more vile fith it is for God and the salvation of poor souls entangled under this dark temptation presented under the specious pretences of the Ministers of Christ What civility or Christianity can I or any expect from those that have denyed the holy Scriptures as to that end they were intended and reproached the ordinances and Institutions of the Lord Jesus that Scriptures teach under the notions of heathenish worship and traditions of men outward observations inconsistent with the kingdome of God which reproaches reflect upon the Author and Inspirer of Scripture appointments which is the spirit of God and to be reproached by those that are the reproachers of God and his worship while I am defending him to my power will be my Crown and honour when confusion and shame shall stop the mouthes of his malicious enemies FINIS ERRATA These few amongst other Errataes are to be amended by the Reader PAg. 6. l. 5. for our r. your p 7. l. 31. for lord r. word p. 10. l. 35. for yet r. that p. 15. l. 14. for god r. Good p. 20. l. 12. put the stop after within p. 32. l. 33. for are r. am lb. l. 38. for when r. where p. 33. in the margin for Jam. r. Jer. p. 45. for Act. 9. r. 4. Books written by the Author and are to be sold by Thomas Williams at the Bible in Little-Britain London and William Tompson at Harborough in Leicester-shire THE Bar to free Admission to the Lords Supper removed Or a Vindication of Mr. Humphreys Free Admission to the Sacrament of the Lords Supper 8. To receive the Lords Supper the Actual Right and Duty of all Church-Members of years not Excommunicate Made good against Mr. Collins his Exceptions against The Bar Removed large 8. FINIS A Postscript BReaking off abruptly for fear of swelling too big I was forced to omit some special things that I should have been glad to have spoken unto amongst others that the next Questions would have led me unto I have thought good to give a further hint as touching that which I conceive is a main principle of these mens deceiving themselves and others They seem first to debase man as man and say he is altogether a dark dead polluted thing the childe of wrath and his best actings as man are but as a menstruous cloth But then they advance the same man in general by affirming that every man is lighted by the Spirit of Christ that convinceth of sin And this they would have to be free Grace and that promised Spirit which should convince the world of sin of righteousness and of judgement and whosoever mindes and believes it shall by this grace and spirit come out of darknesse to eternal life But to discover so great a mistake we must know That it is true that all men in the world have some light by nature more or less that convinceth of sin for it is said that the Gentiles do by nature the things contained in the Law and are a Law unto themselves their thoughts accusing or excusing one another Rom. 2.14 Mark the Apostle doth not say that the Gentiles by the Spirit of Christ and free grace inlightning them do the things contained in the Law but they do those things of the Law by nature and they are a law to themselves The Spirit of God is not a Law to themselves because that is distinct from man and gives Lawes to man as he did the written Law to his people but this is another distinct thing they are a Law to themselves Man since the fall hath not lost his reason but that Divine rectitude and perfection thereof that made him conformable to the will of God unto life there is a spark of reason and immortality in the soul of man still which rationall soul though it be depraved of what it was and now is subject to error and vanity that not any can be saved by following that light only yet it is such a light as it is called the Candle of the Lord Prov. 20.27 and directs men to do the things contained in the Law And this is witnessed by most people and nations upon the earth That reason which they have by nature directs them to make lawes to preserve humane societies and the Common-weal of the whole and hence punish Theft Murther Whoredome Drunkennesse Perjury c. and incourage to morall Vertues which things are contained in the Law of God and yet they know nothing of Jesus Christ nor of any other things which accompany salvation Besides as men are under greater advantages of light in respect of the outward means as the Scripture Ministery Education Examples so also in respect of the more common workings of the Spirit inlightning and convincing some man by nature knowes more and doth more the things contained in the Law and Gospell too The very principle of Reason and Conscience urgeth every one to do the Good and to shun the Evill What man of ingenuity can withstand the strength of reason but yeelds his assent though not able to bring up himself to the practise of what himself allowes with sincerity till renewed by the Spirit of Grace The spirit of man knowes the things in man and hath that inspection and reflection in man from the understanding faculty that it knoweth its own motions intentions and actions whether good or evil according to its light and accordingly Conscience Gods Deputy greater then a thousand witnesses either condemns or excuseth And I judge that all men have this in some measure untill through custome in sin and withstanding this light and Gods just Judgement concurring they be given up to a seared conscience past feeling as is said of some But now for these people to run up and down to teach men that this which is but the light of Reason improved by the help of ordinary means and workings is the Spirit of Christ and the free Grace of God that brings salvation is such a pernicious Diabolical dream that never came into the head of any till now I think That mans soul is a created substance given of God from whom are all things is true but that this spirit of man which is called the candle of the Lord is Gods Spirit that was promised to convince the world of unbelief and of the necessity of righteousnesse by Christ victory over sin Satan and hell as that of John intends and leads out of darknesse into eternal life is a most blasphemous error What though they will not say that the soul of man is the Spirit of Christ promised to convince of sin under that notion and expression yet upon the matter they say the same when out of desperate mistake they make that to be the immediate light and power of the Spirit of Christ which in deed and truth is but the rational soul of man in all by nature or acquired in the use of ordinary means and workings And thus you see while they are debasing man below what he is by nature they are advancing him above what he is at the same time by nature they endow him with the Spirit of God and the gifts of free Grace to lead all men out of darknesse to eternall life hence they Deifie that which is the gift of nature and make all men their own Saviours hence they make the differencing act between good and bad the saved and damned to be mans self under dark impotent nature corrupted hence they slight the Death of Christ and say as one to me that sinners have no benefit by that Bloud of Christ that was shed at Jerusalem for that was the bloud of man and it is the Bloud of God that man hath benefit by not that God is capable of shedding bloud but this is a figurative speech setting forth the Spirit of God that convinceth the world of sin It being asked To what end did Jesus Christ come into the world and so to suffer his Answer was To put an end to the Cereremonies and that was all that he would yeeld although he is a man of considerable abilities so strong is the delusion Hence they comprehend all men under the grace of the New Testament and make no difference between the visible professing Church and the Pagan world all may be saved alike if they will Hence they cast off all outward means Ordinances formes of Religious Worship and bid hearken to the spirit within c. as if all things God in his Word hath appointed were alwaies superfluous and in vain They throw away Gods Election special redemption the Saints perseverance They will have men to have the Spirit of Christ and the free Grace of the Covenant and yet be none of his Just contrary to plain Scriptures Rom 8. But I must not enlarge let them tell us how they will escape these Rocks Let them tell us what difference they make between the convictions of the Spirit in the unregenerate Pagan or Christian and those that are regenerate and how the Spirit is in the Infidel and how in the true believer and where any that are accounted for light in the Lord are under darknesse too and where are any in an Infidel state called light in the Lord. Prove all things and the Lord direct to that right understanding of truth best pleasing to himself and our good Farewell
things upon the Crosse in whom the Godhead dwelt bodily and from whom all that any hath is received he was the Lamb of God that takes away the sinnes of the world by offering up himself an oblation once for all the just for the unjust that he might bring us unto God and obtain an eternall redemption for us and yet this insolent polluted lying worme makes himself equall in perfection with Christ the only Son of the living God You may see of what spirit your leaders are of and how unlike the Prophets and Apostles these are which cause you to erre by their lies But why is it thus with you that you should be left of God to heap up to your selves such perverse teachers that reproach the ordinances and institutions of our Lord as heathenish and the wisdome of the flesh and outward observations which Christs Kingdome comes not in But the Kingdome of Heaven is within you Luk 17. say they But where are the commands institutions and appointments of Christ to his Church called Observations the Pharises to whom Christ spake had such expectations touching the Kingdome and coming of the Messiah that he should come in great power and pomp like unto earthly Potentates and so redeeme Israel from that bondage they were in hence Christ tells them the Kingdome of Heaven comes not in observations but is within you look into your old Bibles and in the margin it is rendred or among you and as others the Kingdome of heaven is in the midst of you according to the Originall You may see that he gave his Apostles charge to teach all that came under Baptisme to observe and doe all the Commands of Christ Mat. 28.29 and in so doing they had the promise of his presence to give his blessings alwaies but these seducers say Christ is not in outward forms and observations as they in derision call the Ordinances and Institutions of Gospel Worship Christ walks in the midst of the seven Golden Candlesticks and commands our observance in the duties of his own institute Worship with the promise of his presence alwayes they say no Christ is not here but he is within you without all this adoe teaching men to break the Commands of Christ which the faithfull in all ages have been so carefull and zealous in the observing thereof and have witnessed unto with their bloud against both heathenish and Antichristian persecutors Dear friends be not deceived with vain words but bethink with your own hearts from what you are fallen how could you quench out the light and fire of the Spirit in you that you have received with such evident conviction that hath thrown down all before it and acted you twentie years to make conscience of the Commands of Christ both private and publike what conflictings of Spirit and sinnings against light and hardening your hearts against Gods fear and the strivings of his Spirit have you withstood and resisted before you could sin and be quiet in the wilfull neglect of all duties of Christianity what hath your backslidings been You first fell off from Infant Baptisme then from the publike ministry then from Water Baptisme it self and from all the Ordinances in the Church cavilling against all formes of Worship and then to speak diminishingly of the holy Scriptures and at length to forsake all means whatever and to pretend an immediate living in God in the neglect of all things commanded in the word But when you attain to live upon an immediate blessing of Divine Providence without plowing and sowing eating and drinking and cloathing in order to the preserving the life of nature then you may think to live immediately upon God to the preserving the life of Grace and not till then God hath appointed the use of means for the life and growth in Grace as of the life of the body and your diligence and care for the preserving the life of nature will condemne your negligence and presumption in the other in that day when God shall judge the secrets of men by the Gospell of Christ What promises doth God make to any to give them his Spirit and happinesse without enquiring after God in wayes of his own prescribing The most freest promises made to the Church of the Jewes Ezek. 36. are bounded with this Provise Yet will I be inquired of by you for all these things Chouse of Israel but the way and method you are taught is contrary you must cease from all religious duties of commanded Worship without scruple or check of Conscience before you can enjoy God and be taught immediately what to doe first put out the true light and power of Conscience to do its office by neglecting or despising the means of enlightning and convincing it to act in the soul and then resolve to follow the immediate commands of Conscience without questioning the Author of these laws at all Oh depth of deceit and delusion and yet obvious to those that are not in these snares and were it not that there is a spirituall judgement upon the heart for former coldnesse people should not be left to such thick darknesse and blindnesse from which they are moved to deny their former forwardnesse in holy observances and belie the Lord in saying they never received God by frequenting the publick ministry and ordinances which are called by them outward observations being very zealous to asperse that good way themselves have given good encouragement and been an ensample to others to follow Is it not an evil with a witnesse to fall off from Christian obedience your selves have with zeale and good conscience been forward and active in but you must now renounce and deny the good ways of the Lord and disswade others from walking therein can this be from the same Spirit that called you out of darknesse to the light of Grace and out of profaneness wherein you all had your conversation in the dayes of youth and vanitie to serve the blessed God religiously in all good Conscience and holy sear above twentie years if this great change of heart and life was the work of God from whom is this change of mind now that moves you to deny the things that have been wrought do you think that God is contrary to himself or do you think that all those inclinations to holinesse and constancie in wayes of righteousnesse to do Gods will were from the Devil Well consider what you have been and how contrary minded you are now to what you were to change from worse to better is highly commendable but to change from better to wore is the highest of desperate folly but to despise and reproach those things of God once received is most desperate and dangerous But I must hasten The Second Question propounded WHether any other Revelations and observances not to be found in the Scriptures be as binding to the Conscience as the holy Scriptures are or whether such Revelations and Dictates within a mans heart and soul be as binding to a
the mans fancie and design is in bruiting and making such a noyse of the the appearance of the mighty day of the Lord judge ye I am sure he hath sufficiently discovered his own follie in blazing abroad such dreams of his own lying heart as if he could perswade people to believe that he can tell them of a lying wonder Well but all judgement is given to the Son and by his light and spirit in them they assume to judge all error and bind all persons that oppose them as they tell me in his power thou art bound and thy error judged Themselves you see are set in the Throne of Christ and under the notion of a Christ they are judgeing the whole world but if all judgement be given to the Son of man in them whom they hold is not distinct from themselves then men must honour their persons as they honour the Father and every knee must bow to them in Heaven and Earth Christ came not to judge the world but that the world should be saved through him while the day of salvation lasteth Nay he forbids this judging Judge not lest you be judged and will they say that the person of Christ is come from heaven and appears in his Majesty and Glory with his mighty Angels in them why do they not command the dead to arise and appear before them and receive their everlasting Doom but they will sooner deny the resurrection and say it 's past already with Hymeneus and Philetus then raise one dead Corps to life again But let them tell us plainly how Christ is the sole Judge of error and how persons are judged in the time of Grace by Christ in them if not by his word that shall judge all at the last day that reject it and not receive it by what then They say the light of Christ Ausw 1. Are not the holy Scriptures a light given to the Church by Christ the head thereof 2. Christ is to be considered in his person and natures simply or in his Authority and divine operations vertually There is not any whom Christ dwells in by his person and natures for so he is farre above all heavens at the right hand of God Act. 7. And it is blasphemy to say that Christ is in them by his person as God and man and to deny the glorified body of Christ that God hath raised from the dead as the Quakers do and will not allow the Divinity of Christ any other union with his humane Nature but what he hath with his body the Church is a pernicious blasphemous opinion also for by this they make all the particular bodies of his Saints to be but one and that the Godhead is in them bodily so that the Saints are God and man in one person as Howgill Borrough and others commonly spaeke And hence they judge that Christs sufferings in them makes satisfaction for all their own sins and so make the death of Christ in that body that suffered at Jerusalem of none effect as to satisfaction and salvation they call him a Christ without which was but a type and figure of this Christ within but to leave these Infidell Dreams I told you that Christ is to be considered in his Authority as revealed unto us in his word by commands backed with promises and Precedents for to encourage to obedience And 2. His Commands are guarded with menaces and threats and with Precedents of Gods executing his judgements upon transgressors for the terror of those that shall transgresse afterwards And this written word of God is the sole Judge of error given by Christ to that very end And those Divine operations and workings of Christ in the hearts of those whom he doth quicken with his speciall renewing grace doe work up his peoples spirits to a willing obedience to his holy rule prescribed in the holy Scriptures Now for them to say that the power and workings of Christ in his chosen and the gifts of grace he gives to them is Christ and the eternall word that made the world is such a frenzie that cannot be expressed as if every influence and operation the Sun hath upon the Earth upon Plants and all other creatures so farre distant and distinct from it were the Sun or as if every drop of water that the clouds exhale out and scatter from the Sea was the Sea or as if the gift was the giver but we may question whether they that thus spake of a Christ in them that made the World know any thing of Christ or of themselves as they ought to know at all In the next place they tell me Thou in thy dark mind talkest of the Revelations of Christ and the Apostles Doctrine and the Christians life and the ground of their obedience all which thou thou art a stranger to as is manifest by these thy following words Namely where I writ to them thus That God hath ordained the holy Scriptures alone to be the object of Faith and ground of all our obedience and serving of God and to do any religious service to God out of any other rule or principle is but Will-worship and to follow the imaginations of our own hearts serving the Divell and not God Unto this they Answer With the eternall word of God that was from the beginning art thou judged to be none of Abrahams seed and art raised out from his faith to which thou art a stranger for it had an object before the Scripture was written in which faith he see Christs day who is the object of our faith and ground of our obedience Heb. 11.16 c. And in his light we see thee to be in the Will-worship who obeyes from another ground and walks after the imaginations of thy own heart which leads thee to worship the Devill in bringing forth the many lies in this paper which he hath begotten in thee who is the Father of lies My reply to theirs is In these lines the spirit in them moved very strongly as the indifferent Reader may easily judge by their insolent rash censures and ignominious crimes they reproach me with for my asserting that which every one that is a Christian can do no lesse then own namely That God hath ordained the holy Scriptures alone to be the object of faith and ground of all our obedience and serving of God c. For this I am sentenced by the eternall word to be none of Abraham's seed and rased from his faith But 1. How shall I be sure they received this sentence from the eternall word which they have pronounced against me it being so directly contrary to what Christ hath forbidden Judge not lest you be judged Mat. 7. And they themselves say in their Answer to the Question we are upon That the Revelations of Christ are according to Scripture if this judging came to them by Revelation from Christ how will you make it to accord and be reconcileable with Scripture I but say they Thou art judged
by the eternall word which was from the beginning not by themselves Answ 1. That word was manifested in the flesh and dwelt amongst men justified in the Spirit and received into glory farre above the Heavens I demand how they know his mind touching my particular state in this censure pronounced whether they have it by voice from heaven or by vision or by the ministrie of Angels or dream or fancie or how 2. If the eternall word that was made flesh revealed it to them as he is in them for that 's the fancie then the word made flesh is in them bodily and not at the right hand of God where he lives for ever to make intercession for those he dyed for and obey him 3. If these censures be from the eternall word what is the reason they are so contrary to the written word which is the inspiration of God and the revelation of Christ and that which the Spirit saith to the Churches which every one that hath an eare to heare let him hear What have I pleaded but the Spirits rule as contained in the writings of the Prophets and Apostles Christ the chief Corner stone on which the true Church is built in all ages and for this these great Prophets judge me to be none of Abraham's seed and say I am rased out of his faith but what was his faith as to salvation more then what the Scriptures reveale and the weakest true Beleever hath In that I say the Scriptures are the object of faith c. is to be understood of what is contained in them and taught by them How do you or any know that there is but one God and what he is and how he will be worshipped and served but by the Scriptures How do you or any know that there is a Christ what he is and how he came into the World to save sinners and how he saves them and who he saves but by the Scriptures How do you or any know that there is a Covenant of grace and promises of eternall life and what commands but by the Scriptures Hence the Scriptures are the only rule of knowing God and Jesus Christ beleeving in him and living unto him They say Christ is the object of faith but that this is known and for what ends and uses and what is faith and how to live by it the Scriptures only make the discovery and they are writ for our learning that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope all those that are without the Scriptures are without all comfort and hope and God in the World And now whether they that oppose and deny the Scriptures to be a perfect Rule of faith and obedience or I that defend them to be the only rule deserve to be judged let every one that would be reckoned for a true Christian judge And as touching the faith of Abraham and who are his seed themselves are not much skil'd in who talk of the Law of the new Covenant writ in every mans heart as if every man were of the seed of Abraham and in the new Covenant made with him except my self and some others that out of zeale to the truth and doing service for the Church oppose them Both Abraham and all the faithfull upon Divine Record were obedient to the Commands of God and gave glory to God in believing his promises which you are farre from that reject his commands and promises in the Prophets and Apostles which not any of the children of Abraham in a spirituall sense ever did Them that are of faith are children unto Abraham and blessed with him but as for those that have departed from the true Doctrine of faith and obedience the Apostles writ to the Churches for their Rule as it is manifest from your own tongues and pens your selves have and chuse your own wayes following the imaginations of your own deceiving hearts that your selves are not of Abraham's seed much lesse of his faith while you cast off that Christian obedience to the lawes of Christ revealed in his word so did not our father Abraham And let me tell you in plainnesse your Worship and all your service is meerly vain so long as you like the Pharises teach for Doctrine the precepts of men namely such precepts that are the Dictates of your own idle brains And by an excessive fondnesse to the commands of your own fancies or the Devils suggestions you wickedly make voyd the holy just and equal commands of God What think you is not God the same as he ever was Hath he not given his statutes lawes and ordinances to Israel and to all that are of the same Church And is not this a great blessing among his people God hath not done this for the Heathen no they have not known his wayes Hath not God strictly forbidden either to adde to or diminish from his lawes upon the penalty of a curse Did not God say to Joshua thou shalt diligently observe and do all that is commanded not turning to the right hand or to the left Doth not Christ charge his Disciples to teach the baptized to observe and do all things whatever he hath commanded Matth. 28. And doth not Paul commend the Church of Corinth for being obedient in all things and for keeping the ordinances that he delivered unto them 1 Cor. 11.2 The Lawes and Ordinances of Jesus Christ were in force in the Apostolical Churches when were they repealed by what Authority and by whom Is not Christ the same yesterday to day and for ever You talk of the light of Conscience much can this light be blotted out of the Book of your Conscience it will not be long before conscience be fully opened to accuse and condemn you for reproaching the commands and ordinances of the Lord Jesus You talk of a Christ within you while you are disobedient and rebellious to Jesus Christ without you that gave his life a ransome for many Do you think a Christ within of your own making is able to secure you from the wrath of the Lamb when he shall come with his mighty Angels in flames of fire to render vengeance upon the disobedient to the Gospell You say you are perfect and in heaven and in the mean time strengthen your selves with lies and open your mouths with blasphemies and contempt of the holy things of Christ as hath been shewed but what will you do in the end thereof you tell me now out of your wonted boldnesse to belie the truth which the Scriptures teach that I am in the Will-worship in acting obedience from another Principle namely the Scriptures and so walk after the imaginations of my own heart which leads thee to worship the Devill in bringing forth those many lies in thy Paper begotten by the father of lies But I tell you the time is coming when your mouths that are opened in blasphemies shall be stopped and that word that I have urged against you shall judge you in that day
But their pride will be their ruine And the Lord will rebuke the madnesse of these Prophets and they are in the same way of perishing as in the gainsaying of Corab But dear friends I hope that there is that fear of God in your hearts that will preserve you from running out into these desperate heresies as to deny the holy Scriptures to be the Rule and ground of faith and obedience For you know deny the Authority of Scriptures the only boundary of truth and the only Touch-stone that every spirit and opinion is to be tryed by then all shall be left to follow the imaginations of their own idle heads and act as their deceitfull hearts shall suggest then they that can get the greatest confidence conceitednesse and strongest fancies and the impudentest tongues to vent their own inventions will be the only men for the true Religion and then who can tell what is truth and who are guided by the spirit of God and who by the Devill The very denying the Authority of the Scriptures bringeth all into confusion and heathenisme inevitably Cast off that which God hath ordained to direct us then the Devil will put in to mislead into all error and how shall any be able to know his workings and temptations from the pure workings of God for our good when the authority of the Scriptures are laid aside Nay who can be certain of any things in himself or in others that they please God when I or they cannot be certain they are ordained of God to that end if you lay aside the Authority of Scriptures And how just is it for God to punish the hearts of men with all spirituall delusions blindness and error and to let Satan loose upon mens souls when they cast off that which God hath given to direct and instruct in all righteousnesse and to every good work as 1 Tim. 3. You know how it is said that he that provideth not for his own hath denyed the faith as to that particular duty which the Doctrine of faith teacheth and is worse then an Infidell What would the Apostle have said of these that deny the whole Doctrine and Rule of Faith and yet have been once Christians sure they are worse than Infidells and it had been better they had never known the way of righteousnesse then after they have known it to turn from the holy Commandements of the Lord delivered unto them by word or writing 2 Pet. 2.20 see chap. 3.1.2 wherein the Apostle endevoured to stirre up their pure minds by way of remembrance that they might be mindsul of the words that were spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the Commandements of us the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour which comprehends the whole Scriptures of old and new Testament on which the Church is built the Scriptures are and in them do contain the Oracles of God which is a great advantage and preferment to those they are committed unto beyond all others Rom. 2.1 2. To them is the Covenant and the promises and the service of God chap. 9. And whatever were writ before time was writ for our learning that the Church of God through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. Whereas on the other hand those that are denyed the Scriptures are Aliens from the Common wealth of Israel and strangers to the Covenant of Promise and without hope and God in the world Ephes 2.12 as is clear of the like Infidel state that the Ephesians were in before their conversion to Christianity I tell you to deny the Scriptures is the desperatest error that any mortals can possibly plunge themselves into having once professed them such I am sure forsake their own mercies and judge themselves unworthy of eternall life by despising the Gospel of Christ contained in the Scriptures they slight the everlasting Covenant of Grace and all the promises writ in the Book of God there being not a promise made to any in the world but what is in the Scripture nor can any expect that God will give that which he doth not promise to any Let them tell me what promises are writ in the heart that deny the Scripture to be the only rule of faith and obedience if they be without the promise then they are without hope and God in the world as the poor Indians are if not worse by denying that which they have the means to know nay have known and been convinced and rejoyced in the spiritual blessings promised but now wilfully deny them and reject them as not to be believed that are written for the great comfort of the Lords people I tell you friends these miserable Worms uncovenant themselves and unchrist themselves as if they cared not for grace and mercie in their standing before God In denying the Scripture they deny all that grace and mercy that is writ there for the comfort and hope of poor penitent finners If the Scriptures shall be denyed their Authority by them then it will follow that they have removed the Lords antient bounds and the only Judge of all error What is heresie but the broaching of errors and vain opinions and practices contrary to the holy Lawes and Institutions of God recorded in Scriptures in taking away the rule they are involved in all heresie whatever for God will not be any otherwayes known trusted in worshiped and obeyed then himself hath taught and prescribed us in his word When men dare think of God after their own fancies and believe in him after their vain minds and worship God as seems good in their own eyes as all do that deny the Scripture to be a perfect Rule no wonder that they make God like themselves and themselves like God and that they preach another Gospell and set up another Christ and fancie another Heaven and another day of judgement and another Law and Rule to try all things by If men cease to be Christians and forsake the rules of Christianity while they continue to be men and have any sparks of immortality in them they will be doing in one way or other in order to eternity But will you receive these seducers into your houses and bid them God speed that deny the only Rule of righteousnesse and not be partakers with them Judge ye And can a greater proof and demonstration be given against any that they are Impostors and deceivers false teachers then this that in plain terms will deny the Authority of the holy Scriptures to be the only Rule of faith and obedience as those do which you receive and adhere unto which is a confirmation to me of the truth and Divine approbation of the publike ministry that you have forsaken when I observe what teachers you follow even those that deny the Authority of Scriptures And should our Teachers deny the Authority of holy Scriptures to be the Rule of faith and obedience and set up their own fancies to be the Rule as they do which you adhere
unto it were time to forsake and abhorre them Remember the Argument of our Saviour to distinguish between those that are of God and those that are not Joh. 8.47 He that is of God heareth Gods words but ye therefore hear them not therefore ye are not of God They are blessed that hear the word of God and keep it and this word is that word which they heard from the beginning as the same Apostle witnesseth 1 Joh. 2.7 Brethren I write no new Commandement unto you but an old which you had from the beginning and the old Commandement is the word which you have heard from the beginning and he that saith he knowes Christ and keepeth not his Commandements is a lyar and the truth is not in him Even those Commandements which were writ and spoke from the beginning that we love one another and this is love that we walk after Christs commandements and this is the Commandement that as you have heard from the beginning so should you walk in it Our duty is to look unto what Christ hath spoken and was heard by them that lived when he was upon the earth as his Apostles who had the promise of the Spirit to bring all things to their remembrance which he had spoken unto them And we are not to look for new commands from Christ now but to cleave to the old and we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard lest at any time we should let them slip How shall we escape if we neglect so great salsation which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him Heb. 2.1 2 3. So likewise God who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in times past unto the Fathers by the Prophets Heb. 1.1 hath in these last dayes spoke unto us by his Son he doth not say that God in these last dayes doth speak or will speak unto us by his Son but God hath already in time past spoke by his Son and that speaking is to these last dayes so that we are not to look for any other speaking or Revelations from any let them pretend what they can but must hear what the Spirit hath said unto the Churches for whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God and this Doctrine of Christ confists in the Commandements that ye have heard from the beginning that we should walk in them 2 Joh. 2.6 9. For many deceivers are entred into the World who confesse that Jesus Christ is not come in the flesh this is is a deceiver and an Antichrist and that is another rule to try the Spirits by whether they be of God or no. Every Spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God but is Antichrist I confesse in the Apostles dayes that was lookt upon to be the great herefie that troubled the Church namely that Jewish denyall of Christs being come in the flesh and that which did overthrow the Christian faith And we cannot say that the Quakers directly are in that Antichristian heresie but this we can safely say that they deny the benefits that come to the Church by Christs sufferings in that flesh he received from the Virgin Mary or else deny it to be a reall body of flesh and so make him but a figure and type of Christ in the Saints who are his true reall body which he now suffers in and by suffering makes satisfaction for them making that death upon the Crosse of none effect which is all one with denying that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh because they deny him that body of flesh that God prepared for him to suffer in even for all those his blood was shed for for remission of fins hence it is that they so commonly say that we must not think to be saved by that Christ without us that dyed at Jerusalem but by Christ within us and that Christ within they make to be all one with the light that is in all Such mad confused notions they have of Jesus Christ who shed his blood for many for remission of sins and did he not shed his blood without us and he is able to save to the utmost them that come to God by him seeing he liveth for ever to make intercession for them For such a high Priest became us who is holy undefiled separate from finners and made higher then the heavens Heb. 7.25 26. And is this done within any think you It 's true Jesus Christ worketh powerfully and effectually in the Saints to their converfion and reforming but to imagine that his powerfull workings in the hearts of his people is Christ in his being and person is a foule mistake as much as to say the actions of a man is the man Dear Friends I cannot but admire and wonder that ever you should adhere to such Teachers that so notoriously derogate from the death and blood-shed and intercession of Jesus Christ who hath suffered but once for sins the just for the unjust to bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickned in the Spirit 1 Pet. 3.18 Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many Heb. 9.28 By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified chap. 10.14 All which these Impostors which you follow make void which is to make the whole Gospell of no effect All good newes to sinners is grounded upon this one suffering of Christ without us thereby bearing our sins and taking them away by his bloud his blood cleanseth from all sin and that alone without blood is no remission by his stripes we have healing in him we have redemption through his bloud even the forgivenesse of sins Ephes 1. Doth Christ undergo the stripes of a just God and shed his bloud for our Redemption and forgivenesse within you What abhorred dotages are you bewitched with And no great wonder when you depart from the Counsells of God revealed clearly in the holy Scriptures why whither will you wander when you are got beyond all true bounds If one should have told you when you first had prejudice against the faithfull Ministrie that you wil fall off from all Ministrie and Worship and Sabbaths and private exercises of Religion in your families and from Scriptures and from Christ as the Scriptures teach him for Justification and Salvation c. you would have took it as ill as Hazael but by sad experience you may see your souls surprized with all this and I fear have added obstinacie unto it even scorning all counsel and endeavours to reduce you from these miserable snares with which you are taken and undone if God prevent not by his everlasting love and Covenant mercle from which they that have had good experience of your constancie and fidelity in the wayes
of Righteousnesse and true godlinesse are inclined in charity to hope well of you that there is some good at the bottome and life at the root that will spring forth again and make you instrumentall by your sad experiences to warn others The Third Question propounded WHether any thing besides the holy Scriptures is constituted of the blessed God to reveal Jesus Christ as Redeemer and Saviour to the Spirits of sinfull miserable lost man to bring up men to happinesse On whether lost man without the knowledge of Christ as the Scriptures reveal him may attain unto salvation yea or no. The Quakers Answer None can come to Christ but whom the Father drawes by his unlimited power nor know the Father but he whom the Son reveals him and he that thinks to attain the way to eternall life by reading the Letter of Scripture and regards not the light which comes from Christ that witnesseth for God in the secret of the heart and Conscience deceivs himself for the mystery of eternall life is sealed up in the sealed Book which none shall know by the outward Testimonie of Scripture but by the Inspiration of the Spirit of Christ who is the way the truth and the life to all that in his light wait his power them to guide in faithfull obedience to the Righteous and perfect Law of God written in the heart for the exercise of the Conscience which keeps them void of offence towards God and men according to Testimonie of Scripture Act. 24.16.23.1 My Reply Their Answer to my third Question falls upon other Questions but gives no direct Answer at all for the question doth not exclude the power and grace of the Father and the Son from mans attaining unto salvation but is of another thing namely whether faln lost man without the knowledge and use of the Scriptures may in an ordinary way know Christ as Mediator and be saved by him or thus whether God hath and doth exercise his power and Spirit in bringing corrupt man to the knowledge of Christ as Redeemer and believe in him to eternall life without the use and knowledge of the Scriptures ordinarily The Question is not of extraordinary cases and of Gods unlimited power who can do more then he hath any where revealed he will doe but it is of his ordinary course and power that is limited by his word of truth to do what he will in order to the blessednesse of those that wait upon him in those wayes and in the use of such means himself hath appointed in his holy word all other stamps and forms pretending to the knowledge of God and religious worshipping of him or of being saved by Christ are but the superstitious births of deluded fancies that tend to the deceiving and ruin of a mans self and others Their Answer to this is but dark and to little purpose only they say That their Answer doth stand as a witnesse against me and declares the way to the Father and the Son according to Scriptures Matth. 11.27 Joh. 6.44 Which they say my dark mind is a stranger unto who am querying of Gods constituting ordinary means of salvation and of his ordinary way of working to reveal Christ as Redeemer which say they are unlearned Questions and to be condemned with the light which reproves the world of sin and leads to the Son who is the Redeemer and way to the Father Joh. 14.6 Which way is but one and condemnation you must own unlesse thou canst shew us a Scripture that speaks of ordinary and extraordinary way of Gods exercising his power and Spirit or of a limited power of God which words proceed from thy dark Imaginations and not grounded upon Scripture are concluded to be the births of the deluded fancie you speak of Answ By all this we may judge the sum of their Answer amounts to this That my Question is unlearned and to be condemned with the light which reproves the world of sin and leads to the Son immediately without the help of those means God hath appointed to that end and therefore as before the Scriptures and Ordinances therein commanded are not of necessity but this pretended light and Spirit and unlimited power of God is to be attended upon only not regarding any ordinary means whatever though such as God himself hath appointed and doth only reveal in his word as if all those ordinary and usuall helps that God himself commands in his word for men to use to come to the knowledge of Christ and how to be saved by him were superfluous or opposite to the knowing of him c. although the Scriptures were written and all Instructions therein contained for our learning that we might have comfort and hope all others that have not the use and benefit of Scriptures have no hope and without God in the world as hath been spoken to already and yet this they say is an unlearned Question but surely they say so because they know not how to give a direct Answer to it in plainnesse but it wil lay them open to the weakest judgements to be against Christ as Redeemer as the Scriptures teach him which few would hearken unto should they speak plainly But let all men judge of what Spirit these men are of that condemns the Questions as propounded by the light which condemns the world of sin But let them first discover what sin is in these Questions before they rashly condemn them Secondly let them tell us what light is that which reproves for sin if not the mind of Christ and the voice of the Spirit revealed in the Scriptures Thirdly let them prove that the light which they condemn the Questions with is the true light of Christ or else who will regard them How dare those proud Worms condemne the things they know not how to answer but by denying the holy Scriptures and what they teach But what light is that that leads to the Son who is the Redeemer while you disown the light of Scriptures to be the Rule to make out this high discovery Did you ever know or hear of any since Scriptures were that have attained to know Christ as Redeemer and to believe in him to salvation that never heard of Christ by Scriptures or Scripture ministry Doth not the Apostle determine absolutely as to this case and question by severall interrogations Rom. 10. How shall they call on him of whom they have not believed and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not so much as heard of and how can they hear without a preacher and how can they preach except they be sent c. And doth he not conclude from these interrogations that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God he urging that necessity of hearing the word of God in order to faith without which it cannot be And therefore it was that he queries the Galatians thus Received ye the Spirit by the Law or by faith preached not by the Law but by
the text and judge me for pleading the holy perfect just Lawes and Institutions of God and Christ that Scriptures teach the only Rule of the Saints obedience as if these were to vanish as making nothing perfect as is very probable that 's their sense Therefore no great matter that I come under their censure when the holy Lawes of God revealed in the holy Scriptures cannot escape their slanders Thus you may see of what Spirit they are of both by their forwardnesse to censure and falshood in their Answer But then in the next paragraph they have another Answer to the same thing where they yeeld 1. That the perfect Law in the heart is the same with that in Scripture but under another Covenant 2. They say this perfect Law of God in the heart is in all that are in the new Covenant 3. Then they say That this Law is perpetually one and the same in all that have it and it admits of no addition alteration nor repeal 4. Where Regeneration is witnessed and the heart quickned by the grace of God his Law is writ in that heart These four things were occasioned upon some queries put to them which for want of my Copy I cannot directly transcribe amongst which Queries one was Whether this perfect Law in the heart gives any Evangelicall discoveries of the person natures offices of Christ which they say is an unlearned Question condemned by the light which gave forth the Scriptures c. Reader mark here they make the Law in the heart the Rule which is perpetuall without repeal as before which directeth them in answering and yet this Law is but a blessing of the new Covenant Another while they say the Spirit is the sole judge and only Rule as you have heard Another while the light of Christ that enlighteneth every one that comes into the world another while the eternall word that was from the beginning which made all things and in their close of all they say written from the Spirit of truth who is the same in all the children of light Thus you see they make the Law written in the heart and the Spirit of truth and the eternal word all one the Law which is promised and given by that one God that made all things is the same that made all things Again one while they plead the work of the Law writ in the hearts of all in the world another while restrain it only to those that are in the new Covenant and regenerate quickned by the grace of God one while man by nature hath no light remaining in him at all but is darknesse another while all in the world are enlightened by Christ They plead a perfect Law within and the same with the Lawes of God in Scriptures and yet condemn me for pleading the Lawes and Ordinances of God in Scripture for a Rule That of the Scripture made nothing perfect say they and yet confesse it the same with that in the heart Surely either these are learned Paradoxes or else absurd contradictions they may do well to clear themselves better and speak plain and directly to the things in hand 1. The Question is still where we read of a perfect Law of God in the heart and where it is made the Rule and ground of the Saints obedience 2. And the Question is whether the Law in the heart be under another Covenant distinct from the perfect law of God as declared in the Scripture 3. And still the Question is what we are to understand by the Law of God in the heart which is the same with Scriptures whether the ten Commandements writ in Tables of Stone only or all those positive precepts of Gospel worship and obedience conjoyned with them also 4. And still the Question is whether the Law in the heart without the use of Scriptures make any evangelicall discoveries of the person natures and offices of Christ as he is Redeemer of lost man 5. And whether all shall be saved that have the Law of God writ in their hearts by vertue of the new Covenant or any be saved that live to years of discretion that know not Christ as the Scriptures testifie of him in order to his coming in the world to save sinners Although these queries have been put to them they will not answer plainly and directly but darkly and with deceit of purpose to evade the strength of truth that is against them should they speak out They quote Psal 19.7 to prove the Law of God to be perfect in the heart but David intended another Law namely that of the Prophets The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul the Testimony of the Lord is sure making wise the simple the Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart the Commandements of the Lord are pure enlightening the eyes c. I have given my thoughts how the Law is writ in the hearts of Gods sanctified people and do grant the thing in all that are Godly by vertue of the new Covenant which they accuse me to deny though falsely but this I deny That the perfection of the whole Law of God is writ in any mans heart so as to know it and do it as it is written in the Prophets and Apostles For as Paul saith We know in part and prophesie in part and see but darkly 1 Cor. 13.9.12 So in James in many things we offend all Besides the Scripture doth not say as they do of yeelding faithfull obedience to the righteous and perfect Law of God in the heart and when they speak not according to Scripture it is to be rejected and disowned themselves have granted in their Answer to the second Question And what that other Covenant is the Law in the heart is under themselves have often expressed to be the new Covenant Jer. 31. Heb. 8. And will they deny the Lawes Statutes Ordinances of God in force writ in Scriptures to be a blessing of priviledge as they are means appointed for man to use in order to that end of Gods writing them in the heart by his Spirit Both the outward writing and the inward impression wrought by the power of Divine grace is from the same Covenant witnesse Deut. 4.7 8 9. For what Nation is so great that hath God so nigh unto them as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon him for And what Nation so great that hath Statutes and Judgements so righteous as all this Law which Moses set before them and therefore he warns them to keep their souls diligently lest they forget the Lawes which their eyes have seen and lest they depart from their hearts but teach them thy Sons and thy Sons Sons and so on These words of the Law of God they were commanded to get them in their hearts and teach them diligently to their children when they sate in their houses and walked abroad lying down and rising up chap. 6.6 7. Thus we may see that those that have the
upholding all things by his power for his Elects sake that they may be gathered to himself But the Text doth not say that he enlighteneth every one in the world with a spiritual light sufficient to eternall life and happinesse if they will but mind it There is something in the word lighteth which had respect to the present time noting some benefit given to the world which never was before according to Joh. 3.19 And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men love darknesse rather then light As the present mercy and benefit of Christs coming into the world in his person and immediate ministry confirmed by his works of miracles were a greater light to direct them and lead them out of darknesse to God so their condemnation was thereby aggravated in their refusall loving darknesse before the directions of this true light Besides lighteth is rather an outward light a borrowed expression taken from a Torch or Candle which have their use in an outward sense And we know John bare witnesse of Christ in his person and office unto which he was designed of the Father in making him the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world and he bare witnesse to this very end that through his Testimony all men might believe in him Had the Apostle meant as they would have it he would have put in more words I think and not left it so obscurely to that end they would build on for whether this Text proves any such thing as Christs inward enlightening and quickening by his Spirit in the souls of men unto life is to me a great Question though a clear truth from other Texts for this light is said to shine in darknesse but the darknesse comprehended it not he came unto his own but they received him not The Jewes were counted his own as being the only people of God in profession and Covenant and yet they are accounted darknesse in regard of their incredulity in not receiving him for where Christ enlightneth and quickneth spiritually any soul with his grace all principles of rejectings and resistings of Christ and his word are removed and darknesse expelled as light comes into any soul darknesse goes out it being nothing else but the absence of light and therefore I think the Text is to be understood of the light of his person made flesh his ministry and miracles and all other means which by his Authority are appointed to bring men to true faith in him to salvation as many as believed in him he gave power to become the sons of God and not any other And we know how the Apostles understood the enlightening of the Gentiles were by their Ministry in Gods granting them repentance unto life and turning them from the darknesse of paganisme to the light of Christianity thereby as Scriptures teach as hath been proved The main objection of theirs against this sense is this Christs person ministry miracles were not known to every man therefore every man could not be lighted so Answ By World may be understood that part of the world where Christ was and is made known by vertue of his word Christ was in the world and the world was made by him and yet he was not in all parts of the world and so he was in the world and the world knew him not cannot be understood of the whole world for some did know him who he was and for what end he came into the world So it is said that Christ baptizeth and all men come to him here all must be understood of many in those parts And so the Apostle saith John was sent of God to bear witnesse of the light that all men through him might believe this must necessarily be understood with limitation for all men did not know nor so much as hear of John for he bare this witnesse only in Judea Again they say That John bare record of his life and light from which those works proceeded and not of his person and we know say they that his record is true which proves thee a lyar who saith he bare record of his person manifest in the flesh and the lie rests upon thee untill thou prove it Answ By this you may conceive that they deny the person of Christ and so consequently Christ himself as he is a Saviour for spirituall life and light were not capable of death shedding of blood undergoing the curse and treading the Wine-presse of his fathers wrath a sacrifice for sin for the redemption pardon and salvation of sinners Did not John bear record of his person when he said to the people as Christ came towards them Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world Joh. 1.29.36 And John baptized him with water and according to an immediate word and sign given of the Lord he saw and bare record that this Christ was the Son of God vers 33 34. And this is he of whom I said After me cometh a man which is preferred before me vers 30. And did John give record that he was a man whom he baptized with water and talked with and pointed at and yet bare no record of his person could he be a man and not a person the Son of God and not a person when he is said to be the expresse Character of his Fathers person Heb. 1.3 Thus you see in respect of his Divinity and Humanity he is called a Person Adde that which I have said before and then judge who is the lyar The Jewes themselves how malicious soever could not deny his person but they denyed that this just person Christ Jesus was the true Messiah promised in the Prophets and therefore they with bitternesse opposed him as a deceiver a false Christ c. But Christ told them If you believe not that I am he you shal die in your sins What He is this and not a person But enough hath been spoke to this to discover their folly and madnesse unto all that are sober His life and light and person is inseparable but he is not any otherwayes a light and comfort and Saviour to lost sinners but by his incarnation taking mans nature bearing our sins satisfying offended justice by the sacrifice of himself and hath obtained an eternall redemption for us thereby And he that doth not believe in him thus as the Scriptures hold him forth a Redeemer by suffering in his own person in the behalf and stead of lost sinners for their eternall redemption believes nothing at all of Christ unto eternall life whatever other notions or fancies are pretended What these mens fancies are of Christ what he is and how he redeems and saves sinners who can certainly tell They own not his person his natures his offices of Prophet Priest and King as the Scriptures reveal of him in the performance of that great work of mans redemption What do these people understand what Jesus Christ that came into the world made
their opinion of a sufficiency of universall grace to all in Christ that leads out of darknesse to eternal life as the Quakers do as hath been shewed by their own Papers under their hands destroyes Gods distinguishing will of his purpose and good pleasure manifesting his mercy and love to whom he will because he will and not to others not only in respect of the end but of the means subservient to the end hence comes free will to be saved or damned which these men cannot evade for if every man in the world hath a sufficient light of Christ to lead out of darknesse to eternall life if they will but heed it c. then it followes that all men may be saved that will unlesse you say that that condition of loving and heeding this sufficient light in man is not in the power of man but is the speciall grace of God given to whom he will upon choyce but you cannot say so but you will destroy your main principle which is universall and must be urged every way sufficient to eternal life and happinesse or else to what purpose is the pressing of this light to all if all have not a power to improve it up to that very end of happinesse That there is such a light and power in all men that shall leave them without excuse and being improved to the utmost shall not only mitigate the Torments of hell but be a means of enjoying many blessings in this world and the way and means of renewing quickning grace where God gives his word and ordinances to any is easily yeelded by men of sober judgement but to say as you that all men in the world have a sufficient light in Christ to lead them out of that corrupt dark state of nature to eternall life and have power in themselves thus to improve it if they will This text Joh. 1.9 falls short of the proof or any other Scripture whatever and therefore to be rejected as a fancy of mans vain mind meerly And do but seriously consider what wicked errors this one principle of yours runs you upon point blank to plain and evident Scriptures First you have in favour of this fancyed such a light in every one that you sometimes call the light Christ the Law of the new Covenant the counsell of God in the secret of the soul that Spirit of Christ which convinceth the world of sin and Christ the light of the Gentiles all which as you apply them to every man in the world have been confuted and are most pernicious errors which the Scriptures oppose Secondly hence you perswade all men to cease from all outward means of light and onely attend upon the light within and to wave all outward worship in holy observances according to Scriptures and only obey the commands of the light and commands of Christ within though inconfistent with the Scriptures never so much For that which I call the word and ordinances namely the holy writings of the Prophets and Apostles and the ordinances of holy Worship which have their institution and foundation from the Spirit of God speaking and moving what they writ These things you say is but the letter and traditions of men as in the latter end of your answer to this fourth Question besides your frequent reproaching these things in most of your papers that fly abroad I have made some discovery already and what means all this but that you judge the light of Christ to all is sufficient alone to life eternall Thirdly hence it is that you have fancyed a more spirituall Christ then Christ that was made flesh by incarnation who was truely God and truely man in one person and offered himself a sacrifice to God to reconcile sinners to God and preached peace to them that were neer and afarre off c. Because this Christ this person this sacrifice and the ends thereof are not known nor heard of to all in the world so that rather then you will put a limit to this Text Joh. 1.9 which meerly the strength of fancy hath taken up you will invent another Christ that will make the Text hold to every man and that is no other then the rationall soul of man corrupted which indeed is called the candle of the Lord but no where called the Lords Christ in whom we have redemption through his bloud c. Fourthly hence you have fancyed an universall free Grace of God to all men in the world equally alike and a new Covenant to all men in the world and this light is that Grace of God and the blessing promised in the new Covenant Heb. 8 and these universalls cannot be without the other of universall redemption though they say little of it because that Christ they have in their fancy was not capable of shedding blood for any such end And why not a universall salvation as well inasmuch the one as the other but that men will not besaved notwithstanding they are redeemed and renewed with saving grace by vertue of Redemption and the new Covenant But do you think that this is all which the Scriptures teach as touching Redemption by Christ the free love and grace of God bestowed on men as they are blessings of the new and everlasting Covenant which stands in remission of sins and in the giving of his Spirit to renew and sanctifie and soften the carnall old hard and rebellious heart of man I say doth all the mercy and grace of God through Christ amount to no more then so as to depend upon the will of man resisting or not improving what God intends to their eternall happinesse If all men have new hearts and the Spirit and pardon of sin by vertue of the new Covenant what can hinder the salvation of all Or what is it that makes this great difference between one man and another if the Grace of God according to the new Covenant makes all equall at first What is it or who hath made thee to differ from another man I pray you answer in whom doth the election obtain it for that some believe and others not You talk of the children of light unto whom saith is only given but why should you make any restriction amongst men if all have Christ in them and have the Law of the new Covenant writ in their hearts as a blessing thereof What should hinder the salvation of all that have this supernaturall Grace will the Lord condemn any that have the light and life of reall grace and forgivenesse of sins by vertue of the new Covenant which you apply to all in the world If all that come into the world have a sufficiency of Grace to lead out of darknesse to eternall life then what need hath any of converting regenerating Grace Or what need any pray for the Grace of God to convert and turn them to God if they have it in themselves as they come into the world Do you think or can you believe that those promises of giving