9. That was the true Light which lighteth every man that comes into the world as if the bare urging or rather wresting of this one Scripture were sufficient to overthrow all that I had said For is not he the true Light say they And is not he a saving Light And doth not he lighten every man that comes into the world As I was replying to this Scripture divers of them took liberty to pass many heavy censures upon me which before I speak to that Scripture I shall here set down that the Spirit by which they are acted may better be discerned Margaret Fell said Thou art a miserable Creature James Brown with great fierceness Thou art an Enemy of God Thomas Davenport said but very mildly Thou hast denyed Christ to day Richard Cubhan said Thou hast denyed the Lord that bought thee and would undertake to prove that I was one of those false Prophets mentioned 2 Peter 2. 1. And so the Meeting ended Since which time I have also met with many harsh censures and reproaches The Caoler told me Margaret Fell said I had spoken many blasphemies George Fox said Thou art not a rationable man that was his own word John Baley a youth in the Town said The eternal Judgements of God will fall upon thee and burn thee up as chaff thou art worse than a Drunkard James Park in my own Chamber said with great vehemency Thou art a lyar and a Deceiver and the Curse of God will be upon thee in thy Bed-Chamber and Closet and where-ever thou goest and thou suffers as an evil doer And afterwards sent me a Paper with his Name subscribed wherein he hath these expressions John Wigans Thou full of subtilty Thou enemy of the Light of Righteousness Christ Jesus wilt thou not cease to pervert the right way of God the path of Life Thou art from the Doore thou art a Thief and a Robber thou art a blind Guide Thou Monster Thou strange Birth of the Flesh Thou conceiveâ— Chaffe Thou brings forth Iniquity and drinks it up Thou foolish builder and despiser of the Light the true Light thou art in the darkness of thy clouded understanding contemning the Son of God and setting at nought the love of God to the world thou art a doing despite to the true Light and the Spirit of Grace accounting it an unholy thing Thou art a blind Leader of the blind in the ditch keeping people in the fall and in the ditch wo unto thee thou suffers as an evil doer Henry Wood in a Letter to Evan Price calls me his Priest with much more of this kind of Language which I forbear to mention have I been followed from day to day My answer to these great swelling words of vanity is That I am taught not to strive but to be gentle to all men 2 Tim. 2. 24 and that I have otherwise learned Christ than to render railing for railing 1 Pet. 3. 9. Yet may I not say to them as once Christ did to his Disciples Ye know not of what spirit ye are Are these the fruits of the Spirit of Christ Let them shew if they can where it is written That he or any acted by his Spirit called men even the worst of his Enemies Monsters or strange birth of the flesh or where he ever spake an untruth or falsly accused any yet thus they deal with me for besides that they are not able to prove me a Thief a Robber a Deceiver It is utterly false that I am any mans Priest or that I suffer as an evil doer which thing nevertheless they positively assert but I am moved with compassion towards them and shall not further insist upon these things for I pass not for mans day my judgement is with the Lord in this matter and I am also perswaded the Lord will in due time rebuke every evil Spirit whereby some simple-hearted ones may for a time be ensnared and led captive by him at his will onely here it may be necessary to enquire what in most probâ—bility may be the occasion of these high and peremptory censures Surely I know no other nor do they declare any other cause then this viz. That my Assertion and Arguments brought from Scriptures to prove it do strike at the very Corner-Stone of their building which being removed the whole superstructure must unavoidâ—bly fall to the ground That which they boldly affirm with highest confidence in their words and Printed Books and which is their foundation is that the light which is in every man that comes into the world is Christ the Redeemer and Saviour the Lord that bought them the Eternal and just one the tryed precious corner Stone which God hath laid in Sion the Spirit yea the true infallible Spirit that was in the Prophets and Apostles the door the way the truth and the life in a word the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spirituale the All that is to be known and believed and this is their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 first lie now because I cannot call this the true Jesus as indeed it is not and worship an Idol as they do therefore am I charged to be their Enemie and Christs also in the fore-mentioned censures and in much more of the same kind To the end therefore that the grand deceiver with his deceipts yet hid under a disguise may be more easily detected and that truth being cleared from mistakes may be better discerned and that many simple hearts who being yet ignorant of Satans devices are captivated and led away with the errors of the wicked into pernitious wayes may be more effectually undeceived and reclaimed I shall endeavour briefly and plainly to shew 1. What the light in every man is 2. Of what use it is and the utmost it can do 3. What it cannot do That if God peradventure may please to give unto any Repentance to the acknowledging of the truth they may be recovered out of the snare of the Devil c. 2 Tim. 2. 25 26. For the better understanding of that which is to be spoken of the light in man it is necessary that these things following be premised 1. That God is light 1. Jo. 1. 5. and dwels in the light which no man can approach unto 1 Tim. 6. 16. and is the fountain and originall of all light And hence 2. That all light is of God all light is Gods light that is it is his off-spring he is the Author and efficient cause of it and thence is called the Father of lights Jam. 1. 17. And yet 3. That all light is not God for there are created lights light was the first distinct part of the whole creation Gen 1. 13. He made two great lights to rule the day and the night he made the Stars also Gen. 1. 16. which are called Stars of light Psal 14. 8 3. Now what God creates forms or makes that is not God 4. As External proper sensible
be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost for the promise is unto you and your children and to all that are a far off even as many as the Lord our God shall call And Jo. 38. 39. He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living water But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified so that it is apparent in several respects that this Scripture proves not their assertion Further it was said that Balaam was a wicked man and yet he had the spirit of God and saw the starr of Jacob Numb 24. therefore every man that comes into the world hath the spirit of Christ Ans It is one thing to have the spirit of the Son which is the great promise of the new Covenant Isa 50. 21. dwelling in a man 2 Tim. 1. 14. and another thing to have the spirit of God come upon a man at some particular time and for some particular work thus it was with Balaam and thus with Saul and his messengers 1 Sam 19. 20. 21. 23. but this proves not that every man that comes into the world hath the sprit of Christ for the Scripture doth not say that these men had the spirit of God before it came upon them only these Scriptures do shew that God can and sometimes doth by the power of his spirit impress upon a wicked man and make him to declare some future glorious things for his own praise and his peoples comfort as Dan. 4. 1. 2. 3. Joh. 11. 50. 51. may be seen neither is it said in that place Numb 24. 17. that Balaam saw the starr of Jacob but I shall see him but not now I shall behold him but not nigh but when every eye shall see him Rev. 1. 17. but it will not follow hence that he had the faith of Job to see him his Redeemer Job 19. 25. 27. nor the spirit of the mediator the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2 5. which only dwels in believers 2 Tim. 1. 14. that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us no more then the Angel of the Lord that spake in the Asse with mans voyce Numb 22. 28. 2 Pet. 2. 16. dwelt in the Asse though that is utterly false which this people hath published in their Paper viz. that he was a Baptist which said that Balaam had no more spirit then his Horse Some of them asked what was that which caused Judas to bring the money again and made him repent implying as I apprehend them that it must needs be the spirit of Christ Ans There is a light and law in every man that convinces and reproves of sin except of not believing in Christ Rom. 2. 14 15. for when the Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their concscience also bearing witness and their thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing one another and this made Judas bring the money again c. But this light or Law in every man is not the spirit of Christ mentioned Joh. 16. 7. 8. which was promised to be sent to reprove or convince the world of the sin of not believing in Christ c. for he was not come while as Christ was not ascended John 16. 7. 13. but of this light and Law in every man I shall speak more after the rest of my Arguments to prove my assertions are laid down By these briefe Answers it may appear with what little success these Scriptures were brought to prove that every man even the wicked and unregenerate have the spirit of Christ and that notwithstanding all that was said the plain and positive Scriptures brought brought by me to prove the contrary viz. That all men have not the Spirit of Christ do remain firm â—and â—nshaken there being nothing more plain than Christ's own words John 14. 17. That the world cannot receive the Spirit of Truth And the Apostles Rom. 8. 9. Jude 19. That some are in the flesh are sensual not having the Spirit of Christ As I could get liberty other Arguments were propounded for the proof of that which I had undertaken to make good viz. That Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving Light which are as follow though in that confused Assembly they could not be so orderly and with that enlargement urged as they are here set down Whom Christ enlightens with a saving Light into their hearts he causeth the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ to shine to give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ according to the testimony of Paul 2 Cor. 4. 6. For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ He brings life and immortality to light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. And he doth no otherwayes manifest the Grace of God our Reconciliation Peace and Salvation but by the light of the glorious Gospel shining in our hearts and he that wants this Gospel-light hath no saving-light but is lost 2 Cor. 4. 3. But if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost But Christ doth not cause this light of the glorious Gospel to shine in the heart of every man that comes into the world for the Gospel is hid to some and the light of it doth not shine in their hearts as the Scripture testifies 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. But if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Therefore Christ doth not enlighten every one that comes into the world with a saving light Whom Christ enlighteneth with a saving light to them is given an understanding to know the Father 1 John 2. 13 Ye have known the Father And the Son 1 John 5. 20. And we know the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true And the Spirit John 14. 17. Even the spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him c. And the things that are freely given them of God 1 Cor. 2. 10 12. But God hath revealed them uuto us by his spirit Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit
perish but have everlasting life The knowledge of this Law sprung not up with mankind in nature it was not written in the heart of natural man as a thing just and equal Adam's Light onely shewed him what was just to be done and when he had sinned convinced him and passed sentence upon him and there left him in his misery not affording any direction or help for his recovery which made him fear and hide himself Gen. 3. 10. Then was the great fountain of free Grace opened and by the occasion of the transgression and misery of man this Law of Faith was added and founded upon Christ in that Gracious Promise Gen. 3. 15. The seed of the woman shall break the head of the Serpent this Law is not natural but supernatural not springing up together with man as that of works but added to shew the exceeding riches of the Grace of God in his kindness to poor sinners through Jesus Christ Eph. 2. 7. which is as farr above the reach of a natural man to know as the Heavens are above the Earth yea as the thoughts of God are above the thoughts of man Though vain man would be wise yet he is born like a wild Asses Colt Job 11. 12. It s above the reach of his reason to conceive how Faith in a crucified Christ should be the way to save a sinner and hence it is that the preaching of a Christ crucified for the obedience of Faith is to the Greekes soolishness 1 Cor. 1. 23. he is not able by all his Candle-light to discover this misterie of the hidden wisdom of God according to that divine Testimonie 1 Cor. 2. 9 14. Eye hath not seen nor Eare heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him but the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are Spiritually discerned the truth hereof will yet further appear by considering that Querie Acts 2. 37. Men and brethren what shall we do and that of the Gaoler Acts 16. 30. Sirs what must I do to be saved which do clearly argue that these men now prict in their hearts and wounded in their consciences had no sufficient Light nor understanding to direct themselves to a remedie and therefore they ask What shall we do And as this Light cannot discover the Law of Faith so it cannot convince any man that his not believing in Christ is a sin this is the proper work of the Spirit the Comforter as the Scripture testifies John 16. 7 8 9. Nevertheless I tell you the truth it is expedient that I go away for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you but if I depart I will send him unto you and when he is come he will reprove or convince the world of sin and of righteousness and of judgment of sin because they believe not in me c. In as much then as it is clearly manifest that the natural man with all his Light is unable to reach these great misteries this gives occasion to speak somewhat briefly of that light which can reveal and make them manifest which will be found to be a Light as far exceeding the Light of the natural man in glory as the ministration of the Gospell exceeds the ministration of the Law in glory 2 Cor. 3. 11. For if that which is done away be glorious how much more that which remaineth is glorious as the things discovered to wit the glorious Gospell of Christ the knowledg of the glory that is the goodness and mercy of God in the Face of Jesus Christ 2 Cor. 4. 6. are more glorious so is the Light discovering them hence it is called the marvellous Light of God 1. Pet. 2. 9. and it is no other then the Light of Christ Jesus as Mediator between God and man 1 Tim. 2. 5. which doth irradiate the soul of man with the knowledg of these great misteries agreeable to that of the Psalmist Psal 36. 9. In thy Light we shall see Light He is given to be a Light of the Gentiles Acts 13. 47. He only being in the Bosome of the Father can reveal him according as himself doth witness Math. 11. 27. Neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Joh. 1. 18. No man hath seen God at any time the only begotten Son which is in the Bosome of the Father he hath declared Him The invisible and inaccessable God coming down in the man Christ Jesus which is the great misterie of godliness God manifest in the flesh 1 Tim. 3. 16. makes all the glory of his goodness and mercy to appear in the Face of Jesus Christ as he said to Moses Exo. 33. 19. I will make all my goodness to pass before thee hence he is said to be the brightness of his glory Heb. 113. now as Christ is the shining forth of the Fathers glory so it is he only that shines into the hearts of all that believe on him the Light of the konwledge of the glory of God as in the first creation God made all things by the word so in the new creation or new creature all things wrought by the Word made flesh who is the one Mediator between God and man 1 Tim. 2. 5. and the great Agent by which Christ workes is his Holy Spirit that Spirit which the world never saw nor can receive Joh. 14. 17. By this Spirit sent forth he doth reveal the misterious things of the Gospel even the hidden wisdom of God concerning Christ and the new creature which was not written in the heart of man nor could be known by the wisdom of this world as it is evident in 1 Cor. 2. 9 10 11 12. Eye hath not seen nor Ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him but God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit for the Spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God now we have received not the Spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of god that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God thus the same Apostle saith that his knowledg in the misterie of Christ was revealed unto him by the Spirit Eph. 3. 4 5. Christ doth no other way inlighten the eye of the understanding but by his Spirit Eph. 1. 17. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledg of him the eyes of your understanding being inlightned c. This is that Spirit that teacheth all things John 14. 26. that guides into all truth Joh. 16. 13. And because none but new creatures can receive this new
made flesh as ver 14. or as the Word is God manifest in the flesh as 1 Tim. 3. 16. or as the Word is in union with the humane nature according to his name Emmanuel Matth. 1. 23. Let the impartial and unprejudiced Reader consider what is said in every verse and I doubt not but he will finde it according to the report given as in the 2 verse it is said The same was in the beginning that is the same Word God distinct from the humanity and so it is in the verse following As in the 3. verse All things were made by him that is by the Word God in the 4. verse In him was life and the life was the light of men That is God the Word the Creator who gives life and light to all men according to that in Acts 17. 28 29. In him we live move and have our being and we are all his off-spring in the 5. verse And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not That is The Word God as it is explained in the 10. verse He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not Though the Word the Creator shined as light in the world and was not far from every one of us as the Apostle speaks Acts 17. 27. and had set up a Candle in them whereby the eternal power and Godhead might be known by the things that were made yet such was the darkness of men that they did not comprehend and acknowledge him In the 7. and 8. verses it 's said John was sent to bear witness of that light that is of the Word God to wit that God the Word was come to manifest himself in the flesh he bare witness that the light which was in the world and by whom the world was made and whom the world knew not was now come to appear in the flesh It 's true that John also bare witness of Christ in both natures as when the Word was made flesh verse 14. it 's said in the 15. verse John bare witness of him and afterward when he saw Jesus coming unto him he saith Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world verse 29. Where he speaks of him as the Word made flesh and Tabernacled amongst us But in the verses before mentioned he onely asserts and proves his Divinity In like manner are we to understand the 9 verse That was the true light that is the Word God the Creator and former of all things Isa 40. 28. was to wit in the beginning for thither the Verb in the Original in every verse doth carry us the true light not a borrowed or derived light but the fountain and original of all light according to that Scripture 1 Joh. 1. 5. God is light and in him is no darkness at all This I say is proper to the Creator who is the fountain of Life and Light to all beings according to their capacities whereas Christ as Mediator deriveth Light from the Father as he doth Life and Subsistance as he himself doth witness Joh. 6. 57. I live by the Father c. And thus we see who this true light is Viz. The Word God And hence it may be that the word Christ is not once named in any of the first 9. verses of the first of John but only the Word 2. How doth he lighten every man that cometh into the World The Word God or God the Word as Creator of all things doth lighten every man that cometh into the world by setting up in every man a Spirit by which he lives which is called the Candle of the Lord Prov. 20. 27. and by writing a Law in his heart of which Spirit and Law I have spoken before This is a true and faithful account of the Light that Lightens every man But doth not Christ say expresly Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the World and is not the Word and the true light of whom John bare witness Christ That the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World is the Word as such I have already proved And further I say according to Joh. 1. 14. That the Word was made flesh and tabernacled amongst men and they beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father and being imbodied in flesh he is thenceforth and so considered called Christ the Lord or the Lords Christ Luke 2. 11 26. For unto us in born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ And no otherwise doth he bear that name but as he is the Word made flesh to be seen and beleeved on it is not the Word alone nor the flesh alone but the Word and flesh in union that is called Christ Joh. 1. 41. We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ And is a light to lighten the Gentiles Luk. 2. 26 32. And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel Till then there was no such thing as a Christ or a light to the Gentiles but only in a promise The Word being thus made flesh manifested and seen 1. Joh. 1. 2. brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel by his appearing 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel Now that purpose of grace and love which was in the Fathers bosom before the world began which was promised Gen. 3. 15. The seed of the woman shall break the head of the serpent and from that time believed and expected by all the faithful appears by this manifestation of God in the flesh Tit. 2. 11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared And 3. 4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared c. And thus is Christ said to come a light into the world not to lighten every man that comes into the world but onely those that believe on him according to that testimony Joh. 12. 46. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness This also is that light mentioned Joh. 3. 19. And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light And Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the world c. This Word made flesh is
he that was promised to be a covenant to the people and a light to the Gentiles Isai 42. 1 6 7. Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to open the blinde eyes c. Who brings into the world a life and light far exceeding that light and life that was set up in every man that comes into the world by the Word the Creator which more excellent life and light brought in by the Son none receive but such onely as receive the Son Joh. 1. 12. and are born again Joh. 3. 3. 1 Joh. 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life He also that hath the Son hath light Eph. 5. 14. But till a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God Joh. 3. 3. nor perceive the things of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned but is dead in trespasses and sins Eph. 2. 1 5. and darkness as to this new life and Christ Eph. 5. 8. The neglect of this distinction of the Word and the Word made flesh which is so plainly set down in the Scripture as hath been shewed and of the properties belonging to either of them is the ground of the great mistake of many who not considering what is testified of the Word as Creator do confound that light which is set up by him as such in every man with that light which he gives as he is the Word made flesh And thence do call that light Christ and so saving which is but the spirit of a man and the law written in his heart springing up with his nature in the Creation and therefore can neither be Christ nor saving as hath been already proved That there ought to be care thus to distinguish it will be made further evident by considering these following particulars 1. That Christ is the onely Mediator between God and man as the Scripture testifies 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus 2. That in Christ there are two whole perfect and distinct natures the Godhead and the Manhood inseparably joyned together in one person which is an Article of faith to which the Scriptures give full testimony as may be seen in these few instances Luke 1. 35. And the angel answered and said unto her The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Col. 2. 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Gal. 4 4. But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law 1. Tim. 3 16. And without controversie great is the mystery of godliness God manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory Rom. 1. 3 4. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead 3. That Christ is often mentioned where the two natures inseparably joyned together in his person are distinctly spoken of that is the matter may respect and be applicable to the properties of one nature and not of the other as when he saith I and my Father are one Joh. 10. 30. he speaks of his divine nature but when he saith in the same chapter vers 15. I lay down my life for the sheep he hath respect to his humane nature As he is God he is equal with the Father as he is man he layeth down his life for the sheep and yet one and the same Christ who is God and man speaks in both places This is also evident in Phil. 2. 6 7 8. In like manner when Christ saith I am the root and off-spring of David Rev. 22. 16. he speaks distinctly of both natures he is the root of David as he is God the off-spring of David as he is man So when it is said of the Son Heb. 1. 2. That the world was made by him and in the next verse that by himself he purged our sin we must distinguish and say The world was made by him as God and he purged away sin as Mediatour by the sacrifice of himself Heb. 9. 26. 10. 12. This man after he had offered one sacrifice for sin for ever Thus rightly to distinguish the natures of Christ is not to divide the Father from the Son nor the Son from himself but to give to either nature that which properly under a distinct consideration belongs to it and to both in union that which belongs to both Without which the works of the Creator and Mediator which are manifestly distinct would be confounded As in the matter under debate concerning the Word and the Word made flesh the Word is God the Creator the Word made flesh is the Mediator The Creator sets up a light in every man the Mediator gives a greater light but to such onely as believe on him Joh. 12. 46. Thus having answered their Objections though I question not but a judicious Reader who hath taken a survey of their Principles and shall seriously consider what I have hitherto asserted and proved concerning the light in all men will easily discern both the unsoundness and absurdity of their Opinions and the peril and danger of the consequences necessarily flowing there from Yet in thankfulness to Jesus Christ and for their sakes whether Quakers or others who either through weakness of judgement or want of due consideration have not taken sufficient notice of the dangerous tendencie of their Tenents especially of their Fundamental Opinion hitherto opposed I shall endeavour in a few Inferences from the premises to shew how injurious it is to the true Jesus who is Immanuel the Word made flesh God and man in union and how pernicious and destructive such a sandy foundation will prove to precious souls And first it is evident that this Opinion is guilty of denying the great mystery of godliness which as the Apostle affirms 1 Tim. 3. â—6 is God manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory In which words the Apostle tells us that the true Christ for of him he speaks is God manifest
view as we finde the Lord hath enabled you but rejoyce to have this opportunity to set to our assent to what the Lord hath given forth by you and further desire you would permit it to the Press And these two things move us to desire this from you partly that we have not seen any thing in Print that hath met with their Master-piece as this doth as also the persons undertaking have one way or other had something of disadvantage as you have hinted in your Appendix nor have they owned those good things in them which ought to be owned and we can say we could wish not onely for our selves but for all that call upon the Name of our Lord Jesus that our conversations among men might more glorifie our Father in heaven And then the other reason is inasmuch as the Lord hath made you instrumental and given you utterance for us in this place where these people so far as we can understand had their first gathering into a company And if they may yet hear or others fear and that spirit of Antichrist discovered that the Lord alone may be exalted and our glorying may be together in the Cross of our Lord Jesus whom we may designe to exalt together though we be made but as a footstool to this end we have the desire of our hearts Excuse this unintended tedious Scribble and pass by the Errata's of it which are many and accept of our thankfulness to your for your pains and we hope we shall not be negligent to acknowledge the grace of God to you in this matter and continue to present you to the Lord in that liberty he hath given us of access to the Father through him in whom we are Your faithful Brethren though weak ones in the faith of him who is the Head of all things and true Heir W. L. J. R. J. S. R. S. Mo. 6 the 1 day 1664. Dearly Beloved in our Lord Jesus HAving with much satisfaction perused the Papers of your dispute at Lancaster with the people called Quakers we desire hereby heartily to bless the Lord on your behalf owning his singular goodness in that his gracious leading in this service of truth whereby beside your suffering and witness for your holy profession he called you to we now see the further ends of the Father in sending you to that place that even there where as we have heard this people had their first rise in this Nation they should receive so eminent a discovery and foyl having also by his good Spirit so directed and enabled you to deal with the very spirit and Principle and that with the principal of their party then prisoners with you whereby that mystery of iniquity and spirit of Antichrist is blessed be his Name very much detected and that not onely by the uncontrollable evidence of truth from the light of his holy Word but by that arrogant proud frothy raging ridiculous vain erring spirit so abundantly discovered all along herein from themselves which we intreat you for the Truths sake to make publike with all speed that word being worthy to be weighed by you for encouragement 2 Tim. 3. 8 9. where the Apostle prophetically speaking of such corrupt mindes reprobate concerning the faith like Jannes and Jambres resisting the truth saith for encouragement They shall proceed no further for their folly shall be made manifest as theirs also was the making manifest of whose folly being the way to stopâ—t the proceeding and growth which we are perswaded is as acceptable service as any of the Lords servants can engage in and the rather because under the specious pretences of humility self-denyal justice righteousness moderation patient suffering they have abundantly gained ground reputation to the spreading of their detestable errors by their fair words and feigned speeches have greatly deceived the hearts of many simple ones more especially in such an evil day as this wherein the pride vanity formality and apostacy of too too many professors of truth has appeared but we have a long time through grace been enabled to discern their deceivings and to see through the depth of their cheat and fully satisfyed that these following Scriptures evidently foretel them and that accordingly they are now sadly manifest to the fulfilling thereof Viz. 2 Cor. 11. 13 14. For such are false apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be also transformed as the ministers of righteousness whose end shall be according to their works Matth. 24. 4 5. And Jesus said unto them Take heed that no man deceive you for many shall come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive many And there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets and shall shew great signes and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect Behold I have told you before 1 Tim. 4. 12. Now the Spirit speaks expresly that in the later days some shall depart from the saith giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils speaking lyes in hypocrisie having their consciences seared with a hot iron 2 Pet. 2. 1. But there were false prophets also amongst the people even as there shall be false teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction and many shall follow their pernicious ways by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of 1 Joh. 4. 1 2 3. Beloved believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world Hereby know ye the spirit of God every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God and this is the spirit of Antichrist whereof you have heard that it shall come and even now already is in the world 2 Joh. 7 9. For many deceivers are entred into the world who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Antichrist Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God c. Oh how visibly manifest are these Scriptures fulfilled in this generation now among us who under pretence of Christs Apostles Ministers of righteousness Angels of God men immediately inspired with the Spirit in the very state of perfection crying up Christ within they blaspheme traduce deny the man Christ Jesus the Son of God both in his name nature offices doctrine How do they introduce another Gospel Ministery Spirit other Ordinances another justification Salvation Resurrection another Heaven Hell then the Scriptures witness to Nay how many have called themselves Christ the Son of God and have undeniably these characters of the Antichristian spirit
foretold by John upon them denying not onely the doctrine of Christ but Christ himself to be come in the flesh under pretence of his being come in their flesh and have eminently manifested themselves to be the sons of Hymeneus that blasphemer who said the resurrection was past already overthrowing the faith of some which Hymenean doctrine was attested not many days since by some of their number to one of us in a Conference with them and that before several witnesses saying The dead bodies that lie in the graves are not to rise again neither are we to expect any other resurrection heaven hell judgement then what is within us and past upon us here To whom it was replied that then their faith and hope was vain and they were yet in their sins and in a damnable estate and why then did they suffer if the dead rise not and that such doctrine undeniably led to sensuality to eat drink and play c. wholly razing out all principles both of morality and Christianity which is well known to be their principle though the cunning among them subtilly gloss it over knowing what offence it generally gives Oh that the poor deluded sincere among them might see the gulph they are plunged into and that your endeavour might be blest to the opening their eyes and undeceiving them Surely if that one Scripture was weighed by them it might be of use That men may give their bodies to be burnt and all their goods to the poor and profit not and be but as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal and that is the principle from which and the end whereto every work is done that renders it acceptable And Oh that this may be blest to keep all upright hearts from falling into this ditch It is the express word of our Lord Go not after them neither follow them Prov. 19. 27. Cease my son to hear the instruction that causeth to erre from the ways of knowledge Surely principles spirits and doctrines are to be weighed and tryed as well as conversation and them would these seeming Angels appear Devils for Satan can come forth as an angel of light But how do they rage and like the waves of the sea foaming out their own shame when brought to the Word for tryal which is no small discovery of their spirit this is one of the tryals God has suffered to come upon his people as Deut. 13. 3. to prove whether they will love the Lord their God with all their heart and all their soul How long hath the Pope by all his power and policie endeavoured to get the Bible from Professors and not prevailed but this spiritual Antichrist doth it speedily and effectually But let grace be magnified that keeps any out of their snares and let it be seriously laid to heart that so many are snared and taken in their net And lastly since Singularity and Conversation is so taking to propagate Errour and such damnable Errour too how should it provoke the children of Truth that prize and would promote it to press more after an excellent conversation that the poor world seeing their good works viz. the humility love patience meekness zeal courage temperance holiness wisdom gravity may glorifie their heavenly Father And let such a foolish people shame and provoke his people therein at this day Phil. 4. 8. and as you well observe let the good in them be owned and imitated and their evil detected and avoided And that the good Lord who has so far guided and blest you herein may still continue so to do to the advancement of his glory and furtherance of truth as you have designed and we heartily desire is and shall be the prayer of Your unworthy Brethren fellowâ—labourers and Companions with you in the Faith Kingdom and Patience of our Lord Jesus J. D. N. S. London this 10 day of the 1 month 1665 The Reader is desired before he peruse these books to amend with his pen these errors and mistakes of the Press smaller errors as of adding or substracting letters or mistaking the stops the sence will somwhat help him in PAge 14. line 30. after these words in that day add Neh. 9. 30. p. 17. l. 2. for u and nshaken read and unshaken p. 20. l. 3. for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 25. l. 32. for adopted read adapted p. 26. l. 8 read a law p. 30 l. 32. for shall read should p. 31. l. 18. read that he is guiltie p. 40. l. 4. read all things are wrought p. 43. l. 2. add after these words the word was with God and the word was God p. 47. l. 20. for thankfulness read faithfulness p. 63. l. 4. read seriously consider To Randolph Hunter and Thomas Hardy Deputy-Gaolers of the Castle at Lancaster to be by them communicaâ—ed to any who may desire satisfaction concerning the difference between the people called Quakers and J. W. Loving â—riends HAving peruâ—ed a Paper published and put into the hands of one or both of you by the Quakers so called touching a dispute between them and the Baptists at Lancaster Castle and finding it confused partial and in some passages untrue tâ—nding to the reproach of truth and the swallowing up the simple in errors for the vindication of the one and out of tender compassion towards the other I have given forth the following Relation whereby the sober and unbiassed Christian may perceive that I was provoked to the debate as I am to this account by the forementioned paper and the high boastings of some of this people since that meeting Though I have more to say in defence of the truth I plead for then was mentioned in that debate yet I only set down such Arguments as were then propounded though here more distinctly and fully then the confusion of that meeting would allow As for the detecting of their personal carriages I mention nothing but what was first publikely exprest or acted by them I the rather do it that they may consider and take shame to themselves if peradventure God may give them repentance and that others may be warned to take heed of that spirit that sends forth such bitter and unsavoury fruits And that the simple and tender-hearted among them may be reclaimed from the error of their way I have given an additional account of the Light in every man shewing according to my measure received from the Lord what it is and the utmost use of it with a particular explication of several Scriptures especially John 1. 9. Furthermore if any of them shall yet persist to maintain their errors here you will find an offer further to debate the difference betwixt us before any person in the Commission of Peace Lastly lâ—st any should account me an enemy to every thing this people hold and practice thereupon should trample upon that which is good and commendable together with their errors here is an account of several particulars allowable
the way to others and knew it not my self It becomes persons that say they have received the annointing from the holy one even the same Spirit that was in the Prophets and Apostles and gave forth the holy Scriptures always to speak forth the words of truth and soberness When thou calledst me a deceiver I did not say I was offended nor did I give cause for thee to mention this word in thy paper But this I demanded of thee and do still That thou make it to appear whom I have deceived or wherewith I have deceived any or else there will be little of truth or soberness found in thy saying And as for thy saying I taught the way to others and knew it not my self by which thou wouldst have proved me a deceiver it will be hard for thee or any of thy friends to find truth in it for no man can teach others to know that which he himself knows not and therefore I say as thou writest thy words are at best improper And whereas thou writest that I may read how the Apostle said some preached Christ who was the way the truth and the life and yet such who so preached him knew him not but were false Apostles transforming themselves as the Ministers of Righteousness I would have thee soberly to consider whether thou hast dealt truly and faithfully with the Apostle in relating his own words And tell me where thou readest That the Apostle said That some preached Christ who was the way the truth and life and yet knew him not It 's true the Apostle speaks of false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ but these preached not the true Christ the way the truth and the life but as the Ministers of Satan they rather taught another Jesus and another Gospel than the Apostles had taught and as I am willing to take a â—aution from thee or any other man that gives it in love and meekness so I would have thee and the rest of thy friends in fear and meekness to consider whether ye set not up another Christ than the Apostle preached As for thy 24 queries I shall not satisfie thee or any other queriest to answer their questions which tend rather to strife than edification though I have in readiness to answer thee or any other man that shall in love ask me a reason of the hope that is in me And though I think it not meet at this time to answer all thy queries yet whereas thou askest Whether Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the world with a saving Light I answer That the Light wherewith every man is lighted that comes into the world is not a saving Light and this I shall through the strength of Christ be ready to maintain against thee or any of thy friends who hold the contrary where and when a meeting may be had in a peaceable and quiet way and before compeâ—ent Witnesses As for thy threatning to stick thy paper upon the door I value it not but would have thee seriously to consider whether that expression proceeded from the holy Spirit This is all at present from Thy Friend Jo. Wigan 1. M. 5 d. 1663-64 A second Letter from Tho. Curwen The next morning being the sixt day of the first month the following Letter was brought to my hand with this inscription For John Wigans John Wigans Whereas I sent thee a few Queries to answer but thou seemes to have slighted and passed by all except one that is to say the first Querie whether Christ doth enlighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light And thy answer is That every man which comes into the world is not inlightned with a saving light And this thou will maintain against me or any of my friends who hold the contrary when and where a meeting may he had in a peaceable way before competent witnesses and this is to let thee understand that I and some of my friends with me if the Lord will doth intend to give thee a visit tomorrow about the first hour or second in thy Chamber to treate about this above mentioned both with thee and all who is of thy juâ—gment that may come to thee but yet I let thee know this cannot serve for all my Queries for I intend to set the Paper upon the dore according to my word from thy friend Thomas Curwen This sixth day of the first Month. According to his word his Queries were the same day set upon the Hall door though he had no regard to make good his word concerning me nor yet to clear himself from the wrong done to the Apostle who no where useth such words as he fathers upon him In the evening therefore of the same day I writ the following Answer to his second Letter Thomas Curwen In thy seccond Paper which was brought to my hands this day whether with a purpose to disturb is best known to thy self Thou dost not make good thy word spoken concerning me nor yet acknowledg thy mistake therein nor the abuse done by thee to the Apostle however I am more inclined to passe by the weaknesses of others then by multiplying words as were easie upon such an advantage to occasion more strife Thou tels me that thou and some of thy friends do intend to give me a visit to morrow about the first or seccond hour in my Chamber to treat about the fift Querie I am willing to meet thee and any of thy friends to treat in a spirit of love and meekness about the said point and after that about any other wherein we differ but thou art mistaken if thou thinkest that I shall leave it to thee to appoint time and place at thy pleasure and therefore thou wast over confident to say no more of it to nominate my Chamber the day and hour except I had invited thee or agreed thereto know therefore that I take no notice of nor shall I observe any meeting till upon discourse with thee or some of thy friends we have mutually agreed about a place and such a day as my friends can come upon to morrow they cannot when this is done bring whom thou wilt for truth which we all pretend to seek after neither fears multitudes nor great words as for thy setting â—hy Paper upon the door thou hadst done some right if thou hadst set my Letter by it but thy practice doth favour in several circumstances of a fleshly spirit as I can shew at better leisure and will reflect more upon thy self and friends then where thou didst intend it and if I be disposed that way it will not be difficult to answer thee in thy own kind but God hath called us to peace and I am taught to study to live peaceably with all men and further then I am provoked to appear in the defence of truth shall endeavour to leave off contention before it be medled with Prov. 17. 14.
ready to make good when we had debated the other which we were agreed upon as appeared by their own paper With much ado he was perswaded and I proceeded to proof premising first that the question was not Whether there be some light in every man that comes into the world nor Whether Christ doth lighten true believers with a saving light forasmuch as I denied not but did affirm That there was some light in every man that comes into the World and that true believers are lighted with a saving light but that which I had undertaken to prove by the Scriptures was That Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light My first argument was laid down thus Christ lightneth no man with a saving light but by his Spirit But Christ doth not give his Spirit to every man that comes into the world Therefore he doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light The first proposition is clear from the great promise of the New Covenant Isa 59. 21. As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord my spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the mouth of thy Seeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth for ever And from the promise of Christ John 14. 16 17. And I will pray the Father he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of truth c. And from the end of his giving the Spirit namely to be a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation unto them for the acknowledgement of Christ to enlighten the eyes of their understanding that they might know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints Eph. 1. 17 18. and to lead them into all truth John 16. 18. Howbeit when the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth Neither is there any other way by which Christ doth infuse a saving Light into any man but by his Spirit 1 Cor. 2. 10 11 12. But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit for his spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God even so the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God It is onely by the unction of the Spirit received from Christ and no other way that men come to see and know these things 1 John 2. 20. But ye have an unâ—tion from the holy â—nd and ye know all things The assumption is proved from Jud. 19. Some are natural not having the spirit and from John 14. 17. Even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you And from Rom. 8. 9. But ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his From all which Scriptures it is evident that some have not the Spirit of Christ Many other testimonies I had to produce for the further clearing of this proposition Viz. That Christ doth not give his Spirit to every man that comes into the world But here John Stubbs began to answer not denying either Proposition but as disliking the proof of the Assumption he spake to that Scripture Jude 19. and said Those that had not the Spirit were such as had gone in the way of Cain who had not obeyed but resisted the Spirit and so lost it Where by the way it may be observed That when a Scripture pincheth them they will not stick to give a meaning of it and such a one as may best suit their purpose But I replied That it could not be that those ever had the Spirit of Christ because they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sensual or natural for the same word is so rendered 1 Cor. 2. 14. who never had the Spirit but are opposed to the spiritual or regenerate man ver 15. And therefore it is said The natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned but the spiritual man discerneth all things Now the reason why one discerneth and the other cannot is because one viz. the spiritual man hath received the spirit the other viz. the natâ—ral man hath not the spirit as appears 1 Cor. 2. 10 11 12. To this purpose as far as I can remember was my Reply And now notwithstanding our agreement that the debate might be orderly and without confusion and my desire that but one might speak at once great disorder began for whereas I expected to have reasoned with one or at least but one at once divers took liberty to speak one after another and sometimes many at once running from the matter in hand to other points and many asking new questions that it was hard for me to get convenient time to speak Besides they were so obstreporous especially George Fox and Margret Fell as many can testifie that they seemed to some when not able to elude the plain Scriptures brought for the proof of the Assertion yet resolved to word it for victory George Fox coming in about the time I was replying to John Stubbs gets up to a seat with one foot and to the table with the other whereas I and others were standing on the ground about the Table he did not at all take off the strength of those Scriptures alledged by me but his endeavour was to prove That every man that comes into the world hath the Spirit of Christ in the management whereof he used many under valuing and taunting expressions towards me and several times went from the Table with these words The least or meanest Babe will answer thee as if the presence of their Leader or rather Misleader was not needful and which is yet worse he did miserably wrest and abuse several Scriptures which he would have forced to have spoken in his dialect calling upon the people for attention as if his work had been more to preach to them than to answer my Arguments as many of the Scritures made use of by him as I caâ— recollect I shall give an account of as also of my answers That which he would have made out was that every man that comes into the world even wicked men have the spirit of Christ one Screpture alledged by him or some other was 1. Cor. 12. 7. The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withall My
answer was that the persons there writen to by the Apostle were members of the Church of God which was at Coriâ—th which were sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints Cap. 1. 2. And that if every one of these had some manifestation of the spirit it will not follow that every man that comes into the world hath either the manifestation of the spirit or the spirit it self and that the Apostle speaks not of every man that comes into the world but only of every man that by one spirit was baptized in to one body and had been made to drink into one spirit is very evident from the whole scope of that Chapter and especially from the 13. ver For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body whether we be Jewes or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one spirit and ver 27 now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular The same word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used in the same manner in the 11 Chap. 21. Every man taketh before other his own supper that is not every man that comes into the world but every man of you who come together into one place ver 20. So that this scripture concludes nothing for their purpose Another scripture brought to prove his assertion was Neh. 9. 20. where it is said that God gave his good spirit to instruct the Israelites Ans 1. Israel was Gods Church his chosen peculiar people Ex. 19. 5. and if he did give his good spirit to them it will not thence follow that he gave it to all other nations even to every man that comes into the world the scripture is expresse that he dealt not with any nation as with Jacob and Israel Psal 147. 19. 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgments to Israel He hath not dealt so with any nation and as for his judgments they have not known them and therefore he gave not his good spirit to any other nation for if they had had the unction of his spirit it would have shewed them his word and made known his judgments unto them 1 Joh. 2. 20. 2. Though it be said he gave them his good spirit it will not follow that every particular or individual Israelite had this good spirit but only such as were Israelites indeed Joh. 1. 47. such as were Jewes inwardly Rom. 2. 28. 29. and were born after the spirit Gal. 4. 29. All are not Israel that are of Israel Rom. 9. 6. and to such only that saying in Neh. 9. 20. must be referred thus Moses had that good spirit and God promiseth to take off the spirit which was upon him and put upon the seventy elders Numb 11. 17. Thus Joshua was a man in whom was the spirit Numb 27. 18. and had another spirit then many others had and was fitted thereby for the conduct of the congregation Numb 27. 16. and if this scripture Neh. 9. 20. will not prove that every particular Israelite had the spirit much less will it prove that every man that comes into the world hath the spirit of Christ A third scripture alledeged Isa 63. 10. and Acts 7 51. where it is said the people rebelled vexed resisted the holy spirit hence they would conclude that wicked men have the spirit of Christ Ans though it be true that believers who because they are sons have the spirit of the Son sent forth into their hearts Gal. 4. 6. may and oft do grieve the spirit Eph. 4. 30. yet all that do vex and resist the spirit have it not for Christ saith plainly Joh. 14. 17. the world cannot receive him therefore hath him not yet the world do vex and resist the spirit of God speaking in the Prophets Apostles or other servants of God by slighting and rejecting their reproofes exhortations or counsels or by undervalluing and not regarding the wonderous works of God wrought by the power of his spirit thus when Stephen saith Ye do resist the holy ghost it was the spirit in him by which he spake compared Acts. 6. 10. and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake In like manner they had resisted the spirit in the Prophets Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted c. ver 52. thus when the mighty power of God was put forth in signs and miracles in Egipt and the wilderness Numb 14. 11. 22. and they believed not his spirit not in themselves but put forth in those mighty works and speaking in Joshua and other faithful witnesses for God in that day thus the spirit of God was vexed in Noah and Lot by the wickedness of the old world and of Sodom Gen. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 7. 8. and not in the wicked who being strangers and without God in the world were not the habitation of God through the spirit Ep. 2. 12. 22 A fourth scripture was urged Joh. 10. 7 8. but if I depart I will send him viz. the comforter unto you and when he is come he will reprove the world of sin c. therefore say they he must needs be in the world and in every man that comes into the world Ans 1. By this promise which Christ makes to send the holy ghost after his departure it is evident enough that this scripture can be no proof of their assertion to wit that every man that comes into the world hath the holy ghost for if every man had him when he came into the world what need was there he should be sent to them after Christs ascention nay rather this shews they had him not before he was sent and so not tillâ— after Christs departure which destroyes their opinion 2. But seccondly this promise is made particularly to the disciples of Christ I will send him unto you and not to the world 3. As for that saying when he is come he shall reprove the world of sin c. admit it were granted as it is not that when he came he was within every man reproving him this would contribute nothing to the proof of their assertion for then he would only be in every man after Christs ascention not in every man that comes into the world since the fall or since Christs manifestation in the flesh which is the point they should prove But further I say That when the Holy Ghost according to the promise was poured out upon the disciples he so mightily wrought in them and by them in bearing witness to the resurrection of Christ Acts. 2. 32. and in doing many wonders and signs ver 43. that the world was hereby justly reproved and yet the Holy Ghost was not poured out upon all flesh that is as was urged upon all mankind or every individual man but only upon such as were thereby enabled to repent and believe Acts 2. 38. 39. Then Peter said unto them repent and
in the flesh and that this God-man was justified in the spirit and assumed into glory and also saith that this God-man was seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles and believed on in the world But this people as the Spirit speaketh expresly some should do in the later times 1 Tim. 4. 1. do revolt or depart from the faith of this great mystery affirming that the light that is in every man is Christ the Redeemer And if so where then is the person of Christ where is God manifest in the flesh This is denyed in their saying that the light without the flesh is the true Christ as also is the assumption of this God-man to the throne of glory In like manner do they who hold this opinion deny the Lord that bought them according to that prophesie of the later times 2 Pet. 2. 1. For the Lord that bought them is no other then God manifest in the flesh who purchased them with his own blood Acts 20. 28. which is contradicted and denyed by this opinion which saith that the light alone is the Redeemer Secondly this Opinion is guilty of setting up a gross and dangerous Idol which will appear to any man who shall impartially consider and compare this Opinion with the description of an Idol An Idol is any thing besides the true God that mans imagination seigns to it self to be a God and to which he ascribes a Deity whether it be exhibited to the body or minde Exod. 20. 3. Thou shalt have no other Gods besides me 1 Joh. 5. 21. Keep your selves from idols Now this people do set up and call the light that is in every man God Christ the Spirit which yet is not God nor Christ nor the Spirit as hath been proved Therefore they set up an Idol in stead of Christ And inasmuch as it is light and a light within and hath a greater likeness to God then other representations of him have which are set up in stead of the true light by so much it is a greater and more dangerous Idol The more like any thing is to God the sooner is man induced to call it God himself therefore Satan who seeketh the possession of Gods throne doth more effectually deceive and draw men to worship him as God when he appears as an angel of light 2 Cor. 1. 14. Thirdly admit this Idol this grand lye for the corner stone and the whole superstructure will consist of lyes for as the Apostle observes 1 Tim. 4. 1. when men have revolted from the faith of the great mystery of godliness they presently attend to erroneous doctrines to wit the doctrines of Daemons either to doctrines taught by Daemons or devils or to doctrines concerning devils as Mede understands the place Those are the very Rocks which this people concerning the faith having made shipwrack do further run their souls upon For having set up this Idol the light that is in every man that comes into the world as God and as the Anointing which is to be attended and obeyed as their Teacher they do not onely open a way for Satan being transformed as an angel of light to suggest unto them as many lyes and erroneous doctrines as he pleaseth of which I shall name some afterwards but while they do worship that light as God they do deifie and worship Angels Fourthly this Opinion doth necessarily lead all such as own it and are true unto it to walk according to the suggestions and motions of their own mindes without any respect had to the Scripture as a rule for as they affirm that the light in all men is Christ and is the same Anointing both in believers and unbelievers so they say it is a perfect rule in every mans conscience whereby he ought to be guided Whence it will unavoidably follow that whosoever shall give up himself to obey and be guided by this light as a perfect rule will no longer hold himself obliged to walk after a certain Scriptural rule but must follow the uncertain motions in his own minde whether those motions lead to actions good or evil And hence it hath come to pass that some who have followed this guide have been led to many heady rash unclean unjust actions altogether unwarrantable by the rule of the Scripture of truth Of such as these the Apostle speaks 2 Pet. 3. 3. where he foretels that in the last days there should come such as would scoff at the second personal coming of Christ as this people do walking after their own lusts that is according to the Greek walking after that which is in their own mindes Fifthly Open this as the first door of entrance as they do and it leads into a Babel of confusion and errours No sooner is a man entred in at this deadly gate but he is in the Citie Toâ—u where first if his eyes be anointed with eye-salve by the true Jesus he may behold this Image of Jealousie i. e. the light that is in every man that comes into the world set up and worshipped in prayers and praises all the honour and attributes due to the true Redeemer alone being ascribed to it which is an idolatry so much worse then that of Jeroboam or of the Papists by how much it is more mysterious and in shew more spiritual and so less discernable whence it comes to pass that multitudes are ensnared by it according to that 2 Pet. 2. 2. Many shall follow their pernitious ways The falling down to this Image is that whereby every particular person is matriculated or registred into their Sotiety of Friends for now and not before as they say he hath received the Truth and notwithstanding many defects is accepted as a friend The next thing to be beheld is a company of worshippers in great confusion praying and singing or teaching and singing all or many together with loud voices contrary to 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace as in all the Churches of the Saints Let all things be done decently and in order If he ask how this company is called the answer will be A Meeting not A Church and the particular members Friends not Brethren and Sisters For though the Apostles and primitive Saints constantly called the Assemblies gathered into the fellowship of the Gospel Churches and the particular members thereof Brethren and Sisters yet this people having set up another Jesus and Gospel then that which the Apostles preached do also characterize themselves by new names Though he cannot finde the name or office of Pastor Teacher Elder Deacon which Christ set in his Church in this company nor hear the Scriptures read or alleadged for proof of any of their doctrines nor scarce finde a Bible amongst them yet he may hear not onely men but women-teachers contrary to 1 Cor. 14. 34. Let your women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak