obey such particular Scriptures as he bringeth to their minds and applyeth and wresteth for his owne ends The Devill never bringeth Scriptures but to deceive thereby alwayes wresting them from their genuine sense and proper meanings as James Naylor might see if he were not blinde or had not sould himselfe for the Devills service And againe whereas he saith that one may have the letter of Scripture and not have the word and that the letter without the Spirit is dead page 4. I answer as before that the letter of the Scripture is the word of God though it is not Christ And that the letter of the Scripture is no where in Scripture called a dead letter but it is words of spirit and life to them that beleeve and receive them in love nor is the Spirit of God at any time withdrawne from his owne words nor doe they returne voyde but alwayes accomplish what he pleaseth and doe that for which he sent them And it is not the Resisting of his Word or Spirit nor both joyntly that can disparage the validitie thereof whether it be set home by the finger of his Spirit or that mens hardned hearts still remaine obdurate Nor will James Naylors Directorie to a light within be effectuall to any for the saving of their soules that doe not beleeve the Scriptures and receive them in love but have pleasure in unrighteousnesse but will rather indanger them to be deluded with a lying spirit and acted by it in stead of the Spirit of God and to be carried blind-fold to their greater sinne and condemnation And therefore what is that to the matter though Satan have the Scripture and have no good by it there being no promise therein for him or what if James Naylor hath it and finde no life in it but a meere dead letter in his apprehension in regard hee wresteth it and doth not love it and therefore cannot afford it so much as a good word having an enmitie against it not caring much if it were all burnt as it is very likely because it condemneth him in something or other that he loveth or desireth and will not part with in obedience thereunto but will rather runne the hazzard of loosing all or he will disparage and make voyde the Scripture that hath touched him Nay hee seemeth to mee rather to preferre his owne words and his owne writings above any in Scripture commending his owne as words that proceed immediately from the eternall Spirit full of life and power but the Scriptures carnall and dead and vaine yea vaine hee accounteth them to such who have not the Spirit already Though he cannot but know they are appointed of God as the cheife meanes for ministration of the Spirit and of life and power for what life and power can be communicated or administred to any man by ministration of men but from Scripture-grounds and those pretious promises therein contained through Christ Jesus in whom all the promises are yea and Amen and through whom onely wee have interest in them being all finners and so excluded from life as well as the Devill were it not for him that hath merited our salvation And therefore what a devillish doctrine is this to dehort all men from reading the Scriptures till they first obtaine the Spirit of God What other end can this doctrine aime at but to keepe them still under a spirit of bondage as sure there are none that are set free and have the spirit of life in them through the hearing of faith preached That will owne this doctrine to be of God but a doctrine of Devills And againe hee telleth mee that hee might shew my blindnesse in all other Scriptures that I quote were it needfull as instance that 2 Pet. 1.19 Wee have a more sure word of prophesie to which you doe well to take heed as to a light that shines in a darke place till the day dawne and the day-starre arise in your hearts Now it is true I quoted this Scripture as one amongst the rest against his assertion in his answers to Baxter to wit that the Scripture houlds out but one light and word the which I there denyed and proved it first from Mat. 5.14 16. To wit Yee are the light of the world and John 5.35 that John was a burning and a shining light and Psal 119.130 The entrance of thy words giveth light it giveth understanding unto the simple and then this of Peter Upon which I say that I suppose James Naylor will not acknowledge that he ever received any light from that sure word of prophesie as from a light shining in a darke place but onely some little braine knowledge of the bare letter else hee would not so reproach and disparage those that doe take heed to the sure word of prophesie till they be inlightned thereby in what they were darke and did not understand Now to all that I say in these words hee answereth not at all by way of contradiction but doth as much as confesse that hee was mistaken nor can hee possibly make that his assertion good against these Scriptures But hee heere undertakes to shew my blindnesse in quoting this Scripture to this purpose before-named to wit And this saith he you would have to be the letter of the old Prophets which shines in a darke place And so saith hee by thy doctrine the letter of the old Testament and in a darke place too is a surer word then what Peter heard God himselfe speake and were eye witnesses of his Majestie And this is all thou knowest of the spirit of prophesie the testimony of Jesus or the Scriptures that declare it To which I answer that I appeale to the Judgements and Consciences of all that know any thing of the spirit of prophesie or the testimonie of Jesus or the Scriptures that declare it Whether the Apostle doth not meane it of the old Prophesies of the old Testament when he thus speaketh yea I say the letter hee meant when hee so adviseth them and not the spirit onely of which the letter declares for the letter declares of the spirit and the spirit is the author and opener of the letter and that by the letter as an instrumentall meanes comparing Scripture with Scripture and spirituall things with spirituall things The Prophet Daniel himselfe understood by booke that the time of their captivitie was accomplished And James the Apostle produced the words of the Prophet Amos to Resolve that great doubt and difference amongst them Act. 15.15 To wit And to this agree the words of the Prophet as it is written c. Observe as it is written and so he Recites the very written letter for he knew by the letter what the words of the Prophet were because they were written And how else should wee have knowne the words of the Prophets if they had not been written and wee had seene or heard them read or recited those Prophets themselves being dead long since were they not written
wee are like to take his word for it in regard he hath no proofe but his owne testimonie yet I beleeve hee telleth true in that which followeth to wit that Sathan would keepe us from the Spirit what he can in regard he would keepe us from the meanes whereby to obtaine it and have it administred And againe hee telleth mee I say where the Scriptures are knowne and counted for the word of God the Devills kingdome must downe in the heart I say true but I added in the hearts of the Elect these words of the Elect he leaveth out that hee might have something to say And hee leaveth out also the Reasons there rendred one whereof is our experience What blindnesse and darknesse and sottish ignorance is in all places where the word is not preached nor the Scriptures minded and searched and knowne so that give him but the reception of this doctrine and it is the best foundation for his kingdome that can be laid and I say it is like to that of the Papists and hath the same tendency to wit that Ignorance is the mother of devotion But the Scripture would teach them how to obtaine the spirit and wisdome namely to aske it of God which is none of Naylors directions in all his bookes but quite the contrary as to eye that light already within as if every man had the Spirit already And againe saith he thou calles it a grosse directory to advise to take heede to a light within and sayes I might as well bid them follow the Devill I answer yes I did say so but he leaveth out my reason for it to wit in case where the Devill ruleth and keepeth them in darknesse as that hee doth in all the children of disobedience But hee chargeth mee in anger and telleth me hee sayes I shall one day know I have blasphemed against the spirit and gift of God herein Was that saith he a grosse directorie of Christ Luk. 11.35 17.21 I answer no the first of these I have recited before and the words of the other are these Neither shall men say loe heere or loe there for the kingdome of God is within you To which I say here is never a word yet in any of these Scriptures that tendeth to perswade men to looke onely to a light within and desert the Scriptures and the teachings of men But let any man judge whether the kingdome of God and the kingdome of Sathan can rule in the heart at one and the same time is the kingdome of God come too and within such a man whiles Sathan ruleth must hee not first binde or cast out the strong man before he spoyle his goods Can any serve two Masters If the spirit of God and the spirit of Sathan can live quietly together in the same soule and not fight and quarrell and contradict each other in their motions and commands Christ was deceived It may be hee thinketh the case is so with every man as it was with Toldervie who was tossed with crosse commands of two severall spirits and knew not whether to obey James Naylor might have taught him of all that time whiles hee continued his Disciple to have knowne the voyce of the Spirit of God from the voyce of Sathan if hee had knowne it himselfe for hee was long enough with them But their skill is wanting to discerne of spirits so that if it be a spirit within they obey it as God though hee hath forewarned them if they would heede the Scripture not to beleeve every spirit but try them whether they be of God And if they would learne of mee I could give them Scripture Rules to know for certaine what spirits they are of but I am almost weary with striving with them and Scripture Rules are so slighted by them and so little regarded that in respect of them I account it almost vaine yet for the sake of others I shall name some few And first to try the spirits whether they be of God in case of visions or apparitions yea dreames or voyces whether speaking within or without First Such who finde their hearts ambitious in seeking after visions and Revelations to get a fame and respect amongst men let such suspect all visions or Revelations or apparitions whatsoever that appeare to them as but delusions of Sathan sent of God either purposely to deceive them or at least to try them with whether they doe more regard his holy and sacred word or the Revelations visions or words of Angells Yea though an Angell from heaven should teach us another doctrine then what wee have received from the word of God wee are commanded and therefore ought to let him be accursed Yea though hee bringeth us many good messages and perswadeth to many good things yet if any part of his message doth not really correspond with the sacred Scriptures yea though he be an Angell of light an Angell of God an Angell from heaven and appeare in such a shape as the holy Angells were accustomed to appeare in old time yet beleeve him not but rather let him be accursed Secondly But observe also whether they appeare not to have cloven feete For if so they may well be suspected to be uncleane spirits because the holy Angells were never accustomed so to appeare but for the most part in the shape of a man when they brought any message mediately from God Thirdly Observe whether they bring any message of waight and Importance and of necessitie yea or no such as it much concernes us to know that we either cannot or have not learned or knowne before or such as cannot be knowne from Scripture it being either silent therein or that wee have not understanding to conceive it thence Rea. For Idle and vaine messages are not likely to be from God who forbiddeth all vanitie yea so much as an Idle word Fourthly And much more observe well their message whether it be lawfull to obey it yea or no and try it by Scripture and not onely by the doctrines of men the Quakers nor others for all may erre but the Scripture in its proper genuine sence is infallible true and cannot be broken Fifthly Observe whether their message hang properly and rationally together For the Spirit of God and all his messages accord rationally together and he likewise giveth understanding and rationalitie to such to whom he sendeth them to conceive them so Sixthly Whether they inhibit any thing lawfull to be done and that upon any penaltie without a necessary cause or satisfactory reason for such inhibition For God is not unreasonable in any thing hee requires but convinceth the Judgement in any such a case Seventhly Observe whether their message tendeth to puffe us up with pride and high conceits of our selves as some choice men when as yet wee finde no such things in us above other men especially in respect of wisdome and holinesse Rea. For God doth not usually commend any in such an expresse manner nor ever any
who are at enmitie with the Scriptures and cannot afford them a good word nor such as love and owne them as the word of God but seeke by all meanes to disparage them by calling them a dead letter and carnall and vaine till men have them inspired by the Spirit of God As though it were wholy in vaine to reade them or search them or heare them preached and opened till they be inspired by the Spirit of God into their minds Rea For in his 5th page he ownes that Scripture 2 Tim 3.16 To wit that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine for reproofe for correction for instruction that the man of God may be perfect c. Saying that to whom they are given by inspiration they are so but what is this to the Devill and false Prophets who steale them and have them not given by inspiration are they so to them I answer Here hee discovers his old fathers policie and serpentine craftines this wisdome is herein manifest not to be from above but earthly sensuall and devillish for it proceedeth meerely from envie and strife see James 3.14 15 16 c. And where envying and strife is there is sedition and every evill worke But suppose wee aske James Naylor whether we may not lawfully reade the Scriptures which were written for our learning till they be inspired into us and that we have them by inspiration without reading them What he would answer is a great question but in all likelihood hee would make some evasion and not answer properly either yea or no least the Serpents head should be too visible and so in danger to be broken by the sword of the Spirit which is the word of God yet wee may gesse at his minde to wit that he accounteth it in vaine at least if not unlawfull to reade the Scriptures For he telleth us plainly that there is nothing gotten from Scripture but braine knowledge and that the famine is greatest of hearing the word of the Lord where men trade most with Scripture see page 7. And he would gather from that Scripture 2 Pet. 3.16 that because men that are unlearned and unstable wrest some things contained in the Scriptures to their owne destruction Therefore it is a way for men to destroy themselves to use the letter of the Scripture or expect any helpe thereby as a way to God whereof I forewarning them saith he and bidding first minde the light of Christ and his Spirit to lead into the truth of thee I am hated saith he and all the Devills instruments who sayes I may as well exhort them to looke to the Devill himselfe for teaching or leading as to the light within I answer Yea and this I said and say it here againe that such in whom the Devill ruleth for the present as so he doth alwayes in the children of disobedience if they turne their minds inward and follow such light and motions as he suggesteth and doe but once get perswaded that it is no other but the Spirit of God their condition is sad but how much sadder is his condition that so perswadeth them as if the light of Christ and that onely were in every man oh wicked doctrine what wisdome is that before specified then that cometh not from above but is earthly sensuall and devillish and is therefore marked out by the Apostle that it might be knowne whence such wisdome cometh and be avoyded But though there is a wisdome that cometh from above I never read in all Naylors writings that he noted that out from Scripture as the Apostle James doth but telleth us further that the Devill had much rather keepe people doing in the letter that with the fallen wisdome they might wrest them then to be lead into the truth that the Scriptures declares of by the Spirit of truth which leads into all truth without which no truth is knowne alledging John 16.13 I answer Oh devillish doctrine Nay rather a Doctrine of Devills This maketh me Recant that ever I charged such doctrines upon James Naylor for he was but an instrument this is most manifestly a doctrine of Devills I meane the Devill writeth and teacheth and speaketh such doctrines by him as an instrument For what minde hath the Devill or ever had that men should reade or heare or obey the Scriptures doth not the Devill know that faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God I meane by the essentiall word who is pleased to open mens understandings that they might understand the Scriptures and that they might attend to the things that are spoken by the Ministers of God and by the Lord himselfe in his holy Word as hee opened the heart of Lidia that shee attended to the things which Paul spake And shall we thinke that it is of the Devill and pleaseth him when men frequent the preaching and hearing of the Word and the reading and searching of the Scriptures Is there any Scripture in all the Bible that so much as hinteth such a doctrine And how shall men know what the Scripture declareth if they doe not reade or heare them And what is that to the matter because some heare and reade them and doe not understand them nor receive or beleeve and obey the same must that be charged on the Scripture as the cause and must the Scripture be called carnall and a dead letter because it doth not quicken and give life to all that heare it Is it not purposely sent and made knowne to some that it might convince them of sinne for their greater condemnation and might be the savour of death unto death to such as perish But it alwayes is the savour of life unto life unto them that beleeve And as faith cometh by hearing of such as are sent so faith c the Spirit are ministred together for he that hath faith hath a measure of the Spirit for the Spirit is ministred by the hearing of faith preached One would have thought all the Devills in hell could not have devised such a devillish doctrine to keepe men from hearing and reading the Scripture If James Naylor would aske that lying spirit by which he is acted how he may certainly know the spirit of truth from the spirit of errour the Spirit of God from the spirit of Satan especially when hee is transformed as an Angel of light and comes with faire shews and pretences I verily beleeve hee would never bring him such texts of Scripture as the Apostles have propos'd to be as certaine rules and markes of tryall but would rather tell him those markes and rules are too carnall for them to observe that have already such measures of the Spirit and have been so proficient and active thereby and so indeavour to put them out of all doubt nor will hee suffer them to hould forth any such markes unto others but onely ingage them to obedience unto him as he shall move and act them and to beleeve and