reconciled to God by the operation of this Light or Christ within Not only that it is a cause but the alone only chief and procuring cause without having respect to the Sacrifice of Christ's crucified Body which was nailed to the Cross and that Christ in the outward in his death and sufferings was but only a Patern or Example of that which must be wrought over again in us though some of them I do confess have been pleased to say That Christ's death and suffering without upon the Cross was more than a Patern or Exemplar for they say he did put an end thereby to the Types and Shadows of the Ceremonial Law c. but not that he reconciled us thereby and satisfied the Justice of God and that through his Righteousness and Merits imputed unto us in believing we stand acquitted and shall be saved but contrariwise it is affirmed That every one that comes to be justified must come to witness the same inherent holiness and perfection that was in our Lord Jesus Christ and in that perfect Obedience of theirs by following the teachings of the Light of their own Consciences or Christ within they place their hope faith and dependance and thus they seem not to be beholding to the Man Christ Jesus nor need his intercession who poured forth his blood without the gate of Jerusalem to wash and cleanse our Souls as the vertue thereof is applyed by Faith unto our Consciences for where the Scripture speaks of God being reconciled unto us and of our Salvation and remission of sins it is plainly held forth being done already for us by Christ's death and suffering without and as being done and compleated by that one Offering of his though I confess as I have told thee we receive not the benefit of it till by the help of the Spirit we are made able to apply it to our Souls which application of Christ's blood doth work that change in the Soul which I have mentioned already to you about Conversion That this is according to the Doctrine of the holy Apostles see these Scriptures Rom. 3. 24 25 26 27. Acts 4. 12. Rom. 5. 10. For when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son 2 Cor. 5. 18. Heb. 10. 14. Heb. 9. 14. vers 25 26 28. Now how contrary this Doctrine is to the principles of those People called Quakers may appear to you were you not too much given up to blindness And God forbid that ever I should own their Principle of the Light in all that doth so clearly tend to the razing out the grand Fundamentals of the Gospel You bid me Come out of my beggarly Elements and turn to the Light within and believe in it and 't will certainly take away my sins Answ Dare you call Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and Obedience to him who hath wrought Redemption and Salvation for me and revealed this by his Word and Spirit and work'd it in me beggarly Elements Shall those holy Appointments of Jesus Christ namely Baptism and the Supper of our Lord be denyed by thee and condemned as beggarly Elements Was not our Lord Jesus himself baptized in Waâ—er notwithstanding he had so much of the holy Spirit in him and was not Paul and Cornelius though they had the Spirit in such a wonderful manner baptized in Water And did not all the Primitive Saints walk in that Order and Communion that is owned by me and my Brethren of the baptized Churches And were not the Saints commended for owning and holding the Ordinances as they were once delivered unto them and would you have me leave the footsteps of the Flock to walk in your by-path God forbid Those Ordinances that you call beggarly Elements have been made rich sweet and glorious Appointments and Ordinances to my Soul Indeed 't is no marvel if you deny the Sign who do deny him who is thereby signified you denying the Substance viz. a crucified Christ I see you are naturally led to deny that which doth so clearly shadow him forth but under his shadow I have with the Spouse sate down and his fruit is and hath been sweet unto my taste And therefore do I write unto you that you might have fellowship with us for in some measure we can say through Grace our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ Praises and Halilujah to God for ever who hath given us that witness in our selves of which thou speakest that we can experience the Power of Christ's Spirit risen in us for our Sanctification and Renovation as well as Christ was raised from the dead for our Justification Thou boastest of the kernel as if thou hadst found it without the shell be not mistaken the Power and the Form the Sign and that which is thereby signified God hath joyned together I grant a Person may find the Shell and have no kernel in it have a form of Godliness but deny the Power but rare is it to find the kernel without the shell If they are ashamed of all they have done saith the Lord shew them the form of my house Ezek. 43. 11. The Lord added to the Church daily such as should be saved Acts 2. 47. and they continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and fellowship and in breaking of Bread and in Prayers vers 42. But lest I should be too large I shall hasten to the rest of your Letter in which you repeat some of my words which were in that former Letter I wrote unto you which are as followeth Thou sayest Sure I am that those Persons who deny the Man Christ Jesus to have wrought Salvation for them have no Salvation at all and if they repent not of their evil shall one day be set amongst the Goats and not amongst the Sheep of Christ That is very true Brother but art not thou one of them that deny the Man Christ Jesus whom John saw clothed with a garment down to the feet and girt about the paps with a golden girdle c. by the same Spirit the pure in heart see God for Christ is the true God and everlasting Life but to know Christ after the Flesh which thou and multitudes aim at The Apostle saith Though I have known Christ after the flesh yet from henceforth I know him so no more Indeed those that cry up carnal things for Ordinances may stand amongst the Goats Answ 'T is true I did say that such who deny the Man Christ Jesus to have wrought Salvation for them have no Salvation at all and is it any more than the Apostle Peter speaketh 2 Pet. 2. 1 2. Those false Prophets who privily bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them he doth affirm do bring upon themselves swift destruction c. I charge none in particular and would to God there were none in England guilty herein but why do you conclude or think that I do deny the Man Christ Jesus that John saw who
which was and which is to come the Almighty Also vers 17. And when I saw him saith John I fell at his feet and he laid his right hand upon me saying pray observe it I am the first and the last But may be some will say Who is this Was this Jesus of Nazareth that was crucified for that you are to prove c. Read the very next words and you may see who it is I am HE that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Let such fear and be troubled when they reade this and such like Scriptures who deny the God head of the Lord Jesus or do affirm that Person or Man was not the Christ and Son of the Highest who was slain upon the Cross for what doth more clearly prove the marvellous and mysterious Union of the Humane and the Divine Nature in one Person than these Scriptures and Arguments which have been mentioned 7. I argue again yet further he is the most high God unto whom spiritual Worship or Divine Adoration doth appertain or belong and that this belongs unto the Lord Jesus Christ see Matth. 8. 2. chap. 28. 17. Luk. 24. 52. Joh. 9. 38. Nay further 't is said Heb. 1. 6. And again when he bringeth in his first begotten into the World he saith And let all the Angels of God Worship him At the Name of JESUS saith the Apostle Phil. 2. 10. every knee shall bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the glory of God the Father 8. He who hath power to forgive sins or to pardon all iniquity which may be forgiven unto men is God but that Jesus Christ hath such power is evident Matth. 9. 1 2 3 4 5 6. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts vers 4. For whether is easier to say Thy sins are forgiven thee or to say Arise and walk vers 5. But that ye may know the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins c. compare this with Mark 2. 5 6 7. Luk. 5. 21. 9. He to whom the Saints ought to pray is the most High God but that the Saints do and ought to pray and call on the name of the Lord Jesus it is very clear Acts 9. 14. Rom. 10. 9 10 11 12. 1 Cor. 1. 2. 10. He that hath power to give the holy Spirit and the saving Graces thereof is God but that Jesus Christ hath power to baptize with the Spirit or to give the holy Spirit and all the heavenly Gifts and Graces thereof See these Scriptures Matth. 3. 11. Mark 1. 4. Ephes 4. 8 9 10 11. 11. He that was in the form of God and thought it no robbery to be equal with God and whom the Scriptures call God's fellow must needs be the Eternal God now that this is said of Jesus Christ is evident Phil. 2. 6 7. Zech. 13. 7. 12. But yet once again He who had power to lay down his life and also to raise it up again must needs be God but that Jesus Christ doth so affirm see Joh. 2. 19. Joh. 10. 18. 13. He who is the Object Author and Finisher of the true Believers Faith is God Eternal blessed for ever Amen but that Jesus Christ is the Object Author and Finisher of the Believers Faith see Joh. 14. 1. Ye believe in God believe also in me Joh. 9. 35. Heb. 12. 2. 14. He who can by his own Name proper Power and Authority give power unto others to become the Sons of God must needs be God himself but that Christ doth and can do this is evident Joh. 1. 11. He came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as received him to them gave HE power to become the Sons of God even to them which believe in his Name vers 12. He doth Adopt Regenerate or make others the Children of God by the effectual workings of His blessed Spirit in their hearts by which they are interested into all the Priviledges Promises and Blessings of the Covenant of Grace which none can do save God alone I might urge many other Scriptures and Arguments for the further proof and confirmation of this glorious Truth viz. He is our life Col. 3. 4. See Deut. 30. 20. Moreover he is said to be present alwayes with his People and dwelleth in their hearts by his Spirit c. It was by and through his Name that all those mighty Miracles were wrought he confirmed his Doctrine by Signs and Wonders by vertue of his own Power he raises and quickens whomsoever he will he as it appears to me lay claim to that glorious Title or Name by which God made known himself unto his People of old Exod. 3. 14. I am that I am this is my Name saith JEHOVAH and this is my Memorial to all Generations vers 15. And much after the same manner doth our Lord Jesus speak Joh. 8. 58. Before Abraham was I am As much as if he had said I have my being from none but have it of and from my self and am from Eternity according to that saying Prov. 8. I was set up from everlasting or from the beginning or ever the earth was when there was no depths I was brought forth vers 23. c. Again He is the Almighty the Omnipotent and the blessed and only Potentate Revel 1. 8. 1 Tim. 6. 16. Finally He was own'd and acknowledged of all to be no less than the Son of God The Father from Heaven doth testifie that he was his only begotten Son in whom he was well pleased He is declared to be the Son of God by the holy Spirit Rom. 1. And The Angels positively affirm the same concerning him yea and the holy Apostles I have shewed you have born witness to the same truth Nay those who had a hand in putting of him to death when they saw the Earth-quake and the vail of the Temple was rent they feared greatly and said Truly this man was the Son of GOD. Nay 6. I might add further The Devil himself is forced to acknowledge this thing See Mark 5. 7. And cryed out with a loud voice and said What have I to do with thee Jesus thou Son of the most High c. And now from all that hath been said it may appear to the weakest capacity That Jesus of Nazareth who was born of the Virgin was in very deed a MAN and did partake of the same flesh and blood WHICH THE CHILDREN partake of That he was made of a Woman and of the Seed of David according to the flesh being really man finite weak subject to passion and sufferings as we are and in all things made like unto his brethren sin only excepted and yet also the very eternal God and omnipotent Creator of the same essence or substance with the Father and the holy Spirit and that he had a personal existence or subsistence before he did assume our Nature and that He the Word or second Person of the glorious Trinity as so considered viz. respecting subsistence was incarnate that the Divine and Humane Nature being in a mysterious and wonderful manner united together is that same one Lord Jesus Christ perfect God and perfect Man in one Person subsisting in two real distinct Natures each Nature retaining notwithstanding this glorious Union it s own natural Propertties and Attributes I might now come to Answer and remove those Objections that are brought against what I have said concerning this glorious Truth but because I have been larger already than indeed I intended or thought I should have been when first I entered upon this work I must forbear and leave the Objections to some other season And now Reader if thou hast received any spiritual benefit from what hath thus occasionally been written by a poor worm weakling and nothing Creature see thou dost not forget to return the praise to JEHOVAH who alone deserves it and labour for soundness in judgement and stability lest thou also beest carried away with these divers new and strange Doctrines Remember the Apostles counsel Heb. 13. 9. The times you see are difficult and perilous and ye knowing these things before 2 Pet. 3. 17 18. Beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own Steadfastness but grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ To him be glory both now and for ever Amen FINIS
Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. But why dare you say That the practice of Bread Wine and Water was to be held no longer than till Christ came By his coming you intend his coming in Spirit That this is false and contrary to holy Scripture I shall evidently make appear And first I shall begin with the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper which you call Bread and Wine and that the practice of this continues and remains in full force and virtue to the end of the World or until the Second coming or Appearance of Christ in Person and that he is not so come the second time I shall also prove to thee before I have done That the practice of breaking Bread and drinking Wine in remembrance of Christ's Death remains after the coming of Christ in Spirit I prove by these Arguments following First Because the Apostle Paul did receive this from our Saviour as a glorious Appointment and Institution of the Lord Jesus a considerable time after the coming of Christ in Spirit The Promise of the Comforter or Christ's coming in Spirit was performed and fulfilled to the Sainrs some days after his Ascention as may be seen in the second of the Acts and it was some time after this before Paul was converted unto Christ For Paul after the coming of the Spirit according to the Promise of the Father and our Lord Jesus remained in darkness and was a Persecutor of the Saints and yet see I beseech ye what he affirms to the Church of the Corinthians 1 Cor. 11. 23. For I received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took Bread and when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me and after the same manner also he took the Cup c. Now if Paul received this after that coming of Christ which you speak of as an Institution and Divine Appointment of the Lord Jesus as it appears plainly he did then that which you affirm is utterly false and to be rejected But Secondly The Apostle did not only receive this from Christ after the coming of Christ in Spirit but also did deliver it as Christ's Appointment to the Saints That which I received of the Lord saith he I also delivered unto yon Thirdly I argue further That this Ordinance doth remain in force and the practice of it to be held up after the coming of Christ in Spirit because the Primitive Saints did abide in the practice of it after the pouring forth of the Spirit according to Christ's Promise as appears Acts 2. 42. They continued in the Apostles Doctrine in breaking of Bread and Prayer compare this with Acts 20. 7 11. also 1 Cor. 11. 20. to the end Fourthly Consider The end of this Ordinance doth remain notwithstanding the pourings forth of the Spirit and therefore the Ordinance must needs remain which is to confirm our Faith in the true Saviour and to keep up our Love to him who gave his Body to be broken and his Blood to be shed for our sakes This is to be done to shew forth his Death until he come And these things considered which hath been said 't is plain it cannot intend his Spiritual Coming or the giving forth the holy Spirit the Comforter according to his promise And that he is not come the Second time without sin to Salvation as you seem to affirm doth appear First Because his coming that day shall be visible Every eye shall see him Rev. 1. 7. Secondly Because his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives Zech. 14. 4. and he shall come in the same manner as he went up to Heaven Acts. 1. 11. Thirdly Because the Saints which had the highest attainments of the Spirit or to whom Christ was Spiritually come as gloriously as ever he came to any of the Saints did notwithstanding that still expect look and wait for his coming from Heaven See 1 Cor. 1. vers 4 5 6 7. I thank my God alwayes on your behalf for the Grace of God which is given to you by Jesus Christ tht in every thing ye are inriched by him in all utterance and all knowledge even as the Testimony of Christ was confirmed in you mark that So that ye come behind in no gift waiting for his Son from Heaven If Christ was not spiritually come to these who was he come to and yet they waited for his coming The Saints at Thessalonica are said to turn from Idols to serve the true God and to wait for his Son from Heaven 1 Thess 1. 9 10. and unto those that look for him saith the Apostle He shall appear the Second time without sin unto Salvation Heb. 9. 28. The beloved Apostle who injoyed so much of the Spiritual Presence of Christ yet desired and looked for his coming Which clearly shews that his Second coming is another manner of coming than that which you speak of for when he comes he comes with all his Saints and holy Angels with him and when he comes the Graves shall be opened and the Dead shall be raised yea the dead Bodies of Men and Women 1 Thess 4. 16. You say that you are risen from the dead already and Christ is come the Second time but be assured of this you will find another Resurrection Coming and Judgment ere long than this I could wish it were so indeed that thou hadst part in the true work of Regeneration that so in that day thou mightest have part in the first Resurrection for the dead in Christ shall rise first 1 Thess 4. which cannot intend any other save the dead bodies of the Saints who are fallen asleep or gone to the dust But because I have somewhat to say in the Vindication of Baptism which you call Water I shall proceed to that for as you and other Quakers deny the continuance of the Lord's Supper so also you affirm that the practise of Water-Baptism was to continue but till Christ came in Spirit Now how false this is may appear First from the Commission Matth. 28. 19 20. where Christ gave forth this blessed Ordinance All Power is given to me in Heaven and Earth Go therefore teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded yon and lo I am with you alwayes to the end of the world Now that the Baptism here spoken of is that of Water is evident because the Disciples are commanded or injoyned to be the Administraters or Dispensers of it To baptize with the holy Spirit is the alone Work Prerogative and Office of Jesus Christ and it never was in the power of any Apostle or Disciple of Christ to do it though the Spirit was
that has suffered shame and reproach for Christ shall Reign with Christ For we must all appear before the Judgment Seat of Christ that every one may receive the things done in his body according to that which he hath done whether it be good or bad 2 Cor. 5. 10. But to leave this and proceed to prove that which is also denyed viz. That Jesus Christ is ascended up into Heaven with the same body he had after he rose from the dead consider these Scriptures Luke 24. 45 46. He opened their understandings that they might understand the Scriptures and said unto them Thus it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead c. vers 50 51. And he led them as far as Bethany and he lift up his hands and blessed them and it came to pass whilst he blessed them he was departed from them and was carried up into Heaven The same He that suffered on the Cross and arose from the dead and appeared to his Disciples and shewed them his hands and his feet was carried up into Heaven This He cannot intend the Spirit or Power that was in him because that was not neither could it be put to death neither can the Heaven here spoke of intend the hearts of his Disciples as it is by some imagined because 't is said when he ascended he was departed from them It is expedient for you saith our dear Lord that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him Joh. 16. 7. Observe from hence by the way that the Spirit or blessed Comforter which the Saints alone do receive cannot be the Saviour and Mediator the one is the giver and the other is the gift the one is present when the other is absent But further To prove our Lord Jesus is ascended into Heaven and hath an absolute real outward existence in glory above at the Father's right hand see Acts. 1. 9 10 11. Moreover when the Lord Jesus appeared to Paul at the time of his convertion saying Saul Saul Why persecutest thou me Saul replyed Who art thou Lord The Answer is I am Jesus of Nazareth 'T is evident this was after the Ascension of our Saviour May we not conclude all such to be liars that do affirm and testifie That the true Jesus is only Light and Spirit within and hath no outward glorified being or existence in the Kingdom of his Father or glory above I am said he Jesus of Nazareth he is the same he was Jesus of Nazareth we know was that holy and blessed Man that was born of the Virgin This Man saith the Author to the Hebrews after he had offered one Sacrifice for Sin for ever sate down on the right hand of God Heb. 10. 12. If Jesus Christ continues a Man for ever then he hath a body of flesh and bone for ever unless it can be proved That Man can exist and have a being without flesh and bone which I suppose all will conclude is impossible See Heb. 7. 24. But this man because he continueth for ever hath an unchangeable Priesthood And Heb. 9. 24. Christ is not entered into the holy place made with hands but into Heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us And vers 28. And unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto Salvation He that shall come will come and will not tarry Rom. 10. 37. Even so Come Lord Jesus Come quickly Rev. 22. 20. In the next place You bid me beware lest at any time I open my mouth agaiust the trite Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World for it is the pure Principle that is owned by the scorned called Quakers and ought to be owned by me also Answ The Word considered as Creator by whom all things were made is the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World and God forbid that ever I should open my mouth against him But He the Word considered as made Flesh or the true Emanuel I am sure you have too much opened your mouth against I do understand the Principle of the Quakers concerning the Light within very well the impurity and vileness of which Principle I have briefly and may yet further make appear They do affirm The Light which is in every man is Christ and that it is a Saving Light There is a great difference between the Effence or body of the Sun and its Beams for though the created Sun by its Rayes and glorious Beams doth give Light to all save those who are blind yet is not the Essence or body of the Sun in them So and in like manner though the Word considered as aforesaid be the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World yet is he not essentially in their hearts You must learn better to distinguish between an essence and an influence or the body and beam of Light which floweth from the body for want of a right distinction upon this account the understanding of the weak is confounded Now I do own and readily grant That every man that cometh into the World is lighted by the Word or glorious Creator as I have shewed yet is it not a saving Light or a light flowing from the Word considered as Mediator because it doth not teach or reveal unto Heathens who have no other help or Light but that any thing of a crucified Saviour And the Apostle clearly sheweth That the Mystery of the Gospel was hid from the Gentiles until the fulness of time came that Christ suffered and the Gospel was published But again Unbelievers and Worldly-men cannot receive the Spirit of Jesus Christ which is the Comforter our Lord Jesus himself doth assert it Joh. 14. 17. he doth not dwell in the hearts of Reprobates The Apostle to the Corinthians 2 Cor. 13. 5. sheweth evidently if any man have not the Spirit of Christ the same is none of his see Rom. 8. 9. And that there be many who are not his or such who belong not to Christ I think none will deny But again as touching the Principle of the Quakers concerning the Light within they do not only say it is a Light of Christ but that this Light which is in all is the Christ as I could make appear from their own mouths and Pens not only an operation of his Spirit but really he viz. the Operator Saviour and Redeemer and that it will not only teach and reveal unto man without the help and teachings of the holy Scriptures the Lord Jesus Christ who once on the Cross died and was Crucified to atone and make peace and appease the wrath of God for poor Sinners but that this Light within is the Saviour and Redeemer which in his People doth spiritually atone make peace and satisfie the Justice of God and that we are redeemed cleansed from all sin justified and
Light which reproves for sin and believe in it and it will certainly take away my sins and therefore you caution me not to open my mouth at any time against the true Light which lightneth every man that cometh into the world O my Sister how doth it grieve me to think how blind and deceived thou art to believe that the Light which is in all men even in the natural hearts of Heathens and Infidels is the true Christ and Saviour of the World and that there is not another nor need of another and that men ought to hearken to it as that which doth not only reprove for sin and so condemn but is also able of it self to cleanse from sin save and redeem them who walk up to it without respect to the glorious Redemption purchased by another viz. Jesus of Nazareth Now how false this is may appear to thee by what followeth for though I do not deny but really believe and alwayes did that the Lord Jesus as the Eternal Word and Creator of the World hath given Light or enlightneth all Men and Women that come into the World yet do I utterly deny that this Light which all men have from the glorious Creator is the true Saviour or is a saving Light and the alone and only Teacher which thou seemest to affirm The Light which is in the hearts of all men Paul sheweth clearly is but the substance of the Law of the first Covenant God hath given man a Spirit or formed a Spirit in him Zach. 12. 1. which is called the Candle of the Lord by the means of which Law Candle or Conscience in Man and help of the visible Creation mankind may come to understand there is a God and it will teach them also their Duty in some respects as he is their Creator and they his Creatures and convince them of divers sins and teach them to do unto all men as they themselves would be done unto If Heathens and wicked men do mind and follow the light of this Candle or the Teachings of their own Conscience they would notwithstanding they are void of the saving knowledge of the true Saviour shine forth in the Principles of Morality or just living between man and man as I do judge many of the Quakers do civil honesty being the greatest glory of the best of those of that Religion if I may call it so Now you with others judge because that this Light doth convince of sin and shews man his evil thoughts it will also cleanse and take away his sins and eternally save his Soul it being a Light flowing from Christ you judge it cannot be weak nor insufficient in any respects whatsoever Which is my Sister your great ignorance Did you instead of hearkning to these Seducers with care and diligence search the Scriptures you would find that that holy Law which God gave to Israel which was written and ingraved in two Tables of Stone was a Light and precious Law flowing from God and a more glorious Ministration than this which is in every man or else what advantage had the Jews above the Gentiles Rom. 3. 1 2. That Law dear Sister was a Light of Christ and did convince of Sin more clearly than the Light doth which is in every man yet the Apostle sheweth plainly Gal. 2. it would not give life nor take away sin For what the Law could not do saith the Apostle Rom. 8. 3. in that it was weak through the Flesh God sent his own Son c. This Doctrine of yours concerning the Light within brings in again and seems plainly to establish the Covenant of Works Do this and live be obedient to the Law or Light in the heart and thou shalt be saved This agrees with the expressions of one of your Teachers and he no mean one neither speaking of Rom. 2. 13. Not the Hearers of the Law are just before God but the Doers of the Law shall be justified From whence saith * See Pen's Sandy Foundation shaken Page 26. he how unanswerably may I observe that unless we become doers of that Law which Christ came not to destroy but as our Example to fulfil we can never be justified before God nor let any fancy that Christ hath so fulfilled it for them as to exclude their Obedience from being requisite to their acceptance but only as their Pattern We do not say Christ fulfilled the Law so as to exclude our obedience yet was his Obedience and Suffering Meritorious and more than a Pattern or Exemplary Doth not this Doctrine of yours make void the Righteousness which is of Faith which speaks on this wise Believe and thou shalt be saved By the deeds of the Law shall no Flesh be justified The Law and Light in all which is one in substance gives man the knowledge of his sins it convances him that he is a sinner but leaves him like the Priest and Levite in his blood and wounds without any help or healing until the Lord Jesus that good Samaritan takes compassion on him for we are justified freely by God's Grace through the Redemption that is in Jesus Christ Rom. 3. 24. Whom God hath set forth to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood to declare his Righteousness mark for the Remission of sins that are past through the forbearance of God vers 25. We grant and believe that holiness and obedience is required and they are the effects and fruits of saving Faith but it is not our obedience nor holiness which doth redeem us or is the meritorious efficient and procuring cause of our Salvation and acceptation with God muchless our obedience to the Law or Light in our Consciences as those of your mind affirm Oh! take heed therefore and beware of that poysonous Doctrine the tenor of which clearly holdeth forth That Jesus Christ our Saviour and Mediatour died in vain For I pray consider If by works of Righteousness done in our own persons by walking up to the Law or Light within we may be led out of all sin cleansed from it and eternally saved what need was there then of the Man Christ Jesus to fulfil the Righteousness of the Law and to shed his precious Blood to atone and make peace and appease the wrath of God for us May I not say with Paul Gal. 2. 21. If Righteousness came by the Law Christ is dead in vain The Jews as I shewed you before had the advantage of the Gentiles every way Rom. 3 1 2. they had more light than the Heathen Gentiles had having the Oracles of God committed to them yet it left them in their sins and under Wrath and the Curse that Law nor the Light which is in every man that cometh into the World cannot give life For if there had been a Law given which could have given life verily Righteousness should have been by the Law Gal. 3. 21. Therefore all such whether Jews or Gentiles who seek for Righteousness and Acceptance with God through their
Is that one of our Brethren Or is that like unto Moses The Lord Jesus was made like unto us in all things sin only excepted Man had sinned and therefore Jesus Christ in Man's Nature came forth to at one and make peace and to satisfie the Justice of his Father The Chastisement of our Peace was upon him and through his Scripes we are healed Isa 53. You ask me What I am the better with others for approaching into the Water who hath required these things at our hands for the things that are seen are carnal c. And then you say That those who have the Spirit of Christ do not bend to carnal Washing but come to the answer of a good Conscience and to the heavenly Manna Answ Could you not ask What the Primitive Saints were the better None of Christ's Ordinances are in vain and much spiritual benefit many can experience thereby And we know and are assured that the Lord hath required it at our hands And may you not call outward Preaching and outward Hearing carnal things as well as so to call Baptism and the Supper of our Lord And why my Sister should say That they that have the Spirit of Christ do not bend to such Ordinances I know not sith the Saints who had the Spirit in former times did bend to them And that you should call them by such reproachful Names is a grief to me Your slighting and despising the Precepts and Gospel-Institutions of Jesus Christ may one day prove your Soul-wound and burden What I mentioned concerning Cornelius his bending and submitting unto Water-Baptism notwithstanding his high attainment of the Spirit you have not in the least weak nor laid down any thing that is like aâ— Answer And now as concerning the remaining part of your Letter Some things are but Tautologies repeating the same thing You tell me That Christ is come and positively say and testifie That you look not for another which hath already been refuted and your ignorance with the rest of those of your perswasion made manifest But to draw towards a Conclusion I do in the bowels of Jesus Christ intreat you to examine and prove these Lines by the writings of the holy Men of God Who spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit and ponder so the paths of your feet that all your wayes may be established and see if you have not refused and forsaken the good way of the Lord opposing that Doctrine which is according to Godliness take heed lest you are irrecoverably carried away with a new and strange Doctrine by the slight of men and crastiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive I as touching my self do know on whom I have believed And do not think I shall lay down my head in sorrow as you are pleased to signifie if I procced in the way I am in for though I am outwardly decaying and the time of my departure is at hand yet am I through the Grace of God in some good measure assured That when the earthly house of this Tabernacle is dissolved I have a building of God a house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens 2 Cor. 5. 1 2. I may say with holy Job Behold my witness is in Heaven and my record is on high Job 16. 19. I do know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth and though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes behold and not for another though my reins be consumed in me Job 19. 25 26 27. And that God who fed me all my life long unto this day and hath refreshed my Soul with the dews from above and given me a place in his house will take continual care of me and cause my Soul to bring forth fruit in old Age and be my God and my guide eveu until death And whatsoever you may suppose of the Way and Doctrine in which my Soul is through the Grace of God established and remains unmoveable Yet unto all my faithful Brethren I have this to say and testifie with the Apostle That this is the true Grace of God in which you stand and there is no other Gospel nor Doctrine of Christ to be received nor no other burden laid upon you by Christ but what you have already hold fast until he comes Be you faithful unto death and you shall receive the crown of life And all I have further to say to you my dear Sister is only in tender love to exhort you to Repent and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and give glory to him before your feet stumble upon the dark Mountains and while you look for Light he turn it into the shadow of Death and make it gross darkness God waits long before he utterly gives up a People or a particular Soul to believe lies to be snared and fall so as never to rise any more If you refuse to hear me I can but mourn and weep in secret for you and however I may be judged and censured by any I shall in what I have done have peace This being all at present I shall leave it to the blessing of God and remain Your Affectionate Brother H. G. POSTSCRIPT Christian Reader THE perilousness of these last dayes are very great and the danger of them appears every day more and more those evil times which our Lord Jesus did foretel should come in which false Christ's and false Prophets should arise and deceive many we are brought forth in The Devil knows his time is short and therefore is in great rage Rev. 12. laying about him as I may say with both hands those Souls which he can't destroy by fleshly and carnal filthiness and cursed debauchery which never abounded more in the World than it doth now he labours to ruine and spoyl eternally by erroneous Opinions blasphemous and damnable Heresies And this let me add further That the sins against the first Table are as heinous and as abominable in the sight of God if not more than those against the Second which may appear by that speedy swist and severe execution of wrath and divine vengeance upon those under the former dispensation who were upon that account disobedient and transgressors Levit. 10. 1 2. Numb 15. 36. Numb 16. 32 35 40. 1 Sam. 6. 19. 2 Sam. 6. 6 7. And of all Heresies none are more dangerous and pernicious than those which tend to the razing and destroying the foundation of Religion and Godliness and therefore it is said by the Prophet If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do Psal 11. 3. Now the foundation upon which the true Christian doth alone and wholly build is the Lord Jesus Christ JEHOVAH hath laid in Zion for a foundation a stone a tryed stone a precious corner-stone Isa 28. 16. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor.
3. 11. yet how is this stone in these dayes as well as he was in former times set at nought and dissallowed by many who take upon them to be builders some wholly do disown him others in a mysterious manner lay him aside for notwithstanding their fair pretences of making him their pattern yet the foundation upon which they build is quite another thing And a third sort there be who build upon him but in part and few they are by whom Jesus Christ is alone exalted c. It is the great grief and trouble of my Soul to see what new and strange Opinions are daily hatched and fomented by the Spirit of Errour and Delusion concerning Jesus Christ Some deny his glorious Godhead Deity or Divine Nature Others though they do assert that Jesus Christ is the most high God yet will they not grant that Jesus of Nazareth that man who was born of the Virgin is the Christ and very God but rather as thou mayst perceive by this precedent discourse they absolutely assirm that that inward Light Power or Godhead distinct and apart from the Human Nature or Body that was prepared for him was the Christ that is to say the Spirit or the Anointing and not HE who was therewith anointed And what is this less than to deny the Lord who laid down his life and was crucified to make peace and reconcile us to the Father c. Notwithstanding somewhat hath already been spoken to refute this strange Doctrine yet I am stirred up to add this after-word hoping it may prove through the blessing of the Almighty for a further confirmation of the weak in the truth of the Gospel That which I intend to do is to prove and more clearly make appear that Jesus Christ is truly Man but more especially to shew that he viz. Jesus of Nazareth is the most high God First That he is a Man consider and weigh well these Scriptures that give to him that Appellation The Prophet Isaiah calls him a Man of sorrows Isa 53. 3. The Apostle Peter calls him a man approved of God see Acts 2. 22. Ye men of Israel hear these words Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you by Miracles and Wonders c. John the Baptist called him a Man Joh. 1. 30. This is he of whom I said after me cometh a MAN c. The Apostle Paul calls him a Man 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the MAN Christ Jesus And the Author to the Hebrews in several places calls him a Man see Heb. 7. 24. 10. 12. But this Man after he had offered one Sacrifice for sins for ever sat down on the right hand of God Secondly as he is called a Man so 't is evident and plainly affirmed in Scripture that he was made flesh Joh. 1. 14. or did assume our Nature Forasmuch then as the Children are partakers of flesh and blood he also himself likewise took part of the same Heb. 2. 14. compare this with vers 16. For verily he took not on him the nature of Angels but he took on him the seed of Abraham Moreover the Apostles saith Rom. 1. 3. That he viz. Jesus Christ was made of the seed of David according to the flesh And Gal. 4. 4. the same Apostle affirms That God sent forth his Son made of a Woman c. and from hence he is called the Son of David and the Off-spring of David c. But to proceed Thirdly The Scriptures sayes He was made like unto us in all things sin only excepted he had the very form shape and fashion of a man Phil. 2. 8. That he was born of the Virgin and laid in swadling clothes and that he grew in stature or bigness as others do Luke 2. 52. That he was subject to hunger and cold Matth. 4. 2. and that some times he was found to mourn and weep and at another time to rejoyce and also that of some things he was ignorant and that he was exposed to temptation Matth. 4. 1. Heb. 2. 18. and also unto the rage and fury of wicked men that he was put to death his side the Scripture sayes was pierced and that out of it came water and blood that his feet and hands were nailed to the Cross and that he was buried or laid in a new Sepulchre and that he rose from the dead Now 't is clear and undeniable that all these things could not be said of him were he not in very deed a man as we are c. The next thing that I am to do is to shew and make appear unto you from the holy Scripture That this very man viz. Jesus of Nazareth though he is truly man yet also he is the most high and eternal God and that the Humane and Divine Nature make but one Christ there being such a glorious wonderful and mysterious Union of the two Natures in one Person And for the proof of this observe the Answer of the Apostle Peter to the question our Saviour put forth Matth. 16. 13. Whom do men say that I the Son of man am To which Peter answered vers 16. Thou art CHRIST the Son of the living God This Answer our Lord approved of and therefore said Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in heaven And again at another time when Jesus asked his Disciples whether they also would go away Simon Peter answered him Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life and we believe and are sure that thou art THAT CHRIST the Son of the living GOD. And to this agrees the saying and Testimony of the Angel to Mary Luk. 2. 36. The holy Spirit shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall over shadow thee therefore also that holy Thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God It may not be amiss also if I mention the words of Nathaniel Joh. 1. 4 9. Nathaniel answered and said Rabbi Thou art the Son of God thou art the King of Israel And that I may further make this appear that Jesus of Nazareth is truly God yea the most high God as is the Father and of the same substance and essence though distinguished from the Father as touching his personal subsistence I shall lay down these following Arguments taken from the holy Scriptures First Because he hath that very name or application given unto him See Heb. 1. 8. But unto the Son he saith Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever compared with Acts 20. where the Apostle chargeth the Elders of the Church of Ephesus to take heed unto themselves and to all the Flock over which the holy Spirit had made them Overseers to seed the Church of God which HE observe hath purchased with his own blood vers 28. Now all men know that he who gave himself for the Church to purchase the
Church and to cleanse and wash the Church was Jesus Christ Object But here it may be some will object and say That this same name or appellation hath been given unto men as we read concerning Moses Exod. 7. 1. And the Lord said unto Moses See I have made thee a God unto Pharaoh c. And so the Scriptures elsewhere speak of the Rulers as Gods I said ye are Gods but ye shall die like Men. Answ 1. I do grant the name God hath been given to men upon the account of what those Scriptures speak yet was that name or title never given to any man on earth as it is given unto Jesus Christ for he is not only called God but also the Mighty God See Isa 9. 6. For unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given and the Government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty GOD the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace And as he is here called the Mighty God so the Apostle John calls him the True God 1 Job 5. 20. And we know saith he that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life And as he is called by this Apostle the true God so Jude calls him the only Wise God Jude 25. Yea and the Apostle Paul calls him Rom. 9. 5. God blessed for ever see and observe his expressions Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Chrict came who is GOD blessed for ever Amen Now where is any man save Jesus of Nazareth only called the Mighty God the True God the only Wise God and God blessed for ever And how dares any man these Scriptures being considered deny the glorious Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ But 2. He that made the World must needs be Eternal God for none could do that but God alone 'T is ridiculous and most absurd to think the Creature could make it self before it self was God upon the account of his infinite Power and Wisdom in creating the the World expostulateth and reasoneth with his People glorying if I may so say in the greatness of his Power and Majesty and unwordable Essence proving that way his dreadful Godhead Isa 40. and all the Gods of the Nations to be but Idols And now that Jesus Christ made and created the World see the first of John vers 1. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God vers 3. All things were made by him c. Now compare this with the 14th verse And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Reade the next verse and you may see that this was he that John bear witness of to be the true Christ But again reade Col. 2. 16. For by him saith Paul were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible If you would know who this is you may see if you please to mind vers 14. 't is he who hath purchased remission of sins for us through his blood and 18 verse 'T is he who is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first born from the dead c. compare this with Heb. 2. 10. And thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the works of thy hands That he speaks of the Son 't is evident see the whole Chapter the main drift of the Author is to set forth the glorious Deity and Godhead of Jesus Christ But I must hasten to the next Argument and that is this 3. He that upholdeth all things that are made must needs be God but that Jesus Christ doth uphold and preserve all the whole Creation see Heb. 1 3. Who being the brightness of his Glory and the express image of his Person and upholding observe all things by the word of his Power when he had by him self purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on High This agrees with Col. 1. 17. And he is before all things and by him all things consist 4. He that knoweth all things before it cometh to pass must be God such knowledge is too wonderful for us Psal 139. In several places of Scripture you may see how the Almighty doth prove his glorious Being and Godhead by his Omnisciency Job 38. 1 2 4 5 19 20 33 39. Psal 4. 10. Job 36. 4 5 6 c. And that our Lord Jesus Christ knoweth all things see John 21. 17. they are the words of Simon Peter And he said unto him Lord THOU KNOWEST all things thou Knowest that I love thee Moreover 't is said Joh. 2. 24 25. That Jesus did not commit himself unto them because he Knew all men And needed not that any should Testifie of Man for he knew what was in man And in another place it is said That Jesus Knew from the beginning who they were that believed not and who should betray him Joh. 6. 64. What more clearly tends to prove his blessed Deity than his Omnisciency 5. I shall yet add another Argument further to evince this glorious truth which doth hang or depend upon the precedent Reason viz. He that searcheth the heart must of necessity be acknowledged and owned to be the Almighty and Etenal God for who knoweth the heart save that infinite Majesty that formed the Spirit of Man that is in him The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked saith the Prophet Jer. 17. 9. who can know it I the LORD search the heart and try the reins vers 10. As if the Lord should say There is none save my self knoweth or can know it And now that the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins doth search the heart and the reins he himself doth assert it Rev. 2. 23. I will kill her Children with death speaking of the woman Jezebel and all the Churches shall know that I am HE which searcheth the reins and the heart and I will give unto every one of you according as his works shall be c. 6. He that is the first and the last must needs be the Everlasting God for from this very ground and consideration the Lord doth argue or reason with his People to shew and make appear there is no other God besides himself Isa 44. 6. I am the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God compared with Chap. 48. 12. Hearken unto me O Jacob and Israel my called I am he I am the first and I am the last c. And that the famous said of the Lord Jesus Christ reade Rev. 2. 8. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending which is and
given many times as the answer of their Prayers their Supplications to God for to give it plainly shews it was not in their power of the Apostles to give it Secondly That Baptism which is here intended which our Lord commanded his Apostles to baptize with was the Baptism which after his Ascension they did baptize with and that 't is evident was Water Can any man forbid Water saith Peter Acts 10. 47. that these should not be baptized c. 't is said They went both down into the Water both Philip and the Eunuch Acts 8. 38. Now the Baptism here commanded must needs remain to be practised to the end of the World Because whatsoever is here given forth by Christ is given forth as he is King and Mediatour of the New Covenant and as part of his last Will and Testament and his last Will and Testament stands in full force and vertue to the end of the World unalterable and whosoever brings any other Gospel let him be accursed Thirdly Because 't is the mind of Christ that whatsoever he Commanded them should be taught successively to the Nations And his Spiritual Presence being promised unto the end of the World to all those that did keep and observe whatsoever he there commanded them plainly proves that the practice of all those Ordinances were to be kept up to the end of the World But again To prove that the practice of Water-Baptism doth remain in full force and vertue after the coming of Christ in Spirit I need not go further to make it appear than the second of the Acts. Christ made good the Promise of the Comforter or his coming to his Disciples in Spirit as you may see in the beginning of that Chapter by the help and power of which Spirit Peter preach'd to those Jews that had put Christ to death and many of them being pricked in their hearts cryed out What shall we do Then said Peter vers 38. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ and you shall receive the gift of the holy Spirit And vers 41. 't is said Those that gladly received the Word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand Souls This observe was after that coming of Christ which you speak of Do you think that the Apostle Peter in the Name and Authority of Christ Jesus would have commanded so many persons to be baptized if he had understood Water-Baptism ceased at the pourings forth of the Spirit or the practice of it was to remain no longer Besides was not the Eunuch baptized in Water after the coming of Christ in Spirit Acts 8. 41 42. and many in the City of Samaria and was not Paul baptized by Ananias Acts 9. and Cornelius and those with him after the coming of Christ in Spirit with many others that I might mention and yet you very ignorantly affirm That the practice of it was to remain no longer than till Christ so came as aforesaid I might now come to Answer another Objection that some of your judgment bring against this Appointment of Christ and then come to examine the remaining part of your Letter 't is grounded from Paul's words 1 Cor. 1. 14. I thank God I baptized none of you save Crispus and Gaius Observe by the way That though this is brought as an Objection against Baptism yet the Objector doth thereby confess the Baptism here intended is that of Water and then by your own confession Paul baptized after the coming of the Comforter or Christ in Spirit But you say he thanks God he baptized no more Indeed too many by them if the practice of it were out of doors before But to return you an Answer take his next words for it he gives you the reason why he thanked God he baptized no more 't is not because the practice then was not in force but lest any should say he baptized in his own Name many amongst them were grown so carnal as to slight or else to idolize their Teachers and ready to accuse the Ministers of Christ with unfaithfulness as if they did that in their own Names which they did in the Name and Authority of Christ Jesus and this was the cause of his speaking those words But 't is objected That he doth affirm Christ sent him not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel Answ Paul doth not intend by his so speaking that he had no Authority from Christ to baptize but rather to show that his chief work was to Preach the Gospel He gives us to understand that to baptize was not the alone and chief business he was sent to do but his great work was to Preach the Gospel This word not is not alwayes used as an absolute Negative for then Christ utterly forbids all outward labour Joh. 6. 27. where he commands them Not to labour for the meat which perisheth c. and by the same Argument we may conclude also that Adam was not at all deceived because Paul saith expresly 1 Tim. 2. 14. Adam was not deceived but the Woman It is clear the Apostle meaneth Adam was not first deceived I might give divers instances of the like kind but this shall at present suffice as to the Answer of this Objection I shall now come to examine the next part of your Letter these are your very words being a Repetition and Reply to some part of that which I formerly wrote unto you Thou speakest of the Body of Christ after he was risen again and sayest That after that he spake with his Disciples and gave them Commandments that then he Ascended with the same Body into Heaven which words are not agreeable to the Scripture Brother be not too wise in thy own conceit for it is no where said That flesh and blood is Christ but Jesus Christ came in the flesh Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15. 50. But one in a certain place saith That he first descended into the lower parts of the Earth and he that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that he might fill all things Ephes 4. 9 10. Beware at any time thou opens thy mouth against the true Light that lightneth every man which cometh into the World for it is the pure Principle which is owned by the scorned People called Quakers and ought to be owned by thee also Oh Brother come out of your beggarly Elements and turn to the Light which reproves for sin and believe in it and it will certainly take away thy sin Surely he is come yea he is come felt heard and understood c. Answ What I formerly wrote unto you concerning Christ and of his appearing to his Disciples after he rose again from the dead and that he ascended with the same body into Heaven is expresly according to the words of the holy Scriptures And for being wise in my own conceit I have otherwise learned Christ and the wisdom