us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Iesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him howbeit there is not in â—very man that knowledge 1 Cor. 8. 5 6 7. and though there be in the world many lights yet to us there is but one him by whom all things was made which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world that in him all men might believe and as every one believes in this light they shall know that mans reason and understanding is not the light which every man is enlightened withall for some are unreasonable men and some are void of understanding Neither is the spirit of man the light of the world which doth enlighten every man that cometh into the world neither is any thing called the light of the world in the Scripture but Christ for saith Christ I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darknesse Ioh. 12. 46. Then spake Iesus again unto them saying I am the light of the world â—â— that followeth me shall not walk in darknesse buâ— shall have the light of life Joh. 8. 12. and again I am the light of the world Joh 9. 5. And the Messenger which was sent before his face to prepare the way of the Lord and to bear witnesse to the truth said In him was life and the life was the light of men and that was the true light which enlighteneth every man that cometh into the world Ioh. 1. 4 9. And this is the light which in all ages generations and under all Administrations the Sainâ—s did bear their testimony in and this light did never change nor alter though ages and generations have changed and men have changed and do change and the minds of men change and their wayes change and their worships change and forms and religions which are not according to the light which Christ hath enlightned them withal which changeth not which as it is followed will lead them out of those ways which do change which is not the living way for the new and living way is one with the light which every man is enlightned withall which is every mans way to the Father who follow it and every mans condemnation who disobey it Another testimony concerning the first man Adam in his first estate without sin the sum of it is this That as hâ— was at first that is at his beginning made sâ— that is without sin for so was he made Eccles. 7. 29. upright without crookednesse without invention that this man yea in his purest naturals â—annot receive nor discern the things of the spirit of God until â—e iâ— born of the Spirit or from above according to Ioh. â—13 8. 3 6. 1 Cor. 2. 14 Answ. This Testimony is false for the first Adam before the Fall was the son of God Luk. 3. 38. and did know and perceive Gods voice and power and he knew Gods command That he should not eat of the Tree of knowledge of good and evil which if he did he should dye the death for he was in Gods Image and the Lord spoke unto him and he perceived it and he had right to eat of the Tree of Life which was in the midst of the Garden and if Adam had continued in that state there needed no Law have been added because of transgression neither had there needed any precept upon precept nor line upon line neither any Teacher nor Instructer of the ignorant for there had no death passed over to seperate God from his creature which he had made in his own image and given him power over all Creatures but to say the son of God in the image of God without sin in uprightnesse and power to say that he is sensual having not the spirit or to say that he is the natural man that cannot receive nor discern the things of the spirit of God this is greater blasphemy then that which the Apostle reproved Rev. 2. 9. in those which said they were Iews and were not but were the Synagogue of Satan and all such whiâ—â— brings forth such mysts of darknesse and and ignorance to blind the eye in people which should see the things of God in clearnesse are to be reprovrd sharply that they may be ashamed and no more bring forth that which is both unnecessary and unseasonable and contrary to truth as Iohn Iackson hath done And further he adds That the natural man which Paul speaks of 1 Cor. 2. 14. and compares it with 1 Cor. 15. 44 45. is not to be taken for the carnal sinful man but for a man in puris naturalibus meerly natural pag. 37. Let all therefore consider Pauls words Which things also we speake noâ— in the words which mans wisdom teacheth but which the Holy Ghost teacheth comparing spiritual things with spiritual but the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishnesse unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2. 13 14 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things yet he himself is judged of no man ver. 15. Now whether any man that hath the spirit of God can judge that this is not spoken of carnal sinful men or whether any by the spirit of God can judge that this was spoken of a man in the pure nature without sin and let all who have the spirit of judgement judge whether Adam in the image of God without sin did account the things of God as foolishness unto him and if any so judge let them prove it That in Adams innocency without sin the things of God were foolishness unto him or whether the Crosse of Christ which Paul preached was foolishness unto any but unto carnal and sinful men So every man I exhort to come to that of God in you to know the Salt in your selves to savor withall that you may know that Doctrine that stands in the devised words of mans wisdom and not in the Power of God which would turn the Truth of God into a lye and pervert the minds from the right understanding of the things of God But the day is come which hath brought forth light and knowledge and understanding to the simple whereby they see the deeps which are covered with darkness and they come to see and comprehend mens wisdom and their fountain what it brings forth for how should that which is unclean bring forth that which is clean So that now we do not only know the words of those which have set themselves against the truth but the Spirit and power from whence they speak and so in faithfulness bear our testimony against it that the folly of those may be made manifest unto all men who wilfully oppose the truth and their own selves through wilful blindness and so count themselves unworthy of eternal life exercising their strength wisdom and knowledge to shut up the
THE CAUSE OF STUMBLING Removed from all that will receive the TRUTH and from before the Eyes of the Wise men of LONDON In a Treatise shewing the difference between the spirit of a man which is the candle of the Lord and the light which hath enlightned every man that cometh into the WORLD Also shewing that though there be diversity of Administrations yet there is not diversity of Lights and Spirits by which they are ministred And shewing by clear testimony what the more sure Word of Prophesie is which the Apostle Peter exhorts the people to take heed unto untill the day did dawne and the day-star arise in their hearts Herein also is a false Hosanna and a false testimony reproved and a false witness is rejected and an untimely birth cast out though for the time of Travel it might have been a monster being above two yeers but in the end is brought forth for destruction the name of him which hath so long travell'd to bring forth wind and confusion is one known in the City of London by the name of Iohn Iackson being by the truth of this following made manifest That so by every motion of the Spirit of Truth and every testimony given from it Understanding and Knowledge of the Truth may be increased in those that follow on to know the LORD Given forth from the Lords servant Richard Hubberthorne For this end was I born and for this end came I into the world to bear witness unto the Truth Joh. 18. 37. Every one that is of the Truth heareth my voyce Spoylers shall come up out of the North which shall spoil Babylon Jer. 51. 48. London Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth neer Aldersgate 1657. THE Light is broken forth as the morning and the health of the Nations is in it and is springing forth speedily and the righteousness of the righteous Seed is going forth before them and the glory of the Lord is revealed to his Seed which now calleth and the Lord doth answer Here am I and the Lord hath made and is making his Seed as a watered Garden and like a spring of water whose waters fail not and is raising up the foundations of many generations that people may come to build again upon that Foundation which they have been driven from especially by their Pastors for saith the Lord Many Pastors have destroyed my Vinyard they have trodden my Portion under foot and made my pleasant Portion a desolate Wildernesse and have made Gods Heritage as a speckled Bird the Birds round about are against her and all the Beasts of the Field come to devour Jer. 12. 9 10. And now is the Lord come forth against these devourers even as a Lyon bereaved of her young ones for the Lord will not suffer the spoyle of his Heritage no longer but will dresse his Vinyard that it may bring forth fruit unto him And now is the Lord casting out the blind Vatchmen and the foolish Prophets which have followed their own spirit and have seen nothing and all such is the Lord casting out and his everlasting fire is he kindling amongst them And now I hear a cry of torment going through the Nation Can any kindle a fire among Serpents and they not be offended and shut their stings Can any touch the Vipers but they will smell with venom and when Scorpions are trodden upon will they not shew forth their strength Can that nature suffer death patiently nay patience proceedeth from that Seed which slayeth the enmity and destroyeth the man of sin and thereforâ— as we have one Seed to witnesse for so there is one to witnesse against and as it is the work of the spirit of God to approve the things that are of God so it is iis work also to reprove those things which is contrary to sound Doctrine to the end that every one may know as well what to reject and deny as error as what to own for truth and sound Doctrine therefore of necessity must every one be turned to the light which Christ hath enlightned them withall that they may discern what they are to approve and what they are to reprove and that judgement is true which stands in the light and in the measure of the spirit of Truth TO THE READER MEN of low degree are vanity and men of high degree are a lye and the heart of man is desperately wicked and deceitful above all things Hear this ye wise men and foolish the more ye strive against the Lord the more is your wound made incurable and the higher you rise in envy alwaies the deeper is your fall in confusion And now Christian Reader whose heart God hath opened to see and behold the things that be eternal and can truly discern of different causes and between the good and the evil and between the light and the darknesse This Book is sent forth in the pursute and after a Book called Hosanna to the Son of David c. by a namelesse Author whose work indeed was hardly worthy of an honest mans Name though very subtilly craftily he prosecutes his purpose traverses his steps ful cunningly as this worlds wisdom could guide him in which wisdom he cannot know or receive the things of God therefore it cannot be expected that the things of God should be received from that wisdom and though he hath confounded in his words his description of the Light of Christ sometimes speaking well of it and sometimes otherwise and not knowing hardly whereof he hath affirmed his words are so counfounded and mixed in his corrupt reason in giving forth his knowledge of the things of God which he seems to be ignorant of but onely as he hath the knowledge of them from the Letter by which no man can come to the knowledge of God nor of the things of his Kingdom without the revelation of the Spirit of Jesus and the opperation of the same spirit But friends the testimony of God stands sure for ever though men would confound it in their own reason And this is the testimony That Christ lighteth every man that cometh into the world which light is sufficient to lead every man to God or else to condemn every man from God and this testimony is true notwithstanding all the opposition against it and it shall abide sure for ever though men strive never so much in the gain-saying of it And this is the testimony which we have born and shall bear to the end and who believes it and who believes it not this is the hand of the Lord according to his pleasure and to him we leave it and so we do and must clear our consciences from time to time while the Lord gives us a being And herein we are a good savour to God and our reward is with him whether Israel be gathered or no Isa. 49. And also this namelesse Author which is supposed to be one Iohn Iackson known in this City hath taken some seeming
occasion against us by searching our Books and as he saith hath found some contradictions in them which may appeare to be so to his dark mind yet in the sight of the spirit of the Lord that is truth which he sees to be no other then error However this is sent forth for the true information of peoples minds that they may know that truth is bold and confident and that it is Armor which defendeth from all enemies and giveth strength to answer the craftinesse of men And this same Iohn Iackson hath shewed himself now to be one with the common Priests of the world for as they have done so hath he opposed the way and people of God and with the very same Arguments shewing that he is of the very same spirit with them his discourse and arguments being of the same nature as theirs are yea he hath shewed himself to be of the very same spirit with all the open prophane wretches which doth revile and scorn and abuse in every town and countrey the Lords people and as they do so so hath he written with subtil Arguments to the very same end as they reproach and scorn to wit in a derision and despising the way and servants of the Lord so that his self-separation is now seen what it is to be a very cheat and hypocrisie who while he professeth a separation from the world doth practice the very same wickednesse and is not changed from them in nature though he be in appearance But what a poor work hath he brought forth in two years time which he saith his work hath been as Embres raked up in ashes yet a work that gains no praise of God nor very little of the praise of any man It seems he hath hatched mischief upon his bed and brought it forth in the morning Who would have thought but a wise man in that time would have brought forth a larger peece and more to purpose I am sure he might have made better use of his time in another exercise then to have writ against the servants of the Lord It had been more honest for him to have set his Pen to Paper and studyed to have given his testimony against the pride and drunkennesse and oppression and whoredoms and wickednesse in this great City I say it had been more honest and liker a Saint to have sought the reforming of prophanenesse and wickednesse that greatly abounds in this City then to have studyed two years to bring forth his invented stuffe against a harmlesse and innocent people which he nor any can justly charge with evil but as he hath digged deep by his imaginations in recollecting a seeming-contradiction out of our writings which is no contradiction no more then Christs words are who saith Except ye eat my flesh and drink my blood ye have no life in you and yet in the same discourse saith The flesh profits nothing and for Isaiah to go with the word of the Lord to Hezekiah to tell him he should dye and not live yet in the same instant of time told him he should live and not dye Would not Iohn Iackson have counted these contradictions But what he hath done in this in sending forth a Book against the Quakers he hath been so far from beating down sin drunkards and rude scorners and abusive men that he hath fully strengthened their hands and the wickedst people in this Nation are very glad of his work He hath given them matter to oppose truth withall but his reward and theirs shall be both with one hand and he shall drink his portion in the same Lake with such whose hands he hath strengthened and let him know and themall God hath established us upon a sure Mountain which the Gates of Hell and Death cannot prevail against So his work iâ— counted of us and cast by as our spoyled prey of Babylons treasure only this is sent abroad after it in the pursute of it which is not done with multitudes of words of mans wisdom but in the plain nakednesse of innocent truth which is more strength then all his Arguments of guile whereby he would deceive the people but he can deceive none but such as are deceived already for all that are in the light and in the truth sees beyond all that he can say and are established where his word can never reach them to take away their peace or disquiet them for as I said we are established upon a sure foundation and are tryed and proved and cannot be blown away with any windy Doctrines of men which begets into stâ—ffe and not into true sincerity of heart but wo unto that man that works offence and doth cast stumbling-blocks in the way of the simple And though the Lords people be a suffering people yet wo unto them that causeth them to suffer And though he and some others in their spirits were elevated thinking thereby to trample upon the innocent by that occasion happening concerning I. N. which was not suffered of the Lord to be as an occasion to destroy his people but as an occasion to try them and to prove them and thereby are they tryed and proved and the more setled rather then confounded and Iohn Iackson and such like may glory in such things for a moment because the appearance of it seems evil yet the Lord will make their glorying void for the Lord hath wayes enough to preserve his people and this we have found in many needful times and as concerning this thing which was looked upon as a breach among us by many yet it 's over and truth stands a top of it the beauty of truth appears through it all and truth is more lovely when it is proved and purged What if the Lord suffer his to be lead and tempted for a season let not the wicked boast of this for though the righteous fall he shall rise again but the wicked fall into mischief But yet we learn something by this what a great use the devil hath made hereof and how many Books and lying Scribbles hath been sent forth about it concerning us which are all counted by us no better then the worst corrupted treasure that ever grew in Babylon and the best of it is but baubles to please vain minds for men of sound understandings can take no pleasure therein And we see how by all means the Devil and his people seeks occasion against the wayes and people of God how glad are the wicked when they get an occasion against the Lords people and how do they glory in it and boast in it for a time thinking that their hands are strengthened in a greater boldnesse to do mischief And Iohn Iackson is one of those that takes pleasure in these things and he hath managed his businesse with a great deal of craft but there is none that will praise him for it except such whose wicked hands he strengthens such as he must have stumblings after the way of the Lord hath
been so fully manifested and they receive it not and they must fall and be broken And seeing that the wicked doth take occasion and seeks occasion against the innocent this will make many more watchful and more circumspect and more to walk in Gods wisdom and to deny their own ways least offences come by them And let him put off his Armor and lay down his Weapon and I wish he may spend the next two years to come better then he hath done these last and that the little fire in the Embres may kindle to the burning of his corruptions rather then into a blind zeal against the innocent people and what in this Book is written is not to contend or strive for mastery but to clear the truth and to remove all cause of stumblings from before the face of all the upright in heart A Friend to all people E. B. London the third day of the nineth Month 1657. The cause of stumbling removed from all that will receive the truth and from before the eyes of the wise men of LONDON MAny untimely Births in ages past and present hath been brought forth and the work of such hath alwayes been to destroy the Heir the seed which the Lord hath blessed that so the Inheritance might be theirs so would thrust themselves into the Kingdome but they know while the seed of the promise is alive it keeps them out and will not let them meddle with those things which they are not born unto For they are sons of Bondage and children of fals-hood and must not be Heirs with the son of the free c. David out of whose root the righteous seed did arise the bright and morning Star he saw that seed in his dayes and was aware of them and gave his testimony concerning them saying in heart ye work wickednesse you weigh the violency of your hands in the earth the wicked are estranged from the wombe they go astray as soon as they be born speaking lyes their Poyson is like the Poyson of a Serpent they are like the deafe Adder that stoppeth her eare Charming never so wisely Break their teeth O God in their mouth break out the teeth of the yong Lyons O Lord let them melt away as waters that run continualy when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows lâ—t them be as cut in peices as a Snaile which melteth let every one of them pass away like the untimely birth of a Woman that they may not see the Sun c. Psalm 58. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. And again he saith behold he travelleth with iniquity and hath conceived mischief and brought forth false-hood Psalm 7. 14. and so there was a traveling and labouring before they could get their iniquity brought forth as we have true declarations concerning the ages past how many have travelled and brought forth wind and confusion so likewise in this age by experience can we give testimony of the like births which hath been brought forth to the slaughter amongst Babylons children and here is one of the same birth born and brought forth in this City of LONDON to which I shall speak some thing at present although he conceale his name yet the seed you shall know by its fruits it is one that would be reckoned amongst those children that in the Temple cried Hosanna to the Son of David Mat. 12. 15. But the seed which David called Lord is risen and hath rebuked the false voice for it is not every one that cryeth Lord Lord nor every one that cryeth Hosanna that enters into the kingdome but such as heareth the word of God and doth it Now the testimony which this Author gives to that which after a long travel is come forth is this that it hath been in his brest two years and upwards while it at length is come forth as an untimely birth or as that which is born out of due time labouring under the burden of being both unnecessary and unseasonable Such a testimony as this seems to beget a wonder in the airy spirits of men as if a Monster were to be seen what two years travel and yet an untimely birth many such false cries is in this City which enters into the sensuall part of men and begets into the affections but there is a seed risen which hath received from the father the spirit of Judgement and understanding and it doth not owne things according to the report nor Judge of things according to their names in outward appearance but hath a measuring line given unto it and a true ballance whereby voices ways worships and testimonyes is tried before they be approved and therewith shall this spirit be tried and voice which is come forth crying Hosanna to the son of David or a testimony to the Lords Christ which being truly weighted searched may prove a testimony against the Lords Christ which hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world in setting up mans spirit to be the light instead of the Lords Christ But first let us consider the burden under which this man hath laboured which is as he saith that which is both unnecessary and unseasonable first unnecessary because the same hath been before by better hands so it is not to be admired as a Monster because it hath already been and effected nothing Secondly unseasonable because those are already resolved that Jesus Christ is the true light which hath enlightned every man that cometh into the world which he would resolve that the spirit in every man is that light and so according to this every man must follow his own spirit instead of following the light which Christ hath enlightned him withall Now this burden thus considered which is both unnecessary unseasonable haveing been in his brest above two years all that have received the spirit of Judgement and knows the workings of the mysterie of iniquity and can truly read the state of those which are filled with unrighteousnesse knows that this birth is cursed before ever it came forth and it had been better that it had never been born nor brought forth into the world for it will be to the great agravation of his sorrow and misery which did conceive it and so long travel in it at last brought it forth but among the untimely births shall we reckon it which never saw the â—un nor never received blessing from the Father and happy shall he be that rewardeth thee as thou hast rewarded us and happy shall he be that takes and dasheth thy untimely birth against the stones Psalm 137. 8. 9. Against this birth hath the Lord â—â—reched forth his everlasting arme to dash in peices and this is not the first of Babylons children which in this age and in this City hath been brought forth to the spoile nor the first which this man hath brought forth for he hath brought forth another without a name which is both as unnecessary and as unseasonable as this And so from experience
he may say that it is both unnecessary and unseasonable either to conceive or bring forth any such thing against the seed which the Lord hath blessed for there was never any as yet which did strive against the Lord or his annoynted ones which did prosper neither shall to the ends of the earth So the burden of this man is searched Judged and found not to be the burthen of the word of the Lord though he thought it to be so when in him he felt the fire of enmity boyling and bubling up within him as in his Epistle But we have found it to be such a burthen as the false Prophets in Jerusalem did see for the people which was false burthens and causes of banishment Lam. 2. 14. But if the fire of the Lord had been kindled in him it would have consumed this birth in the womb before ever it had been brought forth But the hour is comeing and now is in which the Lord is fulfilling his promise according to the Scriptures which saith that he will make Jerusalem a burthensome stone for all people all that burthen themselves with it shall be cut in peices though all the people upon the earth be gathered together against it Zac. 12. 3. And as this was spoken so it is fulfilled and fulfilling that the testimony of God may be sealed up among his children For now is the light risen with which the Lord Christ is gathering into the new Jerusalem the City of the living God and now hath many burthened themselves with it And so burthened that they cannot tel how to unburthen themselves of it but to ease themselves of that burthen which is ready to presse them down they break forth into revileing termes and unâ—avory speeches and false assertions against the light and those that walk in it and will deny both the light and children of light to be spiritual Some calling it natural light some calling it natural conscience some created light some the light of reason and understanding some old creation light some a dim light some the spirit of man and so burthen themselves with it when they have both spoken and printed such things to ease them of their burthen their burthen grows again and so they do not cease to vex and grieve the holy spirit of God from day to day and when they have burthened themselves with the enmity against the light and the works of righteousnesse proceeding forth from it to the father then they cry the burthen of the Lord the fire of the Lord within them But saith the Lord to such I will destroy that man and his house and the burthen of the Lord shall ye mention no more for every mans word shall be his burthen for ye have perverted the words of the living God of the Lord of Hosts our God Ier. 23. 36. Therefâ—re is the measureing line gone forth to measure the false burthens whereby they pervert the words of the living God with their own words and Imaginations and unto those which ever were reproachers of the way and people of God the Lord saith I will bring an everlasting reproach upon you and a perpetual shame which shall not be forgotten Ier. 13. 40. So this is written that no man should any more burthen themselves with the burthensome stone wereby they will be broken to peices if they fall upon it But that every one may come to it that with it they may see their false burthens and the sin which doth so easiely beset them and may cease grieving of the spirit of the Lord while his spirit striveth with them may come to know every man his own word which will become his burthen when it returns again unto him But the word of the Lord goeth forth returns not empty neither doth it burthen him which it goes forth from when it returns again unto him Although the true burthen of the word of the Lord be known in many before it go forth from them Therefore then seeing that it is an untimely birth and not that which is born of the sprit which is come forth from him to whom I now am to speak Now least others being in the same blindnesse with him think as he doth that it is a true voice or Hosana to the Son of David or a true testimony to the Lords Christ I shall weigh his testimony seeing that the true Voice is gone forth both in the dayes of his flesh and since in which dayes he was truly declared to be the light of the world and the true light which lightneth every one that cometh into the world Ioh. 1. 9. Ioh. 8. Now seeing that this Author hath set up another thing to be the light which hath enlightned every man then Christ viz. the spirit of man I shall try this testimony according to the Scriptures whether it be a testimony of the Lords Christ or a testimony against him in these things following which are the Heads of his Doctrine concâ—rning the Light Concerning the LIGHT what it is It is the spirit of every man which is in him and without which he cannot â—e a man and is the Candle of the Lord Prov. 20. 27. This spirit of a man is the Reason of a man or the Vnderstanding of a man What this Light doth it gives him to know his Creator and the end of his creation viz. who made him and why he was made also how he should answer the end of him that made him and that God set up this Light in man to see by both whom he is to serve and how he is to serve him together with the reason thereof Because God made him And with this Light God hath sâ—â— up a Law which Law is called Light Prov. 6. 23. whereby the will and mind of his Creator is made known unto him and he sufficiently qualified to see it understand it c. p. 7. It searcheth the inward parts of the Belly At first it moved upward and it could look God in the face and serve him But now since the fall the Thief is got into this Candle and hath dim'd the light and covered the aspiring ascendanâ— quality and now it burnâ— downward and discovers the things beneath pag. 6. That it is all eye it sees all that is done but doth nothing it neither likes nor dislikes approves nor disproves but as it is in conjunction with a Law pag. 10. That it is the property of Light to make manifest Eph. 5. 13. Pag. 29. That it is not in the power of the Light as it is in every man so much as to call any thing that is done either good or â—vil pag. 32. That the Light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God so far is the Light from leading up to God that iâ— drives â—â—e soul from God and keeps him in the fall pag. 53. That it doth not lead into all truth such as love it and obey it pag. 54. Not doth it reveal
all truth to them that love it and obey it And that neither the Light nor the Law doth convince of the sinne of unbelief That the Lamp and the Light are convertable terms Thy word is as a Lamp Psal. 119. 105. and that the Light and the Law is one pag. 30. So by this the Light which is the spirit of man or mans Reason and the Law the word which of that which is called a Testimony of the Lords Christ we shall try it with the former testimony of the Lords Christ as it is written in the Scriptures which was given forth from those which were true witnesses First As in answer to these things there is not one Testimony in the Scriptures neither from Prophet nor Apostle that ever said the Spirit of man or mans reason or understanding was the Light which every one that cometh into the world is enlightned withall But the testimony of truth concerning those which followed their own spirits is this The Lord sent his Prophet Ezekiel to cry wo unto the fooliâ—h Prophets that followed their own spirits and had seen nothing Ezek. 13. 3. Now they were not without the spirit of a man for then they could not be a man as he saith now if they had the Spirit of man and Reason and if this was all eye how was it that they saw nothing when he saith It sees all things so it is not a true testimony of the Light nor of the Lords Christ But the spirit of man is the Candle of the Lord and the Lord having lighted it then it searcheth the inward parts of the belly And David who knew what the spirit of man was and what a Candle was without light and what it was when it was lighted he said For thou wilt light my candle the Lord my God will enlighten my darknesse Psal. 1â— 28. So if the spirit of man be the Candle of the Lord then whether doth not Christ enlighten every man which cometh into the world and whether is not that light Christ seeing the spirit is but the Candle and that it must be lighted Another testimony of his is this That it is the property of Light to make manifest Eph. 5. 13. but all things that are reproved are made manifest by the Light for whatsoever doth make manifest is light pag. 29. And again in pag. 3â— saith That it is not in the power of the light as it is in every man so much as â—o call any thing which is done either good or â—vil Answ. Whether of these two contraries must men believe whether the light is able to make manifest whatsoever is reprovable or that there is noâ— power in iâ— to call any thing good or evil But by this all men may see that this is not a true Testimony to the Lords Christ nor to his Light Never was there any such Doctrine preached by any that cryed Hosana to the Son of David noâ— that did give testimony to the Lords Christ That there is not power in the light to call any shing done good or evil Now let all who have received the measuring-Line and the equal Ballance weigh and consider seeing the Scripture saith Whatsoever things is reprovable is made manifest by â—â—e Light Is evil deeds reprovable then they are â—ade manifest then you see them to be evil deeds lying to be an evil deed swearing to be an evil deed drunkennesse to be an evil deed covetousnesse to be an evil deed pride to be an evil deed whoredom to be an evil deed false accusing to be an evil deed gain-saying the truth to be an evil deed anger and wrath to be evil deeds and these things are reprovable and as the light doth make them manifest so it reproves them and such are convinced of sin because they believe not in Christ so that unbelief is reprovable and is made manifest by the Light And whereas some say That the Light doth not reprove for the sâ—n of unbelief that is false for unbelief is reprovable and whatsoever things are râ—proveable is made manifest by the Light but he that doth evil hateth the light and will not bring his deeds to the light lest the light should reprove him Ioh. 3. 20. And Iesus said unto certain Greeks and people which stood by him which objected against his words which was no Saints nor believers While yâ—â— have the Light believe in the Light that ye may be the children of Light Ioh. 12. 36. Now he did not bid them believe in that which could not reprove unbelief I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth in me should not abide in darknesse And Iesus cryed and said He that believeth on me believeth on him that sent me Also Ioh. 12. 44 46. This Light was not mans reason nor understanding neither was it mans spirit that was the true Light which lighteneth every one that cometh into the world Ioh. 1. 9. Again another false testimony concerning the Light is this That the Light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God and so far is the Light from leading up to God that it drives the soul from God and keeps him in the fall pag. 53. Answ. This Doctrine is to turn the truth of God into a lye and to call light darknesse and darknesse light for there is no such testimony in the Scriptures that the Light did drive Adam from the voice and presence of God but Adam saith I was afraid because I was naked and I hid my self It was because he had disobeyed Gods voyce not because he was enlightned for the Scripture saith It is your sins that hath sâ—parated you from God it doth not say that it is the light which hath separated you from God or driven you from him this may well be called a damnable Doctrine or Doctrine of Devils Hath God sent his Son â— Light into the world to drive the souls from God and keep them in the fall Now let all consider and judge that ever knew the Light whether it be darknesse or it be light which drives the soul from God and keeps it in the fall Now this Doctrine being compared with the Scriptures is utterly false and there is few that professe godlinesse in this Nation that can bear it or approve of it and for such as account themselves the highest profession and above forms under the Name of Seekers to publish such a thing in print here it appears that the best of men is but as a Briar and the most upright is sharper then a Thorn-Hedge for the day of thy Watch-men and thy Visitation cometh now shall be their perplexity Miâ— 7 4. Now here is a day for tryal that they which can may try the spirits and doctrines whether they be of God Now I shall lay it to that of God in all is it not the work of the Devil to drive the soul from God and to keep people in the fall If so then it is not the work
of the light which lighteneth every man that cometh into the world is not this to call light darkness to say that the light is so far from leading up to God that it drives the soul from God and keeps him in the Fall What is that which leads man out of the fall if the light keep man in it As this is contrary to Scripture and to truth so it is contrary to his own words as in pag. 7. there saying That by the Light is the will and minde of the Creator made known unto man and he sufficiently qualified to see it and understand it Answ. How can these two stand together That the Light drives man from God and keeps him in the fall and again That it makes known the will and mind of the Creator unto him and sufficiently qualifies him to see and understand it This cannot truly be called Hosana to the Son of David noâ—A Testimony to the Lords Christ but a Line of Confusion which is stretched out wherein darknesse is come forth as a Cloud and spreads it self over the earth to darken peoples minds from the knowledge and understanding of truth by words without knowledge but his folly shall proceed no further unreproved and made manifest Another false Testimony concerning the light is this That at first it moved upward and man could look God in the face and serve him but now since the fall the Thief is got into the Candle and now the Spirit burns downward and discovers the things beneath Ans. What is the nature of the Light chaâ—ged or is the Spirit so changed that before it ascended upward and now downward We shall try this according to the Scripture which saith Who knoweth the Spirit of man that goeth upward and the spirit of a Beast which goeth downward to the earth Eccles. 3. 21. so then if it goes downward it is the spirit of a Beast and not the spirit of a man And here it is plainly evident that he knows not the spirit of a man from the spirit of a Beast so unfit to cry Hosana to the Son of David or bear testimony to the Lords Christ But as for the Light which hath enlightned man that cometh into the world the fall did not change the quality of the light for the light is the same as it was but darknesse cannot comprehend â—t neither knows how to give a true testimony of it but confusedly speaks of two lights the one springing up with man in his natural birth sutable to his natural birth and another light sutable to the new birth that is born of the spirit This is a testimony which is not to be found in Scripture to be two Lights sutable to the two births for he that is born of the flesh persecutes him that is born of the Spirit and God hath put enmity between the two Seeds but to say that there is two lights sutable and so the one natural and the other spiritual the one of the earth earthly and the other of the Lord from Heaven as the two births are this is not a testimony according to truth for the light is but one and the spirit of truth is but one and the same spirit which led the Saints which believed into all truth the same did convince the world of sin because they did not believe in Christ Ioh. 16. â— And that light which is the condemnation of the world who love the darknesse rather then Christ the same is the Saviour of all them that believe and one man loves it and another hates it yet it is the same light Ioh. â— 19 but the Scriptures bears no such testimony as that there is two lights in man the one spiritual and the other natural and for any man to say that the light of Christ is natural is blasphemy against the Son of God and is a sin not easily forgiven and it is hard for such to find the place of repentance for every one that comes to repentance must first come to the light which Christ hath enlightned them withall and must know it to be spiritual and confesse it so and with this light come to discern the two births the one from the other and their several natures and how that the one birth is guided by the light it being as the eye giving them to see what to speak before they speak and so keeps them out of the worlds line which is confusion and as a Teacher giving them to understand what to do before they do it and so keeps them out of the condemnation bringing their works before-hand to judgement and so their works are wrought in God who answer the light which they be enlightened withall but the light is not sutable noâ— according to that birth which is born after the flesh but condemns that in all its wayes and actions and is given to lead the creature out of that nature and out of that birth into the regeneration to lead out of the deeds of darknesse and out of the shadow of death into the living inheritance among those that are sanctified in Christ Jesus Another testimony concerning the light relating to the two Covenants is this That as there was a new Covenant diverse from the former the old so there must of necessity be another light to accompany it diverse from the former that is as then mans spirit so now the spirit of the Lord c. page 35. Answ. Therâ— are diversities of gifts but the same spirit and there are differences of Administrations but the same Lord and there are diversities of opperations but it is the same God which worketh all in all 1 Cor. 12 4 5 6. Now all people is to know that there was a ministration different from the administration of the Gospel the new Covenant a different administration from the old but there is no necessity that it be ministred from another spirit nor from another Lord nor from another Light therefore to say that because the Covenants or Adminiâ—â—rationâ— are diverse one from another that therefore it must not be the same spirit but the one by the spirit of man the other the spirit of God and that the lightâ— is to be diverse the one from the other this is a false Testimony â—oâ—â—â—â— same spirit in which the Law was administred the first Covenant â—â— the same was the second administred which doth make perfect according to the conscience Now as all people is brought oâ—â— of their oâ—â— inventions and imaginations and from following their own spirits to own the light of Christ which hath enlightned them they shall know the diversities of Administrations and the diversity of opperations and yet but one Light and one Power and one Spirit and not as many lights as births nor as many spirits as opperations not every Administration to have a diverse light to accompany it for though there be that are called gods whether in heaven â—r in earth as there be gods many and lords many but to
or before they be counted worthy to cry Hosanna to the son of David or to bear a testimony to the Lords Christ For he will have none such to be his witnesses as deny his light which he hath enlightened every man withal For the true witnesses bear this testimony of Christ That he is the true light and is the light of the world which hath enlightened every man that cometh into the world that every man through him might belâ—eve and every one in whom this witnesse is found true is justified of God Another Accusation is against Richard Farnsworth for saying That Christ did break the Passeover with his Disciples and herein he is Charged to want Light or that the light in him was not sufficient in him to open this and that he did not discern between the Passeover and the Supper of the Lord And likewise is Accused for calling that a Shadow which the Scripture saith was but to shew the Lords death till he came Answ. To call the Supper the Passeover doth not demonstrate that he wants light neither that the light is insufficient for the Disciples called it the Passeover which they prepared for him and Christ called it the Passeover which he eat with his Disciples Mark 14. 12. 14. Matth. 26. 20 21 22. and that which they eat he broke but it doth not say That he broke his bones nor eat his bones yet he eat the Passeover with his Disciples And whereas he is accused for calling that a shadow and many now in imitation take bread and wine and call that the Lords Supper opposing those that are come to the substance and witness the substance eating that which is meat indeed and drinking that which is drink indeed But this man which doth oppose Richard Farnsworth and others in these things he haâ—h the least reason to mention this Supper or the breaking of Bread of any for others do call their breaking of bread and drinking of wine the Lords Supper because they practise it But this man doth neither practise that as the Lords Supper nor witness the substance so that this is the greatest hypocrisie To contend about that or to accuse others in denying of that which he himself denyes the practise of So that this accusers doctrine and accusations wants both light and reason Another Accusation is against these two Writers Richard Farnsworth and Francis Howgill as if they should be in an unreconciled Difference because the one hath affirmed That the light of Christ is sufficient to open all the Scriptures And the other saith Thou that tells of opening Chapters or Verses by meanings thou never heard a word of Christ Answ. These are not Differences for the light of Christ and mans meanings are contrary So for the one to say the light doth open and the other to say mans meanings doth not open this is not contrary So the confusion is turned again to the Accuser and doth not belong to these two Writers So the ignorance of this Accuser is to be taken notice of which would make people believe things that is not For if he write his Book for those that can neither read see nor hear his labour is in vain and if he write it to those that can read see hear and understand they will account it foolishness especially in this day when the light of life is broken forth among the children of men to give them an understanding according to truth for in this day he that keepeth silence is reputed wise and better is he that keepeth silence than he that speaks unless the spirit of the Lord give him utterance Another Accusation is against W. D. he speaking so such a one as is guided by the Lamb c. saying The light in thy Conscience the righteous law cryes through thy earthly heart and brings it into judgement c. And then speaking of the parable of the little leaven hid in three measures of meâ—l that it changeth the whole lump into the nature of it self so the little light that shines in thy dark heart is the powerful Word of Faith and that the light is the sure word of Prophesie whereunto ye do well to take heed until the day dawn and the day-star arise in your hearts And for these things he is Accused Answ. Those that are guided by the Lamb do witness that the â—ight the righteous law cryes through the earthly heart and brings it into judgement and will not accuse one for saying so and as for speaking of the little light as Christ spoke of the little leaven Was it no offence in the dayes of the son of man to preach that the kingdom of heaven was like unto a grain of mustard seed or like unto a little leaven And is it an offence now â—o preach the word of Faith to be as a little light or to preach the annointing to be as a little light in those in whom the light is little doth this also offend you What then if we should say That Christ is the light of life the son of righteousness and the glory and express figure of the Fathers substance in some and but as a little light oâ— day-star in others or in others as a light before the day-star arise in their hearts Is not the light great in some and little in others And is not Christ the same May that only be called Christ which takes away the sins And may not that also be called Christ which pierceth through the soul and revealeth the thoughts of many hearts Luke 2. 35. May he only be called Christ unto whom the Father hath given the Heathen for his inheritance and the utmost parts of the earth for his possession who reigneth and hath all his enemies under his feet and is not he the same as he is descended into the lower parts of the earth and which took upon him the form of a servant So therefore that none may err in their judgments concerning the testimony which is given of Christ and of his light his light is more or less according to his manifestation in every one there being given to every one a manifestation of the spirit to profit withal and every one is to be turned to the measure of their manifestation to know and witness Christ in it though in many it be but as a little light yet they are to be turned unto it while it is so which as it doth encrease and is enlarged it may be called or declared under another name than little as the kingdom of Heaven is not alwayes like unto a grain of mustard-seed nor as a little leaven but comes to rule in the children of men And whereas the Accuser replieth against the light and against Christ to be the word of Faith saying Christ is called the Word of God Rev. 19. 13. but not the Word of Faith and yet saith in page 45. That Christ is the Author and finisher of Faith Answ. If Christ be the Word of God and faith
no spirit of discerning in those he calls Quakers nor others but the eye of truth is not yet so blinde but we know an evening from a morning a night from a day and a lye from truth and we know also that the disciples had a measure of the spirit of truth while he was with them upon earth and this spirit did both comfort them and did carry them on in obedience to his will and in the power of this spirit went forth into the world and reproved the world of sin because they did not believe in Christ and the devils was subject unto them by the spirit of truth that was in them before Christ ascended and to this there is a Cloud of witnesses So that this from him filling his Book with such things as these is as if a man should fill a Baâ—n with Chaff instead of Corn and deceive others with selling iâ— for Corn Another contradiction of the same nature is this That the manifestation of the Spirit is given to no man for himself but to every man to profit withall to ediâ—ie and build up and do service in the body as an hand foot or eye or some other member of the body c. and to contradict this in the next words saith Not that the spirit or the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man i. e. to every individual person forasmuch as some men are sensual having not the spirit therefore no manifestation thereof pag. 17. Ans. This is like the former and so to be cast out with it for his distinction of words between every man and every individual person wil not cover him for where the Scripture saith every man without distinction that is every individual man and woman And the Apostle saith But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withall he doth not say not to every individual person And this also I say and affirm That to every man is given a manifestation of the spirit to profit withall and he that profits with it by it shall be justified and he that doth not profit with it by it shall be condemned because he is an unprofitable servant and this truth shall stand when all confusion shall have an end yet some are sensual having not the spirit Obj. Again in despising the testimony from the measure of the gift of the spirit of God when they have spoken according to the measure could not boast themselves above their measure but in their measure witnessing the work of God as it was fulfilled in them such he scornfully reproacheth saying What means those cracks and crannes in their knowledge knowing but in part there is no pieces nor parts nor measures nor degrees in absolute perfection but whosoever sayes he knows in part he is short of perfection and whosoever saith he knoweth perfectly he knows not how perfect his knowledge is and the first of these is called a vain man boasting of that which is not and of a false gift and is like clouds and winde without rain Ans. Herein is Pauls Doctrine as well as ours declared against to be but as cracks and crannes and a vain boasting of a false gift for Paul saith We dare not make our selves of the number or compare our selves with some that commend themselves but they measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves with themselves are not wise But we will not boast of things without our measure but according to the measure of the Rule which God hath distributed unto us a measure to reach even unto you for we stretch not our selves beyond our measure not boasting of things without our measure that is of other mens labours Now this measure of which he thus spoke was in Christ so in perfection and there is parts and degrees in Christ and so in absolute perfection for so far as every man is in the measure of the gift of God so far he is in Christ and so far his knowledge is perfect and abiding in this he abideth in that which is perfect and as he glories in this he gloryes in a true gift and none shall make this glorying void Obj. And whereas Iohn Iackson saith of those that say they have but attained in measure he calleth that the bleeting of the sheep and the lowing of the Oxen which declares plainly that they are not at home they are not in the City but have certain miles to travel before they arrive Ans. This is a false interptetation as I shall leave it unto all of understanding to judge for the bleeting of the Sheep and the lowing of the Oxen did signifie Sauls disobedience unto the commandment of God for which the Lord did reject him But when Paul said he knew in part and prophesied in part and would not boast above his measure this did not signifie his disobedience to the Lord but contrariwise his obedience and that he was in Christ Jesus so this was not as the bleeting of the Sheep and lowing of the Oxen neither did it shew that they were not in the City for Paul testifieth of the holy Brethren which he was a Minister unto That they were come unto Mount Sion and unto the City of the living God the heavenly Ierusalem and to an innumerable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the first-born which are written in heaven and tâ— God the Iudge of all and to the spirits of just men made perfect and to Iesus the Mediator of the new Covenant to the blood of sprinkling Now let him that have thus accused shew how many Miles these had to travel before they came to the City whether was any parts measures or degrees in these or whether there was absolute perfection without any measure or degrees of it and whether Paul was not come so far as these unto whom he preached wisdom even among those that were perfect and might he not in that estate say that he would not stretch himself beyond his measure But this I say None are true witnesses of perfection but those who know their measure and abide in it and likewise those that call the witnessing of the truth in a measure of the spirit the bleeting of the Sheep or the lowing of the Oxen such never knew perfection neither yet presseth after it but would keep all others from it by despiteful terms against the measure of the spirit which leadeth unto it But the day is come and the light is risen which hath found out and discovered all the cunning craftinesse of men in which they go about to deceive the hearts of the simple and beguile unstable souls but the elect Seed is risen which it is impossible to deceive for it is not the Scripture-words which men may take and speak in the hypocrisie which can darken our knowledg noâ— any way hinder the testimony of truth in those which have received it in the power of God only with such things the blind may lead
the blind and with such things they may strive to keepe others out of the kingdom which have not tasted of the good word of God neither are brought to know a measure of God in themselves whereunto to be obedient but I see the Lord is opening a way for such to come out of the pits which they have been led into in opening their eyes and letting them see that their Watchmen is blind and that understanding is departed from them even from their Leaders and the counsels of God is departed even from the ancient and the people is even like to perish for want of vision because they have not seen for themselves but their Teachers have seen for them vain visions and lying divinations and prophesied lyes causing the ignorant to believe them but the Lords hand is stretched out against such and is stretched out to gather his own Seed from such to bring them into the fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom and into the knowledge of the holy which is understanding Prov. 9. 10. which understanding is a Well-spring of life Another seeming strength risen up against us is the conceit of the discovery of a schism in the body as if the Band or Girdle which bound up the body were broken and as if there were now a character brought forth amongst us shewing a variety of persons doctrines and practices and as if the testimony of our being of the body of Christ from the unity in the body were ceased and as if the Heads were divided and aâ— for proof instances G. F. to I. N. I N. to G. F. I. B. to I. N. and as if it were not person but party which some wonder at admiring and waiting to see the Lords counsel and pleasure in it Ans. All those that wait to see the Lords counsel and pleasure and his wisdom in this thing shall see it and be satisfied and it will for the time to come be more for the confounding of those that watch for iniquity then any way for confirming them in iniquity and by that which God hath done and is doing shall the Girdle and Band of our love be made stronger and in this shall the sight of our enemies fail and become blindnesse for their thoughts is not as Gods thoughts in these things neither their eye as his eye for he saw a better thing for us in these things then they have imagined for that which they thought wrought for evil hath wrought together for good unto those that stand in Gods counsel who always waits to see those works which stands in his wisdom contrary to mans reason for that which they thought did break that hath bound and that which they thought did separate that hath united together so that there is not a difference nor dividing of Heads not in persons nor in parties nor in doctrines nor in practices but the same unity in the body in the faith in the seed in the covenant in one heart and one soul one way and worship of God in the spirit is now as much or more then ever before witnessed so that God hath cut off occasion from those that seek occasion and hath taken away the corner-stone that the wicked thought to build upon and hereby hath God tryed and discovered and brought to light that which lay in the bottom of the deepest pits for God hath brought in this his day many things forth to try and prove those who said they were his people and those that a few dayes since seemed to be like Lambs do now manifest themselves to be in the nature of Lyons and ravening Wolves and those that pretend to wait for the coming of Christ in power and had the Name of Seekers they are now found to reject his coming and to be such as watch for iniquity in those among whom Christ is come and now they are turned backward and now drink up that which they had vomited up for now if they could but finde any iniquity among such as God hath made known the glory of his power among or if they can but suppose or imagine any such thing from false conceptions and conclusions this would be a sufficient ground to them to print a Book upon and publish it abroad and but that the Lord hath been on our sides well may we say when all sorts of men and religions hath risen up against us by their violence had we been consumed for the powers of darknesse and all the divers worships of the Beast are now more joyned together then ever and the deepest subtilty of the Serpent is now at work in his members to devise wayes and change the Laws and times whereby the spirit might be quenched which God hath raised up in his children whereby a mighty cry is gone forth through the Nations against the mystery of iniquity where it worketh both in the root and the branches of it and now is the burden of the Beasts of the South felt as truly as in the Prophets dayes Isa. 30. 6. from whence cometh the young and old Lyon the Viper and fiery flying Serpent and now doth the mighty and terrible cry of the spirit of the Lord go forth to the men of this generation as it went forth before time to the Aegyptians concerning this which the Lord hath wrought your strength is to stand still and if this counsel of the Lord be by you received you shall know more of the wayes and workings of the Lord with his children and that all things which the Lord hath done is for the furtherance of the Gospel and that those which are approved may be made manifest what a strong ground of occasion would the envious one have thought he had if he had come among the babes in Christ who were met together at Corinth hearing Paul say that there was divisions among them and said that there must be heresies among them that they which are approved may be made manifest 1 Cor. 18. 19. and this was no character that God had broken them without hands noâ— that he had made their profession of unity of no force but through this manifestation he did work schism out of the body that so there should be no Schism Rent Heresie nor any such thing in the body and this thing was not that the enemies of God might glory against the truth and if any labour to seek occasion against the holy Brethren and say they are divided into Heads because two eminent men of them withstood one another as concerning eating with the Gentiles viz. Paul and Peter to such I say he that gathered at first into unity is the Healer and Repairer of such breaches and they may professe and witnesse as much unity after this as ever before And thâ—se three which the envious one hath mentioned to be at difference in Doctrine and practice viz. G. F. J N. and J. B. the unity in the life and power of God in them and in their Doctrine and