but in power and is therein quick and powerful and mighty c. There 's no fleshly weakness in the pure and holy law of God it would and could convey life if man could fulfill it to a title if not then it must kill this is it whereunto it hath received its anointing and beyond which it must not pass and therefore the weakness is mans and lies properly at his door Yet forasmuch as it conveys not strength where it requires duty nor is founded upon any such promises as may be ground of hope in case of failing or non-performance of every title therefore it is found fault with and counted weak in that respect and through the appearance of a greater grace way is made for the bringing in a better hope a better Covenant stablished upon better promises as before This new and better Covenant is Jesus Christ in whom all the promises center as being the Yea and the Amen thereof 2 Cor. 1.20 and so he is called Isa 42.6 and 49.8 I will give thee for a Covenant of the people to establish the Earth agreeing with that in Psalm 75.3 The earth and all the inhabitants thereof are dissolved I bear up the Pillars thereof This Covenant consisting of these better promises is not yea and nay but in him they are yea 2 Cor. 1.19 ratified and confirmed by bloud yea by his own bloud in opposition to the bloud of Bulls and Goats by which the first was confirmed Heb. 9.18 19. but this by the eternal Spirit Heb. 9.14 in order to eternal salvation was confirmed by the bloud of the everlasting Covenant Heb. 13.20 By all which as by very much more which might be instanced in infinitely transcends the former Especially if it be considered that he who confirms the Covenant by his own bloud rendring it thereby eternal and everlasting becomes also the Mediatour of this Covenant even of this better Covenant Heb. 8.6 Not only confirming ratifying making and well-ordering it in all things and sure as touching the promises themselves which are in him Yea and Amen as he was the Sacrifice and Propitiation but by becoming the Mediatour thereof to apply it to all the seed Rom. 4.16 working in them the conditions and qualifications which are requisite for the enjoying the good things which are contained therein 2 Sam. 23.5 If Repentance be a condition of this Covenant and required of the subjects thereof as indeed it is it shall be given them by the hand of this Mediatour Acts 5.31 Him hath God exalted to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to Israel and remission of sins If Faith be required as certainly it is the same hand conveyes it who is the Authour and the Finisher thereof Heb. 12.2 Phil. 1.29 If any other branch of obedience be requisite it is also undertaken for in this Covenant where it is said I will write my Laws in their hearts and lest when they are written there they should not be heeded nor followed it is further undertaken for that the spirit shall cause the subjects of this Covenant not only to remember the things which are required but shall cause them to walk therein Ezek. 36.27 Jer. 32.40 By leading them by exciting them by quickning strengthening confirming establishing guiding directing and assisting them keeping the feet of his Saints 1 Sam. 2.9 from stumbling sliding and falling in order to all which they are taught to pray daily against being led into temptation and then are promised also to be delivered out of it by him who himselfe also was tempted that he might succour them which are tempted And to the intent that they may not be misguided by their own spirit or any false spirit the Lord Jesus foreseeing there would be many false Christs false Apostles false Prophets false Spirits he committed his mind to writing to the intent also that in other ages Esay 8.19 20. thence forth they might try the spirits the Christs the Prophets the Apostles which pretend to come in his Name 1 Joh. 4.1 Rev. 2.2 Joh. 20.31 2 Joh. 10. As also therein much amplifying and enlarging their direction in point of obedience expressing and declaring more particularly that law of the new Covenant which is written in their heart more generally explaining and expounding his mind and will not only touching the matter but manner of their Obedience hereby ordering and guiding the steps of his Servants that their footsteps slide not Psal 119.9 105. Psal 17.4 5. This bespeaks the Condition of the new-Covenant and consequently the law of faith to be infinitely transcending the old-Covenant or law of works by how much this is more excellent than the former by so much also must of necessity the light be by which it is discerned as that intiles it self to Jesus who is the Covenant and Mediator of the Covenant so must the light also be referred to him who is therefore so frequently in the Scripture called the Light Esa 42.6 A Light of the Gentiles as well as the Covenant of the People Act. 13.47 I have set thee to be a Light to the Gentiles that thou shouldest be for Salvation unto the ends of the earth Christ is this Light in whose face the glory of God is to be seen according to that in the 2 Cor. 4.6 God shining into the heart the Light of the Knowledge of his glory in the face of Jesus Christ who as Mediator or one standing between 1 Tim. 2.5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus and Gal. 3.19 20. declares and makes forth that bosome-love of the Father which was from everlasting which no man could ever see by the light of his Candle 1 Cor. 2.9 10 11 14. The light of the Father is not to be discerned by any other Medium but as revealed by Christ In thy light shall we see light Psalm 36.9 2 Cor. 4.6 John 1.18 John 14.6 7 9. Nor can any person behold the light of the Father in Christ but by the Spirit of Christ John 14.26 and 16.13 14 15. and 1 Cor. 2.10 Nor can any person behold the light of the Father through Christ in the Spirit otherwise than by faith Heb. 11.1 6. John 17.7 8. John 8.56 Eph. 3.12 Rom. 5.2 so Abraham saw as Moses also did him who is invisible Heb. 11.27 The Spirit emptying the creature of all other mediums and producing this fruit of its own that is faith Gal. 5.22 by which it can look on Jesus and by him on the Father as they of old from the foot of the mercy-seat might behold him who was above the mercy-seat sitting between the wings of the cherubims Exod. 25. from the 17. to the 22. so that the light by which the regenerate or renewed man or the man in Christ comes to see the wonderful things of this law of faith or new Covenant and the mind of God therein is Christ Jesus himself who is both the Covenant and the light
and spirit mourning longing pressing after this and resisting and opposing judging and condemning whatsoever is contrary thereunto This is a measure of evidence even to the stander by at least so farre as is necessary and will amount to the fulfilling of that rule viz. Let your light so shine before men that they seeing your good workes may glorifie your father which is in Heaven And this may be and in many persons is witnessed though other external discoveries by Miracles be not produced Having in the foregoing part of this discourse treated of that light which the most high and holy God the eternall fountain and Father of lights hath formed in every man viz. the spirit of a man Zech. 12.1 Or candle of the Lord Prov. 20.27 And therein holding forth in some smal measure that which is witnessed in the holy Scriptures of truth touching the nature and property thereof under these two general heads viz. 1. What it is 2. What it does in every man The impartiall and serious consideration whereof afford's matter of conviction to the opposite principle and might be of use to such a purpose though there were not a word further added thereabout Nevertheless in order to the satisfaction of some that are tender who may not be free to trace the discourse throughout or may not so clearly discern the scope thereof by what hath hitherto been spoken I shal endevour to treat them I mean the people that pass under the name of Quakers upon their own ground discoursing with them upon such principles as are laid down in the Papers and Bookes of the men of their confederacy persons of no smal esteem among them certain hints whereof have been given at the beginning and others may occasionally be added In prosecution whereof to the intent it may be performed with the more clearness to the meanest capacity I shal proceed in the Method above mentioned enquiring what is by them held forth touching the nature of the light wherewith every man and woman that comes into the world is enlightned viz. 1. What it is 2. What it doth in ever man and I shall also examine the Testimony by them produced for proof thereof Touching the former of these two particulars viz. what that light is it is affirmed That the little light which shines in the dark heart is 1. The powerful word of faith which was in the beginning by which all things were created 2. That it is the word of Faith the Apostle exhorted to take heed unto Rom. 10.6 7 8. 3. That it is the unction of the holy one given of the Father whereby we need not to teach one another but as the anointing teacheth us 4. That it is the sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do wel to take heed 2 Pet. 1.19 Dewsborr Mans return Pag. 27 28. Christ hath enlightned every one that comes into the World Fox way to the Kingdome Page 1. Waiting in the light which Christ hath enlightned you withall 5. That 's Scripture within you pag. 8. These five Heads or Propositions thus laid down relate to the first Article and are to be considered how far they hold proportion with the writings of Truth and are born witness unto thereby to the umpirage whereof I find the Authors of these assertions do referre themselves The Scriptures we own c. Howgills fiery darts Page 19. We direct to search the Scripture whether our doctrine be not true Page 22. I challenge all the City of London to prove that we speak or declare any thing but what the Scriptures bear witness to the same Page 28. Let him that can try us by the Scripture Here therefore we joyn issue and answerable to the evidence which the Lord shall give by his Spirit in the holy Scriptures so let it be According to the tenor of that divine Testimony Esai 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because they have no morning light in them First To the first of those five Prepositions I Reply 1. Reply 1. That although it be said that the little light which shines in the dark heart is the powerfull word of faith which was in the beginning by which all things were created Yet this is but said without any Scripture produced giving witness thereto and therefore may not be admitted to the credit of a divine Truth having no other evidence than an humane Testimony briefly It is not proved therefore not beleeved 1. Obj. Did not God create all things by the word of his power or powerful word Answ I read in the holy Scriptures of truth that God created the Heavens and the Earth and all the hosts of them Gen. 1.1 2.1 and that he did this by his word Psal 118.5 He commanded and they were created but I no where read that they were created by the powerful word of faith as is affirmed in the proposition beforenamed 2. Object Is not Christ the word and did not he create all things Answ 1. Christ is called the word of God Rev. 19.13 but not the word of faith 2. Christ is called the word God Joh. 1.1 by whom all things were made vers 3. and without whom was nothing made that was made i. e. created Col. 1.16 But he is not called the powerful word of faith much lesse may it be said that the little light which shines in the dark heart is the powerful word of faith or it by which all things were made or created nor may be so called by warrant from the Scripture without some clearer proof 3. Object Is not Christ the light which lightneth every one that cometh into the world Joh. 1.9 And is it not he by whom al things were created and made A measure of whose light shineth in the dark heart of every one A. Besides that there is a departing from the Terms in the Proposition as may by the impartial and unprejudiced Reader be observed For if the little light which shines in the dark heart be that by which God created all things that that light is the word of God or the word God Joh. 1.1.3 or Christ the light as is intimated in the Object 't was by him not without him that al things were made Then this Objection should be thus put in plainness and truth Is not Christ the light in every man that cometh into the world c. And to this agree those so often quoted sentences of Scripture Christ in you the hope of Glory Know you not that Christ is in you The Kingdome of Heaven is within you Which Scriptures are applyed by those Objectors to every man by a distinction and a meaning viz the light of Christ and a measure of Christ and the little light which shines in the dark heart and sundry other meanings of this kind I shall endeavour to make it appear that this Objection is not founded upon the Scripture which is brought to prove it by
from God the former and maker of them which light they receive together with the principle of their naturall life which light and life as they are both one in the Author and fountain thereof John 1.4 So are they both one in the subject thereof As James Naylor himselfe acknowledgeth in his Answer to certaine Queries in a book called Strength in Weaknesse mentioned before Page 24. line the first Yet this little light in man is so far from being the powerfull word of faith which was in the beginning and by which all things were created I say it is so far from being it That it cannot discover who or what it is that 's spoken of the napkin and the graves cloathes It may see some of the visible things of God and there by somewhat of that which is invisible but him that is invisible they can never see till he manifest himself for no man ever saw him or shall see him since the transgression but as the word made flesh Jo 1.14 manifested in the flesh 1 Tim. 3.16 as revealed in the Sonne John 1.18 and by him manifested unto his Witnesses 1 John 1.2 according to that blessed testimony among others 2 Cor. 4.6 God who commanded light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ which no man can see but as he receives another life John 3.3 and light for the life and the light are one For this very reason Because I have observed the enemy to hide himselfe in this bush and here to lay his Ambuscado's to take persons at unawares and to cast his net over them blundering and confounding by tearmes the Truth it selfe under shadowy expressions not obvious to the first view of every reader Because Christ is called the light of the world therefore where light is spoken of there Christ is applyed to be hee or if under these expressions The light is but one in all Are there more lights then one Shew any other light c. Not heeding that which is testifyed of the Word that while he was hid in God though he bore up the Pillars of all the Creation as being made by him and existing in him though he was light and life to all beings according to their capacities besparkling all with rayes or Candles as their maker and Creator yet untill a body was prepared him and he made flesh thereby becoming the seed of the Woman and fulfilling therein that promise which had been a word of faith to the Beleevers throughout all ages who all dyed in faith having not received the promise but saluted it as that which they saw and kissed it and rejoyced in it as Abraham did who saw him the Word that was to be made flesh and was glad I say till the word was thus imbodyed in flesh or considered as such and so to be seen and beleeved on there was no such thing as Christ a Light to the Gentiles other then in promise I say Christ as the Lords Christ or Christ the Lord according to those testimonies before mentioned in Luke 2.11.28.32 for as he was Manifested in the flesh he was thus stiled Of whom it is thus said He which hath the Sonne hath life and he which hath not the Sonne of God hath not life which is true of Light for the life and light are one Eph. 5.14 and promiscuously put one for another which light and life is no other way attained but by a persons being borne againe John 3.3 by receiving i.e. by beleeving on the Lord Jesus Christ For to as many as beleeved on him to them he gave power priviledge or prerogative to be made the Sons of God even to as many as beleeve in his name which were borne not of Bloud nor of the Flesh nor of the will of Man but of God John 1.12 13. The Children of the first Birth with their life and light cannot enter into the kingdome of God nay they cannot see the kingdome of God 1 Cor. 2.14 John 3.3.5 6. Except they be borne againe i. e. from above of the Spirit But the new-borne they which beleeving receive Christ or receive Christ by beleeving those are they whose hearts God purifyes by faith Act. 15.9 renewing them in the Spirit of their mind Eph. 4.23 by the washing of Regeneration and Renewing of the holy Spirit Tit. 3.5 6 7. which he shedds on them abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour justifying them by his grace that they may be made heires according to the hope of eternall life With this new-life comes in the true light of the renewed Man who till then is dead as in opposition to life and darke as in opposition to light notwithstanding he be both alive and enlightned by the fountaine of life as a branch of the naturall Creation 1 John 2.8 Eph. 2.5 5.8 John 1.3 4. Hitherto touching the first Assertion or Proposition and the proofe thereof Secondly It is further affirmed touching the little Light which shines in the dark heart viz. That it is the word of Faith the Apostle exhorted to take heed unto Rom. 10 6 7 8. 2d Reply I cannot with more clearenesse proceed in the Examination of what is here alledged from Rom. 10. Then set downe the words of the Scripture it selfe which is cited for proofe thereof that the Reader may have the clearer view thereof The words are these viz. But the Righteousnesse which is of faith speaketh on this wise Say not in thine heart Who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ downe from above or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ againe from the dead but what saith it the word is nigh thee in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith which we preach Having presented the Reader with the sight of the Scripture produced for Evidence I need say no more then this It doth not prove the thing for which it is brought Let him that reads consider whether there be one word therein which mentions the little light which shines in the darke heart or calls that little light the word of Faith or exhorts to take heed thereunto as being it Now if the Scripture quoted for proofe proves not the thing as it plainely appeares it doth not Where is he that made the Chalenge to all the Citie of London to prove that any thing is by these men spoken or declared but what the Scriptures beare witnesse unto the same or if it be said that the Apostle meanes the little light which shines in the darke heart when he speakes of the word of faith which is nigh both in the mouth and heart I must say to this as before in the former Case Meanings are by some approved while as yet they are under Judgement and condemnation by others as I have already instanced in the Answer to the 4th Objection Inasmuch therefore as this appeares as
as he hath any stock of his owne so long as he hath one penny to go to the Physicians with he 'l spend it there but to be made a beggar and to be saved of alms to receive salvation of gift he likes not to be accompted so lame and impotent so sick yea dead proud man cannot bear thus nor will not beleeve this Nor is this spoken to discourage any from waiting on the Lord in the use of his appointments in order to their salvation Nay it is required of all that they work out their salvation with fear and trembling Yet withall to remember that it is God that worketh in them both to will and to do of his own good pleasure but it is spoken to mind thee that there is an ambitious mind in me and thee and we would think we are not so poor as we are nor so beggarly as we are nor so unable to help our selves but we can contribute much upon accompt of the stock we have in hand our Candle will serve the turn well enough we do not stand in so much need of the sun we may work by Candle-light sufficient to answer what 's required of us Whereas the scope and tendency of the Gospel is as to leave man without excuse for not improving what is left with him so it is to cut off glorying and boasting from man in the utmost of his improvements that he should reckon himself to have done nothing but to have been an unprofitable servant even then and there where and when he is most conversant in what is required of him and to be so far from bearing himself in hand that any work of righteousness which he can do hath in it a vertue whereby to declare him righteous as before God that the very unrighteousness of his righteous action either as to matter or manner would silence him in that perswasion if his eye were open to see it as it is seen by God If the most high should enter with thee into judgement thou wouldest not be able to answer him one of a thousand of thy miscarriages and transgressions which pass thee untaken notice of in the day of thine own judgement which would not nor could not if thine eye were open there are sins of ignorance as well as of knowledg yea sins cleaving to thy most holy things sufficient to abate thy glorying Those things which are now of price unto thee in which thou confidentest thy self are but creaturely excellencies and may be found in such as whom thou in comparison wouldest not set with the Dogs at thy Table I mean those whom thou in thy own judgement infinitely surpassest in vertue and goodness would blame and shame thee if compared with thee be therefore content to be stript of thy seeming glory which indeed hath a beauty if considered by it self as that of Moses also had in its day of dispensation but considering it as that which was to be done away and so the glory thereof was inglorious it had no glory in comparison of that glory which excelled The face of Moses did shine but it was veiled the schollers then could not behold it with open face But this veil is done away in Christ in whose face the glory of God doth shine with more clearness and with less terror and amazedness so as that the disciples the scholers and followers of the Lord Jesus those who having heard and learn'd of the father come unto him God who commanded light to shine out of darkness shines in their hearts to give them the light of the knowledg of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ which they beholding not as under a veil but as in a glasse with open face are changed into the same Image from glory to glory even as by the Spirit of the Lord. To the Regenerate man upon the accompt of his first manifestation And is it so indeed that notwithstanding all thy hitherto zealous strict and religious appearance putting it self forth in reformations humiliations resolutions austere and strict obligations for piety for purity for bringing under the body of sin by vows covenants holy purposes performances in religious duties and services neglecting of the body through watchings fastings abstinence from necessary supplyes and all this in order to the attainment of the true peace which is after God the peace which passeth mans understanding which thine awakened and wounded Spirit thirsted after the attainment of and could not be satisfied till it was enjoyed and in these supposed to have found it but it was but at times however it was liable to breaches yet those breaches were healed and made up with some one or more of these and this was the case of thy soul for many days perhaps for many years sometimes 't was day with thee otherwhile 't was night sometime thou sawest nor Sun nor Moon nor stars for many daies sometimes thou wert confident thy estate was good and safe thy heart melted into tears of compassion for others which were not so as thou wert and saw not that which thou sawest and in this thy confidence thou becamest a guid to the blind a light to them which were in darkness an instructer of the foolish a teacher of babes Thou prayedst with and for them thou weptst and madest supplication over them this or something like this thou bearest testimony unto as having been the frame of thy spirit neverthelesse in this thy bow abode not in strength 't was not alwayes bent sometime when thou wert reproving others thou thy self wert secretly reproved in thy self either for the same or some other evil when thou wert comforting others thine own heart was in doubt whether thou wert truly comforted of God while thou wert helping others with strengthning arguments against distrust despair couldst thou thy self believe that thou wert indeed translated from death to life when others thought highly of thee and their souls blessed thee and God for thee did not thine own heart at times tremble within thee lest thou after thou hadst comforted others shouldest thy self become a cast-away whence might this proceed these ups and downs these yeas and nays why did the mountains skip why was Jordan the river of judgment driven back why did the earth tremble the state which seemed to be founded upon a rock to move and step backward was it not because it did but seem to be so founded It was but earth and therefore trembled the bow was not the bow of Joseph therefore it abode not in strength the bogh was not Josephs bogh therfore not increasing it was not rooted in him who was the excellency of Jacob not strengthned by the arm of the mighty God of Jacob and therefore no marvail it admitted of such variety mutability notwithstanding its seeming excellency and stability Thy garments were but prison garments and thou in thy prison house though thou knewest it not the iron was entred into thy soul and thou couldest not
But so as that he is the Sun-light far above all other lights which it ever pleased the Father of lights to light up he in whose face the glory of the Lord shines forth As the Sun but in much more eminency and transparency is the Compendium of all light so is the Lord Jesus Christ the great and glorious Sun of righteousnesse in whom dwels the treasures of wisdome and knowledg of light and life 2. There are the Angels those ministring spirits those flames of fire those star-like sparkles of light These are lighted up by the Father of lights who also is called the Father of Spirits Heb. 12.9 3. There is also another sort of light which is likewise lighted up by the same Father of Lights and Spirits and that is the Candle-light of Mans spirit so called by the Lord himself Prov. 20.27 The spirit of a Man is the Candle of the Lord. It is a light indeed yet but a Candle and though the Candle of the Lord yet inferiour to other lights lower than the Angels It hath its subordination its limitation its bounds are set how far it shall be exercised and that will appear in the second Branch when we come to shew what it doth or can do Q. 1. But first let us consider What the light in every man is Answ The Light in every man is the Spirit of every man which is in him and without which he could not be a man which Spirit of a man is by the Scripture testified to be the Candle of the Lord Every mans spirit is derived unto him from the Father of Spirits and is a Candle of the Lords lighting up as he is the Father of Lights This Spirit of a Man is understood to be the Reason of a man or the Understanding of a man that whereby he is adapted to know his Creator and the end of his Creation viz. who made him and why he was made also how he should answer the end of him that made him according to that of David Psal 95.6 O come let us kneel before the Lord our Maker for he is our God And Psal 100.3 Know ye the Lord he is God it is he that made us and not we our selves And the end of Gods making us is exprest in the 2 vers Serve the Lord c. We should therefore serve God who hath made us because he therefore made us that we might serve him And this lies not onely in Reason but in Nature also so that the very nature of the thing requires this of all mankind as appears Jer. 2.10 11. by an argument drawn from the Nations and their false gods Gods making man and mans serving God are terms reciprocal they look each other in the face as the winged Cherubims did which Moses was commanded to make Exod. 25.20 and answereth each to other as face doth to face in a glass Jam. 1.23 Hence it follows that as God did make man that he might serve him and set up a light in him to see by both whom he is to serve and how he is to serve him together with the Reason thereof because God had made him there must needs be together with the light set up a Law implanted in him which Law is called Light Prov. 6.23 whereby the will and mind of his Creator was imprest upon him and made known unto him and he by his candle-light sufficiently qualified to see it and to understand it together with the Reason and Reasonableness thereof which became an aggravation of his Transgression Rom. 1.19 20 21 25 26. God made Man upright but they sought out many inventions Q. 2. Let us consider What doth this Light or Candle of the Lord in every Man Answ Solomon by guidance and inspiration of the Spirit of the Lord saith It searcheth all the inward parts of the belly Prov. 20.27 though when it was first lighted up and set a burning it was ascendant and moved upward with its torching aspiring flame while man remained upright as God at first made him his light ascended He could look his God in the face he could come before his presence with gladness and singing and serve him that had made him But when the thief had got into his Candle though it put it not quite out for then he must have been extinct also himself as Man for no Candle of the Lord i. e. no Spirit of a Man no such thing as a Man at all they stand and fall together as dry bones without skin and flesh and these without spirit makes no Man I say then when the thief had got the candle and dim'd the light and lowred the aspiring ascendant quality and now it burns downward and discovers the things beneath searching all the inward parts of the belly now the fire burns inward this Candle of the Lord is exercised in discovering the iniquity and transgression driving man through fear from the presence of God the Candle shewed Adam his Transgression which made him through fear hide himself Gen. 3.10 As it was then so is it now And this is the proper effect of the Candle of the Lord the Spirit of every man that it searcheth all the inward parts of the belly or as the Apostle saith It intermedleth with the things of a man 1 Cor. 2.11 For what man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of a man that is in him But the deep things of God none knoweth or searcheth out but the Spirit of God This effect or operation of the Spirit of a man whereby it looks upon and searches out the things of a man diving into the inward parts of the belly is such an act of understanding as is both direct and reflex It looks at the thing done or to be done and knows when it is done and that it is done and this is science or knowledge performed by a direct act of the understanding But when the understanding considers what it hath done or is about to do and reflects upon some certain rule or law according to which his action is done or not done this reflex act of the soul is called conscience i. e. knowledge together with something else and it is much more than bare science and to the making up of this there must of necessity be the presence of a law with which a person must know-together-with-it and this knowledge-together with another is conscience For the light simply considered makes not any thing that 's done to be good or evill but by a reflexion upon the law comparing its regularity or irregularity therewith its conformity or non-conformity thereunto thence springs the sentence of the goodnesse or evilnesse of the action the light manifests the deed done the Law discovers the quality of the action according to that of the Apostle Rom. 3.20 By the Law is the knowledge of sinne Now according to the conformity or non-conformity that a mans actions bear to the Law suitable thereto will be the sentence it will give
thereof who by the Spirit of Wisdome and Revelation in the knowledge of him opens the eyes of the understanding Ephes 1.17 and through the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the holy Spirit Tit. 3.5 abundantly and richly saves them making them to become one Spirit with himself 1 Cor. 6.17 In whom they in their degree and measure behold with open face as in a glass the Glory of the Lord and are changed into the same image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord or by the Lord the Spirit 2 Cor. 3.17 18. I say in measure according to the proportion he bears in the stature of Christ Eph. 4.13 Thus the Regenerate man doth come to see by the light of the Spirit of the Lord by which he is illuminated that glory of the Lord shining forth of darkness through the face of Christ Jesus which all the candles nor torches of mans spirit in the world could never have discovered nor given him the true and distinct knowledge of whatever hints he otherwise might have had touching a possibility of Remission and Salvation probably and conjecturally from the series of Gods Goodness Patience and forbearance or from the general sound of the Gospel and the glad tidings held forth therein which infinitely transcends the former yet this also whilest it is taken in by the light of a mans spirit though that be the candle of the Lord as hath often been minded it cannot amount to a discovery or right and true discerning of the things of the Spirit of God as contained in and under the new Covenant or law of faith but the Testimony of that Scripture stands as a wall of brass between his candle and it which saith The Natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned or judged of 1 Cor. 2.14 The reason is because although the candle-light of mans spirit was suited and fitly qualified by the Lord to lead him thorough the first Dispensation that is of works as that which had received its anointing thereunto and adapted to the administration that then was for he was made upright yet when that administration was to cease and to be done away 2 Cor. 3.7 11. and another to be brought in the place and stead thereof wherein all things were to become new a new creation and new creatures 2 Cor. 5.17 governed by a new Covenant or law Heb. 8.6 7 8 9 10 13. and Heb. 10.24 It was necessary that the subjects hereof should be endued with new principles and particularly with a new heart and a new spirit also with another eye and light than which did accompany the former administration for in that former there was light enough in mans own spirit to see to work by as a man may do in the night by a candle but in this there must be to walk by broad day-light Sun-light that they which are made light in the Lord may walk in the light of the Lord Ephes 5.8 Isa 2.5 and that those which are born of the spirit and made alive thereby may also walk in the spirit by which they were quickned and made to live Gal. 5.16 18 25. For which purpose the Covenant now spoken of undertakes not only to new-creature the man in Christ 2 Cor. 5.17 giving him a new heart and a new spirit that is renewing him in the spirit of his mind Eph. 4.23 but also God superadds of his abundant grace in the same Covenant his own Spirit which shall cause the renewed spirit to be improved aright which may appear as to the praise and glory of God that gives it so to the infinite and unutterable consolation of the sons and daughters of God to whom it is given as appears in those precious promises and breasts of consolations whereby the new Covenant is unbosomed particularly Ezekiel 36. 26 27. where besides that the new heart and the new spirit are promised in the twenty six verse it s added And I will put my spirit within you Q. But what to do A. It shall cause you to walk in my waies it shall be both light to shew you how to walk and life to enable you it shall cause you to walk c. Neither of which could be effected by the candle-light so often mentioned before therefore was it of absolute necessity in this case that as there was to be another Law or Covenant divers from the former called a new Covenant in comparison of the old So there must of necessity be another light to accompany it diverse from the former that is as then mans spirit so now the Spirit of the Lord not onely to enlighten but to enliven as to direct and guide so likewise to enable to perform that is to work in us to will and to do of his own good pleasure Phil. 2.23 Object Although it may not be denyed but that the Covenant and tearms thereof are much different from what they were under the Legal administration and that the Mediatour of the new Covenant doth far excel him that executed that Ministery under the old and that the light and glory of the latter doth far surpass that of the former Yet this doth not put out the Candle of the Lord in any man nor render it unnecessary or useless but rather improves it by clearing up its object from the obscurity that it lay under by reason of the veils and shadows which are now done away in Christ whereby the Candle of the Lord burns much brighter and is enabled to all intents and purposes to make discovery of whatsoever is revealed in the Gospel whatsoever is pretended unto as a means of discovery other than this viz. the spirit of a man that is the reason and understanding of a man is unnecessary uncertain and dangerous Answ Though this Objection hath a great appearance of seeming strength and bids defiance to all that hath been spoken hitherto touching the light of the Spirit of God in the new creature calling it unnecessary uncertain and dangerous Yet a few smooth stones taken out of the Brook of the holy Scripture directed by the Lord of the Battle though slung out by a weak despised and contemptible Instrument may stagger and disarm this Objection how disdainfully and Goliah-like soever it utters its self threatning to give the flesh of all that hath been said touching this matter to the fowls of the air and beasts of the field It hath been often said touching the Candle of the Lord in man that it 's a great and a goodly Light and to what hath been spoken this may further be added that it may be said of it as was said of that Champion 1 Sam. 17.4 c. It hath an helmet of brass on its head and is armed with a coat of male weighing five thousand shekels of brass besides its staffe its spear and shield Incomparable in all these and can speak
good no not one there is none that understandeth none that seeks after God every one is turning the Glory of the incorruptible God into the Image of corruptible man according to the variety of his Invention some into the figure and form of Birds some of Beasts some of Creeping things every one something besides or instead of the true God the eternal living God to which they bow down seek after and delight themselves in as if these were their Gods each ones particular own self were the God of Gods Whom by all these they serve and to whom they make subservient all their other Gods Mans Belly is his God mans self is Mans Idol whether he will see acknowledg it to be so or no. The true and incorruptible God is by mans Invention changed into corruptible appearances of birds or beasts or creeping things and his truth is changed into a lye Therefore is man turned out from his dominion and dignity and given up to make abode with these birds and beasts and Creeping things these lyes of his own Inventing Among the Sons of men who have their habitation in this desart or vast howling wilderness There is a proportional difference or different qualification resembling that to which they are Hieroglyphically resembled viz. the Beasts and Birds and Creeping things among which some are birds and beasts of prey and others are less hurtful and more useful some more fierce and savagely cruel or sordidly brutish others resembling other kind of Cattel more serviceable and useful Yet all are in their understanding in relation to the most High holy God brutish and without knowledg though that which may be known of God is manifest in them viz. his eternal power and Godhead Jer. 51.17 yet there is none that understands none that seeks after God but they are all gone out of the way and are altogether become unprofitable loving fearing and serving the Creature more than the Creator and may be thus differenced and distinguished either into the tame Beast the Civil Naturalist or the wild Beast or the openly profane Naturalist If any shall say as Bildad Job 18.3 Wherefore were we counted as Beasts It may be answered because man hath lost his understanding Rom. 3.11 and man though in honour being without understanding is like the Beasts that perish Psal 49.28 and Sol mon resolves the Case touching all the generations of mankind Eccles 3.18 I said in my heart concerning the estate of the Sons of men That God might manifest them and that they might see that they themselves are beasts Every man being brutish in his knowledg Jer. 10.14 To the Civil naturalist whose study and exercise of body and mind is to excel in vertue to be serviceable and useful in his generation who wisely considers the nature of the things intended the nature of himself that intends them the coherence or correspondence thereof and so keeps the ordinance of nature inviolate in the transaction which is observed in relation to persons as to things whose care and Industry is to discern by daily speculation the mutual concords and to make application thereof doing as he would be done by and steering his course by that compass though this be an eminent part of the excellency of the natural man yet is not this the only or the alone exercise of his mind for he hath also an eye to God herein Doth not nature it self teach hath it not its rule and its reason its law and its custome yea and its Religion also Hence that Philosopher Epictetus Manuale Chap. 38. Hath this saying touching Religion Know that the first and for most point of Religon is a true beleefe to be assuredly perswaded that there is a God and that he swayeth the state of the whole universe in goodness in justice that we must obey him assent unto his commands in the smalest condition approving all his actions and following his directions as the effects of that purest and most glorious Intellect thus doing thou shalt never have cause to repine at him nor to repute him negligent of thee Now as for Sacrifices and offerings let each one observe the custome of the land wherein he liveth doing it with purity parsimony diligence cleanness and within the compass of his ability But who this God this most pure and glorious Intellect is he discovers in these words In all our Enterprises we should pray thus Jupiter thou High and holy God and thou O changless Fate direct me to the end that your immutable determinations have assigned me for I will follow your appointments most chearfully and if I would not do so I were a villain Chap. 77. How evidently demonstrable is it that the tamest cleanliest the most virtuous and best accomplish'd among the Sons of men the improvers and promoters of natures dictates and principles the studiers of vertue whether it be Socrates the wise or Plato whom they call the divine philosopher or Seneca the grave moralist or Epictetus or any other of the more refined sort of Naturalists could not by the light of their torch arrive at the knowledg of the true and invisible and eternal God but notwithstanding that which may be known of God was manifest in them by the visible things from the Creation made forth unto them yet either through the pravity want of light their understanding being darkened or through the perversness of their will their foolish heart was darkened so as that professing themselves to be wise they became fools changing the glory of the Incorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible man that is vainly imagining the most High and glorious God which is invisible and eternal might be resembled by an Image of a corruptible man or manness Jupiter Mercury Apollos Diana or some one or more of these or the like priesting and sacrificing unto them with oxen and garlands according to the Invention of their foolish and darkened heart the more Seraphick Aiery and celestial among them soaring more loftily devoting and inscribing to the unknown God while others more sordidly crept upon the earth resembled the divine Majesty to four footed beasts and creeping things all groping after but not attaining the knowledg of the true God because thinking themselves wise they became fools and the most high God in wisdome would have it so that he might make foolish the wisdome of the world and destroy the wisdome of the wise and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent that they by wisdome should not know him but that he might bring forth the knowledg of himself in a way of foolishness in the worlds account as he did and hath done and hath given testimony thereof both by and unto men and Angels testifying that the knowledg of him the true God and of him by whom he hath made forth this knowledg that is the Lord Jesus Christ whom he hath sent is Eternal life the further demonstration of
with God with whom thou had'st confidence in thine addresses but thy discoveries being now of another kinde thou applyest to the meeting with God in them after another manner then thou wast wont Now thou soughtest and enjoyed'st God and the Creature under a pretence and specious shew of seeking to enjoy God in the Creature Nay did not the Creature eye it with God and take place of God and require that of thee which is proper only to God did'st not thou by hearkening to this deceiver who beguiled thee as he beguiled Eve didst not thou love and feare and seek after and delight in the Creature more then the Creator didst thou indeed glorifie God as God in proportion to what thou knewest of God and such discoveries as he had made forth of himselfe in thee when he caused his glory to shine in thy heart through the face or appearance of Jesus Christ but thou pretending to more wisedome and professing thy selfe to be wise becamest a foole and changed'st the glory of the incorruptible God into corruptible Images and worshipped'st the imaginations of thine owne braine Golden Gods or Silver Gods or such as were formed out of baser mettall the God of this world having deluded thee put out thine eyes and made thee to grinde in his mill serveing and loveing prizing and delighting in lying vanityes under pretence of liberty in Spirit or Christian freedom in the use of the Creature by which thou wert cheated as Solomons fool was by that whorish woman who notwithstanding her lips drop as an honey combe and her mouth is smoother then oyle yet her end is bitter as wormwood sharp as a two edged sword They which yeeld to goe after her flattering lips they goe as fooles to the correction of the Stocks till a dart strike through their liver and are as a bird hasting to the snare not knowing that it is laid for her life for she hath cast downe many wounded yea many strong men have been slaine by her Oh the number of valiant ones how faint and feeble are they through the subtill insinuations of the God of this world who hath poysened them with this deadly potion in a Cup of gold mixing his poyson with these two glittering ingredients Liberty Spirituallity To the Virgins that having knowne the depths of Sathan and have kept their garments pure abideing in the councill of the Lord rooted and established in him and growing up in him bringing forth fruit unto him O Blessed are ye of the Lord be not high minded but feare But to the rest with whom it is not so let it be said doe ye thus requite the Lord Ah foolish people and unwise is he not thy father that hath bought thee shouldest thou sell thy rock thy God for a lye a vanity Oh that ye were wise and would consider thine own wickednesse shall correct thee and thy backslidings will reprove thee remember therefore from whence thou art fallen and repent and do thy first works To the relapsed or back-sliding Christian considered either as unsensible or sensible thereof To the first How is the gold become dim how is the fine gold changed the precious Sons of Zion comparable to fine gold how are they esteemed as a common thing The Nazarites which were once purer then snow and whiter then milke more ruddie then Rubies and polish't as the Saphir their visage now is blacker then a coale they are not known in the Streets Because they have forgotten the God of their Salvation And have not been mindfull of the Rock of their strength But have trusted in their owne beauty And as it s testified in another case Ezek. 16. Thou hast taken of thy fair Jewells of my Silver and my gold which I had given thee and madest to thy selfe Images of men and didst commit whoredome with them How weak is thy heart saith the Lord God seeing thou dost all these things and that which is the more to be lamented is this that although grey haires are upon thee here and there yet thou knowest it not but presumest all things are with thee as yesterday and heretofore saying I am innocent I have not sinned but doe seeke the Lord daily and delight to know his way not forsakeing his ordinances but approach his presence with delight Neverthelesse thou considerest not where thou art nor what thou art doing nor what will be the issue thereof when the most high shall recount with thee and bring upon thee the remembrance of thy wayes saying to thine heart What hast thou to doe in the way of Aegypt to drink the waters of Sihor or why hast thou gadded so about to change thy way hast thou not embraced this present world and the gloryes thereof have not the sparkling glittering appearances thereof taken thine eye and thy heart what a share have the promotions and the preferments thereof in thine estimation and affection where and what is become of thine ancient tendernesse and meltingnesse of soule Art not thou in the way of Assyria and hast not thou drunk of the River thou knowest the time when thou wouldest have preferred one moments comunion with God before all the earthly gloryes if thou mightest have enjoyed them Nay thou forsookest these that thou mightest enjoy that thy kindred thy Country and thy Fathers house were not deare to thee in comparison of thy being entertained into fellowship and comunion with him whom thou esteemed'st more then thy life thine all what things were gain to thee then thou then counted'st dung and drosse in comparison of the excelleney of the knowledge of Christ Jesus thy Lord for whom thou wast content to part withall that before time had been deare to thee but he suffering thee to be tryed that thou mightest know what was in thine heart how is thy heart become as weake as water and how hath the God of this world blinded thee makeing thee to joyne in affinity with his Gods of Silver and Gods of Gold The Honours Titles dignityes preferments wealth houses Lands the Revenues of this earth which are the portion of the children of the earth of which thou wert once affraid least thy heart should be deceived therewith but now it is otherwise with thee thou embraced'st lovest pleadest for huntest after them as though thou couldest never have too much nay scarce enough thereof This is a lamentation and shall be for a lamentation and it will so appeare to thee when this thy wickednesse shall correct thee and this thy backsliding shall reprove thee and thou thereby be brought to see where thou art and made to confesse thine iniquity giveing glory to the God of heaven in whose hands thy breath is and who is acquainted withall thy wayes In order whereunto thou hast been under-dealing more then once whereby thou mightest have been retained from the error of thy wayes but thine eares were stopt and thine eyes were closed thou sawest no evill in thy way nor regardest much to know the end and cause
HOSANNAH to the Son of DAVID OR A TESTIMONY to the LORD' 's CHRIST Offering it self indifferently to all persons though more especially intended for the People who pass under the Name of QUAKERS Wherein not so much the detecting of their persons as the reclaiming the tender-hearted among them from the Error of their way is modestly endevoured by a sober and moderate Discourse Touching the Light and Law in every man referring to what is held forth by them in their several Books and Papers herein Examined and Discussed By a LOVER of TRUTH and PEACE Am I become your enemy because I tell you the truth The Leaders of this people cause them to erre and they that are led of them are swallowed up And they went in their simplicity of some have compassion making a difference If God peradventure may give them repentance to the acknowledging the truth and that they may recover themselves out of the snare What knowest thou ô man whether Out of the mouths of Babes thou hast ordained strength LONDON Printed by William Godbid 1657. To the Impartial and Vnprejudic'd Reader IT is recorded in the Holy Scriptures That many waters cannot Quench Love neither can the Floods drown it for love is strong as death which truth is experimented in him that bears this witness by whom it hath been said as in another Case I will keep my mouth with a muzzle or bridle I was dumb with silence I held my peace I have said Let days speak and let multitude of years shew wisdome as for me I am of few dayes and therefore feared to appear in this matter saying within my self I cannot speak for I am a Child Nevertheless while I was musing the fire burned and my heart was hot within me boyling or bubling up and at length brake forth into this ensuing Tract touching Zions King wherein my stammering tongue was unmuzzled and I was made to say Thou art fairer than the Children of men Grace is poured into thy lips Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever the Scepter of thy kingdome is a right Scepter and to share with the Children who cry'd Hosannah to the Son of David Though there may be as there hath been Mat. 21.15 some that may be displeased thereat yet a love to Sions King and to the Children of that kingdome however distinguish'd in form or appearance hath drawn it forth The subject discovers its nature by its name or Title if discouragements of any sort could have stifled it thou hadst not been troubled with the reading thereof it hath been as fire raked up in the Embers of a private breast two years and upwards while it at length is come forth as an untimely birth or as that which is born out of due time labouring under the burthen of being both Vnnecessary and Vnseasonable Th' one because it hath been done already by other and better hands th' other because the persons with whom it chiefly treats are now come to a settlement in their perswasions and it is now unseasonable to treat them who are already resolved Touching the first of these I have to say though some others have been in this work as the Harvest-man reaping the ears with his arm coming forth in the strength of their might with the arm of a man to help the Lord against the mighty Yet gleaning grapes may be left as the shaking of an olive tree two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough four or five in the outmost fruitful branches the gleanings of Ephraim may well be admitted to follow the vintage of Abiezer the Babes and Sucklings bear a part in the Chorus and out of their mouths hath God ordained strength were it not evident and clear that the foolish things of this world the weak things the base and despised things were the things chosen of God to make forth his appearance in and by and wherein he oft times glorifies himself it might and doubtless would have caused these papers to have disappeared which now are prostrate at his foot to speak life or death unto at his pleasure As touching the seasonableness of the discourse this also is submitted to him it 's most certain that in some respects it doth seem to be brought forth unseasonably Yet in season and out of season have their respective blessing from him in whose hands are all issues and that which in mans accompt may seem most unseasonable may not so be accompted of by him who judgeth of things as they are indeed not as in appearance only and this may be yea I verily beleeve it is the fittest season in sundry respects However or whatever the issue be 't is enough that it 's witnessed to be the effect of an heart affected with the honour and glory of God and a sincere desire of the good and welfare of my Countrymen however named or distinguished for many of whom in tender bowels I am distressed though unknown to them by name if God peradventure may give them to see that which he would have them see I have great reason to beleeve that there are many persons dear and precious to the Lord whose spirits are fallen asleep on the Dalilah's lap of this worlds entising pleasures and preferments whom the most high and blessed father of spirits will awaken in his holy season and will shew them that they are fallen from their first love and that it is not with them as yesterday and heretofore but that while their tables are full even to excess that yet leaness is entered into their soul and this will be demonstrable enough unto them when they compare the present with the by-past times which when they shall see Oh! what a smiting will it procure as when a dart strikes thorough the liver and the soul is made to mourn in secret and to bleed inwardly for its backsliding and departure from the living Lord who knows what a whisper from the Lord may do whilest this poor despicable peece is in thy hand and is anointed by the Lord to be thy remembrancer Nor have I this perswasion only touching some of those now last named but for those also or some among them who have quit their former profession which they have made before many witnesses and are moved away from the hope of the Gospel to the embracing of some other thing in stead thereof my purpose is not to argue the thing here but do earnestly intreat of you to peruse the discourse thoroughout let not the adversary the Accuser disswade you therefrom under any pretence whatsoever but patiently and soberly read and consider as you would that either I or any other should do touching any thing of like nature that hath or may proceed from any of you neither say 't is too tedious nor that 't is Babel nor give it any other term of reproach till you have weighed with due consideration the things proposed and then I am very well assured 't will stand in the judgement
in your hearts by faith so may those Scriptures be understood Col. 1.27 Christ in you the hope of glory and that 2 Cor. 13.5 Know you not that Christ is in you c. He is in the hearts of beleevers by his Spirit and dwells there by faith guiding and leading them directing and assisting them teaching and enabling them to perfect holiness in the fear of God not only becoming a Principle of life or quickning giving existence or being to the new-born but causing them to grow up in him and to perform the actions of spiritual life or of a living new-man Secondly as in the first Man there was not only life but light set up in him so the new-born babe in Christ the new Man is also endowed with light suitable to his life That quickning Spirit which gave him life gave him also light Ephes 5.14 Awake thou that sleepest and arise from the dead and Christ shall give thee light as is the Man so is his life and his light His birth is from above so is his life his light Eph. 1.17 18. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledg of him The eyes of your understanding being enlightned that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints that he may answer the ends of God in his new Creation As formerly the spirit of a man the Candle of the Lord in man Prov. 20.27 acted its part under the first Covenant so the quickning Spirit of Christ or rather the Lord Jesus Christ that quickning Spirit 1 Cor. 15.45 and 2 Cor. 3.17 is the Sun of righteousness arising with healing in his wings Mal. 4.2 upon them which sate in darkness Isa 60.1 2. and in the region of the shadow of death Luk. 1.78 79. and Mat. 4.16 notwithstanding all their Torch or Candle-light Christ is their spiritual Light This living light or Light of life is it which beams into the souls of the new-born babes those little ones which beleeve in Christ giving them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4.6 according to that testimony of the holy Spirit Psalm 36.9 With thee is the fountain of life in thy light shall we see light as far surpassing the Candle-light of mans spirit as the administration of the law of faith doth that of works This spiritual light as far excelling the former as the administration of the Covenant to which it relates doth excell that which was in-glorious in comparison thereof 2 Cor. 3.10 As man was not at first made for himself but to serve his Maker and had for that purpose the law of his Creatour written on his heart by which to this day he is accused or excused So neither is the new man or renewed man indued with the principle of life and light according to the image of him that created him for no other purpose but to exist barely and to be no other way serviceable to him that hath quickned and illuminated him But there is a law proper to this state of new life called by the Apostle Rom. 8.2 The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus to which law subjection is to be yeelded by all that are born of the Spirit or from above Which law as the former viz. of works is written in the hearts of these Heb. 8.10 as that former on the hearts of those with this difference viz. that was written on the heart in Creation this in regeneration that in the first birth this in the new birth On which law of the Spirit of life the renewed principle of light which is in the renewed man acts as the candle in the man did or doth in the former capacity reflecting on it and receiving conviction and direction from that and as far as the new Covenant is above the old so far is this law of faith above that law of works Prov. 6.22 23. And this law of faith Rom. 3.27 or law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus Rom. 8.2 or this better Covenant Heb. 8.6 doth excel and far surpass the first Covenant as being founded upon better promises than that was which are expressed most fully in Jeremy 31.33 34. and 32.40 Ezek. 36.25 26 27. and applyed Heb. 8.10 11 12. Wherein God undertakes by Covenant and promiseth to pardon iniquity transgression and sins and to remember them no more also to cleanse from all pollution and all filthiness that is to take away both the guilt and filth of sin to take away the old and give a new heart to take away the heart of stone and give an heart of flesh to put his laws in their inward parts and write it in their hearts to put his spirit within them and cause them to walk in his statutes and to keep his judgements and do them God will not turn from them and they shall not depart from him these are better promises than those upon which the first Covenant was established Heb. 8.6 For there was equitie and justice in that Covenant whose tenour was Do and live And cursed be every one which doth not continue in every thing that is written in the Law to do it Who can say God is unrighteous in taking vengeance upon those who abide not in all things fulfilling that Covenant considering the capacity wherein man stood when this Covenant was made with him at first when God made him upright But now a Person being left to wrestle it out and to toil in the remaining strength of his own spirit to fulfill it how impossible is it for him to attain to the fulfilling thereof not so much in respect of the faultiness or weakness of the law or first Covenant though it pleased the Lord to impute a faultiness thereunto Heb. 8.7 And the Apostle saith that it was weak Rom. 8.3 And if there had been a law given which could have given life verily righteousness had been or come by the law Gal. 3.21 Neither doth this lay an imputation upon the law which the same Apostle testifieth is holy just and good Rom. 7.12 For surely if there be any such person which abideth in all things that are written in the law to do them such an one shall finde the Lord just in his Covenant fulfilling to a title what on his part is promised therein The weakness therefore imputed to the law is not so much in respect of the law as in respect of the subjects thereof who through the weakness of the flesh cannot fulfill it according to Rom. 8.3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh c. The law is holy just and good but it can do no more then point out the duty and discover the transgression and pronounce sentence against the transgressor and this it doth not in weakness
that ministration yet all that glory and glorying was to vaile it selfe yea to vanish and be done away and rendred Inglorious at the appearing of that which excelled the Mother and Child must be gone Agar and her Sonne must have no tarriance notwithstanding all their pretence of alliance and affinity to Abraham yet these must not abide the Spirit of the Lord must blow upon them and plainly and faithfully is it declared Joh. 3.3 Except a man be borne againe he cannot see the kingdome of God And except that word be fulfilled in him Rom. 7.4 that he become dead to the Law of the first husband and married to that other husband i. e. to him that is raised from the dead he can never bring forth fruit unto God how fruitfull soever he may seeme to be 't is not such fruit as of which it may be said In mee is thy fruit found i. e. fruit unto holinesse the end whereof is everlasting life Rom. 6.22 Let a man follow the dictates of the light and law that is in him with all possible exactnesse that the creature is capable of minding it as his teacher and obeying it as such and arive at a justification in himselfe such an one may have whereof to glory but not before God As is testified in the person of him who said I know nothing by my selfe yet am I not thereby justified but he that judgeth mee is the Lord 1 Cor. 4.4 Forasmuch as not he that commendeth himselfe is approved but whom the Lord commendeth 2 Cor. 10.17 18. Nor he that pronounceth himselfe cleane is therefore so for who can say I have made my heart cleane I am pure from my sinne Pro. 20.9 But the blessednesse is thus described Rom. 4.7 8 Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sinnes are covered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sinne Hee therefore that glorieth let him glory in the Lord who silencing and stopping the mouth of all flesh cuts off all pretence of boasting and glorying in his presence how goodly soever men may seeme to appeare to themselves and to one another looking for salvation from the light and law within them as it is common to all men or as it is such in every man for so are the termes whereas God hath not anoynted it to that worke nor laid the great weight of eternall salvation upon the shoulders thereof it being too weake for that service* But upon him that is mighty to save who is able to save to the uttermost all them which come unto God by him even by him in whom all the seed of Israel shall be justified and shall glory * Rom. 8.3 Gal. 3.21 Heb. 7.25 It remaines to Consider whether there be not a great mistake in the applying or rather in the misapplying the scriptures which are annexed at the Close of the recited Paragraph as a proofe of it or of some part thereof The words are these viz. Being obedient to the light within That light obeying it is your salvation Minde your teacher within minde the light within Jer. 31.34 Isa 54.13 Joh. 6.46 Joh. 1.2 27. It is to be observed and remembred by the reader that The light within is all along throughout this discourse understood to be the light within every man and woman which cometh into the world of which light in every man it is said There is your Teacher present with you minde your Teacher within minde the light within and then are the Scriptures added which are last above-cited Reply It may not be denyed but that the light and law in every man is a Teacher a Schoole-master to every man it Commands and directs in matters to be done it approves or reproves the deeds done or undone in the flesh according to the dispensation and administration thereof whether it relate to a law written in letters or only on the heart according to Ro. 2.14 such a teacher it is of all mankind for whatsoever the law saith it saith to them that are under the law that every mouth may be stopped all the world may become guilty before God but no mouth is stopped without a law Rom. 5.13 Rom. 4.15 Every one is bound to hearken to this teacher while he is under the tuition thereof and for his contempt is inexcusable being self-convicted or convict in his owne Conscience It is the lot of all the posterity of Adam to be under this tuition and teaching But by the recitall of the Scriptures above-named it is most Evident that both the Teacher and the Schollers therein intended are differenced from these last above-mentioned and may not without great injury to the truth and scope thereof be applyed for a proofe of that for which they are alledged viz. to prove that the light in every man is that teacher those Scriptures intend and are brought to prove it will plainly appeare upon tryall the Scriptures being examined that the schollers are not every man that comes into the world but they are the children of the New Covenant the borne of God Joh. 1.13 or of the Spirit of God Joh. 3.3.6 Nor is the teacher That light which is within every man that cometh into the world but it is the Spirit of truth the Anoynting of the Father that Spirit of promise which Christ would send and which being come would guide the Anoynted ones into all truth as hath been prooved before from Joh. 14.16 17 26. Joh. 16.7 13. The Scriptures before mentioned are these which follow viz. Jerem. 31.34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour and every man his brother saying know the Lord for they shall all know mee from the least unto the greatest of them saith the Lord for I will forgive their iniquity and I will remember their sinne no more And they shall c. Quest Who are they Ans They with whom the Lord makes the New Covenant Quest Why who are they with whom he makes a new Covenant Ans With the House of Israel and Judah Quest Who are the House of Israel and Judah Ans Not all the seed of Abraham according to the flesh as is testified Rom. 9.6 7 8. For they are not all Israel that are of Israel Neither because they are the seed of Abraham are they all children but the children of the promise are counted for the seed Which promise made by God to Abraham was not made to him as he was the father of the Circumcision only but of the uncircumcision also as is witnessed Rom. 4.13.16 17. As he was Heire of the world and father of many Nations that the promise might be sure to all the seed not according to the flesh but the faith of Abraham as is further testified Gal. 3.7 Know yee therefore that they which are of faith the same are Children of Abraham and are blessed with faithfull Abraham vers 9. For there is neither Jew nor Greeke neither bond nor free neither male nor female for yee
things which hee had heard of his Father John 15.15 Who when hee was come should guide them into all truth Joh. 16.7 13. Nor should this be a priviledge peculiar to the then Disciples only or to the persons of that age or generation as appeares Joh. 17.20 21. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall beleeve on mee through their word That they all may be one c. in us By the Administration of which Spirit of truth Hee i. e. The Lord Jesus Christ makes forth the discovery of himselfe his minde and will touching things to be knowne and done beleeved and practised Joh. 16.13 14. Whatsoever hee shall heare that shall hee speake and hee will shew you things to come Hee shall glorifie mee for hee shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you As the glory of God did shine forth through the appearance of Christ Joh. 17.4 So the glory of Christ doth shine forth through the appearance of the Spirit Joh. 16.14 As Christ did nothing of himselfe during his ministration in the world Joh. 12.49 50. I have not spoken of my selfe but the Father which sent mee gave me Commandement what I should say and what I should speake and as the Father said to me so I speake So the Spirit of truth hee shall not speake of himselfe but whatsoever hee shall heare that shall hee speake Hee shall glorifie mee for hee shall receive of mine and shall shew it unto you As God was in Christ reconciling the world to himselfe 2 Cor. 5.19 So is Christ in Spirit subduing the world to himselfe Joh. 16.7 8. Now the Lord is that Spirit 2 Cor. 3.17 As Christ by being put to death in the flesh hath once suffered for sins the just for the unjust that he might bring them to God 1 Pet. 3.18 So by being justified in spirit or quickned by the spirit or declared to be the son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness 1 Tim. 3.16 He doth actually effect that thing in all them who by him do beleeve in God that raised him from the dead and gave him glory that their faith and hope might stand in God 1 Pet. 3.18 Rom. 1.4 Who by faith purifies their heart in obyeing the truth through the spirit waiting for the hope of righteousnesse by faith 1 Pet. 1.19 21 22 23. By which spirit he doth negotiate all the affairs of his kingdome on earth and so hath done from the time of his ascending up on high when he led Captivity captive and not only received gifts for men or in the man yea for the rebellious that he might dwell among them Psal 68.18 But also gave gifts to men Eph. 4.8.12 for the gathering into one or perfecting the number of the Saints for the edifying or building up the body of Christ till we all that is all the seed come in the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ which cannot be so long as one joint one finger or member of the body is uncalled ungathered or unjoynted according to that of Heb. 11.40 For as they without us could not be made perfect so neither they nor we apart nor together can so be without those which are to come after who altogether make up the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ whose body cannot be compleat till every joint be supplyed The Effecting whereof the Lord Jesus Christ performs by his spirit from the very first stone the foundation to the top stone thereof For he having been hammered and broken smitten and bruised crucified through weaknesse when his soul was made an offering for sin yet being raised in power and declard to be the Son of God with power by the spirit of holinesse and liveing by the power of God was made perfect through suffering and became the Author of eternall salvation to them which obey him being laid for a foundation for a Corner stone 1 Cor. 3.11 1 Pet. 2.6 Ephes 2.20 21 22. In whom the building is fitly framed together and built up together for an habitation of God through the spirit by which spirit the work is both begun and carried on by it the stones are hewen and made meet to be made partakers of a place in the building they are fitted and then fitly framed and built up together from first to last The first work which Christ by his spirit would exercise in the world after his departure was to reprove the world of sin viz. of unbeleefe John 16.7 8 9. and not only should they thereby be reproved of sin and of that before named in particular or in speciall that is of unbelief but it should convince them also of righteousnesse and of judgement The law under the former dispensation though it convinced of and reprooved for sin yet it discovered not a perfect righteousness nor brought forth judgement into victory but haveing detected the sinner it left him under the sentence of judgement and condemnation but the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus That quickning spirit proceeds at another rate it not only reproves the Sinner but reveales the Saviour opens a doore of hope to the convicted sinner If so there may be hope and for this reason among others it is called the Comforter giving to the sin-smitten soule the valley of Achor for a doore of hope I will be mercifull to their unrighteousnesse and their sins and iniquities will I remember no more making the discovery of grace a foundation of repentance and returning to a poore convicted and reproved sinner holding proportion with that ancient and first Gospel promise or word of faith the seed of the woman shall breake the head of the Serpent Gen. 3.15 applied by God to the trembling sinner Adam when he was affraid and hid himselfe By the same spirit doth Christ administer as a spirit of wisdome and revelation opening the eyes of the understanding Ephes 1.17 that men may come to the knowledge of him and may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints i. e. in them that trust in Christ or beleeve and are sealed with the holy spirit of promise Vers 12 13. Which operation of the spirit is wrought as himselfe listeth Joh. 3.8 and by what means himselfe pleaseth though ordinarily by the preaching of the word according to divine appointment Rom. 10.17 Ephes 4.11 12. whereby the spirit opens the blind eyes and turns men from darknesse to light and from the power of Sathan to God that they may receive forgivenesse of sins and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith which is in Christ Jesus Act. 26.15 16 17 18. Which Faith is the fruit of his spirit in them Gal. 5.22 whereby they are given to beleeve Phil. 1.29 and to receive Christ Jesus Joh. 1.12 and to
submit to him for life and salvation by which they receive the witnesse in themselves that they are adopted Sons 1. Joh. 5.10 the spirit it self bearing them witness that they are born of God Rom. 8.16 and are the seed whom the Lord hath blessed Esay 61.9 So that Christ is not at a distance not a farre off from such as truely beleeve but is nigh them dwelling in their hearts by faith Eph. 3.17 and by his Spirit Rom. 8.11 and is in them the hope of glory Col. 1.27 whereby they being renewed in the spirit of their minde Ephes 4.23 and being married to this their other husband henceforth they bring forth fruit to God not according to oldnesse of letlet but according to newnesse of spirit Rom. 7.4 6. not taking advantage of the grace of God to dispence with themselves in poynt of obedience toward God but reckoning themselves under deeper obligation that as grace hath abounded toward them so might their obedience towards him that hath manifested that grace unto them as hee who sayd What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits I will take the Cup of salvation and call upon the name of the Lord Psal 116.12 What were those benefits The Lord hath heard the voyce of my supplication thou hast delivered my soule from death my eyes from teares and my feete from falling I will walke before the Lord in the land of the living Psal 116.1 I will offer to thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call upon the name of the Lord as long as I live Psal 116.17 She loved much because much was forgiven her Luk. 7.47 The life of the New Creature of the renewed man or man in Christ in whom Christ lives by his spirit and dwels by faith is no idle unfruitfull life but as a branch in the Vine and as a part of Gods husbandry he is purged and pruned and caused to bring forth fruit filled with fruits of righteousnesse which are by Jesus Christ unto the praise and glory of God Phil. 1.11 Not living to himelfe It is his meate and drinke to doe the will of his Father He now comes to beare witnesse to the truth of that Scripture which saith In keeping thy Commandements there is great reward Though formerly his soule went forth after the knowledge of Christ sometimes the Excellency of him as he was discovered and revealed in the Scriptures sometimes the necessitie of him as being the way to the Father and the only Name besides which there is no other given among men whereby they can be saved Under which dispensation and in the exercise whereof it was not so much Christ that was the ultimate object of the soules enquiry as it was the Creatures preservation from wrath to come It was not so much for Christ himselfe as for the Creatures owne selfe that the soule was so earnest and ardent in its pursuite after vision and manifestation yet it knew it not nor could it have beleeved that it had been so with it But Judgement breaking forth into victory remooving the Spirit of Feare and giving in stead thereof the Spirit of love and of a sound minde 2 Timothy 1.7 The Grace which was given in Christ Jesus was made manifest and by him brought to light and in his light was the new Creature caused to see light and by it to discerne where it had stucke all this while and how it had mistooke its way and sought its selfe in all its seeking under pretence of following on to know the Lord whom to know is life eternall Then the fire burned and the love was kindled towards him who had shed abroad his love in the heart by the Holy Spirit setting it in an holy flame towards himselfe and his service Henceforth hee became as one made up of strong desires and breakings of heart after doing the will of God Oh that hee were then baptized into the will of him whose he is and whom hee would serve according to the tenour of those Scriptures I beseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice holy acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service And be not conformed to this world but be ye transformed by the renewing of your minde that ye may prove what is that good that acceptable and perfect will of God Rom. 12.1 2. 2 Cor. 7.1 1 Pet. 1.14 15 16. As being bought with a price would glorifie God in body and Spirit which are Gods Not now as formerly obeying for life or that he might live but from life or because he is made to live or because he doth live by the power of Christ living in him Gal. 2.20 his whole life is a Thank-offering a sacrifice of praise the end henceforth of all he is and all he does is this that he may live to him who dyed for him and rose again to him who hath loved him and washed him from his sins in his blood Rev. 1.5 to him who hath said to him when he was in his bloods live not expecting a covering of sin that he may live in sin nor the righteousness of another that himselfe may live in unrighteousness but that he might live to God and serve him without feare in righteousness and holiness of truth Luk. 1.74 75. But as really as he doth beleeve that Christ is made of God to him righteousness 1 Cor. 1.30 so verily expecteth he to be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5.21 that the righteousness of the Law which could not be fulfilled by him through the weaknes of the flesh might be fulfilled in him by the power of the spirit of life Rom. 8.3 2 4. wherein he is made able and wiling to wait for the hope of righteousness by faith Gal. 5 5 18. expecting to be led and made willing to follow the guidance of the spirit even the spirit of truth by which he lives and moves and exists in Christ who is by his spirit in him the hope of glory Col. 1.27 Object Thou hast heaped up together many of the Saints words whose condition thou never learned of God Tell plainly whether the Christ thou tells of be within or without Answ How farre my soule is made one with what I beare witness unto is knowne unto him from whom nothing is hid to whom I apply for a further measure of the spirit of wisdome and revelation in the knowledge of him whom to know is eternal life remembring what is witnessed Rom. 15.4 being unmooved by the Judgement or censure of mans day and in relation to the objection have spoken in plainness already That the Lord Jesus Christ to whom in this poore stammering way I bear witness is considered both as being without and within the soule Respecting his person or bodily presence his glorious or glorified body so he is considered as being without not within the soule according to the testimony of those Scriptures before-named Joh. 17.24 Father I
observer Nor did this their rent or division happen among the mean ones but between the heads the men of name where the chief strength lay persons of no smal account or esteem with the persons of this perswasion G. F. to I. N. I. N. to G. P. I. B. to I. N. Nor was this in some circumstantial matter but in their foundation so that it amounts unto the very same thing mentioned that is lo here and lo there the one not person only but party Crying down the other with great severity and that in the name of the Lord as not having stood in the Counsel of the Lord though both avouch the light to be but one and the same in all yet are set up as witnesses against each other and what further thing the Lord will do in the end thereof doth not yet appear but many of his poor and tender ones lie at his foot admiting at his wisdome and counsel herein waiting to see his further pleasure mourning for his Captiv'd ones Crying day and night unto him that they may be redeemed out of the snare which God hath caused to be broken before their eyes without hand using none other means but themselves for effecting thereof When they knew God they glorified him not as God those had such a knowledge of God that they might thereby have glorified him as God which not doing they were given up to vile affections Reply whether this passage have a special and particular application to the Romans or whether it relate more generally to mankinde is not declared however it is thus far evident That the most Holy and Eternall God the Maker and Creator of all things the father of lights and spirits hath made forth the discovery and knowledge of himself in the majesty of his power and Godhead to the sons of men Partly by what he hath manifested in them and partly by what he hath shewed unto them viz. his eternal power and Godhead hath been before largely proved and may be here but briefly hinted by way of repetition upon this renewed occasion viz. That God who stretcheth forth the Heavens and layeth the foundation of the earth hath formed the spirit of man within him as a Candle or lamp or torch calling it the candle of the Lord of the nature and property whereof much hath been spoken before together with a a law written on his heart by reflexion upon which not only the power but the Godhead of God was knowable and discernable that as it is manifested in man that no other but this eternal God is his maker and Creator so he must serve no other but him nor none beside him Him only shalt thou serve and this service must be performed as to the only Creator and Maker according to the tenor of that law written upon the heart which afterwards was declared by more solemn publication in the mount which burnt with fire Deut. 4.11 Nor was the power and Godhead of God only invisibly manifested in man but was also externally shewed unto him by those outspeakings of God in the visible parts and parcels of the Creation whereby it evidently appeared that there was no God no other God besides him whose invisible glory shined through these visible appearances which were seen from the Creation of the world by which double demonstration of his power and Godhead he left not himselfe without witnesse unto and in man nor man under the capacity of an excuse before God nor in himselfe the evincing whereof is the main scope of the holy spirit in Rom. 1.19 20 21. Acts 14.15 16 17. Act. 17. from 24. to the 30 verse Hence it follows that because when they knew God they glorified him not as God c. neither were thankfull but changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an Image made like to corruptible man and to birds and to four footed beasts and creeping things therefore or for this cause God gave them up Though they had evident plain discovery of the Godhead of God of his soveraignty and supremacy together with his benignity and bounty for which they should have served him and praised him as their soveraign Lord and maker owning him to be so and serving him as such according to those expressions Psal 95.6 Psal 100.1.2 3. Instead whereof it is testified that they did not glorifie him as God i. e. they did not ascribe unto the Lord glory and strength as became the kindreds of the people nor although they knew there was no God but he which made them and had made manifest the same unto them yet they liked not to retain this knowledge of God or God in their knowledge but changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an Image made like unto corruptible man and to birds and beasts and creeping things turning the Godhead of the invisible and eternal God into a lye and falling down thereunto worshipping and serving the Creature more than or instead of the Creator who is blessed for ever for this cause God gave them up c. Not as if the natural man while he is such can glorifie God as God i.e. ascribe to God the glory due unto his name any otherwise than as he is demonstrated to his naturall capacity as he is pleased to give forth himself to be discerned by his lamp or torch within or the works of Creation without him forasmuch as that which to a regenerate person to one born of the Spirit or from above is the power of God and the wisdom of God and owned by him as such and by him ascribed to God as being so is by the natural man accounted foolishnesse and consequently upon this account i. e. in spiritual things he cannot glorifie God because he cannot discern that there is any glory therein The natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 Neverthelesse so much as may leave him without excuse is manifested in him and shewed unto him and is discernable by him viz. the eternal power and Godhead of God in opposition to all false Gods to every created being or likenesse thereof so as that who ever shall willingly and knowingly depart from the living God or from that of God which they know as men and erect something instead thereof and bow down thereto these do herein say to the Almighty depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy waies and they may be truly said in the sense and scope of this Scripture Rom. 1.21 not to glorifie God as God these might have glorified him as God i.e. own'd him as such as the only God the Creator and maker of all things for so was he made out to them both within them and without them which they not owning nor acknowledging not liking to retain God in their knowledge but erecting something instead of him are said not to glorifie God as God The Scriptures bear testimony unto