let them read Rom. 8. 11. and they will find the Apostle speaking expresly If the Spirit of him that raised up Iesus from the dead dwell in you he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your Mortal Bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you Therefore as I said before 't is no Arrogancy for the People of God to own that they have the Spirit of God dwelling in them for 't is not the Light of Nature nor the Dictates of a Natural Conscience but a Spiritual Divine Principle by which Men and Women are raised from the Death of Sin to serve God in Newness of Life and Obedience of Conversation No Reader let me tell thee Nothing Natural will or can reach so far Nature cannot change Nature it must be a higher Power that can cause to put off concerning the former Conversation the Old Man which is Corrupt according to Deceitful Lusts by renewing the Spirit of the Mind so as to cause us to put on the New Man Christ Jesus which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness and so Old Things are made to pass away behold all things are become New Lo here is a New Creature as there is a putting off the Old Man with his Deeds there is a passing away of the first Heavens and the first Earth and then behold New Heavens and a New Earth wherein dwelleth Righteousness as there is a coming to this Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus which Law is inward written in the Heart and Engraven on the Inward Parts there is a setting Free from the Law of Sin and Death And so we come to know a Blotting out of the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances which was against us and contrary to us our Lord having taken them and nailed them to his Cross. And thus He that believeth in the Cross of Christ which is the Power of God unto Salvation hath a Witness in himself the Spirit it self beareth them Witness that they are the Children of God according to that in 1 Iohn 5.10 Rom. 8.16 And as they continue in the Faith they come to be sealed with the holy Spirit of Promise and to set to their Seals that God is True For Faithful is he that hath promised who also will do it he hath promised to redeem us from all Iniquity wherefore let us hope in his Word and not grieve his holy Spirit whereby we are sealed unto the Day of our compleat Redemption according to the Apostle's Advice Ephes. 4. 30. O! let us take heed that we do not vex and quench the Spirit of Christ within us that so we be not of those complained of by Nehemiah To whom the Lord gave his good Spirit but they rebelled against it And what then so he became their Enemy and fought against them These were such of whom Iob speaks Chap. 24. 13. saying They are of those that rebel against the Light the Light and Spirit here spoken of being one in Being and not divided but distinguished only in degrees of Discoveries for this Spirit is a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of Jesus Christ which openeth and enlighteneth the Eye of the Vnderstanding and giveth to know what is the Hope of the Calling of Christ Iesus and what is the Riches of the Glory of his inheritance in the Saints according to the Apostle's Prayer to God for the Ephesians Chap. 1. 17 18. And this was it that Christ promised when he was about to leave his Disciples as to his Personal presence amongst them at which their Hearts began to be sorrowful he therefore tells them to comfort them he that dwelleth with you shall be in you John 14. 17. Thereby he meant himself who then was present with but passing from them in the Flesh would come again unto them and abide forever with them in the Spirit For the Lord is that Spirit saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 3. 17. Wherefore he bids them Examine themselves whether they be in the Faith Prove your own selves saith he know you not your own selves how that Christ is in you Except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5. And hereby know we that we are not in a Reprobate state because we witness the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us For this Principle of which I write 't is the Unction which we have received from the holy One whereby we know all things that is this doth instruct us in all things that are necessary to be known by us For 't is that spiritual anointing that the Apostle Iohn speaks of which those who have received it and in whom it abides need not that any man teach them but as the same anointing teacheth them all things and is Truth and is no Lye even as it hath taught them they should abide in him 1 John 2. 14. that is in Christ Jesus from whom this anointing doth come Now whoso is taught by this Anointing the same is taught by God as it is written in the Prophets And they shall be all taught of God Every man therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me saith Christ Iohn 6.45 For this was the Promise of the Father even the new Covenant which he made with the House of Israel After those Dayes saith the Lord I will put my Laws into their Minds and write them in their Hearts and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a People And they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least to the greatest Ier. 31. 33 34. This being the Tennure of the New Covenant That all the Children of the Lord shall be taught of the Lord and in Righteousness shall they be established Isa. 54. 13 14. Which implies that God will teach them so effectually by his Free Spirit that they shall not stand in need of any other Prophet But here I must obviate an Objection before I can proceed Possibly some may ask me Why then do those People that thou art now gone amongst keep up their Publick Meetings to Preach and to Teach People the Way of Salvation What need is there of their Teaching if every one hath a Teacher in them able to Instruct them in the Way to the Kingdom To whom I Answer First Though I did say as much as that every one hath a Divine Teacher in them yet I did not say that every one knows this Teacher in them For this hath been the Misery of many Ages of the World People have gone out after the many Lo here 's and Lo there 's to find Christ without them in the mean time neglecting his Appearance within them even as was foretold by Christ himself when he was on Earth in the days of his Flesh In the Last Dayes saith he they shall say Lo here is Christ and Lo he is there but go ye not out after
things were written afore time were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope as 't is recorded Rom. 15. 4. So that it appears the Scriptures are owned of them and are believed by them and are practiced amongst them but they dare not ascribe them that Glory which is due to God nor exalt them above his Son Christ Jesus nor prefer them in his Spirit 's stead neither yet is it any Derogation from the Scriptures to exalt Christ and his Spirit more than they for Scriptures themselves exalt Christ and the Spirit above themselves so that it is not in any slight or disrespect they have to those holy Writings wherefore they do not call them the Word and the Rule of Faith and Life but as they have declared 'T is from that reverend regard they owe and ought to bear to Christ Jesus the great and eminent Word of God to whose Spirit all Scripture Directions in Matters of Salvation refer us as to an Infallible Rule and Guide They direct us thereunto that we may not live in them but in him who is the Author and Dispenser of them Thus though the Scriptures are granted to be a Righteous Rule and of Divine Dispensation for the Prophecy came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the holy Ghost even as the Apostle testified 2 Pet. 1. 21. and my Soul praises the Lord that he hath preserved the Records of so many Prophecies and Testimonies of his primitive Servants through so many Contingencies unto this present Age yet can I not think that the God of infinite Wisdom and Grace whose Mercy is over all his Works would leave Mankind in so great a Concern whereon their Eternal Salvation is depending to such a Rule alone for Guidance therein as is subject to concealing Mis-translation Mis-interpretation False Application as we find the Scriptures have been by Corrupters of them Muchless can I believe that he would suffer the greatest part of the World to live without them as they do were there no other means appointed for their Salvation Yea moreover I am very sensible that where the Scriptures are many occurrances may fall out in the course of our Lives about which the Scripture gives no particular Advice and yet it is necessary we should have a Guide near in all our Affairs But I well know many Cases there are where Scripture is altogether silent in the matter Admit then here that the Creature in such a streight not knowing what to do betake it self to inquire of the Lord by Prayer alas what will that avail unless it receive an Answer which is already granted not to be found in Scripture neither can it now he had by the meer Literal Priesthood nor by their pretended Vrim and Thummim and say they who cry up solely Scripture to be the Rule of Faith and Life Neither must we expect Answer by Dream nor yet by Vision no nor by Revelation nor Inspiration for these say they are craft many Ages past Whom I ask What way then can the Creature come by Advice which till they can resolve me in I shall still retain my Opinion viz. That that inward Oracle which is a Measure of God's Spirit whereby we obtain access to him with Answer and Direction from him in all our Concerns about which we inquire of him undeniably is of greater Authority both to beget living Faith and order us therein and a more perfect Rule to guide our Lives than the outward Writings of the Scriptures which in many things leave us without either Counsel or Instruction And here I shall leave this Point which is in answer to an Accusation which is That we deny the Scriptures a thing often charged upon but never proved against the People called Quakers CHAP. II. Concerning the Humanity of Christ c. A Second Charge which I have heard brought in against the Quakers is That they deny the Humanity of Christ Iesus and the Obedience that he yielded in the dayes of his Flesh by his Sufferings Death Buriel Resurrection from the Dead together with all the benefits that thereby accrue unto Believers as also Iustification by Faith and the imputed Righteousness of Christ. Now that this hath been as falsly charged upon them as the former I shall undertake to prove by Scripture But first let me mind the Reader this I have observed viz. That there are many that have born false Witness against them yet they do not seem to accord in their Witness For first comes out a learned Doctor and he declares publickly though somewhat ambiguously that this People deny that Christ which dyed at Ierusalem to be God equal with the Father But when this was refuted so as not to be believed then comes out another and he would give the World to know as if they only deny the Son of God to have assumed Humane or man's Nature Thus their accusers contradict one another for both seem to grant we own a Christ which well they may do since they differ in Principles amongst themselves how ever they agree thus far like Herod and Pilate to unite against Jesus so have they against his Followers but I need not enlarge upon particulars since rather then they will want a Host to go out against the Quakers look but into the Muster and thou mayst see One and Twenty Divines as they give themselves the Stile enter the Lift together of whom I shall say no more here lest it should be taken for a Digression from the Answer 1 st Therefore to clear Truth from Slander both on the one hand and the other I do in the first place affirm and that upon certain Grounds viz. That all who may be rightly denominated Quakers such as Tremble at the Word of God they are of the Faith of one Substance which the ancient Christians so earnestly contented for and suffered such hard things in maintaining to wit that Christ the blessed Son of God as to his Divinity was of the same Eternal substance with the Father as may be read at large in George Bishop's Looking glass for the Times pag. 85 86. 2 dly I affirm they faithfully own the Scriptures And therefore what Iohn the Divine saw in his Revelations concerning him as 't is Recorded chap. 13.8 That he to wit Christ was the Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World And what the Apostle said of him Phil. 2. 6. Who being in the Form of God thought it no Robbery to be equal with God Likewise Iohn the Evangelist in his first chapter 1.2 3. saith concerning Christ In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made for by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth Visible and
not prove the Lord to be so partial in his Love towards his Creatures as to choose some but leave the greatest part of Mankind in the fallen state without affording them any Benefit by Christ or a Measure of his Grace and Spirit for want of which and being so past by of God as somehave asserted they become under a necessity of sinning a necessity of dying Oh harsh Doctrine and so I must confess I often thought it whilst I was industromsly striving to work my self into a Belief of it but now from a certain experimental Knowledge and in full assurance of Faith can I testifie for God He is no Respecter of Persons but in every Nation he that seareth God and worketh Righteousness is accepted of him For though all have sinned and come short of the Glory of God wherefore he hath concluded all under Sin 't is that he might have Mercy upon all not willing that any should perish in Sin but that all might come to Repentance Moreover than this the Scriptures do abundantly speak forth the extent and Benefit of Christ's Death for all Mankind upon condition of Faith and Repentance joyned with new and continued Obedience which are the Gospel Terms on which he is offered to them For Christ Jesus gave himself a Ransom for all he tasted Death for every Man so saith the Apostle 1 Tim. 2. 5. Hebr. 2. 9. So that it is a certain Truth all that are or shall be saved are elected only in Christ Jesus that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life There is no Prae-exception or absolute Fore-appointment as partially designed in relation to Persons but upon Man's Disobedience Wherefore it shall not be said The Fathers have eaten sour Grapes and the Childrens Teeth are set on edge but he that eateth the sour Grapes his Teeth shall be set on edge for all Souls are the Lord's as the Soul of the Father so also the Soul of the Son is his aud he hath said The Soul that sinneth it shall dye Ezek. 18. 2 4. Yet hath the Lord no Pleasure in the Death of the Wicked but that the Wicked turn from his way and live Wherefore he hath given the Beloved of his Soul out of his Bosom to come into the World to same men from their Sins that they might be made accepted in him Therefore as by the Offence of one Judgment came upon all men to Condemnation even so by the Righteousness of one the free Gift came upon all men unto Justification of Life read Rom. 5. 18. which makes it clear to me the Lord will not condemn any for Adam's Sin who have not demerited his Wrath by Actual Trausgression CHAP. V. Concerning the Sacraments AS touching the Institution of the Sacraments so called by which is meant Water-Baptism and the outward Supper here also is another great Charge brought in against the Quakers unto which I cannot but be very tender in the Answer for I must confess I my self did once think them very chargeable in this Matter Now that Baptism even the Outward and Tipical Baptism was an Ordinance that is so say a Thing ordained by one that hath power to Ordain as Iohn Baptist had Command from God to Baptize this I do believe and own But then the Lord himself hath ordained a higher Baptism whereby he saveth which surely is not the outward no that 's not of Efficacy to obtain or effect such an End which is Salvation as that I think our Enemies themselves will grant and then why are they so angry with us that we do not own it in their Outward Form But the One Baptism necessary to Salvation I do believe is Inward and Spiritual being that of the holy Ghost fore-told by Iohn the Baptist Mat. 3. 11. I indeed Baptize you with Water unto Repentance saith he but he that cometh after me is Mightier then I whose Shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall Baptize you with the holy Ghost and with Fire This is the Baptism which Christ commanded his Disciples that they should wait for and therefore I call it an Ordinace because ordained by Christ as you may read Acts 1. 45. And being assembled together with them he commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem but wait for the Promise of the Father which saith he ye have heard of me for John truly baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost not many days hence The same did Peter Witness Acts 11. 15 16. And as I began to speak saith he the holy Ghost fell on them as on us in the beginning then remembred I the word of the Lord how he said John indeed baptized with Water but ye shall be baptized with the holy Ghost Now if any shall Oppose these Scriptures to prove outward and Water Baptism now in force Mat. 28. 19. Go teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father c. John 3. 5. Except a man be born of Water of the Spirie he cannot enter into the Kingdom of God 1 Pet. 3. 21. The like Figure whereunto even Baptism doth now save us not the putting away the filth of the flesh but the answer of a good Conscience towards God by the Resurrection of Iesus Christ from the dead Something I shall write by way of Answer to them these being the chief Texts that ever I heard brought to prove the same As to the first I say that must needs mean the Baptism of which I am now speaking viz. Spiritual Baptism for Christ's bidding of them go denotes their being impowred from him to Baptize in or rather Into his own and his Father's Name which is the true Spiritual Baptism besides here is no Water made mention of whence we may infer the Apostles Ministry was to be the Laver in which they were to be baptized See here their Mission Christ bids them go Teach Baptizing Baptizing is in the Present Tence whilst they were Teaching and as it was then so it is now the Spiritual and Inward Baptism goes along with the preaching of the Word of Life To the second Scripture I Answer If our Opponents will have that mean Material Water may not we then as well conclude that Iohn Baptist meant Christ would Baptize them with Material fire but if we understand the Power of the holy Ghost to burn up the Stubble that naturally grows in us by the latter then must we also understand the same Power to cleanse us from our natural Filth by the former But I know it will be expected I should prove this by Scripture for which see Tit. 3. 5. Not by Works of Righteousness which we have done faith the Apostle but according to his Mercy he saved us by the Washing of Regeneration and Renexing of the holy Ghost Here is the Washing of Regeneration to parallel being born again of Water and the renewing of the holy Ghost to answer being born again of the Spirit for
3. 9. These and many more Scriptures which I might have quoted do abundantly speak forth a Man of God or a truly Godly man to be Perfect or Compleat in Christ Therefore Perfection must needs be attainable even in this Life and to shew that it is not altogether unfeasible to be attained I shall bring in Instances of some which have attained it Noah was a Iust man Perfect in his Generation Gen. 6. 9. Job was a Perfect and an Vpright Man one that feared God and eschewed Evil Job 1. 8. Nathaniel was an Israelite indeed in whom was no Guile John 1. 47. Zacherias and Elizabeth were both Righteous before God walking in all the Commandments and Ordinances of the Lord blameless Luke 1. 1 2. Indeed this is the one thing needful for Circumcision is nothing and Vncircumcision is nothing but keeping the Commandments of God 1 Cor. 7. 19. This is that hath the Blessing and gives right to partake thereof for 't is written Blessed are they that do his Commandments that they may have right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the Gates into the City Revelat 22. 14. And this is the Perfection the Quakers plead for viz. That people may conform unto and come to be guided by that perfect Principle of God placed not only in their Consciences but in the Consciences of all men which as they yield Obedience to they will be inabled to keep the Commandments of the Lord and so come to witness in themselves the fulfilling of his Determination which is To finish Transgression and to make an End of Sin and to bring in Everlasting Righteousness as was seen in Daniel's Vision Chap. 9. Vers. 24. CHAP. X. Concerning Infallibility ONE Charge more I have heard brought in against the Quakers and that is They own Infallibility and this say some there is none own but the Papists and them therefore we know not how to distinguish them I Answer Because the Papists say Their Church is infallible which ye your selves affirm to be no true Church so not the Spouse of Christ but the Mother of Harlots and all Abominations of the Earth and because the Papists say Their Councils are Infallible whom we know do miserably thwart and contradict one another and because they say The Iudgment of the Pope that 's Infallible though he speak never so much besides the Matter And now because the Quakers say The Spirit of the Lord that is infallible which teaches to deny all Ungodliness and Worldly Lusts and is alwayes at Unity with its blessed self and is the Christians Oracle for Advice in all Concerns will there admit of no distinction between these Certainly they want Reason as well as Faith who cannot judge how these may be distinguished They place Infallibility in Persons we in the Holy Spirit and its Teachings But further to clear the Matter and wipe off this Scandal of the Quakers being counted Concealed Papists I think George Whitehead and William Penn their Declarations before the Parliament at their Sessions held in the first Moneth Anno 1678. together with the Test containing several Articles shewing the Doctrinal Differences between the Quakers and the Roman-Catholicks which was subscribed to by several Hands of such as are well known in this City and then given in to a Committee of Parliament requiring the same and the Case was afterwards moved in the House so that as I said before I think sure the Knowledge of this publick Discrimination may very well serve any that are but willing to be undeceived both to rectifie their Mistakes concerning the People called Quakers and to give them satisfaction For I must confess it went far with we in my own serious Thoughts about them although then I was far from them yet I could not but conclude there was a Hand of Providence had wrought wonderfully for them in giving them an Opportunity of clearing both themselves and their Principle of that unjust Censure which had so long lain upon them But to conclude this Point Though I have heard it said The Quakers hold Themselves Infallible I see now it is not so they hold not themselves Infallible as they are Men but only as they are guided by the infallible Spirit namely the Spirit of the Lord a Measure of which he hath placed in all men and this never failed any who were led by the same yet whatever can be said to evince the Truth of the Quakers Principle whereby the Innocent may be vindicated 't is no wonder to have their Sayings wrong reported and their Sence quite perverte And now my former acquaintance to whom I present this small Treatise will you not yield your selves Mistaken in the Reports you have received I freely acknowledge to you for my part I am willing so to do and that with Shame taken to my self herein my Lot having been cast so near this Land of Goshen that it may well be wondred at why I did not discern my Mistakes long ere this time Now though it cannot be so said of you that the Light has shone so clear about you yet know this every one of you the Light hath shined in you and that I am sure as it is heeded will make manifest to you how falsly the People called Quakers have been accused They have been looked upon like the Apostles in days past as Setters forth of strange Gods they have been counted as unknown and yet well known they have been reckoned as Deceivers and yet true for Truth don't use to suffer under its own Name but when men can fasten the name of Heresie upon its Principle then they think they have Pretence enough to punish its Proselytes and so it is with these as it was with the Christians of old their Adversaries put Bear-Skins upon them and then set Dogs to bait them There were such 't is known that were counted the Filth of the World and as the Off-scouring of all things who wandred about in Sheep-skins and Goat-skins being destitute afflicted tormented of whom the World was not worthy And what if I shall say such there are now yet are they Slighted Contemned Derided Reproached Reviled Defamed Slandered Traduced Malign'd Vilified and set at nought as if the worst term that could be given them were even good enough One while they are branded for Illiterate Novâ—ces another while counted so profoundly Learned that they must needs be Iesuits though that Order can boast of Antiquity whilst these are looked upon as a Novelty yet are they found in the same ancient Faith with Righteous Abel in the beginning But 't is no new thing for Truth to be called an Vpstart and then prosecuted under the Name of Novillism Thus having shewn in several Particulars how grosly people have abused the Principle of the Quakers I should nextly come to speak concerning their Practices to see if they find any more Favour but remembring my Promise was not only to rectifie Peoples Mistakes concerning but
doubtless Abel as well as Abraham saw Christ's Day to come notwithstanding neither of them had any Scripture Revelation of him For Abraham saw Christ's Day afar off and rejoyced many Ages before the Scriptures were recorded and by the same Faith no doubt Abel looked beyond the Firstlings of his own Flock to Christ the First-born of God who was to be made an Offering for Sin as the Anti-type which these typified otherwise his Sacrifice had not obtained Acceptance with the Lord for he is the Propitiation for our Sin and through Faith in his Blood we come to know Remission which agrees to that of the Apostle Rom. 3. 25. Again I appeal unto you What Witness was it that Abel obtained of his being Righteous or how did God testifie of his Gift since Moses who writes the Story in Gen. 4. 4 5. to whom the Author to the Hebrews refers gives us no farther account but only this The Lord had respect to Abel and to his Offering but to Cain and to his Offering he had no respect Now I ask How was this manifested or how came they to know it how should Abel know that his Offering was accepted since Cain was as forward yea beforehand with his Brother in offering had not God signified it to them by the Manifestation of his Spirit in them even that same Spirit by which they came to know it to be their Duty to offer Sacrifice unto him But Cain sticking in the Form and not flying on the Wing of Faith to Christ the one Offering mist the Mark that should have been aimed at by him and for this cause God rejected both him and his Offering as you may read in the following Verses of this 4th Chapter of Genesis where the Lord expostulates the Case with Cain saying Why art thou Wrath and why is thy Countenance fallen if thou dost well shalt thou not be accepted but if thou dost not well Sin lieth at thy Door So that it was for Evil-doing Cain lost the Acceptance of his Offering which seems clear to me that God had no Respect to Abel personally more then he had to Cain but as he had an Eye to the promised Seed to be accepted in even Christ Jesus the Eternal Son of God in whom alone the Father is well pleased And it is also as clear to me through the Openings of the same Spirit That by the Spirit of his Son in their Hearts he gave Testimony of their Gifts to Abel that his was accepted and to Cain that his was rejected for Cain must needs have a Manifestation of the Spirit otherwise how should he know it to be his Duty to offer Sacrifice as you may see he did for we read not of any outward Precept that either of them had to enjoyn it Now then if it was a living in-wrought Faith whereby Abel obtained Acceptance of his Offering and if it was by an inward Manifestation of the Spirit by which God gave testimony thereof unto him if this be granted I hope the Way of Truth will no longer be Evil spoken of which is the same now that it was in the Beginning And this brings me to that which I chiefly intend which is as I said to rectifie your Mistakes concerning and to inform you in that which I hope you will see not to be a New but the Old True Religion which is the Way of this People amongst whom I now walk and desire to walk notwithstanding they are accounted a Sect every where spoken against I marvel not that the World hates them since it hated him to wit Christ Jesus whom they have believed in because he rectified thereof that the Works of it were Evil see Iohn 7. 7. And truly my Friends this is the Testimony this People bears this day against the corrupt Wayes and Practices of the World both among Professors and Prophane telling of them plainly That all Unrighteousness is Sin and for this cause I know were Power given into Mens Hands they should quickly be rooted out from amongst them But though they put no trust in an Arm of Flesh yet they have a strong Tower of Defence even the Name of the Lord which they run into and are safe This is their Munition of Rocks whereunto their Adversaries cannot climb up and though they do what in them lie to pull them out from thence yet their Arm is too short to reach them their Strength too weak to hurt them their Power of no force against them whilst they abide in this safe place notwithstanding great is the Wrath of the Enemy who intends them Mischief so that what he cannot do by Power he will seek to do by Policy insinuating into the Minds of People That though 't is the Spirit of Truth which they pretend unto yet 't is a Spirit of Error that they are led by which Suggestion of Satan has taken place in the Hearts of so many that were not the God of Truth engaged on their side to perswade people from this false Opinion concerning them it would seem an utter Impossibility But knowing and being well assured of this viz. That the Lord's Strength is made perfect in his Peoples Weakness I as one of the least of the Thousands of Israel have undertaken in his Name to go forth against those who have risen up against them though I know many are the cruel Mockings and hard Usings from Prophane on the one hand with evil Surmisings and severe Censurings from Professors on the other that hath been the Lot of this People to bear some of which from the latter of these to whom I chiefly write I hope has not been so much out of Disaffection to the Truth as Misapprehension about the Principle of it as believing that this People in whose behalf I am now constrained to write preach Damnable Doctrine-the which I have heard reported of them some say ing They deny the Scriptures others saying They deny the Man Christ Iesus with all the Benefits that by his Active and Passive Obedience as also by his offering up of himself a Sacrifice to God for us do thereby accrue to us together with Iustfiication by Faith which is in him and the Imputation of his Righteousness to Man others somewhat more moderate yet have affirmed That whatever they may own as to the Death of Christ yet they deny the Resurrection of his Body and of the Bodies of Believers so that they have said Though they dare not charge them with Dimnable Doctrine yet certainly they are of very dangerous Opinions as concerning Original Sin and the Institution of the Sacraments and in Point of Free will and Inherent Righteousness and in holding a Possibility of a Total Fall from True Grace and yet they plead Perfection and reckon themselves infallible say they for all this and herein they liken them to the Papist These are some of the Foul Aspersions False Accusations and Misrepresentations that have been cast upon this People which I my self have
assured of it not only from their own Witness of themselves but from the Witness of God in my own Breast They do believe all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets so that those which do so clamorously charge them cannot prove the things whereof they so much accuse them But then it hath been replyed viz. They own the Scriptures indeed but 't is in their own Way they believe them as they do a moral History just barely giving credit to them owning that they are Truth but they do not believe they are the Word of God and the Rule of Faith and Life As to this I Answer They do believe the Scriptures so far as Scripture itself requires Faith in it self that is that they are able to make wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus being given by Inspiration of God according to that of the Apostle 2 Tim. 3. 15 16. And they do also believe That this same Jesus here spoken of who is said to be the Messenger of the Covenant Mal. 3. 1. the same and not another did Inspire his Prophets and Apostles in writing of the Scriptures But still he is the Word as well as the Wisdom of the Father and I ask Where do the Scriptures themselves declare any other Where do they say that they are the Word of God or the Rule of Faith and Life Though I have heard it said that The Prophets Isaiah Jeremiah Ezekiel c. often call their Prophecys by the Name of the Word of the Lord which say some is all one if we say the Word of God Now such I would advise to take a second view of the Text and then they may find that the Prophets did not call their Prophecies and Writings The Word of the Lord for they were the Lord's Words he being The Word of the Lord who revealed their Prophecyes unto them as for instance Ezek. 29. 1. says the Prophet there In the tenth year in the tenth moneth in the twelfth day of the moneth came the Word of the Lord unto me saying c. So then it was the Word of the Lord that came and said unto him the Prophecy was that which he said So in Ieremiah Chap. 7. v. 1 c. old Translation 't is said The Words that came to Jeremiah from the Lord saying Stand in the Gate of the Lord's House and proclaim there this Word and say Hear the Word of the Lord all ye of Judah Mark The Prophet was to make Proclamation of the Word of the Lord that the Men of Iudah might hear what he said as it followeth Thus saith the Lord Amend your ways and your doings and I will cause you to dwell in this place c. And this was he as I said before who is the Messenger of the Covenant appointed by the Father to reveal his Secrets unto his Servants the Prophets who came to Ieremiah with this Prophecy so that it was not what he said but he himself whose Name is called The Word of God Revelat. 19. 13. And this is that Word which came unto Abraham in a Vision Gen. 15. 1. saying Fear not Abraham I am thy Shield and thy exceeding great Reward Unto whom in the very next verse Abraham gives the Titles of Lord and God which proves the Word to be Eternal and Divine but so are not the Scriptures Eternal for we know they had their Beginning in time and though they are Words and Declarations of divine Things yet must we distinguish between the Declaration and that which is Declared of so as not to call them both by one Name Those written words for Scripture signifies a Writing they are Publications in Testimony of that Creating Word of Power by which the Worlds were framed see Heb. 11. 3. yet they do not declare that the World was made by them but by that Eternal Word which was in the beginning as it s recorded Iohn 1. 1. the same is that which liveth and abideth forever 1 Pet. 1. 23. which Word is quick and powerful and sharper then any two edged Sword piercing even to the dividing assunder of Soul and Spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart neither is there any Creature that is not manifest in his Sight but all things are naked and opened unto the Eyes of him with whom we have to do even as 't is written Hebr. 4.11 13. This is that Word to whom the Scriptures direct us as a Light unto our feet and a Lanthorn unto our Paths to guide our feet into the Way of Peace the very entrance of which giveth Light yea it giveth Vnderstanding to the Simple So that the Scriptures themselves say not of themselves that they are the Word of God but that they bear witness of him And this is he who said to those great Scripturians namely the Iews of old who so greatly exalted the Scriptures but had not the Living Word abiding in them Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have Eternal Life and they are they which testifie of me saith Christ but ye will not come to me that ye might have Life John 5. 38 39 40. So here it may be seen there is good Reason to distinguish between the Written Words the Writing or Letter and the Living Word which is a Quickening Spirit But now as to the other part of the Change which is That this People of whom I am now writing do not own the Scriptures to be the Rule of Faith and Life In their behalf I Answer They do own the Scriptures to be a Rule as they direct unto him to wit Christ who is the Object of our Faith and Lord of Light and Life They do also believe that the Scriptures are profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be throughly furnished unto every good Work as saith the Apostle 2 Tim. 3. 16 17. But yet still it is in Christ Jesus whom his People do believe and he is the Rule by which they live according to the Example of the Apostle who saith The Life that I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God Gal. 2 20. He must needs be his Peoples Rule for he is the Way the Truth and the Life no man cometh to the Father but by him John 14.6 And 't is his Spirit that leads into all Truth Joh. 16. 13. even that Spirit which searcheth all things yea the deep things of God as saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 2. 10. which Spirit teacheth them of all things and bringeth all things to their Remembrance according to Christ's Promise Iohn 4. 26. Therefore the Spirit of Christ is the Rule of his Peoples Faith and the Guide of their Life yet doth not this detract from the Scriptures nor the Estemation of this People called Quakers concerning them for I know they do believe that whatsoever
Invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions Principalities or Powers all things were created by him and for him who is over all God blessed forever Amen Col. 1. 16. Rom. 9. 5. These together with the Testimonies Jesus gave of himself Iohn 8. 38. Verily verily I say unto you before Abraham was I am John 10. 30. I and my Father are one John 15. 5. there he Prayes And now Oh Father glorifie thou me with thine own self and with the Glory which I had with thee before the World was In like manner he speaks of his own Eternity Proverbs 8. chap. from the 23d to the end to which agrees that application given to him of wonderful Counsellor the mighty God the everlasting Father the Prince of Peace Isa. 9. 6. These things I say the Quakers believing according as they are written and having an experience of in themselves by the effectual working of the mighty Power of Christ Jesus in their Hearts are sufficient proofs to them of his Divine substance and also to make them see what is the Fellowship of the Mystery which from the beginning of the World hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ as 't is written Ephes. 3. 9. Wherefore they know the Son to be one and equal in Power with the Father Now if any shall object that Scripture where Christ saith My Father is greater then I. Answ. That must needs be understood only as he assumed the Nature of Man not at all relating to the fulness of the God-head that dwelleth Bodily in him as 't is written Col. 2. 9. So likewise the Author to the Hebrews describes him chap. 1. 2 3. verses To be the brightness of the Fathers Glory and the express Image or Character of his Substance for so the Word Person ought to be rendered by whom also he made the Worlds And therefore I believe and so do they in whose behalf I write that Jesus Christ is very God 3 dly I affirm they do believe that this Jesus or this God was manifest in the Flesh as saith the Apostle 1 Tim. 3. 16. And Iohn the Evangelist Chap. 1. 14. The Word was made Flesh and dwelt amongst us and we beheld his Glory the Glory as of the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth And Paul to the Hebrews chap. 2. 16. speaking of Christ saith For verily he took not on him the Nature of Angels but he took on him the Seed of Abraham 4 thly Therefore in the fourth place I affirm The Quakers do faithfully own this Jesus to be the Mediator according to the Testimony of the Apostle 1 Tim. 2. 5 6. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Iesus who gave himself a Ransom for all to be testified in due time 5 thly I affirm they own his obedience also for I know they do believe that Christ Jesus in the dayes of his Flesh was obedient to God as becometh a Son unto a Father in all things For he came not to do his own Will but the Will of him that sent him wherefore we find him Praying to his Father Nor my Will but thine be done Yea moreover 't is written of him Hebrews 5.8 Though he were a Son yet learned he Obedience by the things which he suffered For he was a Man of Sorrows and acquainted with grief he was wounded for our Transgressions he was bruised for our Iniquities the Chastizments of our Peace was upon him and with his Stripes we are healed as saith the Prophet Isaiah chap. 53. 3 5. Therefore these do confess to his Sufferings according to the Scriptures for Christ also hath once suffered for Sin the Just for the Unjust that he might bring us to God being put to Death in the Flesh but quickned by the Spirit see 1 Pet. 3. 18. Likewise they own his Death as an acceptable and most satisfactory Sacrifice to God for the Sins of all and is of blessed advantage to all that shall receive Faith in his Blood which agrees to Rom. 3.25 Ephes. 5.2 Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his Righteousness for the Remission of Sins that are past through the forbearance of God And he hath given himself for us an offering and a Sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour Also they believe that as Christ dyed for our Sins so he was buried likewise and rose again according to the Scriptures 1 Cor. 15. 3 4. Again vers 20 21. 't is said But now is Christ risen from the Dead and become the first Fruits of them that Sleep For since by Man came Death by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead So in Acts 17. 31. The Apostle mentions this as the assurance which God gave to men of his judging the World at the great Day by his Son Christ Jesus namely his having raised him from the Dead Now 6 thly and Lastly I affirm They do believe that from Christ Jesus these and such like Benefits extend to true Believers First Election in him according as God hath chosen us in him before the Foundation of the World that we should be holy and without blame before him in Love as 't is recorded in Ephes. 1. 4. Mark 'T is in him we are elected not in our selves as though personally some were chosen and others past by but in the Seed Christ the Elect of God the Object of the Father's Love all who are gathered into him are made a chosen Generation an Elect People by the Lord. 2. Vocation this also they own to be a Benefit bestowed on them by the Father in the Son for that they who were by nature Children of Wrath as well as others have been called of God in Christ with an High and Holy Calling to obtain Mercy from him even to become Saints that so they should shew forth the Vertues of him who hath called them out of Darkness into his marvellous Light 3. Reconciliation to God as saith the Apostle 2 Cor. 5. 18 19. All things are of God who hath reconciled us to himself by Iesus Christ and hath given to us the Ministry of Reconciliation to wit that God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself So Coll. 1.20,21,22 it s said And having made Peace through the Blood of his Cross by him to reconcile all things unto himself by him I say whether they be things in Earth or things in Heaven and you who were sometimes alienated and Enemies in your Minds by wicked Works yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through Death to present you holy unblameable unreprovable in his Sight 4. Sanctification and Iustification I put both these together because though I do grant they may be distinguished yet I cannot see how they can be divided being so near of kin that if one languish t'other cannot but greatly mourn besides the Apostle is my President in coupling of them
speaking to the Corinthiaens in his first Epistle chap. 6. 11. saith But ye are washed but ye are sanctified but ye are justified in the Name of our Lord Iesus and by the Spirit of our God But more of this in another place 5. Adoption as 't is written Ephes. 1. 5. Having predestinated us unto the Adoption of Children by Iesus Christ to himself according to the good Pleasure of his Will To the like purpose is that in Rom. 8. 29. For whom he did fore-know he also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son that he might be the First-born among many Brethren To which accords Iohn 1. 12. To as many as received him to them gave he Power to become the Sons of God even to as many as believe in his Name 6. A sixth Benefit is Forgiveness of and Redemption from all Sin as saith the Scripture Ephes. 1. 7. In whom we have Redemption through his Blood the Forgiveness of Sins according to the Riches of his Grace So Titus 2. 13 14. Looking for that blessed Hope and Glorious Appearing of the great God and our Saviour Iesus Christ who gave himself for us that he might redeem us from all iniquity and purifie unto himself a peculiar People zealous of good Works And 1 Iohn 3. 8 5. 't is said For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that he might destroy the Works of the Devil and ye know that he was manifested to take away our Sin 7. Victory over Satan Forasmuch as the Children are Partakers of Flesh and Blood he also took part of the same that through Death he might destroy him that had the power of Death that is the Devil see Hebr. 7. 14. So that his strength being broken and his power destroyed by the Captain of our Salvation if we resist him stedfast in the Faith he will flee from us as 't is written Iames 4. 7. 8. Another Benefit is Access to God by Faith as saith the Apostle Ephes. 3. 12. In whom we have Boldness and Access with Confidence by the Faith of him And as we have Access to God by him so likewise we find Acceptance with God in and through him 9. Through him we receive A sure Hope of Eternal Life as 't is recorded Hebr. 9. 15. And for this Cause he is the Mediator of the New Testament that by means of Death for the Redemptions of the Transgressions that were under the first Testament they which are called might receive the Promise of the Eternal Inheritance Thus 't is confest that in Christ Jesus we are Elected Called Reconciled to God Sanctified Justified Adopted by him we obtain Pardon and Redemption from all Sin through Faith in his Name we find Access to God and Acceptance with him in him we are made Victors over Satan and Heirs of Life Eternal Now Reader thou may'st see how falsly the Quakers have been accused in laying to their Charge They deny that Christ which came in the flesh with the Obedience he thereon performed by his Sufferings Death Resurrection from the Dead 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also the Benefits that thereby are obtained which things never were by them denyed for they know that the Son of God is come and hath given them an Understanding that they know him that is true and they are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ this is the true God and eternal Life see 1 Iohn 5. 20. But for further satisfaction concerning their Faith herein if any do desire it they may see a Book put sorth by George Whitehead intitilled The Divinity of Christ and Vnity of the Three that hear Record in Heaven with the blessed End and Effects of Christ's Appearance Coming in the Flesh Suffering and Sacrifice for Sinners Confessed and Vindicated Now concerning Iustification by Faith in Jesus Christ and the Imputation of his Righteousness to Believe's Here also it may be seen how grosly this People have been abused how greatly their Principle hath been misrepresented For Justification by Faith they own as hath publickly been confessed by them according to these Scriptures By the deeds of the Law shall no Flesh be justified in his sight wherefore the Law was our School-Master to bring us unto Christ that we might be justified by Faith To declare I say at this time his Righteousness that he might be just and the justifier of him which believeth in Iesus For by Grace are ye saved through Faith and that not of our selves it is the Gift of God not of Works lest any man should boast for we are his Wormanship created in Christ Iesus unto good Works not by Works of Righteousness which we have done but according to his Mercy he saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which he shed on us abundantly through Iesus Christ our Saviour that being justified by Grace we should be made Heirs according to the hope of Eternal Life But then it must be a living Faith according to the definition of the Apostle Iames in the second Chapter of his Epistle And it must be such a Faith as purifies the Heart and is held in a pure Conscience and is manifest in the Life by Works of love and gives Victory over the World For in Christ Iesus neither Circumcision availeth any thing nor Vncircumcision but Faith which worketh by Love saith Paul Gal. 5. 6. And this is the Victory whereby we overcome the World even our Faith saith Iohn 1 Joh. 5. 4. Therefore say I without this real Faith 't is impossible we should please God or be justified in his sight Yet now because these my Friends have distinguished between Faith and Fancy therefore they have been calumniated and their Principle traduced by many So likewise as to the imputed Righteousness of Jesus Christ this they own according to the Scriptures even as David describeth the Blessedness of the man whose Transgression is forgiven and whose Sin is covered saying Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not Iniquity and in whose Spirit there is no Guile Psal. 32. 1 2. And Abraham being justified by Faith 't is said he received the sign of Circumcision a Seal of the Righteousness of the Faith which he had yet being Uncircumcised that he might be the Father of all them that believe though they be not Circumcised that Righteousness might be imputed to them also Rom. 4. 11. Wherefore this People believe acceptance with the Father is only in Christ and by his Righteousness made ours or imputed unto us by the inward Work and applicatory act of God's Gift of Grace whereby he is made unto the Soul Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption but because they deny the Righteousness of Christ to be imputed where it is not imparted and distinguish between Imagination and Imputation between reckoning or imputing that is real and reckoning or imputation that is not real but a fancy and dare not own the point in the
said before 't is still but one thing if rightly understood in its true Notion And thus I chose to express it because thus I have found it viz. A Principle of Divine Light and Life in Christ Jesus placed in the Conscience which discovers both Sin and Duty to us and not only so but it Reproves the one and Enables to perform the other and this I know that a measure of the same is placed in the Consciences of all Mankind by which they might see the right Way were but their Minds turned thereunto Therefore let none slight or undervalue this Light of Jesus manifest in their Consciences by calling it as some have done A Natural Created Insufficient Light which will lead men down to utter Darkness Though sometimes again these very Persons will confess That the Light of Nature as they call it ought to be followed as far as it will lead for say they though the obeying its Dictates will never bring men to Heaven yet the disobeying them will certainly sink them down to Hell Hereby rendring the Lord cruel to his Creatures as if he required them to follow a Guide that would certainly lead them amiss or leave them short of the place of Rest and then would punish them for being Mis-led or for sitting down when they had no Guide to shew them the Way to walk in and that from a purpose in himself to leave the greatest part of Mankind without any other Guide to direct them in Matters of Salvation but that that is Insufficient that it must be a Miracle if it shew them the Way to Heaven according to their common Answer when asked how those must be saved who have not the Scriptures amongst them which these account the only Rule to Guide men Why we leave them to the Mercy of God say they the Lord may in an extraordinary manner bring some to Heaven if he have any Elect amongst them but whether any of them shall be saved or not 't is hard for us to determine Thus they darken Counsel by uttering words without Knowledge They say The Grace of God is Free and yet they make it a Monopoly so it shall not be Free to all nor must all be sharers in it neither will they allow the Lord himself to dispense it nor yet to inspire his Servants to go forth and preach it But arrogate to themselves a kind of Sacerdotal Right to be Dispencers of the Grace of God and Ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ because of some outward Qualifications acchieved by them as External Parts or Humane Learning although they never were called of God to the Work of the Ministry nor never had the Word of Reconciliation committed to them yet would they have People come to enquire of them the Way to the Kingdom though they are so narrow-spirited as to shut out the greatest number of Mankind by absolute Predestination not sticking to affirm that God nor Christ never purposed Love nor Salvation to a great part of Mankind and that the Coming and Sufferings of Christ never was intended nor can be useful to their Justification but must and will be effectual for their Condemnation So being void of Universal Love themselves they fondly imagine the Lord to be like themselves Hence concluding there is no Salvation to be had without the explified Knowledge of Christs coming in the Flesh and of the Scriptures both which we know whole Kingdoms and Empires in the World are unavoidably ignorant of aud yet few or none of these will Jeopardize their Lives to preach amongst such notwithstandings this was the Apostle Paul's Practice to preach Christ where he had not before been named for said he if I build upon another Man's Foundation I make my Glorying void But blessed be the Lord he hath caused many Witnesses to rise up amongst us who have given Testimony to the Truth as it is in Jesus and have taught others both in our own Country and in Nations abroad to take heed to that sure Word of Prophecy nigh in the Heart and in the Mouth which is the true Grace of God that is sufficient for us not only as some say to leave men without Excuse and so to aggravate their Condemnation but as 't is received and obeyed it will lead out of Sin into Holiness and in the end crown with Salvation And thus I am brought to the next thing promised which was to shew whence this Principle of Grace proceedeth I have according to my Measure shewn What it is now I come to shew From whence it comes to which I say § III. It comes from God through Christ as saith the Apostle God that commanded the Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts to give the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God in the Face of Iesus Christ 2 Corinth 4. 6. 'T is God's Gift unto us and therefore well may we return Thanks unto him for his unspeakable Gifts God is the Author of it who is Light and in him is no Darkness at all for he covereth himself with Light as with a Garment and dwelleth in that Light which is inaccessible which no mortal Eye can approach unto he is the Father of Lights and therefore hath he given a Measure of his own Divine Light to all Mankind to reveal himself unto them that so they may know substantially What he is and not worship him as the Vnknown God and this knowledge of himself the Father is pleased to dispense to Men in and through the Son of his Love Christ Jesus our Lord who is come a Light into the World as himself testified Iohn 12. 46. I am come a Light into the World saith Christ that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in Darkness And therefore I believe and am well assured this is the one Faith whereinto many thousands by the Lord have been gathered viz. That the God of all Grace hath sent his Son into the World a free Gift unto the World and hath given a Measure of his Light and Spirit to manifest and reveal him unto all men Thus hath his universal Love and free Grace appeared For though God made Man pure and innocent yet Satan and disobedient Man hath marred that Creation In the Beginning God created Man in his own Image in the Image of God created he him as we read Gen. 1. 27. But Man soon defaced and stained this glorious Stamp and by yielding to the Tempter went out from his first Nature and so his Beauty was turned into Deformity I mean that Beauty of his inward Man wherein the Image of God stood in which he had Communion and Fellowship with his Maker through Disobedience this was lost and so man came to be without God in the World being alienated from that divine Life Light Love Grace Goodness Wisdom Power Holiness Virtue Purity Innocency wherewith the Lord invested him at the first in perfect Beauty but man going out from that
is well-pleased for 't is no other Jesus concerning whom I write but the same that was born of the Virgin even the Lord 's Christ who hath made himself known unto his Servants by such Peculiar Names as suited the particular Circumstances of their Souls and according to their several Experiences of him so they reported concerning him Isaiah describes him to be as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land a Refuge from the Heat a Covert from Rain and from Storms Chap. 4. Vers. 6. and chap. 32. 2 Again he spake of his being to his People as a place of broad Rivers and Streams Chap. 33. 21 David calls him The Shepherd of Israel which leadeth Joseph like a Flock Psal. 80. 1. He also calls him The Watchman of Israel who neither slumbereth nor sleeps Psal. 121 4. Paul speak of his being our High-Priest yea a Priest forever after the Order of Melchizedeck Heb. 5. 6. And likewise calls him the Minister of the Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which God hath pitched Chap. 8. 2. Iohn the Evangelist calls him The true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World John 1. 9. The other Iohn or Iohn the Divine saith This is he which was and is and is to come Rev. 1. 8. And now since he is come to a Remnant and they have believed in his Light as manifest in them they are not ashamed to confess that in the mind which gives a discovery of Sin to be the Power of God the Appearance of Jesus and that Light of the Lamb which the Nations of them that are saved must and shall walk forever in according to Rev. 21. 23 24 Neither is this any new Doctrine Opinion or Principle other then that which Abel Seth Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac and Iacob with all the holy Patriarches of Old were led and guided by in things relating both to Faith Life and Worship For what else could be a Rule unto them in matters of Salvation but this divine Principle when as they had no written Laws nor Ordinances amongst them which Principle is Christ the Light and Leader of his People in all Ages of the World who is one in all never was divided though variously described being the same who by his Light sheweth unto the Wicked and condemns them for the Vanity of their Thoughts who also by the same Spirit comforts and consolates his Peoples Hearts that so as many as whose minds are turned to this Light of Jesus and stayed in it though it be but small in its first appearance yet shall they see a growth and increase of it Thus Reader have I according to the Gift communicated to me from the Dispensation of the Most-high described what the Principle of Truth is which is perfect in it self and tends to the Perfecting of those that are gathered into it And now my former Familiars Neighbours Acquaintance and Kindred in the Flesh and all others to whom this may come hereby I invite you all to turn in hither even into the secret of your own Souls to that which there reproves you for your Sins witnessing for God against all Unrighteousness of men both in Thought Word and Action striving in their Hearts to turn them from the Evil of their Wayes and from the Vanity of their Conversations to walk in the newness of Life that so they may be redeemed and restored out of their fallen state of Degeneration into the Image of God again which hath been lost through Transgression O turn in turn in I say before it be too late lest you at last cry with them spoken of in Ieremiah 8. 20. The Harvest is past the Summer is ended and we are not saved Work while it is Day while the Candle of the Lord shineth in your Tabernacle be you workers together with God for the Night cometh wherein no man can Work and who can tell how soon the Sun of Righteousness may go down upon you and the Light thereof obscure it self from you Therefore hear Instruction and be wise while the good Spirit of the Lord is nigh to teach you seek ye the Lord while he may be found call ye upon him while he is near and refuse not to hearken to his heavenly Oracle in your Consciences whereby under this his spiritual Dispensation he is pleased to speak unto the Children of men lest he say by you as he said by some of Old who regarded not his Counsel They shall call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me Prov. 1.25.28 For that in the Conscience which checks for Sin and excites to Holiness is the Voice of the son of God by whom in these last dayes the Father speaketh unto us Oh be ye perswaded to hearken diligently unto him Hear and your Souls shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you saith the Lord even the sure Mercies of David Isa. 55. 3. And then you will come to know that Faith which Jesus is the Author of which stands in the Power of God even in that Power which inables to resist Temptations and overcome Sin and to get Victory over the World and the Spirit of it so will you witness a dying unto Sin and a living unto Righteousness to the praise of his Grace who is calling of you out of Darkness into Light that you may be Holy in all manner of Conversation So now since God's saving Arm is made bare for the gathering many People to himself before your Eyes Beware therefore left that come upon you which is spoken of in the Prophets Behold you Despisers and Wonder and Perish for I work a Work in your dayes which you shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you Read Acts 13. 40 41. But Friends my Hearts desire and Prayer to God for you is that you might be saved And therefore have I in the tender Bowels of his Love which he hath shed abroad in my Heart by Jesus Christ sent this Invitation unto you that ye all may make ready and come to the Supper of the great God who hath spread his Table and prepared a Banquet for you whereof whosoever will may eat and drink abundantly as long as the time of Visitation is extended unto you For this I write in the Openings of Life and from the motion of the good Spirit of my God do I declare unto ye viz. That none of ye were absolutely excluded from Eternity well knowing that a measure of his Grace hath been freely tendred to every one of you because his Love extendeth Universally and he is crying Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters of Life And he that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price Isa. 55. 1. Here is free Grace indeed free Love indeed O do you but yield your selves the Subjects of his Love and he will set your Souls
Wherefore I say the first Mistake is Gross for any thing of Force which is that that some conclude to be the cause of my coming amongst the People called Quakers that I do declare I never felt nay I now find it to be Diametrically opposite to that Foundation Principle upon which their Religion is built which Principle is Christ the Prince of Peace who utterly disallows of all Coersive Compulsion Force Constraint or Violence to be used in Matters of Religion and teaches such who learn of him in Meekness to Instruct those that are Ignorant of the Way of Truth and then patiently to wait till he inclines their Hearts to walk in it so that having their Dependance upon and Expectation from the Lord alone they dare not attempt the Propagation of the Gospel of his dear Son by the strength and in the skill and time of man without being guided directed and subjected by him in whom is all their Help found This as to the first Mistake But the second Mistake amounts to thus much viz. That what could not be wrought upon me by Constraint and Force was othewise attempted to be brought to pass to wit by subtil Insinuations and fair Promises by which it hath been said this People use to tamper with those whom they Design to make their Proselites In Answer whereunto I shall make this Reply This mistake is Obvious For Promises of outward advantage and Worldly good availeth nothing that can stand the Soul instead Therefore it were altogether imprudent as well as utterly unlawful to propose any thing of such a kind upon this occasion neither indeed was it outward advancement that I sought after although this is a reproach I have been made to bear the Lord is my Witness herein who subjected me unto himself and made me willing to be at his disposing and to have my Lot cast by him The truth is Corn nor Wine nor Oyll did not esteem nor yet length of dayes to enjoy them for in my solitudes the whole World seemed to me as a very little thing my Soul desiring nothing but a part in Gods Kingdom which made me earnestly intreat him that he would lead me in the Way Everlasting wherefore this was my frequent Supplication unto him viz. O! thou incomprehensible Majesty who hast established thy Throne in the high and holy Heavens yet dost thou graciously condescend to look down upon the Inhabitants of the Earth wilt thou now be pleased to suffer Dust and Ashes to plead with thee and to admit Mortal Flesh to make request unto thee Then this is it O Lord that I would most earnestly implore of thee even that thou wouldst cast up cast up a Way for me and remove all Lets and Stumbling-blocks from me and mark out a plain Path before me in which I may walk straight forward towards thy Heavenly Country and that amidst the various Forms there are for Worshipping of thee my Soul may certainly know how to serve thee aright and wherewith to bring an acceptable Sacrifice unto thee So that this being the Prayer which the Lord often put into my Heart as I then took it to Pray unto him when my Soul was seeking the way to his Kingdom promises of outward promotion had they been proposed could not have given me satisfaction And as for that which hath been termed The Quakers subtil Insinuation I think it must needs intend their sincere and upright Conversation For as to my own particular I do declare There was no way by which they did insinuate into me but by being found real in what they appeared to be the Heart-searching God having then put my Soul upon search to find out a People with whom I might joyn as with a Communion of Saints I looked here and there into many Assemblies but alas still I saw their Conversations so much contradicting their Professions that I could heartily joyn with none of them And then as to their Principles some indeed I did believe when I heard them declared but other some Gods witness in my Conscience did so testifie against that them I could not receive And thus finding no People with whom I could joyn in every thing I concluded my self to be single in the matter of Religion which made me many a time extend my Voice to the Lord in these Words Oh! my God upon whom I have been cast from my Infancy up How long shall my Faith stand alone upon the Earth In Answer whereunto I must acknowledge the Lord was graciously pleased even at those very times to signifie unto my Spirit That he had many Thousands though I knew them not who were sincere and upright before him unto whom he had regard as to his own Children But still I over looked this People of whom I am writing as if it had been altogether unlikely I should find what I sought for amongst them although Natural Affect on had laid a Bond upon me to judge charitably concerning them howbeit at length there was a Way made whereby I was brought to search here also notwithstanding the many false Aspersions which my Ears were fill'd with concerning them For I could not tell but little David the beloved of the Lord might lie hid amongst the Stuff whom God hath anointed to Reign in Self-seeking Souls stead wherefore I then was willing to look amongst â—is People to wit the Quakers and to turn up the foul covering which others had cast upon them under which I soon saw a glorious one lie hid the Form of whose Countenance was like the Son of God And now having not only sought but sound the Lord and his People in the Earth in their behalf do I here set my Probatim Est I have proved them in the thing which they profess They profess themselves the Disciples and Followers of Jesus Christ from whom they derive their Name Christian which Name though it were given the Disciples in scorn at first in Antioch yet did they and so do these esteem it as an honourable Epitaph And therefore have they laboured to answer their Christian calling with such a Meek Patient Holy Harmless Humble Trembling Self-denying Conversation as may be most conformable to the Pattern of Christ Jesus the High-Priest of their Profession So that now I say upon my search amongst them I have found those who are guided by the Principle of Truth in themselves by which they were called for 't is such only whose cause I am Vindicating very careful to walk worthy of their High and Holy Calling like as they have been called by this inward Principle to be Saints so by it have they led a Saint-like Life that thereby they might reach to the same Principle in the Consciences of others And by this their innocent Life I needs must acknowledge I felt my own Conscience powerfully reached for some time before my Judgment was fully satisfied But having those words of our Saviour imprinted upon my mind Iohn 7. 17. If any man will do
the Washing of Regeneration or Renewing of the holy Ghost and being born again of Water or being born again of the Spirit are Terms Synonimous or Expressions to the same purpose all pointing at that One Baptism of the Spirit so faithfully believed and experimentally witnessed by the Quakers who are said to deny Baptism to be an Ordinance But how is it they deny it let their Cause be examined or there can no true Judgment be given whether they ought to be acquitted or condemned Infant-Baptism or Sprinkling of Infants this they do utterly deny as a thing by men imposed never by God or Christ instituted neither is there ony Scripture-Precept or President for it Indeed how should there since it was not taken up nor invocated for about 200 Years after Christ dyed and then it was first brought in by one Fidus a Roman-Priest in the Year 248. which was assented to by Cyprian Bishop of Carthage and first preach't up by Agustine then decreed by the Melivitan Council last of all ratified and confirmed by Pope Innocent the third which was not done till the Year 402. Yet we grant the Baptism of those that were adult or come to Age and had Faith to Entitle them unto it this was the Baptism of Iohn who was a fore-runner of Jesus Christ but this was not permanent and continuing but to pass away that Christ's might take place for he must increase but I must decrease saith Iohn himself John 3. 30. For Iohn's Baptism was but a Figure of Christ's Baptism but that he should be made manifest to Israel therefore am I come Baptizing with Water saith Iohn Chap. 1. 31. However where any now have believed it simply their Duty to be baptized as thinking it either for the Furtherance of the Gospel or Tryal of their Faith the Quakers are tender of judging them in that Case but if they stick in the Shadow and reject the higher Ministration then they are more Reproveable But there is a third Scripture I am yet to speak to and that has reference to Noah's Ark which was a Figure I have heard some of your selves say of our Ark Christ The like figure whereunto saith the Text even Baptism doth now save us it must be a baptizing into Christ then for the Apostle saith 'T is not the putting away the filth of the flesh so then 't is not Water Baptism for that can but purifie the outward man that that is External cannot cleanse the Spirit that is Internal and give the answer of a good Conscience towards God as it followeth in the next words wherefore saith Beza a Man whose Memory ye pretend to honour The Baptism which answered to Noah's Ark was not Material Water but the Power of Christ within which preserves us cleansed and enables us to call on God with a good Conscience But then the last clause of the Verse ought to be considered which having Co-herence with the foregoing words saith by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lo here is the true Baptism indeed the which I am now pleading for and of which the Apostle speaks Col. 2. 12. Buried with him in Baptism wherein also ye are risen with him through the Faith of the Operation of God who hath raised him from the dead And now Reader since there is but One Lord One Faith One Baptism as saith the Apostle Ephes. 4. 5. whether this Baptism be the Sprinkling of Infants or outward Washing of grown Persons or the inward Cleansing by the holy Ghost I 'll leave the Witness of God in thy own conscience of judge and then to determin whether the Quakers are not greatly wronged in being charg'd with denying Baptism Now I come to speak concerning the Sacrament so called of the Lord's Supper In answer to which in the first place I must needs say I find not the Word Sacrament in all the Scripture but if by Sacrament ye mean a Sign then can it not be of necessity to continue longer then till the thing signified is come and clearly discovered so that granting it to be a Practice enioyned it was to last but its Day and Time that was till Christ who i the Bread of God that cometh down from Heaven which Bread is his Flesh that he gave for the Life of the World should come according to his own Intention see Ioh. 6. 33 35. Indeed the whole Chapter speaks of Christ's being the true Bread wherewith the Saints are nourished and that he would come again after his Departure see his Promise to his Disciples Iohn 14. 18. I will not leave you Comfortless I will come to you and that he meant an inward coming see Vers. 20. of the same Chapter At that Day ye shall know that I am in my Father and ye in Me and I in You saith Christ. And therefore saith the Apostle I speak as to Wise men judge ye what I say the Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ c. for we being many are One Bread and One Body for we all are Partakers of that One Bread I Cor. 10. 15 16 17 And indeed I do believe that herein is the Communion of Saints namely in eating of the Flesh and drinking of the Blood of Jesus Christ not Carnally as the Iews thought when they murmered at him saying How can this man give us his Flesh to eat John 6. 52. But spiritually wherein conflicts the true Brotherhood and Fellowship of that Church which is in God as with one another so with the Father and the Son by the holy Spirit at the Spiritual Table of the Lord. Now if any in proof of the outward Supper shall produce that saying in Matthew 26. 26 27 28. And as they were eating Iesus took Bread blessed it and brake it and gave to the Disciples and said Take eat this is my Body and he took the Cup and gave Thanks and gave it to them and said Drink ye all of it for this is my Blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the Remission of Sins I Answer That that Figuratively pointed to the true Bread I think is very clear so likewise that the Wine there figured out that Spiritual Wine which was to come from him will not be hard to make appear For in the very next Verse faith Christ I will not drink of this Fruit of the Vine untill that Day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers Kingdom And that he did not mean they should stay for this Wine till they came to Heaven as some understand by the Word Kingdom see what himself saith in Matthew 16. 28. Luke 17. 20 21. Verily I say unto you there be some standing here that shall not taste of Death till they see the Son of man coming in his Kingdom And when he was demanded of the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God should come he answered them and said The Kingdom of God cometh not with