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	law_n	sin_n	5,562	5	5.3183	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A44783	The beast that was, & is not, & yet is, looked upon: or, The bo-peeping beast pointed at: or, He that hideth himself hunted because of whom truth complaineth, and is spoken to by Pope and Prelate, by Presbyter, by Independent, by Quaker, by Baptist: together with her several answers to them all. Also one description of the beast. Also the coming forth and progress of the beast hitherto. Also an epistle to magistrates and law-givers, likewise, to take off prejudice if any be. Two epistles, one to the reader, and another to the Christian reader. VVith a true reproof to W.S. a Quaker, who in his book called The lying spirit in the mouth of the false prophet, wherein he endeavours to make men believe that he had answered H.H. his book, called The doctrine of the light within the natural man leading to eternal life, examined by Scripture-light.	Howet, Enoch.	1659 (1659)	Wing H3151; ESTC R215400	46,109	67

Luk. 17. the 5. first ver where after the position laid down in the 2 first ver in the 3 following ver he thus applyeth Take heed to your selves as if he should say Here will be a dangerous temptation If thy brother trespass against thee rebuke him if he repent forgive him if he trespass against thee seven times in a day and seven times in a day turn again to thee and say It repenteth me thou shalt forgive him Where note that the offenders heart is not to be judged by the offended God allows thee nothing but his tongue to judge of in this case it may be his heart may more melt afterwards then at the first turning by the offended's tenderness or other means and the offended ought from bare judgment to forgive him if he do it as his duty observing Christs rule his heart may be opened with more love and tenderness to the Offender afterwards also then at the first turn However it is better to walk in self-denyal in this case and observe Christs rule then to satisfie thine own offended spirit however if thy brothers heart and tongue should not agree in his repentance God hath not made thee a judg of evil thoughts Jam. 2.4 And the Apostles answered The Lord increase our faith which answer proves they had great need of help to strengthen their faith to this purpose A sixth Caution Take heed of this Doctrine That Saints do not serve God for salvation but from the knowledge of salvation This Doctrine not being rightly divided hath been a stumbling block to many Man since Adams fall is corruptly so proud that nothing but the top of excellency will serve his turn and therefore to be as gods knowing good and evil tickled his mind You shall hardly find one in a society men are in this point so heightned by the Tempter that will acknowledge he cometh to God for salvation though it be at the first hour of the receiving into society Men under this temptation are not willing to begin to stand without till the good man of the House be risen up Luk. 13.25 but all judge themselves finders from the self-flattering conceit before they have enjoyed the Lord Christ by manifestation Few will own that there may be a condition of darkness in one that feareth God Isa 50.10 They had rather in this temptation compass themselves about with sparks ver 11 as if all had right to baptism only upon that account that is recorded in Act. 10. viz. Who should forbid water that these should not be baptised that have received the Holy Ghost as well as we And those that enquired What shall we do to be saved had no right Act. 2. Though it be certain they received the Holy Ghost after Baptism and also it is certain that at the first the Disciples served Christ as servants though after they were owned by Christ upon a more full account Joh. 15.15 There was a time when Paul knew Christ after the flesh which must needs be for self-ends or good that might come to himself thereby but after that he knew neither man nor Christ any more after the flesh but wholly having his spirit of love and delight exercised upon them to rejoyce in Christ and to serve the creature with the love of Christ shed abroad in his heart I would that all who are in Church-fellowship upon account of Faith and Repentance and have not as yet attained to assurance would with understanding own their condition it would make them give all diligence to make their calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 Therefore lest Members should split themselves upon this stumbling-block shew your selves workmen that need not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth 2 Tim. 2.15 Caution 7. Whereas Disputes hath been formerly viz. about that time the Ranters and Quakers first sprung up some holding it to be their Priviledg but not their Duty to serve the Lord I advise thee to abolish this Dispute from thy Societies and from your particular spirits for it is the greatest Priviledge that can be to have a heart united to fear God's Name whilst they walk in God's truth being instructed in His way Psal 86.11 Here is no liberty from Duty to walk in God's wayes and in his truth and yet a heart united by God and that to fear His Name and from this very act is David set at liberty to praise God's Name Psal 86.12 13. I demand whether it be not a Saints Priviledge to have a heart enlarged by God and yet it is then to run the way of Gods Commandments Psal 119.32 viz. enlarged and set at liberty from the pit of corruption Isa 38. from the horrible pit Psal 40.1 to be bound to Gods love and wisdom who hath provided Commandments that he knows serveth to unite thy heart to God he hath commanded nothing but righteous things which are according to the Divine Nature that thou art or art to be partaker of 2 Pet 1.4 and thou art or art to be joyned to God and one Spirit that is to say the breathings love desire delight of God is to be thine and thy souls delight to breath in them and thus thou art in union with God in Christ Jesus so that the same things are now commanded by the Law of the spirit of Life Rom. 8.2 which was by the Law of Sin and Death viz. it had been Sin and Death to thee if thou hadst not done those Commandments which the Law of the Spirit of Life hath enabled thee to do but they are a Law still and now having a heart set at liberty the Commandments which were before a burden is now not made grievous by love and if the love of God be a Saints Priviledge it is nothing less then to bind us to our Duties for this is the love of God that we keep his Commandments and His Commandments are not grievous to us 1 Joh. 5.3 Lo here is no freedom from Duty Christ Jesus who said If the Son make you free you are free indeed Joh. 8.36 said also If ye love me keep my Commandments Here you see that love bindeth the freest people in the world to their Duty of obedience Joh 14.15 And when Christ proclaimed his yoke to be easie and his burden light He did not alter it from being a yoke and a burden Mat. 11.30 but it is a sweet burthen when there is nothing save a constraining love upon thy heart it is a sweet yoke when thou art fastened to Christ Jesus and his Saints to tread one trace by love in keeping such Commandments as that the things commanded Christ and his Saints and thou in the unity of spirit loveth upon account of the Commanders love and wisdom how can such Commandments be grievous 1 Joh. 3.4 But if any should further still contend for liberty in this Case let them know that sin is the transgression of the Law vers 8. and whosoever committeth sin is of the Devil 1 Joh.

one body Made ere they knew in infancie But Scripture Baptist doth them all deny For the good old way that Jesus walked in e Ier. 7.16 And the Apostles taught repenters to begin f Acts 2.38 Hereupon the spirit of the beast rouzeth up himself again Yea thinks the Quakers spirit then will I All that is called God or worshiped deny g 2 Thes 2. For where by order * by making false order I can have no place I must exalt my self to the disgrace * viz. in his deceived ones who exalt the sound of name but have being ignorant of the nature of the law of God and Christ Of God opposing order of his face Though God be the God of order Plainness of truth opposite to the beasts mysticall pretences GOD sent his son in flesh to come True naturall blood to shed And did ordain his death to be In simple man bake't bread And Vine fruit wine that men do drink Which God and man doth chear When in his ord'nance spirit joynd The price of Christs blood dear Shown to hold forth his death for sin Until he come again That is gone up true advocate Our cause for to maintain Where holy God and sinful man By Christ a treaty hold Who takes our prayers and there to God Our miseries doth unfold And doth return into our hearts The fruits of his blood shed True pordon strength comfort and joy By spirit witnessed Who doth with blood and water joyn One witness manifested a Iohn 1.5 8. In Gods one way whil'st men obey Repent and be baptised And then expect pardon of sin And holy spirit Gods gift b 2. Acts 38 Whil'st that our loves is prov'd to Christ In making it our stri●t For to keep all Gods commandments Where Scripture comfort dwells c Rom. 15.4 With Son and Father manifest Where men are not Rebels a Iohn 14 21. Hereupon the spirit of the beast proceedeth Thinks disobedient spirit I have No share in this strong Saviour I l'e cry down Lawes and holier be Then all that formes do favour In the eyes of those that have the love Of simple truth denyde I l'e serve their lusts and them perswade They need not to be ti'd I strong delusion can command Affections into tears b Ezek. 8 14 And cause men for to lean on God And so free them from fears c Mica 5.11 And cause men to protest to God That they 'l obedient be d Ier. 42.6 Yet his commandments to deny And say it is not he e Ier. 43. i 2 For in right steps of humbleness f Ps 17 11 They shall seem after God to press And though by Christs knowledge they scape Through lusts the worlds pollution g 2 Pet 2 20 Yet Gods commandments turning from They 're fast in my possession Although that they his way forsake They holiness may hold * The strength of delusion lieth in their seeming to themselves others to hold forth their formal holiness For I will spirit them my self Whil'st they 're fearless and bold I can my self transforme Into an Angels light And there maintain the light within The disobedient wight a 2 Cor. 11 14 2 Thes 2. Truth speaketh As righteous they must sure appear Whilst they can have the Skill To seem as Christs Apostles right And preachers of his Will b 2 Cor. 11 13.15 These were so far convinc't As to disclaim prophaneness But love of truth did not receive To bring them to obed'ence c 2 Thes 2 Self-love did them provoke Lest they should damned be Or of salvation be deny'd Prophaneness for to flee Doth it avail saith they To save us let us see All other Scriptures they throw by As useless for to bee Delusion speaks Therefore to them I me sent d 2 Thes 2 11. compared with 10 Verse Such lies they shall believe As me their inward Teacher to Prefer though God they grieve e Gen. 6.6 Before that simple Christ That Scripture-writing gave That men might read know his law And sure instructions have f 2 Pet. 1 19 20 2 Tim 3.17 Truth speaks The Man of God to make perfect And furnish him throughout There is a rule to know Gods will None need of it to doubt Delusion speaketh In mans imagination I le frame a lawless Christ And set my selfe up there as God And in his name be hi'st I le cause these to ascribe to me What ere to God is due And to my inward motions To flye from Scripture-view Remember Ahabs case 1 King 21.23 Truth doth and will conclude When beauteous holiness appears In sweetned-soul the dew of youth to bring Psalm 110 In morning womb it never fears To own its Jesus Lord and King That God-begotten Virgin-born That crosfide flesh was crown'd with thorn Hath saving power and law-giving In person place and time No true man can deny this thing And say he 's without crime That doth salvation to himself apply Whilst that obedience he doth clean deny Though faith and bapti'm in one book be writ Yea in one Chapter and in one Verse too Delusion saith he can the faith out pick And leave the bapti'm for some else to do Thus self-love his salvation minds Whil'st love of righteousnesse thinks fit To hate iniquity betimes The Oyle of gladness with his Christ to get a Psal 45.7 And thinks nothing for himself to imbrace To be too low carnal or base That his Jesus to his Apostles gave For Church direction but will tread the trace With Christ and his Disciples to his grave And knowes when 's left his body then that he From 's bodyes worship not before is free If our great God by such a lowly thing As blew in fringe would Israel mind Of their obedience to their Lord and King b Num 15 38 That they might not to their own heart Nor to their eyes be seeking With spirit of disobedience dark Though light calld go a-whoring Then think not baptism breaking bread Mean Lawes by Christ b'ing uttered Flying to holier spirit they think then Christ That doth and will exalt himself the high'st Within the disobedient child That is by spirit but not by God beguil'd To all Law-givers and Magistrates WIth the submission of a poor worm that is under your feet that you may behold what God hath given to my heart to write a warning to men and that you may avoid all provocations to that horrid sin of building up Sim with blood Micah 3.10 I tender this treatise to your view hoping that you will not despise the words of him that is as much your underling as any maid-servant to her Master though they may Contend with some of you Iob 11.13 Being I am heartily engaged by Christ Jesus my master to disswade all men from adhering to mans inventions or devices in and about the worship of God because they are so dangerous

hunt him out If they do not rather compell by the Magistrates sword into conformity then convince by sound doctrine the gain-sayers T●tus 1.9 2 Tim. 2.25 and not desire them to be rooted out of their dwellings to be cast into prison to have their goods spoiled for want of conformity to them if they be content not to be chief of all that come forth in the name of God viz. not to give Laws to all so that none may preach without their authority and let Gods authority without mans serve the turn if they can be content that any man cast out Devils Mark 9.39 if they can be quiet in mind to see others preach Christ that have not authority from them and rejoyce in it though he be preached of envy Phil. 1.15 if they be without all the forenamed instruments and acts of cruelty nor have no heart to desire nor sue for power to force conformity to them by the Magistrates sword then they are no members of the Beast that this book pointeth at Hovvsoever none can deny but that some Presbyterians and Independants are held in their forms upon account of riches and honour or for some self-engagements sake although most or all may not be so vvhich I am afraid are there is novv so much light abroad according to Daniels Prophesie Dan. 12.4 that if there vvere such a povver upon them as could make their hearts manifest as one day there shal be some of them must needs ovvn some part of the speeches that are spoken in this book to be the very thoughts of their hearts that they take comfort and have their standings maintained from the causes inserted there and other-some the rest and some all hovvever I am excuseable because the spirit of God out of the mouth of Jesus Christ my master in the undvidiing expression said Wo to you Scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites although some of them proved believers they were then the guides though blind ones teachers of Jsrael a people that God loved somtime as wel as ever he did England also Christ reproving Lawyers spake wo to them in general Luke 11.46 though some of them proved good men as Ioseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus c. then it is possible that England may be as blind led as Israel then was for the Pharisees and Lawyers was as learned then as ours now are therefore Reader take heed that thou let not thy heart rise against this book by unconsiderate prejudice read it ponder it to this purpose 1. Take heed of retaining that spirit that thinks himself wise enough to controul plain commands of Christ in Scripture 2. Also if the plaines and simplicity be that that offended thee in Christs Lawes read Mat. 11.6 and seriously consider whether the practise of the Apostles and Disciples for 300. years after Christ be not a good expositer of the Law and that thou need not go to spirits or Angels for a higher exposition against their plain practises 3. Consider in thy mind whether any Statute recorded in the Scripture can be repealed but by a Statute there also recorded and then take heed of changing Christs Laws upon mans authority 4. Do not believe because the falling away is great that therefore the Law of baptising beleivers is cancelled for if the command were not yet in force there could be no falling from it 2. Pet. 2.21 5. Understand that whosoever falleth away yet are religious must needs have some inventions of man by Satans inward working either that the Rule is not exact enough then meditate Eccles 7.16 or that it is too strait then carry thy meditations to the written Word Isa 8.28 and there pitch down thy Standard for truth 6. If truth of God stir thy mind to trouble and the Word carry a sharp edge rightly applyable to thee take heed that Satan work thee not into the rage of revengeful persecution Psal 76.10 and then thou may come to approve thy self to be a Christian Reader which is the desire of the servant of Christ who is a well-wisher to the whole Creation H. H. A true Reproof of W. S. SIR HAving known your discretion in other things I cannot but wonder that you should seem to suppose that you have any thing like an Answer to H. H. in your Book but much more should I marvel that you should say It is hard to draw Wine out of thy Lees Which is as much as to say It is hard to answer that which you go about to answer And though you see your self blundered in what you are about to answer that you would go on viz to heal those that Truth woundeth but that I consider that when once your heart cometh to engage in error then wilful ignorance tempts God and hardens your hearts against evident truth of God then yours ceaseth to be an outward single disobedience but it is an inward heart working God-tempting though ignorant Error which is not charged in this place of Heb. 3.8 9 10 11 12. with ignorance of God but of his Wayes and in this appeareth a heart of unbelief in departing from the living God when men are wilfully ignorant and have a heart set against his Wayes Wherefore herein you prove your selves to be of the shameless generation spoken of in Ier. 6.10 your spirit is not ashamed to take the Name and Title of God and you are not ashamed to say you are moved by God when indeed you are moved by the Evil One you giving and he taking the Name of God or rather the using your lips to exalt himself above God with 2. Thess 2. and also in that he maketh you his voice by his own Authority to proclaim null the Laws that God made by Jesus Christ and without any Warrant from Christ or his Apostles crying down that vvhich they taught and practised either they or you must needs be of Satan being that the Scripture saith If we or an Angel from heaven teach unto you another Gospel then what we have preached to you let him be accursed Gal 1.8 You say in your Book I deny I am made to stand a witness against thee in the power of the Lord vvhilst I hold up that Gospel What self-exaltation is here What proof is here of your matter Here is great swelling Words do you think your Spirits Authority enough so that he need not to use Scripture to prove his matter by when he is questioned Then he seems in this as in other things to be above Christ by his own exaltation for Christ when he met vvith your spirit in temptation though he be the Son of God yet used Scripture saying It is written and in his Word by the mouth of John appealeth to Record saying There are three that bear record on earth the Spirit Water and Blood and these three agree in one but your Spirit is so far from agreeing that it opposeth two of them wherefore it cannot be the Spirit of God your Spirit cometh forth in

THE BEAST That was is not yet is looked upon OR The Bo-peeping Beast POINTED AT OR He that hideth himself hunted because of whom Truth complaineth and is spoken to by Pope and Prelate by Presbyter by Independent by Quaker by Baptist TOGETHER With her several Answers to them all ALSO One DESCRIPTION of the BEAST ALSO The coming forth and progress of the BEAST hitherto ALSO An Epistle to Magistrates and Law-givers likewise to take off Prejudice if any be Two Epistles one to the Reader and another to the Christian Reader VVITH A true Reproof to W. S. a Quaker who in his Book called The Lying Spirit in the Mouth of the False Prophet wherein he endeavours to make Men believe that he had answered H. H. his Book called The Doctrine of the Light within the Natural Man leading to Eternal Life examined by Scripture-Light London Printed for Daniel White at the seven Stars in Paul's Church-Yard 1659. Truth speaketh I Have been despis'd banish'd from one place to another in the world ever since Adam entertained a lye for self-exaltation sake and so fell from me his covering unto Fig-leaves and brought his posterity under Excuses and May-bees for their souls food and comfort so that a Tabernacle hath been ever since more proper for me then a settled condition When the true One the sent One was upon the earth under scorn and sufferings he did exalt me and gave Apostles and Prophets for Master-builders of me upon the chief Corner-stone viz. Himself his Death his Burial Resurrection Ascension sending down his Spirit which formerly inspired Scripture-Writers and Believers to joyn his in one Spirit by which he is present in the heart by faith keeping life eternal in them and hiding it in God for them Col. 3.3 He I say and his Apostles left my Testimony in Scripture-writ under a terrible charge that none should add to it nor take from it But as Christ and his Apostles did so to this day all that will have me without mixture of mans inventions must be sure to suffer for whosoever will closely walk in my ways he shall lose friend after friend as he attaineth to more and knowledge of me if he be a way faring man and follow his knowledge heartily and sincerely the harder he presseth after the mark Phil. 3.14 the more he encreaseth in knowledge to the loss of all or most of his friends whom he dearly loveth to the rending of his soul so that he who encreaseth knowledge encreaseth sorrow Eccles 1.18 Yet notwithstanding this sorrow could not stop the love of Christ in the hearts of multitudes from keeping his commandments for some hundreds of years together after his Ascention Joh. 14.15 though few or none now dare look at me because there is so many of mine enemies that have put upon themselves a dead image of me under forms of godliness And also another sort of mine enemies have received the spirit of Satan as an Angel of Light to cry down forms of Godliness with so that I cannot appear beautiful in form and power joyntly as I did in the time of Christ and his Apostles and for hundreds of years after The one of these sorts being offended at my life because they think to enjoy me coldly carelesly easily onely in form and when that is obtained they think they may sleep under the covering of May-be and other excuses without disturbance of self-exaltation or lusts The other exalting a spirit of deceit to the outing of all yea the very form of godliness in which the distinct order and commands are That Christ and his Apostles taught practised and recorded in holy writ for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world are come 1 Cor. 10.11 that there may be As it is written to reprove sin and Satan with and all reproveable spirits and things with to comfort the distressed with to reprove ruleless walkers with This form and record being cryed down this spirit of deceit may rule without examination or reproof and whatsoever he dictates in the children of disobedience for disobedience is a denying of Gods order he may call it the moving of Gods spirit At the first before the depths of Satan was known there was no other grief upon the sincere ones for Christs sake but the worlds sore persecution but now this is the worlds wo they can no sooner look towards me for conversion but one of the two foresaid stumbling-blocks or offences puts themselves in the way Mat. 18.7 Now followeth the speech that may be aptly spoken by Pope or Prelate Truth I hope you will not out me of my honourable order that hath continued about thirteen hundred years and hath been settled by the approbation of so many learned and reverend Bishops and Doctors who have gone on to chuse an universal Bishop as Christs Vicegerent resembling the high Priest under the Law and being Peters successour and have settled an attendance of eminent Cardinals that are all Princes and are able by Authority of our holy Father to controul Kings and Kingdoms That hath converted divers Counsels and in every Counsel hath brought forth some holy Law or Ceremony or more that maketh for the honour of the Church and fast binding her together in strength and riches so that now she is become greater and stronger then any Prince yea then all the Princes in this part of the world called Christendom And she hath invented such Inquisitions Racks Fires Tortures c. and hath so absolute a power that both the greatness of Kingship and Nobility and also the baseness of Whores and Harlots and all lustful people yea the very Thieves in Jayl and Bawdes in Bridewel have love to my Order yea and great reason they have for I can for money or love if they be obedient to their Mother holy Church grant pardons that will quiet their consciences if they will believe me of all their sins past present and to come so that safely be it spoken saving the honour of the Church they have a petty licence to vaunting pride and youthful lusts being but venial sins and all this honour and greatness is the fruits of learning and study which as Mr. Baxter writeth is very laborious * It is not the sweat of the brows that God appointed man to get his living by By my wisdom I have provided away for younger Brothers of Noble-men and Knights to creep under my wings for honour and greatness therefore all the greatness in this part of the world will hold me up and help me to jerk any saucy fellow that shall hold an Argument though never so true against me yea and if we were cruel as I hope you will not say we are I have made such provision of candor to lust honour and greatness in me that all the honour strength and multitudes are at my command to tear the limbs as with their talents and to bill out the brains as with my Peak of all contradictors insomuch

there is no need of conversion to make them Christians who are Christians born by the natural flesh of their godly Parents and so the god of this world who hath b●inded their eyes maketh them esteem it a great priviledge to have a perfect dead Act of his supposed Regeneration to be done by force upon their children for they can have no meanes to know or guess that the Spirit is joyned with water in their baptism which is the Instrument or outward Act of their Regeneration Consider how fast the poor Infant is lock'd to presumption when they have either presumption or nothing for the Foundation of their Order or rather Mystery Babylon's Order the god of this world knew well that none could be admitted into the Kingdom of God or government of the Gospel without Regeneration of water and the Spirit and his business in Mystery Babylon is to bring man to invent a form in imitation of God and so keep men that when they come to be capable of believing they should not look after Baptism or Regeneration of Water and the Spirit John ● 5 As Christ hath His Disciples made and baptized so Babylon Mystery hath hers supposed to be baptized too and in this the man of sin exalteth himself above God for God is merciful in forgiving sins and receiving into grace and favour upon Repentance every penitent sinner and therefore hath given Order to His Disciples upon confession of Faith and Repentance to baptize but this man of sin will make men believe that he hath more mercy then God by His word holds forth for he receiveth all in Infancy and needeth neither Faith nor Repentance in receiving his subjects the Subjects of Christs Kingdom have heart-pricking Truth to convince them and bring them to Repentance but Babylons Members are so easily made that they neither knew nor felt when it was done And thus the way is broad and easie that leadeth to destruction Also considering that the keeping of Christs Commandments is a proof of our love to Christ and that the receiving of the Spirit is an effect of obedience Joh. 14.15 16. and knowing that the written word is more surely to be taken heed to then an Act of the Spirit in Transfiguration though Christ Himself be present 2 Pet 2.19 to the end because Satan being a spirit can dissemble a spiritual Act but his mouth is stopped and he reproved with It is written And further knowing that Christ taught duty from the written word and it to be believed and practised rather then the words of one which should rise from the dead Luk. 16.22 I stayed not for Revelation to teach me my duty although I expect Revelation to convey unto us and evidence in us Christ our life but turn'd at Wisdom's reproof expecting after obedience Wisdom's promise Prov. 1.23 And now hating every false way knowing They that err from thy Statutes their deceit is falsehood Psal 119.118 and esteeming thy Precepts concerning all things to be right ver 128. I cannot but say of Scripture record Thy word is very pure therefore my soul loveth it verse 140. and upon this account I took the directions of that Scripture which Paul writeth by inspiration of the Spirit 2 Cor. 6.17 18. and proveth it by Isa 52.11 viz. I came out from Babylon Mystery the great her Daughter and Grandchild and touched none of their precedent manners Deut. 12.30 But I say laying aside mans learned mists of darkness and his precedent Examples I took the Doctrine of Christ and His Apostles for my Foundation and their Ensamples for following of Christ for my imitation Ephes 2.20 Truth speaketh I tell thee Church of Christ as thy name is the house of God the Church of the living God the Pillar and Ground of the truth thou art not in thy order reproveable by Scriptures 1 Tim. 3.15 And if any Enemy whatsoever undertake to reprove thee and hath not Christs weapon he fought Satan with v●z it is written though he tell thee of standing in the Will of God or being led by the Spirit or of an inward Teacher or of Light within as if there were some secret thing that passed by peeping and muttering which right Reason cannot be used about the understanding of they are no better the VVizards or Familiar Spirits To the Law and to the Testimonies if there they miss any thing viz. in that they hold forth or teach and speak not according to this word though they talk of Light within it is because there is no Light in them Isa 8.19 20. and their light is darkness Mat. 5.19 fear thou no such Enemies but live in the nature of rejoycing there meet thy God there work Righteousness Isa 64.5 viz. That which Christ began and shewed us when he said Thus it becometh Vs c. Mat. 3.5 Take thou notice o● the continuance of Gods wayes though the Enemy would tell thee they are ended and so expect thy Salvation And against the fear of those that would set a Spirit which teacheth not to obey Scriptures and follow the examples of Christ and His Disciples in opposition to a Spirit that teacheth to live in obedience to Scriptures and to follow the Examples aforesaid Rom. 15.4 Comfort thy self by Faith in Scripture and there with patience cast the Anchor of thy hope Phil. ● 4 Rejoyce alwayes yea again I say rejoyce And that thy rejoycing may not be in vain take these Cautions First Take heed that thou miss not of a way within a way if thou bless thy self in the high way without the way which is called holy Isa 35.8 which holy way is recorded in Job 28.7 8 9 10. Is the turning up all things by the roots cutting forth rivers among the rocks discovering every pretious thing binding the floods from overflowing bringing forth hidden things to light The high way being thy duty to walk in the holy way being the laying of Gods hand upon Christ thy Covenant and doing all thy works for thee Isa 26.12 holding thee that thou canst not depart from him and quickning the desires of thy soul Psal 18.17 18. In all thy acts of obedience thy Faith must be in the operation of God Col. 2.12 through which our Duties are living Ordinances performed by two co-workers Secondly Take heed whilst you walk into the way of God that your great business be to seek God His Face His strength evermore Psal 105.3 4. where the Psalmist maketh this the ground of his joy therefore if you fail herein your joy is groundless In which search love kindleth more and more as thou comest neerer God so as the soul groweth sick of love and cannot cease to press hard after God Psal 63.8 because it is upbeld by Gods right hand till thou know thy self to be set as a seal upon Christs arm and his heart for ever Cant. 8.6 and then also wilt thou follow on to know the Lord Hos 6.3 Thirdly Take heed thou be not defiled in the way

its own single Witness and denieth to be tryed by Scripture or any thing else but it self You try all your matter by that you call the light vvithin the natural man c. of vvhich light your spirit is the transfotmed Angel 2 Cor. 11.14 and things are like to go on in his side in his ovvn Court. We acknowledge the light vvithin the enlightned man vvhich agreeth with the Scriptures Heb. 10.32 compared vvith 2 Tim. 3.17 but not before illumination this is the light that enlightneth every man but vve must not acknowledge it but where it is It is good to answer Tempters by seeing the image or superscription though Tempters are more general It is certain there is something called a light by Christ that is in the unregenerate man and may be darkness Matth 6.23 Surely this must be yours for you own yours there and vvould have all judged by that and neglect Christ and his Apostles rules in Scripture And now to be short Friend you have not found out one particular in all my Writings whereunto you might apply your self as a just matter of your reproof therefore you fell upon me with many foul revilings onely there is a mistake in the quotation I not being at the Presse my self to correct it the place should have been 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. for which mistake you take him in a Snare that reproveth in the Gate and maketh a man an offendor for a word Isa 29.21 yea and that a word mistaken onely and that you do with most foul insultations In matters of the World he that should prosecute his Neighbor for vvitnessing the truth when he onely mistakes ●he place and ●and upon that point would be known amongst men as a cunning Knave As for the matter you made shew to answer you have given it all the go by yet you will be in Print Well according to Solomon in Prov. 26.5 I have answered you and according to his counsel in Verse 4. I shall not answer you except you shew more Wisdom you have asked me no question but what are plainly prevented in my Writings if you had eyes to see it you might see it therefore I refer all to the judicious Reader that shall read both Books Again you make something of the word Carpenters Son but that is your mistaking ignorance for it was he that the Jews vilified by that Name who is the Saviour of the world and Law-giver to Saints and as they reproached his meaness by that Name so you reproach the meaness of his Laws by the Name o● outside Law carnal unspiritual things as not high enough for him that exalteth himself above all that is called God or worshipped Therefore the VVord is a proper allusion to you you and the Jews both vilifying Christ and his Laws as too mean for you Again you play upon the word Taking it upon me as my duty you need not for it is a Scripture phrase Gen. 18.31 and whosoever is a VVitness for the Truth taketh up the Cross and upon him Christs burden which to do is my duty the word you see will warrant the phrase and that is more sure then your As God his movings I write against a Spirit and People in disobedience and I bended my writings against the thing wherein the deceit lay I did personally asperse no man but thou hast missed the point though thou comest forth as a man provoked and one in union with that Error I reproved and hast brought forth my Name and dwelling-place that thou mightest reproach me with railing terms upbraiding me with what men had done unto me and art to be reproved by Psal 50 19 20 and Jude 8 9 10. Is not this personal animosity Have you not need to plead for perfection that do such things Do you think your Spirit that hath set you about this is the spirit of God or no You must needs call this either envy or malice or both Is this any proof for your matter that you give folks to think you answer This is as impertinent as all the rest even so is thy calling that light in the natural man of which Christ saith Matt. 6.23 How great is that darkness the light of Christ and averring that I speak against it the Lord will uphold my good Name though thou wouldst blast it and make me content to go through thy evil report and be glad to see thee penitent and obedient to God that thou and I may enjoy that one life and truth together with the Apostles and Disciples and that God-man that dyed upon the Cross and is now with his Father and our Father in heaven which he gave in the dayes of his flesh and now maintaineth Written by an unworthy Servant of God who in Gods perfect way waiteth for visitations of that Spirit that is sent from the Father and the Son by that Man Jesus who is in Heaven in his eternal and unchangeable Priesthood Heb. 7.24 H. H. FINIS ERRATA Pag. 4 line 5. for talents read talands l 6. for peak r. beak l. 2● for Charts r. Church P. 12 l. 4 after the word Disciples r. truth speaketh l. 20. after the word mou●hr when that Statute is as the mouth of some invetera●e Clergy-men to hold mens estates in at their pleasure P. 16. l. 15. for Ecclesiasies r Nehemiah