seldom fails where delusion and error get place a swelling and being lift up under much self-confidence and esteem might be visibly seen to go before nor is it easie to find an instance of a sober humble prefessor of the Truth plunged in this gulf it is a sad mark the Scripture hath set at their door who know not this Behold the soul which is lifted up is not upright Habbak 2. 4. 3. I may say there should need no dispute against this horrid way of the Quakers were mens eyes kept more within themselves and in the humbling sight of a body of Death under which the choisest of the Saints have been still kept most pressed yea nothing hath helped them to shine more brightly and to a transmitting of their remembrance with the most sweet and fragrant savour to after-ages than this 5. To attend on the Ministry of the Word and a close keeping by that Ordinance given by Jesus Christ to the Church should be found a blessed Preservative against this way and therefore are they so strictly conjoyned by the Holy Ghost Eph. 4. 11. 14. He gave some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints c. and that we be not henceforth children tossed to and fro and it 's sure if men shut not their eyes they cannot but behold that where once any begin to fall off here there is no standing or getting their ground farther kept till either Error or Atheism hath made them a prey This is no personal Interest I plead but the Ordinance of Jesus Christ though never more trampled upon by the World than at this day And I hope with much confidence it can be said that many such of the Ministers of Christ yet are whom Quakers do in the most hateful Terms that can be expressed Revile as Hirelings Baals Priests who yet would bear such contempt and opprobry and a sad outward Lot with much joy so they might get acceptance for their Work and as Embassadors of Christ whose Commission they carry and can shew his credential Letters for the same to all with whom the Scripture hath any weight might find access to drive on that great Interest of Reconciliation betwixt God and Sinners SECT VII NOw in the close I shall touch a little the appeal formerly proposed to that very Light within which this Party of the Quakers so much cry up as an infallible Guide since it cannot possibly be understood another thing than that Tribunal of the Conscience under the great Judg set up in every mans Breast If even before that Light they can stand without horror and amazement at their own way and some enforcing conviction of the Truth of those particulars I attest their Conscience in 1. If a corrupting of the Affections did not previously concur to corrupt their Judgment and if this change in their way might not to their own discerning be sound to begin first in some reigning and predominant lust It is sure the Scripture finds the root of Error and Heresie to be there Gal. 5. 20. 1 Tim. 2. 19. And it is easie for the World to see how visible a rise discontent cross events to their designs about outward things a begun wearying of the very form of Godliness yea some hope and insinuation of advantage from another airth hath in many instances given to this and effectually influenced their taking up a lax conception of Religion and then turning over to such a way 2. I may here appeal to the Conscience of most who have ingaged with that Party if they were sincere and earnest in professing the Truth before they quilt it or knew what it was to be swayed by Principles of their own with that solid founding thereon as they could say no incitement from example or the Testimony of others but the felt Power of the Truth on their soul did influence such a profession Since it is undeniable how many from extream leudness and ere they had any appearance of being Christians have made this leap over to the Quakers so as it can be no wonder that they on easie Terms part with that which they so lightly took up and never in earnest knew yea it is notoriously known how some of the chief among them have as an Argument for perswading others to desert the way of the Lord expresly owned this that while they were once under the same profession with them and seemed to be most serious therein yet 't was but for a shew only and they found never any Truth or Reality in this way which is indeed not strange for they could not find that which they were not then at all seeking after 3. To that Light within that they so much pretend to I must appeal If they can possibly cast the Judgment and Authority of the Scripture without having that very Light within to rise up and witness against them and if their Conscience be not wholly struck dead can deny that witness thereto How by a clear manifestation of the Truth it commends it self to the Conscience of every one as a safe ground whereon to repose their soul yea If it bear not that visible Impress of its Divinity that all may know how it is framed to correspond with the inward Man and to judg and exercise a Power over the Conscience with the most retired thoughts as well as the Actings of Men. 4. Let the Conscience and that Light within speak if Natures Light can be a test and measure of supernatural Revelation when except they do violence thereto they cannot but know that the greatest Truths of Christianity indispensably necessary to Salvation yea the whole contrivance of the Gospel is such as could never possibly have entred into the hearts of Men if the Scripture had not revealed the same 5. Can they without a contradiction to that very Light within deny what in all times is made obvious to the view of the World that irresistible and efficacious Power of the Word accompanied by the Spirit to be such as converteth the Soul enlightens the Eyes and maketh wise the simple and what innumerable Instances of real Conversion from the Power of Satan to God hath in all ages been thus wrought in whom it might be evidently seen that the more vigorous lustre the Power of Holiness in these had the more close also hath their adherence been to that Doctrine now opposed and trampled on by the Quakers 6. As they can give no reason for that bitterness and wrath against those who own the Truth and from whom they can pretend no personal injury or provocation but for the Truths sake let their Conscience also speak if against any they are thus more stirred than these where the most convincing appearance of God in his Image shines forth yea if they do not more easily comply with them in whom nothing of serious Religion can be seen than such being indeed scorched with that heat that enforces them to rage and blaspheme 7. Must not their
bodily as though it were some low and carnal dispensation to know Christ and him crucified but as he is within But it 's sure if any reality be in the Christian Faith and the whole mystery of Godliness no delusion the Christian Church will never debate 1. That it is the same Jesus who is preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world that is received up into Glory 1. Tim. 3. 16. and the connexion there indissoluble nor can another true conception of him be possible than what the Scripture hath given 2. It is sure the literal sense of the Word is no new distinct sense from the spiritual though by a different Light and evidence understood and this great Truth That Jesus the Son of Mary is the Saviour of the World revealed within by the Spirit doth found no other objective Christ nor hath any different sense from what is objected to us in the Letter but is the very same though seen with another Light and irradiation thereof on the Soul 3. We know there was no dispensation nor Allegory meaned Acts 5. 30. The God of our Fathers hath raised up Jesus whom you hanged on a tree him hath God exalted to be a Prince and Saviour and that we must seek him else where than within even he whom the Heavens must contain till the time of the restitution of all things 4. We have sure warrant to say let him be accursed though an Angel from Heaven should come to give another account of Jesus Christ than what we have in the Scripture and that this is he 1. Who was the Faith of the ancient Church to whom all the types and shadows under the Law did so expresly relate concerning whom the Prophets did diligently enquire searching to what or what manner of time the Spirit in them did point concerning his being revealed to the World and the precise time set thereto 2. He who hath passed into the Heavens Jesus the Son of God and is still there the glorious Object of our Faith and Worship 3. He who surely was wounded for our transgressions and hruised for our iniquities the chastisement of our peace was on him and by his stripes are we healed Isa 53. 5. O blessed and unexpressibly sweet Truth that we know to be no notion or allegory and that all these Sin-offerings and sacrifices under the Law pointing at this were not the true Victim offered to God but had a discernible respect to that one great propitiatory sacrifice now offered up for the Sins of the people 4. It was in truth and an undoubted reality that Thomas knew a Christ without when his Master gave him leave to put his hand in his side and when his Disciples beheld his Being taken up into Heaven whilst a cloud received him out of their sight even the same Jesus who shall in like manner come again at the last day We know there is an unexpressibly near and spiritual Union betwixt Christ and his People here which is undoubtedly sure and that as he is truly revealed within so he leaves a resemblance of himself on the soul such as neither the World nor the Powers of darkness can ever put a counterfeit in his room but such is this Union as his body here upon the earth doth still know her head to be in heaven at the right hand of God rejoycing in hope of that day when they shall be translated to that blessed place where he is to see and for ever wonder at that inconceiveable mystery of the glorious God-head dwelling bodily in the man Christ Pos 4. This also is a part of the known Doctrine of the Quakers That by no righteousness without us which Christ hath fulfilled in his person we are justified but by a righteousness wrought within and that there is no truth in Christs Satisfaction to justice for the sins of the Elect but in this they are not alone nor is it strange that in all times now under the new Testament men have been acted forth in a high degree of opposition to this head of the Imputed Righteousness of Christ even beyond other Scripture-truths and that so great an assault is made to poyson this Fountain when of such import to the Church as it may be called articulus stantis cadentis ecclesiae But I must say in this the Quakers seem to have taken the most effectual way and have the advantage of others who own the same Doctrine with them that they first essay to depress the credit and authority of the Scripture without which their Cause is lost since nothing possibly can be more express and clear than it is there 1. That our high Priest hath entred into the holy Places having obtained eternal Redemption for us Heb. 9. 12. and is that sacrifice which being offered without spot to God pacifies all whose blood alone could silence that cry that sin hath for vengeance having nailed that hand-writing of ordinances which was against us and contrary to us to his cross Col. 2. 14. and hath redeemed us from the curse of the law being made a curse for us Gal. 3. 13. 2. Is it possibly conceivable if our sin was imputed to Jesus Christ as the Surety and on him all our iniquities were laid but there must be an imputation of his Righteousness to us and if the Debtor be acquitted by the Cautioners payment and the fruit of Christ's Satisfaction at all redound to us that it must needs be by Imputation of the same Now it is clear thus the Scripture reasons yea I may say with such a plainness as it is strange men can be in the dark here without making it their choice He was made sin for us who knew no sin that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 1 Cor. 5. 20 21. and having fulfilled all Righteousness and so fully satisfied the Law as Surety in our stead as a common person representing the whole elect Church Must it not undeniably acquit those at the hand of Justice and be accounted theirs who were then thus represented and judicially one with him 3. We know the Scriptures shew one great end of that blessed contrivance into which the Angels with wonder desire to look is not only to manifest grace but to declare the righteousness of God that he is just and the justifier of them that believe Rom. 3. 20. And no way could ever have been conceived like this to make these two shine forth together in one and the same work or how the Law and Justice could have had such satisfaction as by this blessed Surety who at once and to the full hath satisfied beyond all that the united Obedience of Angels and Men though extended and multiplied to Eternity could ever have done 4. Nor is it possible to suppose how works should be concauses with Faith in the Justification of a Sinner since this acts only instrumentally as the hand embracing that inestimable jewel of the Righteousness of Jesus Christ as
But we know this way is the purpose of God made effectual concerning all he hath from Eternity predestinate to life as is express from Scripture 2 Thes 2. 13. That they are chosen to Salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth though the evidence of this recovery in some where it hath been in Truth may be but little discernable to others The Lord so disposing in his infinite Wisdom that his People may be taught an alone recumbence on the Word even when his Works seems to justle therewith 2. We know no such length in profession of the Truth from which any have fallen through the prevalence of Error can go beyond those who after they have escaped the pollutions of the World through the Knowledg of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ are yet again intangled therein and overcome 2 Pet. 2. 20. or beyond those degrees of Conviction and common Illumination that may even have some transient taste of the good Word of God and of the Powers of the World to come Heb. 6. 5 6. To which the Apostle shews some may come even that length by a temporary Work of the Spirit who have yet fallen into a most dreadful Apostacy from the Truth and opposition thereto with the greatest hight of malice in both which Scriptures may be seen that it is such an Apostacy there meant as follows upon the prevalence of Error and Delusion 3. With what marvelous plainness doth the Holy Ghost in the Word speak to this Case that we may know what it means and have no cause for stumbling when it shall become the Churches Tryal as we see Mat. 13. 5. in that seed which fell upon stony places where it had not much earth and forthwith sprung up because it had no depthness of earth but when the Sun was up was scorched and because they had no root withered a Truth I may say is not more express in the Scripture when we read it with our eyes than its ratification in after-times in the Church hath oft been on many a sad instance such as after their being enlightned have sprung up yea forthwith with a hasty growth and too early appearance but no solid growing to the root yet such as for a time have most remarkably seemed to out-run those who had in Truth received the ingrafted word by a more forward profession than whom none have been a sadder sight to the generation they lived in and by as remarkable a withering have too visibly witnessed the want of root in which I must say and with some confidence appeal to any serious discerners of the time about this remark if in such who have most observably fallen from the Truth and plunged into that gulf of Error some precious evidence hath not been of such springing up forthwith and hasty appearance in profession of the Truth that hath taken the growth more to the blossom than to any sure founding under the sense of their sinful and lost estate by Nature 6. This also seems strange and may be shaking to some How tenacious and violent such usually are found in this way even when silenced with the clearest discoveries of the Truth so as it is rare almost in an age to find an instance of one who after some observable Hight of Illumination beyond others hath ever found a recovery or shown their returning by repentance after he hath thus fallen into damnable Heresies as the Apostle terms them But is not here also a convincing and marvelous seal to the Scripture if men will but seriously read what is so clear 2 Pet. 2. 20. and that Heb. 6. How dreadful an arrest thus in the Holy Judgment of God is put on this kind of Apostacy even beyond the most gross falling away from the Truth in practice which should cause fear to all that stand and do yet retain their stedfastness Yea is not the reason of this there also held forth that it is a putting the Son of God to open shame and so direct a doing despite to the Holy Ghost in counteracting his Workings and Discoveries once put forth in the soul For my self I must confess nothing in those times I have found more shaking who before a higher Judg than Men have some confidence to say The greatest joy I have upon Earth is to know that assuredly the Lord is God and the certainty of his Truth But I must here also profess how in this I have found cause for being more confirmed yea with admiration to consider How many ages past such things have been foretold what sore assaults the spirit of Error and Delusion should give the Church with so express circumstantiating of this Tryal in its whole frame conveyance and manner of appearance as hath been seen in the Event and at this day before our eyes which by the Holy Ghost only could be revealed to the Church and could never have been supposed or entred into mens thoughts at a distance SECT V. A Fourth particular that calleth for some serious enquiry upon this subject is what should be the grounds of so strange and prodigious a contagion of this way of the Quakers as is at this day in the Church whose Doctrine and Principles are such as the very recital thereof might be judged a sufficient antidote against its own poyson yea this after such clear and bright times of the Gospel but here none needs be in the dark if these things were seriously considered 1. That where a form of Knowledg and mens receiving of the Truth but not in Love comes some great length in the Church there is then cause to fear and foresee some remarkable flood of Error and Delusion to follow for in this the Scripture is express 2 Tim. 2. 10. and lets us see how nothing does more ripen the harvest to make the field white for the spirit of Error 's putting in his Sickle than most solemn times of the brightness of the Gospel if no suitable fruit be found thereof Light is one of the greatest Talents of the Church that must bring either some remarkable gain or loss with it nor need any wonder seduction from the Truth bear some blacker dye now in those days and have a more singular addition of grossness even beyond all former times since thus the Stroke and Judgment must keep proportion to a further degree of the Churches Exaltation and more clear discoveries of the Truth than former ages have known 2. As the formentioned culpable and provoking cause may at this day be discernable to all should the Holy Judgment of the Lord inflicted thereupon be strange to us in a visible Tradition and giving up such a Party unto strong Delusion with a withholding of the very exercise of their Reason and Judgment that they do not see the Light when it is most clearly shining forth before them since this a convincing seal also to that Scripture 2 Thes 2. 10. I confess it is one of the marvelous things of God
A SURVEY OF Quakerism As it is STATED IN THE Professed Doctrine and Principles OF THAT PARTY With a Serious REFLECTION ON THE Dreadful Import thereof to Subvert the very Being and Reality of the Christian Religion By a Lover of the Truth LONDON Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns at the Lower end of Cheapside near Mercers-Chappel 1677. Licensed and Entred according to Order To the READER Christin Reader IT should be a sad and unpleasing Subject this to converse with in a time when so much is on every hand to cause grief if the defence of the Truth and a Being guarded against the contagion of so horrid a way did not necessarily require the same which besides a surprising call and pressing desire of some for whom I owed greatest respects hath occasioned these few lines to go forth to the World I may say with much aversion of spirit otherways thereto It seems peculiar to this Age to have out-gone all former times in a new and unusual way of sinning and a daring insolence to oppose the Truth whilse such amazing Prodigies of Atheism Prophanity and Error do at once meet together To let this generation see how inexcusable they are if Judgment from the Lord yea some unusual and stupendious stroke thereof do surprize them where so loud a cry goes before of its coming But it is well the Truth abides sure and immoveable and we know must out-live with a growing splendour and brightness this so remarkable an hour of the power of darkness yea hath that Authority not only on the Conscience of such who embrace it in love but on its Enemies as must enforce some awe and dread on the greatest blasphemers of the time whether they will or not The Virgin-daughter of Zion hath despised thee and laughed thee to scorn the daughter of Jerusalem hath shaken her head at thee whom hath thou reproached and blasphemed and against whom hast thou exalted thy voice and lifted up thine eyes on high even against the holy One of Israel Should it not deeply affect such as love Our Lord Jesus Christ to see such a party crouding in the streets and high-ways of Britain whose express design is so obvious not to darken only but subvert the whole of the Gospel in the Incarnation Death and Sufferings of our glorious Redcemer and of his being truly God and Man in two distinct Natures united in one Person Oh if we should be bereaved of this inestimable treasure we were bereaved indeed Yea such whose work is to depress the credit and authority of that great and sacred Instrument of Truth the Scripture in the light whereof the redeemed of the Lord now in Glory have got thus safe to Land without any other Light or Rule besides this to walk by and on which so innumerable a company have adventured hitherto bearing their witness to its truth and faithfulness whose record we know to be true and some should reckon themselves under singular engagements to seal this Truth though with their dying breath That in all the steps of the Lords way even such as seem most dark to these who look on them at a distance assuredly he is what he hath declared himself to be in the written Word I shall only add what with much confidence I may here witness that as I know no quarrel but one with any of that way which is for the Truths sake I could not but judg I had too sure ground to charge these as their Principles and Doctrine upon them which they have publickly owned to the World if they keep not some reserved sence contradictory to their own words and so far as I can reach without any known retractation SECT I. THOUGH it is undeniably sad and one of the most searching Tryals of the Church at which many are ready to be shaken when the Truth seems intangled in a consusion of contrary Doctrines and the spirit of Error let loose to darken the same and that we see it also one of the greatest strokes from God inflicted here yea greater than that on the Affections in the delivering up of mens Reasons and Judgments to strong delusion with these fearful productions which are this way oft found because they received not the love of the Truth yet it is well we know the Faithfulness of God is sure and stands good to bring the Elect safe unto Glory whatever Rocks and Shelves be in the way on which so many have visibly made shipwrack nor can the Truth conflict with such a Tryal but for its farther Triumph and some more bright breaking forth of its light and that no evil eye nor the cursing of any shall ever blast that Interest which God hath blessed One thing I confess seems strange and most threatning in this time whilst Religion and the Christian Faith is in such eminent hazard and the Devil in an unusual manner let loose to deceive to see how great a part of those who professedly own the Truth are fallen as in a dead Palsey and indifference about the things of Christ though never more vigorously moving about their own things nor seem they with such suitable fear to be jealous of the corruption of the mind and intellectual Errors as they are of moral Corruption as though diseases in the Head were not to be feared which are usually found of all to be most mortal yea when so discernibly this is one of the depths of Satan and his known devices to bring in Atheism and Irreligion by Error and turn the World from all setled perswasion of the Truth by some high pretences thereto for which one sad instance I must here give that I am sure except men shut their eyes they cannot but see No engin could have a more native and effectual tendency to bring such as were unstable the farthest length of Vaninus and his followers even to deny and blaspheme a Deity than to unhinge them once from founding on the Scripture and turn them over to that way of the Quakers which now seems to have such a formidable growth in the Church What these are who under this name and peculiar cognizance of Quakers have become so known and stated an adversary to the Truth this day the account they give of their own Doctrine and Principles can too clearly witness nor needs there any great search to be made about their rise and descent it is too late and but a few years since the World knew such a monstrous birth though I confess in its complex frame if it be seriously considered it is a most discernible compound of these ancient Heresies that have sprung up in the Church which did formerly each in their turn essay to ruin the Truth But this also we may know how at an ebb-tide after much former abuse of Light and in an hour of great Temptation on the Churches of Christ these did adventure to creep forth to whom once the Light and authority of the Truth would have been
a terror and while the Watchmen slept hath the Devil essayed to sow such seed having that advantage which in the like case Calvin said of Servetus Fatuitas dogmatum me securum reddit It 's true they are skilful to put themselves in such different forms as may make it something difficult how to handle them being under a visible awe and dread to be found out in what they are But I am sure if what they own to the World in their Writings bear any sense and their words be not such as none possibly but themselves can understand it may be easie to see the undoubted tendency of this way is to subvert the Christian Faith to explode the Scripture from being the alone rule and standard of our Religion and incite those they converse with to a real Apostacy from Christianity Now in speaking to this subject which is such as should make it a sad and unpleasant work to rake in so horrid a dunghil as the known Tenets of this Party are if a testimony to the Truth and for its Vindication did not necessarily require the same 1 must here offer a few things to be considered which in this following discourse seem to be of greatest use to be cleared 1. What Positions these of the Quakers are in which they do most visibly agree and unite and how direct a sendency they have to subvert the Faith in the great Foundations of Christianity 2. What should be the meaning of this so strange and amazing an assault they do adventure upon against the Faith and how sad an account it gives of the temper and complexion of this time when with day-sight such dare come sorth to express themselves at this rate 3. It is of special use to consider what advantage Christians have here even from the strange appearance of this Party to clear the holy and unspotted way of the Lord and for being more sixed and strengthned in the Truth whatever cause others may pretend on this account for stumbling 4. It seems needful also to consider the great influencing cause of this contagion and it 's too evident growth now in the Church whilst such horrid things are by these vented with an amazing confidence as we should think a natural Conscience in men who have but any sense and impression of a Deity and are not wholly given up to Atheism could not but tremble at 5. We would consider what is of greatest use to guard Christians now against such mortal poyson that they fall not from their stedfastness nor be carried about with this cloud driven with such a tempest 6. I must shut up this with a twofold appeal one to that Light which Quakers so much cry up in every one which I am sure in the most favourable sense it can be taken is the Conscience that high Court of Justice set up under the Authority of the great Judg in every mans Breast which doth enforce the soul to some reflexion on it self even when they tremble at that sight if before this Light these can possibly stand and be but in earnest therewith without horror and amazement at themselves A second is to the most ordinary observers in the time if without shutting of their eyes they can shun the clear discovery of the horrid imposture of such a Party whatever high pretences they seem to have how visible a contradiction their way is not only to Scripture and Reason but to it self SECT II. FOr the first of these which concerns their Doctrine and Principles That I am sure none needs pretend is latent and hid from the World except what an expressing themselves with a reserved sense and palcable equivocating may cause to some I have confidence to say that without passion or prejudice in the least or without any quarrel but for the Truths sake I have in earnest sought to know the certainty of what they own herein which in these following Positions I shall briefly touch Position 1. It is undeniable they own a sufficient light in every man to guide him in the way to salvation which he is expresly obliged to follow and lean to a Tenet above all they most closely keep by and on which their whole Doctrine seems to found it self We know such a Light did once shine brightly in Adam in the State of perfection so as he needed no light or voice without to be his guide but since that time none ever knew how to guide himself and they must think the Christian World in a strange darkness if it be easie to obtrude such a Light upon them which when brought to the test of Scripture and solid Reason doth resolve in most direct Paganism and is an express setting up of a Light and Spirit in opposition to the Holy Spirit speaking to us in the Word where we are taught 1. That such a Spirit is not of God which hears not Gods voice as Christ reasons with the Jews John 10. 3 4. Nor can it be his which leads not into all truth and brings not these things shewed forth there to our remenbrance John 14. 26. 16. 13. Which made Luther say if any Spirit should suggest an opinion for which he had not Scripture he should spit in his face knowing assuredly that it was the Devil 2. This expresly owns a common universal and sufficient grace to all as that which knocks at every mans door whether Christians or Pagans and that it is in his power to open and entertain the same and that no spiritual advantage doth accrew to Christians by the Scriptures being revealed unto them but what Pagans may have also by this Light within yea that they have no other Teacher but that inward teaching and guide common to them with the most savage Indians 3. But is there a sufficient and saving Light in these who are spiritually dead Ephes 2. 15. Or could that Light be a sufficient instructer to Paul when he thought verily he ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth and in his following that Light within did consent to Stephens Death 4. How should this Light possibly be known when so oft stated in a direct opposition to the Light within others who may reckon they have as much advantage for the same as they if both be not brought to the Scripture for tryal 5. Did this Light within give the Heathens a check for Idolatry or could it let them see the alone way of being saved by that unconceiveable contrivance of the Gospel or restrain these from swearing to whom that moral prohibition of the third Command was never known 6. The Scripture shews that the natural man cannot discern the things of God which to him are foolishness 1 Cor. 2. 13. and that there is a necessity of the spirit of wisdom and revelation that the eyes of our understanding being enlightned we may know what is the hope of our calling and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints Ephes
1. 17 which none can say lieth common to all 7. From this blessed Record it is likewise clear how inseparably these are conjoyned for the Churches conduct within time the written Word without and the Spirit within for opening our eyes to see the Truths that are there The Law without as the alone Rule and Pattern and the same Law within as the Transcript bearing both one witness 8. Is it not clearly seen also that where reason hath been most refined and the greatest improvement of mens natural abilities even there The world through wisdom knew not God 1 Cor. 1. 21. And none among the Heathens have made greater opposition to the Gospel than such Nor can an instance be given of any one among all those who by this Light or by the furthest length gone in a right use of natural abilities hath ever attained saving-grace or a discovery of those supernatural Truths revealed to us in the Word nor could this Light teach Aristotle that great Naturalist to know the Worlds having a beginning or restrain Cato the greatest Moralist that ever was among the Heathens from being his own murtherer For that Scripture John 1. 9. That is the true light which lightneth every man that cometh into the world on which they seem so much to build it is most clear what is the plain and express sense thereof That as no true and saving Light is but what must be derived from Jesus Christ so is he the alone Original being truly God whence every one that cometh into the world is eniightned also with that Light of Nature and Reason Pos 2. Since this Light which seems to be their alone Bible and the Scriptures of Truth are incompatible we find them enforced to disown these as the infallible Rule of Faith and Practice and to own them but as an Historical rule only and its Commands are but as Commands from the Letter which oblige not but in a silent posture of heart to wait on an inward teaching of this Spirit A Position were it once admitted we might then say the Christian Cause is lost they who have fallen asleep in Christ are perished who knew no other way for founding both their Faith and Practice but on the express Letter of the Word yea in what a strange mould should men frame a Religion to themselves if but once left to such a Rule within and not that given in the Scripture But it 's well the Holy Ghost speaking to us there taught never such Divinity but expresly sheweth 1. That such a rule the Scripture is as is suited to make the man of God perfect and is profitable for Doctrine Instruction c. 2 Tim. 3. 16. 2. This is the Scriptures record that in the whole of Religion we must betake our selves to the Law and the Tistimony as the alone rule and measure thereof Isa 8. 20 and though strengthning physical power by which we are enabled to duty is from the Spirit working by the Word yet is it sure that all obliging power thereto is from the Letter of the Word alone nor is the Spirit without this a moral Rule for our acting now when the Canon of the Scripture is closed but to obey we must found this that it is intimated to us in the Word and to be strengthened in the inward man for the same is the immediate work of the Spirit concurring therewith 3. Is not the Scripture such a Rule as is given to be the sole Judg of all controversies To whose decision Christ himself refers the greatest question that ever was whether he be the Son of God or not Search the scriptures for they testifie of me Joh. 5. 38. 4. Did ever the Holy Ghost put such a stile as this on his own Word to be a Historical Rule and dead Letter only who so expresly shews that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God Rom. 10. 14. as one active mean instrumentally concurring with the Spirit to beget the same and how it is mighty through God for the casting down of strong-holds and every hight and imagination which exalteth it self against the Lord But we known this Honour doth the Spirit of God put thereon that he still moves and acts according to the Word as it moves and acts nor does he make intercession within the Saints or utter one groan but according to the will of God revealed therein Rom. 8. 26. But it is indeed not strange that to a dead Heart this is as a dead Letter and such who under a judicial stroke of induration have a Bar drawn betwixt them and the power of the Word 5. Can these possibly find another rule for tryal of the Spirits whether they are of God but by the written Word and to know that it is not the Devil in Samuels appearance they have met with who is not now to learn that Art of transforming himself into an Angel of Light Since it is so clear there is the spirit of the word 1 Cor. 2. 12. and a spirit which rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience Eph. 2. 2. a living spirit 1 Kings 22. 22. and a spirit of error and delusion 1 John 4. 6 And is it not too known so as the world cannot be in the dark here How an enthusiastick spirit leaving the Scripture hath licensed some to such abominations as the Heathens would abhor and from a pretended impulse hath the brother killed the brother Pos 3. However they seem to own the appearance of Christ in the flesh yet nothing can be more clear from most of their Writings than how expresly they turn the History of the Gospel and the incarnation death and resurrection of Christ into a meer dispensation and allegory and upon the matter deny Jesus Christ as a distinct person without us and a Being saved by him who died at Jerusalem holding forth such a view and pourtraiture of the blessed Redeemer of the Church as must leave the world in a muse how to take hold upon any Reality of the Gospel or to find Jesus Christ but in some airy abstract and mystick notion of the Light and Spirit within every one which they thus confound as reciprocal terms A design by which I may say Satan does at no ordinary and common rate essay to ruine the Truth whilst by some high pretences to the Spirit he seeks to make us part with the express Letter of the Word 2. He doth thus essay to shake Christians at the root and in the great foundation of their faith by putting the Gospel in such a dress as may put it beyond all possible understanding to know the same or on what solid reality they can found their soul 3. Thus doth he in a special way attempt to darken that great and most desirable mystery that ever was revealed to men the Incarnation of the Son of God that he is assuredly Man and this no Allegory O! blessed he in whom the fulness of the God-head dwells
having a peculiar intrinsick aptitude and fitness beyond all the Graces of the Spirit for applying him to the soul 5. Must not all serious Religion begin first at this great Truth of an imputed Righteousness since no access can be to perform new Obedience till we have got once from under the curse of the Law and be found that in another which we are not in our selves It is a blessed and inseparable tye by which these are conjoined in the Scripture which none may essay to divide but upon that dreadful penalty of being shut out of all possible right or claim thereto that Christ is made over to be both our Righteousness and Sanctificacation yet so as the alone weight of our peace and acceptation with God must still lye on what Jesus Christ hath done for and not what he hath wrought in us but as it is an assured evidence of the former our Faith being thus made discernable and justified by works O what can thus influence so strange an opposition to the Doctrine of Grace as is this day in the World and to that unexpressibly sweet and excellent Truth of the Righteousness of the Gospel the clear breaking up of which Light in these last times hath been as life from the dead to the Church after a long and dark night of Antichristianism had gone before to obscure it It is clear the Holy Ghost hath indissolubly conjoyned our being justified by faith and having peace with God through Jesus Christ Rom. 5. 1. And in this I can attest such as ever knew the sensible intimation of pardon and what it is to have a spirit broken and wounded under the sense of sin put under the hand of the great physician and a solid cure thereunto if this ever came in another way than by some clear warming discovery and sensible application of the Righteousness of Christ and that the alone sure and effectual way to heal is by appplying his blood and laying that blessed propitiatory sacrifice as a salve thereto But oh what another thing is the power and efficacy of the Truth on the soul than can be expressed in some scholastick notions about it such as brings a demonstration of its certainty to those who know it indeed that all the disputers of the World could never answer yea I must say if a possibility could be for such a choice as to carry Heaven by works of our own I should think it a sad evidence of those whose heart did not warrant them to witness that no choice could be to them here but to this alone blessed way of being saved by the Righteousness of Jesus Christ doth their soul cleave and 't is that which gives a more indearing sight of Heaven in holding the same only of him who hath purchased it for them and them for it by his own blood which shall thus draw forth and intend their love to the highest pitch for all eternity Pos 5. It is one of their known Tenets that none should move in the commanded â—â—â—ties of a Christian but by some inward call and motion on their spirit and that we ought to forbear where this is wanting but it is sure herein we are taught from the Scripture 1. To have the command as the rule and object of our Faith and not any spiritual disposition nor is there a restriction thus shewed to the Church when it so expresly injoyns pray without ceasing 1 Thes 5. 17. Trust in him at all times c. Psal 62. 8. nor gives it any Latitude to sift our obedience upon the want of actual influence 2. It is clear moral Commands are perpetually obliging though the breathings of God and his immediate assistance be not in our power But the wind bloweth where it lists John 3. 8. And though it 's ever true that it is in vain for one to rise early or essay any work without God Psal 127. 1. Yet this argument should then conclude for the Husbandmans restraining his plowing and sowing in the season thereof until he be sure of the Lords joyning his influences with the same since it 's as impossible to sow without the common influence of God who is the first Cause as it is to pray in Faith without the special breathings of the Spirit 3. It is not such Doctrine can darken the undoubted experience of all the Saints whilst nothing is more known to them than this what singular advantage they have found in essaying duty under the greatest indisposition and deadness and how oft ere they were aware their spirits with a blessed surprisal even to astonishment have been revived and inlarged 4. What assurance can men have the next hour or to morrow more than in the present time of the Spirits moving on their souls or that they shall be thus at a farther advantage by waiting the call of the Word for duty until they have some inward call and motion thereto Pos 6. Though these men pretend to own Teachers of their own wav and mould such as they say are commanded by the eternal Spirit to that work yet do they expresly deny a fixed ministry in the Church with a mediate call thereto or any Scripture-institution thereof But I confess it needs be no wonder that such whose great intent is to destroy the City have the first and sorest thrust at the Watch-men and that in so strange a manner their rage and passion should burst out against the faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ whom by all possible means they seek to withstand in their work since the more enforcing convictions there are of the Authority of God and his Power with them the more does their pain and torment turn them inraged though in this they are such a sight and should be to us as calls for some sad and compassionate resentment when there seems no access to convince those who do but express the greatest cruelty against themselves in making them the But of their wrath and revilings who before the Lord dare say they have no other revenge but how to pluck such out of the fire and if possible reclaim their soul from perishing But who is that Party here against whom they thus quarrel sure it is not the Ministry so much as the Scriptures of Truth in which it's express warrant is too clear and there 's no possible access to debate 1. That such a marvelous erection of the Church as a politick body is undeniably there shewed with its peculiar offices and service and a fixed Ministry thereto 2. That this Ministry given by Jesus Christ is a perpetual standing ordinance in his house to the end of the world Matt. 28. 20. Ephes 4. 11 12. 3. That it lyeth not common but hath a peculiar guard and hedg set about the same For no man taketh this honour to himself but be that is called thereto as Aâ—ron Heb. 5. 4. And what this calling was is told us in the first verse that he was taken from among men and ordained for
men in things pertaining to God 4. Not only is this Ministry and it 's perpetual use held forth but we see also a mediate call thereunto by the Church 2 Tim. 2. 2. The things thou hast heard of me before many witnesses the same commit thou to faithful men who may be able to teach others Where not only the calling Authority and Power is express but a necessary cognition by the Church of the fitness and qualification of those who should be set a-part to that work 5. I must here add since there is no possible access to deny that convincing seal which in all ages Christ hath put to this Ministry that they so much revile I may say without giving a lye to the Holy Ghost In these marvelous effects it hath had on the World to save them who believe which a Divine immediate power accompanying the same could only effectuate and how by the simplicity of the Gospel and foolishness of Preaching have the moist savage and rude been tamed the Conscience of the most daring and stubborn Enemies of the Truth forced to tremble under the conviction of an Authority more than humane join'd with it yea which none can debate by this way was the Pagan-World turned Christian Pos 7. It is known at what rate they disown and revile those great Scripture-Ordinances of Baptism the Lords Supper the Observation of the Sabbath and reading or hearing of the Word preached as being carnal and Commands of the Letter In which I confess the Devil knows his game and could have taught no more effectual way to gain Proselites than by such a mould of Religion suited and pleasing to the flesh but they must not think it strange 1. That their Bible is no guide to us I mean the Light within so much cried up as a sufficient Rule and when the Holy Ghost prefers the Scripture as more sure even to an immediate voice from Heaven That the Christian Church gives it a preference to any voice that can speak within the Soul 2. I am sure it cannot be known why Christians should part with those Ordinances injoyned by the express Authority of the great Law-giver upon such unquestionably moral and perpetual grounds and not part with the whole Scripture of God also 3. Why do they not also lay aside those ancient Ordinances of eating and drinking as carnal I am far from intending a jest here upon so serious a subject but does the enforcing necessity to keep up their natural Life let them know the perpetual use of the same as a duty and is there not a sure ground to know that none can be a Christian in earnest without an indispensible necessity of those blessed Ordinances of the Gospel for their spiritual life to keep close by the foot-steps of the Flock and to feed among the shepherds Tents by reading and hearing of the Word a spiritual observance of the Sabbath and that great sealing Ordinance of the Lords Supper Nor know we another way of getting beyond those Ordinances but one of two a being safe landed through grace in Heaven even there where no Temple is or a judicial arrest from the Lord of Induration which may be truly said to be an entring into the very Suburbs of Hell even in this life Pos 8. Such is the Doctrine of this Party as expresly owns a perfection in this life to be attained in which if they intend only a perfection in kind which is indispensably necessary to the lowest size of a Christian or a being perfectly justified and compleat in Christ we believe the same also but since they have no reserved sense here nor hide their intent and meaning that a perfect freedom from sin is in this life to be attained I must then ask 1. To which of all the Saints in the Scripture will they turn Who knew ever such a thing sure not to Moses unto whom the glorious God spake face to face not to that beloved Disciple who leaned on Christs bosom not to him who was caught up into the third Heaven whose sore wrestlings and groans under a body of Death are to this day on publick Record in the Church 2. Did the Church know any such thing in Isaiah's time But we are all as an unclean thing and all our righteousness is as filthy rags Isa 64. 6. or in those pure Primitive times of the Christian-Church if we say we have no sin we deceive our selves and make God a liar 1 Joh. 1. 8. 3. Why are such observable failings recorded in Scripture of those to whom the Holy Ghost did bear that witness that they were perfect in their generation such as Noab and Job Is it not to shew what perfection that is which the greatest of the Saints can attain here 4. Nothing is more clear from the known experience of the Saints than this that the greatest Hights in Christianity have still kept them most low under the humbling sense of a Body of Death and that contrariety between the flesh and the spirit which doth never cease until Death once decide that strife but were any such thing attainable here I am sure none more visibly contradict its Truth than this Party and are at a greater disadvantage to pretend thereto except wrath passion reviling of others in the most reproachable scurrilous terms that can be exprest be some part of tht perfection they mean Pos 9. It is their professed Doctrine that the soul is a part of the essence of God without beginning and infinite A strange Position that the Heathens whose sole guide was the Light of Nature in their search of the souls Original could have no confidence to own though these things we know to be undeniably clear 1. That the soul of Man is one of the rarest pieces of the Creation of God 2. That in its frame it is a simple immaterial and active substance which is not compounded of Principles and therefore can be resolved into none 3. That the soul hath no cause of Corruption from any opposition of contraries as the body hath through the prevalence of heat or cold but to assert its being infinite and without beginning is a blasphemy almost beyond President even among those whom the Devil hath most visibly acted forth against the Truth since 1. This is the incommunicable propriety of the glorious God alone from whom and for whom are all things 2. This does deny the Creation of Man of whom the soul is the noblest part for to be created and infinite imply the greatest contradiction and are terms incompatible 3. Thus a part of the essence of God should go to Hell and the souls of the damned there must have the same Prerogative with the great former of all things to have had a duration without beginning I confess this Principle as most of their Doctrine is such as might make them Quakers in earnest and cause their Conscience to tremble with horror and amazement if upon any serious reflection they could see
Conscience enforce this conviction upon them that in the Church of Christ from which they are gone out there are still Ministers of the Spirit and not of the dead Letter and empty sound and a Ministration of Power and Life found to go along with these blessed Ordinances they so avowedly contemn yea that by this Doctrine of the Church they have now quit the followers of the Truth do in these times as well as in former ages receive the Spirit and know the certainty thereof that it is the Spirit of Holiness most exactly corresponding with the written Word 8. Does not that conviction also follow them though they flee never so fast from it what burning and shining Lights there have been and yet are among the Ministers of Christ in these late times such as were Mighty in the Scriptures servent in Spirit cloathed with the Power and Authority of God before whose Ministry the most daring and stout-hearted have been made to tremble than whom none have witnessed more zeal for the Truth and that Doctrine so much now cryed down by the Quakers yea how some also of these we have known to have had very extraordinary discoveries and immediate in-breathings of the Mind of God in particular cases who in this were led by a Scripture-spirit and in no other path but in the way of the Word though by some more singular enforcing Application of the same 9. Are not such enforced also to see so as their Conscience cannot contradict What unspeakable joy and peace Christians do witness in their sufferings for the Truth and bearing Testimony to that way to which they are so known and stated Adversaries yea that when such are a-dying with what a marvelous gale of assurance and joy they have parted from time putting their Seal to the same Doctrine of the Church and Ministry thereof which they so virulently revile blessing the Lord that ever they were made acquainted therewith even then when all that lookt on might perceive their soul raised and under some present Transport with these begun unexpressible Tasts of Heaven and that some sight thereof was there broken up unto them which no Words could express 10. I must attest their Conscience if they be not constrained to justifie such as are most serious in adherence to the Truth even over the belly of the greatest prejudice that they are such as are real and serious in what they profess and may be known to make no naked and empty shew thereof but are willing to be tried in what is their Testimony and render a reason of that hope within them with the greatest seriousness by bringing it to the Tryal of the Scriptures of Truth I shall but further appeal to their own Conscience and Light within if they do not see this way of Holiness and serving the Lord according to that Rule of the Scripture which they so expresly disown to be that good and old way in which the footsteps of the Saints may be found since the beginning and how it is no new Light broken up in the World but a continued succession hath been still of those who from one time to another delivered over the same Truth to succeeding ages yea can they possibly deny that as at the first up-breaking of the Christian Faith so in these late times the Lord hath put to his Seal by extraordinary Signs and Confirmations with such an immediate appearance of himself to the same Truth now owned and professed by the reformed Churches as the greatest Atheists will stand in a we to question I must shut up this with one Word more of appeal to the World and most ordinary observers in this time If without shutting their eyes they can consider this way of the Quakers and not see the imposture thereof also 1. How their work is as the Serpent deceived Eva to engage more by enticing words and laying baits before the Affections than to clear and convince the Judgment so as it is not stange though such are induced to change their Religion as had never yet in earnest imbraced any 2. Can they see here any thing else but the grossest Atheism under a new dress when such do expresly deny whatever they pretend the only true God revealed in Jesus Christ except as an abstract Notion and Principle within every one 3. And may not the most ordinary observers of the time be struck with the conviction of a more excellent spirit in such as seriously own and imbrace the Truth with that savour their way hath of humility self-denial without daring to revile and what a more convincing resemblance this hath to that perfect Rule of the Scripture than that imbittered raging spirit which in such horrid scurrilous expressions fears not to vent it self among this Party 4. Do not all see this also their taking advantage to wrest the Scripture so far as they can see the least shadow there to bring it to their Interest whilst yet they fear not to throw off the whole and deny subjection thereto in its being the alone Rule of a Christians Faith and Practice as though these they converse with were in no case to discern so gross and visible an Imposture A Postscript READER This sad subject with the threatned effects of such a contagion in any of the Churches of Christ may have a serious voice to us this day if we could hear or be awaked to read from the sin and distemper of others and our own duty concerning which I shall in a few lines further add some things which thus seem to be convincingly pointed at First To be more deeply affected with such a plague on the spirits of men as we would be with the sword or pestilence breaking forth in the Land when withal it must be considered 1. That it is no consequent of ordinary sins but may be seen to follow some remarkable hight of resisting the Holy Ghost and rejecting of the Word of Truth in more bright discoveries thereof than most parts of the Christian World at this day have had 2. That this Meteor of Quakerism doth so obviously threaten and hath its proper aspect on the Churches of Britain and Ireland beyond any else of the Reformed Churches 3. That in all times the abounding of spiritual plagues in any place where the Truth did shine are still found to go before the saddest of temporal Judgments and can there now be found such threatning symptoms in any Church-history or Records of ancient time to have gone before the most desolating stroke which does not in some unusual manner meet in our case this day yea such prodigies both of Error and Prophaneness and the highest daring of the glorious God to his face as cannot be instanced by any paralel since the first dawnings of Christianity 4. And should not this also make it the more affrighting to us that it speaks with so audible a voice where some great pretences to Religion may yet end and what cause to fear lest many