Peter alludes 2 Pet. 1.20 21. No Prophesie of the Scripture is of any private Interpretation Mark for the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of Man but holy Men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost The Apostle here speaks of the Prophesies of the Scripture what was spoken in the Motion of the Holy Ghost Now that all that was spoken and is written in the Bible was spoken in the Motion of the Holy Ghost there being something spoken by wicked Men in the Bible which was my assertion J. C. doth not affirm But J. C. will have it That every word in the whole Bible was given by the Inspiration of God to the Holy Pen-Men who were inspired to write them Reply This alters the state of the Controversie betwixt us which was about speaking forth what afterwards was Recorded in Scripture viz. what the Serpent and wicked Men spoke who called Christ Beelzebub a Samaritan and said He had a Devil c. It was not the Historical Relation that we were about but of its being spoken before Recorded we were arguing I said The Serpent the Devil and wicked Men spoke words which are recorded in Scriptures and none of them spoke those words in the Motion of God's Spirit But though it be a little beside the matter I query How J. C. will prove yet I deny not that the holy Pen Men of Scriptures had God's Spirit and were assisted by it in the recording the words of wicked Men that every Pen-Man that writ of the Scriptures writ not a word but what was opened in him by the Inspiration of God which he neither heard of Man nor received from Man but in the Immediate Revelation of God received it and by Inspiration writ it Or whether some of the Pen-Men saw not with their outward Eyes several things which they writ of and heard not with their outward Ears several words which are written in the Scripture which they heard of Men According to Luke 1.1 2 3 4. Acts 1.1 23.16 to 23.1 Cor. 1.10 11. Gal. 2.11 c. Gen. 42.29 45.9 to 28. Judges 16.17 18. 2 Sam. 1.5 to 17. 18.10 c. Esther 4. J. C. in page 21. saith R. H. in the Dispute did openly affirm That God did no where command us to walk according to the Scriptures and the Laws and Doctrines of the Scriptures but all are to walk in the Spirit and after the Spirit and according to the Spirit wickedly opposing the Spirit and his Holy Laws He was quickly silenced c. Reply In this I may truly say John Cheyney hath far exceeded not only the bounds of Truth but Honesty in forging Lyes and publishing a false Accusation and Slander against me to render me odious in the sight of good Men But sure I am notwithstanding J. C's wicked Lyes false Accusation and Slander which I hope will find no more acceptance with good Men than his Hypocritical Praying Dissembling and Lying hath with God as in his Prayer-Book p. 141. that I never so said neither ever so intended For first it is against my Principle the Spirit of Truth leads into all Truth such who stand in the counsel of it and are freely given up to be led by it This Spirit is in the inward parts and that is some-where and God by it in our inward parts commands us to walk Holily Righteously and Godlily in this World to observe his Precepts and keep his Commandments love God above all things and our Neighbours as our selves and to do to all Men as we would they should do to us this is the Law and the Prophets and to own the Precepts Doctrines Laws and Commandments contained in the Scriptures and fully to believe That God who by his Spirit gave them forth through his Prophets commanded that People should keep them and walk in his fear and be Witnesses of the fulfilling of them and walk and live in that Holy Life the Scriptures declare of and this walking is according to the Scriptures Secondly It is contrary to my Practice But lest J. C. or any other if I should speak what I might speak in the Truth concerning it should judge me to boast concerning my Practice I shall say thus much It is such as in measure becomes the Gospel fearing God eschewing Evil and this is according to Scripture And for my Conversation in the World to them who know me and know it also I shall leave it for them to speak further thereof as they find cause whether it be not in measure according to the Conversation of those who in times past walked not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.1 I did and I do assert as before That the Spirit of God is the Rule of Saving Faith and that the Apostles did not direct People to the Scriptures to be the Rule of Saving Faith or say Walk in the Scriptures they are the Rule For although the Apostle commended the Noble Bereans for searching the Scriptures c. so did he for receiving the Word with diligence but he did not direct the Bereans to the Scriptures to be the Rule of Saving Faith But the Apostle and Apostles directed People to the sure Word of Prophesie which was nigh in the Heart 2 Pet. 1.19 Rom. 10.8 And turned them from Darkness to Light from Satan's Power to the Power of God Acts 26.18 To the Vnction of the Holy One the Anointing within which teacheth all things 1 John 2.27 To the Spirit thereby to mortifie the Deeds of the Body that they might live Rom. 8.13 To walk in the Spirit Gal. 4.16 Walk in the Spirit and ye shall not fulfil the Lusts of the Flesh I say because I thus asserted and also proved the Spirit to be the Rule of Saving Faith and not the Scriptures and the Apostles directed to the Spirit for the Rule and not to the Scriptures to be the Rule and that they did not say Walk in the Scriptures they are the Rule but Walk in the Spirit I say because I did prefer the Spirit to be the Rule of Faith before the Scriptures yet owned the Scriptures in their place Therefore J. C. hath impiously charged me that I said God did no where command us to walk according to the Scriptures yet in Contradiction to himself he grants I affirmed All things are to walk in the Spirit after the Spirit and according to the Spirit all this is very good and if I said it I own it But here is his Contradiction in allowing I said All mast walk in the Spirit and after the Spirit and according to the Spirit which are Scriptural Expressions he grants I affirmed All must walk according to the Laws and Dctrines in the Scriptures for the Spirit which he grants I affirmed all must walk in after and according to viz. the Spirit of Truth commands and leads to keep those Doctrines and observe those Laws and Precepts in Scripture which concern a Holy Life
hath commanded and perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect which was the Command of Christ Lev. 19.2 20.7 Mat. 5.48.1 Pet. 1.16 Would not J. C. have the best of People whilst in this World to Pray Hypocritically Dissemble with God and utter Untruths to him that searcheth the Heart This he confesseth to be his own state and further adds in the same page But either it must be so in part or there will be no praying in this Word And must there either be Hypocritical Praying Dissembling with God and uttering Untruths unto the Searcher of Hearts or no Praying in this World God forbid The Spirit of God prepareth the Morning and Evening Sacrifice which as sweet Incense is accepted of God who heareth his own Spirit The Spirit of God inditeth good Matter not Hypocrisie it teacheth all the Sons of God who are led by it to Pray with it and with Understanding also according to Scripture 1 Cor. 14 15. Therefore J. C's Unbelief as well as Hypocrisie is hereby made manifest who saith Either it must be so in part or there will be no Praying in this World I do believe it is so with J. C. viz. He Prays Hypocritically c. and that it will be so with him and his Generation so long as they resist the Holy Ghost the Holy Spirit of God and that the best of their Performances is Sin according to his confession That Distraction and vile Hypocrisie are and will be in their Prayers even in those they call their Solemn Prayers to God This we saw to be in that Generation which caused us to separate from them that the Lord might receive us But although it be so with J. C. and his Generation yet it is otherwise with the Children of Light the Sons and Daughters of God who walk in the Light of the Lamb having Fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ who walking in the Light as he is in the Light have Fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth them from all Sin Rev. 21.24 1 John 1.3,7 But J. C. who despiseth the Light of Life cannot believe though a Man declare it unto him See Acts 13.41 J. C. in page 19. of Warning to Souls c. boasts of the Testimony of his Conscience That by the Grace of God he hath had his Conversation in the World and that he would not be in the Condition that a Quaker is in any of them all for Ten Thousand Worlds Reply A Pharisaical Boaster indeed J. C. is to the Grace Light and Spirit of God and Christ he is a professed Enemy and that he hath had his Conversation in the World according to it his Practice in wrongfully taking the Quakers Money proves the contrary which as some can testifie when he had got it he said to some of hs Acquaintance Let us Drink it or Spend it for it will never do good It would have done good if J. C. had either not taken it from them or restored it to them again The Grace of God neither led him to take it nor spend it The Light or Grace of God J. C. hath called Diana Dagon a Dumb Idol compared to a Drunken Coach-Man accused it to be guilty of all Heart-sins Tongue-sins Thought-sins and Life-sins charged it with the guilt of All Sins whether in Angels or in Men and in Hell to be its own Tormentor Indeed he hath exceeded all Men that ever I read or heard of in Blasphemy against the Grace Light Life or Spirit of God and Christ And for his saying He would not be in the Condition a Quaker is in any of them all for Ten Thousand Worlds I answer The Time is coming and hasteneth that he would be glad to be in the Condition of the least of them who really are in Unity with the Light viz. the Spirit of Christ which Ten Thousand Worlds cannot purchase for him Now Reader I have gone through his Relation of the Dispute and by way of Examination have given thee an Account That at the Dispute at Arley-Hall in Cheshire I cleared by the Help of God to whose Power I leaned and to whom alone my Soul ascribes the Praise the Quakers and their Religion from J. C's wicked Charges against both and also proved J. C. to be a Lyar a Deceiver and a Hypocrite after which time his spirit was much under for the Power of God was over him and he sought for an opportunity to be gone And it was observed by some that he might think time tedious whilst he stayed and that he might take more thought to get off the Stage than to prove the remaining part of the Charges which were five in number And though he had boastingly said One for one day and another one for another day and I will be for thee also when thou art as liberty yet it plainly appeared that one piece of a day gave him enough for having got the opportunity looked for he forsook the Stage and left me speaking thereupon and since that time would never look me in the Face to make further Proof of his Charges His Preparation to be gone was noted by many of the Auditory before he went and when he turn'd his back on me a Friend said to him Stay and prove thy Charge and one of his Brethren a Priest who had stood with him lifted up his Stick against the Friend and threatned to knock him down if he would not hold his Peace c. By this the Reader may observe in what a spirit they went away I kept speaking after the Priests were gone to the Auditory remaining and some other of my Brethren after me for some time and the Power of God was over all and the Testimony of Truth got room in many Hearts and the Event hath proved That that Day 's service tended to the Honour of Truth which prevailed and was advantagious to many simple-hearted People in those parts who since have turned their Backs on the Priests and enclined their Ears to a better Teacher even the Spirit of Truth which leads into all Truth which causeth the Priests to rage and some People to cry out as common Fame is They will all turn Quakers Reader I shall observe to thee some of J. C's Lyes and Slanders against the People of God called Quakers out of his Book in which he hath given his Relation of the Dispute which Lyes and Slanders are so gross and wicked that I think no wise Man will believe them Yet for the sake of the Simple-hearted lest any should stumble thereat I shall not only note them down but like wise speak something concerning them John Cheyney page 21. chargeth the Quakers That they teach plain Treason and Rebellion A gross Lye and wicked Slander In the same page That they make void the Fifth Commandment In the same page That they Abolish the Scriptures In page 22. That they do utterly Subvert the Rule of Duty by which
Christian Husbands and Wives are to walk c In the same page That they quite Subvert all the Rules of Duty between Ministers and People c. In the same page That they pluck down Prayer Root and Branch In the same page That by the Quakers Doctrine we may all pray none or pray Curses and Blasphemies In page 22. again That the Quakers Religion doth pluck up by the Roots all the Doctrines and Rules of Knowledge Worship and Obedience touching God c. In page 13. That the Quakers say Every Man may make as good if not a better Bible than this we have In page 17. That the Quakers are guilty of affirming The Light in every Man to be a part of God as a drop of Water fetch'd from the Ocean is part of it In page 23. That there are no People do more Oppose and Subvert the Spirit than the Quakers In the same page That if the Quakers should practise their own Doctrine they would pass all that ever have been before them in Wickedness All these are gross Lyes and wicked Slanders whereof the Quakers and their Religion are clear And that no Lye may remain upon the Truth the Light and Children thereof I add That the Light of Christ within Man wherewith Christ the true Light lighteth every Man is the Life of the Word the Light of Men John 1.4 The Spirit of God given to instruct them Neh. 9.20 Ezek. 36.27 The Manifestation of which Spirit is given to every Man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 The Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father John 15.26 Reproves the World of Sin John 15.8 And maketh manifest all things that are reproved Ephes 5.13 For that is the Spirit of Truth which reproveth and convinceth of Sin and the Spirit of Truth is the Spirit of Christ for Christ is the Truth John 14.6 And the Spirit of Christ is the Spirit of God for the Son and the Father are One John 10.30 5.18 to 27. One Lord one God and Father of all Ephes 4.5 6. Christ and God is Light John 1.4 9. 8.12 9.5 1 John 1.5 The Lord our God is one Lord Deut. 6.4 God is a Spirit John 4.24 The Lord is that Spirit which giveth Life 2 Cor. 3.6 17. The changing of Man from Death to Life is by the Spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3.18 I the Lord search the Heart and try the Reins even to give every Man according to his ways and according to the fruit of his doing Jer. 17.10 The Spirit saith I am he which searcheth the Reins and Hearts and I will give unto every one of you according to your Works Rev. 2.23 The Spirit searcheth all things 1 Cor. 2.10 Hereby it is evident the Spirit of God is one with God and Christ and so God Infinite Omnipresent who is One Lord and his Name One Zach 14.9 who sees all things there is nothing hid or can be hid from God's Spirit all things being known and seen by the Spirit of God Man's Thoughts are shewed and told by it and whatsoever thing is reproved it sheweth and maketh manifest And that which makes manifest is Light Eph. 5.13 Well then the Spirit of Truth is the Light of Christ within Man which makes manifest and sheweth whatsoever thing is reproved by it which declareth to Man the Thoughts of his Heart and giveth to every Man according to his Works which reproveth and convinceth Man of Sin and leads into all Truth in which we called Quakers have believed and walk in even in the Light and Spirit of God and Christ and so witness the Blood of Jesus Christ cleansing us from all Sin and the Light and Spirit of Christ leading us on together into all Truth in which blessed Light we have Fellowship with God who is Light and one with another 1 John 1.5.7 And so are of that pure Religion which is undefiled before God and unspotted of the World James 1.27 This blessed Light or Spirit of Christ within leads us to do unto all Men that which is right in the sight of God and all of us that walk in in it walk according to the Precepts Doctrines and Commands of God contained in the Scriptures and witness in measure the fulfilling of what is therein written for our Learning that the Man of God may be Perfect c. And the keeping of the great Commandment which is Love So then this blessed Light or Spirit of Christ within born witness to and walked in by us called Quakers which indeed is both our Rule and Way doth lead and guide us not to oppose God's Spirit for then we should oppose our Rule and Way which is the Spirit of God nor to pluck up by the Roots all the Doctrines Precepts and Commands of Knowledge Worship and Obedience touching God contained in the Scriptures of Truth as J. C. hath slandered us but to live and walk therein and up thereunto and manifest both our Love and Honour to the Spirit of God and Esteem for the Scriptures of Truth in living that Holy Life the Scriptures declare of and the Spirit of God commands which Holy Life lived by us through the Spirit fulfils and justifies the Scriptures of Truth and exalts and glorifies the Spirit of God over all for God alone is worthy for ever and ever Neither doth the Light and Spirit of Christ wherein the Quakers walk and by which they are led and taught lead them to teach Treason and Rebellion which J. C. most wickedly hath charged the Quakers withal but the Light teacheth and leadeth them to live peaceably and quietly under the Government where they are placed and to seek the good of all Men to Pray for Kings and them which are in Authority that under their Government they might live in all Godliness and Honesty a Quiet and Peaceable Life to Exhort one another to Love and good Works and to teach Fidelity and Obedience to the Governments and Governours appointed by God that both Magistrates and their Governments may be submitted unto and obeyed by all People that there-under live by doing or suffering what cannot for Conscience sake God-ward be done and that whoever may answer the King and his Government in suffering for Conscience God-wards not to seek Revenge nor the Hurt of the King or his Government but to leave Judgment to God alone who disposeth of Kingdoms and Thrones Government and Kings at his pleasure and to Pray to God to perswade the Hearts of Kings to fear him to be Encouragers of Piety and Godliness but to Discourage all Wickedness and to Honour Christ the Lord the true Light over all who purgeth the Conscience from dead Works and fills it with the Mystery of the living Faith that over Conscience Christ may only Rule and Govern whose Right it is that in so doing their Government may be blessed to their Comfort and the Benefit of the People and the Honour and Glory of God who is King of Kings and
give his Relation in the third Page saith If R. H. could have been quiet and let him alone he had not said or done any thing after the said-Dispare at Croton ended Reply By this J. C. would perswade his Reader that R. H. and the Quakers have lost by medling with him and that they have brought this Stuff to their own Head But sure it is the Quakers have not lost but gained Truth prevailing but the poor Unskilful Skirmisher both Rude and Distracted and that by his own Confession hath lost by medling with the Quakers this is very evident to many sober Impartial People I may say to some that once looked upon J. C. to be what he was not viz. a Minister of Christ but having discovered him like a Serpent in the Grass have turned 〈…〉 whom the Quakers both 〈…〉 and Writing have pro◠〈…〉 and Deceiver and this is 〈…〉 him yet this proud Vain boast◠〈…〉 and hardned in Error drowned in 〈◊〉 â—â—ceit which is as a Consumption to him wasting his Reputation amongst many sober Men and spurred on with Envy and Malice against the Truth and the Friends of it he is crying Conquest and Victory like a Man besides himself as well as the Truth a distracted Man Why not distracted in this as well as in his Prayers Would any but either a Foâ— or a Man distracted after he had left the Stage being sufficiently proved before he went a Lyar and Deceiver be so â—dacious and desperately Wicked as to publish to the World that he had over thrown the Quakers But what if a Man should query Hath John Cheyney with running away overthrown the Quakers A Fool might quickly Answer Yes but sure a Wise Man would be more deliberate he would not believe that such a Victory could be obtained by him that fled but rather the contrary not a Conquest to him that perks up and cries Conquest before he begins nor yet he that runs away and cries Victory when he is gone but rather he who having 〈…〉 Encounter and defeated his 〈◊〉 â—nds his Ground when his Adâ—â— fled Now that the Quakers were not overthrown there are some Hundreds of People can witness who were at that Dispute and know it right well who likewise knew that R. H. however it was with J. C. did not forsake the Stage and leave his Opponent thereupon And if I should not have put Pen to Paper I am satisfied there are some Hundreds of People who were there that day would not believe the Relation J. C. hath published of that Dispute but judge him to be a Lyar You for the Truth 's sake and for the sake of many Simple-hearted People who were not there but may take things upon Trust and judge my Silence a Consenting that J. C's Relation is true therefore as briefly as I may without wrong to the Truth I shall examine his Relation being now come to it J. C. p. 3. saith He divided the matter of his Dispute and Charge against the Quakers into 1st Matters of Doctrine 2dly Matters of Practice I think it pertinent to the matter here to insert the Charge I â—…t J. C. upon to prove viz. That the Quakers Religion is against God's Spirit this was the first Branch of one of the seven Changes recited before To prove this Charge J. C. asserted That the Quakers Religion held forth Blasphemy viz. That the Soul of Man is God and to prove it quoted G. F's Great Mystery p. 90 92. Reply I denyed that the Quakers held Man's Soul to be God and renounced that Doctrine as Blasphemy whereof G. F. and the Quakers Religion are clear Now J. Cheyney in his Relation says Having nothing that they could object but only that Fox doth not expressly say that the Soul is God Reply In this J. C. is a Lyar G. F.'s words I owned and said they did admit of no such consequence as that Man's Soul is God But I told him he wrested and perverted G. F's words and meaning as he did the Scriptures G. F. queried of the Priests Is not the Soul coming from God Infinite I affirmed the Breath of Life which God breathed into Man the Life and Spirit which came forth from God the Life of Man's Soul or by which Man became a living Soul was infinite and G. F's words as intended were sound J. C. affirmed There was n othing come forth from God which is infinite and without beginning I replied The Son of God came forth from God yet the Son of God was infinite and without beginning to which J. C. was silent This my Answer was according to Scripture John 8.42 Jesus said I proceeded forth and came from God this was he who said John 17.5 O Father Glorifie thou me with thy own self with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was Verse 24. For thou lovedst me before the Foundation of the World John 16.27 28 30. For the Father himself loveth you because you have loved me and have believed that I came forth from the Fathar and am come into the World Again I leave the World and go to the Father by this we believe that thou camest forth from God Again J. C. asserted There was nothing in Man that is infinite I replied The Breath of Life breathed into Man the Spirit of God in Man is Infinite This was according to Scripture Gen. 2.7 And breathed into his Nostrils the Breath of Life 1 Cor. 3.16 Know ye not that ye are the Temple of God and â—hat the Spirit of God dwelleth in you Mat. 10.20 The Spirit of the Father which speaketh in you Mark The Spirit of God was in Men dwelt in them spoke in them so according to the Scriptures God's Spirit which is infinite dwells in Man and speaks in Man even the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father John 15.26 So there is something in Man that is Infinite Now Reader is not J. C's assertion There is nothing come forth from God which is infinite and without beginning and that there is nothing in Man which is infinite plainly manifest to be contrary to Scripture Hath not J. C. denied the Son of God who came forth from God to be Infinite and without Beginning Hath he not also denied the Spirit of Trust which proceedeth from the Father to 〈…〉 Infinite and without Beginning 〈…〉 is not J. C. a Lyar against the â—criptures a Lyar against the Son 〈…〉 and a Lyar against the Spirit of Truth And is not this Blasphemy to deny Christ the Son of God who came forth front God and the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father to be Infinite and without Beginning For J. C. said expresly There was nothing came forth from God which 〈…〉 and without Beginning And is not J. C. a Blasphemer in denying the Son of God who came forth from God and the Spirit of Truth which proceedeth from the Father to be Infinite and without Beginning Let the Reader judge I have
Answ We truly and dearly own the Scriptures or Book called the Bible but the words contained in that Book are not all of equal Authority one with another See thy own Testimony concerning the Scriptures or Bible which is as followeth The Scriptures are not God Christ nor the Spirit but Laws and Doctrines Histories and Reports given by the Inspiration of God I say The words which God spake unto Man saying Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine Heart and thy Neighbour as thy self Were and Are of greater Authority than those words which as History or Relation declare of the Wars and Battels of the Jews and other such Historical Matters and of greater Authority to and among Christians than those words that related to Circumcision the Blood of Bulls Goats and Rams and the Ashes of an Heifer c. these being Shadows and to pass away And the words of Christ who said to his Disciples I am the Vine ye are the Branches as the Branches cannot bring forth Fruit except they abide in the Vine no more can ye except ye abide in me And without me ye can do nothing My Flesh is Meat indeed and my Blood is Drink indeed Except ye eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood ye have no Life in you These words are of greater Authority than the Relation or Histories of the Apostles outward Travel by Sea or Land and they are of greater Authority than those words that speak of Paul's Cloak that he left at Troas mentioned in 2 Tim. 4.13 and all other such Historical Matters The People called Quakers do prefer and esteem the Book called the Bible or Holy Scriptures above any outward Writing or Book extant upon the Earth because of the Verity and Plenty of deep heavenly Sayings uttered by God unto Moses and the Prophets through the several Ages of the World and particularly and eminently through the heavenly Man Christ Jesus who was anointed with the Oyl of Gladness above his Fellows and filled with the Spirit without measure Nevertheless we do affirm that the Spirit of God in this Age hath moved several of us to write Books which have been Instrumental in his Hand for Good unto many with respect to their Immortal Souls God the Holy One changeth not neither is he to be limited and all our Books and Writings are not of equal Authority one with another some treat of our inward Experience of the Work of God in which are contained words that do direct Man and Woman to the Manifestation of the Spirit of God which is given them to profit withal to the Grace of God which brings Salvation to the Light wherewith Christ lighteth every one that comes into the World Some others of our Books do treat of our Sufferings and outward Exercises c. which though all of them be true yet some are of greater weight than others And Destruction comes upon People because they do not believe in and obey the Light Grace and Spirit of God which he hath given them to lead them out of Sin into all Truth Those who read our Writings without Prejudice may receive Good thereby as by Instruments which God makes use of and such who do so they will return the Glory to God as we do And those who read our Books in Envy and Malice the Murdering Spirit blinds their Minds and God doth condemn such And for J. C's saying He proved by Arguments the Scriptures rightly to be called by this Title The word of God Here the Reader hath no more but his say so which I deny to be any proof at all neither did he prove it but in this also is a Lyar. J. C. saith The Quakers acknowledge the Scriptures to be the Words of God by their own Confession every Scripture Word is God's Word Reply This is a dark Consequence J. C. hath drawn Though we own God's Words in the Scriptures to be his Words yet this doth not follow that we own every word in the Scripture to be God's Word For in the Scriptures there are words of the Serpent who is called the Devil and Satan words of wicked Men as well as God's words and words of good Men And hath not J. Cheyney here manifested his Falshood Let the Reader judge J. C. further saith R. H. in the Dispute denyed all Scripture to be given by Inspiration of God and would read the words 2 Tim. 3.16 All Scripture given by Inspiration of God is profitable leaving out Is c. Reply J. C. himself grants the word is not to be expressed in the Original Text but that the Original Text is read thus All Scripture given by Inspiration of God c. the word is not being expressed why then should R. H. be blamed for reading it according to the Original Text which was before the English Copy or Translation Yet there is extant some old English Bibles in which this Scripture is thus read All Scripture given by Inspiration of God is profitable c. And the word is and also the Conjunction and about which J. C. quarrels so much are left out But it seems J. C. will rather skirmish with his own Shadow than have nothing to do For what he grants to be true R. H. must if he can reach it be stigmatized as some Blasphemer But this way of skirmishing will never hurt R. H. nor stain his Reputation amongst good Men. R. H. acknowledged and doth acknowledge All Scripture given by Inspiration of God to be profitable c. But J. C. is Angry with him because he will not say All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God though he grants the word is not to be expressed in the Original Text therefore R. H's Reading is true And that all Scripture which is as much as to say All Writing is given by Inspiration of God I think J. C. himself If considerate will not assert for All Writing contains or comprehends every Writing that is written not only in the Scriptures of Truth the Books of the Prophets Evangelists the Epistles of the Apostles and other Writings of Truth extant but all other Writings extant of what matter or subject soever they treat If J. Chayney grants this that all Writing viz. all Books of what nature or kind soever that are written printed and published to the World are not given by Inspiration of God as sure he will then he grants all Scripture is not given by Inspiration of God for All Scripture comprehends all Writing and all Writing includes all Books that are written and all Books that are written are not profitable to the Man of God for Doctrine c. Then he must needs grant the Apostles Meaning was according to the Original Text with which the old English Bibles agree to wit All Scripture given by Inspiration of God is profitable c. This sense the Original Text will bear without any wrong to the Truth or the Apostle who spoke it forth To this the Apostle
This is so evident a Truth that whosoever hath an Eye to see with may run and read And for his saying We wickedly oppose the Spirit and his Holy Laws I say He wickedly Belyes and Slanders us for we own the Spirit in its place and the Scriptures in their place not opposing them And whereas he saith He quickly silenced me It is a Lye like the rest and he that published it is a Lyar whom having rebuked for it I leave it J. C. page 18. saith As to Matters of Practice he did before all the Assembly charge and prove them to be such as Paul describes Rom. 16.17 18. Men that serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own Belly and by good Words and fair Speeches deceive the Hearts of the Simple Reply That J. C. did charge the Quakers to be such as Paul describes c. I grant it being the second of the seven Charges in his fore-cited Paper of Charge that was disputed upon that day but that J. C. proved the Quakers to be such I deny and at the Dispute did sufficiently clear the People called Quakers from that wicked Slander and impious Change wherewith J. C. most impudently Charged them But J. C. relates the Argument whereby he proved as he vainly imagines the Charge against us in that we are Apostates and Turn-coats from the true Faith This is his Argument Reply That we are Apostates and Turn-coats from the true Faith is a Charge as false as the other which he intended this to have been an Argument to prove and this hath been J. C's accustomed way in essaying to prove his Charges against the Quakers viz. One false Charge by another Charge no more true than the former The true Faith is the Gift of God this we are not turned from it is delivered unto us as it was delivered unto the Saints it was their Victory and is our Victory even our Faith our Faith stands in God's Power we live by it The Just shall live by Faith Hab. 2.4 This is the true Faith by which the Just lives we are turned from such as have not the One Faith Ephes 4.5 For all Men have not Faith 2 Thess 3.2 And from such who having in some things the Form of Godliness but deny the Power thereof according as the Apostle exhorted some in his day 2 Tim. 3.5 And we are justified by the Lord in so doing So that J. C's Argument is a false wicked Charge we are not turned from the true Faith but from such as have it not But J. C. says He did with sober compassionate Zeal and a warm affected Heart make Challenge to R. H. to give any one Reason for their Apostacy Reply Sober Compassionate Zeal c. J. C. might well have omitted to mention who rather appeared sometimes that day like a Stage-Player than a sober Disputant I might say like one acting the Fool 's part in a Play at times he rather behaved himself than like a moderate Man such words as these in an airy spirit he vented forth I 'll be with thee anon Thou hadst better have kept that word in Thou hast now put a Weapon into my Hand I never thought of with these and the like Expressions stirring up some People to Laughter and putting them into an Expectation he would do some great Matter But alas Their foolish vain Hopes with his fond Conceit were both frustrated for when he had room to speak he acted but like a Fool with his wooden Sword made a Vapour but effected nothing save Shame to himself Now as to his Challenging me to give any one Reason for our Apostacy I answer No wise Man can expect that I should give any one Reason for our Apostacy who are not Apostatized but have the Evidence of God's Spirit that we have the Faith delivered unto us that was delivered unto the Saints for that were to give a Reason for what we are not Nay I am perswaded none but a Novice or a Fool would require it But this is not the first Distraction besides his being Distracted in Prayer J. C. hath run into J. C. saith R. H could give no Reason at all nor had any mind to argue it but shifted it off That the Quakers Religion Ministry Worship and Churches were opposite to theirs And if his Reader will take his word for it he saith He hath given R. H. and his Fellows an Argument at Croton which could not be answered or gainsaid by any of them then nor can they ever answer it Reply That the Quakers Religion Ministry Worship and Church are opposite to J. C's Religion Ministry Worship and Church J. C. hath asserted and if he do believe it what needs further Proof But would not J. C. have been shifting from the Charge and broaching new Matter He would sometimes have been begging the Question to have wrested me from the Charge but keeping him to the Point not giving him leave to Catechise me having put him upon the Proof of his Charge I kept him to it not suffering him to start new Arguments to lead from it he failed in Proof and came off with Infamy As to the Argument at Croton it was there gain-said and answered therefore J. C. is a Lyar who said It could not be answered or gain-said the Invalidity of which Argument may be seen in the former part of this Treatise where I have run it through J. C. saith He repeated the same Argument at Arley Dispute but that I declined the Arguing of it and was utterly unable to maintain my own Religion and to take off the Charge That the Quakers are Belly-gods and Flesh-servers Reply I declined not the Argument for the Validity of it but because it led from the Charge J. C. had undertaken to prove viz. That the Quakers were Belly-gods c. And it being gain said and answered already I shall pass it by only note to the Reader that J. C. said at Croton You own'd the Doctrine which was according to the Ten Commandments Lord's Prayer and Creed To which I replied The Doctrine of the Commandments which is To love God with all the Heart with all the Soul Might and Strength is owned by us and the Doctrine of the Lord's Prayer which is That the Will of God may be done in Earth as it is in Heaven we also own But that you who preach this for Doctrine live up to it we deny and therefore are turned from you And as to the Creed we believe in God and in Christ To this J. C. replied not I suppose that in all his Notes he had nothing writ in Defence of his Cause in this point and perhaps being accustomed to lean upon his Crutch he would not venture to go without it But however it was whether he would not or could not I shall leave it with the Impartial Reader to judge Yet sure I am his Silence was so far a Consent to my Assertion that all unbiassed Hearers could do no less
many of the seven Charges in his recited Paper of Charge he assayed to prove which were only two the other five he makes no mention of in his Relation neither at that time would he assay the Proof thereof though he had promised to prove every one of them But he vainly supposing my Charge against him viz. That he was a Lyar and a Deceiver could not be proved he was very urgent with me to prove my Charge against him and vehemently called out for proof thereof and would not assay further to prove the remaining part of his Charges before I had proved my Charge I hearing this the Zeal of the Lord being upon me it was in my Heart forthwith to prove my Charge against him which I did to the full as in the further Examination of the remaining part of his Relation I shall clearly manifest J. C. in pag. 16 saith All that ever he had to say was from a Passage or two in my Book of Quakerism Subverted and a few words in my Book of Prayer pag. 141. Reply This is a notorious Lye and he that publisheth it is a notorious Lyar for before I had produced either of his Books we had discoursed some Hours and gone through what I have already examined of the Dispute in which no Man of Candor can possibly judge but that I spoke something in Defence of the Truth the Quakers and their Religion in order to clear them and prove J. C. a Lyar. J. C. himself in Contradiction to himself in his Relation confesseth I said something and something of what I said he hath written which gives himself the Lye and likewise something that he saith I said which I am sure I never spoke as I have cleared before all which was before his Books were brought forth And yet he is not ashamed to say All that ever I had to say was from some Passages in his Books Sure if a Catalogue of this Man's Lyes and Slanders were taken I am satisfied from my own Observation of his Books and Papers they would fill up some Sheets of Paper for many Pages in his Pamphlets are stuffed with them I know J. C. was much concerned whilst I was speaking in looking up his Notes and receiving Papers from the Hands of some one or other of his Abettors and it was observed by many that he took little notice of what I said or replyed little directly to it but disputed by his Notes and when his Notes were gone through he had done Yet sure if he heeded not he could do no less than hear that I spoke something before his Books were produced though not in favour to his Cause therefore I have ground to believe that what he heard and took notice of he hath wilfully omitted to relate But to the Passages in his Books J. C. relates That in his Book Quakerism subverted he saith If the Light within be altogether blameless the Quakers are in the right And else-where in the same Book There is something of God in every Man and something of Satan and the Flesh But saith he if by something of God he thinks I mean a Measure or Part of God's Essence or Being I renounce any such Exposition as Blasphemy Reply 'T is right J. C. saith in pag. 31. of his Book entituled Quakerism subverted If this be true that the Light within by the Quakers owned promoted and asserted to be the Life of God and by J. C. no where confuted which is the Light of Men John 1.4 with which every Man is enlightned as J. C. hath asserted pag. 21. of the same Book be utterly blameless the Quakers are in the right and all that he hath written against them falls to the Ground and he will confess himself utterly defeated and to have lost the Day And in p. 27 28. of the same Book he saith In every Man there is something of God something of Satan Flesh and Spirit Light and Darkness Mark Reader J. C. hath not confuted our Assertion That the Life of God is the Light of Men c. but hath affirmed That the Light within is the Light wherewith Jesus Christ the true Light enlightneth every Man that cometh into the World pag. 21. as aforesaid which Light within he saith is something of God Spirit Light Now God is a Spirit John 4.24 God is Light 1 John 1.5 Observe he doth not say something of God's or that may be called his but something of God Light Spirit which something of God being Light and Spirit must it not needs be something of God's Essence or Being whose Essence or Being is Light Life and Spirit For it cannot be the entire Fulness that is in every Man and therefore must it not needs be something of the Fulness a Manifestation of the Spirit according to the Scripture 1 Cor. 12.7 Col. 2.9 For in him dwelleth all the Fulness of the God-head Bodily John 1.16 Of his Fulness have we all received and Grace for Grace But though J. C. hath asserted something in every Man yet before he will grant it to be any thing of God's Essence or Being fearing the Consequence to wit his Overthrow and that he should be utterly defeated and lose the day he will deny God to be Omnipresent and count it Blasphemy to assert that there is any thing of God's Essence or Being in Man But if this were Blasphemy to assert then were J. C. guilty For that he may appear the same contradictory J. C. though in pag. 16 and 17. he counts it Blasphemy to affirm that there is any thing of God's Essence or Being in Man yet in pag. 4. of the same Book viz. A Warning to Souls he affirms That God's Essence and Essential Presence is every where and I am sure in Man for he is somewhere therefore God's Essence is in Man according to J. C's Assertion and if so whether measurably or in Fulness viz. something of the Essence of God or the whole Fulness of God whom the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain let the Reader judge But I deny it to be Blasphemy to say That something of God's Essence is in Man and affirm it to be Blasphemy to deny any thing of God's Essence to be in Man of which J. C. is guilty and yet affirms God's Essence and Essential Presence to be every where which is flat Contradiction to himself for God is an infinite Spirit whose Presence fills Heaven and Earth who is exempted from no place but is present every where therefore in Man his holy Spirit in Man his Essence or Being in Man his Light and Life in Man which is holy and blameless for ever according to Scriptures 1 Cor. 3.16 Mat. 10.20 James 1.13 and never consented to Sin therefore all that J. C. hath writ against it viz. the Life of God which is the Light of Men John 1.4 and the Quakers the Friends of it by his own grant falls to the Ground and he is utterly defeated and so was at the
Lord of Lords the Almighty God blessed over all for ever and for evermore So then the Quakers ever were and are clear from teaching Rebellion or Treason against the King or his Government And is it not plain their Principle and Practice is to do good unto all Men whether Rulers or Ruled as much as in them lieth And is it not plain that J. C. who thus wickedly slanders and belyes the Quakers is a Man of that spirit who would drink up the Quakers Blood and remove them out of the King's Government if it were but in his Power But Limits are set for the proud Waves and the high Thoughts of the Hypocrites shall perish and they that walk in the Light shall be saved and all their Goings established The Light and Spirit of Christ wherein the Quakers walk by which they are taught and led leads and teaches them to fulfil the fifth Commandment by giving Honour to Parents in the Lord and obeying them in all things that is well-pleasing to the Lord in which they feel the Promise of God Eternal Life and so they make not void the fifth Commandment as J. C. wickedly saith Neither doth the Light and Spirit of Christ wherein the Quakers walk by which they are taught and led teach them to abolish the Scriptures nor subvert the Rule of Duty between Masters and Servants between Husbands and Wives between Parents and Children between Ministers and People as J. C. hath slandered the Quakers But the Light leads and teaches the Quakers to live the Life the Scriptures declare of to the fulfilling of them and to inform Masters and Servants Husbands and Wives Parents and Children Ministers and People of the Rule of their Duty to God and one another by turning their Minds from Darkness to Light that God placing his Fear in their Hearts and ordering them all by his Light and Spirit in their inward Parts they might all know the Rule of their Duty and walk in it one towards another and so exalt it by walking in it and living the Life of it before one another and to exhort them that are turned to the Light to walk in it and do their Duty to God and one another fully that the Life of Love and Purity may shine through them all over all to the Glory of God And therein to wit the Light and Spirit of Christ Masters walking will forbear threatning their Servants and do unto them that which is just and equal knowing their Master is Christ with whom there is no Injustice nor Oppression Servants therein walking will be obedient to their Masters in all things not with Eye-service as Men-pleasers but as the Servants of Christ doing the Will of God in singleness of Heart knowing that of the Lord they shall receive the Reward of the Inheritance Peace with God Husbands therein walking will love their Wives as their own Body for he that loveth his Wife loveth himself Wives therein walking will submit themselves unto their Husbands and to them be subject as it is comely in the Lord And both Husbands and Wives will then live together in Love as they are Heixs together of the Grace of Life 1 Pet. 3.7 Parents therein walking will not provoke their Children to Wrath but bring them up in the Nurture and Admonition of the Lord. Children therein walking will obey their Parents in all things that is well-pleasing to the Lord. Ministers therein walking every one as they have received the Gift from God will minister and speak as the Oracle of God that God in all things may be glorified and be blameless and pure holy Ministers of Christ without Rebuke shining as Lights in the World People therein walking will be at Peace among themselves and patient towards all Men and have the Ministers of Christ in Esteem and Love for their Work 's sake who admonish and labour in the Power of God amongst them and declare the Word of Truth to them over whom they have a Care and Oversight in the Lord being of that Faith which gives Victory over the World the end of whose Conversation is Eternal Life So then in the Light and Spirit of Christ all that believe and walk perform their Duty to God to one another and to all People and honour and exalt the Everlasting Rule in living a Life unspotted of the World and so of God are abundantly blessed Neither doth the Light and Spirit of Christ wherein the Quakers walk and by which they are taught and led lead and teach them to pluck down Prayer Root and Branch or pray none at all or to pray Curses and Blasphemies as J. C. wickedly slanders them But it viz. the Light leads and teaches the Quakers to pray to God aright to pray in the Holy Ghost for of themselves they know not how to pray as they ought to pray but the Spirit it self maketh request for them according to the Will of God and they do pray to God in Spirit and with an Understanding and God who is Light who is a Spirit hears them and answers their Prayers and is a Father unto them and daily gives them that thing which is convenient and feeds them with the Bread of Life which is their Meat indeed whereby they are strengthned to perform in all things the Will of God and renews their Love and Obedience to God the earnest of whose Spirit is in their Hearts assuring them of an Inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ for the full enjoyment and possession of which they daily pray to God in his Spirit to preserve them and keep them worthy to the end that they may fully inherit that Crown of Glory which God in his appointed time will put upon all them that sincerely and fully love him And so Prayer by the Quakers Doctrine and also by their Practice is to God to be put up and offered in the Spirit of God by all that truly fear God and the Rule of that Prayer which God hears and answers is God's Spirit and in the Spirit of God the Rule all that pray to God bless God and speak well of his Name and exalt God the Light the true Light Lord of all over all and finds with God Acceptance and are of God blessed with Eternal Life Neither doth the Light and Spirit of Christ wherein the Quakers walk and by which they are led and taught lead and teach the Quakers to say Every Man may make as good if not a better Bible than this we have or affirm The Light in every Man to be a part of God as a Drop of Water fetcht from the Ocean is part of it as J. C. falsly accuseth them but the Light leads and teaches Quakers to say The Light in every Man wherewith Christ hath enlightned all Men is the Life of the Word the Spirit of God and Christ proceeding from God of God's Essence not divided from God as a Drop of Water may be from the Ocean For the Essence and God-head cannot be
aright to my benefit satisfaction and comfort He was a Skilful Labourer in God's Vineyard knowing as well how to refresh water and gather in due season as to prune and keep up the Fence He was a Skilful and Valiant Soldier of the Lamb in Innocency shooting God's Arrows aright against Babylon and his Bow abode in its Strength He was not afraid of the Archers that shot at him having on the Shield of Faith which repelled their envious Darts His Fighting was not with Carnal but Spiritual Weapons under the Banner of Christ his Captain which is Universal Love in which Love he was rooted and grounded and flourished like a fresh and fruitful Tree more and more to the end of his time I was with him at a Meeting the day next before his Sickness began being but three days before his departure in which Meeting the Lord's Wisdom and Power in a great measure appeared with him opening many excellent things by him and his Service therein was great treating very fully and clearly of the sundry Dispensations of God towards Mankind in the several Ages of the World according to the several States and Conditions thereof in order that Mankind that had been in a lost and estranged Estate in Transgression might come again to be reconciled unto and acquainted with God their Creator and with him enjoy Everlasting Peace and Happiness Shewing also That God who at sundry times and in divers manners by his Angels and Prophets spoke unto Mankind formerly hath in these last days spoken to his People by his Son whom he hath appointed Heir of all things by whom also he made the World who in the fulness of time came in the Body prepared for him Born of the Virgin Mary in which he spoke and did many excellent things and suffered many things yea even unto Death leaving to all that should believe in him an Example that they should follow his steps who laid down his Life for their Reconciliation to God and Redemption from all Iniquity And also according to the Scriptures he very clearly and largely declared and testified That the largest clearest and most general and excellent Dispensation of God's Love in his Son Christ Jesus is as it was in the Apostles time in this our Age and Generation in and by the Light and Spirit of Christ manifested in and unto his People who walk in Faithfulness and Obedience thereunto to which he Exhorted all and the Praise and Glory of all he ascribed to God whose Honour he sought and not his own The substance of which sound Declaration and living Testimony by the Lord's Power that attended it was so Imprinted in my Mind and Memory that day that I believe I shall never forget it So the Lord who had made him comely both outwardly and inwardly and adorned him with a meek low and quiet Spirit and with Wisdom clearly to discern the deep things of God in a great measure and to divide the Word of Truth aright in tender Love and sound Judgment was with him to the end of his time and when he had accomplished his great Service which the Lord called him unto and accompanied him in and blessed with success to the good of many he having fought the good Fight and kept the Faith and finished his Course laid down his Head in Peace and Died in the Lord the righteous Judge whose Cross in his time he having cheerfully born now enjoyeth the Crown of Everlasting Life and Righteousness and being at rest from his Labours his Works follow him and the Testimony of his Works Writings and Services may be of Benefit and Service in the Generations to come and his sweet Memorial will Live with the Just for ever He Departed the 11th Day of the 3d Month 1696. Henry Mollineux Given forth the 19th of the 8th Month 1697. Christopher Winn 's Testimony concerning Dear Roger Haydock Deceased AS touching this my dearly beloved Friend I cannot easily be silent but express something in Testimony concerning him for a three fold Reason First Because the Lord made him an Instrument to Preach the Word by which my hard and unbelieving Heart was reached and tender'd for although I had heard the Truth preached before by some Friends yet it was no more than a Wonder to me remaining still in gainsaying until it pleased God by his Ministry to open my Heart to receive the Word spoken by him by his explaination of that Prayer our Lord taught his Disciples and shewing who had right to call God Father was I convinced at which I often marvelled remembring my Zeal in my young Years for the repeating of it according to Tradition yet so it seemed good to the All wise God in whom I have believed and do reverently Bless his Name for sending his Messenger of Glad-tidings to Proclaim the acceptable Day and Preach the Gospel for which at that time he suffer'd Bonds and Imprisonment having only obtained Liberty for a little season which he bestowed in visiting the Churches I am through Mercy amongst others a Seal of his Ministry which he was careful as well as prudent to adorn in Conversation using sometimes in familiar Discourse to say He that Preaches abroad let him Preach at home He was self-denying for the Truth 's sake he was always in a Care and often in Admonition lest any should dishonour the Truth by out-going or disorderly walking whose Expression sometimes was To Walk in Truth was better than to Talk of it Secondly Because of my knowledge of him after my Convincement it falling to my lot of later time to be a Member of that particular Meeting he belonged to in which time he shewed that in him had God settled a Care as well to Build up in the Faith as to beget to it helpful to further and promote Vertue in us all and in no wise Censorious as to the Testimony of young Friends nor frowning whether they appeared before or after him Yea further without boasting I may say he was a Man greatly fearing the Lord apt to Teach prudent to Advise as well as able to do it I observed in difficult matters few too hard for him but by that Wisdom that was in him he had strength to go thâ—ow it So that his Death was a Surprisal as well as a felt and known Loss to the Churches amongst whom he frequently conversed and because thereof was their Hearts affected with Sorrow It may appear by his Journal he made use of his time leaving Wife and Children and Temporal Affairs to visit the Churches in these and other Nations My Third and Last Reason that hath been a motive to give this brief Relation is That near and true Respect I bore towards him in his Service amongst us in so much that with a tendered Mind I now remember him and a sence of his Spirit my Heart tenders And though to him to Dye is Gain yet to us Loss But who may say to God What dost Thou Or Why is it
lately been Hearers of the said J. B. Priest of Wareham to which said Meeting also resorted several of the said Priest's Hearers After the Meeting I went that Evening with some Friends to Croton being about a Mile distant from the place where the Meeting was where a Friend late one of J. B's Hearers did acquaint me That J. B. raged sore against the Quakers I replied to the Friend It was the manner of some Priests so to do where Truth spreads and where such as had been their Followers were convinced and turned from them The Friend did farther acquaint me That J. B. railed in his Sermons against the Quakers charging them to be led by the spirit of Antichrist and that it was the spirit of Antichrist they directed People to or words to this purpose and that some who heard him being dissatisfied therewith did afterward speak of it and John Barber being spoken to he did assert it again and challenged to make it out against any Quaker that would meet him before a Congregation of People After I had heard the Friend I spoke something to him as not to mind what the Priest said for I hoped he and the rest who were convinced of the Truth were satisfied the Priest's Charge was false He said He was satisfied but some who had heard of the Priest's Challenge were desirous he should be met Farther adding That if he should not be met he and many others would boast as tho' the Quakers durst not Dispute with them I would have put the thing still from me it being cross to the Inclination of my own Mind and I being engaged for several Days in Truth 's Service which was the occasion of my being in Cheshire at that time though I was not altogether easie concerning it so I left it that Evening not giving the Friend farther answer Next Morning it was upon my Mind and the Friend again spoke of it so it resting pretty much before me I bid the Friend write down what he heard the Priest say which he did and the words were to this effect John Barber saith He hath said it and will say it again That the Light and Spirit the Quakers are led by and direct People to is the spirit of Antichrist and that of any of the Quakers would meet him he would eng age to prove it by Disputation before an Assembly of People The Friend that writ had also heard J. B. repeat and vindicate it When I had read it it was in my Heart to write a few words under it which was to this effect Friend if this be thy Assertion and that thou wilt according to thy Challenge undertake to-prove it by Disputation before an Assembly of People against any Quaker that will meet thee then Subscribe thy Name to it and I do undertake on the behalf of the Light and Spirit the Quakers are led by and direct People unto to meet thee and stand by the Defence of the Truth against thy wicked Charge leaving to my Friend John Low the Bearer hereof with thee to agree of Time and Place To which I subscribed my Name Time and Place was agreed upon betwixt J. B. the Opponent and my Friend J. L. on my behalf who was to be Defendant which was to be at Croton the 20th of that Instant the 4th Month 1676. To which Place appointed came John Barber in order to prove his Charge and to his assistance John Davis Priest of Fradsham and John Cheyney Priest of Burtonwood-Chappel these were Opponents John Cheyney gives some Relation himself of his coming to this Dispute in p. 1 2. of his Warning to Souls how he was in suspense what do he says He sought the Lord determined to go though not without some doubts in his Mind Which gives ground to any wise Man to believe he had not an Answer from God nor a Command to go for if so what needed he to have doubted But when he comes to the place he says He was no ways engaged in the Dispute but came as an Hearer where at present I leave him John Davis was the first of the Three Priests that I heard speak who offered to be a Moderator in the Dispute betwixt John Barber and me When he ceased I had a few words upon my Mind 〈◊〉 speak to the People when I had spoken them J. D. said He hath spoken well Afterwards I read J. B's Charge asserted in to be False and put him upon the Proof thereof J. B. Propounded an Argument for Proof viz. That the Quakers asserted God Man to be in them But failing in Proof he Argued again That the Quakers asserted the Totum Christum or the Whole Christ to be in them and that they denied the Lord that bought them I denied his Proposition That the Quakers asserted the Whole Christ to be in them and asserted his Conclusion to be false saying The Quakers do not deny the Lord that bought them yet I owned that Christ was in us to which J. B. replied Either the Whole Christ or No Christ Such was J. B's Ignorance I shall 〈…〉 some Scriptures which agree with my owning Christ to be in us Col. 1.26 27. Even the Mystery which hath been hid from Ages and from Generations but 〈◊〉 is made manifest to his Saints To 〈…〉 what is the Riches of the Glory of this Mystery amongst the Gentiles which 〈◊〉 Christ In You the Hope of Glory 2 Cor. 13.3 Since ye seek is Proof of Christ Speaking In Me which to you ward is not work but mighty In You Vers â— Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your selves know you not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is In You except ye be Reprobates John 17.23 I In Them and thâ—â— in me John 14.20 As that day ye shall know that I am in my Father and you in me and I In You. 1 Pet. 1 11. Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was In Them did signifie when it testified before-hand the Suffering of Christ and the Glory that should follow I might add many more Scriptures but these may suffice for the Reader 's Information and Satisfaction if unprejudiced To J. B's Assertion That either the Whole Christ or No Christ was in us I replied That the Whole Christ or No Christ is in us I deny For the Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain Christ the Lord how much less then should the Whole Christ be in us Yet unto us God hath given of his Spirit by Measure and the Earnest of his Spirit is in our Hearts And is not this according to Scriptures Col. 1.16 Ephes 3.9 John 1.3 All things both in Heaven and in Earth visible and invisible were created by Jesus Christ for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings Rev. 17.14 19.16 1 Tim. 6.15 Behold the Heaven and Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee 1 Kings 8.27 And is not Christ and God one John 10.30 14.9 10 11.
One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and In You all Bat unto every one of us is given Grace according to the Measure of the Gift of Christ Ephes 4.6 7. Rom. 12.3 2 Cor. 10.13 The Manifestation of the Spirit of God is given to every Man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 God hath given the Earnest of his Spirit unto us In our Hearts 2 Cor. 1.22 5.5 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all Heavens that he might fill all things Ephes 4.10 J. D. said I deny that God hath given of his Spirit by Measure I replied Then thou deniest Scripture To which J. D. answered not Now I further add some Scriptures that the Reader may take notice thereof and see J. D's Folly John 3.34 For God giveth not the Spirit by Measure unto him viz. Christ Jesus Col. 1.19 2.9 In him it pleased the Father all Fulness should dwell But unto every one of us is given Grace according to the Measure of the Gift of Christ Ephes 4.7 2 Cor. 10.13 Hereby know we that we dwell In Him and he In Us because he hath given us of his Spirit 1 John 4.13 And of his Fulness have we all received John 1.16 Mark Of Christ's Fulness have we all received of his Spirit he hath given us and Grace according to the Measure of the Gift of Christ Observe We have received but Measurably of Christ's Fulness of his Spirit according to the good Pleasure of God the Giver some of us more other-some less yet of the same Fulness of the same Spirit And though given to us Measurably it is the same with the Fulness it is of the Spirit and whether a larger or lesser Measure or Manifestation of the Fulness of the Spirit be by one or another of us received yet still it remains undivided from the Fulness from the Spirit which is invisible Neither is the Measure Manifestation or Gift of the Spirit of God the Fulness dissected or parted from the Fulness but is really of the Fulness One in us all proceeding from the Fulness One through all and over all abiding in the Fulness and so of the Godhead which cannot be divided into Particles nor cut into Shreds or Pieces for to assert that were Blasphemy Which Assertion our Adversaries have unjustly laboured to force upon us being blinded through Envy and altogether ignorant of the Glorious Mystery Christian Man the Hope of Glory But they have all come short and we are clear from any such Assertion and farther hold forth That God is an Infinite Spirit Omnipresent an Immense God Immensurate yet Measureably doth he manifest himself unto us and gives us to partake of the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 And so we are in Christ and Christ dwells in us and walks in us according to the Measure of his Gift given us of his Spirit and we daily grow up in Grace from Stature to Stature from one Degree of Holiness to another a Habitation for God and Christ through the Spirit And is not this according to the Scriptures And is not J. D's Holly as well as J. B's Ignorance discovered Let the Reader judge Then spoke John Cheyney and said Every Man is so far enlightened with the Light and Spirit of Christ as that he is left without excuse This was J. C's grant Which Light and Spirit the Quakers are led by and direct People to This grant or rather assertion of J. C. overthrew J. B. and cleared the Quakers of his false Charge as was noted to the People It being according to the Doctrine the Quakers preach That Christ the true Light lighteth every Man that cometh into the Woâ—â—â— John 1.9 What said J. C Every Man is so far enlightned with the Light and Spirit of Christ as that he is left without excuse In this J. C. said what is true But hath not J. C. by asserting every Man to be enlightned with the Light and Spirit of Christ done more against J. B. I suppose without his leave for this was before he saith He gave him leave to propound an Argument than by the Argument he propounded he was able to do for him I leave the Reader to judge Only adding for his Information That it is the Light and Spirit wherewith Christ lighteth every Man that cometh into the World which the Quakers direct People to This is evident by their Books and Doctrine J. B. asserted this Light and Spirit to be the Spirit of Antichrist J. C. affirmed it to be the Light and Spirit of Christ saying Every Man is so far enlightned with the Light and Spirit of Christ as that he is left without Excuse But J. B. in the closure of this Assertion of J. C's excepted against Heathens being so enlightned So these three Priests all Episcopal Priests differed in Principle amongst themselves J. D. denied the Spirit to be given by Measure J. C. asserted every Man was enlightned with the Light and Spirit of Christ And J. B. denied Heathens who are Men to be so enlightned Again J. D. denied the Light of Christ to be Saving but J. C. and J. B. acknowledged the Light of Christ to be Saving These Contradictions of the Priests were noted down and so kept since the Dispute And upon these Points at the Dispute I told them They were like the Scribes Pharisees and Saducees who differed among themselves yet joyned together against Christ and so they joyned together against us yet differed amongst themselves Therefore said I Go and be Reconciled amongst your selves to which J. D. replied Reflect not I answered What I said is true The Reason which induced me to give this short yet true Relation is To inform the Reader what Arguments J. C. saith we were canvassing about the Light within in which he saith Many Quakers spoke beside R. H. and would make his Reader believe on the other side none spoke but J. B. until J. B. gave him leave to speak when as in the canvassing of this Argument there were J. B. J. D. and J. C. Besides what was spoken by the Standers by on their part as well as that there were some others besides R. H. who spoke on our part To give a Relation of much of what was spoken either by one or other or either sides is not my purpose But since John Cheyney over the Heads of John Barber and John Davis seems to assume a Glory of Conquest to himself concerning that Dispute and would be somebody therefore he never mentions John Davis and only makes mention of Mr. B. as he stiles him that he may shortly tell his Reader what he hath done therefore I thought meet to hint a little of what each of the three aforementioned Priests as well J. C. as the other two said that the Reader may not only hear they spoke but see something of what was spoken by every one of them and I thought in most safe to publish what was
it went out of the Room but he refused So I having a Journey before me could not well stay longer but came away the Paper still unsigned yet left with Friends that if he did sign it to send it to Alexander Lawrence who was the day before engaged with him in the Dispute because I had a Journey to go and was uncertain of my return home J. C. did afterwards sign the Paper and Friends sent it to me my return home being sooner than I expected I met with it writ to J. C. reduced the whole into seven Heads or Charges which I shall here insert First The Quakers Religion is New and so new that he says he can remember since first it came up 2dly That it is Worldly and Fleshly 3dly That it is Bred and Fed by Ignorance and Pride 4thly That it is Uncharitable 5thly Its Principles are contrary to Truth and Godliness 6thly It is against God's Spirit the Scriptures and Christ's Ministers 7thly That the Quakers are such as are described by Paul Rom. 16.17 18. who serve not the Lord Jesus Christ but their own Bellies and by good Words and fair Speeches deceive the Hearts of the Simple c. These seven Charges I put him upon the proof of and to give me his essayed Proofs under his hand He writ to me again evading Proof I replyed and several Letters past betwixt us I put him upon Proof by Writing his Charges being written he shuffled one while counting it great cost to buy the Quakers Books and great labour to study them fully and elaborately to confute our Cause by which I told him it appeared he could Charge deeply without buying our Books or studying them even at all Adventures but his Mouth was more open to Charge than Prove Another while urging a Disputation it being a short way to put an end to Religious Strife occasioned by his Paper I replyed He would have less than full Proof to serve us and slubber things over which is a common thing when People grow weary of what they have undertaken I would have kept him to the proof of his Charge by Writing but he absolutely refused and challenged a Dispute which was consented to and agreed upon to be at Arley as before When we came upon the Stage he would have excused himself saying He did not Challenge the Dispute which was a wicked Lye as I shall make appear All Lyes I know are wicked but his Wickedness in this exceeded that though he was guilty he would have rendered me to be the Challenger of the Dispute and himself clear Upon this I earnestly urged the reading of what Letters had passed betwixt us which would have decided that matter He refused I told him if he was not ashamed to stand by what he had written let the Letters be read for they would manifest who challenged the Dispure He still evaded alledging together with some of his Abettors It was but a Shuffle in me I reminded him of his Promise which was That the Letters should be read which would give People an Inspection into the Matter to which I engaged him in the embracing of his Offer of Disputation he regarded not his Promise but broke his Covenant still declining the reading of them and laboured to perswade the People it was Evasion in me to keep from the Charge Whereupon I replyed John Cheyney confess thou challengest the Dispute and I will pass by the reading of the Letters and come to the Paper or Charge to which he granted yet the Auditory being large many did not either hear him or so apprehend him as afterwards I was informed But though at the Dispute he absolutely denyed at the first that he challenged the Dispute yet in his Relation p. 3. he saith He provoked me to a publick Dispute and that the Reader may understand how he provoked me I shall give some Citations out of his Letters in which I will not wrong him one Tittle In his Letter of Date July 24. 1676. he begins thus Roger Haydock if thou be able to defend thy Religion John Cheyney calls thee forth to maintain it And in the same Letter I would have thee and me to Dispute it out Why art thou not as forward to Dispute with me as with John Barber Again in the same Letter I am constrained by the Unreasonableness of a declining shuffling Adversary who calls for Proofs in Writing and will neither say Yea nor No he will Dispute or no as distrusting himself or his Cause or both Once more in the same Letter even to a Tautology But what the matter is I cannot tell Roger Haydock will not yield me an Answer pro or con he will or he will not Likewise in his Letter of Date August 28 1676. I being under restraint for my Testimony he writes thus If thou canst not procure thy Liberty send to any one of thy Brethren Choose out any one or one for one day Mark and another one for another day and when thou art at Liberty send to me and I shall be ready for thee also These Reader are some of his daring Challenges I shall not trouble thee with my Answers thereunto my intent chiefly being to give thee to under stand that J. C. and not R. H. challenged the Dispute and who reads this that heard J. C. that day affirm he did not challenge the Dispute but R. H. if not byassed in judgment can do no less than conclude That one of the first things J. C. insisted upon was a Lye viz. That R. H. challenged the Dispute That J. C. is a Lyar his Mouth and Pen both bespeak him so to be Reader the words Lye and Lyar thou mayest bear being plain English words and used in Scripture For he hath spoken and written as many Lyes and Contradictions as ever any I have heard or read of who have assumed to themselves the Title of Gospel-Ministers if they were all collected which I have heard from his own Mouth and read in his Books and Papers the Catalogue thereof would fill up several Pages some of which Lyes and Contradictions may be seen in the Skirmisher Defeated by W. P. The Skirmisher Confounded by R. H. The Life of God which is the Light and Salvation of Men exalted by W. G. which Book of William Gibson's so intituled is an Answer to J. Cheyney's six Books and comprehends a great part of his seventh Book entituled A Warning to Souls c. especially concerning some of the Heads we disputed on which makes my Work the shorter otherwise I should fully have handled every particular Head but being laid down in his Sermons of Hypocrisie and other Books already answered by W. G. I shall briefly 〈◊〉 through them recommending 〈…〉 to the Reader for further Informâ— And though in the three forâ—mentioned Books many of his Lyes and Contradictions be publish'd yet in this Treatise also shall I add some more of his to the number thereof J. C. again before he comes to
believe and also that this Breath of Life cannot Transgress or be in Transgression though the Motions of it in the Soul may be quenched and it grieved for so it is when Man hearkens unto and takes Counsel at the Serpent who first drew Man from God's Counsel and thus as it is written God is grieved with the Wicked every day His displeasure or grief is because he would have Man to hearken to his Voice and be saved but Man will not as God complained of old They rejected all my Counsel and would none of my Reproof In this latter sense taking the Soul for that Life or Breath by which Man lived or became a living Soul this as G. F. saith p. 68. is infinite which he must needs intend as his own words do import being taken in their own proper and gennine sense It appears in G. F's Controversie with the Priests about the Soul that he takes up the word Soul and speaks of it under three Considerations 1st The Soul of Man in Transgression in Death 2dly The Soul of Man in the Restoration in Life and 3dly He speaks of the word Soul as being that Breath of Life which came forth from God by which Man Lived or Became a Living Soul which Breath and Life is of God's Being and Infinite as I said before Thus it appears that the Spirit of God the Light of Christ within the Breath of Life and the Quakers Religion and G. F. are all clear from J. C's wicked Charge and J. C. is a Lyar whose Work hath been both by Disputation and Writing to prove that the Quakers assert Man's Soul to be God and so charge God to be guilty of Sin because Man's Soul Sins therefore God Sins This Wicked Blasphemous Assertion and Consequence he would have fastened upon the Quakers which we do utterly deny But J. C. hath failed in his purpose and the Quakers are clear of holding Man's Soul to he God and J. C's false Charge That the Quakers Religion is against God's Spirit remains unproved and like to remain unproved What J. C. hath done is this He hath brought one wicked Charge to prove another by and both alike are utterly false And what J. C. intended Vnjustly to have fastened upon the Quakers is it not in a great measure justly fallen upon his own Head For whereas he says The Quakers do plainly hold Man's Soul to be God therefore when Man 's Soul Sins God Sins is it not clearly evident that J. C. plainly holds the Light within the Light of Christ in Man wherewith Christ lighteth every Man that cometh into the World John 1.9 something of God in Man Light and Spirit to be Man's Soul to have a hand in Sin to be guilty as being himself and in Hell to be a felf-tormenting Light I shall give some Quotations out of his Book entituled Quakerism Subverted and query a little thereupon and so leave it to the Impartial Reader to judge Pag. 21. of the said Book J. C. saith Every Man hath a Light within him and so we say that Jesus Christ is the true Light which enlightneth every Man that cometh into the World John 1.9 P. 28. Hath not every Man a Light within him Mark given him to be his Guide his Monitor P. 27 28. In every Man there is something of God and something of Satan Flesh and Spirit Light and Darkness Upon which I query If something of God in opposition to Satan Spirit and Light in opposition to the Flesh and Darkness is it not the Spirit of God who is a Spirit John 4.24 Is it not Light of God who is Light and in whom is no Darkness at all 1 John 1.5 J. C. says it is something of God Spirit and Light is it not then the Light and Spirit of God according to Scripture 1 Cor. 12.7 Pag. 34 35. he says If the Light within never did err nor can err it is the same to say the Soul of Man never did err nor can err P. 35. When we say The Light smiteth or convinceth excuseth or reproveth it 's but the same to say The Soul doth return upon it self Upon which I query Whether that which Convinceth and Reproveth the Soul for Sin be not the Spirit of Truth which reproves the World of Sin According to John 16.8 10. And if the Spirit of Truth which Convinceth and Reproveth the Soul for Sin then whether he doth not plainly hold the Spirit of Truth to be Man's Soul Pag. 34. he saith The Light hath a Hand in all Thought-sins inward Heart-Sins Tongue-sins and Life-sins Pag. 36. Every Sin I commit the Light within is guilty as being myself Pag. 34. The Light within in Hell is turned to a self tormenting Light Is it not clearly evident from these Quotations out of his Book that J. C. hath asserted the Light within the Light of Christ in Man wherewith according to John 1.7 Christ lighteth every Man that cometh into the World something of God in Man Light and Spirit to be Man's Soul To have a Hand in Sin to be himself guilty of Sin and in Hell to be a self-tormenting Light And is not this Blasphemy And is not J. C. a Blasphemer And if J. C's Religion hold forth and maintain this Doctrine Is not J. C's Religion guilty of Blasphemy And if J. C's Religion be guilty of Blasphemy Is not J. C's Religion against God's Spirit And hath not J. C made a Pit and digged it for the Quakers and their Religion and is not J. C. and his Religion fallen into the Ditch which he made Let the Reader judge The next thing in J. C's Relation that here I shall take notice of is in pag. 6. he saith The Quakers do utterly make void the Scriptures this saith he was prov'd at the Dispute Reply Was ever any pretended Gospel-Minister more void of shame than is this J. C. to publish such Lyes to the World What 's more false than to assert we make the Scriptures void And What 's less true than to say he proved it O wicked Man of slander in the one and shameless impudent Liar in the other I do believe I might have the Testimonies of some hundreds of People who were Auditors at the said Dispute that J. C's Relation is false if I needed thereunto But it may be he thinks the Title of a Minister of Christ will give him Credit where his Lyes are broached with People to believe what he says is true especially against R. H. by him stiled a Sect-Master R. H. expects to fare no better from him than the Disciples of Christ did from his Generation the Scribes Pharisees and Hypocrites who called them pestilent Fellows Seducers Enemies to the Law and Scriptures all which J. C. is guilty of against the Quakers as the Generation he is of was against the Disciples so it is evident he is in the foot-steps of that Generation J. C. might have remembred the Truth was by his fore-Fathers in whose steps he
is resisting the Holy Ghost Holy Spirit as they did called a Sect and no doubt but the Apostles were accounted Sect-Masters by J. C.'s Predecessors as well as R. H. is stilled a Sect-Master by him for the Truth 's sake which prospers and prevails R. H. can bear it and J. C. hath discovered Himself and manifested his Folly But perhaps he thinks whatever he says or writes whether Slander Lye or Scoff his Coat will bear him out but if so his thoughts will deceive him for there are many will not so take things upon trust neither from him nor any of his Brethren either because of their Black Coat or White Coat but him will reprehend and judge for his Slanders Lyes and Scoffing Sure I may say a lying spirit hath entered him and acts him and it is against that spirit my controversie is I have Love and Good will to the Creature for the Scriptures were that day owned by us in their place as they have ever been by us since we were a People to God's Praise J. C. had Will enough to have proved all he hath said but he wanted Power Truth being stronger than all Neither had he so much Skill as Baseness nor Honesty as Impudence He laboured by indirect means to accomplish his wicked End but fell short and instead of Glory reaped Shame And why may I not use his own Expression published to the World only instead of the word Foes put in Opponent and say In this J. C. came poorly off as when he prayed his Opponent being too hard for him There were several that Day his Baseness and Wickedness being discovered and laid open cried against him and one called aloud unto him and openly asserted J. C. to be a Lyar and offered to prove it to his Face and said He was No Quaker But when J. C. had produced the Baptist's Book which he would have made the People to have believed was one of our Books out of which he brought a Quotation I asked to see the Book he refused I pressed again to see it not so much questioning the Book as that he had wronged the words in reading them he again refused I promised if he would let me have our Friend 's Bood to read the Quotation my self I would do the like for him with any Book I produced if requested when he saw I would not be satisfied but pressed still to see the Book then he confessed It was the Baptists Book and impudently asserted the Quotation was right and that they had truly stated our Friends Assertion But his dis-ingenuity thereby appear'd he being laid open and many saw him baffled in his Undertaking He also gave other Forged Quotations which he would have had the People believe were our Friends Assertions yet all would not avail to prove the Quakers Religion was against the Scriptures A Second Branch of the afore-cited Charge which in order to prove he asserted That the Quakers made the Scriptures useless and utterly void alledging That if the Scriptures were not the Rule of Faith they were useless and utterly void quoting the Second of Timothy 3.16 To which I replied I deny the Quakers do make void the Scriptures but that they own them I affirm and that they are profitable to the Man of god But there is no Man of God without God's Spirit it is the Spirit of God that makes a Man of God and it is the Spirit of God which was the Rule to the Man of God before the Scriptures were written and that which was the Rule to the Man of God is the Rule to the Man of God that which gives Faith is the Rule of Faith and that is the Spirit of God which gave Faith and was the Rule of Faith before the Scriptures were written Yet this makes not the Scriptures useless for the Man of God who walks according to this Rule the Spirit lives the Life the Scriptures declare of And to such a Man the Scriptures are profitable though he cannot set the Scriptures above the Spirit which gave them forth yet owning them in their place hath a more real esteem for the Scriptures than that Man who cries them up for his Rule yet walks contrary thereunto and short of the Life the Scriptures testifie of John Cheyney saith in the same Page R. H. would not say that the Scriptures were no Rule at all But he affirmed that they were not the Rule Reply This grant of J. C's proveth I did not make the Scriptures useless and void I asserted as before That the Spirit is the Rule of Doctrinal Saving Faith for that which is more universal than the Scriptures which was the Rule of Faith before and ever since the Scriptures were written to wit of saving Faith is the Spirit which gave Faith and ruled it and gives Faith and rules it for what it was it is and what it is it will for ever remain because unchangeable And I further add That that which the Saints walked in was their Rule and that was the Spirit Gal. 5.16 Walk in the Spirit c. Yet is not the Scriptures made void but fulfilled This is but a false Suggestion of J. C. That Scriptures are either the Rule or useless for he that walks in Spirit comes in measure to know the Scriptures fulfilled It is the Spirit of God which gives saving Knowledge and that which gives saving Knowledge is the saving Rule One to all God's People throughout all Ages of the World since Adam was created his Rule before he fell his Rule as he came up again in the same Life from which he fell Enoch's Rule in which he walked with God before the Scriptures were written the Prophets Rule who spake forth Scriptures by God's Spirit who were Prophets before the Scriptures they spoke forth by God's Spirit were written the Evangelists Rule who set forth a Declaration of those things which were most surely believed amongst them having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first Luke 1.1 3. Mark they had perfect understanding of all things they writ before they writ them the Apostles Rule who were Apostles before their Epistles were written the Rule of all the Holy Men of God since the Apostles days for there is no Holy Man of God without God's Spirit He that hath not the Spirit of God is none of his Rom. 8.9 He that hath the Spirit is to walk in it Gal. 5.16 25. He that walks in the Spirit it is his Rule he asketh Counsel of God as by Vrim and Thummim hath an answer from God takes Counsel of God and is covered with a Covering of God's Spirit such have comfort in reading the Scriptures being come in measure to the fulfilling of them in measure witnessing what their Elder Brethren the Prophets and Apostles declared of their Experiences as they did tread in their Foot-steps for One is the Way for the Righteous in all Ages Christ the Way the Truth and the Life John 14.6 No Man
comes to the Father but by him In the same Way and by the same Rule viz. the Spirit in and by which they walked who had not the Scriptures walked they who gave forth the Scriptures not only before they gave forth the Scriptures but afterwards in the same Way and by the same Rule have they walked do and shall they walk who have come do or shall come to live the Life the Scriptures declare of and not one of these who lives the Life the Scriptures testifie of make the Scriptures void as J. C. falsly suggesteth who thereby hath manifested his Ignorance both of the Scriptures and of the Power of God being one of those unlearned who wrests the Scriptures to their own Destruction 2 Pet. 3.16 And for his saying The Scriptures were proved the Rule it is false For the Spirit was proved the Rule and yet the Scriptures not made void J. C. in page 10 11. to prove W. P. and R. H. confute themselves and so saith he down goes the whole Body of Quakerism affirms That Saving and Historical Faith are not two Faiths but one entire saving Faith Historical and Saving Faith are not opposite where-ever there is Saving Faith there is Historical and the Rule is one and the same There is the same Law and Rule to wicked Men as to godly Men the same Scripture which breeds Historical Faith breedeth Saving Faith but neither one nor the other without the Spirit of God Reply Now if this Tale he true that Historical Faith and Saving Faith are not two Faiths nor opposite but one Faith and that upon this point Down must go the whole Body of Quakerism Then I argue thus He that hath Historical Faith hath Saving Faith if they be one as J. C. says they are and not opposite then there is no difference betwixt a Dead Faith and a Living Faith a Faith without Works and a Faith that hath Works J. C. saith They are not two nor opposite where-ever saith he there is Saving Faith there is Historical and the Rule is one and the same Is it not as broad as long where-ever then there is Historical Faith there is Saving Faith for saith J. C. They are not two Faiths nor opposite but one Faith and the Rule is one and the same But doth not this contradict the Scripture and give the Apostle James the Lye Who saith Thou believest that there is one God thou dost well the Devils also believe and tremble But wilt thou know O vain Man that Faith without Works is dead James 2.19 20. What saith J. C Historical Faith and Saving Faith are not two Faiths nor opposite but one Faith What is this but to say the Faith of vain and wicked Men and the Belief of Devils and the Faith of God's Elect are not opposite not two Faiths but one Faith J. C's assertion plainly holds forth this Doctrine That there is no difference nor opposition between Historical Faith and Saving Faith Faith without Works and Faith which hath Works Dead Faith and living Faith the Faith of Wicked Men and the Faith of God's Elect. I will not say J. C. is a Ranter in Practice But let the Reader judge whether J. C. be not a Ranter in Principle For J. C. cannot deny but that Devils and wicked Men believe there is a God and that the belief of Devils and wicked Men is not saving and that wicked Men whose Faith is not saving but vain believe the History of the Scriptures Now whether the historical Faith of vain and wicked Men and the saving Faith of God's Elect be not opposite be not two Faiths but one entire saving Faith let Truth in all People judge Likewise observe how grosly J. C. contradicts himself for he says Neither the one nor the other doth the Scriptures breed without the Spirit of God If they be one and another they are two if they be two J. C. gives himself the Lye who before said They were not two but one and he makes God's Spirit the Author of them both And again he saith The Spirit in both concurreth and maketh use of the Scriptures in this he concludes them to be two for J. C. saith In both that is in both Faiths Historical and Saving Again J. C. saith Saving and Historical Faith are not two Faiths are not opposite Now the Verb are is plural and speaks of more then one So all along though J. C. deny them to be two he concludes them to be two Faiths and wofully contradicts himself and instead of throwing down the whole Body of Quakerism is sadly confounded Historical Faith is one thing the Drunkard Lyar Whoremonger Deceiver may have it or he that hath made shipwrack of that Faith which is saving and of a good Conscience may yet have historical Faith that is he may acknowledge there is a God But Saving Faith is another thing this Faith all Men have not 2 Thess 3.2 but God visits all with his Spirit and Power in order to give saving Faith but many resist the Visitation of God and perish in their Gain saying the Destruction of all such is of themselves and the Lord God is Clear Of historical Faith the History may be a Rule but of saving Faith the Mystery is a Rule The Spirit gives saving Faith and the Spirit is the Rule of it and this will stand over the Head of J. C. and his Ranting Principle And in his bold attempt he hath neither hurt W. P. nor R. H. nor the Quakers but has manifested his Distraction and given himself the Down-fall and his Confusion is laid open that the Reader if unprejudiced may see what an Unskilful Confounded Babylonish Builder J. C. is J. C. saith pag. 15. The Quakers prefer their own Writings above the Scriptures and call their own Writings by this Title The Word of God This was another thing asserted by J. C. at the Dispute to prove the Quakers Religion against the Scriptures Reply I answered at the Dispute and again say The Charge is false the Quakers do not prefer their Writings above the Scriptures of Truth nor call them The Word of God neither did any place in their Books which he read and were owned nor Quotation which he hath given in his Relation prove any such thing I owned and we own and dearly esteem the Scriptures of Truth Friendly Reader This false and malicious Charge of John Cheyney's is lately clearly answered by William Gibson in his before-mentioned Book entituled The Life of God which is the Light and Salvation of Men Exalted which Answer take as followeth By which thou mayest see clearly that the People called Quakers do not prefer their own Writings above the Scriptures Concerning the Holy Scriptures or Bible and concerning the Quakers Books JOhn Cheney in thy 8th and 9th page of thy Premonition to thy Sermons of Hypocrisie thou chargest the People called Quakers That they esteem their Books and Writings to be of Equal Authority with the Scriptures or Bible
Dispute in handling this Point and as he words it lost the Day Yet he is not ashamed in his Relation to tell his Reader I had nothing to say against any of his Arguments there He is the same J. C. a Lyar and one that makes Lyes his Refuge and under Falshood would hide himself but the Hail will sweep away the Refuge of Lyes and the Waters will cover the Hiding Place Isa 28.15 17. J. C. saith in page 17. As to my words in my Prayer Book thence he would conclude me a Hypocrite out of my own Mouth Reply It is true I did conclude and also prove J. C. at the Dispute a Hypocrite out of his own Mouth I shall lay down his words as spoken by him and published to the World in his Book of Prayer pag. 141. I am compelled to Pray Hypocritically and Dissemble with God and utter Vntruths to him that searcheth the Hearts and delighteth not but in upright Lips These are J. C's words word by word Upon which I thus argue He that saith he prays Hypocritically Dissembles with God and utters Untruths to the Searcher of Hearts confesses himself a Hypocrite a Deceiver and a Lyar. But J. C. saith He Prays Hypocritically Dissembles with God and utters Untruths to the Searcher of Hearts therefore John Cheyney confesses himself a Hypocrite a Deceiver and a Lyar and was so proved out of his own Mouth My Charge against him That he was a Lyar and a Deceiver was by me at the Dispute proved to the full and stands over his Head to this day And it seems J. C. at the last hath cried Peccavi It is much for so hot a Skirmisher to retract any thing he hath spoken and especially to publish his Recantation to the World he tells his Reader If those words were out of his Book they should not so be in judging it an Incommodious Expression which he should have avoided and wisheth It had not been said Yet he queries What if these Words and the Book had not been writ Reply Taking it for granted that by these words and his Book he is proved a Hypocrite a Deceiver and a Lyar yet I say before this Book was written he was a Hypocrite a Deceiver and a Lyar and so I could have proved him if this Book had never been written But J. C. sure concludes because I took this way I had no other but that is false Yet taking this way for proof of my Charge I may truly say I needed no other sufficient Proof being made What fuller and clearer Proof that a Man is an Hypocrite to the satisfaction of an Auditory can be made than his own Confession Though we may not believe a Man to be every thing that he says he is or every thing that he says of himself to be true yet sure when a Man saith He is what he is and says of himself what is true we have just ground to believe him J. C. saith He Prayeth Hypocritically Dissembles with God and utters Vntruths to the Searcher of Hearts And in page 45. of the same Book There is much detestable Hypocrisie committed by us in our solemn Prayers to God both in secret in private and in publick He saith in page 130. I am distracted in Prayer I am soon weary I come poorly off my Foes are too hard for me Why go I mourning all the day long when the Comforter which should relieve my Soul is gone from me Also in page 145. I Tremble to have my Luke-warm Prayers abhorred by God and spued out of his Mouth and cast in my Face as Dung. And several more such like Confessions to his Hypocrisie which in his Book of Prayer may be seen which for brevity sake I pass by Now I do believe that what J. C. hath confessed and said of himself is true That he Prays Hypocritically Dissembles with God and Lyeth to the Almighty that there is detestable Hypocrisie the Character of an Hypocrite committed by him in his Prayers to God that he is Distracted in Prayer that the Comforter which would relieve his Soul is gone from him and that he may tremble to have his Luke-warm Prayers abhorred by God and cast in his Face like Dung And why any impartial Man should believe to the contrary I see no Reason It is a Maxim in Law grounded upon Reason That a Man's Evidence may be believed against himself though not for himself Neither doth J. C. himself retract any thing he hath said of his detestable Hypocrisie Distraction and Lukewarmness in Prayer which are signs and tokens of an Hypocrite nor of the Comforter being gone from his Soul which is a deplorable State yet this seems not so much to be his Trouble as that he hath not so worded the matter but that every one who believes what he hath said of himself to be true must conclude him a Hypocrite a Deceiver and a Lyar out of his own Mouth And though he be all this and hath both confessed and published it to the World yet he would not be so accounted Further J. C. after his Recantation saith If R. H. and his Friends would but read that Book with the same Spirit that it was writ this had not needed Reply R. H. doth not believe that Book was writ by the Inspiration of God for then there had been no need of a Recantation But J. C. wisheth That some Words had been left out and some Expressions in his Book had not been said Doth he not therefore Repent they were written And R. H. desires not to read either that Book or any other with that confused lying spirit which acted him that writ that Book but with the Spirit of God which tries and judges all false spirits The Lyes Contradictions Slanders Confusions and Blasphemy that is broached in that Book is proof sufficient that it was not written by the Inspiration of God but that a lying blaspheming spirit hath entered and acted him that writ it and the Spirit of God in and through R. H. and his Friends judges the Book and that spirit by which it was writ But would not J. C. if he could perswade R. H. and his Friends to believe That Book was written by Inspiration and that he was Inspired by God to write it if this be the thing he aims at he hath evidently manifested his Folly who hath denied the infinite Spirit of God to be in Man and yet would he have us to read his Book with the same Spirit by which it was writ Doth he not mean the Spirit of God If not then would he not have R. H. and his Friends read his Book with another Spirit than the Spirit of God And so might they be blind and deluded like himself and call Good Evil and Evil Good put Light for Darkness and Darkness for Light But if at this he aimed he is like to come off with Shame For R. H. and his Friends can joyn to no other Spirit but the Spirit of God which
divided but remains indivisible over all through all and in you all as saith the Apostle And that every Man is enlightned with the Light of Christ and that the Light of Christ in every Man is perfect not liable to mutation or alteration And although every Man be lighted with the Light of Christ which is perfect yet every Man loves not the Light neither believes in the Light and because every Man hath not Faith in the Light every Man cannot please God for without Faith it is impossible to please God and every unbelieving Man who loveth his evil Deeds hateth the Light because it manifesteth his evil Deeds and he that hateth the Light can neither speak nor write by the Inspiration of God and he that speaketh or writeth and not by the Inspiration of God can neither speak forth nor write better or so well as the Prophets and Apostles of God and Christ who gave forth the Scripture of Truth as they were moved by the Holy Ghost So then every Man cannot make so good much less a better Bible than that which we already have This the Quakers affirm and so J. C's Slanders and Lyes are turned upon his own Head and he noted for a gross Lyar. The Light and Spirit of God and Christ wherein the Quakers walk and by which they are taught and led leads and teaches them to practise that Doctrine maintained by them and to do unto all Men as they would all Men should do unto them and to love God and Christ who is Light with a sincere Heart fully and to love their Neighbours as themselves and one by one and every one of them called Quakers who stedfastly walk in the Light and Spirit of God and Christ do practise that Doctrine maintained by them and shew it forth in Life and Conversation as well as Word and yet are clear and in the Light ever shall be clear of J. C's wicked Slander viz. That if the Quakers should practice their own Doctrine they would pass all that ever have been before them in Wickedness And in the Light which hath manifested and yet will further manifest J. C. and all such lurking Hypocrites the Quakers shall shine forth in Doctrine and Practice to the Praise and Glory of God who is in them and over Heaven and Earth blessed for ever Again J. C. in pag. 14. saith Supernatural Verities and Mysteries are punctually set down in the Scripture and no where else and that there is nothing within us or without us that doth or can make known to us such Supernatural Verities without the Scriptures and what is derived from them Reply To say That supernatural Verities and Mysteries are punctually set down in Scripture and no where else is contrary to the Scriptures for God hath put his Law in his Peoples Inward Parts and writ it in their Hearts according to his Promise Jer 31.33 Supernatural Verities are written upon the Table of Man's Heart 2 Cor. 3.3 And the Mystery of Faith is held in a pure Conscience 1 Tim. 3.9 And whatsoever is to be known of God is manifest in Man Rom. 1.19 So was before the Scriptures were written and after part of the Scriptures were written yet unknown Rom. 2.14 15. For when the Gentiles which have not the Law do by Nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves which shews the Work of the Law written in their Hearts Now the Gentiles who had not the Law doing the things contashed in the Law doth hold forth and prove that they knew something of God manifest in them and plainly shew forth the Works of the Law written in their Hearts And so then it is clear that supernatural Verities are punctually set down else-where than in the Scriptures and that the Mystery of Faith is held in a pure Conscience But J. C. affirms without any limitation That supernatural Verities and Mysteries are punctually set down in the Scriptures and no where else and this is false Doctrine And yet J. C. hath in another place contradicted it and given himself the Lye for in pag. 8. of his Skirmish he speaks of Precepts contained in Nature and else where in his Books of the Law of God being writ in Mens Hearts which is somewhere else besides the Scriptures But Contradictions Lyes and false Doctrine are so frequent in his Books and the strength and substance of them answered and laid open in several Books lately printed in answer to seven of his confused self-contradictory and Blasphemous Pamphlets this cuts my Work the shorter to the said Answers I refer the Reader for further satisfaction to one entituled The Life of God which is the Light and Salvation of Men Exalted another Skirmisher defeared and shall yet further reply to the remaining part of this Position which is as followeth J. C. saith There is nothing within or without us that doth or can make known to us such Supernatural Verities without the Scriptures and what is derived from them Reply That the Scriptures much less any thing derived from them are God who is Omnipresent and Omnipotent which the Scriptures are not I deny For God is a Spirit an Infinite Substance an independent Being whose Being is of himself who was God Omnipresent before the Scriptures were written and is God Omnipotent who without the Scriptures can do of himself whatsoever he pleases and who shall say unto him What dost thou Now God being a Spirit Omnipresent present every where Omnipotent he can make known supernatural Verities without the Scriptures and what is derived from them But J. C. hath affirmed the contrary in his Position Whereupon I thus argue He that affirms That there is nothing within or without us that doth or can make known to us such Supernatural Verities without the Scriptures and what is derived from them denies God who is Omnipresent to be Omnipotent and is a Blasphemer But J. C. hath affirmed That there is nothing within or without us that doth or can make known to us such Supernatural Verities without the Scriptures and what is derived from them Therefore J. C. denies God who is Omnipresent to be Omnipotent and is a Blasphemer J. C. saith p. 24. Because I have some Portion of the Genuine and Catholick Spirit of Holiness I am mortally Hated by them and yet I am as ill or more if more can be Hated of many of mine own way who agree with me in Opinion Reply Hypocrites formerly had high Conceits of themselves Luke 18. verse 9. to 13. of whose Generation this J. C. both by Disputation and Writing hath been and is manifested to be one and his Fruits plainly shew of what spirit he is For in his Prayer-Book in pag. 139 141 143 145. he saith I Tremble to have my Luke-warm Prayers abhorred by God c. Alas My Hands are feeble in Prayer often do I compel my self unto it I am Distracted in it I am soon weary I come poorly off I
am compelled to pray Hypocritically and Dissemble with God and utter Untruths unto him I shall not be able to cover or conceal my Wickedness from the World if I get to Heaven it must be by this Trade of Begging Here observe Dissembling with God and uttering Untruths unto him praying Hypocritically Luke-warm Prayers Distraction in Prayer Compelling himself to Pray that he might conceal his Wickedness from the World hath been J. C's Practice whereby it is apparent J. C. was not partaker of the Spirit of Holiness nor acted by it in such services but is of another spirit than the Spirit of God That the Quakers mortally hate J. C. is a false slander for the Light in which the Quakers have believed and walk hath taught them to have true Love to God and good Will to all Men but to oppose wicked spirits and deny all Wickedness Now that spirit whereby J. C. hath been acted in Dissembling with God and uttering Untruths unto him in Dissembling with God and uttering Untruths unto him in belying the Light and the Children of it together with their pure and undefiled Religion in Blaspheming the Light of Christ the Spirit of God calling it Diana Dagon a Dumb Idol comparing it to a Drunken Coash-man c. is a wicked spirit which together with J. C's Wickedness viz. his Lyes Slanders Hpocrisie Confusion Blasphemy c. The Fruits thereof the Light which shineth in Man hath shined in and through the Quakers the Children of Light plentifully to discover and â—lay them open to the Readers view which wicked Spirit together with its Fruits the Quakers are Enemies to and perfected ly hate And that many of J. C's own Way who agree with him in Opinion Hate him is no new thing for formerly the Lord set the Enemies of his People one against another and one helped to destroy another 2 Chron. 20.22 23. And the Lord is the same who for his Israel's sake is dashing the Potsherds of the Earth one against another and hath appeared and is appearing against this J. C. who hath hardened his Heart as Pharaoh and the Egyptians hardened their Hearts and set himself against the Light and Children of Light to close again the Flood which hath been divided by the mighty Power of God for the Children of Light to pass through and overwhelm J. C. that as he doth appear to many to be a Minister of Death he may likewise so appear to all People For the Truth 's sake that no Lye may rest upon it and for the sakes of the simple-hearted where this may come is this written that such who can see may see that John Cheyney's Tongue hath risen up in Judgment against Israel and God hath confounded him And what I have written I do do commend to every Man's Conscience in the sight of God And concerning this J. C. do thus conclude That in him these Scriptures are fulfilled Psal 7.15.16 He made a Pit and digged it and is fallen into the Ditch which he made his Mischief shall return upon his own Head And to God who is on our side who hath taken the Wicked in his own Craftiness and fettered him in his own Net my Soul ascribes all the Praise to whom be Glory for ever and ever A Salutation to Friends of the Men and Womens Meetings DEarly beloved Friends Brethren and Sisters with whom my Soul hath precious Unity in the Seed of God and pure Fellowship in the Life of Righteousness unto you all beloved of God and right well beloved of my Soul In the abiding Love of God am I your dear Brother in the Tribulation and Patience of the Lamb in Life drawn forth to write unto you and express something of that Life and Love that is upon my Heart in a living as well as fresh remembrance of you to whom I give the endeared and truly cordial Salutation of right brotherly Love My very Heart is knit to you and in Spirit I am present with you beholding your comely Order I am verily refreshed in your Life and abundantly comforted in abiding Love my Soul honours you in the Lord you Elders of Israel and for your Humility my spirit saith That you are worthy of Praise Your Condescention one unto another in the Truth and to the Truth in whomsoever it appeared your giving way hath been and is clear demonstration to me you have sought Truth 's Honour and not your own and therefore my Soul praises God let it be so for ever the greatest amongst you serving the least the younger submitting to the elder submitting also one unto another Indeed your remembrance hath lived much upon me since I parted with you and Breathings to the God of my Life have run thorough me for your preservation and increase in Unity with the Lord God and one another And my dearly beloved a consideration of your preferring one another in the Truth whereby the Truth hath gained the Preheminence hath even melted my Heart into tenderness of Spirit I have said Let it be so for ever Of a truth I can say to the Praise of God who hath honoured you The good Order of the Gospel is amongst you and where ever yet I have Travelled and what Methods soever I have veiwed in the midst of all I on your behalf have blessed God for his Wisdom wherewith he hath endowed you I hope finding you praise worthy without offence I may speak thus much of you I can bear my Reccord you having Wisdom have done justly and having Mercy obtained have Mercy shewed and that which is a Pearl indeed you have walked humbly with your God If I may live again to see you and in a measure of the fulness of the Gospel come unto you in the full performance of the same Duty let my Soul find you In the mean while dearly beloved in humility dwell and the Grace and Peace of God be daily multiplied upon you and let your fervent breathings and earning desires be for one another and in a tender healing Spirit be you always found and evermore live together in Love and for me your younger Brother who am outwardly separated from you and bound in Spirit for Travel in the labour of the Gospel Let your breathings in Life to the God of Life be That God will be pleased to give me a door of Utterance and prosper the work in his hand He hath called and yet is calling into to the Praise of his own Glory Dear Friends a long Epistle I intend not you are Elders ruling well to whom double honour for the Works sake I can freely give Having eased my Heart a little not questioning but to be rightly understood by you and in Life's Record more fully so be read by you My Life greets you all together and my Soul salutes you one by one with a Kiss of Love the God of Israel overshadow you with his Glory for ever My dear Companion salutes you all And by this you may know that in a few