desire to walk in the way of truth unto Zion the City of the living God where Peace is to be enjoyed for evermore FIrst the Baptist affirmed That the Eternal Spirit that was in Christ was not the Saviour of the world Answ Here they deny the true God to be the Saviour of the world who was in Christ the Authour of Eternal Salvation the ground and foundation of all truth who is a Spirit and is Eternal and God the Father and Christ the Son whose Name is called the Word of God and the Eternal Spirit or Holy Ghost are one and the Father was in the Son and the Son was in the Father John 14. 11. and he that hath seen the Son hath â—oh 10. 30 seen the Father and God who is the onely Invisible and Eternal Spirit saved all the holy men of God in the dayes of old since the beginning and when the old world was drowned God saved Noah 2 Pet. 2. 5. and the Eternal God said by the Prophet Isaiah Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else Isa 45. 22. there is no God effectual besides the Eternal Spirit that is a Just God and a Saviour vers 21. and this Saviour said I even I am the Lord and besides me there is no Saviour Isa 43. 11. And the Apostle said The Lord is the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 17. and this Eternal God who is a Spirit was he that saved all the holy men of God and they both Prophets and Apostles called God their Saviour 1 Tim. 4. 10. Titus 7. 3. and this Everlasting God and Eternal Spirit that was the â— Pet. 1. 1. â—ude 25. onely Saviour of all the holy men of God the Apostle said to wit That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself 2 Cor. 5. 19. and Christ was in God and sometime the Apostle called Christ Lord and Saviour and they also called God their Saviour for they were one in the beginning before the world was but the Baptists doth not see how Christ â—ut the boâ—y without â—he Spirit is dead â—am 2. 26. and God are one as one of them said and therefore denies the Eternal Spirit that was and is in Christs body to be the Saviour and so blaspemously hath denied both the Father and the Son and there is no Saviour besides the Eternal Spirit which was God manifest in the flesh and if any should read this and not perceive the things of God and so not believe the Words of truth read the 13th of Hosea and 14th verse were God saith Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt and thou shalt know no God but me for there is no Saviour beside me and all those that readeth this with a right understanding may see and perceive the Baptists to be ignorant of the Power of God and also of the Scriptures which doth so largely speak of that God that was in Christ to be the onely Saviour but time might fail us to bring all those Scriptures which doth speak of God to be the Saviour Baptists Affirmed That Christ was not come to them yet the second time nor yet to any man upon the face of the earth Answ Here the Baptists hath manifested themselves openly to be Reprobates according to the Scripture and therefore it is no marvel why they oppose the light in others so much seeing they deny Christ the light to be come to them the second time and there were such in the Apostles dayes that sought a proof of Christ speaking in the Apostle Paul who said unto them Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your own selves know you not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5. and now you may see the Baptists yea the very chief among them are Reprobates out of the Faith the Saints were in who preached Christ in them the Hope of Glory and said He is come that is true and they were in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ and so they that did receive him at his coming to dwell in them he gave them an understanding how to preach him up in others and also in Heaven at the right hand of God but they that do not know him come to them they do not know him in any other Creature in Heaven or in earth and where the true Christ the Son of God who is a quickning Spirit doth not Rule there the Antichrist ruleth the son of perdition ruleth the old man of sin reigneth in them and over them and he maketh them subject to sin and now Antichrist is come up very high in these Baptists and he doth appear very bold in them insomuch that they deny the true Christ to be come the second time to them or to any other Creature but the Scripture is so far a witness against them that all the moderate people may see that they are ignorant of the things of God and also of the Scriptures and so altogether unfit to preach unto others for how can any truly preach Christ to come to others that doth not know him come unto themselves Paul was a persecutor before he knew Christ revealed in him but after it pleased God to reveal his Son in him then he was fit to preach the manner of his coming in others Gal. 1. 16. and Christ said unto his Disciples he dwelleth with you and shall be in you I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you John 14. 18. and John in his Epistle said We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ 1 John 5. 20. here John said he is come but the Baptists saith he is not come and so are out of the Faith and Doctrine that the Apostles were in and John spake of such false prophets that were entred into the world as these Baptists are who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Antichrist 2 John 7. Mark he doth not say there he that denies that he was come or shall come but he saith who confess not that he is come in the flesh Mark that for both Papists and other Priests and the Baptists and we do all believe that he did come in the flesh and was crucified without the Gates of Jerusalem and also that he shall come at the last day to Judge the quick and the dead according to the Scriptures but this is the great controversie which we have with all those about this matter that is whether Jesus Christ be manifested or come in the flesh now according to the Scripture but all that resist the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world they resist the true Christ which the Apostles and we say
which is Christ the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1. â— and no other do we Preach to be Christ but he that said I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of Life John 8. 12. John 12. 46. which is Christ the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1. â— and this is the light which we have Preached up at the right hand of God who dwells in his people according to the Scriptures and no other Christ do we own but he which all the Prophets bare witness of and that John said was the true light as we have proved very plainly by the Scriptures and that thousands of people know which are not come yet to walk in the light but if they do not harden themselves but fear the Name of the Lord in due time they shall know the rising of the Son of righteousness with healing under his wings and the wicked shall be brought down in them and for them and now all moderate people may see these Baptists to be blasted with a thick mist and overcome with grosse darkness who make it their work to deny the true Christ the Son of the onely true God and so denies the Father also for no other light do we Preach to be the Christ the Saviour the Son of God but he that hath said I am the light of the world and he that believeth in him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already and this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men love darkness rather then light because their deedâ— are evil John â— 19. And here their Teachers are found one against another about the light and now people may see the Apostles words are true who spake of such boasters proud blasphemers having a form of godliness but denying the power and now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobaâ—e concerning the faith But they shall proceed no farther for their folly shall be made manifest to all men that reads this with the light as theirs also was 2 Tim. 3. and take notice what Petâ—r saith but there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord thaâ— bought them and bring upon themselves swift dâ—struction â— Pet. â— 1. and these Baptists that deny the Eâ—ernal Spirit to be the Saviour of the world and also deny tâ—e true light and so they now while they are in their form crying up outward things to be Ordinances for a prerence and so bring in damnable Heresies And so did the Pharisees that were exceeding wicked cry up the Temple and such things and for a pretence made long prayers Mat. 23. â—4 But whosoever shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven saith Christ Mat. 10. 33. therefore be warned in time you that be not past feeling for this I know that it had been good for such wicked blasphemers that they had never been born â—hen so lightly and rashly to deny the onely Son of God which is the light of the world for he that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath troden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified as an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace Heb. 1â— 28. 29. Another Baptist at Nethurst meeting afore mentioned affirmed That Christ was not a Spirit and bid one Humphery Killingâ—eck prove iâ— if he coâ—ld Answ God is a spirit John 4. 24. and Christ said he and his Father was one John â—0 30. and he is a quickening Spirit the Scripture saith but the Baptist saith he is not a spirit for they make flesh their arm and therefore look without to know him after the flesh although the Apostles said they were to know him so no more mark Thus saith the Lord Cursed be the man that trusteth in man maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord for he shall be like the heaâ—h in the desert and shall not see when good cometh Jâ—r 17. 5. 6. and blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is Jâ—r 17. 7. and the quickening Spirit is both Christ and Lord. Now concerning Jesus Christ our Lord hâ—w he came in the form of a man or how he took flesh upon him he was of the seed of Abraham and David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead Rom. 1. and when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son born of a Virgâ—n and made under the Law and then he made himself of no reputation but Gal. 4. took upon him the form of a servant and so came under Tutors and Governours for a time in that form of a man or in that body which was prepared under the Law in the time of signs and types and figures and shadowes of good things to come and there was Ciâ—cumcision without and Baptisme withâ— outward water and Synagogues and Temples made with hands and he like unto other men came into those things in that body of flesh which he â—ook upon him and so fulfilled all those things which did signifie of that which is become more excellent unto us and so he passed through those things which were but shadows â—nd went to his Father from them as a shadow for it is said a cloud received him out of their sight and while he was among them in that form he was also rejected and grieved to see their wickedness in so much that he wept over them and was taken by wicked hands and crucâ—fied and put to death and slain and pierced by them and was laid in a Sepulchre a figure and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and appeared unto Mary like a gardiner and also he appeared unto his Disciples in another form Mark 16. and so he tasted death for every creature for in him was life and the life was the light of men and he said John 10. I lay down my life that I may take it again no man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again and so he took flesh upon him and offered once for all who perfected for ever them John 6. that are sanctified but the flesh profiteth nothing and he was one with the Father before the world was made and he wâ—nt to the Father again and was and is one with the Father and he and
to be led by the spirit of errour and the spirit of Antichrist mark that preach up the Spirit of Christ apart from the body or flesh of Christ and as it is before set down Matthew Caffin did several times say and affirm that Christ and his Spirit was distinct one from the other and so the one of these proves the other to be a deceiver mark William Jeffery his words in the 68. page of that book called the deceiving Quakers discovered how plainly he proves his brother a deceiver and also himself and the rest of the Baptists who do generally believe and say that the body or flesh of Christ is above the skies in some place they call Heaven and his Spirit in them which hath been dipt in water this is generally held forth by them and so it is plain they do say the Spirit of Christ is in them a part from the body which they say is above the skies in Heaven but if it were as they say then hath William Jeffery overthrown their whole faith which is vain proved them all deceived and deceivers as well as himself and Matthew Caffin but with the light all moderate people may see these Baptists to be in the night and not to have a Vision that could not see how William Jeffery went to overthrow their whole faith before it came openly forth printed into the world but now it is manifested their form is dead and they in it appear nakedly for all their high-swelling words and to be all deceived and deceivers And for Zions sake I cannot hold my peace the love of God is so strong in me unto simple-hearted poor Souls but after the Fathers love is manifested unto them and they reject it then I may say as the Apostle said But if any be ignorant let him be ignorant 1 Cor 1â— 38 At a Meeting at Covole the 28th of the 6th month 1659. the afore-mentioned Matthew Caffin Baptist Teacher affirmed That Christ doth not come in us that is in their bodies and he also said He dâ—nied that to be Christ that was in people and many words to that effect Answ These Baptists chief Principles are to deny the true Christ at the Meetings where they come and that exceeding boldly and impudently as all sober people may see that reads this with the least measure of light for that was the true Christ which all the true Prophets bore witness of and that Moses writ of to come amongst the people and hâ— did proceed from God and dwelt amongst Johâ—â— 14. his Disciples and they beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and truth and he John 14. â— told his Disciples he dwelleth with you and shall be in you for said he I will not leave you comsortless I will come to you John 14. 17 18. and this was the true Christ the light of the world and the eye of the body who proceeded from the Father and went unto the Father and come again unto the Disciples which waited to know him that was to come and be in them and he did come to them within and the Antichrists came unto them without but greater was he that was in them then he that was in the world or they that were without them and so by his power in them they withstood the false prophets and Antichrists and then went they into the world 1 John 4. â— but Christ the Son whom the Father sent to be the Saviour of the world was then come again according to his former promise and was in them and they in him as it was said in John 14. 20. and if you that read this do not believe he did come again so soon to them see what John saith And we know the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ this is the true God and Eternal life â— John 5. 20. and so the Scriptures testifie of him to come and be in his Disciples and they in him but the Baptists saith plainly he is not come in their bodies and that is the ground why they are so inraged like the troubled Sea because they have resisted him that said Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come into him Rev. 3. 20. but the Baptists hath kept him out and so are Reprobates concerning the Faith which he worketh in them that receive him at his coming and the Apostles bid the Corinthians examine themselves whether they were in the Faith Prove your own selves know you not your own sâ—lves how that Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13 5. and now all may see that they were Reprobates that dâ—d not know Jesus Christ in them and so are these Baptists now that do not know Jesus Christ in them and now is it seen and proved plainly that these Baptists are led by the spirit of Antichrist in a reprobate state not confessing Christ to be come in the flesh but denying him in themselves which is the very cause why they so wilfully resist and gainsay him in others where he is come up a swift witness against unrighteousness and so according to the Scriptures it is proved that the true Christ did come and dwell with his Disciples in the form of the flesh and did go away unto the Father and came again unto his Disciples according to his promise and they knew he was come in them to dwell but this was not after the flesh for they were to know him so no more but as he appeared they were to see him as he is 1 John 3. 2. and they did know him come in them a quickning Spirit for by him were they quickned who had been dead in trespasses and sins he that reads with the light may understand And now I shall prove again he doth not onely deny Christ to be come in their bodies or flesh but he also denieth that to be the Christ that was in people and now if you will at all regard the Scriptures of truth with the light you shall see how plainly â— shall prove out of the Scriptures that to be the true Christ the Son of the onely true God that was in people that you may all see how the Baptists hath denied both the Father and the Son and would go on deceiving and being deceived First see what Christ saith unto his Disciples At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father you in me and I in you Mark that John 4. 2. and so it is plain that Christ said they should know him in them which was the true Christ which lighteth every man that cometh into the world and Paul to Timothy said Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering
is come in the flesh and they receive the Spirit of Antichrist and become one with that and so resist the true light the true comforter the man of sorrows that puts an end to sin and John in the Spirit or the Spirit in John said in the Revelation Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me Rev. 3. 20. he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith The Baptist denied That Christ was that crucified oftener then once Answ Here you may see the Baptists chief principles are to deny the true Christ the Son of God who proceeded from the Father to seek and to save that which was lost but the Baptists renders evil against him that came for good unto all men even to the lost to seek and to save that which was lost and he giveth to every man that which is good this is the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world and this is he the Baptists deny and whom the Jews were so much against and did often deny him saying Crucifie him crucifie him and release unto us Barrabas and he was crucified without the Gates at Jerusalem at the place which is called Calvary Luk. 23. 33. there was one time spoke of where Christ was crucified without the Gates and after that John said he was crucified in the streets of the great City which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt Rev. 11. 8. that was another time and place spoken of and the Apostle Paul who had been a persecutor and was converted after Christs suffering without the Gate at Jerusalem and after the Church was gathered and grown up so as to taste of the good Word of God and the power of the World to come then he writes to the Hebrews concerning some that crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6. 6. the Son of God was the true Christ which was crucified by the Jews without the Gates at Calvary and in spiritual Sodom and Egypt and also by such as departed from the Faith for they crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh take notice of that That you may see plainly how the Baptists deny the true Christ the Son of God the Lamb slain from the â—oundation of the world The Baptists affirmed That the Comforter spoken of in that 14th of John to come again to the Disciples was not Christ Answ Christ in that 14th of John said the Father should give them another Comforter but he did not say it was not Christ that should come to them which was then with them but on the contrary said he dwelleth with you and shall be in you vers the 17th and so he was to be known after another manner not after the flesh without them for he was manifested unto them in that form of flesh and so became of no reputation and passed thorow outward things and suffered the contradictions of sinners in the time of doing his Fathers Will for which he was sent in that form then when all was fulfilled both outward Baptism with water and outward Circumcision with hands then he said all is finished and gave up the Ghost and went to the Father from whence he proceeded and then was there no necessity of those outward things nor Command to do them from God as before because they were fulfilled yet for a time they were a little used by them that came unto all in those things that they might win some out of all those things which was to decrease up to Christ that was to increase and prevail mightily in those with whom he dwelt until he went to the Father and after he was risen he appeared unto his Disciples in another form and after that he appeared in them they did not tell people of his being among any people without them as he was known but said know you not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates but these Baptists they deny his so coming again and saith it was not Christ although Christ said so plainly in John 14. â— if I go prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self and in vers the 18th Christ said unto them again I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you but the Baptists said it was not he and so would make Christ the lyar in as much as they can with their lying divinations of their own brain saying the Comforter there spoken of was not Christ although he himself said I will come to you and John said he was come unto them and they were in him even in his Son Jesus Christ this is the true God and Eternal life little Children keep your selves from Idols 1 John 5. 20 21. The Baptists affirmed That it was Blasphemy to say that those things spoken of to Christs Disciples in Matth. 24. was fulfilled in that age Answ Christ said then to his Disciples many should come in his Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many and said Lo here or lo there is Christ believe them not go not forth for the true Christ was to be known within them and he said unto them they should hear of wars and rumors of wars and earth-quakes was to be and the love of many shall wax cold because iniquity shall abound and the Disciples was to be afflicted and persecuted and killed at the last of their age and the Sun was to be darkned and the Moon was not to give her light for a time and all these things is spoken in the 24th of Matthew and the Scriptures there and in other places doth plainly prove that these things were to come to pass in the Apostles age and therefore Christ bids them watch and be alwayes ready because the time was nigh but the day and hour no man was to know until it came and Christ said to his Disciples Matth. 24. 34. Verily I say unto you this Generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled and in the 14th verse Christ said And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all Nations and then shall the end come but the Baptists counts that blasphemy for us to affirm that the end of all those things was come and so fulfilled in the Disciples age before that Generation passed away as Christ said Further I shall prove out of the Scriptures that these things did come to pass First concerning false Prophets and Antichrists they were to come unto the true Prophets and Apostles to deceive them if it were possible and they did so come as Christ said they should and the Disciples Apostles and Prophets that did watch as Christ said they should they did see the false prophets and deceivers come privily in the very form of godliness but denying the
the Father are one John 1â—â—0 but neither the Jews nor these Baptists doth not see how for they neither know the Christ of God nor the Father that say he is not a Spirit Joh. 8. â— but the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. â— 1â— and therefore the Baptists being natural saith Christ is not a Spirit but they in whom Christ is revealed know him to be a Spirit as the Apostle said and so it is written The first man Adam was made a living soul the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit â— Corin. 15. 45. mark that you may see how carnal the Baptists are Another Baptist at the aforementioned meeting affirmed That Christ and God was not one Answ This is altogether contrary to these Scriptures which are Christs own words read these Scriptures in the light and you need no farther proof I and my Father are one Joh. 10. 30. Holy Fathâ—r keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one as we are Joh. 17. 11. and now people may see with the light that is risen in the conscience how these Baptists hath separated themselves sensual having not the Spirit Jude 19. And when these Baptists were justly charged with confusion for speaking three or four together to one of us Matthew Caffin said to Joseph Fuce it was to make him silent and also when Matthew Caffin was required to prove what he had accused us of or else he had proved himself a false accuser then Matthew Caffin Baptist Teacher said they were fain to cavil hard with us and many such like swelling words and boasting false accusations and affirmations against the truth and us that own it but their proud boasting words being so unsavoury I shall not meddle with them all they are too many but those that are so much against the truth I am constrained to answer for the truths sake and in the Power of the Spirit did I justifie the truth against its gainsayers to their faces and then they fled into confusion and cavilling making use of that to make us silent as Matthew Caffin said and all that doth understand the Scriptures of truth knoweth such there were and such there are as Peter said There shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2. 1. Now if their hearts should be vexed because their Ezek. 3. 9. folly is so manifested openly they may blame themselves for these damnable heresies were taken from their own mouths at the meeting aforementioned and most of them were affirmed by Matthew Caffin one of their chief Teachers who said they were fain to cavil hard and use confusion to make us silent who did then as at other times earnestly contend for the Faith which was once delivered unto the Jude 3. Saints but now mark what James said But if ye have bitteâ— envying and strife in your hearts glory not and ly ' not againâ—t thâ— truth this wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly sensual devilishs or where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work â—ames 3. 14 15 16. And those Baptists were found boasting themselves enviouâ—ly and cavilling hard and in confusion as Matthew Caffin said and gloried into his own shame and the rest of the Baptists that resist the truth let it be especially to them that were with him and did not reprove him such as is here mentioned and answered have they often brought forth since they opposed the light and gainsayed the truth and so by their fruits are they known unto those that do not wilfully resist the light More of the Baptists Principles declared and affirmed by Matthew Caffin Baptist Teacher at another time and place as is hereafter mentioned at Chichester upon the 30th day of the 3d month 1659. MAtthew Caffin affirmed That Christ and his Spirit was distinct one from the other and at a Meeting at Henry Copeses at Ellsted in Surrey he declared and stood to affirm the same thing again before many people at that Meeting Answ Here this deceiver goeth about to divide Christ or to make people believe there is a dead Christ without a Spirit for James saith The body without the Spirit is dead James 2. 26. and Christ said I am alive for evermore Rev. 1. 18. and this deceiver hath falsly said we deny the Resurrection but now it is fallen upon his own head for if Christs body were without a Spirit then were it dead according to the Apostles Words and if he were dead without a Spirit according to the Baptists doctrine then were he not risen so in effect he hath plainly denied the Resurrection but if thousands should deny him yet he abideth faithful and lives forever you may take notice there were such that came among the Corinthians that were in contention and Paul asked them whether Christ were divided or was Paul crucified for them as if one might be as possible as the other but of a truth Christ is not divided but he is both Lord and Christ and the Lord is that Spirit which proceeded from the Father and went again unto the Father and he and the Father is one and all that doth truly and rightly know these things they must be converted into the light first for great is the Mystery of Godliness And now if there be any so wilful as not to believe that Matthew Caffin is a deceiver by all these fore-mentioned fruits of his which are sufficient proofes mark then see how William Jeffery one of his chief brethren proves plainly that Matthew Caffin is led by the spirit of Antichrist and in a very deceitful secret way denies Christ come in the flesh but that ignorant envious man William Jeffery did intend that should have been a proof against us but it doth not at all concern us for all people that hath heard and rightly understood our Doctrine of Christ and his Spirit which is in his body they know we have declared Christ to be a quickening Spirit in his body and also to be the head of the Church which is his body as the Scriptures saith Eph. 5. 30. Col. 1. 2â— and the Saints were Members of his body and of his flesh and of his bones and he was their head over them and in them all Col. â— 11. and so in his Name and Power do we preach him up to be the light within the body and not apart from the body as Matthew Caffin hath affirmed him to be distinct the body from the Spirit But how fit a proof hath William Jeffery brought against his brother and fellow-messenger Matthew Caffin in the 68 pag. of their own book with their names to â—â— in the 68 pag. William Jeffery his words chiefly is to prove them
THE FALL OF A Great Visible Idol By the coming of the INVISIBLE POWER And SUBSTANCE In this day and time of the Lambs War which is come Wherein Christ the true Light is exalted at the right hand of God who dwells and walkes in his people which are his Temple Which doth bring down the boasting Baptists that hath highly exalted themselves upon the high and dark mountains of their own imaginations as may be known by their own principles which are herein answered with something to the simple hearted that are among them concerning water baptism and breaking of outward bread which these Baptists hath so much Idolized in the night Thus saith the Lord cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his Arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord for he shall be like the heath in the desert and shall not see when good coâ—â—eth Jer 17. 5. 6. And blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is Jer. 17. 7 for it is the spirit that quickneth the flesh presiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life John 6. 63. From a true friend unto all that loves truth in the inward parts in true love and pitty unto the lost sheep that they may be of the house of Israel Joseph Fuce London Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate 165â— This is to the Reader that he may the better understand NOw first of all before thou comest to the matter hereafter written thou art to be turned unto a measure of the true light in thy own conscience and with it to search thine own heart and to see whether there be not envie or prejudice lodging in thee against the way of truth which hath been so abominably abused and evil spoken of as if it were the most damnable Heresie that ever was declared in so much that people hath often been stirred up by their Teachers into a great rage against the truth before they know it or hath heard us declare it or seen our writings so as to understand the matter and therefore if there be any of the envious ones leaven in thee let that be laid aside and wait thou in the light not turning to the one hand nor yet to the other not joyning with me nor against me before thou doest understand rightly the things there spoken of in love to thy poor soul but wait in the pure fear of the Lord to feel the Power of God to arise within and rent the vail which hath been over thy heart that so the measure of the true light may come up in thee to bare rule so as to give thee the true knowledge and the right understanding for happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding for it is better then the gain of gold and except the light make these things manifest thou canst not understand this which I have spoken of in the wisdom of God which I have received this knowledge cometh a far off the wisdom of the flesh thereâ—ore I will ascribe wisdom and righteousness unto my Maker for he that is perfect in knowledge is with God the fountain of wisdom true knowledge and verily I shall leave the truth of my words to answer the witness in thy own conscience and be thou so honest to thy own soul before thou judgest to try these things aright with that which will not lie in thee that is the true ballance and just weight that weigheth things a right that so thou mayest come to be perswaded in thy own minde who are in the truth it self that gives true peace unto the soul and who are in the profession of the truth without the possession in the hypocrisie but have no true peace And truely I have seen the hypocrisie and great deceit of those Baptists many times at several places where they have opposed the very life of truth withal the strength and subtilty they have received from the wicked one to deceive the hearts of the simple even to the grieving of my soul to think that ever these Baptists should so impudently gainsay the truth and life of what they prosess in words and often I have been moved of the Lord in the power of the spirit to reprove them for their lies and false accusations which they have brought against us that witness forth the truth against their deceit and when I have so done I have had peace in the light and did not desire nor think to lay their wickedness open unto the world in Print but rather desired they should have owned reproof and repented and have turned unto the Lord in time as some hath done that did walk with them but they have despised reproof and hated instruction and set themselves against the light and spirit of the Lord until his anger is kindled against them And now seeing how they have set themselves against the truth and will not cease to pervert the right way in going on in their dâ—ceit bending their tongues like a bow for lyes thereby to deceive the hearts of the simple Therefore the Lord hath put it into my heart to begin to lay open their wickedness in Print for the truths sake and in true love and pitty to the poor simple-hearted people that they may not run so rashly into their snares to go with them they know not whether until their steps take hold on Hell for they have openly denied the true light as is hereafter mentioned and they that walk in darkness know not whether they go and therefore thou that lovest thy own Souls peace be warned in time to weigh things rightly with that which is a Just weight and true Measure in thy own Conscience so mayest thou come to be perswaded in thy own mind who are in the right way and then let the light be thy guide in it to walk that so thou mayest come in due time to have peace with God in the Covenant of light and life for evermore At a Meeting at Nethurst upon the 24th of the 6th Month 1659. appointed by Matthew Caffin Baptist but there were several of the chief Baptists in all these South parts namely William Jeffery Matthew Caffin John Parsons William Steel and several others of Kent and Sussex It was pretended by the Baptists there to shew the cause wherefore they could not joyn with the Quakers as they with other scoffers in these last times call us the People of the Lord but in stead of proving any Just cause why they do not own and joyn with us they gave sufficient cause for us and all that fear the Lord to deny them and to have no fellowship with them except they repent And the cause they gave us at this Meeting and at other places was those errours damnable heresies and lyes which are hereafter mentioned and answered as moved by the Spirit of love to all the simple-hearted people that doth