to God for evermore Amen Qu. 16. Whether it be lawful now in these Gospel times for the Civil Magistrates to punish Offenders by the Sword Answ We do believe that it is lawful in these Gospel times for the Civil Magistrate to punish Evil-doers whith the Sword of Justice for the Law was added because of Transgressions and this is according to the Apostle's Testimony for he saith If thou do that which is Evil be affraid for he beareth not the Sword in vain Rom. 13. 4. And we do believe that while Wickedness doth remain that there will be need of the Civil Magistrate and Outward Law for to keep People from abusing of one another Qu. 17. Whether the waging of Wars may on any Account be Lawful Answ Yea on a Spiritual Account Not otherwise unless as a fore Judgment from God Antiquery 1. Is it lawful for Christ's Ministers to Preach up Wars Fighting and Bloodshed now in the Gospel day 2. Is it suitable for Christ's Lambs and Ministers whose Weapons are not Carnal but Spiritual 3. Is it agreeable to Christ's Ministry Kingdom and Coming which was not to destroy but save mens Lives 4. Does not Christ's coming and Kingdom put an End to Wars The Apostle James tells us Wars and Contentions arise from mens Lusts Paul saying The Weapons of our Warfare are not not Carnal but Spiritual and mighty through God to the pulling down the strong Holds of Sin 2 Cor. 10. 4. bringing down every high Thought and Imagination that is exalted against the knowledge of God Qu. 18. Whether daily Family-Prayer be not a Duty Answ We are exhorted to Pray always with all manner of Prayer and Supplication in the Spirit And it is also said I will therefore that men Pray every where lifting up Holy Hands without wrath and doubting 1 Tim. 2. 8. But the long Prayers of the Pharisees were not accepted of the Lord whose Hands and Hearts were not Holy but they were Envious against Christ and doubting whether he was the Christ or not as thou seemest to be at this day what the Light is which comes from him with which every man is lightned that comes into the World but Praying with the Spirit and with Vnderstanding we own 1 Cor. 13. 15. Jude vers 20. But ye beloved edifie your selves in your most holy Faith Praying in the Holy Ghost this is acceptable to the Lord Jam. 5. 16. The Prayer of the Righteous Man availeth much if it be fervent And as it is Men and Womens duty to love and serve the Lord their God so it is their Duties also if they have any Children to watch over them for their good and to be good Examples of Piety unto them and to keep them out of the Vain Customs and Fashions Words and Actions Pride and Foolish Talking that is in the World And indeed the Wise man's Counsel ought to be taken here for he saith Train up a Child in the Way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it Prov. 22. 26. And they that have Servants ought to watch over them for Good and to Advise them to that which is Good And thus is the true daily Family-Duty performed Qu. 19. Whether Water-Baptism ought not to be Practised and Administred new as well as of Old Answ No because their appears not the same or the like Call from Heaven for it as John had Antiquery 1. Whom does the Queriest intend as the subjects of Water-Baptism in â—nfants or Believers 2. if Infants by what Scripture If Believers how proves he his Commission from Heaven Produce us one Scripture which warrants your Practice to be as of Old that is the sprinking Water on a Child's Face and calling it an Ordinance of Christ and that by which the Child is Regenerated and Born again Prove this to us by Scripture If Joseph Hallett intends by his Baptism the Sprinkling of Infants as I believe he doth because he is such a one as useth it Then we say that they that practice it hath neither Command nor Example for it from Christ nor his Apostles for there is not one Text of Scripture to prove that Christ Commanded it or that his Apostles practised it and therefore it is but an old Popish Ceremony But as for John's Baptism it was unto Repentance and he baptized such as were capable of Repenting and of confessing their Sins for he begins his Dnctrine on this wise Repent ye for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand And it is said Then went out to him Jerusalem and all Judea and all the Region-round about Jordan and were baptized of him in Jordan confessing their Sins But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Saduces come to his Baptism he calls them Generation of Vipers and he bids them bring forth Fruits meet for Repentance And he further saith I indeed baptize you with Water unto Repentance but he that cometh after me is mightier than I whose Shoes I am not worthy to bear he shall Baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with Fire whose Fan is in his Hand and he will throughly purge his Floor and gather his Wheat into the Garner but he will burn up the Chaff with unquenchable Fire Then cometh Jesus unto John to be baptized of him but John forbid him saying I have need to be baptized of thee Matth. 3. 2 5 6 7 8 11 12 13 14. Mark John said unto Christ I have need to be Baptized of thee And now this is certain that every Man and Woman have need to be Baptized of Christ and with his Baptism which is with the holy Ghost and with Fire for he throughly purgeth his Floor he throughly purges the Souls of Men and Women from Sin fits them for God's Kingdom And this is the one Baptism which the Apostle Paul spake of Ephes 4. 5. the which is necessary unto Salvation and without this Baptism people cannot be saved nor yet enter God's Kingdom for there is nothing that 's unclean shall enter Gods Kingdom for it is written That he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved Mark 16. 16. And this is the Baptism that the Apostle Peter spake of when he said Baptism doth now save us not the putting away of the Filth of the Flesh but the Answer of a Good Conscience towards God 1 Pet. 3. 21. Now as there is but One Lord unto us nor yet but one Faith that is saving so there is but one Baptism that is necessary unto Salvation for John he was a fore-runner of Christ and he bore Testimony of him that so people might believe in him to wit Christ for John said I am the Voice of one crying in the Wilderness make straight the Way of the Lord John 1. 23. And John speaking of Jesus Christ further said He must increase but I must decrease Chap. 3. 30. And Christ speaking unto his Disciples said John truly baptized with Water but ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost not many
days hence Acts 1. 5. And we do believe that this Baptism is alone needful unto Salvation to wit the Baptism of the Holy Ghost seeing the Baptism is but one that is necessary as is proved before And this is the Baptism that the Apostle Paul spake of when he said By one Spirit are we all Baptized in to one Body 1 Cor. 12. 13. Mark Christ said Ye shall be Baptized with the Holy Ghost And the Apostle Paul said By one Spirit are we all Baptized Now this was no Water-Baptism for it was done by the Spirit of God and not with Water by Man And the Apostle further said As many of you as have been Baptized unto Christ have put on Christ Gal. 3. 27. Now they that have put on Christ are in Christ And if any Man be in Christ he is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. And now that which we do desire of People every where is that they will turn in their minds unto the gift of Gods Spirit in their own Hearts and wait to be made a new by it Qu. 20. Whether the Lord's Supper as to its Administration and Participation be not a Duty still incumbent upon Christians in these Days that is whether Persons ought not to take Real Bread and eat it and Real Wine and drink it in Remembrance of the Death of Christ Jesus Answ Not incumbent in the Type or Figure but in the Substance or Antitype Antiquery 1. Where proves the Queriest that the Lord's Supper in this Gospel-day consists of eating outward Bread or drinking outward Wine 2. What was really the Lords Supper in the Figure and what in the Substance or Mystery 3. Were not the outward Bread and Cup typical or figurative of the Spiritual Meat and Drink 4. What Commemoration of him or his Death by outward Sign is comparable to his own inward Spiritual coming and appearance See the first Epistle of John Chap 5. 20 But we know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an Vnderstanding to know him that is true and we are in him that is true This is the true God and Eternal Life and we are Witnesses of his Second coming without Sin unto Salvation and we eat his Flesh and drink his Blood by which we have Life John 6. 56 57 As the living Father hath sent me and I live by the Father so he that eateth me shall live by me But the Jews it is said strove among themselves saying How can this man give us his Flesh to eat The Apostle Paul tells us There were them that did eat and drink unworthily not discerning the Lord's Body and what that Body was some did eat Must not the Lord's Body be discerned by true Believers Rev. 3. 20. Christ saith Behold I stand at the Door and knock if any one hear my Voice and open the Door I will come in to him and Sup with him and he with me And this Supper is not outward And the Lord said by his Prophet He would make unto all People in his holy Mountain a Feast of fat things And the Apostle Paul saith in Cor. 10. 14 15 16 17. Wherefore my dearly Beloved flee from Idolatry I speak as to Wise men judge ye what I say The Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the Blood of Christ The Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the Body of Christ For we being many are one Bread and one Body For we are partakers of that one Bread and the Bread of God is he that comes down from Heaven and gives Life to the World This was the Saints Food in all Ages But of this Spiritual Food and Communion thâ—u art ignorant who art ignorant of the Light in which the Saints fellowship was and is and such as walk in it have and do know the Blood of Christ cleansing them from all Sin so that the Substance being witnessed to such here is no need of outward Signs to put them in Remembrance and this the Apostle Paul laboured to know the Power of his Death and the Vertue of his Resurrection Qu. 21. Whether any of the Sons or Daughters of Adam are able to attain to a Sinless Perfection in this Life Answ Yea by the Power of Christ and not of themselves The Work of the Ministry is for the perfecting of the Saints Ephes 4. 11 12 13. And although we say as the Scriptures testifie It is attainable yet not without great Diligence and Watchfulness to the Power of God And the Apostle Peter 1 Pet. 1. 3 4 writing to the Saints saith Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ which according to his abundant Mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the Dead to an Inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that fadeth not away reserved in Heaven for you who are kept by the Power of God through Faith unto Salvation which is prepared to be shewed in the last Times The Power of God is greater to keep out of Sin then the power of Satan to lead into Sin So said Christ Greater is he that is in you then he that is in the World But this Perfection spoken of admits of degrees and a growth as a Child when born if compleat in all its Parts and Members is said to be a perfect Child so it is in the new Birth he that is born of the Spirit and lives up to the Manifestations of it may be said to be perfect in kind and yet there may be a growth still John writes to Little Children whose Sins were forgiven them for his Names sake as also he writes to Young Men because they had overcome the Wicked One and to Fathers because they had know him that was from the beginning And the Apostle preacht Wisdom among them that are perfect but not the Wisdom of this World which denyeth it But God Christ and the Apostles exhort unto it Job was said to be a perfect man And Paul was crucified to the World and the World to him and Christ lived in him And the Life saith he I now live is by the Faith of the Son of God who loved me and gave himself for me And he had faught a good Fight finished his Course and kept the Faith Henceforth there is laid up for me said he a Crown of Righteousness Qu. 22. Whether the Quakers expect to be saved with a Christ within them or a Christ without them Answ This is an Unlearned and Unscriptural Question They profess not two Christs but the one very Christ of God within them and without them according to holy Scriptures That Christ we expect Salvation by is both within and without as hath been sufficiently expressed how he suffered for Sin the Just for the Unjust and he died and rose again that he might be Lord of quick and dead and that those that live might not live unto themselve but unto him that died for them
and manifest God's forbearance in order to reconcile Mankind and obtain Redemption for all 6. And did not Christ dye for all Men tasted Death for every Man Qu. 9. Whether Christ has not a Body in Heaven now And whether he continues not to be a Man as well as God still Answ Yea to both we do believe that Christ has a Body and that he is in Heaven and that he continues to be the Heavenly Man as well as God still Glorified with the same Glory that he had with the Father before the World was according as he Prayed John 17. 5. Qu. 10. Whether Christ doth not now Intercede with the Father for Holy Souls in Heaven And if so what this Intercession is Answ This Query appears Unlearned and Unscriptural where does the Scripture say that Christ doth now Intercede for Holy Souls in Heaven and for what end Though he be in Heaven Intercessor and Mediator for Mankind or Souls on Earth Now this we do believe that there is one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus for the Apostle speaking concerning Christ saith He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him seeing he ever Liveth to make Intercession for them Heb. 7. 25. Christ doth not only make Intercession for Sinners that their Sins may be forgiven them but for them also that are delivered from Sin that they may be preserved out of Sin and that they may be where he is as is evident from Christ's Words for he saith I pray not that thou shouldâ—st take them out of the World but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil And he farther saith Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me John 17. 15. 24. And this is the Intercession which Christ makes for his People which is according to the Will of God Qu. 11. Whether Christ will not at the last Day at the Dissolution of the World come to Judge the whole World appearing in his Manhood pronouncing the Wicked Accursed and the Holy Blessed Answ The Lord Jesus Christ will Judge the World in Righteousness and reward every Man according to his Works the Wicked Accursed the Righteous Blessed Acts 10. 42. He commanded us to wit Christ to testifie that it was He that was Ordained of God to be Judge both of Quick and Dead because he hath appointed a Day in which he will Judge the World in Righteousness by that Man of which he hath given Assurance to all Men in that he hath raised him from the Dead See Acts the 17. and 31. And we have this Assurance and do believe that at the last Day the Man Christ shall come in his Glory to Judge all People according to his own Testimony for he saith When the Son of Man shall come in his Glory and all the holy Angels with him Then shall he set upon the Throne of his Glory and before him shall be Gathered all Nations and he shall Separate them one from another as a Shepherd divideth his Sheep from the Goates and he shall set the Sheep on his Right hand but the Goates on the Left Then shall the King say unto them on his Right Hand Come ye Blessed of my Father Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the Foundation of the World And then shall he say also unto them on the Left Hand Depart from me ye Cursed into Everlasting Fire prepared for the Devil and his Angels Matth. 25. 31 32 33 34 41. Qu. 12. Whether the Rule according to which the Judge will proceed in Judging of Persons at that Day will be the Light within or the Gospel of Christ Answ This Query is unlearned and unscriptural the Gospel of Christ and his Light within are inseparable and not divided According to which Gospel and Light he will Judge the Secrets of Men yea the whole World in Righteousness The Gospel of Christ thou seemest to be Ignorant of who art Ignorant of the Light and Spirit of which Paul said he was made an able Minister not of the Letter but of the Spirit which gives Life And the Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation and Life and Immortality is brought to Light by the Gospel and we who have received it can Bles the Lord for it And Christ saith This is the Condemnation of the World that Light is come into the World But Men Love Darkness rather then Light because their deeds are Evil. Qu. 13. Whether now in the times of the Gospel there ought not to be a Mininistry that is whether some particular Persons ought not to be appointed and set apart solemnly for the Preaching of the Gospel and the Administration of Baptisme and the Lord's Supper And whether such Ministers ought not to have an Allowed Maintenance from the People Ans Here are several Questions in cluded in this Query To the first Yea there is and Ought to be a Gospel Ministry in this Gospel-Day 2. Such Ministry as is appointed and called by Christ 3. To Preach the Gospel 4. Such a Ministry may be without having a Commission to Baptize with Water any more then Paul had 5. Not Commissionated to Administer the Lords Supper in the Sign and Figure but to turn People to Christ Jesus that he may Administer it in the Substance that is the Bread of Life and Cup of Blessing at his Table in his Kingdom which is the Substance 6. Such Ministers Preach the Gospel freely not for either set or forced Maintenance and yet to have their necessities freely relieved when in Want Ministers of Christ we own that Turn People from Darkness to Light and from Satans Power to the Power of God which is the Gospel and none can preach the Doctrine of Faith Grace Conversion and Spirit truly without the Light of Christ which shineth in the Heart and giveth the knowledge of them and the true Ministers and Gospel they received was not of man nor by man but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ They received it freely and preach'd it freely We do not read that they agreed with any People for a settle'd Maintenance as is now practiced and they were careful not to make the Gospel chargeable to any and wrought with their Hands many times to avoid it a thing you were never brought up unto neither did they make a Merchandize of the Word as many of you do of their Words So you may see what Ministers such are who are seeking their Gain from their Quarter Qu. 14. Whether it be lawful now in these Gospel-times for Women to Speak or Preach in publick Assemblies for the publick Instruction of others Answ Yea for Women divinely Inspired when called thereunto and we do believe that it is as Lawful now for Women to Preach as it was in former Ages there were Prophetesses both in the time of the Law and Prophets and in the Apostles dayes for
there was Miriam the Prophetess the Sister of Aaron Exod. 15. 20. And there was Deborah a Prophetess the Wife of Lapidoth she judged Israel Judg. 4. 4. And the good King Josiah sent unto Huldah the Prophetess the Wife of Shalum to inquire of the Lord for him and the People 2 Kings 22. 13 14. And there was the Prophetess Noadiah Nehem. 6. 14. And the Lord spake by his Prophet Joel and said I will pour out my Spirit upon all Flesh and your Sons and your Daughters shall Prophesie Joel 2. 28. Mark Sons and Daughters shall prophesie And in Christ's Days there was one Ama a Prophetess Luk 2. 36. And the Woman of Samaria was a publick Preacher for when she had received some understanding of Christ she went her way into the Ciâ—y and saith unto the Men Come see a Man which told me all things that ever I did is not this the Christ Then they went out of the City and came 〈…〉 Iob â—4 28 30. Now observe this Woman laboured to bring People unto Christ and many believed her Testimony and came unto him And now we may say that the Work of the Gospel-Ministers is to bring People unto Christ And again we may see that Jesus Christ was pleased to make use of a Woman Mary Magdalen first to preach his Resurrection for he said unto her Go to my Brethren and say unto them I ascend unto my Father and your Father and to my God and your God And Mary Magdalen went and told the Disciples that she had seen the Lord and that he had spoken these things unto her John 20. 17 18. Mark Christ sent this Woman to declare these things unto his Disciples and the Apostle Paul was so far from denying Womens Praying or Prophecying that he signifies how they ought to Pray or Prophecy for he saith Every Woman that Prayeth or Prophesieth with her Head uncovered dishonoureth her Head 1 Cor. 11. 15. And Philip had four Daughters Virgins which did Prophesie Acts 21. 8 9. And the Apostle writing to the Phillipians saith I intreat thee also true Yoke-fellow help those Women which laboured with me in the Gospel Phil. 4. 3. Mark those Women laboured with him in the Gospel But now if any should say that Prophecying is not Preaching we shall answer thus That the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophesie Rev. 19. 10. Qu. 15. What Warrant the People called Quakers have in the Scriptures for their Silent Meetings Answ The same they have for waiting on God until indued with Power from on High and until required of him to Speak or Preach and in the mean time to be silent at the presence of God Yet we limit not our Meetings before-hand to Silence or Preaching but submit them to what God shall require We do greatly admire the Ignorance of many People professing themselves Christians and Ministers of Christ for the Prophecy of the Prophet it is on this wise All thy Children shall be Taught of the Lord and great shall be the Peace of thy Children Isa 54. 13. And again it is said I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit Chap. 48. 17. And the Prophet farther said Yet shall not thy Teacher be removed into a Corner any more but thine Eyes shall see thy Teacher and thine Ears shall hear a Word behind thee saying This is the Way walk ye in it when ye turn to the Right Hand and when ye turn to the Left Chap. 30. 20 21. And now we do desire all People to consider how it is that the Lord doth teach his People himself if not by his Spirit And if by his Spirit then where And how must People be taught by him if not in the secret of their own Hearts and in the stillness and quietness of their Minds for David saith Wait on the Lord be of good Courage and he shall strengthen thine Heart Psal 27. 14. And again he saith Rest in the Lord and wait patiently for him Chap. 37. 7. And the Wise man saith Wait on the Lord and he shall save thee Prov. 20. 22. And Isaiah saith That they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength they shall mount up with Wings as Eagles they shall run and not be weary and they shall walk and not faint Isa 40. 31. And many other places might be Instanced And now how must People wait upon the Lord if not in Silence for Solomon saith That there is a Time to keep Silent and a Time to Speak Eccles 3. 7. Now it were well if all did know this time to keep silent and so wait upon the Lord in Silence for the Lord speaking by the Prophet Isaiah saith Keep Silence before me O Islands and let the People Renew their Strength Isa 41. 1. And again it is written The Lord is in his holy Temple let all the Earth keep Silence before him Hab. 2. 20. And it is farther written Be Silent O all Flesh be fore the Lord for he is raised up out of his Holy Habitation Zach. 2. 13. So now all Flesh ought to keep Silent before the Lord and wait upon him for the Teaching of his holy Spirit in their own Hearts that so they may come to know God and his Mind and Will for we live in the New Covenant Dispensation spoken of in Jer. 31. 31 32 33 34. Heb. 8. 8 9 10 11. where the Lord saith They shall teach no more every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them saith the Lord. And now we say it is good for all to be inwardly gathered and wait in Silence for the Teachings of the Lord for there his Appearance is according to the Apostle's Testimony for he saith That which may be known of God is manifest within Rom. 1. 19. And the same Apostle saith That the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men teaching us that denying Vngodliness and Worldly Lust we should live Soberly Righteously and Godly in this present World Tit. 2. 11 12. Mark the Grace of God was the Apostle's Teacher And now forasmuch as that Grace that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men we would have all to mind the Teachings of it And the Apostle John saith The Anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same Anointing teacheth you of all things and is Truth and is no Lye 1 John 2. 27. Mark John saith that the Anointing abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you Well then as People meet together in true Silence in the stillness and quietness of there Minds to wait upon the Lord although there may be no Words spoken as outwardly yet there is a sufficient Teacher near unto them to teach them the Way of the Lord that so they may find Peace and Acceptance with him Glory be
and rose again for their Justification And it is Christ that died or rather that is risen again and because he lives we live also And God hath chosen us to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth 2 Thes 2. 13. And is not this Work to be known within of the Spirit and Faith of Christ read Rom. 10 6 7 8 9 10. But thou dost not seem to love to hear of Christ and his Light within which Paul preached and said Know you not that Christ is in you except you be Reprobates This was the Mystery hid from Ages and Generations Christ within the Hope of Glory Qu. 23. Whether the way of serving of God that the Quakers use be the Way to Heaven And if it be the Way whether it be the only Way Answ The Way we profess and own is the Way to Heaven which is Christ the Way the Truth and the Life in whom our acceptance is Neither is there Salvation by any other Name And the Worship which he set up we practise which is in Spirit and Truth and that this is the right Way and the true Worship yea the only way to Heaven we have great assurance the Lord manifesting his presence in the midst of us which is his Seal of approbation and we have known and do know an Overcoming and Victory over the World by our Faith which stands in the Power of God which Paul exhorted the Believers unto that their Faith might not stand in the Wisdom of Words but in the Power of God and God is the Author and Finisher of our Faith and the Day of God's Power is known which hath made us a willing People and for the Word of our Testimony we have not neither do we love our Lives to the Death but far be it from us to limit the Holy One for in every Nation he that fears God and works Righteousness is accepted of him But can a man be said truly to fear God and work Righteousness without having regard to this inward Law by which the Gentiles are said to have attained to the Righteousness which is of Faith and they doing the things contained in the Law shewed the Effect of the Law written in their Hearts their Consciences also bearing Witness and their Thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another At the Day saith Paul when God shall Judg the Secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel Rom. 2. 15 16. This was the Gospel that great Apostle to the Gentiles preached the Law in the Heart the New Covenant Jer. 31. 32. Heb. 8. 9 10. This is the Covenant I will make with the House of Israel after those days I will put my Laws into their Minds and in their Hearts will I write them and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a People and they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for all shall know me from the least to the greatest So that we believe as the Scripture testifies God hath been always good to such as are of an Upright Heart though under various Professions and Ministrations and of this some have had experience before the Way of Truth was clearly made known to us as hath been since made manifest through the refreshment from the presence of the Father And our desire is for thee and for all Men that you would receive him that is Christ in his Light with which he hath lightned you and all men and thereby you will receive Power to become the Sons of God And take heed of grieving the good Spirit of God as the Apostle Exhorts Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed unto the Day of Redemption And this I say farther take heed of Opposing this Work for it is of God and shall stand Goa's Foundation stands sure 1 Peter 2. 6. Wherefore it is contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in Sion a Chief Corner-Stone Elect Precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded unto you therefore that believe he is pretious but unto them which are disobedient the Stone which the Builders Disallowed the same is made the Head of the Corner and a Stone of Stumbling and a Rock of Offence even to them that Stumble at the Word being disobedient Mark such as Stumble at the Word he is a Stone of Stumbling unto them And the Word is near in the Mouth and in the Heart This is the Word of Faith which we Preach Rom. 10. 8. Having Answered thy Three and Twenty Questions by Scripture-proofs we proceed to Answer the other four put forth by Thee Qu. 1. Whether when a Man at any time Speaks to a single Person it be unlawful for him to use the Word You Ans It seems thou art offended at the Word Thee and Thou but was it not the Language of Christ and the Holy Men of God both to Superiour and Inferiour as is sufficiently Manifested in the Scripture And it seems strange that thou or any Man Learned in the Tongues should put forth such a Question knowing there is to be an Agreement in the number both in Hebrew Greek and Latin as our Translation makes apparent and why are Children taught Singular and Plural Number by the Grammer Rules but that it is absolutely necessary in the Latin Tongue as well as in other Tongues and without it thou knowest cannot be true so the Word You to one is improper it is as proper for a Man to use the Word Thee unto a Thousand Men as it is for him to use the Word You unto One for Thou is in the Singular Number but You is in the Plural So that for to use the Word You unto One it is nonsence For One is but one and the Word You signifies to more then one and it is also contrary unto the Holy Scriptures of Truth to use the Word You unto one and therefore it is unlawful for Christ said Thou unto Peter and Peter said Thou unto Christ several times in the 21. Chap. of John and it s the common Language throughout all the Scriptures of Truth to use the Word Thee or Thou unto one and we desire all People to take notice of it for the Lord used to Speak the Word Thee or Thou when he Spake unto any particular of his People and his People used to speak Thee or Thou unto the Lord and one unto another And People do use the Word Thee and Thou unto the Lord in their Prayers and we do greatly admire that People should count that Language which they give unto the Lord is not good enough for themselves For some have been very angry with us when we have used the simple proper Language as the Word Thee or Thou unto one O blush and be ye ashamed and bow before the Lord all ye proud ones that think scorn to receive that Language unto your selves that you give
unto the Lord God that Created you for a purpose of his own Glory that you should reverance his great Name and dread before him And indeed we do Account it a great point of Ignorance in Joseph Hallett or any other Man to Question such a thing and we may to such as Christ Jesus our Lord said unto some in former Ages Ye do Err not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God Matth. 22. 29. Qu. 2. Whether a Person putting off his Hatt to a Friend he meets in the Streets be a thing forbidden by the Scriptures of Truth Ans Vain customs are forbiden and Respect of Persons James 2. 1. My Brethren saith he Have not the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ the Lord of Glory with respect of Persons And is not this respect of Persons used and practised among you at this Day which the Apostle James forbids saying in the 9th Verse of the chap. He that respects Persons commits Sin and is rebuked of the Law as a Transgressor for whosoever shall keep the whole Law and faileth in one point is Guilty of all It seems thou wouldst have the honour and Respect kept up Pharisee like which Christ forbad and cryed Wo against And Christ said How can you believe that seek Honour one of another and seek not the Honour that comes from God only Qu. 3. Whether it be a thing Unlawful for any Man for the Confirmation of a matter of fact to Swear before the Civil Magistrate Ans Christ's Law and Doctrine does not Warrant but prohibits it Matt. 5. 34. James 1. 5. 12. We do believe that it is altogether Unlawful and a breach of the Command of Christ for such are true Christians followers of Christ and obeyers of him to Swear at all either for the confirmation of a matter of fact or other ways For Christ Jesus said unto his Followers Ye have heard that it hath been said by them of Old Time Thou shall not Forswear they self but shall perform unto the Lord thine Oaths but I say un-you Swear not at all Mark Swear not at all neither by Heaven for it is God's Throne nor by the Earth for it is his Foot-Stool neither by Jerusalem for it is the City of the Great King neither shalt thou Swear by thine Head because thou caust not make one hair White or Black And he farther said But let your Communication be Yea Yea Nay Nay for whatsoever is more then these cometh of evil Matt. 5. 33 34 35 36 37. Mark Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour saith Swear not at all Now here Christ forbids all Swearing for Swear not at all is a full prohibition And James a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ said Above all things my Brethren Swear not Neither by Heaven neither by the Earth neither by any other Oath But let your Yea be Yea and your Nay Nay least you fall into condemnation Chap. 5. 12. And now we desire all People every were where these Lines may come to take the Advice of Jesus Christ and of James his servant and Swear not at all Qu. 4. Whether it be Lawful for a Man to Endeavour to furnish himself with Humane Learning Ans Yea so as he use Humane Learning in it's place 'T is Lawful to Acquire Humane Learning but not to Idolize or use it Unlawfully But if Joseph Hallett Intends for a Man to furnish himself with Humane Learning in order to make him a Minister of Christ then we Answer thus Learning is good in its place but not to be the motive cause of making Men Ministers for that is the Lord's Work and he maketh Ministers of whom it pleaseth him whether Poor or Rich Learned or Unlearned for what Learning had Jeremiah for he said Ah! Lord God behold I cannot speak for I am a Child But the Lord said unto him Say not I am Child for thou shallt go to all that I shall send Thee and whatsoever I command Thee Thou shalt speak And he farther said Be not afraid of their Faces for I am with Thee to deliver Thee saith the Lord. And Jeremiah saith Then the Lord put forth his Hand and touched my Mouth And the Lord said unto me Behold I have put my Words in thy Mouth Chap. 1. 6 7 8 9. Now here we may see that the Lord was both the Sender and Teacher of Jeremiah And what Learning had Amos and how was he sent for he said I was no Prophet neither was I a Prophets Son but I was an Herds-Man and a Gatherer of Secomore-Fruit And he farther said The Lord took me as I followed the Flock Mark and not from Schools of Learning but as I followed the Flock And he also said the Lord said unto me Go Prophesie unto my People of Israel Chap. 7. 14 15. And what Learning had them that Christ called unto the Work of the Ministry Peter Andrew James and John Fisher-Men Matth. 4. 18. 21. And we may see that the Pharisees reflected upon Christ because he was pleased to make use of mean Instruments For they said Have any of the Rulers or of the Pharisees Believed on him But this People who know not the Law are Cursed John 7. 48 49. And it is Written in Acts 4. 13. That when they saw the boldness of Peter and John and perceived that they were Vnlearned and Ignorant Men they marvelled and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus Now here we may see that although Peter and John were Ignorant and Unlearned Men as to Humane Learning Yet they were bold and Valiant for the Truth And this is according to the promise of Christ For he said I will give you a Mouth and Wisdom which all your Adversaries shall not be able to gain-say nor resist Luke 21. 15. And the Apostle Paul said unto the Corinthians And I Brethren when I came to you came not with Excellency of Speech or of Wisdom declaring unto you the Testimony of God And farther he said I was with you in Weakness and in Fear and in much Trembling and my Speech and my Preaching was not with Enticing Words of Mens wisdom but in demonstration of the Spirit and of Power that your Faith should not stand in the Wisdom of Men but in the Power of God 1 Cor. 2. 1 3 4 5. And in the foregoing Chap. the Apostle Speaks much of such things of which we shall Insert one Verse 21. where he saith The World by Wisdom knew not God in the Wisdom of God it pleased God by the Foolishness of Preaching to save them that believe The Apostles did not boast of other Mens Labours or of other Mens Lines of things made ready to their Hands but they Laboured in the Spirit and Power of God and their Glorying was in him 2 Cor. 10 15 16 17. And now we do desire all to seek after that Wisdom which is from above that the Lord by his Spirit is the Teacher of which is first
Pure then Peaceable Gentle and Easie to be Intreated full of Mercy and good Fruits without Partiality and without Hypocrisie James 3. 17. And now whereas thou dost Intreat those that shall Answer these or the former Questions to prove their Opinions as they deliver them so Accordingly it is done And by these foregoing Answers thou mayst know what Ground and Foundation we have for what we hold If thou canst but see with the Spiritual Eye that God is the opener of And whereas thou sayest The great God by his Holy Spirit lead you into all Truth and deliver you from all Error We say this is that which our Souls desire and we should be glad if thou wast but as mindful of the Leadings of God's Spirit in thy own Heart as thou hast been in putting of us in Remembrance of it for then thou wouldest not be such a great Stranger unto the Right Way of the Lord as now thou appearest to be And therefore we do desire all that may Read or hear these Lines to be mindful of the Leadings of Gods Spirit in your own Hearts to wit the Spirit of Truth which Guideth into all Truth John 16. 13. Exon the 8th Month 1691. John Gannacliff Joseph Nott. Now having Answered Joseph Hallett's Twenty Seven Queries we shall propound some Queries for him or any of the Preachers among the Presbyterians to Answer Query 1. WHat was that Labour in the Gospel that them Women laboured with the Apostle Paul in Phil. 4. 3. if not preaching the Gospel And if Preaching the Gospel why then are we blamed for suffering Women to preach amongst us Qu. 2. What is that one Baptism that the Apostle Paul spoke of Ephs 4. 5. if not a Spiritual Baptism seeing he saith By one Spirit are we all baptized 1 Cor. 12. 13. Is not this the Baptism that is only essential to Salvation Qu. 3 What is that true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World John 1. 9. if not the Divine Life and Light of Christ And if it be the Light of Christ why then do so many call it a natural Light diabolical c Qu. 4. Whether the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation which hath appeared to all men Tit. 2. 11. be not saving And if it be saving why then do so many say That the saving Grace hath not appeared unto all men Qu. 5. Whether Christ be not the Word of God and the holy Scriptures a true Testimony of him seeing Christ saith They are they which testifie of me John 5. 39. And the Scripture calls Christ the Word of God John 1. 1. Rev. 19. 13. And if so why then do any blame us for saying Christ is the Word of God and not the Scriptures Qu. 6. Whether People ought not first to seek the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness seeing that Christ bids us do so Mat. 6. 33. And where must People seek it if not in their own Hearts seeing Christ saith The Kingdom of God is within you Luk. 17. 21. And whether Christ ought not to rule and reign in his Kingdom and to have the Government of the Hearts Minds and Affections of the Sons and Daughters of men And if it be granted that he ought why then are we blamed for Preaching of Christ within the Hope of our Glory Col. 1. 27. Qu. 7. Whether the Spirit of Truth be not the Spirit of Christ seeing he saith I am the Truth John 14. 6. And whether every Man and Woman ought not to be led and guided by the Spirit of Truth in their own Hearts seeing it guideth into all Truth chap. 16. 13. And that as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 14. Qu. 8. Whether People may not attain to the Knowledge of God by the Immediate Revelation of Jesus Christ now in our day seeing it is written They shall all know the Lord Jer. 31. 34. Heb. 8. 11. And if people may then where if not in their own Hearts seeing that which may be known of God is manifest within Rom. 1. 19. Qu. 9. Whether People ought not to wait to be set free from Sin by Jesus Christ seeing it is said He shall save his People from their Sins Mat. 1. 21. And Christ saith No man can serve two Masters chap. 6. 24. Qu. 10. Whether every true Worshiper ought not to worship God in Spirit and in Truth seeing Christ saith The true Worshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth And whether there be any other true Way of Worship beside this seeing Christ farther saith God is a Spirit and they that Worship him must Worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4. 23 24. Qu. 11. Whether the Apostles did not direct People unto this Inward Teacher See 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. Col. 1. 27. 2 Pet. 1. 19. 1 John 2. 27. And if they did why then do not many now in our day that profess themselves Ministers of Christ direct people unto this inward Teacher Qu. 12. Whether this inward Teacher the Spirit and Grace of God be not sufficient to teach People as they turn in their minds unto it and wait in silence for the Teachings of it although there may be no outward Teacher seeing the Apostles were taught by the Grace of God Tit. 2. 12. And John saith The 〈…〉 the same Ancinting teacheth you of all things 1 John 2. 27. And if it be sufficient why then are we blamed for waiting in silence for the teachings of it Qu. 13. Whether People must not walk in the Light of Jesus Christ wherewith they are lighted if they will have benefit by his Death seeing it is written If we walk in the Light the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all Sin 1. John 1. 7. Qu. 14. Where have you any Example from the holy Scriptures for the putting off the Hat to Man and to use the word Tou to one Qu. 15. Whether you have the Spirit of Christ or not seeing it s written If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8. 9. And whether you are fitted and prepared authorized and sent forth to preach the Gospel by the Spirit of the Lord And if not why then do you Preach seeing that â—hey which run and the Lord never sent them shall not profit the People at all Jer. 23. 24. So nâ—w we desire of Joseph Hallett or some of the before-mentioned People to give their Judgment of these things in their Answers John Gannacliff Joseph Nott. A few more Questions propounded according to Scripture for the said Joseph Hallett or any of the Preachers aforesaid to answer which are added by another Hand Query 1. WHâ—ther Joseph Hallett or you do believe that them Presbyterians in New-England were not guilty of Murther in Hanging them Innocent Persons called Quakers in the year 1658 and 1659 if not by what Law of God or the King did they it Qu. 2. Whether in those Acts of Cruelty to wit of Imprisoning Whipping Burning Cuting off Ears and Hanging they acted like Christ and according to his Doctrine or like the Devil who was a Murtherer from the bâ—ginning John 8. 44. Qu. 3. Whether the learned Jews were not Blind Leaders of the Blind and wit out a right understanding and who notwithstanding they had Scriptures and did they not so err that they killed the Prophets and Murthered the Son or God Mat 22 29. and 23 27. Acts 7. 52. Qu. 4. Whether the Scriptures are Rightly understood by the Spirit of God or by Humane Learning to wit Latine Greek and Hebrew Or whether by Humane Learning any man can or did ever attain to the Knowledge of the things of God seeing the Apostle says The World by Wisdom knew not God 1 Cor. 1. 21. Qu. 5. Whether Joseph Hallett or any of the rest of the Teachers of the Presbyterians do perform any act or part of Worship towards God without the assistance of the Spirit of God If they do are they not like the false Prophets Jer. 29. 9. And Will-Worshipers and found offering strange Fire Levit. 10. 1 2 3. THE END