to death for our offences and raised again for our justification In him as so considered God was manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of Angels preached to the Gentiles beleeved on in the world and received up into glory And that this Scripture speaks of these great things of the mystery of godliness as done onely in that one person I propounded this consideration for one That the word that is immediately prefixed and especially applicable to the first clause is in the Preterperfectense or in the time past God was not God is he was manifest in the flesh yea the phrase of the last clause renders that as a thing also done and finished in the person spoken of He is received up into glory And surely In that person and in him only this is absolutely true God is in the nature of man even in the flesh in which he descended received up into glory not now receiving or to be received but now already received up into glory set down on the right hand of Majesty on the Throne of glory in the heavens Consider I pray you how suitable to this understanding of the last and first clauses is that which is affirmed of this person Heb. 9. 24 25 26. Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true But into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us nor yet that he should offer himself often as the former high Priests entred into the holy place every year with blood of others hee needeth not daily to offer up sacrifice for this he did once Heb. 7. 27 for then also must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world but now once in the last Ages of the world he hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself even as it s appointed unto men once to dye so Christ was once offered not in many Ages or divers times but once in the last Ages when men were multiplied into many whereas they were but one when the ordinance of death passed on them yet in that one it passed on the whole kind so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many even of all of that kind all men every of the nature he took then when they and their offences were multiplied into many he saith not to bear sins in many for then indeed he must often have suffered But now once he was offered in his own body even that so and then prepared him Chap. 10. 5-10 to bear the sins of many Then was God in Christ condemning sin in the flesh yea then and therein when one dyed not in but for all and rose again Then was God in Christ reconciling the world not imputing their trespasses to them but causing them to meet together on him 2 Cor. 5. 14. 15 19. with Isa 53. 6. Rom. 8. 3. 1 Pet. 2. 24. And raising him and giving him glory as the publick man that by and through him our faith and hope might be in God 1 Pet. 3. 18. and 1. 21. with these and that 1 Tim. 3. 16. compare that Joh. 13. 31 32. See how our Savior there directs us to the person in whom the time and works in which God was so manifested and glorified in the flesh and did straightway after the finishing of these works glorifie it in that person even then faith our Savior when Judas was gone out to betray him when he was presently to finish those works the Father gave him to do on earth yea his soul was already in trouble Joh. 12. 27. now saith he even in that his being made an offering for sin is the Son of Man glorified and the Father is glorified in him If God be glorified in him God shall also glorifie him in himself and shall straightway glorifie him Then and therein was the Son of man glorified in his being appointed and set as the surety in that publick place that by the grace of God he should tast death for every man he was therein said to be crowned with glory and honor above all other persons among Men or Angels for no man could redeem his Brother nor give to God a ransom for his soul the Redemption of the soul is more precious neither was there any other thing or person in Heaven or Earth that was counted worthy but this Holy One Herein was the Son of man glorified And so in Gods supporting him and carrying him through so great sufferings when all our sins met together on him Psal 40. 11 12 16 17. Heb. 5. 7 9. Likewise in Gods giving so glorious a testimony to him at his death Mat. 26. 50 54. And in his Resurrection from the dead This Jesus who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness Rom. 1. 3 4. In these things the Son of man was glorified and â—o the Father glorified in him in the exercise and agreement of all his holy and glorious Attributes his Wisdom Holiness Truth Mercy Goodness Power c. for manssalvation God was manifested in the flesh condemning sin and yet therein preparing Attonement and Propitiation for sinners and straight-way after the finishing of these works in his own body the father who glorified him in himself in his own Power Name and Glory declaring himself satisfied in and for what he delivered him raising him from the dead in which he was justified in the Spirit or according to the Spirit of Holiness did further and fully and perfectly glorifie him in the same body in receiving him up to glory and setting him on his own right hand in the Heavens far above all Principality and Power Might and Dominion and every name that is named not onely in this world but in that to come and hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulness of him then distinct from him in his personal body now raised and glorified yet they in that to be done in and upon them are the filling up or compleating of him in the ends and vertues of his cross who as so considered namely in the ends and vertues of his cross filleth all things as Ephes 3. 8 10 but he gave himself for hâ—s Church for all that through his grace to man-ward come in to him That he might wash them with the washing of water by the word that so he might in the issue present it to himself as he now presents it in himself before the Father a glorious Church without spot or wrinckle Eph 5. 25-27 and ch 1. 20 21 22 23. 1 Pot. 3. 22. Phil. 2. 6-11 Joh. 17. 1-5 Col. 2. 9. Read these Scriptures and compare them and see how they explicate and agree with the explication given of that 1 Tim. 3. 16. And after some little Discourse to this purpose demonstrating
That the only true God upholds by his power in those things by all that knows him and his power and I dare trust him and do in obedience to the Lord upon this proffer challenge any Manifestarians so called or the highest notionary Priest or other Priest or Bapist Dipper or Sprinkler with outward water in Lincolnshire or in any part of England Do not call this a temptation nor a boasting for it is not fleshly but if you will try your spirit and God this way try him and whether Spirit and God doth thus uphold without the help of man c. let him be acknowledged to be the Lord That Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 17. and the only true God And that which fails let him be accounted the God of the world that blinds the minds of people which beleeve not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ which is the Image of God should shine unto them 2 Cor. 4. and 3. and 4. verses And for that Spirit of darkness that puffs them up with vain glory priâ—â— and conceits And if the said Manifestarians c. so called refuse to do according to this which is here written from the Spirit of the Lord let them cease their vain contentions and fleshly boastings and fleshly disputings also of others mens words and let them cease their preaching in their wills whereby they seek their own glory And come down thou that in thy brain-knowledge art exalted and sit in the dust and submit to that of God in thy conscience I command and charge thee in the presence of the Lord as thou wilt answer it before him lest for thy Disobedience and Rebellion the Lord meet thee as a Bear bereaved of her Whelps and tear thee to peeces and none be able to deliver thee out of his hands This way which is before made known will not appear fleshly but clear contrary to the flesh and the fleshly man yet though it do the spiritual man that witnesseth with the Spirits Ministers or the Ministers of Christ and of God did approve themselves in wayes contrary to the world both in much patience and also in afflictions and in necessities and in distresses and in stripes and imprisonments in tumults in labors in watchings and in fastings c. They therein approved themselves as the Ministers of God 2 Cor. 6. 4 5. c. And this way will be contrary to the world for the world never did so neither can the worlds nature indure it now Then it will be miraculous and so a miracle of Grace and the gracious working of the Divine power of God to uphold and furnish therein To this expressed and expresly send me your Answer with speed either to Thomas Killams at Balbie or to Edward Muglinstons at Swanington in Leicesteshire or else cease your boasting lay down your crown of vain-glory and fall under the judgement of the just and bend your necks under the yoke Let that in the conscience me answer and flesh be thou silent hereafter Written from the Spirit of the Lord in and by the servant of the Lord and also witnessed with my hand who am known to the world by the name Richard Farnsworth The latter end of the third month 55 For the chiefest of those called Manifestarians in or about Boston and Lyan These are to be delivered with care The Answer to the Challenge by Tho. Moor. THough I know not any called Manifestarians nor what manner of persons they apply that name too nor take my self at all included in their Challenge by any of those names inserted yet the Paper being sent to me lest they be wise in their own conceit or take occasion from our silence to glory before the weak and for others good I shall give this brief Answer 1 In their expressions to try our Gods whether Spirit and God bee the true one c. They intimately acknowledge that they do not own or worship the same God that I did confess before them which indeed I beleeve though they then endeavoured to hide it from the people 2 I thank God I am not wavering in my thoughts whether That God That Lord That Spirit which I then confessed be the only true and living God for though there be That are called Gods whether in heaven or in earth as there be gods many and lords many yet to us that through his Grace have been helped in any measure truly to know him that is true to behold him and injoy union with him by faith in his Son There is but one God the Father of whom are all things and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him and one Spirit of God proceeding from Father and Son All others are Idols which we are to keep our selves from 1 Cor. 8. 5 6. 1 Joh. 5. 20 21. and not to listen to any spirit that shall move us to inquire after any other God save the Lord Deut. 12. 30. c. and 13. 1 3. Matth. 24. 23 26. Luke 17. 23 24. and Chap. 21. 8. with 1 Joh. 5. 20 21. That is is the true God and eternal life that did appear and was manifested in that one person of God and man which was a man approved of God among them that yet received him not Act. 2. 22. and so the Kingdome of heaven was said to bee among them while he was with them in person and personal Ministration and so also in them in the spiritual influences thereof striving and working in and with them for acceptance the word being made nigh them in the preaching of it Luke 17. 20 21. Rom. 10. 6 8. c. which person in whom only the fulness of the God-head dwels bodily was after to be taken from them personally And then even his Disciples should desire to see one of his dayes namely that of his second Appearing and should not see it until they and we that look for him shall injoy it together Luke 17. 22 23. ult Then shall he swallow up death in victory and wipe away all tears and take away the rebuke of his people In that day it shall he said Lo this is our God and we have waited for him we will be glad and rejoyce in his salvation Isa 25. 7 8 9. For who is God save the Lord and who is a Rock save our God 2 Sam. 22. 32. Therefore I shall wholly refuse any Challenge on these termes To try our Gods c. 3 The things they require are contrary to what the Lord requireth of us by which also I know they were not thereto moved of the Lord as they pretend 1 They require me to follow or go with them where they shall bee led for two weeks together c. Whereas wee are only to follow the Lamb whithersoever he goes which cannot stand with such an ingagement to follow any other spirit whither he may bee led c. yea we are expresly admonished To mark such as cause divisions contrary to the
Mark 14. 62. If after all this it be replied Can flesh and blood enter into the Kingdome of heaven We answer No Neither can corruption inherit incorruption 1 Cor. 15. 50. which latter clause in that verse as well as what follows We shall not all sleep but we shall all be changed shews That by flesh and blood is meant the body in this its mortal state which same body shall bee raised though in another state as it was in the person of Jesus and so though flesh and blood cannot yet the same flesh and bones the blood as the life was in it being poured out and gone the same body in the Resurrection spirituallized and immortalized is entred and set on the Throne and so shall all his in their bodies in which now they suffer when so changed inherit the Kingdome prepared for them with him for ever If any say What weight is there in this acknowledgement that it should be so earnestly contended for or that so much danger should be conceived in the sleighting of it what relation hath it to the ground or foundation of our faith or hope I answer It is that in which all the ground and foundation of our faith and hope was finished or perfected and without which all done before had been nothing for even as if Jesus in the same nature and body in which he suffered had not been raised from the dead and therein taken from the prison as a discharge of our debt in him we had been yet in our sins whatever he had suffered and faith in him had been vain 1 Cor. 15. 17. The same may be and is affirmed concerning the necessity of his ascension and presenting and offering that sacrifice to the Father in that most glorious presence of him from which we stood condemned and being there received and accepted And abiding for ever a high Priest of good things to come after the order of Melchizedeck for if he were on earth hee could not be a Priest after this order to abide for ever Heb. 8. 1 4. For such a High Priest became us who is holy harmless undefiled separate from sinners made higher than the heavens who needeth not daily to offer as those Priests c. Heb. 7. 25 26 27. If he could have carried his sacrifice no higher than the former Priests even into heaven it self and there presented it in the most glorious presence of God and if it had not been for the worth value and excellency of it accepted there and so hee with it or he himself accepted and set down as the perfect Sacrifice and Sacrificer he must then have offered again and could never with such offerings have made the commers perfect therefore the infinit perfection of his Sacrifice and Righteousness in the discovery of which all other righteousness is decryed is by the Spirit demonstrated in this That hee is gone to the Father and wee see him no more sent down to suffer or offer for sin Joh. 16. 10. Heb. 10. 1-10 11 12. Yea if he had not ascended on high he could not have been so glorified in our nature as was the end of his suffering and as was needful for us he could not have received in the man and so for men that eternal redemption which he had obtained through sufferings and so that plentious furniture of gifts for men even for the Rebellious that the Lord might dwel among them and that to that purpose he might fill all things with the influences and vertues of his sufferings give the peculiar gifts to the Church Heb. 9. 12 14 15. Ps 68. 18 19 20. Eph. 4. 8. 10 11. He could not have been glorified with the Fathers own self fully and perfectly in our nature and for us even with the glory he had with the Father before the world was If he had not ascended and gone up into heaven and remained there in that body glorified by vertue of sufferings for sin presenting therein the infinite vertue of those sufferings for otherwise the glory of God could never have been brought down amongst or unto men nor men received into it so that he could not have been a High Priest for ever and of good things to come if he were on the earth but now hee is entred into the heavens themselves there to appear in the presence of God for us there to sprinckie the Mercy-seat with the continual presentation of the infinite and abiding vertue of his blood in that body in our nature and person by vertue thereof and to all the ends for which he suffered raysed and glorified in the presence of God where we need the perfect Sacrifice and high Priest to abide for ever and he is both in that one body and in such exaltation perfected and finished In the Name and Anointing of the Father a Prince and a Saviour Act. 5. 30 31. That from thence the goodness of God may come forth in all things and to all men and his presence with his people And therefore also he is able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him seeing he ever liveth with the Father for them God hath given him glory that our faith and hope might be in God by and through him 1 Pet. 1. 21. And truly we could have no ground of hope of the resurrection and glorifying our bodies that they may dwel for ever with the Lord even in that light into which no man can now approach If our Surety and Fore-runner were not for us already entred which thing also was vertually done from the foundation of the world as soon as we had need of him there If our nature in him were not received up into glory even now before the glory of God be or can be fully and gloriously brought down to us as it shall be when there shal be new heavens and new earth we could not be received into his glory with him It was needfull for him to go away to ascend to his Father and ours in and through him that so with him he might prepare everlasting Mansions for us and from thence come again and receive us to himself that we might be with him for ever as well as it was also needful for him so personally to go away into heaven and there to appear in the presence of God for us as the perfect Sacrifice and Mediator that thence in the Name of the Father influences of Grace and Spirit might here be sent forth to us to guide our feet in the way of peace and prepare us for the glory to be revealed Joh. 14. 1 2 3. and 16. 7. with Chap. 20. 17. whence its mentioned as the bottome and ground of the beleevers consolation and incouragement Wee have an Advocate with the Father Jesus Christ the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only but also for the whole world This is a material branch in that bottome of our consolation and that in which all of
The Epistle to the â—ebrews saith He shall come c. But the just shall live and be preserved to that day through faith kept by the power of God through faith uâ—â—â— the salvation ready to be revealed in the last time he is all this day in a spiritual first-fruits writing his Law in their hearts in the demonstration of his Son and his grace in him and that in and through those means forementioned But while they are here that being not fully done nay but in a little first fruits they imperfect in every thing as to attainment not knowing as they are known c. they have therefore need still of all those means instruments and helps for the doing of it or having it done in them in which himself hath appointed in and with the demonstration of his Son to be present for the working it in them more and more unto the perfect day and so of the helps and instrumental teaching of one another but then they shall know as they are known and that all of them from the least to the greatest and therefore shall not need c. Yea then shall their iniquity be so perfectly blotted out as Act. 3. 19 20. as to be no more remembred any more by any remainder of it or its fruits upon them whereas in this day there is a remembrance of it as we have shewed before Then shall he perfectly and totally redeem Israel from all his iniquities that to be waited for Psal 130. Truly this Covenant is violated or broken as Isa 24. 5. by such as tread underfoot the blood of it count it as a common thing as if of no more or other vertue as to any Covenant of remission and peace than like sufferings of other persons Heb. 10. 29. Do wilfully after knowledge of the truth received reject and turn from that Sacrifice â—â— draw back being proudly lifted up above the reading the whole vision â—â— God in the face of Jesus Christ where it s written that it may be 〈◊〉 hat so they may run to the end insolently boasting of it even in 〈…〉 as a thing made and accomplished in them in this day compare Hab. 2. 4. with Heb. 10. 26-38 and 2 Tim. 2. 18. 4 Qu. Where and what that Anointing is 1 Joh. 2. 21-27 And whether it be not the same in these dayes to them that have it Answ It is in and upon him that one person of God and of man Jesus that was of Nazareth it is in him in our nature immeasurably Joh. 1. 14. and 3.34 and for us Him God hath anointed with the oyle of gladness above his fellows Psal 45. 1 2-7 In him it hath pleased the Father all fulness should dwell even the fulness of the God-head bodily Col. 1. 19. and 2. 9. Yea in him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2. 2. In him is Gods Name Exod. 23. 21. The revelation or manifestation of his glory to the sons of men as well as his Power Authority and Majesty as he is anointed with both Act. 10. 38. Joh. 1. 18. and 8. 12. and 12. 44-46 2 Cor. 4. 5 6. which Name of God as in him is that precious oyntment powred forth by and through him Cant. 1. 3. And so it s explicated in that 1 Joh. 2. 20-27 where its clear That that which is called the Unction vers 20. And the anoynting vers 27. is the same that is called The truth vers 21. intimately The testimony of Jesus in which he is declared to be the Christ the Anointed one the Son of God the Saviour of the world And so the Fathers name declared in him verse 22 23. which is the summary and fundamenâ—al matter of Gods teaching as is fore-shewed expresly it is called vers 24. That which they had heard from the beginning the word of the truth of the Gospel even the word of the beginning of Christ which what it is is explicated 1 Cor. 15. 14. The sum of the Gospel concerning Christ which they had first and alwayes preached as that in the heart-mindfulness or remembrance of which the beleever is saved or preserved from every evill word and work and way The sum of which is concerning the Death and Resurrection of Christ and Gods glory appearing in him the same is here meant by the things heard from the beginning called the anointing as appears in that like as in that of 1 Cor. 15. so here he saith verse 26. that he writes these things to them concerning them that seduce them to direct them how to be preserved from them namely by giving earnest beed to that anointing the things heard from the beginning as likewise Paul to Timothy in a like case Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived but continue thou in the things that thou hast learned and been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them c. 2 Tim. 3. 13 14 15. Surely the testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophesie Rev. 19. 10. whence Paul directs Timothy as the way in which he might be helped with understanding in all things ever to remember That Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to his Gospel And this anoynting this light of the Lord this glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God is certainly the same for that preaching of it was given by those great Apostles for the obedience of faith unto all Nations Rom. 1. 1-3-5 and 16. 25 26. The dispensation of the fulness of times c. Eph. 1. 10. And of the same vertue and quality that ever it was for teaching all things and leading into all truth it being the arm or power of God to the saving whosoever beleeveth for therein is the righteousness of God revealed c. Rom. 1. 16. 17. So that beleevers still need no man or spirits teaching that teacheth otherwise than as that anointing teacheth them of all things and as that hath taught them even as they have heard from the beginning so they are exhorted in the next verses to abide in him It will never teach another thing or reveal Gods glory in another manner They have also therein need and encouragement diligently to heed and attend more to the same in and through all means vouchsafed 5 Qu. What and where that Comforter is c. Joh. 16. Ans He is the holy Spirit of truth proceeding from the Father and the Son in his light influences and operation Therein thus distinguished from other spirits he takes of the things of Jesus and gloâ—â—fies him he lifts up the Son of Man as already come in the Flesh and now received up into Glory in mans Nature this he commends and lâ—fts up according to the Apostles Doctrin and Gods glory herein as is shewed before for reproving and enlightning the World and for teaching and leading the Beleever into all truth Joh. 16. 8 9 10 13 14. with Chap. 15. 26 27. and
c. they all and not the unclean shall then together enter with him into the joy of their Lord where they shall dwell and walk for ever with the Lord in a high broad way where shall be no straitness nor occasion of stumbling yea the Lord himself shall be to them a place of broad Rivers and streams where shall go no Gally with Oares Isa 33. 20 21. Revel 21. 1 8. 25 27. 22. 1 14 15. Heb. 9. 28. 12 Qu. What that manifestation of the Spirit is which is given to every man to profit withall And whether there be any profit but by it And whether it be not of it self an infallible guide c. Ans To the First Part of this Query That manifestation of the Spirit spoken of 1 Cor. 12. 7. is of that one Spirit that being immeasurably received in the Nature of man in and by that one Person of the Son of God is sent forth in his influences of light and power unto men according to the measure of the gift of Christ and his manifestation is concerning Christ as the works are now finished in him and the Declaration of him come forth in the Gospel and so of the things of him and the Fathers glory in him by which he teacheth all things and leads into all truth as before is shewed Compare this 1 Cor. 12. 7. 11. with Ephes 4. 7 11. Joh. 16. 13 14. some distinct understanding of which testimony of the Spirit concerning Christ for some profitable opening or usefulness of it to others is given to every hearty beleeving receiver of it The other parts of this Query are in his former Queries and sufficiently answered before 13 Qu. What and where that Worship of God in the Spirit is truly c. And whether any can worship in Spirit and in Truth but those that are born of the Spirit And whether he that is born of the Spirit needeth any other guide c. And whether such Worships hath not been and are now differing from all other And therefore hated Ans Here are five Queries in one To the first wee answer That Worship of God in Spirit and Truth mentioned Joh. 4. 23 24. is that worship of him that is in the light and power of and according to the Spirits testimony concerning Jesus as now come forth in the Gospel and so in Christ Jesus who is the Truth And this called worshipping in spirit and in truth as opposed both to the Samaritans worship which was never right but in and according to the wisdom of the flesh and so in a false way and also as opposed to the Jewish worship which sometimes was right while yet it was in and through that killing letter of the Law to which the Ministration of the Spirit the Gospel as now come forth is opposed 2 Cor. 3. and also in and through the Types and Shadows of the Law to which Jesus Christ the Body and truth of them is opposed Col. 2. 17. Joh. 1. 17. This sence of the Spirit and Truth in which God is to be worshipped is confirmed in other Scriptures for the Spirit See Rev. 19. 10. The Angel admonishing John not to worship him but God instructs him thus The testimony of Jesus and not any Messenger that brings it is the spirit of Prophecy in which God is now to be worshipped for the truth See Phil. 3. 3. we are the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus the Truth and have no confidence in the flesh c. And so our Saviour interprets the true Worship Joh. 5. 22 23 24. The Father judgeth no man but hath committed all judgement to the Son that all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father he that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father that sent him And to let us know who it is that indeed honours the Son and so the Father that sent him it follows hee that heareth my Word which also is the word or testimony of him that sent him concerning him Joh. 7. 16. 14. 23 24. 1 Joh. 5. 9-12 13. And so beleeveth on him that sent me c. like to this is that Joh. 12. 44. 49. and that two-fold Rule for the trial of Spirits before spoken to 1 Joh. 4. 1-6 They then that magnifie or glorifie the Word of the Lord as declared in the Apostles Doctrin as Act. 13. 48. and according to it beleeve and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and so in the Father are the true worshippers To the Second part of the Query we answer That as it is true that no man speaking by the Spirit of God renders Jesus in his Person or works done in his own Body for sinners execrable or undesirable so likewise is it true that no man can truly say confess or acknowledge Jesus as the Christ in his Doctrin or Worship but by the Spirit of the Lord 1 Cor. 12. 3. and whosoever beleeveth that Jesus is the Christ he is therein and thereto bornof God 1 Joh. 5. 1. Joh. 1. 12. 13. the other parts of the Query as much as is needful are answered before 14 Qu. What and where that light is Joh. 1. 9. that being come into the World is the condemnation of all that are in darkness c. And whether it be not the condemnation of all the World that beleeve not in it And whether there be any other condemnation c. Ans In this Query is also a confusion of many Queries and after the first part of it something first taken for granted and then propounded as a Query we shall briefly answer it thus 1 Not John the Baptist but Jesus that was of Nazareth the supposed Son of Joseph that was conceived of the Holy Ghost in the wombe of the Virgin Mary born in Bethlehem of Iudea in the days of Augustus Caesar c. even that word that was then and so made Flesh and came and dwelt amongst men and not any other thing or person who through sufferings is now entred into glory That I say and no other Person or thing is The true light that lightneth every man that cometh into the world Joh. 1. 8 9. 14. 15-18 41. 45. 8. 12. 12. 44 45 46. Acts 4. 10 11 12. 2 The Text saith not This light is the condemnation of all or any that are in darkness but this is the condemnation That light is come into the World and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil Their loving darkness rather than light when the light comes unto them and not the coming of the light to them is the condemning sin and that which makes other sins condemnable as also Ioh. 15. 22. 24. Zach. 5. 1-4 3 This light personally is received by the Father in the Heavens Act 3. 20. but in his influences virtually and Spiritually among men and dwelling in them in whom he dwelleth by faith Ephes 1. 17. 2 Cor. 4. 6. Ephes 3. 17-19 15
AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST The spreading Infections of the spirit of Antichrist abounding in these last Days under many Vizors BEING A Discovery of a Lying and Antichristian Spirit in some of those called Quakers and therein some opening clearing and Vindicating of the Great things of Gods Law or Doctrin mainly struck at by them as concerning the Person of Christ and the Works done in that Person for us the infinite and abiding vertue of them and of them only for the taking away our Sin and concerning his Second appearing and the Glory then to be revealed Likewise concerning the Scriptures IN Relation of what passed in writing between them and Thomas Moore Junior after and upon occasion of a Meeting at Glentworth with the sum of what was discoursed at that Meeting also as likewise Of divers Queries from some of them about Cambridge with the Answers to them BY THO. MOORE Junior Prov. 5. 6 7 8. Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life her ways are moveable that thou canst not know them Hear me now therefore O yee Children and depart not from the words of my mouth Remove thy way farre from her c. Chap. 14. 7. Go from the presence of a foolish man when thou perceivest not in him the lip of knowledge Psal 17. 4. Concerning the works of men by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer Printed at London by R. Ibbitson for Livewell Chapman at the Crown in Popes-head Alley 1655. The Epistle to the Reader OR A Preface to the following Discourse Christian Reader THe Occasion of my offering what follows to thy view with the Reasons and End take as follows And first To the Occasion My self and others being invited by Mr. John Wray to his house to bâ—get Christian acquaintance to the end wee might have fellowship and furtherance in the Gospel and be strengthened to strive together for the faith of it Upon our meeting there we understood that divers of those called Quakers that had been lately very busie thereabouts had notice of that our meeting But that some of them had also signified their resolutions not to be at it even some of the chief of them that yet did come to it How ever Mr. Wray desired that for the profit of those many people that were presently met together and for the preparing their understandings for what discourse might afterwards happen between us and the Quakers if they should come as well as for the laying some foundation for discourse that it might be the more regular and profitable That I say for these ends some of us should first assert and open to the people some of those great things of Gods Law or Doctrine that are Fundamentals in the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ And that we did conceive Satan especially to strike against in these latter days and so which might be most profitable at this time to be discoursed This service falling upon me I did first mind the people of those many warnings given us by the Holy Ghost of the perillousness of the last times by reason of the abounding of iniquity even spiritual wickedness under glorious pretence and shew of godliness and righteousness yet under such a vizor denying the power the root and foundation of godliness whence all motive and motion to all right worship of God comes being the enemies to the cross of Christ however in shew zealous walkers humble and mortified persons yea that iniquity should abound in such manner chiefly at such times as when thereg should be some â—batement to bodily persecution that so there might be some equal proportion of persecutions or trials in all ages to be sustained by them that will live godly in Christ Jesus and for the manifesting who are approved among the many Professors of godliness and that this last sort of Trials and Temptations are especially to abound in the last days and to continue till the time of the end Dan. 11 34 35. 2 Tim. 3. 12 13. with 1 Cor. 11. 19. 2 Thes 2. 3 10. 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. and that this sort of Temptations and Trials are every where signified to be the most dangerous for beguiling unstable souls yea for corrupting and subverting even such as were going right on their way from the simplicity in Jesus See the Epistle of Jude 2 Pet. 2. 2 Cor. 11. 2 Tim. 3. Phil. 3. 17 18 19. the consideration of which I told them should be of this use to us to move us to give more earnest heed to the things that we had heard from the beginning in the Word of the beginning of Christ as 1 Cor. 15. Hebr. 2. 1 3. 2 Pet. 1. 12 to the end with Chap. 2. 1. To receive and drink down his Word into our hearts with more greediness and to let it dwell there to be filled with the Spirit to continue in the things that we had learned through she Apostles Doctrin and been assured of by the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit therein as Ephes 5. 16 17. 18. Colos 3. 16. 2 Tim. 3. 13 14 15. And thereupon I took occasion to open to them some of those great things of Gods Law or Doctrin which are the summary and fundamental matter of Gods Teaching and so to be earnestly heeded and continued in by us and the main things secretly and intentionally though under other pretences struck at by Satan in these latter days As concerning the person of Christ of God and of Man and that that very Jesus of Nazareth the Word that was then and so made Flesh is the very Christ and concerning the works done in and by that person for us and the infinite and abiding vertues of those works as remaining in that Person in our Nature glorified in the Heavens with the Father for us and the infinite Love and Glory of the Father as appearing in that face of Christ as revealed in the glorious Gospel of him who is the Image of God in whom God was manifested in the Flesh justified in the Spirit c. as 1 Tim. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 4. 4 6. And concerning the Second and glorious appearing of that Person promised and yet to be expected and waited for by all Beleevers with the glory then to be revealed the sum of what I said to most of those things is occasionally inserted in the following Discourse chiefly in the Answer to 1. N's Letter after which I also added a word or two to the way or manner of Gods giving us the knowledge of these things of himself in his Son that so we might be instructed in the way of being assured of the truth and goodness of them and of tasting the sweetness and efficacy of them to the preparing and preserving us through faith unto the Salvation ready to be revealed in the last time to this I told them First The way of Gods learning or giving the knowledge of the truth and goodness of these things is not
by working the same things over again in our persons that were wrought and finished for us in the Person of Christ not by making us bear our sins in our own souls and bodies that with our stripes we might be healed not by giving his Son again to dye in us for our sins and in us to rise from the dead for our Justification to ascend into the Heavens and sit on the right hand of God for besides that those were such works as could not be accomplished in our persons so also they were finished in his not to bee iterated But the knowledge of the truth and goodness of them given in the testimony of Jesus and of these Works as wrought and finished in him and the infinite and abiding vertue of them with the Father for us that so in beleeving in him we might finde the Word or Testimony of him through the Spirit effectually working the Works of God in us Neither Secondly doth he give the revelation of these things now immediately as to the first Apostles nor in such manner as to the Prophets of old but now mediately through their Word and by the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit therein So Timothy and all secondary Ministers then and since received their Word their Knowledge and furniture in the things of Christ In the conclusion of this Discourse I desired that if any would reason about the things they had heard by way of opposition or otherwise it might be without confusion and in such order that the people might understand what was spoken to what opposed or contended for and what was said on both sides And to this purpose I told them I thought it would be convenient to digest the sum of what had been into some few Questions to be discussed viz. what the Essence of Christ is whether something essentially in many Persons or one Person distinct from all other Persons and if one Person granted then concerning his Works whether Christ did bear our sins in his own Personal Body only as the propitiatory Sacrifice or Sin offering or so also in the bodies or souls of others And so whether in the works done in his own Body in his abasement and exaltation there was and so remaineth in him in our Nature with the Father in the Heavens by means thereof the only and abiding vertue for the taking away of sin or is the vertue for that also chiefly or at all originally in some other work or works done in other persons and about his second appearing and the glory then to be revealed whether that be to be waited for by all Beleevers in this corruptible state of the World all the time of their Mortality or made in or to any in this day and concerning the manner of Gods teaching these things and our learning them of him whether it be by having the same things wrought or accomplished over again in us that was in Christs Person as set forth to be the Propitiation or by receiving the testimony of him in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power and if so how that whether mediately through the Apostles word or immediately as they The Quakers being come in sâ—on after the beginning of this Discourse To this James Naylor answered That there were two things that I had uttered in Discourse which he denied which when I had made good or if I could not acknowledged my self a Lyar they would proceed to the Questions the two things were 1 That God was not manifest in the flesh of the Saints 2 That Timothy had not the same testimony that Paul had what answer I then gave may be seen in what follows in my Answer to their Charges and to James's Letter but when I shewed how he falsified my sayings he called me Lyar c. such Language was ordinary from them And so pretending want of satisfaction and doing what he could to â—inder the people from receiving satisfaction as to these things he kept off from the Questions propounded till one of them viz. Rich. Farnsworth began a set speech concerning himself which he continued about an hour at the conclusion of which I was desiâ—ous to minde the people of the evil and contrariety to the Gospel of some of the things spoken by him that they might so mark as to eschew as Rom. 16. 17. but as soon as I began for but by the way calling his Discourse a witness of or concerning himself I had presently himself and two or three more upon me bidding me stop my mouth Hee abhorred self which yet also was but his own witness concerning himself one of them charged me with opposing or blaspheming the words of the eternal God spoken by that man yet at last I got liberty to shew his abuse of some Scriptures as in the following Discourse then it being afternoon about an hour and my self and some others having rid ten miles that morning before the Meeting Mr. Wray dâ—sired us to break off for an hour to refresh our selves and likewise that we might meet at the publick place afterward for more conveniency of roome his House being too straight for the Company he likewise invited James Naylor and his Companions to stay Dinner which whether any of them accepted I know not but divers of them grosly abused him for desiring an hours Respite yet said nothing against meeting at the publick place whether soon after we went and many people but they came not at us but sent us word when we had been there some time that they would â—ot coâ—â— there and at our return from thence that if we would meet them in some place in the Street or in a Yard where they appointed they would farther reason with us which we judged unreasonable and thereforâ— refused yet Mr. Wray invited them to come again to his House either that night or next day but they refused and returned a scornful answer That night they sent me Papers as in the following relation and with the last sent also a Challenge by their Messenger to give them a meeting at a Town a Mile off next day which though an unreasonable Demand considering what freedom they had and might have where we were and with what scorn they had refused it and also that on theâ—r refusal of that Mr. Wray had proffered them that if they would appoint a place at such a distance next day we should mâ—et them and then they refused that also saying They knew not whether the Spirit might lead them that night and it is very probable they hoped we would not have come at their Challenge yet going that way we did call on them next day and then had a more full revelation of the spirit of Antichrist in them from J. N. than the day before who in answer to some such questions as fore-mentioned said That as Christ bore sins in that his own Body that dyed at Jerusalem so hee had born sins in his Body too and so that his first appearing to
put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself had been manifested and accomplished in him yea that Death in which it is appointed to men once to dye was past in him Christs second appearing without sin to Salvation manifested and accomplished in him with much of that nature and that hee that could not witness that with him was Antichrist and did deny Christ come in the Flesh In Answer to which we oft-times offered and desired liberty to manifest and prove to the people That the one offering of Christ to bear our sins and to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself it was accomplished and finished in one Person not in many and once at one time or Age of the World nor at divers times and that the Second appearing of Christ is not yet accomplished in or to any person nor shall be in this day nor till to all together but we could get no liberty but were filled with Raylings Reproaches and Revilings from divâ—rs of them together in such manner as I never heard from any so we last them and what hath passed since with the sum of what was then asserted and maintained by us I have published in the following Discourse with some Queries I had from others of them and the Answers to them annexed for these Reasons 1 They did then as we have shewed here and in the following Discourse grosly slander us almost in all we said and would not suffer the people to hear what was said in answer to their slanders and have still persisted in managing them against us and the truth pleaded for by us where they come by word and writing as may also be fully seen in J. N. his Letter with my Answer to it in which Answer I have largely opened our Principles as to the things discoursed of that they that read may understand what they are and how falsly charged by them 2 As also that it may appear how they stand in direct opposition to and shew the vanity falseness and evil of the bottome principles of both Quakers and Ranters in which they are both one Which I have the rather done to vindicate the Doctrine of the grace of God in Christ that bringeth salvation to all men from those foul aspersions cast on it by some yea I have seen them in print in which it s charged with laying or administring foundation for those filthy and ungodly principles the falseness of which charge is manifest in the following Discourse yea it appears that which is in express terms fought against and reproached by them is the asserting the great benefits prepared for men in Christ and redounding to them by Christ while yet lying in their wickedness and thence directing them to look to a Christ crucified for them while they were yet sinners and in their filthiness The truth is They acknowledge not the grace of God in the Death and Resurrection of Christ as accomplished in that his own body â—â— being the foundation of or bringing salvation to men all or any but would lay another foundation or overthrow that though they can do neither by directing men to look into themselves and to what is witnessed or wrought in them for all their consolation rejoycing direction c. yea it s their counsel to all men I have often heard it and seen it in many of their Papers even to such as they then judged to be yet wallowing in their filthiness turned out from the presence of God murdering the just one in them â—igh to cursing c. yet to turn the eye inward to look and take diligent heed to the light in them to the book of their conscience c. and that in opposition to and to take them off from looking unto Jesus and the works wrought in his body for them without them and to such looking or attention to him in and through the testimony â—â—â— hath given by the one mouth of his holy Apostles and Prâ—phâ—ts and left on record for us They in their foolish and vain imaginations while professing to be wise being so besotted as to imagine that one person of the Son of God in the nature of man and the works done in his own body and the manifestation of God in him and therein testified to be but some farther types and figures of the true light the very Christ and that to be something naturally in every man naturally I say for so it must be if affirmed to be in every man while yet none of them have received nor are they ever directed by them to look to or for any supernatural grace whether they talk of first or second nature yet both are natural to the man and naturally in him and of him according to their principles only the best or second nature which they direct to look to that in the witness and operation of it as in them they may have righteousness strength and direction is something dis-appearing they say through the fall yet not much dis-appearing it seems when if they do but turn the eye inward they shall presently see and meet with it as the first mover and teacher appearing and yet such a thing too as no man hath benefit by till he can witness it in him they are indeed foolish and inconsistent apprehensions as well as most Antichristian and ungodly but their folly and evil is not so manifested and detected by any other spirit or doctrine as by the testimony of Jesus as the Son of God the Saviour of the world and that doctrine of the grace of God in him bringing salvation to all men when rightly held according to the Scriptures Tit. 2. 11 12. For as that holds forth that very Jesus the only immediately begotten Son of God that was before us all even from everlasting with the Father by whom and for whom all things were made which in the fulness of times was sent forth made of a woman made under the Law for us in that one body c. and therein delivered to death raised and exalted according to the Scriptures to beindeed the very Christ The Savior of the world the true light that lightens every man that comes into the world that with his vertues and influences fills all things for the good and salvation of mankind and so instructs and directs al the ends of the earth to look to him and the grace of God in by through him bringing salvation to all men and be saved so it therein in the same light of the Lord cryes concerning them All flesh is grass surely the people is grass Isa 40. 6 7. Men are altogether strangers to that wisdome and strength by which they might be reconciled to God the way of peace they know not yea thaâ— wisdome is not to be found in the land of beliâ—ing Rom. 3. 10 11-19 Job 28. 12 13 c. They are without God in the world and strangers to the life of God Eph. 4. 18. and 2. 1â— They are dead in sins and
trespasses yea the carnal mind is 〈◊〉 to God it is not subject to the Law of God â—â—ither indeed can be so that they that are in the flesh cannot please God Rom. 8. 7 8. The minde or conscience of the unbeleever is so wholly defiâ—ed that while he looks into it and stubbornly follows the dictates of it against the light and power of Gods grace coming to him and striving with him through Jesus Christ he is to every good work reprobate of no judgement light or discerning Tit. 1. 15 16. Having the understanding darkned being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart by the dictates of which being swayed walking in the vanity of their mind or conscience they are more hardened and made insensible to the gracieus and spiritual instructions and reproofs of God in the Gospel of his Son they are so wholly lost dead and darkness it self yea so unclean and poluted in soul and body that they are altogether uncapable of having any work wrought in or by them in which satisfaction may bee made for their sin or they may be rendred acceptable This I say is plainly discovered in that Doctrin that tell us of the Grace of God bringing Salvation to all men as already wrought for them in and by Christ for if men had not been wholly strangers to or had not been utterly empty of all by which they might have been helped or if there had been any help in man God would have sparâ—â— his own Son and not have delivered him up for us all if Righteousness could have been had any other way then Christ dyed in vain yea this Doctrin that tells us of the Grace of God bringing this Salvation in Christ unto all men in the discoveries and saving tendencies and operations of it saith yet more namely That no man hath in him as of him that Light Spirit or Wisdom in the inward parts by which he may get in the knowledge of what is done for him in Christ or apply it to himself it is truè there is a spirit in man but it is as a Candle wholly out as to things pertaining to life and godliness and it is the inspiration of the Almighty not the stirring up something in it that puts light to it that giveth it understanding and otherwise then as so lighted by the Lord it doth not truly search or discover the hidden parts of the belly compare Job 32. 8 Prov. 20. 27. with Psal 18 28. Job 35. 10 11 38. 36. nor while abiding in his Natural state is there any such wisdom or capacity or spirit so as received by or lodging in him as are to bee his Teacher and Rule Rom. 1. 19. 21. 28. neither is there in them any light knowledge or understanding to make them sensible of their Idolatry and wickedness they not lâ—king to retain his knowledge inspired in the means 〈◊〉 spirit is infaduated Isa 44. 18 19 â—â— with Rom 1. 19 29. and so the lightâ— or spirit naturally in them or while stubbornly abiding in their Natural state and condition received by and lodging in them to which if they be directed to turn the eye inward to look to the light or spirit in them they will and must needs immediately turn it is by the Judgement of the holy Spirit darkness it self Joh. 1. 5. the spirit of the World and of Sathan 1 Cor. 2. 12. and though it is true that the true light is in the testimony of â—esus or of Gods goodness that is in and through him through all means shining in and to the dark and darkned hearts of men even of such men while the day of Gods grace and patience is towards them and that so as it might be received it would in such coming enlighten the darknes and strengthen to receive it yet the darkness receives it not and so though the Word be nigh them in their hearts that it might be yet it is not received by them in their hearts or dwelling there as a light or principle to direct them while so abiding in their Natural state and condition or in their unbeleaf or rebellion against the Word or Testimony in and with which the light spirit or power comes to them which is no further received by or dwelling in any man than that word in and with which it is is received by or dwelling in him From which consideration that Grace of God that brings Salvation to all men instructs them not to look into themselves or to any light or spirit in them for direction but unto Jesus in that demonstration of him and strength to behold him brought to them in Gods lifting up the Son of Man before them as Moses lifted up the Serpent in the Wilderness now to seek the Lord while he may be found and in the light and strength of the Lord in his reproofs brought them to turn from and for sake their own ways and thoughts Isa 45. 22. with Joh. 3. 14 15. Isa 55. 6 7. with Prov. 3. 23. not to lean to their own understanding but to deny themselves and become fools that they may learn wisdom not of their own spirit but of him This Doctrin that so rightly discovers the weakness emptiness and corruption of man as before doth therein manifest their counselling every man to turn the eye inward to look unto the light in them c. To be the same with or like unto the directing men to seek to them that peep and mutter and to them that have Familiar Spirits and therefore of Sathan and not of God who directs us to seek to God and that in his own light power and way as given forth to us To the Law to the Testimony if they speak not according to that word it is because there is no light in them yea even beleevers in whom the testimony of Christ being received the Spirit of Christ therein and there with is so received and dwelling in them and so Christ in that Word or testimony of him dwelling in their hearts by faith yet there is in them another Law minde disposition inclination or spirit though in the minde judgement or spirit of the Beleever in a sence dethroned yet not wholly outed but remaining and warring in the members where it is at hand and nearest present with me saith the Apostle Rom. 7. 21. 23. so as it may be first in advising or prompting in any case or matter so that if the Beleever should indifferently turn his eye into himself for counsell and direction he may also be led to walk in the flesh in the carnall minde and so as other Gentiles in the vanity of their minde whence those instructions and admonitions Rom. 8. 5. 13. Ephes 4. 17. surely that Doctrin of the kindness and pity of God our Saviour to manward bringing Salvation in and by Jesus Christ is so far from administring foundation for such corrupt principles that it
discovers the vanity and falseness of their foundation and overthrows it doubtless were wee more acquainted with it and skilful in it we should neither desire nor need any other weapons than that faithful Word to stop the mouthes of these as well as other gain sayers as we have opportunity But having this occasion let me a little minde thee good Reader what principles have indeed administred foundation and opened the gap for such spurious and ungodly apprehensions or imaginations as fore-mentioned 1 This Principle That the Letter of the Scripture is not Scripture or thus That the minde or meaning of the Holy Ghost is not expressed in his words according to the natural import and signification of them no not in things main and fundamental and so in all other things that it may be discerned in the words or records left comparing Spiritual things with Spiritual and things hard and circumstantial with things plain and fundamental as we are therein directed but that the mind or meaning of the Holy Ghost is to be found out and determined by some other spirit This principle hath administred foundation or opened the gap for Popery and also for mens denyâ—ing the Grace of God to manward bringing Salvation to all men in and by Jesus Christ and it administers as good foundation or opens the like gap for all other corrupt principles for take away the Word of the Lord as declared by the Pen of the Scribe and what wisdom is in them yea they do all agree in this fixt great Tradition and rudiment of the World That the letter of the Scripture as they call it or the words as written and left on record are not the faithful expressions of the minde and meaning of the Holy Ghost only they differ in determining what shall give the sence The Papists say the Pope or Counsel The opposers of the good of all men not much unlike them say the late Fathers of the Church and they must bee such as they will account so too or learned men of the times And these that follow after differ not much they say it must bee some spirit of or in them which they suppose to bee infallible As much ground for the one as for the other and so for taking away one part of the Word of the Lord by one as there was for taking away another part by another yea their bottome-Principle is one 2 Another Principle that hath laid or is properly the foundation of such corrupt Imaginations as before is that the eternall purpose and decree of God is the absolute cause of mens sin reprobation and destruction This properly makes sin no sin or nothing sinfull but all mens actions and ends of God and also takes away the equity of his Judgement against them which commit such things and so leads to vain and ungodly Imaginations of no Resurrection or Judgement to come And 3 That which naturally flowes from both the forementioned is That God dissembles with men or pretends that which is not really in his heart when hee offers most men grace in the Gospel and swears he hath no pleasure in their death but that they turn and live This layes the foundation for men even as they would bee like God to dissemble with others and in pursuance of some worldly or Antichristian design to pretend Hamility Mortification Zeal Holiness c while in their hearts they judge no Act or practice to bee evill or sinfull in it self unlesse to him that judgeth it so but as it may hinder that their design secretly pursued Yea 4 That which I conceive hath also done its part among the rest in opening the gap to such unclean spirits is an Imagination that is secretly crept into the minds of and pleaded for by some truly gracious viz. That men may while they are yet in this mort all body and accumbred with the law of sin the carnal mind yet warring in the Members and against the law of the Beleevers mind though in the mind or spirit of the Beleever in a sence dethroned yet so as it is leading them captive still as Rom. 7. 21. 23. And also in the midst of so many subtill and powerfull Adversaries That yet I say in this time of their temptation and weaknesse They may have already so attained and bee already so perfect as that from such time or degree of attainment It is for ever impossible for them in listening to any spirit to bee corrupted from the simplicity in Christ or so to bee drawn away with any errours of the wicked as to fall from their own stedfastnesse or to fall away as Heb. 6. 6. 4. 11. which Imagination not only exalteth it self against the plain Import of these Scriptures Phil. 3. 12 13 14. 2 Cor. 11. 3. 2 Pet. 3. 17. with Heb. 6. 4 5 6. chap. 4. 11. Mark 13. 35 36 37. with many others But as wee have said also opens the gap for any manner of ungodly and unclean spirit by moving the entertainers of it as soon as ever they can conclude themselves to have so attained to forsake or let slip out of their hearts the fear of the Almighty by which they should bee kept from departing from him and presumptuonsly venture upon the listning to and parleying with any evill spirit or way propounded at least if under good pretences yea this Imagination that whether they hear his vayce and follow him or do hear and follow a stranger they cannot fall or perish It hinders them from beleeving or discerning that they are back slidden or fallen when indeed they are so And so from receiving timely admonition while it being but in part they might be recovered Prov. 14. 16. 28. 14 yea this likewise further prepares them for such spirits as wee have dealt with in the following discourse It requiring but a little addition to make up their Devillish Doctrin of perfection yea 5 And lastly All those Principles or apprehensions in which men are directed to have their rejoycing and consolation originally in some gracious frames or quallifications wrought in them or some works of Righteousnesse done by them and not in the Person or works of Christ in his own body for them which Principles are too much retained by many that in words acknowledge him though in these their works they deny him these Principles I say have opened the gap for such spirits which come very suitable to their proper lust and way and seem not at first so to maligne the person and works of Christ but rather to hold the acknowledgement of them though as of things not relative to the ground of their Faith and hope nor as being the matter of their rejoycing and fountain of their teaching in which they agree well enough so that people thus principled as aforesaid have little or nothing really to turn from that they may joyn with what is first commended to them by such spirits only some opinions that were irrellative to the
foundation of their Faith and rejoycing to bee a little more sleighted and the rejoycing that was before placed in some works or Imiginations of their own now to bee placed in some other of the like kind Yea surely all that are so principled will and do presently close with them on their coming to them only such of them as are kept off by tradition that are resolved to believe as the Church believes and hold the traditions of their Elders and Fathers right or wrong And the Devil hath so sure possession for the present of them he cares not for troubling them much with any thing to their disturbance but if they be such as have been in any measure taken off from leaning on tradition c. and yet retain those Principles they casily elose with such Spirits as fore mentioned and that without any great turn or alteration They are still but growing and going on upon the same bottom-Principles where as those that have been truly acquainted with the forementioned Doctrin of the Grace of God that brings Salvation to all men they cannot go out from their Brethren in the acknowledgement of that Grace to close with such spirits as fore-mentioned but they must first fundamentally recede from and renounce the fundamental Prinples that therein they have been instructed into 1 Joh. 2. 19. as also hath appeared in some of them that I could mention which they are not so rightly or easily perswaded to yet through the retaining some lust or lusts always reproved by that Grace too many even of such as have been going right on their way have been moved with distaste at the Doctrin or Instruments by which they are reproved and then to listen to such as promise liberty or seem to close with them or come in a way suitable to such lusts whether more grosly worldly or more Spiritually Antichristian and ungodly and yet pretend mortification too And truly by such evil Documents and Principles or by such divers Lusts retained after the lifting up or magnifying something of Self this part of the Christian World in my apprehension is so prepared for such Atheistical and Antichristian Principles coming under forms of godliness that there is very great likelihood of their spreading under one vizor or another especially considering the Predictions concerning the latter days therefore in the next place I have taken this pains 3 Because I conceive the things discoursed of are very profitable and needful to be understood and diligently beeded by all Christians especially in these days in which Sathan with so much subtilty and as an Angel of Light and in his Ministers as Ministers of Righteousness endeavours the undermining and subversion of the great things of Gods Law in which are contained both the foundation and end of our faith and hope And in such a case see the Apostles example 2 Cor. 11. and how he admonisheth Timothy 2 Tim. 2. 3. total 4. 1-6 yea minde well how he propounds example admonition and instruction to us Phil. 3. when such as pretended Circumcision and so Zent Mortification Humility and as Col. 2. yet endeavoured to cut them off from Christ to make faith in him voyd he then beseecheth to be followers together of them and mark them that walk so as wee have them for an example who may be known and distinguished by the end of their conversation which is Jesus Christ yesterday and to day and for ever the same Heb. 13. 7 8 9. rather than by the particular acts simply as appears by what follows therefore more need of a diligent and right consideration that we may know who we are to joyn and walk with as Brethren for there are many walk then they are not Sots nor Talkers only but walkers also zealous in conversation as if they would not touch taste or handle any thing unclean concerning whom the Apostle had told them often and did then tell them weeping as intimating their hardness to receive his testimony and character of such spirits which shews they were not such grosly appearing and indeed if so they had not been so dangerous to Beleevers They are saith he the enemies to the Cross of Christ their end namely in their pretended walking or conversation is destruction even the marring the Visage of the Son of Man Isa 52. 14. The casting him down from his excellency as in his testimony and in the heart of the Beleever and so the Beleever from his faith and hope in him Psal 62. 3 4. Their design to overthrow the Faith to corrupt from the simplicity in Jesus 2 Cor. 11. Gal. 1. and to that purpose serving and magnifying their belly some light spirit or lust in them some internal or external operations of them as Col. 2. 1 Thes 2. 9 10. therein glorying in their shame minding earthly things as Jude 19. though under pretence of spirituality but such as worship God in the Spirit and so are directed to walk as they have the Apostles for an example they think to have their rejoycing in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh their conversation is in Heaven in Christ their Treasury there from whence they look for him the Saviour the Lord who shall change their vile body in that his appearing that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious Body according to the working of his mighty power by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself The Lord mercifully pardoning my unworthiness afford his blessing with such weak endeavours that they may tend to his glory and the good of others is the prayer of the most unworthy of all so favoured of God From my house at Lin Aug. 15. 1655. Tho. Moore junior A Lying and Antichristian Spirit discovered in some of those called Quakers And therein some opening clearing and vindicating of the great things of Gods Law or Doctrine mainly struck at by them as concerning the person of Christ the works done in that person the infinite and abiding vertue of them and of them onely for taking away our sin His Second Appearing and the glory then to be revealed here to be waited for by all beleevers In the relation of what passed in writing between them and Tho. Moor jun. after and upon occasion of a meeting at Glentworth THe Charges framed by James Naylor against Thomas Moor after the meeting at Mr. Wrayes the last of May 1655. and sent to the said Thomas Moor that evening requiring Answer to be returned in writing Charging the said Thomas Moor to have affirmed in Discourse with them that day as follows That God is not manifest in the Creature That none have their call to the Ministry immediate but mediate only the Apostles but not Timothy That he had not the same testimony as the Apostles had That the Scriptures are the absolute rule and medium of Faith That Paul saw Christ personally with his bodily eyes after his Ascention That Naylor was a false witness in saying That he
boast of we may the easilier be mistaken in it and lead to follow those that peep and mutter as Is 8. 18. 20. That tell a vision out of their own heart and not out of the mouth of the Lord Jer. 23. 16. 31. Eze. 13. 2 3. and yet say He saith That think to make Gods people forget his name by their Dreames which they tell every one to his brother or neighbour But how do they say We are wise and the Law of the Lord is with us or in us when as lo in this it appears the making of it is in vain to them The pen of the Scribe is in vain Jer. 8. 8. 4 They prohibit me to speak the word of God unless I dare insolently boast that I have any thing to speak immediately I suppose hee means unless I have that thing immediately which I would speak and doth not mean that I should so have iâ— as to speak it immediately too for they themselves speak not immediately but use their tongues when they say He saith as Jer. 23. 31. but against that their meaning I am strengthned and admonished by God in those instructions to Timothy Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me c. And yet been also assured of by the Holy Ghost mediately in that hearing of faith â—â— Tim. 1 13 14. and 3. 14 15. The things thou hast heard of meâ— among many witnesses The same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also Chap. 2. 2. And professeth to be filled with joy when he calls to remembrance the unfeigned faith in him which dwelt first in his Grandmother then in his Mother by whom he was educated from a Child in the knowledge of the holy Scriptures which are able to make him wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus And thereupon also puts him in remembrance to stir up the gift of God that was in him mediately by the putting on of his hands c. 2 Tim. 1 5 6 7 8. with chap. 3. 14 15. like to that 1 Tim. 4. 14. Neglect not the gift that is in thee which was given thee by Prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery yea our Saviour prays for blessings on their Ministration to the worlds end and onely on theirs besides the first Apostles that received their word immediately from himself I say besides them only on theirs that through their word or doctrine should beleeve on him And by these I know he was not moved to this challenge by the Spirit of the true God God in Christ not onely the nature and end of the challenge being to try our Gods but also all the things required in it being so contrary to all his instructions and requirings whose Kingdom is not divided against it self God is one But that one onely true God that hath revealed himself in his Son so that he that seeth the Son in and according to the testimony God hath given of him he therein and so far seeth the Father Joh. 12 44 46. in whose face God hath shined in our hearts the light of the knowledge of his glory He that is our God and according to our weak measure hath been acknowledged by us is not their God or Rock themselves in this paper being witnesses as Deut. 32. 31. Tho. Moor jun. Written from Bullingbrook 7 June 1655. POSTSCRIPT ELias way of trying Baal c. we need not for trying and discovering them because God who in sundry manners spake in times past to the Fathers by the Prophets hath now spoken to us in these last daies by his Son c. And we ought to give earnest heed to the things we have heard which have been spoken by the Lord himself and confirmed by them that heard him God having born them witness with signs miracles c. which were the first and full publishers of that last Dispensation nothing more is to be added or altered therefore no sign to be looked for for thâ— the confirmation of that so confirmed onely the sign of the Prophet Jonas the cross of Christ and the demonstration of the Spirit in and with it left for continuance to the worlds end others signs and wonders for confirmation of what he speaks onely the spirit of Antichrist shall come with in these last daies but we are not to follow them for if they have Moses and the Prophets and will not hear them neither will they beleeve if one should rise from the dead To that of the Apostles approving themselves in necessities and fastings c. it appears they were not wilful or voluntary fastings or macerating of their bodies as in those false spirits Col. 2. 18 23. in which they so approved themselves for then they had been no necessities but such as necessarily came on them for the Gospel sake or in following after the Spirit There is in this copy of the Answer a little abbreviation in the relation of Naylors witness concerning himself as also in the explication of Luk. 17. 22 23 c. of what was sent them because the same things are more fully spoken to in the Answer to James Naylors Letter which follows James Naylors Letter as it was sent about the Country open and came to me about the latter end of June 1655 Verbatim For Thomas Moor. BY the indwelling of God and in his presence I do bear testimony against thy Antichristian Doctrine preached by thee Thomas Moor before many people which I did then bear witness against whilst I had liberty of the place and do still before all men That thou art out of the Doctrine of Christ and his Faith who deniest God in his Saints which is the promise of God and of Christ and that which the Apostles preached and witnessed to and exhorted to wait for which thou pleadedst against and wouldst bring Paul for thy proof who never preached such a Doctrine after he knew God but said Know you not that your bodies are the Temples of the living God as he hath said I will dwel in you and walk in you and you are the Temple of God and the Temple of God is holy which Temple you are and if any defile this Temple him will God destory 2 Cor. 6. 16. Joh. 14. 20. 1 Cor. 3. 16 17. c. and 6. 19 20 And Christ in us the hope of glory and Christ in you except ye be reprobates Which thou saidst was not God in us plainly shewing thou never knew him nor see him for who hath seen the Son hath seen the Father also and he that hath them not hath not life so death speak in thee who deniest the living God and the Lord that bought thee and that is the spirit of Antichrist who denies Christ to be come in the flesh as thou didst and many more of thy Disciples who when I witnessed him come again since his Ascension without sin to salvation you could not receive it
that Scripture to speak of the manifestation of God in that one person and not in divers in and through whom onely the Fathers goodness and glory is preached and the preaching of it in the Gospel now fully made known from the Jews to the Gentiles in and through whom truly and onely the Father is beleeved on in the world John 12. 44 45 46. Rom. 1. 16 17 19. and 2. 4. with Act. 4. 10 11 12. and 17. 24-31 I say after this I added that indeed it could not properly be said That in a ful or absolute sense God was or is manifested in the flesh of any natural Son of Adam in the time of this mortality nor so as he was in that person who was not naturally of us but made so by a work of new creation and now through sufferings for us entered into his glory to this purpose were my words to which also I then added as follows or to this purpose contrary to what thou hast falsely charged me with That it is true God hath said he well dwel and walk in his people that through grace beleeve in him according to the testimony given of his Son but that the spirit of the beleever primely and chiefly is the subject of his indwelling or habitation which is said to be made alive for righterusness sake while yet the body is dead because of sin and to serve the Law of God while yet the flesh is much inslaved by the law of sin remaining and warring in the members and the body of death remaining on them even in the best of beleevers while here in those in whom Christ dwels in his Spirit and by faith Rom. 8. 10. and 7. 23. 25. whence the Apostle saith he knows that in him that is in his flesh dwels no good thing Rom. 7. 18. yet the fountain of all goodness being received into the mind spirit oâ— inner man by faith as Ephes 3. 16 17. that also springs up and acts forth through the mortal body moving and strengthening it to all its service and suffering whence also the body is said to be the Temple of the Lord it being the Tabernacle of that mind spirit or inner-man in which God primely and chiefly dwelleth and manifesteth himself in and through the testimony of Jesus there received 2 Cor. 5. 1-5 8 14 15. and chap. 4. 6 7. as well as also more generally because that also is bought with a price to be his as in that 1 Cor. 6. â—0 yea the bodies of beleevers are so the Temples of the Lord as not onely bought with a price but taken possession of owned and accepted in his Son with whom they are united by faith That God will also manifest himself fully and gloriously in those bodies when he that raised up the Lord shall also raise us up by his own power a in that 1 Cor. 6. 14. Then shall he change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body by that mighty working by which he is able to subdue even all things to himself Surely James hadst thou any fear of God before thy eyes thou wouldst be ashamed of thy gross ignorance that can see no difference or distinction between the body being the Temple of the Lord and so being also holy as being redeemed called accepted devoted to be his and for him And the Lord being fully and glorioufly manifested in his holy Temple Hast thou not read indeed I fear thou dost give very little attendance to reading the Scriptures because I find in thy discourse and papers they are slighted as a dead letter and most of them as quoted by thee have a false reading put upon them But I say hast thou never read that then was the time once in the last ages of the world when Christ appeared in that body then and so prepared for him as before and was once offered to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself even then was the Son of man glorified and God was glorified in him and he did then straightway glorifie him carrying him through sufferings into glory in a full and absolute sence as in the Scriptures fore-mentioned But that the day of the manifestation of all the residue of the Sons of God of mankind even the day of the redemption of their bodies when the glory of God shal be revealed in the Saints fully and so he glorified and admired in all them that now through grace beleeve because the Apostles testimony was received by them in that day that this is yet to be waited for til the end of this world in this corruptible state of it till the Lord himself personally come again and in the glory of his Father and with his holy Angels and bring all those that sleep in Jesus with him and so till they shall all be gathered together unto him to the injoyment of it till that day in which their enemies shall be all troden down aâ—mire in the streets who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints c. Then shall the righteous shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father when all the tares are plucked up and cast into the fire which cannot be done by any of the servants in the world that now is nor shall be done by the Angels till the end of it and while they remain among them they as well as this body of death upon them do hinder the glorious manifestation of the Sons of God Surely then even we saith the Apostle as well as our expectation of the whole Creation to be then restored or renewed we also that have the first fruits of the Spirit do wait or tarry for the adoption that is the redemption of our bodies and so for the manifestation of the Sons of God If thou hast not read this or hast forgotten having too much I fear suffered the knowledge faith and hope of it to slip out of thy heart Or however I pray thee for thy own good if it may be read consider and compare these Scriptures comparing them with that fore-cited concerning that manifestation of God in the flesh in the person of Christ Joh. 13. 31 32. Rom. 8 18 19 23-25 with 2 Thes 1 5 6 7-9 10. and ch â— 1 2. Mat. 13. 28 29 30. with ver 37-40 42 43. Psa 37. 6 7. Mal. 4. 1-3 1 Thes 4. 14-16 17. Tit. 2. 12 13. 2 Tim 48. Again dost thou not remember that when at first thou didst charge me with denying God to be manifest in the flesh of the Saints which were the expressions of thy charge on its first appearance though much altered and higher after in thy paper and since in thy Letter that then I denied thy Châ—rge and told the people over again what I said suitable to what I have now and before written as much as I could gâ—t liberty and what
in it in the sense spoken of while yet it is mortal than that equivalent Scripture Rom. 8. 11. doth signifie That the body shall be mortal when raised or that the resurrection shall be made in any in the time of this mortality where he saith He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal body by that spirit that now dwelt in them But that he speaks there of such a quickening or raising from the dead as in which their mortal bodies shall be made immortal is plain in that he compares it with the raising Christ from the dead having also affirmed before that now the body is dead because of sin while yet the spirit is made alive for righteousness sake And to that death that is now or still upon the body even after we have the first fruits of the Spirit he opposeth that quickening of the mortal body spoken of all which plainly shews that he speaks there of the blessed and first Resurrection which more properly than the other is called a quickening because it is a resurrection to life of which they in their bodies that sleep in Jâ—sus shall all be made partakers together at his Second Appearing speaking of that he saith He shall quicken your mortal bodies yet this mortal shall then and therein put on immortalâ—ty 2 This further Answer That if it should be granted you that the life of Jesus might be in some sense truly said to be manifested in the mortal flesh now while mortall yet it makes nothing against what was said about Gods being manifest in the flesh for this we had then at first laid down That the Spirit of life in Jesus being received into and dwelling in the mind or spirit of the beleever in that word or testimony of Christ received and abiding there doth also shew forth it self and act in and through the mortal body moving and strengthening it to such service and suffering as the renewing of the mind leads to Yet all this saith not That properly and in a full and absolute sense God is manifested or glorified in the flesh of his Saints in the time of this mortality much less that he is so manifested either in such manner or in or to the accomplishing of such works as he was manifested in the flesh in that one person that now in mans nature is received up into Glory which were the things denyed Secondly To your Charge in its last form with reference to those two Scriptures Col. 1. 27. 2 Cor. 13. 5. Truly I do not remember that those two Scriptures were at all mentioned in any Discourse by way of conference that was between us at least not so mentioned as you might have any answer to what you would have made them say I remember indeed Rich. Farnsworth in continued speech abused them But there was nothing said to him untill he had finished his large witness concerning himself after which the time being shore there was but little said by mee though more than could all bear without storming that we did not rather fall down and worship him and admire his words as some of your company did as the words of the eternal God and not of a man more highly blasphemous than that Act. 12. 22. but that which was said was not with reference to his abuse of those Scriptures but to his abuse of those two other Scriptures Ro. 7. 23. and 8. 10. which occasionally falling upon we shall briefly mention Hee witnessed that he was delivered from the Law of sin in his members that it was not remaining or warring there and from that body of death there mentioned with allusion to those expressions as signifying that Paul witnessed the like concerning himself whereas Paul complains of both as yet accumbring him speaking in the present time not in the time past I find then a law in my members warring Oh wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death He was not yet delivered but wretched by reason of it remaining Though yet hee could thank God through Jesus in whom he had perfect deliverance which he injoyed by faith and therein also freedome from under the condemnation of that holy Law of God which discovers sin and sentenceth the sinner to death and daily victory in the combate over the dominion of sin and fear or horror of death yet still it remained and warred in him and so in all beleevers while here as to that purpose was then told the people Again he witnessed largely of his body being wholly mortified and dead to sin as the fruit of Christ being in him and therein and so God manifested in his flesh And this he said also with allusion to those expressions Rom. 8 10. If Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin c. which expressions he changed thus The body is dead unto sin To that also I told the people that the bodies being dead unto sin as it was not therein the expressions so neither could it there be meant because he saith The body is dead because of sin now its being crucified or dead unto sin is no part of the fruit of sin nor happens it to any because of sin but because of and as the fruit and vertue of Christs righteousness where in any sense or measure it s truly found But that here spoken of is something of misery still remaining on the beleever because of or as the fruit of sin though Christ be in them and so the spirit alive for righteousness sake yet the body is dead because of sin yea it is yet in it self a wretched vile body as Rom. 7. 23. Phil. 3. 21. though redeemed and taken to be the Lords yet not in it self while here wholly subdued to him nor conformed or made like to his glorious body untill the Resurrection and then it shall certainly so be we wait for the Adoption That is the redemption of the body You did indeed discover your selves in these and the like passages to be of no judgement concerning the faith and of the same spirit with those 2 Tim. 2. 18. that say The Resurrection is already made or past in them and so overthrow the faith of some that did not cleave so close to the foundation of God in giving earnest heed to the things they had heard in the Doctrine of the Death and Resurrection of Christ which foundation yet standeth sure against all your Batteries having this seal for its confirmation The Lord knoweth them that are his hee owneth approveth standeth by to the saving preserving and strengthning in all service and suffering all them that having received the Spirit in that hearing of faith do keep that in beleeving remembrance and abide in it as the fundamental doctrine they therin abide in unior and fellowship with and protection of the Son and so of the Father in him 2 Tim. 2. 19. 1 Joh 2. 24 25 26 27. 2 Joh. 7. -9. Joh. 10. 27-29 and
for habitations of God He hath given these gifts to men some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers to perfect or furnish the Saints for the work of their Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son God unto a perfect man c. Psal 68. 18. Ephes 4. 7-11 c. 1 Cor. 12. 7. c. And so the Apostle Peter said of that which they spake and others heard that that was of those gifts which Christ had received on the right hand of his Father and did then shed forth Act. 2. 16. 33. Though the gifts be divers yet all given by that one and the self-same Spirit that lifts up and glorifies Christ according to the faithful record 1 Cor. 12. Rom. 12. Yea all those gifts distributed and set in the Church since the first Apostles who also opened the Prophets and were last in respect of that their peculiar Office or work of giving another manner of and fuller revelation of the Gospel than had been given before and that for obedience to the faith among all Nations for his name I say all gifts distributed and given unto beleevers since who through their word beleeve they are for the comparing and opening Scriptures or shewing the things of Jesus Christ to others by and according to them and to what is written and already revealed in them The holy Scriptures especially as now compleated since the dispensation of the fulness of times came forth by the Apostles being able to make wise to salvation though faith which is in Christ Jesus c. And throughly to furnish the beleever to all his service in exercise of those gifts he hath received from God for the profit of others Thirdly We come now to consider how or wherein any may be said to deny the Alone sufficiency of Gods teaching surely that may be seen in the forâ—er considerations 1 That they deny the Alone sufficiency of Gods teaching that either deny the Lord that bought them or acknowledge and confess him not according to the testimony God hath given of him Do not lift him up â—â— magnifie him in his Cross with the ends and vertues thereof as declared in the Apostles Doctrine as the ground and foundation of all Faith and Hope the matter of our song the fountain of all our teaching do not acknowledge that vision of God in Christ to be indeed as now revealed The Vision of all visions and sufficient in the light and power of God in and with it to teach and open all Doctrine and lead into all Truth I say such do therein deny the Alone sufficiency of Gods teaching that being as before the summary matter of his teaching and the way of his teaching all things and leading into all truth 2 They that deny slight or throw by the holy Scriptures either in their authority or clearness certainty agreement truth or sufficiency as not being able to make wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus and throughly to furnish the man of God to all his service c. as before without some additional helps of mens learning or art or without the imaginations of their own spirit or some other spirit than what is in and with them to give the meaning and lead to the use of them they that come not up to those sound words as delivered by them that have spoken to us in the name of the Lord in which the righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith as it is written They to whom the pen of the Scribe is in vain for opening and interpreting the mind or meaning of the Holy Ghost what wisdom is in them surely they have therein rejected the word of the Lord while they render that as a dead letter and so vain and empty fallible and uncertain without the addition of their gloss or fancy which they have not seen heard or met with in that word of the truth of the Gospel And therefore not by the Spirit Jerem. 8. 8 9. Col. 2. 18. 3 They also that dispise and slight as fleshly and of man the Instruments and Means of Gods appointing the Posts or Pillars of his setting up for these his teachings to be conveyed and brought near unto us in or by and for us to waite upon him in Prov. 8. 34. 9. 3. Zach. 7. 9-12 2 Tim. 4. 1-5 They despise not man but God who hath also given us of his holy Spirit 1 Thes 4. 2. 8. They are sensual what spirituality soever they pretend not having the Spirit Jude 19. 1 Joh. 2. 18 19. Hebr. 10. 24 25. And of this sort I fear they are that had a hand in the forementioned Queries But hoping some of them may not yet be given up to Delusion and however for the benefit of those that desired it and of others I shall yet adde something farther in Answer to the Queries many of them being answered in this already said 1 Query What and where that New Jerusalem is which John saw â—â—â—â— down from heaven c Rev. 21. Answ 1 It appears not yet come down in or unto you for you profess yet to be travelling with pain and grief of heart and bowels yerning for the miseries others are like in your apprehensions to fall into And that Christ might be formed in them But though such pity pain and grief towards objects in misery or in evill wayes leading to it as you pretend be in truth in the hearts of such as indeed love the Lord Jesus Christ and hold fast his name and grace therein in the time of this mortality yet in that New Jerusalem when come down from heaven there shall be no more crying pain nor tears they shall be all wiped away All former miseries and occasions of weeping shall be forgotten Isa 25. 6 7 8 9. Rev. 21. 4. They shall even rejoyce when they see the smoke of their torment rise up for ever whom before they pitied Rev. 19. 2 3-7 with Chap. 14. 2 3 10 11. 2 But for farther Answer It is not yet come down from God out of heaven unto any It is yet as our life is hid with Christ in God when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we appear with him and be like him in glory That it is not yet come down from God out of heaven though beleevers by faith do come unto it in and through the Gospel especially as now come forth Heb. 12. 22. This appears 1 In that it s shewed in the vision then to come when he makes new heavens and new earth and all things new Rev. 21. 1-5 which are things that he will make not hath made Isa 66. 22. And which all beleevers in this corruptible state of the world all the time of their mortality are yet looking and waiting for 2 Pet. 3. 12 13 14. Tit. 2. 12 13. Phil. 3. 21. 1 Thess 1. 10. Isa 25.
Chap. 3. 14 15 16. 1 Joh 4. 1 6. as before more at large in the Discourse about the matter and manner of the Fathers teaching And this Spirit as in his essence he dwells in the person of Christ in whom dwels not only the fulness of God but of the God-head bodily so in these his instructing and reproving influences he is in the Gospel he goes forth to men in and with the testimony of Jesus with whom God gives all things pertaining to life and godliness even through the knowledge of him 6 Qu. Whether any of the Servants of God may expect to receive his Word from his own mouth immediately as all the messengers of God in all Ages did or whether no other Word is now to be heard in Books which God spake to others Ans First All the Messengers of God in former Ages did not receive the Word in a like manner immediately from God not Paul and Timothy Paul neither received it of man neither was he taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ God was pleased to give in or into him an immediate and full revelation of his Son even of the whole Gospel of his Son that he might preach him among the Gentiles Gal. 2. 12. 16. which revelation of the whole Gospel he had from the person of the Son of God immediately or in such manner without the help of men as Instruments that he was therein fitted to be one of those great Apostles to give forth the last and fullest revelation of the Gospel to all Nations for the obedience of faith having both seen the Lord and received the Word immediately from himself as they did though born out of due time thereto 1 Cor. 9. 1. 15. 8 9 c. Not to Timothy for he heard and learned his Doctrin mediately even of the Apostle Paul and so by the evidence and demonstration of the Spirit through his Doctrin and Ministration and so also his gifts and fitness for his service by the laying on of his hands c. 2 Tim. 1. 13. 2. 1 2. 3. 14 15. 1 Tim. 4. 11 14 15 16. So likewise the Thessalonians from whom sounded the Word of God to many others 1 Thess 1. 8. They themselves received it mediately through the Apostles Doctrine and Ministration through such demonstration of the Spirit as accompanied the word which they heard of them See 1 Thess 1. 5 c. and 2. 13 c. Secondly none since may expect in this day to receive it so immediately as Paul did but mediately through their word both the message and fitness to declare it This appears 1 In that they are said to be the Apostles last in respect of such immediate furniture and mission 1 Cor. 4. 9. and 15. 8. whence also they were to give the Revelation of the mystery for obedience to the faith among all Nations as well then to come as then in being And if any man think himself to be a Prophet or spiritual to render himself such he is to acknowledge that the things they the Apostles and Prophets have written are the Commandements of the Lord and not any other word that may come to him or from him Rom. 16. 25 26. 1 Cor. 14. 36 37. 2 Pet. 3. 2 3. 2 It farther appears in that our Saviour prayes for sanctifying to and blessing on the ministration of no other since those immediate messengers But such as shall beleeve on him through their word Joh. 17. 20. Neither is any other word to be heard listned too or received by us is the word of God But that so already spoken by immediate inspiration and commission by the one mouth of his holy Apostles and Prophets and what comes up thereto All spirits are to be tryed by it 1 Joh. 4. 6. 1 Tim. 6. 3. Before we bass from this Query note the inconsistency of their professed Principles and Practices and the secret wickedness discovered in it In the Query they signifie That none ought to hear any other word in Books that God spake to others but only what himself hath immediately received from Gods own mouth and yet they write these Queries to such as they look upon as people deluded drawn from their Guide and so farre from having received Gods immediate teaching or submitting to it or waiting for it that they judge them fit to be given up for Rebellion and not only these and divers such Papers but their printed Books and Papers are very numerous and are generally dispersed by them to all people with earnest pressing them to read them It appears by comparing what they say and do that their meaning is not to take us from reading Books generally for they would have us read more then ever such as they disperse and commend only they desire to take us off from reading such Books as do indeed contain in them matter spoken by God to others as the holy Scriptures and what in any measure truly comes up thereto Surely They are wiser in their Generation than the children of Light for they know should we diligently read and minde the holy Scriptures we should be therein strengthened to discern them and their Books so as to throw them by as needless and unclean Therefore they first and openly cry out against all Books and reading that so they may include or take in the holy Scriptures and whatever is suitable thereto against which is their only design the Evil Spirit in them well knowing that men are very apt to conceive some light esteem of or distaste at the Scriptures and what is consonant to them because that is always reproving them and testifying their Wisdom Works and Lusts to be vain and evil especially when they are encouraged thereto under pretence of Spiritualâ—ty and higher Notions and yet with such secret promise of liberty or exalting something as is suitable to their proper lusts and if they once be moved to slight those Books and so the things heard from the beginning they will of themselves enquire after and not be taken off from those Books and Novelties through which they were first perswaded to such light estimate of the Scriptures under pretence of taking them off from Men and Books c. When once the Ear is turned from hearing the truth or the Heart brought to dis-relish sound Doctrin then it is easily turned aside to Fables and the same Evil Spirit will secretly while he crys out against hearing men and reading Books allow them heaps of Teachers and Books too and direct them not only to hear and read but to worship them in which the truth of those Scriptures excellent to this purpose are verified Col. 2. 18 19. 2 Tim. 4. 1 4. 7 Qu. Whether any may waite for the fulfilling of that Promise Isa 54. 13. Joh 6. and whether that teaching be sufficient c. Ans To the first part of this Query I answer They that know his Name will trust in him and wait for the certain fulfilling
of all his gracious Promises in his own time and way for they are all Yea and Amen in Christ and the performance of them coming forth with him according to the manner of Gods giving him who is now given vertually and Spiritually and in the testimony of him mediately and so all Gods teachings in and with him but shal in his time appear personally and visibly and then all things with himin like manner gloriously and immediately in fulness and glory He that beleeveth makes not hast Rom. 8. 32. 2 Pet. 1. 3. Ephes 1 17. Col. 3. 4. 1 Cor. 13. 12. Rom. 8. 18. 1 Joh. 3. Isa 28. 16. In answer to the Second part of this Query I adde That I suppose here the man had forgotten his Inscription or Dedication for there he directs his Queries only to them that deny the alone sufficiency of Gods teaching and yet here makes it one of his Queries whether they do so or no or else if these Queries were framed as is thought by some of a more subtile pate than his whose hand is at them then this with some other tantologies and significations of weakness in the Inditor may bee looked upon as done of purpose to keep us from thinking that any of their Grandees had a hand in it but be it as it will it is a blemish to their pretence of being immediately guided by an infallible spirit yea it signifies their spirâ—â— to be both forgetful and not understanding what it saith nor whereof it affirms as well as also their propounding so many confused Queries and in such manner without laying down any thing plainly by way of position signifies their spirit to be fearful of discovering his Principles if he have any lest he should not be able to mannage them or lest presently discovering them and endeavouring to manage them he should spoyl his design at first And surely I could have passed over more weakness in expressions without such notice of it if it had not been a little necessary on this account to shew the vanity of their pretence of immediate revelation from Gods Spirit and being furnished to and acted in all by it It is none of the Character of Jesus Christ but of the foolish Woman her ways are moveable that thou canst not know them and therefore moveable left thou shouldest ponder the path of life Prov. 5. 6. yea this also is mainly to be observed in her Instruments they are proud yet knowing nothing always doting about questions and strife of words c. 1 Tim. 6. 4. Whereas on the other hand the Servants of Christ by his Spirit have been always led in all lowliness of minde not to commend or preach themselves but Jesus Christ the Lord and therein to testifie of him what they did know in the plain demonstration of the Spirit even in words which the Holy Ghost taught them that they might propound and lay down somewhat for the feeding and profit of others as 2 Cor. 5. 12 14 15. 4. 5 6. whose word therein was not yea and nay but in him even in the demonstration of Christ and the things of him was yea 2 Cor. 1. 18 19. 1 Tim. 4. 6 7 8. 11. 16. 2 Tim. 2. 15 16 23. 24. Tit. 2. 11 15. 2 Tim. 3. 14 17. 4. 1 5. For direct answer to this part of the Query I shall adde nothing here but refer the Reader to the Answer to his Inscription where I have fully given my testimony to the alone sufficiency of Gods teaching 8 Qu. What and where that word is that people should hear behind them and where that teacher is c. Isa 30. 20 21. Ans 1 That word mentioned vers 21. is now in the testimony of Jesus the Lord as he hath been delivered to death for our offences and raised for our Justification and is received up into glory as that testimony is now come forth in full since the Ascension of Jesus Christ for though God did speak in divers manners unto the Fathers by the Prophets yet hee hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son c. Hebr. 1. 1 2. and the Spirit of God in this dispensation of the fulness of times teacheth all things and leads into all truth by taking of the things of Jesus and shewing them according to the testimony now come forth and so opening and makeing use of them in and unto every case and matter as is before more largely shewed yea this word then was no other but the same light teaching and direction of the Lord which also then was in and did issue forth in and through that testimony or witness of Jesus the Lord and Gods righteousness in him as that testimony was then come forth which was witnessed in the Law and Prophets Rom. 3. 21. yea preached from the beginning And hence having reference to the eighteenth verse of that Isa 30. it is there fully signified to be met with in waiting for the Lord yea it is plainly expressed as part of the priviledge of them that through his goodness and forbearance to manward in which he waites that he may be gracious are overcome to wait for him to have all their teaching light and direction from him as he was then witnessed and their enjoyment of promises in and by him whence that Isa 2. 5. O house of Jacob come yee and let us walk in the light of the Lord. That testimony of Jesus being indeed the Vision of all Visions the spirit of Prophecy Isa 29. 11. with Chap. 28. 12. 16. Rev. 19. 10. 2 To the Second part of the Query What that Teacher is mentioned vers 20. which should be in the midst of them c. For answer to this We must take leave to minde our Querist of his mistake of the words of the Scripture to which he alludes it being a material mistake To which doubtless that Spirit that breathed forth those words by the Prophet would not have led him but some lying spirit that under pretence of bringing Scripture would pervert it and steal away from us the Word of the Lord and that we may not discern him makes it a matter of reproach to look into Books to search the Scripture whether those things be so or no as he presents them to our imagination the word in the text is in the plural number Teachers which he renders that Teacher and thine eyes shall see for that which he renders thus it should be in the midst of them the words are thus Though the Lord give you the bread of Adversity and the water of Affliction yet shall not thy Teachers be removed into a corner any more but thine eyes shall see thy Teachers And where those Teachers are the text tells viz. present with them and before their eyes even now in the days of their adversity while the person of the Lord the fountain of their teaching for whom they wait is personally absent from them as 2 Cor. 5. 6. and not
Qu. What the Law of the Spirit of life is which made Paul free from the Law of Sin and Death which had warred against the law of his minde and had formerly held him in captivity to the Law of Sin that was in his members And whether any in these days that are come to that warfare may took for that freedom by the law of the Spirit of lifeâ— Ans Besides the confusion of two or three Queries in one here are some things taken for granted which we can by no means allow because the Text it self demes them viz. That by the Law of Sin and Death spoken of Rom. 8. 2. is meant the same with the law of sin in his members mentioned Chap. 7. 21 23. which did warre against the law of his mind and led him captive in some sence to it self and 2 That he was made free from that Law of Sin in his Members that it was not so much as warring against the law of his minde now both these I shall wholly deny and as they hang together so they will fall together in answer to one That by the Law of Sin and Death Chap. 8. 2. is not meant the same with the law of sin in his members Chap. 7. 21 23. appears in this That from the Law of Sin and Death mentioned Cha. 8. 2. he saith he was made free but of the other Chap. 7. 21 23 c. he affirms not that he had before but that he did now finde a law in his members warring against the law of his minde indeed before the Gospel of the Grace of God came or was received there was no discovery or disturbance of that-Law in his members and therefore no occasion for such a warre but since was the Combate and though it had been unthroned in his minde yet it was still warring in his members and he was not yet delivered from it though he could rejoyce in God in whom he had perfect deliverance and enjoyed it by faith and hope of perfect deliverance in himself by Christ when he should be delivered from the whole body of this Death yea by that Law of Sin and Death mentioned Rom. 8. 2. as appears by the next verses is meant that holy and righteous Law of God mentioned Rom. 7. 12-16 for so in the next verses of that Rom. 8. with reference to the same Law mentioned vers 2. he signifies the reason of its inability to give us life and peace was not any weakness or imperfection in itself but the weakness of our flesh and also propounds that as one great end of what Christ hath done that the righteousness of that Law might be fulfilled in them that beleeve c. And that Law is therefore called a Law of Sin and Death because it discovers Sin and sentences and concludes the Sinner under death yet itself is holy just and good Chap. 7. 10. whereas the other Law Chap. 7. 20 23. is sinful sin it self a body of sin this being understood the foundation of the Query falls yet this further Answer we shall give By that Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus by which he was made free from the condemnation and charges of this law of Sin and Death is meant nothing else but the Gospel of Christ which is that Old and New Commandement of the everlasting God the Law of Liberty Joh. 12. 47-50 1 Ioh. 2. 7 8. Iam. 1. 25. the Doctrin of the Spirit of Life that is in Christ Jesus or of that Spirit concerning the life Justification Peace and Redemption in Christ Jesus This appears plainly 1 By considering the next Verse in which he demonstrates how and with what Argument the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ freed him in which he propounds the main and fundamental Proposition and Argument of the Gospel in such cases and in all other for what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending forth his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh c. as 2 Cor. 5. 21. 2 It appears by comparing this with Rom. 1. 16 17. 1 Cor. 1. 18. c. where the Gospel of Christ even that preaching of the Cross as by them delivered is said to be the power of God to Salvation to the Beleever c. 3 It further appears by comparing this with 2 Cor. 3. where that Dispensation of the Gospel or Ministration given to the Apostles and by them to us is called the Ministration of Spirit of Life of Glory c. as opposed to the Ministration of the Law as given by Moses which as so opposed is called a killing Letter a Ministration of Death of Condemnation c. And this Gospel is still of the same quality it effectually worketh in them that beleeve in discovering and opening what Christ hath done for them in delivering them from the Curse of the Law in himself as in the publick person that in coming in to him by faith in him they might enjoy the benefit pacifying their Conscience and healing their Nature and so in the discovery of the Vertues and acceptance of what Christ hath done with the Father and is become according to the ends of his Cross This having the Arm of God in it as well as solid Arguments to that purpose it purgeth the Conscience from guilt of sin by the Law and from dead works to serve the living God and so quickens to new and livening hope and affections through the Resurrection of Jesus so as they have their Remission Peace as also Sanctification Preservation c. through his Name Acts 10 43. 13. 39. 2 Cor. 3. 18. Rom. 6. 17 18. Joh. 8. 31 32 36. 1 Cor. 6. 11. 1 Pet. 1. 5. Joh. 17. 11. To his Conclusion at the close of the Queries in which hee boasts of Gods revealing by his Spirit in him the great delusion others are in in being instructed to look to a Christ Crucified without them while they are in their filthiness and first nature c. as more at large may be seen in the Copy of his writing fore inserted To this I say we answer Surely the Lord doth not reveal any thing by his Spirit in or to any but so as therein he enableth them that receive his Revelation in some measure to make it known he to this purpose appeareth that he may make them witnesses of those things in which he appeareth How then shall we beleeve that God hath revealed to him the delusion others are in when he is not able in the least measure to make it out at least he hath not done it in these lines only endeavoured by a multitude of confused questions to finde it out as one not knowing and himself in all fore-written not laying down at all what in his apprehension is truth or what is error posiâ—ively but left that to be gathered in the manner of his Queries unless we may finde some discovery of