rely upon the Inward Instructions of the Lord when thou prayedst in that confused Manner as aforesaid consider it And did ever any wholy rely upon the inward Instructions of the Lord and their Hope perish bring one Example for this or else conclude thou hast blasphemed against the Lord and belyed him and his People in all Ages as thou hast And in p. 19. thou sayst Thou hadst Peace of Conscience by the powerful Work of God without thee Is this like Scripture-Language Surely thou hast got a peace and out of thy Trouble the wrong Way if it be so and into much more Trouble must thou come then ever before thou canst have true Peace with God The Lord hath spoken it For thy Flight was in the Winter as I told thee and thou hast fled the Cross and slipt thy Neck from under the Yoak of Christ Jesus which W. H. calls the Burthen Yoâ—kâ—â— which is so indeed to all the Rebellious whose Tongues are at Liberty to lye and Slander as he hath done But did not the Saints and People of God in all Ages witness their Salvation and Peace of Conscience by the powerful Work of God within them Did not God work in them when their Salvation was wrought out with Fear and Trembling And did they not say God who commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give us the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ And we have this Treasure in earthen Vessells 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. Of which much more might be spoken We deny not the Work of God and Christ without as some have imagined but do also know as our Brethren did that no man knows the Things and Works of God which are spiritually discerned but by the Spirit of God and it s the same Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead that dwells in his People which quickens their mortal Bodies And they never cryed up wholy without as you do but preached Christ in them after they had testified of his Appearance and Work without as you may read Rom. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16. And Christ Jesus preached the Kingdom of Heaven within People Luke 17. 20. And the true Worship of the Father in the Spirit and in the Truth Joh. 4. And said What if ye shall see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before It is the Spirit that quickneth the Flesh that profits nothing when they cryed how can this Man give us his Flesh to eat whose Minds were wholy without like many of you John 6. And said Peter 2 Epist Ch. 1. v. 19. We have also a more sure Word of Prophesie to which ye do well to take heed as unto a Light that shines in a dark place until the Day dawn and the Day-Star arise in your Hearts And Jesus is the bright and Morning-Star as ye may read Revel 22. 16. And Jesus Christ bid People believe in the Light that they might become the Children of the Light Joh. 6. 62. and so do we And he said He that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the Churches And the same Jesus said He that eateth my Flesh and drinketh my Blood hath Eternal Life And said the Apostle 1 John 1. 7. But if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light then have we Fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin So they were to drink his Blood and that was it by which they were cleansed from Sin and had Eternal Life and if they drank it was it not then within them Read and understand for People have drunk Iniquity as an Ox drinks Water which hath defiled them as Christ Jesus said Mat. 15. 18 19. For out of the Heart proceeds evil Thoughts Murthers Adulteries Fornications Thefts false VVitness Blasphemies and these Things defile a man and Mark 7. 21 22 23. For from within out of the Heart of Men proceed evil Thoughts Adulteries Fornications Thefts Covetousness Wickedness Deceit Laciviousness an Evil Eye Blasphemy Pride Foolishness All these evil Things come from within and defile the Man Now must not these Evil Things be purged out according to that Saying of Paul 2 Tim. 2. 21. If a Man purge himself from these he shall be a Vessel unto Honour sanctified and meet for the Masters use and prepared unto every Good Work Is any fit for the Master's Use but who is purged and sanctified as aforesaid or prepared to every good Work till the Evil Works are laid aside purged out and forsaken Or can People serve both these Masters For he that committeth Sin is the Servant of Sin as it is written John 8. 34. 1 John 3. 8. Now how or by what must these Evil Things which defiles People be purged out seeing they are within them Must not the Antidote be taken inwardly to expel the Poyson that works within to the corrupting and endangering the Ruin of the Body What is it then must cleanse the Inward Man of Corruption and Defilement but the precious Blood of Jesus Christ as of a Lamb without Spot and Blemish Did not that Redeem People formerly from their Vain Conversations 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. Rev. 5. 9 10. And did they not drink it and bless the Lord and called it The Cup of Blessing But this is a Mystery hid from the Fleshly Birth all that are in the dark Imaginations of their own Brains as the Spiritual Birth was hid from Nicodemus who came by Night And did not God say I will dwell IN them and walk IN them c 2 Cor. 6. And does not the Scripture say By Mercy and Truth Iniquity is purged Prov. 16. And did not the Son of God the Truth and the Light of the World walk in the midst of the Golden Candle-sticks And did he not say He that hath an Ear let him hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches And is not God a Spirit and his Worship in the Spirit and in the Truth And is not the Spirit within and the Truth required in the Inward Parts And is not God Light Read and understand you that cry wholely without you you that clamour against the Light and Work of God within for we confess Jesus Christ to be come in the Flesh as it is written 1 Joh. 4 c. And so we are not of Antichrist as William Haworth doth falsly charge us in his Epistle to that Pamphlet aforesaid titled The Quaker Converted which is a Lye uttered in the very opening of his Mouth against us for which the Lord will plead with him For the Young-man whom he hath thus vainly boasted of was no Quaker as I have before shewed to any Unprejudiced Eye and by his own Confession but a poor tossed unstable bewildred Lad as may be seen who went to prove Religions with he knew not what as in the 3d page of his Book may be read and
all Arm-Holes The Lord is against you and he will break down your Wall and rent your Pillows from you as in dayes past Ezek. 13. who have turned away your Ears from the Truth Christ Jesus the true Light which lighteth every Man that cometh into the VVorld and cause the People to Err by your Lyes and by your Lightness like your Brethren the False Prophets of old Was there ever such a Doctrine preached by any of the Holy Men of God as this since the beginning of the World Search the Scriptures and see which you call your Rule where ever they preached That the Faith that justified them and their Salvation was wrought out by a Righteousness or Person wholy without them as you do Did they not say Their Faith workt by Love and purified their Hearts Acts 15. 9. And that the Righteousness of the Law was fulfilled In them who walkt not after the Flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8. 4. And that the Anointing was In them and was their Teacher and that it was Truth and no Lye And is not Christ the Truth who lighteth every Man And was not he their Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption And much more might be declared of their Testimony how their Salvation was wrought out with Fear and Trembling and that it was God that workt in them to Will and to Do of his own Good Pleasure And yet again thou W. H. saith in thy foresaid Epistle viz. Jesus Christ is amongst us we eat his Flesh and drink his Blood he dwelleth in us and we in him we have both Christ Within and Without we have both Word and Spirit and so we have the better of them that divide these Now if Jesus Christ dwelleth IN you as you say doth not the Saviour dwell in you And if you eat and drink his Flesh and Blood is it not then IN you O William Haworth Dost thou not yet see thy Darkness thy Confusion Contradictions and False Doctrine Hath thy Envy so far blinded thee to cry one while wholely without you and then again he dwelleth in you How will this hold together in the Day of thy Account which hastens And then thou sayest in thy Epistle pag. 9. viz. Our own Righteousness is within us inhering in our Souls it confists in those Vertues and Gifts that the Spirit of God works in our Minds And pag. 10. calls it The Righteousness of meer Man So then the Gifts and Vertues the Spirit of God works in our Minds is but of meer Man by thy Account and as Filthy Rags for so said the Prophet concerning their own Righteousness Isa 64. 6. Would not this be Blasphemy to call the Gifts and Vertues that the Spirit of God works in our Minds Filthy Rags Consider it And would not this be Madness and Folly for Paul to say I count all Loss and Dung that I may win Christ and that I may be found in him not having those Gifts and Vertues which the Spirit of God's work in my Mind Oh Heap of Confusion how hath thy Envy and Pride blinded and befooled thee And then in page 11. thou sayst viz. The Quaker goes about to make his own Righteousness to stand Yes and blame him not if it consists in those Gifts and Vertues that the Spirit of God works in his Mind as thou sayst it doth how is any one a true Christian without these O Will. Haworth How is the wise foolish man taken in his own Envy and Craftiness against the poor honest Quaker The Lord hath found thee out and rebuked thy Madness thou back-sliding treacherous Man And thou art even proclaiming thy Folly like Jannes and Jambres who withstood Moses which is now made manifest And be it known to thee and all the World that the Quaker owns no other Righteousness to be justified by but the Righteousness of Jesus Christ the Righteousness which is of God by Faith in him according to the Scriptures of Truth nor no other Name under Heaven by which Men can be saved whatever any of you dream of them and yet they desire those Gifts and Vertues the Spirit of God works in their Minds may stand and be increased according to that good Exhortation 2 Pet. 1. 5. Add to your Faith Vertue and to Vertue Knowledge and to Knowledge Temperance c. for he that lacketh these things is blind c. Had not Gamaliel more Wisdom Patience and Understanding then thee and thy Companion in this Work who said If the Work were of God it would stand and they could not overthrow it And you call the Work of God the Righteousness of meer Man and say its rotten and must fall as in the last page of your Book Who is Anti-christ now W. H. the Quaker or thee Read 1 Joh. 4. 2 3 4. and consider your Babel where God is confounding your Language and the Language of all the Earth whole Weapons shall not prosper against his Truth and People but he will condemn every Tongue that rises up against them as he hath thine And why dost thou call the Quakers Spirit a Spirit of Delusion and say their Doctrine is Anti-christian in diametrical Opposition to the Doctrine delivered by the Apostles of Jesus Christ which Way wilt thou go about to prove this false envious Charge against us thou canst never prove it while thou livest but it shall turn upon thy own slandering Head for we can prove our Doctrine to be parrellel with the Doctrine of the Apostles and of Christ himself by the Scriptures of Truth and we are made manifest in mens Consciences as the true Ministers of the Gospel were and we witness that in Truth which thou hast stole the Words of for we do eat the Flesh of the Son of Man and drink his Blood c. which didst thou really witness thou wouâ—dst have Fellowship with us and not revile and belie us as thou dost But whose Doctrine is yours like think you who cry wholy without and the Devil had Cards to pâ—ay against Satisfaction from wholy without for all your Sins past present and to come and that the Father hath poured forth all his Wrath upon his Son Jesus Christ Oh ye Blasphemers who blaspheme God and his Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven for I testifie for God ye call his true and faithful Witness in you the Devil and the Hour is coming in which you shall feel his heavy Stroaks for these things and he will play you such Cards as you call them as all your Skill Wit and Strength will not be able to prevail against and then your false Hope Joy and Peace will perish It s the Word of the Lord God unto you all who deny his pure Light wherewith he hath lighted you and call his Gifts and Vertues but of meer Man And then you shall know there is Wrath left enough to punish the Hypocrite Lyar and Slanderer and that God is angry with the wicked every Day Psal 7. And thou W. H. â—ayst
the Knowledge of the Gospel might discourage thee from making his Book publick c. Answ I wonder at it seeing thou saidst before that it is not possible for any to receive it truly and forsake it which if he hath not done thou speakest unadvisedly with thy Lips in saying It s an Experience which the Lord in rich Mercy gave him whom thou also callest Dear Elect Child and sayst Flesh and Blood hath not revealed this to him but our Father which is in Heaven But how can he that thus Contradicteth himself agree with the Truth in others Again Oh! that every one of you my dear Brethren and every one in Hartford had the Knowledge of Christ thus distinctly formed in you till which thing be the Soul of him to whom Christ hath committed you as his Charge shall Travel in Birth and be in Pain Blessing God that his poor Labours have not altogether been in vain as to this matter Answ What is that Travel and Labour worth that brings not to the distinct Knowledge of Christ And what a Church is that and what a Pastor is he and how can they be Dear Brethren in Truth in whom the dictinct Knowledge of Christ is not yet formed Thou sayst That thy daily Prayers to Christ is that we all meaning thy Brethren in the Ministry may be made able Ministers of the New Testament Answ Then it seems you are not yet so by thy own Confession therefore be silent till you are made so Thou sayest You have but Law and Gospel to preach Answ Where in all the New Testament dost thou find the Apostles preaching the Law and saying They were sent to preach the Law But a Dispensation of the Gospel was committed to them and they were made able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter or Law but of the Spirit But why dost thou divide between Law and Gospel as if they were not one in their End and Nature saying The Law for the Conviction of Sin c. and yet thou call'st it Spiritual Answ The Spirit is said to Convince or Reprove the Unbelieving World John 16. 8. Jude 15. saith He shall Convince all that are Vngodly of all their Vngodly Deeds c. Again The Law is said to be perfect converting the Soul and making Wise the Simple Psalm 17. 7. So that Law and Spirit are frequently used as Terms that signifie the same thing and if thou Experimentally knewest the Spirituallity of the Law thou wouldst not go about to divide them or quarrel with us about them But hence hath risen the Mistakes of many viz. because they have found several Names or Terms in Scripture therefore concluded they must needs intend several things while it is frequent in Scripture to intend one and the same thing under several Names as Father Son and Spirit have several Names given to them yet one in Nature or Beeing several Ministrations divers Operations c. and yet all by one and the same Spirit 1 Cor. 12. We know the Spirituallity of the Law in the Apostle's Sense is the inward Convictions of the Spirit manifesting also God's holy Will and Commandments requiring perfect Obedience thereunto which man finding himself unable to do then the Sword or Law of the Spirit slayes him and he dyes being made willing so to do by God's Power or Law within though Self and Flesh cryes out to escape here thou fledst and savedst thy Life But into this Death thou must come if ever thou enterest into God's Kingdom the Talking of it will not serve in this State the Dead hear the Voice of the Son of God and live and his own Arm being then revealed raiseth up this Dead Man when no Eye so much as pittied him his Condition being so hid and unknown to all living in his former Estate then he gives Thanks from the very inward of his Soul to God through Jesus Christ crying out now as in a holy Triumph That there is no Condemnation now to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but after thâ— Spirit Rom. 8. 1 2. where that Ransomed Captive renders the Reason of his Joy viz. because the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus had made him free from the Law of Sin and Death Mark How he attributes that to the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus which before he ascribed to Jesus Christ as having an inward Sense and Feeling both of his Saviour and the Salvation come to his poor Soul thereby Thou either Ignorantly or Enviously if not both affirmest That whoever hath tasted that the Lord is Gracious never takes up with the Quakers Christ Oh! that the Gospel were studied by us more and preached by us more Answ The Quakers Christ is the Lord 's Christ as is shewed before the same that deliver'd Paul from his wretched State And if thou hadst understood what thou saidst immediately before concerning the Blood of Christ which thou call'st as Oyl poured into the Gashes of Conscience thou wouldst not have spoken thus sleightingly if not blasphemously of the Quakers Christ For all the Tasters and Feelers inwardly know him to be God's own Arm revealed when no Eye else pitties them But thou with many more have the outward words concerning these things yet are inwardly and experimentally Strangers to the Life and Vertue of them in your own Hearts and Consciences which Knowledge the Quakers account with the Apostle to be the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ Oh vain man Dost thou think by thy Fleshly Study and preaching from the same to Advance the True Christ Nay but Man and Self instead of Christ and his Righteousness For the Gospel is a Mystery and the true Preaching of it Foolishness to all that Perish and the Things of it are the Heavenly Things themselves searched out only by the Spirit of God for they are too deep for Man's Will Study or Wisdom to find out Therefore cease from thy own Study and wait in the Silence of all Fleâ—â— for the pouring forth of the Spirit which only can open the Mysteries of Christ and his Righteousness and shew them unto thee Thou say'st We are to conceive of God according as the Scriptures set him forth to us Answ But the Scriptures contrariwise condemn all Man's Conceivings saying Eye hath not seen Ear hath not heard neither hath it entred into the Heart of Man to conceive what God hath laid up for them that love him The Scriptures are true as God means them not as Man by his Conceivings interprets them and the Understanding of every True Disciple must be opened by Christ before he can rightly know them as 't is written He opened their Vnderstandings that they might undâ—rstand the Scriptures for until then they are a sealed Book both to the Learned and Unlearned Isaiah 29. 11 12. Thou utter'st many words about the Confession of Sin as if the Quakers were against the Confession of Sins to God
Righteousness is Perfect and Compleat the other is Faulty Imperfect Incompleat as to degree Answ Thou wouldst make them two in Nature and Kind the one from Heaven the other on Earth the one Christ's the other ours and yet say'st its incompleat as to degree then they must be one in Kind for degrees varies not Kind or Nature So 't is manifest thou knowst not what thou say'd such is thy Confusion No marvel while thou errest from the Form of sound words calling it A Righteousness Contrived Where findest thou such a word in Scripture Sometimes calling Faith our own Righteousness And again saying Without Faith it is impossible to please God as if Man could please God by Man's Righteousness c. Thou say'st The Quaker goes about to make his own Righteousness to stand c. Answ Thou art the Man that goest about to make thy own Conceivings as thou speakest of God and Christ and his Righteousness by using Unscriptural Words to make good that Righteousness which thy self saith is not real Must not thou needs wonder and perish for want of the True Righteousness of Christ Thou sayest The Young-man may now engage without any Peril any Quaker in England Answ This is like Goliah's Boast but let not him that putteth on the Harness boast as he that putteth it off I suppose others if not thy self will be of another mind when you have impartially perused the Reply to the Young-man's Book to which I refer the Reader to judge of his great Ability or rather his Confused Indigested Thoughts concerning the Mysteries of God and Christ Thou writest to thy Brethren to be greatly Incouraged c. in reducing others in the same manner Answ How can any be Encouraged to Reduce others by their own Righteousness which thou sayest the Gifts and Vertues that the Spirit of God works in our Minds are And if it be but in the same manner that the Young-man is reduced such Confusion will never turn to your Reputation among the Sober-minded Whereas thou sayest The Quakers keep people in perfect Popish Slavery Answ The Quakers knew no Bondage and Slavery like the Bondage and Slavery of Sin which you believe all men must continue in term of Life But I refer the Reader to the Reply to the Young-man's Book for a farther Answer to this Particular Thou sayest As high as Heaven is above the Earth so far is that Spirit of the Faith of Jesus in you above the spirit of Antâ—christ that is in them viz. Quakers Answ How now Is your own Righteousness grown so mightily Hast thou forgotten that thou calledst the Gifts and Vertues that the Spirit of God works in your Minds is but your own Righteousness And what good can your own Righteousness do you But take heed of the Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost lest Francis Spira's Condition become thine or Madness and Distraction befall thee My Soul could even pitty thee because if thou Repent not of these and like Passages as that the Quakers Spirit is a Spirit of Delusion and their Doctrine Antichristian c. God's Displeasure will kindle as a Fire to burn thee up amongst the Bryars and Thorns that muster up themselves in Battel against him and his ever-blessed Appearance in Spirit and Power in the Hearts of that Poor Despised People For I testifie in the Amen that God hath and doth bless the Faithful amongst them and they shall be blessed And in Vain do the Heathen Rage and such foolish Imaginary Back-sliding People as thy self Imagine a Vain Thing For their Redeemer lives and the Shout of a King is amongst them even the King of Sion sitting upon his Holy Hill Halelujah for evermore Postscript William Haworth OH that these Smitings may be as Balm for they are the Words of a Friend to thy Poor Lost Soul as at present thou art Oh! feel them feel them and be not Wrath because of them lest the Gate of Mercy forever be shut against thee I. C. AN Additional Postscript THE Enemy of Man's Soul knowing how Destructive the Inward and Experimental Knowledge of Christ is unto his Kingdom and Government hath in these late times stirred up many Instruments both in their Preaching and Printing to prejudice the Minds of the Simple-Hearted against it as the Pharisees of old stirred up the Devout Women against the Apostles our Enemies suggesting therefore that the Quakers must needs deny the Man Christ c. For Prevention of his Wiles and Information of all that desire to know the Truth as it is in Jesus I have published this short Testimony Concerning Jesus of Nazareth that was born at Bethlehem c. I know not any of us that ever so much as questioned the Truth of the History as recorded in Holy Scripture concerning Jesus of Nazareth c. But setting aside the Envy of our Adversaries their Mistakes about us arise from our affirming That the bare Historical Knowledge of this Jesus of Nazareth will not save the Soul of any Man without the Light of the Spirit of Christ opening Man's Vnderstanding that he may know the Mystery of God the Father and of Christ as the Apostle saith Col. 2. 2. and Ephes 3. 4. That ye may know mine Understanding in the Mystery of Christ and 1 Tim. 3. 16. Without controversie great is the Mystery of Godliness God manifest in the Flesh c. Mark 4. 11. Christ said to his Disciples viz. To you it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God but unto them that are without all things be done in Parables Therefore we declare a Necessity for the Light to be first turned to and received before this Jesus can be savingly know Which Doctrine is also confirmed to us by Experience in that we had as others now have while in that Nature by which all are Children of VVrath the Historical Knowledge and Belief of Jesus of Nazareth yet we wanted the Light of the Knowledge as the Apostle excellently calls it 2 Cor. 4. 6. Bare Historical Knowledge being a dark dead Thing until the Light give Life to that Knowledge Concerning the Righteousness of this Jesus of Nazareth c. We believe and testifie That this Jesus of Nazareth wrought out or fulfilled all Righteousness in his Obedience both in Doing and Suffering the Holy Law and Will of God and that this Righteousness so wrought out and fulfilled was not for himself but for or because of all such as truly seeing they have no Covering or Righteousness of their own flee unto and lay hold of him and his Everlasting Righteousness by a True and Living Faith And do further testifie That this Choice Rayment of Christ's Righteousness is not brought forth and put upon the Back of any Prodigal while he remains in the Far Country feeding amongst the Swine but at or upon his Return to his Father's House Luke 15. 22. And such Poor Naked Starved Undone Sinners as in themselves seeing their own Righteousness to be as a Menstruous and Filthy
Thing are the proper Subjects of this Righteousness as being now made meet to be Partakers of it Col. 1. 12. And we further testifie that the Historical or bare Belief or Knowledge of this Righteousness from the Letter only by the assent to the Truth thereof from the Natural Understanding is not sufficient or enough to make this Righteousness really or truly theirs but as the Father of the Returned Prodigal said to his Servants viz. Bring forth the best Robe and put it on him So this Righteousness must become ours by that Living Faith which purifies the Heart God the Father by his Spirit putting it on us and making it ours according to 1 Cor. 1. 30. But ye are of him in Christ Jesus who of God is made unto us Wisdom and Righteousness c. Concerning the Blood of this Jesus of Nazareth c. VVe believe and testifie That his Blood exceeds not only the Blood of Bulls and Goats but the Blood of the Best Man or Men that ever was or shall be in the VVorld And we do in the Sight of God really own the Blood of the Son of Man both according to the History and in the Mystery as we do his Cross both as shed for us and to be drunk by us both as bespeaking Remission of Sin past through Faith in it and as sprinkling the Conscience of True Believers and cleansing them from all Sin Therefore it is called The Precious Blood of Christ as being of an Incorruptible Nature 1 Pet. 1. 18 19. and is therefore said to speak better Things then the Blood of Abel being by way of Emphasis called The Blood of his Dear Son c. and is also called a Price Ye are bought with a Price 1 Cor. 6. 20. by all which it is manifest to be of infinite value both in the Account of God and all those that know it by being VVitnesses of its Vertue sprinkling their Hearts from an Evil Conscience Hebr. 10. 22. But because we testifie that it s not the Notion or bare Historical and Litteral Belief of those things that justifie or make us really free from that VVrath which comes upon every Soul of Man that doth Evil whether Jew or Gentile Professor or Prophane but only the Life and Vertue of this Blood received into the Heart by that Living Faith which Christ alone is the Author of Therefore are we branded with sleighting the Blood of the Man Christ c. though we testifie our Esteem thereof both in the History and in the Mystery and that without the Life and Vertue of this Blood there is no Remission Concerning Justification by the Blood of this Jesus of Nazareth c. I touched at it before and do further testifie That as without Blood there is no Remission neâ—ther can any Blood or Offering besides the precious Blood of Jâ—suâ— Christ â—emit any Man's Sins or make an Attonement for him although he would offer up his belâ—ved Isaâ—â— for it yet God dotâ— try every true Child of Abraham inwaâ—dly as he did Abraham â—â—wardly before he shews unto him this Sacrifice of his own providing And because we testifie according to Holy Scripture and Grounded Experience that true experimental Justification or Acquitment from all Sin and Unrighteousness is witnessed by believing and walking in the Light as God is in the Light as it is writâ—en 1 Joh 1. 7. If we walk in the Light as he â—s in the Light we 〈◊〉 Fâ—llâ—wship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son clenses â—â— from all Vnrighteousness and being justified by Faith we have Peace with God through Jesus Christ And true Justifying Faith is said to purifie the Heart by removing Vnrighteousness and plucking up those Plants which God's Right-Hâ—â—d â—ver planted Acts 15. 9. Mat. 17. 20. Luke 17. 6. and is called the Evâ—â—â—nce and Substance Hebr. 11. 1. and Christ is said to â—â—â—ll in the Heart by Faith because the true and living Faith reâ—llizeth good things to the Soul as the Eye doth by Union with its Object to the Body Faith being the Instrument by which the Life and Vertue of the Blood of Christ that justifies is received or sucked into the Soul that is justified and thereby perfects forever those that are â—anctified whose Eye being alwayes fixed single on that which clenâ—eth their whole Body must needs be full of Light and Glory J. C. Rebellion Rebuked IN AN ANSWER TO A Scandalous Pamphlet ENTITLED The Quaker Converted to Christianity c. AS concerning this Young-man whom William Haworth calls The Quaker Converted and giveth his Book that Title VVe would have all Moderate People to judge by what follows whether he was such a one as he hath stiled him For he hath affirmed in his Epistle to that little Pamphlet That he was fully of their Way Faith Spirit and Principle And that he went farther then most of them towards that they call Perfection And that he is now able to engage any Quaker in England in Discourse Making a very great Boast with much Joy as if he had taken some great Prize or obtained a great Victory as may be seen in his foresaid Epistle Now here followeth the Young-man's own words by which ye may perceive how far he was a Quaker and see if W. H. doth yet understand what they and their Perfection is and when did he hear them call that Perfection which this Young-man had attained to viz. p. 7. And when I thought of going to the Quakers these things which I did not like among them kept me back having not Ground in my self for to do them of which Silent Meetings was the chief Putting off my Hat was another For when I met with one Friend or other if I saluted him with my Hat I knew not that I did offend God any more then if I did not Now there were some things which the Quakers did that I was not convinced of And concluded He coulâ— not agree with them in all things pag. 4. And pag. 1. I went several times as other Boyes dâ—d only this I was taken off from having Dâ—light in Sports and Pastimes quickly after my going mark that and at that timâ— I was of that â—â—am of Spirit that I was ready to assâ—nt to every thing the Quakers did whether I had Ground for it or not pag. 2. Here ye may read and understanâ— this Young Men's Perfection in the Quakers Way and comâ—are it with Willâ—â—m Haworth's Affirmation as aforesaid and then let all Sober and Rational People judge if this Young-man was fâ—lly of thâ—ir Way Spirit Faith and Principle and wâ—nt farther towards that they call Perfection then most of thâ—m as he hath affirmed pag. 1. First Whether it be the Quakers way Faith Spirit and Principle to dislike Silent Meetings as this Young-man did which kept him back mark that 2dly Whether it be the Quakers Way Faith Spirit and Principle to Salute their Friends or any other with putting off their Hats as this
Young-man did not knowing he Offended God c. 2dly Whether it be the Quakers Way Faith Spirit and Principle to Assent to things without Ground or are they of that Frame of Spirit to be ready to assent to every thing another of them doth whether they have Ground for it or not as this Young-man was 4thly And whether it be the Quakers Way Faith Spirit and Principle to say You to a Single Person and to call Men Master as this Young-man did who confesseth He could not agree with them in all things So take notice what the things are he did dislike and could not agree with them in which kept him back as he hath said And now see if he were fully of the Quakers Way Faith Spirit and Principle and went faâ—ther then most of them towards that they call Perfection as W. H. hath affirmed and published to his own Shame who is so blind through his Envy that he did not see the same Young-man giving him the Lye in several places in the aforesaid Pamphlet to which he wrote the Epistle And how may the whole Nation of England and many in other Countries and such as have been their Persecutors give this Envious Man the Lye and rebuke him for his Folly and Wickedness who hath made such Notorious Lyes and Slanders against an Innocent Suffering People as will more appear in what followeth It is well known to many yet living what a Stir and Stumbling there was about their Meeting in Silence their Keeping on their Hats and Speaking plain Language without Respect of Persons according to the Scriptures of Truth denying their former needleâ—s Words and vain Complements being come to know a Bridle to their Tongues Iam. 1. 26. and their Salvation wrought out with Fear and Trembling which was a strange Work and Wonder to Professor and Prophane though plentifully testified of in the Scriptures which they call their Rule but know them not as is manifest And what Great and Cruel Sufferings did many of them sustain because of their Faithfulness to God in these things which were Contemptible in the Eyes of the Wise and Prudent Men of this VVorld who scornfully reproached them by the Name Quaker because they were such as Trembled at the VVord of the Lord Isa 66. Now these are the things that kept this Young-man back which he did not like nor find Ground in himself to do them as he hath said But the Quakâ—rs do still find Ground in the Truth to do what the Lord requireth and their Way Faith Spirit and Principle is the same and not changed Now wherein this Young-man was fully of their Way Faith Spirit and Principlâ— who knows And wherein his Perfection did consist no Body knows except in perfectly denying the Truth and Power of God and fleeing the Cross with W. H. who also did stumble at the same Stâ—mbling Stone which became as a Rock of Offence unto him as the Witneâ—s of God in him shall shortly bring to his Remembrance though at present his Pride and Envy hath blinded him and hath made Lyes his Refuge to Oppose and Villifie the People of the Lord. For this Young-man hath sufficiently confessed his Ignorance concerning the Work and Way of the Lord who did dislike and stumble at Silent Meetings which the Quakers do not dislike but do prize as a Means through which they came to know the Lord and his Salvation as their Brethren did in Ages past who waited for him in the Way of his Judgments Isa 26. 8. as may be plentifully seen in the Scriptures of Truth where the Lord commanded Silence and Stilness c. of which I may mention something at present for the sake of the Ignorant as Isa 41. Keep Silence before me O Islands and let the People renew their Strength let them come near then let them speak But this is hid from the vultures Eye and from all who Disobey the Light which they be lighted withal And Ezek. 2. 13. Be Silent O all Flesh before the Lord c. And Hab. 2. 20. But the Lord is in his Holy Temple let all the Earth keep Silence before him Hear this ye Earthly-minded who use your Tongues and the Lord never sent you And there was Silence in Heaven Rev. 8. But this is out of your Reach who cry Revelations are Ceased Be Still and know that I am God c. Psal 46. Tremble and Sin not Examine your own Hearts and be Still Psal 4. Therefore will I wait upon the Lord Isa 8. But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their Strength Chap. 40. 31. And Christ Jesus the Lord bid his Disciples wait till they were indued with Power or Strength from on High Much more might be mentioned but this may serve to let you see your Ignorance of the Work and Way of the Lord among his People who did not dislike nor stumble at such things as you do For he that loveth his Brother abideth in the Light and there is no Occasion of Stumbling in him 1 John 2. 10. So here ye may read and see the Cause and Ground of your disliking and stumbling at these things which the Holy Men of God were acquainted with in all Ages And what was the Cause why the Name Qâ—â—kâ—r was first given this People in Reproach at that day But only for witnessing the States and Conditions of the Holy Men of God recorded in the Scriptures of Truth whose Salvation was wrought out with Fear and Trembling who would have been called Quâ—kâ—rs had they been in your dayes of which much miâ—ht be spoken So this Young-man W. H. cryes up for such a Perfect Quaker is so far from being such a one that he is ignorant of those things and dislikes them for which that Name was given them as he confessed the same to me and could not own that Refuge of Lyes W. H. hath made concerning him And I do not understand from his Master or any in Hartford that he was ever Ten Times at the Quakers Meetings but went sometimes as other Boyes did as he hath said and may be further seen in that Account from Hartford here inserted So let the Reader observe and take notice what a thing of nought or rather Scandalous Lyes which W. H. hath heaped up he reâ—oyces in and makes his vain Oration and Boast of as in his Epistle And see some of this poor beâ—â—â—der'd Lad's Câ—ntradictions and Confusions in speaking about the Light wherein he hath shewed his Weakness and Blindness â—nd not his Perfection nor Ability to engage any Quaker â—â— â—word as W. H. hath foolishly boasted like a Foolish Child of a Feather or like a Distracted Man that fights with the Air. Now here are some of the Young-man's own words as he hath set them down in the aforesaid Pamphlet by way of Question and Answer In pag. 15. Quest Was that Light by which I was convinced of Sin and by Obedience thereunto thought I should be brought into the Image of
Christ was it the Light of the Spirit of Christ yea or nay Answ Nay if I may judge of the Tree by the Fruit. Quest What Light is it then Answ The same wâ—th that which the Heathens had by Nature Sixteen Hundrâ—d Years since Rom. 2. 14. Reply Now let the Reader give Judgment concerning this Tree according to the Fruits thereof which he himself hath tasted as by his own Confession In pag. 7. As I went on I met with a Passage Ephes 5 Foolish Talking and Gesting and Mat. 12. 36. Ye shall give an Account for every Idle Word and the Light in me asseâ—ted to it that I ought not to do so and when I was reproved for it I was obedient and by Obedience was delivered from such Sins from whence I became of few words And in pag. 18. Quest Was there not a Power when I obeyed the Light Reproving me for Sin which did deliver me from Sinning and gave me strength to do that which was Good and Right and Just before God and Man Answ Yes there was a Power which did deliver me from sinning outwardly or doing any wrong to my Neighbour or telling Lyes but chused rather to suffer Anger then to do it It bore me up when I was hissed at for what I did c. And in pag. 3 4. I will insert one Remarkable Passage which I did when I was about Nineteen or Twenty Years of Age which is this viz. I being sâ—nt to the Shop for Herrings and had them dâ—livered unto me I did dislike some of them and being sent to the Barrel alone to change some of them I being a great Lover of them it rose in me What a Brave Oportunity I had to slip One into my Pocket for my self This was the Temptation On the other hand came the Light Reproving of me in this manner I must not do this thing Why If it should be known it would be a Dishonour to my Name and I should be ashamed to look any Body in the Face And if it were not known to Men yet God would know it and he would punish me if I sinned against him Through which Means I did obey that which did Reprove and touched none but what was my due And I went home Rejoycing with my self in this manner How happy was my Condition now beyond what it had been if I had diâ—obeyed the Reproof And how Good was the Lord to me in calling to me when I was tempted to do that Evil So was I convinced of one Evil one day and was delivered from it and another day another Evil and had Power over it and I had Joy and Peace in it Rep. And yet he compares this Blessed Light which hath done all this Good for him to the Egyptians which grievously and wickedly Oppressed and Afflicted the Children of Israel on whom the Lord sent his Plagues beâ—â—â—â— of their Cruelty which they exercised upon his People as may be seen in pag. 18. and yet confesseth he had Joy and Peace and Comfort and Quietness of Spirit under these Task-masters which the poor Israelites had not but cryed to the Lord as may be read Exod. 3. and so no fit but a wicked and unrighteous Comparison which the Lord will one day judge him for when his Blind Eye is opened And again in pag. 19. Quest Do I despise that Light Knowledge or Conscience which reproveth Man for Sin in him and judge it not to be Obeyed Answ No I believe it is the Duty of every one to walk in the Commandments of the Law of God aâ—d to keep a Conscience void of Offence according as it is written Holding Faith in a Pure Conscience hoping to be found in the same my self Quest For what End do I dâ—sire to be found in Obedience to this Light Answ Because it is my Duty to God not for Life but from a Principle of Lifâ— c. And â—illâ—am Haworth calls the same Light the Deity in his Epistle to the aforesaid Pamphlet And saith It s the Spirit maketh known Sin when â—t cometh which is not seen before as the shining of the Sun through a Crack into a Dark Room pag. 6. And in the Epistle saith again It s the Light of Nature Rom. 1. So let all People who have any Understanding or Skill to judge of a Tree by tâ—e Fruit take good notice of the Fruits and Effects of this Tree The Light which convinceth Man of Sin in him and alâ—o to consider the Confusions and Contradictions of these Blind Men who one while call it the Spirit and the Deity that is the Godhead and saith It maketh known Sin which is not seen before and saith It s my Duty to God to obey it and desires to obey it from a Principle of Life and how good was the Lord in calling to me So it s the Call of the Lord when tempted to forsake Evil and delivers from it and gives Power and Strength to do that which is Good Just and Right in the Sight of God and Men and gives Peace and Joy and Comfort as aforesaid And then again saith of the very same thing Nay it s not the Light of the Spirit of Christ if I may judge of the Tree by the Fruit. But its the Light of Nature and the same the Heathens had by Nature and the Egyptian-Task-masters and Bondage of Egypt pag. 18. So now put all their Jumble together and you will read their Blind Mad Work thus viz. It is not the Light of the Spirit of Christ that Convinceth of Sin p. 15. It is the Spirit that maketh known Sin which is not seen before p. 6. No it is the Light of Nature the Heathens had it by Nature and it s the Egyptian-Tasks and the Bondage of Cruel Pharoah No but it is the Godhead that the barbarous people saw by when they apprehended Paul to be a Murderer when the Viper fastened on his Hand Acts 28. 4. Do I despise this Light of Nature this Cruuel Pharoah this Light which is not of the Spirit of Christ No For what End do I desire to Obey this Egyptian-Task-master this Light of Nature this Spirit which is Not of Christ Because it s my Duty to God not for Life but from a Principle of Life Had not I a Power over Sin and Deliverance out of it and Strength to do that which was Good and Just and Right in the Sight of God and Man and Joy and Peace and Comfort and Quietness of Spirit when I obeyed this Pharoah this Light of Nature which is not the Light of the Spirit of Christ Yes I had a Joy and Peace in it and it was the Call of the Lord to me So compare this Heap of Confusion with the State of Israel in Egypt Exod. 3. and see what Joy and Peace and Comfort and Quietness of Spirit they had there which this Lad compares the Pure Light of the Son of God unto who knows not what he saith nor whereof he affirms of
which more may be written by another Hand towards the End of this Book as also a further Account from Hartford where he dwells concerning him which I would have the Reader take good notice of And in that he saith The Light by which the Heathens did the things contained in the Law Rom. 2. which shewed the Work of the Law written in their hearts is not the Light of the Spirit of Christ he is found a Denyer of the Scriptures John 1. 9. and Tit. 2. For if every Man that cometh into the World be lighted with the Light of Christ then the Heathens and all other Men were lighted And if the Grace of God which brings Salvation hath appeared to all Men then it appeared to the Heathens for they were Men and came into the World And herein W. D. thou contradicts thy Companion and great Adorer of thee W. H. who calls it the Deity Godhead as aforesaid and the Godhead is the same Spirit or Life and Light which was in Christ Jesus as it is written Col. 2. 9. which is Grace and Truth John 1. 16. 17. So then it was the Light Spirit Grace and Truth which was in Christ Jesus That appeared to the Barbarous or Heathen People by his Confession And so now let this Tree be judged of by its Fruits according to the Young man 's own Saying and let us see what kind of Fruits it bears for I have read That Men do not gather Grapes of Thorns nor Figs of Thistles and that A Good Tree cannot bring forth Evil Fruit neither can a Corrupt Tree bring forth Good Fruit Mat. 7. Luke 6. 43 44. So by this true Rule let all who reads and tastes of these Fruits judge of this Tree the Light First pag. 7. It assented to the Words of Christ and his Apostles 2dly It Convinced him of Sin and Reproved him and called to him when he was going or thinking to Steal and it kept him from obeying that Temptation about the Herrings though he loved them and had a brave Oportunity to steal or slip one into his Pocket 3dly It caused him to be of Few Words and kept him from Lying or telling of Lyes 4thly It delivered him from Sinning outwardly and from doing any Wrong to his Neighbour 5thly It gave him Strength or Power to do that which was Good Just and Right in the Sight of God and Man 6thly It convinced him of one Sin or Evil one day and delivered him from it and another day another Evil and he had Power over it 7thly He had Joy Peace Quietness of Spirit and Comfort in Obedience to it Reply Now whence or from what kind of Tree cometh these Blessed Fruits and Effects if not from the Tree of Life Or who is the Author of or from what Spirit comes this Light if it be not the Light of Christ Jesus Is it not the Spirit of Truth that convinceth of Sin and keeps from Lying and Stealing and wronging of Neighbours and leads into all Truth to do that which is Good and Just and Right in the Sight of God and Man And was not that their Comforter who were lead and guided by it Did it not give them Joy and Peace and Comfort when they were obedient to it Read and understand Or who gives Peace to his People besides him And is it not the same Grace of God which Paul declared of Tit. 2. which taught them to deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts and to live Soberly and Righteously Then did it not teach them to deny Lying and Stealing and Wronging their Neighbours and to do as they would be done by according to Christ's Doctrine Or is there any other Spirit or Light which can deliver from Sin and give Power over it but what is of Christ Jesus Is it not written of him That there is no other Name under Heaven by which Men can be saved or delivered And is he not called the Deliverer and Counseller who is the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World Read the Scriptures and consider these things Acts 4. Isa 59. John 1. 9 Is it not the Light of Christ that makes Sin manifest Eph. 5. And doth not the Apostle say in that same place vers 8 9. The Fruit of the Spirit is in all Goodness Righteousness and Truth So judge of this Tree by its Fruits if it be not all Goodness Righteousness and Truth which it brings forth And doth not W. H. say It is the Spirit that maketh known Sin which is not seen before Mark Then whensoever any one seeth Sin it is the Spirit that makes it known for it is not seen before And that it was the Godhead in which the Barbarous People saw c. Acts 28. And yet how Enviously he Clamours against the Quakers in his confused dark Mind calling their Spirit Delusion and their Doctrine Antichristian like the Foolish Clamerous-tongued Woman Solomon speaks of whose Feet are without pulling down her own House How do you think your Babel will now stand when ye thus throw up and pull down your own Work and Revile us for the same Truth you acknowledge in Words like the Hypocrites of old who said They had one Father even God and yet called Christ Jesus Deceiver and Blasphemer and judged him worthy of Death because he acknowledged himself to be the Son of God who was truly so John 19. 7. So read your Spirit and Way which is not like Christ Within nor Without though thou sayest you have both but the contrary appears in thee And ye are more like the Mad-Man Prov. 26. who cast Fire-brands Arrows and Death at you know not what comparing the Light of Christ to Pharoah or Egypt and Light of Nature Contemning and Undervaluing it as if it were not of God but what ye know not like the Jews one while A Good Man and then Nay but he Deceiveth the people So you one while it s the Deity and then Nay it s Not the Light of the Spirit of Christ but the Light of Nature Thus are you confounded about that which delivers from Sin and Temptations from Lying Stealing and doing Wrong and keeps out of Evil and gives Power over it and convinceth of Sin and reproveth for Sin and which gives Strength to do that which is Good Just and Right in the Sight of God and Man and Joy and Peace in it Take heed of the Sin against the Holy Ghost for it is near when that which casts out Devils is called Belzebub Your Reproaching of us is little to us but beware how you sport your selves with a Consuming Fire and be you Warned in time for your own Souls sake And consider your Confusion and Darkness Whether the Lord requireth Obedience Service or Worship to any other Light or Spirit of Christians but his own or what Tree or Plant would the Heavenly Father have to grow but what is of his own planting as it is written Every Plant which my Heavenly Father hath