wounds him and leaves him but pours in neither oyle nor wine that 's the work of Jesus Christ the good Samaritan by whom comes grace and truth John 1. 17. it knows nothing but pure Justice can speak nothing but wrath and the curse to the offender according to that Rom. 4. 15. Because the Law worketh wrath Gal. 3. 10. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them Nay though Adam after the first transgression had turned or any of his posterity should turn to the Candle-light of their own spirit within them and by the help thereof to the Light of the Law written in their hearts and should most exactly obey it as their Rule and never offend it more which neverthelesels since the fall it is imposble for any man to do yet so weak is the Law that it could not give them life as the holy Spirit testifieth Gal. 3 21. If there had been a Law given which could have given life verily righteousness should have been by the Law And Gal. 2. 21. If righteousness come by the Law then is Christ dead in vain I say such is the weakness of the Law that it cannot give life not in respect of it self for it is holy just and good Rom. 7. 12. and able to give life to the doers of it but in respect of its subjects who through the weakness of the flesh cannot fulfil it Rom. 8. 3. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through
made flesh as ver 14. or as the Word is God manifest in the flesh as 1 Tim. 3. 16. or as the Word is in union with the humane nature according to his name Emmanuel Matth. 1. 23. Let the impartial and unprejudiced Reader consider what is said in every verse and I doubt not but he will finde it according to the report given as in the 2 verse it is said The same was in the beginning that is the same Word God distinct from the humanity and so it is in the verse following As in the 3. verse All things were made by him that is by the Word God in the 4. verse In him was life and the life was the light of men That is God the Word the Creator who gives life and light to all men according to that in Acts 17. 28 29. In him we live move and have our being and we are all his off-spring in the 5. verse And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not That is The Word God as it is explained in the 10. verse He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not Though the Word the Creator shined as light in the world and was not far from every one of us as the Apostle speaks Acts 17. 27. and had set up a Candle in them whereby the eternal power and Godhead might be known by the things that were made yet such was the darkness of men that they did not comprehend and acknowledge him In the 7. and 8. verses it 's said John was sent to bear witness of that light that is of the Word God to wit that God the Word was come to manifest himself in the flesh he bare witness that the light which was in the world and by whom the world was made and whom the world knew not was now come to appear in the flesh It 's true that John also bare witness of Christ in both natures as when the Word was made flesh verse 14. it 's said in the 15. verse John bare witness of him and afterward when he saw Jesus coming unto him he saith Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world verse 29. Where he speaks of him as the Word made flesh and Tabernacled amongst us But in the verses before mentioned he onely asserts and proves his Divinity In like manner are we to understand the 9 verse That was the true light that is the Word God the Creator and former of all things Isa 40. 28. was to wit in the beginning for thither the Verb in the Original in every verse doth carry us the true light not a borrowed or derived light but the fountain and original of all light according to that Scripture 1 Joh. 1. 5. God is light and in him is no darkness at all This I say is proper to the Creator who is the fountain of Life and Light to all beings according to their capacities whereas Christ as Mediator deriveth Light from the Father as he doth Life and Subsistance as he himself doth witness Joh. 6. 57. I live by the Father c. And thus we see who this true light is Viz. The Word God And hence it may be that the word Christ is not once named in any of the first 9. verses of the first of John but only the Word 2. How doth he lighten every man that cometh into the World The Word God or God the Word as Creator of all things doth lighten every man that cometh into the world by setting up in every man a Spirit by which he lives which is called the Candle of the Lord Prov. 20. 27. and by writing a Law in his heart of which Spirit and Law I have spoken before This is a true and faithful account of the Light that Lightens every man But doth not Christ say expresly Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the World and is not the Word and the true light of whom John bare witness Christ That the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World is the Word as such I have already proved And further I say according to Joh. 1. 14. That the Word was made flesh and tabernacled amongst men and they beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father and being imbodied in flesh he is thenceforth and so considered called Christ the Lord or the Lords Christ Luke 2. 11 26. For unto us in born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ And no otherwise doth he bear that name but as he is the Word made flesh to be seen and beleeved on it is not the Word alone nor the flesh alone but the Word and flesh in union that is called Christ Joh. 1. 41. We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ And is a light to lighten the Gentiles Luk. 2. 26 32. And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel Till then there was no such thing as a Christ or a light to the Gentiles but only in a promise The Word being thus made flesh manifested and seen 1. Joh. 1. 2. brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel by his appearing 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel Now that purpose of grace and love which was in the Fathers bosom before the world began which was promised Gen. 3. 15. The seed of the woman shall break the head of the serpent and from that time believed and expected by all the faithful appears by this manifestation of God in the flesh Tit. 2. 11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared And 3. 4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared c. And thus is Christ said to come a light into the world not to lighten every man that comes into the world but onely those that believe on him according to that testimony Joh. 12. 46. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness This also is that light mentioned Joh. 3. 19. And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light And Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the world c. This Word made flesh is
among men yea then my own life But I beseech you let no prejudice nor reproaches cast upon me or this Work hinder you from a serious perusal of it It 's likely many of you may be as sheep scattered without a shepherd and your adversary who goes about like a roaring lion will seek all advantages against you and his ministers will be in this dark hour of temptation the more industrious to make merchandise of your souls Oh Remember the Apostles exhortation 2 Joh. 8. Look to your selves c. Believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world And among all the deceivers that Christ foretold should come there are none more subtil nor lead into more pernitious wayes then the leaders and teachers of this people with whom I have to do O consider what need you have to be alwaies upon your watch take heed whom and what you hear and in a special manner be careful that you bottom upon a right foundation Jesus Christ God and man in union who in his own person without us hath wrought a great salvation having finished transgression made an end of sin abolished condemnation and death for us And if any man or an Angel from Heaven should not bring this doctrine and point you unto a crucified and glorified Jesus for access to God receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed Neither let it suffice you thus to behold redemption wrought for you in the person of the Mediatour without you but minde his comming down in spirit into your hearts to manifest this redemption and to live and work in you as a quickening spirit and let it be your care as to live so to walk in the spirit And the Lord grant that you being rooted and â—uilt up in him and stablished in the faith may henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every winde of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in weight to deceive but may keep your selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life so prayes Your Brother and Companion in Tribulation and in the Kingdome and patience of Jesus Christ J. W. Mo. 1. the 15 day 1665. Here follow two LETTERS from several Friends to the Author desiring the Publication of this Dispute c. Dear Friend and Brother WE received yours with the inclosed Manuscript containing a relation of a Debate you had with the Quakers An account of the Light within and An Appendix all which we have as we could perused but yet not so as we intend and desire onely did hastily run it over being willing as many as could conveniently might see it or hear it before we set upon the transcribing of it for then it must of necessity lie still a while And lest we might either discourage or not comfort you in so good a work as we can bless the Lord for from our hearts by making no return till we have got it writ over we thought it meet to give you a few Lines from a few of us so signifie the receipt of it also our acceptance of it and hearty agreement with you in it and do believe the good hand of the Lord was in it to make your condition a necessity upon you by his wise-ordering providence to encounter this strong man in his strong hold the light within with which this spirit of delusion hath run thorow the dark world and by it kindled some sparks upon the reliques of old Adam but brought nothing to light of a crucified Saviour nor of the bloud of his Cross by which we have peace with God but contrariwise hath reviled us in making mention of this way of peace rather glorying in their own cross then in the Cross of Christ keeping a catalogue of their own wounds and sufferings filling all places with Prints of them but never mention the sufferings wounds and death of him through whose stripes we are healed which hath been to us as another Gospel then that which our Lord brought to light and was afterwards preached by his disciples and glorified in by good Paul when others glorified in the flesh this is that Gospel we have heard and received through the workings of his grace how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and ascended far above all the heavens of this creation into heaven it self there to a ppear before God for us our blessed high-Priest and onely Advocate to whom we desire always to look that we may not sin against him this is our Kings high-way in which the way faring man though a fool shall not erre We confess there is a righteousness that is more agreeable unto man unto which he is more enclined as that liquor which this vessel of the natural man had first in it we hope without offence we may say not onely then this righteousness of Christ by faith but then unrighteousness and upon this spark may this light fall and make man to walk in the light of it but shall never place man again in that garden of Gods presence with him making all things delightful to him out of which after mans fall God drove him and hath ever since placed such a guard as shall for ever keep man from coming that way Nay an as it were in this matter may not be admitted under the administration of the Gospel nor is there any name given by which we shall be saved but that Name which is above all names unto which all things shall bow this is the Fathers Christ and our Jesus who when he came in the flesh was not ministred unto but did himself minister and became a servant but our God who also is Christs God hath highly exalted him This Gospel we have never heard nor felt from these folks but on the contrary derided with scornful expressions when we have gone about thus to argue any thing with them and in stead of words of soberness in the evidence of Scripture-light we have had such returns as you have met with as many in this County can evidence clearly for us as their own Papers do for you under their own hands Nor are we willing to rip up the remembrance of things upon any other account then if it be the Lords will some among them might be reduced and the Lord may give them repentance unto life and do hope there may be such a blessing in this Labour of yours God having directed you not to insist upon any thing less then their All viz. That the light with which every one is enlightned that comes into the world is not a saving light this is that which we have believed but have not had ability to bring it forth in so orderly a way fit for publick