every one of you for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost c. I shall only mention one passage more upon this account and that is concerning the Preaching of Paul and Silas to the trembling Jaylor who thought the Prisoners had been fled Sirs said he What must I do to be saved Acts 16. 30. they forthwith direct him what he should do but not to turn to the Light within but to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ that was the Doctrine these true Ministers and Servants of God preached to this poor Jaylor and those that were in his house the way to be saved is not to do this and thou shalt live or be obedient to the Law or Light in thy heart but believe on the Lord Jesus Christ roul thy Soul upon him apply the virtue of his Blood and Merits and obtain through precious Faith his perfect and compleat Righteousness and thou shalt be saved And thus you may clearly perceive That these Preachers of and to the Light in all do publish to the World such a Doctrine and give such counsel and directions to poor Sinners that never was preached by the Prophets John Baptist Christ nor his Apostles That God in Man hath placed a Light or given a Guide within to lead all men to eternal life and that alone men are to turn to and look to that for Life and Salvation and that no other means rule or guide man doth need or ought to have respect unto or look after Object To this I know some of your judgment have replyed That the drift and tendency of all the Teachings and Directions of the holy Men of God Christ and the Apostles was to turn People from Darkness to the Light to the knowledge of God and Christ which is Spiritual and therefore within For What may be known of God is manifest within Rom. 1. And Paul said God who commanded the Light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts c. 2 Cor. 4. Answ To this we Answer First by Concession Who doth deny that holy Men did in all their preaching endeavour to turn men anâ— women from darkness to the light to leave their sins to turn from all their wicked abominations and unfruitful works of darkness and to turn to God and Christ and to imbrace the Gospel But was this God Christ and Gospel hid in their hearts or do those Scriptures hold forth that the Apostles did send them thither to find the will and mind of God did they bid them look within for therein the Controversie doth consist Because those who are truly converted have the Spirit of Christ in them and so come to see and behold the shining forth of the glorious Light of the Gospel in their hearts doth it follow that that Light was hid in them before or that the saving Light of Christ is in the hearts of carnal and unconverted men or because 't is said they turned to the Light do you suppose it must needs intend and signifie the Light within which you speak of I know not why you should so conclude unless there was no other Light to turn unto but what is in the heart of Men. Alas before God sent the Gospel and commanded the Light to shine into their hearts they were in darkness and without God in the World But whereas it is objected Rom. 1. What may be known of God is manifest in Men. The Apostle speaks there of the knowledge of God as Creator and what is required by God according to the Law of the first Covenant what may be known of God upon this account is mamifest in them by the visible things of the Creation and Light of their Consciences or Law which God hath implanted in their hearts Who having not the Law are a Law unto themselves shewing saith he the works of the Law written in their hearts c. and thus men who are in the night of Darkness of Heathenism and Unbelief void utterly of the saving knowledge of the Gospel and of a crucified Jesus may have the Law or Light of the Moon to guide their paths by which they are taught their Duty to God in Morals but understand nothing of that glorious Mystery of the Gospel of God's intent and eternal purpose in saving poor lost Man by the blood of Jesus Christ which by the Sun or glorious Ministration of the Gospel is revealed to us For I ask you or any amongst you this Question Whether that whatsoever may be known of our Lord Jesus Christ or of a crucified Jesus that died without the Gates of Jerusalem is taught unto Heathens and Infidels that never heard the sound of the Gospel by the Light within of which you speak which if not then whatsoever may be known of God in Christ is not manifested in them And this I further do affirm That there is none amongst you nor in the World that can make appear that ever any Heathen Ethiopian or Infidel in any remote parts that never heard the Scripture nor any man speak of it to him that had no extraordinary Miracles or Revelation that ever did attain meerly by that Light within which all men have to the knowledge of one Jesus of Nazareth that was Crucified without the gates of Jerusalem where lived that Heathen Moor or Infidel I say that meerly by the help and guidance of that Light within which came to find out so much as the Name or historical knowledge of a crucified Jesus I have heard what some persons have affirmed viz. That they should have known all that they now know of Jesus Christ and what he did and suffered if the Scripture never had been written how to believe them I know not But I shall only ask this one Question of such and shall pass on viz. What things and other Signs were those which Jesus did that are not written See Joh. 20. 30. and Chap. 21. 25. If you say you know not or 't is not revealed to you So in like manner I say you would have been as ignorant of all those things concerning Christ and his Sufferings which are written if you never had had the knowledge of the holy Scripture notwithstanding the Light within In the next place you say Assuredly that Prophet which Moses said God would raise up whom we must hear in all things he preaches in our hearts and we know his voice and follow him Answ Christ may speak by his Spirit I do grant in the heart of a Saint as well as he doth by the written Word yet never contrary to it but I do deny That the Light which is in all men is that great Prophet which Moses said God would raise up as you seem to imagine Because it is expresly said by Moses That the Prophet which God would raise up should be raised up of their Brethren and also like saith he unto me Acts 3. 22. Now how can this be said of the Light in all
LIGHT From the SUN of Righteousness Discovering and Expelling Darkness OR The Doctrine and some of the corrupt Principles of the People called Quakers briefly and plainly laid open and refuted Containing a Reply to an Answer of a Letter written formerly by the Author to his own Natural Sister dwelling in the Island of Barbadoes Published for common benefit but more especially for the good of poor weak wavering Christians to help and recover them out of the snare of Satan By H. G. Luke 22. 32. When thou art converted strengthen thy Brethren 2 Pet. 1. 19. We have a more sure word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed c. Isa 8. 20. To the Law to the Testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no sight in them Printed in the Year 1672. Light from the SUN of Righteousness discovering and expelling Darkness My Dear Sister YOurs I have received dated the 22 of the 9th Month 1671 which contains an Answer to a Letter of mine bearing date the 21 of the 8th Month 1670 which was written in tender love and affection to your precious Soul in which I was moved to forwarn and caution you concerning the evil and Soul-undoing Principles of the People called Quakers to whose pernicious Doctrine I had some doubts and jealousies you were ready too much to hearken and incline unto And by this Answer of yours I perceive you are now exceedingly drove away by the stream of their Delusions and have sucked in the Venom of their poysonous Doctrine which is no small grief and trouble to my Spirit to think that you a near Relation of mine and one which sometime since I had such good hopes of should by the subtile Wiles of Satan be in your Old Age so grievously beguiled it wounds my Soul to think you should be so rooted and grounded in their Principles none being more repugnant to the Fundamentals of Religion and the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ I am afraid that these Lines may come too late yet not knowing whether the Lord hath yea or no utterly given you up to blindness of mind to believe lyes that so you should be damned for not receiving the truth in the love of it that you might be saved 2 Thess 2. 10 11 12. I have sent you these Lines as a further discharge of my Conscience and that I may be pure from your Blood in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ and that it might not only be of profit through the blessing of God to you but also to others whom God in mercy may please to recover out of the snare of the Devil in the Island of Barbadoes or elsewhere to whom they may come I have been at the Charge of Printing them And these may certifie you in the first place that I have diligently examined and seriously weighed the chief Heads or most material things contained in your Letter and by comparing them with the holy and blessed Scriptures of Truth and weighing them in that most Sacred Ballance of the Sanctuary I find them as light as vanity being nothing else save the aiery Notions of a poor deceived People by whom your Soul is deluded and most sadly and grievously captivated which by the assistance of God I shall indeavour to make appear before I have done And that I might distinctly Answer your Lines and refute you and others also that are of your judgment I shall begin with the beginning of your Letter which is as followeth Brother G. I Did receive a Letter from thee dated the 21 of the 8th Month 1670. with kind expressions of Love to me both to my Soul and Body as thou hast there express'd which in love to thy Soul I now am willing to Answer for a little strength is administred to me into the Everlasting Kingdom since first I have received the Truth First As to thy Love I do receive as from my Natural Brother and I hope I have not forgot natural affection But as for thy Counsel to my Soul I do faithfully believe that I have chosen the good part which shall never be taken from me I bless and praise the Lord I know a Teacher near me that shall never be hid in a Corner Thou sayest though distance of place and Age drawing on upon us both yet that we may meet together in the Resurrection of the Just As for the Resurrection of the Just I am risen again with Christ yea the Just one is risen in me Glory to his Name for ever Oh! what manner of love is this c Thou sayest There was a time that thou hadst hopes that I should become a Convert of Christ Truly Brother to be a Convert of Christ the way thou approvest of would do me no good at all for there is nothing of the Cross of Christ in it and I see it vanity for there are just men to whom it happeneth according to the work of the wicked Eccles 8. 14. therefore the Wise mans Counsel is be not over righteous 7. 16. I do not say the keeping the Commands of Christ is vanity but to strain the Commandments of Christ to a form of Worship which is not according to the Spirit to Bread Wine and Water which was to be held in practice but till Christ came and Christ is come the second time of which coming no mention is made of Bread Wine nor Water Answ Before I shall repeat more of thy Letter I shall make some Reply to this first part I shall pass by several expressions which serve for little else than to demonstrate the corruption of your judgment And in the first place I shall call into question your confidence about your choosing the better part Sister How dare you conclude you have chosen the good part with Mary whilst you refuse to hear the teaching of the true Saviour Mary gave ear to what her Lord and Master declared and taught she sate at his feet and heard his word it was not only the Teacher or Light within she gave ear to but also to the Doctrine and Counsel of the Man Christ Jesus without whose Disciple and Scholar you must come to be and follow his Counsel and Doctrine as it is contained in the holy Scripture and till which time never flatter your self so as to conclude you have chose the good part Secondly as touching your knowledge of the Teacher that is near you or the Light within which the Quakers say is in every Man and Woman that comes into the World You are mistaken and have not a right knowledge of that Teacher and this I shall evidently make appear for this alas is your grand mistake you speak of this Light more than is true or doth agree with that Doctrine that is according to Godliness You exalt it above the holy Scriptures nay you and others of your judgment make a God and a Christ of it You bid me in one place of your Letter own this
Light which reproves for sin and believe in it and it will certainly take away my sins and therefore you caution me not to open my mouth at any time against the true Light which lightneth every man that cometh into the world O my Sister how doth it grieve me to think how blind and deceived thou art to believe that the Light which is in all men even in the natural hearts of Heathens and Infidels is the true Christ and Saviour of the World and that there is not another nor need of another and that men ought to hearken to it as that which doth not only reprove for sin and so condemn but is also able of it self to cleanse from sin save and redeem them who walk up to it without respect to the glorious Redemption purchased by another viz. Jesus of Nazareth Now how false this is may appear to thee by what followeth for though I do not deny but really believe and alwayes did that the Lord Jesus as the Eternal Word and Creator of the World hath given Light or enlightneth all Men and Women that come into the World yet do I utterly deny that this Light which all men have from the glorious Creator is the true Saviour or is a saving Light and the alone and only Teacher which thou seemest to affirm The Light which is in the hearts of all men Paul sheweth clearly is but the substance of the Law of the first Covenant God hath given man a Spirit or formed a Spirit in him Zach. 12. 1. which is called the Candle of the Lord by the means of which Law Candle or Conscience in Man and help of the visible Creation mankind may come to understand there is a God and it will teach them also their Duty in some respects as he is their Creator and they his Creatures and convince them of divers sins and teach them to do unto all men as they themselves would be done unto If Heathens and wicked men do mind and follow the light of this Candle or the Teachings of their own Conscience they would notwithstanding they are void of the saving knowledge of the true Saviour shine forth in the Principles of Morality or just living between man and man as I do judge many of the Quakers do civil honesty being the greatest glory of the best of those of that Religion if I may call it so Now you with others judge because that this Light doth convince of sin and shews man his evil thoughts it will also cleanse and take away his sins and eternally save his Soul it being a Light flowing from Christ you judge it cannot be weak nor insufficient in any respects whatsoever Which is my Sister your great ignorance Did you instead of hearkning to these Seducers with care and diligence search the Scriptures you would find that that holy Law which God gave to Israel which was written and ingraved in two Tables of Stone was a Light and precious Law flowing from God and a more glorious Ministration than this which is in every man or else what advantage had the Jews above the Gentiles Rom. 3. 1 2. That Law dear Sister was a Light of Christ and did convince of Sin more clearly than the Light doth which is in every man yet the Apostle sheweth plainly Gal. 2. it would not give life nor take away sin For what the Law could not do saith the Apostle Rom. 8. 3. in that it was weak through the Flesh God sent his own Son c. This Doctrine of yours concerning the Light within brings in again and seems plainly to establish the Covenant of Works Do this and live be obedient to the Law or Light in the heart and thou shalt be saved This agrees with the expressions of one of your Teachers and he no mean one neither speaking of Rom. 2. 13. Not the Hearers of the Law are just before God but the Doers of the Law shall be justified From whence saith * See Pen's Sandy Foundation shaken Page 26. he how unanswerably may I observe that unless we become doers of that Law which Christ came not to destroy but as our Example to fulfil we can never be justified before God nor let any fancy that Christ hath so fulfilled it for them as to exclude their Obedience from being requisite to their acceptance but only as their Pattern We do not say Christ fulfilled the Law so as to exclude our obedience yet was his Obedience and Suffering Meritorious and more than a Pattern or Exemplary Doth not this Doctrine of yours make void the Righteousness which is of Faith which speaks on this wise Believe and thou shalt be saved By the deeds of the Law shall no Flesh be justified The Law and Light in all which is one in substance gives man the knowledge of his sins it convances him that he is a sinner but leaves him like the Priest and Levite in his blood and wounds without any help or healing until the Lord Jesus that good Samaritan takes compassion on him for we are justified freely by God's Grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ Rom. 3. 24. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his Righteousness mark for the Remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God vers 25. We grant and believe that holiness and obedience is required and they are the effects and fruits of saving Faith but it is not our obedience nor holiness which doth redeem us or is the meritorious efficient and procuring cause of our Salvation and acceptation with God muchless our obedience to the Law or Light in our Consciences as those of your mind affirm Oh! take heed therefore and beware of that poysonous Doctrine the tenor of which clearly holdeth forth That Jesus Christ our Saviour and Mediatour died in vain For I pray consider If by works of Righteousness done in our own persons by walking up to the Law or Light within we may be led out of all sin cleansed from it and eternally saved what need was there then of the Man Christ Jesus to fulfil the Righteousness of the Law and to shed his precious Blood to atone and make peace and appease the wrath of God for us May I not say with Paul Gal. 2. 21. If Righteousness came by the Law Christ is dead in vain The Jews as I shewed you before had the advantage of the Gentiles every way Rom. 3 1 2. they had more light than the Heathen Gentiles had having the Oracles of God committed to them yet it left them in their sins and under Wrath and the Curse that Law nor the Light which is in every man that cometh into the World cannot give life For if there had been a Law given which could have given life verily Righteousness should have been by the Law Gal. 3. 21. Therefore all such whether Jews or Gentiles who seek for Righteousness and Acceptance with God through their
Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. But why dare you say That the practice of Bread Wine and Water was to be held no longer than till Christ came By his coming you intend his coming in Spirit That this is false and contrary to holy Scripture I shall evidently make appear And first I shall begin with the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper which you call Bread and Wine and that the practice of this continues and remains in full force and virtue to the end of the World or until the Second coming or Appearance of Christ in Person and that he is not so come the second time I shall also prove to thee before I have done That the practice of breaking Bread and drinking Wine in remembrance of Christ's Death remains after the coming of Christ in Spirit I prove by these Arguments following First Because the Apostle Paul did receive this from our Saviour as a glorious Appointment and Institution of the Lord Jesus a considerable time after the coming of Christ in Spirit The Promise of the Comforter or Christ's coming in Spirit was performed and fulfilled to the Sainrs some days after his Ascention as may be seen in the second of the Acts and it was some time after this before Paul was converted unto Christ For Paul after the coming of the Spirit according to the Promise of the Father and our Lord Jesus remained in darkness and was a Persecutor of the Saints and yet see I beseech ye what he affirms to the Church of the Corinthians 1 Cor. 11. 23. For I received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took Bread and when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me and after the same manner also he took the Cup c. Now if Paul received this after that coming of Christ which you speak of as an Institution and Divine Appointment of the Lord Jesus as it appears plainly he did then that which you affirm is utterly false and to be rejected But Secondly The Apostle did not only receive this from Christ after the coming of Christ in Spirit but also did deliver it as Christ's Appointment to the Saints That which I received of the Lord saith he I also delivered unto yon Thirdly I argue further That this Ordinance doth remain in force and the practice of it to be held up after the coming of Christ in Spirit because the Primitive Saints did abide in the practice of it after the pouring forth of the Spirit according to Christ's Promise as appears Acts 2. 42. They continued in the Apostles Doctrine in breaking of Bread and Prayer compare this with Acts 20. 7 11. also 1 Cor. 11. 20. to the end Fourthly Consider The end of this Ordinance doth remain notwithstanding the pourings forth of the Spirit and therefore the Ordinance must needs remain which is to confirm our Faith in the true Saviour and to keep up our Love to him who gave his Body to be broken and his Blood to be shed for our sakes This is to be done to shew forth his Death until he come And these things considered which hath been said 't is plain it cannot intend his Spiritual Coming or the giving forth the holy Spirit the Comforter according to his promise And that he is not come the Second time without sin to Salvation as you seem to affirm doth appear First Because his coming that day shall be visible Every eye shall see him Rev. 1. 7. Secondly Because his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives Zech. 14. 4. and he shall come in the same manner as he went up to Heaven Acts. 1. 11. Thirdly Because the Saints which had the highest attainments of the Spirit or to whom Christ was Spiritually come as gloriously as ever he came to any of the Saints did notwithstanding that still expect look and wait for his coming from Heaven See 1 Cor. 1. vers 4 5 6 7. I thank my God alwayes on your behalf for the Grace of God which is given to you by Jesus Christ tht in every thing ye are inriched by him in all utterance and all knowledge even as the Testimony of Christ was confirmed in you mark that So that ye come behind in no gift waiting for his Son from Heaven If Christ was not spiritually come to these who was he come to and yet they waited for his coming The Saints at Thessalonica are said to turn from Idols to serve the true God and to wait for his Son from Heaven 1 Thess 1. 9 10. and unto those that look for him saith the Apostle He shall appear the Second time without sin unto Salvation Heb. 9. 28. The beloved Apostle who injoyed so much of the Spiritual Presence of Christ yet desired and looked for his coming Which clearly shews that his Second coming is another manner of coming than that which you speak of for when he comes he comes with all his Saints and holy Angels with him and when he comes the Graves shall be opened and the Dead shall be raised yea the dead Bodies of Men and Women 1 Thess 4. 16. You say that you are risen from the dead already and Christ is come the Second time but be assured of this you will find another Resurrection Coming and Judgment ere long than this I could wish it were so indeed that thou hadst part in the true work of Regeneration that so in that day thou mightest have part in the first Resurrection for the dead in Christ shall rise first 1 Thess 4. which cannot intend any other save the dead bodies of the Saints who are fallen asleep or gone to the dust But because I have somewhat to say in the Vindication of Baptism which you call Water I shall proceed to that for as you and other Quakers deny the continuance of the Lord's Supper so also you affirm that the practise of Water-Baptism was to continue but till Christ came in Spirit Now how false this is may appear First from the Commission Matth. 28. 19 20. where Christ gave forth this blessed Ordinance All Power is given to me in Heaven and Earth Go therefore teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded yon and lo I am with you alwayes to the end of the world Now that the Baptism here spoken of is that of Water is evident because the Disciples are commanded or injoyned to be the Administraters or Dispensers of it To baptize with the holy Spirit is the alone Work Prerogative and Office of Jesus Christ and it never was in the power of any Apostle or Disciple of Christ to do it though the Spirit was