Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood ye have no life in you And this is his Supper in eating of which the creature hath life in himself Therefore fly from idolatry I speak unto wise men judge what I say the cup of blessing which we bless is the Communion of the blood of Christ and the bread which we break is the Communion of the body of Christ For we being many are one bread and one body for we are all partakers of that one bread 1 Cor. 10.14 15 16 17. For the bread of God is he that came down from Heaven and giveth life unto the World John 6.33 Then said they unto him Lord evermore give us this bread and Jesus said unto them I am the bread of life he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst John 6.34 35. I am the living bread which came down from heaven if any man eat of this bread he shall live for ever and the bread that I will give is my flesh which I will give for the life of the world v. 51. But the Jews could not belive this neither can this Priest but saith we own feâ—ding on Christs flesh but deny his Supper and so as blind as they But by the life which we receive in eating of his flesh and drinking of his bloud are we manifest to be of those that feed at his Table and cannot have communion at the Table of Devils as the Church of God could not 1 Cor. 10.21 Again He saith that we own baptism with the spirit but deny baptism with water I answer Who come to the baptism with the spirit into one body they are come to the one baptism which the Saints witnessed not laying again the doctrine of baptism which waâ— several but witnessing the one the substance of the other which was necessary to salvation so all those things in which the substance was signified whether circumcision or water is not denied in their time and place when the obedience in them was from the command of the spirit and not from tradition but people now in the ignorance of God and his ways take up things by tradition being both out of the command and out of the substance and such deny the substance where it is witnessed as for this Priest Clapham he hath never ministred water baptism as it was ministred when it was a doctrine from heaven for there is not one in all his Congregation that had first received the holy Ghost nor believed in Christ before he baptised them with water and so both the substance and the figure is denied in him so that in that in which he would accuse another without ground is he upon good ground found guilty And as for denying to give thanks that is false for we are bound in spirit to give thanks always to the Father who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light and whether we eat or eat not we give God thanks and this we are come to witness to pray without ceasing and in all things give thanks for so is the will of God concerning us and in us is it fulfilled and we sing with the Spirit and with understanding also but such take Davids conditions which waâ— made manifest unto him in the sure mercies of the Lord to him and sing his deliverances whose soul is yet in the pit and sing his prophesies who never knew the spirit of prophesie in themselves and say they have roared all the day long by reason of their sins when as they have roared all the day long in fulfilling their sins and iniquities and for the scorners to say they have no scornful eye and for the proud to say they are not puft in mind such singing we deny which is without the Spirit and without understanding also For light is sown for the righteous and joy for the upright in heart so to the light with which Christ hath enlightned every one that cometh into the world I speak which tends to uprightness of heart and unto holiness without which no man can see the Lord those things which are reprovable are made manifest in the Liâ—ht and that which doth make manifâ—st is light which all who be out of it is in darkness and know not whether they go nor what they profit as many now in these days being kept from the light and gate of truth by the doctrines of men and so never come to read in the Lambs book of life which first all must come to know the vials poured forth upon the earth upon the Beast and his works and his sear which is found standing in all them who be from the light they be enlightned withal But the hour is coming and now is when all they that be upon the face of the earth may see the appearance of the Son of God and may receive his power in the measure which his Father hath given them to receive him in therefore every one who comes to see with the light of the Son of God enter into thaâ— which you see to be of him and out of that which you see to be of the World that so the everlasting righteousness and peace you may possess in your obedience to what is made manifest that you may come to see and favour the things of God from those things that be of the World and as every one walks in the light you will be as a sweet smelling sacrâ—fice unto the Lord and knowing and feeling the power of â—he Lord with it the everlasting door vvill be opened and the vvell-springs of life to the feeding of the plants of God with the uncorruptible food which is every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord vvhich vvill be received as that of God in every particular is kept single Again The Priest in his 3 4 5. Section saith That we deny the doctrine of the Trinity and that we hold equality with God and the soul be â—ne being with God and corrupt the doctrine of justification Answ. For a Trinity of persons there is no such docâ—â—â—ne in the Scriptures neither the vvord three Persons nor Trinity and so three distinct one from another eternally as he hath held forth saying Christ is the eternal Son of God distinct from the Father eternally and the Spirit is distinguished from the Father and the Son eternally This is a Tradition of men taught for a doctrine but no doctrine and in denying of that vve do but deny Claphams tradition but as for the Father Word and Spirit which bear record in heaven these three are one and vvas never separated eternally for Christ in the days of his flesh vvhen he vvas in the vvorld said I and my Father are one and said I in them and they in me that they may be one as we are one John 17.11 22. and so this doctrine of the unity of the Father Word and Spirit
believe and they that believe not that he is so shall die in their sins as Christ saith John 8.24 But J.S. going on in his own devised Fables would pervert the words of truth both in our writings and in the Apostles as it is manifest in his writings of this reviling Rebuke concerning R.F. and J.N. E.B. and F.H. and others which whosoever read their words and his they may discern truth from devised fables without much Reply upon it as in places he is mingling his own words with theirs joyning a lye to the truth that he may contradict it as false as every one that reades with understanding will see which when they have spoken plain truths which he himself hath often in his Book confessed unto to be truth will afterwards give his meaning to 〈◊〉 words as he hath done unto the Apostles words saying If they meane thus c. Then he goes about to contradict his own meaning and when he hath contradicted his owne meaning then he saith he hath contradicted their words though he have before confessed the truth of their words so he hath not contradicted the words as they were spoken but because they spoke not his meaning with the words therefore the true words must be false in his judgment and bear his rebuke as his Book doth make manifest and adding his lye to the words of truth these two things are his greatest proofs to resist the truth In page 77. he hath mingled his own words with the words of R.F. in wâ—ich page he acknowledgeth a former addition and yet reneweth another R.F. having been speaking of the light which hath enlightened every man which cometh into the World he adds which where it is and it is in every man it reneweth the judgment c he here adding his own and then rebuking it would make people believe lyes that all might be damned who believ not the truth But on the contrary for we never have said that every mans judgment is renewed with the ligbt though they be enlightened for they are enlightened who haâ—e it and who are void of true judgement because they hate the light which they be enlightened withal And also the Apostles words he perverts and gives meaning unto which if he did not they would be a plain testimony with that which he hath set himself to oppose so giving meanings both to their wordâ— and our words his meanings must be the ground of his Believers Faith and not the Scriptures as he said before The Apostle Peter speaking of a more sure Word of Prophesie wherein they did well to take heed as unto a light that shineth in a darke place till the day dawn and the day-star arise in their hearts 2 Pet 1.19 knowing this first that no Prophesie of the Scriptures is of any private interpretation for the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved of the holy Ghost To this J.S. adds not heart-prophesie no breast-prophesie but written down in Books c. which is contrary to the Apostls words for he doth not exclude heart-prophesie for there was never any prophesie but did proceed out of the heart before it was written in any Book And the Apostle saith Untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts and that holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the holy Ghost and that vvhich moved them to speak Prophesies was in their hearts and the Apostle did not bid them wait till the day star did arise in the Scriptuâ—es but till it did rise in their hearts and then he told them how the Prophesies of the Scriptures came Peter saying Untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in our hearts J.S. saith That is untill by the study of the Scriptures more light he cleered up c. Now let all them of understanding read and compare his words the Apostles and they may well conclude with his confession that he hath an old lying heart and flesh in which dwells no truth but the root of errour and gainsaying of the truth and as for many others of his devised fables and false meanings though I let them passe here unanswered yet they may be seen with the mind informed in the truth and all who are of God and of the truth may know that it is a small matter for us to be rebuked or judged to be in confusion who so evidently hath confounded both our words and the Apostles into his owne false meanings and so contradicts them both but that remaineth sure which gaves forth the Scriptures and abideth in us and we know that they cannot be broken but must be fulfilled as they were given forth by the Word which they were given forth from by taking heed unto which the young mans way is cleansed by which the old lying heart is reproved that which was given forth from that Spirit cannot be by it denyed but that which would darken words without knowledg is denyed that which would set up devised fables above Christ the Spirit and Scriptures that by the Spirit is denyed without contradiction and as we shall by the Spirit and by the Scriptures trye John Stelhams Doctrinâ— which if he deny them both then by his owne Argument we shall prove him and see whether he will own himself to be judged by that with which he would judge others whether they be Messengers sent by Gods Spirit His Assertion laid down Page 60. to try withall is this Such Messengers as speak more than is in the Scripture are not sent by GOD'S Spirit nor guided by him to what they say By this then is all that of him before mentioned cast out being both more and contrary to what is in the Scripture as also that which is to be declared as followeth in his second head as he calls it of Scripture Contradiction he is speaking concerning a Trinity and three Persons which words are not spoken in the Scriptures he meaning the Father Son and Spirit by such nameâ— as the Scripture never did so about words names which the Scripture doth not mention arsing out of the Divination of his heart doth he multiply words to hide the truth and shuâ— the Kingdom from men and so hath no ground for the word three persons from the Scripture but the Scripture in one translation speaking of Christ being the express Image of the Fathers Peâ—son and in another â—ranslation saith that he is the expresse Figure of the Fathers substance as he is witnessed to be by those that know him and so till he find the word three persons and Trinity in the Scriptures let him owne his own rule to judg him to be no Messenger sent by Godâ— Spirit because he speakes more than is in the Scripture who saith the holy Ghost is a Person and this person dwells in Saints though not personally mark this A Person dwell in the Saints not personally all this confusion is as
Son of God and immediate miraculous revelation and sayest there is no need of any such qualifications now therefore doth all your Teachers shew forth your railing and slanders but these things we wave for God will give you you lyars your portion who hath not the same knowledge and understanding that the Apostles had and here thou hast shamed thy mother that is adulterated from the Apostles life Pr. Our gifts are from the spirit of God though studied for with these means that are outward and moral c. Rep. Here I charge thee to be a Lyar in the presence of God the gift of God is a free gift it is not studyed for nor is it gotten by moral means and if it were studied for and found in outward means then it were not a free gift and here thou hast made it manifest that thou knowest not the gift of God for it is not him that wills nor him that runs but God that shews mercy So thou blasphemer for shame blush Pr. No man can be wise without the spirit of wisdom nor knowing without the spirit of knowledge so no man can pray as he ought without the spirit of prayer p. 71. Rep. In thy answer to the first query thou sayest you do not attain the same koowledge and understanding of the Gospel as the Apostles did then if thou have not the same knowledge and understanding it is all deceit for in thy own words thou sayest you cannot not pray without the spirit knowledge and understanding and thou sayest you do not attain the same knowledge and understanding the Apostles had then thou hast not the same spirit of love to pray withall and thou sayest you cannot pray without the spirit yet thou goes and tells people of a Gospel and hath not the same knowledge and understanding the Apostles had therefore thy knowledge is bruitish Jer. 10.14 Psal. 92.6 Psal â—9 8 Pr. That we may according to the Catholick Faith worship one God in Trinity Rep. For these things which thou tells people of there is no Scripture as Catholick Faith and Trinity and of three persons Pr. The second kind of the holy Spirits impressions on humane souls page 78. Rep. There is no Scripture which speaks of humane souls for the soul thou knows not who art a murtherer with thy Deity stuff who would dit up the way from God but praises be to the living God who hath given his sons and daughters eyes to see thee and all your Deity stuff which you imitate who are whoredomed from God but the Saints of the most high God do sing over it and you halelujah to God who witness their souls redeemed And there is abundance of stuff in that Book which thou calls the discourse of the Spirit which is not worth mentioning and abundance of lyes and slanders but them we pass as knowing the author of lyes from whence they come is for destruction And in page 95 thou speaks of Timothy studying for his gift Did he study for his gift or for the proving of it and dividing of the word aright but he did not study for it for the gift of God is a free-gift And in another place thou speaks of the blessing of God being upon your studies but I say the curse of God is upon your studies who have not the same knowledge and understanding that the Apostles had and so preaches another gospel Pr. And most blasphemously to profess and boast of an equality with God p. 66. Rep. Thy boasting is excluded without in thy generation and thou art excluded from the life and mind of the Apostle who said Let the same mind be in you that was also in Christ Jesus who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God Phil. 2.5 6. and this thou calls blasphemy and so thou hast shewed what spirit thou art of contrary to the Apostle Pr. And for our new sect of Enthusiasts had they the spirit of God as they pretend abiding in them and speaking in them c. Rep. All pretences and sects are denyed where the Spirit of God dwells though with thy generation such was ever called so And that is thy own who hath made a discourse of the Spirit and here thou art clearly from them that the Spirit of God spoke in and did abide in them which Spirit of God did descend into their hearts which Spirit God hath given to every one to profit withall and the Spirit of the Father speaketh in you saith Christ Mat. 10.20 take no thought and in many places thou art speaking of a study and blessing a study Here thou art contrary to Christ who saith Take no thought and art of the Devil And here I charge thee to be one of them that Jeremy speaks of who speaks a vain divination of thine own heart Pr. As here Angels are Spirits and the souls of men are Spirits but God is not a Spirit as they are Spirits pag 57. Rep. This is confusion for Christ said God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and there thou art raced out to be without the doctrine of Christ. Pr. 'T is the very ground whereupon this last upstart crew of Quakers build all their resolutions and strange fanatick opinions and heresies even that which they call the light within us whereunto we must only give ear pag. 112. Rep. O thou impudent God will make the an example thou lying spirit Is the Light which Christ hath enlighned every one withall that comes into the world a strange fanatick opinion which one he loves it and the other he hates it and he that hates it it is condemnation Here thou art against Christ and the Apostles for the Apostle did exhort the Saints to take heed unto the light within them untill the day dawn and the day-star arise in their hearts O thou Lyar did the Prophet cal the truel light a deceit of the heart or is the light of God a false vision Christ Jesus which doth enlighten every one that comes into the world which is witnessed among the Quakers and he that walks in the Light shall have the Light of Life and thou that hates this light speaks a divination of thy own brain and a lying imagination and with this Light of Christ thou shalt be condemned thou blasphemer who calls the Light of Christ heresie and fanatick opinions but here thou dost but fill up the measure of thy Fathers who calls this Light which is Christ in us Heresie p. 113. To all you Readers of his Book I speak to the Light of Christ in you which if you love it it will bring you to weigh and comprehend his words and if you walk in it you shal have the light of life and you that hate it it shal be your Condemnation when the book of Conscience is opened you shal witness that I speak the truth to every one of your souls R. Sherlock thou bids them beware
God to be a lyar for the word was in the beginning before any tongue was and your Hebrew and Greek is natural and the natural man knows not the things of God and the world by wisdom knows not God Pilate was a worldly man and he had this original and the wisdome of the world and there thou art and there the curse is upon thee so here thou preachest another original then the Apostles did they preached Christ the fountain and thou preachest Hebrew and Greek that is thy original and thy father Pilate had that original which crucified Christ and set it over him and the scripture came not by the will of man Therefore it is not the knowing of it by Hebrew and Greek but by the spirit that gave it forth therefore all people take warning and cease from such deceivers and take heed to the light in your conscience which is the light of Christ to guide your minds up to God the Father of light and be not deceived nor wander not up and down after such who know not the truth but put Hebrew and Greek for the original which Pilate had which crucified Christ Jesus as you may read in Luke 23. All people may see thou art brought no further yet then thy father Pilate so all thy prayers we deny for there is nothing of truth born up in thy understanding who art led with a seducing spirit into delusions who saist the spiriâ— of life stirs up the flesh to bring forth fruits and thou that art in the flesh canst not please God And there thy spirit is tryed to be the spirit of error And a great deal of such stuff thou hast in thy answers to the queries which is not worth mentioning And this thou hast written to publish thy self that them that have a love to Christ their hearts may be turned from thee to God to see how thou hast uttered forth thy solly though with many fair glosses thou and such as thou art deceive the simple But all who are in the light do see thee and comprehend thee Something in Reply to the Epistle thou wrotest to the Lady BINDLOSSE TO her thou speakest of the doctrine and spirit and the holy Ghost Here I charge thee to be a lyar who knows nothing of them who deniest immediate revelation for thou who deniest that deniest the Father and the Son as in Matth. 11.27 Wherein goest thou about to exhort others who art in the condition thy self but art as Martha that would be serving If she do but take heed to the light which Christ hath enlightened her withall she will quickly see thy folly for the light which Christ hath enlightened her withall shall be her condemnation if she hate it and if she love it it will guide her into the way of righteousness up to Christ And there O woman is thy teacher and his condemnation And the Work which is brought forth in the North doth tâ—rment thee R. Sherlock and such as the Lord doth move to exhort or to speak such thou slanderest and dost accuse as tempting for thy slanders and reproaches the wo wil turn upon thee from God who is the Justifier of his children and with such Priests as thou art the righteous seed was ever hated as you may read throught the Scriptures If she that thou callest a Lady be grounded upon thy doctrine be a member with thee of thy body let her read thy answers to the queries the replies to them to the light in her I speak which is of Christ which will witness me and let her see thee and if her mind be guided by it it will condemn all her former practises of worship and let her see thy delusions And again thou art flattering the Lady and tells her of a discourse of the Spirit and these are thy unsavoury words who art discoursing of the Spirit but deniest it for thou that deniest immediate Revelation denies the Spirit In the Corinthians the Apostle said things were revealed to him by the spirit and all thy doctrines to be denied and all that thou speakest and thou art seen to be one of the evil beasts and slow-bellies whose mouth must be stopt And what dost thou tell her of growing up in the knowledge of God and stop the way for her to pass who deniest immediate revelation which the Apostle exhorted to And the Saints were to have the loins of their minds girded up as in 1 Pet. 1.13 And what hast thou to do to talk of Heaven or happiness who art a Beast in thy colours And so this is the intent that I have written this Reply to the Epistle which thou wrote to her thou callest Lady that she might with the Light of Christ in her see thy folly for to that I speak which is the Light of Christ which if she hate it it will be her eternal condemnation Something in Reply to thy Introduction Pr. NO age hath brought forth more pretenders to the Spirit of God than this wherein we live Rep. Let all people take notice if thou be not he that pretends the Spirit who hath not the same understanding and knowledge that the Apostles had and there thou art in the pretence who art blind and thy worship as thou callest it is thou dost not know what worse than it was at Samaria who art in the pride of heart And as thou sayest the Devil hath sown his crop and reapt his harvest and there thou art one of his servants sowing his seed and amongst the delusions as thou calst them for that is in thy generation which comes out of thy own bottle which now flows out what is within issues forth this is thy own condition who seducest the people The fire is kindling and the tares are burning which makes you wicked ones to cry out And so all Impostors and Blasphemers are in thy generation and you are ignorantly worshipping and your gross Idolatry which thou speakest of is your own and thou art a Murderer and understandest not what thou speakest of them and God thou knowest not who deniest immediate revelation from Heaven but onely what thou knowest thou knowest naturally as a bruit Beast which Jude speaks of And a great deal of stuff thou hast in this Introduction which is not worth mentioning If the Reader doth but read with a single eye he may see all thy confused stuff which is not worth naming And a great deal of stuff thou hast written in discourse of the Spirit and the Holy Ghost which thou knowest not what thou speakest of and of the Trinity which there is no Scripture for A Reply to an Epistle that thou wrotest to him whom thou callest Sir Robert Bindlosse THe Queries being sent to his house from Rich. Hubberthorn being his desire that they should be made publike and we do praise the Lord that deceit is brought to light And thou saist Perhaps some satisfaction might be given to those seduced wavering souls amongst you Truly I do
thou deniest that deniest immediate Revelation from heaven And here I charge thee in the presence of the living God to be a lyar and false Prophet and that thou art guided by the Father of lies Where thou tells of Elisha's Colledge and saist that it was so full that it was enlarged and bringest in that place of Scripture to colour over thy lyes 2 King 6.1 Let that Scripture be a witness against thee that thou artâ— lyar and a perverter of the Scriptures thou full of all subtilties blush for shame thou lyar is there any mention of any Colledge there Or is there any mention of the Schools of the Prophets where the Word of God was studied in those places of Scripture before-mentioned as thou sayest Let them witness against thee All the Prophets were taught of God and there was no studying for what they spoke at Naioth see if they did not receive the Spirit of Prophesie and spoke by immediate Revelation which thou denies knows not their manner of teaching and learning 1 Sam. 19 20. to the end of the chap. And the Prophesie came not in the old time by the will of man but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the holy Ghost and the Scâ—ipture is of no private interpretation 2 Pet. 1.20 21. Here art thou proved a lyar and a perverter of the Scripture wresting it to thy own destruction 2 Pet. 3.16 Now call not Truth railing thou dissembler and enemy of all righteousness the Scripture turns edge against thee and witnesses against thy deceit and filthiness whereby thou seeks to strangle the truth but thou art found out to be among the dogs sorcerers and lyars spoken of in Scripture and art shut out of the Kingdom of God and art no Minister of Christ Rev. 22.15 18 19. Thou Enemy of God how darest thou say that the Prophets studied the Word when no prophesie came by the will of man but by the will of God and no man knoweth the Father but the Son neither knoweth any man the Son but the Father and he to whom is revealed Maâ—th 11.27 And here thou deniest both the Father and the Son and the Prophets and Apostles that deniest immediate revelation for they all bear witness against thee and such as thou art for the Apostle said Hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ And all the true Prophets witness that which thou deniest And here I have proved thee a lyar a false prophet and a deceiver perverting the Scriptures and they bear witness with me And thou full of all guile and deceit the word of the Lord shall rise up in judgement against thee and such as thou art Something in reply to thy Discourse of the Spirit as thou callest it FRiend the Spirit of the living God thou hast not for thou deniest immediate Revelation from Heaven who art discoursing of the Spirit and here thou art made manifest but to be in the pretence of the spirit and knows nothing that is revealed with the spirit For thou that deniest immediate revelation from Heaven deniest the spirit of the living God The Apostle saith Eye hath not seen ear hath not heard neither hath it entered into the heart of man the things that God hath prepared for them that love him but God hath revealed them to us by his Spirit 1 Cor. 2 9 10. And here thou hast denied immediate revelation from Heaven hast denied the spirit of God and manifested thy self to be in the natural state Therefore I command thee and charge thee in the presence of the living God to be silent and to give over receiving of the people 2. Thou that denies immediate revelation from Heaven thou denies the grace that was to be brought unto the Saints whose minds were to be girded up which grace was to be brought unto them at the revelation of Jesus Chrisr And thiâ— thou hast denied again as all people may see 1 Pet. 1.13 and here thou hast denyed Jesus Christ and his grace who deniest immediate revelation and art in the fashion of the world and a blasphemer 3. Thou that hast denied immediate revelation from heaven hast denied the Spirit to pray withal and so all thy prayers are hyyocrisie 4. Thou that hast denied immediate revelation from heaven hast denied the Son of God For none knows the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son reveals him Mat. 11.27 5 And thou that hast denied immediate and miraculous revelation from Heaven hast not denied the Son of God onely but the Father also And thou that haâ—t not the Son of God hast not life Pr. The power is originally from God as the Fountain but conveyed through the Ministry of man as the conduit p. 90. Rep. Paul an Apostle not of man nor by man but by the will of God And here thou art proved to be a seducet and thy Ministry contrary to his here thy spirit is tryed And thou slanders them who hear the voice of God and art scorning them and in a deriding way calls it a deceitful eccho but we know that God scorns the scornful and hath them in derision Pr. For any man to pretend immediate calling from God without the Ministry of man is a new Gospel distinct from Christ and his Apostles and such can be no other then ths dictates of seducing spirits and doctrine of devils p. 9. Rep. Here I take all the children of Light to record to prove and try thy Spirit and Gospel to be of man and whether thy Ministry and Gospel which thou preachest which is of man be of God For Paul said that Gospel which he preached was not of man And here again thou art contrary to the Apostle and thy spirit is tryed to be a seducing spirit and thy Doctrine to be of the Devil who deniest immediate revelation Pr. For thou sayest That which is immediately from God and without the Ministry of man is the doctrine of the Devil and of the seducing spirits Rep. Paul said the Gospel that he preached he received it not of man but by the revelation of Jesus Christ and here thou art contrary to the Apostle and thy self in the state thou speaks of And Paul an Apostle not of man nor by man but by God the Father Thou impudent enemy of God and blasphemer wilt thou say his doctrine was of the Devil who denied man as Gal. 1.1 who said Paul an Apostle not of man nor by man Pr. Therefore there is no need of any such qualifications for the best of us dare not stand to such sublime and eminent gifts of the spirit or to any immediate and extraordinary spiritual gifts p. 93 94. Rep. Here thou preachest up that which is not qualified for we do believe you that you dare not stand to such eminent gifts of the spirit for we have tryed you and know your spirits how can you have the same gifts who deny the
was and the place of her abode and answer was made to both then they asked What their business was to Oxford they answered They were commanded of the Lord to come thither they asked What to do they answered To declare against sin and ungodliness which they lived in as pride covetousness lust and all uncleanness self-righteousness and all false worship which both Priest and people lived in contrary to the commands of God Then they asked them How they knew they were called of God they said They knew the voice of God and that they were called of God And this is to be observed as a true testimony of these two servants of the Lord that they did neither beg nor steal neither did they wrong nor violence to any man they coveted no mans silver gold nor apparel but because they obeyed the word of the Lord and did his work faithfully speaking the word of the Lord in boldness against the deceits of the Priests and people in the Streets in the Market-place in the Synagogues and in the Colledges clearing and discharging their consciences in the Lords work and service freely administring that which they had freely received from the Lord of whom they do receive their reward for their reward is with them and the presence of the Lord God doth accompany them and for their obedience to the Lord they receive the shame of the world as ever the servants of the Lord did who were mocked buffâ—tted and shamefully used being tied together at Johns Colledge and pumped and kicked and buffetted and thrust into a pool called Giles's pool so that they went into a remote place to wash the dirt off their cloathes And here both Magistrates and Schollers and they who pretend to be Ministers of the Gospel are the chiefest actors in this persecution and so do make themselves manifest to be in the same generation of the Scribes and Pharisees and Hypocrites who were ever persecutors of the righteous seed whomever it hath brought forth and so they fill up the measure of their fathers iniquities Again as concerning the Justices being assembled the Vice-chancellor being the chief actor in this persecution said That they blasphemed the name of God and did abuse the Spirit of God and dishonour the grace of Christ and asked the women Whether they did read the Scriptures they answered Yea they did then they asked them Whether they were not to be obedient to the power of the Magistrate they answered They were obedient to the power of God and to the power as it was of God their souls were subject unto it for consâ—ience sake Well said the Vice-chancellor you prophane the word of God and I fear you know not God though you so much speak of him And then they concluded that there was matter enough for their commitment and punishment and wished the women to withdraw consenting that a paper should be drawn up for their being whipped out of the City And when the paper was drawn up it was presented to the Major to set his hand to it but the said Major refused and said He was not willing to do it but one of the Justices said That it was the privilâ—â—ge of the City that if any vagrant were taken within the Franchises and liberties of the City the paper must be drawn up That I such a one Major have committed such and such persons and then it is to be sealed with the Office seal but the Major answered That he would refuse both then others said who were zealous and thought that they had done God good service That if he would not it should be done by them and it was agreed upon that they should be soundly whipped and that for the present because of the tumult be put into the cage And the next morning their wills was performed though with much unwillingness in the executioner Many other particulars might be mentioned of their sufferings afflictions and patience under reproachings revilings slanders and false accusations cast upon them which is the portion of the righteous in the world as Christ said Blessed are you when men shall revile you and persecute and speak all manner of evil against you falsly for my names sake rejoyce and be exceeding glad for great is your reward in heaven for so persecuted they the Prophets that were before you Mat. 5.11 12. and saith Christ They shall put you out of the synagogues yea the time cometh that whosoever killeth you will think that he doth God service and these râ—â—â—gs will â—hey do unto you because they know not the Father nor me Joh. 16.2 3 4. Aâ—â— nâ—w both sons and daughters of the Lord comes to witness these â—hings fulfilled and you Magistrates Priests and people do fulfil the Scriptures against the servants of the living God as you have done against these And herein is made manifest your tyranny and persecution the chief Priest being the chief actor in it yet there was many in the City that have so much of the light of Christ made manifest in them as to acknowledge them to be servants of the living God and to own them in their sufferings and to confess the appearance of Christ in them before men and in love did accompany them out of the City and did own them in their persecution And this testimony is true to testifie to all people and to all the world the cruelty of unreasonable men and that the Major had no hand in any of this cruel usage and persecution The names of the two women who suffered persecution for righteousness sake is Elizabeth Heavens and Elizabeth Fletcher R.H. Two Letters written by R. H. during his imprisonment in Norwich Castle From Norwich Castle TO all my dear friends whom the Lord by his eternal spirit is gathering out of the World into the covenant of Life to be of one heart and mind and soul. Wait all in that which is pure and invisible that the pure teachings of Christ you may know every one in particular which is without form and beauty to the visible that nothing you may receive but that which speaks from the eternal moving of the living God have salt in your selves to savour with all words you may discern which is without life and power and standing single in that which is pure of God all such deny to be your teachers which have the words of truth but live not in the life and power of what they say so in the power of the living God wait in silence of all flesh and here comes that which hath been fed to be famisht and that which hungers after God comes to receive living nurture and nourishment from God So in the invisible comes to feed upon the bread of life which comes from heaven and the tender plants will come to grow up unto eternal life and fruit will be brought forth unto God dwelling in that which is invisible and all untimely fruit will wither and fade away but keeping low in the light
the Truth against Christ against the Saints and against the Scriptures they may see which hath been long hid but now is made manifest in the Light unto all who are come to know the free teachings of God who will no more give thee money for speaking a divination of thy own brain and not from the mouth of the Lord. Priest Who knows not that Tythes and Glebes were under that dispensation by Divine Law ordained for the maintenance of the Priests Ans. Here thou wouldst make people believe that thou denies tythes which was for the maintenance of the Priests under the Law But as for the glebes which thou speaks of there was never any such thing ordained in the Law here thou hast made it appear that thou art ignorant of that which was ordained for the Priests maintenance under that dispensation for they had no inheritance nor glebe lands to maintain them as some of the priests of England have and yet those priests in England which do receive tythes and so upholds that which thou seems to deny yet thou owns them as thy brethren and to be Ministers of the gospel And here your deceit is so plainly made manifest that you accuse one another and condemn one another all your hearts being exercised with covetous practices preaching for filthy lucre all being agreed together to persecute revile and slander the pure truth of God where it is made manifest in his servants to declare against all your deceits that out of your snares the righteous seed of God may be delivered to testifie against you and your Ministry under which the Seed of God is kept in bondage Priest Reader I have done our Heavenly Father taketh sleeping Disciples at the best Matth. 26.40 Ans. Here thou hast uttered forth a lye that all may plainly see who saith thou hast done and in the next words saith Our Heavenly Father taketh sleeping Disciples at the best Now from this Scripture in Matth. 26.40 thy words are proved to be false for in that condition the Disciples were then in they were not at the best who could not watch with Christ one hour and the Comforter was not then come which afterwards they did witness by travel and labour and fasting and prayer and watching day and night they did witness and we who do witness the same condition now do testifie against thee and all who make lyes of the Apostles who did witness Jesus Christ in truth and uprightness of heart and the same Christ do we witness and do freely preach him to every Nation being made manifest to that of God in every ones conscience to be witnessed Now as my first Query is printed in thy paper the latter part of it I deny which was not given forth nor spoken so by me· In thine it is written thus How can that be said to be a natural Light which witnesseth unto God against the things of the Spirit of God Which is false But in mine it is written thus How can that be said to be a natural Light which witnesses unto God in that which is holy against the natural inclinations of fallen man seeing the Scripture saith the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.14 Now as every one hath a desire to knovv the truth of these things that the occasion of stumbling may be taken avvay they may read the Query as it was given forth from me in pag. 16. of that printed paper called David's Enemies discovered which was put forth in print to be seen as it vvas there vvritten before Woodals paper vvhich is novv in print vvas given forth And this I have given forth that the truth may be cleared ovvning that vvhich did proceed from me and denying that vvhich is not mine And as for Frederick Woodals Ansvvers to the Queries they are replied unto in the paper above-mentioned and to the rest of his printed paper an ansvver is herein returned that he may not boast in his folly but be ashamed and repent Novv as in ansvver to that in the latter end of thy book vvhich thou directs the Reader unto thou seeing that thou hast holden forth these things vvhich thou canst not prove as the first Adam to be the Fountain of all natural good and so to blind the eyes of people that they may not see thy lye and saith thou means not primitively and here thou speaks one thing and means another but this covering is too nâ—rrow for thee and under it thou canst not hide thy self but thy nakedness and shame appears to all whose eyes are opened and by them thou art seen And whereas thou wouldâ—â— cover over thy shame of that thou hast formerly spoken in telling of two Images the Image of God and the Image of Christ and that the first was natural and the second spiritual and here thou speaks contrary to the Scriptures which saith he is the express Image of the Father And herein all who do witness the Scriptures to be true must witness against thee who speaks contrary to the Scrâ—ptures and now to blind peoples eyes thou tells them thou understands it thus Adam was made after the Image of God God the Father Son and the Holy Spirit Come let us make man not after our not my Image To this I answer Here thou hast added to the Scripture for God did not say Not my Image as thou dost charge him to say for the Scripture saith God created man in his own image in the image of God created he him as Gen. 1.27 And thou calls the image in which Adam was created the essential image and the image of Christ thou calls a personal image and hereby them who dwell in the Light thou art seen out of the substance in the images making to thy self images and likenesses from thy imaginations but in them thou canst not know God and Christ nor the image of God in which Adam was created in innocency and there is no such word in Scripture as Essential image and here thou goest about to make three images and so amongst the image-makers thou art who art out of Gods commands and there thou may read thy self But now the Lord God is gathering his own seed by his eternal light out of all images and likenesses to be conformed to the image of the Son to bear his image who is invisible which all the imaginers cannot enter into who stumble at the Light but all such are seen by the children of the Light and denyed for now do they witness from the Lord the day of Redemption yea plenteous Redemption is now witnessed by them who dwell in the Light which comprehends the World out of the World and out of the Worlds teachings and out of the Worlds wayes and out of the Worlds Worships into the pure teachings of God and into the Covenant where they know God and are taught of him and no more can they be led by the blind guides for their eyes are
they would not come unto him that they might have Life Joh. 5.40 and not because his light in them was not sufficient for these Jewes did for a season rejoyce in the Light which if they had continued in would have led them to the knowledge of the Father and of the Son as those of understanding sees in those Scriptures which thou hast asserted and so thus in all thy Arguments to manifest thy Ignorance of the Scripture and of the Light instead of charging mens guilt of disobedience thou charges the light of Christ to be insufficient for they that did love and receive the light which Christ had enlightned them withall to them it was given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to those which did hate reject and count it insufficient those things from them was hid and their rejection was the cause of hiding those things and not the light and this may answer the most of thy Arguments and let thee see how thou stumbles because thou hates the light which should discover unto thee both the cause of knowledge and of ignorance and the ground from whence they both arise In many other of thy Arguments thou proves nothing thou intendest but accusing falsly the Quakers as in the 15 16 17.21 22. Arguments where thou saist That they forbid People to seaâ—â—h the Scriptures in those words page 48. Christ saith Search the Sâ—riptures Quakers say no but look to the light within you and that their opinion makes a supposed light within each man a safe rule and guide to each man and is erronious Thirdly That the opinion and praâ—â—ice of the Quakers are evil in making every man a Teacher and makes neealess the Teachers set by God for the work of the Ministry Fourthly That their Opinion is impious and that they make it uâ—necessary to pray for the Spirit to enlighten mens Eyes iâ— the knowledge of God Fifthly That their Opinion is pernicious which makes man to lean to his own understanding be wise in his own Eyes and in his own conceit and that they bless men in following their own light Sixthly That the Quakers place all their Godliness in following their own supposed Light Ans. The ground of all those Arguments is false and every particular thing herein charged against the Quakers is false for they have not denyed thaâ— men should search the Scriptures neither hath their Opinion and practice made every man a Teacher Neither is it their Opinion that it is unnecessary to pray for the Spirit to enlighten mens eyes in the knowledge of God but do pray for it and for our Enemies so far that their eyes may be enlightned that they might see their own darkness and then they would not so falsly accuse uâ— of things that we never affirmed but was always contrary to and we never made any man to lean to his own understanding but do turn men to Christs light which lets them see their own understandings which is false and bringâ— them to the true understanding of Him whom the Father hath sent into the World which brings them from being wise in their own eyes and in their own conceit neither do we blesse men in following of their own light but we say they are bleswd who follow the light of Christ and walk as he walked and see never did place any Godlinesse in following our own supposed light but in Christ who hath really enlightened us do we place all Godlinesse and all are ungodly that do not walk in his Light but hate and despise it and falsly accuse those that walk in it but well may they accuse us to be erroneous and impious for walking in the Light vvhen they have accused the light it selfe to be but lust and imagination but in this they know not what they do and therefore we pray to God to forgive them And whereas again we are chargâ—d Page 47. to make the coming of Christ into the World to be needlesse and uselesse by saying that he hath enlightneth every man that commeth into the World that charge is contrary to the Truth for in this we make hâ—m usefull and needful to all people Christ was as a Light in the World and as a Teacher to the Saints of Old and to Moses who bore his reproach and to the Prophets which prophesied of him before that in the fulnesse of time he appeared in the similitude of sinfull flesh of which appearance the Apostles were witnesses and so to preach him as a Covenant to the Jews and as a light to the Gentiles before he so came into the World was not an Error much less now when he is come and hath so appeared for us to say that he is the true Light which hath enlightened every man that cometh into the World that every man thtough him might beleeve is not an error but is the way to Salvation And whereas several other Arguments is made upon false grounds as that the supposed light in a man may lead him into a way whose end is death this only belongs to thy selfe thou art guilty of it for the true Light would have led thee to have spoken Truth and to have accused no man falsly and would not have suffered thee to have opposed by plain contradiction Christs Words nor to have perverted the Scriptures in making them a ground for thy false Arguments and so that Argument against thy selfe stands and that thy supposed light leads into a way whose end is Death Again thou saist in some of thy Arguments If every man have a light sufficient to guide him then there needs no transforming nor renewing nor putting off the Old Man nor should be no foolishness nor need of a Rod of correction nor need any train up a Child in the way he should go nor need not learne Childrens Literature or good manners and other things of the like Nature Ans. This is as if thou shouldst say that Christ is come into thâ— World to Teach to Redeem to Renew and to Restore and to Reâ—orm and to do all these works in them and for them but they need not believe nor obey nor Worship nor put off the old Man nor Pray nor Preach nor Learn because he is sufficient as to all those things but this we say though Christ and His Light be sufficient to lead men to the Father and that though thiâ— Light do shine in the darknesse and convince man of his evil deeds yet his mind must be turned unto it to obey and follow it which is that only which leads to the Father but though Christ become a Light into the World and be sufficient and a safe guide yet none comes to the Father by Him but those that believe follow and obey his Light and do put off the Old Man with his deeds and be renewed in the inward of their minds and do deny conformity to the World and do hear him in all things and learn of him so this our Doctrine shall
put them to an end and not destroy them nor contradict them in the sight of his Father though to their corrupt judgement and Christ tells them that they erred not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God who had old lying hearts and were sinful wretches even such as John Stelham hath confessed himself to be and therefore his words and judgement and theirs is like to be all of one nature judging Truth to be Error and the Way of God to be Heresie and Blasphemy this the Pharisees did of old and even thus doth John Stelham and his companions do at this day But why should any be troubled hereat seeing herein Christs words are fullfilled upon us who said They shall speak all manner of evil falsly against you for my Names sakâ— And so hath this man done with his light scornful spirit and fulfilled Christs words who because he hath not known the Father nor the Son hath spoken evil falsly against them that follow Christ And this were sufficient answer to his whole Book Yet let us see what follows and let the Reader try with all moderation that he may be edified and may know the true Spirit from the false and the doctrine of the Gospel from lying visions and may cleave to the Truth and escape the error And let none believe hastily things uttered without knowledge out of J.S. deceitful heart FOrasmuch as many of the Servants of the Lord have been moved of the Lord to set forth in order several Declarations of those things which the Light of the glorious Gospel shining in their hearts hath given them the knowledge of and for this end are they published that others also may know the certainty and truth of those things which are believed known and enjoyed amongst us not that they can be known by reading the Letter in which they are declared but through their diligence and obedience to the Light wherewith Christ hath enlightened them though not for it which is the same Light which shined in our hearts and gave us the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ by which Light of the glorious Gospel who are faithful in it to the Lord their understandings come to be opened that they stumble not at those things which are testified in the Truth neither at that which is declared in other Scriptures but it being that in this our day it hath pleased the Father to bring forth in life and power that mercy and truth which the Scripture speaks of by which iniquity is purged out and as it is become a savour of life unto life in those that receive and believe in it so it is also become a savour of death unto that death which remains in both Priests and people in this age who hate the Light who can scarce hear it named or that people should be turned unto it as the Apostle did turn them from darkness to the Light and from the power of Satan unto God that they might receive the remâ—ssion of their sins and be partakers of the inheritance amongst them that are sanctified but when they hear that preached or printed which they may do and out of which they cannot receive the remission of their sins then envy riseth up in them a perverse mind and ungodly speeches and false accusations saying that we speak of a natural Light and of a natural Conscience when as we speak of the true Light which hath enlightened every one that cometh into the World and in which Christ's Doctrine stood who said to the people and to the Pharisees again and again I am the Light of the world as John 8.12 John 12.46 but now because the Light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon us and we declare it freely as we have received it therefore is floods of ungodliness risen up against us But it is impossible that the Seed which the Lord is manifesting his Light and Power to bring forth should be kept alwayes under the power of death which Seed is now terrible in the Lord's Power and will yet be more terrible as his power encreaseth which is now going forth as an Army with banners for the torment of the wicked is already begun because the righteousness of God is now spreading over the Nations and neither the Rulers of the darkness of this World nor all the Printings and Preachings of those who be out of the life of God can hinder that which the Lord hath begun and is carrying on by his own power though the Nations are angry because that by the Light of his glorious Gospel shining forth his wrath is revealed upon them for their ungodly deeds that the Scripture which cannot be broken may be fulfilled and therefore it were better for them there may be hope then to rise up against that which is more unchangeable than the Heavens and the Earth And therefore in vain have the Enemies of God and people in all professions joined themselves together against the Light of Truth and the Way of the Lord which many in our dayes have fallen upon but are broken to pieces and it hath fallen upon many and grinded them to powder and nothing shall escape for the day of the Lord is come and it is very nigh to you that hate it a day of darkness and of gloominess of clouds and of thick darkness and now the seed of God is as the morning spread upon the Mountains a great people and a strong there hath not been ever the like neither shall there be any more after it even to the years of many generations a fire goeth before them and behind them a flame burneth the Land is as the Garden of Eden before them and behind them a desolate Wilderness and nothing shall escape them the appearance of them is as the appearance of horses and as horse-men so shall they run c. the Earth shall quake before them the Heavens shall tremble the Sun and Moon shall be dark and the Stars shall withdraw their shining and the Lord shall utâ—er his voice before his Army as he now doth for his Camp is very great for he is strong that executeth his Word for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible and who can abide it And now according as the Prophet Joel prophesied is it come and coming to pass Joel 2.2 3 4 10 11. against which Seed men of corrupt minds and reprobate concerning the things of God are risen up who in their first appearance in their Writings profess themselves to be that which they are not seeming right unto many through their feigned words and fair speeches deceiving the hearts of the simple for whom Christ dyed but afterwards in the same Writings to those that see they manifest themselves what they are and being so considered as they are seen and known cannot deceive and therefore to all people who desire to be edified and satisfied in the ground and truth
tares which men gather which must be bound in bundles and cast into the fire for what is the Chaff to the Wheat or what is all such invented words to the knowledg of the Father Son and Spirit which are one which bear record in heaven and are three that beare witnesse in earth the Spirit and Water and the Blood and these three agree in one and when these are known in their witnesse in man what they witnesse unto and what they witnesse againsti within and without such will give them names according to their works and according to the Scriptures The Third head of John Stelhams Scripture Contradiction is concerning the light which every man is enlightened withall which of all things is most hated by all such whose wayes words works are contrary ot it for it being risen in the hearts of the Children of men to give the knowledge of the truth hath in this day made many wiser than their Teachers and now they which have caused people to err are by the light seen and by the Children of light are denyed and they being denyed their envie is up against the light which hath made them manifest and they walk not by the light nor according to the Scriptures buâ— there is a line of confusion comes over them by which now they walk and from which their writings doth proceed as John Stelham in page 52. saith they may affirm agreeable to the Scripture and yet contradict the Scriptures in saying Christ is in every man or that the light in every man leades to the Father saith Christ God or as God is in every man a spark of his god-head-light is in every man but there is not in every man that redemption light which leads to the Father That light which Christ hath enlightened every man withal leads to the Father all who are led by it and believe in it and condemns all from the Father which do not obey it but hate it and speak dispitefully against it who are turned out from God who is light and truth into the confusion saying that the God-head-light is not the Redemption-light but with the light that Lye and confusion is judged for ever and in affirming that the God-head-light is in every mâ—n and then calling it common and old Creation-light Scripture-light pag. 61. and the light of Nature page 74 75 and a legall light page 76. and a created light page 78. and an universal light unto which I say as God is so is his light so is his god-head not created nor natural and as every one comes to know the light which by J.S. is so reviled they shal neither follow nor believe his Doctrine till he can prove when the light of the God-head was created and how it became natural or legal or where he had those names for the Scriptures doth give no such names to the light so by his own rule he speaking more than is in the Scripture is not a Messenger sent by Gods spirit nor guided by it in what he sâ—ith As also in other things as in Pag 64. saying That light without Sâ—ripture is no light Then Enoch's light in which he walk'd wiâ—h God was no light nor Jacobs light nor Isaacs nor Abrahams for they were without these Writings this letter which he calls the Scriptures but they were not without light And thousands have so much light whether they have the Sâ—riptures or not as to see this darkness as to say light though saving light without Scripture is no light did the Scriptures make the light to be light and was the saving light made by that which was written let all take notice turne away from such in another place he calls the Scripture but the declaration that Christ is the Word calleâ—h them a Vessel that the light is put into in p. 43. 44 Now let them of understanding consider judg whether the vessel be the maker of that which is put into it whether Wine that is put into a Bottle be made wine by the Bottle or whether it is not Wine without the bottle Water put into a vessel be not Wâ—ter without the vessel or whether the vessel make it to be Water J.S. saith Every verse of Scripture is a little vessel of light that light without scripture is no light so these things have I laid open that every one may see how the Lord hath turned wise men backward and made their Wisdom foolishness and that they may see how those stumble and fall and are snared and taken whose light is turned into darkness and hovv great that darkness is and novv is the Scripture not denied but fulfilled for now is the Light and Truth come into the World by which they are found to be blind who said they saw and in which they see that vvere blind And now the depths are seen vvhich are covered vvith darkness and Babylon is seen the Mother of Harlots which bring forth in confusion and bind up in ignorance Other confusions and lyes I shall also mention given forth by J.S. in his Book As p. 68. he saith that God was and is the Word according to John 1.1 and in p. 69. he saith The Father is not the Word nor never so called which is a contradiction And in p. 70. saith Christ is more in the Scriptures than in his Saints vvhich is false for greater vvas that vvhich the vvords came from than the vvords vvhich did but declare of the fulness from vvhence they came as all that know Christ wil bear witness unto and against all such that say Christ is more in the words than in them who spake the words Again in p. 73. he saith Christ the Author of salvation to them that obey him speaking in the Scripture saveth by the Scripture which is false and contrary to the testimony of the Scriptures and the witness of them who witnessed his salvation who said By his Life are we saved and by Grace through faith which was the gift of God and not by the Letter and their Witness was true for God and his Works and against all such who are of a lying heart and spirit of error who would make the Letter to be the Light yea more even that vvhich makes light to be light and so greater for that vvhich makes a thing is greater than a thing that is made and would have the Letter to be the Word when as the Letter saith God is the Word and would make the Scriptures to be that by which people are saved as in p. 73. saying Christ saveth by the Scriptures but the Scriptures speak no such thing of themselves for they say there is no other name under Heaven by which men can be saved but by the name of Jesus neither is there such a word written in the Bible that saith men are saved by the scriptures nor that the Light of the God-head is natural as I. S. saith that he may
it fall into Scripture contradiction but R.F. nor others wil therefore c. This is unfound and laid down but not proved at all neither maâ—or nor minor and hereby he hath concluded wickedly the Apostle Iames and Christ himself to be fallen into Scâ—ipâ—ure contradictions who did exprâ—sly forbid all swearing and did not compare the precepts and examples for Swearing with the prohibition against it and thus J. S. is taken uttering folly with his tongue hath drawn a conclusion upon Christ and the Apostle Iames to be contradictors of Scripture let shame cover his impudent forehead And they that charge Christ and the Apostle James with contradicting Scripture are enemies to God and of the Devil and for eternall vengeance but Iohn Stelham hath done so and therefore he is an enemy to God and of the Devil and for eternal vengeance But further at large as concerning Swearing our testimony thereof is laâ—d down at large in a Book called The glory of the Lord arising And whereas further I. S. as a man not weary of iniquity goes on after his false charging of us with contradicting to scripture â—harges us again that we contradict our selves in many things which accusation we bear with as much patience as we do his former seeing they are all out of one heart and to the same end for it is a small thing for us to be judged by man and so that wherein he charges us with self-contradictions I passe lightly over having cleared the truth That we do not contradict the Scriptures but if this man J. S. had been in Generations past what would he have said of Isaiah who was sent to tell Hezekiah from the Lord That he should die and not live 2 King 20.1 At the same instant of time the word of the Lord came again to Isaiah that Hezekiah should be healed and that he should go up to the house of the Lord These were both the words of the Lord to Hezekiah and yet no contradiction in Isaiah though such a Spirit as J. S. would so have judged And what would he have judged betwixt David and Ieremiah Psal. 119. and the 103. and Jer. 23.29 David saith The Words of the Lord are sweet unto his taste yea sweeter than the honey to his mouth And Jer. saith Thè Word of the Lord is as a fire and like a hâ—mmer which breaks the Rock to pieces Now there is no contradiction in these two not to that Spirit by which they are guided though so it might seem to such as J.S. whose mindes are dark And what would he have judged of Christs words Matth. 12.30 and Mark 9.40 where Christ said He that is not with me is against me and he that is not against us is with us â—nd yet in these words there is not contradiction to him that hath an ear to hear But if J.S. had been in those dayes out of his evil heart would he have charged the holy men of God to be contradictions to themselves it is very like that he would and these things I leave with the Reader to be considered of for we who have the same Spirit do clear Christ and the holy men of God from contradictions and knows J.S. and such as he to be seekers of occasions against the Just and would make offâ—nces where there is none for as I have said we do not allow J.S. to be the Interpreter of our words for then no question but he would have his own end and meaning and J. S. saith We deny the letter of the Scripture to be Scripture this is charged upon him to be a lye as it is well known through this Nation both in Doctrine and conversation we own the Scriptures and to deny Matthew Mark and Johns Declarations of the Gospel is no denyal of the Scripture for the Gospel was preached to Abraham which Gospel was and is the power of God before these four men did declare it though we deny their Writings to be the very Gospel which is the power of God yet we do not deny but they truly declared of the Gospel and this is to own the Scripture as it speaks of it self to be Let J. S. judg what he will of us and whereas he speaks of Gospel-letters and Scripture Gospel the Scripture gives no such names to it but saith the Gospel is the power of God and that is the Gospel which we preach even the power of God unto all people let J. S. judge by consequence what he will And further he would plead for the Title of Master from the Example of Abrahams Servant but this is nothing to prove the lawfulnesse of a Minister of Christ that they may be called Master for Christ saith to his Ministers Be ye not called Masters and the Spirit of Christ being our rule that leads us in the fulfilling of Christs words let J. S. shuffle as he will Also he lyes of J.N. to say he denyes and grants the same thing to be in the letter for though he say He that believes hath the witnesse in himself which is truth yet he doth not say The Letter is the Belivers witnesse which he seems falsly to be charged withall and he saith the Spirit of God must give the spiritual understanding of the Scriptures But this he doth in another way than that whereby he inspired the Pen-men of the Scriptures Now this is false Doctrine For Christ the way the same to us as to them and not another way of understanding Scriptures nor by another Spirit than that which gave them forth and he saith Christ directed to himself John 5.39 as revealed in the Scriptures and more than that as conveyed by the Scriptures to a Soul Now let the Reader take notice and search that Scripture Whether he hath not added to it yea or nay or where any ever had any Christ conveyed to them by Scriptures It doth say the Scriptures testifie of him but it doth not say that he is revealed in the Scriptures nor conveyed by them to a Soul and this is his additional gloss to corrupt the Text to undervalue the eternal Spirit of the Father by which Christ is only revealed and received and not by the Scriptures And for E. B. to say That he came not to them with enticing words neither what he had gathered from the Scripture without him but to declare the Word of the Lord and not to speak his own conceivings and imaginations this is true and no contradiction in it though J. S. say these cannot both be true to say That he neither came with what he had gathered from Scripture nor his own imaginations For the Apostâ—es of Christ did not preach what they had gathered from Scripture neither their own imaginations but preached the Worâ— and Gospel of God which they had received from God and not gathered from Scripture nor in their own imaginations and because he saith both these negatives cannot be true then it is concluded that himself preaches either what
turned against all such and he is turning the wise men backward and making their wisdom become foolishness For once there was a seeking after Light in many that it might rise and open the things of God unto them and reveal the mysteries of his life whereby their souls might be satisfied And now when it is risen in many and hath brought forth its powerful effects now the man of sin hath his time and doth prevail in many to make them believe that it is not the Light which is able to save the souls of them which believe in it and doth beget a spirit of jealousie in them which is stronger than death and begetteth a fear in them which worketh torment and many now doth fear and are jealous that that Light is not the Christ which hath enlightened them and every one that cometh into the World And this is the work of Satan in the hearts of the disobedient which as every one comes to obey his Light and to answer his perfect love to them which is manifest in the Light thaâ— fear wil be cast out and life wil be given to that Witness of God which once did breath after his life without which the soul cannot rest nor be satisfied And this shall many come to witness as the man of sin comes to be revealed which letteth and will let until he be taken out of the way and then shall they see at what they have stumbled and by what they have been overcome and then they will know that it had been good for them if they had walked in the Light of the Lord instead of setting themselves against it And as the Light it self by such before-mentioned is denyed so the Testimony which the children of Light give of it is also despised and contended against as if it were not to be owned for a Doctrine of Truth vvhich Doctrine of Truth hath been laid often before people and is yet once more that they may consider prove and try and so believe and so be able to give a testimony from the Witness of God in themselves First We say that Christ is the Light of the World according to his ovvn vvords John 8.12 And again we say That he hath enlightened every man that cometh into the World according to his vvords vvho vvas sent a Messenger before his face to bear vvitness to the truth and his vvitness is true John 2.9 And as Christ hath enlightned every man that cometh into the World so we say to every man vvarning both small and great to believe in the Light that they may be the children of Light vvhich vvas Christ's Doctrine to the World John 12.36 And now what Christ doth and effecteth by it in those that believe in his Light and followeth it which effects and operations by the World is denyed and by us is affirmed some of the effects of it I shall mention which is opposed as first That it wil not let those that are guided by it take Gods Name in vain but vvil draw them out of the Worships of the World and keep them in the fear of God and to stand stil in it is the first step to peace That it discovers things that are contrary to it That it is their Teacher that love it and their condemnation that hate it according to Christs words John 3.19 That waiting in it wil guide them to God and shew them the way to the Father as Christ saith No man cometh unto the Father but by me John 14 6. And no man cometh unto the Father by Christ but as they are led and guided by his Light within them That it opens all the Scriptures and leads man out of the fall up to God for him hath the Father given to be a Leader and Commander unto the people and he leadeth them by his Light Another effect is That it convinceth of all ungodliness and worldly lusts and is a Teacher and Director teaching and directing in righteousness purity and holiness c. And that the Light is but one in him that loves it and in him that hates it leading the one to God from whence it comes to receive eternal life and condemning the other from God because he obeyeth not the truth that he might be saved And this is the Testimony of Truth which is now held forth never to be denyed But who hath believed our report even they to whom the Arm of the Lord is revealed And this is the way by which people may come to know the truth of this Testimony by obeying the Light which Christ hath enlightened them withal thereby shall they know whether this Doctrine be of God or whether we speak of our selves and whether all those effects are not brought forth by the working of Christ's Light in them and then they shall not believe oneâ—y because of our words nor be envious against it because of other words but wil find the testimony in themselves which is according to the record which God hath given of hit Son and according to the Testimony which we have given of the Light and he that believeth shall be established Now that which opposeth this is that which beaâ—eth a testimony contrary to Christ who saith For this end was I born and for this end came I into the world to bear witness unto the truth and every one that is of the truth heareth my voice John 18.37 And this was his witness and his Messengers witness that he was the Light of the world and that this is the true Light which hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world John 8.12 John 1.9 And this contrary testimony which is brought forth is this That it is the spirit of man that is the Light which hath enlightened every man and so going about to prove the spirit of man not to be sufficient under this would destroy the sufficiency of the Light of Christ. But the Scriptures never did give testimony that the spirit of man was the Light of the World neither did we ever say that this Light was the spirit of every man nor a natural Light and therefore this man who hath writ a volume in proving a natural Light or man's reason insufficient let all people take notice what he contradicts or disproves by it he doth not by it contradict nor disprove any thing that we have said for we never did affirm that man's reason was the Light but he hath laboured to contradict himself He hath set up an Image and then glories in breaking of it down and from our words draws a false inference and glories in confounding it this is the general course of our opposers to raise a false proposition or conclusion from their own imaginations then contradict it and then cry The Quakers contradicted or confuted and their Doctrine disproved and they irrecoverably slain and many such cryes are gone forth in the World among people like the noise of many waters To which I answer Nay they are not
holy 1 Pet. 1.16 And this is not a doctrine of Devils but of Christ the Son of God and Paul preached Wisdom among those that were perfect 1 Cor. 2 6. and David preached the Doctrine of perfection in this life saying Mark the perfect man and behold the upright for the end of that man is peace Psal. 37.37 Now David did not bid them mark such a man as there was not So the Doctrine of perfection is that Doctrine which both the Prophets Christ and Apostles preached and so not the Doctrine of Devils if we preach the same but all those that preach up sin and that men must live in it and that they cannot be free from it while upon earth these are Messengers of Satan and preach the Doctrine of Devils and people need not that doctrine for they are willing enough to live in sin without having it preached up and being strengthened in it and that makes them so willing to pay the Priests such Wages for calling the proud happy and those that work wickedness Saints and justified persons for without such Wages not a priest in England would preach peace to them in their sins but they would all be silent for if people come once to know Christ their Teacher and he in them the hope of glory who saves his people from their sins then no man wil buy their merchandize any more but wil come all to hear and learn of the Father and come to witness his Covenant and his Teachings and shall not need that one teach another saying Know the Lord for all shall know him from the least to the greatest Heb. 8.11 And this shall all come to witness that come to be translated into the Kingdom of the dear Son of God and then shall they come to witness his Words who is the Lord from Heaven who saith Be ye perfect as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect and be ye holy for I am holy And this is the voice from Heaven The real Cause of the Nations Bondage and Slavery here demonstrated and the way of their freedom from their sore and hard Bondage asserted Presented unto the Parliament of the Common-wealth of England who have a Power and Opportunity put into their hands to do good and to fulfil the expected ends of many if they improve it From one that hath seen the corruption which bondageth the whole Creation and that waits for the redemption of the creature from under it R. H. I will restore thy Judges as at the first and thy Counsellors as at the beginning afterwards thou shalt be called the City of Righteousness the faithful City Isa. 1.26 Not before When this is fulfilled in England it shall be truly called a free Nation or Commonwealth Not before THere hath been a time when the prudent hath kept silence but now Wisdom hath opened her mouth and will be justified of all her children for the Lord is reviving the spirit that hath been imprisoned and taking the yoke from off the Disciples necks and is going on in the Name of his Power to make his creature a free creature and his people a free people and the Nation that serves him and obeys his Law a free Nation and the thunderings of his power is gone forth and his Light is risen to discover and destroy that which hath deceived the Nations and to give a discerning unto all of their freedom from their bondage and in what it stands and that is to be cast out which gendereth to the bondage of the Soul Spirit or Conscience in any exercise of Worship or obedience unto God which springs from the measure of his own life which must not be hindered or quenched by any Law Power or pretence whatsoever Therefore from the free Spirit of Life and Liberty in Christ Jesus this is proclaimâ—â— to the whole Nation and the Nations round about to take off their bondage and to take away their reproach which hath lain upon them for want of the life of Christ which is now risen to do its own work and perfect its own praise and to deliver its own Seed wheresoever it hath been in captivity the power of life must deliver it from all that which causeth shame and reproach which is the iniquity and transgression of the Life of Christ which is the original cause of bondage to every Nation which the Lord hath promised to take away in one day Zac. 3 9. And his Work and Power shall be known by its fruit which is to take away theâ—r sin Isa. 27.9 One great yoke of bondage which is upon the Subjectâ— and Seed of God in this Nation and others is that Ministry which is not free neither wil minister without money and the people are not free to hear them yet a yoke of bondage is laid upon them to pay them and this iniquity is established by a Law So here is neither free preaching nor free hearing unto which the free Spirit raised up in this Nation declareth thus That every one that will minister must do it freely and as of the ability which God giveth him and as the Oracle of God and that no profession of people may maintain anothers Minister but that there may be a free preaching and a free hearing among all people that so it may be a free Nation and they that will have Teachers according to their own lusts and judgements they to maintain them and that there may never any such iniquity be established by a Law as for one sort of people to maintain anothers Minister for this hath caused heart-burnings envy and strife insomuch that little Justice could be done for the Nation by reason of the cry of complainers and oppressors as at every Parliament every high Court every Assizes and Sessions and petty Courts there hath some pretended Minister or other been presenting Addresses Petitions or Complaints and so have stopt the just and lawful proceedings of the affairs of the Nation which interruption may easily be prevented and the Courts of Justice freed from such brawling and unreasonable complaints which hath been more interruption to Justice than any thing in the Nation besides and hath more hindered the peoples deliverance from being a free people and a free Nation than any thing in the Nation besides So let every form and profession of Religion maintain their own Minister and maintain their poor which are crying at their Meeting-house doors and in the Streets in the Name of their God for some relief that so there may not be a beggar in England for herein the Christians in name are become even a reproach among the Heathens to see their own flesh stand naked and uncovered in the streets and Steeple-house doors and at their doors and they turn their ears from the poor and forget God and loses the bowels of compassion and are not merciful as the Father which is in Heaven is merciâ—ul and so walks not according to the Scriptures but is a disgrace to Religion
vve ovvn and vvitness and as for our equality or unity vvith God vve that believe in him are one vvith him as the Scripture saith and as Christ prayed for us that believe John 17.21 that we might be one in him and in the Father and unity vve must confess for that is a doctrine â—ffirmed by the Apostles of Christ that as he is so are vve in the vvorld and he that sanctifieth and they that are sanctified are both one and so vve deny no doctrine but vvhatsoever is a doctrine vve vvitness it And to say that vve corrupt the doctrine of justification that is false for vve are freely justified by his grace and so do vvitness the doctrine of justification and vvho are true vvitnesses of it do not corrupt it but if vvhile vve seek to be justified by Christ vve our selves be found sinners is Christ therefore the Minister of sin God forbid Gal. 2.17 but herein doth the Priests of the World corrupt the doctrine of Justification professing to be justified by Christ while they themselves are found sinners and say that God doth account them righteous in Christ but unrighteous in themselves and so would make Christ the minister of sin and to justifie or save his people in their sins and not from them and so by them the doctrine of justification is corrupted and the Scripture perverted and the grace of God by which the Saints are freely justified is turned into wantonness and so by their faigned words in hypocrisie they cast thick clouds and vails of darkness over the peoples mindes to keep them in ignorance of the redemption of their immortal souls which is to be redeeâ—â—d by the blood of the Lamb they saying that the soul came indeed from God but is not of the being of God and yet in the 51. page tels of turning the whole frame of the soul to center in him again if it must centre in him again then it was in him before and so let thy confusion stop thy mouth Now let all consider in the light which comes from the immortal God whether Gods being is not in life and immortality and whether there is an immortal life but from the same being For God breathed into man the breath of life and through the breath of life he became a living soul Now the breath of life came from the life in which the being is and so to the people I say you have a light which comes from the same life in which the soul lived unto God in the beginning before death passed over which light is made manifest to lead out of death into the life from whence it came and to witness again a living soul and the breath of life and so to be wiser then all your teachers and to know him who hath all souls in his hand who breathed into man the breath of life and he so became a living soul and when he doth the evil the anguish is upon it and to feed atop those mountains which you have wandred after in the forgetfulness of God having forgotten God days without number Rom. 2.9 But now the light is come and knowledge begins to increase and shine in the hearts of the children of light to give them the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ and these things live in us Therefore we are his witnesses who is the light and life of men and did only for the seed sake let forth our knowledge of the mystery of God that they may be gathered into the fold among the Lambs of Christ for the day of scattering hath been long but now is the day of gathering begun wherein all they shall rejoyce that fear the Lord. 2 Cor. 4.6 And whereas many other accusations are charged upon us falsly for the name of Christ by the Priest yet seeing Christ the true Prophet hath said it should be so because they know not the Father nor him who hath enlightned every one that commeth into the World therefore can we bear all things being manifest unto God and to all men to be witnesses of those things which he saith we deny His accusations are these That we deny the Resurrection of the body the last Judgment Heaven and Hell Are enemies to all the Ordinances of Christ are not true mortified persons and our doctrine tendeth not to destroy sin That we are the common sink of all Heresies and enemies to civility and good manners Ans. Our doctrine is the same as is testified of in the Scripture of truth and where it is received remission of sins is received it being the same that our Example the first-born amongst many brethren the first begotten from the dead preached vvhich Gospel vve preach to every creature vvhich Gospel is the povver of God and where it is received doth both destroy sin and sanctifie them throughout in body soul and spirit and by it is the members vvhich are upon the earth mortified for this is the povver that raised up Jesus from the dead and doth also quicken out mortal bodies by his Spirit that dvvelleth in us in vvhich the Scripture is vvitnessed which was a Treatise of those things which was knovvn and surely believed amongst the Saints and vvhich saith they that are asleep in the dust of the earth shall rise some to everlasting life and some to everlasting shame and contempt and from â—he true foundation vvitnessing these doctrines vvhich the Apostles did not lay again the foundation of Repentance from dead vvorks and faith tovvards God of the doctrine of baptisms and laying on of hands and of the Resurrection from the dead and of eternal â—udgment Heb. 6.12 for vve having learned vvhat it is to be baptised for the dead deny such as say there is no â—esurrection of the dead the first fruiâ—s of this Resurrection is Christ 1 Cor. 15.22 of which â—hey tâ—at are of Christ are witnesses of these things and they come to know each seed in the light through the figures and through the parables Now in the parables I say to you that seed which you sow in the earth whether it be Wheat or other grain you sow not that body which shall be but God giveth it a body as pleaseth him If it be so in the earthly parable then learn to know the seeds and the nature of them which God giveth to each of them it s own body there is heavenly bodies and earthly bodies â—he glory of the heavenly is one and the glory of the earthly is another and so all being turned to the light which you are enlightned withal you in it will know the things that differ both the seeds the bodies and the glories and so let every one be a witness of what they profess of the things of God for by the Spirit of the Lord have we received the knowledge and so are made witnesses of these thingâ— which our brethren the Prophets and Apostles of Jesus Christ hath testified in the