Teâ—timonie do in the least prove their Assertion or that others that do not take things meerly upon Trust would be so foolish as to believe them For though God made known and wrote excellent things to Solomon Though Luke wrote unto Theophilus an Account of divers Transactions of Christ's Outward Abode For many were never written Joh. last vers last et 20. 30. And there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the World it self could not contain the Books that should be written And many other Signs truly did Jesus in the Presence of his Disciples which are not written in this Book Though Christ made use of divers Scriptures against Satan and that Isaiah directed People to the Law and to the Testimony who will be so mad as to say It naturally follows from thence that God has now committed his Will wholely to Writing Such a Consequence is no more deducible from these Scriptures then if I should argue thus The Divines of Westminster have asserted many things without Ground therefore they had Ground for nothing they said Nay it follows not by far so naturally seeing after the writing of all these Passages by them cited according to their own Judgment there were divers Scriptures written so that it had been false for them to assert That Gâ—d had then committed his Counsel wholely to Wâ—iting which indeed was not true So it is most Irrational and Unwarrantable for any to draw such a strange and strained Consequence from their words For the Second That the former Wayes are now ceased they alledge Hebr. 1. 1 2. God who at sundry Times and in divers Manners spake in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed Heir of all things by whom also he hath made the Worldâ— 2 Pet. 1. 19. We have also a More Sure Word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a Dark Place until the Day dawn and the Day-Star arise in your Hearts Which prove thâ— Matter as little as the former If Paul had intended by that to Timothy what those Divines would have Would not they have made the Apostle speak a manifest Untruth seeing they themselves acknowledg that John's Revelation was written long after so that these former Ways were not then ceased As for that of Peter it is to beg the thing in Question To say It is intended of the Scripture and though it were it proves not the Case at all That of Hebr. is so ar from asserting the Matter they would have it that it may be very aptly brought to prove the quite contrary for God indeed speaks to us now by his Son But to infer from thence That the Son speaks only to us by the Scriptures remains yet unproved Aâ—d for the Apostle to have there asserted it had been false seeing the Revelations which he and others afterwards had were inward so such were not ceased And if we may trust the same Apostle better then these Men he tells us that so soon as Christ was revealed in him he went straight and obey'd And the same Apostle tells us that Except Christ be in us we are Reprobates sure he is not dumb in us seeing he sayes He will dwell in us and walk in us and be with us to the End of the World And John tells us that the inward Anointing is to teach us all things so that we need not as to any absolute Necessity any Man to teach us how then is this ceased seeing God speaks to us by Christ and Christ must be in us Surely these Men have not herein followed the Rule of the Scriptures but rather endeavoured most grosly to wrest them and make of them a Nose of Wax notwithstanding their Pretences as to the contrary in their 6th Sect. where they say All things necessary are either expresly set down or by good and necessary Consequences may be deduced Now that these two former Assertions are not expresly set down they will not deny whether they follow by sound Consequence any understanding Man may judge by what is above observed There are divers other things in the same Chapter which will not abide the Test for which the Scripture-Proofs are alledged by them are most ridiculous yet for Brevity's sake I have omitted In Chap. 21. Sect. 7. where they say That the Sabbath from the Resurrection of Christ was changed into the First Day of the Week which in Scripture say they is called the Lord's Day and is to be continued to the End of the World as the christian-Christian-Sabbath In which they assert Three Things First That the First Day of the Week is come in place of the Seventh for a Sabbath To prove which they alledge 1 Cor. 16. 1 2 Now concerning the Collection for the Saints as I have given order to the Churches of Galatâ—â— even so do ye upon the First Day of the Week Let every one of you lay by him in store as God hath prospered him that there be no Gathering when I come Acts 20. 7. And upon the First Day of the Week when the Disciples came together to break Bread Paul preached to them ready to depart on the morrow and continued his Speech until Midnight That these Proofs assert not the thing expresly we need not I suppose dispute Now to say that because Paul desired the Corinthians to lay somewhat by them in store that day or because he broak Bread and continued his Speech until Midnight therefore the First Day of the Week is come in place of the Sabbath is a Consequence more remarkable for its Sottishness then to be credited for its Soundness Indeed to make so solemn an Article of Faith as these men would have the Morality of the first day of the Week to be would need a more positive and express Authority The Text doth clearly enough tell the Reason of the Disciples meeting so frequently and of Paul's preaching so long because he was ready to depart to morrow it speaks not a word of its being Sabbath Their Second Assertion That the First Day of the Week is therefore called the Lord's Day is drawn yet more strangly from that of Rev. 1. 10. I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day and heard behind me a great Voice as of a Trumpet Whereas no particular Day of the Week is mentioned so for them to say John meaned the First Day of the Week hath no more Proof but their own bare Assertion For their Third Assertion That it is to be continued to the End of the World as the christian-Christian-Sabbath they alledge these Scriptures Exod. 20. 8 10 11. Remember the sabbath-Sabbath-Day to keep it Holy but the Seventh Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt not do any Work thou nor thy Son nor thy Daughter thy Man-Servant nor thy Maid-Servant
nor thy Cattel nor thy Stranger which is within thy Gates for in Six Dayes the Lord made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the Seventh Day wherefore the Lord blessâ—d the Sabbath Day and hallowed it Isaiah 56. 2 4 6 7. Mat. 5. 17 18. Think not that I am come to destroy the Law or the Prophets I am not come to destroy but to fulfil For verily I say unto you Till Heaven and Earth pass one Jâ—t or one Tittle shall in no wise pass from the Law till all be fulfilled If they prove any thing they must needs prove the Continuance of the Seventh Day seeing in all the Law there is no mention made of the First Day of the Week being a Sabbath If these may be reckoned good and sound Consequences I know no Absurdities so great no Heresies so damnable no Superstitions so ridiculous but may be cloaked with the Authority of Scripture In their 27th Chapter in the 1 2 3. Sections they speak at large of the Definition and Nature of Sacraments but in all the Scriptures they bring there is not one word of Sacraments The Truth is there was a good Reason for this Emission for such a thing is not to be found in all the Bible For them to alledge that the thing signified is though that be also a begging of the Question will not excuse such who else-where aver the whole Counsel of God is contained in the Scripture to forsake and reject the Tenour thereof and scrape out of the Rubbish of the Romish Tradition for that which is reckoned by themselves so substantial a Part of their Faith In their 4th Section they assert two things First That there are Two only Sacraments under the Gospel Secondly That these two are Baptism and the Supper To prove which they alledge Mat. 28. 19. Go ye therefore and teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 1 Cor. 11. 20 23. When ye come together therefore into one place this is not to eat the Lord's Supper for I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same Night in which he was betrayed took Bread 1 Cor. 4. 1. Let a man so account of us as of the Ministers of Christ and Stewards of the Mysteries of God Hebr. 5. 4. And no man taketh this Honour to himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron Now granting there were such a thing as Sacraments to be so solemnly performed all that these Scriptures will prove is That these two were appointed to be performed but that there are only two or that these are they which is the thing asserted and incumbent to be proved there is not the least Shadow of Proof alledged for according to their own Definition of a Sacrament in the larger Catechism where they say The Parts of a Sacrament are Two the one an outward and sensible Sign used according to Christ's own Appointment the other an inward and spiritual Grace thereby signified both the Washing of one another's Feet and the Anointing of the Sick with Oyl doth Answer to it and many other Things So that the Probation of a Sacrament at all or of their being Two Seven yea or Seventy is all alike easie seeing neither Name nor Number is to be found in the Scripture they being the meer Conceits and Inventions of men and yet it is marvellous to see with how great Confidence some men do assert the Scripture to be their Rule while they build up so considerable Parts of their Doctrine without the least Scripture-Foundation Thus I thought fit to pitch upon these three viz. the Scriptures Sabbaths and Sacraments because these be three of the main things for which we the Quakers are chiefly cry'd out against and accused as believing Erroneously concerning them Now what we believe concerning these things and how agreeable our Testimony herein is to the Scriptures is heretofore sufficiently demonstrated Also how little Scripture-Proof these have for their contrary Assertions to us in these things notwithstanding of their great Pretences to Scripture will also appear to the Vnbyassed Reader Advertisment to the Reader NOte Reader That I have here throughout made use of the Last Common Translation of the Bible And if I would have made use of the Hebrew and Greek I could have produced divers other very clear Scriptures which in the Common Translation are corrupted and perverted but I choosed rather to do thus that our Opposers might see I took no Advantage that way and also that all that can but read may find the places cited in their own Bibles THE END a Ephes. 4 6. 1 Cor. 8. 4 6. b Joh. 4. 24. c 1 Joh. 1. 5. d 1 Joh. 5. 7. e John 10 38. 14. 10 11. 5. 26. f Mat. 11 27. Luke 10. 24. g 1 Cor. 2. 10. h 1 Cor. 2 11 12. i Joh. 14. 16. k Joh. 14. 16 17. l Rom. 8. 9 14. m Heb. 8. 10 11. n 1 John 2. 27. o Rom. 15. 4. p 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. q 2 Pet 1. 20 21. r John 1. 1 2 3. s Mic. 5. 2. t Eph. 3. 9. u Phil. 2. 6. x Isa. 9. 6. y Col. 1. 15. z Hebr. 1. 3. a Rev. 19. 13. b Col. 2. 9 c Col. 2. 3. d Jo. 1. 14. e Hebr. 2. 16 17. f Hebr. 4. 15. g 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. h Rom. 8. 3. i 1 John 3. 8. k 1 John 3. 5. l Eph. 5. 2. m Heb. 9. 12. n Hebr. 9. 14. o Rev. 5. 8 12 13. p 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4. q 1 Pet. 2. 21. r 2 Cor. 4. 10 11. s Phil. 3. 10. t Isai. 57. 15. u 2 Cor. 6. 16. x Rev. 3. 20. y 2 Corin 13. 5. z Col. 1. 27. a Joh. 3 3. b Ephes. 4. 21 22. Col. 3. 10. c 2 Cor. 5. 16. d 2. Cor. 5. 17. e Rom. 13. 14. f Ephes. 4. 23. g Gal. 3. 27. h 1 Pet. 1. 23. i Gal. 6. 14. k Gal. 6. 5. l Hebr. 2. 11. m 2 Pet. 1. 4. n Joh. 17. 21 22 23. o John 3. 16. p John 4. 9. q 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. r Heb. 2. 9. s 1 Tim. 2. 6. t 1 Tim. 2. 4. w 2 Pet. 3. 9. x John 3. 17. y John 12. 46. z Rom. 5. 18. a Coll. 1. 23. b Rom. 1. 16. c 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. d Joh. 3. 19. e Joh. 1. 9. f Ephes. 5. 11. g John 3. 20 21. h 1 Joh 1. i John 12. 36. k Heb. 4 7. l Luke 19. 42. m Mat. 23. 37. n Acts 7. 51. o Job 24 13. p Gen. 6. 3. q Rom. 1. 18. r Rom. 1. 19. s 1 Cor. 12. 7. t Tit. 2. 11 12. w Act. 20. 32. x Hebr. 4. 12. y 2 Pet. 1. 19. z Rom. 10. 8. a 2 Cor. 4. 6. b 2 Cor. 4. 7. d Heb. 11. 1 e Heb. 11. 6. f Gal. 5. 6. g Jam. 2. 22 26. h Rom. 3. 20. i Tit. 3. 5. k 1 Cor. 6. 11. l Rom. 8. 13. m Tit. 3 8 n Rom. 2. 6 7. o 2 Thes. 1. 5. p Heb. 10. 35. q Rev. 22. 14. r Rom. 6. 14. s Rom. 8. 1 2. t Rom. 6. 2 18. w Mat. 5. 48. x Mat. 11. 30. y 1 Joh. 5. 3. z Mat 19. 17. a 1 Joh. 2. 3. b 1 Joh. 2. 4. c 1 John 3. 6. d 1 John 3. 7 8 9. e Mat. 7. 21. f 1 Cor. 7. 19. g 2 Pet. 1. 10. h 1 Cor. 9. 27. l Heb. 3. 12. k Heb. 4. 11. l Heb. 6. 4. 5 6. m Joh. 15. 16. n Rev. 3. 12. o Rom. 8. 38. p 1 Tim. 3. 15. q Col. 1. 18. r Col. 2. 19. s 1 Cor. 1. 2. t Ephes. 4. 8. 11. w 1 Tim. 3. 2 3. x Tit. 1. 8 9. y Acts 20. 28. z 1 Pet. 5. 2 3. a 1 Tim. 51 17. b 1 Thes. 5. 12. c 1 Pet. 4. 10 11. d 1 Cor. 1. 17. e 1 Cor. 2. 4 5. f 1 Cor. 2. 6 7. g 1 Cor. 2. 13. h Mat. 10. 20. i 1 Cor. 9. 11. 14. 9. k 1 Cor. 9. 16 17 18. l Acts 20. 33 34. m Isa. 36. 11. n Ibidem o Ezek. 34. 8. p Mic. 35. 11. q Tit. 1. 11. r 2 Pet. 2. 15. s 2 Pet. 2. 3. t 1 Tim. 6. 5. w 1 Tim. 6. 6. x 1 Tim. 6. 8. y John 4. 23. z John 4. 24. a Psa. 145. 18. b Pro. 15. 29. c 1 Joh. 5. 14. d 1 Cor. 14 15. e Rom. 8. 26 27. f Ephes. 4. 5. g 1 Pet. 3. 21 22 h Mat. 3. 11. i Rom. 6. 3 4. k Gal. 3. 27. l 1 Corin. 11. 23 24 25. m Joh. 13â— 2 4 5 12 13 14 15. n Act. 15. 28 29. o Jam. 5. 14. p Rom. 14. 17. q Col. 2. 16. r Col. 2. 20 21 22. s Gal. 4. 9 10 11. t Rom. 14. 5 6. w Mat. 5. 33 34 35 36 37. x Jam. 5. 12. y 2 Cor. 10 3 4 5. z Jam. 4. 1 2. a Mat. 5. 39. b Luk. 10. 3. c Mat. 10. 22. d 2 Tim. 3. 12. e Mat. 5. 10. f Mat. 16. 25. g Luk 12. 8 9. h Mat. 1â— 28. i Rom. 13. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7. k 1 Pet. 2. 13 14 15. l Acts 4. 19. m Acts 5. 28 29. n Acts 24. 15. o Johu 5. 29. p 1 Corin. 14. 56. q 1 Corin. 15. 37 38 42 43 44.
profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all Good Works 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. Q. Wherein consisteth the Excellency of the Scriptures A. Knowing this first that no Prophecy of the Scriptures is of any private Interpretation For the Prophecy came not in Old Time by the Will of Man but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1. 20 21. Q. The Scriptures are then to be regarded because they came from the Spirit and they also testifie that not they but the Spirit is to lead into all Truth In what respect doth Christ command to search them A. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have Eternal Life and they are they which testifie of me Joh. 5. 39. Q. I perceive there was a Generation of old that greatly exalted the Scriptures yet would not believe nor come to be guided by that the Scriptures directed to How doth Christ bespeak such A. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father there is One that accuseth you even Moses in whom ye trust For had ye believed Moses ye would have believed me for he wrote of me But if ye believe not his Writings how shall ye believe my Words John 5. 45 46 47. Q. What ought then such to be accounted of notwithstanding of their Pretences of being ruled by the Scriptures A. In which are some things hard to be understood which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own Destruction 2 Pet. 3. 16. CHâ—P III. Of Jesus Christ's being manifest in the Flesh the Use and End of it Question VVHat are the Scriptures which do most observably prophesie of Christ's Appearance A. The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee of thy Brethren like unto me unto him ye shall hearken Deut. 18. 15. Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a Sign Behold a Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son and shall call his Name Immanuel Isa. 7. 14. Q. Was not Jesus Christ in being before he appeared in the Flesh What clear Scriptures prove this against such as erroneously assert the contrary A. But thou Beth-lehem Ephratah though thou be little among the Thousands of Judah yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be Ruler in Israel whose Goings forth have been from of Old from Everlasting Mic. 5. 2. In the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God The same was in the Beginning with God All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made John 1. 1 2 3. Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you Before Abraham was I am John 8. 58. And now O Father Glorifie thou me with thine own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was John 17. 5. And to make all men see what is the Fellowship of the Mystery which from the beginning of the VVorld hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ Ephes. 3. 9. For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers All things were created by him and for him Col. 1. 16. God hath in these last dayes spoaken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed Heir of all things by whom also he made the Worlds Hebr. 1. 2. Q. These are very clear that even the World was created by Christ But what Scriptures prove the Divinity of Christ against such as falsly deny the same A. And the Word was God Joh. 1. 1. Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed forever Amen Rom. 9. 5. Who being in the Form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God Philip. 2. 6. And we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an Understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and Eternal Life 1 John 5. 20. Q. What are the Glorious Names the Scripture gives unto Jesus Christ the Eternal Son of God A. And his Name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor The Mighty God The Everlasting Father The Prince of Peace Isa. 9. 6. Who is the Image of the Invisible God the First-born of every Creature Col. 1. 15. Who being the Brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his Person or more propâ—rly according to the Greek of his Substance Hebr. 1. 3. And he was cloathed with a Vesture dipt in Blood and his Name is called the Word of God Rev. 19. 13. Q. After what manner was the Birth of Christ A. Now the Birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise Whenas his Mother Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together she was found with Child of the Holy Ghost Mat 1. 18. And the Angel said unto her Fear not Mary for thou hast found Favour with God And behold thou shalt conceive in thy Womb and bring forth a Son and shalt call his Name Jesus He shall be great and shall be called The Son of the Highest and the Lord God shall give unto him the Throne of his Father David Then said Mary unto the Angel How shall this be seeing I know not a Man And the Angel answered and said unto her The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the Power of the Highest shall over-shadow thee Therefore also that Holy Thing that shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Luke 1. 30 31 32 34 35. Q. Was Jesus Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary and supposed to be the Son of Joseph a True and Real Man A. Forasmuch as the Children are Partakers of Flesh Blood he also himself took part of the same that through Death he might destroy him thath hath the Power of Death that is the Devil Hebr. 2. 14. For verily he took not on him the Nature of Angels but he took on him the Seed of Abraham wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his Brethren that he might be a Merciful and Faithful High Priest c. Hebr. 2. 16 17. For we have not an High Priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our Infirmities but was in all Points tempted as we are yet without Sin Hebr. 4. 15. And the Gift by Grace which is by one Man Jesus Christ hath abounded unto many Rom. 5. 15. But now is Christ risen from the Dead and become the First Fruits of them that slept for since by Man came Death by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead 1 Cor. 15. 20 21. Q. After what manner doth the Scripture assert
the Conjunction and Vnity of the Eternal Son of God in and with the Man Christ Jesus A. And the Word was made Flesh dwelt among us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth Joh. 1. 14. For he whom God hath sent speaketh the Words of God for God giveth not the Spirit by Measure unto him Joh. 3. 34. How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with Power who went about doing Good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil for God was with him Acts 10. 38. For it pleased the Father that in him should all Fulness dwell Col. 1. 19. For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the Godhead bodily Col. 2. 9. In him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledge Col. 2. 3. Q. For what End did Christ appear in the World A. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the Flesh God sending his Son in the Likeness of sinful Flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the Flesh Rom. 8. 3. For this Purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil And ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sins 1 Joh. 3. 8 5. Q. Was Jesus Christ really Crucified and Raised again A. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received how that Christ dy'd for our Sins according to the Scriptures And that he was buried and that he arose again the third day according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. Q. What End do the Scriptures asscribe unto the Coming Death and Sufferings of Christ A. For mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the Face of all People A Light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of thy People Israel Luke 2. 30 31 32. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his Righteousness for the Remission of Sins that are past through the Forbearance of God Rom. 3. 25. And walk in Love as Christ also hath loved us and hath given himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling Savour Ephes. 5. 2. And having made Peace through the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him I say whether they be things in Earth or things in Heaven And you that were sometimes alienated and Enemies in your Minds by Wicked Works yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through Death to present you Holy Unblamable and Unreprovable in his Sight Col. 1. 20 21 22. Neither by the Blood of Goats and Calves but by his own Blood he entered in once into the Holy Place having obtained Eternal Redemption for us How much more shall the Blood of Christ who through the Eternal Spirit offer'd himself without Spot to God purge your Consciences from Dead Works to serve the Living God Hebr. 9. 12 14. For Christ also hath once suffered for Sins the Just for the Unjust that he might bring us to God being put to Death in the Flesh but quickened by the Spirit 1 Pet. 3. 18. Hereby perceive we the Love of God because he laid down his Life for us 1 John 3. 16. And for this Cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of Death for the Redemption of Transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the Promise of the Eternal Inheritance Hebr. 9. 15. Q. Is Christ then the Mediator A. For there is One God and One Mediator between God and men the Man Christ Jesus who gave himself a Ransom for all to be testified in due time 1 Tim. 2. 5. Q. Was not Christ the Mediator until he appeared and was crucified in the Flesh A. He is the Lamb that was slain from the Foundation of the VVorld Rev. 5. 12. and 13. 8. Q. Is it needful then to believe that the Saints of old did partake of Christ as then present with and nourishing them A. Moreover Brethren I would not that ye should be ignorant how that all our Fathers were under the Cloud and all passed through the Sea and were all baptized unto Moses in the Cloud and in the Sea and did all eat the same spiritual Meat and did all drink the same spiritual Drink for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ 1 Cor. 10. 1 2 3 4. Q. But whereas most of these Scriptures before-mentioned do hold forth that the Death and Sufferings of Christ were appointed for the destroying removing and remitting of Sin Did he so do it while he was outwardly upon Earth as not to leave any thing for himself to do in us nor for us to do in and by his Strength A. For even hereunto were ye called because Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that ye should follow his Steps 1 Pet. 2. 21. Whereof I Paul am made a Minister who now rejoyce in my Sufferings for you and fill up that whiâ—h is behind of the Afflictions of Christ in my Flesh for his Body's sake which is the Church Col. 1. 23 24. Always bearing about in the Bâ—dy the Dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our Body For we which live are alway delivered unto Death for Jesus's sake that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal Flesh 2 Cor 4. 10 11. And that he dyed for all that they which live should not hence-forth live unto themselves but unto him that dyed for them and also rose again 2 Cor. 5. 15. That I may know him and the Power of his Resurrection and the Fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable to his Death Phil. 3. 10. CHAP. IV. Of the New Birth the Inward Appearance of Christ in Spirit and the Unity of the Saints with him Question DOth Christ promise then to come again to his Disciples A. I will not leave you comfortless I will come unto you John 14. 18. Q. Was this only a special Promise to these Disciples or is it not the common Priviledge of the Saints A. For thus saith the High and Lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity whose Name is Holy I dwell in the High and Holy Place with him also that is of a Contrite and Humble Spirit c. Isa. 57. 15. For ye are the Temple of the Living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them 2 Cor. 6. 16. Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any man hear my Voice and open the Door I will come in to him and sup with him and he with me Rev. 3. 20. Q. Doth the Apostle Paul speak of the Son of God his being revealed in him A. But when it pleased God who separated me from my Mother's Womb and called me by his Grace to reveal his Son
and to turn them from Darkness unto Light and from the Power of Satan unto God that they may receive Forgiveness of Sins and Inheritance among them which are sanctified through Faith that is in me Acts 26. 17 18. Q. Doth this Light abide with every man all his Life time in order to save or only during the Day of his Visitation A. Yet a little while is the Light with you walk while ye have the Light lest Darkness come upon you John 1â— 35. Again He limiteth a certain Day saying in David to day after so long time as it is said To day if ye will here his Voice harden not your Hearts Heb. 4. 7. Q. How can it be proved that there is a day wherein People may know things concerning their Peace which afterwards may be hid from them A. And when he was come near he beheld the City and wept over it saying If thou hadst known even thou at least in this thy day the things which belong unto thy Peace but now they are hid from thine Eyes Luke 19. 41 42. Q. Is there any further Scripture-Proof of the Lord's Willingness to gather a People who would not and therefore were condemned A. O Jerusalem Jerusalem thou that killest the Prophets and stonest them which are sent unto thee How oft would I have gathered thy Children together even as a Hen gathereth her Chickens under her Wings and ye would not Mat. 23. 37. Luke 13. 34. Then his Lord after that he had called him said unto him O thou Wicked Servant I forgave thee all the Debt because thou desiredst me shouldst not thou also have had Compassion on thy Fellow Servant even as I had Pitty on thee And his Lord was wroth and delivered him to the Tormentors till he should pay all that was due unto him Mat. 18. 32 33 34. Then Paul and Barnabas waâ—ed bold and said It was necessary that the Word of God should first have been spoaken to you but seeing ye put it from you and judge your selves unworthy of Everlasting Life â—o we turn to the Gentiles Acts 13. 46. Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my Hand and no man regarded But ye have set at nought all my Counsel and would none of my Reproof I also will laugh at your Calamity I will mock when your Fear cometh Prov. 1. 24 25 26. And at what Instant I shall speak concerning a Nation and concerning a Kingdom to build and to plant it If it do Evil in my Sight that it obey not my Voice then I will Repent of the Good wherewith I said I would benefit them Jer. 18. 9 10. Q. Doth God's Spirit strive then for a season and afterwardâ— forbear A. And the Lord said My Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man Gen. 6. 3. Q. May it then be resisted A. Ye Stiff-necked and Uncircumcised in Heart and Ears ye do alwayes Resist the holy Ghost as your Fathers did so do ye Act. 7. 51. For the Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of Men who hold the Truth in Unrighteousness Rom. 1. 18. Q. Hath God manifested to man that which may be known of himself A. That which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them Rom. 1. 19. Q. Is then this Light or Seed sown in the Hearts of Evil Men A. And he spake many things to them in Parables Behold a Sower went forth to sow when he sowed some Seeds fell by the Way side c. some fell among stony Places c. and some fell among Thorns c. Matth. 13 3 4 5 7. Q. Are these Places where the Seed is said 〈◊〉 have fallen understood of the Hearts of Men A. Hear ye therefore the Parable of thâ— Sower when any one heareth the Word oâ— the Kingdom and understandeth it not theâ— cometh the wicked One and catcheth awaâ— that which was sown in his Heart this is hâ— which receiv'd the Seed by the Way side c Mat. 13. 18 19. Q. Is this Seed small in its first Appearanceâ— A. The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a Grain of Mustard Seed which a man took and sowed in his Field which indeed is the least of all all Seeds Mat. 13. 31 32. Q. Forasmuch as many understand not this under the Notion and Appellation of Light or Seed it being quite another Dialect then the common though I must needs confess it is the very Language of the Scriptures Is a Saving Manifestation of the Spirit given unto all A. The Manifestation of the Spirit given to every man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12. 7. Q. Sure if it be to profit withal it must be in order to save for if it were not useful yea sufficient to save what Profit could it be of But in regard some speak of a Grace that is common and of a Grace that is saving is there such a Grace common unto all as brings Salvation A. The Grace of God that brings Salvation hath appeared to all men Tit. 2. 11. Q. That which brings Salvation must needs be saving What doth that Grace teach us A. Teaching us that denying Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts we should live Soberly Righteously Godlily in this present World Tit. 2. 11. Q. Certainly that which teacheth both Righteousness and Godliness must be sufficient for therein consisteth the whole Duty of Man What saith the Apostle else-where of this Instructor A. And now Brethren I commend you to God and to the Word of his Grace which is able to build you up and to give you an Inheritance among all those that are sanctified Acts 20. 32. Q. What is the Word of God A. The Word of God is quick and powerful and sharper then any Two-edged Sword piercing even to the dividing asunder of Soul and Spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a Discerner of the Thooghts and Intents of the Heart Neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his Sight but all things are naked and open to the Eyes of him with whom we have to do Heb. 4. 12 13. Q. Ought we to take heed to this Word A. We have also a More Sure Word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a Dark Place until the Day dawn and the Day-Star arise in your Hearts 2 Pet. 1. 19. Q. I perceive the Scriptures are very clear both concerning the Vniversality Sufficiency of this Light Seed Grace and Word of God but is this Word nigh or afar off inward or outward A. Say not in thine Heart Who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ down from above or who shal descend into the Deep that is to bring up Christ again from the Dead But what saith it The Word is nigh in thy Mouth and in thy Heart that is the Word of Faith which we preach Rom. 10. 6 7 8. Q. That is clear
Meat to every Beast of the Field because there was no Shepherd Neither did my Shepherds search for my Flock but the Shepherds fed themselves and fed not my Flock Ezek. â—4 2 3 8. Thus saith the Lord concerning the Prophets that make my people ERR that bite with their Teeth and cry PEACE and he that putteth not into their Mouthes they even prepare WAR against him The Heads thereof judge for Reward and the Priests thereof Teach for Hire and the Prophets thereof divine for Money yet will they lean upon the Lord and say Is not the Lord amongst us None Evil can come upon us Michah 3. 5 11. Q. These are plain Testimonies from the Prophets Are there none such from the Apostles A. Perverse Disputings of men of corrupt Minds and destitute of the Truth supposing that Gain is Godliness from such withdraw thy self But Godliness with Contentment is great Gain For we brought â—othing into the World and it is certain we can carry nothing out and having Food and Rayment let us therewith be content But they that will be Rich fall into Temptation and a Snare and into many foolish and hurtful Lusts which drown Men in Destruction and Perdition For the Love of Money is the Root of all Evil which while some coveted after they have erred from the Faith and pierced themselves through with many Sorrows 1. Tim. 6. 5 6 7 8 9 10. For Men shall be Lovers of their own selves Covetous Boasters Proud Blasphemers Disobedient to Parents Unthankful Unholy 2. Tim. 3. 2. For there are many unruly and vain Talkers and Deceiveâ—s especially they of the Circumcision whose Mouthes must be stopped who subvert whole Houses teaching things which they ought not for Filthy Lucre's sake Tit. 1. 10 11. But there were False Prophets also among the People even as there shall be False Teachers among you who privily shall bring in Damnable Heresies even Denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift Destruction And many shall follow their Pernicious Wayes by Reason of whom the Way of Truth shall be Evil spoaken of And through Covetousness shall they with feigned Words make Merchandize of you whose Judgment now of a long time lingereth not and their Damnation slumbreth not Having Eyes full of Adultery and that cannot cease from Sin beguiling unstable Souls an Heart they have exercised with Covetous Practices Cursed Children which have forsaken the Right Way and are gone astray following the Way of Balaam the Son of Bozor who loved the Wages of Unrighteousness 2 Pet. 2. 1 2 3 14 15. VVo unto them for they have gone in the VVay of Cain and run greedily after the Error of Balaam for Reward and perished in the Gain-saying of Corah These are Murmurers Complainners walking after their own Lustâ— and their Mouth speaketh Great Swelling VVords having men's Persons in Admiration because of Advantage Jude 11. 16. Q. Ought there to be any Order in the Church of God A. Let all things be done decently and in Order 1 Cor. 14. 40. Q. What Good Order is prescribed in the Church concerning Preachers Is it fit that only one or two speak or may more if moved thereto A. If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by let the first hold his Peace For ye may all Prophesie one by one that all may learn and that all may be comforted And the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets for God is not the Author of Confusion but of Peace as in all the Churches of the Saints 1 Cor. 14. 30 31 32 33. Q. Is there any Promise that Daughters as well as Sons shall Prophesie under the Gospel A. And it shall come to pass afterwards that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh and your Sons and your Daughters shall Prophesie your Old Men shall dream Dreams your Young Men shall see Visions Joel 2. 28. Q. Is that Promise fulfilled and to be fulfilled A. But this is that which was spoaken by the Prophet Joel And it shall come to pass in the last dayes saith God I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh and your Sons and your Daughters shall prophesie and your Young Men shall see Visions and your Old Men shall dream Dreams Acts 16. 17. Q. Is there any such Instance of old in the Scripture A. And the same Man had four Daughters Virgins which did Prophesie Acts 21. 9. Q. But may all Women speak or are any commanded to keep Silence in the Church A. Let your Women keep Silence in the Church for it is not permitted unto them to speak but they are commanded to be under Obedience as also saith the Law And if they will learn any thing let them ask their Husbands at Home for it is a Shame for VVomen to speak in the Church 1 Cor. 14. 34 35. Let the Woman learn in Silence with all Subjection But I suffer not a VVoman to teach or usurp Authority over the Man but to be in Silence 1 Tim. 2. 11 12. Q. The first of these seems only to relate to Women that have Husbands What comes of them that have none The second speaks nothing of the Church but only that she ought not to usurp Authority over the Man Hath this no Limitation Doth not the same Apostle give Directions how Women that speak should behave themselves in the Church A. Every man Praying or Prophecying having his Head covered dishonoureth his Head But every Woman that Prayeth or Prophesieth with her Head uncovered dishonoureth her Head for that is even all one as if she were shaven 1 Cor. 11. 4 5. CHAP. X. Concerning Worship Question VVHat is the Worship that is acceptible to God A. But the Hour cometh and now is when the True VVorshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth Joh. 4. 23. 24. Q. Seeing Prayer is a Part of Worship when ought we to pray A. And he spake a Parable unto them to this End That Men ought alwayes to pray and not to faiâ—t Luke 18. 1. Pray without ceasing 1 Thes. 5. 17. Q. Doth God hear the Prayers of all that call upon him A. The Lord is nigh unto all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in Truth Psal. 145. 18. For there is no Difference between the Jew and the Greek for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him Rom. 10. 12. Q. Hath God no respect to the Manner of Calling upon him A. The Lord is nigh to all them that call upon him to all that call upon him in Truth Psal. 145. 18. The Lord is far from the Wicked but he heareth the Prayer of the Righteous Prov. 15. 29. Now we know that God heareth not Sinners but if any Man be a Worshipper of God and doth his Will him he heareth John 9. 31.
Father No man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father but the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him The Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God For the Things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God Now the Saints have received not the Spirit of the World but the Spirit which is of God that they might know the things which are freely given them of God For the Comforter which is the Holy Ghost whom the Father sends in Christ's Name he teacheth them all things and bringth all things to their Remembrance ARTICLE II. Concerning the Guide and Rule of Christians CHrist pray'd to the Father and he gave the Saints another Comforter that was to abide with them forever even the Spirit of Truth whom the World cannot receive because it seeth him not nor knoweth him but the Saints know him for he dwelleth with them and is to be in them Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his For as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God For this is the Covenant that God hath made with the House of Israel he hath put his Laws in their Mind writ them in their Hearts and they are all taught of God And the Anointing which they have received of him abideth in them and they need not that any man teach them but as the same Anointing teacheth them of all things and is Truth and is no Lye ARTICLE III. Concerning the Scriptures VVHatsoever things were written afore time were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope Which are able to make wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture being given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be Perfect throughly furnished unto all Good Works No Prophecy of the Scripture is of any private Interpretation for the Prophecy came not in old time by the Will of man but Holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost ARTICLE IV. Concerning the Divinity of Christ and his Being from the Beginning IN the Beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the Beginning with God All things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made Whose Goings forth have been from of old from Everlasting For God created all things by Jesus Christ Who being in the Form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God And his Name is called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Who is the Image of the Invisible God the First-born of every Creature The Brightness of the Father's Glory and the express Image of his Substance Who was cloathed with a Vesture dipt in Blood and his Name is call'd The Word of God In him dwells all the Fulness of the God head bodily And in him are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom Knowledge ARTICLE V. Concerning his Appearance in the Flesh. THe Word was made Flesh For he took not on him the Nature of Angels but he took on him the Seed of Abraham being in all things made like unto his Brethren Touched with a feeling of our Infirmities and in all things tempted like as we are yet without Sin He dyed for our Sins according to the Scriptures and he was buried and he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures ARTICLE VI. Concerning the End and Use of that Appearance GOD sent his own Son in the Likeness of sinful Flesh and for Sin condemned Sin in the Flesh For this Purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil Being manifested to take away our Sins For he gave himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a Sweet-smelling Savour Having obtained Eternal Redemption for us And through the Eternal Spirit offered up himself without Spot unto God to purge our Consciences from dead Works to serve the living God He was the Lamb that was slain from the Foundation of the World Of whom the Fathers did all drink for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ Christ also suffered for us leaving us an Example that we should follow his Steps For we are to bear about in the Body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the Life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our Body being alway delivered unto Death for Jesus's sake that the Life also of Jesus may be made manifest in our Flesh That we may known him and the Power of his Resurrection and the Fellowship of his Sufferings being made conformable to his Death ARTICLE VII Concerning the Inward Manifestation of Christ. GOd dwelleth with the Contrite and Humble in Spirit For he hath said he will dwell in them and walk in them And Christ standeth at the Door and knocketh if any man hear his Voice and open the Door he will come into him and sup with him and he with him And therefore ought we to examine our selves and prove our own selves knowing how that Christ is in us except we be Reprobates For this is the Riches of the Glory of the Mystery which God would make known among or rather IN the Gentiles Christ Within the Hope of Glory ARTICLE VIII Concerning the New Birth EXcept a Man be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God Therefore ought we to put off the Old Man with his Deeds and put on the New Man which is renewed in Knowledge after the Image of him that created him and which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness For henceforth know we no man after the Flesh yea though we have known Christ after the Flesh yet now henceforth know we him no more For if any man be in Christ he is a new Creature old things are past away behold all things are become new For such have put on the Lord Jesus Christ And are renewed in the Spirit of their Minds Sith as many as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth abideth forever And glory in nothing save in the Cross of the Lord Jesus Christ by whom the World is crucified unto them and they unto the World For in Christ Jesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Uncircumcision but a new Creature ARTICLE IX Concerning the Unity of the Saints with Christ. HE that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all