did of whom it is here spoken For thus are the Words I fell at his Feet to worship and he said unto me see thou do it not I am they Fellow-Servant and of thy Brethren which have the Testimony of Jesus worship God for the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy Which is to say I am but as thy self thou hast the Spirit of Prophecy as well as I I am but a Prophet testifying of Jesus like thy self As Chap. 22. 9. I am thy Fellow-Servant and of thy Brethren the Prophets So that when Isaiah faith to all to the Testimony exhorting them to keep close to that word and to enquire there whether that which any man shall spake be Truth he cannot mean the Spirit of Prophecy because all have it not in themselves nor is it the Will of God they should for he dispences the gifts of the Spirit severally to one Wisdom to another Miracles to another Prophecy 1 Cor. 12. Let me hear you say all men Heathens as well as Christians have the Spirit of Prophecy in their Hearts which testifies of Jesus and Prophesies of him speaks of things to come of his Name his Servants his worship his Enemies his Kingdom and Church as it spake testified and prophesied in the Angel and the Apostle as appears by the whole Book G. F. Truth and Deceit p. 10. To all as stumble at the silent waiting upon the Lord. Hear what Isaiah faith Sit thou in silence get thou in darkness O Daughter of the Caldeans thou shalt no more be called Lady of Kingdoms Isa. You must witness silence before you come to speak For when the Devil was cast forth the Dumb spake Let the Lips be put to silence that spake grieveus and proud things contemptuously against the Righteous All you lying Lips that speak contemptuous things against the Righteous you are to be put to silence before you speak Ps. 31. 18. Kir of Moab was brought to silence because he was in the Night Isa. 15. 1. In all these places Destruction and Miserv that which is to be dreaded is meant by silence and not waiting upon the Lord which is desireable and which we are exhorted unto In Isa. 47. 5. it is manifest from the latter words Sit thou in silence get thee in darkness thou shalt no more be called Lady of Kingdoms And from vers 1. Come down and Sit in the Dust O Virgin Daughter of Babylon sit on the Ground there is no Throne O Daughter of the Caldeans for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate In the other of Isaiah it is likewise manifest from the Text it self which if you had cited it fully would have discovered your abuse Chap. 15. 1. The Burden of Moab because in the Night Kir of Moab is laid waste and brought to silence As clear is it in that of the Psalmist Let the Wicked be ashamed and let them be silent in the Grave Let the lying Lips be put to silence which speak grievous things and contemptuously against the Righteous Ps. 31. 17 18. Doth this signifie they must wait on the Lord in the silence of their Souls before they speak Or doth it not signifie they shall be punished As Ps. 12. 3. The Lord shall cut off all Flattering Lips and the Tongue that speaketh proud things Vers. 5. For the oppression of the Poor now will I arise saith the Lord I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him And Ps. 52. 4. 5. Thou lovest all devouring words O thou deceitful Tongue God shall likewise destroy thee for ever He shall destroy thee for ever He shall take thee away and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place and root thee out of the land of the living Such is the silence before spoken of as when the Psalmist saith Unless the Lord had been my help my Soul had almost dwelt in silence Psal. 94. 17. G. F. General Epistle p. 10. The Apostle saith Tongues must cease Then that which makes as you say Orthodox Divines must cease And in the same place he saith Prophecies shall fail and knowledge shall vanish away 1 Cor. 13. 8. And then that which you say makes Orthodox men and Divines must cease So that the Apostle speaks no more against Tongues than against Prophecy and knowledge Ibid. p. 10. 11. The word which was in the beginning is called the word of Reconciliation by this word are men sanctified and made clean which is Christ whose name is called The Word of God True his Name is the Word of God but his name is not the Word of Christ and yet something is so called Say Christ is the Word of Christ and prove there is no incongruity in that saving Christ is manifestly distinguished from his word as every man is from what he speaks and teaches as the Philosopher is from his institutes For it is called his Word his Doctrine his sayings that which he spake with his lips and the people heard with their ears Ioh. 15. 20. 14. 23 24. 7. 16. 8. 31. And the same is the Word through which the Text says men were made clean it being in the very terms clearly distinguished from himself Ioh. 15. 3. Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken unto you Which is no more Himself than Blessed are the Merciful the poor in Spirit the pure in Heart Love your Enemies ask and you shall receive believe on me and whatsoever else he taught is himself For thus you read again Ioh. 4. 41. 42. Many more believed because of his own word and said unto the woman Now we believe not because of thy saying for we have heard him our selves c. 8. 30. As he spake these words many believed on him Jam. 1. 18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of Truth Such also is the word of Reconciliation committed unto the Apostles viz. The doctrine of the Gospel which they had heard and learned of Christ and had also received by the inspiration of his Spirit and Preached unto the world as is likewise manifest from the Text 2 Cor. 5. 18. God hath reconciled us unto himself by Jesus Christ and hath given to us the Ministry of Reconciliation Which is the same as He hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation And what that is you may understand by this which follows We pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God for he hath made him to be sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him Go said he Preach the Gospel to all Nations teach them to observe whatsoever I have commanded you He that Believeth and is Baptised shall be Saved And told them that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached in his Name Accordingly they Preached Act. 13. 38 39. Be it known unto you that through this man is Preached to you the forgiveness of Sins and by him all that believe are justified from all
eat and unless we do so forbear all food Christ then hath ordeined that all the wicked who are always unfit must be famished or else you must say they sin when ever they eat and to save their lives may indeed eat though they do sin But further could you not see that this was done in the Church when many of the Christians came together into one place for this very end and not in their own houses not by every one apart in every eating Could you not see it is called the Lord's Supper with express distinction from their own It is written plain enough vers 20. 21. 22. When ye come together into one place this is not to eat the Lord's Supper for in eating every one taketh before other his own Supper What have ye not houses to eat and drink in So far are you from the Truth when you say the Christians did partake of the Lord's Table when they eat with the very Heathens and whensoever else Ibid. p. 58. Christ charged his Disciples to wait for his coming at Jerusalem the promise of the Father of which he had told them before his Death which they were to shew so often as they brake bread till he came 1 Cor. 11. 26. and after he was come to the Apostles they continued it for their sakes who were weak in the Faith to whom he was not appeared R. Barclay Catechism p. 98. This was to continue till Christ came Which coming is inward 1 The Commandment of our Saviour Do this in remembrance of me according to you belonged only to the Apostles and those that were Disciples before his Death and was obligatory but till the descent of the Holy Ghost that is but fifty days after his Resurrection and that after this time it was arbitrary and they might observe it or forbear But this is false for St. Paul tells the Corinthians that he had received this of the Lord and accordingly delivered the same unto them 2 Cor. 11. 23. So that that which was commanded the Apostles before Christ's death was given in charge again to St. Paul and that after Christ's com ing to the Apostles in Jerusalem at Pentecost for after this time was he called to the Ministry and moreover was delivered by him as a command to be observed by the Church Nay though Christ was come by the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost yet still says the Apostle As oft as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye shew or shew ye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lord's Death till he come 1 Cor. 11. 26 So that he means another coming and until that be he teaches us that this is to be done 2 Not only in that first descent of the Holy Ghost but also in all Divine operations in the heart by the same spirit was Christ come already when the Apostle wrot for unless he was so come working graciously upon the heart the Corinthians were not to receive the Supper of the Lord v. 27. 28. 29. Wherefore that inward coming cannot be meant by the Apostle for as much as that which he speaks of was not as yet as is manifest by those words Till he come 3 If the Apostles continued it as you further say for the sakes of the weak why do not you likewise continue it for the sakes of the same What are there no weak ones among you Is the Church of the Quakers better than the primitive Or are you wiser than the Apostles judging that unfit which they judged fit But dear Souls in good earnest is the Lord's Supper below you too mean and beggarly for your strength and spirituality What Christian how great and perfect soever he be if as perfect as St. Paul doth it not become to commemorate Christ and shew forth his Death as this Solemnity requires Which is to declare by this outward Rite to all the world his Faith in this Crucified Person whom the Jews by reason of his vile death despised and rejected 1 Cor. 1. 18. 23. and to profess himself his Servant and to admire his love and the Love of his Father and to acknowledge that our eternal Redemption is by his Blood-shed and for all to offer most ardent thanks and the profoundest Praises and Adorations of his heart This reason is perpetual and equally concerns all And further was there ever any Church which discontinued the Supper of our Lord Or was there never heretofore the glorious appearance till which time your selves say it was to be observed until now among you Quakers I adde you discern not the wisdom of our Lord in this matter in that he hath injoyned us to come and yet forbids unless we prepare our selves So that he provokes and even compels us to Devotion and Piety and doth what may be not only to excite and animate our coldness but to continue us in our goodness and to bring the more profane to a godly mind and life viz. by the frequent repetitions of this grand and serious solemnity 4 Christ's coming therefore until which time his Supper is to continue is that in the end of the world which is so eminently spoken of every-where in the Gospel and all Christians wait for Of which you read again in this Epistle c. 15. 23. Christ the First-fruits is risen afterwards they that are Christ's shall rise at his coming Then cometh the end G. K. Help p. 22. This is Antichrist who denies Christ the Son came in the revelation of himself in the heart for that coming of Christ in his Bodily appearance at Jerusalem Antichrist will not does not deny being he knows it will never harm his Kingdom so to confess him come provided Christ's Kingdom be not set up in the heart Tomlinson word of Reproof p. 5. The spirit of Antichrist doth not confess Christ come i. e. when he comes or appears in flesh or in his servants Parker's Discovery p. 20. Every Spirit that confesses Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God but the Pope and his Train and the vilest persons have confessed Christ come in his flesh at Jerusalem yet are not of God They who deny Christ come in their mortal flesh to destroy sin are Antichrists I am sorry to hear such words come out of the mouths of men pretending to Christianity I trust it is out of ignorance and inconsideration you speak not malice For will not Antichrist deny Christ come in his Body when he took that Flesh that through Death he might destroy him that had the power of Death the Devil and when through the offering of his Body we are all sanctified when by that Blood he entred into the holy place having obteined Eternal Redemption for us and when it is that which cleanseth us from all our sins when in this body he rose again without which Resurrection we had yet been in our sins and in the same ascended without which ascension the Holy Ghost had not come When without this Body the world
Pet. 3. 2. Ye wives be in subjection to your own Husbands that if any obey not the word they also way without the word be wone by the conversation of the wives while they behold your chast conversation coupled with Fear v. 15. Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear c. 2. 18. Servants be subject to your Masters with all fear See 2 Cor. 7. 15. Eph. 6. 5. Understand you not the difference betwixt fearing God and fearing men If you do not but esteem the latter unlawful being now excited to use your wits I am ready to instruct you at your request But why will you not look into your Bible and consider the Text which you cite before you write Which if you had done you would have seen that the Apostle Rom. 13. 7. speaks not of God but altogether of men As the first words shew Render to all their dues And the next following Owe no man anything but to love one another Duesberry's Discovery p. 15. Now after the witnesses have sealed up their Testimony the Beast which is thy will that ascends out of the bottomless Pit of thy deceived heart hath made War against the Witnesses Christ in thee and slain them and they lie dead in the spiritual City of Sodom and Egypt where our Lord is Crucified Rev. 11. 7 8. So again p. 33. G. K. Immed Revelation p. 117. Christ's Spirit shall consume this Antichrist that sits in the Temple of God mans heart and rules as Lord there And this Antichrist is not a person or persons particular but a Spirit Joh. 4. 2. and is the spirit of Satan which rules in the children of disobedience In this Temple the heart the Whore Mystery Babylon sits as Queen 2 Thes. 2. Thanks says the Pope I and my Clergy were wont to be branded peculiarly with these ill names but it is now declared by immediate revelation that we are no more Antichrist and the Whore of Babylon than are other sinners and even those among the Heathens for a wicked spirit was in the hearts of men before we ever came to our dominion in the Church and is now in those with whom we have nothing to do as being gone out from us and in Heathens that never were of us and this Antichrist sits in every vitious mans heart and so rules in the Temple of God notwithstanding many of them are contemptible persons and have no authority over others like as we have The Beast hath Seven Heads and Ten Horns which are Seven Mountains and Ten Kings And though it be somewhat odd and I do not understand it yet now sure I am or else Revelation fails that this Beast with all his Power Pomp and Kingdoms is the will of every naughty sinner how mean and impotent soever he be And the woman the Mother of Harlots drunken with the blood of the Saints and Martyrs that sits upon the Beast the will and upon many waters is the Spirit of Satan ruling in the children of disobedience and so this Woman drinks blood in every such Childs heart and whereas one would think she shed the blood of others and those Saints and Martyrs it is only the wicked mans own blood and though it seemeth that blood is really shed and men are literally killed it is in truth quite another matter namely Christ Crucified in the wicked mans heart by lusts which we know may be without the loss of one drop of blood And though the Two witnesses prophesying and being slain hath been judged to signify something acted by men among themselves the faithful Servants of Christ contending for his Truth against a company of evil men and this evil company overcoming them and treating them with all injuries yet it only signifieth what is done betwixt Christ and the Heart Christ speaking there and the will crucifying him there viz. in the deceived heart which is the great City where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was Crucified spiritually called Sodom Good Children go on and tell the Protestants from the Spirit of the Lord that that Spirit did not point at our Papal Power in those names of Beasts Antichrist Babylonish Whore I stroak you my Dearest and lay my hands upon you and give you my Blessing Thus glories the Pope But Friends whereas St. John Prophesies of Witnesses and of a Beast and Whore and makes accurat descriptions of these can you think he means no particular persons but only speaks of the common strife of the Flesh and Spirit in men And I would have you consider whether common vitious Persons that neither propagate nor hold Errors and Heresies nor persecute and offer injuries to the Church are called in the Scripture Antichrist But albeit you say the Beast is the Will and Antichrist is not any particular person or persons yet I find one of you and he a great man contradicting telling us plainly that the Pope is the Beast and the Antichrist G. Fox Few Words p. 6. This is clear that the Pope is the VVhore and the Beast that rose out of the Earth p. 8. The Pope saith they can forgive Sins viz. his Iesuits Priests Friars Here is the Beast with his many names the many Antichrists Seeing then some of you say the Beast is the Will some the Pope some that Antichrist is not any particular persons some that he is the Pope with his Jesuits Priests and Friars I had best stop here till you are agreed And truly may some say you might have stopped long ago and even have spared all your pains for any hope you can have of convincing them who esteem themselves infallible they knowing the shame of Recantation and what injury it will be to their Credit and what dammage to their Party But I am not altogether without hope For who knows what the Lord may do However my Labour may not be in vain to some of their Followers who scarce believe what the Doctors so confidently boast of themselves And especially may it conduce to prevent the lapse of others who by reason of their glorious pretence are smitten with some admiration of their persons and their way Besides the instances which I have given of your false Interpretations I can produce near Forty more which I have observed in reading a few of your books By which any one may perceive what sad work you make with the Scriptures But these may suffice to shew that you are far from doing according to what you affirm of your selves as in the beginning I cited your own words viz. That you dare not make use of Scripture but as the Spirit opens dare not speak the words of Scripture in your own Spirit but tie them to the Spirit so as not to use them but by the Spirit do not Interpret Scripture by the fallible mind the things which you write you received by the Revelation of Jesus Christ and you are not fallible
QUAKER'S FALSE INTERPRETATIONS OF Holy Scripture By THOMAS WILSON Rector of Arrow in Warwick-Shire LONDON Printed for Benjamin Harris at the Stationer's Arms in Sweetings Rents in Cornhil 1678. Imprimatur Guil. Jane QUAKER'S FALSE INTERPRETATIONS OF SCRIPTURE ONly of this at present Hereafter perhaps I may Treat of their Doctrines and their Manners All that I desire of the Reader is that in the several Texts I shall instance he consult the Bible because words separated from the Discourse may seem even to a wise man to signifie what the Inspired Authors never intended and the like expressions and sometimes tho same do mean different things as in all other Books so in holy Writ G. K. Immed Revelat. p. 21. We may not nor dare not make use of the Scripture but in the Life and Spirit as that opens and influences We dare not nor ought not to speak the Spirit 's words in our own Spirit We tie the words of Scripture unto the Spirit so as not to use them but in and by the Spirit G. K. Help in need p. 77. Away with that manner of interpreting Scripture and searching truth by drawing and knitting consequences by the fallible erring mind and natural understanding Keep close in all things to the determination of the Spirit of God and where that leads you to draw a consequence or frame an argument do it else forbear W. Duesbury's discovery p. 48. The word of the Lord came upon me in the common Gaol in Warwick 13. of 1. Moneth 1664. which constrained to be given forth from the Spirit of the Lord c. N. Love to Lost p. 1. The things following are not of Man nor did I receive them but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Atkinsons Standard of the Lord p. 30. Written from the Spirit of the Lord. Burrough's Trumpet p. 1. The Order and Authority given unto me by the Spirit of the Living God 31. of 10. Moneth in the Year 1655. about the 4th hour in the Morning when my Meditations were of my God upon my Bed in Kilkenny City at that time the word of the Lord came unto me saying Write c. Given under my hand and Sealed with the Spirit of the eternal God Foster's Guide p. 59. Do you not Professors confess your selves to be fallible If then I can prove that you have Interpreted Scripture in a false Sense you must grant that you have not Interpreted only in and by the Spirit of God but in your own and by the natural understanding and fallible erring mind And I hope if it appear to you that you have thus done you will not lay the error how little soever it may be upon that Holy One but take it to your selves though it contradict your Glorious Pretence and abate your Credit and Shame you never so much And in the name of Christ I admonish you that you do so that God be not Dishonoured and his excellent Spirit Vilified The tryal follows G. K. Im. Revel p. 72. Out of Sion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem And he The word for that is his name Rev. 19. shall judge among the Nations Isa. 2 3 4. 1 Your reason why the Word of the Lord must here signifie Christ for that is it you mean viz. Because his name is the Word is infirm unless you can prove it always so signifies which it doth not as you may see in many places of Scripture particularly in this Prophet's writings Chap. 39. 5. Hear the word of the Lord of Hosts That is not Christ but this Sentence which follows Behold the day is come that all that is in thine House shall be carried to Babylon Chap. 28. 14. Hear the word of the Lord Namely this Thus saith the Lord behold I lay c. vers 16. 2 As in these former words Come and let us go up to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways He refers to God and not to house So it is manifest that in these latter For out of Sion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem and he shall judge among the Nations He refers to Lord and not to the Word For 3 it had been all one if it had been only said Out of Sion shall go forth the Law of the Lord and he shall judge The Law of the Lord and the Word of the Lord being here the same And then as the Law here is not Christ so neither is the Word 4 And thus was it fulfilled concerning the Gospel as that being distinct from Christ. For it was first Preached at Jerusalem and from thence proceeded to the Gentiles Luk. 24. 47. Thus it is Written that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached in Christ's Name among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Thus Tertullian understands the Text. Adv. Marc. L. 3. C. 21. Ex Sion exibit lex sermo Domini ex Hierusalem Haec erit via sua novae Legis evangelium novi sermonis in Christo non in Moyse And Just. Mart. Apol. 2. p. 78 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. For Out of Sion c. From Jerusalem went twelve men into the World who declared to all Mankind that they were sent of Christ to Preach the Word of God to all Ibid. p. 66. I desire the Reader to weigh what word it is David speaks so frequently of in Psal. 119. It is not any word writ any outward word or words But the eternal word which created the Heavens and Earth The word in the begining which taught him the Laws Judgments c. Jesus Christ P. 67. 68. 65. You may as well say Testimonies Statutes Judgments Commandements Law are not a written and outward word or words For they are all used promiscuously and what is spoken of the word is spoken of these As it is said I beheld the Transgressors and was grieved because they kept not thy word So Rivers of Waters ran down mine Eyes because they kept not thy Law As I rejoyce at thy word So Thy Testimonies are the rejoicing of my Heart As I have hoped in thy word So I have hoped in thy judgments As Thy word is very pure therefore thy Servant loveth it So Upright are thy judgments I love thy Commandments As For ever thy word is settled in Heaven So Thy testimonies thou hast founded for ever The word then here spoken of being the same with Testimonies Statutes Judgments Commandments Law it is as much outward written and spoken as they are and you may as well say the Testimonies Statutes c. are Christ as that this word is and that they taught the word as that the word taught them As is evident by the reading of almost any two connext verses in the Psalm and especially those single ones which contein both words for that where they thus occur there is no difference to be discerned As vers 16. I will delight my self in thy Statutes I
according to you the manifestation of the Spirit doth signifie as to some men Heathens namely and the darkest and wickedest the least measure of light and the smallest spiritual operation and motion in the Heart you understanding that it is given to every man And this so ill agreeing with the Apostles discourse it was necessary that you should take away the emphasis as you have done saying a manifestation of the Spirit is given to every Man But what reason and authority you have for so doing I know not the Greek having its Article which commonly enough is emphatical 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but especially there being the greatest emphasis in the thing it self the manifestation of the Spirit the Apostle expressing it by many eminent Gifts such as Tongues Miracles c. and not saying one ordinary thing of it such namely as is the light in every man Heathens as well as Christians G. K. Help p. 2. Eating and drinking Damnation spoken of 1 Cor. 11. is where this discerning of the Lord's Body is not rightly made the Dead and Crucified Body from the Living Body the living Soul as it is first from the quickning Spirit which follows after Surely men may say any thing when they assume the liberty of proving nothing The Text is this He that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh Damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's Body Not discerning it in what I demand In eating and drinking you must say if you will speak according to the Apostle I demand further in eating and drinking what This Bread and Wine you must answer which the Lord ordeined in remembrance of his Death if you will again speak as the Apostle doth Friend Dost thou eat and drink this I neither do nor will must thou reply according to thy opinion and practice I tell thee then that thou discernest not the Lord's Body according to the mind of the Apostle in this place And it is no wonder that thou hast invented a strange interpretation hereof so long as thou wilt have nothing to do with the Institution Do this in remembrance of me But since the Apostle speaks of the Lord's Supper shew that he means here that another body is to be discerned than that which is to be remembred as Crucified whereof the Bread and Wine are Symbols Shew a syllable here that intimates a spiritual body I will shew thee and I wish thou would'st learn thy duty what it is according to the Apostles mind to discern the Lords Body viz. to come to the Supper of the Lord not as to a common Feast but with heavenly affection and all due preparation of Soul minding his Death the death of so great an one as the Son of God the Lord of Glory and not of an ordinary man and that ignominious and painful the death of the Cross his Love herein and the Love of his Father and our inestimable benefit eternal Redemption so as to be sutably wrought upon by all Thus much you might have learned from the Apostle if you had observed his words who tells us that as for eating and drinking that is after the common manner we have houses to do that in but this bread is Christ's Body broken for us and this Cup is the New Testament in his Blood and we are to examin our selves and to receive these in remembrance of him shewing forth his Death herein And I pray you what is here unworthy of a Christian and unfit for you to do what that is meau and elementary and not divine enough for the best But as for your discerning of the Lord's Body his dead Body from his living Body the living Soul from the quickning Spirit as you intend it not of his Supper so hath it nothing to do with the Text. J. N. Love to the Lost p. 54. c. This was Instituted by Christ as they sate at Meat and did eat and so often as they did eat and drink thereof they were to do it in remembrance of him shewing his Death till he came And this was that the Apostles received of the Lord and was practised in the purity of the Church which breaking Bread from house to house did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart And this was to be done at all seasons when they eat and drank in their eating and drinking they were to do it to the Lord and herein to have communion with his Body and Blood Yea when they were to have communion with the Gentiles they were to partake of the Table of the Lord 1 Cor. 10. Many excess having overtaken them for want of eating always in his fear and in remembrance of his coming have put his coming afar off into another world and are become reprobate in the Faith as to his appearance and to avoid this it was that the Lord Jesus commanded his Disciples in eating and drinking to shew forth his death till he came It must needs be that they return into the pleasures of the flesh that discern not his Body in their eatings who is the Body of all creatures And this is known from the Lord in the Eternal to be the true end of the Supper of the Lord instituted and appointed that in remembrance of his death they might be kept from all excess It is easie to say This is from the Lord but nothing is more dreadful than to lay Errour upon the Holy Ghost notwithstanding the people out of reverence to that holy one believe it and reverence the Assertor Shew a syllable that intimates that our Lord instituted his Supper for a remembrance of his Death in our ordinary daily eating and drinking or that the reason he took Bread and Wine when he did eat the Passeover with his Disciples and said Take eat this is my Body Drink ye all of it for this is my Blood This do in remembrance of me was to shew us that whenever we take our common meals we should feed our selves in his fear as the remembrance of his Death requires Nothing is more clear than that he meaneth a peculiar eating and drinking For says he This is my Body This is my Blood Is all Bread and Wine his Body and Blood or do they so signify Nay though there be on our Tables neither of these creatures but only Butter and Cheese and Eggs Beer and Water and Milk Again the Apostle doth not say as oft as ye eat and drink but as oft as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup you shew the Lord's death 1 Cor. 11. manifestly distinguishing this Bread and Wine from Cabbage and Ale and whatsoever else is our common food And again 1 Cor. 10. The Cup of Blessing which we bless is it not the communion of the Blood of Christ Is every Cup this And chap. 11. Let a man examine himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fit and so let him eat of this Bread and drink of this Cup. I pray you must we examine and fit our selves whenever we
Heretick says Christ was without the substance of Flesh that he suffered not of the Jews but Simon in his place so that we are not to believe in him that was Crucified lest we believe in Simon Chap. 49. Valentinus the Heretick says that Christ was not in the substance of our Flesh but brought I know not what kind of Spiritual Body from Heaven and passed through the Virgin as Water through a Pipe taking nothing thence Chap. 51. Cerdon affirms him to have been only a Phantasm not to have truly suffered but as it were to have suffered not to be Born of a Virgin nor to be Born at all After these comes Apelles and he says Christ was neither in the appearance nor in the substance of a true Body but for asmuch as he descended from the superior Places in his descent he wove for himself a Flesh of the substance of the Stars and Air and in his ascent restored to each Element what he had borrowed and the parts of his Body being thus dispersed only his Spirit went to Heaven See the same Author De Carne Christi per totum Thus you have seen Antichrist hath denied Christ to have come in his Flesh And I hope therefore you will correct your assertion that he doth not denie this nor will left you should be thought to judge this monstrous error not foul enough to be called Antichristianism And thus your foundation viz. Antichrist confesses Christ to be come in his Flesh and Bodily appearance at Jerusalem being thrown down that which you have built upon it falls with it viz. That therefore Antichrist denying Christ to be come in Flesh must be understood of his coming in the Flesh of his Servants his revealing himself in the Heart I add as for Christ's coming in Flesh as this signifies his own Flesh his incarnation or his mean condition we every where read of it in Scripture As The Word was made Flesh. God sent his Son in the likeness of Sinful Flesh. God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law He was made like unto us in all things He took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men. But in what places of Scripture his coming in Flesh signifies his appearance in our Hearts I require you to shew and withal what Hereticks have denied this coming as I have shewed many that have denied the former But there is another rendring of St. John's words which perhaps may give you a better understanding both of the confessing of Christ and also of his coming in Flesh viz. every Spirit 1 Joh. 4. 2 3. which confesseth Jesus Christ who came in Flesh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is of God Every Spirit which confesseth not Jesus Christ who came in Flesh is not of God And then the Sense is plainly this He is the true Prophet which confesses Christ though he was in the mean condition of a Man made Man and made a Servant And he is the false Prophet which denies him and doth so upon this account Which confession is the acknowledgment of his Person viz. That he is the Christ and the Son of God and the acknowledgment of his whole Doctrine And which denial is likewise the denial of both According to this Sense we read throughout the Epistle Verf. 14. 15. We have seen and do Testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God God dwelleth in him and he in God Chap. 2. 18. 22. 23. 26. Even now are there many Antichrist's Who is a Liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ He is Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son Whosoever denieth the Son the same hath not the Father These things have I written to you concerning them that Seduce you Chap 5. 1. Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is Born of God Verf. 5. Who is he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God Verf. 20. We know that the Son of God is come Thus also in his 2 Epist. Verf. 7. Many deceivers are entred into the World who confess not Jesus Christ coming or who did come 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Flesh. Verf. 9. Whosoever abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God If any bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your House In his Gospel we have the same Chap. 20. 31. These signs are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ. This was the principal thing to be Preached and Believed Act. 9. 20. 22. and 2. 36. Rom. 10. 9. And hereby True and False Prophets were known 1 Cor. 12. 3. No man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed anathema vile Mar. 9. 39. and no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost This is the same with our Text. The importance then of the whole is this The true Prophets confess that Christ the Son of God is come and that Jesus who came in Flesh is he The false Prophets deny both So that according to this rendring of the words which is so much strengthened by what is so oft repeated in this Epistle and is a chief design of it your mystical interpretation can not likewise stand Christ's coming in Flesh here also plainly signifying his bodily appearance in the World in the condition of a Man and not his spiritual appearance in the Hearts of his Servants as he is a Spirit and the Word G. K. Woman Preacher p. 6. Outwardly Christ told her only concerning her Husbands that were Dead and how the man she had was not her Husband Joh. 4. 28. 29. 30. And certainly in so short a time they had together perhaps but an Hour words could not tell her half nor the hun dredth part of all that ever she did Christ therefore in her Heart told her all these things as he well could even in a moment bring all things before her and tell her all things in her Life And many an honest man says as she did who never means as you do who understand this Woman's words in the strictest Sense that Christ told her not only half but even all that she ever did in her whole Life not an ace abated and that not only belonging to her Sins but all of what nature so ever Such universals not only in our common speech but in the sacred writings have their limitation Joh. 3. 32. No man receiveth his Testimony Yet Vers. 33. He that hath received his Testimony c. And Chap. 1. 11. As many as received him to them gave he power c. Mat. 23. 3. All whatsoever the Scribes and Pharisees bid you observe observe and do Yet vers 16. They were Blind Guides and said to Swear by the Temple was nothing and taught men to break the Commandment of God and taught for Doctrine the Commandments of men Chap. 15. Again Chap.
Killeth or will you say it was not so with him because he had the Spirit and that went along with it from him to them If so you must tell us why the Spirit may not as well accompany the same to us which we likewise have received But know you however it was that life came into the dead thing they acknowledged that his Letters were mighty and powerful 2 Cor. 10. 10. And it seems some of you perceived that this Doctrine and these good works which the Scriptures contein are not altogether so weak and dead as others would make them for that they have added that out of a wicked mans mouth they can do no good and yet further that the Apostle speaks this of false Apostles The Letter kills Well then our Ministers may still Preach them with comfort if they be righteous out of such mouths they may do good reach the seed of God raise it up and refresh it and there is virtue in them if they be not Ministred by false Teachers who yet you should observe Minister not them but another thing the figments of their own brains in their place false Doctrine as they are false Teachers whereas I thought you had understood by the Letter the Scriptures without their corruption and so you do however you thus speak But I like not these words The truest words out of a bad mans mouth kill and burden the seed of God in others It might be more innocently said his sinfulness doth this or is the occasion of it than to lay the blame upon the pure and incorrupted Doctrine of God or to charge it with so dreadful and dismal an effect I hope such a conceit as this lies not at the bottom viz. that the sin in the man infects the Doctrine and so it becomes noxious to others that hear it like as breath receives contagion from a contagious Body and conveighs the same to them into whose Lungs it enters Nor do I like this saying The truest words out of a bad mans mouth cannot reach the seed of God raise it up or refresh it For that hereby you spoil the word of Christ of all power and render the Doctrine of the Gospel as impotent in it self as is silence and a dead Mouth or as it is our hand to work any good upon the Soul which yet is of such a nature as I have shewed as that it must needs have a force in it and is called the power of God and even herein excels the Law in that it is more vivid and quickening And hereby you make all the efficacy and the effect to depend upon the goodness of the Preacher as if his Soul rightly moving affects the Holy Ghost with whom she is conjoined and that great Spirit which sills all places transfers the motions unto the Souls of others like as some say impresses being made upon the Spirit of nature are carried by the same from Body to Body just as a stroke given at one end of a line runs unto the other so that no good can be done let the Doctrine be never so right and excellent unless such a motion can be made and no such motion can be made but by a Pious Soul If this be the mystery I leave it to them that love it Only let me say The Wind bloweth where it listeth and thou hearest the sound of it but canst not tell whence it cometh and whither it goeth so is euery one that is born of the Spirit Joh. 3. 8. As thou knowest not what is the way of the Spirit nor how the bones do grow in the Womb of her that is with Child even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all Eccl. 11. 5. So is the Kingdom of God as if a man should cast Seed into the Ground and should sleep and should rise night and day and the Seed should spring and grow up he knoweth not how For the Earth bringeth forth Fruit of it self first the Blade then the Ear after that the full Corn in the Ear. The Seed is good cast it into the Ground and as for the success leave that to God who we may be sure hath a blessing for his own word of truth and as his blessing accompanies the goodness of the Man so it doth the goodness of the Doctrine and his Spirit which waters and quickens and brings forth Fruit proceeds not from man nor depends upon his sanctity as to others reception of it but proceeds from himself and he sends it forth whither he pleases and it is willing to work in us all Paul Plants and Apollo Waters but God gives the increase So then neither is he that Planteth any thing nor he that Watereth but God that giveth the Increase 1 Cor. 3. That we may know whether the Spirit in one can act upon another let the Spiritual man keep silence and let a particular Doctrine or some particular Sins be proposed to him privatly and let us see whether he can instruct the minds of others in that Doctrine or convince them of those Sins St. Paul makes me despair of any effect in that he says the Spiritual man that speaks in an unknown Tongue and that is as much as he kept silence effects nothing 1 Cor. 14. 2 Because you condemn our Preaching from the Scriptures without immediate Revelation calling us for that cause alone Ministers of the Letter let me tell you that whilst our hearts are honest and we entirely desire and labour after the Conversion and Salvation of Souls and God hath blessed us with the knowledge of his Will and with zeal for his Glory and with the sanctification of our natures and with good success of our labours we will not be ashamed of this Ministry though it please him to give us no more than ordinary assistance of his Spirit which he that hath not is none of his and we receive not his word as the Apostles and Prophets did by extraordinary inspiration and by inspiration alone but meditate and study and so Preach as we have learned the truth from the Scriptures through the help of God which we have had in our diligence according to the good sense of divine things upon our hearts For whereas St. Paul received not the Gospel of man nor was taught it but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. 1. 12. you read otherwise of Timothy and Titus and other Preachers 2 Tim. 1. 3. Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast learned of me Chap. 3. 14. Continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of knowing of whom thou hast learned them and that from a Child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make thee wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus All Scripture is given by Inspiration and is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the man of God Timothy or any other such Preacher 1 Tim. 6. 11.
may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 1 Tim. 4. 11. These things command and teach Vers. 13. 15. Give attendance to reading to exhortation to doctrine Meditate upon these things give thy self wholly to them that thy profiting may appear to all Chap. 3. 14 15. These things write I unto thee that thou mayest know how to behave thy self in the house of God 2 Tim. 2. 2. The things which thou hast heard of me among many Witnesses the same commit thou to Faithful men who shall be able to Teach others also Vide etiam Tit. 1. 9. and 2. 15. Here then are Ministers of the Doctrine which they had learned and had been taught of men and of things committed to them by others and studying Ministers If they had received the word by Revelation like St. Paul what need he teach and direct them Did he teach and direct the other Apostles thus Was the word committed to them by men Had they learned it of others Were they who were sent forth immediatly by Christ and the Inspiration of the Holy Ghost chosen of men as being judged Faithful 3 But now let us view the Text from whence you have taken occasion to speak as you do a little consideration of which would have delivered you from your errors viz. 2 Cor. 3. 5. c. Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficience is of God Thus having told them from whence they had their ability he next tells them what a word it is which they Preached Vers 6. Who also hath made us able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit For the letter Killeth but the Spirit giveth Life And so goes on in commendation of the same Doctrine comparing it with the Law that the glory of it might appear to exceed the Glory of the Law saying The Law is the Ministration of Death and Condemnation but this the Ministration of Life and Righteousness And Moses put a Veil upon his Face and until this day remaineth the same Veil untaken away in the reading of the Old Testament but this Veil is done away in Christ and we use plainness of Speech and with open Face beholding as in a glass the Glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image Vid. vers 7. to 12. as by the Spirit of the Lord. Wherefore he concludes Chap. 4. 1. Therefore seeing we have this Ministry as we have received mercy we faint not So that the Letter is such a word as is external obscure dead and lifeless which is without the Spirit and which Concondemns And therefore by no means can be the Doctrine of the Gospel which on the contrary is of an internal nature perspicuous quick and powerful which is accompanied with the Spirit and which holds forth justification And that it is the Law is manifest in that as the Letter Killeth so he tells us of the Ministration of Death which you your selves will acknowledge to be the Law and this Ministration which is the Law so exactly answers the Letter that it is said to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Letters and as the Letter signifies that which is external Rom. 2. 28 29. so this Ministration is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Engraven in Stones vers 7. In this sense we find him using the same terms Rom. 7. 6. We are delivered from the Law that we should serve in newness of Spirit and not in oldness of the Letter And as for the killing of the Letter we read it thus v. 11. Sin taking occasion by the Commandment deceived me and slew me Again c. 8. 2. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death But I have an argument which I dare say you will not deny viz. G. Fox says the Letter here is the Law Treatise of Swearing p. 52. And so the Apostles were made able Ministers of Christ and of the New-Testament and not of the letter of the Prophets and of the law in the Old Testament in which there was Swearing for the letter killeth but the Spirit giveth life Why the Apostle calleth the law the letter in opposition to the Spirit belongs not to our present business to explain I only therefore refer the Reader for satisfaction to vers 7. 8 17 18. Heb. 8. 10. 10. 1. 9. 10. Gal. 3. 2 24. 4. 3 9. 1 Cor. 12. 8 9 10. Tit. 3. 6. Joh. 7. 39. Rom. 5. 5. And how it Kills and is the ministration of Death and Condemnation he may learn from Rom. 7. 5 8 11. with Mat. 6. 17. 27 28 31 32 33 34 38 39 43 44. Rom. 8. 3. Heb. 9. 9. 10. 4 10. Gal. 3. 10 21. 2. 16. Act. 13. 39. G. F. Christian Liberty p. 9. It was matter of Conscience towards God that Mordecay did not bow to Haman Esther 3. 2. Clarks Wise pag. 59. If they had put off their hats before you Judges respecting your persons then they had transgressed the Law Jam. 2. 9. Christ respected no mans person and God saith ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment thou shalt not respect the person of the poor nor honour the person of the mighty Lev. 19. 5. Mordecay would not bow to Haman nor do him reverence according to the King's command which was contrary to God's command And yet I say God commands to honour all men Which is not to rise up and bow down to them and to stand bare-headed before them but to do good to all men and to love them Parker's Discovery p. 30. Doffing the Hat is honour below which men seek and give one to another respecting persons bowing to the Rich giving them titles of Lords Masters Sirs but do not so to the poor who are in vile rayment Ibid. p. 65. Christ respected not the persons of men as his Enemies did confess Luk. 15. 21 22. 1 If Mordecay refused to bow to Haman and shew him reverence out of Conscience I wonder his Conscience permitted him to receive greater honour himself in riding cloathed with the Royal Apparel and upon the King's Horse through the City with Proclamation made before him of the King's favour Est. 6. If the King had commanded him to see this honour performed towards Haman I believe he would have refused as well as he did to bow and that he would likewise have refused to run before him or to wait upon him at his Table if he could have done it with equal safety For that his refusal was not out of Conscience we have this evidence Many of as good Conscience as he both gave and received this reverence you take for granted that no other bowing and reverencing is meant than what is ordinary among us at this day and they gave and received also titles of Honour 1 Kings 1. 23. Nathan the Prophet bowed himself before the King with his face to the ground and said My
For certainly they that pretend no more than the ordinary divine assistance could not have erred more grosly than you have done I wish with all my heart that you had more of the Spirit and that you were Prophets indeed that we might have more Truth and need not spend our time in correcting follies And admonish you in the Lord that you make your humble and ardent supplications for wisdom to him that giveth and upbraideth not And that withal you labour and search for her as for hid Treasure and despise not the light which Godhath set up in any who hath variously distributed his gifts as he hath the members of our Body for mutual assistance Seeing your failings watch against them and take more heed and amend To ascribe any thing that is false to the Holy Ghost you know is wicked impudence and of the worst consequence the Prophane and Atheistical being the more tempted hereby to believe there is no such Divine power How horrid is it to say that Spirit lies How nigh to which you come by asserting him to be the Author of your errors in your seriousness consider If I have erred I have erred as a man and yet I think and know I have the Spirit of God and for all the World would not be without it It would do well since you say you are Prophets like them of old sent from the Lord immediately and guided infallibly that you tell us in all your writings distinctly what the Lord saith and what you say of your selves As St. Paul gave notice when he spake his own judgment saying This say I not the Lord This not I but the Lord 1 Cor. 7. 6. 12. 25 26 40. And so much I expect of him that shall reply to what I have written and that in every particular that I may know with whom I have to do viz. that he say I have received by inspiration this Interpretation but this I have not but deliver it according to my best judgment Or else declare apertly that you write nothing at all but what you have by inspiration I admonish further that if you believe the Holy Ghost did not intend that sense in which you use the words of Scripture you plainly and honestly declare so much But then reflect whether it be not better to let the Scriptures stand in that sense which the Holy Ghost hath given them lest every one using this liberty they come at last to signifie just nothing but like the Air be blown hither and thither with every breath as every one pleaseth and be turned into all shapes like a piece of soft wax Think not that to interpret mystically is profound wisdom and ought to be admired of the People For alass they that are weakest are aptest to this and hither they fly when the Letter is too hard for them And take heed especially of thinking your selves spiritual because you talk spiritually as knowing that none are so but who are born of the Spirit and walk according to it who are Holy in their Life and holy in their Nature Which they that turn the Letter into Spirit may be as far from as the Swinish Adulterers and the Rude Swearers And now because I know not whether I shall speak to you any more take that serious word which I have sometime had in my mind to dispence to you Which is this Insist on the particular duties of a Christian man and deliver them with all perspicuity of speech as knowing they are not to be practised in Phraseology and pure mystical notion Cry not out against Ministers for taking of Tithes calling them for this cause Hirelings and Wolves Covetous Balaams Deceivers and Antichrist's since you see such walk soberly righteously and godly and seek the conversion of Sinners and would part with their Estates and Sacrifice their Lives for the sake of Christ Since you know that it is false Doctrine pernicious errors and heresies which makes the false Prophet and this may be and is found in them that take no Tithes and in them that decry them and they that do receive them may be orthodox and are so and have not the temptation to corrupt the truth for the pleasing of men that they might receive the more from them like as others have that live upon the bounty Since again you know that there are hundreds of these Tith-takers which would exchange their ten or twenty pounds a year for the maintenance of your Preachers who ride about and work not with their hands You that plead the Apostles examples consider whether they who forsook all and followed Christ turned Merchants kept Shops constantly traded in the World sought after Riches as many of your Preachers do You that condemn a Lace and the Fashions of the World should remember your bands that are broader than an Inch your Cloaks that cover not the Breast with Capes that are of no use your Gowns Hoods and Scarves your Borders and Periwigs your Coloured Garments Died by mans Invention You that plead the Spirit consider whether the manner of your writings signifie inspiration when we see exultation exasperation carping playing upon words contention about matters of no moment poor flashes of wit quibbling and evasion obscurity and impertinence and abundance of ill names poured forth without cause and provocation You that speak so much of the Law and Christ the light within should understand that all our knowledge is so in our Souls which are not in our Bibles but in our Bodies and no man ever thought that Ink fashioned into Letters can instruct him that cannot read for want of learning or for want of eyes For what is the Bible in Hebrew and Greek Characters to them that know only English know ye therefore what you talk of I would have you consider again what knowledge the World would have had what Nations had been Converted how the Gospel and Kingdom of Christ had been propagated if he and his Apostles and others had not spoken and written and men had not heard ard read or what we should come to within two ages if we should all shut our eyes and stop our ears and tie up our tongues Yet say I with you Christ is within and Christ is light Next I admonish and beseech you to bear others burdens and to help their infirmities and to know your own For we are not perfect neither we nor you Lay aside all bitterness of Spirit and censorious judging scoffes and jeers pride and haughtiness strife and vain jangling wrath and clamor love of the world and greedy pursuit after it unjust gains and base contrivances dissimulation lying backbiting contumelies and false accusations all excess and intemperance voluptuousness and drunkenness lasciviousness uncleanness fornication and adultery Speak without ambiguity seek not the praise of men receive instruction and hearken to reproof Pray in your Families and Pray in the name of the Lord Jesus and Pray for the pardon of your Sins Give thanks at your Meals
Instruct your Children Love your Enemies Render to every man his due follow peace Make not the Kingdom of God Meat and Drink the Hat and a Lace and cast off all superstitions Search the Scriptures and read them with diligence The fruits and effects of the Death of Christ part not with That Blood remember which he offered that Death of the Cross Preach which he suffered whereby he made atonement and obteined eternal redemption for us And firmly believe the Resurrection of the Dead at the last day For if they rise not What doth it advantage me says St. Paul that I have Fought with Beasts at Ephesus and why stand we in jeopardy every hour 1 Cor. 15. And what I say to you I say to all Abstein from those abominable Sins which dishonour our Christian Religion provoke our gracious God and Damn mens Souls everlastingly And with all your might pursue the other Righteous things and whatsoever else is divine and praise worthy The Lord Jesus be with your Spirits Amen He that Replies let him do it in order and distinctly to every thing material and not dictate but produce his Reasons The Reader I desire to consult the place in my own Book to which the Reply is made as knowing that the neglect of this may be injurious to himself and me And once more I desire him seeing our present business is about Interpretations to consult the Text as it stands in the Bible Pro. 15. 28. The heart of the Righteous Studieth to answer but the Mouth of the Wicked poureth forth evil things FINIS THE TEXTS Vindicated ISa. 2. 3 4. Out of Sion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem and he shall judge among the Nations Psal. 119. The word of the Lord. Prov. 6. 24. To keep thee from the evil woman Rev. 5. 6. Seven Spirits of God 2 Cor. 12. 2. Caught up to the third Heaven Joh. 6. 50 51. This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven And the Bread which I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the world Joh. 17. 24. Father I will that those thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me Jam. 5. 9. Grudge not lest ye be condemned Behold The Judge standeth before the door Heb. 9. 28. Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto Salvation Act. 1. 11. This same jesus that is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into Heaven 2 Pet. 1. 19. We have also a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto you do well to take heed c. 1 Cor. 12. 7. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal Cor. 11. 29. He that Eateth and Drinketh unworthily eatcth and drinketh Damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's Body 1 Cor. 11. 25. This do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me c. 10. 21. Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's Table and the Table of Devils 1 Cor. 11. 26. As often as ye eat this Bread and Drink this Cup ye shew the Lord's Death till he come 1 Joh. 4. 2 3. Every Spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh is of God And every Spirit that confesseth not Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh is not of God And this is that Spirit of Antichrist c. Joh. 4. 29. Come see a man which told me all things which ever I did 1 Tim. 2. 12. But I suffer not a Woman to Teach c. Cor. 14. 34. Let your Women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted to them to speak but c. Jer. 23. 30 31 32. I am against the Prophets which steal my Word every one from his neighbour that say He saith that Prophesie false Dreams and cause my people to erre by their Lies yet I sent them not Therefore they shall not profit this people at all Mat. 6. 5. They love to pray standing in the Synagogues and in the corners of Streets that they may be seen of men Mat. 23. 6. And love uppermost Rooms at Feasts and Chief-seats in the Synagogues and greetings in the Market and to be called of Men Rabbi Rabbi but be not ye called Rabbi c. neither be ye called Master for one is your Master Christ. Jer. 5. 31. The Prophets Prophesie falsly and the Priests bear rule by their means Rev. 17. 15. 13. 7. Power was given the Beast over all Kindreads and Tongues c. 1 Cor. 15. 22. As in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive Rom. 13. 1. Let every Soul be subject to the Higher Powers Rom. 1. 16. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Ifa 8. 20. To the Law and to the Testimony c. Rev. 19. 10. The Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Prophecy Ifa 47. 5. Sit in silence c. Isa. 15. 1. Kir of Moab is laid wast and brought to silence Psal. 31. 18. Let the lying Lips be put to silence 1 Cor. 13. 8. Tongues shall cease Joh. 15. 3. Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken unto you 2 Cor. 5. 19. And hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 3. 6. Who hath also made us able Ministers of the New-Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit c. Est. 6. 2. Mordecay bowed not c. 1 Pet. 2. 17. Honour all Men. Honour the King Lev. 19. 15. Ye shall do no unrightcousness in judgment thou shalt not respect the person of the Poor nor Honour the person of the Mighty c. Luk. 15. 21 22. Master we know thou sayest and teachest rightly neither acceptest thou the person of any Jam. 2. 2. Have not the Faith of our Lord Jesus with respect of persons for if there come c. Mat. 5. 33 34. But I say unto you Swear not at all c. Act. 7. 38 39. This is he which was in the wilderness Mat. 10. 34. I came not to send Peace but a Sword Joh. 15. 22. If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin c. 12. 46. I am come a Light into the world Mat. 28. 19. Baptising them in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Mark 16. 16. He that Believeth and is Baptized shall be saved 1 Joh 3. 9. Whosoever is Born of God doth not commit sin Rom. 14. 7. Render to all their dues Tribute c. Rev. 11. 7 8. The Beast shall kill the two Witnesses c. c. 17. 5. Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots 2 Thes. 2. 4. The Man of Sin sitteth in the Temple of God FINIS Books Printed and are to be Sold by Benjamin Harris at the Stationers-Arms at the East-end of the Royal-Exchange in Cornhil Octavo and