if Reprobates be taken in this Place for such as God hath given up cast off and rejected yet doth not this prove but the Light of Christ was once in them and at Work in their Hearts And further by this Scripture it is manifest that the Light of Christ Jesus is in every Man And this I know will suffice in Answer to satisfie the Unprejudiced concerning those Places of Scripture Answ 2. The Love of Christ constraineth us thus to Judge because if Christ dyed for all then were all Dead and as Christ dyed for all so hath this Grace appeared to all for he hath enlightned all that come into the World and we know that he is able and willing to save all that yield Obedience to and embrace the Tenders of his Boundless Endless Unlimited Universal Love to Mankind without Exception and this we are verily perswaded of from these and such like Considerations 1. Because God is no Respecter of Persons Acts 10.35 He maketh his Sun to rise on the Evil and the Good and sendeth Rain on the Just and on the Vnjust he accepteth not the Persons of Princes nor regardeth the Rich more then the Poor for they all are the Work of his Hands 2. Because that Light which shined in our Dark Ignorant Unclean and Unbelieving Hearts before Conversion is the very same in which we live and abide since our Conversion That which formerly stood by was an Eye witness to and bore a faithful Testimony against us while we walked in Darkness is the same which since the time of our believing and abiding in his Light witnesseth with our Spirits that we are the Children of God That which caused Trouble Restlesness and Terror when we lived in Unbelief Rebellion and Disobedience is the same which causeth Calmness Stilness Settlement and Satisfaction and bringeth forth peaceable Fruits of Righteousness in our Souls since we have believed continued obedient thereto That very Light which before convinced reproved judged condemned us for all Unbelief and Unrighteousness both in Heart Life is still the same which doth convert confirm cleanse justifie and save yea that Light which before shined in Darkness and the Darkness comprehended it not is but one and the same which after it was believed and obeyed did expel and lead out of Darkness that the Light which before was ecclipsed may now so shine before Men that seeing our Good Works may glorifie our Father which is in Heaven in the Day of their Visitation wherefore the Love of Christ constrains us thus to judge that the Light of Christ is in every Man and Woman who is able to save to the uttermost all that believe in him and obey him because when we were as Vile as the worst of Sinners we can witness that the same Light which did then shine in Darkness doth now to the Praise of God shine out of Darkness whereof we are not ashamed 3. Because our Lord Jesus who cannot Lye hath said that man's Condemnation ariseth only from the Contempt of and Disobedience to this Light saying This is the Condemnation Light is come into the World but men love Darkness rather then Light Jo. 3. This is the the Condemnation that Light is come into the World That was only say some Christ's Bodily Presence upon Earth in that Day So then it must needs follow that Condemnation terminated and ended in that Generation because then that Bodily Presence expired But we witness according to his own Words that he is come again in Spirit for saith he They shall say Lo here and Lo there but go not after them nor follow them Luke 17.21 23 24 25. look not out for the Kingdom of God is within you And as the Lightning shineth from one Part under Heaven to the other Part under Heaven so shall the Son of Man be in his Day but first he must suffer many Things of this Generation and be rejected We testifie therefore that these are the Dayes of the Son of Man and Christ Jesus the Light is come into the World into the Souls Consciences of Earthly VVorldly-minded and Unbelieving Men and VVomen and they who love Darkness rather then Light cannot escape Condemnation because they neglect despise and reject so great Salvation Therefore as the Brazen Serpent was lift up by Moses in the VVilderness even so Christ Jesus the Light of the VVorld hath God exalted with his own Right Hand to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance and Forgiveness wherefore he said When he ascended on high he led Captivity Captive and gave Gifts unto Men now that he ascended what is it but that he descended first into the lower Parts of the Earth he that descended is the same also which ascended far above all Heavens THAT HE MIGHT FILL ALL THINGS And thus is his Light in every Man's Conscience that they who feel themselves stung by the fiery Serpents in the Wilderness of Sin Darkness and Unbelief and look towards and believe in him might not perish but have Eternal Life but whoever neglect overlook or under value this only Saviour of the VVorld Christ Jesus the Light the alone Guide to Rest must necessarily perish in the VVilderness and dye in their Sins For it is most certain that Man's Damnation must undoubtedly arise from some of these Causes 1. Either for want of Light Or 2. From the Deficiency of that Light Or 3. From man's own Rebellion and Disobedience to this Light Now to judge or believe that man's Condemnation is occasion'd through the Want of True Saving Light is horrid Wickedness because it chargeth God foolishly with Injustice and nothing less then to say with the Evil and Unprofitable Servant Lord I know thee to be an Austere and Hard Man reaping where thou hast not sown and gathering where thou hast not strawed therefore I was afraid and went and hid thy Talent in the Earth Yea what greater Unmercifulness and Injustice can be charged upon God then to say or think That he hath designed any Man's Ruin and hath denyed him the Benefit of this saving Light When the Lord hath assured Mankind as certainly as he lives That he desires not the Death of any Sinner but that this is his Will and herein he is pleased That the Wickâ—d might forsake their Wicked Wayes and live for he would that all men should be saved and come to the Knowledge of the Truth which Truth is Christ the Light Neither can it be granted that man's Condemnation is occasioned through the Insufficiency of this Light of Christ for as hath been already proved He is able to save to the uttermost all that come to the Father by him and is the Mighty Power of God unto Salvation which though in its first Appearance be as small as a Grain of Mustard-seed a Little Leaven a Bruised Reed or as Smoaking Flax yet is it that Little Stone cut out of the Mountains without Hands yea though it be rejected disallowed
set at nought refused and Despised by all Babel's Builders as a Poor Inconsiderable Matter But though these Phrases oppose the Appearance of Christ in Spirit the Light despise him as the Day of small Things yet is it the only precious Stone the tryed Stone the Corner-stone that sure Foundation and Rock of Ages that whosoever believe and build hereon the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against them Wherefore seeing that Light is come into the World and that the Light Christ Jesus is sufficient to redeem save all that believe in and obey him and that Man's Condemnation proceeds only from Disobedience and Unbelief in rejecting the Light It is therefore the earnest Travail of my Soul That you my dear and truly beloved Friends and Relations may turn in to the Light in your own Consciences retire thither and wait in the Silence of your own Wills and Wisdom for the clear Manifestations thereof then shall you know him whom all the VVorld talks of and need no more that any say Know the Lord for he will reveal himself in you Wherefore as ye love your own Souls love and cherrish that in you which hath shewn you the Evil of Sin the Vanity of this Fading World and hath been at Work many a time in your Hearts and wrought you into Tenderness panting after Satisfaction from the Living Presence of God Oh! Love believe only in him hearken only to him wait continually upon Him obey follow and live in his Counsels fall under his Reproofs with Meekness endure his Judgment with Patience kiss the Son lest he be angry and ye perish in the Way chearfully resign up your Wills Affections Souls Bodies Pleasures Profits Honours Estates Liberty and Life it self to be universally ordered and disposed by him whose Name is Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace This is the Way to True Honour and Durable Riches Oh therefore be perswaded to stand single in the Teachings Guidance and Counsels of the Lord Jesus Despise him not be not ashamed to own him and his poor Despised Followers Now that your Hearts may be carryed above the Snares that attend your Conditions and be wholely devoted to the Lord and become Fellow Citizens with the Saints in Light is the earnest Breathing and Prayer of him who is Your Faithful Friend James Jackson Postscript Reader HAving mentioned some things before in general of the Just Cause of my leaving the Independent People I think it not unseasonable to give this particular Account of an Offence receiv'd from the Uneven Walking of John James Pastor of the Independents in Nottinghamshire which I signified to him before my Forsaking that Way a Copy whereof followeth which to this Day stands over his Head for he never returned me an Answer to my Letter but stirred up and incensed my Relations and others against me telling them how greatly I had Injured Abused and Slandered him But Wisdom is justified of her Children John James THe Lord knows and thou art not wholely Ignorant That some years lately past my Soul was plunged into a most Dreadful State yea and I certainly know that unless the most precious Sons of Sion be kept by the Mighty Power of God and in themselves carefully observe the first Declinings of their Hearts from the Lord they will be ensnared through the Deceitfulness of Sin and become weak as other Men And consider as thou art in great Danger to be ruin'd through the Indulgence and Flatteries of thy Brethren some of them styling thee The Head of the Church next and immediately under Christ and lest thou shouldst receive Harm for want of Faithfulness in Friends watching over thee in Love I have in Love to thy Soul and Discharge of my Duty presented to thy serious Consideration some of the things I hear of thee and partly believe them Whereas heretofore thou usedst to preach against National Churches Antichrist's Clergy their Covetousness Pride Forcâ—d Maintenance c. and reprovedst thy Brethren for hearing those Parish Priests with whom now thou art joyned in Combination to augment thy Ecclesiastical Promotions which before was more Considerable then many Parsonages in the County and so thou art leading back again licking up thy old Vomit and of late hast begun in several Places to Sprinkle Infants That many of thy Poor Brethren at whose Houses formerly thou kept'st Meetings have now been neglected for above Six Years but hast been ever careful to visit thy kind Benefactors at Marnham Skegby c. and very punctual to keep thy Day with the Presbyterians at Nottingham and Chesterfield where thou knewest thy Pay would be sweet and certain It was thee only that after that great Assembly was gathered at Gamston by the Labours of some private Men who confined the Work there to a Pack of Clergy-Men viz. Thy Self Rosse Bosworth and Clark And by the same Spirit and Prelatical Preheminence suspended old Allen a more Righteous Man then thy self from Exercising in thy Dioces It was the Letter writ with thy own Hand that obstructed the intended Marriage betwixt John Atkinson and Mary Smith for although seemingly thou pretendedst Kindness to the said John who indeed at the same time was in Fellowship with thee yet having Respect to a more peculiar Interest secretly writ to Northampton and frustratedst the Hopes of the poor Man which he never Recovered but Languished and Dyed And when a Letter was written to be sent to London to the Professors there on the behalf of Robert Johnson a Member of thy Church to procure his Relief he being there and Unknown was exceedingly Distressed for want of Bread thou didst refuse to subscribe the Letter and he was Famished and Dyed before that Money got to him which was collected at Nottingham By which it doth appear that thou hast lost that Honest Conscientious Tenderness which once thou didst seem to have and that the Spirit of God is not thy Guide and Helper for it hath been seriously observed by thy most Judicious Hearers that thou dost not bear in thine Assemblies a Faithful Testimony against the Formality Earthliness Pride Bitterness and Sinful Compliances of thine Auditors but daubest with Vntempered Morter and preachest smooth things Flourishes Latin and Greek Sentences and Eloquent Phrases to set off and beautifie thy Wares Remember whence thou art fallen and Repent else know for certain thou hast done thy Work and the Lord will make no more Vse of thee If Salt hath lost his Savour it is henceforth good for nothing I am thine Offended Friend James Jackson THE END
THE Strong Man Armed CAST OUT And his GOODS SPOILED Or the Poor Man sitting at Jesus's Feet clothed and in his Right Mind Being a True Convert's Testimony of the Power of the Lord in turning the Soul from Darkness to Light and from the Power of Satan unto God Wherein is clearly manifested that there is Light in every Man and Woman which discovers their Conditions bears a faithful Testimony against Sin is the Reprover of all Unbelief and Unrighteousness both in Heart and Life and is the Mighty Power of God for Salvation to all that believe in it and obey it And herein it is evidently proved That they are none of the Ministers of Christ that Oppose this Doctrine with one infallible Character of the Real Gospel-Ministers and most of the weighty Objections answered Formerly given forth in Writing unto my Relations and Acquaintance the Professors called Independents in Notingham-shire declaring the just Cause of my leaving their Assemblies Together with a tender Invitation to all the Honest-hearted to come out of their dead Forms and walk in the Light of the Lord. By James Jackson formerly a Parish Priest and a Teacher amongst the Independents and now through the exceeding Riches of God's Love am made willing to take up the Daily Cross and walk with the despised Followers of the Lamb in Scorn called Quakers This is a Marvelous Thing O ye Priests and Professors that ye know not whence he is and yet he hath opened mine Eyes Was it ever known that ever any man opened the Eyes of one that was born blind Printed in the Year 1674. TO My Loving Friends Kindred AND ACQUAINTANCE The Tender Sober and Conscientious Professors amongst the People call'd Independents in the County of NOTTINGHAM THe Scriptures declare of a Man which had an Vnclean Spirit who had his dwelling among the Tombs and no man could bind him no not with Chains because he had been often bound with Chains and Fetters and the Chains had been plucked asunder by him and the Fetters broken in pieces And being driven of the Devil into the Wilderness he was so unruly and fierce tearing his Cloaths and cutting his Flesh that no man could tame him But after the Lord Jesus had healed this poor Creature and effected such an extraordinary Change as caused Astonishment and Admiration in the Beholders for it is said That when they who had known him before now saw such a palpable Alteration he that was called Legion Sitting and Cloathed and in his Right Mind they were afraid and Jesus said unto him Go home to thy Friends and tell them how Great Things the Lord hath done for thee and hath had Compassion on thee And truly Friends this day in my Particular is this Scripture fulfilled in your Eyes my Vngodly Dissolute Debauched and Extravagant Course of Life hath been known to most of you when I sinned after strong Convictions serious Admonitions and Reproofs Vows Promises and Resolutions against known Scripture-Rules Inward Light and Religious Education breaking and violating all these Bonds and Obligations which as so many Chains and Fetters one would think might be sufficient to tame and restrain the unruly Lusts of Youth whereby the Souls of some of the tenderest and chiefest of you have been grieved exceedingly wounded and exercised endeavouring and earnestly travelling with Prayers and Tears for my Recovery Wherefore seeing the Lord hath passed by me when I was in my Blood and pittied me and said unto me Live For it was the Lord only who saw my Way and healed me and restored Comforts to me and my Mourners by the effectual Calling of his Grace REVEALING HIS SON IN ME and hath spared me as a Living Monument of his Patience Endless Mercy and Compassion I therefore in the powerful Constrainings of this Love am unwilling to eat my Morsel alone or to hide my Talent in the Earth but with Sampson having tasted some Sweetness and Strength from the Lord do commend my Experiences unto you my Friends and Relations declaring unto you how great Things the Lord hath done for me and had Compassion on me in turning me from Darkness into his Marvellous Light and from the power of Satan into the Kingdom of his dear Son To whom be Glory Praise and Obedience for evermore James Jackson THE Strong Man Armed CAST OUT And His Goods Spoiled c. IN the time of my greatest Pollution and Iniquity while I fulfilled the Lusts of the Flesh with Greediness for many years before that Change and Reformation was discerned in me at which ye rejoyced even in the worst of my time I testifie in the Presence of the Lord that then I met with real and immediate Reproofs Rebukes and Convictions from something that did often Awaken Judge and Condemn me in my own Conscience but knew not what it was nor whence it came and because Iniquity was risen in me to an exceeding masterless height these Rebukes which I know were from a contrary Principle to Sin prevailed not although at some times they were as Powerful and Terrible as the Hand-Writing upon the Wall before Belshazzer whereby my Countenance hath been changed my Thoughts troubled so that the Joynts of my Loins were losed and my Knees smote one against another then thought I to redress this Sorrow by going into Merry and Pleasant Company essaying to divert that inward Perplexity by outward Jollaty as Drinking Gameing Musick c. but those Diversions were unable to still and quiet these Tempestuous Surging Waves and were no more effectual to heal the Wound of my Sin-smitten Conscience then if a man should endeavour to quench Fire by pouring Oyl thereon for I found by woful Experience that these unwarrantable Courses encreased the Flame and added yet more Weight to the first Burden Then have I many times solemnly vowed promised and resolved To break off and cease from all Ungodly Practices and in keeping and observing these Covenants I have found some Ease and Quietness for a time but as soon as new Sins were committed then arose fresh Occasions of Sorrow Trouble and Terror and after this manner I continued many years until the Lord was pleased of his infinite Wisdom and Faithfulness to hedge up my Way with Remarkable and Extraordinary Providences blasting all Purposes and Designs and caused Afflictions Losses and Disappointments to come upon my outward Estate Horror and Perplexity upon my Soul a most Violent and Raging Feaver upon my Body and at the same time above an Hundred Miles from all Relations Friends and Kindred at which time being in a most Wretched Deplorable and Succourless Condition sinn'd my self almost out of all the Comforts of this Life and any Hope of Interest in a better being under this great Distress and cast out to the loathing of my own Person and had all my Sins set in order before me whereupon I was forced seriously to consider my Wayes and found no place to escape the Wrath of the Highly-provoked God at which time
of the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-Stone in whom all the Building fitly framed together groweth into an Holy Temple in the Lord. So that these receive immediate Light Life Power Teaching Guidance Rules Refreshings Revelation Peace and Satisfaction from that Word which was before the Worlds were made even that Life Power Foundation Root Spring and Fountain in and by which the Holy Prophets and Apostles were Quickened Enlightened Anointed Inspired and gave forth the Scriptures which is Christ Jesus the Word of God the Power of God the Son of God the Light Within the only Saviour of the World 2dly Their Faith is the Faith of the Son of God Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of it It is not a Dead Historical Faith but the Spirit and Life of Faith and no less then the Resurrection and Life of the Immortal Seed Enlightening Quickening Reforming and Renewing the whole Man And this is that Faith by which Sin is subdued slain and mortified perfectly the Heart purified the World conquered the Soul sanctified justified and saved perfectly But the Faith of all others is an Unholy Dead Imperfect Faith it sanctifies but in part as they say and so will never save to the uttermost 3dly Their Knowledge is Spiritual and Experimental from the immediate Unction of the Holy Ghost what is known proceeds not from Hear-say but divine Revelation All that are born of the Spirit are taught of God and need not that any say Know the Lord for they all know him from the greatest to the least This is Life Eternal to know God who is Light yea the Father of Lights and that the Light within is the Son of God whom he hath sent so to know as to live and abide in his Light is Life Eternal And this is that Mystery which is hid from the Wise and Prudent and is revealed unto Babes for the World by all its Wisdom knows not God neither doth the Carnal Man though never so great a Schollar discern the things of God for they are Spiritually discerned And as Christ was Bodily in the World and the World knew him not no not the great Doctors and Leaders of those several Sects and Religions in that day as the Samaritans Herodians Scribes Pharisees and Sadduces they knew him not and therefore the man that was born blind wondred This is a Marvelous Thing saith he that ye know not from whence he is and yet he hath opened mine Eyes It was never known that any man opened the Eyes of one that was born blind Even so it is now Christ is spiritually in the World and the World knoweth him not no not the Popes Prelates Presbyters Priests and Pastors of all the Religions in the World they know him not but say It is the Devil or at best but the Light of Nature and so they know not from whence he is yet hath he inlightned Thousands And it was never known that the Devil or Nature converted any to the Lord that have been Naturalized to Sin 4thly Their Humility which is the emptying of themselves of all their own Righteousness Wills Wisdom and Self-Exaltation and is a real inward spiritual Abasement and Subjection to the Life Power Kingdom of Christ Jesus manifested in Spirit ruling and dwelling in their mortal Bodies And so this True Humble Meek and Low Frame of Spirit proceeds from their experimental Knowledge of Christ's living Presence in them whereas they that know God and Christ only by Reading and Hear-say with a Literal and Historical Knowledge they are blown swell'd and puffed up with Airy Notions Vain Boastings and Self-Conceitedness 5thly Their Unity which consists not only in the Oneness of Opinion and Judgment but proceeds from Unity of Spirit And their Love one to another is not from a Natural but a Heavenly and Spiritual Principle It is not the Love of one man to another but it is the Love of God shed abroad in their Hearts which maketh them all of one Mind and all speak write and witness the same thing For as the Vital Spirits in the Natural Frame have its Operation through every Member it makes the Eyes Ears Tongue Hands and Feet to see hear speak work and walk and yet but one Soul that moves and quickens all through its speedy Entercourse into every Member and Part of the Body so is it here the Love Peace Concord and Unity amongst these is remarkable it flows from the Fountain of Love and influenceth the whole Body which makes them in all their Wayes Doctrine and Practice but as One Man And though but a Poor Weak Harmless Innocent and Inoffensive People are rendred through their Unity and Love as Terrible as an Army with Banners 6thly Their Patience is invincible To them is this Grace given Not only to Believe in the Name of Jesus but also to Suffer for his sake And as the Lord hath made them Blessed and Glorious Instruments in his Hand to do his Will so hath he made them contented to be perfected through Sufferings For though the Lord hath been especially present with them yet the World hath been especially against them not for their own sakes for they are the only Innocent and Harmless People upon Earth but for Christ's sake in them yea because there is more of God among these men then others therefore are they hated of all men and every where amongst all Religions evil spoken of for the World most hates where there is most of God therefore the Single-hearted may guess where there is most of God by observing where the greatest Hatred of the World lies 7thly Their Faithfulness to the Truth Wayes and Interest of Christ How have they gone up and down in Weariness and Labours in Hunger and Nakedness in Dangers and Deaths to bear a Faithful Testimony against the Sin Vanity False Worship and Abomination of the Times When did they shrink in the least or turn back from their Duty when Loss of Estate Liberty yea Danger of Banishment attended it When did they Deny their Master or his Commands or Betray his Interest before King or Counsel Table Judges Justices or Bishops by Subscribing Engaging Swearing Bowing or Complying to the Wills and Humors of men Nay they have witnessed a Good Confession and spoken of his Testimonies before all these and were not ashamed When did they meet at Night for fear of being seen or creep in at Back-Doors into Cellars Holes and secret Places to hide themselves from the Knowledge of the Adversary But the time would fail me to speak of their Self-denyal Temperance Sobriety Innocency Doctrine Order Worship their Spirit of Prayer and Watchfulness Holiness Righteousness Peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost The King's Daughter is all Glorious within and her Rayment is of pure Gold Therefore in Truth and Sincerity to them I will say Who is like unto thee O People saved by the Lord the Shield of thy Help the Sword of thy Excellency
is Unchangeable Incorruptible and Eternal without Beginning of Dayes or End of Time and so are not the Scriptures Answ 2. Nevertheless we prefer the Holy Scriptures as they were given forth by the Holy Spirit of God and believe them to be a true Declaration of God and of his Word Answ 3. Yet do we prefer Christ Jesus the Light above the Scriptures for in all Things he must have the Preheminence therefore saith John the Baptist I prefer him before me for he is before me though in Appearance John was seemingly before Christ Before Abraham was I am said he Wherefore know that we build not upon the Holy Prophets and Blessed Apostles their Words Works Writings and Experiences but we are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himself being the Foundation and the chief Corner-Stone so that we have not received our Light Life Peace Comfort Faith Hope and Assurance from the Writings of the Saints but from him that was their Light Life Hope Root and Foundation and have our Teaching from that Light whereby Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac Jacob and Joseph walked with and pleased God long before any Scriptural Rules were manifested Answ 4. Neither are the Scriptures the only Rule to judge of Doctrines for we know the Scriptures are hard to be understood and therefore Men in their carnal Wisdom are putting their several Meanings upon one and the same Scripture wherefore we say the Spirit of God is the only Judge of Doctrines because he alone that gave forth knows the Meanings of Scriptures 1 Cor. 2.10 For the Spirit searcheth all Things yea the Deep Things of God Answ 5. Nor yet do I believe that the Scriptures were the only Means which Christ made Use of to overcome and repel the Tempter in the Wilderness for we observe Satan pleaded Scripture as well as Christ till he took indeed the Sword of the Spirit which is his Divine Power and commanded him saying Get thee behind me Satan then the Devil left him but not before he was thus expelled Object 3. But this Doctrine of the Light within is opposed by all the able learned Divines so call'd in the Nation yea the most eminent Preachers amongst the Presbyters Independents and Baptists do condemn it for Erroneous and Divelish Delusion Answ 1. It 's true this Doctrine hath been and is a Stone of Stumbling a Rock of Offence unto all Sorts Forms of Professors in the World especially the Priests Preachers are most inveterately incensed against it because the Craft by which they have gotten great Gain is hereby especially impared nevertheless the Gates of Hell shall never prevail against it the Truth is strong and will prevail yea it doth and will flourish in Despight of all the Scorns Injuries Opposition and Villany of the World Answ 2. The Scriptures are plain that God hath hid these Things from the Wise and Prudent in the World and hath revealed them unto Babes Behold therefore ye Despisers and wonder for this is the Work which God hath wrought in your Day which ye will not believe though it be declared unto you Answ 3. And as for those Preachers among the Presbyters c. who oppose this Doctrine this I affirm and testifie against them though they come in Sheeps Cloathing that is have gotten a more refined Way of Profession then others and cover themselves with the Words of the Prophets and Apostles yet inwardly are they Ravening Wolves they are inwardly Ravened from the Light and Life of those Saints whose Words they have taken up yea it is an easie Thing to prove against the best of them that they live in Sin and plead for it Answ 4. Whoever deny reproach and oppose this Doctrine are none of Christ's Ministers as will appear from a due Examination of their Call Doctrine and Practice Who sent them God or Man What do they preach the Word of God or the Words of Men Is their Life and Conversation Humble Meek Self-denying and Heavenly Or is it not Proud Fierce Self-seeking and Worldly Now our Lord Jesus hath left upon Record one Infallible Rule whereby we may know which are true Gospel-Ministers and which are not and as it is granted that Christ was a true Gospel-Minister so it is expected that all Gospel-Ministers be like him in their Measure for saith Christ to his Father As thou sent me into the World so have I sent them into the World Joh. 17. And when he sent forth his Disciples to them he saith As the Father sent me even so send I you Hereby then it will easily be discerned that these Preachers who so bitterly Rage and Rail against the Light within are never an one of them Christ's Ministers but Idol-Shepherds Lyars and False Prophets Qualification 1. Christ was the Son of God and known to be so before he undertook or exercised in the Ministry for the Lord foreseing what after came to pass by Peoples running into several Opinions and Doctrines of men gave this Charge and Testimony from Heaven saying This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear him In like manner every true Believer is a Son of God generated of the immortal Seed born anew by the Operation of the Spirit made a real Partaker of the Divine Nature liveth in and hath Union with God through Faith in Christ for to as many as receive him he giveth Power to become the Sons of God Qualif 2. He was immeasurably anointed with the Spirit and was known to be so for saith John He that sent me to baptize the same said unto me On whomsoever thou shalt see the Spirit descending and remaining the same is he So may true Gospel-Ministers be known for they are as really anointed with the Holy Spirit of God as Christ was though not so equally yea every believing Soul is indued with this Spirit these are the Anointed ones of the Lord and whoever want this Spirit they are none of his And as Christ commanded his Disciples to abide at Jerusalem till they had received this Vnction so whoever undertake to preach before they have receiv'd this Power from the Lord they Run and he sent them not Qualif 2. He endured and conquered the Assaults and Temptations of Satan in the Wilderness by virtue of his Sonship and Unction before he was ever known to preach the Gospel in like manner all the true Children of God are taken into Fellowship with Christ in his Tryals Temptations and Sufferings but especially such as have been call'd unto more eminent publick Work have met with greatest Conflicts Wraftlings and Temptations that they might be kept humble before the Lord and also be fitly disposed to speak a Word in due season for the Relief of such as are brought under the same Trouble Qualif 4. In the Power Virtue and Strength of his Son-ship Unction and Conquest he went out and preached the Gospel that is proclaimed Glad Tidings of the Grace and
Good-will of God to the Poor and preached Peace to the Broken-hearted testifying the Love of God to Mankind in sending his Son to them to open their Blind Eyes and recover them out of the Snare of the Devil exhorting Men to believe in the Light lest Eternal Darkness come upon them And all that was done in his Ministry was not from any outward Encouragement or Reward but moved only hereunto from the Tenderness of his Pitty and Compassion to poor Sinners So it is at this Day all that are born of the Spirit are true Ministers of the same Gospel and publish it freely in the Constrainings of the Love of God which layes a Necessity upon them to minister freely without Expectation of Gifts and Rewards But do they deserve the Name of Gospel-Ministers who preach another Doctrine then what Christ or his Apostles ever did confidently affirming That the Doctrine of the Light within or to say the Light in every Man's Conscience is the Light of Christ this is Blasphemy but tell Men that Light which doth convince them of Sin is not the Light of Christ but Natural Conscience and therefore not able to sanctifie and save such as believe in it and obey it and yet they say There be some whom they call Saints and Believers in whom there is true Saving Light but as for the greatest Part of the VVorld they are altogether destitute hereof and yet though they make a seeming Distinction between Saints and Sinners yet they themselves confess they are Sinners yea and believe that they must be so while they breath upon Earth And thus are People held in Ignorance Unbelief and Confusion their blind Guides having caused them to err from the Truth for verely this hath been and is the Doctrine of these eminent Men. Qualif 5. That Gospel which Jesus Christ had preached and witnessed to in his holy Life he confirmed and seal'd by his Death in his Blood Now this Last is that which crowned and compleated his Ministry and the same Spirit is in all the Faithful at this day whereby Christ's Ministers are enabled to declare the Truth in the Life and Power of the Eternal Word without the Help and Assistance of acquired Parts Arts and Studies for to such saith Christ It is not you that speak but the Spirit which speaketh in you and thus declaring what they have seen tasted and handled of the Word of Life they are not ashamed of their Work nor afraid of Men neither will they conceal their Meetings in Time of greatest Danger nor slip out at Back-Doors to avoid Sufferings but are in a continual Readiness and Preparedness to forsake all that is dear to them rather then to turn their Backs upon the Work of God or in the least to prove Unfaithful by Denying or Betraying the Truths of Christ Wherefore now consider these things all ye Admirers of Men and give place to the Witness of God in your own Consciences and see if one of your Gifted Brethren Pastors and Teachers be thus qualified Object 4. But the Scriptures are very plain that Vnbelievers and Reprobates are without Christ as in Ephes 2.12 and 2 Cor. 13 5. wherefore though we do believe that Christ is in every Believer yet we cannot understand that the Light in every Man is the Light of Christ. Answ 1. Indeed one of these Scriptures at first Appearance seems to contradict all that hath been said before it will be therefore necessary to speak to them severally That in Ephes 2.12 plainly affirms That before Conversion they were without God and without Christ in the World And truly I can witness this Scripture fulfilled in my own Particular for I know the Time when I was without Christ and without God in the World when I lived in Sinful Pleasures and Delights fulfilling the Lusts of the Flesh with Greediness I lived then as if there was no God in the World yea without any awful Respect to the Eye of God and Christ And yet I can as truly affirm that at that Time the Light of Christ was in me testifying against my Iniquity And this may seem a Mystery that a Measure of his Light should be within a Man when that Man is without Christ yet I have experienced the Truth hereof and therefore testifie that its one Thing for the Light of Christ to be in a Man and another Thing for a Man to be in the Light of Christ and thus it is the Light of Christ may be in a Man and yet that Man out of the Light of Christ whereupon I affirm and declare that the Light of Christ is in every Man but no Man is in Christ till he be a new Creature And as to that other Scripture 2 Cor. 13.5 Know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates This Place doth not at all oppose what before hath been written if it be seriously considered but doth greatly confirm the Truth of this Doctrine If therefore by Reprobates be intended such as have sinned out the Day of Grace and done Despight to the Strivings of the Spirit of God as the old World did yea and as those eminent Professors whom Stephen reproveth saying Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in Heart and Ears ye do alwayes resist the Holy Ghost as your Fathers did so do ye Acts 7.51 And as Jerusalem which remained Impenitent in the Day of Visitation till the Things of her Peace were hid from her Eyes Luke 19.42 And as those Guests which had been often invited and yet refused to come making light of those many renew'd and reiterated Tenders of Grace entreating the Messengers spightfully and slew them wherefore the King was wroth and protested against them that none of those Murtherers should taste of his Supper Mat. 22. Or like that Fig-Tree which the Master of the Vineyard when he had come three Years expecting Fruit and found none required the Dresser to cut it down and cast it into the Fire Luke 13.7 And like those who had tasted of the Heavenly Gift and of the Good Word of God and of the Powers of the World to come but after to fall away and crucifie to themselves the Son of God afresh put him to open Shame these bringing forth Thorns Bryars are rejected and are nigh unto Cursing whose End is to be burned Heb. 6.7 8. And such as the Lord complaineth of by the Prophet Jeremiah saying They are all grievous Revolters walking with Slanders they are Brass and Iron they are all Corrupters the Bellows are burnt the Lead is consumed of the Fire the Founder melteth in Vain for the Wicked are not pluckâ—d away Reprobate Silver shall Men call them because the Lord hath rejected them Jer. 6.29 And the Spirit speaketh expresly that some shall depart from the Faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrines of Devils speaking Lyes in Hypocrisie having their Conscience seared with an Hot Iron and so are past feling 1 Tim 4.2 Now