Greeks Christ the Power of God and the Wisdom of God And indeed Christs Light which the People called Quakers believe in is of a Divine and saving Nature altho this Author charges J. N. with Blasphemy for calling the Light within which we profess Christs Light within yet we do most sincerely declare we neither Preach Believe in nor expect Salvation by any other Light then Christ Jesus the dear Son of Gods Love made of a Woman under the Law Gal. 4.4 even him who was manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of Angels Preached unto the Gentlies Believed on in the World received up into Glory 1 Tim. 3.16 And page 12. he saith I grant that Christ hath given us a Rule and the Holy spirit enables all the People of God to walk according to it Answ What then is the Spirit greater then the Rule or the Rule ineffectual without the Spirit doth not this plainly imply one of these and if the Spirit be greater or the Rule ineffectual without it why doth this Scribler say the Scriptures is the only supream and sufficient Rule Is not this plain contradiction yet in the same Page scornfully saith i. e. thus Rare edifying Discourse Christ is the only Rule the gift of Gods spirit in our own Hearts is the Rule the Holy Ghost is the Rule the Light within is the Rule the Light of Jesus is the Rule Ans And doth it then become him thus scornfully to Write O well would it have been for him that these had been his Rule for then he would have been better ruled and guided his Pen better then he hath But he runs farther saying The Spirit is so far from being our Rule that God hath given us his written Word to try whether we have the spirit thereby Answ And if this were true those that were before the Scriptures or Written Word as he calls it was how could they tell whether they had the Spirit or no Now how did the Apostles and primitive Christians that were before the New Testament was writ know they had the Spirit was it by the Old Testament and was that then the written word by which they knew they had the spirit if that were the written word by which they kâ—â—w they had the Spirit was not the Evangelists the Word and the Epistles in the New Testament the written Word then how many Written Words are there and by the same Rule he calls the Scriptures the Word of God may not those aforenamed be called the Word and if there be so many Words of God how far short will this fall of what the Quakers believe that Chriâ—â— is the Eternal Word of God and the Holy Scriptures the Words of God And if he will affirm those that have not the Scriptures cannot tell whether they have the Spirit or no let him shew what Scripture he h th for it for doth not the Scripture say by this we know wâ— are of God by the spirit which he hath given us but if we cannot know whether we have the Spirit but by the Scriptures we cannot tell whether we are of God or nay but by the Scriptures but is not this contradictory to the Scriptures and besides his only and supream Rule But we would have all know we own esteem and truly value the Holy Scriptures have often so declared in all sincerity and uprightness of Heart that all Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and 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. 3.16 17. and are able to make Wise unto salvation through faith in Christ Jesus Notwithstanding this Libeller sayes for which we have only his ipse dixit that we give the Holy Scriptures the Epethites of carnal Letter a dead killing Letter the Husk which is fit for nothing but Swine p. 20. which I deny and charge on him as a notorious false and lying slander which his Pamphlet abounds with and are not worthy taking notice of nor to spend Time and Paper to answer But having thus in brief shown some of the Errors and Contradictions of this nameless Author and detected him for his Scurrilous and abusive Pamphlet I shall ddress my self to the Inhabitants in and about Exon and all to whom these may come in whom there are any degree of Christian Charity and Godly sincerity I do in the holy fear of Almighty God in the good will of him that dwelt in the burning Bush and the Bowels of him that dyed for us and rose again for our Justification sincerely declare my Friends have no other end in their Writing and Preaching but that all people might be gathered unto the Lord Jesus Christ brought unto his Light Spirit in all their hearts that by it they may come to see their states and be made truly sensible of their conditions and through receiving and believing in Christ the light may come to know him to reveal the Father unto them that the saving knowledge of the only true God Jesus Christ they may come to receive thereby be made partakers of eternal Life and by the work of his Word Spirit in their hearts might know all that to be wrought out which the Light manifest to be contrary to the mind and Will of God and by this Spirit might know the true Baptism and the inward washing with pure Water the holy Spirit by the the Word of God that they may be truly fitted for Gods heavenly Kingdom and know an entrance thereunto And by this Spirit the best Rule may Worship God accceptably through Jesus Christ and be enabled daily to live unto him to the praise of his Grace and might enjoy peace and have the comfort of the holy Scriptures and the things of God opened unto them by it knowing as the Apostle said that as no man knows the things of a man save the spirit of a man that is in him so the things of God knows no man but the spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned and not to be attained unto by outward Letarature or wearisome study of any man that receives not this Spirit And therefore we call to all to cease from men and their Teachings that are in their Carnal state and Earthly Wisdom and dark conceivings and turn their mind inward to the saving Light of the Lord Jesus Christ to receive and believe in it that you may be the Children of it and by walking in it may know the precious virtue of the Blood of Jesus Christ to cleans you from all unrighteousness and bring you into that state wherein you may find peace and acceptance with God through Jesus Christ his dear Son our Lord and be enabled by him to bear his Yoak take up his Cross to deny your selves and follow him through the many tribulations and to endure cruel Mockings and to suffer reproach as it
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
s our lott for his sake that suffered the contradiction of sinners for our sake so that the life of true Religion you might feel and enjoy in your selves and not remain under the windy Doctrines of Men their empty forms and Ceremonies but come to Christ the substance by hearkning to his Voice and opening the Door of your hearts by Faith and let him in that he may sup with you and you with him and drink of the Cup of his Blessing know the Communion of Saints anâ— the breaking of Bread which is the Body of Christ and to know a being built upon him the sure foundation that ye may be able to stand in that day wherein all mens foundations shall be tryed and may know Bread in your own Houses and Water in your own Cisterns Oyle in your own Lamps that when the cry is prepare to meet the Bridegroom tho at Midnight you may be ready and to enter in with the bridegroom to the Marriage Chamber Oh awake awake you careless professors of Christ do not sleep in your empty forms and lifeless Profession of Christianity but get Oyle in your Lamps grace in your hearts that he may shine forth in your lives and Conversations and do not in Works deny him whom in Words ye profess for he sees and beholds you marks your wayes knows your Works and will reward you accordingly Saith your Friend JOHN FIELD A POSCRIPT By another hand SOber Reader to whom this may come the holy Scriptures of truth bears a large Testimony against wicked persons especially against Scorners Scoffers and Mockers of the Judgement wrath of God against them as ye may read Pro 1 22. to the end and as hateful and rejected of God so the Scorner is abomination to men pro. 24.9 many other places of Scripture testify against them even as the worst of men The Scriptures are fulfilled in our day viz. in the last dayes shall come Mockers and Scoffers walking after their ungodly Lusts and the Children of the Lord in former Ages were set as Gazing stocks and signs and wonders and accounted as the Offscouring of all and now it s not strange that the same thing happens to us Now the end of Writing these Lines are tenderly to advise warn the Readers to beware of that light vain scoffing Spirit which in the said Book is manifested and not to suffer the same Spirit to arise in them or to be taken with it The Author having concealed his name I have given forth these Lines to pursue his vain wicked spirit and warn others to take heed of it I leave it all to the Lord from whom he we and all shall receive a Reward according to our deeds The aforesaid Book is stuft with so much scorning vain scurilous Language as if the Author were even set in the seat of the Scornful and made it his work to utter out folly and wickedness and his pleasure and delight therein utterly contrary to true Wisdom and Christianity it self greatly condemned in the holy Scriptures of Truth as appears by some of his vain light scoffing and scorning Expressions with his vilifying and râ—proaching the People called Quakâ—rs follows viz. A Fanatical sort of people commonly culled Quakers from their trembling raving when they told their Dreams being acted in the same manner as the Heathen Southsayers buzing the ignorant in the Ears with their Intellible Jorgan this odumbred Sect Spawn of the Munster Reformer a by blow of the Jugling Jesuits or Mungril Race who licked up Socimus 's Vomit inspired with John Leydons Euthusiasims and have sucked in Popish perfection and Infallibility Now how hath he powred out his Wicedness like a flood the Lord rebuke him doth he consider that in the day of Judgement every idle word must be accounted for how much then the multitude of his scorns scoffs and jears Oh vain man let him repent And now in this his scornful spirit he will undertake to interpret Scripture and talk of Piety and vindicate some persons as pious calls one a Reverend Divine and our stoutest Champions If they be such as he Intimates they will account the Vindication of such a Scorner a Disgrace unto them It would have been well if he had consulted and considered the Holy Scriptures before he had thus powred out his vanity reproach scorn it may be he will say they are a rule but he never had any such Example from Christ or his Apostles Oh vain man remember God will bring thee to Judgement for these things and therefore thou should not be high minded but fear the great God who will give a reward to eveey one according to their deeds from whom thou cannot hide thy self tho thou hidest thy name from publick view and tho I know not who thou art yet thy worâ— manifests what thou art I have written this in love to thee and all to whom this may come and leave the issue to the Lord. By a well wisher for the good of all people J. BATT
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