Selected quad for the lemma: spirit_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
spirit_n	apostle_n	holy_a	lord_n	6,631	5	3.5276	3	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A56109	A testimony of truth given forth by a servant of the Lord, on the behalf of the despised servants, and professors of truth, who are made partakers of the heavenly power, which shakes the earth, and makes the inhabitants of the land to tremble, who are by the scorners of this generation called Quakers against the many lyes and slanders which the devil is the chief author of, arising forth of the bottomlesse pit, and vented forth by one James Livesey a professed minister of Christ in the county of Chester, but by his fruits is plainly manifested a minister of sin, and so of his Father who begat him, and sent him forth to oppose the living truth of God : but his folly is here manifested and declared to open view, that the simple and honest hearted may turn from him and all such deceitful workers, and may learn of Christ the light of the world, that their souls may live.	Parker, Alexander, 1628-1689.	1659 (1659)	Wing P386; ESTC R5756	31,699	39

can ever come to the true knowledge of sin much lesse to the knowledge of truth in its purity until they own the light which Jesus Christ the light of the world hath enlightened them withal thou canst never see thy ugly shape and thy foul and filthy garments which the devil hath put upon thee until thou viewest thy self in this light therefore beware of hating and despising the light within which is of Christ for whosoever hates that light which checks and reproves for sin they hate Christ and the light is the condemnation for as Christ hath said this is the condemnation of the world that light is come into the world and men love darkness rather then light because their deeds be evil for every one that doth truth he loveth the light and brings his deeds to the light that they may be proved and tryed whether or no they be wrought in God but every one that doth evil hateth the light and will not bring his deeds to the light least they should be reproved Joh. 3. Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that every man may be saved if he will c. Ans This is likewise false and no truth in it for we do not say that the power of salvation is in mans will but in God who by his power subdues and subjects mans will for it is not in him that willeth or runneth but in God that shewes mercy and this is the mercy and loving kindness of God who hath sent his Son into the world that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life and so salvation is of God but destruction is of a mans self for the grace of God that brings salvation hath appeared unto all men teaching us c. So he that will be a Disciple of Christ must deny himself and take up his Crosse and follow Christ and the Crosse of Christ crucifies the carnal mind and subjects mans will and God worketh in the creature both to will and to do yet obedience is required of the creature that as God by his light doth shew his will and mind it is the duty of men women to do his will which is our Sanctification Pr. There is an opinion among them that there is in man no light of reason no light of nature Answ All men that be out of the true light of life notwithstanding all that which they may call light of reason on light of nature are darkness according to that Scripture Ephes 5.8 once were you darkness c. and yet in that state there is a spark orsome glimering of the true light which shines in darkness but the darkness cannot comprehend it Joh. 1. and this light is the ground of right reason and men that despise and reject the counsel of the light become brutish and unreasonable and so the understanding comes to be darkened and the sence of it is lost Pr. There is an opinion that conscience in man is nothing else but faith Ans That is not so for conscience in man may erre and may be seared but faith is pure it is the gift of God and cannot erre and the mystery of it is held in a pure conscience Pr. There is an opinion among them that the light within them is sufficient that there is no need of other teachers c. Answ That light that is of Christ in it self is sufficient but there be some that are but Babes and sucklings and the Lord takes care for them and for this end was the true Ministry given having received perfect gifts which were for the perfecting of the body of Christ until all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man even to the measure and stature and fulness of Christ and this doth not overthrow all Scripture but establish the Scriptures for this is the very end for which the Scriptures were given forth to wit that people may be brought to God and worship God in spirit and in truth and know the holy unction within them and John did not overthrow the Scriptures nor the true Ministry when he said the anointing which ye have received of him abides in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you c. and the Prophet Isaiah did not lay waste the Scriptures nor frustarte the work of the Ministry when he saith cease from man whose breath is in his nosirils for wherein is he to be accounted of and as then the work of the true Prophets and Apostles was to bring to God so now for all the children of the Lord shall be taught of the Lord Isai 54.13 Pr. Their opinion is that God is not to be worshipped in places made with mens hands Ans We say God is a spirit and is worshipped in Spirit and in Truth in his own holy Temple not made with mens hands for God who made the world and all things therein seeing he is Lord of heaven and Earth dwelleth not in temples made with hands neither is he worshiped with mens hands and this is truth and whereas he the said opposer doth bring some scriptures as Act. 20.7 8 9. how Paul preached in an upper chamber and continued his speech till midnight this proves nothing for but against him for we bear witnesse with the Apostle against the Temples made with hands that God is not worshipped there and so as the Apostles did meet together apart from the Temple worshippers so do we now and worship God in spirit and whereas he brings some other Scriptures as Luke 4.15 where Christ taught in the Synagogue and Io. 18 19 20. which we deny not but this was a time befroe he was sacrificied up and he came to fulfill all righteousnesse for he is the end of the Law for Righteousnesse sake to them that do believe and whereas he adds a scripture in Psa 132.13 14. For the Lord hath chosen Sion he hath desired it for his habitation this is my rest for ever this he brings to prove that God is worshipped and dwels in a mans made house if any be so blind and ignorant to believe him for my part I believe him not but I believe what the Scripture saith Heaven is my Throne and earth is my footstool what house will you build unto me saith the Lord or where is the place of my rest not in a man made house The heaven of heavens is not able to contain him whom we worship Pr. There is an opinion among them that the place where the people of God convene to worship is not the Church nor to be called a Church Ans We say no For the Church is the body of Christ built up of living stones elect and precious and the Apostle doth not any where call a man-made house a Church and it is error and blasphemie to call a house made with mens hands of wood and dead stones a Church and therefore a

vain wicked and sottish assertion of this blind Priest so to call it Pr. There is an opinion among them that God is not to be worshiped in places where idolatrous worship hath been performed Ans As for the daies of old what was done then we let passe but as for your steeple-houses which a few yeares since were the Popes Masse-houses God doth not dwell neither is he rightly worshipped there and therefore we do denie them and all your dead performances in them Pr. There is an opinon among them that God is not worshipped with the body Ans God is worshipped in spirit and served with the bodie according to that Scripture quoted by this opposer Rom. 12. 1. I boseech you therefore brethren by the mercies of God that you present your bodies a living sacrifice Holy and acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service mark he calls it a service Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that the law is made hy the beast and it is not lawfull to use the law Ans The law which is perfect was made by God and is good just and holy and is for the lawlesse to be as a curb and limit to them which law we own and all just lawes made by men which are according to the law of God we own and therefore do I testifie against Priest Livesey as a liar and false accuser of the Innocent as for all lawes that are unjust and contrary to the law of God such are made by the power of the beast and such lawes we cannot obey but testifie against them Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that there is no mediate call to the Ministry Ans The true Ministers of Christ their call was immediate by the power and spirit of the living God that which is mediate is carnal and Christ is the same yesterday to day and for ever and his call to the ministrie is immediate by his power and spirit and all such as denie an immediate call now I denie them they are not Ministers of Christ but of Antichrist Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that Christ is the original language of truth not Greek not Hebrew Ans As this is laid down Iown it not but this I say that Christ is the fountain and fulnesse and the original of all Truth and the wisest linguist in all the world Grecian or Hebrewcian cannot by all their skill open the door nor suck any sweetnesse from this fountain for it is locked and sealed up and only they that drink at the stream the true light do tast of the sweetnesse and such receive satisfaction and refreshment and are led to the fountain there to drink deep and full draughts to their comfort and consolation● Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that the conscience of one man is the light of Christ in an other man Ans This is altogether false and a lying invention of his own and therefore I need not speak to any thing in this charge for the foundation being taken away the building will quickly fall down to the ground Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that baptism of Infants is of the Popes institution Ans Hath this opposer so long been trained up in the Popes way and order and so long continued in the Popes Masse-house and hath he not yet learned all his institutions let him go to school again and he may find it among some of the old rotten trash But saith this opposor this opinion is contrarie to Mat. 28 19 20. Go and disciple all nations baptising them were there no infants in all the world nor in all the nations saith he I answer This command of Christ doth not at all give power to sprinkle infants for they are not capable of discipling or teaching mark that go and disciple all nations baptising them here is discipling before baptising but children are not capable of being discipled so not of being baptized with water and so in this he contradicts himselfe besides it is a thing never commanded nor practised by Christ nor anie that he sent forth and so to Rome he must go and seek the institution of it for the scriptures mentions no such thing as sprinkling of Infants Christ said suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdome of God he took them in his Armes and blessed them but he did not sprinkle water on their faces as the Priests of England do he sets them as a figure and saith whosoever shall not receive the kingdome of God as a little child shall not enter there in Pr. There is an opinion among them that they cannot sin Ans Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin for his seed remaines in him and he cannot sin because he is borne of God 1 Iohn 3.9 But he that is born of the flesh doth sin altogether and so if any man say he hath no sin before the birth immortal be born in him he doth deceive himselfe and the truth is not in him but whosoever doth own the light of Christ that doth make manifest sin and confesse and forsake sin they shall find meroy and walkingin the light the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin and said Iohn hese things I write unto you that you sin not Iohn doth make clear distinction between the two births the one from beneath the other from above whosoever abides in Christ doth not sin whosoever sinneth hath not seen him nor known him c. And whereas he mentions an other Scripture Eccl. 7.20 that with many other Scriptures are spoken to the seed of the first Adam and not to the regenerate seed for as it is written he that is born of God sinneth not Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that men are not now outwardly to expresse their thankefulnesse in a vocal solemn forme of blessing for what creature comforts they receive from the hand of God exempli gratia not to crave a blessing upon their meat Ans This is false and a lie proceeding from the old root for we do own and practise prayer by speaking of words as the Lord by his spirit doth move and owneth the saying of the Apostle where he saith I will that men pray every where lifting holy hands without wrath and doubting such their prayers are acceptable unto God but all lying covetous greedy men who harbour wrath and malice in them the Lord abhors and loathes their services furthermore I say that whosoever doth see with a single eye doth see every creature of God to be good and are sanctisied by the word and so to the pure all things are pure and if never a word were spoken to the hearing of the eare yet the blessing and vertue is felt in the creatures and praises arises and is given to God for his mircies who is over all blessed for ever Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that salutations are unlawfull Ans This is false and untrue as others before

mentioned for salutations of love we own and practice according to Scriptures and what Christ said and commanded as to that we practice if we go into a house we salute the house and if the Son of peace be there our peace remaines but if not it returns back to us again and we shake off the dust of our feet as a testimony against such who reject the love of God and these salutaions we own in the fear of God according to the Scriptures but as for all the vain traditional customes of the world the capping bowing cringing and the like we deny and all vain customarie words which feeds the wrong part we denie and speak in the fear of God as we are moved of God by his spirit as for other things in this particular the ground being taken away the rest will wither as for the scriptures mentioned I own in the true meaning of them and in their places according to the mind of the spirit Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that Ordinances are not now in force we are to wait for immediate inspirations and Revelations Ans All the Ordinances and traditions of men which have been invented and set up in the time of darknesse and night of Apostacie since the daies of the Apostles which be carnal and fading we do deny but all the pure holy and substantial ordinances of Christ which abides and endures for ever we do own and practice as the pure spirit of God doth move and lead us and as for inspirations and Revelations first for inspirations this I say that no man upon earth can know God savingly in any other manner then by the inspiration of the holy spirit for the things of God knowes noman but the spirit of God and no man knowes the Son save the Father neither knowes any man the Father but the Son and he to whom soever the Son will reveal him he that denyes Revelation denies the knowledge of God Pr. Faith came by hearing Rom. 10.14 Now hear and your souls shall live so the promise runs Isai 55.3 Now they say your souls may live though you never hear Answ It s true that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God but where is the word to be found read the 6.7 and 8. verses of the tenth Chapter to the Romans where the Apostle speakes of the word of faith Say not in thy heart who shall ascend into heaven that is to bring Christ down from above or who shall descend into the deep that is to bring up Christ againe from the dead but what saith it the word is nigh thee even is thy mouth and in thy heart that is the word of faith that we preach This was the word that faith came by the hearing of it and this word was manifested in the Prophet who saith come unto me hear and your souls shall live now whereas this opposer saith that we say souls may live though they never hear that is false we do not say so but exhort people to hearken to the voice of Christ that their souls may live and whosoever hears Christ though they never hear a covetous proud priest more who loves money and seeks gain from his quarter yet their souls shall live for such as loves mony and are envious and proud lyars and false accusers were never sent of God and shall never profit people at all such are to be turned away from and whereas this opposer Livesey speaks against Revelations and saies What need have we to waite for Revelations c. I say there is not any man that rightly knowes God nor any thing of God but by Revelation for though the Scriptures are given forth and any one may buy them for mony yet none in all the world no not the wisest nor the most learned of men can understand them except the same spirit that gave them forth do reveal and open them For as I have said the things of God knowes no man but the spirit of God And whereas he queries and saith Where hath these men a promise to incourage them thus to waite c I say many and pretious are the promises and the reward of those that wait upon the Lord for be that waits upon the Lord his strength shall be renewed and again wait upon the Lord and he will save thee there were never any that waited on the Lord in vain So I say blessed are they that wait upon the Lord and stand upon their watch and are not weary the Lord will reward them with his everlasting blessings and give them an inheritance amongst the Saints in light Pr. The great object of the Quakers is grounded on the first of Ioh. 2.27 Ye need not that any man teach this makes not for them nor their Revelations but against both See verse foregoing which speaks of Seducers Iohn meanes as is evident that they need not any of those Seducers to teach them but the spirit and the written word and the Ministers of Christ were sufficient Ans O the wickednesse of man when once turned from the holy unction and light of the spirit within how he twines and turnes and confounds himselfe as this opposer doth one while accuses the Quakers with denyal or slighting of the Scriptures and here saith their great object is grounded on 1 Iohn 2.27 what neither be contented to let us own nor disown and then like his Master brings part of the scripture and gives a wrong sense of the other part Ye need not that any man teach saith ye but the Scripture saith thus but the annointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things which is truth and is no lye and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him Here it s plainly manifest Iohn speakes of the holy unction which taught them of all things and labours to keep the Saints to the annointing within them as a safty against all Seducers and deceivers who laboured to draw from it to their own inventions And this same holy anointing we have received of God to be our teacher we do deny and turne from all such Seducers and lyars as James Livesey for such are not of God neither can enter into the Kingdome of God Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that no reverence is to be shewed no honour nor titles of honour to be given to man Magistrate or others Ans The day of Gods mighty power is come and the Lord is staining the pride and the glory of all flesh and the everlasting Gosple is preached fear God and give glory to him for the hour of his judgement is come Jesus Christ is our Captain and we follow him that did not respect the persons of men neither received honour from men who saith how can ye believe that receive honour one of an other and seeks not the honour that comes from God

all others for as the perfection of ancient times under the Law was not to forswear so the perfection of Christian men is not to swear at all And whereas this opposer that I have to deal with brings a Scripture out of the Prophets Jer. 4.2 and thou shalt swear the Lord liveth in truth c. I say this doth not at all make void the sayings of Christ because he is the end of the Prophets who saith swear not at all and whatever other Scripture may be alleadged it is not at all contradictory because Christ the Son is greater then Moses he raigns over the house of Jacob and Joseph who swore in their day Solomon swore but a greater then Solomon is here And whereas the Prophet saith thou shalt swear by the Lord this was to bring them off from all false oaths not to swear by Baal nor other false Gods but they were in those days to swear by the Lord but Christ is come as I have said who is the great Prophet who ends all oathes And whereas it is alleadged that an oath is an end of strife and therefore to be used saith this opposer But I say that whosoever doth bring that Scripture in Heb. 6.17 to maintain swearing contrary to Christ his command they pervert the Scripture for the Authour to the Hebrewes doth not speak there to prove an oath lawful at that time but he is speaking of God making a promise to Abraham and because he could swear by no greater he swore by himself saying Surely blessing I will bless thee and multiplying I will multiply thee and so after he had patiently endured he obtained the promise for men verily swear by the greater and an oath for confirmation is to them an end of all strife the Apostle doth not bring this in opposition to Christ but speaking concerning God who swore by himself concerning his promise and giving his Son Christ who ends the strife and this I further say that those that be in strife and oathes they have not learned Christ one Scripture more I shall add as a confirmation against swearing and that is in Jam. 5.12 but above all things my brethren swear not neither by heaven neither by the earth neither by any other oath mark all oathes are forbidden but let your yea be yea and your nay nay least ye fall into condemnation Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that singing of Psalms is no Gospel ordinance especially not to be used in mixt Assemblies Answ This is false for singing of Psalms according to the Scriptures we own singing with the spirit and with understanding making melody in our hearts to the Lord according to those Scriptures Col. 3.16 Ephes 5.19 And whereas another Scripture is alleadged Jam 5.13 if any be afflicted let him pray is any merry let him sing Psalms this is owned by us but the question will be who are they that are truly merry I say that none are truly merry but the ransomed of the Lord who have passed through many tribulations and fiery tryals whose garments are washed with the blood of the Lamb such shall return to Sion with joy and singing and everlasting joy shall be upon their heads But the songs of the wicked shall be turned into howling and weeping and such we do deny and all such as take Davids words a man after Gods own heart and turn them into Rhime and Meeter and a company of mixt people of proud ones covetous envyous wrathful scoffing and scornful ones for such as these to sing Davids experiences his prayers and prophesies his weenings wastings roarings cryings tremblings and such like this is a great wickedness to speak Davids words and say O Lord I am not puft in mind I have no scornful eye I do not exercise my self in things that be too high c. when both Priest and people are proud and scornful such singing we do deny and as sure as God lives it shall be turned into howling and weeping and bitter lamentation Pr. There is an opinion among them that the spirit is the rule they ought to walk by the spirit is our guide teacher and leader Answ That which was the Rule and guide of the people of God before the Scriptures were written and their rule and guide that writ the Scriptures is our Rule and guide now and that was the spirit of God which led and guided them in the way and truth of God and it is written in the Prophets all the children of the Lord shall be taught of the Lord and this was the promise of Christ to send the Comforter the spirit of truth which should lead and guide them into all truth and this is according to the Scriptures and stands over the head of all gain-sayers and opposers but this is so plain that no reasonable man will gainsay it for as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the Sons of God Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that the Trinity of persons is a lie and that there are not three persons in the God head Answ What the Spirit of the Lord doth own we own and what is written in the Scriptures by the motion of the spirit we own There is three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the holy Spirit and these three are One and this we own as for three persons I have not read of such a thing in the Scriptures God is an incomprehensible spirit and is but One Father Son and Spirit three in manifestation but all one in power one God over all blessed for ever Pr. There is an opinion amongst them that the Ministry of England is Antichristian and our Ministers no Ministers of Jesus Christ. Ans 1. Such as are brought up at Schools and Colledges and there learn Aristotles moral and Philosophical Arts and sciences and there take certain degrees and orders as Batchelor of Art Master of Art Batchelor of Divinity Doctor of Divinity and the like and are trained up there certain years and so made Ministers in and by the will of man such are Antichristian but such are the Ministers of England therefore no Ministers of Christ Ans 2. Such as make contracts and bargains with people for certain set stipends and great sums of money as 80.100 200 300. pounds or more or less by the year and will not preach without money such are Antichristian but such are the Ministers of England therefore not the Ministers of Christ Ans 3. Such as denies the Doctrine of perfection the life of pure Religion the work and end of the Christian Ministry Eph. 4.11.12 13. Col. 1.27.28 29. and say that none can be perfect or free from sin while they walk upon the earth but must alwayes live in sin and sin in them such a Ministry is Antichristian But such are the Ministers of England therefore not the Ministers of Jesus Christ Pr. I would gladly know if the Ministers of England be not the Ministers of Christ what

Ministers are the Ministers of Christ Answ For satisfaction of the honest hearted I shall declare who are the true Ministers of Christ that is to say such as have received perfect gifts from God freely and are made Minsters by the will of God and sent forth by his power to turn people from darkness unto light and from the power of Satan unto God who freely Minister as they have freely received who cover no mans gold silver nor apparrel but preach the word of God freely at all times and seasons as the spirit doth move and give utterance and many such there are amongst those that the scorners of this world do call Quakers who preach the Gospel of salvation freely not seeking money or maintenance and many within these few years in England by the power of this Ministry received from God have been converted from sin unto God Pr. Whether Jesus Christ have any especially designed for his work or none but himself the Prophet of his Church Answ Christ is the head of his body the Church and is the great Prophet and from him who is the head every member of the body receives nourishment and refreshment but I do own a Ministry ordained and sent forth by him for the perfecting of the Saints and for the edifying of the body until we all come into the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man even to the measure and stature and fulness of Christ as I have said before Pr. When the Ministry of England began to be Anti-christian and how long it hath been so Ans The Antichristian powers of darkness hath raigned long and I question much whether ever the National Ministry of England were free from Anti-christianism though I do believe the Lord hath had many pretious people in it who in their time have stood faithful witnesses for God some have suffered death but the Ministry was never throughly purged from popery no not to this day but most things practized are Popish inventions as their Schools and Colledges where they make their Ministers little or nothing differing from the Papists Schooles and Colledges where they make their Ministers their maintenance by Tythes vicarage houses gleab lands c. even as the Papists do and many other things there are wherein they do agree so that it is hard to tell the time when it began but this I say in the night of Apostacy since the daies of the Apostles it begun Pr. What it is that renders them Antichristian taking of Tythes or what Ans Taking of Tythes is one thing that renders them so but there be many other things as their call into the Ministry and being made Ministers by the will of man and their set maintenance great sumes of mony by the year their doctrine and practices scarce any one thing is acted or done by them in all that which they call the worship of God as it was acted or done in the daies of the true Apostles and if it were so that they were found in the very practice of the Apostles yet not being led by the same spirit it is antichristian for the Christian worship was in the spirit and in the truth and all peoples nations though they may have all the words given forth from the spirit if they be not in the spirit and in the truth they be false worshipers and are Antichristian that professe Christ in words but have not the life of Christ within them more I might say as to these things but so much having been written already by others I shall proceed further only I take notice of three accusations against us that is 1. That we deny the Trinity of persons 2. The Divine authority of the Scriptures 3 And the Souls immortality to the two first I have already spoken and the Soul we say is immortal and so I leave the lyar to receive his portion in the lake of endlesse misery Rev. 21.8 Now I come to ●● particulars wherein this opposer goes about to cast an odium upon the Quakers bringing several things which he saith the Jesuites and Papists holds it seems he is well acquainted with them but what is that to the matter because the Devil believes there is a God shall not I believe truth because the Devils believes If Jesuites an I Papists Turks and Infidels hold any truth their holding of it shall not make me deny it but truth I shall own where ever I finde it and all Lyers and false accusers and that which is contrary to truth I deny but I shall come to the particulars and what concerns those whom he calls Quakers I shall speak to and what concernes the Jesuites and Papists let them answer for themselves if they will Pr. Jesuites have low base and vile thoughts of the Scripture it s with them a nose of Wax a dead letter no sufficient ground of Faith nor judge of controversies so Bellarmine c. so Quakers Ans That the Quakers have low base and vile thoughts of the Scriptures is very false and wickednesse it is to say so for we dearly own and highly prize the Scriptures and own them to be a true testimony of him who is the author and foundation of faith Christ Jesus but life is not to be found in the Scripture but in Christ who is the life and the quickning spirit who is the judge of all controversies according to the Scriptures Pr. Jesuites and Papists cries up salvation by the light and law of nature without the knowledge of Christ c. so Quakers Ans We say as I have said before salvation is by Christ who is the light of the world and lighteth every man that commeth into the world and not by the light and law of nature without the knowledge of Christ this charge is altogether false as to the Quakers as for the other let them answer for themselves Pr. Papists say the Church of England is no true Church They say the Ministry of England is antichristian and so Quakers Ans To both these I have spoken of before to which I refer the Reader Pr. Subesse Romano pontifici est de necessitate salutis No salvation for us unlesse we become Catholicks in their sence Quakers say we are all damned except we turn Quakers Ans We say this and it is no more then truth that except ye repent and be converted ye must all perish But as for the words as they are laid down they proceed from the wickednesse of his evil heart and are not true our way is Christ and this is the way of holinesse and is but one and there is none other and to this way must all come that are saved and must know trembling and quaking before all wickednesse be thrown down and truth and righteousnesse be set up therefore let none despise the power of God least ye be cut of in his feirce wrath Pr. Jesuits allow women to do the worke of the Ministry

c. Quakers allow womens preaching as spiritual Ans God hath spoken by his holy prophet saying it shall come to passe in the latter daies that I will pour forth of my spirit upon my Sons and daughters upon my servants and handmaids and where the spirit of God is there is liberty it is not to be quenched neither in Son nor daughter where the seed is witnessed either in male or female to wit Christ who is one in the female as well as in the male and where he rules and reignes he may and ought to speak and this is according to Scriptures but let the woman be silent as saith the Scripture Pr. Papists look upon miracles as signes of the true Church so Quakers Ans This is but the mans imagination because he would have ●o●ething to say as for miracles I do not look for them but if any by the power and spirit of God do work miracles as some have done among us we do own it and give God the honour whose work and power it is and not any work of the creature Pr. Papists put a high esteem on visions and Revelations equalling them with or preferring them above the written Word so Quakers Ans True visions and true Revelations seen and revealed by the true spirit I must needs own if a Turk or infidel should professe the truth it s no worse for their professing of it And so I say that which is revealed by the same spirit which was within them that gave forth the Scripture is one and the same with the Scriptreu for the Truth is the same yesterday to day and for ever Pr. The Jesuites say a man may be saved if he will if he will follow the light c. and the Quakers Ans I have formerly answered to this point yet this further I say the saving power is not in mans will but in Christ the light and whosoever believes in and followes the light shall be saved and he that believes not but followes his own will shall be damned Pr. The Papists extenuate imputed Righteousnesse in setting up their own Inherent Righteeusnesse so Quakers Ans All our own Righteousnesse is as filthy rags and we do not set it up but deny it together with all unrighteousnesse but we exalt and set up Christ who of God is made unto us Righteousnesse Justification Redemption and all other things who dwels in us and is our life and we in him and have our peace Pr. Papists say they can keep all Gods commandements perfectly fulfill the law in their own persons so Bell and the Quakers Ans Through the strength and power of Christ that dwels in us we can do all things and his commandements are not grievous but joyous to us and Christ doth fulfill the Righteousnesse of the Law in us who walk● not after the flesh but after the spirit and whosoever saith he knowes God and keeps not his commandents is a lyar and the truth is not in him Pr. The Church Papists hold that their Church is infallible which at last is the Pope so Quakers Ans We do not hold the Pope to be the Church neither do we believe the Pope to be infallible any more then the Priests and Church of England Pr. Jesuits say there is no foundation for Insants Baptism in the written word Pr. The Jesuites say baptism is of mans institution so Quakers Ans We are bold to affirme it and say there is no command nor example nor practice in the Scripture for Infants baptism it is an invention of man and I lay it upon all the Priests of England and Papists and all who practice it to bring me a proof of it from the Scriptures or else confesse their sin in doing that which was never commanded nor by any of the Ministers of Christ practised Pr. Jesuites make their Pope a God c. Quakers make themselves Gods curse men damn them to Hell Ans It seemes this Priest is wholly given up to the Devil in venting forth so many and grosse wicked lyes we do not make our selves Gods but denie our selves and take up the Crosse and and follow Christ But we do witnesse that God dwels in us and we never curse men nor damn them to Hell but we testifie against sin which if not forsaken and repented of will lead men to Hell for the wages of sin is death Pr. Jesuites call us heriticks dogs c. and the Quakers calls us the brood of Cain Baals Priests false prophets Seducers c Ans They that are envious and wrathful are of Cains generation and off spring and if we find any of the priests of England in that nature we must tell them the truth it is no other language then what the spirit of the Lord hath given to deceivers and false prophets in times past and the priests of England being found in the same steps and covetous practices we do them no wrong to give them their right names Pr. Papists place most in external observations seeming authority so Quakers Ans The lyar will arive at Hell at last when he hath filled up his measure once more I testifie that we do not place most in outward things but in Christ is our strength who works in us to will and to do of his good pleasure Pr. Papists prefer Jeromes version of the Bible before the Hebrew and the Greek so Fox and others deny Greek and Hebrew to be the original preferring the English Ans Where did ever this opposer hear Fox and others speak of preferring the English before the Greek and Hebrew the English we own in its place and so Hebrew and Greek but not any of these Languages can open the mysteries of God therefore let all flesh be silent before the Lord and let God alone be exalted Pr. The Jesuits cast off prayer to God and pray to Saints c. Quakers have cast off prayer to God when do they pray in their families meetings c. Ans H●re is a Charge and a question laid down the charge is that Quakers have left off praying to God Now if the Quakers have not left off prayer to God then Ia. Livesey is a lyar but they have not left off prayer to God as thousands in this Nation can testifie but pray often both in their meetings and in their families as the spirit of God doth move and guide them therefore is Livesey a lyar Pr. The Jesuites say that the Empire of learning is within the heritage of the Jesuits so Quakers say we are in darknesse all our eyes are out theirs onely open A. Every tree is known by his fruits so we say of the Priests of England after all their talking and profession and having received so much mony see what may be reaped in their fields even a great Crop of corruption pride and covetousnesse reigning in themselves and what can be expected to be brought forth in people but like Priest like people wandring astray like sheep without a

shepherd but the day of the Lord is dawned and the Lord hath opened our eyes praises to his holy Nime and we desire that their eyes may be opened that they might see their filthiness and repent that their souls might live Thus I have gone through his 20. particulars and what is truth I have owned and what is not I have denyed and turned it back again into the old bottle from whence it sprung I shall hasten to an end for it is out of my life to wade in such muddy filthy stuff as this is onely for Truths sake to remove the stumbling block out of the way of the simple And now whosoever thou art that reads this let not prejudice enter into thee but in the feare of God weigh and try things and hold fast that which is good The next thing I meet with is some questions which he propounds and then goes about to answer or give his censure I may speak somthing to the questions and to other things as the Lord moves Qu. What may we rationally and Charitably conceive or judge of the Quakers pretended piety and sanctity have the truth of grace in them or no Ans Wicked ungodly men such as I have found this Priest a Lyar a Blasphemer a false accuser have nothing to do to judge of the Piety and Sanctity of the people of God but they themselves are reserved for the judgement of the great day when the ●ord Jesus shal be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God that obey not the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ who shall be punished with evelasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints and to be admired in all them that believe this day is comming on apace wherein the deceits of all deceivers shall be made manifest and this know that our Piety and Sanctity is not pretended but true and firm proceeding from the true root and sure foundation and we have the truth of grace in us by which we are taught to deny the deceitful Ministry of Antichrist and all ungodly lusts and pleasures and to live a godly and sober life in this present World Some things I take notice of in this opposers pretended answer to this first question which he chargeth upon the Quakers which justly falls upon his own head false doctrine saith he begets false Piety now what can be falser doctrine then to deny perfection and cleansing from sin this opens a door to wickednesse and strikes at the life of Religion denying the very end of Christ his comming and being manifested which is to destroy the works of the Devil so this is the ground of the bad conversation and fals piety and whereas he seems to strike at the converfation and practises of those called Quakers I leave it to all sober people to judge whether the Quakers or the Priests walkes more strictly and soberly and which of them deny themselves the most for those who are found most in solf-denial are the lowest disciples of Christ and whereas he queries how can a good life and an ill belief stand together corrupt head corrupt heart commonly go together corrupt principles breeds and seeds corrupt practicer all these considered they fall heavy upon the Priests and carnal professors for how can there be any worse belief then to believe that people shall never be pure nor clean nor overcome sin while they live this is the ill belief from whence all the corrupt practices have liberty but we own no such faith but our faith is the gist of God which purifies our hearts and gives us victory over the World the lusts of it and so a good belief and a good life stands firme and fast together and whereas he speakes of the power of Goddlinesse and the powen of sin cannot dwell together I say that the Priests of England are so fur from the power of godlinesse that few are come so far as the forme of godlinesse but are spending their time like dreamers keeping people in the dark alwaies learning but never able to come to the knowledge of God 2. Qu. What is the Religion of the Quakers Ans Our Religion is not known to the World nor ever can be learned by a wordly principle but the sum of it is this to love God with all our hearts and our neighbours as our selves to visit the fatherless the widdows in their afflictions and to keep our selves unspotted from the World and whosoever shall learn our Religion which is the one true religion must own that principle of light which is of Christ which shines in the conscienoe and stands as a witness against all sin and evil and leads out of the Worlds Lusts and vanities into holiness and Righteousnesse which exercises the conscience towards God and man and leads in the way of Justice and Righteousness for our Religion doth not admit of any sin or iniquity whatsoever but is holy and pure by which we are joyned to God and have unity with him and worship him in spirit and truth 3. Qu. Is it your duty to indeavour the conviction of them Ans We are convinced long ago of the evil of the Priests of England and of the deadness and emptiness of their forms and dead observations and the Lord hath turned us from them and have converted us from evil unto good and we are his and in vain it is for all the Priests in England with all their cunning craft to convict or draw us back again no no we are drawn by the cords of everlasting love out of that thick mire and Clay which they and thousands of their hearers stick fast in and it is our desires and also our endeavours to draw them out of it that they may feed with us at the Lords Table and eat plentifully to the satisfying of their hungry souls And whereas he speaks of prayer to God for us alas poor man his prayers we deny God hath no regard to him and his prayers they are abomination because of his great wickedness Therefore before he talk of praying for others let him repent of his sin left God cut him down and cast him off for ever Furthermore this opposer vomits up more of his filthyness and wickednes saying now they cast by the written word saying salvation is attaineable without Christ Oh! horrible wicked lyar Gods vengeance hangs over his head Scriptures we own and Christ alone our salvation Further he goes on and saies Quakers are hereticks therefore are to be rejected and left to the civil Magistrates Cognizance Ans By this I smell his wicked spirit no lesse then blood would satisfie that spirit but the Lord hath put a curb in their mouthes that 's the spirit of an heretick that would punish the bodies of people and not the spirit of the true Apostles for they wrestled not against