Cant. 5.16 this is our Beloved and this is our Friend O Daughters of Jerusalem 27. What mean you concerning the Seed and how many Seeds are there The Seed to whom the Promise is made is Christ Gal. 3.16 the Seed of the Woman which should bruise the Serpents head Isa 62.2 But there is an off-spring of God even the workmanship of his hands Deut. 28.2 which that Seed comes to redeem Isa 61.8.9 the lost Souls of poor fallen man which when that Redemption comes to be known is also called by its name that Redeems it for that was the Promise of God Eph. 3.15 and thou shalt be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name even by the name of thy God Isa 65.9.15 which Moses said all the people of the earth shall see and this is that Seed with whom God makes an everlasting Covenant even the Seed which God hath blessed the Seed which God brings forth out of Jacob and out of Judah the Elect chosen people which shall inherit his holy Mountain 28. Is Immediate Inspiratition Revelation ceased or no No Eph. 1.17 It is that which Paul prayed for that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory might give unto the Saints the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation It is the Inspiration of the Almighty which gives us an understanding Job 32.8 who revealeth to us deep and secret things Dan. 2.21 And that Spirit in all Ages saith Solomon entering into holy Souls Wisd 7.27 makes them friends of God and Prophets Isa 29.11 And without this Inspiration the Scriptures and things of God cannot be known or understood 1 Cor. 2.10 11 12. for no man knows the things of God but the Spirit of God and he to whom the Spirit reveals them till when the Scriptures are but a Sealed Book Eph. 1.13 4.30 which neither the Unlearned nor Learned can read till the opening of the Seal which is the Spirit of Truth by which we also are Sealed to the day of Redemption 29. What is it to believe in the name of Christ and what is the effects of that Faith To believe in the name is to live Hab. 2.4 to live the life of Righteousness and Holyness Heb. 10.38 without which none can ever see the Lord now the true Faith is known by the effects thereof Rom. 1.17 for that gives victory over the world 1 John 5.4.5 3.3 and brings forth a lively hope which purifies the heart as God is pure 30. To whom is the Righteousness of Christ imputed Only to them which believe Act. 13.39 who walk not after the flesh Rom. 3.22.25 4.22.23.24 but after the Spirit who bear in their bodies dayly the dyings of the Lord Jesus Heb. 10.29 But he that walks after the Flesh fulfilling the Lusts of the same tramples underfoot the blood of the Covenant as an unworthy thing and makes the death of Christ to himself of none effect 31. What mean you by Sanctification and of Justification and how are they distinguished Sanctification is by the Spirit of God 1 Thes 2.13 and blood of Jesus our Lord and it is a making holy as it is written Rom. 15.16 thou shalt be an holy people to the Lord thy God Heb. 10.29 and he that is Sanctified comes to be justified for they are Concomitants in the work of Regeneration for the unsanctified or wicked man I will not justifie saith God Ex. 19.6 1 Pet. 2.9 Ex. 23.7 and they are chiefly distinguished in name as the cause and effect that Gods faithfulness might appear who will not acquit the guilty person 33. But Wherefore doth Paul say who Justifieth the ungodly The Speech is Tropical by a Metonymia of the subject Rom. 4.5 in which place the word ungodly is put for a Believer as the following words inculcate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imputatur fidei ejus ad justitiam his Faith is counted to him for Righteousness So that he is called ungodly only in respect to what he once was before he believed and not what he is by Faith 34. Can the Creature be perfectly Sanctified seeing John saith 1 Joh. 1.8 If we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us It is falsely Translated for the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Subjunctive Mood governed by the Particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 si and the Preterimperfecttense of the same Mood ar appears by the ninth verse where he saith If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and how can that be if at the same time we cannot say we haue no sin the version should be thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Si dixerimus quod peccatum non haberemus nos ipsos seducimus If we say we have had no sin we deceive our selves and it is so rendred by Beza non est nobis peccatum to which Tremelius agrees nos peccatum non habere and I think out of the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established 35. What think you of Good Works They are the fruits of the Spirit the effects of the true faith and although that man is not saved by Works but by Faith yet he cannot be saved without them Jam. 2.22 for it is as impossible that the true Faith should be where the effects of it are not as that God should deny himself 36. What hold you of Prayer and Thanksgiving They are only to be done by that Soul which comes to dwell in the Life of Jesus 1 Thes 1.1 and 5.17 18. Jam. 1.5 6 7. and to dye dayly to Sin for to such God opens himself and then they see and know what they want and what to ask for and asking in Faith are fully assured that they shall receive the same at the hand of the Lord The Prayers and Praises then are presented to God from the Soul by the Holy Spirit which makes them a Sacrifice of sweet Savour in his Nostrils and then the Creature comes to seee that the Sacrifices of the wicked are not only sin but an abomination to the Lord. Prov. 21.28 And thus receiving an answer from God the Soul returns him a sacrifice of thanksgiving which is acceptable in his sight It is dreadful to appear before God with poluted hands and a wicked heart 37. How are the holy Scriptures to be understood By the Spirit only that gave them forth to which they are a Testimony and stand as a witness against all the wickedness and evil ways of men and all unrighteousness 2 Pet. 1.20 2 Tim. 3.16 and every evil work which is acted against God and the appearance of his holy Spirit 38. Tell me what you think of the death of Christ It was the means by which God was pleased to redeem
his Soul and will not inform him of it unless the Person so misled be willing to be subservient to his way of doing it O no unless he will condescend to my way of doing of it he shall be damned he shall perish this is the Charity of the Adversary with whom we deal not only to root us off from the face of the Earth but to cut us off from heaven also if so be it lay in his power O! prodigious kindness surely it is as Elijah said he is a God cry aloud to him But if the Adversary cannot prove his affirmation then it will appear that his Charges are not only horrid Lyes of an immeasurable Latitude but also the Productions of Malice whose Center is Hell it self 10. He now comes to speak to my Paper but yet not one word of Answer to what I desired The chief matter which he says is that I use an uncivil Dialect with high Rants and boasting Rhodomontadoes insult over my Adversary and that I can Encounter him and all his abettors and that this my undertaking is in the name of that despised People called Quakers To which I Answer The speaking of truth is no uncivil Dialect to tell a Lyer he lyes are but the words of truth the same Spirit which taxes me with uncivil Language would without doubt have charged Paul with the same when he said to Elymas the Sorcerer O full of all subtilty and mischief thou Child of the Devil thou Enemy of all Righteousness c. It is not plain Language and Truth which makes a Dialect uncivil but the affirmation of Lyes and therefore the Adversary's Accusation is returned upon himself again he talks of high Rants and boasting Rodomontadoes but they are his own till he hath proved his Assertions the Adversary although in his altitudes sees not himself and yet pretends he sees all others he needs not say that that is the way of our resuting our Adversaries whilst his own way whether of refuting or proving is only by accusing and confidently affirming upon no greater credit than his own ipse dixit that his protestations are true He is the insulter who would force our belief without demonstration and make us subject our reason to what our sences only are able to evince a salcity He tells me that I say that I can Encounter him and all his abettors but leaves out the former of my words viz. through the assistance of the Divine Power by which it appears the Mans only intention is Slander and Infamy He says that I say I did it in the name of that despised People called Quakers and what then must a Man deny the truth because Slanderers and Lyers despise it Is iâ— not the duty of a Christian to embrace that which the World is not worthy to receive But I talk to Prejudice and Folly for should he be bray'd in a Morter I see little hopes of his learning to speak the truth or probabilities of his amendment 11. He says The former words were Reasons of Inducement to make him believe me to be a Quaker but upon Inquiry of Samuel Newton and others they did say that they did hear my Conversation was not answerable to my Profession and that they did disown me Since which I have spoken with Samuel Newton and he affirms that he neither heard nor spake any such words but says he is very much abused therein It is to be feared that it is his design to tax the Conversations of other men with Guilt to cover the Infamy of his own and by disparaging Language to wound the Reputation and Credit of those whom he has a particular design to abuse He says he had the same report of others also but what these others are he either may not or cannot tell however who or whatsoever they were having found already that he has belyed Samuel Newton I have as much ground to believe that his slanderous tongue has done the same by those too 12. This Accuser because that he understands that I am a Professor of Physick would fain Insinuate to the world that my particular and private interest not my love to the Truth was the only motive and induction of my appearing in the behalf thereof this day Certainly this man measures the honesty and actions of every man by his own he was resolved that if what he had said before would not disparage me enough this should if that he had not told a lye big enough he would strain a little more to tell a bigger as far as I can perceive it is the only Art in which his chief Excellencies lie The opposition of his belief concerning me and belying and slandering of my Reputation and Credit he thinks may pass for an answer to me an excelent way of encountring with irrefutable Arguments Who should believe or credit a man that is false to his own Principles who could blame with Cowardise and Temporising his Brethren Pitman and Shewwell and tell them in a Letter he wrote to them That they had quitted the cause of Righteousness and ways of Holiness complying with the Precepts of men because they had taken Oaths which is indeed contrary to the Principles of Christianity and yet he himself our present Accuser in about five days after to avoid suffering not only did the same but also justified his Apostacy as more fully may appear in Samuel Fishers Antidote against Swearing in Calce Libri 13. But why should the Accuser tax me in respect of the Interest of my Profession since had I designed Interest I could have espoused that which should have been very much a greater than this whose Appendices should have been accompanied with worldly Glory and Repute but contrarily meerly for the Truths sake I have chosen that wherein I can look to meet with only Contempt and Ignominy to be made the Scorn and Mock of the World and instead of gaining Interest and External Happiness can expect nothing but Persecution Contumely and Reproach Surely no man that has reason would judge but that if I had made my Interest my end but that I could have made a much better choice had the love of the World been my design I would have had my eye upon that which to the appearance of Reason might in some measure have answered my expectations and not upon a despicable People which the World tramples upon and make the off-scouring of all* things I have now done hoping I have said enough to that which I can never expect should be just to me since it has been so unjust to it self III. An Explication of our Principles by way of Question and Answer 1. WHat is the way of God The way of God is the way of Holiness and Truth the way of Salvation Isa 26.7 a way of Uprightness Joh. 14.6 that leads to an Eternal Life It is a plain and easie way not hard and difficult to be understood but a way in which the wayfaring man Isa
35.8 although a fool if he walks therein cannot err 2. How shall this way be known It is to be known by the Revelation of the Son Mat. 11.17 John 3.35 Gal. 1.16 to whom all things are delivered which Revelation is in us by vertue of the Eternal and Holy Spirit of Truth 3. How shall the Spirit of Truth be known from the Spirit of Error It may be known according to that direction delivered in the Holy Scriptures by this may the Spirit of Truth be known from the Spirit of Error Joh. 16.8.13 because it reproves the world of sin so when any one finds in himself the Convictions and Reproofs of sin let him know it is by the discovery of the Spirit of Truth which Spirit will guide and lead all them that follow it into all Truth when I tell a lye that which discovers this to me is the Holy Spirit if I deal deceitfully Rob Murther or be tempted to any of these things that which discovers and reproves these things is this Holy Spirit by which if we suffer our selves to be guided we shall be lead and guided out of those things and gradatim as we become obedient to the motions thereof we shall be able with the Apostle Paul to say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plusquam victores sumus we are more than Conquerours Rom. 8.13.14 37. The knowledg of this then is that which leads to the knowledge of God and is that by which the deeds of the Body are to be mortified Gal. 4.5.6 7. and by which we also witness the Adoption of Sons 4. By what other names is this Spirit of Truth known or called It is called the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation teaching us Tit. 2.11 that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world John 14.26 It is called the Holy Ghost which shall teach us all things Joh. 16.8 The Comforter which shall reprove the world of sin of Righteousness and of Judgment 1 Joh. 2.27 The Anointing which is in us and abideth with us that no man need to teach us John 1.9 The Light which lighteth every man which cometh into the world Christ formed in us Gal. 4.19 when it comes to rule and have dominion in us and by many other names according to the state condition and growth of the Soul therein Isai 4.4 as the Spirit of Judgment and Burning when it comes to purge purifie and cleanse the Soul and destroy the sin thereof Jud. 24.25 A Saviour when it has Redeemed and keep the Soul not only out of sin but also from falling Mat. 1.21 The Breasts of Consolation when the Creature through obedience comes to witness a new Birth and to lie down in the will of the Father Isa 66.9.10.11.12 and is made partaker of the dayly incomes of the Spirit of Life in satisfaction and enjoyment thereof and by many other the like names 5. Have all men received a measure hereof Yea All men have received a portion thereof Isa 52.10 Ps 98.2.3 some one Talent some two and some five more or less according to the good pleasure of the the Giver Luk. 3.6 This Grace the Apostle Paul saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tit. 2.11 Apparavit omnibus hominibus 1 Cor. 12.7 hath appeared unto all men and it was given to them to profit withal Eph. 3.12 that when they come before the Judgment Seat of God Rom. 1.19 20. they might either appear with boldness or be left without excuse 6. If all men have received thereof what is the reason that all are not saved by it or is it insufficient It is not insufficient but is the power of God to Salvation Isa 63.10 but the reason why all men are not saved by it 1 Tim. 1.19 is because they refuse its reproofs and will have none of its Instruction but making shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience turn the grace of God into wantonness upon whom God shall not be slack Eph. 5.5 6. but render Vengance in flames of fire whose destruction is just 7. What do's this Holy Spirit teach us It Teaches us to know and fear the Lord our God and to love and obey him all the days of our Lives the knowledge of whom is life Eternal and the fear of whom is to depart from evil which is the beginning of Wisdome the love of whom is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost and the obedience to whom gives us the fulness of an assureance for ever more 8. What do's the knowledge of God teach us It teaches us the knowledg of the Son of God Luk. 1.27.31 which in the fulness of time was conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of a Virgin and made in all things like unto us sin only excepted Gal. 1.51.16 For so the Apostle Paul saith when it pleased God to reveal his Son in him 9. By what ways and means do's God usually reveal his Son to the Sons of Men Various ways sometimes by the immediate Inspiration of his Spirit Isa 7.14 and so he revealed him to his Prophets of old that he should come Mat. 1.23 and how and after what manner sometimes by the mouths of his Servants the Prophets and so them which received their Testimony by the witness of the Spirit of God in themselves Heb. 1.1 came also through faith to look to him which was to be after made manifest in flesh Luk. 2.26.30 To others by his real appearance in flesh according to the many faithful promises of God who having purged our sins Heb. 1.3 is set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Joh. 1.14 And lastly to us by the witness of the holy Record the Scriptures of Truth by which we know he is come Luk. 2.7 and that he has given us a dispensation of the Spirit of Truth Mat. 2.1 even the Anointing which shall teach us all things 1 Cor. 12.7 which holy Unction beareth witness to that Record 1 John 2.27 whereby we know it is Truth which twofold cord we think is not easily broken 10. Why did God leave that Record amongst us Because it was his good pleasure 2 Tim. 3.16 to teach us and inform us and to direct us to his holy Spirit which gave that forth that by it we might be lead and guided into all truth and for the same reason that he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers Eph. 4.11 12 13 14. for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come into the Unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ 11. If that Spirit be sufficient what need
will certainly fight thy Battles for thee in standing still is thy strength Isa 30.15 and in that thou shalt overcome Is one spot cleansed is one sin taken away if so what did do that the Spirit of the Lord did it so yes what then dost thou think it has lost its purging and cleansing quality now No it has not trust to it that which has begun will finish That which has power to cleanse one spot has power to cleanse more than one and by degrees to cleanse from many and at last from all what reason is there that that which has kept me from swearing should not also keep me from lying and if from lying why not from stealing and murthering and if from the greater sins why not from the less It has either power to preserve me or it has not if it has power it can keep me from all if it has not it can preserve me from none 19. There is a great deal of reason in all this but if you can make it a little plainer He that offends not in thought word or deed the same is a perfect man and this is attained by diligently keeping upon the watch with the Spirit of the Lord for that neither slumbers no sleeps but continually attends the motion of the enemy Sin has a conception before a bringing forth it is first conceived in thought in the mind before it is manifest in word or action and if it be cut off whilst in conception the evil consequences of its birth may be prevented and this is done by carefully setting a watch before the thoughts of the heart that whatsoever evil thing the Devil may represent to the Soul it may not consent to nor embrace it so much as in the affections of the mind and by this means the soul is kept clean and clear from sin and the temptation is seen and avoided and the Enemy with his wiles put to flight and thus as conquest is once got over the Enemy the soul gets strength till at last it becomes more than conqueror through the strength of him which assists and as victory is gotten over one lust and another sin so joy springs up in the heart through the hopes of a perfect conquest and thus the hope which purifies as God is pure is seen and that faith which overcomes the world is known whereby in the end a compleat and perfect victory is witnessed thus is there a dayly growing from strength to strength and from glory to glory till the Creature becomes wholy cloathed with the white Raiment the Righteousness of God Thus a Watch being also before the lips of the mouth there can be no offending with the tongue for the vain idle needless or evil words are seen and so condemned by that which watches them and then the soul being free from them even in its secret affections they are cut off as it were before conception and the temptation is seen and avoided and the enemy put to flight Thus continually standing upon the watch Tower many victories will be obtained and thou wilt gather great strength and the Enemy will grow heartless and faint and every day wax weaker and weaker I astly let a watch be set upon all thy actions what art thou a doing with thy hands to what do's the paths of thy seet tend is the action good or evil what may be the end of it I say the watch being set the Lord will shew the what is good and will if thou art willing to follow him for he only accepts the free and willing heart save thee and deliver thee from every appearance of evil and bring thy feet out of the mire and out of the clay and establish thy footsteps upon Mount Sion the City of the Living God where thou shalt triumph over the Enemy and Adversary of thy soul over Sin Hell and Death and be kept faultless and spotless without danger of falling Thus at length shall the Kingdom of the Lord be exalted over all the Tempter cast out from the throne presence of God for ever Thus may you see the way of Perfection is short and easie to the man of God to him which has yielded up all to the service of his Maker who in resignation humility and Obedience continually waits to receive the daily bread and the fresh Springs of the Spirit of Life from the giver of every good and perfect gift 20. You make the way of Perfection to be a very short and easie way is there any or do many attain to it Thou oughtest to look inward into thine own particular what is it to thee whether any is now perfect or whether many do attain it the way of God is the way of God if none walk in it the Truth is the Truth though all men be lyers and walk contrary to it it behoves thee since thou hast a soul to save to take heed of thy self that thou maist walk worthy of this so high a calling to which thou art called and there is no doubt but in going on and pressing forwards thou maist at length attain to the mark and prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus forgetting as once that great and worthy Apostle Paul said those things which are behind Phil. 3.12 13 14. 21. What is no distinction to be made may all be saved that will The grace of God which bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all the mercies of God are over all his works he would not the death of a sinner but rather that every man might be saved the which is known if he slight not nor over-passes the day of his Visitation if he do's he may then with Esau seek the blessing with tears and not obtain it 22. Has Man then free will and what and when is this day of Visitation that we may know it Man in his lost and fallen state has a will only free to evil so that not only all his Actions his words and his thoughts but his affections and desires are wholy evil and that continually and whatsoever he performs in this state and nature as his Prayers and Thanksgivings and Confessions and Worship are not only evil and sin but also an abomination to the Lord and since it is so what must man do now since he cannot think so much as that which is good he must wait till the day of Gods Visitation comes There is a time in which God visits the Sons of men Exod. 3.7 8. Psal 8.4 Luk. 19.42 Heb. 2.6 44. and beholds the afflictions of his people in Aegypt the Land of Darkness and Slavery a time in which he comes down to deliver them and to bring them up out of that Land unto a good Land and a larg unto a Land flowing with Milk and Honey Now that 's the time for man to look about him when the Lord begins to stir when his Holy Spirit begins to shew him the bondage and slavery of his sinful lost and