clear are the more ready to bear his Lyes with Patience and doth not pray for fire to devour him though he be our enemy and the Lords but rather wishes his returning from his ungodliness than a destruction upon him in his ungodliness and whereas the substance of his matter invented in his mind and brought forth into view is a going about to prove that in twenty two particulars mentioned by him we do contradict the Scriptures but his ground is false from whence his whole work proceeds for not in any particular of what is mentioned do we contradict the Scriptures though his whole work be founded upon this thing of our contradiction to Scripture and while we be approved in the sight of the Lord we reckon his sâ—â—nders to be rather a testimony to us that we are of God than a discouraging of us in the wayes of God and we do not allow that I. S. be our Interpreter and the Expositor upon our words for then no question but he will judge out of his prejudicial mind false Judgement and pervert the innocent words into contradiction of Scripture and of our selves but to the single mind and witness of God in every man we appeal for judgment and doth in the sight of God commend our selves to every mans Conscience and begs not belief of any but knows all that be in the light of the Son of God witnesseth to us and feels our Doctrine to be the Doctrine of Godliness reaching to the witness of God in every one whereby we are a good savour to God in all and though I. S. judge our doctrine to be Scripture contradictions yet his judgement is but out of his old lying heart which can bring forth no better than it self even false judgement and lying words which out of it hath plentifully abounded in his false Rebukes therefore let the Reader first search into the ground from whence his work and judgement doth spring and try if an old Lying heart and sinful wretch as he confesses he is can bring forth good fruit no we matter not what his judgement of us be when as we know the heart is corrupt from whence it doth spring not in the light of the spirit of God do we in any one particular insisted upon by him Contradict the Scriptures though by his dark minde so he wickedly judgeth of us even as the Pharisees his forefathers did judge of Christ to be a Blasphemer and a Contradictor of Moses and the Prophets who did fulfil them and put them to an end and not destroy them nor contradict them not in the sight of his Father though to their corrupt judgement and Christ tells them that they erred not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God who had old lying hearts were sinful wretches even such as John Stelham hath confessed himself to be and therefore his words and judgment and theirs is like to be all of one nature judging truth to be error and the way of God to be Heresie and Blasphemy this the Pharisees did of old and even thus doth John Stelham and his Companions do at this day but why should any be troubled hereat seeing herein Christs words are fulfilled upon us who said they shall speak all manner of evil falsly against you for my names sake and so hath this man done with his light scornful spirit and fulfilled Christs words who because he hath not known the Father nor the Son hath spoken evil falsly against them that follow Christ and this were sufficient answer to his whole Book yet let us see what follows and let the Reader try with all moderation that he may be edified and may know the true spirit from the false and the doctrine of the Gospel from lying visions and may cleave to the truth and escape the error and let none believe hastily things uttered without knowledge out of I. S. deceitful heart FOrasmuch as many of the Servants of the Lord have been moved of the Lord to set forth in order several Declarations of those things which the light of the glorious Gospel shining in their hearts hath given them the knowledge of and for this end are they published that others also may know the certainty and truth of those things which are believed known and enjoyed amongst us not that they can be known by reading the letter in which they are delared but through their diligence and obedience to the light wherewith Christ hath enlightened them though not for it which is the same light which shined in our hearts and gave us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ by which light of the glorious Gospel who are faithful in it to the Lord their understandings come to be opened that they stumble not at those things which are testified in the truth neither at that which is declared in other Scriptures but it being that in this our day it hath pleased the fâ—ther to bring forth in life and power that mercy and truth which the Scripture speaks of by which iniquity is purged out and as it is become a savour of life unto life in those that receive and believe in it so it is also become a savour of death unto that death which remaâ—ns in both Priests and People in this age who hates the light who can scarce hear it named or that people should be turned unto it as the Apostle did turn them from darkness to the light and from the power of Satan unto God that they might receive the remission of their sins and be partakers of the inheritance amongst them that are sanctified but when they hear that Preached or Printed which they may do and out of which they cannot receive the remission of their sins then envie riseth up in them and a perverse mind and ungodly Speeches and false Accusations saying that we speak of a natural light and of a natural conscience when as we speak of the true light which hath enlightened every one that cometh into the world and in which Christs doctrine stood which said to the people and to the Pharisees again and again I am the light of the world as Joh. 8. 12 Joh. 12. 46. but now because the light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon us and we declare it freely as we have received it therefore is flouds of ungodliness risen up against us but it is impossible that the seed which the Lord is manifesting his light and power to bring forth should be kept alwayes under the power of death which seed is now terrible in the Lords power and will yet be more terrible as his power encreaseth which is now going forth as an Army with banners for the torment of the wicked is already begun because the righteousness of God is now spreading over the Nations and neither the rulers of the darkness of this world nor all the Printings and Preachings of those who be out of the life of
which dwells no truth but the root of errour and gainsaying of the truth and as for many other of his devised fables and false meanings though I let them pass here unanswered yet they may be seen with the mind informed in the truth and all who are of God and of the truth may know that it is a small matter for us to be rebuked or judged to be in confusion who so evidently hath confounded both our words and the Apostles into his own false meanings and so contradicts them both but that remaineth sure which gave forth the Scriptures and abideth in us and we know that they cannot be broken but must be fulfilled as they were given forth by the Word which they were given forth from by taking heed unto which the young mans way is cleansed and by which the old lying heart is reproved that which was given forth from the Spirit cannot be by it denyed but that which would darken words without knowledge is denyed that which would set up devised fables above Christ the Spirit and Scriptures that by the Spirit is denyed without contradiction and as we shall by the Spirit and by the Scriptures try John Stelhams Doctrine which if he deny them both then by his own Argument we shall prove him and see whether he will own himself to be judged by that with which he would judg others whether they be Messengers sent by Gods Spirit His Assertion laid down Page 60 to try withal is â—his Such Messengers as speak more than is in the Scripture are not sent by Gods Spirit nor guided by him to what they say By this then is all that of him before mentioned cast out being both more and contrary to what is in the Scripture as also that which is to be declared as followeth in his second head as he calls it of Scripture Contradiction he is speaking concerning a Trinity and three Persons which words aâ—e not spoken in the Scriptures he naming the Father Son and Spirit by such names as the Scripture never did and so about words and names which the Scripture doth not mention arising out of the Devination of his heart doth he multiply words to hide the truth and shut the kingdom from men and so hath no ground for the word three Persons from the Scripture but the Scripture in one translation speaking of Christ being the express Image of the Fathers Person and in another translation saith that he is the express Figure of the Fathers substance as he is witnessed to be by those that know him and so till he find the word three Persons and Trinity in the Scriptures let him own his own rule to judge him to be no Messenger sent by Gods Spirit because he speaks more than is in the Scripture who saith The holy Ghost is a Person and this person dwells in Saints though not personally mark this A Person dwell in the Saints not personally all this confusion is as tares which men gather which must be bound in bundles and cast into the fiâ—e for what is the Chaff to the Wheat or what is a I such invented words to the knowledge of the Father Son and Spirit which are one which bear record in heaven and there are three that bear witness in earth the Spirit the Water and the Blood and these three agree in one and when these are known in their witness in man what they witness unto and what they witness against within and without such will give them names according to their works and according to the Scriptures The Third Head of John Stelhams Scripture Contradiction is concerning the light which every man is enlightened withal which of all things is most hated by all such whose wayes words and works are contrary to it for it being risen in the hearts of the Children of men to give the knowledge of the truth hath in this day made many wiser than their Teachers and now they which have caused people to err are by the light seen and by the children of light are denyed and they being denyed their envie is up against the light which hath made them manifest and they walk not by the light nor according to the Scriptures but there is a line of confusion comes over them by which now they walk and from which their Writings doth proceed as John Stelham in page 52 saith they may affirm agreeable to the Scripture and yet contradict the Scriptures in saying that Christ is in every man or that the light in every man leads to the Father And saith Christ God or as God is in every man and a spark of his godhead light is in every man but there is not in every man that redemption light which leads to the Father That Light which Christ hath enlightned every man withal leads to the Father all who are led by it and believe in it and condemns all from the Father which do not obey it but hate it and speak dispitefully against it who are turned out from God who is light and truth into the confusion saying that the God-head-light is not the Redemption-light but with the light that Lye and confusion is judged for ever and in affirming that the Godhead light is in every man and then calling it common and old Creation-light and Scripture-light page 61 and the light of Nature page 74 75. a legal light page 76. and a created light page 78. and an universal light unto which I say as God is so is his light and so is his godhead not created nor natural and as every one comes to know the light which by I. S. is so reviled they shall neither follow nor believe his Doctrine till he can prove when the light of the Godhead was created and how it became natural or legal or where he had those names for the Scriptures doth give no such names to the light and so by his own rule he speaking more than is in the Scripture is not a Messenger sent by Gods Spirit nor guided by it in what he saith As also in other things as in Page 64. saying That light without Scripture is no light Then Enoch's light in which he walked with God was no light nor Jacobs light nor Isaacs nor Abrahams for they were without these Writings and this letter which he calls the Scriptures but they were not without light And thousands have so much light whether they have the Scriptures or not as to see this darkness as to say light though saving light without Scripture is no light did the Scriptures make the light to be light and was the saving light made by that which was written let all take notice and turn away from such in another place he calls the Scriptures but the Declaration that Christ is the Word and calleth them a Vessel that the light is put into in page 43. and 44. Now let them of understanding consider and judge whether the vessel be the maker of that which is put into
proofs are impertinent what is this to prove Infants Baptisme so that is passed by here as making arguments against Believers Baptisme except one professing that were our present adversary but in this he is pursued from all the Scriptures he cannot prove in justice that ever Infants Baptisme was either commanded or practised though he craftily wind about never so much in his Imaginations and consequences And in the general I answer Much by us have been written and spoken to this purpose so our judgements in this charge is fully known of which we are not ashamed before men as being fully justified herein in the sight of the Lord and so as to this particular more need not be said Again in the 12th Head of Scripture Contradiction as he saith concerning the Lords Supper I. S. makes much ado because of our denyall of carnall Inventions and Imitations practised by many in the exercise of that called the Supper of the Lord though with one heart and mind we say and witness that Christs flesh and blood is our meat and drink and none hath life in them without it yet doth receive it in the Spirit and power of God and doth bear our testimony against Imitations and false likenesses set up in the World as the Wicked and Prophane people such as live in pride and wickedness and covetousness both teachers and people eating a little Bread and drinking Wine so many times a year in such a form and manner and way as Christ nor his Apostles never practised such things in and no change wrought among people but both before and after if not in the very time fulfilling all wickedness and unrighteousnesse in words and wayes and thoughts yet by false suggestion from their Teachers believing vainly themselves to be the better or Saitns for the practice of such things whereas they do the more thereby vex the Lords soul and grieve his Spirit by hypocrisie and deceit this we call carnal Inventions and doth deny it in the presence of the Lord that it is evill and not accepted of God but condemned in his sight I. S. proves not that any thing which Christ instituted to be practised among the Saints only even was practised in the World among such who are not called neither sanctified and this is abomination to the Lord to practise the Saints words or wayes and have not the Spirit of the Father which we cannot see among the people of this Age no nor manage them professing to be selected Church members but pride and envy abounds among them all and in that spirit of disobedience in which they live to the Ordinances of Christ they have no right to practise that which only is to be practised among them that have the Spirit of the Father and nothing that Christ instituted for his Saints do we deny in its life and age but lives are changed and Antichrist hath roled and even the things which once he instituted your practise of them who are poluted are abomination to him and this is a full Answer in generall as to the thing though I pursue hâ—m not in every particular word and argument to lay open his folly but our judgement in this is known he that can receive it let him and the belief of the wicked we shall not begg in these things we are approved of God and in the denyal of all false Imitations and who is he that shall condemn In the 14th Head concerning Prayer Concerning Prayer we do not contradict the Scripture in our practice I. S. is the lyer herein who hath made it a subject to treat two leaves upon for praying in the Spirit and by the Spirit and in publick and private too we own and do practise as is known to thousands our enemies can witness for us and according to the Scripture too and not contradicting to it any way but this is the offence against him at which he is troubled that we should deny the prayers of the Pharisees or of such who are in the steps of the Pharisees viz. who for a pretence make long Prayers and stands praying in the Synagogues who are out of Christs and the Apostles Doctrine and the prayers and practises of such we do not deny according to the Scripture which saith the sacrifice of the wicked are abomination to the Lord and they shal receive greater condemnation who makes long prayers for a pretence as it is manifest concerning many in this Generation and against the praying of the Hypocrites and of hirelings who pretends to pray in love to Souls when as if they had not a great sum of mony from the people would not pray among them but seek a place to pray at among such who wouâ—d give them money and hire and this praying is for a pretence and we do deny it in publick and doth not offend God herein though we vex I. S. hereby because some will not worship the beast and bow a hat off while he is praying in an Idols Temple which he complains of in I. P. though he himself that prayes have a Cap on and himself confesses not wicked mans prayers are accepted publick or private and here he hath condemned all his own praying who confesses he is wicked and sinfull and his heart is old and lying Let all take notice of this which if he had not confessed it it is sufficiently proved then why shall he ever hereafter be offended seeing his prayers are not accepted according to his own confession if any tel him so or declare against his praying and before any can truly pray they must receive the Spirit of the Father and them we know who are not led by the Spirit of the Father them and their prayers are to be declared against by the Saints and are condemned in the sight of God And I. S. saith If this counsel be followed viz. waiting in the Light till the Spirit leading be known it makes known nothing of Publick Ministers Church officers Baptisme Lords Supper publick order of prayer nor of Christ as Mediator nor of the Spirit of promise c. The light that every man hath makes manifest nothing of this he sayeth he in this is a Lyar and slanderer of the people of God who are led by the moving of the Spirit in the light of the word Christ Jesus that lighteth every man and owneth the publick Ministry of Christ which is received by the holy Ghost and Church and Baptism and Christ as Mediator and the Spirit of promise and all these thing all the Saints upon earth who have the spirit of Christ shal witness against I. S. herein to be a lyar of the light and Spirit of God and so is a transgressor and his wickedness may largely be laid open but the least of the children of light may see his folly and madness who also lyingly saith that Quakers they nourish up people in the light that every man hath which is the light of Christ Jesus in opposition to Scripture
THE REBUKES OF A REVILER Fallen upon his own head In an Answer to a BOOK put forth by one Iohn Stelham called a Minister at Terlin in Essex Wherein is shewed unto all Spiritual men that he himself is justly proved to be a Contradictor of the Scriptures while he falsly accuses others thereof that are clear and the saying is fulfilled upon him he is fallen into the Pit which he digged for others for even that way which he calls Heresie do we Worship the God of our Fathers By R. H. London Printed for Giles Calvert at the Black-spread-Eagle at the West-end of Pauls 1657. THE REBUKES OF A Reviler Fallen upon his own Head In an Answer to a Book put forth by one John Stelham called a Minister at Terling in Essex VVHereas the antient of dayes hath appeared and the Lord God of Israel and of his holy Seed for ever hath in these our dayes being his own appointed time stretched forth his hand to gather in his Remnant which hath been scattered and starved upon the barren Mountains and he hath made known his arm and power in raising up his righteous branch and in bringing out of Captivity his own Chosen that his own Name may be exalted for evermore and his marvelous light hath he caused to shine forth unto many that have sit in darkness and he hath cryed behold me behold me unto a people that hath not been called by his name yea from this time it shall be said What hath God wrought and who is like unto them that are saved by the Lord a happy people and blessed are they whom he hath chosen for his own Inheritance they dwell in their tents and none can make them afraid for there is no Inchantment against Israel nor no Divination against the Seed of Jacob he that curses them it shall return upon his own head and he that defies them shall surely be confounded in a day for God hath spoken and it shall surely come to pass he hath said and it shall not be revoked They that wait upon him shall never be ashamed but his presence shall go before them and his righteousness shall be their reward Therefore O ye Mountains and Hills wherefore are ye gathered together ye high and lofty Oaks and rebellious Children to what purpose have you set your selves as in Array for Bâ—tâ—â—l against the Lord and against his Anointed in vain have you sought Divination against Israel and to no purpose have you risen up to resist Mount Sion whom the Lord is establishing and exalting above the Dominions of the earth and though many have set themselves and of the wisest too in our age to gainsay the truth which is revealed by subtil Arguments and have travelled in pain to bring forth misty vapors to blind the eye of the simple and have laid and sought so to do stumbling blocks of iniqâ—ity before the people by multitude of crafty productions and lying arguments Wo unto you wise Writers and Scribes you have taken away the Key of Knowledge and have neither entred the Kingdom nor suffered others to enter that would what will be your doom and what will be your judgment O the heavie hand of the Lord will be upon you you damnation sleeps not a moment And whereas John Stelham one oâ—Gogs Army against the Lamb and his followers a falsly supposed and contrarily called and unjustly named Minister of the Gospel hath out of his corrupt wicked old lying heart which he confesseth he hath brought forth a large Piece out of Babylons treasure of falsly collected and falsly framed Arguments whereby he hath sought to offend the way of the Lord but the rather hath burthened his own Soul by his own wickedness and offended himself and made himself unworthy of life eternal and is reckoned in the sight of the Lord and proved in the sight of man to be indeed sinful John Stelham yea he is numbred and truly too among Babylons Children and the Lyars and Hypocrites whose portion is in the lake and not among the Children of the Lord for them he hath set himself to oppose and by his subtilty secretly sought out Inchâ—ntments and endeavouring to curse whom God hath blessed he is accounted among the uncircumcised and shall not die the death of the Righteous neither shall his last end be like unto his except he repent yea God hath kept him back from honour and to shame and disgrace he is already promoted in the sight of all the Saints and all his work is troden down as a branch of a dead tree to be cast into the fire and what though he have travelled full 10 Months or more yet his birth is imperfect and the fruit of an Egyptian Womb which hath obtained neither praise of God nor favour of man and what though his Arguments be many and subtil through the strength of his devilish wisdom whereby he hath descended into the darkness to fetch up his stuffe and invented in his mind and framed in his evil thoughts which hath filled his Volums by his envious pen and what though he hath taken seeming occasion against us by his industry and bent his tongue to utter it as feinedly and zealously as may blind the siâ—gle eye and in as great hypocrisie and pretended Righteousness as possibly may What then of all these things let him take this for an Answer in full to all his many Arguments and to his whole Work and whatsoever is brought forth or may be yet lodging in his sinful heart ever to declare We are of God his Covenant is with us and the whole World lyes in wickedness and he that is of God heareth us and this is enough Reply to all what he hath or can say further against us and this Testimony the Father gives of us who hath chosen us in him before the world was and let him and all our adversaries know That our Religion is in that which keeps unspotted of the world and our acceptance with God is in him who is the light of the world who exerciseth our Consciences in all good things towards God and towards man and though we answer not yet are we no worse and though we answer yet are we no better praise of men approves us not to God nor dispraise of men makes us not sorrowful But our peace is in the Father whether the world do us love or hate or praise us or dispraise And first of all like unto Rehum and Shimshai and their companions he appears with his Dedication much like unto theirs from the same spirit and unto the same end as may be seen Ezra 4. 9 11 12 c. and in the manner of Amaziah Priest of Bethel unto Jeroboam the King with a Message much of that nature as in Amos. 7. 10 11 c. and this man with his feigned flattering titles appears to the chief in Authority for Approbation of his work that men may accept it the more but that 's little worth if God accept
one with him are not from being guarded with a Popish Law and these are truly Romes Subjects who are guarded with his Law more than we are Romes Emissaries which secretly he would cast upon us and make the Protector and his Council believe it if their hearts be so hardened But better is thought upon concerning them though I. S. would make them evil suggesting evil into their hearts But a false Prophet is known by his Lyes and Slanders and secret smiting and then he saith He would have some of this Sect * more narrowly watched c. and stigmatized Oh cruelty out of the abundance of the heart his mouth utters like a Pot boyling with anger that cannot contain it within the mouth what lodges in the heart of this man consider what less then in their hearts who were Qâ—een Maries Jesuits and Priests if the Protector and Council would answer the cruel intent of his mind as Queen Mary did theirs Balaam or worse he is for he hath sought inchantment and would curse before they sent for him to do so but it shall return on his own head who is watched against for a Wolf and Devourer and stigmatzed for a Deceiver and false Deviner one who art marked for a false Prophet and known to be so by every one who is taught of God and in the end of all this secretly uttered wickedness and cruelty insinuatingly expressed to suggest evil into the minds of men more honest than himself he wishes for Blessing upon his Highness and Honours that they may discern true Spirits from false such who proceed out of the mouth of the false Prophet from such as proceeds from the Father and from the Son indeed of such a gift of discerning they have need and by the fruits they may try every Spirit and in a just tryal by just judgement are thou tryed and thy spirit is made manifest to be the spirit which proceeds out of the mouth of the Dâ—agon who wars against the Saints and out of the mouth of the Bâ—ast who hath many Heads and many Horns which Beast arose up in the Apostacy since the Apostles dayes and thy Spirit is made manifest to be that spirit of the false Prophet who deceive the Nations for thy fruits doth discover thee a lyar aslanderer a perverter of the right way of God art thou proved and such things proceeds out of the mouth of the false Pro and so let them beware of thy Spirit who art not guided by the Spirit of Christ Jesus nor of the Father but a worker of darkness and a reviler of the light of Cstrist calling it false Prophet-like as being led with the Spirit of the Dragon and of the Beast Perverse Principle We have measured thy spirit to be as I have said and he that speaks otherwise speaks a lye and if the Protector and his Council believe otherwise they believe a lye and cannot obtain a blessing though thou with thy lying Spirit pray for them whom God the Father of blessings hears not but is against thee and this is my prayer The Lord rebuke thee and thy wicked tongue and give the Protector and his Council a better understanding than to believe thee else will the Lord make them cursed to themselves and to the Nations of them my heart hopes better things and this might serve for a full Answer to thy whole Book and by this little of thy work that I have viewed turned nto the sight of all art thou discovered to be an enemy to God and a secret envier of his people and by what thou hast said it appears what the rest of the whole matter can be an evil spirit cannot bring forth good works but yet a little further is thy matter unvayled for the sake of the upright And further I. S. after his wicked Presentation to the Rulers of this Nation with lyes and evil Speeches proceeding out of his old heart he writes an Epistle out of the same heart to the Church as he calls them wherein is many words uttered but altogether tasted with that leaven of his malice against Quakers and Quakerism who seems to be the greatest burthen upon his evil heart because truth is among them and if truth go on his deceit will be more made manifest wither and perish and so as subtilly as may be he would defend himself in the sight of his Church that his shame may not appear before them it may be lest his Hire should be abated and he seems to cast a cloak upon them but whether out of pure love to their Souls or for his own Gain and such a sum of Money God knowes however the least Child in the truth dwelling in the light sees his length and can measure his state and knows that good cannot come from an old lying heart and he speaks something of wondring after the beast and false Prophet but hath not described what the Beast is and the false Prophet And I refer the Reader to a Book called The Measure of the Times wherein the Priests of England such as I. S. is reproved according to the Scripture to be the very branches of the same Root of false Prophets which all the World wondered after in Johns time and though he speak much to his Church of Christ without and of his birth blood and his righteousness and justification thereby c. but to all that I say All are Reprobates but such in whom Christ is within them and none are justified but such nor hath any part in the inheritance of God though they may profess never so much of Christ without and what he hath done for others yet except he be within them too to change and renew them and give them power over all their sins their profession of him is vain I am no picker of Quarrels else many of his words might be searched which I run over hastily knowing his voice to be the voice of a stranger and not of Christ who never made use of an old sinful heart to pen Epistles to Churches But into this lets search he saith Christ blessed Infants-Baptism Where or when I ask proof of this and till then I say I. S. hath belyed Christ and the generation of the just Well may he belye us when he hath belyed Christ who could not bless that which there was not there was no Infants Baptism that ever we read of in his dayes sure people will be more wise than to be established through Lyes else their sin be upon them if through hardness of heart they be given up to believe Lyes that they may perish He speaks of a well ordered Conversation Indeed this seems Hypocrisie to exhort others their Churches to that which many of the Independen Teachers have not themselves who are Hirelings and takes Gifts and Rewards for Preaching and is in the way of all the Deceivers of old and they that do these things have not a well ordered Conversation but a Conversing with the
generation of ungodly and when we read the plain words of Christ Luke 17. The Kingdom of Heaven is within you he saith we madly wrest the reading of the words when we neither â—dd nor diminish now he seems to say It is the Kingdom of heaven among you and not the kingdom of heaven within you and so blames the Scripture and confounds the doctrine of many of the Independents who say the Scriptures is believers Rule but he seems to charge the Scripture with false translation and therefore is subject to alteration and so cannot be the rule of Believers according to his own account and thus by wicked men are we blamed when we do not speak according to Scripture language and now as wickedly charged by I. S. for speaking just in the Scripture expressions with madly wresting the words but thus it was before and whatsoever we do now by our enemies must be reviled and our words abused contrary to our innocent intents Then in the end of his Epistle he desires the Prayers of his Church that his Reply may be accompanied with power according to the truth of it Indeed so it shall and no more according to the truth of it which is very fâ—lshoods and deceits so shall the power of the Lord confound it and turn it into folly and confusion as may be seen by a sober man who this following doth with patience read and weigh Then many things is uttered by him in his Epistle to the Reader he seems to shew he saith how R. F. and his Associates have made up A Litter and Fardel of Erronious Divinity and secretly charging us with making up of what we profess from some Writers before us But to this I Answer His reproachful words Litter and Fardel and Erronious we bear with patience rather rejoycing that we are accounted worthy of the reproach for the truths sake from an envious man than to be angry with our reproaches But however let him and all our enemies know what we profess and bear witness of we receive not from man but from God even the Gospel which we testifie of by the revelation of Jesus Christ in us we received it and informs others to the same door which is by our Ministry that they may receive the same and this is but his poor shift to undervalue the power and truth of Jesus in the sight of men who would falsly make men believe That our Doctrines are but the spawn of many ancient Errors as he saith brooded by some Moderne Writers when as the Doctrine of Christ and the Apostles we bear witness to by the same Spirit and not to any other Authors who were without the Spirit of Jesus and all these shifts â—aves not the Priests of England from being discovered and their deceits and abominations to be made manifest by our Light and Doctrine which is the Light of Christ and the Doctrine of the holy men of God before us And further his wickedness appears by reproaching and reviling dead men such as H. N. Jacob B. W. E. with others whom I confidently believe were men in their Generation more honest than himself and more upright with God and sincere in what was made known to them than this same reviler who is set to revile both living and dead if they do but cross his fancy Let all men take notice of these things and of his rebukes with an evil heart whom the Lord doth and will rebuke by the Spirit of his mouth in the day of his just judgements who art a reviler of the just both living and dead and all along in that Epistle as in the rest of his Book which is the Rebukes of a Reviler he bends his very tongue as the poyson of Asps being under it against the Quakers reckoning them with the Papists and such others but this is but as the Pharisees his fore-fathers did who numbered the Son of God and condemned him with transgressors and betwixt two theeves And in the end he desires his Reader to receive in Love what in his Book is found agreeable to the Spirit of God in Scripture truth agreed so let it be and therefore many things in his Book which is not given forth by the Spirit of God nor according to the Scripture truth which the honest Reader may find upon a serious reading and search with the Spirit of God and according to the Scripture is to be judged and condemned and not received what shall the honest Reader receive this for truth That the Light of Christ Jesus is A Preverse Principle and that Christ blessed Infants Baptism with very many such like things of the like nature proceeding from the same spirit which is proved not to be of God but of the Devil for every tree is known by its fruit and every spirit by its works and words many other things more devilish if more devilish can be he charges us withal in a most unreasonable manner that our Religion is the Fort of Babel and that Jesuitical Plots and Designes are carried on by some of us and Quakerism is built upon the fourfold pillar of Papistry with such like the very transcribing of his words shewes his wicked spirit by his unsavory words which things we do deny in the presence of the Lord and are clear in his sight from these divilish accusations though I. S. play the Devils part in this Epistle as well as in his whole Book and is an accuser of the brethren and is to be cast out and judged with the life of God and to give testimony against his lyes and slanders is sufficient Answer and the next time he enterprises the like Work we demand of him witness of his words what these Jesuitical Flots and Designes are we do carry on Which slander is so divelish could he prove what he saith his words would take away our lives but to raise the unclean spirits against us though the Nations is truly supposed the purpose of his words and not being content with what he himself can believe us in his work reaches to raise the rage of whole Nations to execute their fury as well as his own upon us and so his words gives ground to all the wicked that doth believe hâ—m for none else can to persecute the people and way of the Lord under the false account of being Plotters and of having ill Designes which things we stand witness against and seeks the peace of all men though he have bent his tongue for Lyes and brazen'd his face to utter them without fear or shame to suggest evil into mens minds that they may harm the upright but it is known by his words what lodgeth in the heart of such a person who thus openly and impudently doth slander just men to the taking away of life if any were so divilish to witness lyes and slanders as he is in forging of them and declaring of them and that to the Protector and his Council too but from these things we being
Stelham confesseth he is was never appointed by the Lord to watch over Souls But such where Christ did dwell in their hearts and because they were sons God sent forth the spirit of his Son into their hearts Eph. 3. 17. Gal 46. and such had truth in their hearts doing the will of God from the heart and did draw neer unto God with a true heart in full assurance of Faith having their hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and their bodies washed with pure water these did not profess the things of God in an old lying heart wherein dwelt no truth but called upon the name of the Lord with a pure heart and said that the end of the Commandment was Charity out of a pure heart and of a good Conscience and of Faith unfeigned from which some swarved in the Apostles dayes having turned aside unto vain jangling and such desired to be teachers of others but the doctrine is corrupt and the Ministry of Faith is not held where the heart and conscience is not pure And the Lord is good unto such who be of a clean heart Now as concerning the Scriptures John Stelhams Testimony from the old lying heart wherein dwells no truth is this That the Scriptures are the word of God and truly so called and the letter and Scripture is all one as page 3 4. but to contradict that himself he saith in page 5. the letter taken strictly is but legal Administration using these words the letter killeth i. e The bare legal command without a promise of power or pardon as a bare letter void of strength life and spirit it leaveth all men under a killing sentence and curse let them that have understanding judge Again as concerning the letter in page 6. he expresseth himself thus The Spirit is given by it And in the next words saith the Scripture is but instrumental to the Spirit Now mark the Letter taken strictly being legal without a Promise of Power or Pardon void of strength life and spirit The Spirit to be given by this which he confesseth is void of strength life and spirit and is but instrumental to the spirit whether this be not contradiction and confusion let them that read judge For in reading these things which he hath published many may seal to the Confession of his own Condition to be truth but that which he hath declired of the things of God to be false For now the light being broken forth such doctrine cannot be received nor beleeved that the spirit is given by the letter but that which is declared in the letter was given forth from the Spirit which was in them which spoke it forth but people may long have the letter and think in it to find God and eternal life and may die in their sins though I. S. say that not one man in the world knows God to be God till he finds him in the Scripture But I say unto him as Christ said unto the Pharisees who had neither heard his voyce at any time nor seen his shape had not his word abiding in them nor did not believe in the light and that he was the light which did enlighten every man that cometh into the world search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testifie of me saith Christ the life but those thought that they had the life in the scriptures deceived them for they wanted the life when they thought they had it so I. S. thoughts that he hath the spirit by the letter deceives him for when he finds the spirit eternal life then his old lying heart in which is no truth but the root of error will be taken away and so the light which cometh from Christ the life in which the spirit is received condemneth all such thoughts for they proceed out of that heart which is not upright before the Lord neither is it set to seek the Lord in that way in which he and his spirit is found Again I. S. talking of the Scriptures intrudes into things which he hath not seen comparing it with that which he hath seen and so in what he saith he is blind saying The Scriptures is a more standing rule than visions To which I Answer The night is upon him that he hath no vision and therefore doth not know what a vision is a rule unto nor the continuance of it as those in Israel which said that every vision faâ—leth and so would not have them a standing rule and that reproach of the visions of God was so common that it was become a Proverb amongst them but the Prophet who was in the light and had the vision of the Lord and had the word of the Lord he was to reprove that Proverb and to tell them that they should no more use it as a proverb in Israel and said the dayes are at hand and the effect of every vision and so with the light who be in it doth now reprove all such proverbs and preachings against the visions of God for from the visions was the Scriptures spoken forth and that which they had seen they declared so that which gives forth words is greater than the words and without vision the people perish and they may perish while they have the letter but they cannot perish while they have the vision and although there be vain visions they do not make the true of none effect And although there be Sorceryes and Enchantment that doth not make the true resurrection of the dead of none effect but the blind must stumble at the things which they do not see Again I. S. saith That the Authority of the Scriptures is owned among the Jewes to this day Answ. No Christ is not owned amongst them who is the Authority and Power unto which the Scriptures give testimony that he is so neither are they yet converted as thou thy self confessest and they who be in the unconverted estate doth not own the Authority of the Scriptures though such may talk of them as thou dost speaking that of them which they never spoke of themselves Again I. S. saith in the 17. page As deep things as the Spirit hath Revealed they are all in the Scripture Answ. Nay There was things Revealed which was unutterable and many things which was Revealed and also Written which is not in the Scripture as the Book of Nathan the Prophet and the Prophesie of Ahijah the Shilâ—â—mitâ— and the Visions of Iddoa the Seer which was against Jerâ—bâ—ans the Son of Nabat 2 Chron 9. 29. And the Book of Shemath the Prophet 2 Chron. 1. 2. 15. And the Book of Jehu 2 Chron. 20. 34. And the Book of Gad the Seer 1 Chron 29. 29. And the Book of Jaser 2 Sam. 1. 18. and the Prophesie of Enoch who prophesied of the coming of Christ in his Saints to execute Judgement upon all and to convince all that are uugodly of all their ungodly deeds and hard speeches
which ungodly sinners have spoken against him as Jude beareth witness and he also saw and Prophesied of Israel according to the flesh that they should do wickedly and slay him who was the light of the world And much more which is not written in the Bible And that which was manifest unto Paul which he wrote to the Corinthians in an Epostle not to company with fornicators that whole Epistle is not in the Bible 1 Cor. 5. 9. And likewise that which was revealed unto Paul in the dispensation of the grace of God given unto him how that by revelation God made known unto him the mystery which he wrote unto the Ephesians in a few words whereby they when they read they might understand his knowledge in the mystery of Christ which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men as it was then revealed unto his holy Angels and Prophets by the Spirit which Epistle in which that mystery was written is not in the Bible Ephes. 3. 3. And the Epistle which Paul wrote to the Laodâ—ceans which he charged the Colossians to read amongst them and that theirs should be read in the Church of the Laodeceans wherin his thanks and prayers to God was for their stedfastness in the truth wherein he made manifest the unprofitable talkers who went about to draw them from the truth of the Gospel and from their diligence in good works of eternal life as many vain and unprofitable talkers are in the world now doing the same work And whereas I. S. saith That the Epistle of Paul to the Colossians was read as the Word of the Lord in the Church of the Laodeceans Why doth he not as well â—ear witness that Pauls Epistle to the Laodeceans was read as the word of the Lord amongst the Colossians Col. 4. 16 And if he read in his Church the Epistle to the Colossians as the Word of the Lord why doth not he read to his people that which was written to the Laodeceans they both being given forth from one Spirit So let him consider of those things above mentioned and try whether his words will stand unreprovable 67 page saying God might have revealed more than is in the Scripture but he pleased not so to do In that page mentioning Samuel Moses and the Prophets Christ and the Apostles saying All that they have spoken is written both according to what was Written before and for substance the same Answ. What I have spoken and shall here speak may sufficiently make manifest that his words proceed from the old lying heart in which dwells no truth for I have shewed out of the Prophets and out of the Apostles many things which was both revealed and declared which is not in the Bible written And likewise I shall shew farther of the things concerning Christ testified by John and we know that his Testimony is true saying And there are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it seâ—f could not contain the Books which should be written John 21. 25. So that all is not written which was revealed wrote and spoken which if much more were written which was made manifest by it with that which is written could they not know the Lord their minds being from the light of Christ which doth reveal and make manifest that which may be known of God in them And many who have the Letter and are Ministers of it are sensual having not the spirit nor the word of God nor the testimony of Jesus and their Ministry is but as Chaff to the Wheat and the Lord is against them For what is the chaff to the wheat saith the Lord Jer. 23. Is not my word like a fire saith the Lord and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces Now many have the letter and know not the word of the Lord as a fire neither is the rock broken with the letter and such use their tongue for it is their own and the power of the Lord is not come over it such cause the People to err and doth not profit them being not sent nor commanded of the Lord for who are sent and commanded of the Lord the Lord useth their tongues to speak his words which he puts into their mouths and such words doth profit the people and not cause them to err being spoken according to the law which is light And the testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of Prophesie and such do witness the Scriptures that as they cannot be broken so they cannot be denied by the Spirit which gave them foâ—th to be a Declaration of those things which was revealeâ— known and believed But they are not that which they are a declaration of the letter testifies of the eternal life but it is not it neither gives it It testifies of the Light of the glorious Gospel shining in the heart which gives the light of the knowledge of the glory of God but it is not that light which gives that knowledge It testifies of the Way but Christ is the Way and of the Word but God is the Word and of Redemption but Christ is the Redemption and not the letter though it testifies of Justification and Sanctification but they are wrought by the Word in the grace and power of Christ and so every one who will own the Scriptures as they were given forth to be owned must first own that of God in them which is manifest to work in the Creature that which they testifie of that Christ the power of God they may witness working all their works in them and for them according to the Scriptures But contrary to the Scriptures I. S. from the root of Errour saith That the written letter is the spiritual Arm and Sword of the Spirit and that the very power of the written Letter puts Satan to flightâ— And in the same Page saith That the Devil hath Scripture in his mouth Answ. Let the People take notice and read the Scriptures and see if there be any such thing that the sword of the Spirit was ever in the Divels Mouth for the spiritual Armour which is said to be the Word of God But the Word of God wâ—ich is the sword of the Spirit is that by which he is to be destroyed and is in the mystery hid from him and all that follow his lusts But though the Devil which did not abide in the truth and his Ministers who are out of the truth may take the letter in their mouths as they have done and say its written so but the word of the Lord s not in their mouths which is the sword of the Spirit and such will use the letter in their mouths which cannot cease from sin whose eyes are full of Adultery beguiling unstable Souls their heart being exercised with covetous practises cursed children which have forsaken the right way and are in the Errour of Balaam loving the wages of
light this is also utterly false and a lye and the author proved to be of the Devil for the light of Christ leads up in the fulfilling of the scripture and not in opposition to it but by his lightness and lyes he is made manifest to be a dâ—câ—iver of the people and so take thy own words in thy conclusion to thy self thou art he that is a ienated from the Scripture and from the Spirit of God also by thy lying spirit of Contradictâ—on which is manifest in thy writings In his 15th Head concerning singing We do not contradict the Scripture herein again thou art a lyar but singing with the Spirit and with understanding we own of such as are redeemed out of the World and are not of the world but singing of Davids experiences sung in the World by such who are of the World this singing we do deny as it is practised in this Generation in Rhyme and Meeter in a vain multitude of people where all or most of them do dishonour God in singing Davids words which themselves are out of the life of and in a life quite contrary singing the law of God is dear to them and that they exercise themselves in it when every moment of time they are exercised in Wickednesse and casts the Law of God behind them and thus singing lyes and that which is not true to them yet in the name of the Lord Other Reasons many may be given why we deny singing in this Form and manner and way as singing is practised in this Generation but this Instance is sufficient to all honest people but Cavellers mouths are not soon stopped not by the truth and all I. S. professes as to maintain this manner and practise of singing are all impertinent he proves that the Saints sang and were exhorted to it but what is this to the purpose to prove the World must sing who are unconverted which singing we oppose only and not the Saints singing in the Spirit who are moved to it by the Spirit O thou Lyar wherefore dost thou say To be against singing Davids words by the world in Rhyme and Meetre as we do is contrary to Eph. 5. Col. 3. doth these Scriptures hold forth any such thing let the Reader try as that Davids experiences may be sang in the World in Rhyme and Meetre nay they do not and so thou art a lyar on the Scriptures to be taken notice of and marked for a wrester of the Scriptures and in this we have often declared our minds by words and writings that Poetry and I. Hopkins and T. Sternolds brain invention we have denyed yet Davids Psalms we have owned and do own them as they were given forth by the Spirit of God and not as they are perverted and added and diminished to such a compass of syllables as they are now in practise and thus I have given you a further testimony for and against singing wherein we deny it and wherein we own it and so leaves his muddy stuff and so counts it not worth raking in only a Lye or two or more he is proved in as the Reader may take notice also of one thing more where he charges R. F. falsely to speak falsehood for saying the Priests of Eug. they teach people to sing lyes in hypocrisie this they do and do wickedly in it and he hath added to their wickedness in denying it to be so for to all people without exception they give to sing I am not puft in mind nor hath a scornfull eye and they making not exception in giving forth their Psalms to sing some that they give it forth to are puft in mind and have scornfull eyes and these they teach to sing Lyes in hypocrisie to any honest man this appears true let I. S. shuffle and twist never so much In the 16th Head concerning Elders and Ordination We do not herein contradict the Scripture but witnesseth forth according to it that who are moved by the Spirit of God to watch over the Flock and ordained with gifts thereunto may take the oversight of the Flock wittingly and of a ready mind and not by constraint nor for filthy lucre sake as I. S. and his Generation of false Teachers who preach for hire and for gifts and rewards such are not ordained of God to watch over the Flock but runs and was never sent and therefore shall not profit people at all and such an ordination we dâ—â—y who are ordained at Schools or by naturall arts and sciences to speak their brain-study by a glass this is by man and not of God and God doth deny it and we testifie against it by the Spirit of God and doth say the call to the true Ministry and Eldership is not by man nor of man but by the Lord according to Gal. 1. 1. yet such a one is approved of all the Saints and goes forth not contrary to men who feareth the Lord for the spirit of life is one in them that are called and ordained by it and in them that beareth witness to truth what doth such approve with the Spirit that are called by the Spirit this is our judgement and the judgement of truth whatever I. S. or any of his fellows raise up to oppose it and herein we do not contradict the Scriptures he is that lyar in the subject matter on which he treats in the Title of his Section In his 17th Head concerning Ministers Maintenance Concerning this we do no way contradict the Scripture but witnesseth according to it that the Ministers of Christ doth receive freely and gives freely of what they have received from God and having planted a vineyard may eat the fruit of it and keeping a flock may eat of the milk of the flock and when they go into a house may eat such things â—â— are set before them and yet may not be chargeable to any man and this is according to Christs instructions and not contradictory to the Scriptures though I. S. be pleased to so stile it but all such who preaches for hire or takes hire for preaching and seeks for their gain for 50 l. or 60 l. per aâ—num or the like from their quarter a Parish or Town and such who take Tiâ—hes Gifts and Rewards for preaching which people should not give them except they pâ—eached and such who have sums of money and lives in pleasures and vanities and lust and fulness of the Flesh as the Priests of England doth this maintenance we do deny and them that act those things we deny to be Ministers of Christ or that any Maintenance by way of a Ministry doth belong to such who are greedy dumb doggs and can never have enough as Isai 56 such practises and men we oppose and doth no whit contradict the Scripture but it witnesseth to us herein and against all such and therefore I. S. and his Brethren the Independants who acts such things they contradict the Scripture and so are truly guilty themselves in action
given to all that are to teach others and this doth make it manifest that himself is without the promise of God and is not yet taught of God and so without Gods Covenant being not learned in the teaching of God by his Spirit which is immediate And thus to confound truth he hath by his confession shamed himself and shewed himself to all men to be unlearned in the doctrine of Salvation Further he saith If God had intended to have given teachings immediately without any medium then would he not have sent Preachers abroad for them to hear mark this manâ— blind productions and what impudence is in his heart who holds forth That God intended not the thing to be what he promised should be he promised to teach his people himself and this man holds forth that he intended it not and so hath no less than charged God with Hypocrisie let the Reader mark this but this is the ground wherefore the Ministers and Preachers were and are sent abroad to bring all people to be taught of God by his Spirit and to inform their minds to the gift of God in them that by the Spirit received the knowledge of they might know the things of God which is not known but by the Spirit of God which all that are Children of God are led and guided by and they that are not led with the Spirit of God which Spirit is immediat are not the heirs with Christ nor none of his let I. S. say what he will or may this we believe and this the Scripture gives testimony of for us and with us Yet further to manifest his folly he saith It is erroneous enough and contradictious to the whole Scripture when R. F. truly tells him and saith Thou that art not taught of God shewes that thou speaks a vision of thy own heart and not from the mouth of the Lord let the Reader search where the errour and contradiction to the whole Scripture lyes in these words or whether he hath not proved himself blind and ignorant and in errour and contradiction to the Spirit of God Further he saith Never did any but God slayers and Spirit-wounders go about to separate the Word of God and his breath Now let this be considered Christ did tell them the Pharisees who had the words which God had spoken by the Prophets that they had never heard the voyce of God here he divides or separates betwixt the words and the voyce or breath and was no God-slayer nor Spirit-wounder as thou hast wickedly and blasphemously laid down thy Position where thou hast concluded Christ to be one against whom thy words are laid down let the Reader prove thy doctrine His 20th Head concerning Questions In this we do not contradict the Scripture I. S. is taken with a lye in his mouth who hath made it a subject to treat upon for Questions in their places we own but such as are of the Devil we deny as Christ did who shewed himself as a sool unto all mens wisdom when the subtil Pharisees and others tempted him who would not answer their crafty Questions though them that questioned insimplicity he did to resolve and satisfie them and inform them into the knowledge of the Father Then some leaves he hath filled with producing some of our Queries out of some of our Books Commenting thereupon and would prove them ignorant and unprofitable and the like but it had been more just and of a better report for him to have answered them and shewed them to be as he saith of them to all people rather then in a manner backbited them and reproached them and not shewing wherein it lyes and if they be so needless and vain aâ— he saith then the sooner had such a wise man as he thinks himself I. S. confuted them by sober and plain answers but what if our folly in the sight of men be wisdom in the sight of God and his wisdom foolishness with God no matter what he say of us who hath shewed himself already and confessed truly that his heart is old and lying and sinfull so we can expect no better judgement from his Pen then what is in his heart but while we are approved in the â—ight of God we matter nor what men say of us especially one that hath set himself to be our enemy and the Lords enemy and I leave the honest sober Queries to be read which he hath falsely branded with Pride and Ignorance and such like as this what rule have you in scripture for putting off the Hat this is an honest question which he wickedly slanders with pride and whether is your Gospel free without charge as the Apostles was yea or no these and such other questions he rails against to be Ignorant and quarrelous and vain and of the devil now it had been more honest to have confuted them in answering discreetly then to have thus branded them And he saith It is one thing to take hire for preaching and another thing to preach for hire whereby his scope is to excuse himself may be and his Brethren who are hirelings and would not be counted to preach for hire though he dare not deny lest all men should see his folly but that they have hire for preaching but then let him tell us when or where ever any of them preached and had no hire and then we will believe they preach not for it but such as receives sums of money of one man or a country which would not be given him except he preached to them this same man is a hireling and preaches because he hath hire and hath hire because that the ground he preaches Further he saith Christs righteousness which justifies a believing sinner is not the essentiall righteousness of his Godhead and here he hath spoken ignorantly and held forth as if there is two righteousnesses of Christ which I call for a proof from him for else let him confess to his shame that he hath added to the Scripture for the righteousness of Christ is but one by which all the Saints are justified Further he saith ignorantly enough that which is done according to the bare letter of the written command or from a gift of the Spirit or in a Gospel way from a living principle of grace acts of holiness by the holy Spirit and Faith given stirred up this is a righteousness of ours saith he and seems to separate it from the righteousness of Christ as he holds forth let men behold his ignorance Further he saith though it be wrought by the strength of Christ in us yet as to Justification Paul would not be found in it this for a word mark again Reader canst thou see any thing here but ignorance as if Paul were justified by another Christ then what wrought in him to will and to do Further he saith Paul counted all things but losse and dung even what he had done or suffered since conversion that he might win Christ Mark again what was
that we contradict our selves concerning sin and Christ but his whole Section I leave to be read in his Book and let the wise Reader judge whether his proof be any such thing only his lye will prove what he saith he saith We hold Christ to be in all this is his Lye for we say Christ is not in the Reprobate neither did we ever affirm that Christ is not in the Reprobate and so is not in all neither do we concerning Justification contradict our selves in the Spirit of God though so it may appeare to I. S. blind mind and so would make it appear to others by blind arguments by his own meaning Again I. S. would charge self-contradiction upon because we bear witness to the New Covenant and doth say the children of God are taught of God and needs no man to teach them but as the anoynting within them and yet doth write and print here he saith we condemne in others what we allow in our selves Now to all honest people this is no contradiction neither a condemning in others what we allow in our selves for therefore we write and print and speak that all may come to the knowledge of this thing and may be converted to God and know his teaching within them but what would I. S. have said of John who told them they needed no man to teach them but as that within them and yet did write Epistles to them very like he would have called this contradictions And the same is our cause who doth and must do though I. S. and his companions be grieved therewith because their folly is laid open thereby print and write and speak that people through the Ministry be brought to know the teaching of God in themselves and yet herein in the light of the Spirit of God do we not contradict our selves let I. S. say what he will neither do we allow in our selves what we condemn in another this is one of I. S. his lyes we allow the Ministry of Christ yet doth not allow the Ministry of Deceivers and yet is not in contradiction and this in short may give the Reader to understand the deceit and deceivableness to lye in I. S. who is found seeking offences against us without any cause given him and he layes snares for another which doth entrap his own feet And whereas he hath transcribed E. B. his confession in the warning to Vnderbarrow which confession is still owned and no self contradiction proved by it for though God sâ—ake by G. F. to him this doth not contradict the teaching of the Spirit of God as that E. B. was not taught by the Spirit of God for as I have said G. F. did minister as many doth at this day that people should come to the teaching of God in themselves and herein we do not contradict the Scriptures let I. S make as many blind arguments as he can and that instance about I. L. being of the same nature with the former the Answer supplyes both his proofs neither of which doth prove us in contradiction but is a witness to the Ministry of Christ and to the conversion received through it wherein we are taught of God and needs no man to teach us but as the anointing the Spirit of God within us which is immediate and yet we preach the Gospel to others that they may come to witness the same with us even the teaching of the Spirit of God and for this end is the Ministry of God sent by us to bring others to the knowledge of God through it and this is no self-contradiction let I. S. say what he will Further I. S. doth instance E. B. his calling mans light natural and carnal in the Warning c. and would call his contradiction to some who doth deny the light of Christ to be natural and carnal as the Priests of England terme it but this is no contradiction for though wâ— do deny that the light of Christ Jesus is natural and carnal and doth not allow any so to call it yet the light of man by which carnal men doth judge of carnal transgressions is natural E. B. doth never say that the light of Christ is natural and carnal but the light of Man is so he saith and in this Instance there is no contradiction neither in any parts of the words following which is transcribed and much might be said as to the occasion of those words being uttered when E. B. was in prison falsly as many have been since who was one of the first that by â—mprisonment was a sufferer for the name of Jesus in the North of England before I. S. was troubled with any of us but it is sufficient what is said to the mans light by which carnal men judgeth of any thing is one thing and the light of Christ Jesus which is spiritual mens guide is another thing E. B. speak of mans light and I. S. foolishly opposes him as if he spake of the light of Christ Jesus and so opposes his own conception And further I. S. asserts That Scripture light is the standing rule for faith and manners so are not immediate revelations and teachings Here he hath set up the Scriptures above the Spirit of God and above the Revelation of Jesus Christ the Saints was led by what the Spirit revealed and taught Christ said he should teach into all truth and they that were the Sons of God were loved by the Spirit of God and that was their rule to be led by in their Faith and manners but yet see a hypocrite I. S. is he that pleads for Scripture to be the rule and yet is acting in many things contrary to the Scriptures as at large may be instanced neither is in all the Scripture the Scripture called light but Scripture saith Christ is the light Further he saith There is sufficient light in the Scripture to guide men to salvation mark his Doctrine whether he hath not preached another thing than Christ to be the way and whether he hath not made Christ and the blood of Christ of none effect without which no salvation But he saith there is sufficient in the Scripture to lead men to salvation and neither Christ nor his blood is in Scripture let it be moved Further he saith The Scripture was given by the Spirit for a rule this we desire a proof off by plain Scripture and till then we deny it And further he saith The Spirit gives out himself by Scripture and yet he saith he never said the Scripture did give the Spirit and this is an absolute contradiction as may be noted so I. S. is taken in the snare contradicting himself in one quarter of a sheet of Paper and hath not at all proved us to be self-contradictors concerning any of these things mentioned by him Further he saith in his 8th Head That our possessing perfection and Quaking after Moses example cross shines on the other but wherein he doth not shew neither can the honest-minded
read any contradiction in it but only it seems I. S. hath set himself to cavell Further he saith We contradict our selves concerning Quaking and trembling from this confession that the same power that made Moses to quake and tremble the same power we witness but wherein doth this contradiction appear in these words let honest men try the cause and I. S. be silent and whereas he Instances I. P. standing in an evill cause and of I. P. he may be silent whose blood he or his Generation sought after and now might they well be quiet of him their wills being stifled by drinking his blood as it were but that wicked men must add to their own wickedness till it be fulfilled that they may receive their reward and I. P. was bold as is the children of God and though I. S. would clear himself and his company from what was done to I. P. yet by the effect it appeared that there was enough envy in them towards him and the truth and though his body be in the ground yet the Spirit of the Lord which guided him stands alive a sufficient witness against them and all their cruel and wicked dealing and let I. S. judgement be what it will neither concerning growth of Grace nor forms of Religion nor fruits of the Spirit do we at all contradict the Spirit of God neither doth he prove us in these things whereof he accuseth us in strife debate except against such as I. S. and the Devils Kingdom neither in emulation hatred scoffs or any of these things whom the Lord hath redeemed us from though we be falsely accused in these things as in many other by him and whereas he would prove their preaching in their method and Points and Reasons and Uses from the example of the Saints in former ages he falls far short in effecting his extent for he cannot prove that they studied for what they spake nor that in such a way they delivered what they said an hour by a glass c. as the Priests of this age do also if it were they preached in the like manner as the Apostles did yet not by the same spirit but by the spirit of error and for a wrong end that is the thing which makes their manner abominable when as they are not guided wth the same Spirit of the Apostles and their preaching in their method of points and particulars is rather an art of preaching by humane policy and not the gift of preaching by the Spirit of God neither do we concerning humility and love contradict our selves but are in humility and love towards all men even such as wrongs us we seek no revenge against and herein doth our humility and love appear yet cannot we respect any mans person with hat or knee and that is it which I. S. I suppose is offended with In his 13th Head concerning Ordinances He charges us with self-contradiction because we say we own praying c. and yet hath given over Family prayer morning and evening and at meals but this is no contradiction for we own praying in the Spirit of God but doth deny it without the Spirit and this is no contradiction he may as well say it was contradiction in Christ to cry against the prayers of the Pharisees yet to teach his Disciples to pray and to pray himself this is the same cause of ours which he foolishly charges with contradiction and as I have said the prayers of the Wicked we deny and yet doth own Prayer in the Spirit and who are moved by the Spirit morning or evening or at meals or otherwise and this is truth let I. S. gather what he can from it Further he saith If we teach one another why do we condemn them for teaching But to this I have answered Preaching or Teaching by the Spirit we own and without the Spirit we deny and because we say we own all that which is Gods as Baptisme the Lords Supper and Sabbath c. pet doth disown in practice their Water Baptisme and their form of breaking of Bread and Wine and their forms of Church-fellowship and their form of keeping a Sabbath this he charges to be contradiction but it is not so in the sight of the Lord though I. S. falsely so judge it for their Baptisme and breaking of Bread and Wine and their Church fellowship and keeping of a day I say their exercise in these things we do deny to be of God as in measure is proved and may be further if need require and I say we own that which is Gods and which is led unto by his Spirit and practised in his fear and counsel and yet we do deny all their Immitations of any thing which God commanded doth owne the command of God and yet doth not contradict our selves though I. S. falsely so judge of us Further he charges us with self-contradiction concerning speech and silence because we check some for speaking and yet speaks or writes our selves but this is the same with the former and the same answer will serve that speaking that which is not in the Spirit we check which is not the voyce of Christ but of the stranger and yet doth own that which is spoken by the Spirit of God and herein doth not contradict our selves Further he saith We contradict our selves concerning Conscience and Laws because we say there must be no Law concerning Religion viz. to bind any man to worship in this or the other way and to bind him from this or that way of Worship and yet in exhorting the Rulers that their Laws be according to that in the Conscience but in these words there is no contradiction for the Laws being according to the light in every mans Conscience that Law will not bind or limit the Conscience from this or that way of Worship in Religion for that Law is un just which binds or limits the pure conscience of any man but that Law which is contrary to the light in every mans conscience is oppression and we bear witness against it and though we do say no Law must be laid upon Religion that it is to say to bind any mans Conscience to or from such a form of Religion and though we further say that all just Laws is and should be according to the light in every mans conscience yet in this there is no contradiction And whereas I. S. speaks of such Laws who persecuted prisoned and crucified for the testimony of a good Conscience God hath hewen down in all ages saith he Let the Rulers of England take notice of this from the mouth of one of their Teachers And further I adde so will God hew down in this Age all those Laws by which many are persecuted and prisoned as he hath done ie other Ages therefore let it be considered by them And he saith The Magistrate is not to levell his Law with every mans conscience and light and this he speaks in opposition to us but he needs