the visible body being received in the fear of the Lord but the bread of life and the fruit of the heavenly Wine doth satisfie the hungry Soul and the immortal Soul that hungereth and thirsteth after righteousness cannot be satisfied without that Bread of Life and Blood which Christ gave unto his Disciples and with the light you may easily perceive that proved to be the spiritual meat for Christ said I am the Bread which came down from Heaven John 6. 41. but that troubled the professing Jews even as our words of Truth doth trouble both Papists and the rest of the Sects that use visible bread and set that in stead of the invisible Bread of God which came down from Heaven and gives life unto the world John 6. 33. and when we say the bread and drink which Christ gave unto his Discâ—ples was his body and blood according to the Scriptures then they wonder and some of them hath said how could he give them his body to eat and drink and such was the Jews carnal reason when Christ said The bread that I will give is my John 6. 52 flesh then the Jews strove among themselves saying How can this man give us his flesh to eat then Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood you have no life in you John 6 51 52 53. but this was a hard saying unto the Jews and also to the Disciples that looked without at the flesh and blood that was visible insomuch that many were offended and went back and walked no more with Jesus for he said unto them Doth this offend you What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before it is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are Life vers 63. and so he did give his body and blood and life unto his Disciples as he said in Matth. 26. for he had life in himself to give John 5. 26. unto whom he would and unto this agree those Scriptures which speaketh of heavenly and spiritual gifts that were given unto the Saints which were to feed the flock of God with that which they had received and they did feed some with the milk of the Word that were as new born babes and 1 Cor 3 â— Heb â— 1â— some with strong meat as they were able to bear it and so they broke bread or devided the Word aright as good stewards of the manifold grace of God 1 Pet. 4. 10 and so that which they received of the Lord they ministred unto others 1 Tim. 2. 15. according to their gift or ability as Paul said after he had asked the Corinthians whether they had not houses to eat and to drink in For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you 1 Cor. 11. 23. and they had received the word of reconciliation and the life and truth it self and that they declared and delivered a right according to every ones ability and so they break bread from house to house as Acts 2. 46. the Scripture saith And they kept the Feast but not with the â—â—aven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sâ—ncerity and truth 1 Cor. â— â— and this was their manner of breaking of bread or ministring spiritual things who did not handle the Word of God deceitfully but devided that a right which they had seen tasted and handled which was 2 Câ—r 4. 2. Heb. 6 5 1 John 1. 1. good unto them whose affections were set upon things above those natural things which the natural man looketh at Now you may see there is not a word in Scripture that ever Christ or the Apostles did Command breaking of outward visible bread but Christ whose Words were Spirit Life said I am the bread that came down from Heaven that a man may eat of and not dye again he said Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood ye have no life in you John 4. and the true worshippers worship the Father in Spirit and in truth and he that eateth of Christs body the bread of Life shall live by him said Christ John 6. 57. and he said the bread that he brake and gave to his Disciples was his body and the cup was his blood which he gave them then mark what he said But I say unto you I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers Kingdom John 5. 1. and he that will drink of the fruit of this vine with Christ must first come into the Kingdom of God for there is the Throne and Table of the Lord known and when one of them that sate at meat with him heard these things he said unto him Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God Luke 14. 15. Here it speaks of eating and drinking in the Kingdom of God but the natural Jews and Baptists doth not know how those things should be because they are spiritually discerned and so they deceive themselves and others that set up and cry up visible things in the room of that which is invisible and such beguile people in a voluntary humility intruding into those things which they have not seen vainly puft up by their fleshly earthly and sensual knowledge and not holding the head such the Apostle Paâ—l speaks of to the Câ—lâ—ssians that they might beware of them saying Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world why as though living in the world are ye subject to Ordinances touch not taste not handle not which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship and humility and neglect of the body Col 2. And so in love and pitty unto poor Souls have I freely declared and rightly proved that which first I received of the Lord in the Light which gives the right understanding hâ— that can receive them let him do it freely in the Light THE END
say unto you that many shall come from the East and West and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Luke 16. 22. Heaven Mat. 8. â—â— here Christ saith with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven and in Mat. â—â— he speaketh of entering into the Kingdom and John spake of his brethren in the Kingdom Revel 1. 9. and Paul speaks of some that were come unto Mount Sion unto the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem to innumerable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of Just men made perfect Heb. 12. 22. 23. they were redeemed out of the fall up to God the Judge of all and they had received the Kingdom and were in Heaven and all that feareth the Lord truely may see the Baptists far unfit to Preach the way into the Kingdom of God seeing they are yet in the fall and Kingdom of darkness and thinking all others to be so and there they labour as may be seen by these principles of theirs to keep others in darkness and unbelief and so do not enter themselves neither would they have others to be translated into the Kingdom of the onely dear Son of God there to find rest and Peace for evermore The Baptists affirmed that no man could come into that state that Adam was created in on this side the grave Answ This is a denying Christs suffering to do the work which the Father sent him about which was to seek and to save that which was lost and to quicken man that was dead in trespasses and sins and Christ did finish the work which the Father gave him to do although the effect of the Baptists words is to deny it Now see what the Scripture saith The Son of man is come to save that which was lost Mat. 18. 11. and the Saints were saved as in 2 Tim. 1. 9. 1 Cor. 15. 2. for since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 21. and this the Apostles witnessed and declared unto them that had been dead in trespasses and sins on this side the grave and you hath he quickned Eph. â— â— mark for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jeâ—â—â—â—nâ—â— good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them verse the 10. and so they were come out of the sin and transgression which Adam was dead in up to God again who was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself and the Law of the Spirit of life did make them free from the Law of sin and death on this side the grave and then there was no condemnation to them that were in Christ Jesus which walked not after the flesh but after the Spirit and that was on this side the grave for they could do nothing against the truth but for the truth in Christ Jesus who is the expresse Image of his Fathers Person and in him and by him was man created in Christ Jesus and the Apostle Paul said on this side the grave O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law but thanks be to God which giveth us the victory Eccl. 11. 3. through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15. and if victory be not received on this side the grave which these Baptists speak of it will not be at all known unto them that are cut off in their sins for where the tree falleth there it lyeth whether it be towards the North or towards the south for the time is at hand he that is unjust let him be unjust still and he which is filthy let him be filthy still he that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is holy let him be holy still Revel 2â— 11. he that can receive it let him Matthew Casfin one of the Baptists affirmed that if he were in that first state that Adam was created in he should not be mortal nor thirsty sick nor weary Answ Thou that sayest neither Abraham nor Isaac nor Peter nor Paul was redeemed from the curse nor from the fall and that no man could come into that state that Adam was created in on this side the grave thou hast manifested Zach. 5. 1. 2. thy self to be yet in the fall in sin and darknes and transgression not yet come to Adams first estate which was a living soul but under the curse which is gone forth as a fiery flying rowl and in that fallen estate thou hast exalted thy self over a people to be their Teacher who counts themselves members of the Church of Christ for how canst thou tell what thou shouldst have done that art not come to Adams first estate mark yet art intruding into those things wch thou knowest not as it appeareth by thy saying thou shouldst not be mortal thirsty sick nor weary and it is no marvel to me to see such contention and confusion among those Baptists that doth own such messengers that comes in their own name which are not redeemed out of the fall into Adams first estate but art in the will worship beguiling unstable souls through thy voluntary humility intruding into those things which thou hast not seen vainly puft up by thy fleshly mind and all may read there were such Col. 2 18. and they that are not yet hardened amongst those scattered people that were once made tender by something of God in their consciences which they knew not oh I say let them with speed return their minds again to the witness in them and that will let them see how the Lords hand is and hath been much against the Baptists since they resisted the light therefore he hath scattered them so much in their imaginations that they are divided into opinions like the Priests and therefore it is high time for all people that fear the Lord to come out from among them and wait in the light of Christ which would then appear to lead them out of darkness by the footsteps of the flock toward the rest at Noon Cant. â— â— The Baptists at that meeting affirmed that the light which we Preach whom they call Quakers they do deny and trample under foot but John Lukes at a meeting soon after appealed to the light in every ones conseience which Joseph Fuce spoke of A. Here the Baptists hath declared the very cause why they are in so much confusion errours and Popish Doctrine and lies and so full of envy and bitterness of spirit against us the people of the Lord which bears witness unto the true light which is Christ seeing that they deny the light which we Preach and trample it under foot as one of their chief Teachers said but another said he appealed to the light in every ones conscience which Joseph Fuce spake of
THE FALL OF A Great Visible Idol By the coming of the INVISIBLE POWER And SUBSTANCE In this day and time of the Lambs War which is come Wherein Christ the true Light is exalted at the right hand of God who dwells and walkes in his people which are his Temple Which doth bring down the boasting Baptists that hath highly exalted themselves upon the high and dark mountains of their own imaginations as may be known by their own principles which are herein answered with something to the simple hearted that are among them concerning water baptism and breaking of outward bread which these Baptists hath so much Idolized in the night Thus saith the Lord cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his Arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord for he shall be like the heath in the desert and shall not see when good coâ—â—eth Jer 17. 5. 6. And blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is Jer. 17. 7 for it is the spirit that quickneth the flesh presiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life John 6. 63. From a true friend unto all that loves truth in the inward parts in true love and pitty unto the lost sheep that they may be of the house of Israel Joseph Fuce London Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate 165â— This is to the Reader that he may the better understand NOw first of all before thou comest to the matter hereafter written thou art to be turned unto a measure of the true light in thy own conscience and with it to search thine own heart and to see whether there be not envie or prejudice lodging in thee against the way of truth which hath been so abominably abused and evil spoken of as if it were the most damnable Heresie that ever was declared in so much that people hath often been stirred up by their Teachers into a great rage against the truth before they know it or hath heard us declare it or seen our writings so as to understand the matter and therefore if there be any of the envious ones leaven in thee let that be laid aside and wait thou in the light not turning to the one hand nor yet to the other not joyning with me nor against me before thou doest understand rightly the things there spoken of in love to thy poor soul but wait in the pure fear of the Lord to feel the Power of God to arise within and rent the vail which hath been over thy heart that so the measure of the true light may come up in thee to bare rule so as to give thee the true knowledge and the right understanding for happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding for it is better then the gain of gold and except the light make these things manifest thou canst not understand this which I have spoken of in the wisdom of God which I have received this knowledge cometh a far off the wisdom of the flesh thereâ—ore I will ascribe wisdom and righteousness unto my Maker for he that is perfect in knowledge is with God the fountain of wisdom true knowledge and verily I shall leave the truth of my words to answer the witness in thy own conscience and be thou so honest to thy own soul before thou judgest to try these things aright with that which will not lie in thee that is the true ballance and just weight that weigheth things a right that so thou mayest come to be perswaded in thy own minde who are in the truth it self that gives true peace unto the soul and who are in the profession of the truth without the possession in the hypocrisie but have no true peace And truely I have seen the hypocrisie and great deceit of those Baptists many times at several places where they have opposed the very life of truth withal the strength and subtilty they have received from the wicked one to deceive the hearts of the simple even to the grieving of my soul to think that ever these Baptists should so impudently gainsay the truth and life of what they prosess in words and often I have been moved of the Lord in the power of the spirit to reprove them for their lies and false accusations which they have brought against us that witness forth the truth against their deceit and when I have so done I have had peace in the light and did not desire nor think to lay their wickedness open unto the world in Print but rather desired they should have owned reproof and repented and have turned unto the Lord in time as some hath done that did walk with them but they have despised reproof and hated instruction and set themselves against the light and spirit of the Lord until his anger is kindled against them And now seeing how they have set themselves against the truth and will not cease to pervert the right way in going on in their dâ—ceit bending their tongues like a bow for lyes thereby to deceive the hearts of the simple Therefore the Lord hath put it into my heart to begin to lay open their wickedness in Print for the truths sake and in true love and pitty to the poor simple-hearted people that they may not run so rashly into their snares to go with them they know not whether until their steps take hold on Hell for they have openly denied the true light as is hereafter mentioned and they that walk in darkness know not whether they go and therefore thou that lovest thy own Souls peace be warned in time to weigh things rightly with that which is a Just weight and true Measure in thy own Conscience so mayest thou come to be perswaded in thy own mind who are in the right way and then let the light be thy guide in it to walk that so thou mayest come in due time to have peace with God in the Covenant of light and life for evermore At a Meeting at Nethurst upon the 24th of the 6th Month 1659. appointed by Matthew Caffin Baptist but there were several of the chief Baptists in all these South parts namely William Jeffery Matthew Caffin John Parsons William Steel and several others of Kent and Sussex It was pretended by the Baptists there to shew the cause wherefore they could not joyn with the Quakers as they with other scoffers in these last times call us the People of the Lord but in stead of proving any Just cause why they do not own and joyn with us they gave sufficient cause for us and all that fear the Lord to deny them and to have no fellowship with them except they repent And the cause they gave us at this Meeting and at other places was those errours damnable heresies and lyes which are hereafter mentioned and answered as moved by the Spirit of love to all the simple-hearted people that doth
is come in the flesh and they receive the Spirit of Antichrist and become one with that and so resist the true light the true comforter the man of sorrows that puts an end to sin and John in the Spirit or the Spirit in John said in the Revelation Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me Rev. 3. 20. he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith The Baptist denied That Christ was that crucified oftener then once Answ Here you may see the Baptists chief principles are to deny the true Christ the Son of God who proceeded from the Father to seek and to save that which was lost but the Baptists renders evil against him that came for good unto all men even to the lost to seek and to save that which was lost and he giveth to every man that which is good this is the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world and this is he the Baptists deny and whom the Jews were so much against and did often deny him saying Crucifie him crucifie him and release unto us Barrabas and he was crucified without the Gates at Jerusalem at the place which is called Calvary Luk. 23. 33. there was one time spoke of where Christ was crucified without the Gates and after that John said he was crucified in the streets of the great City which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt Rev. 11. 8. that was another time and place spoken of and the Apostle Paul who had been a persecutor and was converted after Christs suffering without the Gate at Jerusalem and after the Church was gathered and grown up so as to taste of the good Word of God and the power of the World to come then he writes to the Hebrews concerning some that crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh and put him to an open shame Heb. 6. 6. the Son of God was the true Christ which was crucified by the Jews without the Gates at Calvary and in spiritual Sodom and Egypt and also by such as departed from the Faith for they crucified to themselves the Son of God afresh take notice of that That you may see plainly how the Baptists deny the true Christ the Son of God the Lamb slain from the â—oundation of the world The Baptists affirmed That the Comforter spoken of in that 14th of John to come again to the Disciples was not Christ Answ Christ in that 14th of John said the Father should give them another Comforter but he did not say it was not Christ that should come to them which was then with them but on the contrary said he dwelleth with you and shall be in you vers the 17th and so he was to be known after another manner not after the flesh without them for he was manifested unto them in that form of flesh and so became of no reputation and passed thorow outward things and suffered the contradictions of sinners in the time of doing his Fathers Will for which he was sent in that form then when all was fulfilled both outward Baptism with water and outward Circumcision with hands then he said all is finished and gave up the Ghost and went to the Father from whence he proceeded and then was there no necessity of those outward things nor Command to do them from God as before because they were fulfilled yet for a time they were a little used by them that came unto all in those things that they might win some out of all those things which was to decrease up to Christ that was to increase and prevail mightily in those with whom he dwelt until he went to the Father and after he was risen he appeared unto his Disciples in another form and after that he appeared in them they did not tell people of his being among any people without them as he was known but said know you not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates but these Baptists they deny his so coming again and saith it was not Christ although Christ said so plainly in John 14. â— if I go prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you unto my self and in vers the 18th Christ said unto them again I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you but the Baptists said it was not he and so would make Christ the lyar in as much as they can with their lying divinations of their own brain saying the Comforter there spoken of was not Christ although he himself said I will come to you and John said he was come unto them and they were in him even in his Son Jesus Christ this is the true God and Eternal life little Children keep your selves from Idols 1 John 5. 20 21. The Baptists affirmed That it was Blasphemy to say that those things spoken of to Christs Disciples in Matth. 24. was fulfilled in that age Answ Christ said then to his Disciples many should come in his Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many and said Lo here or lo there is Christ believe them not go not forth for the true Christ was to be known within them and he said unto them they should hear of wars and rumors of wars and earth-quakes was to be and the love of many shall wax cold because iniquity shall abound and the Disciples was to be afflicted and persecuted and killed at the last of their age and the Sun was to be darkned and the Moon was not to give her light for a time and all these things is spoken in the 24th of Matthew and the Scriptures there and in other places doth plainly prove that these things were to come to pass in the Apostles age and therefore Christ bids them watch and be alwayes ready because the time was nigh but the day and hour no man was to know until it came and Christ said to his Disciples Matth. 24. 34. Verily I say unto you this Generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled and in the 14th verse Christ said And this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness to all Nations and then shall the end come but the Baptists counts that blasphemy for us to affirm that the end of all those things was come and so fulfilled in the Disciples age before that Generation passed away as Christ said Further I shall prove out of the Scriptures that these things did come to pass First concerning false Prophets and Antichrists they were to come unto the true Prophets and Apostles to deceive them if it were possible and they did so come as Christ said they should and the Disciples Apostles and Prophets that did watch as Christ said they should they did see the false prophets and deceivers come privily in the very form of godliness but denying the
which is Christ the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1. â— and no other do we Preach to be Christ but he that said I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of Life John 8. 12. John 12. 46. which is Christ the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1. â— and this is the light which we have Preached up at the right hand of God who dwells in his people according to the Scriptures and no other Christ do we own but he which all the Prophets bare witness of and that John said was the true light as we have proved very plainly by the Scriptures and that thousands of people know which are not come yet to walk in the light but if they do not harden themselves but fear the Name of the Lord in due time they shall know the rising of the Son of righteousness with healing under his wings and the wicked shall be brought down in them and for them and now all moderate people may see these Baptists to be blasted with a thick mist and overcome with grosse darkness who make it their work to deny the true Christ the Son of the onely true God and so denies the Father also for no other light do we Preach to be the Christ the Saviour the Son of God but he that hath said I am the light of the world and he that believeth in him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already and this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men love darkness rather then light because their deedâ— are evil John â— 19. And here their Teachers are found one against another about the light and now people may see the Apostles words are true who spake of such boasters proud blasphemers having a form of godliness but denying the power and now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobaâ—e concerning the faith But they shall proceed no farther for their folly shall be made manifest to all men that reads this with the light as theirs also was 2 Tim. 3. and take notice what Petâ—r saith but there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord thaâ— bought them and bring upon themselves swift dâ—struction â— Pet. â— 1. and these Baptists that deny the Eâ—ernal Spirit to be the Saviour of the world and also deny tâ—e true light and so they now while they are in their form crying up outward things to be Ordinances for a prerence and so bring in damnable Heresies And so did the Pharisees that were exceeding wicked cry up the Temple and such things and for a pretence made long prayers Mat. 23. â—4 But whosoever shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven saith Christ Mat. 10. 33. therefore be warned in time you that be not past feeling for this I know that it had been good for such wicked blasphemers that they had never been born â—hen so lightly and rashly to deny the onely Son of God which is the light of the world for he that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath troden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified as an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace Heb. 1â— 28. 29. Another Baptist at Nethurst meeting afore mentioned affirmed That Christ was not a Spirit and bid one Humphery Killingâ—eck prove iâ— if he coâ—ld Answ God is a spirit John 4. 24. and Christ said he and his Father was one John â—0 30. and he is a quickening Spirit the Scripture saith but the Baptist saith he is not a spirit for they make flesh their arm and therefore look without to know him after the flesh although the Apostles said they were to know him so no more mark Thus saith the Lord Cursed be the man that trusteth in man maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord for he shall be like the heaâ—h in the desert and shall not see when good cometh Jâ—r 17. 5. 6. and blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is Jâ—r 17. 7. and the quickening Spirit is both Christ and Lord. Now concerning Jesus Christ our Lord hâ—w he came in the form of a man or how he took flesh upon him he was of the seed of Abraham and David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead Rom. 1. and when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son born of a Virgâ—n and made under the Law and then he made himself of no reputation but Gal. 4. took upon him the form of a servant and so came under Tutors and Governours for a time in that form of a man or in that body which was prepared under the Law in the time of signs and types and figures and shadowes of good things to come and there was Ciâ—cumcision without and Baptisme withâ— outward water and Synagogues and Temples made with hands and he like unto other men came into those things in that body of flesh which he â—ook upon him and so fulfilled all those things which did signifie of that which is become more excellent unto us and so he passed through those things which were but shadows â—nd went to his Father from them as a shadow for it is said a cloud received him out of their sight and while he was among them in that form he was also rejected and grieved to see their wickedness in so much that he wept over them and was taken by wicked hands and crucâ—fied and put to death and slain and pierced by them and was laid in a Sepulchre a figure and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and appeared unto Mary like a gardiner and also he appeared unto his Disciples in another form Mark 16. and so he tasted death for every creature for in him was life and the life was the light of men and he said John 10. I lay down my life that I may take it again no man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again and so he took flesh upon him and offered once for all who perfected for ever them John 6. that are sanctified but the flesh profiteth nothing and he was one with the Father before the world was made and he wâ—nt to the Father again and was and is one with the Father and he and
the Father are one John 1â—â—0 but neither the Jews nor these Baptists doth not see how for they neither know the Christ of God nor the Father that say he is not a Spirit Joh. 8. â— but the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. â— 1â— and therefore the Baptists being natural saith Christ is not a Spirit but they in whom Christ is revealed know him to be a Spirit as the Apostle said and so it is written The first man Adam was made a living soul the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit â— Corin. 15. 45. mark that you may see how carnal the Baptists are Another Baptist at the aforementioned meeting affirmed That Christ and God was not one Answ This is altogether contrary to these Scriptures which are Christs own words read these Scriptures in the light and you need no farther proof I and my Father are one Joh. 10. 30. Holy Fathâ—r keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one as we are Joh. 17. 11. and now people may see with the light that is risen in the conscience how these Baptists hath separated themselves sensual having not the Spirit Jude 19. And when these Baptists were justly charged with confusion for speaking three or four together to one of us Matthew Caffin said to Joseph Fuce it was to make him silent and also when Matthew Caffin was required to prove what he had accused us of or else he had proved himself a false accuser then Matthew Caffin Baptist Teacher said they were fain to cavil hard with us and many such like swelling words and boasting false accusations and affirmations against the truth and us that own it but their proud boasting words being so unsavoury I shall not meddle with them all they are too many but those that are so much against the truth I am constrained to answer for the truths sake and in the Power of the Spirit did I justifie the truth against its gainsayers to their faces and then they fled into confusion and cavilling making use of that to make us silent as Matthew Caffin said and all that doth understand the Scriptures of truth knoweth such there were and such there are as Peter said There shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction 2 Pet. 2. 1. Now if their hearts should be vexed because their Ezek. 3. 9. folly is so manifested openly they may blame themselves for these damnable heresies were taken from their own mouths at the meeting aforementioned and most of them were affirmed by Matthew Caffin one of their chief Teachers who said they were fain to cavil hard and use confusion to make us silent who did then as at other times earnestly contend for the Faith which was once delivered unto the Jude 3. Saints but now mark what James said But if ye have bitteâ— envying and strife in your hearts glory not and ly ' not againâ—t thâ— truth this wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly sensual devilishs or where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work â—ames 3. 14 15 16. And those Baptists were found boasting themselves enviouâ—ly and cavilling hard and in confusion as Matthew Caffin said and gloried into his own shame and the rest of the Baptists that resist the truth let it be especially to them that were with him and did not reprove him such as is here mentioned and answered have they often brought forth since they opposed the light and gainsayed the truth and so by their fruits are they known unto those that do not wilfully resist the light More of the Baptists Principles declared and affirmed by Matthew Caffin Baptist Teacher at another time and place as is hereafter mentioned at Chichester upon the 30th day of the 3d month 1659. MAtthew Caffin affirmed That Christ and his Spirit was distinct one from the other and at a Meeting at Henry Copeses at Ellsted in Surrey he declared and stood to affirm the same thing again before many people at that Meeting Answ Here this deceiver goeth about to divide Christ or to make people believe there is a dead Christ without a Spirit for James saith The body without the Spirit is dead James 2. 26. and Christ said I am alive for evermore Rev. 1. 18. and this deceiver hath falsly said we deny the Resurrection but now it is fallen upon his own head for if Christs body were without a Spirit then were it dead according to the Apostles Words and if he were dead without a Spirit according to the Baptists doctrine then were he not risen so in effect he hath plainly denied the Resurrection but if thousands should deny him yet he abideth faithful and lives forever you may take notice there were such that came among the Corinthians that were in contention and Paul asked them whether Christ were divided or was Paul crucified for them as if one might be as possible as the other but of a truth Christ is not divided but he is both Lord and Christ and the Lord is that Spirit which proceeded from the Father and went again unto the Father and he and the Father is one and all that doth truly and rightly know these things they must be converted into the light first for great is the Mystery of Godliness And now if there be any so wilful as not to believe that Matthew Caffin is a deceiver by all these fore-mentioned fruits of his which are sufficient proofes mark then see how William Jeffery one of his chief brethren proves plainly that Matthew Caffin is led by the spirit of Antichrist and in a very deceitful secret way denies Christ come in the flesh but that ignorant envious man William Jeffery did intend that should have been a proof against us but it doth not at all concern us for all people that hath heard and rightly understood our Doctrine of Christ and his Spirit which is in his body they know we have declared Christ to be a quickening Spirit in his body and also to be the head of the Church which is his body as the Scriptures saith Eph. 5. 30. Col. 1. 2â— and the Saints were Members of his body and of his flesh and of his bones and he was their head over them and in them all Col. â— 11. and so in his Name and Power do we preach him up to be the light within the body and not apart from the body as Matthew Caffin hath affirmed him to be distinct the body from the Spirit But how fit a proof hath William Jeffery brought against his brother and fellow-messenger Matthew Caffin in the 68 pag. of their own book with their names to â—â— in the 68 pag. William Jeffery his words chiefly is to prove them
to be led by the spirit of errour and the spirit of Antichrist mark that preach up the Spirit of Christ apart from the body or flesh of Christ and as it is before set down Matthew Caffin did several times say and affirm that Christ and his Spirit was distinct one from the other and so the one of these proves the other to be a deceiver mark William Jeffery his words in the 68. page of that book called the deceiving Quakers discovered how plainly he proves his brother a deceiver and also himself and the rest of the Baptists who do generally believe and say that the body or flesh of Christ is above the skies in some place they call Heaven and his Spirit in them which hath been dipt in water this is generally held forth by them and so it is plain they do say the Spirit of Christ is in them a part from the body which they say is above the skies in Heaven but if it were as they say then hath William Jeffery overthrown their whole faith which is vain proved them all deceived and deceivers as well as himself and Matthew Caffin but with the light all moderate people may see these Baptists to be in the night and not to have a Vision that could not see how William Jeffery went to overthrow their whole faith before it came openly forth printed into the world but now it is manifested their form is dead and they in it appear nakedly for all their high-swelling words and to be all deceived and deceivers And for Zions sake I cannot hold my peace the love of God is so strong in me unto simple-hearted poor Souls but after the Fathers love is manifested unto them and they reject it then I may say as the Apostle said But if any be ignorant let him be ignorant 1 Cor 1â— 38 At a Meeting at Covole the 28th of the 6th month 1659. the afore-mentioned Matthew Caffin Baptist Teacher affirmed That Christ doth not come in us that is in their bodies and he also said He dâ—nied that to be Christ that was in people and many words to that effect Answ These Baptists chief Principles are to deny the true Christ at the Meetings where they come and that exceeding boldly and impudently as all sober people may see that reads this with the least measure of light for that was the true Christ which all the true Prophets bore witness of and that Moses writ of to come amongst the people and hâ— did proceed from God and dwelt amongst Johâ—â— 14. his Disciples and they beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and truth and he John 14. â— told his Disciples he dwelleth with you and shall be in you for said he I will not leave you comsortless I will come to you John 14. 17 18. and this was the true Christ the light of the world and the eye of the body who proceeded from the Father and went unto the Father and come again unto the Disciples which waited to know him that was to come and be in them and he did come to them within and the Antichrists came unto them without but greater was he that was in them then he that was in the world or they that were without them and so by his power in them they withstood the false prophets and Antichrists and then went they into the world 1 John 4. â— but Christ the Son whom the Father sent to be the Saviour of the world was then come again according to his former promise and was in them and they in him as it was said in John 14. 20. and if you that read this do not believe he did come again so soon to them see what John saith And we know the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ this is the true God and Eternal life â— John 5. 20. and so the Scriptures testifie of him to come and be in his Disciples and they in him but the Baptists saith plainly he is not come in their bodies and that is the ground why they are so inraged like the troubled Sea because they have resisted him that said Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come into him Rev. 3. 20. but the Baptists hath kept him out and so are Reprobates concerning the Faith which he worketh in them that receive him at his coming and the Apostles bid the Corinthians examine themselves whether they were in the Faith Prove your own selves know you not your own sâ—lves how that Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13 5. and now all may see that they were Reprobates that dâ—d not know Jesus Christ in them and so are these Baptists now that do not know Jesus Christ in them and now is it seen and proved plainly that these Baptists are led by the spirit of Antichrist in a reprobate state not confessing Christ to be come in the flesh but denying him in themselves which is the very cause why they so wilfully resist and gainsay him in others where he is come up a swift witness against unrighteousness and so according to the Scriptures it is proved that the true Christ did come and dwell with his Disciples in the form of the flesh and did go away unto the Father and came again unto his Disciples according to his promise and they knew he was come in them to dwell but this was not after the flesh for they were to know him so no more but as he appeared they were to see him as he is 1 John 3. 2. and they did know him come in them a quickning Spirit for by him were they quickned who had been dead in trespasses and sins he that reads with the light may understand And now I shall prove again he doth not onely deny Christ to be come in their bodies or flesh but he also denieth that to be the Christ that was in people and now if you will at all regard the Scriptures of truth with the light you shall see how plainly â— shall prove out of the Scriptures that to be the true Christ the Son of the onely true God that was in people that you may all see how the Baptists hath denied both the Father and the Son and would go on deceiving and being deceived First see what Christ saith unto his Disciples At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father you in me and I in you Mark that John 4. 2. and so it is plain that Christ said they should know him in them which was the true Christ which lighteth every man that cometh into the world and Paul to Timothy said Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering
is of Christ Colos 2. 16 17. Now they that do not go into the observation of the Sabbaths cannot be Judged in them by any man mark that but the Apostle Judged some among the Galatians saying Ye observe dayes and moneths I am afraid of you least I have bestowed my labour in vain Gal. 4. 1â— for his labour was to bring them out of the observation of dayes and outward things to Christ within who is Lord of all days yea he is and shall be known Lord of all and therefore it is his right to Rule over all when he comes and therefore be not offended when he would arise to Rule and Reign in you for blessed are they that are not offended in him who hath born the iniquity of us all and he lighteth every man that cometh into the world and that light is the Law of the Spirit which is of him and this Law is their Teacher that love it and are guided by it out of darkness unto Christ which is the Law-giver that taketh away the sin and fulfills the righteousness of the Law in man and then man is at the end of the Law with Christ who brings in Grace and Peace and everlasting righteousness within them that first become obedient Gal. 3. 24. unto the Law which is light within which was our Schoolmaster and the Apostles Schoolmaster to bring them to Christ who fulfilled those visible things in which he was in and passed through for in the time of Circumcision when eight dayes were accomplished for the Circumcising of the Child they called his Name Jesus Luke 2. 21. and he was baptized of John in Jordan for so he came unto John to fulfill that Ministration as well as Circumcision but John would not a had it so yet Christ said suffer it to be so now for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousnes when he was baptized then was not that fulfilled mark straight way he went out of the water Mat. â— 16. then began Johns Baptism to decrease and Christs Baptism to increase which was more excellent and so after Christ haâ— been in the Synagogues and Temple made with hands and in water Baptism he came Mat. 23. 38. out of them and said behold your house is left unto you desolate and he came straight way out of the water and left them there that would not leave that and follow him the fulfiller of all thâ—se things into the Kingdom of rest and peace Joh. 3. 15. Pet. 4. 7. for ever Mark then they that abode in the Temple-worship cryed the Temple of the Lord yet were in envy against Christ the Lord of all who left their Temple desolate and they that were baptized after a little time ran into contentions because Christ was not among them in the water to keep them out of the contention but then he had left both Temple and water and they that did not leave those things to follow him who is the Prince of peace they were and are in the contention in and about those things wch were fulfilled because 1 Cor. 1â— 11. 1 Cor. 3. â— Christ the Prince of peace was not with them then to keep them out of the strife contention and envy which they were in that did not follow Christ who went straightway out of the water and out of the Temple and Synagogues and left them desolate But if any of you tender hearted ones should be â—uâ—stioning whether Christ did not command water Baptism afterwords unto his Disciples when he sent them forth to Preach and Teach Now be low with your minds turned in to the light waiting in the fear of the Lord that you may be the siâ—â—er to understand my answer which shall be unto you according to the Scriptures and I hope shall be plain to satisfie all reasonable moderate people concerning water Baptism For verily I say unto you I had never any command from the Lord to be baptized with outward water neither to Baptize any creature in outward water but the Lord hath commanded me to do that which is far greater and much more harder to the creature but by the power of his Spirit in the light was I made able to do it yet of my self have I nothing to boast of because the work is the Lords and the power by which it is done and I his servant have said unto some of those Baptists Teachers if they could prove water Baptism to be a command of Christ in this day I should own it but they could never yet bring me any Scripture that would serve for a plain proof without wresting and also I have searched the Scriptures in which I find written how Christ sent forth many Disciples then as now also and I do not find any where in the Scriptures that he sent them to Baptize in water after Johns Baptism decreased there is in Matthew the 10. Mark 6. Luke â— and 10. Chapters how Christ sent forth many Disciples and commanded them what they should do in his Name but water Baptisme is not mentioned there but if any should say he baptized then himself for he was not crucified then I answer and say he did baptize but his Baptism was not with water but with the Holy Ghost and with fire Mat. 3. 11. and Christ said verily verily I say unto you he that believeth on me the works that I do shall he do also and greater works then these shall he do because I go unto my Father John 14. 12. and so it doth appear Johns Ministry of Baptism was with water but Christs with the Spirit for he both Circumcised the heart and ears and baptized with the Holy Ghost and with fire which were spiritual things and the Apostle said therefore seeing we have this Ministry as we have received mercy we faint not for they were believers 2 Câ—r â— 1. and were to do the same works that Christ did and so as he did so were they to do by the power of his Spirit in them and all those that believed and came to be of the body after Christ Ascended up on high they were all baptized by one spirit into one body the first of the Corinthians 12. 13. And the spirit was with them and they with the spirit did bring or baptize into the one body by the power and sword of the spirit which is the Word of God which they handled so it is plain their works were spiritual and their weapons were not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds 2 Cor. 10. 4. and they Ministred spiritual things 1 Cor 9. 11. and consider rightly that place of Scripture the 28. of Matthew which the Baptists so often hath brought to prove water Baptism to be a command of Christ to his Disciples but that Scripture doth not at all speak of water and they are not onely wrong in putting water in the room of the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost but also
desire to walk in the way of truth unto Zion the City of the living God where Peace is to be enjoyed for evermore FIrst the Baptist affirmed That the Eternal Spirit that was in Christ was not the Saviour of the world Answ Here they deny the true God to be the Saviour of the world who was in Christ the Authour of Eternal Salvation the ground and foundation of all truth who is a Spirit and is Eternal and God the Father and Christ the Son whose Name is called the Word of God and the Eternal Spirit or Holy Ghost are one and the Father was in the Son and the Son was in the Father John 14. 11. and he that hath seen the Son hath â—oh 10. 30 seen the Father and God who is the onely Invisible and Eternal Spirit saved all the holy men of God in the dayes of old since the beginning and when the old world was drowned God saved Noah 2 Pet. 2. 5. and the Eternal God said by the Prophet Isaiah Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else Isa 45. 22. there is no God effectual besides the Eternal Spirit that is a Just God and a Saviour vers 21. and this Saviour said I even I am the Lord and besides me there is no Saviour Isa 43. 11. And the Apostle said The Lord is the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 17. and this Eternal God who is a Spirit was he that saved all the holy men of God and they both Prophets and Apostles called God their Saviour 1 Tim. 4. 10. Titus 7. 3. and this Everlasting God and Eternal Spirit that was the â— Pet. 1. 1. â—ude 25. onely Saviour of all the holy men of God the Apostle said to wit That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself 2 Cor. 5. 19. and Christ was in God and sometime the Apostle called Christ Lord and Saviour and they also called God their Saviour for they were one in the beginning before the world was but the Baptists doth not see how Christ â—ut the boâ—y without â—he Spirit is dead â—am 2. 26. and God are one as one of them said and therefore denies the Eternal Spirit that was and is in Christs body to be the Saviour and so blaspemously hath denied both the Father and the Son and there is no Saviour besides the Eternal Spirit which was God manifest in the flesh and if any should read this and not perceive the things of God and so not believe the Words of truth read the 13th of Hosea and 14th verse were God saith Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt and thou shalt know no God but me for there is no Saviour beside me and all those that readeth this with a right understanding may see and perceive the Baptists to be ignorant of the Power of God and also of the Scriptures which doth so largely speak of that God that was in Christ to be the onely Saviour but time might fail us to bring all those Scriptures which doth speak of God to be the Saviour Baptists Affirmed That Christ was not come to them yet the second time nor yet to any man upon the face of the earth Answ Here the Baptists hath manifested themselves openly to be Reprobates according to the Scripture and therefore it is no marvel why they oppose the light in others so much seeing they deny Christ the light to be come to them the second time and there were such in the Apostles dayes that sought a proof of Christ speaking in the Apostle Paul who said unto them Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your own selves know you not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5. and now you may see the Baptists yea the very chief among them are Reprobates out of the Faith the Saints were in who preached Christ in them the Hope of Glory and said He is come that is true and they were in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ and so they that did receive him at his coming to dwell in them he gave them an understanding how to preach him up in others and also in Heaven at the right hand of God but they that do not know him come to them they do not know him in any other Creature in Heaven or in earth and where the true Christ the Son of God who is a quickning Spirit doth not Rule there the Antichrist ruleth the son of perdition ruleth the old man of sin reigneth in them and over them and he maketh them subject to sin and now Antichrist is come up very high in these Baptists and he doth appear very bold in them insomuch that they deny the true Christ to be come the second time to them or to any other Creature but the Scripture is so far a witness against them that all the moderate people may see that they are ignorant of the things of God and also of the Scriptures and so altogether unfit to preach unto others for how can any truly preach Christ to come to others that doth not know him come unto themselves Paul was a persecutor before he knew Christ revealed in him but after it pleased God to reveal his Son in him then he was fit to preach the manner of his coming in others Gal. 1. 16. and Christ said unto his Disciples he dwelleth with you and shall be in you I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you John 14. 18. and John in his Epistle said We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ 1 John 5. 20. here John said he is come but the Baptists saith he is not come and so are out of the Faith and Doctrine that the Apostles were in and John spake of such false prophets that were entred into the world as these Baptists are who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Antichrist 2 John 7. Mark he doth not say there he that denies that he was come or shall come but he saith who confess not that he is come in the flesh Mark that for both Papists and other Priests and the Baptists and we do all believe that he did come in the flesh and was crucified without the Gates of Jerusalem and also that he shall come at the last day to Judge the quick and the dead according to the Scriptures but this is the great controversie which we have with all those about this matter that is whether Jesus Christ be manifested or come in the flesh now according to the Scripture but all that resist the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world they resist the true Christ which the Apostles and we say