P. 11 12. It is objected against us who are called Quakers That Concerning the Sum or Substance c. Isaac Pennington we deny Christ and look not to be Saved by him as he was manifested without us but look only to be Saved by a Christ in us To which this is in my Heart to answer to such as singly desire satisfaction therein We do indeed expect to be Saved yea and not only so but do already in our several measures witness Salvation by the Revelation and Operation of the Life of Christ within us yet not without relation to what he did without us For all that he did in that Body of Flesh was of the Father and had its Place and Service in the Will and according to the Counsel of the Father But the Knowledge and Belief of that since the days of the Apostles hath been very much held in the Unrighteousness and in the Separation from the Inward Work of the Power and Life of Christ in the Heart which as so held cannot Save any But whoever feels the Light and Life of Christ revealed in him and comes into Union with God there-through he feels the Work of Regeneration of Sanctification of Justification of Life and Redemption and so comes to reap Benefit inwardly and to partake of the Blessed Fruits of all that Christ did outwardly Yea he that is thus one with Christ in the Spirit cannot exclude himself nor is excluded by God from the Advantage of any thing nor every thing that Christ did in that Body of Flesh P. 243. The Doctrines and Principles of the People called Immediate Revelation c. By Geo. Keith Quakers as well as the People do indeed more acknowledge the Man Christ Jesus than any of them all Inasmuch as we do believe and acknowledge that a measure of the same Life and Spirit of the Man Christ Jesus which dwelt in him in its Fullness and had its Center in him which came in the Flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary and is now glorified in Heaven is communicated unto us and extends it self into our Hearts and Souls and whole Inward Man so that the Man Jesus who Simeon imbraced with his Arms according to the Flesh is according to the Spirit our Life and Glory by whom we receive Light Grace and Truth and through whom we have access unto God P. 358. Yet notwithstanding for your Satisfaction we do now Journal Geo. Fox plainly and sincerely declare That we Own and Believe in God the Only Wise Omnipotent and Everlasting God who is the Creator of all things both in Heaven and in the Earth and the Preserver of all that he hath made who is God over all Blessed for ever To whom be all Honour and Glory Dominion Praise and Thanksgiving both now and for evermore And we do Own and Believe in Jesus Christ his beloved and only begotten Son in whom he is well pleased who was Conceived by the Holy Ghost and Born of the Virgin Mary in whom we have Redemption through his Blood even the Forgiveness of Sins Who is the express Image of the Invisible God the First-born of every Creature by whom were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth Visible and Invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers all things were Created by him And we do Own and Believe that He was made a Sacrifice for Sin who knew no Sin neither was Guile found in his Mouth And that he was Crucified for us in the Flesh without the Gates of Jerusalem and that he was Buried and Rose again the Third day by the Power of his Father for our Justification And we do Believe that he ascended up into Heaven and now sitteth at the right Hand of God This Jesus who was the Foundation of the Holy Prophets and Apostles is our Foundation And we do Believe that there is no other Foundation to be laid but that which is laid even Christ Jesus who we Believe tasted Death for every Man and shed his Blood for all Men and is the Propitiation for our Sins and not for ours only but also for the Sins of the whole World P. 149. We do Believe in One Only Holy God Almighty who A Serious Apology c. 1671. By G. Whitehead and W. Penn. is an Eternal Spirit the Creator of all things And in One Lord Jesus Christ his Only Son and express Image of his Substance who took upon him Flesh and was in the World and in Life Doctrine Miracles Death Resurrection Ascention and Mediation perfectly did and does continue to do the Will of God to whose Holy Life Power Mediation and Blood we only ascribe our Sanctification Justification Redemption and Perfect Salvation And we Believe in One Holy Spirit that proceeds and breaths from the Father and the Son as the Life and Vertue of both the Father and the Son a measure of which is given to all to profit with and he that has one has all for those Three are One who is the Alpha and Omega the First and the Last God over all Blessed for ever Amen To these foregoing Citations I could add very many more both of older and later date but as I would not needlesly quote Instances so I hope the Reader will not account me hitherto Superfluous in rescuing our selves from Calumny and Abuse in a Charge which appears so plainly to be False for a plain as is the Sun when on its Meridian so plain is it that we sincerely own and heartily believe all that the Holy Scriptures testifie concerning the Incarnation of Christ and the Union of both Natures that is as God and Man SECT III. HIS next Calumny in the order of his Charge is That we deny the Truth and Reality of his Death and Sufferings In proof of our Belief whereof I am already in good part prevented by the foregoing Testimonies in almost all of which there is some mention of his Crucifixion as well as of his Birth But however I am content to answer exabundanti not wanting Instances of our Belief herein from whence I can allow Measure pressed down and running over Some Testimonies to the Truth and Reality of Christ's Death and Suffering Page 3. Before Abraham was I am who was in the Beginning The Path of the Just Cleared 1655. By G. Whitehead which was the Word by which all things were made which Word became Flesh and dwelt among John 8. 58. John 1. the Disciples and Suffered at Jerusalem and witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate whom Pilate delivered up to the Jews and the Chief Priests and Elders whom they mocked and despitefully used and put to Death concerning the Flesh but is raised up by the Spirit and ascended into Glory which Glory he prayed for even that Glory John 17. John 5. 22. John 10. 30. whereby he was at first by his Father glorified in wherein he is glorified in his Saints and
1655. By G. Whitehead c. sent of him for the Punishment of Transgressors and for the Encouragement of them that do well These we own and are subject to them for Conscience-sake knowing that such are not a Terror to Good Works but to Evil for such execute the Law in Righteousness upon them who are guilty of the Transgression of it for because of Transgression the Law is added and there the Law is executed in its place and in Righteousness and those that execute the Law in its place they are for the Establishment of Righteousness and Peace and contrary to the Law of Justice and Equity dare not Act in their own Wills nor for their own Ends And herein they seek not themselves nor their own Glory nor Honour but the Glory and Honour of God who is Honoured and Glorified among them who Act in Truth and Righteousness and love the Lord and to them our Souls are subject P. 23. And as for this present Authority and Government now in A Visitation of Love 1661. By Edw. Burroughs Being under the Name of King Charles the Second we do believe and acknowledge That according to the Purpose and Will of God and of his bringing to pass this present Government and Authority is set up and into its present being established P 6. 7. The Honour that is due unto Magistrates consists in True Magistracy Described 1660. By Henry Clark these two Particulars 1. Love 2dly Obedience First He that is in the Well-doing himself loves the Rulers that be set up of God who are Just and Rule in the Fear of God and is a Terror to the Evil-doers for When the Righteous are in Authority the Children of Wisdom rejoyce desiring of God that long they may Live and Prosper in the Work of the Lord and Love thinketh no Evil nor behaveth not it self unseemly toward the Rulers neither speaketh any Evil against him neither doth it revile the Judges Secondly Honour due to the Magistrate consisteth in Obedience either Actively in Doing or Passively by a Willing Patient and Meek Suffering under them for the Lord's sake And because Christ's Headship Kingship and Supremacy alone Sam. Fisher p. 34. of his Works we together with the True Church which is in God the Father and in Jesus Christ the Light can own in the Court of Conscience and in Matters purely Spiritual and of meer Religious and Soul Concernment and not any meer Mans much less the Pope's or any Priests in such Sacred Secrets therefore are we mistaken and misranked among such as are utter Enemies to the present King's Supremacy in these Dominions Whereby we do according to what the Spirit requires of us in all Civil Causes and Cases between Man and Man submit our selves to every Ordinance of Man himself I say in such cases even for the Lord's sake whether unto the King as Supream or to such as are sent of him to be a Terror to Evil-doers and a Praise to them that do well And if those who have the Sword in hand shall turn it against us for well doing and so act against the good Will of God or impose by God's Permission upon us contrary to our Consciences even there where we cannot obey actively we are willing to bear Patiently without Violent Resistance what God will leave us to Suffer from the Hands of such as should Protect us not Reviling nor Threatning nor Cursing but committing our Case in Quietness to him that Judgeth Righteously and our Souls to him in Well-doing And that Passive Deportment must be and is Judged by all to be Equivolent to that Active Obedience which others yield for Fear to what Laws soever is made among Men. Page 20. Our Principle is to bring all into a Peaceable Life To the King and both Houses of Parliament a Representation c. 1666. By John Whitehead Alex. Parker and Leonard Fell. out of those things that are Evil that the Law of God and every Law of Man that is grounded upon Reason and Equity takes hold upon and therein we are one with Justice Therefore distinguish between those whose Principles lead to Violence or other Evils that the Law of God and of Man which is equal takes hold upon and us who are one with Justice and lead from those things into a Peaceable Life as much as in us lyes with all Men which is according to the Practice of the Primitive Christians Page 101. And those Rulers Governours or Magistrates who The Life of God c. 1677. By William Gibson are a Terror to Evil Doers and a Praise to those that do well are worthy of Honour yea of double Honour and all such are duly honoured by us with the Honour which belongs unto them and we really and with Pleasure Honour and Obey all such not for fear of the Wrath but for good Conscience sake as the Apostles and Primitive Fathers did Page 481. It is our Principle and Testimony to deny and renounce G. Fox's Journal given the Parliament 1680. all Plots and Plotters against the King or any of his Subjects for we have the Spirit of Christ by which we have the Mind of Christ who came to Save Mens Lives and not to Destroy them and we would have the Kind and all his Subjects to be safe Wherefore we do Declare That we will Endeavour to our Power to Save and Defend him and them by Discovering all Plots and Plotters which shall come to our Knowledge that would Destroy the King or his Subjects These Quotations are I hope sufficient for the purpose Intended which is To Testifie our Constant Peaceable Principle and Practice in Obedience to Government and Magistracy yet as a close to all the foregoing Quotations from our Friends Books I will give one Quotation which Relates to near all the foregoing Charges and which is taken from a Paper lately given to the Parliament Occasioned by E. Bugg's Calumnies it 's Entituled The Quakers Vindication and was PRESENTED to the Members of Parliament in December 1693. We whose Names are Under-written being in Christian Society with the People called Quakers do in good Conscience Declare and Certifie all Persons Concerned 1. That we sincerely Believe and Confess That Jesus of Nazareth who was Born of the Virgin Mary is the True Messiah the very Christ the Son of the Living God to whom all the Prophets gave Witness And we do Highly Value his Death Sufferings Works Offices and Merits for the Redemption and Salvation of Mankind together with his Laws Doctrine and Ministry 2. That this very Christ of God was and is the Lamb of God that takes away the Sins of the World who was Slain was Dead and is Alive and Lives for Evermore in his Divine Eternal Glory Dominion and Power with the Father 3. That the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are of Divine Authority as being given by Inspiration of God 4. And that Magistracy or Civil Government is God's Ordinance
Innocency Triumphant Price Stich'd 6 p. An Invitation from the Spirit of Christ to all that are a Thirst to come and Drink of the Waters of Life freely which proceed from the Fountain of Eternal Life shewing how all may come that are willing to Drink thereof to their full Satisfaction whereby they may attain unto perfect Health and Salvation of their Souls for ever in the Lord Jesus Christ And also shewing what it is that hindereth People from being truly a Thirst after the Waters of Life and from coming to Drink thereof with the destructive Quality of that which hindreth and how it may be avoided Concluded with a Word to all Singers upon a Religious or Spiritual Account Written by one who hath for a long time been deeply Distressed with Thirst after the Water of Life out through Mercy hath Obtained Satisfaction thereby Known by the Name of Henry Mollineux Price bound 1 s. 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AN Epistle to Friends briefly Commemorating the Gracious Dealings of the Lord with them and warning them to beware of that Spirit of Contention and Division which hath appeared of late in George Keith and some few others that join with him who have made a Breach and Separation from Friends in some Parts of America By Thomas Ellwood Price stitch'd 6 d. The State of the Case briefly but impartially given betwixt the People called Quakers in Pennsylvania c. in America who remain in Unity and George Keith with some few Seduced by him into a Separation from them As also a just Vindication of my Self from the Reproaches and Abuses of those Backsliders By Samuel Jennings Price Stitch'd 6 d. A Further Discovery of that Spirit of Contention and Division which hath of late appeared in George Keith c. Being a Reply to two late Printed Pieces of his the one Entituled A Loving Epistle c The other A Seasonable Information c. Wherein his Cavils are answered his Falshood is laid open and the Guilt and Blame of the Breach and Separation in America and of the Reproach he hath brought upon Truth and Friends by his late Printed Booke are fixed faster on him Written by way of Epistle and Recommended as a further Warning to all Friends By Thomas Ellwood Price Stitch'd 1 s. Truth Defended and the Friends thereof Cleared from the false Charges foul Reproaches and envious Cavils cast upon It and Them by George Keith an Apostate from them in two Books by him lately Published the one being called A True Copy of a Paper given into the Yearly Meeting of the People called Quakers c. The other The Pretended Yearly Meeting of the Quakers their Nameless Bull of Excommunication c. Both which Books are herein Answered and his Malice Injustice and Folly Exposed By Thomas Ellwood Price Stitch'd 1 s. 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More Work for George Keith Being George Keith's Vindication of the People called Quakers as well in his Part of the Dispute held at Wheelers-Street the Sixteenth Day of the Eighth Month 1674. As in his Treatise against Thomas Hicks and other Baptists with the rest of their Confederate Brethren at the Barbican Dispute held at London the twenty eighth of the Sixth Month 1674. Price Stitch'd 4 d. The Quakers cleared from being Apostates Or the Hammerer Defeated and proved on Impostor Being an Answer to a Scurrilous Pamphlet falsly Intituled William Penn and the Quakers either Apostates or Impostors subscribed Trepidantium Malleus With a Postscript containing some Roflections on a Pamphlet Intituled The Spirit of Quakerism and the Danger of their Divine Revelation laid open By B. C. Price Stitch'd 6 d. An Answer to George Keith's Narrative of his Proceedings at Turners-Hall on the eleventh of the Month called June 1696. Wherein his Charges against divers of the People called Quakers both in that and in another Book of his called Gross Error and Hypocrifie Detected are fairly Considered Examined and Refuted By Thomas Ellwood Prce 1 s. 6 d. Keith against Keith Or some more of George Keith's Contradictions and Absurdities collected out of his own Books not yet Retracted upon a Review Together with a Reply to George Keith's Late Book Entituled The Antichrists and Sadduces detected among a sort of Quakers c. By John Penington Price Stitch'd 9 d. Some Brief Observations upon George Keith's Earnest Expostulation contained in a Postscript to a late Book of his Entituled The Antichrists and Sadduces Detected c. Offered to the Perusal of such as the said Expostulation was Recommended to By E. P. Price Stitch'd 2 d. A Modest Detection of George Keith's miscalled Just Vindication of his Earnest Expostulation Published by him as a pretended Answer to a Late Book of Mine Entituled Some Brief Observations c. By E. 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is God over all Blessed for ever Page 4. Christ in dying for us is our Example in Sufferings and The Brazen Serpent lifted up c. 1655. By R. Farnsworth way to the Father for Christ in Dying for Sinners and Ungodly died for all for was not all Sinners and Ungodly guilty of Christ's Death but it is by his Blood that we are Justified and by his Life that we are Saved In following his Counsel and obeying him through the Cross which slays the Enmity as he became obedient to the Death of the Cross who is our Leader and Example and is the Author of Eternal Salvation to all that obey him but none else We believe that all things which are spoken by the Holy A new Catechism 1664. By W. Smith Prophets and Apostles concerning Christ are true according to the Scriptures We believe that all the Dispensations of God which are manifested by the Scriptures are altogether true and that they were all fulfilled according to the determinate Will and Counsel of God So that our Faith concerning Christ in us and the Work which he there worketh for us doth not all make void any of the Dispensations of God which in times past were revealed unto his Holy Prophets and Apostles and by them testified in the Scriptures so that the Work which the Father then gave unto the Son to do we believe that he fulfilled according to the Father's Will and that all things pertaining to Life and Salvation were FULLY and PERFECTLY in him and that he humbled himself to the Death of the Cross and from Death did rise again And we believe that he is the Resurrection and the Life and gives Eternal Life to all that believe in him P. 19 20. We Believe and Testifie that this Jesus of Nazaretio Rebellion Rebuked c. 167. by John Crook and William Bayly wrought out 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 We Believe and Testifie That his Blood exceeds not only the Blood of Bulls and of Goats but the Blood of the best Man or Men that ever was or shall be in the World 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 Drank 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 But because we Testifie that it 's not the Notion or bare Historical and Literal Belief of those things that Justifie or make us Really free from that which comes upon every Soul of Man that doth Evil whether Jew or Gentile Professor or Prophane but only the Life and Virtue of this Blood received into the Heart by that Living Faith which Christ alone is the Author of Therefore are we Branded with Slighting 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 Virtue of this Blood there is no Remission P. 9. Therefore we do Confess to his Sufferings according Truths Vindication c. 1679. Eliz. Bathurst to the Scriptures for Christ also hath once Suffered for Sin the Just for the Unjust that he might bring us to God being put to Death in the Flesh but Quickened in the Spirit we 1 Peter 3. 18. own his Death as an Acceptable and most Satisfactory Sacrifice to God for the Sins of all and is of Blessed Advantage to all that receive Faith in his Blood Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Rom. 3. 25. Eph. 5. 2. his Blood to declare his Righteousness for the Remission of Sins that are past through the Forbearance of God and he hath given himself for us an Offering and a Sacrifice to God for a Sweet Smelling Savour Also we Believe that as Christ Died for our Sins so he was Buried likewise and rose again according to the Scriptures But now is Christ 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. 20. 21. Risen from the Dead and become the first Fruits of them that Sleep For since by Man came Death by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead The Apostle mentions this as the Assurance which God gave to Men of his Judging the World at the Great Day by his Son Jesus Christ namely Acts 17. 31. his having Raised him from the Dead P. 31 32. And the Preaching of this Jesus Powerful Shepherd and A Mirrour c. 1683. by Sam. Wattson Bishop of our Souls was in the Heavenly Authority of his Father in which he spoke forth all things appertaining to Life and Salvation and are left upon Record by those who were Witnesses of his Coming in a most Special Manner by Matthew Mark Luke and John who were Witnesses with many more of his Doctrine Life and Suffering which laid down his Life for his Sheep as 't is Written They stripped him and put on him a Scarlet Mat. 27. 28. Robe and when they had platted a Crown of Thorns they put it on his Head Nailing him to the Cross Spitting upon him and Mocking him saying Hail KING of the Jews tho' he had done nothing worthy of Death yet the Hard-hearted who Rejected the Corner Stone said We have a Law and by our Law this Man must Die So refusing the Just One and the Saviour of the World they chose Barrabas to Live This Cruelty Acted it self in a Guileful Spirit to Destroy him in whom was found no Guile neither ever was it in his Mouth This is he who Suffered under Pontius Pilate was Crucified Dead and Buried and the Third Day Rose again who ascended and sitteth at the Right Hand of God the Father from whence by his own Power he comes to Judge both the Quick and the Dead This is he in whom I Believe and is my Saviour in and through whose Precious Blood is my Salvation and Redemption and not in another which Thousands with me are Witnesses of whose Blessed Promise we Believe in and in measure made partakers of that he would send the Comforter the Spirit of Truth whom the World could not receive because they knew him not he shall bring all things to Remembrance and shall lead and guide into all Truth And he that is in you shall be with you to the end of the World This is the Blessed Saviour whose Appearance is in Spirit as the Apostle Testifies of his Second Appearance without Sin to Salvation which cannot be known but by his Spiritual Work in the Inner Man whose Appearance
they are no other than the Doctrines which our Lord Jesus Christ did reveal and which his Apostles did Preach and which after a time of great Apostacy have been again Preached and by a Sincere Belief whereof in Obedience to Christ Jesus Men may be enabled to distinguish between Light and Darkness And notwithstanding they have been and are withstood by Men of Corrupt Minds who would pervert the Way of the Upright who cover themselves with all Deceiveableness of Unrighteousness yet they must Thrive and Prosper for God hath Promised He will Establish Truth in the Earth And though this Man pretends to say that we now begin to Complain of Misrepresention it is wrong for it is what we have had cause to Complain of and what we have Complained of from Truths and our Enemies from the first And tho' every Adversary in their turn may not have been so Violently Base in slitting Sentences and Transposing them and taking one part of our Words and leaving out others Explanatory as this Man has been as is here before shewn and proved yet we have had occasion sufficient to shew wherein we have been Misrepresented by our Adversaries which yet hath often had this good Effect that many Berean-like have applied themselves to see whether those things were so or no and finding their Charges False have been drawn to Love and Espouse that Truth which hath been thus almost every where spoken against and to Worship God in that Way which some call Heresie Now Jesus Christ the Truth and the Light which comes by him hath since we have been a People been always Testified to by us as that which is the only True Guide of Men in matters Eternal and of Soul Concernment and do continue to be so Preached and Testified of of which the few foregoing Instances are proof and that we are not changed And we have and do continue to say That whoever sets up any other Guide in Opposition to this Truth and Light of Jesus Christ or prefers any other thing before it they have not a right Ground of Faith but all that are Obedient to this certain and right Ground of Faith according to the Degree manifested unto them we really own by what Name soever called And the Degrees of our Friendship and true Communion in Spiritual Matters is according to this Rule and against it we cannot make Composition because we know by good Authority and Experience whatsoever is reprovable is made manifest by the Light And though it is possible for this Snake in the Grass to imitate an Explanation of the Light within and for the Devil to transform himself into an Angel of Light yet they can no more be said to be guided by the Light than the Devil might be said to be Refreshed by the Sweets of Paradise when he came to Destroy them Nor can they that abide in the Light have any Union at all with the Unfruitful Works of Darkness By the Title and Contents of his Charge this Snake would suggest us to Hereticks but now in the Conclusion he softens the Term and brings it down to Separation which he would not have kept up by which he seems to arrogate the Title of Mediator which Quality cannot be well performed but by one admitted on both sides which this Snake is so far from being that I may affirm he is chosen by neither for I can have no ground to believe That a Rebellious Son whatsoever he may be for a Subject can be dignified with Credentials to mediate her Cause whose Head he hath denied and I am very sure that we shall never chuse him for Mediator who we find is disposed to say any thing of us rather than what is right and seems to have the reverse of that Quality which Midas is Fabled to have had of turning all he touch'd into Gold for what of ours this Man's Pen touches he commonly turns it to Poyson As for what respects our nearness of Belief with the other Communities of Men in the Nation I am so far from being Sorry that others acknowledge the Light of Christ Jesus that I hope I shall always rejoyce in it and in a Life obedient to it into which Obedience as the whole Nation comes their Separations will be less and their Union more and greater under that one Eternal Head Who by one Offering hath perfected Heb. 10. 14 15. for ever them that are sanctified Whereof also the Holy Ghost is a Witness to us The Expostulation with W. Penn Considered I Have before shewed that our Principles are now no other than what they were when first a People and that they are confonant to the Holy Scriptures so that that Book of William Penn's Entituled Primitive Christianity c. is no new Representation concerning which Book somewhat is now to be said at least to places quoted and cavilled at by this Snake and he first quotes p. 29. and says W. Penn will not grant we have any Natural Light at all which is an Abuse and Perversion for W. Penn denies not Natural Light to Men but that by it they can understand the things of God is what W. Penn in that place speaks of and this is agreeable to the Apostle who hath told us That the things of God are not to be known but by the Spirit of God He next turns to George Fox's Great Mystery p. 42. where he as plainly perverts the Sence of this place as the last for the Tenet opposed by George Fox was That no Man by that Native Light inherent in him had power to believe And G. Fox had reason to oppose this Tenet because it appears p. 39. Great Mystery what his Adversary did mean by Native and Inherent Light viz. That Light wherewith every one that cometh into the World is enlightned withall This was what George Fox did preach and which the Priest did oppose and therefore G. Fox answers it with the Text of John 1. 9. and concludes from it and that very truly that this Light is beyond Natural Sense and Reason He returns again to W. Penn's Prim. Chris p. 15. where he says W. Penn allows no Natural Light to the Vnderstanding which is a manifest Perversion of the place the words alledged are Man can no more be a Light to his Mind than he can to his Body But if this Man had been so Honest as to have also transcribed out of the same Paragraph these words viz. About those things that more immediately concern our Better Inward and Eternal Man he would have found his Cavil useless and his Flout would have appeared as flat as now his Charge appears False and he may take his grains of Allowance again The Snake leaps from p. 15 to 50 and here thinks fit to carp and bite at this Expression All Men have Reason but all are not Reasonable Where 's the Riddle Jest or Nonsence of this Passage Men have Reason in potentia but if they will not use it the Fault
is their own this W. Penn further speaks to in p. 51. his words are For the reasonable part of Man is his Spiritual part and that guided by the Divine 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or Word which Tertullian interprets Reason in the most Excellent Sense makes Man truly reasonable and then it is that Man comes to offer up himself to God a Reasonable Sacrifice In what plainer words can a Man own Man's Reason and God's Revelation the first as it is Natural and the other as it is Divine He leaves W. Penn at present and turns to Edw. Burroughs p. 17. of his Works from whence he makes a Quotation but hath abused the Sence of the place by leaving out the two following Sentences and then the place is thus I wrote not as from Man whose Light is ONLY Natural and Carnal and doth ONLY make manifest Carnal Transgressions of a Carnal Law but as from the Eternal and Spiritual Light which doth make manifest Spiritual Transgressions of a Spiritual Law From this place John Stalham would fastly conclude that Edw. Burroughs called the Light of Christ Carnal which that he did not I think is very plain And accordingly Richard Hubberthorn p. 144. says That we do not allow any to call the Light of Christ Jesus Natural but the Light of Man by which Carnal Men do judge of Carnal Transgressions So that W. Penn and both these do allow the Natural Reason or Light of Man to be one thing and the Divine Revelations of the Holy Spirit another so that they do all plainly agree in the One Holy Spirit or Light of Christ Jesus given in measure to all Men to guide them and this W. Penn hath not opposed nor the reasonable Understanding of Man as this would falsly suggest He comes back to p. 29. where he would have W. Penn to Suppose that nothing but the Divine Light could reprove of Evil. But I have look'd and find no such Supposition and therefore no further notice need be taken of the Consequences he draws as depending on that Supposition Yet nevertheless I may add That as no one knows the things of God but by the Spirit of God so if Man do attend upon the Manifestation of this Holy Spirit it will discover to him all that is Reproveable and without which by any reason of his own he cannot make such Discovery and by its Power it can and if Man be Obedient it will enable him to turn from that which it does so Discover and Reprove him for This is that sure Basis upon which being fixed we easily reject all Guileful Pretences to the contrary And tho' this Man may have a great Opinion of his Wise Charming p. 24. yet I never understood that the Hissing of a Snake was Wise Charming Now if any go from the Spirit of God into Delusions is that reason sufficient why none shall depend upon the Guidance of the Spirit of God Because there have been innumerable Falsly pretended Miracles must we therefore believe no true Ones No the Effect it ought to have should be quite otherwise have others by Disobedience and leaving of their Guide fallen into Delusion let me therefore attend my Watch more closly have others by forsaking their True Guide the Holy Spirit been given up to believe Lies let me keep close to it that it be not so with me But if instead of this Men will pretend to subject the Unerring Spirit of God to be tried by the Erring Spirit of Man as it is not Scriptural so neither is it safe nay it cannot be safe if to the Spirit of Man they add all Study all meer Humane Endeavour all Communities Ordinances Histories or Humane Learning all these will not Poise the Ballance where the Spirit of God is wanting nor can any of these perform that excellent Office of the Spirit of Truth which our Saviour hath Infallibly Assured will lead into all Truth and when we have all Truth what Spiritual Good can we want And this destroys not the Freedom of Man's Will nor Understanding nor extinguishes his Humane Page 26 27. Reason but on the contrary exalts and enobles all the Powers and Faculties of the Mind So that it is utterly impossible for a Man under the Guidance of the Spirit of Truth to make God the Author of Sin Nor does this Principle arraign the Wisdom of God in his Ordinances but shews forth his Good Will to Men in that he has not only sent forth the Spirit of Truth but also sends forth his Servants guided by it to call the People into Obedience to it And thus God is pleased to work mediately and immediately Here in p. 29. he would seem to approve and congratulate W. Penn upon his Exposition of Justification but his Assent or Dissent we value not nor our selves for its sake but the Doctrine is true and hath from the first been professed by us But to remind him a little How is it possible for us to be Orthodox herein as he says we are and Heretical in the Articles which relate to Christ Jesus as God and as Man by and through whom Justification comes But Self-contradiction is no new thing to this Man He now numbers up in Page 30 31 32. divers things wherein he would fain have the Church and us agree they not being sufficient as he says for Separation This Man is of a very changeable Humour in his Title and for near all the Book we were Sad Hereticks but now he would have us Associates which if we will not be he gives a Threatning Advertisement that he will Trump up more Heresies upon us Well in that let him do as God shall permit but of two things he may be assured that we shall have no Communion with his Lies nor he true Peace in persisting in them FINIS BOOKS Printed and Sold by T. Sowle next to the Meeting-House in White-Hart-Court in Gracious-Street And at the Bible in Leaden-Hall-Street near the Market 1697. SAmuel Fisher's Works in Folio The Works of the Long Mournful and Sorrowful Distressed Isaac Penington's Folio William Bayly's Works Quarto The Works of that Memorable and Ancient Servant of Christ Stephen Crisp containing also a Journal of his Life giving an Account of his Convincement Travels Labours and Sufferings in and for the Truth Price bound 5 s. A Collection of the several Writings and Faithful Testimonies of that suffering Servant of God and patient Follower of the Lamb Humphry Smith Price bound 2 s. 6 d. A Collection of certain Epistles and Testimonies of Divine Consolation Experience and Doctrine Written by that Faithful Patient and Long-suffering Servant of Christ William Bennit Price bound 1 s. 8 d. 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