broken mangled and perverted Quotations for our Principles and perhaps an Unapt Expression or two pickt up out of Good Matter And the main Things or Principles wherein we have all along even from the first chiefly differed from many of the Clergy are these viz. 1st Our sincere belief of the True Vrim and Thummim the Light and Perfection And 2dly Our Christian Testimony against Tythes forced maintenance and Persecution together with Popish Ceremonies and Superstitions not yet purged out as inconsistent with Christ's free Ministry concerning which we are manifestly the very same in Principle and Persuasion we were from the Beginning To the 2d part quoted against me I have already answered there may be various manners of wording and expressing the same matter and yet our Intentions 〈◊〉 â—he same As where I explain my Friends Meaning and Intentions 〈◊〉 be agreeable to mine and more fully distinguish and clear it according to the Harmony of his other Concurrent Passages in the same and other Books as sometimes in these precedent Observations As to Bugg's Postcript 't is according to his other Scribles Falshood and Jeers frequently repeated and mostly answered in the foregoing Observations and other Answers of mine He is so full of Tautologies Repetitions of the same Falshoods Boastings Scoffing and Flouting beginning and ending with Falshoods as observing us timerous about their Petition and that we make the World believe we fear Persecution Because we have endeavoured to prevent his and some Priests endeavours tending thereto against us to Authority this has disquieted him and them And therefore to be revenged he repeats his old detected Lies and Calumnies against us as that we call the Scriptures Serpent's Meat Beastly Ware c. with many more abominable Lies since often told of the same yet persists therein like a Hardned Wretch so that it is not worth the while to spend much more time in tracing the Crooked Steps of such a Mercenary Agent who gives no solid nor pertinent Reply to any serious Answer but clamours scoffs boasts vilifies and throws as much Dirt as he can upon us spending his precious time to seek our Ruin by Reproaches and Calumnies to enrage the Priests and incense Authority if he could against us But the Lord will Rebuke him and Reward him according to his Deeds I wish he may yet seek and find a place of Repentance if yet to be found before he be cut off and however that others may take warning by his Lamentable Relapse and Treacherous Apostasie A Brief Examination OF A Defaming Pamphlet Without Author's name to it Reproachfully stiled Some few of the Quakers many Horrid Blasphemies Heresies and their Bloody Treasonable Principles destructive to Government Delivered to the Members of both Houses of the LORDS and COMMONS in the Month of March 1698 9. PART II. THIS Title looks with Persecution Fury Deadly Envy and Blood in the Face of it it is like the work of certain Judasses and their Priests who are fallen into such a faint and feeble Condition as to be beholden to Apostates to help and assist them in their private Cabals to Plot and Contrive Mischief against the Innocent and to bring forth such furious Clamour Calumnies and Perversions thereby labouring to incense the Parliament and Government against the Peaceable People called Quakers Now let 's Examine some of their Principal Objections or Allegations quoted for Proof of their Furious Persecuting Title I. Concerning the Holy Trinity 1. Their first Objection The Scriptures do not tell the People of a Trinity nor Three Persons c. Against Geo. Fox Great Mystery p. 246. Here in the same Paragraph Period and Answer these Words are left out viz. And the Father Son and Holy Spirit are always one Observe hence what may be term'd the Scripture Trinity or Divine Three in the Deity the Father Son and Holy Spirit is plainly confess'd As also in Gr. Myst p. 99. As for the Unity we own and Christ being the brightness of the Father's Glory and express Image of his Substance we own As also in some Principles of the Elect People of God Printed 1671. p. 43. Of the Word Trinitas there is no mention made in Scripture yet the Scripture speaks of Father Son and Holy Ghost and all these are One. Now pray observe if any be offended at this and if our Adversaries will produce us plain Scripture-Proof for the Terms Trinity of Three Persons then 't is meet we should Retract those Words before i. e. That the Scriptures do not tell People thereof 'T is worthy our Observation what Dr. Burnet now Bishop of Sarum in the Life of John Earl of Rochester p. 104. speaking of the Trinity saith Which for want of Terms fit to express them by we call Persons and are called in Scripture the Father Son and Holy Ghost Whereby it seems then they do not think the Word Persons either a fit or Scriptural Term to express the Father Son and Holy Ghost by and therefore these Men should not be too severe in Imposing it or Uncharitable in their Censuring others about it to occasion Disturbance in Peoples Minds and such Disputes as probably they cannot well quiet or bring to a clear Solution By any of our Questioning or not using the Term Persons in this case we do not deny the Doctrine or thing intended i. e. the Father the Word and Holy Spirit which Three are one And we would not have any so Injurious or Disingenuous as to conclude we deny the same 2 Q. Against Will Penn's Sandy Foundation p. 12 13 14 15. they pick up some Pieces of his Arguments but Answer them not levelled against this Doctrine held by some which they leave out viz. The Trinity of Distinct and Separate Persons in the Unity of Essence This our Adversaries leave out and which by this time a Day we hope none will maintain such a Separation in the Deity between the Father Son and Holy Ghost being one God blessed for ever They also take no notice of what he Writes for this Scripture Trinity Sandy Found p. 32. viz. Mistake me not we never have disown'd the Father Word and Spirit which are one And in p. 36. As concerning Christ I declare on behalf of that Despised People Vulgarly called Quakers the Grace of which we testifie hath never taught us to acknowledge another God than he that 's Father of all things who fills Heaven and Earth Neither to confess another Lord Jesus Christ than he that appear'd so many Hundred Years ago made of a Virgin like unto us in all things Sin excepted or any other Doctrine than was by Him declar'd and practis'd and also being God's Innocent Heritage in Principles Life and Death to bear an Unanimous Testimony for the only true God true Christ and Heavenly Doctrine which in their Vindication is openly attested Thus far W. P. in his own and our Friends Vindication 3. Here is the Three Persons thou dreams of which thou wouldst divide out of
same Book where being charg'd with Professing himself to be equal with God he positively denies the Charge but confesses the Father and the Son are one and that Christ and the Holy Spirit are equal with God p. 5 6. And so Christ Jesus hoth as He was of the Seed of Abraham and also as he was Equal with God i. e. both to his Manhood and Divinity Therefore 't is falsly noted in their Margent That they i. e. the Quakers make themselves Equal with God Though they believe a Renewing into his Image by his Spirit and Power and to be thereby made Conformable to the Image of his Son and so to be made like him as every really Godly Man and true Christian in Christ is in some degree as Partakers of the Divine Nature yet the Creature Man is not Essentially Equal with his Maker that was never our Principle so to confound their Beings 9. Again to prove the Blasphemy against us Fr. Howgill's Works p. 232. is quoted viz. He that is joined to the Lord is one Spirit There is Vnity and the Vnity stands in Equality it self When the Son is revealed and speaks the Father speaks in him and dwells in him and he in the Father in that which is equal Obs Here the Equality is placed between the Father and the Son as the Vnion is between Him and them who are joined to Him in Spirit and live and dwell in that Spirit which is Equal Where 's then the Blasphemy See Christ's Prayer John 17.21 That they all may be one as thou O Father art in Me and I in Thee that they may be also one in Vs that the World may believe that Thou hast sent me Ver. 22. And the Glory which thou gavest Me I have giventhem that they may be one as We are one Ver. 23. I in them and Thou in Me that they may be made Perfect in one that the World may know that Thou hast sent Me and hast loved them as Thou hast loved Me. See also Ver. 26. The Equality in Nature objected relates to the Divine Nature which the Child of God partakes of in measure Tho' not in Stature relates to the Child that Divine Nature is one and unchangeable but our participating of it and growth in it is Gradual until all i. e. Christ's whole Church and Body come unto the measure of the Stature of the fulness of Christ Ephes 4.12 13. Now if Equality be apply'd to the Saints it can be intended no otherwise than their having in them a living Resemblance or Likeness of him who has renewed them into his own Image by the Power of his Spirit that is into his Righteousness and true Holiness so as to be partakers thereof in Christ Jesus And not an Essential Equality between them being Creatures and him that created and renewed them Perfect Holiness and Righteousness being required and believed of all true and Faithful Christians in Christ Jesus Yet we do not pretend to the Infinite Fulness of Wisdom and Knowledge as it is in God and Christ or to his manifold Wisdom but to a Degree of Divine Wisdom and Understanding according as his Spirit reveals it is to us and we capable to receive it which therefore is perfectly true and certain in every Measure and Degree thereof Now Serious Reader note by the way that we have more right to interpret our deceased Friends words with whom we were conversant when living to such an Evangelical Sense as we knew they intended than these Adversaries have to Charge them and us with Blasphemous Principles from their own Partial Minced Mangled and Broken Quotations as are and may be justly enumerated upon them together with their divers false notes in the Margent 9th Instance to prove Blasphemy against us p. 6 7. G. F. Great Mystery p. 107. He saith speaking of the Priest the Holyest Man that is is not able to give an Infallible Character of another Man To which he answers Hast not thou in this discovered thy self to be no Minister of Christ or of the Spirit who cannot give an Infallible Character of another Man How canst thou Minister to his condition p. 96. and thou not being Infallible thou art not in the Spirit and so art not a Minister of Christ and art not able to Judge of Powers that is not Infallible nor Magistrates nor Kingdoms nor Churches p. 33. And are they Ministers of Christ that are Fallible Obs Tho' these Instances to prove us Guilty of Blasphemous Principles are very unfairly quoted the principal and most demonstrative Words both precedent and subsequent especially being left out by these Three Clergy-men as from the last words are they Ministers of Christ that are Fallible they leave out these material Questions both before and after them viz. Now he that is not Infallible in his Counsel Judgment and Advice is not he in Error And are not the Ministers of Christ the Ministers of the Spirit And is not that out of the Error which is Infallible in Counsel and Judgment And are they Ministers of Christ that are Fallible And is not the Power the Gospel Infallible Thus Great Mystery p. 33. Notwithstanding they have quoted sufficient to shew what they deem Blasphemy and what they hold to the contrary and their own not only Fallibility but great Darkness for to invert their sense contrary to what they have here quoted for Blasphemy and it must run thus viz. 1. That the Holiest Man that is is not able to give an Infallible Character of another Man 2. That a Minister of Christ or of the Spirit cannot give an Infallible Character of another Man and yet Minister to his Condition 3. That a Minster that 's Fallible is in the Spirit a Minister of Christ and yet cannot discern another Man's State or Condition so as to give an Infallible Character of him 4. Consequently Christ's Ministers without exception the Holiest of them all are hereby rendred not only Fallible but Uncertain in their Ministry Blind and Ignorant of the Spiritual States and Conditions of others All which shews these Guides to be in the Dark and very uncertain blind and Ignorant as well as Envious in their Calumniating us with Blasphemy for confessing to Infallibility sound Judgment and Discerning which we ascribe not to our selves alone without the Spirit 's Teachings and Guidance but originally and principally to the Spirit of Truth which Guides true Christians into all Truth which in it self is Infallible Unerring and Certain and so is the Teaching and Ministry thereof And so far as we are taught and led by the Spirit we are assured by it and led into sound Judgment Certainty and full Assurance both of Faith and Doctrine in matters of Salvation Revealed in the Gospel and Spiritual Ministry of Christ Jesus our Lord and Blessed Saviour tho' we ascribe not omniscience to our selves in any state He that abides in Christ sinneth not 1 John 3.6 consequently errs not is certain and as in Christ is
one like a Conjurer c. quoted against G. W. and other Quakers as they say in their Book Intituled Ishmael and his Mother cast out As to this Quotation though not truly taken yet as the Words are in the said Ishmael c. quoted G. Whitehead hath positively disown'd the Words and affirms They are none of his and that he writ not that part of the Answer to Townsend which was in the Year 1654. and that he neither shall stand by nor own these Words and that after he saw them in Print he was sorry his Name was to that Paper without distinction between what he writ and what he did not write in it wherein the Words are which gave the Occasion and which appear too Rash and Irreverent either to Vindicate Solid Truth or oppose any wrong Notion For a more full account of G. Whitehead's Innocency and Clearness in this very Matter he refers the Reader to his Answer to Dr. Forde Intituled The Christianity of the People commonly called Quakers Printed 1690. p. 28. Now pray observe That in the Vnity of the Godhead there is the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost being those Divine Three Witnessing in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and that those Three are One of one Substance Power and Eternity As we have not denied but confess'd this Doctrine herein we don't disagree II. Concerning Christ our Blessed Lord. 4. That the outward Person which Suffer'd was properly the Son of God we utterly deny against W. P's Serious Apology p. 246. Here I take him to mean the Son of God in respect to his Divine Being as He is of One Substance with the Father which his Body that Suffered Death was not Though He was truly the Son of God as He took upon Him that Body and as made of a Woman Gal. 4.4 Being conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary Take W. P's own Explication in the same Page and Paragraph which is unfairly left out where he plainly confesseth That He that laid down his Life and suffered his Body to be Crucified by the Jews without the Gates of Jerusalem is Christ the only Son of the Most High God c. one with the Father and of a Nature Eternal c. These Words our Adversaries leave out 5. Your Imagined God beyond the Stars and your Carnal Christ is utterly denied c. Here they quote Sword of the Lord drawn p. 5. By C. A. Which Book I have not but these Words are denied as well as the Person that writ them as Offensive and as neither proper to the true Christ or Omni-present God who therefore is not an imagined God nor is the true Christ a Carnal Christ but a Spiritual and Most Glorious Christ See Antidote against the Venom of the Snake in the Grass p. 145. 6. The Devil was in thee thou sayst thou art Saved by Christ without thee and so hast recorded thy self a Reprobate Against Great Mystery p. 250. Which was because this Adversary was Ignorant of the Mystery of Christ within him as the Words there follow which are unjustly left out For instead of owning the Mystery of Christ within the Adversary in the place quoted pleads the Continuance of Sin in the Saints for their Humiliation Gr. Myst p. 250. 7. What was his Christ's Person being mean and contemptible to them his Disciples more than another Person Against Will Bailey's Works p. 307. The Parenthesis is wrong placed here to pervert the Sense 't is thus in the Book quoted viz. They loved his Person for the sake of the Frame and Quality of the Spirit that dwelt in Him or else what was his Person being mean and contemptible to them more than another Person but for that which dwelt in him they loved him let none mistake I do not slight it c. So that by this his Person was more than any other i. e. more excellent though made very low by Suffering 8. That Finite and Impotent Creature Speaking of Christ Here they quote Sandy Foundation p. 20. Which is a shameful Abuse and Lie he speaks not a Word of Christ in that Paragraph but of the Finite and Impotent Creature in general as being capable of Forgiving Injuries done him which the Notion of an Adequate and Rigid Satisfaction allows not God 9. The Sufferings of the People of God Quakers c. Quakers is added and the Subsequent Matter Answered before 10. The Blood of Christ was no more than the Blood of another Saint Quoted against S. E's Letter Not warrantable Expressions and disown'd in the said Antidote p. 223 224 225. Where the Benefit of Christ's Blood is truly confessed Their Charge against W. P. about Christ's Co-essentiality and Co-eternity with the Father of his being made Man c. p. 4. Answered by W. P. himself hereafter 11. Christ's coming in the Flesh was but a Figure i. e. a Figure or Type of the Inward Christ or Light within This is quoted against G. Whitehead's Truth Defending the Quakers p. 22. They abuse me still in this it was none of my Assertion That Christ's coming in the Flesh was but a Figure Neither is there such a word in that page quoted but in the Priest's Question p. 20. as before is answered and it is a manifest Forgery upon me that Christ's coming in the Flesh was but a Figure or Type of the Inward Christ or Light within I positively disown these words as a down-right Forgery and Abuse put upon me What a horrid shame is it that any Priests or their Agents should have a hand in presenting the Parliament with such Lies and Abuses 12. One outward thing cannot be the proper Figure or Representation of another The Outward Lamb shews forth the Inward Lamb i. e. The Paschal Lamb was not the Figure or Type of the Outward Christ but of the Light within of which Christ himself was but a Figure This is quoted against W. Penn's Christian Quaker p. 97. Their subsequent Perversion is notorious and as grosly false Tho' it is not the way of the Scripture to teach us as W. P. saith in the page quoted that One outward thing is or can be the proper Figure or Representation of another yet it is a twofold Falshood and Perversion to make it the Quakers Doctrine that the Paschal Lamb was not Figurative or Typical of Christ as without us but of the Light within As also that Christ himself was but a Figure of the Light within These I testifie against as a Two-fold Falshood and Perversion against the Quakers And how will these Men prove that the outward Paschal Lamb was the proper Figure or Representation of Christ's outward Person pray What proper Resemblance had they Was not rather the Lamb in respect of its Innocency a proper Figure of Christ's Innocency as the Lamb of God once Offered for Sin 13. The Quakers see no need of directing Men to the Type for the Anti-type nor yet to Jerusalem either
old Incendiaries to Mischief and the best to be spared of Mankind c. Against W. P. Quakerism a new Nick-name p. 165. This is not the Quakers Treatment of Dissenters in general or without exception as hereby falsly represented But W. P's occasional Treatment of Such a Proud Railing Busie-body and such a sort of Priests who think their Coat will bear out their worst Expressions for Religion and practise an haughty Reviâ—ing for Christ as one of the greatest Demonstrations of their Zeal as in his antecedent words After these words of W. P. Against whom the boiling Vengeance of an Irritated God is ready to be poured out These Men leave out viz. To the Destruction of such if they repent not and turn from their Abominable Deceits Certainly neither the fore-going Citations under their 18th Head nor that which they subjoyn against the bitter Stock of Hirelings and their Sin-pleasing Principles c. could ever be intended for the Quakers Treatment of Dissenters Indefinitely or without Exception for we always distinguish between the Moderate and Immoderate the Charitable and Vncharitable the Ingenuous and Disingenuous even among Dissenters of several sorts and others also When Men are charging Blasphemy and Sedition upon a People out of Books and Quotations as these Men do they should be more fair and just therein than these Men have been They are very Injurious and Offensive both in Charge and Citation we only Defensive and not under a necessity of reciting and reprinting their whole Citations in every part Let their Books and ours be compared to evince them more fully and clear our Innocency from these Adversaries gross Calumnies Perversions Misapplications Misrepresentations and fruitless Attempts Ingenuous Reader please to take W. P's own following Answer to several Charges against him LIBEL p. 4. quotes W. P's Sandy Foundation p. 20. thus viz. That Finite and Impotent Creature speaking of Christ Which is so gross a Strain of Envy and Abuse that no Ingenuous Person can read it without an Abhorrence of the Author's Temper and Work and shews how little Credit ought to be given him in the rest of his Work For it is plain W. P. made the Absurdity lie here That the Doctrine he oppos'd makes it Impossible for God to forgive without a rigid Satisfaction and yet Man who is a Finite and Impotent Creature is not only capable of it but commanded to do it See Sandy Foundation p. 18. Sect. 7. Again Libel p. Ibid. Christ's Co-essentiality and Co-eternity with his Father of his being made Man Dying for Sins Rising and Ascending into Heaven c. they make W. P. to call Confused Babble and by Rote-Canting By-paths of vain Tradition and Invention Romancing dark Results of Factions and Corrupted Counsels c. Whereas 't is plain from his Book at large as well as from the Words themselves which they have cited he writ not in Contempt of the Matter but in Reproof of the Man For he taxes him with Babbling by Rote-Canting and Romancing over the weighty Mysteries of Eternal Life which words they left out because being in they would have disappointed them of an Opportunity of Abusing W. P. So that in short he reproved the Rambling and Insensible Manner of the Priest's Writing and not the Matter treated of which W. P. expresly calls the Weighty Mysteries of Eternal Life Which yet plainer appears from p. 28. upon occasion of some Queries made by W. P. to shew the Indistinction and confused Way of the Priest's Writing viz. Thou must not Reader from my Querying thus conclude we do deny as he hath falsly charged us those glorious Three which bear Record in Heaven the Father Word and Spirit neither the Infinity Eternity and Divinity of Jesus Christ for that we know he is the Mighty God nor what the Father sent his Son to do on the behalf of Lost Man declaring to the whole World we know no other Name by which Attonement Salvation and plenteous Redemption comes But rather to let thee see how unsatisfactorily he has imposed Religion on the World and how exceeding open he lays his Principles to the Objection of every reasonable Inquirer For the Priest's Book was intituled A Guide to the true Religion after going forward and backward four times in his Religion and therefore deserved an Answer as W. P. did in his Book intituled The Guide Mistaken Page 19 and 20 The Libel quotes W. P. giving hard words to the Clergy which W. P. is far from disowning allowing him as in Reason his own Sense and Intention Are they not Idle Gormandizing Priests that Feed the People with that which is not Bread and yet live upon theirs That teach for Hire and make a Trade of the Ministry Have not they been the Bane of Soul and Body through Ages that have either been the Ground or Fomentors of the most bloody and infamous Revolutions of the World Go ask the Martyrologies of all Nations who are the Fire and Faggot Men against Tender Consciences and Reformation W. P. does not charge every Person of the Clergy some being of a more Moderate Temper and better Principles but he would have these of the Clergy that take his Words hardly or any of their Hearers inquire how many of the Clergy stood to their Principles in the Times of K. Henry VIII Edward VI. Q. Mary and Q. Eliz. they will find of the whole Ecclesiastical Body containing about 12 Thousand Persons not 5 Hundred of all Ranks and Degrees that shewed Conscience for their Religion but took their Turns at all And how few through the many Revolutions since our late Civil Wars began have been true to their Principles many yet living know to the Scandal of Religion as well as the Nation After this W. P. thinks himself very little accountable for what he has said to a most Temporizing and Hypocritical Parson J. C. of the Men of his Qualifications for he having excluded the Quakers Socinians c. from Salvation must not take it hard of any of us called Quakers if they think such Turn-Coats and Hypocrites have nothing to do there Libel p. 4. That the outward Person which suffered was properly the Son of God we utterly deny Against W. P. Serious Apology p. 146. The Answer is That if what W. P. hath said and plainly meant is not true then the Body that Suffer'd must be of the Divine Nature and consequently that which is of the Divine Nature is Mortal But that which is properly the Only-begotten of God must naturally be Immortal So that properly and strictly speaking that which could die cannot be the Only-begotten Entire Son of God and yet it was his Body that died and as such it may in a Sense be said He died and in no other respect does W. P. deny that which died to be the Son of God See his Book Serious Apology at large upon this Passage which sufficiently explains it self and exposes their great Disingenuity that Cite it Page 146. Priest Jenner chargeth us with Denying the Lord that bought us because as he falsly says we deny that Person the Son of God that died at Jerusalem to be our Redeemer Which most horrid Imputation says W. P. has been Answer'd more I believe than a thousand times that is That he that laid down his Life and suffer'd his Body to be Crucified by the Jews without the Gates of Jerusalem is Christ the Only Son of the Most High God But to Assert the Body which Suffered and Died was properly the Entire Son of God this brings Him more under the Charge of making him but a meer Man than us who acknowledge Him to be One with the Father and of a Nature Eternal and Immortal For he was Glorified with the Father before the World was And that it may yet farther appear that what we give for our meaning is such besides what is already cited turn over Leaf to Page 149. and observe what Confession the said W. P. then made as to the Matter Controverted We do Believe in One Holy God Almighty who is an Eternal Spirit the Creator of all things And in One Lord Jesus Christ his Only Son and Express Image of his Substance who took upon Him Flesh and was in the World and in Life Doctrine Miracles Death Resurrection Ascension and Mediation perfectly did and does continue to do the Will of God to whose Holy Life Power Mediation and Blood we only ascribe our Sanctification Justification Redemption and Perfect Salvation And we Believe in One Holy Spirit that proceeds and breaths from the Father and the Son as the Life and Virtue of both the Father and the Son a Measure of which is given to all to Profit with And he that has one has all for those Three are One who is the Alpha and Omega the First and the Last God over all Blessed for ever Amen FINIS
infallible in matters of Salvation and Christ's Kingdom he is in the way of Holiness in which the wayfaring-man shall not err Isai 35.8 If we follow our own Spirits and lean to our own Natural Understandings or Humane Reason we may err and mistake but if we adhere closely to the Spirit of Christ the Truth and be attentive to its Teaching and Guidance we shall not err nor be deceived My Sheep hear my voice saith Christ and a Stranger they will not follow But if there must be no discerning of Spirits no infallible or certain Character to be given of other Men's States or Conditions by an inward sense or discerning of Spirits then Christ's Sheep may follow Strangers Wolves Dogs c. and so be devoured contrary to his own Doctrine and below the sense and instinct of the very Sheep which leads them to shun Dogs and Wolves when they make at them whether they Bark or Howl or be Mute And who dare adventure their Bodies in the hands of such ignorant Physicians as have no certain understanding of Diseases or of Medicines How much less their Souls with such Doctors And how shall Satan transform'd be prevented from making havock in the Church of Christ if no certain discerning in the Church of his Attempts Then as to the certainty and infallibility of Christ's Ministers in the work of his Ministry We are not as many who corrupt or make merchandize of the Word of God but as of sincerity but as of God in the sight of God so speak we in Christ 2 Cor. 2.17 And our Gospel was not unto you in Word only but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance 1 Thes 1.5 10th Instance to prove Blasphemy against us p. 7. Edw. Burroughs p. 862. Such i.e. Hereticks are infallibly known and discerned by the Spirit of God in the true Chunch of Christ and by every member of the same Obs Seeing this is made a proof of Basphemy against us let the contrary be Inverted upon these accusers and then it must be That Hereticks are not infallibly known and discerned by the Spirit of God in the true Church of Christ nor by the members thereof Contrary to what God has promised his People and to what has been and is experienced in the true Church where the Spirit and Power of Christ is present among them and humbly Obeyed Then shall you return and discern between the Righteous and the Wicked between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not Mal. 3.18 and Job 6.30 A wise Man's heart discerneth both Time and Judgment Eccles 5.8 He that is Spiritual judgeth all things yet himself is judged of no Man 1 Cor. 2.15 And there was and is true Judgment and Discerning in the Church of Christ proceeding from his Spirit in the true and Spiritual Believers in Christ see 1 Cor. 6.2 3 4 5. and Chap. 14.29 Heb. 5.14 Yea further It was prophesied by Enoch the seventh from Adam against such Apostates as are mentioned in Juda's Epistle saying behold the Lord cometh in ten Thousands of his Saints 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Sanctis Millibus suis To execute Judgment upon all and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their Ungodly Deeds which they have ungodly committed and of all their hard Speeches which Ungodly Sinners have spoken against him Jude 14.15 And these our Adversaries are accountable to God for all their Hard Speeches Severe and Unjust Judgment and Condemnation against his People called Quakers presuming to condemn us all as Blasphemers Hereticks c. from their own uncertain fallible and erroneous Judgments and Spirits but he that justifieth the wicked and he that condemneth the Innocent are both abomination to the Lord. 11th Instance for proof of Blasphemy against us p. 7. G. F. Gr. Myst p. 282. Whereas Mr. Cawdry said surely they cannot be perfect here or hereafter in Equality but only in Quality Fox Answers Christ makes no distinction in his words but saith be ye perfect even as your Heavenly Father is and as he is so are we and that which is perfect as he is perfect is in Equality with the same thing which is of God and from God Obs Within the same Period here are several material Words left out wherein these Men have dealt very disingenuously next after the words Be ye perfect as your Heavenly Father is and be ye merciful as he is left out After that which is perfect and merciful left out Again after as he is perfect and merciful left out Now where 's the Blasphemy pray Was it not Christ's own Doctrine Be ye Perfect even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect Mat. 5.48 In the Old Bible printed in 1576. dedicated to Queen Elizabeth Ye shall therefore be perfite as your Father which is in Heaven is perfite and noted in the Margent We must labour to attain unto the perfection of God who of his free Liberality doth Good to them that are unworthy And Luke 6.36 Be ye therefore merciful as your Father is merciful Now what distinction dost Christ make in these Words and Precepts as in point of Purity And where 's the Perfection in Quality granted then And wherein must this Perfection consist 'T is not for any Man or Men to be perfect God but perfect Men true Men as their Heavenly Father is true God Men after God's own heart in Sincerity and Truth And was not Perfection of Holiness Righteousness and Purity the holy Apostles Doctrine Intent and End of their Ministry Yea sure See 2 Cor. 7.1 Ephes 4.12 13. Colos 1.28 1 John 2.1 and Chap. 3.3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10. verses 12th Instance or Charge of Blasphemy against us p. 7. G. F. Gr. Myst p. 101. saith It is the Doctrine of Devils that Preacheth that Men shall have sin and be in a Warfare so long as they be on Earth P. 231. All who come to Christ the Second Adam they come to Perfection and all who attain to Him they attain to Perfection in the Life of God out of the First Adam P. 271. For who are Sanctified have Perfect Vnity Perfect Knowledge Perfect Holiness Obs Not to insist upon the Unfairness of these Men in the Citation of these Passages leaving out the fore-going Lines which carry Proof in them thereof what 's the Tendency and Consequence of their Judging these Blasphemous But First That Men shall have sin and none obtain Victory over it though they war against it so long as they be on Earth Secondly That none who come to Christ or attain to him do attain to be perfect in Him or in the Life of God As if Perfection were not attainable in Christ contrary to the Holy Apostles Doctrine and Ministry which was for the Perfecting of the Saints and to present them perfect in Christ Jesus Ephes 4. Gol. 1. And if Sin be the work of the Devil and Christ be manifest to destroy it then it is a
Doctrine of Devils to Preach That Men shall have Sin and not overcome it while on Earth but Sin is the work of the Devil and Christ is manifest to destroy it 1 John 3. Therefore c. 'T is the Devils work to lead into Sin but 't is Christ's work to lead out of it Christ's Ministers are sent to turn People from Satan's Power to God's Power consequently from Satan's work and service they are the Devil's Ministers who Preach up Sin to continue term of Life and that it shall not be overcome nor perfect Sanctification obtain'd during life which therefore tends to keep People in Unbelief of Christ's Power and Work 13th Instance or Charge of Blasphemy p. 7. And Will. Penn in his Truth Exalted Re-Printed 1671. Laughs at the Church of England Men for confessing themselves Sinners and praying to God for Mercy Alas poor Souls saith he are not you at Have Mercy upon us miserable Sinners there is no Health in us from Seven to Seventy Obs Alas poor Sinners is not a sign of Laughter at them but rather of Lamentation and Pity over their miserable State who are always confessing but not forsaking their Sins You may see what Proofs of Blasphemy these Men produce against us 14th Instance or Charge p. 7. And Edw. Burroughs p. 33. saith That God doth not accept any where there is any Failing all who do not fulfill the Law and Answer every Demand of Justice Though none are accepted in any Act of Injustice or Omission of real Duty required yet coming under Judgment for the same and repenting thereof as they ought to do they obtain Mercy and Forgiveness of God for Christ's sake whose Grace though it Pardons Sins past through Faith and Repentance yet does not Indulge or Justifie any in their Continuance in Sin nor in wilful Sinning after Conviction Obs His meaning is First God doth not accept them in their Failing in Duty and in their not doing what 's Just as when some complain their best Duties are sinful and they do not answer or obey Truth in their Actions For our Acceptance is in Christ the Beloved and not out of Him 2. If Men seek acceptance by their own Legal Performances they fall short See James 2.10 But these Adversaries have unjustly left out the fore-going Words in their Quotation viz. But those that love God keep his Commandments and they are not grievous And these left out within the same Period Now doth God accept of any that do not love Him who do Injustice and Iniquity Now these Adversaries having opposed the Vrim and Thummim Light and Perfection Typified in the Brest-plate of Judgment Exod. 28.30 as testified and witnessed in the Gospel-Dispensation they proceed to other Charges to prove the People called Quakers Blasphemous in Principle 15th Charge p. 8. In Truth defending the Quakers written from the Spirit of Truth in G. W. and G. F. Jun. Printed 1659. p. 7. The Question being put Whether the Quakers did esteem their Speakings to be of as great Authority as any Chapter in the Bible 'T is Answered That which is spoken from the Spirit of Truth In any is of as great Authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are and greater Observe Here they have unjustly quoted G. W. c. leaving out the Annexed Explanatory Words which are within the same Period viz. As Christ's Words were of greater Authority when He Spoke than the Pharisees reading the Letter and they in whom that Spirit speaks not are out of the Authority of the Scriptures and their Speaking we deny Thus far the Answer Note here that the Comparison is not plac'd upon our Speakings nor yet the Authority distinct from the Spirit of Truth but upon the Spirit of Truth speaking in Man in the first place and through and by the Ministers thereof in the next place And surely the Spirit has not lost his own Authority or Power since it first gave out the Holy Scriptures In the next place that the Spirit of Truth immediately Ministring In Man or by any Spiritual Minister is of greater Authority Power or Efficacy than the Chapters are simply considered as without the Spirit And as to the Division of Chapters and Verses can these Men say That was done by Divine Authority I suppose not Yet we sincerely still acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be of Divine Authority as given by Divine Inspiration and prefer them before and above all other Writings or Books and in no wise question the Truth of them But we must needs allow the Holy Spirit from whence they came the Preference and its Immediate Teaching and Speaking in the Soul as of greater Efficacy Power and Authority to that Soul than the bare Writing or Scripture without or only reading thereof though it contain the same Words immediately taught And so Christ and his Apostles living and powerful Preaching in and from the Powerful Motion of the Holy Spirit as being of greater Efficacy Power and Authority than the outward Writing or Scripture it self simply or abstractly considered as distinct from that Spirit Though the Words Preached and the Words Written may be the same As when Christ had opened the Scriptures unto his Disciples they said one to another Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us by the way and while he opened to us the Scriptures which concerned his Suffering and entering into his Glory Luke 24.32 But how many by reading Christ's Words and Exposition of the Prophets without his Spirit do ever cause Peoples Hearts so to burn within them The Gospel as livingly Preached came not in Words only but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost 1 Thes 1.5 For the real Authority Efficacy and Service the Holy Scripture has upon a Soul is from the Holy Spirit or Word of Life giving the true Belief and right Understanding thereof As Answered in my Treatise Intituled The Christianity of the People called Quakers Vindicated in Answer to Doctor Ford p. 13. And in Christ's Lambs Defended to the Reader p. 7. Their Inference in the Margent That they i.e. the Quakers have immediate Revelations equal with the Prophets and Apostles Is not truly inferred for we may have Immediate Revelation from the same Spirit yet not in the same Degree There are manifold Gifts Openings and Discoveries given by the Holy Spirit and yet some above and excelling others And so there are many Testimonies and Writings proceeding and given forth from the same Spirit yet some far excelling others as there are many Varieties in God's Creation And it ever was and is far from me to prefer any of our Books or Writings how true soever to the Holy Scripture or Bible 16th Charge p. 8. G. F. Gr. Myst p. 242. tells us that the Priest saith That the Apostles were Eye-witnesses and understood by immediate Revelation from God Inspired with the Gift of the Spirit more than any Man could hope for since and saith They do not pretend
any such Gift nor depend upon any such Immediate Miraculous Revelation from Heaven To which G. E. Answers Then all may see now in this what ye have receiv'd that hath been from Man which is not from Heaven Immediate nor the Gifts of the Spirit nor receiv'd the Gospel by the same Means the Apostles did who are not the Eye-witnesses as the Apostles were Neither have ye attained to the same Knowledge and Understanding as the Apostles did nor receiv'd it from Heaven Now let all People question Whether it is the same Gospel which is not receiv'd from Heaven nor immediately nor by Revelation for the Gospel is Immediate which is the Power of God Rom. 1. They i. e. Quakers are in the same Power Vnderstanding Knowledge and Immediate Revelation from Heaven that the Apostles were in Obs The last Part is Partially quoted to abuse us i. e. Quakers is added and the Sense perverted by leaving out the last Words of the Sentence as after the Words they are in the same Power Understanding Knowledge and Immediate Revelation from Heaven that the Apostles were in That Vnderstand the Gospel left out As also And they that be in another cannot understand the Gospel Now for these Men to charge us with Blasphemy for Confessing to Immediate Revelation and Inspiration from God by the Gift of the Spirit and thence receiving the Gospel and a Spiritual Understanding and Knowledge thereof by Revelation from Heaven Herein have they opposed the True Knowledge of God and Jesus Christ and consequently charged his own and his Apostles Doctrine and Testimony as Blasphemous For neither knoweth any Man the Father but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal Him Mat. 11.27 And the things of God knows no Man but by the Spirit of God as they are reveal'd unto us by the Spirit 1 Cor. 2.9 They who oppose this Evangelical Doctrine shew themselves both Ignorant of God of Christ and of the things of God and of his Teachings which he has promised his Children They shall all be taught of God John 6.45 Isa 54.13 Jer. 31.33 Where on Isa 54.13 It is noted in the Margent in the old Bible of Queen Elizabeth By the hearing of his Word and inward moving of his Spirit And on Jer. 31.33 it is also noted viz. Under the Kingdom of Christ there shall be none blinded with Ignorance but I will give them Faith and Knowledge of God for Remission of their Sins and daily increase the same so that it shall not seem to come so much by the Preaching of my Ministers as by the Instruction of my Holy Spirit 17th Charge p. 8 9. G. F. further tells us p. 213. That the Priest says Thou dost not speak in that degree of the Holy Ghost as the Prophets and Apostles did that spoke forth Scriptures To which he Answer Then thou must take heed of Exalting thy self above thy Measures for thou canst not know Scripture but by the same degree of the Spirit the Prophets and Apostles had Obs 1. The Caution against Self-Exaltation was Seasonable 2. The Scripture i. e. the whole Scripture cannot be truly known but by a high degree of the Spirit if not the same degree the Prophets and Apostles had who gave it forth But if any true Knowledge of Scripture be receiv'd it must be by a Degree of the same Spirit as I suppose the Words before cited should be so Transpos'd and so intended 18th Charge p. 9. News coming out of the North c. Printed 1655. p. 14. Your Original is Carnal Hebrew Greek and Latine and your Word is Carnal the Letter Obs The Letter it self is not made up of Spiritual Matter or Lasting Materials but of such as will decay and turn to Dust but the Matter contain'd that is the Holy Doctrine will continue and is permanent And this is no Vilifying or Contemning of Holy Scripture i. e. the Holy Doctrine thereof Though this News out of the North is quoted against us yet it is very Partially and unfairly done For in the same Book the Holy Scripture is clearly own'd As Spoken by the Lord and his Holy Prophets Christ and his Apostles p. 5.8 But the Promises and Words of the Prophets Christ and his Apostles misapplied by the first Birth and Serpent p. 11 12 13 16. The Law of God and the Prophet of the Lord who spake freely from his Mouth expresly so owned page 23 28. Though they that put the Letter for the Light Preaching their own Words and Imaginations thereupon are disowned page 12. Consequently the Holy Scriptures are own'd but the Perverters and Perversions disown'd 19th Charge p. 9. Tho. Lawson in his Brief Discovery of a Threefold Estate of Anti-Christ printed 1653. written from the Spirit of the Lord p. 9. calls the Ministers Babylon 's Merchants Selling Beastly Wares for a large Price the Letter which is Dust and Death Obs Their Injustice and False Quotation in this Passage also and and how they vary it from their Agent Bugg's who often over has herein accused us with calling the Scriptures Beastly Ware in divers of his Books and also in his late great Sheet stil'd Some Reasons Humbly Offered to the Honourable House of Commons p. 1. col 1 4. He has this Gross Lie twice over after divers times detected for it So that these Three Priests and F. Bugg do not agree in what they witness like the False Witnesses against Christ For in the said Brief Discovery quoted the words are these Babylon's Merchants Selling Beastly Wares for a large Price all the Week-time heaping up a Rabble of Notions into the Brain c. So that Beastly Wares relate to their Rabble of Notions of their own heaping up and not to the Holy Scripture nor to the Letter thereof but to their bruitish Imaginations and Divinations of their own Brain neither was this spoken of the Ministers without Exception as in the Quotation much less of Christ's Ministers or Ministery but of the False Ministers as the Title of that part is p. 7. 20th Charge p. 9. Saul's Errand to Damascus printed 1654. p. 7. Q. against G. F. All that study to raise a living thing out of a Dead to raise the Spirit out of the Letter are Conjurers and draw Points and Reasons and so do speak a Divination of their own Brain c. Obs Here they are partial in Quotation again leaving out the preceeding Passages which distinguishing between the Letter and the Light the Letter and the Spirit judging them Blind that put the Letter for the Light and say The Letter and the Spirit are inseparable When the Spirit says The Letter is Death and Killeth according to 2 Cor. 3.6 7. now who will Study to raise a living thing out of a Dead or to raise the Spirit out of the Letter Is such studying warrantable Who dare justifie it And will not the Lord make Diviners Mad Isa 44.25 and does not such studying to raise a Living thing out of a Dead
somewhat resemble Conjuration And did not the Prophet Micah Prophesie against such Priests as Teach for Hire and such Prophets as Divine for Mony See Mic. 3.11 21th Charge Ibid. Truth 's Defence by G. F. and R. H. printed 1653. p. 101. It is dangerous to read viz. the Scriptures which the Prophets Christ and the Apostles spoke forth freely Obs Again what abuse this is in the Quotation for here they leave out the very Intent of the matter because it touches themselves as Persons Conscious 'T is not said in those general words that it is dangerous to read the Scriptures c. but it is dangerous to read and to make a Trade of that which the Prophets Christ and the Apostles spake forth freely and to give meanings to it contrary than it is And further it is said You wrest the Scriptures to your own Destruction Psal 56.5 These Men were willing to leave out what concerns their making a Trade of the Scriptures or of that which the Prophets Christ and his Apostles spake forth freely 'T is not said to be dangerous to all Men to read the Scriptures but to them that pervert them and make a Trade of them So 't is dangerous for any to read them for an unlawful end but not for any to read them for a good end For it is expresly said in the same page quoted Blessed is he that doth read and doth understand As to what they object in the latter part of their Quotation I answer that it is a great Evil to condemn either the Scriptures to the Fire or any other Books given forth from the Eternal Spirit of God the Evil in both is of the same kind tho' the Matter of Fact may differ in degree It was a great Evil and wicked Act in Jâ—hoiakim King of Judah to burn Jeremiah's Roll or Book writ by Barack Jer. 36. but it would be a greater Act of Wickedness to burn all the Books of the Holy Prophets or the whole Bible There are Degrees of Robbery but all of the same kind 22th Charge p. 10. Edw. Burroughs p. 47. of his Works That is no Command from God to me what he commands to another neither did any of the Saints which we read of in Scripture act by the Command which was to another not having the Command to themselves Here they leave out the next words viz. I challenge to find an Example for it they were obliged every one by their own Command One was sent to Baptism and to preach the Gospel another was sent not to Baptise but to Preach the Gospel all these left out And then they go on with their Charge viz. And thou or any other who go to Duty as you call it by Imitation from the Letter without which was a Command to others in your Wills and Time your Sacrifice is not accepted but is abomination to the Lord for you go without the moving of the Spirit in your own Wills and Strength which God hates and which his wrath is upon Obs From what these Men have partially left out in their Quotation he intended Special Commands or Commissions as to Baptise to Preach or to pray c. which they that perform in their own Wills and Time and go to Prayer or other Acts of Worship or Devotion towards God without the Moving and Assistance of his Spirit 't is but Will-worship and they are not accepted therein but rejected of the Lord as Israel in their observing their Sacrifices Oblations Incense New Moons Sabbaths and calling of Assemblies and making many Prayers were rejected of the Lord and testified against by his Prophet tho' they imitated the Letter of the Law in these things Isa 1.11 12 13 14 15. But there are Universal and Moral Commands of Justice and Honesty and Prohibitions of the Contrary which are universally binding to Mankind but chiefly from Inward Light and Conviction And God has not left man without Light and Grace to oblige him therein it being Conviction that can Effectually only oblige to obedience W. P. who is also quoted in this Case against us out of his Quaquerism a New Nickname c. Printed 1673. p. 71 72. is further explanatory and distinguishing in this point as between Ordinary and Extraordinary Cases and I am persuaded these Adversaries cannot answer him in Justification of their Charge against us And therefore very partially quote him on the same Subject after these words viz. No Command in the Scripture is any further obliging upon any Man than as he finds a conviction upon his Conscience otherwise Men should be engaged without if not against Conviction a thing unreasonable in a Man They leave out these following viz. Therefore the Apostle when he wrote to the Churches exhorted them not to do those things whereof they were ashamed and to shun what was manifested to be evil and affirms That whatever might be known of God was manifested within for God had shewn it unto them To which I further add how can Man truly know that there is an All-seeing God who is Judge of all and that he is to be loved feared and worshipped And how can he truly believe the Holy Scriptures and obey the Good Precepts thereof without Inward Illumination and Conviction by the Holy Spirit Light and Grace in his Heart Charge 23. p. 10 11. A Shield of the Truth by James Parnel Printed 1655. p. 11. He that saith the Letter is the Rule and Guide of the People of God is without feeding upon the Husk and is ignorant of the true Light Edw. Burr p. 515. tells us That the Scriptures are not the Rule and Guide of Faith and Life unto the Saints but the Spirit of God that gave forth the Scriptures Obs These two Instances are both brought to prove that we slight or contemn the Scriptures which is very unjustly surmised For if they had honestly observ'd what both write upon the same Subject they might have seen there is no denial or slighting of the Scriptures As first J. P. on the place quoted confesseth that who are guided by the true Light cannot walk contrary thereto i. e. to the Scripture And Secondly E. B. on the place quoted also confesseth that the Scriptures are profitables and were given forth to be read and to be fulfulled and that the Spirit of God which is the Rule of the Saints Faith and Life leads them to walk in the fulfilling of the Scriptures and according to them Which therefore cannot Import any Contempt of them but the contrary And their Preferring the Spirit to the Letter and to the Scripture as the only or chief Rule of Faith and Life unto the Saints as it was before the Scripture was written this can be no undervaluing of the Scriptures seeing they testifie of Christ the Way the Truth and the Life and of the Spirit as that which guides true Believers into all Truth and even into a right Understanding and profitable Use of the holy Scriptures or Doctrine
that as the Serpent is a Spirit the Seed Christ must be Inwardly and Spiritually known by his Light Life and Power to bruise under and cast out the Serpent See how at large W. P. explains it and confesseth to the true Christ the promised Seed both as in the Flesh and in the Spirit Christian Quaker 1st part Chap. 19. 25. Let us but Soberly consider what Christ is and we shall the better know whether Moral Men tho' Heathen are to be reckoned Christians What is Christ but Meekness Justice Mercy c. Can any then deny a Meek Man to be a Christian This against W. P's Address to Protestants Second Edition Anno 1692. p. 119. Here they have added tho Heathen and after Mercy they leave out Patience Charity and Virtue in Perfection W. P. did not design thereby to lessen the Power or Dignity of Christ who is the Author of these Virtues no more than the Apostle did in saying He Christ is made of God unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption spoken in the Abstract And the Prophet saying God is my Light and my Salvation tho' God and Christ also be the Author of Redemption and Salvation III. Concerning the Holy Scriptures 26. Whether the first Pen-men of the Scriptures was Moses or Hermes Or whether both these are not one c. This with more Questions quoted against John Whitehead Quakers Refuge p. 17. Thus these adversaries as F. Bugg and the Author of the Snake use to do to Defame us leave out these following words relative to each thing questioned viz. is not the subject of my Argument at this time Hence 't is plain the Person who recited the Questions which was not John Whitehead but R. R. waveth these Questions and cited them not as the Subject of his own Argument about the Scriptures but of some others he would not be concern'd to dispute those Questions or Doubts For he further confesseth in the said Quakers Refuge quoted That such Scriptures and Prophecies as have been Written and Prophesied by the Holy Men of God as they were moved by his Spirit Treating of the Mystery of God in the Redemption and Salvation of Mankind by Jesus Christ and the Duty of Man in his Obedience to and Worship of the same God as his reasonable Service for the Gift of so great Salvation are the great Concerns now under our most serious Consideration From hence it 's clear the Author was no Contemner of Holy Scripture nor intended any Contempt thereof as is more fully cleared in my said Antidote against the Venom of the Snake in the Grass p. 83 84 85. 27. The Scriptures are not the Word of God Yet he says of his own Writings To you all this is the Word of the Lord. Against G. F. Gr. Myst p. 246. Ibid. p. 225. Note first by the Word of God he means Christ the Essential Living Word in the first place Secondly To you all this is the Word of the Lord in that place he speaks of the Light within and the Spirit that was in them that gave forth the Scriptures Gr. Myst p. 225. yet confesseth the Scriptures of Truth are God's Words which Christ the Word fulfills p. 246. And if elsewhere concerning what he gave forth from the Living Word that it was the Word of the Lord he intends only as Words immediately proceeding from the Motion of the Word of the Lord and not of his own Writings Abstractly as he is misunderstood and misrepresented What we are Charged with in their next Passages concerning the Authority of the Scriptures and concerning Beastly Wares the Letter c. p. 6 7. 'tis fully Answer'd and Distinguish'd in the first Part And our Adversaries injuriously dealing with us and misrepresenting us fully detected IV. 29. Concerning the Sacraments so call'd Circumcision Water-Baptism Paschal-Lamb Bread and Wine Sprinkling Infants c. These are spoken to before only this I propose That what any of our Friends have written heretofore against Sprinkling Infants as Unscriptural if they 'll please to bring us plain Scripture-Proof for that Practice as they use it then we are bound to revoke what 's written against it V. Concerning the Resurrection of the Body 30. They quote some Arguments out of W. P's Reason against Railing and his Invalidity of J. Faldo 's Vindication and Tho. Ellwood 's Answer to G. Keith 's First Narrative and Rich. Hubberthorn 's Opposing the Doctrine of the Glorified Saints in Heaven not being Perfect both distinguishing between the Natural Body and the Spiritual Body according to 1 Cor. 15. whose Arguments not being Answer'd by these Opposers I shall need say the less to them only would have them so Charitable as that if they believe that the Resurrection-Bodies of the Saints shall be the same Natural and Carnal Bodies that now they are upon Earth that they would not Condemn us as Blasphemers for Believing our Resurrection-Bodies shall be Spiritual and Glorious far excelling these Natural Carnal and Earthly Bodies For else how should the Saints Bodies be like unto Christ's Glorious Body VI. 31. That the Quakers make themselves Equal to God and a Part of God This repeated Falshood is detected and answered in the First Part and so are their Instances of the Soul against Gr. Myst p. 273. and p. 100. and p. 91. and p. 229. where the Word Soul is distinguish'd in a two-fold Sense First in Relation to God his Divine Spirit or Breath of Life Secondly to Man as thereby made a Living Soul 32. We are of his Flesh and Bones and have his Substance Against Gr. Myst p. 248. This is falsly Quoted 'T is not there said in the Affirmative That we are so but an Inversion upon the Adversary from Ephes 5.30 John 6.56 33. Christ is not distinct from his Saints Against Great Mystery p. 207. He means not divided or separate from his Saints as by his following Words Christ is in his Saints Gr. Myst p. ibid. 34. Christ is the Elect. Gr. Myst p. 88. So saith the Prophet of Him Isai 42.1 G. F. also calls Christ's Sheep the Elect. Gr. Myst p. 88 89. 35. The Light within is Christ Gr. Myst p. 310. True but not truly Quoted but thus viz. The Light which every Man that cometh into the World is Lightned withal is Christ Gr. Myst ibid. And Christ the Light saith I in them and Thou in Me John 17.23 26. 36. The Soul is not a Creature but Infinite in it self without beginning Gr. Myst p. 29 90. This is mis-cited and wrong mixt they turn and confound Questions into Affirmatives That which is Infinite in it self relates to that which came out from the Creator namely that Divine Life or Soul which gave Life and Being to Man's Soul 'T is not said Man's Soul or Spirit is not a Creature as distinguished more fully in the First Part. 37. They that have the Spirit of God are equal with God Er. Howgill 's Works p. 232. These are none of F. Howgill's