also prove me perverse And Job 42.5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear but now my eyes see thee Wherefore I abhorre my self and repent in dust and ashes From whence it is plain That Job did see imperfection in himself and repented of it but if Job had been wholly perfect then there was no need of repentance for to abhorre that which is good and to repent of that must needs be wickedness Secondly See what the Lord saith of David Acts 13.22 I have found David a man after my own heart And yet we never finde this man boasting of perfection but goes humbly to the Lord and earnestly begs of him Psal 19.12 13. Lord keep thy servant from presumptuous sins lest they get the dominion over me so shall I be innocent from the great offence And see Psal 18.1 How the Lord is his rock his fortress his God in whom he will trust And ver 29. For by thee have I run through a troop and by my God I have leaped over a wall And vers 30. As for God his way is perfect the word of the Lord is tried he is a buckler to all them that trust in him This whole Psalm David speaks out much of the Lords goodness to him but I do not finde one word of boasting Thirdly See what the Lord saith of Paul to Ananias Acts 9.15 He is a chosen vessel to bear my name and I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake Yet see what Paul saith of himself Rom. 7.18 I know that in me that is in my flesh there dwels no good thing for to will is present with me but how to perform that which is good I finde not For vers 21. When I would do good evil is present with me And saith Paul 1 Tim. 1.15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners of whom I am chief By all which we may see that Paul hath not a word of such boasting but rather cryes out against the fleshly part how it attends him and oft-times keeps him from doing that which he would Fourthly we will see what is said of John who was an eminent Apostle who is called that Disciple whom Jesus loved and the Scripture saith He lay in Christ's bosome John 13.2 yet we finde that he and Peter Acts 3.12 to 17. said unto the people Ye men of Israel why marvel ye at this or why look ye so earnestly on us as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk No he tells them It is the God of Abraham of Isaac and of Jacob the God of our fathers hath glorified his Son Jesus whom ye delivered up His Name saith Peter through faith in his Name hath made this man strong not any thing in them it 's plain doth he set up but saith It was the man's believing in Jesus that prevailed with Jesus who gave him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all And in Chap. 4.29 they pray to the Lord for strength that they may speak his word with boldness By all which it 's plain That they had no dependance on themselves by their looking to the Lord the Rock of their strength and their Deliverer in their trouble And further see what John saith in his 1 Epist. 1.8 If we say We have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us Minde It is such a deceit that they that say so the Truth is not in them And James saith Chap. 3.2 In many things we offend all And now dear Friends we see what the Scripture saith of these men how high in the Lord's favour they were yet we do not finde that any of these holy men of God did so justifie themselves as this man Now consider Reader and the Lord give thee understanding If these men Job David Paul and John whose whole work it was as I may say to keep close to the Commandments of God to see how humbly they walked with God and how sweetly the Lord appeared to them in this their heavenly progress as the Scripture is full of Witnesses and that they did not boast of perfection This then we may learn that for these men in our days who boast of perfection and say they are free from sin and yet make it their whole work to turn away poor souls from the Truth I mean the holy Scripture and Ordinances that it's pride in them for they presume above what is written as to call the Scripture carnal and a dead Letter and say It will never bring a man to the knowledge of God Now that these are proud and presumptuous and self-willed see what Paul saith of the Scripture 2 Tim. 3.13 14 15 16 17. Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived but to keep thee from these saith he continue thou in the things thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them and that from a child thou hast known the holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus And he further saith All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works By all which it 's plain That these men are of another mind then the Apostle Paul for he vindicates the Scripture and Ordinances in all his Epistles then I say it is wickedness in these men to speak against the Scripture and Ordinances as they do calling it a dead Letter and carnal and say That all that is gotten from the Scripture is but brain-knowledge Now dear Friends may we not see plainly how they strike at Jesus Christ in his Ordinances which do so lively represent him and which he hath born witness to himself and confirmed it to us to be a sure Word of Prophesie by many Signs and Wonders and Gifts of the Holy Ghost And further dear Friends let us not forget how wonderfully the Lord hath preserved this Word from the rage of Enemies not onely in the Generations past but our days have spoken out much to us If we look back to those days of profanation wicked toleration when nothing but superstition had countenance and many for conscience-sake were sore oppressed now for us to consider what we then did see instead of pure Ordinances and to take notice of what we now through mercy injoy we may say the Lord hath wrought for us wonderfully which being laid to heart it may encourage us to follow the holy Commandments of Christ Jesus though we be reproached and called Pharisees by these men for observing the Primitive Patern for do but try them by their Works and you will finde that they carry on a design for Satan as it appears by the
I said then that eminent Apostle John had And therefore thou dealest wickedly to say I brought it in to plead a continuance in sin surely that light which thou sayest is in thee is darkness else thou wouldst not have spoken thus falsly but having treated on this before I pass it by Again I said Where was your proof that you was in this condition Then he laid his hand on his heart and said I witness this Then I said to the people That to trust his own bare testimony without Scripture we should leave the word of God and trust the word of a man and so bring our selves under that curse Jer. 17.5 Cursed be he that trusteth in man And also said as Jeremiah saith in that 17 chap. The heart is deceitful And therefore it was good for us to try our own and others by the Scripture Read Prov. 28.26 Then thou Farnworth saidst I told thee of a Church in the world Answ Yea Christ had a Church in the world though not of the world but gathered out of the world and for the gathering of it did not the holy Ghost say Act. 13.2 Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them And I am sure that Paul makes this good by many Scriptures that he was a Planter of a visible Church But thou sayest in thy book That the Officers and Overseers of the Church of Christ were invisible and why because made by the holy Ghost which is invisible And here the Reader may plainly see thy folly for as I have already proved a visible Church so I will prove visible Officers as what was Paul and Barnabas but visible men else their enemies could not have persecuted them And read Acts 6.2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them By which it is plain this Church were made up of a visible company And the Apostle said unto them Look you out among you seven men of honest report full of the holy Ghost And the saying pleased the multitude and they chose Stephen with others who are said to be full of the holy Ghost So that it is a clear Truth That visible men were here found in this Church made visible Officers But Farnworth take heed of scorning so clear a Truth But one thing Reader I pray you observe if it be so as Farnworth saith That the Officers of the Church of Christ be invisible then by his own grant he is none because he is a visible man And here is his folly made manifest And also he denying a visible Church you may as plainly see from whence he is sent and whose errand he goes on not of Christ's errand for then his work would he do but it is plain he is of his Father the Devil who was a lyar from the beginning else he would never say that Christ had not a visible Church and say all Ordinances ceased when Christ ascended and that the Scripture would never bring a man to the knowledge of God and say that all Ordinances contained in the Scripture are carnal Again Farnworth saith in his Book That I said the Letter and the Spirit was inseparable I do not so wonder of his taking boldness to lye of me that dare so impudently lye of Christ and of his Word and Ordinances as he hath done But to answer to this thou chargest me with this I then said unto thee as I now say That the Word and Spirtt were one or inseparable and this I said I will prove by the word of God 1 John 5.7 For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one And further when I said this then thou Farnwarth pulledst out thy Bible and not before and laid it on the ground and saidst to the people If that be Spirit and Life it would rise it self I told thee at that time That what was contained in that book which it declared of and held out to us was Spirit and Life And here Reader take not my words but the words of Christ John 6.63 The words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life minde that which Christ spake they are and compare this with Job 12.48 The words saith Christ that I have spoken minde that the same shall judge you at the last day which word is established in heaven and written for our learning and is a perfect rule for us to walk by and see what Paul saith Rom. 15.4 For whatever were written ofore time were written for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope And minde what Paul said to the Church Act. 20.32 at his departure Now brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to make you wise to salvation and to build you up to give you an inheritance among them that are sanctified And Paul commends Timothy that from a childe he had known the holy Scripture and which is very observable Paul presseth Timothy to continue in the things he had learned 2 Tim. 3.13 14 15 16. For saith he evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived And Farnworth it seems you have not learned to distinguish between Law and Gospel for I demand of thee where any of the words of Christ or his Apostles are called Letter see what Paul saith 2 Cor. 3.6 Our sufficiency is of God who hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament not of the letter that killeth but of the spirit that giveth life Now I am sure if Paul the other Apostles were alive you would call them Pharisees and outward Jews Ministers of the Letter and call Christ a Water-ma 〈…〉 r outside-washer as you call me for I am sure that they that carry on this work they have their rules from Christ and they are the onely wise men And this I say That for Baby-sprinklers and Tythe-takers and Parish-men we own no such thing and therefore let them runne in your number and ranke as men refusing and rejecting the holy Commandments and Ordinances of Christ as you do onely this I believe that many of them do what they do ignorantly but I fear you do wilfully speak against Truth But O you Scorners how long will you delight in your scorning to call the Holy Scripture a dead Letter and carnal as you do But to all of you that are contentious and do not obey the Truth of what ranke soever you be or by what name so ever called see your portion Rom. 2.8 Tribulation and anguish upon every soul of man that is contentious and doth not obey the truth And see what Paul saith 2 Thes 1.9 where he speaks of some men that shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power and minde who they are vers 8. Them that know not God and obey not the
considerations who desire to escape the error of the wicked and to attain to the resurrection of the just by patient continuing in well doing waiting for the appearance of Christ Consid 1. The words of Paul 2 Cor. 11.13 14 15. that such are false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and no marvel for the Devil himself is transformed into an Angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his Ministers be transformed into the Ministers of righteousness whose end shall be according to their works And that this is so Consid 2. That all the false Prophets that came to deceive did alwayes preach their lyes in the Name of the Lord saying Thus saith the Lord when the Lord had not spoken and thus they covered their deceits over with the Name of the Lord and by that means led people away from the word of God to walk after the imaginations of their own hearts or light within them and to despise the word of the Lord even as these people do see Jer. 23.16 17. Consid 3. That this is also the work of deceivers now under the Gospel to prophesie in the Name of Christ yea and to do wonderful works in his Name and yet Christ bids them depart from him for they were workers of iniquity and he knew them not see Matth. 7.22 23. Consid 4. That all those that teach in the Name of Christ are commanded to preach the word of God and Christ even the holy Scriptures which are able to make us wise unto salvation and if any man teach otherwise and consent not to wholesome words even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the doctrine which is according to godliness is he proud or a fool knowing nothing see 1 Tim. 6.3 4.2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. ch 4. 1 2 3. Consid 5. That when Paul left the Church in a dangerous condition because of deceivers that he knew would come after his departure he did not commit them to the light within them to be guided by that but unto God and to the word of his grace saying That was able to build them up and to give them an inheritance amongst them that are sanctified see Acts 20.32 Consid 6. That when Christ had to deal with those that boasted of the light within them He answered that if the light within them were darkness how great was that darkness from whence we may observe that those that pretend to walk by the light within them were in the greatest darkness according to the words of Christ see Mat. 6.22 23. Consid 7. That God hath sent forth his Light and Truth into the World to lead and guide men to his holy Hill and to his Tabernacles and that the Light which he hath sent forth is his Word and Commandments Thy word is a lampe to my feet and a light to my path Psal 119.105 And the commandment is a lampe and the law is light and reproofs is the way of life Prov. 6.23 by all which it is clear that the light which is in a man is not able to lead a man to happiness but the Word and Commandment of the Lord is able to save our souls if we receive it with meekness James 1.21 Consid 8. That the Commandments of the Lord are pure enlightning the eyes and the entrance of his words give light and understanding to the simple Psal 19.8 Psal 119.130 therefore let us To the law and to the testimony and if any man speak not according to that it is because there is no light in them Isa 8.20 Consid 9. That none of the true Prophets of the Lord that ever came after God had given forth his Law and Testimonyes by Moses did ever open their mouthes against it to undervalue it or turn peoples hearts away from it to despise it and to walk after the imaginations of their own hearts and light within them as these people now do Consid 10. That it was the eminent work and evident mark of the false Prophets so to do for which cause the curse came upon them and all the people that followed their pernicious wayes Consid 11. That all those Teachers now that come after God hath given forth the Gospel of Grace and Peace by Jesus Christ and do labour to turn peoples hearts from the pure Commandments thereof by despising and undervaluing it by calling it ink and paper and a dead letter are false Apostles and deceitful workers although transformed into Ministers of righteousness as the Devil himself is transformed into an Angel of light which the Apostle Paul Gal. 1.8 6. saith Are accursed Consid 12. That all those Teachers that come from Christ which contend earnestly for the Faith once dlivered to the Saints and do preach the wholesome words of our Lord and Saviour and labour to perswade people to hear his sayings and do them and to walk in all his holy Commandments and Ordinances they are that true and faithful Servants of Jesus Christ the children of God and the seed of the woman that the Dragon was wroth with and made war against because they keep the Commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Rev. 12.17 Now I shall propound certain Queries with a desire of an Answer 1. WHether the Light that is in any man if it be of God doth not lead him to his Law and Testimony and not from it as some affirm See Isa 8.20 2. Whether these men that despise and undervalue the holy Scriptures preferring the Light that is within themselves above and before the Scriptures whether I say we may not justly conclude that their Light within them is darkness and then how great is that darkness for if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no Light in them see Matth. 6.23 compared with Isa 8.20 3. What true Light which is of God is there in any man that the holy Scriptures doth not speak and declare according to Psa 119.130 The entrance of thy words giveth light and giveth understanding to the simple see also vers 105. with Psal 19.8 Prov. 6.23 4. What doth that Light that is in any man teach him that is good more then the holy Scriptures teacheth him see Psal 110.96 I have seen an end of all perfection but thy commandment is exceeding broad Now if an end of all perfection then an end of that Light that these men pretend to have in them but no end of Gods precepts for they are exceeding broad 5. What evil doth that Light which is in any man reprove and forbid him to do that the holy Scriptures doth not reprove and forbid according to 2 Tim. 3.16 17. It is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect and throughly furnished unto good works 6. Whether was there not a greater Light in the Lord Christ then ever was in any man else or ever shall be
THE Holy Scriptures Clearing it self of Scandals OR AN ANSWER To a BOOK written by Richard Farnworth who is commonly called a QUAKER bearing this Title Truth cleared of Scandals In this ANSWER You have the substance of a Dispute at Harliston in Staffordshire between Richard Farnworth and the Author in the yeer 1654. Written by Tho. Pollard a member of the Church of Christ gathered in and about Leichfield Prov. 18.17 He that is first in his own cause seemeth just but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him Whereunto is added Certain Considerations and Queries concerning those people called Quakers with desire of an Answer As also a POSTSCRIPT Manifesting their folly in pretending a necessity of using the terms Thee and Thou to a single person By Henry Haggar a servant of Jesus Christ and of the Congregations of his Saints Printed at London by J. C. for R. Moone at the seven Stars in Paul's Church-yard neer the great North-door 1655. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Courteous Reader THe LORD hath been pleased to bring us into the World in such an Age that if we throughly weigh our Mercies they have been and are very great Surely we may say in this Nation That we are pâ—rtakers of such Blessings and high Favours that the Generations past have not enjoyed 〈…〉 If we call to minde the dayes past what Superstition instead of a pure Worship our eyes beheld and what Tyranny was then exercised in forcing Men's Consciences to such a Worship that was so exceeding contrary to the Word of GOD. O that we were so sensible as we should who it is that hath wrought such a deliverance for us surely we may say This is the LORD 's doing O that every Soul that partakes of this Mercy by being delivered from such Tyranny that I say this godly resolution were in us as was in the Prophet David Psalm 71.6 My praise shall be continually of thee And Psalm 145.2 Every day will I bless thee and I will praise thy Name for ever and ever O I say if we consider how many snares have been laid to insnare poor Creatures with but we may say Hitherto hath the LORD been with us and hath broken the snares and set us at liberty yet my dear Friends the great Enemy of our salvation will be working and if he cannot carry on his designe by Instruments that are openly profane or in a superstitious habit he can present himself in a shew of glory and pretend high things and surely that day is now come upon the earth that Paul speaks of 2 Cor. 11. of a subtil people that was endeavouring to beguile the Corinthians as the serpent beguiled Eve and from what minde the simplicity that is in Christ but saith Paul vers 13. For such are false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and no marvel for Satan himself is tranformed into an Angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness whose end shall be according to their work But as Paul saith to the Churches of Galatia so I say to you chap. 1.8 Though we or an Angel from heaven preach any other Gospel unto you then that which we have preached unto you let him be accursed and John saith in his 2 Epist. 10. If there come any unto you and bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your house neither bid him God-speed O I say with the Prophet If any speak not according to the Scripture it is because they have no light in them And Reader whosoever thou art that perusest this small Treatise labour for an impartial Spirit if any thing be to thy satisfaction herein let GOD alone be glorified I have desired plainness of Speech and to speak the words of Scripture to answer him whom thou wilt finde is an opposer of the Truth as it is in JESUS and the LORD give thee understanding Farewel Thine in the work of the Lord to my poor power Tho. Pollard The Method observed in this BOOK is as followeth 1. YOu have the unsoundness of Richard Farnworth's judgement laid down in six Particulars as he at the meeting stood by to make good and these I desire the Reader to observe 2. You have an Answer to those things he charges me with in his Book where the Reader may see that this poor man is full of lyes that instead of being free from sin he too much takes delight in it 3. You have that Scripture answered that they so dwell on against that Ordinance of Water-baptism 1 Cor. 1.17 4. To make their folly manifest you have that Cavil answered about the term Thee and Thou to single person Which say they is a sin to use any other but by the Scripture in all ages you will as it is plain finde it to be no such thing as is proved 5. You have a discovery of the Church of Christ how it cometh to Mount Sion Heb. 12.22 And what perfection I own and how attained 6. You have what he saith in his Book he owns proved to be lyes and not according to Truth 7. You have his folly manifested and the holy Scripture counselling you to shun the way of such men 8. Some Queries propounded with a desire of an Answer And Reader for your better satisfaction you have the testimony of three faithful Witnesses that these six things Farnworth did utter and also what is laid down in his Book that I here say he speaketh falsly of me they are my witnesses and upon what ground I then spoke you have it laid down and witnessed and for all the rest of the company there was out of Gospel-order Lawrence Spooner Vrsula Spooner Richard Clewly The Holy Scripture clearing it self of SCANDALS FIrst you have in this Book the unsoundness of Richard Farnworth's Judgement in fix Particulars laid down which being weighed will discover that those Principles in his Book that he saith He holds are not really according to the Rules of Truth owned by him but laid down on purpose to deceive First Richard Farnworth said He was a man wholly free from sin and not subject to any one temptation Now dear Friends let us first make search into the Scripture to see if any of the Lord's people have so boasted of themselves to be in such a condition while they carried about with them an earthly Tabernacle And first we will take notice of Job for it 's clear that he had more ground to have boasted of perfection then any of these men if we minde what the Lord said of him unto Satan Hast thou considered my servant Job how there is none like him in all the earth a perfect and an upright man one that feareth God and escheweth evil Job 2.3 Yet though the Lord had so said of him let us see what Job saith of himself read Job 9.20 If I justifie my self my own mouth shall condemn me If I say I am perfect it shall
words of one Foster to me at Coulton in Staffordshire who said It was all one to them if all Bibles were burnt as many of the Lord's people can witness But O you Saints of God! minde the progress of the Lords people how they followed after righteousness godliness faith love patience meekness as Paul exhorts 1 Tim. 6.11 12. Again let us consider how patient Job was under the hand of the Lord saying The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away blessed be the name of the Lord. And he is brought in by the Apostle James 5.10 Take my brethren the Prophets for an example of suffering affliction and of patience and how they are accounted happy that endure Ye have heard of the patience of Job and have seen the end of the Lord that the Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy to all them that wait patiently on him And so we finde David an excellent patern for obedience he made hast and delayed not to keep God's Commandments Psalm 119.60 O saith David how I love thy law it is my meditation all the day Thou through thy commandments hast made me wiser then my enemies yea I have more understanding then my teachers for thy testimonies are my meditation I understand more then the ancient because I have kept thy precepts I have refrained my feet from every evil way that I may keep thy word Thus dear Friends mind David and these men and you will finde they as far differ as light and darkness and if David had so much wisdom in this way of keeping God's Commandments and Ordinances of Christ Jesus are proud men and fools because they consent not to the wholsome words of Christ and to the Doctrine which is according to godliness he is proud or a fool as saith the margin 1 Tim. 6.3 4. O what will these scorners do when the Lord comes from Heaven with his Saints to render vengeance on all that know not God and obey not the Gospel minde that and you may easily see that all them that deride the Word and Ordinances of Christ under what term and title soever called whether Quakers Ranters or other Reproachers of God his Son his Saints his Ordinances and trample the Blood of Christ under their feet and do despight to the Spirit of Grace and sadden the hearts of his dear Ones and cause the Truth of God to be evill spoken of O to such I say it had been better for them that they had never known the way of Truth then after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandment delivered unto them but it is happened unto them according to the true Proverb The dog is turned to his own vomit again and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire as saith the Apostle 2 Pet. 2.21 22. But O ye Saints and spiritual Christians who are troubled to hear the Truth of Christ abused by such men See what Paul's counsel is 2 Thess 1.7 To you who are troubled rest with us abide in the doctrine of Christ quit you like men be strong in the Lord labour to be stedfast unmoveable alwayes abounding in the work of the Lord for you know your labour is not in vain in the Lord. Rom. 1.15 58. The Lord hath promised to you such a reward that all these evil-speakers cannot rob you of And seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompence tribulation on them that trouble you be incouraged to run the race that is set before you Follow the holy Commandments and the pattern of the Apostles as they followed Christ you may be born up above all the discouragements you meet with by such as speak evil of the holy Scripture and Ordinances which you own as a Rule to walk by for whatever is done against any of the Lord's people that are found doing his Commandments Jesus Christ will take all that is done against them as done to himself as you may see in that Acts 9. by the words Christ said to Saul for you are dear in his sight and are continually before him and his delight is with you his heart is towards you there shall be no want to them that fear him Rev. 22.14 Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life and may enter into the gates through the city But O Farnworth and those with thee that so impudently boast of perfection and judge all to be in darkness that throw not away the rule of Truth as you do O call to mind your self-conceitedness Had you ever such ground of boasting as Job David Paul and John The Lord never said so of you or any that ever went your way as he saith of these men that you were after his heart as David or his chosen as Paul or his beloved Disciple as John or such a one for doing that which was good and hating that which was evil as Job that the Lord saith There was none like him in all the Land of Uz 〈…〉 Yet we do not finde any of these men thus justifie themselves as you do and they never judged so rashly of others as you do of all men that are not of your minde calling them carnal and saying that they are devils as I can shew under some of your hands surely you are coming on apace to them that say they are God but your glorying is not good for you glory in appearance having a kinde of voluntary humility but this will not stand you in stead because you go about to set up your selves and not the Lord your own way and not his way and therefore you are the greater Hypocrites And see what Iob saith of all such Iob 8.13 The hypocrites hope shall perish And Job 20.5 The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment And Solomon saith Prov. 11.9 An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour And do not you with your deluding tongues and out-side holiness throwing dirt in the face of Truth and as much as in you lies destroying all men by your Doctrine which had its rise from Hell and darkness and now raigns in the children of disobedience such as you who minde nothing less then the holy Commandments and Ordinances as they were delivered to the Saints and committed to faithful men and are of great use to all the Lord's people which word discovers all your wayes to be from Hell and darkness as in the following discourse it will be manifest that your Opinions are hatch'd in Hell and never came from above Whence Iames saith every good and perfect gift comes and then it will plainly appear that all that follow you are in the error and are under a great delusion to take your bare word for what you affirm yea though it cross the Scripture never so much But O consider ye poor deluded ones first The heart of man is deceitful above all things Jer. 17.9 Secondly He that trusteth his own heart is a fool Prov.
28.26 The second thing that this Farnworth affirmed That when Paul spoke those words in the seventh of the Romans where he cries out of a body of death and of the warfare he had in himself he said That Paul was not converted To which I answered O man minde thy error what Paul a Messenger of the Gospel and so eminent an Apostle of Christ and unconverted Here let us try by the Scripture whether it be so or no first see Acts 9.5 6. When the Voice from Heaven which Voice was Christ that said to him Saul Saul why persecutest thou me He trembling and astonished said Lord what wouldst thou have me to do The Lord sent him to Ananias and when he had manifested his Faith in Christ by his obedience to Christ he straightway preached Christ in the Synagogues to be the Son of God And further see vers 27. of this ninth Chapter where it was made plain to the Apostles And he was with them coming in and going out at Ierusalem and he spake boldly in the Name of Iesus Christ and disputed against the Grecians And this whole Chapter makes it evident both in what he did and suffered that he was converted And further see Rom. 1.1 Paul a servant of Iesus Christ then sure converted else no fit Servant for so great a work and not onely so but called to be an Apostle separated unto the Gospel of God And pray you minde who called him to this great work not himself but the Holy Ghost Acts 13.2 The Holy Ghost said Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them By which it is plain he was converted before as I at that time told thee Then thou wouldst turn it and didst say that he spake of his condition before conversion in that Rom. 7. And this is as false as the other if the words be weighed vers 22. to 25. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man Pray you minde at that time he did see a law in his members warring against the law of his minde Nay further if all this had been before conversion then how could he have said as he saith vers 25. that with his minde he served the Law of God for it is evident that his minde before conversion was onely to persecute the Church and people of God And here we will bring his own words to witness 1 Cor. 15.9 I saith Paul am the least of the Apostles not worthy to be called an Apostle minde the reason Because I persecuted the Church of God By all which we may plainly see how contrary to the Scripture and unfound this opinion is Therefore take heed poor souls of following men any further then they follow Christ and keep his way And you deluded ones that speak against the holy Scripture in the whole it is no wonder that you make such tearing it in pieces as you do And though you use the Scripture so frequent in your writing it is out of subtilty to ensnare souls as that great deceiver did to Christ Mat. 4.6 But one word to the Lords people Take Scripture-arguments to fight against Deceivers and for your progress in the Lords way take Jeremiah's counsel Chap. 6.16 Stand ye in the way and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein And then minde the promise Ye shall finde rest for your souls And how we may find the way of the Lord read Isai 8.20 To the law and to the testimony if they speak not according to this word it is because there is no light in them Compared with Gal. 1.8 9. The Third thing Farnworth affirmed that where John spake those words If we say we have no sin we deceive our selves he said John did not here speak of himself but the people to whom he spake these words were unconverted In answer to this minde the Apostles words 1 Iob. 1.3 That which we have seen and heard that we declare unto you that ye may have fellowship with us and truely our fellowship is with the Father and the Son And These things we write unto you that your joy may be full and this was joy to them Chap. 3.2 Now are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is And in Chap. 2.24 25. Let that therefore abide in you which ye have heard from the beginning if that shall abide in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father and this is the promise he hath promised us even eternal life And John saith vers 21 of this chap. 2. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth but because ye know it By all which it is plain they were built on the foundation for else it had been absurd for the Apostle to have exhorted them to abide in Christ and his commandments if not converted for then the exhortation was of no use and beside it is very improper to advise any man to keep that which he never had Again 2. The Apostle doth here press them to persevere and to go on and to walk in the light then they must know it before 3. I do not finde any Epistle written to any but to the Saints as Rom. 1.7.1 Cor 2.2 Cor. 2. By all which it is plain To the Saints at Rome To the Church at Corinth To the Saints at Ephesus To the Church at Galatia Saints at Philippi Saints at Colosse Saints at Thessalonica 4. The Apostle put himself in If WE say WE have no sin WE deceive our selves Here he puts himself one of the number Not that I go about as Farnworth falsly saith to plead a continuance in sin for I do own that believers as they are in Christ are justified from sin and God is satisfied with his Son as Isaiah saith he looked on the travel of his soul and was satisfied But that which I say is this That believers do see some defect in themselves in their outward man as they carry about with them an earthly tabernacle but through grace they overcome all defects by degrees And we will see what the Scripture faith from the mouth of other godly witnesses See Solomon 1 King 8.46 There is saith he no man that sinneth not with Prov. 20.9 Who can say I have made my heart clean I am pure from my sin With Eccl. 7.20 Saith the wise Preacher There is not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not Now then I say with the Apostle Let God and his Word be true and all men lyers And I do appeal to every godly soul for to witness this who are sensible of flesh and self appearing in them at one time or other But dear Saints look up to the Lord for strength and let us be sure if we would conquer to fight with spiritual weapons and let us
take heed of such an opinion that will be judge himself in his own cause and will not be tried by the Scripture accounting it dead and carnal and of no use to bring men to Christ As when I asked Farnworth how he would witness the truth of what he affirmed in that he denied the Scripture he laid his hand on his heart and said I witness this Now minde this delusion as I said before what Jeremiah saith Chap. 17.9 1. The heart of man is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked who can know it 2. He that trusteth in his own heart is a fool Prov. 28.26 And now dear friends let us take counsel of the Lord to try the spirits whether they be of God for many false prophets are gone out into the world 1 Joh. 4.1 And vers 6. We are of God he that knoweth God heareth us and he that is not of God heareth not us Hereby know we the spirit of truth and the spirit of error From whence we may honestly argue that if they and they onely be the friends of God that walk in obedience to the commands of God then they must needs be enemies that oppose But the first is clear Joh. 15.14 Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you with Joh. 14.23 If any man love me he will keep my words and my Father will love him And 1 Joh. 5.2 3. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments and his commandments are not grievous And further dear friends let us embrace that advice that Peter gives 2 Epist 3.17 18. Beware lest you being led away with the errour of the wicked fall from your own stedfastness And to prevent you from falling his counsel is But grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ Now is the hour of temptation for if these be not wicked errours I know not what is I mean these which are laid down to your view which Farnworth did stand by to vindicate if his own testimony may stand O then what need have all the Lords people to be upon their watch now Satan by his instruments is sifting poor souls out of the Truth if he can It is high time to look to our foundation that we be built on the Rock Christ that you be firmly knit to him and made one with him and then the gates of hell shall not prevail against you And you strong Christians help the weak Lambs of Jesus Christ that they may grow in that good way of Christs commandments that the Saints of old have walked in O be stirring up one another by way of remembrance of the good path of Christ which discovers fully all the by-paths of iniquity Oh I say let there not be a want of care among you in your several Societies to watch over one another lest any be entangled by these seducing spirits and overcome I say by these that throw aside all the Laws and Ordinances of the Lord Jesus as they were delivered to the Saints and ought now by us to be observed for you know what the Scripture saith of them that turn from the way of Truth It had been better for them that they had never known it then after they have known it to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them 2 Pet. 2.20 21. O then I say to all you that are employed in the Lords work whether by Office or Gift that are faithful Stewards diligent in feeding the flock of Christ remember what the Lord saith to such When the chief Shepherd shall appear ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 And saith Daniel Chap. 12.3 They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever And if these men be so forward in pulling down the Ordinances of Christ you have greater encouragement to follow Christ in his way 1. You have his own presence promised Matth. 2820. in the work 2. See your reward after the work Joh. 10.27 28. Fourthly Farnworth affirmed that Christ had not a visible Church in the world and scornfully said to me What a Church in the world I answered Yea in the world though not of the world but gathered out of the world And 1. See what Paul saith 1 Cor. 1.2 Vnto the Church of God which is at Corinth sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints with all that in every place call on the Name of Jesus Christ Reader pray you minde this must needs be a visible Church 1. Because this Epistle is directed to a visible place Corinth 2. It is as clear that here were men and that under this general term brethren vers 10. I beseech you brethren by our Lord Jesus that you all speak the same thing and that there be no division among you but that you be perfectly joyned together in the same minde and in the same judgment 3. Paul makes mention of housholds vers 11. the house of Cloe and Stephanas vers 16. 4. He speaks of persons by name as Crispus and Gaius and others By all which it is clear this poor man is much beside the Rule of Truth Again see what Paul saith unto the Churches of Galatia Chap. 1.1 Vnto the Churches of Galatia And mind Rom. 16.1 Commend unto you Phebe our sister which is a servant of the Church at Cenchrea Minde how full the Scripture is to prove this thing and makes manifest the blindness of this mans understanding that will thus oppose the Truth that is so full of wintnesses And how doth the holy Ghost write to the seven Churches in Asia And how I pray you Farnworth will you answer that place in Acts 8. when Steven was stoned and the Church at Jerusalem all scattered 1. This must needs be a visible company because they were visibly scattered 2. They were at Jerusalem which was a visible place the Scripture is full for 3. See whither they were scattered some into Judea and some into Samaria And Saul he made havock of the Church vers 3 But here we may see your subtilty and cunning craftiness whereby you lie in wait to deceive for if you can bring poor souls to this That God hath not a visible Church in the world then you may easily perswade them to throw aside all the visible Rule of Scripture and so make all Doctrine and Church-Discipline of none effect and thus you would put out the eyes of poor souls and then bring them to see with your eyes and then your words they may quickly learn which are onely thus to say they must hearken to a light within but if the light in thee be darkness how great is that darkness And here thy darkness doth appear in denying a visible Church which is so plainly proved But Reader by these men the Rule of tryal to try the Spirits withal is thrown away and become of no
the cause of mens believing for saith Paul vers 14. How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard O then Reader minde how far this Opinion will plunge a poor soul whose condition is such that he cannot please God without Faith Heb. 11.6 Without faith it is impossible minde to please God And in Rom. 14.23 Whatsoever is not of faith is sin so then to deny the Ordinance of preaching by which Faith comes must needs tend to destroy Faith and then please God who can But let us weigh the design of these men a little if they can once bring a poor soul into this condition to disown the Scripture when he most stands in need of it that is to say to bring him to Christ and to shew him how he ought walk so as to please God I say if once the poor creature be brought into such a condition then he knows he can easily keep him from prising it at all But let us see how this crosses the end of God's sending his Son into the World John saith chap. 3.16 God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son into the world that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life Again Luke 1. witnesses that Christ was sent of the Father to be a light to them that sit in darkness and are in the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace And how should we know this great love of the Father much less believe it without the Gospels preaching Again Christ saith He came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance and he came to seek and to save that which was lost By all which it is plain that the end of the Gospels preaching to every creature was not because every creature did believe this but that they might hear and believe Again if those three thousand Act. 2. were converted by the Gospel then not without it and them of Samaria by the Gospel then not any other way Act. 8. and the believing Thessalonians were called by the Gospel and so were all the Churches called to be Saints how I pray you if not by the Gospels preaching Nay how should we poor sinners of the Gentiles have known of a door of hope open to us but by the preaching of the Gospel nay should we have known of a Christ that died at Jerusalem but by the Scripture or how should we know sin to be sin and righteousness to be righteousness but by the Scripture Again see what Paul saith 2 Tim. 3.2 last vers All Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness minde not that man is perfect but that he may be perfect and thereby throughly furnished unto all good works By all which it is plain that the Scripture is of greater use then these men will have it And Christ saith The words that I have spoken the same shall judge you at the last day and this word shall not return void but shall be to all that entertain it a savour of life unto life but to them that put it from them and say it is useless it will be a savour of death unto death But to you who are through Grace members of the Church of Christ who were once sinners of the Gentiles and without God in the world but are now made nigh by the blood of his Son as Paul witnesses Ephes 2.11 It is good for us that we have often in our meditations the great use that the Scripture hath been to us in helping us to know what sin is that so we may avoid it and it also hath shewed what righteousness is that we may be in love with it And I pray you let your former experiences of what good we have received by the word and Ordinances not to be forgotten And further we finde and are made sensible through Grace that the Scripture is and hath been a sweet and perfect Rule for us to walk by and we thereby have been led and guided into the way of Truth and Peace And we know that all those that are found faithful in obeying the commands of Christ and continue therein they shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away And therefore let us alwayes look unto the Law and to the Testimony and imbrace that sweet counsel for the tryal of all doctrines for saith the Prophet if any speak not according to this minde when they come from hell and darkness for saith he they have no light in them Isa 8.20 O! then all those that go about to destroy this Rule they are so in darkness that as the Scripture saith They know not at what they stumble or whither they go John 12.35 And though these men say That they are the onely men that know God and love God yet if we see what John saith it will be found otherwise 1 Epist 2.3 4 5. Hereby saith John to the Church we do know that we do know him minde if we keep his commandments and he that saith I know him and keepeth not his commandments what follows he is a liar and minde such a liar that the truth is not in him And he that saith He abideth in him ought himself so to walk even as he walked Now this was Christ's walk to do the will of him that sent him then these men go not Christ's way but their own and walk by the imaginations of their own heart rather then by the holy Commandments of Christ Jesus And also see who they are that love God John 14.23 24. and see who they are that are related to Christ Matth. 12.50 He that doth the will of my Father the same Man or Woman is Christ's Brother and Sister And now having given you his Principles as he then at the meeting in Harliston did stand by to maintain which before the close you have them weighed which those Principles he saith he ownes in his Book and see how they stand together But now in the second place I come to answer to those false slanders he charges me with in his Book First he saith That I came on purpose to that meeting to cavil and oppose the Truth To which I answer That the ground of my coming with other Friends was to oppose all doctrines whatsoever that was not warranted by the Word of God and in so doing I have one greater with me and for me then all you that so maliciously speak against me But O Farnworth take heed of boasting so of perfection until you shew better fruit and when you come to cease lying I shall hope some better things of thee Now the substance of thy discourse before I questioned thee was That you did witness you were free from sin and in the possession of the second Covenant Then did I bring in those words of John and told you That if it were so with you then you had attained higher
here thou must needs judge very many that thou didst never know or hear of and so art guilty of this sin in speaking evil of them that thou knowest not And thirdly thou givest all men to understand that thou ownest not the word of God for thy rule in condemning all that follow the Ordinances as they were delivered by Christ equally with those that observe traditions of men in the worship of God as Pope Prelate and other sprinklers do And again thou sayest Where did any of us water-baptizers cast out devils and drink any deadly thing and it not hurt us And where did we shake the room when we assembled And where did we give the Holy Ghost All such unlearned questions as these I shall answer in a few words thus These things at the first namely Miracles were for the confirmation of the Gospel and so we may see the Law was at the first confirmed by Miracles read Exod. 20.18 with Heb. 12.18 to the 22. so we finde Baptism was confirmed by Miracles Mat. 3.16 17. with Luke 3.21 22. and so was Prayer Preaching and Laying on of Hands at the first confirmed to us by Miracles and that it was for this end to confirm the Gospel read Heb. 2.3 4. How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed to us by them that heard him God also bearing them witness both with signs and wonders and with divers miracles and gifts of the Holy Ghost according to his own will And this is such satisfaction to us that it is the word of God that we need not look for a new confirmation of it but we have recourse to all the Commandments and Ordinances of Christ as they are written and read Mark 16.17 18 19 20. and you will finde those signs were onely to confirm the word But it lies upon you Farnworth and all those that go about to destroy the holy Scripture and Ordinances thereof I say it lies upon you to shew us such a confirmation of that which you bring and then we may come to give more credit to your words But for many of these Questions I do not look upon them worth answering But one word to you of the Church of Christ I pray you let us minde what Israel did in the dayes of Hezekiah when liberty was proclaimed by the King that the Passeover should be kept at Jerusalem we finde that the people did not look for a new confirmation but they had a care to keep it in such sort as it was written And we finde that by reason of wicked Kings that was before the practise of it was lost in such sort as it is written from the dayes of Solomon to the reign of Hezekiah there was many yeers during the reign of about fourteen Kings was I say this practise lost as it is witnessed 2 Chron. 30.5 compared with vers 26. yet we finde notwithstanding what they had observed in the dayes of Tyranny yet I say when liberty was proclaimed they had then a care to keep it in such sort as it was written without looking for a new confirmation it being before confirmed unto them And see how this their practise pleased the Lord vers 27. Their voice was heard and their prayer came up to Heaven O! may not we in these dayes learn much from these words have not we lived in the dayes past under Tyrants and by their means the Ordinances of Christ as they were practised by him and his Apostles I say by reason of former Tyranny it hath not been of a long time observed in such sort as Christ hath commanded but now hath the Lord brought us to a day of liberty and that by establishment O then in the first place let us give the Lord praise who hath dealt so bountifully with us as to set us at liberty from so great Oppressors Secondly Let us learn to keep the Commandments and Ordinances of Christ according to his appointment Thirdly Let us be sure that we fight against false worships with spiritual weapons and no other wayes Fourthly Take heed of setting up your selves or your own practices in the worshiping of God to infringe the liberties of others and for thy help herein minde that sweet counsel of Christ Mat. 7.12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you do ye even so to them for this is the Law and the Prophets Fifthly Labour to walk humbly before God and thankfully to God continually speaking well of his Name it is the onely way to enjoy greater mercies from him We of this Nation have as great if not greater cause of returning praise to the Lord then Israel had O that we could in the fear of the Lord weigh our mercies with those spoken of by David Ps 107. And we may say that what the Lord then did for Israel he hath now done for England I desire the Reader to weigh those words well and we may plainly see that it is our duty to praise him for his goodness and declare his wonderful works done in our dayes to the sons of men O that we were wise to observe the dealings of God and his mercies bestowed upon us in this generation Sixthly You that profess to know God and Christ of what ranke or imployment soever ye be labour to be of a peaceable spirit as much as in you lies live peaceably with all men for let me tell you if any be otherwayes minded in thirsting after blood such I say will be very unfit to follow Christ at his coming who is the prince of peace And I pray you minde what Paul saith Tit. 3.1 2. Put them in minde to be subject to principalities and powers to obey Magistrates to be ready to every good work to speak evil of no man to be no brawlers but gentle shewing meekness to all men And again consider what Paul saith Rom. 13. When Rulers are for the punishing of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well then ought every one professing Christ to be subject not onely for wrath but also conscience sake O what cause of rejoycing have the Lords people to see how time after time there is a generation of men laying out themselves to deprive the Lord's people of this liberty that we at this day enjoy Consider how the Lord hath found out instruments all along to be as a wall between you and them O praise the Lord for such instruments Now in the next place I shall give an Answer briefly to that saying of Paul Christ sent me not to baptise but to preach 1 Cor. 1.17 I answer briefly first It is clear that Paul was an Apostle of Jesus Christ as is undeniable if so then he was as much concerned in the commission Mat. 28. 19. as any other then minde those words and you will finde preaching and baptizing joyned together And Paul commanded to preach the whole counsel
of God and this was one part of God's counsel that believers should be baptized as read Acts 10.47 48. Secondly If Paul was fit to be imployed in the greater then I am sure this lesser is required But he was imployed in the greater that is to say to preach the Gospel then Baptisme which is the lesser is required of him I say by vertue of the commission Mat. 28.19 Thirdly Minde the reason why Paul speaks these words Christ sent me not to baptise but to preach because these Corinthians were so ready to set up men as you may see 1 Epist 12.13 Paul tells them Is Christ divided was Paul crucified for you or were ye baptized in the Name of Paul And this was the reason why Paul thanks God he baptized no more of them Lest any should say That I had baptized in my own name Fourthly If the words be honestly interpreted they will hold out thus much that preaching to the dark world that lieth in wickedness is the great work and so such men as Paul fit to be imployed in it and to baptize that might be carried on with any other Disciple that did accompany Paul in this great work Fifthly If you minde the Greek Notes on the Margin of Can's Bibles it is thus read verse 14. I thank God that ye were baptized And this is then plain That Paul was commanded that it should be preached and practised and this is all the reason why Paul thanks God that he did it not lest any should say I did it in my own name In the sixth place consider that Text Mat. 15.24 I am not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel And he commands his Disciples Mat. 10. Into any City of the Samaritans enter not but go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel Now I say as the Jews were Christs own and he came of that stock he came first and chiefly to turn them from their iniquity as Paul's work was firstly and chiefly to preach the Gospel it being the great work and that Christ was first sent first to the Jews as Paul was sent first to preach is plain Acts 3.25 26. that they might be blessed Vnto you first God having raised up his Son sent him to bless you in turning every one of you from his iniquity But Christ is a light to the Gentiles though not there spoke of for John saith God so loved the world minde that he sent his Son to them and so was Paul by vertue of Christ's Commission sent to baptize as well as preach and you may as well say from that Text That Christ was not sent to any but to the house of Israel as to say Paul was not sent to baptize for if you say Paul saith so himself who did well know his work and how far his commission extended so may the same be said and more of Christ And now man stop thy mouth for shame and cease to cavil with Scripture And whereas these men accuse us for not using the term Thee and Thou to every man and they say That it is a sin to use any other term to a single person To which I answer first as to the term I could my self freely own it as it is a proper speech to a single person but for to say it is sin without any breach of a Law I cannot believe it for I will rather believe the words of Paul then any of these men read Rom. 4.15 Where there is no Law there is no transgression But it may be said If we have any example may not that binde us Answ If in all ages we finde the Lord's people using this term and they onely then it is granted that we erre in this thing And for our clearer understanding herein we will make search into the Scripture and if there we finde the worst of men as frequent in using of it as the best of men then the example is not binding Before the flood read Gen. 4.14 where Cain thoued God in these words Thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth After the Law was given there we finde in Numb 16.13 14. they whom the earth opened its mouth and swallowed up they used this term to Moses And so read Saul and the Witch 1 Sam. 28 11 12 13 with Dan. 3. where the Caldeans the enemies of God's people used this term as well as God's people so read Matth. 4.6 the devil Thoued Christ so persecutors used this term Acts 26.24 25. where Festus said Paul thou art beside thy self much learning doth make thee mad so read Mat. 8.29 where the devil said to Christ Art thou come to torment us before the time By all which I gather That this term was generally used by all sorts of men without offence as the term You and Ye to a single person without offence is nationally practised amongst us but though these men censure us all men that go not their way yet let us take Paul's advice I Cor. 10.32 Give none offence neither to the Jews nor to the Gentiles nor to the Church of God But if we consider the way of these men we may say as Matthew witnesseth chap. 23.24 They strain at a gnat and swallow a camel And if it should be granted that this should be yet it will be much like the Scribes and Pharisees ver 23. of this Chap. in their observing those small things as the paying of Mint and Rue and Annis but they omitted the great things as Judgement Mercy and Faith And we will make search into thy wayes and you will be found a Pharisee in all these for as they spake against the doctrine of Christ and what was then practised by him and his Saints so do you now judge us for following the holy Commandments of Christ and as they Pharisees then judged all that went not their way so do you calling all men dead and carnal and in the Serpents nature under what form soever that differs from you Secondly As to Mercy you will be found not like those Priests spoken of Heb. 5.1 2. for they were such as could have compassion on the ignorant and on them that are out of the way but where is this compassion amongst you towards them that go not your way for you make it your work to turn men from the Truth as it is recorded and so are Pharisee-like and without Mercy towards them that differ from you as these were Thirdly As to Faith The Pharisees they were enemies to the Gospels preaching by which Faith comes Rom. 10.14 15. and they looked for justification by the Law as you do now by following the imaginations of an evil heart as they spake against the Ordinances of Christ then so do you now And why I say There is an evil heart in you because I say many of you are now through unbelief departed from the pure way of the Lord which evil heart the Church is advised
to take heed of Heb. 3.12 Or more briefly thus The Pharisees they boasted more of themselves then any other people as you may see in Luke 18.10 11 12. and all along in Christ's progress they were his great Enemies and by their resting in the Law and speaking against the Gospel it is clear they were corrupted in their judgement And so are these men boasting of perfection more then any other people as this Book declares and in their whole progress they make it their whole work to overthrow the rule of Scripture and all the Ordinances thereof as they are recorded and as Christ hath commanded us to observe to the end of the World and so set up themselves and their own fancyes as the Pharisees did Secondly As to Mercy this was far from the Pharisees read John 9.22 This they agreed of that if any man did confess Christ he should be put of the out Synagogue implying that such men were not fit to be communicated with by which it is evident that all mercy and pity to such as forsaked them to follow Christ was turned into hatred And is not your mercy and pity turned into hatred towards all men that go not your way but declare against it as they commanded your mercy is turned into bitterness as appears by your words calling men devils and Saints deceivers and the Church of Christ Antichrist and the Gospel Letter and the Ordinances carnal and so by your words we may easily see what your hearts be full of instead of mercy malice instead of pity persecution I mean with the tongue which is a weapon that strikes deep and such hands I shall suspect if they had power because I cannot but see the heart filled with malice by the filth that proceeds from their mouth for see what Matthew witnesses chap. 12.33 to the 38. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things but an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things And if this be not evil to say the Scripture is of no use to bring men to Christ and that Christ hath not a visible Church in the World and that all Ordinances ceased when Christ ascended I say it is evident this poor man is such an Enemy to himself in so speaking against the Truth that mercy and good fruit is I fear far from him Thirdly As to Faith the Pharisees must needs be far from it because they were such enemies to the Gospels preaching by which Faith comes and that they were so read Matth. 12.24 Mark 8.31 Acts 4.18 and by their putting the Gospel far from them they were in such a sad condition that Paul saith They were broken off and how through unbelief minde and read Rom. 11.20 And thus by putting away the Gospels preaching they were without faith and so all they did in the worship of God was nothing worth So you in denying that the Gospel should be preached or heard to this end that men may believe in Christ I mean the word of the holy Scripture you your selves must needs be Pharisee-like far from Faith and so like them also in this in hindring others as much as possibly you can Now as Faith in Christ is manifest in obedience to Christ so ought all men to take the Scripture for their rule in Faith and Obedience and to observe what Christ hath in his word of Truth commanded Then thou Farnworth and all the rest that speak against the words of Christ as they are recorded are Pharisee-like without faith also And to that Scripture Heb. 12.22 23 24. where the Author tells the Church of the Hebrews They are come to mount Sion and to the City of the living God and to the heavenly Jerusalem c. I say the Church of Christ are so come to mount Sion as the Church of the Jews was come to Mount Sinai Now let us minde what the Lord said to Moses Exod. 19.2 And the Lord called to him out of the mountain saying Thus shalt thou say to the children of Israel Ye have seen what I did unto the Aegyptians and how I bore you on eagles wings and brought you unto my self now therefore if you will obey my voice indeed and keep my covenant then see what the Lord promised unto them then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people for all the earth is mine and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of Priests an holy Nation These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel And compare this with Deut. 4. at large but minde vers 2. Ye shall not add to word which I command you neither shall you diminish ought from it but keep the commandments of the Lord your God as I command you And minde two great encouragements The first is from vers 7. What people is there that have God so nigh unto them as he is to us if we walk in obedience to him Secondly he tells them That all this Law is righteous which he set before them that so they might be in love with it And you may see in chap 5 and 6. how fully Moses holds out the Law to them and they that were found abiding in it and walking by the rules thereof all those priviledges and promises aforementioned they had an interest in but those that turned aside from the holy Commandments as the Lord had commanded by his servant Moses they I say were deprived of all those priviledges and promises there spoken of for with many of them God was not well pleased for they were overthrown in the wilderness and read Psal 106. and 1 Cor. 10.5 to the 13. So I say to the best of my understanding is the Church of Christ come to Mount Sion and it is clear that Christ is King there by the Father's appointment Psal 2. Isaiah 9. Rev. 15.3 And when Christ came into his Kingly Office he gave out Ordinances for his Church to continue in and to such as are found doing his Commandments and continue therein they I say and only they are within the pale of all those priviledges promises that the Scripture bears witness to and declares of Now see Acts 3.23 That soul that will not bear Jesus Christ that soul shall be cut off And this is the winde of the Father That his Son we should hear in all things And see what Christ layes upon his Church Mat. 28.20 by way of duty That they are to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you And they that come up to him in obedience they I say have an interest in all those priviledges and my Reasons are these Reas 1. Grounded on vers 25. having before held out the Promises Now saith be see that ye refuse not him that speaketh and then see how the holy Ghost in mindes the Church what sad judgements befell them that refused him that spake on earth which words
relate to the Law given by Moses much more shall we not escape if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven for John saith The Law came by Moses but Grace and Truth came by Jesus Christ John 1.17 Reas 2. Grounded on vers 28. We receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved let us have Grace that we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear But now the Question between Farnworth and my self was Whether he was in the possession of these priviledges he saâ—â— he was But Reader consider I pray you weigh the words a little with what he hath before affirmed and you will finde he lyes and speaks not the Truth First it is clear That these promises are to a visible Church as the Law was given to a visible Church then he denying a visible Church he cannot have any right to these promises as he is a visible man Secondly If these Hebrews had been in the possession of these things that is to say the new Jerusalem then for the holy Ghost to have warned them to take heed of refusing him that spake from heaven had been in vain Thirdly Then they needed not that exhortation To hold fast Grace as the Margin reads it vers 28. That we may serve God acceptably for that were fully done already if in the possession of it Fourthly The Scripture saith All lyars are without then they are not possessed of this enjoyment and that Farnworth is a lyar is plain else he would never say That all Ordinances ceased when Christ ascended and That Christ hath not a visible Church and see what lyars shall be possessed of Rev. 21.8 They shall have their part in the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone for ever which is the second death Fifthly If they and onely they are blessed that do his Commandments and they shall have right to the Tree Life then there is nothing but Curses Woes and Misery to all them that make it their work to keep poor souls out of these promises by perswading them to a slight esteem of the Ordinances of Christ And here is the pride of these men discovered that will boast of priviledges before they have any right to them In the next place I shall speak a word of perfection And this I say That I own a perfection in Christ to be attainable in this life thus that is to say by believing in Christ and obedience to Christ add this James tells us That Abraham's faith wrought with his works by works was faith made perfect And Abraham believed God and it was imputed to him for righteousness and he was called the friend of God Jam. 2.22 23. Now I say this faith that worketh by love perswadeth that soul wherein it is to yield obedience to Christ and God the Father is fully satisfied with his Son in the behalf of such a one Now I say that such a one may slip through infirmity or neglect of duty to God but see what Iohn saith to such 1 Ep. 1.9 If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to for give us our sins to cleanse us from all unrighteousness And this is by Iesus Christ whom God hath set forth to be a propitiati-through faith in his blood to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God To declare I say at this time his righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Iesus And truly Reader for my part I know no way to attain perfection but by believing in Christ and yeilding obedience to Christ and this I own the Gospels preaching doth fully hold out the great love of the Father in giving his Son to die for us which Gospel being preached is the means of faith and is a perfect rule for all to walk by But for a perfection in glory to be attained on this side the Grave this I utterly disown As also what Farnworth said to me at Harliston That the resurrection and eternal judgement was then past in him I own not but disown for I believe the resurrection of the dead both of the just and of the unjust as Paul saith Act. 24.15 And now Reader you having a view of these men that their principles are very unsound and why I say these men because what Farnworth then affirmed others of his company stood by to maintain And in a few words I shall give you briefly what one Daniel Bott a brother in the Gospel resident at a Town neer Tamworth in Warwickshire who was once deluded by them but now through mercy is brought back to the joy of his heart and rejoycing of the Lord's people and this I received from his own moth That the said Farnworth and others did press him to lay aside the form of Scripture and he would they said have visions and revelations immediately Now consider Reader whither would they plunge a poor soul if they can once bring him to slight that form of sound words and that form of doctrine which was delivered unto us And further he saith to me That he heard one George Fox say these words I am that eternal Spirit that gave forth the Scripture and he told me He did believe that Fox did think when he spake this that there was none present but these of his own judgement And I assure the Reader this that I cannot gather that the said Daniel doth speak any thing out of malice for I judge the man to the best of my understanding one truely fearing God and one that can say much of their delusions and that they are false Prophers by their endeavouring to turn him from consenting to the wholesome words of Christ and that doctrine which is according to godliness Now Reader if thou dost throughly consider what is before laid down that this Farnworth did stand by to maintain you may plainly see what spirit this poor man is possessed with and if it be the work of the Spirit of Truth to lead his into all Truth then this man is led by an evil Spirit and this appears in its operation and by the evil fruit it brings forth you may see what the Tree is And this is evil to say That all that is gotten from the Scripture is but brain-knowledge and a great deal of such-like stuffe he is filled with If any man make search into them by questioning them else let them alone in their road of speaking and they will present a fair gloss before you This I have experience of And now Reader to his principles that he saith in the beginning of his book he owns as worship in the Spirit he owns he saith Ans To this if the way of worship that Jesus Christ hath commanded and hath promised to be present with them that so worship him to the end of the world be spiritual worship which worship is plainly laid down in the Scripture then all that refuse to take the words of
the Gospel for their rule and direction in the worship of God as thou Farnworth dost say falsely that say you own the worship in the Spirit but by your denying the rules you are Pharisee-like that say and do not Secondly Thou sayest Thou ownest the Church of Christ. Answ But here thou lyest in thy saying Christ hath not a visible Church and so thou shuttest thy self out both of Church and Ministery of Christ by thy own grant as being a visible man Thirdly Thou sayest The teachings of Christ thou ownest And here thou speakest a lye also as is evident by thy calling the Ordinances carnal which Christ taught his Disciples Mat. 28. Mark 16. Fourthly Thou sayest Thou ownest the baptism of Christ Answ But here thou lyest also for believers to be baptized is by Christ's Commandment and he gave himself and example to us herein and this thou callest an image and idol Fifthly Thou sayest Prayer in the Spirit thou ownest And Reader minde for this man to pray for himself c is perfect and freed from all acts of sin and past the eternal judgment as he saith then I say by this we may see that prayer is useless as to himself and for his prayer for me I do not desire it neither do I beleive it is his judgment to pray for others by his wicked censuring all men that go not his way But this I further say That by his fruit he brings forth it is made evident that he is a stranger to the Spirit of Truth for this Spirit it leads into Truth then it doth not lead out of the Truth I demand of thee Farnworth where ever the Spirit of Truth did or doth contradict the written word But to ask thee such a Question who art as it is evident possest with a Spirit of error I do not look for satisfaction from thee And now Saints you having briefly a discovery of this man's folly let us labour to take Solomon's counsel Prov. 23.4 Cease from thy own wisdom with Prov. 3.1 My son forget not my law but let thy heart keep my commandments Vers 5. Trust in the Lord with all thy heart and lean not to thy own understanding It is high time for the Lords people to be continually upon their watch now Satan is thus transforming himself like an Angel of light that we be not overtaken with his devices but this I hope dear friends you well know that it becometh the Lord's people to speak the things which become sound doctrine that so we may stop the mouthes of all our adversaries for now is that day come that Paul speaks of 1 Tim. 4.3 For the time will come when they will not endure wholesome or sound doctrine but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers having itching ears and they shall turn away their ears from hearing the truth then minde what such come to they shall be turned unto fables And it is the Apostles counsel to the Hebrews chap. 3.1 2. Take heed brethren lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God and for your direction herein minde vers 13. But exhort one another dayly while it is called to day lest any of you be hardened through the deceit fulness of sin For vers 14. we are made partakers of Christ How if saith the Apostle we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end For as it is plainly laid down in this Chapter That the unbelieving Israelites came short of temporal Canaan so without question will it be with all those now that turn back from the holy Commandments delivered unto them For the just shall live How by faith but if any man draws back What follows my soul shall have no pleasure in him Heb. 10.38 And he that once puts his hand to the Lord's plow and looks back is not fit for the kingdom of God And it is worth the observing how Paul tells the Romans chap. 1. 16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to whom to every one that believeth minde that for therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith and saith Paul as many as walk according to this rule peace be unto them And let us minde Paul's counsel Rom. 14.19 Let us therefore follow after the things that make for peace and things where with one may edifie another And as Paul advises the Church Phil. 4.8 Whatsoever things are true whatsoever things are honest whatsoever things are just whatsoever things are pure whatsoever things are lovely whatsoever things are of good report if there be any vertue it there be any praise think on these things those things you have both learned and received and heard and seen in me do and the God of peace shall be with you And as Paul said to the Church at his departure Act. 20.32 so I say to you Brethren I commend you to God and to the word of his grace which is able to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all them that are sanctified And to thou Farnworth and the rest that walk up and down and live idly without a calling if you would observe the Scripture for your rule you would see what Paul saith 2 Thess 3.10 For even when we were with you this we commanded you that if any would not work he should not eat O see thy folly in going about to deceive which thou art not called to by God nor man according to the rule and what would be the condition of all people in our Nation if this were generally practised Certain CONSIDERATIONS and QUERIES Dear Brother in the Lord OUr neer relation that we have one to another in the bonds of the Gospel doth engage me to manifest my unfeigned love unto Christ and unto thee in answering thy desires in propounding some Queries by which we may examine and try the Spirits of these men who say they are Jews and are not that so they may be found liars and their falshood and folly may be made manifest and all that yet fear the Lord may beware of giving heed to their cunning-devised fables lest they be led away with the error of the wicked and so fall from their own stedfastness and to that end my desire is that they will consider their cunning craftiness wherewith they lie in wait to deceive by handling the word of God deceitfully sometimes denying it to be of any authority at all and sometimes confessing it to be indeed a declaration of the minde of God but nothing comparable to that light which is within them yet other times they will make use of it for their own ends that so they may as Paul saith by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple And therefore that their snares may be broken and poor souls delivered I shall commit certain things in the first place to their
according to these Scriptures John 1.9 chap. 8.12 7. Whether did he not declare it and make it manifest to the sons of men both by his words and actions more then ever any man else could do according to these Scriptures Joh. 12.49 50. Whatsoever I speak therefore even as the Father said unto me so speak I and as the Father gave me commandment even so do I chap. 14.31 Again All things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you chap. 15.15 8. Whether did not the Apostles of the Lord declare and testifie the same things to others that they heard and saw and learned of him according to these Scriptures 1 John 1.3 That which we have heard which we have seen with our eyes which we have looked upon and our hands have handled of the word of life That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you and Acts 20.27 Paul saith He had not shunned to declare unto them all the counsell of God 9. Whether we came to know any of these things that Christ or his Disciples did or whether we can know them but by the holy Scriptures or how can we know that either Christ or his Disciples were ever in the world but by the holy Scriptures consider and judge If these things be so 10. Then whether is there not a greater light shining to us in the face of Jesus Christ through the New Testament which he hath sealed with his own blood then we can possibly expect to come from the heart or brain of any man now living or to live untill Christ himself shall again appear 11. If a greater light now shineth through Christ by the New Testament then ever hath or by men or Angels can shine to the sons of men then whether is it not folly and madness for any man now to refuse this light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ to walk by the light and dictates of his own heart which is deceitful and desperately wicked who can know it Jer. 17.9 even as a man should light a candle to walk by when the sun shineth in his full strength 12. Whether may we not now according to Paul's directions Gal. 1.8 9. account all men or Angels accursed that refuse the light of the glorious Gospel thus shining unto us and chusing rather to walk by another that is to say by the light within them Lastly if the spirit of truth when it cometh into a soul shall lead him into all truth then whether may we not safely conclude that they have none of the spirit of God which err from the truth of the Gospel as it was once delivered to the Saints and under value those words of Christ which himself who had the spirit without measure said They are spirit and they are life and if they were not so to any man it was because they believed not John 6.63 64. For how can we know that the dead shall rise and come to judgemens but by the holy Scriptures of Truth This much by Henry Haggar a Servant of the Lord JESUS CHRIST and the Congregations of his Saints with a desire of an Answer by any who will or can POSTSCRIPT ALthough there is much spoken in the former part of the Book in answer to the vain conceit impudedent practise of these foolish men in using the term Thee and Thou to all single persons whatsoever by which they break the Commandment of the Lord which is That we give no offence to Jew nor Gentile nor to the Church of God Therefore I thought it fit to put down these following lines to make their folly manifest First They affirm that the word Thee and Thou is onely proper to a single person and none else in which they belye the Scriptures and deceive themselves and others as appeareth thus Deut. 25.17 18. Remember what Amalek did unto Thee how he met Thee by the way and smote the hindmost of Thee when Thou wast faint and weary c. Thus you see plainly the word Thee Thou is as well proper to thousands as to a single person see also 27.9 10. Secondly That the word or term You was used by Christ and that to a single person is evident Luk. 22.31 where Christ saith Simon Simon behold Satan hath desired to have You that he might sift You as wheat but I have prayed for Thee that Thy faith fail not Here we see that the Lord Christ used the word You as well as the word Thee to a single person by all which it is evident that it is no sin nor yet an improper speech and therefore the people of God may and ought to use it upon occasion and they which do affirm it to be a sin do blasphemously conclude that Christ was a sinner And thus is their folly made manifest Henry Haggar FINIS