abhorrency and detestation of such Hellish Spirits to hear Gods holy Name prophaned in such a horrible execration in such a Brazen-fac'd way as if Satan himself had appeared with Fire and Brimstone and a nasty stink among us I would be glad to hear that God gave him Repentance for his great sin who did not live to see his sentence fulfilled but was soon after cut off by death at Sea whether Shipwrackt or otherwise I have not yet learned These look for the fulfilling of this Prophecy I perceive it s well I am not in their hands nor in Satans hauds but in the hands of Jesus Christ I commit my self to him he is righteous in whatsoever he doth to me peradventure he will turn Shimeies and Balaams cursings and Rabshekahs railings for good unto me In this case I appeal unto the Christians and Ministers of Christ with whom I have to do if hitherto I speak not the words of truth and soberness the Lord lay not this great evil which they are now too much hardned in to their charge Before they mention the two Inconsistencies they have a small Peroration about Original sin Pag. 13. Christopher Tayler denying Infants to be guilty of it calling them Innocents but they dare not meddle with this Contoversy pro nor con only say that I have manifested a great deal of ignorance and hardness but proves not a Syllable of their Charge only craftily suggests to the People that we condem these Innocents upon the Predestinarian principle Answ We have proved Infants no Innocents but such as have the guilt of Adams sin upon them and I am at any time ready to make good this Truth against their calumnies and withall say for the satisfaction of all against this false insinuation that God is righteous in charging the guilt of the first sin upon all and that he doth not predestinate any to damnation but with respect to sin But where are these inconsistencies 1. That I say we are by nature children of wrath Eph. 2.3 and yet saith that the light within every one is nothing but nature which is corrupt yet affirm withall that this light within is the Law of Moses written in the heart this they say is to write like a mad man Pag. 14. Answ The Quakers I observe are always much moved when we do not give that honour to their Light which they think is due when we allow it to be no more than Nature Now the Apostle I am sure calls it Nature Rom. 2.14 The Gentiles do by Nature things contained in the Law and yet the same Apostle saith likewise Eph. 2.3 And we were by Nature children of Wrath even as others Now it is not I but the Apostle that is charged for a mad man for they are his words must the Apostle be guilty of mad inconsistencies God forbid I did say the Light within was the Law of Moses written in the heart of man giving that Rom. 2.15 to prove it Which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts this Scripture must guide in the sense of my words The Law of Moses in the heart that I spake of is the work of the Law he doth not say that all the matter of the Moral Law was written in their hearts nor that they did all things contained in it but only saith the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the work of the Law was written in their hearts and that they did things contained in the Law there is then no more in it but this that these Gentiles by doing somethings that were contained in Moses's Moral Law did manifest that there was an impression of some part of the Moral Law upon their hearts Now it s no mad Heresie to maintain that a mans doing part of the Moral Law as to the matter of it by the meer strength of Nature is nothing but sin and that a natural man so doing is a Child of Wrath and in a damnable condition not withstanding how can it be otherwise when there is no right Principle from whence he acts Heb. 11.6 not a dram of true Faith in Jesus Christ and without Faith it is impossible to please God he is dead in sin not being born again and all his works are dead works and cannot please the living God And therefore the Apostle saith of these Gentiles that had done by Nature things contained in the Law and had the works of the Law written in their hearts notwithstanding this they were unrighteous sinners guilty fallen short of the glory of God Rom. 3. Oh that this was but well marked by these Patrons of Nature the Quakers where is now the inconsistency 2. Inconsistency Because I will not admit works done by us in the Spirit in the point of the justication of a sinner and yet confesseth that Regeneration id the making meet for the inheritance and that I say the actions of the Deity perfects all good in us and prays that the Lord by his Spirit would establish my Friends seeming here highly to esteem of the holy Spirit and its workings how sleight soever I made of them in other places Pag. 15. Answ I do with all my heart highly esteem of the Holy Spirit who is the ever blessed God and of his inward work in the hearts of his Saints and God forbid that I should sleight them or manifest my madness as this people say against them sooner let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth I have some experience of that good sweet Spirits working in my own heart through Grace in his Convictions Renewings Quicknings Comfortings and I do really value them Yet I must not advance these works done upon us by the Spirit or done by us in the Spirit to that dignity which God never appointed them unto viz. To justify a sinner in his sight to make him accepted with God for their sakes no we are accepted only by the grace of God i. e. his free favour in the Beloved Eph. 1.6 i. e. the Person of Jesus Christ and the works done in the Spirit are not the Person of Jesus Christ nor his Personal Righteousness we would know from the Quakers which would give us to understand their thoughts let them speak plainly and tell us whether the Person of him that is justified or the Person of Jesus Christ be the subject of that Righteousness whereby a sinner is justified in Gods sight whether the soul and body of the Believer or the soul and body of the Man Christ be the seat wherein dwells that Righteousness that justifies in God sight whether they be the works done Personally by us or the works done Personally by him we are not ashamed without mincing without darkening counsel by words firmly and constantly to confess with our Brethren in many Protestant Churches that we cannot dare not must not admit of any thing no not so much as our Faith though it 's wrought in us by the Spirit into that Righteousness that justifies us in Gods
sight but holds still that it 's solely and alone the Personal Righteousness of Jesus Christ the Son of God in his Active and Passive obedience whereby we are justified and accepted in the sight of an Infinitely pure and holy God who charged his Angels with folly Gal. 1.8 and if any man or Angel preach any other Gospel let him be accursed Thus as chast Virgins espoused we will not through Gods grace suffer our selves through the subtilty of the Serpent 2. Cor. 11.3 to have our minds corrupted from this singlenest that is in Christ in this great business of Justification this Article raigned in Luthers heart he said and I desire it should raign in my heart and it is as that great Patron of it against these Pharesaical Merit-mongers was wont to say the Article of the Churches standing or falling and how can he be a Christian that is not hearty in the belief of it though never more than at this day spoke against Christ in this day is a very great stumbling-stone to the Quakers and Socinians as he was to the Jews and Greeks of old it is no wonder the Quakers care not to have Christs Manhood maintained in its sameness truth and reality now carrying on the work of his Mediation in Heaven pleading the vertue of his Attonement when as they will not own the Righteousness which was wrought out in and by that blessed Manhood sixteen hundred Years since for the Justification of sinners They talk much of the works of the Spirit I would put a few Queries to them 1. Whether the works done by the Man Christ when on Earth here and the works he now doth in Heaven be not works done in the Spirit he had the Spirit and hath in without measure were not his works absolutely and compleatly perfect in Holiness he was a Lamb without spot there was no guil found in his mouth he pleased the Father in all things 2. I would ask whether there be any works done by the Spirit upon any of the sons of Men except Jesus Christ but there still remains a body of sin in them and whether there be any works done by us in the highest degree of the Spirit that any can attain to in this world but God can find some fault with them there is some defect and imperfection let them that dare deny that Scripture Eccless 7.20 There is not a just man upon Earth that doth good and sinneth not 3. If this be true which now of us are mad against the works of the Spirit we that honour these compleat works of the personal Obedience of Christ and receive them with thankfulness for our Justification according to the command of God in Scripture to believe and withall are glad that God works upon us by his Spirit to renew our evil natures after his own Image though it be but in part and that we are enabled by the same Spirit to shew forth any good works to his glory in our Conversation among men though they fall short of that which the holy Law requires and therefore we dare not plead them with God but daily prays for forgiveness in his Blood and that he would accept us not in this our own Righteousness within us or without us but in his Sons Personal Righteousness having union with him or they now on the other hand that are only and altogether for the works done in the spirit both for Justification as well as Sanctification though none of them can ever evince that these works are in every degree compleat and at the same time disown dispise contemn the compleat works of the Imputed Righteousness of Christ calling it a Doctrine of Devils which of us is mad against the works done in the Spirit Let the Reader judge What an unsavoury lorry do many of them make in the ears of Christians in their books and discourses saying and writing you look to be saved by a Righteousness wrought out sixteen hundred Years since and as far off as Jerusalem we cannot but pity their blindness and enmity to the Cross of Christ the Lord reveal his Sons Righteousness to them and make them ashamed of such kind of Pharisaical sayings as that of Bailies viz. if this be to make our own Righteousness stand speaking of the Righteousness of the Law then will we go about to make them stand if they would but remember that great instance given by Christ and consider it it s enough surely to silence them for ever in this matter Luke 18.9 He spâ—ke this Parable to certain that trusted in themselves as being righteous and despised others vers 10. Two went up into the Temple to pray c. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself God I thank thee I am not as other men are extortioners unjust adulterers or even as this Publican I fast twice in the week I give Tithes of all that I possess Vers 13. And the Publican standing afar of would not lift up so much as his eyes to Heaven but smote upon his breast saying God be merciful to me a sinner Vers 14. I tell you this man went down to his house justified rather than the other What is this instance of a Pharisee to a Quaker that speaks so much of the Spirit and the inward works of the Spirit Answ Did not the Pharisee think that he had the inward work of the Spirit Yet surely for he gives thanks to God that did inable him to be thus religious he acknowledged that all he had was the gift of God and did not in the least attribute it to his freewill might or power that he had made himself to differ that he did thus fast pray was thus just holy and zealous let is be weighed he was as confident as any Quaker or any other could be that his Righteousness was good of the right sort the Righteousness of the Spirit in that he durst plead it before the Lord for his acceptance yet what was the issue he was not accepted it was the humble sinner that was justified that applyed himself to the mercy of God in Christ Jesus but where do you at any time find this people acknowledge Grace Mercy Attonement confessing their sins with shame and humility are these in the way of Justification They will say why doest thou talk so of the Pharisees thinking he had the Spirit and the inward work thereof we know and are sure we have it are regenerated and act from thence in our lives and whilst it is so if there be any such thing as imputed Righteousness as we think there is not it s only an imagination of your own brains we shall have it for according to you they both go together Righteousness within and without I say to them with as great confidence and boldness and much better grounded that in case they go on thus they do manifestly declare that they have not neither ever had the right Spirit of Christ the Comforter for what
doth Christ say the work of the Comforter should be upon his sending of him John 15.26 He shall testify of me and John 16.14 He shall glorify me i. e. in the hearts of men for be shall receive of mine and shew it unto you Now if that Spirit which at present you boast of doth not this work viz. Enlighten your understandings aright in the truth of the Gospel though you may find a power as you often speak acting of you if this Spirit do not testify of the Christ of God begetting high thoughts of his Person Righteousness instructing your souls in his things his Death Resurrection Intercession his Priesthood in Heaven which you never talk of though it should have so much power in you as thereby you should be caught up and carried to Azotus though thereby you could as they say of Simon Magus fly in the Air yet it is not the Spirit of Christ Jesus the Comforter 1 Pet. 2.7 2 Cor. 13.14 2 Cor. 11.4 If Christ be not precious to you you are unbelievers I wish it might be considered there is no communion of the Spirit where the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ it not sweet to us where ever there is another Gospel and Jesus there is another spirit who ever hath not the Son hath not the Father how then can they have the Spirit No man speaking by the Spirit of God called Jesus accursed 1 Cor. 12.3 Be not deceived if this Gospel be hid the heart and life whereof consists in the knowledge of this point of Justification It is the Gospel of Righteousness it manifests the Righteousness without the Law Rom. 3.21 therein is the Righteousness of God revealed from Faith to Faith if this be hid though you may be very confident is is hid to them that are lost 2 Cor. 4.3 the God of this World having blinded their eyes O that you would remember what the Apostle said to the Galatians who thought they had as much of the Spirits Righteousness as the Quakers being corrupted in their judgments in this very matter yet had not cast off their mentioning of Christ but allowing him a place in their Religion Gal. 3.1 Gal. 5.4 who hath bewitched you and in another place ye are fallen from Grace and its a great convincing word Rom. 9.31 Israel which followed after the Law of Righteousness did not attain to the Law of Righteousness yet were as confident as you but I shall be despised for this my love in debating this matter with you and I doubt you will call this as Pag. 15. you do monstrous and distracted Doctrine The instances that I gave against Christopher Tayler to prove that we are not justified by works done in the Spirit are reckoned Pag. 14. viz. Abrahams works Davids works Paul's and Isaiahs works all done in the Spirit but not a word of answer to them no I calmly challenge them all to answer to them Only they ask a Question Is it good Doctrine to say that Paul when a Christian counted his spiritual obedience loss and dung for Christ Answ Yes very good sound blessed and comfortable Doctrine received by Millions of Saints in Heaven and Earth add but that which you ought for of that I speak viz. in the point of Justification in the same way are you to understand that of Isaiah Isa 64.6 all our Righteousnesses are as filthy rags i. e. as to justify us in Gods sight Pag. 15. they repeat the Question but slily addeth this to it viz. and that as a Christain he must suffer the loss of this i. e. his spiritual obedience so as not to have it in his heart O the creeping Serpent to insinuate as if I taught the people such Doctrine Answ Yes he was to have it still in his heart but not to plead it with God for his Justification Phil. 3.9 not having my own Righteousness which is of the Law c. But how can I make that out for which they quarrel me here Pag. 15. That all the Righteousness that all the Saints have within them or without them is but the Righteousness of the Law Answ It is not difficult otherwise the Law of God is not a perfect Rule of Righteousness but that must be grante Ergo it requires all we do and more then any can do not only outward duty but an inward spiritual upright frame of heart yea the Image of God to be compleat and perfect in us then my Argument holds good we are not justified by any Righteousness of ours done in the Spirit for the Scripture is peremptory in it by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified in his fight Rom. 3.20 They produce two Scriptures here to prove Justification by the works of the Spirit in us First Rom. 8.2 The Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the Law of sin and death Rom. 8.4 That the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us I have opened both these places in my Book against Crook and Bailie I am of that mind that they both speak as to our Justification of the Righteousness of Christs Person so they are nothing to their purpose if they will in their next plainly and openly say from the first Scripture that the Spirits work in us is the matter of our Justification and that the Law is fulfilled in our own persons for our acceptation from the second Scripture I promise them a fuller answer in the mean while we are of this mind that we are not justified by any works done by us in and by the Spirit yet we freely acknowledge that it is Regeneration makes us meet for the Kingdom but not in a way of Merit that is only by the blood-shedding of Jesus Christ but only disposeth us for Heaven without it none shall see the Lord Regeneration is to be distinguished from Justification as the Cause from the Effect Justification the cause of Regeneration if God did not forgive us our sins for the Merit of Christ he would not renew our nature we confess again that the Deity perfects all good in us and for us but them the Humanity is in union with it and acts with it and they must not be put asunder it was the Humanity that was the Offering and Sacrifice he offered himself by the eternal Spirit Heb. 9.14 The Flesh profiteth nothing i. e. alone it is the Spirit that quickneth John 6.63 yet the Flesh of Christ is the Organ and Instrument in by and with which Christ performs all his Mediatory works of Redemption and these two Natures are but one Person and whatever was done by the Spirit in the hearts of any before Christs manifestation in Flesh it was done in reference to and for the Merit of his Incarnation so then in the last place and then we have not left a hoof of an exception behind when I pray that the Spirit would settle strengthen preserve I believe that the Spirit is given
have so frequently caught them jugling equivocating quibling cogging the Dice that we can no more trust them they have said much here more then ever I read in any of their books we would be glad if they were real but behold with the very same breath they unsay it again Pag. 15. This exaltation was not that he might remain in a place remote mark that and separate from his body which he is the head of giving this reason for it For this were to keep body and head asunder adding that the Son of Man had power to descend at his pleasure to come again bringing Matth. 28. I will be with you always to the end of the World Note here is one of the Objections as they say of my own framing the rest will follow They had pray remember in the beginning utterly denyed the matter charged here they are willing to own a good part of it viz. That Christ is not in Heaven a place remote They confessed just now that the same man Jesus Christ that died was raised and ascended But let us enquire whither did he ascend They answer into Heaven But may be mean a state of glory no a place of glory say they but observe the next question in order Where is this Heaven Is it above or beneath Is it remote and and far off or is it near their answer is It must not be remote it must then be near at hand it must be where the Mystical body is and part of it I am sure is on Earth for the head and body must not be asunder why then when they say the same man ascended into Heaven they mean nothing but that Globe which we call the Earth that Heaven they call Gods dwelling place but they mean the hearts of Men he changed not his state only but place at his ascension but that change of place was such you must know that notwithstanding he was here on Earth as to his Manhood for his soul was in the Saints we may despair at this rate ever by words to understand one another Here is Babel indeed Language confounded But he had all power in Heaven and Earth given him and therefore might descend at his pleasure and he promised to be with his Disciples alway to the end To argue from Christs power to his will was never accounted strong or right reasoning The Papists argued thus against the Martyrs for their Transubstantiation viz. God had power and was able to turn the Bread into his Natural body ergo when as the Word his revealed Will declared it otherwise and called it Bread after it was blessed would it be a good argument Christ hath all power in Heaven and Earth given him therefore he may be crucified over again when as the will of God is revealed in the Scripture Heb. 9.26 that he is but once to be offered in the end of the World so in this case Christ though he hath all power can do nothing contrary to his own Will revealed Now it 's plainly revealed that Christ as to his Manhood is not to descend frequently upon Earth but is to abide in Heaven an appointed time which is not yet finished Acts 3.21 Whom the Heavens must receive till the times of restitution of all things If they would mind this one Scripture it would put an end to all their cavils and guide them in this controversy What was received into Heaven His Manhood only as for his Deity it is Infinite and can in no wise be said that the Heaven received it Now how long is the Heaven to receive this Manhood Till the times of the restitution of all things which times let them dare to say are already come he hath not then as yet descended here on Earth as to his Manhood Notwithstanding he hath fulfilled his promise and hath alway been present with his Disciples in the discharge of their Ministerial gifts and will be to the end of the World by his Spirit The reason of this which they produce why the Manhood must not be in a place remote Because that Head and Body would then be asunder Answ It 's not possible for Christ and the Church his Body to have some union without a corporal touch The Sun is in the Firmament at a great distance yet we have some kind of union with it a man may be many miles distant from his wife yet he hath some kind of union with her we took this union to be Mystical and Spiritual not corporal and carnal as there is one soul throughout the natural body of Man the same in the head and in every member so one Spirit in Jesus Christ the Mystical Head and in every one of his Members the Saints whereby they are united to him 1 Cor. 6.17 He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit Let it be judged now whether the Quakers are not those that know Christ after the flesh when they speak of the Manhood being locally present with and in the Saints otherwise there can be no union they think But Christ being present in Spirit which I grant must needs say they Pag. 6. be an overturning of what I have assorted and a contradicting my self and therefore they call upon me to reconcile it how I can But why so because that the Spirit of Christ is an Essential part of the Manhood the same with his Soul Now if Christ be present by his Spirit in his Saints then must he be in some part of his Manhood oâ— Earth I have read there were some formerly that held the Holy Ghost did inform the Humane bod of Jesus Christ instead of the Soul but this opinion of the Hartford Quakers is much worse for they grant that the Soul or Spirit spoken of is an Essential part of the Man Christ in the very same sense with me and yet saith it is in every Saint investing it with the Office of the Holy Ghost Let us try this notion if the Soul of Christ's Manhood be present on Earth with and in his Saints then it must be one of these two ways Either with or without the Humane body united to it or separated from it if in and with the body united then the Humane body which was taken of the Virgin is likewise with and in every Saint on Earth and so is become an Infinite and Immense Spirit and is ceased from being a Humane body this is so monstrous we dare not believe it Or 2. It is separated from the Humane body in its presence with the Saints then is not Jesus Christ a man in Heaven as they have confessed it is but a dead body in Heaven This we cannot receive He was dead once but is alive now and he is to be alive for evermore Rev. 1.18 If they say that needs not viz. that the Soul should be separated from the Humane Natural body it may be and is in it still in Heaven and extended from it to every Saint upon Earth Then must the
Soul of Christ be Immense and Infinite and this is too much for us to swallow for then there must be a new created God in time because every Infinite and Immense is God Now the Soul of Christ's Manhood was created in time who can make that which is crooked straight Error is crookedness absurdity and rottenness when it comes to the tryal In the close of this I would ask them whether in these two Scriptures viz. Isa 61.1 The Spirit of the Lord God it s upon me the Lord hath anointed me and Joh. 3.34 For God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him By the Spirit is to be understood the Soul of Christ the Essential part if not as I believe then have I an easie way of reconciling my self in this matter telling them that when I grant that Christ is present with and in his Saints on Earth by his Spirit that I mean the Holy Ghost who is God and Infinite and can be and is in all the Saints both that are in Heaven and on Earth at once not the Spirit of the Manhood an Essential part that is a finite Creature therefore their notion is ridiculous They cannot pass over the report I made of Will. Bates a Neighbour what he should say viz. that what was taken of the Virgin had now no being They question whether I truly state the matter and censure me sharply to be of a creeping peevish insinuating spirit to seek an occasion against my Neighbour and to notify him in Print Pag. 7. Answ It was so exceeding gross and blunt a speech that having an occasion to write upon this Subject of the Manhood of Christ I could do no less then Print it and surely instead of condemning me they should have censured their Brother Bates for speaking so rashly and plainly as that there is not a starting hole no bit of any equivocation no room left to leap back which is not the Quakers way of expressing themselves Now that it may appear that I had a right call when I went to discourse with Will. Bates and therefore am wrongfully censured by these men to be of a creeping spirit seeking occasion against my Neighbour c. and that I have stated the matter right read the following Certificate Be it known to all whom it may concern that we whose names are subscribed do testify that it was through our motion and desire that William Haworth was present at the discourse we had with William Bates and that we did more then once hear him plainly say that what Christ took of the Virgin had now no being Sept. 19. 1676. Daniel Doughty John Albury Stephen Tothil We evidently see now they are not all guided by one and the same Infallible Light else that Light is not one with it self in that it directs them to contrary Opinions Will. Bates saith that which was taken of the Virgin had now no being These Hartfordians Pag. 7. That the Man Christ did neither perish nor vanish in any thing Essential to him as to his Spirit or Body Who can bring the two Poles of North and South together let them as can reconcile these two sayings But withal let me ask them whether Visibility Materiality Finiteness and having the same shape be not Essential to the Man Christ there is none in their wits can deny it but these men as hath in some measure already appeared and will farther appear in the progress have taken away the Visibility Materiality Finiteness and having the same Humane Figure from the body of the Man Christ they have then herein manifested themselves no less than gross Lyers and Cheaters for there hath something Essential perished as to his Soul and Body according to their Doctrine withall let them remember that I had more proof for my Charge against them then meerly my opinion as they of the Barbican Dispute Pag. 4. when as I have such a plain loud witness as this viz. that which was taken of the Virgin had now no being But here is still more against our Opinion viz. Christ is now a man in Heaven if so how then can we disintangle our selves from that thing charged upon us in the 8th Page that in this we resemble the carnal Opinion of the Anthropomorphites who hold that God is like unto Man in shape and form and that he hath a right and and left hand as Men have which likewise Mugleton holds What would these men be at when shall we find them constant my soul pitieth their instability how are they tossed to and fro did they not all along say in words that Jesus Christ was a Man in Heaven had the Essentials of a Man soul and body Now if he hath a Humane body it must necessarily have a Humane shape why then they Symbolize with that Brute Mugleton as much as Wee and if they be concerned let them answer for themselves only you see by their way of reasoning they believe not a word of what they say viz. That Christ is a Man in Heaven but equivocates in all otherwise why would they produce this We can answer for our selves we are not guilty of having any such gross carnal conceptions of the Deity as to think or say that the Humane shape is the shape of the Deity we abhor such idolatrous thoughts we know what the Scripture saith and believe it Isai 40.25 To whom then will you liken God or what likeness will you compare him to Deut. 4.12 Ye saw no similitude but only heard a voice but we say the Word was made Flesh Joh. 1.14 and in that Flesh ascended into Heaven hath that same Body and Soul there and it is still in union with the Deity the fulness of the Godhead dwelleth bodily in him Col. 2.9 but the form and figure the Body hath there is not the form and figure of the Deity but of the Manhood the Godhead is Infinite and Immense And when we speak of Gods right hand and Christs sitting there we mean a state and place of Honour Power and Glory that Christ upon his Ascension was exalted to Still they dispute against that they seem to own viz That Christ is now a Man in Heaven If his being ascended into Heaven hinders him from being on Earth why not his ascending far above all Heavens from being in Heaven Pag. 9. Here is a second of the Objections as they say of my own framing Answ In my last little Book I opened this Phrase viz. Far above all Heavens Any of the three Senses I gave is safe and good First Far above all Heavens is no more then that in Psal 68.18 from whence this is taken nay the very same with it Thou hast ascended on high 2. By the Heavens may be understood the visible Heavens that may be seen with the bodily eye because of their nearness to us 3. Or Heavenly Powers Angelical Nature and Perfection Now let us draw up their Argument Jesus Christ ascended on high above the lower Heavens
thus to work because Christ died for us John 16.17 If I go not away the Comforter will not come it is given by vertue of Christs entring with his Blood into Heaven by this time the things I have written the Reader will see consist well together There remains nothing now but some bitter scornful Reflexions let us patiently hear them with my Answers Pag. 15. This man say they can cast the Law of the Spirit behind his back and yet plead he is justified by the Imputation of Christs Personal Righteousness O gross Hypocrisy Answ Could the Quakers at Hartford prove against me the wilful breach of the Law of God that I did indulge my self in or that I had preched or written only for the Imputation of Christs Personal Righteousness for Justification and not for Holiness of Life and Sanctification they might then indeed speak at this rate but if they cannot it is no less than a notorious slander I can say through Grace as the Apostle I know nothing by my self as to any known sin I live in with him will I say again yet am not I hereby justified but be that judgeth me is the Lord 1 Cor. 4.4 I live in the observance of the Moral Law but yet I dare not plead this for acceptance with God knowing I come not up to perfection but my prayer to God shall be that of Davids Psal 143.2 Enter not into judgment with thy servant for in thy sight shall no man living be justified I will take up that of Job Job 9.15 Whom though I were righteous yet would I not answer but I would make supplication to my Judge Vers 21. Though I were perfect yet would I not know my soul believing with that perfect and upright man of whom God gave this Testimony There was none like him on Earth one that feared God and escewed evil Job 1.8 believing what he said would prove true Job 9.30 31. If I wash my self with snow water and make my hands never so clean yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch and mine own cloaths shall make me to be abhorred and is this a crime must this be censured for gross Hypocrisy was David Job Paul or the Pharisee the Hypocrite The Pharisee justified himself and despised the Cross of Christ and went about to make his own righteousness to stand Job and David confessed their sins and so did Paul Phil. 3.9 Counting all dung for Christ not having his own Righteousness which was of the Law but was very much for Imputation he names it ten times at least in the fourth of the Romans have the Quakers at Hartford attained to such a perfection in Holiness by the Law of the Spirit and is it discernable in their Converse and Trading that they have no need of the Imputation of Christs Righteousness but deride it and make a scoff at it The Lord have mercy on them They jeer me for any Apology to Sir John Hartop Pag. 16. in case that I had not worded things in my Book so congruously as I might that he would bear with me they say this is a Salve for all my distracted and incongruous works Answ Had I been one of these infallible Doctors I need not to have apologized but I pretend not to Infallibility especially in words I am not ashamed to speak in humility of my self and of my own labours and to think what I say not to pretend only as they suggest remembring what the great Apostle said of himself 1 Cor. 2.3 I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling and that he with others of his fellow Apostles and Labourers in the Ministry did but know in part and prophesie in part Eph. 6.19 20. He was not too proud to desire the Christians prayers for a door of utterance that he might open his mouth and speak the Mystery of the Gospel boldly as he ought to speak But the People of Hartford are to perswade me to be quiet among my neighbours and the Quakers would have them give me no more money for keeping Christ and them at a distance The present Incendiaries need no more they had done their work could they by any means take off the Watch from their duty the King of France had done his work could any perswade the Dutch to be quiet and to give their Souldiers no more pay could the Wolf prevail with the Sheep that the Spepherd might stay at home it would make well for him The false Apostles did all they could to exclude the true Apostles that they themselves might be affected Gal. 4.17 I would if possible live peaceably with all men but is it possible while there is another Jesus and another Gospel set up at Hartford Paul and Luther would have turned the world upside down had they dwelt there it was a great man that said let Heaven and Earth be in confusion rather then one dram of Truth be lost what peace as long as the whoredomes continue but you must give me no Money Simon Magus thought all things in Christs kingdom was carried on by Money therefore he thought to tempt the Apostle with Money Doth not this saying argue the same Spirit its well if their Religion be not propagated that same way we know in a great part it is let me now speak this plain word to you Christians at Hartford the Quakers having administred this occasion to me take heed lest they insnare you by the gain and trade of the world they know they have a hank upon you this way already some of the Town they have won to them by this means others have abated in their zeal for Christ fearing to lose their worldly interest among the Quakers But they say I keep Christ and you at a distance therefore you must give me no Money Answ They acknowledge in many places in their Book that I own Christ to be present by his Spirit in his Saints and do not the People at Hartford witness that I preach this Doctrine among them how then do I keep Christ and you at a distance are not we united to him by the Spirit it is I suppose because I have not yet taught you the Hartford Quakers new notion viz. That the soul of Christs Manhood is in every one of you and in every Saint throughout the world thus they have brought Christ and their Hearers together and deserves Money for their new invention of an Immense Infinite Invisible Inform Spirituous Manhood that can pierce doors and then be sure come into your bodies a Manhood turned all into Soul or an Angel or into Wind Fancy Nothing Last of all They tell me I boast in saying my Book is unanswered by them they say it is not strictly true for an answer hath been written a long time but not published Answ If I say the Sun was not risen at four of the Clock this morning it is not may these men say strictly true in that it was shining at that hour
though in another Horizon only it did not then appear it was not published if I say of a Child in the womb it is not yet come into the world the Quakers will say it is not strictly true is not the Mothers womb in the world only it stayeth there and is not come through the place of the breaking forth of Children John Crook had his Answer first written in his mind before it was in his Paper it was not then strictly true but that there was an Answer before the Answer was written as well as before it was published so witty are these people we know not how to speak the plain Truth as to matter of fact to them But I had not best talk too loud for if I should it may occasion the publication of it and that they say will not be for my credit and that if it comes out I shall have need of a better Antidote this is their Conclusion Here is the same Insinuation in the clause of this Book as was in the end of Christopher Tayler's Postcript he said had more against me then he would write these say that the answer to my Book will not be for my credit when it is published why are they still so like the Jesuits going about if possible to take away our good name and credit from us But it may be they mean only because it will be such a full and clear Refutation of my Book Truth is strong and bold that I fear not try it as soon as you will or dare But they give me fair warning to provide a better Antidote here is a tacit Concession then that there will be a stronger poyson than usual in the future Answer however I have but one and the same and there needs no other Antidote it is sufficient against all the deadly poyson inchantments divinations errors of the Socinians Quakers Ranters Mugletonians Papists in this day viz. That soveraign anointing spoken of in 1 Joh. 26 27. These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you but the anointing which you 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 lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him Now see what mischief these men have done to the Christian Religion how sacrilegiously they have robbed the Curch of many sweet and comfortable Truths that the Saints in all ages have lived by Faith upon as their life and treasure in all their failings weaknesses and imperfections tryals temptations afflictions desertions for if Christ be not the same real true Man in Heaven that he was here upon Earth which the Quakers have here denied while in some woâ—ds they confess it then it follows according to what I writ in my last Book which I desire may be perused again 1. There is no Intercessor no high Priest to appear in the presence of God for us for according to his real Humane Nature as well as Divine he is Mediator 2. Then is there no entring for us into Heaven for the way thither was consecrated for us through the vail of his Flesh that was his Manhood by that he went to prepare a place 3. Then is there no Spirit to be expected nor any gift thereof for the shedding of it forth was the fruit of his Ascention as Man 4. He is not now Lord and King for according to his Manhood he was exalted above all Principalities and Powers 5. Then shall Christ never come again personally to be Judge of quick and dead for as Man he is to judge the World Acts 17.31 He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man c. This Truth is openly denied by the Quakers and no wonder 6. Then hath Christ no fellow-feeling with us in our straits for it 's only as to his Manhood that he was made like to us and tempted as we ase he is now neither a merciful nor faithful high Priest if his Manhood doth not remain Heb. 2.17 And lastly we cannot then come unto him with any boldness in prayer but shall be amazed and confounded in the thoughts of the glorious Majesty of God if He hath not rendred himself familiar to us by taking our Humane Nature upon him and still retaining it in union with his Deity upon this it is that we are bid to come boldly to the Throne of Grace Heb. 4. ult Because we have an high Priest that cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities but was in all things tempted as we are FINIS