Gospel Truths SCRIPTURALLY ASSERTED IN ANSWER TO Joseph Hallett's Twenty Seven QUERIES Search the Scriptures for in them ye think to have Eternal Life and they are they which testifie of me and ye will not come to me that ye might have Life John 5. 39. 40. Come unto me all ye that Labour and are heavy Laden and I will give you Rest take my Yoke upon you and learn of me for I am meek and lowly in Heart and you shall find Rest unto your Souls Matth. 11. 28 29. By John Gannacliff and Joseph Nott. Printed and Sold by T. Sowle at the Crooked-Billet in Holywell Lane in Shoreditch 1692. Gospel Truths Scripturally asserted c. The PREFACE NOw by this the Reader may know that we lately received twenty seven Queries with Josph Halletts Name to them Preacher amongst the Presbyterians in Exon who in his Introduction saith That these kind of People commonly called Quakers are said to hold many pernitious and dangerous Doctrines no way agreeable to the Truth as 't is taught by Jesus Now we shall answer thus That those that say these afore-mentioned things of us cannot prove them for they are not true for we hold nothing contrary to the Truth for our Doctrine is neither pernitious nor dangerous but according to the holy Scriptures of Truth as it may farther appear in the Answers to the afore-mentioned Queries The Queriest seems not Ingenious nor Charitable in prejudicially pre-supposing that doubtful ambiguous prevaricating shuffling absurd and cloudy Expressions or Answers may be given to his Questions which becomes not one pretending to Query for Information but gives us occasion to question Whether he 'l ingeniously accept our plain and sincere Answers though therein we are truly Conscientious towards God Query 1 st I would desire them to resolve me what the Light within is of which they talk and write so much and that they would give me a plain Description of it Answer THis Light within of which we talk and write so much is Heavenly and Divine for it is the Light of Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour as may be proved by the holy Scriptures of Truth for the Lord speaking by the Prophet Isaiah of Christ saith I the Lord have called thee in Righteousness and will hold thine Hand and will keep thee and give thee for a Covenant of the People for a Light of the Gentiles Isa 42. 6. And in Chap. 49. 6. the Lord speaks by the same Prophet again of Christ and saith I will also give thee for a Light to the Gentiles that thou mayst be my Salvation unto the Ends of the Earth And Simeon that Just and devout Man took the Child Jesus up in his Arms and blessed God and said Lord now lettest thou thy Servant depart in Peace according to thy Word for mine Eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all People a Light to lighten the Gentiles and the Glory of thy People Israel Luk. 2. 25 27 28 29 30 31 32. And Jesus Christ bears Testimony of himself saying I am the Light of the World he that follows me shall not walk in Darkness but shall have the Light of Life John 8. 12. And the Apostle John bears Testimony of Christ and saith In him was Life and the Life was the Light of mâ—n and the Light shineth in Darkness and the Darkness comprehendeth it not There was a Man sent from God whose Name was John the same came for a Witness to bear Witness of the Light that all men through him might believe mark he was not that Light to wit John but was sent to bear Witness of that Light that was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World John 1. 4 5 6 7 8 9. And the Apostle Paul spake of this Light and said God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ But we have this Treasure in Earthen Vessels 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. Well then This is the Condemnation that Light is come into the World and men love Darkness rather than Light because their Deeds are Evil John 3. 19. And now indeed we may say we do greatly admire at the Ignorance of Joseph Hallett concerning the Light seeing he is a pretended Minister of Christ But let him pretend to what he will he appears to be a Minister of Antichrist and of those that rebel against the Light and know not the Ways thereof nor abide in the Paths thereof Job 24. 13. Query 2. Do the Quakers believe that there are Three in One or that there is a Trinity the Father the Son and the holy Ghost and that these three are but one God in Essence and Nature Answ We do most certainly believe as it is recorded in the holy Scriptures of Truth That there are three that bear Record in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one 1 John 5. 7. And Jesus Christ our Lord and Redeemer saith I and my Father are one John 10. 30. And this we most certainly believe Query 3. Whether they esteem the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the written Word Will or Mind of God and to be the only Rule of Faith Worship and Manners Or whether the Light within be a higher or superiour Rule to which we must more especially attend in all matters of Doctrine Worship and Conversation Answ We esteem the holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be given by Divine Inspiration to contain Words of God and a True Declaration of the Will and Mind of God and of the Word and only Rule of Faith and Worship c. and therefore the holy Spirit divine Inspiration and Light as preferred to and higher than the Scriptures or Writings Anti-Query 1. Where do the holy Scriptures call themselves the written Word Will or Mind of God 2. How can they be or contain his Will or Mind which is essential to himself 3. Where do the holy Scriptures so call themselves the Only Rule of Faith Worship and Manners 4. They who so hold and cannot prove the affâ—rmative by Scriptures is not their Faith greatly defective as to this great Article of their Faith namely in their believing that the Scriptures are the Only Rule of there Faith and yet cannot prove they are so by plain Scriptures 5. What mean the Words Only Rulâ— of Faith c. Do they not either mean Only by way of Emmence or higher or superiour to all other or only as the sole Rule exclusive of all other which to affirm of Scriptures is to exclude the Spirit 6. But if the holy Spirit be included in the Only Rule of Faith how can it be properly or truly said of the Scriptures that they are the only Rule of Faith and yet have no Scripture that saith they are so Now this we do
really believe that the Scriptures the Old and New Testament were written by the Holy Men of God as they were moved thereunto by the Holy Ghost And we do believe whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. And we do believe That the Scriptures are able to make wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus mark through Faith which is in Christ Jesus And in this the Scripture is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all Good Works 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. Now here we may see that it is through Faith in Christ Jesus that the Scriptures are profitable unto us But we do not remember that the Scriptures in any place do say they are the Written Word Will and Mind of God or the Only Rule of Faith Worship and Manners and therefore we do desire Joseph Hallett or any other man to prove it by Scripture if they can But this we do find that Jesus Christ is called the Word of God in several places in the holy Scriptures for John saith In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made John 1. 1 2 3. Now here it is plain that the Apostle called Christ the Word of God for it cannot be reasonably supposed or said that the Scriptures were in the beginning with God or that the Scripture was God or that all things were made by them for what we understand Moses did write the first five Books which was many hundred Years after the beginning So that it is plain that Christ is the Word of God by whom the Worlds were framed Heb. 11. 3. So now we would not have any to be ignorant of this That by the Word of God the Heavens were of Old and the Earth standing out of the Water and in the Water 2 Pet. 3. 5. And John hath written in the Revelations of this Word of God for he saith I saw Heaven opened and behold a White Horse and he that sate upon him was called Faithful and True and in Righteousness he doth Judge and make War his Eyes were as a Flame of Fire and on his Head were many Crowns and he had a Name written that no man knew but he himself and he was cloathed with a Vesture dâ—pt in Blood and his Name is called the Word of God Rev. 19. 11 12 13. And this is The Word of God which is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged Sword piercing even to the dividing assunder of Soul and Spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart Heb. 4. 12. Now this Word of God is nigh unto People even in the Mouth and in the Heart Rom. 10. 8. And this Word of God to wit Christ Jesus doth declare the Mind and Will of God and is the only Rule of Faith Worship and Manners For if we say that these afore-mentioned things are things of God then the Apostle saith The things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God And he farther saith Now we have received not the Spirit of the World but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God 1 Cor. 2. 11 12. Now if any would know the Will and Mind of God they must turn in their Minds unto the gift of God's Spirit in their own Hearts For that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed unto them Rom. 1. 19. And again the Apostle saith It is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Now concerning Faith Christ saith When the Son of Man cometh shall he find Faith on Earth Luk. 18. 8 Now it is written that Faith cometh by hearing and heariâ—g by the Word of God Rom. 10. 17. Christ is the Word of God and he is the Author and Finisher of our Faith it is undeniable for the Apostle saith Looking unto Jesus thâ— Author and Finisher of our Faith Heb. 12. 2. And concerning Worship Christ saith The Hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him And he further saith God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4. 23 24. We desire the Reader to take notice of this for it is a weighty thing to be a Worshipper of God and it must be performed by the assistance of God's Spirit for Christ saith in plain words Without me ye can do nothing John 15. 5. And the Apostle Paul saith As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 14. And we say if Sons then true Worshippers The Apostles were come unto the Spiritual Worship for the Apostle Paul saith We are the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the Flesh Phil. 3. 3. Now concerning Manners we find it thus written that Evil Communications corrupt good Manners 1 Cor. 15. 33. Therefore if any be willing to know good Manners then let them take the Apostle's advice in the next Verse where he saith Awake to Righteousness and sin not Now it is the holy Ghost that teacheth People Good Manners for Christ saith He shall teach them all things and bring all things to your Remembrance John 14. 26. And now concerning the Light within it doth manifest unto the Sons and Daughters of men their States and Conditions and by it Thoughts Words and Actions are tryed and by the Light of Jesus we come to understand these things which are written in the holy Scriptures of Truth and therefore it is a higher and superiour Rule unto which we ought more especially to attend it being according to Scripture for Christ saith While ye have the Light believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light These things spake Jesus John 12. 36. And it is written That every one that doth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his Deeds should be reproved But he that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God John 3. 20 21. Mark it is the Light that discovereth and maketh manifest as it is walked in it is an undeniable Truth for it is evidently set forth by the Apostle Paul for he saith All things that are reproved are made manifest by the Light for whatsoever doth make manifest is Light Ephes 5. 13. And observe John's Testimony of the Light and the
there was Miriam the Prophetess the Sister of Aaron Exod. 15. 20. And there was Deborah a Prophetess the Wife of Lapidoth she judged Israel Judg. 4. 4. And the good King Josiah sent unto Huldah the Prophetess the Wife of Shalum to inquire of the Lord for him and the People 2 Kings 22. 13 14. And there was the Prophetess Noadiah Nehem. 6. 14. And the Lord spake by his Prophet Joel and said I will pour out my Spirit upon all Flesh and your Sons and your Daughters shall Prophesie Joel 2. 28. Mark Sons and Daughters shall prophesie And in Christ's Days there was one Ama a Prophetess Luk 2. 36. And the Woman of Samaria was a publick Preacher for when she had received some understanding of Christ she went her way into the Ciâ—y and saith unto the Men Come see a Man which told me all things that ever I did is not this the Christ Then they went out of the City and came 〈…〉 Iob â—4 28 30. Now observe this Woman laboured to bring People unto Christ and many believed her Testimony and came unto him And now we may say that the Work of the Gospel-Ministers is to bring People unto Christ And again we may see that Jesus Christ was pleased to make use of a Woman Mary Magdalen first to preach his Resurrection for he said unto her Go to my Brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God And Mary Magdalen went and told the Disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had spoken these things unto her John 20. 17 18. Mark Christ sent this Woman to declare these things unto his Disciples and the Apostle Paul was so far from denying Womens Praying or Prophecying that he signifies how they ought to Pray or Prophecy for he saith Every Woman that Prayeth or Prophesieth with her Head uncovered dishonoureth her Head 1 Cor. 11. 15. And Philip had four Daughters Virgins which did Prophesie Acts 21. 8 9. And the Apostle writing to the Phillipians saith I intreat thee also true Yoke-fellow help those Women which laboured with me in the Gospel Phil. 4. 3. Mark those Women laboured with him in the Gospel But now if any should say that Prophecying is not Preaching we shall answer thus That the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophesie Rev. 19. 10. Qu. 15. What Warrant the People called Quakers have in the Scriptures for their Silent Meetings Answ The same they have for waiting on God until indued with Power from on High and until required of him to Speak or Preach and in the mean time to be silent at the presence of God Yet we limit not our Meetings before-hand to Silence or Preaching but submit them to what God shall require We do greatly admire the Ignorance of many People professing themselves Christians and Ministers of Christ for the Prophecy of the Prophet it is on this wise All thy Children shall be Taught of the Lord and great shall be the Peace of thy Children Isa 54. 13. And again it is said I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit Chap. 48. 17. And the Prophet farther said Yet shall not thy Teacher be removed into a Corner any more but thine Eyes shall see thy Teacher and thine Ears shall hear a Word behind thee saying This is the Way walk ye in it when ye turn to the Right Hand and when ye turn to the Left Chap. 30. 20 21. And now we do desire all People to consider how it is that the Lord doth teach his People himself if not by his Spirit And if by his Spirit then where And how must People be taught by him if not in the secret of their own Hearts and in the stillness and quietness of their Minds for David saith Wait on the Lord be of good Courage and he shall strengthen thine Heart Psal 27. 14. And again he saith Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him Chap. 37. 7. And the Wise man saith Wait on the Lord and he shall save thee Prov. 20. 22. And Isaiah saith That they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with Wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint Isa 40. 31. And many other places might be Instanced And now how must People wait upon the Lord if not in Silence for Solomon saith That there is a Time to keep Silent and a Time to Speak Eccles 3. 7. Now it were well if all did know this time to keep silent and so wait upon the Lord in Silence for the Lord speaking by the Prophet Isaiah saith Keep Silence before me O Islands and let the People Renew their Strength Isa 41. 1. And again it is written The Lord is in his holy Temple let all the Earth keep Silence before him Hab. 2. 20. And it is farther written Be Silent O all Flesh be fore the Lord for he is raised up out of his Holy Habitation Zach. 2. 13. So now all Flesh ought to keep Silent before the Lord and wait upon him for the Teaching of his holy Spirit in their own Hearts that so they may come to know God and his Mind and Will for we live in the New Covenant Dispensation spoken of in Jer. 31. 31 32 33 34. Heb. 8. 8 9 10 11. where the Lord saith They shall teach no more every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord. And now we say it is good for all to be inwardly gathered and wait in Silence for the Teachings of the Lord for there his Appearance is according to the Apostle's Testimony for he saith That which may be known of God is manifest within Rom. 1. 19. And the same Apostle saith That the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying Vngodliness and Worldly Lust we should live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present World Tit. 2. 11 12. Mark the Grace of God was the Apostle's Teacher And now forasmuch as that Grace that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men we would have all to mind the Teachings of it And the Apostle John saith The Anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same Anointing teacheth you of all things and is Truth and is no Lye 1 John 2. 27. Mark John saith that the Anointing abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you Well then as People meet together in true Silence in the stillness and quietness of there Minds to wait upon the Lord although there may be no Words spoken as outwardly yet there is a sufficient Teacher near unto them to teach them the Way of the Lord that so they may find Peace and Acceptance with him Glory be
and rose again for their Justification And it is Christ that died or rather that is risen again and because he lives we live also And God hath chosen us to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth 2 Thes 2. 13. And is not this Work to be known within of the Spirit and Faith of Christ read Rom. 10 6 7 8 9 10. But thou dost not seem to love to hear of Christ and his Light within which Paul preached and said Know you not that Christ is in you except you be Reprobates This was the Mystery hid from Ages and Generations Christ within the Hope of Glory Qu. 23. Whether the way of serving of God that the Quakers use be the Way to Heaven And if it be the Way whether it be the only Way Answ The Way we profess and own is the Way to Heaven which is Christ the Way the Truth and the Life in whom our acceptance is Neither is there Salvation by any other Name And the Worship which he set up we practise which is in Spirit and Truth and that this is the right Way and the true Worship yea the only way to Heaven we have great assurance the Lord manifesting his presence in the midst of us which is his Seal of approbation and we have known and do know an Overcoming and Victory over the World by our Faith which stands in the Power of God which Paul exhorted the Believers unto that their Faith might not stand in the Wisdom of Words but in the Power of God and God is the Author and Finisher of our Faith and the Day of God's Power is known which hath made us a willing People and for the Word of our Testimony we have not neither do we love our Lives to the Death but far be it from us to limit the Holy One for in every Nation he that fears God and works Righteousness is accepted of him But can a man be said truly to fear God and work Righteousness without having regard to this inward Law by which the Gentiles are said to have attained to the Righteousness which is of Faith and they doing the things contained in the Law shewed the Effect of the Law written in their Hearts their Consciences also bearing Witness and their Thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another At the Day saith Paul when God shall Judg the Secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel Rom. 2. 15 16. This was the Gospel that great Apostle to the Gentiles preached the Law in the Heart the New Covenant Jer. 31. 32. Heb. 8. 9 10. This is the Covenant I will make with the House of Israel after those days I will put my Laws into their Minds and in their Hearts will I write them and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a People and they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for all shall know me from the least to the greatest So that we believe as the Scripture testifies God hath been always good to such as are of an Upright Heart though under various Professions and Ministrations and of this some have had experience before the Way of Truth was clearly made known to us as hath been since made manifest through the refreshment from the presence of the Father And our desire is for thee and for all Men that you would receive him that is Christ in his Light with which he hath lightned you and all men and thereby you will receive Power to become the Sons of God And take heed of grieving the good Spirit of God as the Apostle Exhorts Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed unto the Day of Redemption And this I say farther take heed of Opposing this Work for it is of God and shall stand Goa's Foundation stands sure 1 Peter 2. 6. Wherefore it is contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in Sion a Chief Corner-Stone Elect Precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded unto you therefore that believe he is pretious but unto them which are disobedient the Stone which the Builders Disallowed the same is made the Head of the Corner and a Stone of Stumbling and a Rock of Offence even to them that Stumble at the Word being disobedient Mark such as Stumble at the Word he is a Stone of Stumbling unto them And the Word is near in the Mouth and in the Heart This is the Word of Faith which we Preach Rom. 10. 8. Having Answered thy Three and Twenty Questions by Scripture-proofs we proceed to Answer the other four put forth by Thee Qu. 1. Whether when a Man at any time Speaks to a single Person it be unlawful for him to use the Word You Ans It seems thou art offended at the Word Thee and Thou but was it not the Language of Christ and the Holy Men of God both to Superiour and Inferiour as is sufficiently Manifested in the Scripture And it seems strange that thou or any Man Learned in the Tongues should put forth such a Question knowing there is to be an Agreement in the number both in Hebrew Greek and Latin as our Translation makes apparent and why are Children taught Singular and Plural Number by the Grammer Rules but that it is absolutely necessary in the Latin Tongue as well as in other Tongues and without it thou knowest cannot be true so the Word You to one is improper it is as proper for a Man to use the Word Thee unto a Thousand Men as it is for him to use the Word You unto One for Thou is in the Singular Number but You is in the Plural So that for to use the Word You unto One it is nonsence For One is but one and the Word You signifies to more then one and it is also contrary unto the Holy Scriptures of Truth to use the Word You unto one and therefore it is unlawful for Christ said Thou unto Peter and Peter said Thou unto Christ several times in the 21. Chap. of John and it s the common Language throughout all the Scriptures of Truth to use the Word Thee or Thou unto one and we desire all People to take notice of it for the Lord used to Speak the Word Thee or Thou when he Spake unto any particular of his People and his People used to speak Thee or Thou unto the Lord and one unto another And People do use the Word Thee and Thou unto the Lord in their Prayers and we do greatly admire that People should count that Language which they give unto the Lord is not good enough for themselves For some have been very angry with us when we have used the simple proper Language as the Word Thee or Thou unto one O blush and be ye ashamed and bow before the Lord all ye proud ones that think scorn to receive that Language unto your selves that you give