line of thy knowledge and understanding for thou thy self confessest that unto those first beleevers Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob Moses David Daniel and the rest there was communicated unto them a Spirit of Faith and a Light sutable and proportionable whereby they were enabled to behold Christ who was the object of their Faith Then if it did arise from the Spirit of Faith within them and the light of Christ who was the Author of their faith it did not arise from the Declaration of God in the promise without so that the mystery of faith which is held in a pure conscience is yet to be learned which was witnessed amongst the Saints So when thou writes again of the Law of Works or the law of Faith or the discovery which the Lord maketh to his creature under the diversities of these administrations keep back to the measure of the gift of God and then will thy testimony be no larger than thy knowledge which is a guilt hath spread over many in these dayes But this I say Blessed is the man which doth not condemne himself in the thing which he alloweth and which doth not destroy himself with the breath of his own mouth But there is a Generation which their own breath as fire shall devour them Again concerning the Light which every man is enlightned withal which is thy stumbling block and rock of offence as it is unto all the rest whose deeds are evil Thou saieth God hath not annointed it to that work nor laid the weight of eternal Salvation upon the shoulders thereof it being too weak for that service Answ. Him hath God annointed who is the Light of the world and hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world and there is no work of eternal Salvation wrought but in the light which every man is enlightened withal and this light is of him and from him which bears the sins in his own body and is not too weak for that service which the Father hath given him to do and this light is Christ and whereas some say Hath every man Christ every man hath Christ to save or to condemne him Christ is as truly the condemnation of those whose deeds are evil as he is the Saviour of them that believe and as those that believe in the light are already saved by Christ so also those that believe not in his light which he hath enlightened them withal are already condemned and so Christ is near unto every one to answer every mans work according to the nature of it whether he serve sin unto death or be found in the obedience of truth unto eternal life for now is the day appeared to try every mans work of what sort it is and now is many offended because the light is broken forth and their eye is evil because the Lords is good But wo unto the world because of offences if any have the spirit of a King let them search out the cause of the offence which is now broken forth amongst the children of men that the enmity which is in all sorts of people of all professions should rise up together and become a body the wicked joyning hand in hand preaching and printing and crying for unity which they are making up of enmity that they may be strong against that which the Lord hath now brought forth in his light and power to be witnesses unto him in every place wheresoever he doth call them witnessing forth his mercy and truth by which iniquity is purged out and preaching the Gospel freely to every creature whereby they may come to the knowledge of the truth that they may be saved But in the world it is so come to passe in these dayes that he that can but give reviling terms and hard speeches against the light which Christ hath enlightned every man withall calling it natural or insufficient and if they do but revile those which they call Quakers and put this in the beginning of his Book then it passeth with toleration and have as good approbation from the world as any of the Priests have for their Ministry but if any man begin to speak of the light within and the annointing within and the word of faith in the heart and of the mystery of faith in a pure conscience and of the sprinkling of the heart from an evil conscience and of believing in the light as Christ said such a one speaking of these things and not directing his speech in open reproach against them called Quakers the peoples hearts will be filled with jealousie lest he be one So that even the light is become a reproach unto them and their dirision daily but the Lords hand is 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 which 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 that fear will be cast out and life will 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 iâ— the light of the Lord insteed 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 which 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 own words Ioh. 8. 12. And again we say That he hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world
THE CAUSE OF STUMBLING Removed from all that will receive the TRUTH and from before the Eyes of the Wise men of LONDON In a Treatise shewing the difference between the spirit of a man which is the candle of the Lord and the light which hath enlightned every man that cometh into the WORLD Also shewing that though there be diversity of Administrations yet there is not diversity of Lights and Spirits by which they are ministred And shewing by clear testimony what the more sure Word of Prophesie is which the Apostle Peter exhorts the people to take heed unto untill the day did dawne and the day-star arise in their hearts Herein also is a false Hosanna and a false testimony reproved and a false witness is rejected and an untimely birth cast out though for the time of Travel it might have been a monster being above two yeers but in the end is brought forth for destruction the name of him which hath so long travell'd to bring forth wind and confusion is one known in the City of London by the name of Iohn Iackson being by the truth of this following made manifest That so by every motion of the Spirit of Truth and every testimony given from it Understanding and Knowledge of the Truth may be increased in those that follow on to know the LORD Given forth from the Lords servant Richard Hubberthorne For this end was I born and for this end came I into the world to bear witness unto the Truth Joh. 18. 37. Every one that is of the Truth heareth my voyce Spoylers shall come up out of the North which shall spoil Babylon Jer. 51. 48. London Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth neer Aldersgate 1657. THE Light is broken forth as the morning and the health of the Nations is in it and is springing forth speedily and the righteousness of the righteous Seed is going forth before them and the glory of the Lord is revealed to his Seed which now calleth and the Lord doth answer Here am I and the Lord hath made and is making his Seed as a watered Garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not and is raising up the foundations of many generations that people may come to build again upon that Foundation which they have been driven from especially by their Pastors for saith the Lord Many Pastors have destroyed my Vinyard they have trodden my Portion under foot and made my pleasant Portion a desolate Wildernesse and have made Gods Heritage as a speckled Bird the Birds round about are against her and all the Beasts of the Field come to devour Jer. 12. 9 10. And now is the Lord come forth against these devourers even as a Lyon bereaved of her young ones for the Lord will not suffer the spoyle of his Heritage no longer but will dresse his Vinyard that it may bring forth fruit unto him And now is the Lord casting out the blind Vatchmen and the foolish Prophets which have followed their own spirit and have seen nothing and all such is the Lord casting out and his everlasting fire is he kindling amongst them And now I hear a cry of torment going through the Nation Can any kindle a fire among Serpents and they not be offended and shut their stings Can any touch the Vipers but they will smell with venom and when Scorpions are trodden upon will they not shew forth their strength Can that nature suffer death patiently nay patience proceedeth from that Seed which slayeth the enmity and destroyeth the man of sin and thereforâ— as we have one Seed to witnesse for so there is one to witnesse against and as it is the work of the spirit of God to approve the things that are of God so it is iis work also to reprove those things which is contrary to sound Doctrine to the end that every one may know as well what to reject and deny as error as what to own for truth and sound Doctrine therefore of necessity must every one be turned to the light which Christ hath enlightned them withall that they may discern what they are to approve and what they are to reprove and that judgement is true which stands in the light and in the measure of the spirit of Truth TO THE READER MEN of low degree are vanity and men of high degree are a lye and the heart of man is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things Hear this ye wise men and foolish the more ye strive against the Lord the more is your wound made incurable and the higher you rise in envy alwaies the deeper is your fall in confusion And now Christian Reader whose heart God hath opened to see and behold the things that be eternal and can truly discern of different causes and between the good and the evil and between the light and the darknesse This Book is sent forth in the pursute and after a Book called Hosanna to the Son of David c. by a namelesse Author whose work indeed was hardly worthy of an honest mans Name though very subtilly craftily he prosecutes his purpose traverses his steps ful cunningly as this worlds wisdom could guide him in which wisdom he cannot know or receive the things of God therefore it cannot be expected that the things of God should be received from that wisdom and though he hath confounded in his words his description of the Light of Christ sometimes speaking well of it and sometimes otherwise and not knowing hardly whereof he hath affirmed his words are so counfounded and mixed in his corrupt reason in giving forth his knowledge of the things of God which he seems to be ignorant of but onely as he hath the knowledge of them from the Letter by which no man can come to the knowledge of God nor of the things of his Kingdom without the revelation of the Spirit of Jesus and the opperation of the same spirit But friends the testimony of God stands sure for ever though men would confound it in their own reason And this is the testimony That Christ lighteth every man that cometh into the world which light is sufficient to lead every man to God or else to condemn every man from God and this testimony is true notwithstanding all the opposition against it and it shall abide sure for ever though men strive never so much in the gain-saying of it And this is the testimony which we have born and shall bear to the end and who believes it and who believes it not this is the hand of the Lord according to his pleasure and to him we leave it and so we do and must clear our consciences from time to time while the Lord gives us a being And herein we are a good savour to God and our reward is with him whether Israel be gathered or no Isa. 49. And also this namelesse Author which is supposed to be one Iohn Iackson known in this City hath taken some seeming
been so fully manifested and they receive it not and they must fall and be broken And seeing that the wicked doth take occasion and seeks occasion against the innocent this will make many more watchful and more circumspect and more to walk in Gods wisdom and to deny their own ways least offences come by them And let him put off his Armor and lay down his Weapon and I wish he may spend the next two years to come better then he hath done these last and that the little fire in the Embres may kindle to the burning of his corruptions rather then into a blind zeal against the innocent people and what in this Book is written is not to contend or strive for mastery but to clear the truth and to remove all cause of stumblings from before the face of all the upright in heart A Friend to all people E. B. London the third day of the nineth Month 1657. The cause of stumbling removed from all that will receive the truth and from before the eyes of the wise men of LONDON MAny untimely Births in ages past and present hath been brought forth and the work of such hath alwayes been to destroy the Heir the seed which the Lord hath blessed that so the Inheritance might be theirs so would thrust themselves into the Kingdome but they know while the seed of the promise is alive it keeps them out and will not let them meddle with those things which they are not born unto For they are sons of Bondage and children of fals-hood and must not be Heirs with the son of the free c. David out of whose root the righteous seed did arise the bright and morning Star he saw that seed in his dayes and was aware of them and gave his testimony concerning them saying in heart ye work wickednesse you weigh the violency of your hands in the earth the wicked are estranged from the wombe they go astray as soon as they be born speaking lyes their Poyson is like the Poyson of a Serpent they are like the deafe Adder that stoppeth her eare Charming never so wisely Break their teeth O God in their mouth break out the teeth of the yong Lyons O Lord let them melt away as waters that run continualy when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows lâ—t them be as cut in peices as a Snaile which melteth let every one of them pass away like the untimely birth of a Woman that they may not see the Sun c. Psalm 58. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. And again he saith behold he travelleth with iniquity and hath conceived mischief and brought forth false-hood Psalm 7. 14. and so there was a traveling and labouring before they could get their iniquity brought forth as we have true declarations concerning the ages past how many have travelled and brought forth wind and confusion so likewise in this age by experience can we give testimony of the like births which hath been brought forth to the slaughter amongst Babylons children and here is one of the same birth born and brought forth in this City of LONDON to which I shall speak some thing at present although he conceale his name yet the seed you shall know by its fruits it is one that would be reckoned amongst those children that in the Temple cried Hosanna to the Son of David Mat. 12. 15. But the seed which David called Lord is risen and hath rebuked the false voice for it is not every one that cryeth Lord Lord nor every one that cryeth Hosanna that enters into the kingdome but such as heareth the word of God and doth it Now the testimony which this Author gives to that which after a long travel is come forth is this that it hath been in his brest two years and upwards while it at length is come forth as an untimely birth or as that which is born out of due time labouring under the burden of being both unnecessary and unseasonable Such a testimony as this seems to beget a wonder in the airy spirits of men as if a Monster were to be seen what two years travel and yet an untimely birth many such false cries is in this City which enters into the sensuall part of men and begets into the affections but there is a seed risen which hath received from the father the spirit of Judgement and understanding and it doth not owne things according to the report nor Judge of things according to their names in outward appearance but hath a measuring line given unto it and a true ballance whereby voices ways worships and testimonyes is tried before they be approved and therewith shall this spirit be tried and voice which is come forth crying Hosanna to the son of David or a testimony to the Lords Christ which being truly weighted searched may prove a testimony against the Lords Christ which hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world in setting up mans spirit to be the light instead of the Lords Christ But first let us consider the burden under which this man hath laboured which is as he saith that which is both unnecessary and unseasonable first unnecessary because the same hath been before by better hands so it is not to be admired as a Monster because it hath already been and effected nothing Secondly unseasonable because those are already resolved that Jesus Christ is the true light which hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world which he would resolve that the spirit in every man is that light and so according to this every man must follow his own spirit instead of following the light which Christ hath enlightned him withall Now this burden thus considered which is both unnecessary unseasonable haveing been in his brest above two years all that have received the spirit of Judgement and knows the workings of the mysterie of iniquity and can truly read the state of those which are filled with unrighteousnesse knows that this birth is cursed before ever it came forth and it had been better that it had never been born nor brought forth into the world for it will be to the great agravation of his sorrow and misery which did conceive it and so long travel in it at last brought it forth but among the untimely births shall we reckon it which never saw the â—un nor never received blessing from the Father and happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast rewarded us and happy shall he be that takes and dasheth thy untimely birth against the stones Psalm 137. 8. 9. Against this birth hath the Lord â—â—reched forth his everlasting arme to dash in peices and this is not the first of Babylons children which in this age and in this City hath been brought forth to the spoile nor the first which this man hath brought forth for he hath brought forth another without a name which is both as unnecessary and as unseasonable as this And so from experience
he may say that it is both unnecessary and unseasonable either to conceive or bring forth any such thing against the seed which the Lord hath blessed for there was never any as yet which did strive against the Lord or his annoynted ones which did prosper neither shall to the ends of the earth So the burden of this man is searched Judged and found not to be the burthen of the word of the Lord though he thought it to be so when in him he felt the fire of enmity boyling and bubling up within him as in his Epistle But we have found it to be such a burthen as the false Prophets in Jerusalem did see for the people which was false burthens and causes of banishment Lam. 2. 14. But if the fire of the Lord had been kindled in him it would have consumed this birth in the womb before ever it had been brought forth But the hour is comeing and now is in which the Lord is fulfilling his promise according to the Scriptures which saith that he will make Jerusalem a burthensome stone for all people all that burthen themselves with it shall be cut in peices though all the people upon the earth be gathered together against it Zac. 12. 3. And as this was spoken so it is fulfilled and fulfilling that the testimony of God may be sealed up among his children For now is the light risen with which the Lord Christ is gathering into the new Jerusalem the City of the living God and now hath many burthened themselves with it And so burthened that they cannot tel how to unburthen themselves of it but to ease themselves of that burthen which is ready to presse them down they break forth into revileing termes and unâ—avory speeches and false assertions against the light and those that walk in it and will deny both the light and children of light to be spiritual Some calling it natural light some calling it natural conscience some created light some the light of reason and understanding some old creation light some a dim light some the spirit of man and so burthen themselves with it when they have both spoken and printed such things to ease them of their burthen their burthen grows again and so they do not cease to vex and grieve the holy spirit of God from day to day and when they have burthened themselves with the enmity against the light and the works of righteousnesse proceeding forth from it to the father then they cry the burthen of the Lord the fire of the Lord within them But saith the Lord to such I will destroy that man and his house and the burthen of the Lord shall ye mention no more for every mans word shall be his burthen for ye have perverted the words of the living God of the Lord of Hosts our God Ier. 23. 36. Therefâ—re is the measureing line gone forth to measure the false burthens whereby they pervert the words of the living God with their own words and Imaginations and unto those which ever were reproachers of the way and people of God the Lord saith I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you and a perpetual shame which shall not be forgotten Ier. 13. 40. So this is written that no man should any more burthen themselves with the burthensome stone wereby they will be broken to peices if they fall upon it But that every one may come to it that with it they may see their false burthens and the sin which doth so easiely beset them and may cease grieving of the spirit of the Lord while his spirit striveth with them may come to know every man his own word which will become his burthen when it returns again unto him But the word of the Lord goeth forth returns not empty neither doth it burthen him which it goes forth from when it returns again unto him Although the true burthen of the word of the Lord be known in many before it go forth from them Therefore then seeing that it is an untimely birth and not that which is born of the sprit which is come forth from him to whom I now am to speak Now least others being in the same blindnesse with him think as he doth that it is a true voice or Hosana to the Son of David or a true testimony to the Lords Christ I shall weigh his testimony seeing that the true Voice is gone forth both in the dayes of his flesh and since in which dayes he was truly declared to be the light of the world and the true light which lightneth every one that cometh into the world Ioh. 1. 9. Ioh. 8. Now seeing that this Author hath set up another thing to be the light which hath enlightned every man then Christ viz. the spirit of man I shall try this testimony according to the Scriptures whether it be a testimony of the Lords Christ or a testimony against him in these things following which are the Heads of his Doctrine concâ—rning the Light Concerning the LIGHT what it is It is the spirit of every man which is in him and without which he cannot â—e a man and is the Candle of the Lord Prov. 20. 27. This spirit of a man is the Reason of a man or the Vnderstanding of a man What this Light doth it gives him to know his Creator and the end of his creation viz. who made him and why he was made also how he should answer the end of him that made him and that God set up this Light in man to see by both whom he is to serve and how he is to serve him together with the reason thereof Because God made him And with this Light God hath sâ—â— up a Law which Law is called Light Prov. 6. 23. whereby the will and mind of his Creator is made known unto him and he sufficiently qualified to see it understand it c. p. 7. It searcheth the inward parts of the Belly At first it moved upward and it could look God in the face and serve him But now since the fall the Thief is got into this Candle and hath dim'd the light and covered the aspiring ascendanâ— quality and now it burnâ— downward and discovers the things beneath pag. 6. That it is all eye it sees all that is done but doth nothing it neither likes nor dislikes approves nor disproves but as it is in conjunction with a Law pag. 10. That it is the property of Light to make manifest Eph. 5. 13. Pag. 29. That it is not in the power of the Light as it is in every man so much as to call any thing that is done either good or â—vil pag. 32. That the Light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God so far is the Light from leading up to God that iâ— drives â—â—e soul from God and keeps him in the fall pag. 53. That it doth not lead into all truth such as love it and obey it pag. 54. Not doth it reveal
all truth to them that love it and obey it And that neither the Light nor the Law doth convince of the sinne of unbelief That the Lamp and the Light are convertable terms Thy word is as a Lamp Psal. 119. 105. and that the Light and the Law is one pag. 30. So by this the Light which is the spirit of man or mans Reason and the Law the word which of that which is called a Testimony of the Lords Christ we shall try it with the former testimony of the Lords Christ as it is written in the Scriptures which was given forth from those which were true witnesses First As in answer to these things there is not one Testimony in the Scriptures neither from Prophet nor Apostle that ever said the Spirit of man or mans reason or understanding was the Light which every one that cometh into the world is enlightned withall But the testimony of truth concerning those which followed their own spirits is this The Lord sent his Prophet Ezekiel to cry wo unto the fooliâ—h Prophets that followed their own spirits and had seen nothing Ezek. 13. 3. Now they were not without the spirit of a man for then they could not be a man as he saith now if they had the Spirit of man and Reason and if this was all eye how was it that they saw nothing when he saith It sees all things so it is not a true testimony of the Light nor of the Lords Christ But the spirit of man is the Candle of the Lord and the Lord having lighted it then it searcheth the inward parts of the belly And David who knew what the spirit of man was and what a Candle was without light and what it was when it was lighted he said For thou wilt light my candle the Lord my God will enlighten my darknesse Psal. 1â— 28. So if the spirit of man be the Candle of the Lord then whether doth not Christ enlighten every man which cometh into the world and whether is not that light Christ seeing the spirit is but the Candle and that it must be lighted Another testimony of his is this That it is the property of Light to make manifest Eph. 5. 13. but all things that are reproved are made manifest by the Light for whatsoever doth make manifest is light pag. 29. And again in pag. 3â— saith That it is not in the power of the light as it is in every man so much as â—o call any thing which is done either good or â—vil Answ. Whether of these two contraries must men believe whether the light is able to make manifest whatsoever is reprovable or that there is noâ— power in iâ— to call any thing good or evil But by this all men may see that this is not a true Testimony to the Lords Christ nor to his Light Never was there any such Doctrine preached by any that cryed Hosana to the Son of David noâ— that did give testimony to the Lords Christ That there is not power in the light to call any shing done good or evil Now let all who have received the measuring-Line and the equal Ballance weigh and consider seeing the Scripture saith Whatsoever things is reprovable is made manifest by â—â—e Light Is evil deeds reprovable then they are â—ade manifest then you see them to be evil deeds lying to be an evil deed swearing to be an evil deed drunkennesse to be an evil deed covetousnesse to be an evil deed pride to be an evil deed whoredom to be an evil deed false accusing to be an evil deed gain-saying the truth to be an evil deed anger and wrath to be evil deeds and these things are reprovable and as the light doth make them manifest so it reproves them and such are convinced of sin because they believe not in Christ so that unbelief is reprovable and is made manifest by the Light And whereas some say That the Light doth not reprove for the sâ—n of unbelief that is false for unbelief is reprovable and whatsoever things are râ—proveable is made manifest by the Light but he that doth evil hateth the light and will not bring his deeds to the light lest the light should reprove him Ioh. 3. 20. And Iesus said unto certain Greeks and people which stood by him which objected against his words which was no Saints nor believers While yâ—â— have the Light believe in the Light that ye may be the children of Light Ioh. 12. 36. Now he did not bid them believe in that which could not reprove unbelief I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darknesse And Iesus cryed and said He that believeth on me believeth on him that sent me Also Ioh. 12. 44 46. This Light was not mans reason nor understanding neither was it mans spirit that was the true Light which lighteneth every one that cometh into the world Ioh. 1. 9. Again another false testimony concerning the Light is this That the Light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God and so far is the Light from leading up to God that it drives the soul from God and keeps him in the fall pag. 53. Answ. This Doctrine is to turn the truth of God into a lye and to call light darknesse and darknesse light for there is no such testimony in the Scriptures that the Light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God but Adam saith I was afraid because I was naked and I hid my self It was because he had disobeyed Gods voyce not because he was enlightned for the Scripture saith It is your sins that hath sâ—parated you from God it doth not say that it is the light which hath separated you from God or driven you from him this may well be called a damnable Doctrine or Doctrine of Devils Hath God sent his Son â— Light into the world to drive the souls from God and keep them in the fall Now let all consider and judge that ever knew the Light whether it be darknesse or it be light which drives the soul from God and keeps it in the fall Now this Doctrine being compared with the Scriptures is utterly false and there is few that professe godlinesse in this Nation that can bear it or approve of it and for such as account themselves the highest profession and above forms under the Name of Seekers to publish such a thing in print here it appears that the best of men is but as a Briar and the most upright is sharper then a Thorn-Hedge for the day of thy Watch-men and thy Visitation cometh now shall be their perplexity Miâ— 7 4. Now here is a day for tryal that they which can may try the spirits and doctrines whether they be of God Now I shall lay it to that of God in all is it not the work of the Devil to drive the soul from God and to keep people in the fall If so then it is not the work
of the light which lighteneth every man that cometh into the world is not this to call light darkness to say that the light is so far from leading up to God that it drives the soul from God and keeps him in the Fall What is that which leads man out of the fall if the light keep man in it As this is contrary to Scripture and to truth so it is contrary to his own words as in pag. 7. there saying That by the Light is the will and minde of the Creator made known unto man and he sufficiently qualified to see it and understand it Answ. How can these two stand together That the Light drives man from God and keeps him in the fall and again That it makes known the will and mind of the Creator unto him and sufficiently qualifies him to see and understand it This cannot truly be called Hosana to the Son of David noâ—A Testimony to the Lords Christ but a Line of Confusion which is stretched out wherein darknesse is come forth as a Cloud and spreads it self over the earth to darken peoples minds from the knowledge and understanding of truth by words without knowledge but his folly shall proceed no further unreproved and made manifest Another false Testimony concerning the light is this That at first it moved upward and man could look God in the face and serve him but now since the fall the Thief is got into the Candle and now the Spirit burns downward and discovers the things beneath Ans. What is the nature of the Light chaâ—ged or is the Spirit so changed that before it ascended upward and now downward We shall try this according to the Scripture which saith Who knoweth the Spirit of man that goeth upward and the spirit of a Beast which goeth downward to the earth Eccles. 3. 21. so then if it goes downward it is the spirit of a Beast and not the spirit of a man And here it is plainly evident that he knows not the spirit of a man from the spirit of a Beast so unfit to cry Hosana to the Son of David or bear testimony to the Lords Christ But as for the Light which hath enlightned man that cometh into the world the fall did not change the quality of the light for the light is the same as it was but darknesse cannot comprehend â—t neither knows how to give a true testimony of it but confusedly speaks of two lights the one springing up with man in his natural birth sutable to his natural birth and another light sutable to the new birth that is born of the spirit This is a testimony which is not to be found in Scripture to be two Lights sutable to the two births for he that is born of the flesh persecutes him that is born of the Spirit and God hath put enmity between the two Seeds but to say that there is two lights sutable and so the one natural and the other spiritual the one of the earth earthly and the other of the Lord from Heaven as the two births are this is not a testimony according to truth for the light is but one and the spirit of truth is but one and the same spirit which led the Saints which believed into all truth the same did convince the world of sin because they did not believe in Christ Ioh. 16. â— And that light which is the condemnation of the world who love the darknesse rather then Christ the same is the Saviour of all them that believe and one man loves it and another hates it yet it is the same light Ioh. â— 19 but the Scriptures bears no such testimony as that there is two lights in man the one spiritual and the other natural and for any man to say that the light of Christ is natural is blasphemy against the Son of God and is a sin not easily forgiven and it is hard for such to find the place of repentance for every one that comes to repentance must first come to the light which Christ hath enlightned them withall and must know it to be spiritual and confesse it so and with this light come to discern the two births the one from the other and their several natures and how that the one birth is guided by the light it being as the eye giving them to see what to speak before they speak and so keeps them out of the worlds line which is confusion and as a Teacher giving them to understand what to do before they do it and so keeps them out of the condemnation bringing their works before-hand to judgement and so their works are wrought in God who answer the light which they be enlightened withall but the light is not sutable noâ— according to that birth which is born after the flesh but condemns that in all its wayes and actions and is given to lead the creature out of that nature and out of that birth into the regeneration to lead out of the deeds of darknesse and out of the shadow of death into the living inheritance among those that are sanctified in Christ Jesus Another testimony concerning the light relating to the two Covenants is this That as there was a new Covenant diverse from the former the old so there must of necessity be another light to accompany it diverse from the former that is as then mans spirit so now the spirit of the Lord c. page 35. Answ. Therâ— are diversities of gifts but the same spirit and there are differences of Administrations but the same Lord and there are diversities of opperations but it is the same God which worketh all in all 1 Cor. 12 4 5 6. Now all people is to know that there was a ministration different from the administration of the Gospel the new Covenant a different administration from the old but there is no necessity that it be ministred from another spirit nor from another Lord nor from another Light therefore to say that because the Covenants or Adminiâ—â—rationâ— are diverse one from another that therefore it must not be the same spirit but the one by the spirit of man the other the spirit of God and that the lightâ— is to be diverse the one from the other this is a false Testimony â—oâ—â—â—â— same spirit in which the Law was administred the first Covenant â—â— the same was the second administred which doth make perfect according to the conscience Now as all people is brought oâ—â— of their oâ—â— inventions and imaginations and from following their own spirits to own the light of Christ which hath enlightned them they shall know the diversities of Administrations and the diversity of opperations and yet but one Light and one Power and one Spirit and not as many lights as births nor as many spirits as opperations not every Administration to have a diverse light to accompany it for though there be that are called gods whether in heaven â—r in earth as there be gods many and lords many but to
us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him howbeit there is not in â—very man that knowledge 1 Cor. 8. 5 6 7. and though there be in the world many lights yet to us there is but one him by whom all things was made which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world that in him all men might believe and as every one believes in this light they shall know that mans reason and understanding is not the light which every man is enlightened withall for some are unreasonable men and some are void of understanding Neither is the spirit of man the light of the world which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world neither is any thing called the light of the world in the Scripture but Christ for saith Christ I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darknesse Ioh. 12. 46. Then spake Iesus again unto them saying I am the light of the world â—â— that followeth me shall not walk in darknesse buâ— shall have the light of life Joh. 8. 12. and again I am the light of the world Joh 9. 5. And the Messenger which was sent before his face to prepare the way of the Lord and to bear witnesse to the truth said In him was life and the life was the light of men and that was the true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world Ioh. 1. 4 9. And this is the light which in all ages generations and under all Administrations the Sainâ—s did bear their testimony in and this light did never change nor alter though ages and generations have changed and men have changed and do change and the minds of men change and their wayes change and their worships change and forms and religions which are not according to the light which Christ hath enlightned them withal which changeth not which as it is followed will lead them out of those ways which do change which is not the living way for the new and living way is one with the light which every man is enlightned withall which is every mans way to the Father who follow it and every mans condemnation who disobey it Another testimony concerning the first man Adam in his first estate without sin the sum of it is this That as hâ— was at first that is at his beginning made sâ— that is without sin for so was he made Eccles. 7. 29. upright without crookednesse without invention that this man yea in his purest naturals â—annot receive nor discern the things of the spirit of God until â—e iâ— born of the Spirit or from above according to Ioh. â—13 8. 3 6. 1 Cor. 2. 14 Answ. This Testimony is false for the first Adam before the Fall was the son of God Luk. 3. 38. and did know and perceive Gods voice and power and he knew Gods command That he should not eat of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil which if he did he should dye the death for he was in Gods Image and the Lord spoke unto him and he perceived it and he had right to eat of the Tree of Life which was in the midst of the Garden and if Adam had continued in that state there needed no Law have been added because of transgression neither had there needed any precept upon precept nor line upon line neither any Teacher nor Instructer of the ignorant for there had no death passed over to seperate God from his creature which he had made in his own image and given him power over all Creatures but to say the son of God in the image of God without sin in uprightnesse and power to say that he is sensual having not the spirit or to say that he is the natural man that cannot receive nor discern the things of the spirit of God this is greater blasphemy then that which the Apostle reproved Rev. 2. 9. in those which said they were Iews and were not but were the Synagogue of Satan and all such whiâ—â— brings forth such mysts of darknesse and and ignorance to blind the eye in people which should see the things of God in clearnesse are to be reprovrd sharply that they may be ashamed and no more bring forth that which is both unnecessary and unseasonable and contrary to truth as Iohn Iackson hath done And further he adds That the natural man which Paul speaks of 1 Cor. 2. 14. and compares it with 1 Cor. 15. 44 45. is not to be taken for the carnal sinful man but for a man in puris naturalibus meerly natural pag. 37. Let all therefore consider Pauls words Which things also we speake noâ— in the words which mans wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual but the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 13 14 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things yet he himself is judged of no man ver. 15. Now whether any man that hath the spirit of God can judge that this is not spoken of carnal sinful men or whether any by the spirit of God can judge that this was spoken of a man in the pure nature without sin and let all who have the spirit of judgement judge whether Adam in the image of God without sin did account the things of God as foolishness unto him and if any so judge let them prove it That in Adams innocency without sin the things of God were foolishness unto him or whether the Crosse of Christ which Paul preached was foolishness unto any but unto carnal and sinful men So every man I exhort to come to that of God in you to know the Salt in your selves to savor withall that you may know that Doctrine that stands in the devised words of mans wisdom and not in the Power of God which would turn the Truth of God into a lye and pervert the minds from the right understanding of the things of God But the day is come which hath brought forth light and knowledge and understanding to the simple whereby they see the deeps which are covered with darkness and they come to see and comprehend mens wisdom and their fountain what it brings forth for how should that which is unclean bring forth that which is clean So that now we do not only know the words of those which have set themselves against the truth but the Spirit and power from whence they speak and so in faithfulness bear our testimony against it that the folly of those may be made manifest unto all men who wilfully oppose the truth and their own selves through wilful blindness and so count themselves unworthy of eternal life exercising their strength wisdom and knowledge to shut up the
say such have obeyed and followed the light within them which if they had then when God had called they would have answered and it could not have been said they had been disobedient which when Stephen told them of their resisting of the Holy Ghost and their disobedience to the Law which was light his words did answer something of God within them whâ—n they were cut to the heart and that which had disobeyed the Holy Ghost and the Law which they had received that did stone him to death and thâ—rein they did kick against that which did prick them But the light of Christ is sufficient to lead all unto God which do obey and follow it and there was never any in all Generations from Abel uâ—to this Generation that ever in such ignorance and wilful impudency Preach and Print against the sufficiency of the light of Christ as in this age is brought forth For as others did reject the lesser so these the greater others did disobey that which they had received from the disposition of Angels and those that which is given by the Son of God who saith I am the light of the world He doth not say that the Spirit of man is the light of the World nor that mans Reason is the light of the World as some have said Neither did ever Christ say That his Light was insufficient but did bid those which were of the world believe in the light that they might be the Children of light Joh. 12. 36. and did tell such which were of the world that the kingdom of God was within them So there was something in them which was of power but such a doctrine is now hated in the world to preach any thing within man to be of power or ability to guide or lead man to God or sufficient to believe in But the Scripture saith The word of Faith is in thy heart which was the Word the Apostles preached to obey and to do it and Faith comes by Hearing and Hearing by the Word of God But how shall they Hear without a Preacher But I say Have they not all heard Yes verily their â—ound went out into all the Earth and their words unto the ends of the World but they have not all obeyed But again it is said in the false Hosanna That the discovery of sin and iniquity may be where the sound of Christ as a door as the lâ—ght as the way may not have been and for proof saith it was so in the first man that measure and degree of light which discovered sin to him was the Law written in him Answ. He who is the light of the world in him was life and this life was the light of man and he is before all thâ—ngs and by him all things consist and the first man Adam who was made a living soul and waâ— the son of God the light that was in him was the light of the son of God while he remained in Gods Image and when he was fallen from Gods Image into transgression that which made manifest his transgression was the light which he was fallen from and God did never write his law in mans heart but there was a measure of Christ But men in ignorance and blindness pretend to be Ministers of distinctions between the Law and Christ whenas they neither know what they say nor whereof they affirm nor seeing how it was added because of transgression till the seed should come ordained by Angels in the hands of a Mediator Gal. 3. 19. and as well ministred forth in the light of the Mediator For though there was and is diversity of administrations and of operations yet the same Lord and the same Light that Light in which the Prophets saw Christ and prophesied before-hand of the coming of the Just was the same in which the Apostles witnessed him come and the same light which lets men see their sins is that which lets them see their Saviour and leads them from their sins to Christ as they are obedient to it But to say there is the discovery of sin and iniquity where the sound of Christ as a door the light the way hath not been this remains to be proved seeing the Apostle saith That the sound is gone into all the Earth and the words to the end of the world Have they not all heard Yes verily That which makes manifest is light Is there light making sin manifest and is there nothing of Christ seeing that his life is the light of men and that men have no light but what proceeds from his life When was ever Christ and the light which discovers sin separated and where is that Scripture which saith That the sound of Christ as a light hath never been heard where sin and iniquity is discovered but that which hath brought forth these things may well be called an untimely birth which never saw the Son nor never knew the light which Christ hath enlightened every man withal which cometh into the world for a little of this fruit doth manifest that tree from whence it springs and so we shall judge the tree by its fruits Another fruit from this tree is to give his testimony of the Law of Faith which is this How far the Law of Faith may be said to be written upon every mans heart is not given unto me to understand only this glimpse I have of it That it appears to have had an influence upon the heart of man by those sacrifices which were offered up to God before the publication of the positive Law wherein as well Cain as Abel offered sacrifices Gen. 4. 4. Answ. This testimony doth not procâ—ed from the Word of Faith in thy heart for that would give an understanding how the Law of Faith is written in the hearâ— as well as how the Law of Works is written and this thy glimpse which thou saies thou sees from the proposing of the Promise and the influence which thou sayes thou seest upon the heart of man by the Sacrifices of Cain as well as Abel offered unto God if this thy pretended light and glimpse which is so far of Christ be truly weighed and tâ—yed it may prove but a vain vision and a divination of thy own heart as all who consider thy testimony of the law of Faith in saying that the discovery thereof ariseth from what is without and that it had never been known nor never thought of nor never would it or could it rationally have come into the heart of man to have conceived such a thing but from the Declaration of God in his promise Here it doth appear Faith is a Mystery to thee and thy eye have not seen it nor the ear heard neither hath it entered into thy heart to conceive Faith in the working and operation of it And in that thou saiest well that it was not given thee to understand how it is written upon every mans heart and thou had done well if thou had not stretched thy self beyond the
according to his words who was sent a Messenger before his face to bear witnesse to the truth and his witnesse is true Ioh. 2. 9. And as Christ hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world so we say to every man warning both small and great to believe in the light that they may be the children of light which was Christs Doctrine to the world Ioh. 12. 36. And now what Christ doth and effecteth by it in those that believe in his light and followeth it which effects and opperations 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 will not let those that are guided by it take Gods Name in vain but will draw thâ—m out of the Worships of the world and keep them in the fear of God and to stand still 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 Ioh. 3. 19. That waiting in it will guide them to God and shew them the way to the Father as Christ saith No man cometh unto the Father but by me Ioh. 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 opâ—ns all the Scriptures and leads man out of the fall up to God for him hath the Fathâ—r 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 ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and is a Teacher and Director teaching and directing in righteousnesse purity and holinesse 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 enlightned them withall thereby shall they know whether this Doctrine be of God or whether we speak of ourselves and whether all those effects is not brought forth by the working of Christs light in them and then they shall not believe onely because of our words nor be envious against it because of others words but will finde the testimony in themselves which is according to the record which God hath given of his 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 beareth a testimony contrary to Christ who saith For this end was I born and for this end came I into the world to bear witnesse unto the truth and every one that is of the truth heareth my voice Ioh. 18. 37. And this was his witnesse and his Messengers witnesse That he was the Light of the world and That this is the true light which hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world Ioh. 8. 12. Ioh. 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 enlightned 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 which hath writ a Volume in proving a natural light or mans 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 mans 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 from our words draws a false inference and glories in confounding it And this is the general course of our opposers to raise a false proposition or conclusion from their own imaginations and then contradict it and then cry The Quakers contradicted or confuted and their Doctrine disproved and they irrecoverably slain and many such cryes is gone forth in the world among people like the noise of many waters To which I answer Nay they are not of such a birth that they are so easily slain nor of such a Doctrine that they are so easily disproved for the immortal birth is brought forth unto which God hath given wisdom and understanding to be as wise as Serpents and in their innocency is their wisdom brought forth which Seed inheriteth the strength of the Almighty so though they be permitted to fight and contend against the truth yet to prevail is not given them Therefore in vain is the Net spread in the sight of any Bird and in vain do they exercise their strength against the Lords annointed for this which they have brought forth is but as setting of bryars and thorns in battel against the Lord or as if the untimely birth should strive against that birth which is brought forth without deformity to slay it as those in former ages who were wiser in their generation then the children of light sought to slay the Heir that the Inheritance might be theirs In like manner do men now also rise up against the life of the same Seed which is risen in the hearts of the children of men to slay it that so they may professe the Scriptures in their high swelling words of vanity having mens persons in admiration because of advantage for if this Seed doth live which the Lord hath not onely brought to the birth but also brought forth it will stop that profession which stands in the hypocrisie and will quench that violence of fire in which that zeal flames out which is not according to knowledge But the Seed is risen which inherits the strength of the Almighty which can bear all things and suffer all things and will come to reign over all gainsayers for all the high swelling words of vanity shall come to nought and truth shall be exalted over all in the power of the eternal Spirit when blacknesse of darkness will cover all those spirits which have spent their strength against the appearance and manifestation of truth and those that now boast themselves in their presumption against the servants of the Lord and testimony of truth Shall come to be a servant of servants even to the least in the kingdom of God before they have right unto that which they now profess
or before they be counted worthy to cry Hosanna to the son of David or to bear a testimony to the Lords Christ For he will have none such to be his witnesses as deny his light which he hath enlightened every man withal For the true witnesses bear this testimony of Christ That he is the true light and is the light of the world which hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world that every man through him might belâ—eve and every one in whom this witnesse is found true is justified of God Another Accusation is against Richard Farnsworth for saying That Christ did break the Passeover with his Disciples and herein he is Charged to want Light or that the light in him was not sufficient in him to open this and that he did not discern between the Passeover and the Supper of the Lord And likewise is Accused for calling that a Shadow which the Scripture saith was but to shew the Lords death till he came Answ. To call the Supper the Passeover doth not demonstrate that he wants light neither that the light is insufficient for the Disciples called it the Passeover which they prepared for him and Christ called it the Passeover which he eat with his Disciples Mark 14. 12. 14. Matth. 26. 20 21 22. and that which they eat he broke but it doth not say That he broke his bones nor eat his bones yet he eat the Passeover with his Disciples And whereas he is accused for calling that a shadow and many now in imitation take bread and wine and call that the Lords Supper opposing those that are come to the substance and witness the substance eating that which is meat indeed and drinking that which is drink indeed But this man which doth oppose Richard Farnsworth and others in these things he haâ—h the least reason to mention this Supper or the breaking of Bread of any for others do call their breaking of bread and drinking of wine the Lords Supper because they practise it But this man doth neither practise that as the Lords Supper nor witness the substance so that this is the greatest hypocrisie To contend about that or to accuse others in denying of that which he himself denyes the practise of So that this accusers doctrine and accusations wants both light and reason Another Accusation is against these two Writers Richard Farnsworth and Francis Howgill as if they should be in an unreconciled Difference because the one hath affirmed That the light of Christ is sufficient to open all the Scriptures And the other saith Thou that tells of opening Chapters or Verses by meanings thou never heard a word of Christ Answ. These are not Differences for the light of Christ and mans meanings are contrary So for the one to say the light doth open and the other to say mans meanings doth not open this is not contrary So the confusion is turned again to the Accuser and doth not belong to these two Writers So the ignorance of this Accuser is to be taken notice of which would make people believe things that is not For if he write his Book for those that can neither read see nor hear his labour is in vain and if he write it to those that can read see hear and understand they will account it foolishness especially in this day when the light of life is broken forth among the children of men to give them an understanding according to truth for in this day he that keepeth silence is reputed wise and better is he that keepeth silence than he that speaks unless the spirit of the Lord give him utterance Another Accusation is against W. D. he speaking so such a one as is guided by the Lamb c. saying The light in thy Conscience the righteous law cryes through thy earthly heart and brings it into judgement c. And then speaking of the parable of the little leaven hid in three measures of meâ—l that it changeth the whole lump into the nature of it self so the little light that shines in thy dark heart is the powerful Word of Faith and that the light is the sure word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well to take heed until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts And for these things he is Accused Answ. Those that are guided by the Lamb do witness that the â—ight the righteous law cryes through the earthly heart and brings it into judgement and will not accuse one for saying so and as for speaking of the little light as Christ spoke of the little leaven Was it no offence in the dayes of the son of man to preach that the kingdom of heaven was like unto a grain of mustard seed or like unto a little leaven And is it an offence now â—o preach the word of Faith to be as a little light or to preach the annointing to be as a little light in those in whom the light is little doth this also offend you What then if we should say That Christ is the light of life the son of righteousness and the glory and express figure of the Fathers substance in some and but as a little light oâ— day-star in others or in others as a light before the day-star arise in their hearts Is not the light great in some and little in others And is not Christ the same May that only be called Christ which takes away the sins And may not that also be called Christ which pierceth through the soul and revealeth the thoughts of many hearts Luke 2. 35. May he only be called Christ unto whom the Father hath given the Heathen for his inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for his possession who reigneth and hath all his enemies under his feet and is not he the same as he is descended into the lower parts of the earth and which took upon him the form of a servant So therefore that none may err in their judgments concerning the testimony which is given of Christ and of his light his light is more or less according to his manifestation in every one there being given to every one a manifestation of the spirit to profit withal and every one is to be turned to the measure of their manifestation to know and witness Christ in it though in many it be but as a little light yet they are to be turned unto it while it is so which as it doth encrease and is enlarged it may be called or declared under another name than little as the kingdom of Heaven is not alwayes like unto a grain of mustard-seed nor as a little leaven but comes to rule in the children of men And whereas the Accuser replieth against the light and against Christ to be the word of Faith saying Christ is called the Word of God Rev. 19. 13. but not the Word of Faith and yet saith in page 45. That Christ is the Author and finisher of Faith Answ. If Christ be the Word of God and faith
no spirit of discerning in those he calls Quakers nor others but the eye of truth is not yet so blinde but we know an evening from a morning a night from a day and a lye from truth and we know also that the disciples had a measure of the spirit of truth while he was with them upon earth and this spirit did both comfort them and did carry them on in obedience to his will and in the power of this spirit went forth into the world and reproved the world of sin because they did not believe in Christ and the devils was subject unto them by the spirit of truth that was in them before Christ ascended and to this there is a Cloud of witnesses So that this from him filling his Book with such things as these is as if a man should fill a Baâ—n with Chaff instead of Corn and deceive others with selling iâ— for Corn Another contradiction of the same nature is this That the manifestation of the Spirit is given to no man for himself but to every man to profit withall to ediâ—ie and build up and do service in the body as an hand foot or eye or some other member of the body c. and to contradict this in the next words saith Not that the spirit or the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man i. e. to every individual person forasmuch as some men are sensual having not the spirit therefore no manifestation thereof pag. 17. Ans. This is like the former and so to be cast out with it for his distinction of words between every man and every individual person wil not cover him for where the Scripture saith every man without distinction that is every individual man and woman And the Apostle saith But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withall he doth not say not to every individual person And this also I say and affirm That to every man is given a manifestation of the spirit to profit withall and he that profits with it by it shall be justified and he that doth not profit with it by it shall be condemned because he is an unprofitable servant and this truth shall stand when all confusion shall have an end yet some are sensual having not the spirit Obj. Again in despising the testimony from the measure of the gift of the spirit of God when they have spoken according to the measure could not boast themselves above their measure but in their measure witnessing the work of God as it was fulfilled in them such he scornfully reproacheth saying What means those cracks and crannes in their knowledge knowing but in part there is no pieces nor parts nor measures nor degrees in absolute perfection but whosoever sayes he knows in part he is short of perfection and whosoever saith he knoweth perfectly he knows not how perfect his knowledge is and the first of these is called a vain man boasting of that which is not and of a false gift and is like clouds and winde without rain Ans. Herein is Pauls Doctrine as well as ours declared against to be but as cracks and crannes and a vain boasting of a false gift for Paul saith We dare not make our selves of the number or compare our selves with some that commend themselves but they measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves are not wise But we will not boast of things without our measure but according to the measure of the Rule which God hath distributed unto us a measure to reach even unto you for we stretch not our selves beyond our measure not boasting of things without our measure that is of other mens labours Now this measure of which he thus spoke was in Christ so in perfection and there is parts and degrees in Christ and so in absolute perfection for so far as every man is in the measure of the gift of God so far he is in Christ and so far his knowledge is perfect and abiding in this he abideth in that which is perfect and as he glories in this he gloryes in a true gift and none shall make this glorying void Obj. And whereas Iohn Iackson saith of those that say they have but attained in measure he calleth that the bleeting of the sheep and the lowing of the Oxen which declares plainly that they are not at home they are not in the City but have certain miles to travel before they arrive Ans. This is a false interptetation as I shall leave it unto all of understanding to judge for the bleeting of the Sheep and the lowing of the Oxen did signifie Sauls disobedience unto the commandment of God for which the Lord did reject him But when Paul said he knew in part and prophesied in part and would not boast above his measure this did not signifie his disobedience to the Lord but contrariwise his obedience and that he was in Christ Jesus so this was not as the bleeting of the Sheep and lowing of the Oxen neither did it shew that they were not in the City for Paul testifieth of the holy Brethren which he was a Minister unto That they were come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Ierusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born which are written in heaven and tâ— God the Iudge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect and to Iesus the Mediator of the new Covenant to the blood of sprinkling Now let him that have thus accused shew how many Miles these had to travel before they came to the City whether was any parts measures or degrees in these or whether there was absolute perfection without any measure or degrees of it and whether Paul was not come so far as these unto whom he preached wisdom even among those that were perfect and might he not in that estate say that he would not stretch himself beyond his measure But this I say None are true witnesses of perfection but those who know their measure and abide in it and likewise those that call the witnessing of the truth in a measure of the spirit the bleeting of the Sheep or the lowing of the Oxen such never knew perfection neither yet presseth after it but would keep all others from it by despiteful terms against the measure of the spirit which leadeth unto it But the day is come and the light is risen which hath found out and discovered all the cunning craftinesse of men in which they go about to deceive the hearts of the simple and beguile unstable souls but the elect Seed is risen which it is impossible to deceive for it is not the Scripture-words which men may take and speak in the hypocrisie which can darken our knowledg noâ— any way hinder the testimony of truth in those which have received it in the power of God only with such things the blind may lead
practice shall stand for a witnesse and for a condemnation against all the accusers and now seeing that their occasion is taken away their accusations may cease and if such Propheâ—s be deceived then let them consider who hath deceived them I the Lord hath deceived that Prophet Therefore what would such a Prophet think of the Apostles words when he saith There must come a falling away first that the man of sin may be revealed Would he or could he judge this a â—haracter that the day of of Christ were at hand or that through such things the power of it should be made more manifest or that those among whom these things were wrought should be thereby the more united To believe this will bring men even to their wiâ—s end it being so contrary to their thoughts and conceivings and this may wâ—ll conâ—ound their wisdome and turn them backward and bring them to question the truth of all that which ever they have written spoken oâ— acted against thâ—se whom the Lord hath manifested his power and work among contrary to their judgement and discerning for the wayes and workings of the Lord is deep and his secrets are with those that fear him and not with those that despise his appearance and speak evil of that they know not and the Lord will yet work greater things in the earth that such may be confounded And what wil such say if the words of Daniel the Prophet be fulfilled in these dayes saying And some of them of understanding shall fall to try them and to purge and to make them white â—ven to the time of the â—nd c. Dan. 11. â—5 Doth not God heâ—eby try men and try their spirits and try their discernings should any in such cases judge before the time the Lord make it manifest for this cause will God bring such into judgement Therefore I say unto you that your strength is to sit still and let the Lord alone and let his people alone and let him work his own work in his own way and presume not to be his counseller for who have known the mind of the Lord let such as have dwell in it and preserve knowledge so shall they alwayes abide in strength and power and Union with the Lord and one with another and men shall yet know for all that hath been that we are his Disciples because we love one another and none shall make our glorying and rejoycing in the unity of the spirit and in the love of God void but it shall abound more and more to torment the spirit of enmity which would break it or accuse us for professing of it but over that spirit we are in the Lord But what if some should rise up even from among our selves speaking perverse things and draw Disciples after them and go out from us as they did from among the Apostles that it might be made manifest that they were not all of us Ought this to be laid to our charge Or ought the way of God to be accused because of such things to be Heresie or Schisme If this seem to you an evident token of perdition and of error yet to us of Salvation and that of God And we are assured that we are of God having the witness in our selves yet not bearing witness of our selves for there is one that beareth witness of us even the Father which is in Heaven and his witness is true being unto us a seal of assurance Therefore from henceforth this is a Warning to small and great that they no further proceed in that which is both unnecessary and unseasonable For this I say unto all such that it is unnecessary and unseasonable to seek to perswade us that the truth is error or that the light which every man is enlightned withal is the spirit of every man for that is not according to the record which God hath given of his son nor which the son hath given of the light but blessed be that day and blessed for ever be that power in which a seed is brought forth unto which the Father haâ—â— given â—â—â—uâ— testimony in which they shall never be confounded which abide faithful for great is the mystery of godliness God manifest in the flesh and against this manifestation is the power of darkness risen up and all the messengers and ministers of Satan under all Forms and professions hath joyned themselves together to make their arm strong against the Son of righteousness his righteous life and righteous wayes which now he is bringing forth among his children but out of the mouth of Babes hath God ordained strength against which all the powers of darkness cannot prevail and unto which strength all our enemies must bend and bow and come for salvation For that which now the leaders of the people have set themselves against when they have finished their course and the anguish comes over their souls then will they confess That it had been well if they had loved the light and walked in it which they have so long hated and dispised with those that walk in it and all those which have exercised their strength to shut others out of the kingdom of God by their Preaching Printing and false Accusations they shall know that while they serve sin they are free from righteousness and do keep others from it But the time is coming that their mouths must be stopped and the Lord wâ—ll cause his everlasting righteousness to spread abroad as broad Rivers and streams unquenchable and nothing shall hinder it and this is the day in which the Lord will try those that dwell upon the earth as he hath tryed many and measured them by a true Line and hath found them deceitful although they have made profession of his name and of his words for a cloak for their iniquity But now the light is come into the world and there remainâ— no more cloak for their sins nor hiding place for their iniquitie The End