dead even Jesus which delivereth us from the wrath to come 1 Thes 1.10 Let all that professe the Name of Christ take heed of such as preach another Christ then whom they have received and look upon them as Deceivers and Anti-christs as for us we have not so learned Jesus Christ SECT III. The Quakers deny the Doctrine of the Trinity THis charge will not be denied by the Quakers for in this they speak out and do not seek to conceale their opinions they acknowledge not one God subsisting in three persons See Sauls errand to Damascus p. 12. and the sword of the Lord drawn c. p. 4. where this doctrine is called a lie by them Let me therefore shew this to be an abominable errour contrary to the doctrine of the Scriptures to deny three persons subsisting in one God and prove this fundamental article of our faith against their cavils This I cleare from Scripture by these gradations or steps 1. The Scriptures speak clearly that there is in the divine nature three in one or a Trinity in Unity whether these three may be called persons we shall discusse afterwards 1 John 5.7 There be three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the holy Ghost and these three are one Here is in this Scripture three numbred and their several names set down and yet it 's said they are but one not only agree in one as in the next verse but they are one See Mat. 3.16 17. Mat. 28.19 2 Cor. 13.14 John 14.16 Where are also three counted the Father and I saith Christ and the Spirit of truth and these are distinguished the Spirit is called another It might further be shewed as there be three numbred in Scripture and their several names set down so the Scripture speak also of distinct properties and operations peculiar to each of these three and incommunicable to other The Father begets and not the Son the Spirit proceeds and not the Father c. so the Sonne took flesh and not the Father nor the Spirit II. It 's most evident that this Trinity in Unity or three in one is not a meer notional thing subsisting in the minde and apprehension of man alone but eternally subsisting in the divine being it self it 's a thing founded upon Scripture as before was shewed not a fiction of reason it had been if there never had been any created minde to apprehend it Nor can it be only three names given to one and the same personal being for the Scripture gives more names then three to God there are ten several names given to God in the Old Testament as some observe besides those in the New Testament and further the Scripture counts them as distinct in subsistence and not only in name John 8.17 18. Christ and his Father are counted for two witnesses now one person cannot be two witnesses though he have two names Nor doth this Trinity subsist in the divine nature only as wisdome justice and goodnesse are in God for these attributes of God are no otherwise distinguished then according to mans apprehension of them because our finite and compounded understandings cannot comprehend the glorious perfections of a single and infinite essence but by distinct properties or attributes in themselves they do not differ one from another the same also may be said of Gods decrees but now this distinction of three in one is founded in the very divine being it self as before was shewed Nor yet further are we to understand this three in one to be only three manifestations of God grounded upon some offices or external dispensations to the creature in time there hath been more manifestations of God to man then three since the creation God was manifest various wayes to his people to Moses in the bush and in the mount to Israel in the wildernesse in the pillar of fire and cloud to the Patriarchs to the three children to Daniel to John c. Besides this distinction was in God from eternity before there was any creature made to manifest it unto Christ is the eternal Sonne of God distinct from the Father eternally and before he was made flesh the Spirit was distinguished from Father and Sonne from eternity and not only when he was manifested in descending on Christ in the likenesse of a dove or by falling on the Apostles in fiery tongues See Prov. 8.21 to 31. Mic. 5.2 Joh. 1.1 2 3. Joh. 17.5 Col. 1.15 Gen. 1.2 2 Pet. 1.21 Mat. 1.20 these are all to be exploded as dangerous errours and have been ever rejected by the Church III. Hence it will follow that this must be a Trinity of persons or subsistances in the same divine being three persons subsisting in one God nor let any cavil at the word person for it is a Scripture word Heb. 1.3 if they will stand to the received translation if any will plead the word is more properly rendred there subsistence then person we will not stand upon that so they acknowledge three subsistances in the same divine being for this is all we argue for but how vainly is it to except against the word person so commonly received amongst the people of God and not scrupled at by any but such as have erred dangerously in other things what is a person if we look upon the notation of the name but per se una a thing that hath a subsistence by it self or if we respect the definition of the thing we understand no more by it but an intelligent compleat incommunicable independent subsistence and according to our common custome of speech the word person doth expresse more excellency then the word subsistence singly taken doth the former we ever apply to a reasonable being the other we use to apply to inferiour creatures a beast may be said to subsist though it is no person IV. Yet is there no multiplication of the God-head for still we acknowledge one God one simple undivided essence Deut. 6.4 Isa 44.6 8. Isa 45.21 22. John 10.30 1 John 5.7 If any shall object how can these things be it seems a contradiction for to say there is three persons and yet but one divine being and therefore shall reject this doctrine because they cannot comprehend it I answer it were extreame arrogance for a poor worm to do thus to reject what God hath clearly held forth in his Word because he cannot comprehend it what Art or Science is there in the world but there are many mysteries in it that novices cannot comprehend and can we expect to be more knowing in the things of God that are so high and mysterious above the reason and understanding of man Let sober spirits count it their safest way to beleeve what is clearly revealed by God though they cannot yet comprehend the nature of such mysteries Neverthelesse we do not count it a contradiction to say there is light heat and power in the Sun and yet there are not three Suns but one or that in the soul
A FULL DISCOVERY AND CONFUTATION Of the wicked and damnable Doctrines of the Quakers As also a plain Vindication and confirmation of sundry fundamental points of the Christian Religion denyed or corrupted by the enemies of the Truth in these Times Published for the benefit of such weak Christians who are not so able to discover and oppugne the dangerous doctrines of subtil Seducers when coloured over with fair words and pretences and so are more apt to be taken in their snares Whereunto is annexed an excellent Discourse proving that singing of Psalmes is not only lawful but an Ordinance of God By JONATHAN CLAPHAM a servant of Christ in the work and labour of the Gospel at Wramplingham in Norff. 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. Because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a lie That they might be damned c. LONDON Printed by T. R. E.M. for Adonirem Byfield at the Bible in Popes-head Alley near Lumbard-street 1656. The general heads of the following TREATISE SEct. 1. The Quakers proved enemies to the holy Scriptures Sect. 2. The Quakers deny Christ come in the flesh also his Death Resurrection c. Sect. 3. The Quakers deny the doctrine of the Trinity Sect. 4 The Quakers hold equality with God and the soul to be one being with God Sect. 5. The Quakers corrupt the doctrine of Justification Sect. 6. The Quakers deny the Resurrection of the body the last Judgement Heaven and Hell Sect. 7. The Quakers are enemies to all the Ordinances of Jesus Christ Sect. 8. The Quakers pretend to miracles Sect. 9. The Quakers are no truly mortified persons notwithstanding their pretences thereunto and how Popish Monks have out-stripped them therein Sect. 10. The Quakers doctrine tendeth not to destroy sin though they raile against sin and how they destroy the true doctrine of Sanctification Sect. 11. The Quakers he common sink of all the Heresies of our times and a parallel betwixt them and former hereticks in many particulars Sect. 12. The Quakers enemies to all civility and good manners Sect. 13. The Conclusion by way of admonition to Christians to beware of the heresies of the Times and in particular to avoid the Quakers as pernitious enemies to the Christian Religion and to the souls of men and to have no communion with them TO HIS HIGHNESSE The Lord Protector Of England Scotland and Ireland and the Dominions thereof SIR IT is a question much controverted in these times whether Jesus Christ besides his spiritual Kingdom in his Chrurches and in the hearts of his people is to have an outward Political Kingdom in the world and there are not a few of godly wise and sober Christians that do conclude affirmatively for the same and that as it seems to me upon undeniable authorities from the holy Scriptures But this being granted it will prove a matter of no lesse difficulty to determine by whom this kingdome shall be administred whether by our Lord Jesus himself in person residing here upon earth or by his Delegates or officers to whom he shall commit the rule and government under himself The former hath yet received small entertainment in my heart as seeing little clear Scripture evidence for it whatever others may see but rather it seeming to clash with some other weighty doctrines of the faith more clearly grounded on the Word and to be attended with such inconveniences as the Authours of this opinion know not well how to remove But for the latter it need not seem so incredible for seeing Jesus Christ hath already so long exercised his spiritual Kingdome and regiment in his Churches by Officers and Delegates thereunto appointed by himself why should it then seem strange to us if his outward political Kingdome should be administred in like manner and as I judge this seemes to have far clearer testimony from the Scripture then the former But are not we in a great strait yet to finde out who are these Officers or Delegates to whom Jesus Christ hath committed the government of this outward Political Kingdome in the world whether to his Churches and Saints under that reduplication as such or to the Civil Magistrate I am not unwilling to acknowledge my own mistake and possibly it may be the mistake of some honest hearts who are zealous now against the present powers upon this account that I have sometimes inclined to the former although I never had thoughts of acting against any established Government for to bring about my conceptions in such things sure it is most dangerous and unwarrantable for private persons to do so The ground of my mistake was an assertion received amongst many wise and holy men and therefore the lesse questioned by me that the Magistrate was no Officer of Jesus Christ as Mediatour whereupon I concluded seeing that Jesus Christ as Mediatour should have an outward Political Kingdom upon earth and the Magistrate as such was no Officer in that Kingdome that there must be some other hands into which this power and Dominion must be committed and who then might lay better Scripture claim to it then the persons above named But I do retract my errour in that particular for I dare not say with the Papists and Quakers I am infallible and cannot erre and do acknowledge the Magistrate to be an Officer of Jesus Christ as Mediatour and therefore in this external Political Kingdom of Christ the rule doth belong to him and not to the Saints as Saints though withal I doubt not but the Lord Jesus will in these last dayes raise up such to be Magistrates as shall be Saints and nursing fathers to his Churches governing more for the honour of Christ and for the welfare and benefit of his Churches then formerly and then shall the kingdoms of the world become the Kingdomes of the Lord and of his Saints That which induced me to be of this judgement for the Magistrate to be an Officer of Jesus Christ in this outward Political kingdom though he is no Officer in the spiritual Kingdom of his Church as the Erastians contend was the serious consideration of such Scriptures as these Prov. 8.15 16. Mat. 28.18 Isa 49.13 Psalme 2.8 10 11 12. Psalme 72.10 11. and indeed Christ having undertaken the work of mans redemption the Father hath delivered up the whole creation unto him in order to his managing of that work and therefore must Magistracy belong to him as Mediatour Rom. 14.9 Luke 10.22 John 3.15 Eph. 1.20 21 22. It were a work of no great difficulty to answer the arguments brought to the contrary and is already done by some Now this being granted as it doth strongly confirme the title of the Magistrate to his rule and government against all that would under any pretext challenge it from him So it may seriously minde him to consider from whom he hath received his power and authority and to whom he must one day be acountable
for it and therefore to use it not only for the promoting of the civil good and benefit of men but especially for the advantage of the spiritual Kingdom of Jesus Christ and the interest of his Churches for it was in this respect that Christ had this power given to him by the Father he gave him to be head over all things to the Church and sure Christ expects that those to whom he commits this power as his Vice-gerents upon earth should use it for the same ends the Father did first betrust it into his hands for And how clear is it in Scripture that all those godly Princes and Magistrates spoken of therein did make it their first and chiefest care to promote Religion and to see that the Worship of God was maintained in purity and that the Church flourished in their Dominions not that they were Officers in the Church and might themselves administer in the holy things this was rebuked in some of them but that they had an external care about the same as sometimes that Christian Emperour Constantine of famous memory said he was Episcopus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Euseb lib. 4. an overseer of things without as those nurse-fathers Hezekiah Josia Asa Jehoshaphat were but not an overseer of things within as Uzziah would have been There is an opinion entertained amongst many in these dayes and some of them good men too that the Magistrate ought to meddle only with matters of the second Table not taking inspection of things appertaining to the first that he is only to maintaine civil peace amongst men and outward righteousnesse not heeding Religion or the Worship of God at all as he is a Magistrate If this once be received by Magistrates Jesus Christ will be little beholden to them they must as well protect the worshippers of Mahomet as of Christ so long as they keep the peace and live in civil honesty amongst men these men beleeve not the Magistrate to be Christs Officer as he is Mediatour and head of his Church if they did they would be of another mind But enough is said against this woful assertion by Mr. Cotton bloody tenet washed by the Elders of N. Eng. in the Synod Anno 1646. and by Mr. Cobbet in his book dedicated to your Highnesse some few yeares since And the blessing of the Lord upon the care of the godly Magistrates in N. E. hath been as a Seal to attest the Lords acceptance of what they have done there about this particular The premises considered I should humbly offer to your Highnesse may my presumption herein be indulged especially two particulars wherein you may imploy that great power wich our Lord Jesus hath betrusted you with as his Delegate for the promoting that great end for which all power was first given to him by the Father to wit the spiritual good and welfare of his Church 1. That you would please to put forth your endeavours towards the uniting of the people of God in these Nations who dissenting in lesser matters do yet maintaine the fundamentals of Religion in whose spirits the vitals of Christianity are still preserved and in whose lives the power and practise of godlinesse doth yet appear And in order hereunto that you would by your authority call together a few of the most judicious godly and peaceable of such Dissenters and lay your most solemn charge upon them that they would after their fervent invocation on the Name of the Lord for direction and assistance in so great a work study an holy and peaceable accommodation and agreement so farre as may be in their principles but especially in such necessary Church practises as the Churches of Christ amongst us may walk together with more Christian love and unity I should hope notwithstanding former disappointments the Lord would at last give them hearts to know what concerns their and the Churches peace after they have had such sad experience of the evil fruits of our divisions And that then you would commend such a pacificatory agreement to the Christian people of these Nations and give some more special encouragement to those who shall be so tender of the Churches peace and union as to practise according to the same This were a work worthy of a Christian Magistrate who by his office is to be an healer Isa 3.6 7 and would give you the honour even to many generations to be called the repairer of the breach and the restorer of paths to dwell in II. That you would please to put some restrictions unto that almost boundlesse Tolleration now amongst us whereby Seducers take liberty to broach such cursed doctrines as are a dishonour to the Name of Christ and reproach and infamy to the Christian Religion such as directly tend to the undermining of the profession and power of godlinesse and to the destruction of souls Nothing can be more evidently contrary to the spiritual welfare of the Church the promoting whereof is the principal end of the Christian Magistrates power and not only the procuring of a civil good which thing I cannot but often hint then the free Tolleration of such pernitious and heretical doctrines It is not a thing unknown That seducers have been more dangerous enemies to the Church then bloody persecutors where persecution hath slain its thousands the deadly poison of false doctrine hath slain its ten thousands and when the one hath killed mens bodies the other hath murdered mens souls the Church hath ever thriven under persecution the blood of the Martyrs being the seed of the Church but it hath been brought very low under Heresies If Magistrates be the Churches Nurs-fathers as the Scripture speaks sure their Office not only obliges them to take care that her children have the milk of the Word dispensed to them but that as much as in them lieth it be dispensed purely and sincerely without the mixture of poyson to destroy them Magistrates are called Shepherds Isa 44 28. and that with respect to the Church and therfore should protect her from ravenous Wolves they are called Gods but they should be poor gods if they took no care of Religion What ample testimonies hath the Lord given to David Solomon Asa Jehoshaphat Hezekiah Iosiah for their care of Religion nor will the names of Constantine Theodotius Iustinian cease to be precious in and for their care of the Church of Christ Even the Heathens Aristotle and Plato acknowledge from the light within them that the chiefe care in a Common-wealth should be about Religion But I presume not to add more words for this there being so much already said in those three Treatises before mentioned for the same and in particular against tolleration of seducers all contrary arguments that have been made being therein fully answered Only I crave leave to adde this further that I am not pleading now against those lesser errours amongst us which will be so long as we are imperfect and know but in part
gifts in other things as of knowing mens spirits of being infallible of working miracles c. they might finde that there are several words used in Scripture that our translators render the Word of God there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and there is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 now though the former title be given to Christ yet the latter is not and therefore such places wherein the latter is used can with no colour be expounded of Christ as in Rom 10.17 Eph. 5.26 Eph. 6.17 Heb. 6.5 c. whatever they pretend of the former 4. Let it be considered in what respect Jesus Christ is called the Word and in what respect the Scriptures be called the Word and it will appear this title will with greater propriety of Speech agree to the Scriptures then to Jesus Christ for Jesus Christ is only figuratively called the Word of God that he might through that similitude he hath to a word be more cleerly represented to our understandings as the word is the image and resemblance of ones minde so is Jesus Christ the expresse image of his Fathers person Heb. 1. though no transient image as our words be but co-essential and co-eternal or as the word makes known what is in the minde and heart so hath Christ made known the minde of God unto us others understand he is called the word also because it s he of whom the Word speaks to him give all the Prophets witnesse c. others because he made all things by his Word he spake and they were made But now in none of these respects nor any other that can be further named is Christ properly the word but figuratively But now the doctrines precepts c. of the Scriptures may in a more proper sense and without figure be called the word of God because spoken by God The Lord hath spoken these things by the mouth of his holy servants which have been since the world began Luke 1.70 5. Whereas they call some part of the Scriptures the word of the devil intending thereby that in Gen. 3.1 4 5. and such like places I answer they were the words uttered by the devil originally but now as they be recorded by the penmen of the holy Scriptures and so have a truth of history in them they be the words of God and therefore their malice against the Scriptures only appears herein 6. It would be observed how ignorantly these men do contradict themselves in denying the Scriptures to be the Word of God and yet granting them to be a declaration of Gods minde let them tell what a word is but a declaration of ones minde cannot a childe know that if a man speaks words to another he declares his minde to him what a simple contradiction is this to be found in men that pretend to be infallible but any thing shall be said or done to take down the authority of the holy Scriptures and to lessen the reverence due to them Burroughs against Griffith p. 19. sword drawn p. 1. II. They deny the Scriptures to be a rule of faith and life and hereby seeking to overthrown the great use and end of the Scriptures they are clearly manifested to be enemies to the Scriptures This charge will not be disowned by them for many of their pamphlets manifest their denial of the Scriptures to be a rule of faith and life therefore it rests on me to prove that they are enemies to the Scriptures herein and this will appear in these particulars 1. Without some standing rule and direction given by God we know not how to beleeve in God aright nor worship and serve him acceptably and thereby attain eternal life such as have no standing rule and direction worship they know not what as Christ speaks of the Samaritans John 4. They erre not knowing the Scriptures as Christ saith to the Sadduces Matth. 22.29 The Heathens that wanted the rule of the word what dark apprehensions and misconceivings had they of God and the things of God how utterly ignorant of many mysteries of faith how besotted in worshipping false gods and deceived variously in their searching out the chief happinesse of man Man since the fall hath lost the knowledge of God and is stricken with blindnesse being able only to grope after God as the Sodomites for Lots door so the Apostle phraseth it Acts 17 They feel or grope after him and besides the darknesse of mans minde the seducements of Satan are such who can transform himself into an Angel of light that if we have not something to try the spirits by we may soon be deceived and therefore to have a rule or direction for mans faith and obedience is most necessary seeing man is a reasonable creature and is not acted by a brute impulse but as a free and understanding agent must act what he doth knowingly and with Councel 2. It 's as certain that there is no other way sufficient to direct man to beleeve in God aright and to worship and serve him acceptably and therby attain happinesse but the holy Scriptures As for traditions of men which the Jews formerly and now the Papists equal with the Word of God they lead men further from God and happinesse And for the light in the conscience which the Quakers so highly cry up though it may convince men there is a God as we see by the Heathens that have no other teacher but it yet is it unable to give a man any cleare distinct knowledge of God only a groping knowledge as before was said nor can it teach a man so much as the name of Christ for which of the Heathens know this by the light in the conscience much lesse the great mysteries of Christs incarnation or taking on him flesh of his death and the new Covenant founded on it his Resurrection Ascension c And for matter of practise though it will witnesse against grosse sins and impieties Rom. 2.14 yet how unable is it to convince of original sin the first entrance of sin into the world and death by Adam and of concupiscence or the motions of sin in the flesh that it is sinne when not consented to which the Papists deny to be sinne and it 's likely the Quakers also or else they would not affirm they are perfectly freed from the very being of sin Paul expressely saith he had not known it to be sinne but by the Law Rom. 7.7 it seems then the light in his conscience could not discover it How grosly such have been misled that have given up themselves to heed that light neglecting to use the Scriptures for their light and rule appears sufficiently in the printed relation of Gilpin and Toldervy and by the delusions that this whole company are given up to by God that pretend to follow it Further as for such special and immediate revelations of the spirit that others have boasted of as their guide and direction the woful miscarriages of such Enthusiasts that have pretended thereunto may
sufficiently convince God would have us to heed his word more and try the spirits by that and the grosse and palpable blindnesse of such as want the direction of the Scriptures may shew God is not pleased to use this way of immediate revelations now nor indeed is it the work of God holy Spirit to discover things to us now immediately having already made a full discovery of them in the Scriptures but to open our eyes to see the wonderful things of his Law to apprehend those discoveries of God made in his word and to sanctifie our hearts so as they may close with those truths revealed and rellish them and to remove the natural enmity that is in as to the things of God 3. It hath pleased the Lord of his infinite goodnesse to give his holy Scriptures the Word of God for so now I will call them whether the Quakers will or no that this may be a direction and rule to us of faith and obedience how we are to believe in God and worship and serve him and to direct us to eternal salvation this is a special pledge of Gods love to us though the enemies of truth will not acknowledge it The Lord hath not done so to all Nations neither have the heathen knowledge of his Laws Psalme 147 19 20. and the end of writing them was that we might be directed in our faith and obedience John 20 last These things are written that ye might beleeve c. we are to try the spirits now by them whether they be of God as the noble Bereans did Acts 17.11 we are to go to the Law and to the Testimony Isa 8.20 to search the Scriptures John 5.39 or otherwise we shall be necessarily exposed to errour Matth. 22.29 They are now a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our steps Psal 119.105 and through the words of Gods lips we may be kept from the path of the destroyer Psal 17.4 in a word they are able to make wise to salvation to furnish to all good works they are profitable for doctrine reproof correction instruction in righteousnesse c. 2 Tim. 3.16 17. The Lord accompanying them with the blessing and efficacy of his Spirit And let not any ignorantly pretend it is a disgrace to the Spirit to be tried and regulated by an outward rule for gold may be tryed by a touchstone why may not any doctrine or revelation or practice now though pretended to come from the Spirit be tried by the Scriptures which we are more sure came from the Spirit of God they being a surer word of prophecy then any voice we can heare spoken from heaven 2 Pet. 1.18 19. 4. Now let the weakest Reader if he be not wilfully blinded judg whether these people be not extreamly ingrateful to God for his goodnesse in giving the Scriptures to deny this principal use and end of the Scriptures and whether hereby they declare not themselves enemies thereunto I might shew other uses and ends of the Scriptures that they subvert but this may suffice for this second particular to prove the charge that the Quakers be enemies to the holy Scriptures III. They make Scriptures to be but a declaration of the Saints condition an expression frequently to be found in their writings insinuating thereby as if they belonged not to us now Burroughs p. 30 Glory from North. p. 8 9. but concerned the Saints only in former times for so much its clear they intend by comparing this with the former particular they are the declaration of the Saints conditions in former times but they are no rule of faith and life to us what do they then concern us what need we regard them what benefit have we by them A most unworthy expression when God hath written to us the great things of his word and we account them a strange thing Hosea 8.12 as if they did not at all concern us and the Lord had not spoken those things to us but to others But as it delares their enmity against the Scriptures so is it a very false assertion There be some part of the Scriptures that do more concern us now in these last dayes of the world then they did the Saints in former times as many Prophetick Scriptures in Dauid and the Revelations and for other Scriptures the Apostle faith what ever was written was written for our learning Rom. 15.4 and for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world be come 1 Cor 10.6 11. The example of Christ and his Apostles teaches us to make use of the whole Wood of God they frequently cited the writings of Moses and the Prophets in the book of the Psalmes applying them to that generation why may not we then apply the same as also the writings of the New Testament for our benefit In Heb. 13.5 The Apostle applies that promise made to Joshuah to the beleeving Hebrews I will not have thee nor forsake thee See 1 Cor. 7.1 where the Apostle applies the promises made by the Prophet Jer 31.1 to the Corinthians and presses them to duty from thence and indeed to what end are they written down and by the gracious providence of the Lord preserved to this day but for our use and benefit it 's needlesse to adde more here that which was spoken in the former particular will also clear this IV. They call the Scriptures reproachfully a letter a dead letter c. as may be seen in their writings frequently which is but a piece of Popish Rhetorick for this hath been the language of Papists before them who have called them a dead letter divinity of ink and paper with many more such opprobrious tearms But whether we should beleeve Papists and Quakers in vilifying the Scriptures or credit the holy penmen their commendation of them judge ye David saith The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soule the testimonies of the Lord are sure making wise the simple the Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart the Commandments of the Lord are pure enlightning the eyes c. and Psalme 119.50 Thy word hath quickened me The Apostle James 1.18 saith he begot us with the word of truth Paul saith faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it 's not said by the personal word Jesus Christ but by the word that is preached by men not that we exclude the co-operation of Gods Spirit with preaching for we are workers together with God 2 Cor. 6.1 but that the word written and preached might have it's due place and commendation being mighty through God the power of God to salvation and therefore no dead letter It is a grosse perverting of that Scripture 2 Cor. 3.6 to alledge it for to prove the Scriptures to be a dead letter for the Apostle there compares the doctrine or ministration of the Law and the old Covenant with the ministration of the Gospel Covenant disputing against such as commended the
Law above the Gospel and call'd men from the grace of Christ to the works of the Law c. now the Law was but a dead killing letter pronouncing a curse and death not could it quicken spiritually there being no promise in it of writing the Law in our hearts but in the same place he commends his Ministry for the Ministery of the Spirit and of Life therefore this place makes nothing for this wicked cavil of those enemies against the Scriptures V. They equal their books and pamphlets though commonly stuft with non-sense and railing ever with wicked errors to the holy Scriptures then which what can be more disgraceful to the Scriptures and more abominable to all sober spirits This appears clearly to all that have but read their papers for thus they commonly write Moved from the Lord written from the Spirit of the Lord given from the Lord c. and they boast commonly that they speak from God immediately and infallibly as the Apostles did formerly Whether this doth not bring them under that curse Rev. 22.18 for adding to the Scriptures let them look to it VI. They sometimes plead the Church was a long time without the Scriptures and therefore they are not necessary now and if ten thousand of those books were burnt they might do well enough the light in them is sufficient c. This I testifie hath been objected to me and there be others can witnesse it with me For the former part it is an old Popish Argument against the necessity of the Scriptures and I shall only reply what hath been answered the Papists to this formerly Whitaker de perfec Script cap. 7. tells the Papists though of old time when God familiarly shewed himself to the Fathers and by himself manifested to them his will the Scriptures were not necessary yet after God did change the course of teaching his Church and would have the Word written then the Scriptures began to be necessary To the latter part I answer such an expression would suit the mouth of an Irish rebel rather then of any sober Christian and therefore let him repent and pray if perhaps the thought of his heart may be forgiven him VII They appear enemies to the holy Scriptures in their daily practices as their neglecting to use the holy Scriptures Their speakers speak not out of the Scriptures as did Christ Luke 4.17 who opened the book and took his text out of Esay 61.1 and in all his Sermons he opened the Scriptures and proved all things by the Scriptures nor do their speakers exhort people to search the Scriptures to give themselves to reading meditation This they that have been present testifie c. but to look to the light in their consciences let them shew where ever Christ or his Apostles gave such an exhortation to look to the light within them And for their disciples they follow not the example of the noble Bereans Acts 17.11 who searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so but they take all spoken to them as given from God immediately and turn not to the Scriptures to try the doctrines they hear by the Law and testimony When they have no speakers they sit as mutes together looking on the ground or looking at the light within them as they say but not looking on the Scriptures nor conferring about them though sometimes they will read in their Assemblies their quaking letters or books besides some of them have offered to sell their Bibles Now the most ignorant may easily judge by all this what friends they are to the Scriptures I might adde hereunto if it were requisite to shew their enmity to the Scriptures their perverse wresting of the Scriptures in such a manner sometime as shews they have neither knowledge of the Scriptures nor any light of common understanding of men left in them G. Whitehead maintaining of perfection as the Papists do I brought him that place against it Eccles 7.10 not a just man upon earth that doth good and sinneth not he perverted it as if Solomon did speak of a man in an earthy condition Another when that cripture 1 Cor. 6.20 was used to prove that we are not only to give God internal worship and service but outward and bodily he replied the Church was he body that was to glorifie God Again when Paul Rom. 7. cryed out ob wretched man c. he had not the Spirit And that the same Apostle in 1 Cor. 11.14 did not at all condemne long hair And many of them have said that the Apostle 1 Cor. 9.14 saying even so hath the Lord ordained that they that preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel doth not plead for outward bodily maintenance but their living by faith or living spiritually on the Gospel were ever any people more blinded in the world then these how dreadful a judgement is this upon them for leaving the Scriptures and looking to the light in them which appears by these things to be meer darknesse I could fill many pages with such instances of their perverse wrest of the Scriptures but this will appear more fully in the following Sections Let me but summe up these things together and then let the Reader judge whether this first charge is not sufficiently proved against them The proof runs thus if to deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God and thereby to insinuate they never came from God if to deny the special use of the Scriptures to be a rule of faith and obedience and to make as if they belonged to the Saints formerly but did not concern us now if to give vilifying expressions to them and to call them a dead letter if to equal foolish and wicked pamphlets with them if to plead there 's no necessity of them if to practise to slight them and perversly to wrest them if any or if all of these together will prove the Quakers to be enemies to the holy Scriptures then the charge stands good against them Let the weakest hereby discern and see and not be deceived by them though they pretend in words never so fairly to the Scriptures And thus for this first charge SECT II. The Quakers deny Christ come in the flesh as also his Death Resurrection Ascension Intercession and coming to Judgement THe Apostle John in his second Epistle ver 7. speaks of many deceivers and Antichrists come into the world who confesse not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh and forbids to receive such into your houses and to bid them God-speed for such as do so are partakers of their evil deeds Let us therefore in the next place enquire whether the Quakers may be justly charged with this crime that if they be found guilty thereof all such as professe to be Christians may disclaime them and take heed of them as Deceivers and Antichrists I shall here first freely give Testimony for the Quakers and do acknowledge in their behalfs that they have the name of Jesus Christ
with their souls after the resurrection and last judgment shall eternally possesse and inherit And hell is a place of endlesse and exquisite torments to which wicked men shall be adjudged into which they are not now actually thrust whilest they are upon earth though they feel flashes of wrath upon their consciences sometimes which are the earnests thereof but after their departure out of the flesh their soules shall be tormented therein and after the resurrection of the just and of the unjust their bodies shall be sentenced with their souls to be eternally punished therein Let the Reader see from hence what wicked enemies of the truths of Christ this generation of men are that dare thus subvert the most fundamental truths of the Gospel whereon the comfort and hope of Christians depends and which being overthrown a gap is opened to all wickednesse and abominations for what impieties will not men venture upon when they believe no resurrection judgment heaven or hell but what men have now in their consciences and what discouragement will this be to the Saints whose only comfort and hope arises from that invisible glory in the world to come Thus for this sixth general charge SECT VII The Quakers are enemies to all the Ordinances of Jesus Christ THe holy Ordinances of God being instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ the King of his Church to the end we might therein visibly tender up to God that homage and worship that is due unto his Name and that we might in them enjoy communion with himselfe as also that through them he might communicate the influences of his grace and blessing unto our soul it cannot but be horrid impiety in any to attempt the violation of the same How can it be otherwise reputed by any gracious heart but high treason against the crown and dignity of our Lord Jesus thus to trample upon his institutions and appointments and a sacrilegious robbing of God of that manifested glory due to him which was the great end of his creating the world and redeeming mankind As also extreamly prejudicial to the comfort and salvation of mens souls Such therefore as shall attempt the undermining of the same notwithstanding what faire pretenses they may make cannot be otherwise adjudged then the open enemies of God and the manifest confederates of Satan the Prince of darknesse for wherein can they gratifie that evil spirit more then in casting down the holy Ordinances of Gods worship and service This is evident in that the devil doth enjoyne such as are his sworn servants and slaves that is witches so soon as they be admitted into that cursed society to renounce the Ordinances of God to deny their baptisme to turn their backs off the Ministry of the Word to cast off prayer to God c. as hath been made to appeare by the publike confessions of many of these miserable creatures when they have been condemned to die for their wickednesse If then the Quakers shall be found guilty of this crime to be enemies to all the Ordinances of Jesus Christ the weakest Christian may see ground enough to reject them and abhor their ways This charge I shall therefore now make good against them by instancing in these several Ordinances of Christ which they renounce and cast off First for the ministerial teaching and preaching of the word this is an appointment of Jesus Christ Mark 16.15 16. and to continue to the end of the world Matth. 28.19 20. therefore was care taken that after the Apostles there might be a constant succession of Ministers in the Churches or Christ in after ages 1 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. But now this Ordinance is denied by the Quakers they hold forth the light in them to be a sufficient teacher that there needs no other to teach but that neither the teaching of the Scriptures nor the Ministry of men See Nailer Glory soon the North p. 2 3. All people saith he cease from their outside lights and return to the light of Christ in you And this light is not a chapter without you in a book this is the more sure word of prophecie c. G. F. in a paper to the Baptists p. 8. You that look out at Teachers without you consider you are strangers to that Covenant by which all come to know the Lord and need not that one teach another Parnel trial of faith p. 7. Hearken to that in your conscience thou that art willing to follow this and be guided by this shalt need no man to teach thee But it will be said they have teachers and teaching among themselves how can they be judged enemies to this Ordinance then I answer it 's true their principles and practises do herein contradict each other and this no unusual thing amongst them to do thus But I shall tell you what one of their great friends replyed to this contradiction when I charged them with it saith he Their teaching is but to take people off from other Teachers that they may be brought to minde the light in them alone and then they will cease teaching Good Reader see what the designe of these men is to bring thee and thy posterity into the condition poor Indians are in to have no other teaching and so to leave thee I hope thou seest by this what enemies they are to thy soul As for Prayer this is also an Ordinance of God 1 Thes 5.17 publick prayer in Church Assemblies 1 Tim. 2.1 15. secret in our closets Mat. 6.6 private prayer in families Zach. 12.10 12. Jer. 10.25 so for prayer and thanksgiving when we receive Gods creatures 1 Tim. 4.45 Mat. 15.36 Now this Ordinance the Quakers are enemies to as appeares by their practises the chiefest of their followers have for a long time disused prayer in their families when they arise or go to bed though formerly some of them have been seemingly conscientious therein they neglect giving thanks when they receive the creatures and pray not for a blessing on them falling to as swine without looking up to heaven And for their speakers though of late they have used it more then in former times as they have in policy more then in honesty reformed many other things that they saw were an offence to people and kept them from following them yet they are not true friends to prayer Nailer p. 3. of his Glory from the North mocks such as pray for a sight of sin and repentance saying the light in them would discover it c. and in many other books of theirs this may be seen and what then should Christians pray for if they may not pray for grace besides when their teachers pray here it 's testified by many which have heard them They never pray to God in the Name of Jesus Christ and what prayer can they make then but as if they were in the very person of Christ as indeed they hold God to dwell as essentially in them as in the Man Christ Jesus they use such expressions
Romish Antichrist 2 Thes 2 4. as is in these men who dare boast they are equal with God that they are infallible perfectly free from the being of sin who dare write their pamphlets ordinarily as given from the Lord from the Spirit of God immediately that dare scorne all others not of their way and judge them as ungodly hypocrites blinde c. do these things argue holy and mortified persons how full of lying of false accusing c. are their writings what bitter enemies are they to the wayes and servants of Christ and in reproaching and vilifying them out-strip the persecuting Prelates and their party in former times who seeth not that the devil hath raised up these to act the part of that wicked crew who are now brought under the hatches for their enmity is chiefly if not only vented against the same people and ways that were persecuted formerly by the prelatical party Obj. But some will say they are no drunkards no adulterers c. such ways they hate Answ 1. Suppose it be so no more is the devil a drunkard glutton adulterer and yet his spiritual wickednesses his pride malice envy lying false accusing of the Saints c. are no lesse crimes then drunkennesse gluttony c. and in these things the Quakers appear as eminently the children of the devil as any do Julian the Apostate as it 's reported of him was a temperate just and strict man but a most wicked enemy of Jesus Christ 2. But for such fleshly lusts we have no great experience of their conversations most of them being strangers here and therefore we cannot so well discover such things if they were guilty of them yet for the time they have been in these parts we have sufficient conviction that they may be guilty of such filthinesse of the flesh as well as of such filthinesse of spirit as was before mentioned There hath scarce been known a more vile wretch then Christopher Atkinson who sometimes was acknowledged by themselves the chiefest of their Sect who after he had professed repentance for his filthinesse and leudnesse comitted with the woman he hath since married yet escaping out of prison he practised greater villany then before for being at an Inne called the George in Thurton within five or six miles of Norwich as I was informed by two credible persons who were occasionally at the same Inne at that time he there offered ten shillings in hire of an whore and fell in love with a young girle whom he suited so as he did cry and whine for her he told such lies concerning himself and otherwise shewed himself so vile that it was apparent he was no novice in such actions for no man on a sudden arrives to the height of wickednesse I might annex the story of those two Quakers spoken of in the book put forth by Gilpin and of him that being condemned to die for incest in York-shire poisoned himself in prison But these being done in more remote parts I shall not insist upon them Now let not any say it 's a common thing for some wicked persons to be found amongst such as are most holy and therefore these few examples should not condemn the rest of them for they are men that pretend to be perfectly free from the being of sin to be infallible c. and therefore the fall any one shews their doctrine to be lies besides what spiritual wickednesses reigns amongst them generally was shewed before and they are not ashamed to defend such actions as tend directly to lead men to such filthinesse as going naked c. How clear is it then from all this that these people are no truly mortified persons what ever they pretend 3. That mortification which they professe to have consists but in some external things which God never required as voluntary humility neglecting of the body which things are called will-worship Col. 2. in putting away outward ornaments not wearing ribbons refusing titles of honour to be called Master not putting off the hat using the words of yea nay thou in their wilful sufferings for opposing and vilifying Ministers in much fasting and abstemious use of the creatures c. Now as for these it may be said Who hath required these things at their hands What are those when they are enemies to the crosse of Christ and to the righteousnesse of faith as was shewed in the Section of Justification when they place righteousnesse in such observations not knowing the mortification of the corruptions of the heart as was before proved when they are ignorant of and enemies to an inward and spiritual work of grace and regeneration upon the heart as shall be made to appear in the next Section alas how easie is it for any carnal heart to learn such outward observances and place their righteousnesse in them and yet even in externals they sin against their own principle of the light in them as by wearing such ruffian-like long haire so Fox and Duesbury two great and principal men amongst them have done that light in them might teach them its a shame to do so 1 Cor. 11.14 4. And even in these external shews of mortification they been have far out-stripped by many others the Pharisees of old see Montagu Acts and Monuments of the Church cap. 7. have sometimes made vows of continence abstinence watching and praying for ten years together during all which time they would not come near any beautiful woman and when necessity compelled them to sleep they would lie upon narrow planks or upon stones or thorns that they might sooner be awakened to prayer reading and meditation they pretended revelations and inspirations their ordinary fastings were two dayes in the week the third and fifth dayes wherein the wholly abstained from meat till the stars appeared but in their extraordinary fasts they used greater severity over the flesh they would shew great austerity in their common deportment and would hazard their lives before they would recede from their way The Essens another Sect amongst the Jews did yet go beyond the Pharisees shewing a wonderful gravity and austerity in their carriages detesting not only prophannesse but lawful pleasures and delights abstinence continence and mastering their affections they esteemed a chief point of piety for marriage they cared not for it nor for the company of women getting of wealth and growing rich they despised to swear any oath was a capital crime they were so addicted to contemplation that some of them did not eat in three dayes time some in six when they did eat brown bread and salt was their ordinary food and when they exceeded they had green hearbs their apparel was poor and simple only to preserve from cold and heat they turned the Scriptures into allegories as the Quakers do following the example of the Egyptian wise men saith Philo they pretended to revelations and prophetical inspirations maintained community of goods torments of body they regard not but endured with courage and constancy
1. Neither can they shew us in Scripture where ever hats were worne therefore it s not likely we should read of putting them off as for that place in Dan. 3.21 where mention is made of the three children being cast into the fire with their coats hosen hats the word there translated hats signifies any kind of covering or garment it coming from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to cloath or cover and therefore in the Margin of your books the Translatours render it turbants which were the garments worne upon their heads in those Easterne Countreys for they weare no hats but because such a word as that is not known amongst the vulgar they retain in the text the word hats which we weare on our heads and not turbants Secondly though we find not in Scripture examples of putting off the hat because hats were not worne yet we find other testifications of honour and respect given to superiours according to the custome of each Countrey as standing up bowing the knee or the body which are approved in Scripture as before was shewed how ridiculous is it then to make it unlawfull to put off the hat when those other actions be approved and lawfull But there are some other Scriptures which the Quakers often urge against the giving or receiving honour of men which must be answered as that John 5.44 How can ye believe which receive honour one of another and seek not the honour that cometh from God onely To which I answer Christ doth not here condemne all giving or receiving honour one of another for in other places it is commanded and commended as was shewed before Rom. 12.10 1 Pet. 2.17 c. but he forbids loving the praise and honour of men more then the praise of God which was the sinne of those people John 12.43 and this kept them from believing they knew if they believed in him they should be reviled cast out of the Synagogues and lose the honour they had amongst men such an honour as this we are far from pleading for and had rather be trampled upon by men as we have been formerly by the Prelates and now are by the Quakers then lose the praise of God but what is this to the denying such civil honour to men as these Scriptures before named require There is another place that those people do much pervert to make for them which is James 2.9 If ye have respect to persons ye commit sinne To which I reply 1. There is indeed a respecting of persons which is sinfull as when in judgement men respect persons not regarding the equity of the cause but because such a man is rich potent or honourable sentence is passed on his side and the poor man oppressed in judgement this is forbidden Deut. 1.17 Thou shalt not respect persons in judgement but shalt heare the small as well as the great See also Levit. 19.15 So likewise out of the case of judgment there may be a sinfull respecting of persons as when private persons shall highly esteeme love and honour persons that be rich and great in the world though vitious and ungodly and shall contemne the precious Saints when poore and low in the world this is sinfull respecting of persons I might adde also respecting of persons in election to Magistracy and in religious matters for this is also sinfull and the Apostle James doth condemne respecting of persons onely in some of these cases here named 2. But then there is a lawfull respecting of persons which is so far from being a sinne that it is a duty to do it namely when we acknowledge the dignity and excellency of others and by some outward signe testifie the same this was proved by those precepts and examples before named and many more might be added if it were needfull Thus the Prophet Elisha 2 Kings 3. is said to regard or respect the presence of Jehoshaphat King of Judah Nay God himselfe is said to be a respecter of persons Gen. 4.4 5. The Lord had respect to Abel but unto Cain he had not respect and Gen. 19.21 the like is said of Lot many other places might be given but enough is said for the clearing up of this duty Now from all this it appeares that as the Quakers are fallen from Christianity in that they deny the true Christ and the Christian faith So they are fallen from humanity in thus denying all good manners and wherein can they come nearer to bruit beasts then in casting off humanity and civil demeanour Though they would cover over such actions with the guilded shew of humility yet doth it directly tend to overthrow all government and authority amongst men for take away outward honour and respect from superiours and what government can subsist long amongst men Thus having shewed the Quakers to be so far degenerate that they are no Christians nor scarsly men Its time for me to put an end to my discourse concerning them and to trouble my self nor the reader further with them SECT XIII The conclusion by way of Admonition to beware of the errours of the times and in particular of Quakerisme with a commendation of some antidotes by way of preservative against the same WE have many predictions and frequent warnings in the holy Scriptures of the heresies and seductions of the last times Christ himself tells us Mat. 24.11.24 that false christs and false prophets shall arise and deceive many and if it were possible they should deceive the very Elect and the Apostle Peter 2 Ep. 2.1 doth also warne That false prophets shall arise and shall bring in damnable heresies and many shall follow their pernicious wayes by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of and the like admonitions are given by the Apostle Paul 1 Tim. 4.1 and 2 Tim. 2 1 c. as also by the Apostles John and Jude There is no ground then that Christians should be discouraged at these over-flowing floods of errours that the Serpent now casts out of his mouth to drown the Church nor at the rage and violence of the enemies of the truth amongst us think it not strange concerning these things as if some strange thing had happened unto us the Scriptures must be fulfilled that have told us before of those things and the Church of God in former times have had the same trials heresies must be though woe to them by whom they come or by whom they are countenanced We may expect yet greater tryals and stronger seducements if no timely remedy be used by Christian Magistrates to restraine seducers from spreading their seducing doctrines The Scriptures speak of the powerful working of Satan accompanying deceivers and a power of working seeming miracles being given to them and of strong delusions As the Quakers are but simple deceivers in comparison of the Papists and other hereticks in former ages so we may fear they shall be much more out-vied by such seducers as are yet to come in following times when Satan is to act
you shall be established and kept from falling into the errour of the wicked Heb. 13.9 2 Pet. 3.17 18. And let your obedience to the faith appear to all Rom. 16.19 He that doth the will of God shall know more thereof John 7.17 and shall be established therein It is the great evil of many professors in this age they covet to fill their heads with knowledge and light letting their hearts be empty of holinesse and grace they are much in searching after new lights high notions and discoveries of smaller concernment but little in working upon their spirits the great and saving truths of Christ and in practising known Commandments it 's no wonder if such prove apostates they whose hearts are deceitful under truth may soon be deceived by errour Can we judge that these persons who deny the doctrines of Christs humanity of justification of the resurrection c. ever lived in the power of these truths received down the comfort of them and had their hearts formed into holinesse by them if they had they would have been hereby fortified against such seducers as tempt them to deny these doctrines for my own part I must professe whilst my faith is acting upon these great and precious truths of the Gospel and the comfort and sweetnesse of them is now flowing into my spirit I cannot mention these filthy and abominable errours but it is with highest detestation and abhorrence Let this therefore be the care of every Christian not to rest in a bare notional knowledge but to get a sanctifying experimental and practical knowledge of the things of God III. Be much in prayer that God would give you the spirit of Truth and thereby guide and keep you in the truth Joh. 16.13 In times of infection you use not to stir out of your houses till you pray God to keep you and your families daily had you as sensible apprehensions of the infections and mortall contagion of the heresies now raigning amongst us you would be as much in prayer to God for to keep you and yours daily from them but all the admonitions in the Scripture will hardly perswade people to believe their danger herein 2 Pet. 2 1. 1 Tim. 3.17 are not heresies damnable and extremely infectious and contagious as gangrenes and plagues our own experiences in these times abundantly testifies it if one person in a family be infected with heresie all the rest soon learne it of them even young ones commonly drink it in its more rarely seen that any good is so soon learnt by them and if one house be infected such as live neare thereto or converse with them they are also indangered What need therefore to be much in prayer to God to keep us in these infectious times wherein if it were possible the very elect should be deceived we had need to commend our selves to him who is able to keep us from falling Jude 24. IV. Expose not yourselves to the tentations of Seducers t is in vain to pray to God to keep you from the infection if you wilfully against the expresse Word of God run into the company of Deceivers you are bidden to avoid them Rom. 16.17 to turn away from such 2 Tim. 3.5 6. to beware of them Mat. 7.15 not to go after them Luke 21.8 if they come to you not receive them nor bid them God-speed 2 Joh. 10. What wilful disobedience to all these cleer commands is it when people will venture to go into the company and frequent the meetings of such seducers if Satan take such among his own how justly may God give them up to him as his own this is contrary to the example of the primitive Saints The Apostle John would not stay in the same hath where Cerinthus the heretick was nor would Policarp entertaine acquaintance with Marcion but termed him the first-born of the Devil Ireneus tells us the Apostles and their Disciples were so full of holy fear that they would not communicate with them in the world who had adulterated the Word If you say we may go and hear whether they broach such errors or no what hurt in this we must try all things and hold fast that which is good I answer may you not as well say you will go into the pest-house and see whether the persons there be infected with the plague before you will beware of them how many poor and weak persons are infected with their errours before they can discern what errours they hold And whereas the Apostle 1 Thes 5.21 bids prove all things hold that fast which is good He intends it of the prophecyings spoken of in the former verse all things spoken by the Prophets in the Church should be proved by the Scriptures whether they be so or no and not received only because they say they are of God as the Quakers receive what their teachers deliver to them without trying them by the Scriptures which they deny to be the rule of faith and life but this place makes nothing for the hearing of convicted hereticks and open enemies to the Church If thou beest therefore an humble and sincere Christian that makest conscience of the commands of the Lord then shun deceivers turn away from them go not to their meeting if they come to thee receive them not into thy house nor bid them God-speed but if thou wilt run upon tentations thou hast no promise of God to keep thee it was the devils deceit to perswade men God will protect them out of his way Mat. 4.6 V. Harbour not any sinful lusts in your hearts allow not of any secret sin it 's sin that makes God give up men to errour 2 Thes 2.10 11 12. because they have pleasure in unrighteousness and it 's sin that makes a man like a piece of wax ready to receive the impression of any errour they who are not sound in the fear of God may easily become unsound in the faith of God Hymeneus and Alexander 1 Tim. 1.19 20. first put away a good conscience then made shipwrack of the faith the women that were led captive by seducers 2 Tim. 3. were such as were laden with divers lusts if the heart be corrupt and love sinne it will strongly encline a man to entertaine corrupt principles that will give liberty unto sin how ready will a wicked heart be to close with the wicked errours of the Quakers that there is no resurrection of the flesh no heaven and hell but what is now in this world that after death nothing remains or with the Libertines opinion that sin is no real evil but to him that thinks it evil to him it is evil as Jos Salmon in his touches of good and evil speaks or with the Atheists opinion that there is no God c. look therefore to your hearts to keep them pure if you would not be given up to impure errors love no sin if you would leave no truth VI. Cleave more to the Ministry of the Word and the