Faithful to understand those things which they received of the Apostles therefore to understand the Scriptures in those things which are necessary to Salvation with more to that purpose Vatablus on Job 32. 8. with Drusius 〈…〉 and others speak to the same effect G. Cradock a famous Independent Preacher preach'd That the Scripture is a Speechless Thing without the Spirit Ch. Goad an Eminent Separate in his Works stil'd B. D. of K. College in Cambridge and an Independent Pastor thus taught There is no Knowledge of Christ nor of the Scripture but by Revelation D. J. Owen a Man of greatest Fame among the present Independents saith The◠Publick Authentick and Infallible Interpreter of the holy Scripture is He who is the Author of them from the Breathing of whose Spirit it Deriveth all its Verity Perspicuity and Authority So that we see upon the Judgment of many considerable Persons the Scripture is no◠Rule for our believing and understanding 〈◊〉 It self and therefore not The Rule of Faith and Practice concerning the things therein declared I will give a short Instance in Christ's words about Regeneration He taught and strange it was no doubt to wise Nicodemus That unless a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God This is as plain a Proposition as can be laid down and may be credited Historically But what is that to the Knowledge and Experience of the New Birth That they are never like to be informed of there Nor can that Scripture be my Rule in that Heavenly Travel respecting the many and wonderful Trials and Exercises that are to be met with in the way to It Neither can any other Writing whatever This only is the Office of that Spirit and Word Immortal by which we are begotten again What then is my Rule to inform order strengthen and lead through the whole Operation but the Same Spirit All Doctrinal Scripture was experienced before written or they had not been true Witnesses who wrote it Now that which was their Rule can only guide us into the same Experiences nor are they to be rightly known before experienced Do my Will and you shall know more of my Doctrine saith Christ I read the History of such things This saves not Neither can the History be the Rule leading into the Mystery That belongs only to the Spirit that searcheth out the deep things of God Consequently the Spirit and not the Scripture is the Rule for So believing and living Obj. But is not this to make void the Protestants Plea against the Papists viz. That the Scriptures are the Rule of Faith and Practice Answ No such matter For the Question was not Whether the Spirit of Christ or the Scripture was the Rule But Whether the Scripture which is God's Tradition or Popish Traditions were the Rule to measure the Truth of Doctrines and Practices by We grant that particular Scriptures rightly understood may measure what is agreeable or disagreeable to them That is such Doctrines and Practices as are contrary to that part of Scripture more particularly relating to our days are questionable by the Scripture especially since all Parties pretend that what they say and do is according to Scripture Yet this concludes not the Scripture to be The General and Evangelical Rule Obj. But if God had not revealed those things that are in Scripture by it to us how could they have been known by us Answ They were known by the Light and Spirit of Christ before they were written for from being written they are called Scripture Therefore it is said That the Prophets searched diligently what and what manner of Time the Spirit of Christ tha◠was in them did signifie when it testified before hand of the Sufferings of Christ No◠are they ever the more reveal'd to the blind and dark Mind because they are written The Mysteries of Regeneration are as Puzling to Natural Wit and Earthly Wisdom as before Therefore well said Epiphanius Only to the Children of the Holy Ghost all the Holy Scriptures are Plain and Easie Mens going to hammer out Principles without this Infallible Guide and Rule hath been the Cause of that great Confusion that is over Mankind about Religion to this very day Obj. But how else could you have known those Prophesies to be true for that is not matter of Witnessing but Fore-telling Answ That is an extraordinary Revelation not falling within the Ordinary Discoveries that are absolutely necessary to Man's Salvation by which he shews his Power and Faithfulness that he is God and can foretell and will bring to pass But therefore must there be an Extraordinary Light or Spirit and not rather an Extraordinary Sight and Sense from One and the Same Light and Spirit in them Besides That which gives me to Believe and Savour it to be from the Spirit and not by Imposture is my Rule for believing it Now that the Spirit so doth both Calvin and Beza as before cited assert for me viz. The Same Spirit that spake by the Mouth of the Prophets must Pierce into our Hearts to perswade us that they Faithfully Declared that which was committed to them of God Obj. But this Light you speak of could not tell you which way Sin came into the World That there was an Adam and Eve that they fell after that manner and that Sin so entered the World That Christ was born of a Virgin suffered Death and rose again That you ought not to Swear in any case c. If the Scriptures had not told you so Answ That is boldly said But consider well Moses says the vulgar Opinion had that Account of the Creation above Two Thousand Years after it by Revelation which we find in Genesis Now that there could be no Revelation without this Divine Light or Spirit which is the Life of the Eternal Creating Word must needs be granted For saith the Apostle Paul the Spirit of God knoweth Only the Things of God and whatever makes manifest is Light And that the Spirit and Light are One tho' Two Names has been sufficiently evidenced already If then it was This Light of the Eternal Word that delivered those past things to Moses and gave that Prospect of future things to the Prophets as no doubt it was if the Scripture be Credible then to say the Light or Spirit could not do it is Blasphemous as well as absurd Again To argue because the Light does not Reveal every Circumstance of History to each Individual that hath already an Account thereof of therefore it could not is Unreasonable Were the History of the Transactions of Christ and his Followers wanting as before Moses was that of Adam and his Posterity and that the Lord saw it needful to acquaint Mankind therewith no doubt but the Light and Spirit which revealed the Account of the Creation above Two Thousand Years after to Moses and fore-told several Hundred Years many of those Transactions of Christ by the Prophets would
also have supplied that Want But inasmuch as an Account is extant and therefore not needed that Objection is vain Again it does not follow because every Man has a Measure of Light to Inform and Rule him that therefore he must needs know all which that Light knows or is able to Reveal to him I return that Argument thus upon our Adversaries They say they have the Spirit of God Then they know all that the Spirit of God knows or can reveal to them If the latter be absurd then the former Again say they The Light within did not reveal Christ to the Gentiles and that Christ should be born of a Virgin c. therefore Insufficient I return upon them thus The Spirit of God given to the Children of Israel Neh. 9. 20. did not acquaint them that Christ should be born of a Virgin nor much more of his Life and Bodily Transactions therefore the Spirit of God was Insufficient The like may be concluded against the Spirit in the Prophets For 't is manifest from 1 Pet. 1. 10 11. that the Spirit had not revealed to all the Prophets the Time of Christ's Appearance and Sufferings Was the Spirit therefore an Insufficient Rule to them But that which falls heaviest upon our Opposers is this That the Scriptures by their own Argument are a most Inperfect Account themselves of what was done not relating the hundredth part of things therefore as Insufficient in not relating what is behind as they would weakly render the Light or Spirit in not revealing to every Individual those things which are already past Nay they may as well infer Insufficiency to the Spirit or the Light within in that it does not now shew all that shall be to the End of the World which in their proper Seasons there will be a Necessity to know as to reflect Insufficiency upon it c. because it did not fore-tell things that are now past unto former Ages or needlesly Reveal them over again to us in this Age. Neither is History or can it be the Rule of that Faith and Life we speak of which are so absolutely necessary to Salvation which is the Faith that God and not History gives and that works not by History but by Love and overcomes the World by which Millions of Historical Believers are overcome and wallow in the Spirit and Practice of And the Rule must be answerable to the Nature and Workings of the Faith The same in Point of Practice which is Duty Done Now History though it inform me of others Actions yet it does not follow that it is the Rule of Duty to me since it may relate to â—ctions not imitable as in the Case of Adam â—nd Eve in several Respects and Christ's beâ—ng born of a Virgin dying for the Sins of the World c. wherefore this cannot be The Rule of Duty The like may be said of the â—ewish Story that was the particular Concern â—nd Transaction of that People Obj. But these things ought to be believed Answ I say so too where the History has â—â—eached and the Spirit of God hath made 〈◊〉 Conviction upon the Conscience which says D. J. Owen as before Cited gives them Authority Verity and Perspicuity But where â—his History has not reached any People or they dye ignorant of it they are not responsible for not believing any such Passages as saith Bishop Sanderson 'T is one thing to say the Scriptures ought to be Read Believed and Fulfilled and another thing to say they are the Evangelical Rule of Faith and Life For when I read believe and witness them fulfilling I must needs have a Rule by which to Read Understand Believe and Witness them Which being the Divine Light and Spirit of Christ it must be That and not themselves that must be my Rule for so Readâ—ing Understanding and Believing Them And further to prove that the Light and Spirit within the Heathens was sufficient to discover these things it is granted on all hands that the Sybills had divine Sights I mean not those made in their Name by some Professors of Christianity as is charged upon them to gain Authority upon the Gentileâ— against which Blundel writes But thoâ—â— that are acknowledged who prophesied 〈◊〉 a Virgin 's bringing forth a Son and that 〈◊〉 should Destroy the Serpent and Replenish thâ—â— Earth with Righteousness as is before 〈◊〉 out of Virgil who took it out of the Remains of Cumaea's Verses then among the Romans And for the Practical Part of the Object on viz. How should we have known 〈◊〉 had been Unlawful to Swear at all in 〈◊〉 Case if Mat. 5. 34. had not been which 〈◊〉 of most weight in this Case because it is maâ—ter of Duty and called particularly by some an Evangelical Precept being a Step abovâ— the Righteousness of the outward Law among the Jews I have this to say foâ—â— Proof of the Light 's Sufficiency There were among the Jews themselves long before Christ came an entire People that would not Swear to wit the Esseâ—â—â— They keep their Promises says Josephus and account every Word they speak 〈◊〉 more Force than if they had bound it with 〈◊〉 Oath And they shun Oaths worse than Perjury for they esteem him condemned for a Lyar who without it is not believed Philo writes to the same purpose and taught himself that it was best to abstain from Swearing that one's Word might be taken instead of an Oath And Pythagoras in his Oration to the Croâ—â—ian Senators exhorted them thus Let no Man attest God by Oath though in Courts of Judicature but Use to speak such things that he may be credited without an Oath The Scythians are said to have told Alexander 〈◊〉 themselves Think not that Scythians confirm their Friendship by Oath They Swear by keeping their Word And Clinias a Greek and follower of Pythagoras rather chose to suffer the Fine of Three Talents which make 300l English 〈◊〉 to lessen his Varacity by taking of an â—â—ath Which Act was greatly commended 〈◊〉 Basilius who upbraided the Christians of â—s time with it Thereby after our Adversaries Way of drawing Consequences â—eferring the Light of the Gentiles before 〈◊〉 Light of the Christians Though indeed 〈◊〉 Light was and is always One in it self â—ut the Christian did not live up so closely it as the Heathen did and therefore took greater Liberty and walked in a broader Way I would now know of our Opposers if they can yet think the Light that preach'd his Doctrine in the Mount was the same with that Light that shined in the Consciences of those Gentiles so many Hundred â—ears before that Sermon was writ or preachâ—â— who so plainly believed practiced and â—ought it Yea or Nay Perhaps some will 〈◊〉 stick out while the more moderate will â—â—bmit and conclude Ignorance and Folly have made all this Opposition against us 〈◊〉 that of a Truth The Voice which cried Prov. 4 6. Unto you O Men I call
and my Voice to the Sons of Men hear for I will speak Excellent Things was also heard by the Gentile and that what concerned the Doctrine Holy Living was not hid from them I meâ— Evangelically so provided Christ's Heaven Sermon upon the Mount related by Mathew the Evangelist may be esteemed 〈◊〉 For their Writings flow with Amens the unto But allowing our Adversaries that 〈◊〉 Voice was then so Low and the Manifesâ—â—â—tion of the Light so Small as it discover not many of those things before-mentioned could that give reasonable Men Ground conclude Therefore the Divine Wisdom Light was Insufficient or that the Divine Wisdom or Light was not then and 〈◊〉 not in other Ages become The Rule a Guide of the Children of Men Yet 〈◊〉 false Consequences have been the Corâ—â—â— Stone and Foundation of our Opposâ—â—â— Building against us and no reasonable 〈◊〉 I think will attempt to clear it from being a Sandy One. OF THE Judge of Controversie I Shall explain what I mean by these Terms A Judge is one that has not only Power 〈◊〉 determine but Discerning to do it Rightly Controversie is a Debate between two Parties about the Truth or Falshood of any â—roposition to be determined by that Judge From whence I am led to assert that the Judge of Controversie must be certain and unâ—â—ring And though this may seem strange to some 't is nevertheless true in it self For if the Judge be fallible he may indeed silence the Contending Parties by his Authority but not the Controversie by a certain Judgment since he may as well determine Falsly as Truly So that Controversie can never be rightly determined by a fallible Judge therefore He is no true Judge of Controversie Indeed it is absurd and a Contradiction in it self to think otherwise since he that is uncertain can never be certain of his Decision And if not a certain one then none to the Purpose Nor ought any Person no otherwise judged that is persuaded of the Truth of his Cause to let fall his Belief upon so Doubtful a Determination since he moves not only without Conviction but against Conviction And which is worse 〈◊〉 is not ascertained of the Truth of what he required to submit to Therefore of all People they are most condemnable who notwithstanding they keep so great a stir about Religion and sometimes use coercive Mean to compass their designed Uniformity acknowledge to us they are not Certain of the own Faith Since then the Judge must be unerring 〈◊〉 will be worth our while to consider wheâ— this infallible Judge is to be found There none Good but God said God himself wheâ— manifested in the Flesh that is Originally 〈◊〉 as of himself So truly there is none Infalliâ—ble but God as of himself yet as the supreme Good is communicated unto Man according to measure so as well says Bp Latimer is there Infallibility Certainty or Assurance of the Truth of things given to Man according to Capacity Otherwise Men would be oblig'd to believe and obey and that upon Damnation those things concerning which there can be no Certainty whether they be true or false Immanuel God with Men as he is their Rule so their Judge he is the Law-giver and therefore the best Interpreter of any Point that may concern his own Law And Men are so far Certain as they are subject to his Voice Light or Spirit in them and no farther for humanum est errare Man is Errable Nor can any thing rescue him out of Error or preserve him from the Infections of it but the sound and certain Judgment that God by the Light of his Spirit gives unto him Obj. But is not the Scripture the Judge of Controversie Answ How can that be since the Question most times arises about the Meaning of Scripture Is there any place tells us without Interpretation whether the Socinian Or Trinitarian be in the Right in their differing Apprehensions of the Three that bear Record c. also the Homousian and Arrian about Christ's Divinity or the Papists or Protestants about Trans-substantiation If then things are â—eft undefined and undetermined I mean Litterally and Expresly in the Scripture and that the Question arises about the Sense of Words doth the Scripture determine which of those Interpreters hit the Mark As this is not reasonable to think so must it be acknowleged that if Interpretation decide the Matter in Controversie then not the Scripture but the Interpreter must be the Judge Now this Interpreter must either interpret by his own meer Wisdom or Spirit called by the Apostle 1 Cor. 2. 11. the Spirit of a Man who by weighing the Text consulting the Intent of the Writer comparing places together gives the Judgment which the Scripture does not give of it self or from the Spirit of God which gives Understanding as Job 32. 8. and as the same Apostle saith in the same place searcheth the 〈◊〉 things of God If the first then a Fallible 〈◊〉 the last then an Infallible Judge I would fain know whether it was the Scripture or the Holy Ghost that presided among the Apostles when they were come together Acts 15. when they said It seemeth good to the Holy Ghost and to us c. If the Holy Ghost then pray give us a plain Scripture to prove we are to have another Judge now If that cannot be done then we must have the Same and consequently an Infallible Judge viz. the Spirit of Truth which leads Christians into all Truth and is given of God by Christ for that very End Obj. 'T is granted that the Spirit is Infallible But how shall I know that any Man determine a thing by this Spirit and does not rather obtrude his own Sense upon us under that specioâ—â— Pretence Answ By the same Spirit As well said Gualt Cradock The Way to know whether the Spirit be in us is its Own Evidence And that is the Way to know it in others too And the Man that hath the Spirit may know the Spirit in another There is saith he a kind of Sagacity in the Saints to this Purpose Which is also true in the Judgment of abundance of Protestant-Writers For as they held that no Man could know the Scriptures but by the same Spirit which indicted them so consequently that the Same Spirit only could assure him of the Truth of the said Interpretation And Peter Martyr as before quoted tells us The Holy Ghost is the Arbiter or Judge Also D. J. Owen saith That the Holy Ghost is the Only Authentick Interpreter of the Scripture And if the Only Authentick then the Only and Infallible Judge then the Judge of the Mind or Meaning of Scripture is both an Only and an Infallible Judge But to wave this Does not the very same Objection lie against the Sense of Scripture since one says This is the Sense and another That To know God's Mind Men must come to God's Spirit else Difficulties of that sort are Insuperable In
short It were greatly to be wisht that all Men would hold themselves unconcern'd in disputing about what they have not received an Assurance of from the Holy Spirit since they beat but the Air and obtain no solid Satisfaction neither can they upon any other Bottom God never Prostrates his Secrets to Minds disobedient to what they do already know Let all Practice what they assuredly know to be their Duty and be sparing in their search after Nice and Unknown Matters Weighty and Seasonable was and is the Apostle's Saying Nevertheless whereunto we have already attained let us walk by the same Rule Where he both limits us to the present Knowledge communicated to us and exhorts us to live up to that and if any thing be further necessary for us God in due time will reveal it by his Spirit that on gives to Know Discern and Judge of the things that are of God Obj. But how will this determine the Controversie and allay the Fury of Debates that are foot in the World Answ Nothing like it if Man adhere to it and if he does not there is no way left but the Wrath that is to be reveal'd But moâ—â— Persuasions are agreed about the absolute Necessaries in Religion from that Light and Witness God has placed in Man's Conscience viz. That God is That he is a Rewarde of them that diligently seek him That the 〈◊〉 of God is a Way of Purity Patience Meekness c. Without whcih no Man can see the Lord Nay they accord in some considerable Matters superadded as some of them speak to wit That God was manifested extraordinarily in the Flesh that he gave his Life for the World that such as believe and obey his Grace in their Hearts receive Remission of Sins and Life Everlasting Now I say since these things Men generally Consent to let them live up to them and forbear wanton Scrutinies after Things or Notions that gender to Strife and Contention and leave not Mankind better but rather worse than they found them and the World would be soon Rid of Controversie Holy Living and not Disputing would be the Business of Mankind What more excellent Judgment can be given then that Men quit their Contentions about Notions and Opinions and betake themselves to the Pratice of that Good which God hath already shewn unto them as spake both the Prophet Micah 6. 8. and the Apostle Paul Rom. 〈◊〉 19. And if any thing be revealed to one more than another let the rest judge in the Spirit or be silent till God manifest more â—o them in order to Right Judgment 'T is good to Try all things but we must have something to try them by and what â—ught that to be but the Spirit that searcheth and the Anointing that teaches all things which is Truth it self Here Mankind will 〈◊〉 in Love having at least Natural Affections now lost by the Barbarity of some of their cruel Religions or Heats for their Opinions and a Judgment of things will be made not from the Rash Partial Short-â—â—ghted and Froward Mind of Man but that Eternal Light and Spirit that never erred which however disgustful to some Protestants in this Age was no false Doctrine in the Account of John Philpot and Bp. Latimer Two great Founders of the Reformation in England The first in his Answer to the Bishop of Chichester reproving his Confidence about true Faith in Christ These Hereticks saith One take upon them to be Sure of all things obey stand in Let him doubt saith John Philpot of his Faith that listeth God give me Always to believe that I am Sure of true Faith and Favour in Christ The second in his Answer to Sir Ed. Baynton objecting the Uncertainty of Man in what he calls Truth thus recorded by J. Fox Your Friends deny not but that certain Truths are communicated to us according to Capacity But as to my Presumption and Arrogancy either I am certain or uncertain that it is Truth that 〈◊〉 preach if it be Truth why may not I say so If I be uncertain why dare I be so bold as to preach it And if your Friends be Preachers themselves after their Sermon I pray you ask them Whether they be Certain and Sure they preach the Truth or no and send me word what they say that I may learn to speak after them If they say they be Sure you know what follows if they say they be Unsure when shall you be Sure that have so Doubtful and Unsure Teachers Let not Protestants for Shame judge us for owning a Doctrine that is Confessed to and Confirmed by some of the Worthiest of their own Ancestors viz. That an Unerring Certain or Infallible Judgment in things Necessary to Salvation is both Possible and Requisite and that God communicates it by his Spirit to the Souls of Men. The Conclusion TO Conclude Immanuel a word suited not only to that Appearance but the whole Dispensation of the Gospel imports God nigh to or with Men The Tabernacle of God is with Men he will dwell in them and walk in them They shall be all taught of me and in Righteousness shall they be established That is by the Spirit of his Son And this admits not of any Book or Literal Rule or Judge to come between that Indwelling Spirit of Light Life and Wisdom from God and the Soul as its Rule of Faith and Practice And because it is the unutterable Goodness of God to People in these latter Days as the Sum of Scripture-Prophecy thus to make known himself we are incessant in our Cries unto them that they will turn their Minds Inward now abroad and taking up their Rest in the Externals of Religion that they may hear his Heavenly Voice and Knocks and let him in and be taught of him to know and do his Will that they may come to be Experienced and Expert in the School of Christ For never Man spoak and taught as he livingly speaks and teaches in the Consciences of those who diligently hear him and are willing to be taught of him the Knowledge of his Ways The Priest was Outward but he is now Inward the Law Outward but it is now Inward And now he is no more a Jew that is one Outward nor that Circumcision which is outward in the Flesh but he is a Jew who is one inwardly and Circumcision is that of the Heart in the Spirit and not in the Letter whose Praise is not of Men but of God Which is so far from lessening the Authority of the Scriptures of Truth that unless This be Man's Rule and Judge in the Reading and Believing of them he can never understand them Rightly or keep their saying Faithfully And indeed as before I have expressed I cannot but say That Man whilst unregenerated setting his Wit and Wisdom to Fathom and Comprehend the Intention of the Holy Ghost in many of those Writings hath occasioned that Confusion Darkness and Perplext Controversie
that now so lamentably Pesters the World In which State for all the External Imitations of the Ancients in some temporary and figurative Parts of Worship I am to tell such and that from the Spirit of the Lord God of all Truth They will never be Accepted The Utmost of that Literal Knowledge Historical Faith and Outward Religion is but as the Old Heavens that are to be wrapped up as a Scroul and the Old Wine and Bottles that belong not to the Kingdom of God Such Believers may slatter on themselves and at last cry Lord Lord But alas They shall never enter into the Rest that God hath reserved for his Regenerated and Redeemed Children For under such a Faith and Religion Envy Wrath Malice Persecution Pride Passion Covetousness Worldly â—â—ndedness c. may and do prevail yea and are Cloaked as with a secure Cover from the Stroak of God's Spirit insomuch as when any are moved of the Lord to Decry such Fair and Hypocritical Shews of Religion they are reputed Rash and Censorious and presently a Plea must be made on this wise Do not we follow the Commands of the Scripture Did not such and such do so and so Which at best are but the Duties of Sacrifice and not of Obedience Never regarding from what Ground the Performance springs whether it be according to the Rule of the New or of the Old Creature But abuse and vilifie us for making such Distinctions as if the Prayers Preachings Singings outward Baptizings and Suppings c. of Men in their own unsanctified Spirits Strength and Will were required and accepted of God for Evangelical Worship Thick Darkness and a Dangerous Presumption Thus are Men Out of the Way concerning both Faith and Practice and the true Rule and Judge of Them They make the former viz. Faith and Practice to lie in an Assent of the Understanding to such Propositions and in an Imitation of former Observations that were at best but Signs of good things to come and the Duties of Sacrifice which is far from the Immanuel-State And the latter viz. the Rule and Judge to be the Scriptures which is but an Account of those Things that others were Ruled to and Directed in by the Holy Spirit before they were ever Recorded or made Scripture and no other Rule or Judge can so Regulate For as the Faith and Experience so the Rule and Judge of that Faith and that Experience must be One God by his Spirit begets Faith God by his Spirit rules Faith and governs the Life of his Children for as many as are Children of God are led by the Spirit of God The Scripture much of it is but a Declaration of Faith and Experience therefore not The Rule or Judge For as Faith and Experience were before Scripture so the Rule and Judge were before Scripture because as I said before there must be a Rule and Judge where there is Faith therefore the Scripture is not That Rule or Judge And before that Declaration be answered or fulfilled by any they must come to the Faith Rule and Judge of which That is a Declaration So that Faith is yielding up to the Requirings of God's Spirit in us in full Assurance of the Remission of Sins that are past through the Son of his Love and Life Everlasting from whence daily flows Works of Holiness well-pleasing to God which is more than a meer Assent of the Understanding to a verbal though a true Proposition Again The Life of a true Christian stands not in Bodily Exercise which says the Apostle profits little Nor in an Imitation of the Ancients in Temporary and Shaddowy Things which the Hypocrite as well as the Sainâ— can do But in Self-denial and walking in the Spirit to bring forth the Fruits thereof unto all Godliness which is the pure and spiritual Obedience resulting from the Living Spiritual Faith of God's Elect and the Rule and Judge thereof is their Author and Begetter even the Spirit of Truth which alone gives saving Understanding Faith and Obedience and searcheth the deep things of God O you Professors of Religion that you would but seriously weigh these things and examine your selves in God's Sight for he respects none for their Fair Outside If this Saving Faith be your Faith and this Heavenly Life be your Life and if the Holy Spirit be your Ruler and Leader If not you are but Legal Formal and in the Oldness of the Letter and Will-worshipers which obtains not with God In which State not the Wisdom from above but that which 〈◊〉 from below of the Old Creature is your Rule In it you read Scripture Expound it Pray Preach Sing and Perform all your Duties and this is not to walk according to the Rule of the New Creature but in a Legal Spirit to make a Gospel-Profession the End of which from the Lord I am to tell you will be a Bed of Sorrow Therefore Resist not the Light and Spirit within but Turn at the Reproof thereof that you may come to walk in the Way of Life Daily Life to your Souls that so you may be quickned and made alive to God in all your Duties and live to him while you live 〈◊〉 that Life which is hid with Christ in God that being thus Born again and become Renewed in your inward Man you may perform that Pure and Spiritual Worship which is of a sweet Savour with the Lord so shall he Bless you with his Heavenly Blessing and daily Replenish your Souls with the unspeakable Joys of his Love and Salvation This I heartily desire and through all Difficulties Incessantly Travel for in Body Soul and Spirit that the All-Wise Good Omnipotent God may be Known Served and Obeyed by you to your Comfort and his Eternal Honour who alone is worthy to receive 〈◊〉 now and for ever Amen William Penn FINIS Postscript I Would not be misunderstood in what I have writ of the Excellency and Preference of the Holy Spirit of God as the first chief and general Rule of Life and Practice and as the infallible and therefore the best Judge of Controversy among Christians as if I thereby intended to lessen or undervalue the divine Authority or Service of the blessed Scriptures of Truth since we most heartily believe them to have been given forth from the same Holy Spirit and are a Declaration of the Mind and Will of God and as such are obliging upon all that have and can have them both in reference to Faith and Practice And we utterly disclaim and renounce all Doctrines and Practices repugnant to them But as the holy Spirit gave them forth through Holy Men so without the Help of the Holy Spirit they cannot be truly and spiritually understood by those that read them for their Edification and Comfort for that which writ them can best apply them Which is the Reason of that Preference we give to the Spirit of God and of our pressing People to take diligent