good Works and yet sin remain in a Person and that Person notwithstanding be at Peace with God Paul in Rom. 7. complains of sin yet saith there is no condemnation Rom. 8.1 But the plain English of this is none have any Faith nor good Works but are in sin and Rebellion against God but the Quakers that obey the Light as their Christ these only must be said to have Righteousness imputed i. e. Put into them J. C. Pag. 11. In the next place Thou bringest forth thy own strange â—â—nceivings about Mans own Righteousness thou sayest our own Righteousness consists in those Gifts and Vertues which the Spirit of God works in ouâ— minds and we express these outwardly in the Observation of the Moral-Law in our walkings among Men. This is such an heap of Confusion that I remember not the like Answ Let it be Fairly tryed J. C. pag ibid. The Scripture calls what is wrought by the Holy Spirit in us the Vertues of Christ 2 Pet. 1.3 5. Answ It should follow Ergo It is an heap of Confusion to say that the Vertues that the Spirit works in Man is his own Righteousness as if Christ might not work Vertues in our hearts which we express in our Lives and yet these be but our own Righteousness but must needs be Christ's personal Righteousness as if because the Spirit of Jesus works Love in me Therefore it is not my Love and Wisdom therefore not my Wisdom If I be by Christ's Spirit enabled to walk in his Commandements therefore it is not my own Righteousness but Dent. 6.25 Moses saith it is See the weakness of thy reasoning Let me â—ell thee with all this none ever did or can shew forth Christ's Vertues in their Lives that were not first justified by imputed Righteousness neither can add any Vertue to their Knowledg c. according to that Scripture in Peter those he writes to there it 's plain he supposeth them Saints Believers in Christ that were forgiven and pardoned see the beginning of the Epistle of Peter J. C. Pag. ibid. To be Spiritually minded is Life and Peace Rom. 8.6 Then according to thy Interpretation we must have Life and Peace in our own Righteousness Answ Understand but the Scripture aright and there is no danger to draw such a Conclusion as this from thence viz. that therefore we must have Life and Peace in that Spiritual-mindedness 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Wisdom of the Spirit in opposition to the Wisdom of the Flesh But let us enquire what this Wisdom of the Spirit is v. 9. So then they that are in the Flesh cannot please God now Hebrews 11. Without Faith it is impossible to please God why Then to be in the Flesh is to be without Faith to receive Christ's Righteousness By Faith Abel offered a more acceptable Sacrifice Heb. 11. So then the Wisdom of the Spirit is to Believe and Receive the Doctrine of forgiveness of Sins and that no Condemnation is to them that are in Christ to receive this in opposition to the Building as the Jews did upon Fleshly Priviledges being Abraham's Seed c. And leaning to the way of the Covenant of Works Now the Wisdom of the Spirit is thus rightly understood i. e. The Spirit gives Wisdom in this Doctrine of imputed Righteousness and hereupon comes Life and Peace Rom. 5. Being justified by his Blood we have Peaces So that Life and Peace ariseth not by Looking to this Wisdom and Spirituality for that is imperfect but in that this Wisdom looks to Jesus Christ himself and the advantage we have by him J. C. Parag. ibid. Thus like the foolish Woman dost thou Build an House and pull it down with thy own hands Answ Thou seest the Building raised upon Christ the Foundation stands still and I am so far from pulling it down that my work is to defend it against the assaults of such false Teachers as thy self that would either remove people to another Foundation or ruine all the good Truths that have been built as precious stones upon it and bring in thy Hay and Stubble J. C. Parag. ibid. For take away the Gifts and Vertues which the Spirit of God works in our minds and what remains but a Body of Sin and Death and Thoughts only Evil continually and yet Man as Bold and Confident as if he needed nothing Answ Who ever of us went about by our Doctrine to take away the Gifts and Vertues of the Spirit Thy Conscience gave thee the lye when thou writ this Thou knowest we are for Sanctification and Hâ—liness inward and outward and say there is nothing but Sin Death Flesh Evil where the Spirit of Regeneration is absent which is more than you will say for you say the Spirit is in every one making the Light of Nature and Spirit both one Again Why should you suppose such a thing as this viz. taking away the Gifts of the Spirit when-as we are treating of Righteousness imputed unto them that have Faith Now can any have Faith and have the Gifts of the Spirit taken away But yet shall there be no distinction May not the Gifts and Vertues of the Spirit remain in us and we thereby be Sanctified and yet not Justified by that Righteousness within but by that without us which is the cause of Sanctification J. C. Parag. ibid. As is spoken of the Kings Daughter Ps 45.13 To be all Glorious within is to abound in our own Righteousness according to thy Interpretation Answ There is Glory I grant in Sanctification but a greater in Justification Christ's personal Righteousness is far more Glorious than our Righteousness yea than the Righteousness of Angels Whoever hath it by Faith as the Church here are glorious both within and without both Souls and Bodies our Beauty lies in his own Comeliness that he puts upon us Ezek. 16. I do but query whether this Glory of the Church set forth by Gold and Embroideries be not rather the Righteousness imputed to her than any thing else or whether we may not take it so viz. That the Church while in the World is ragged and squalid through Afflictions and Persecutions but yet there is an inward Glory by reason of Christ's Love towards her which is discerned by her Spiritual Children when others see it not and how can this be understood of Sanctification when-as she is said to be all Glorious within yet this Work is not perfect in any as to degree but there remaineth sin in them But let it be understood as thou wilt of the Vertues of the Spirit We are not against having of these and abounding in them but would not have any to trust in them they being imperfect to justifie them but give the Glory of this to Christ's Righteousness wrought out 1600 years since J. C. Par. ibid. 2. Pet. 1.5 8. Speaking of the Vertue of Christ He that lacketh these things is blind Answ So he is but now John see what Vertues those were try whether
God 5. Dost thou Believe that the Man Christ is any where now in being besides that being that the Quakers say he hath in them and if so â—here is he In Heaven Earth or in every Man and every Greaâ—re 6. Whether the Light that you say every Man hath be a Creature or no 7. Whether the Light that every Man hath be of the very same Nature with the Spirit of Faith and Regeneration or of a different kind or take it thus Whether it differ from the new Creature in â—â—cie 8. Whether that which Jesus Christ of Nazareth did and suffered above six hundred years since in Judea be not the matter of fallen Man's Instification in the sight of God 9. Whether any actions or sufferings of any besides these of his have â—y merit worth desert in them to purchase anything at God's hand for any of Mankind 10. Whether Christ Jesus died in the room place stead of any or only for their benefit or advantage 11. Whether God's imputing Righteousness to any Man be any thing else but his putting Righteousness into the Creature by Sanctiâ—ing of it 12. Whether Justification be not an Act of god in absolving and â—â—quitting a sinner for Christ's sake in opposition to condemning as in Rom. 8. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's Elect it is Gad that Justifies who shall Condâ—mn and accounting him Righteous for the personal Righteousness sake of Christ that was wholly without the sinner 13. Whether God doth not find every one ungodly and in their sinâ— when he first gives Faith to them that justifies them according to that Rom. 5. He Justifieth the ungodly 14. Whether by the Blood of Christ thou mean est any thing that is not in thy heart and soul within thy self whether thou meanest that material Blood that was shed from that material Body of Jesus of Naâ—â—teth when he did hang upon the Tree at Mount Calvary without the Gates of Jerusalem withal his material real sufferings both of Soul and Body 15. Whether that Blood theâ—e shed was not the Blood of God according to Acts 20.28 he being God as well as Man 16. Whether Remission of all sins was not actually purchased by the Death of Christ above 1600 years since for all that have been or shall be saved 17. Is any Man any father Justified than Sanctified any farther forgiven than according to that Degree that sin is Mortified in him 18. Whether is Justification any thing else but an Act of the Light within every Man upon obedience to it giving Peace 19. Whether is there any good work done by any Man before he is Justified and forgiven all his sins 20. Whether Faith as a Habit in or Act of our Mind or any good work proceeding from the Spirit in us be any part of that Righteousness that Justifies 21. Whether there is any such thing in the Nature of God as Vindictive Justice so that sin must be punished upon all them that accept not of the Atonement of Christ Jesus by the Sacrifice of himself 22. Whether the Light within or the person of Christ without be the object of Justifying Faith or whether Faith be any thing but obedience to the Light that every Man hath 23. Whether have not all the Sons of Men Christ excepted the guilt of Adam's first transgression upon them before they are Justified and called and so are by Nature Children of Wrath Rom. 5. in him we all sinned 24. Are any so perfect in this Life as to be above the confession of Sin to God 25. Of what Use is that Intercession of Christ as a High-Priest in Heaven 26. Whether there be a higher Prophecy than the Writings of the Prophets and Apostles and it so where is it and what is it 27. Are not the Holy Scriptures of the Prophets and Apostles the Rule of Faith and Life 28. Whether dost thou believe that the sime natural Body of Man after the departure of the Soul from it doth rise to Life again 29. Whether are our distinct personal Beings preserved in the future state whether we lose them being swallowed up into God at death 30. Whether the Light that every Man believed in obeyed trusted to is not the Jesus the Righteousness the Justification the Blood the Remission the Mystery the Experience the Faith the Cleansing the Sanctification the Shedding Drinking Sprinkling of the Blood is it not the price of infinite value that freeth from the Wrath is it not the Life the Vertue of the Blood the choice Raiment the putting it 〈◊〉 the opening of the Understanding to know the Mystery which words and phrases are all in this thy Testimony Answer plainly is there any more in thy whole Treatise and this Postscript than this viz. to the Light obey the Light and whoever doth not is but in the History is but a Prodigal in a 〈◊〉 Country seeding among the Swine a poor naked starved Sinner every one that takes not up this Pâ—inciple i. e. is not a Quaker Let the Reader in these two following Columns compared together 〈◊〉 how near a kin the Quakers erroneous ways opinions and Practiâ—â—â— are to those of the Papists and so judg whether they had not their Original from Rome and John Crook do thou see thy self in this 〈◊〉 and behold thy spots that they are not the spots of God's Chilâ—â—â— see how like the Daughter is to the Mother the young to the 〈◊〉 Antichrist and repent and come out from among them lest thou with thy followers tast of her Plagues The Quakers and the Papists Parallel'd The Quaker The Papist 1. THe Quaker Believes that every one of then Teachers is infallible whilst he is a Preaching and Writing in or by the Light 1. THe Papist Believes that the Pope is infalâ—ibâ—e in the Chair 2. That the Body at Devonshire House must determine all things and every particular Quaker is to stoop to the Light of that Body although his and her particular Light dictates otherwise See the Book stiled the Hypocrisie and Tyranny of the Quakers 2. The Papist for an implicit Faith and a believing as the Church believes 3. The Quaker sets up his Light within equal with the Scriptures nay above them 3. The Papist sets up their Traditions equal with the Scripture 4. The Quakers are for Enthusiasm immediate Revelations and Voices and Visions 4. Many of the Papist's Doctrines and Orders came this way by pretended Revelation see Stillingfleet's Fanaticism of the Church of Rome 5. The Quakers say the first Motions to evil arising in the Heart if not consented to by the Will are not sin 5. These say the same viz. that Concupiscence is not sin 6. For Perfection in this Life 6. So the Papist for a State without sin in this Life the Beguardij in Germany Stillingfleet Idolatry of the Church of Rome Page 294. 7. That to attend to the Light that every one hath is sufficient for Salvation 7. See Stillingfleet idolatry pag. 295. That
thee as to thy Wife and Estate to take them from thee What can be the tendency and import of this Phrase so frequently used in thy Book only that you think we have no Right or Claim to the Scriptures as our Rule or that you would if possible take them from us as the Pope from the People Your Rule we are sure they are not otherwise you walk not according to your Rule for ye practice not many things that Christ commanded in the Scriptures Baily It follows that the Faith that Justified them and their Salvation was without by a Righteousness or Person wholly without as ye do Reply I am not here concerned to Answer in that these are not my words nor the young Mans words my words were cited a little before in that same Page of thine line 4. the Reader may see them is this to do Justice Arguments of Baily to prove Man to be Justified by inherent Righteousness Answered B. PAg. 36. Did they not say their Faith wrought by Love Reply The Faith that receiveth Christ's Righteousness doth work by Love but as it works by Love in us it is not the Righteousness that Justifieth nor receiveth it any vertue or efficacy from this working by Love to Justifie us in the sight of God but still the Righteousness that Justifieth us is in the Person of Christ as its Subject Baily And purified their Hearts Acts 15.9 Reply There is a purifying the Heart in Sanctification and in Justification also and both are through Faith it is upon Faith we are Actually forgiven by the merits of Christ thus our hearts are cleansed from the guilt of sin and this is chiefly to be understood I apprehend in this Text. Again by Faith our Hearts are purified in that the New Creature begins in Faith upon our believing we are turned to God begin to Repent and be Holy but yet our Justification is not our Regeneration nor this purifying of the Heaâ—â— in our Sanctification the Righteousness whereby we are Justified B. And that the Righteousness of the Law was fulfilled in them who walk not after the Flesh Reply That Scripture Rom. 8. That the Righteousness of the Lâ—â— mighâ— be fulfilled in us cannot be meant that it should be fulfilled in our persons in that in v. 3. before he saith For what the Law could 〈◊〉 do in that it was weak through the Flesh Now if we could in our own persons fulfil the Law then might we be Justified by the deeds of it but in this v. 3. he had said the Law could not Justifie because it was weak through the Flesh i. e. since the fall none ever that was but meen Man could keep it so it was invalid to Justifie then it follows God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful Flesh c. That the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us By Christ coming in the Flesh and being a Sacrifice the Law was Answered in us he having our Nature and being our Head and Surety in our Room and the Law is not fulfilled by any other nor in any other way thou sayest in one place of thy Book that thou hast known the Scriptures from a Child O! that thou hadst but understood this one great place of Scripture thou wouldest never have turned Quaker B. And that the Anointing was in them and was their Teacher and that it was Truth and no Lie Reply May not this be true and yet the other Doctrine also The Spirit here spoke of is in all the Saints and is their Teacher what then did the Spirit therefore dye for the Church shed its Blood on the Cross was that made under the Law is there no distinction to be made betwixt Christ and the Spirit Is that which the Spirit works in the heart of a Saint that very self-same work and suffering and Obedience which Christ acted and sustained in Judea and at Jerusalem we are for inward Righteousness but this is not compleat enough to Justify us B. And was he not their Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption Reply In this Scripture these two viz. Righteousness and Sanctification are plainly distinguished which thou wouldst confound we have both from Christ and by him but they are not both one B. How their Salvation was wrought out with fear and trembling and â—…t it was God which wrought in them to will and to do of his own good â—…ure Reply As to the first of these we shall have an occasion to mention when we come to that part of the Book wherein he goeth about to prove all God's people to have been Quakers The other is true and 〈◊〉 own God's working in us both to will and to do every thing that 〈◊〉 good but yet neither our willing nor doing by his enabling of us is the Righteousness that Justifieth us in the light of God These are all thy Arguments to prove we are Justified by a Righteousness within not without how strong they be let the Reader Judg. After some Repetition of my words in the Epistle viz. Of Christ's being amongst us and that I said we eat his Flesh and drink his Blood that we have Christ both within and without c. Thou Paraphrasest thus B. Now if Jesus Christ dwelleth in you doth not the Saviour dwell in you and if you eat and drink his Flesh and Blood is it not then in you Reply The Saviour Christ is in us by his Spirit but yet neither is the whole person of Christ in us for he is Man as well as God this Union doth not confound our Person and his Person nor our Actions and his but they are distinct neither is this In-dwelling and Union the Righteousness that Justifieth us we eat and drink his Flesh and Blood by Faith so have the benefit of his Obedience Sufferings and Death the Spirit causing us to trust to the Merit of them as Sinners but yet the Flesh and Blood of Christ is not in us unless the Quakers will turn Carpocrations that asserted that they did really eat the substantial Bodily carnal Flesh and Blood of Christ or Papists that assert the very Flesh Blood and Bones of Christ are turned into the Bread or rather the Bread into the Body of Christ Yet the Quakers have asserted this that the Man Christ is within us meaning nothing but the Light within but of this before Thou intimates thus much here Baily that the Flesh and Blood of Christ is nothing else but the Light that is in every carnal wicked Man In the close of Pag. 36. B. Would not this be madness and folly for Paul to say I count all loss and dung that I may Win Christ and that I may be found in him not having those Gifts and Vertues which the Spirit of God worketh in me Reply I query and Answer plainly whether those Gifts and Vertues of the Spirit which he had within him were not his own Righteousness i. e. his own Faith Love Humilty and Prayers Tears Fastings
truth then is this That our persons are the Subjects of that Righteousness which sanctifies Christ's Person is the Subject of that Righteousness which Justifies J. C. Pag. 14. Another Reason thou givest to prove the Gifts and Vertues aforementioned to be our own Righteousness because we put forth the Actions both internal and External Is it not we that Believe and we that Repent and we that are said to pray By this Argument it 's best neither to believe nor repent nor pray because these are but our own Righteousness and the more we do them the heavier are we loaden with the filthy Bags of our own Righteousness Answ The Reason is good and stands and thy inference is ungodly and wicked This I say distinguishing our own Righteousness from Christ's Righteousness it is not Christ that Believes or Repents or Prays neither was it any of us that suffered without the Gates of Jerusalem nor that was born of the Virgin nor perfectly fulfilled the Law and the inference from hence that is Genuine is this viz. therefore ought we not to trust to our Repentings Believings Prayings Sufferings for these are imperfect but to Christ and we are not laden the more with these Rags as thou speakest but the defects are pardoned for Christ's sake and we are and so our Duties accepted in Christ Spiritual Sacrifices acceptable to God no other way but through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 2.5 that phrase in Isai 64 4. which thou in scorn so often repeats are the Prophets words and thou mocks at the Holy Scriptures he doth speak it of his own Righteousness our Righteousness not only the peoples but his and the duties which he and the people were found in were those that God had commanded in the Ceremonial Law yet of these all he saith this and it 's true Comparatively to that pure spotless Righteousness of the Son of God and if God through Christ should not cleanse us and wash us and put his own Robes upon us we should all be cast out But let me ask thee darest thou say that this moral Principle of doing to others as we would have them to do to us is the Righteousness that Justifies before the Glorious Tribunal of an infinite pure God whose eyes are as a flame of Fire that thou darest stand and fall to the strict judgment of God as thou hast all thy days for cursed is he that continues not in all things to do them been true or false to this Principle I trow not wo to thee then for thou hast in several things in this thy writing dealt with me as thou wouldest not have me to deal with thee why but then if it be not that which Justifieth it is better never be found at all in doing to any as we would have others should do to us for this is but our Moral Righteousness in the second Table commanded between Man and Man how dost thou like this retortion Withal by this is implied the mercenary Spirit of the Quakers who would neither Pray nor be Holy if they did not think to merit something by their Works J. C. Parag. ibid. These things manifest thy estrangedness to the Works of Regeneration and helpings of the Spirit of God Answ I have through Grace experienced that work upon my Soul and have pleaded it with thee as thou knowest in opposition to their tenent of the Light in every one which overthrowes it as if every one had the Seed of it in his heart but yet I have learned to distinguish between this forgiveness of sins wherein my Justification lies as in Rom. 4. Regeneration this is but a Fruit of Forgiveness had not God forgiven my sins he would never have healed my Nature no Regeneration without Faith Acts 26.18 Sanctified by Faith So that your Doctrine destroys Sanctification if no Justification by imputed Righteousness no Regeneration I own the helpings of the Spirit of God and more I can say for that word helpings is too narrow as if there were some power in Man the Spirits causing creating Faith in me on this Righteousness of Christ which my heart hath been so far in helping in that it hath opposed But yet I will distinguish and say it was Christ and not the Spirit died for me Those helpings of the Spirit in me do not Justifie me yet I praise God for them as an evidence and fruit of Justification J. C. Parag. ibid. A heavy charge upon all the Prophets and Apostles of Christ who were obedient to these inward Gifts Vertues and Motions of God's Holy Spirit Answ If thou canst produce one instance of either Prophet or Apostle that ever sought to be Justified in the sight of God for any obedience to any inward Gifts and did not apply themselves to God through Christ for Pardon of sin I will leave this Doctrine Remember Rom. 3.24 But now the Righteousness of God without the Law is manifested being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets But John thou hast forgot what thou said'st pag. 10. viz. Not for the works sake though wrought in me by the Spirit and here pleads for Obedience to the inward Gifts which must be Works and saith all Prophets and Apostles were Obedient to them and this in opposition to imputed Righteousness But I knew thou wast not in earnest in what thou seemed'st to speak them but to conclude I believe that the good Men of old were obedient to the inward Gifts of the Spirit and we all ought to he and are through Grace in some measure but then by all that the Spirit doth in us it doth lead us to Christ and his Righteousness according to that in John 15. The Comforter shall testify of me Chap. 16. He shall take of mine and shew it unto you and hereby know we the Spirit of Truth the Comforter from the Spirit of error The Comforter will Glorifie Christ's person J. C. Parag. ibid. By thy Account they did but obey their own Righousness in what they did they knew and understood that their hearts are as the Pen of a ready Writer as David speaks Answ This thou bringest is very impertinent to the thing in hand That of David Ps 45.1 My Tongue is the Pen of a ready Writer Thou changest Tongue here for Hearts Now doth not David a Prophet about to write great things of Christ in this Psalm make use of this Phrase to denote the Power of the Holy Ghost with him in giving forth this Holy Scripture that as Mans hand acts the Pen as its Organ so the Spirit the Tongue of David and thus the Holy Men of God that writ the Scripture are said in 2 Pet. 1. ult to be moved acted forcibly carried away by the Holy Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the speaking forth the Truths of the Scriptures and how sad is it that some of you should pretend to this same impulse to as high a degree in their Writings as I have seen some Title-pages of your Books filled
not my Judgment He can speak any thing with his mouth to the people and believe the Contrary thing in his Judgment at the same time But to the matter Thou askest me where I find such a word in Scripture as Contrived as if I err from the from of sound words Now John I could be heartily glad if I had never heard a more unsound word from the in thy preaching thou might well have joyned that to it which I have writ in the 6th Head viz. in infinite Wisdom contrived This makes it sound a little better I confess I might have said appointed and that had been the very Scripture-word But this is such another mighty Stone as J. B. threw at me at Hartford when he told me humane Nature of Christ was a word I must not use because not in the Scripture But John is the import of this word any more than appointed ordained willed purposed and are not all these in Scripture Rom. 3. he 〈◊〉 set forth 1 Pet. 1.20 who was fore-ordained But I begin to be 〈◊〉 of playing thus at Pash-pin with thee J. C. Parag. ibid. Sometimes calling Faith our own Righteousness and again without Faith it is impossible to please God as if a Man could please God by Mans Righteousness Answ We have not yet done Who but thee John sees any Contradiction in this Faith as a Habit or Act in us is our own Righteousness I have all along distinguished between Chri'sts Righteousness and Faith in the Epistle this may be seen that upon that Scripture 〈◊〉 4. Abraham believed and is was 〈◊〉 to him for Righteousness I say not the action of Believing but that which he rested upon justified yet this is true likewise that without Faith it is impossible to please God because Faith doth trust to those Sufferings that did pacify please God yet Faith did not dye on the Cross So that we please God by Faith not as being an Habit or Act in us barely so considered but as it doth relate to its Object and takes hold of the Object God is pleased not for Faiths sake but for Christ's sake that Faith Receives I query John whether it be the hand that receiveth the mony or the mony that enricheth yet the mony without the hand is not received whether was it the Eye or Serpent that healed yet not without seeing Did Abel's Faith without Christ make his Sacrifice acceptable or please or pacify God or was it the Sacrifice of Christ that which his Faith respeâ—ed But if you will in this matter hear Fox speak more plainly for John will not pull his Mask off yet Fox's great Mystery pag. 49. This Justification is by the Faith of Christ within for all the Holy Men of God were Justifyed by their Faith and that Faith is in their Heart So this is that the Quakers with their Brethren the Romanists contend for viz. Justifying Righteousness to be within because Faith is within in opposition to which we say Faith is taken Relatively with its Object Christ and so Justifyeth even as David also describeth the Blessedness of the Man unto whom the Lord imputeth Righteousness without Works 〈◊〉 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven c. J. C. pag. ibid. Thou sayest the young Man may now engage without any Peril any Quaker in England This is like Goliahs Boast but let 〈◊〉 him that putteth on the Harness boast as he that putteth it off I suppose 〈◊〉 if not thy self will be of another mind when you have impartially 〈◊〉 the Reply to the young Mans Book to which I refer the Reader to Judg of his great ability or rather his confused indigested thoughts concerning the Mysteries of God and Christ Answ I know the Quakers so well John that they are to me a very inconsiderable Enemy insomuch that any one that hath but by the Holy Ghost been taught the Principles of the Christian Religion may encounter with them and that with little difficulty or danger and when I cast my Eye abroad who they are that you have prevailed with to fall in with you see some you fell upon as Simeon and Levi did upon the Shechemites when they were sore under troubles of Conscience from awakings by the Law before any healings came by the Gospel and picked up them others were straglers from the Camp either that have been cast out of Churches or never setled in any way some that have taken up some prejudices against Christians or through some 〈◊〉 and Ambition highly discontent a sound humble Christian is out of your reach I have talked with many and could not find any of this people that could even give any telerable account of the Christian Religion And how many turn Quakers whose hearts are not turned to God a change in their Carriage and Garb but not in their Soul the same Passions and Pride 〈◊〉 Now Glory if you can in such a Regiment The young Man I confess is no Goliah but more like a Stripling and to take off from the Credit of the story hath been reported by you to be but a meer Boy but in God's strength both he and I have put on our Harness and will not put them off as long as you fight against the Truth and may and will boast in Jesus Christ and in his Truth and Love towards his Elect as the Captain of our Salvation J. C. Pag. ibid. Whereas thou sayest the Quakers keep people in perfect Popish Slavery the Quakers knew no Bondage and Slavery like the â—â—â—dage and Slavery of Sin which you believe all Men must continue in 〈◊〉 of Life and so thou refers us to thy Brother Baylies Book Answ I never saw a people in more perfect Bondage There is nothing more plainly appears than Bondage upon them it is written upon all their Words and Carriages the Principle of the Quakers tends to perfect Bondage viz. That they are to give heed to something within as to an Oracle which hath put many on to hard and difficult tasks going beyond Seas going naked long fastings going three Miles upon their Knees c. and no resistings is not this Bondage and is not this in your Religion viz. That it is to be Obeyed as Fox saith for Life and Salvation and that to perfection That your people sit Brooding upon this Principle in expectation of a Chimaera perfection in this Life must not this be Bondage to the uttermost Now what if they dye before With what fears must they needs depart Only you have got the Popish knack to tell your people that Concupiscence is no sin i. e. evil motions arising not consented to are not sin And here I will take leave in a Digression to propound some Arguments against that error of the Quakers viz. That first Risings to evil in the heart if not consented to are not sin desiring J. C. to give a fair Answer to them 1. That which the Apostle of Christ Paul calleth by the name of 〈◊〉 surely is
Ainsworth the corrupt Doctrines of the Jews Now Josephus will tell thee that the Fruit which grew in the place where Sodom and Gomorrah stood was always Bitter and of a Poysonous Nature nay the Grapes and Apples there were so Rotten that if touched they would fall into Dust and Ashes that were fair to the Eye But you delight in such Childish quibbles J. C. pag. 16. Thy following words taste of the same Leaven like those Pharisees that said Christ was a Sinner when he had opened the blind Mans Eyes Let God have the Glory so sayest thou let Christ have the Glory for bringing this young Man amongst you Answ How wide art thou in applying this of the Pharisees the Pharisees did think Christ was a sinner we Believe he is the Holy and just One a Lamb without spot harmless and undefiled such an High-Priest became us to have They did not Believe that Christ was God therefore would not give the Glory to him We Believe according to the Scriptures that he is and was over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. and therefore we give the Glory of all his works and of this work of his upon the young Mans heart in opening the Eyes of his mind to see the glorious Gospel and discern your delusion who was in his first Birth Spiritually-blind Thou and thy Brethren are worse than the Pharisees they acknowledged matter of fact but you deny this young Mans Eyes to have been opened when-as the most inlightened Servants of Christ whos 's same is in all the Churches of the Saints have owned it as an eminent work of the Spirit giving thanks to Christ for it J. C. pag. 5. Again thy words None of those that went out from you were properly of you had Received the Gospel which you Believe No it is not possible for any to receive it truely and forsake it What that Gospel is which you Believe it concerns you to search that it be not another Gospel Gal. 16. than the Apostles Preached Answ It doth highly concern us I grant for we are saved by the Gospel Therefore we have searched the Scripture which you despise and say is not the Rule Where do you search for the Gospel You enquire of the Light within as of the Oracle Therefore that Gospel which we Believe is not another but the same with that which the Apostles Preached We are Built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Christ himself not the Light within being the chief Corner-Stone Ephes 2.20 The Gospel which we Believe is that Good Ancient Everlasting-Gospel which was revealed to Adam fallen and in vain was that Revelation if the Light within would have shewn it viz. The seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents bead The Light within cannot be said to be the Seed of the Woman When the Woman that is not to Prophecy in the Church according to your interpretation is the Carnal part but it is Christ that in the fulness of time was made of a Woman Gal. 4. Again it is that Gospel that was Preached to Abraham viz. In thy Seed shall all the Nations viz. Jews as well as Gentiles of the Earth be blessed Which Seed the same Apostle in the same Epistle saith is Christ's Person This Gospel is witnessed by the Law and the Prophets and the sum of it is in Rom. 1.1 separate unto the Gospel of Christ v. 3. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord who was made of the Seed of David according to the Flesh This is more than to appear in a Body according to J Bolton's Faith and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of Holiness by the Resurrection from the Dead in Cor. 1.15 I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you c. v. 3. how that Christ died for our Sins according to the Scriptures v. 4. And that he was Buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures This is the Gospel and we confessing with the mouth this Jesus Christ and Believing with our hearts that God hath raised him from the dead shall be saved Rom. 10.7 For he was delivered i. e. to death for our offences and was raised up again for our justification Rom. 4.25 J. C. For there were those that perverted the true Gospel and turned it upside down and wrested their sayings to their own destruction and others departed from the Faith which Paul Exhorts Timothy to hold fast 1 Tim. 1.19 Answ It 's very true there were such in the Apostles times and they were those that made themselves equal to the Apostles they transformed themselves into the Apostles of Christ and said Paul was but Carnal walked after the Flesh and do not you pretend to an infallible Spirit equal to the Apostolical Spirit And have not you cryed down all sorts of Ministers besides your selves Now what was that perverting the true Gospel in the Galatians but joyning something to Christ in Justification viz. Circumcision whereby they would make every one a debtor to the whole Law that they must keep it to perfection which whether it be not the same thing that thou art pleading for shall be tryed as we go on Only herein these false Apostles were not so much to be blamed as you we read not that they deserted the person of Christ but you have run up and down the Nation with this viz. That the Light in every Man was Christ from that Text John 1. This was the Light c. J. C. That others departed from that Faith which Paul Exhorts Timothy to hold fast Answ Now John what is Paul's Exhortation to Thee Whenas thy Brother Bayly pag. 35. in a derision saith the Scripture which you call your Rule is not your Rule what matters it what Faith you are Exhorted to thereby why do you thus make use of it But let us see what Faith it was that these departed from in I Tim. 1.19 See that v. 20. mention is made of Hymeneus and Alexander Now in the 2 Epistle to Timothy Chap. 2.17 18. Hymeneus is named again and his Error particularly mentioned saying the Resurrection is past already v. 18. Hymeneus was for an Allegorical Resurrection within and now how often have I heard this that when I have spoke with your Friends concerning the Resurrection of the Body viz. That they witnessed the Resurrection They are for an Allegorical Resurrection This old musty Error of Hymeneus we all know you be guilty of Thou hadst better not named that Scripture Thou goest on J. C. pag. 5. And is not the Gospel the power of God Rom. 1.16 and the being led away by sin and lust a departure from or a denyal of the power as 2 Pet. 3.17 where the Apostle exhorts the Beloved that knew the Truth of the Gospel to beware lest they also should be led away with the Error of the wicked Answ The Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation Christ who is the
whereby I am accepted of God Justified and saved is the righteousness of Jesus of Nazareth which he wrought out in his own personal Obedience and Sufferings 1600. years since that God giving Faith in this Righteousness which is by him reckoned to me and in this reckoning there is a reality what the Lord doth is really done and though this Righteousness was wrought in Palestine at such a distance from me nay Christs person be now at a greater distance than so yet it hinders not but the Merit of his death and bloodshed may and doth reach me my Surety paying such a Sum of money for me at never such a distance dischargeth me I have benefit by it as soon as I hear of it and accept it the Sun is at a distance in the heavens but we have the heat of it and feel it But indeed the Righteousness is not at a distance from us but put upon us by the Fathers Gift as the Scriptures speak ye have put on Christ Gal. 3.27 It is the best robe put upon us and as Isaac smelled the garment of Esan the Elder Brother when Jacob had it put on by his Mother and blessed Jacob so the Father doth in this case he is well pleased with us and blesseth us having Christ's the first-borns Righteousness upon us by Imputation receiving it by Faith and all that Righteousness that is within 〈◊〉 of Sanctification is but the fruit of this it was merited and purchased for us by this J. C. pag. ibid. adds Not that we undervalue that Righteousness 〈◊〉 cursed is he that so doth Answ According to J. C's desire let the curse be upon all those that undervalue the Righteousness of Jesus Christ that according to him is but a thing at a distance both as to time and place 1600 years since as far as Jerusalem never like to come nearer to us by our Imagining as he saith I do really think John that thou hast cursed many of thy Brethren and many of the people called Quakers and thy self wâ— to them if it should be according to thy curse this is like the Jews that said his blood be upon us and our Children and they are under a sad Curse to this day and surely there is a dreadful curse of hardness sottishness and pride upon the poor people the Quakers and from whence doth it arise but from the undervaluing that Righteousness that was wrought out 1600 years since and as far as Jerusalem But observe a little how thou writes this Not that we undervalue that Righteousness no. Answ But then it seems there is an other Righteousness in which we may be saved and which is by the Quakers valued at an higher rate and that Righteousness may be and is brought nearer to you Quakers than this to us Christians that it is a real Righteousness the other but reckoned the Righteousness thou meanest which is attained by attending on the Light now this was wrought nearer in the North of England in Lancashire and those parts when George Fox that Father of many Nations as a Quaker calls him arose and this was nigher than Jerusalem and this was not above 22 years since or thereabouts 1600 years is too long a time for Christs Righteousness to hold its vertue and Jerusalem where he died and now heaven were he lives is too far off for Christs Righteousness to have an influence by any act of Gods imputing according to these unbeleiving Quakers J. C. pag. 10. For proof of thy belief thou sayst we are made Righteous in the same way that he was made sin but he was not made sin by inheâ—â—â—â— or really as thou speakest elsewhere for he knew no sin therefore by â—â—putation The same way when Christ knew no sin nor was any sin inherent in him must we then be made Righteous without either knowing or enjoying any real righteousness in us as the Comparison holds forth Answ John I would know why thou passeth over the first argument and writes not one word in answer to it but thou would have laid thy self open too much it is likely but now at this thou cavillest the Comparison as thou callest it is not mine but Pauls 2 Cor. 5. v. ult for he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him Now my argument is viz. that we are trade Righteousness the same way that Christ was made sin he was not made sin by inhesion but by imputation Therefore the right conclusion is we are made Righteous in Justification for of this every one â—eeth that I am treating and the Apostle likewise not by Righteousness that inheres in us but that without us John when wilt thou learn to be ingenious and distinguish right when wilt thou desist winding and turning thus like a Crooked Serpent studying to deceive Who of us ever denyed that we were to have a real Righteousness in Sanctification but this is not to justifie us we make a difference between Christ's personal Righteousness and our Sanctification the one imputed to us the other wrought in us we had by the first Adam not only guilt of Sin but the loss of the image and the power of indwelling sin so we have two Righteousnesses by the second Adam Jesus Christ the one to take away the guilt of sin that is the Righteousness I am pleading for and the other to take away the reigning power of sin Sanctifiying of us and renewing of us into the image of Christ in some degree but this latter Righteousness is but an effect of the other Christ is not only the Author of the former that we are speaking of as he is of all Righteousness but the subject of it J. C. pag. ibid. But besides if we are made Righteous in the same way in all things Answ Rather than want something to write thou wilt add some words of thy own to write against did I say any where in all things There is no more than that we are made Righteous that way or same way as he was made sin Now he was made sin by imputation is plain so we by imputation for this Righteousness of God that we are made spoke of is not the Righteousness of Sanctification for that is not by Imputation but by Inhesion Therefore that which thou saith J. C. Parag. ibid. That he was made to be sin for sin is mentioned in the Abstract then we must be without or free from all manner of good as he was without or free from all manner of evil is true add but this to it in the point of Justification according to the Scripture Righteousness imputed without Works Yet the Doctrine of Sanctification is kept entire in its place as a fruit of this still J. C. In the next Page save one Thou affirmest That the Gifts and Veâ—tues that the Spirit of God works in our minds is our own Righteousness First because our Souls are the Subjects of it
saved and in Joh. 14. he saith I am the way no man cometh but by me Heb. 10.13 It is said We enter into the Holy of Holiest by the blood c. And that new and Living Way which is â—secrated for us through the Vail that is to say his Flesh now whether is more likely that this Principle of Morality or Christ's person should be the Gate of entrance into Glory It is called straight not that it is so in it self but our natural darkness unbelief makes it so and it is usually accompanied with hot Persecutions now John who is the false Prophet that makes the way Broader thou or I in that thou makest Morality without Christ to be the Gate Now are there not more Moral Men than Christians nay is it not possible for Men in their Conversations to do as they would have Men to do to them and yet be Enemies to Jesus Christ was it not thus with the Pharisees Was not Paul blameless touching the Moral Law yet at that time a Persecutor The young Man that said to Christ all these things have I done and what doth Morality signifie without Faith in Christ the Way but whoever of us said that Faith in Christ was at any time without honesty Thus thou art unhappy in all thy attempts J. C. Pag. ibid. Thy Reasonings are as ridiculous as thy Positions 〈◊〉 is because it is called your Faith and your Righteousness and your Love c. By the same Reason Christ himself must be our own Righteousness for he shall be called the Lord our Righteousness Jer. 23.6 Answ Then must Christ be our own Faith and our own Love and whatever thou findest this Pronoun yours joyned to or ours that must be our own Righteousness All things are yours Ergo all things are our own Righteousness Christ I grant is our Righteousness but not by Inhesion it is by way of Imputation to which we are speaking and his personal Righteousness cannot properly be said to be our own Righteousness by Inhesion That word properly I did put in before thou mayest see By no means can it be said to inhere in us of which I am speaking that Scripture Isa 54.17 Par. ibid. Your Righteousness is of me speaks directly for me in this cause though the Righteousness was wrought of God yet he calls it theirs by Imputation it is not here meant of the Righteousness of Sanctification thou bringest that passage Par. ibid. He that dwells in Love dwells in God The right conclusion should be according to this Reasoning Ergo God is that Love that inheres in us towards him so then there is no difference between the Affection and the Object and if it were so then it would be so as thou speakest that they that did dwell in God did dwell in their own Righteousness Par. ibid. That shedding abroad Love in the heart is God's giving an assurance and sence by the Spirit of an Interest in this Righteousness of Christ without Thou cryest out of thick darkness in the close but thou seest I have not lost my way in the darkness as thou imaginest in that I leave not the Lord Jesus Christ to follow John with the wisp to lead me into pits to the endangering of my Soul J. C. Parag. ibid. Another Reason thou givest is because our Souls at the Subjects of this Righteousness 't is really in our minds therefore 〈◊〉 Answ Now thou hast done me right joyned these together which before thou madest two distinct things and heads J. C. What wouldest thou have to be the Subjects of true Righteousness Answ Christ Jesus himself I would have to be the Subject of that Righteousness that justifies for he not we was without spot he not we kept the Law perfectly in his Actions he not we suffered on the Cross And I would have our Persons Souls and Bodies be the Subjects of the Righteousness whereby we are Sanctified but the latter is the fruit of the former Therefore go on J. C. Par. ibid. Is it not our souls that are saved Answ I pray God they may be saved by Jesus Christ from the wrath to come J. C. But it followes do not they and we by them reap the benefit of Salvation Answ Surely it had been better expressed we with them or our Bodies with our Souls Again we reap not the Benefit of Salvation by our Souls but by Christ Now I am jealous of these expressions because Fox hath made the Soul to be God and John it is likely thou art in the same mind Par. ibid. And is not that the Subject of Righteousness which is saved by it Answ Thou shouldest have said the Subject of Salvation which is saved But to come closer the Righteousness whereby our Souls are saved is not the Righteousness that is within of Sanctification but the Righteousness whereby we are justified i. e. The meritorious cause of Salvation is not any thing in Man but it is the obedience of Christ Ephes 2. We are saved by Grace not of Works not of such works as God works in us see v. 10. J. C. Parag. ibid. And by the same Reason the Grace of God must be our own Righteousness because our Souls are saved by it and the Subjects of it Answ In Rom. 5. There is Grace and the Gift by Grace which is as there spoken by one Man Jesus Christ Now the Grace of God in the first place is taken for the free Love and favour of God and it 's false to say we are the Subjects of this the Subject is God himself and this is the Grace spoken of whereby we are saved most frequently and properly and this Grace can in no way be called our own Righteousness 2. The Gifts by Grace are many Christ himself and his Sufferings and Obedience are Gifts by Grace now our Souls are not the Subjects of these though these are the means whereby the Grace of God saveth other Gifts there be as Faith and Love our Souls are Subjects of but these are the Righteousness of Sanctification and these as well as our Salvation are but the Fruits of the Grace of God J. C. Parag. ibid. ' Its said God loveth Truth in the inward parts c. Answ And yet this Truth in the inward parts is but our own Righteousness Faith and Love are God's gifts he works them in us Now he loves his own Gifts yet they are ours by inhering in us our Faith our Love God would have them true and unfeigned yet they are ours still But now the Father much more loves the Righteousness of his Son Matth. 3. This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased for it is for his sake that he pardons our defects in the exercise of this our own Righteousness and accepts us in this beloved Christ Ephes 1. J. C. Parag. ibid. But the Ground of thy dislike of the Gifts and Vertues that the Spirit of God works in our minds which thou callest our own Righteousness is because it
is real in our own minds therefore ours what a Christian and an Enemy to reality Answ These pretty Rattles will please Children I dislike not John our own Righteousness for it's reality in our minds but say it is no Righteousness at all if it be not real but Hypocrisie but thou knowest how I speak it in way of distinguishing it from the other Righteousness Our Righteousness which consists in the Gifts c. wrought in us is really in our minds Now the Righteousness of Christ is not in our minds at all but in his own person I speak it thou seest to explain to any that should not understand what it is for our souls to be the subjects of this Righteousness i. e. It is for one to have any thing really in him and this I speak likewise to distinguish it from the Righteousness that is imputed to us though there is a reality in that Imputation but it is not the reality of Inhesion I do not speak this I dare appeal to thee that thou seest it as being an Enemy to reality There is a reality in God's imputing Righteousness and forgiving sin and a reality in his work upon our hearts but he hath appointed the one to Justifie us and the other to Sanctifie us and that Righteousness which is to justifie us is perfect and compleat and is the Righteousness of his Son the other is not compleat in this Life though it 's really in us and so will not justifie us Then I am not an Enemy to the Reality of Holiness as thou wouldest make me but to Real Quakerism and Socinianism that would have Mâ—n justified by the Law of Works J. C. Parag. ibid. What a Spiritual Man and an opposer of those Gifts and Vertues the Spirit works in our minds calling them our own Righteousness Answ I am no Enemy to the Gifts and Vertues of the Spirit while I would have them be kept in their place and would have Christ still have the Preheminence otherwise I should be an Enemy to Christ they are for Sanctification is a Man an Enemy to the Chancelour if he saith he is not the King if my Eâ—nity appear in calling them our own Righteousness then Paul is an Enemy to them for the calls them so Phil. 3.9 Not having my own Righteousness which is of the Law Now is there any Righteousness wrought in us that is not required by the Law yet he calls it his own Righteousness J. C. Parag. ibid. What must the poor in Spirit the meek the Mourner the Hungerer and Thirster the Merciful the Pure in Heart the Peace-maker deny their Blessedness which they must do if these be their own Righteousness c. Answ I affirm that there is no Blessedness to any but as they aâ— in Christ and so are pardoned and accepted and forgiven in his Righteousness Rom. 4. Blessed is the Man to whom the Lord imputeth not Iniquity in Mat. 5. Christ spoke this to his Disciples as thou mayest see who were in him and were pardoned and forgiven had received by Faith this Righteousness of Christ doest thou think that there is any Blessedness in these qualifications considered in themselves or any merit in Poverty mourning c. to obtain Salvation only they prepare the Soul for Blessedness None will receive Christ and his Righteousness but the Poor the Hungry the Thirsty c. But their Blessedness consists not in being Poor or Hungry or Thirsty but in that it is a Token to them that Christ their Blessedness is and shall be theirs And again as to those positive qualifications Blessedness is annexed only as they are Tokens and Evidences to them that God hath had mercy on them and is at peace with them therefore I dare say that not one such as these but deny that their Blessedness lies in these qualifications for they see defects in all their Mournings Meekness c. But it lies as there it is spoke in obtaining Mercy v. 7. In being filled with Righteousness v. 6. i. e. Christ's Righteousness Besides let me say that there is no right Mourning Meekness Purity but first we are in Christ and so this Righteousness imputed no eternal Reward is promised but to those in Christ Rom. 5. ult Grace reigns through Righteousness unto Eternal Life by Jesus Christ our Lord. J. C. Pag. 14. What must they turn from reality and lay hold on imagination Answ Here John thou dost with a Brazen-Face call all the Faith of all that are not Quakers an Imagination is there not a Reality in God's Act but of that before J. C. From Real Enjoyments and possessions to conceived or imagined Apprehensions Answ This is the same over again still concluding that Chrst's Righteousness is but a Fancy that there is no possessing of it that none have any enjoyments that are Real but the Quakers all the rest to the end of that Paragraph is but the same over again and hath been Answered only adding this for the Readers memory as an Antidote still that the Reality of our Inherent Righteousness will not make it perfect and so it cannot justify us though from the sincerity and reality of it we may be comforted as it is an evidence that we are pardoned and justified J. C. Pag. ibid. The sum of the matter is this that our heads and not our hearts c. Answ This is false in that I speak of Faith now Man Believes with his heart J. C. Our Bodies and not our Souls Answ This likewise is false for I have said that our persons We and expresly that this Righteousness of Sanctification is in our Souls and minds He goes on Parag. ibid. Our own conceivings and not Reality Answ I said that the Gifts of the Spirit were Really in our minds which thou didst quarrel with me for and I say there is a Reality in Imputation and in Faith for it is the substance of things c. yet here thou suggestest the contrary But I go on to trace thee J. C. Parag. ibid. Our Imaginations without and not the Gifts and Vertues of the Spirit within our minds are the Subjects of true Righteousness according to thy account Answ Here in Conclusion that he might cause the Reader to lose the â—atter in hand he runs all into a confusion and speaks nonsence endeavouring to make the Reader believe that it is his Adversary that speaks it Whoever said imaginations were the Subjects of true Righteousness Our Souls I said were the Subjects of Faith and Love wherein this Righteousness consisted I do not say Faith which thou callest Imagination was the Subject of it but it was part of inherent Righteousness He proceedeth And not the Gifts c. Here John thou wouldest have the Gifts and Vertues of the Spirit be the Subjects of true Righteousness viz. Inherent for that thou art treating of which doth consist in Graces and Vertues c. i. e. Righteousness is the Subject of it self but this is like you The sum in
Resurrection of Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 3.21 The Answer of a good Conscience through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ no Man can rightly Answer the accusation of his Conscience for not coming up to that absolute Perfection that the Law requireth but by Faith in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ who rose again for our Justification Rom. 4.25 Now one may have the Light within which you speak of and yet want Faith and this young Man it 's manifest had one at this time but wanted the other therefore his Peace was naught 4. Withal if this will hold many ungodly ones most prophane have the Spirit the Comforter for they have Peace both living and dying Psal 73. There are no bands in their Death and they say Peace in their Lives 1 Thes 5. They stretch themselves upon their Couches and Châ—unt at the sound of the Viol Amos 6.4 5. I read on page 31 and meet with nothing but the same over again which the Judicious Reader will take notice of till we come to that passage viz. That there is 〈◊〉 name under Heaven by which Men can be saved observe this is the second time of Baylies Blasphemy applying this to the Light within every man that is no more than Nature which can be attributed to none but Jesus Christ the Mediator calling it also the Deliverer and Counsellor from Isa 59. as well mightest thou call the Soul Reason Understanding of Man by these Names And whereas thou askest in this same place is there any other Spirit and Light which can deliver from sin and give power over it but what is of Jesus Christ Reply The young Man never owned this Light to deliver from and give power over sin as thou here intimates nay the scope of his Relation speaks the contrary and in the 17. Page he saith in the greatest of his purity and perfection there were longing desires after evil which he could be delivered from no manner of ways Observe Reader how these people make lies their refuge to defend their tottering Opinions if any deliverance it was only in externals Lust had as much power within as ever and this as hath been shewn may be had without the Spirit of Regeneration viz. external Reformation Before I conclude this let the Reader observe that Baylies Question runs thus viz. Any Spirit but what is of Christ why the Light of the Sun is of Christ the Wind is of Christ as a Creator is it therefore the Spirit of Regeneration proceeding from Christ as Mediator No surely But again in one place that we mentioned he calls the Light within the Tree of Life and in another a little before the Name whereby all must be saved the Deliverer and the Counsellor now here only of Christ a Spirit of Christ see what consistency is in these Mens lines Bayly Is it not the Light of Christ that makes sin manifest mentioing Ephes 5 Reply What Passage it is that thou hast thine eye upon I know not except the 13. Whatsoever makes manifest is Light Now this is true of all kinds and sorts of Lights they all make manifest but they act according to their several Natures yet Christ is the Author of them all the Light of the Sun will not make sin manifest yet another Light will the Quakers Light that every Man hath will manifest some sin but not all and it appears by the young Mans Relation for it will not shew desires to evil to be sin if they be not consented to according to what Paul doth testify in Rom. 7. I had not known sin but by the Law So then this Light thou pointest to in Ephes 5. was of â—nother sort in that all things were reproved by it and in that it was but lately bellowed on the Ephesians not having it before for in ver 8. Ye were sometimes darkness notwithstanding all the Light within that they had from the Womb. Bayly And doth not the Apostle say in that same place v. 8 9. the Fruit of the Spirit is in all Goodness Righteousness and Truth Reply By what I said before the Spirit spoke of in Ephes 5. is not the Light that every Man hath for they were darkness all that time they had that till Faith came This spoke of in the Ephesians was the Spirit of Grace Faith Adoption Regeneration the Spirit of the Son now the Root being different the Fruit must be different this Goodness Righteousness and Truth must be and is of another better sort and kind than that which yet is called by the same names springing from another Root viz. the Light that every Man hath B. And doth not W. H. Say it is the Spirit that maketh known 〈◊〉 which was not seen before then whenever any seeth sin it is the Spirit that makes it known and puts this word viz. Mark to it as a thing that he is happy in the hitting upon it and that what he saith is convincing and unanswerable Reply Now Reader see how acute this Man is in catching one in an Argument and holding one fast in it what a formidable Enemy I have to deal with This was spoke by me you may see in the sixth page of the little Book upon that Scripture viz. He shall Baptizâ— you with the Holy Ghost and with fire Luke 3.16 Saying that the Spirit did operate after the manner of Fire i. e. by Light and Heat As to the Light the Spirit maketh known sin when it cometh thou shouldest have repeated that Phrase and then said Mark but as often as thou reâ—eaâ—edst this thou ever omittedst that phrase is this fair play It followes as the shining of the Sun through a Crack into a dark Room we may behold every small dust within that compass these are the words 〈◊〉 let me reason with thee a little every one hath the Light within you grant but is every one Baptized with the Holy Ghost and Fire is it not such a Spirit spoke of here wherewith every one is Baptized that is regenerated and none else which cometh to us at that time and worketh and dwelleth in us and we had it not before a Spirit that will shew the dust and. Atoms of sin and lust in our Souls which this Light that every one hath will not I will pass over and take no notice of thy railing Words that thou art full of here and elsewhere but the Conclusion will hold still which thou art angry with viz. That the Spirit of the Quakers is a Spirit of delusion and let the Reader 〈◊〉 by our Lives whether thou or I are more like the clamorous Woman thou speakest of I must desire the Reader to turn back to the 27th Page there is something that Bayly saith which I cannot well omit to speak something to it 's that which this Man doth frequently touch upon and his Brother 〈◊〉 I could not well Reply to it before because I would take all the objections I could gather and Answer them in order Bayly And yet he
be seen his Justice the Holy Nature of God is such that he cannot but be against sin and punish it he cannot indure iniquity to speak properly there is no such thing in God as Wrath as it is a boyling up of anger to the height but it is his Holiness Justice this is attributed to God after the manner of Men in that God when he comes forth in Justice to punish he Acts as if he was in Wrath Now if all the sins of the Elect were charged upon Christ then all that Wrath i. e. Justice of God that was obliged to punish these sins must exert it self upon him that had those sins Yet is there Wrath enough i. e. Justice in God to punish sinners that believe not nor trust to the Grace of God in Christ such proud Pharisaical ones as thy self if God give thee not Repentance who mocks thus at Christ's Cross I say again that Justice of God which the sins of all the Elect for whom Christ died deserved which was infinite was exerted upon Christ and God doth noâ—â—â—g toward the Elect to satisfie his Justice All Afflictions are Chastiseâ—ts in Love towards them as the Scripture speaks but are all Elect 〈◊〉 all Faith Are there not multitudes that believe not and so are 〈◊〉 punished here and damned for ever There is Wrath i. e. Juâ—â—â—ce upon them that will not come to Christ and receive the Atoneâ—â—t As to that passage viz. fear of miscarriage I say this Doctrine 〈◊〉 ours begets in them who have the Faith of it and see themselves interessed in Christ Confidence Comfort Joy Establishment insomuch that those tormenting slavish despairing fears of being damned lost reprobate are dispelled therefore it is expressed by the young Man to this purpose viz. fear of Miscarriages to the loss of my Salvation a true fear of God lest they should offend their Father by â—nning against him is never separated from those that believe this Doctrine yet this is true Luke 1.74 Being delivered from our Enemies we should serve the Lord without fear in Holiness and Righteousness But W. B. Thou art for such a sound Doctrine it seems in the belief whereof thou mightest still fear miscarriages to the loss of thy Salvation i. e. so as to despair and be damned and likewise such a Doctrine that teacheth that some of Gods wrath might light upon thee unless by thy works from the Light that every Man hath without the Atonement of Christ thou couldst satisfie and appease it Baily And that satisfaction was made 1600. years ago for all sins past present and to come The Devil might play what Cards he will â—â—w if this be true there is no need to fear the loss of Salvation through miscarriages Reply The Papists are of this mind viz. That there is no assurance of Faith to be attained in this Life but that it 's the Duty of Christians to doubt all our days thus likewise the Quakers But remember Baily though thou sayest the Devil might play what Cards he would yet the Devil is never so beaten as when this blessed Doctrine of Free Grace is revived Witness Luther's time the Doctrine of Justification by Faith alone in Christ's Blood which that Worthy of Christ maintained in the Face of all Merit-Mongers and Shavelings and Hypocrites did in very many places and among multitude of Souls put the Devil quite off his play and laid open his shuffling tricks praise to the most high for that time Luthers followers were Holy and yet believed the forgiveness of all their sins by Jesus Christ Could we but know your â—hind concerning this Truth we would write more but it is not your time as yet to open your selves but let me query are any sins at all forgiven by Christ's sacrifice and Atonement If so then I ask if theâ— sins are only sins past i. e. only those committed before we attend 〈◊〉 Light if so then how are those sins pardoned that are fallen into afterwards We do believe according to the Scripture That the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth from all sin 1 John 1. That being in Christ God hath forgiven us all Trespasses 2 Col. 13. Acts 13.39 By him all that believe are Justified from all things c. all sins past and present are Actually forgiven us all sins to come not yet committed virtually If any one sin be charged upon us there is condemnation but there is now no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Rom. 8.1 Baily And that was needless Doctrine of Christ to bid his Disciples Watch and Pray Matth. 26.41 And of the Apostle Peter who bid them give all diligence c. Reply These Exhortations are means that the Lord makes use of to continue the Elect for whom Christ died in perseverance and God thinks them not needless Baily Who among all the ungodly in Christendom so called would turn their ears from this kind of Doctrine O ye Daubers and so Railes on Reply This Doctrine of Grace and free Remission of sin is sent on purpose for the ungodly and sinners remember Christ came to call such not the Righteous to Repentance i. e. those that think themselves Godly and are not as the Quakers do despise this Doctrine W. B. who wouldst thou have saved only Godly ones i. e. those that think themselves so and have no need of an Atonement and forgiveness O that all the ungodly in Christendom would turn their Ears to this sweet Doctrine it would effectually change their Hearts Blessed be God we have so good a Doctrine to Preach for we are all ungodly ones by Nature and are all transgressors of the pure Spiritual Law of God I see the Pharisees are still angry with the Gospel Baily Was there ever such a Doctrine Preached by any of the Holy Men of God as this since the beginning of the World Reply But what Doctrine dost thou mean It must be that viz. that the Righteousness of Faith by which we are Justified is wholly without us now that this Doctrine was asserted in all Ages by all the Holy Men of God let the Scripture be Judg betwixt us I have said enough to this in my Answer to Crook which I pray thee peruse and the Lord open thine eyes for I know thou art blind there the Reader may see we own Faith to be within but the Righteousness that Faith Embraces is without for Christ's Person is the Subject of it and 〈◊〉 either as an Act or Work of our Mind is not the Righteousness that Justifieth B. Search the Scriptures and see which ye call your Rule Reply Are they not worthy to be called the Quakers Rule which 〈◊〉 call your Rule wouldst thou like that Language used to thee if thou art married the Woman thou calledst thy Wife if thou hast an Estate the Ground the Land the Houses thou callest thine would iâ— not imply a denyal of thine Interest Property Title and that the Man that spake so had a mind to wrong
our Persons it is nothing but Sanctification the Quakers think nay nothing but an Obedienâ—â— to the Light that every Man hath B. According to the Scriptures of Truth Reply But yet not worthy to be the Quakers Rule it s well we call these Scriptures our Rule which are owned by the Quakers to be Scriptures of Truth B. And yet desire that the Gifts and Vertues that the Spirit of God works in our minds may stand Reply But why dost not thou speak out do you desire that they should stand for Justification B. Had not Gamaliel more Wisdom and Patience c. Who said iâ— the Work was of God it would stand and they could not overthrâ—â— it Reply That work was the Preaching of this Doctrine that we assert as thou mayst read in Acts 3.30 31. The Death of Christ and his Exaltation and Repentance and Remission of sins through him which Doctrine ye do plainly oppose and instead of Jesus of Nazareth ye set up Nature in his stead and say B. Man's own Righteousness is Rotten and must fail as in the last page of your Book Reply The young Man speaks this of a Righteousness that some go about to set up in opposition to the Righteousness of Christ apprehending which is true that there is no Christian that hath any 〈◊〉 of an inherent Righteousness but is so much inlightned that â—eseeth the way of Justification by the blood of Christ whoever then hath any such thoughts to make inward Righteousness to stand for Justification have indeed no true inward Righteousness but it s meerly 〈◊〉 they never had the Spirit aright nor Faith how can their Righteousness be but Rotten though indeed comparatively to Christ's personal Righteousness all Righteousness is but Rotten in that there 〈◊〉 mixture of the Flesh in the exercising all the parts of it though the Spirit of God be holy and pure that is the Author of it B. Who is Antichrist now W. H. the Quaker or thee Read 1 John 〈◊〉 3 4. and consider Reply It 's well W. B. If thou wouldest stand to the Test of this Scripture have you confessed that Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh 〈◊〉 which of the Quakers you will say ever denyed the History 〈◊〉 do not the Devils own the History to be true yea they gave their Testimony That he was the Son of God Mat. 8.29 Then this is not 〈◊〉 there must be something more Now surely Christ's coming 〈◊〉 Flesh was for some end some great end we ask what it was To be a propitiation or only as an Example if you think that Christ 〈◊〉 not to offer up himself as a Sacrifice to atone Justice and so to expiate for sin you do deny Christ to be come in the Flesh Again what is become of that Flesh we say it 's in being still in Heaven Christ is 〈◊〉 still hath the Nature of Man in Union with the Godhead but 〈◊〉 for you to cry up a Light in every Man to be the Christ the Mediator and so to overturn the Manhood of Jesus you plainly deny Christ to be come in the Flesh he is come in the Flesh in Man's Nature you say but that Nature is vanished you conceive and Christ withâ—â—◠〈◊〉 a great Idol as Pennington writ in a letter to Cobbet And must this Manhood of Christ ever be seen again no we are called Gazers by the Quakers that speak any such thing Why but surely this waâ— implyed in this comprehensive Character viz. Christ to be come in the Flesh Is not he in that Nature to Judg the World Acts 17. by 〈◊〉 Man whom he hath appointed was not this one end why he took it â—â— him but the Quakers deny any second coming but that coming to their Spirits and hearts in Obedience to the Light now who is Antichriâ—â— Baily To deny the Propitiation Sacrifice to say there is no Justification No Remission of sins indeed no Resurrection of Christ For if Christ 〈◊〉 no Manhood now how can we say his Body rose what became 〈◊〉 after the Resurrection no Ascension no Intercession no second 〈◊〉 therefore by all my discourse with them and perusing of their Writings I believe it thorowly and believed it when I writ and writ it then deliberately calmly and so do now and am willing to 〈◊〉 of your Faces in the most solemn publick Meetings you have to make it good that your Doctrine is Antichristian and in Diametrical opposition to the Apostles Doctrine B. For we can prove our Doctrine to be parallel with the Doctrine of the Apostles and Christ himself by the Scriptures of Truth Reply I suppose thou meanest that the Doctrine George Fox brought out of the North is of equal authority with that of the Apostles Paul Peter and John what ever it was nay with that of Christ in that George Fox was as infallibly inspired as any of them thou Judgeâ— in this 38. Page the Reader may take notice of this passage B. I testifie for God you call his true and faithful Witness in you 〈◊〉 Devil Reply Is this one of the Testimonies that the Quakers give for God to testify to a Lye a plain Lye Where do we call his true 〈◊〉 faithful Witness in us the Devil The Devil the young man 〈◊〉 had two Cards to play which were Objections c. The sum is thâ— viz. He was tempted once to be loose upon the breaking in of Light and again to despair upon misapprehension that only sins to the 〈◊〉 of Conversion were taken away by the blood of Christ Now 〈◊〉 is it but the Devil that would drive Souls either into Loosness or Despair but how any can say that he calls the Light within the Devil from hence I see not There is only thus much in it that after God undeceived him and had shewn him that the Light within was not the Christ nor sufficient for Salvation but rather misguided himâ—â—â— several things and then the Spirit of Jesus did truly lead him to 〈◊〉 right Christ and gave him some sound knowledge then steps in Sâ—tan with his Temptations to blind and mislead him Thou mightest 〈◊〉 well say that when-as it is writ That Christ spoke to Peter Get 〈◊〉 behind me Satan that was the Light within Christ calls it Satan Wheâ— he told Peter that Satan had a desire to Winnow him i. e. the Light within the true and faithful Witness he speaks this of B. It 's the Word of the Lord unto you all Reply And yet quarrels with us for calling the Scriptures the Word 〈◊〉 B. And thou W. H. saith the Quakers catch many simple hearts and 〈◊〉 them in perfect Popish Slavery and Bondage and callest them Foxes 〈◊〉 Seducers Reply This hath been made good abundantly in the Answer to Crook where he takes notice of the same thing and here is not a word spoke 〈◊〉 to any purpose to invalidate my Charge Let the Reader new my Lines which would be tedious to transcribe Only pag. 39. 〈◊〉
Pardon Peace Holiness Eternal-Life This word Drink is but a Metaphorical word implying that we can have no Benefit nor Good by Christ except there be an Application by Faith Baily For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts and Mark 7.21 22 23. From within out of the heart of Men proceed evil thoughts Adulteries and defile the Man Now must not these evil thoughts be purged out But how and by what means must these evil thoughts be purged Seeing they are within Must not the Antidot be taken inwardly when the Poison is within What is it that must cleanse but the precious Blood of Christ Reply This is the sum of what thou sayest in Pag. 43. We grant that sin comes from within therefore is there a Fountain within from whence these evils flow which we call Original sin Every Man is tempted Jam. 1.14 When he is drawn away of his own Lust c. Rom. 7. Sin wrought in me all manner of Concupiscence This the Quakers deny Now Man in his Natural state can do nothing else but sin Gen. 6. The Imagination of the thought of his heart is only evil continually notwithstanding all the Light he hath within Hereupon must there needs be great defilements upon his Mind and Conscience 1 Tiâ—â— 15. Their Mind and Conscience are defiled This defilement consists in the guilt of Sin and in the power and presence of sin These defilements must be taken away and there is nothing will do it but the Sufferings and Blood of Christ Now the guilt of sin is taken away by God's Act of not imputing sin to us upon Faith Which Faith is wrought in us by his Spirit in that Christ was made sin for us 2 Cor. 5.21 As for the power of sin this is broke in us by the New Creature and Sanctification which begins in Faith on Christ Now as this work is carried on in the Soul so the presence of sin is more removed But it 's the will of God that the work of Sanctification should not be so absolutely perfect in this Life So that Sin hath some presence in the best of Saints yet no condemnation to them because they are in Christ See then we are for an inward work upon the heart of Man a work of Sanctification which the Light of Nature will never produce but there is a necessity of the Spirit of Grace to be given This work is but the Fruit of the shedding of the Blood of Christ Thereupon it is that we have Faith given as well as pardon Phil. 1.29 To you it is given 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 on the behalf of Christ not only to believe c. All this pains Baily that thou hast taken is only the Reader now seeth to throw down Christ's glorious Person and set up corrupt Nature in his place And by Blood and purging c. is nothing meant by you but the Light within and Obedience to that I would not omit any thing that hath the least shew of Argument and desire thee Baily if thou write again to do the like by me The next Scripture is 1. Pet. 1.19 Baily Speaking of the Blood Did it not Redeem people formerly from their vain conversation Reply Yea it did and it doth now and nothing else It was not the Light within Many had this the Jews had it the Fathers of these he is writing to yet they walked in vain Conversation i. e. in error and superstitions after Traditions as he there speaks And so multitudes of Heathens at this day and many in this Nation But whoever Christ hath died for shall effectually be called from such a Conversation The offering up of himself was the Meritorious cause of all Holiness Whoever then walk in the vain Conversation of error false Worships Superstitions Wickednesses to the end manifest Christ never dyed for them They were not Redeemed nor bought with his precious Blood In the last Parag. of the 43. pag. thou speakest of the Indwelling of Christ in his people by his Spirit 2 Cor. 6. I will dwell in them c. And of his presence in the Gospel-Churches walking in the midst of his Golden Candlesticks Reply Both these surely are consistent with Christ's being a person without and all his suffering without These all are but Fruits of Christ's dying for his Church But before I leave this one Scripture in Prov. 16. thou hast viz. By Mercy and Truth Iniquity is purged What meanest thou by this I am afraid thou art a down-right Papist The Papists say that by Alms-giving Iniquity is taken away Dost thou think so For that is Mercy So by doing to others as we would be done by is sin pardoned for this is Truth and Righteousness Speak out Is there any thing that Man can do which thou dost here imply that can take away his iniquity Is this the Blood that thou owned'st before Then may many unclean Drunkards have their iniquities purged yet remain so For several of them it 's known are merciful to the Poor and true in their Words and Promises and Righteous in their Trades Surely then it is more safe to understand this Scripture of the Mercy and Truth of God his Mercy promising forgiveness through Christ and his Truth in making this promise good Thus is Iniquity Forgiven Redeemed Covered In the Hebrew it is in Mercy and in Truth is iniquity redeemed or covered Thou art a very unhappy Man in citing Scriptures In the 44 and 45. pag. I find nothing of any weight or Argument Let the Reader view it Much of pag. 44. is the very same that he said before of me and of the young Man he sends some shot in Railing in Parag. 2. and breaks forth into the Praises of the Quakers and Thraso-like boasts in his confidence And thus goeth on threatning all but themselves as Babylon and Antichrist At length concludes pag. 45. in the 4th Parag. in Prayer He begins thus viz. Arise O God c. he ends with a Doxology viz. To whom be everlasting Praises Glory and Thanksgiving from all that know thy Name God over all Heaven and Earth blessed for ever and ever Hallelujah Now I have read over the Prayer once again I find not one word of Christ in it nothing desired in his Name or for his sake and am greatly jealous and desire therefore to be satisfied in this Question having said so much before as thou hast Whether thou dost pray this Prayer to any other Person or thing than the Light within which thou callest here God over all Heaven and Earth blessed for ever giving Halelujahs to it If thou write again I pray thee resolve me who thou prayest to and why not in the Name of the Mediator Jesus In pag. 46. The Reader may see much of the same he had before applying himself to me calling me to an account for what I have written appealing to my Conscience Where there is this passage Parag 1. And see if thou canst stand by them when
because by obedience to it 〈◊〉 may be delivered from some sin And he is ready to say This is 〈◊〉 that loved me before I loved him Thus misapprehending those 〈◊〉 words in the Scriptures which are to be understood of the Perâ—â— of Christ as a Saviour and a Redeemer As that viz. Walk in the â—ight as he is in the Light and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth 〈◊〉 all Sin And ye shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make ye 〈◊〉 And many more which might be reckoned up are all falsly apâ—yed to the Light within and the power that doth accompany it 〈◊〉 so according to the Quaker the Saviour the Redeemer the Blood which â—lâ—anseth are all within changing renewing quickning bringing 〈◊〉 perfection Without which they say There is no Salvation so that 〈◊〉 directly runs to the Tenet of those mentioned Acts 15.1 and in the Epistle to the Galatians who said they must be Circumcised and keep the Law of Moses without which they could not be saved 〈◊〉 the contest was about Circumcision yet the Law of Moses 〈◊〉 something more than Circumcision this likewise viz. Thou shal◠〈◊〉 the Lord thy God with all thy Heart Soul and Strength and thy 〈◊〉 bour as thy self Which no Man since the Fall was ever 〈…〉 Christ excepted as appeareth Acts 15.10 the Law is called 〈◊〉 which neither we nor our Fathers were able to bear And who were 〈◊〉 Fathers but Abraham Isaac and Jacob which were saved by 〈◊〉 and not by Works Rom. 4.1 2 3. But thou sayest Baily that Moses was a leading-Quaker when trembled at Mount Sinai at the terrible appearance of the Lord in 〈◊〉 the Law Declaring that we are under the dispensation of the Coveâ—â—â— Works But was Moses saved by that terrible Appearance No 〈◊〉 looked unto Christ to come in the flesh For he had Faith it's 〈◊〉 received not the promise Heb. 11.39 i. e. They lived not in this 〈◊〉 to see the accomplishment of the Promise of Christ to come in the 〈◊〉 Wherefore it appears that ye believe that the Blood Saviour Redâ—â—â— are within That Person that was put to death at Jerusalem raised 〈◊〉 Life again whom God hath Exalted Acts 5.30 31. Which is 〈◊〉 born of Mary for the Godhead could not dy and rise again 〈◊〉 he Exalted but the Manhood And not only this Person but 〈◊〉 wise Reconciliation in that Body of his Flesh the Peace through 〈◊〉 Blood of his Cross are little worth with you Quakers And so 〈◊〉 wel Gospel But the Light the Life the Power within as you 〈◊〉 it is all your Justifying Righteousness And so the Law with 〈◊〉 become the Gospel and the Gospel the Law Moses Christ and 〈◊〉 Moses Thus the poor Soul is shut up in Prison to work for Liâ—â— Salvation as I have said according to the Quakers Doctrine 〈◊〉 there is an end of Christ and the Gospel Not that I deny good 〈◊〉 in their place So that your Condition and State which I was once in may 〈◊〉 be compared to Bondage The Lord be merciful to you Furthermore Thou sayest Baily that in my asserting the Light 〈◊〉 which I was convinced of sin and by obedience there unto thoughâ— should be brought into the Image of Christ and in that Righteoâ—ness be accepted with God and delivered from Wrath to come 〈◊〉 to be the Light of the Spirit But only the same Light by which 〈◊〉 Heathens did by Nature things contained in the Law That I am 〈◊〉 a denyer of the Scripture which Scriptures thou sayest are John 〈◊〉 and again in Tit. 2.11.9 p. 29. of thy Book Both which places 〈…〉 〈◊〉 you told me were spoken of Christ he being called in one place 〈◊〉 in another Grace 〈…〉 that lighteth every Man and appeareth unto all Men is 〈…〉 the same according to you 〈◊〉 speak a little to the first Scripture 〈…〉 thou art out for I deny not the Scripture but your sence 〈◊〉 â—â—â—uing of the Scripture And I have good ground to judg and 〈◊〉 that thou mayest with thy friends corrupt the right meaning the Scripture for your own ends as thou hast our words and Wriâ—â— notwithstanding your pure Light For in saying W. Haworth 〈◊〉 the Deity and Godhead which the Barbarous people saw by when apprehended Paul to be a Murderer in pag. 29. and saith I have â—â—â—dicted my Companion Which is a Lye with which you have 〈◊〉 the heap of Confusion For W. H. doth not say By the 〈◊〉 but In the Deity they saw it As I by my eye see a Glory in the 〈◊〉 But the Glory of the Sun is not therefore my eye by which I 〈◊〉 God hath placed an understanding faculty in the Soul of Man 〈◊〉 he comes to know something of God It doth not follow â—â—â—upon that this faculty is God 〈◊〉 thou abusest our Words in affirming the Faith that justifieth 〈◊〉 wrought out by a person wholly without Man as in pag. 35. gâ—â—â—â— to make people apprehend that we say Faith is without as well 〈◊〉 Person Jesus Christ When as I said in pag. 19. speaking of imâ—â— Righteousness It was manifested to me in the Spirit working 〈◊〉 in me So here is a plain wrong done us yet we say that Faith 〈◊〉 the matter of Justification think of us as thou wilt but the Instruâ—â—â— which we lay hold of the Matter of Justification viz. the â—â—â—â—nal Righteousness of Jesus Christ This Faith God worketh in his 〈◊〉 by his Spirit according as it is written He shall testifie of me 〈◊〉 15.16 In pag. 51. S. Crisp saith I have cast of Christs Yoke and Burden 〈◊〉 â—ot to Sieal tell lies speak evil words c. and cautioneth the 〈◊〉 therefore to take heed of me pag. 50. Whereas I said in pag. 〈◊〉 the little Book that I ought to lead a good Conversation 1. For 〈◊〉 of God 2. To manifest my Love to Jesus Christ 3. To Conâ—â—â— the World of Sin c. Pag. 16. Faith is the Spring from whence true Christian-works do 〈◊〉 Pag 19. This Faith ingageth to Love the Lord. Pag. 20. Holding Faith in a pure Conscience hoping to be found 〈◊〉 my self Thus you abuse us turning our words to your sence and meaning because we will not admit of those Works wrought in us by the Spirit to come in to Justification But dare say so to do is no other but 〈◊〉 destroying of the Gospel 〈◊〉 a despising of Christ and making Man service his Saviour Therefore you would make the people believe thaâ— we are against good-works and Sanctification Surely in this Censure you pass you did not obey your Light 〈◊〉 else your Light cannot inform you aright which sheweth it to be impure and unsound But to the Scripture thou mentionest John 1.9 That was the true Light which Lighteth every Man that cometh into the World 1. As to that Phrase True Light I believe it was Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 of the Virgin Mary God and Man united in One. As
about to Answer a notorious Lie except the Lord lead thee to experience it yet dare I speak it viz. That you must unlearn all that you have learned and pull down that fair building of Righteousness and deny that great progress you have as you think made towards Heaven by your doing that which is Good and abstaining from evil Which yet is of use in its place and to deny all that you think is of Christ in you the Light Life Peace within you it must all become as nothing in the point of Justification or to deserve or merit Salvation not that they should be left off in their place And notwithstanding all your Righteousness you must be sensible that you are miserable sinners and you must be as a Man that hath not a bit of Bread to eat nor a rag to cover his nakedness I have said before and say again I mean not that you should turn to a vain Life and Conversation Quest But if there be such a Low estate to come before we attain thâ— Saving-Light which way shall we come to it that we may have the other Answ Thou must not think that if thou art Righteous in thy own sight that thou art so in Gods also Neither if thy Conscience do not Condemn is it enough but apply thy self to the Glass of the Law for by the Law is the Knowledg of sin Rom. 3.20 Remember that God looketh not at the outward appearance but upon the heart 1 Sam. 16.7 and see if thou dost not break the Holy Law of God every day by thought word or deed If there be not wandring Thoughts arising in thee or some evil desires in thee some envy to thy Neighbour or some Covetous desire at some time or other Then remember He that offendeth in one point is guilty of all James 2.10 And if thou shouldst commit sin in ignorance thy ignorance will not excuse thee but thou standest guilty before God Luke 23.34 Neither yet say in thy heart though I do not keep it I shall come up to it in time and so rest here When-as thou knowest not but death may seize on thee the next hour Again forget not this that God requireth a continual keeping of his Law Gal. 3.10 Deut. 27.26 And much more might be said as to this Try now thy self by this written Law and see if thou dost not break it frequently and by all the power thou hast canst not keep it as thou oughtest This is the way for thee to see thy self poor and naked miserable and undone without the personal Righteousness of Christ to justify thee Obj. But you say If the Righteousness by which we are justifyed be wholly without and satisfaction made 1600 years ago for all sin the Deâ—â— may play what Cards he will there is no need to fear the loss of Salvation through Miscarriages pag. 35. Thus indeed did I think once as well as you as you may see pag. 16. of my Book Answ And as I said in that my Book in Answer so say I here again from my own experience Whoso counteth it a Doctrine tending to â—y Unrighteousness they never truly knew the want of a Saviour But this Objection is no new thing For after Paul had spoke of being made Righteous by the Obedience of one Rom. 5.19 in Chap. 6. v. 1. 〈◊〉 brings in this very Objection presently What shall we continue in sin 〈◊〉 Grace may abound he meeting with what was in their Spirits v. 2. 〈◊〉 forbid how shall we that are dead unto sin live any longer therein As if he had said is it possible can this be Will it not be abhorred If Christ dyed for the sins of his people that so many as believe on him are buried with him and as he had victory over Death so have they by Faith Will not this Influence their Spirits so as to live to the praise of his Glory What if they are delivered from the loss of Salvation which the Scriptures speak Isa 55.3 Acts 13.34 Jer. 31 3â— John 6.37 Psal 89.30 31 32 33. Doth it therefore follow that they should go on in wickedness and not love and fear God Though their Life and Salvation consists not in it or their Reconciliation or acceptance with God They ought to fear and love him but it is as a Father not as a Condemning Judg But as being taken into Everlasting Covenant with him as having the Inheritance sure to them and not for fear of losing it and being cast out If they transgress his will presumptuously he deals with them as a Father with Children in love Châ—stiseth them which way he pleaseth Heb. 12.5 6 7 8. Prov. 3.12 Now a Son loveth his Father because he is his Father So it is with the people of God yet the Relation of a Father and a Son standeth â—â—re So doth the relation of God and his people through Faith So that when they sin as we said he correcteth them because he loveth them and delighteth in them And how great a difference is there betwixt the Correction of a Father and the Sentence of a Judg But W. Baily Thou Objectest That was a needless Doctrine to bid his Disciples watch and Pray lest they entred into Temptation and of Peter who bid them Give all diligence to make their Calling and Election sure Mat. 26.41.2 Pet. 1.10 as in pag. 35. of thy Book Answ O no! Though the matter of Justification be sure on God's part viz. the Righteousness of Christ and the Merit of Christ his fulfilling the Law and being the end of it and this he doth manifest to his people by degrees working Faith in them Our State is sure and certain on Gods part His foundation is sure yet as to us it is brittle and very uncertain considered in our selves by reason of our Corruption that dwelleth in our Flesh and the many Enemies we have within and without carnal reason gets up and it contendeth in our Breasts saying what Foolishness is this to trust to the Righteousness of another What must ye not be Righteous in your selves and can ye be Righteous else and unbelief gets up and saith what will ye believe that the promises of God are true That ye are made Righteous by the Obedience of Christ That he for you hath overcome Sin Death and the Devil how can this be when sin dwelleth in your Flesh to this day and the Law cometh with its Threatning to bring trouble upon the Spirit The Devil accusing and stirring up the Enemies of the Gospel to lay false Notions and errors and stumbling-blocks in the way and the half of our selves Warring against the other The Flesh against the Spirit and so hinders the view and sight of the Gospel for a time and our Faith is very weak and low As I may say by experience How many dark and gloomy hours have I met with in my life-time What ups and downs What struglings in my Spirit very often sometimes tossed in my Spirit
to the works of the Law for Justification Sometimes to the other false and strange foolish Opinions Therefore surely it was no needless thing to bid the Christians beware of temptations and to stir them up to make their Calling and Election sure seeing they had many Enemies to meet with and had but little Faith but like Children when they first go alone are ready to stumble and fall at a small thing But because it is my desire to help others if it may please God I would proceed before I leave this a little further according to the Knowledg God hath given me Quest What Comfort hath a Christian in these Conflicts with his Enemies which are so many Answ This is one Comfoâ—â—â—hat God will never leave him nor forsake him his loving kindness he will not take away from him but will preserve him and defend him to his Heavenly Kingdom 2. That Jesus Christ doth Intercede for his people as he prayed for Simon that his Faith should not fail Luke 22. 32. 3. That he that hath begun that good work Faith in us is able to carry 〈◊〉 on to the end and to perfect it to the day of Glory John 10.28,29 4. That there is a Promise of Victory over sin and Death and all 〈◊〉 Enemies So that we may say they shall not always overcome us 〈◊〉 there is a stronger than they Rom. 6.14 Heb. 12.5 6. 5. That we fight against vanquisht Enemies such as are overcome in our Head already John 16.33 Surely Paul had a strong Faith in these things when he Preached the Gospel meeting with many difficulties and dangers from his Enemies yet his perswasion we see did not fail him but the Lord stood by him and strengthened him and he was delivered out of the paw of the â—â—on and he saith in confidence that the Lord would deliver him from â—â—â—ry evil work and preserve him to his heavenly Kingdom 2. Tim. 4.18 Obj. But W. Baily saith Who among the ungodly would turn their ears from this kind of Doctrine pag. 35. Answ What if the ungodly make a wicked use thereof Is it therefore false and is it unlawful to Preach it If a Man walk with a staff â—â— his hand in the Road with which he Murdereth a Man is it therefore unlawful for me to walk with a Staff by which I am supported and my Life preserved If any make that bad use of it as to continue in sin let them remember the Lord's dealing with Israel in the Wilderness treated of 1 Cor. 10. and the 12 verse But now on the other hand the self-Righteous the Just before Men 〈◊〉 proud in their Spirits and they scorn this Reconciliation by the Obedience of the Person of Christ and his Death and Sufferings and â—â—e no need of it or them no Beauty no Comeliness in Christ Therefore according to that which Christ saith he came not to call the Righteous but sinners to Repentance So that I may bring in your Objection here Obj. But if all Men are not Lighted with the true Light then some have no true Light Then why should they be Condemned is this equal pag. 41. Answ That all Men are Lighted by a Light that is true in its kind by Jesus Christ as he was the Creator of all things I deny not But that all Men have a saving-Light from him as Mediator I do deny And if thou ask Is this equal Answer Is it not lawful and equal to with-hold relief from him that scorneth to receive it and yet is in want 2. Is it not equal for a King to withold a Pardon from a Murderer when he scorneth to accept of it yet is at the point of Death Why then should it not be equal with God to with-hold a saving-Light from such as those I have been speaking of that say in their hearts they have no need of it Many more things might be spoke but I pass them by and shall not meddle with them but leave them to others whose business it is more properly to contend for them viz. As to the powerful work of God without and the Righteousness that justifies being without and other things which I am satisfied in yet deny not the inward workings of the Spirit neither a Holy Life and Conversation but say as before often that good Works must be maintained upheld and taught but in their time and place and not so as to destroy the Gospel and bring Mens Consciences into slavery Bondage under the Law The next thing is S. Crisp his expressions concerning me how he hath set me forth which I could not but wonder at when I viewed it that any pretending to an infallible and an unerring Spirit should write so many false things First pag. 50. Oh horrible Canaan Such a Canaan God never led hiâ— people into nor ever will Where these tasks are not laid upon them Thâ— is a Canaan for the Sons of Belial who are Men without any Yoke I testify in the Name of the Lord that made the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in them that the true Name of this Canaan is Sodom and Egypt What shall I Judg of this I have not met with the like Expression That Canaan the Kingdom of Christ given unto his people being Justifyed by Faith without the Deeds of the Law and from thenceforth acting in Love to him living to his Glory That this should be called a Canaan for the Sons of Belial And to be so confident to say He testifyeth in the Name of Jehovah that the true Name of this Canaan is Sodom and Egypt It made me even tremble when I considered it That any Man should testify in the Name of Jehovah and speak such Vntruths Why might not this Man say of Paul as well where he saith Galat. 5.13 Brethren ye have been called unto Liberty that he told the Galatians that they might Steal and Lie and Kill and Commit Adultery and do all manner of Evil Seeing he was Treating as we are about the Law and the Works thereof And likewise why did ye not say that Paul allows it to be lawful to Kill Steal and Commit Adultery c. when he saith in 1 Cor. 6.12 All things are Lawful unto me And so Chap. 10.23 It may be thou wilt say not so because Paul said to them in the Galâ—t Vse not your Liberty as an Occasion to the Flesh but by Love serve one another And in the Corinthians said All things are not expedient And besides Paul lived a just Life In like manner did I say that I ought to go on in Holiness 1. For the Glory of God 2. To manifest my Love to Christ 3. To convince the World of sin 4. It is my Duty in God Pag. 19 20. To be found in doing justly between Man and Man according to the Light And yet he saith This is a Canaan for the Sons of Beâ—â—â— and declareth it to be the Wickedness of my Principles Pag. 50. he saith The