in the heart and why should this nameless Author be offended at Christs being in People and his Light shining in their Hearts and Consciences what would he have nothing but sin and Satan in Peoples Hearts that in evil doing they might be kept hating the Light because their Deeds are evil and refusing to bring them to it Sure those are never like to be happy in this World nor in that which is to come that live and dye in Rebellion against the Light of Christ nor those will never know Christ who is stronger then the strong man Armed the Devil and can spoil his Goods sin and lust if they do not know and receive Christ within where the sin and Lust have had a place how should he spoil his Goods destroy the sin and mortify the Lust and fulfil the Prophesie of him viz. put an end to sin and finish transgression and bring in everlasting Righteousness But to Return it s further observable how scornfully contemptuous and Atheistical and Blasphemous this Libeller is against the Light manifesting thereby that he is of the Seed of Evil doers that shall never be renowned Page 10. He saith The Light within is the great Diana by whom these Jacks of all Trades have their wealth Hence it is that these Craftsmen speak so honourably of the Idol Great is the Quakers Light within t is to be preferred to the Scripture By this we are to understand the Scriptures this is a higher and Superior Rule which we ought especially to attend This is one of the Foundations on which the damnable Errors of the Quakers are built Answ Observe the Rage and Blasphemy of this officious Presbiterian Advocate First how he Queries if this Light of Christ in the Heart and Conscience be God or Creature finite or infinite and in a few Pages saith its an Idol O what horrid Blasphemy is this what the Light of Jesus Christ in the Conscience an Idol and have the Jacks of all Trades their Wealth by this surely if his Pious Mr. Flavel his ingenious Mr. Hallet and his Reverend Mr. Tross as he calls them have no better Advocates then this Scurrilous Airy Libeller and envious Scribler they 'l get little credit by him but he goes on Ironically and Scoffingly saying great is the Quakers Light within is to be preferred to the Scriptures by this we are to try Thoughts Words and Actions by this we are to understand the Scriptures Answ And is it not very true that Christs Light is to be preferred to the Scriptures because it was before the Scriptures For Christs Light which is the Life of that Word that was in the Beginning with God and was God must needs be before the Scriptures and is no Creature or Finite And this the Author to the Hebrews declares to be quick and powerful sharper then a two edged Sword dividing between the Joints and the Marrow the Soul and the Spirit and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart and this the Scriptures of themselves cannot do Yet this poor dark-man seems not willing to allow it to be a higher and superior Rule to which we ought especially to attend and yet it must be granted that Christ who is this Word in whom the Life which is the Light of Men is superior to the Scriptures for the Holy men of God writ the Scriptures as moved by the Holy Ghost or Spirit of Christ and that Holy spirit from whence they came must needs be greater then the Scriptures that are given forth by it But he further manifests his bitter Spirit by affirming that the Light within is one of the Foundations on which the damnable Doctrine of the Quakers are built Answ This is false what are damnable Errors built on the Light On what Light are these damnable Errors built or what are them damnable Errors the Quakers hold Let him demonstrate this if he can Oh the blindness and Blasphemy of this Man Surely if his Mr. Hallet or his Gospel Minister Mr. Tross teaches him no better then this or that these are the Fruits of their Ministery they 'l have but small reputation by him Again If to say that Christs Light within is to be preferred to the Scriptures and that by it we are to try Thoughts Words and Actions and to understand the Scriptures are rotten Assertions as he Phrases them pray what are sound surely it s not this Authors Assertions that the Light within is an Idol and the Scriptures are the only supream and sufficient Rule of Faith and Life These are neither sound nor Scriptural for if the Scriptures are the only Rule then there is no other if supream then what 's above them doth not this set the Letter above the Spirit or the Scriptures above Christ are not these erroneous sayings And his 11th page he saith A Christian tryes and examines his Thoughts Words and Actions by the Scriptures Answ But the Scriptures cannot immediatly tell or shew unto any man what his Thoughts Words and Actions are for its the living powerful Word of God that is a discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart see Amos the 4. ch and last verse and Heb. 4.12 And it s this that must quicken unto God and teach man how to think speak and do as he ought And it s the Light of Jesus Christ that shines in Peoples hearts that shews or manifests unto them all those thoughts words and actions that are reprovable according unto the Apostles Testimony Eph. 5.13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the Light For whatsoever doth make manifest is â—ight And therefore said Christ the Light Whoever think to have life in the Scriptures which testify of Christ will fall under Christs reprehension if they do not come to him for he said ye search or search ye the Scriptures for in them ye think to have eternal Life and they are they which testify of me and ye will not come to me that ye may have Life Joh. 5.39 40. And in page 11. he saith the Pagans Rule is the light of Nature and the Quakers Rule the Light within Answ Now if the Quakers Rule is not a saving Light and of the Divine Nature what light is it For he plainly declares them to be two and not one and the same Light And yet saith The Pagans Rule is good in its kind and place it discovers the Beiâ—g Power Wisdom and Goodness of God so as to leave them without Excuse who do not walk according to it but it cannot discover Christ by whom alone sinners can be saved Answ How doth it discover the Power Wisdom and goodness of God and yet not discover Christ by whom alone sinners can be saved Surely if it discovers the Power Wisdom and Goodness of God it discovers Christ for Paul saith 1 Cor. 1.23 24. We Preach Christ Crucified unto the Jews a stumbling block unto the Greeks foolishness but unto them that are called both Jews and
altho this Aâ—thor pretends to know and practice the Doctrine according to Godliness he appears more like an Atheist filled with Scorn and Derision for he proceeds But if he will not part with any of it follow my Directions thou mayest obtain it thy self is not this like Simon Magus and p. 7. He farther proceeds in his deriding manner thus Deny Scripture Revile Magistrates reproach Ministers cast off Ordinances gratify the desires of thy Carnal heart follow the Dictatâ—s of thy muddy Brains whenever thy giddy head turns rouâ—d pretend to Visions and Revelations And when thou art thus accoutered Read the Quakers Books and keep close to their silent Meetings and thou art in a very fair way to get this rare secret Now if this be like one studious to know and practice Godliness or a scoffing Atheist I leave to his Master Hallet and his Master Tross and the rest of their Brethren with all that read this to Judge whether this is the way to attain unto the Light of Jesus Christ I.N. desired his Reader to keep his mind near unto which is that which shines in Peoples Hearts and Consciences and shews them Sin and manifests the corrupt desires of their Carnal Hearts and lets them see they are sinners against God and Christ And will lead and guide all those that believe in it and receive it unto Gods Holy Hill and to his Tabernacles and by walking in it they will come to know a being Cleansed from all Unrighteousness by the Blood of Jesus Christ But he goes on p. 7. 1. Quest Is this Light of Jesus Christ in the heart and Conscience God or Creature finite or infinite Answer The Life in the Word that was in the Beginning with God and was God is the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World and is not a Creature or finite Then he proceeds to his 2d Question for he puts great stress on 3 or 4. Questions for he hath propounded and bids put home these Questions and if he do not boggle or Equivocate it s ten to one but he will betray gross Ignorance Oh the conceit he hath of his own Questions come le ts hear and Answer his second 2 Quest p. 7. Is it Christ himself who was Crucified without the Walls of Jerusalem or something distinct from Christ Answer The Life which is the Light of Men is the Life and Light of the same Christ who was born of the Virgin Mary was put to Death upon the Cross as concerning the flesh quickened and raised by the Spirit and ascended into Glory Yet this his Divine Life and Light never dyed nor was put to death But he follows his Question thus If he say it is Christ himself enquire of him whether this Light is in every mans heart and Conscience was born of the Virgin Mary Suffered under Pontius Pilate dyed upon the Cross ascended into Heaven after its Resurrection and sitteth at the right hand of God all these things we know are true of Christ Answ And so say I all these things are true of Christ according to the Flesh altho we do not believe him to be so i. e. according to the flesh in every man yet he is owned by us called Quakers according unto holy Scripture Testimony both in the flesh and in the Spirit see Peter 3.18 and Heb. 2.18 for in that he himself hath suffered and also Acts 17.3 and Heb 13.12 Wherefore Jesus also that he might sanctify the People with his own Blood suffered without the Gate And none of this is Blasphemy to neither doth this betray gross Ignorance on our parts but of his as may further appear in answer to his other Questions 3. Quest If he say it is something distinct from Christ ask him whether it be a Body or Spirit Answ This is Answered in Reply to the former that it was Christ himself that suffered as concerning the flesh and was quickened and raised by the Spirit And this Author saith p. 14. That God suffered but t is Blasphemy to say the Godhead suffered And if he either thought we had or expected we should affirm that that Divine Life and Light of Christ we profess believe in and expect Salvation by did ever dye he is grosly mistaken for we own Christ in the Flesh and Christ in the Spirit Christ within and Christ without to be but one and the same Christ under different appearances and all they that will impartially Examine our Christian Doctrines by the Holy Scriptures like the noble Bareans will find them according thereunto notwithstanding this Author saith Perhaps he may hereafter shew the contrary But we fear him not And he proceeds in his Question thus Whether it be a Body or a Spirit if he say it is a Body as Barklay T is Vehiculum Dei the Spiritual Body of Christ the Flesh and Blood of Christ which came down from Heaven Desire him to deal freely with thee as a friend and inform thee how this flesh and blood can be in so many thousand Hearts and Consciences at once as there are Men and Women upon the face of the Earth how can a Body reach from Pensilvania to Exon. p. 7. Answ 1st As to these Questions because he puts such a stress on them I have taken the more notice of them as to that Light of Jesus Christ in the heart which he queries whether it be a Body or Spirit we say it is the Life of that Word that was God and was in the beginning with God by whom all things were made And as to the Humane Nature of Christ he saith himself p 14 It was a Creature and Rob. Barkley doth not say the Godhead is a Creature so that Rob. Barkley doth not want to be reconciled unto George Whitehead nor their Doctrines unto Truth But this Pamphleteer goes on Reasoning or querying like the unbelieving Jews who said how can this Man give us his Flesh to Eate and saith this Adversary How this Flesh and Blood of Christ can be in so many thousand Hearts and Consciences as once and how a Body can reach from Pensilvania to Exon. By which it appears to me notwithstanding his Learning he shews himself ignorant for he saith unless you eaâ—e my fl sh and drink my blood you have no life in you Joh. 6.53 again he saith he that eateth my fl sh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him and I will raise him up at the last day A Mystery I fear this Libeller doth not understand for as if Believers in Christ in Exon and Pâ—nsilvania could not both partake of the Flesh of Christ is not this to limit him For he saith p. 8. If we Read Christ in yâ—u then this is the Sence viz. Those saving Graces Fai h and Love c. by which Christ dwells in our hearts And can any of these saving Graces be wrought in the Heart but by Christ and if he works them there must he not be
THE Scorner Rebuked Or A REPLY to an Atheistical LIBELLER Prov. 19.29 Judgements are prepared for Scorners and Stripes for the back of Fools HAving met with The Sauciness of a Seducer Rebuked A Scandalous Pamphlet so Intituled Or The Pride and folly of an Ignorant Scribbler made manifest In Preface of which he hath manifest his Enâ—y as well as Scorn and Scurrility together with Dr. Moors from his Mystery of Godliness p. 533. Where he saith in his Title Page as quoted Quakerism is a meer flam of the Devil a smooth Tale to seduce the simple from their Allegiance to Christ And from whence I observe how they Insinuate that Allegiance is due to Christ and he consequently must be a King or Ruler yet how many are Alleging that it s not possible while we are here to keep Christs Commands of which number I account this Author or to live here without Transgressing Gods Law So that the Allegiance we are insinuated to draw people from that 's due unto Christ is not accounted by them Possible while here to be fully paid neither is so paid by them And indeed with grief it may be truly said that too many that own Christ in Words and so profess him fall so short of paying that Allegiance duâ— to him that they are found in Rebellion against him his Light and Spirit in their Hearts and that God thaâ— made them and will so continue if they do not receiveâ— believe and walk in him that is that Light in whom alâ— the Nations of them that are Saved must Walk thaâ— pay that Allegiance Obedience and Reverence that iâ— due to him And as many fall short of their Allegiance to Christ Love to their Neighbour and gooâ— Manners so this Scribling Libeller hath manifest himself of this Number 1. By his Blasphemy against thâ— Light within the Quakers Light which is no otheâ— then the Light of Christ Jesus calling it an Idol thâ— great Diana by whom the Jacks of all Trades have theiâ— wealth Ignis fatui c. 2. By calling us a Fanaticâ— sort of People the spawn of Munster Reformers a by-bloâ— of the jugling Jesuits or derive our Pedegree from thâ— Irâ—nopolitan Fathers or whether we are of the Munâ—geral Race who have licked up Socinus his Vomit And further to shew how like in Spirit he is to the old Persecutors he seems offended that we feel the Warmth oâ— Toleration by saying since they felt that they swarm amonâ— us But let me tell him we have also felt the Lasheâ— and Severity of his Brethren the heat of their Angeâ— for it was fierce the warmth of their Wrath for iâ— was cruel Who did both Whip Brand Cut off Earâ— and Hanged in New England when Power was iâ— their hands And we have also patiently undergone many hardships and cruel sufferings from our Persecutors herâ— when some that in time of Sunshine and under thâ— warmth of Indulgence in fair Weather could makâ— fair shew and great appearance but when once thâ— Storm hath risen the Wind of Persecution blew strong and the Sun thereof shone hot they have been scorcheâ— up and blown away their Meeting Houses Empty anâ— shut up their Preachers Absconded their flocks Scattered And then Paul Baskes was remembred then their Christian Policy was used then to Church for fear of 20 l. per Month or least they should be Excommunicated and suffer Imprisonment Now when the Lord by his Providence hath brought it to pass that the hearts of the Government are inclined towards us and give us the liberty of Exercising our tender Consciences This Nameless Author his Mr. Tross's Advocate like a Night Bird sends forth his Mournful Noat and Vents his Displeasure at the warmth we enjoy plainly shewing what he wants to be at And it s not to be doubted but if he had power he would Lash more severely with his Whip their old Instrument then he hath with his Pen. But we humbly thank the Lord and the Government for the present Ease we Enjoy by the Restraining such bitter Spirits from Venting their Malice on that wise against us But we can say of this and all our Enemies the Lord forgive them and incline their Hearts to keep his Law And he is also offended that the people come to our Meetings saying It s just with God to give them up to strange Delusions to believe Lyes Why so angry what must people take all upon trust may they not hear for themselves and follow the Christian Advice Try all things hold fast that which is good But to conclude he saith If what I have writ in this Treatise be an Antidote to any against that spreading Evil viz Quakerism my Labour will not be lost Poor Man what pains thou hast taken to bring forth a Brat thou dost not own what must J. N. be blamed for having his Book Midwifed as thou Phrases it into the World by a Nameless Printer and must the Name of thy Fathers Brat be concealed only thou tells he is one studious to know practice the Doctrine according to Godliness But what a Proficient he hath manifest himself in this study let me now examine from a few places 〈◊〉 his Book relating to the Light of Christ and the Holy Scriptures For much of it is such empty stuff and tâ— so little purpose unless to manifest his folly and scoâ—fing Spirit that it s not worth minding I shall firâ—â— set down what he quotes of Jos Nott. p. 6. I. â— and therefore I desire the Reader to keep thy minâ— near to the Light of Jesus Christ in thy own heart 〈◊〉 Conscience that so thou mayest understand whaâ— thou readest To which this Libeller Replys thus After a small Blunder the 1st for thee oâ— comes the rare Cotholican with which those Quacâ— do greater Wonders then ever did Ponteus witâ— his Balsom Oynment and that is the Light withiâ— Reader if thou canst but get Joseph Nott to spare the a few Ounces of this Choice Medicine called Ligâ— within prize it above Aurum Fotabile or the Philâ—sophers Stone Now Observe what a Proficient he is in the Doctrinâ— and Practice of Godliness who makes such a scoffiâ— at the Light of Jesus Christ comparing it to Ponteâ— Balsam and scornfully ca ling it a choice Medicinâ— Now compare this with the Testimony of the Hoâ—â— Scriptures Jo. 8.12 Then spake Jesus again unto the saying I am the Light of the World he that followeth nâ— shall not walk in Darkness but shall have the light of Lifâ— and Jo. 1.8 He was not that Light but was sent to beâ— witness of that Light that was the true Light that lighteâ— every man that cometh in the World And its great contempt and scorn in him thus tâ— compare it and to Insinuate as if the Light of Jesâ—â— Christ was to be sold by Ounces for it was that and 〈◊〉 other but the Light of Jesus Christ that Jos Nott desire the Reader to keep his mind near to And