death as many more are at this day who say they are alive and say they see but are blind and who required these things at your hands will be their answer when they think to enter by them or for them and it is not enough that I have read or heard others did them but I must know whether they are required at my hands and whether I am appointed by my Lord and Master to do them seeing he hath several appointments for his servants and none are exempted from learning of him what to do every day and knowing his voice and following his Counsel who is faithful to him that made him a high Priest and is worthy of more honour then Moses inasmuch as he who builded the House hath more honour then the House for every House is builded by some but he that builds all things is God and Moses verily was faithful in all his House as a servant for Testimony of those things which were to be spoken after but Christ as a Son over his own house whose house are we if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoycing of the Hope firm to the end wherefore as the Holy Ghost saith to day if ye will hear his voice harden not your hearts c. So by this thou maist understand what House it is that Christ is a faithful high Priest over and gives Laws and appointments to as Moses did to the outward people of the Jews and Christ doth to the inward Jews who is a Prophet like unto Moses and is now to be heard for by him God speaks and whoever hears not him shall be cut off from among the people and such a one who hears not his voice immediately is but a Jew outward though in the practice of all those outward washings and other outward things done by the Saints and recorded in the Scripture whose praise is of men and as yet Christ is not come to him the second time without sin to Salvation and therefore knows him not to be the end of all things and to put an end to sin and to finish transgression and to bring in everlasting righteousness in whom we are compleat who is the head of all principalities and powers Now follows an Answer to thy Queries 1. Q. WHether it is not a high degree of pride and arrogancy for any to go about to exalt their own wisdom above the wisdom of Christ Answ Yea and so do all those who are wise above what is written and pry into things which they have not seen and so become puffed up in their fleshly minds boasting of other mens lines hastning to be rich but will not wait upon the Lord to receive the true riches from him which are his gifts nor the true wisdom from him which is not taught by the precepts and customs of men but comes down from above and is first pure and peaceable and easie to be intreated 2. Q. Whether they do not so that account those Ordinances which he hath appointed too low and carnal for them to submit unto not minding that this foolishness of God is wiser then men 1 Cor. 1.15 Answ All those who despise or account the Ordinances which Christ hath appointed them to submit unto and walk in the practise of too low and carnal do set up and exalt their own wisdoms above the Wisdom of God and of this sort are they who neglect the means which God hath appointed unto eternal life which is to wait upon and stand still in the light and grace of God which appears to manifest Gods Mind and Will unto every man and woman that so they may know it do it in obedience to his requiring of it at their hands that so they may not fall under that righteous censure of the Lord saying to some Who hath required these things at your hands though performed in times past by the servants of the Lord and by him required at their hands and yet others may be condemned for doing the same things the Lord forbidding all likenesses to be made whether of things in Heaven or things in Earth c. And for thy quotation of 1 Cor. â— 15 I know not what thou intends by it except to manifest how thy mind is troubled for Baptizing in thy own name for in that place Paul thanks God that he had Baptized but a few least any should have thought so of him intimating that those who Baptize many or lay so much stress upon it expose themselves to be guilty of this charge but it may be an Errata of the Printer and so I shall pass it by 3. Q. Whether those who deny the continuance of water Baptism which Christ Commanded and his servants faithfully practised after his Resurrection in memorial thereof are willing the doctrine of the Resurrection of the body of Christ as the first fruits of the Resurrection of the bodies of the Saints should be perpetuated Answ Those who deny the continuance of water Baptism or any other thing which Christ hath Commanded them to observe and continue are transgressors and those are no less who continue it in their own wills and imitation onely the Lord not requiring it at their hands he being a Spirit and will be worshipped in Spirit and by the Spirit and not because Jerusalem was the place of worship therefore still to continue no more are men still to go down into outward water because some were commanded so to do except they know the Lord requires it at their hands by the moving and stirring of the Spirit of God in their own hearts and brests which thing they do and should have done had they never read or heard of any such thing done by any before them and he that thus goeth into the water or doth any other thing worships God aright and finds not out his worship himself but he himself is first sought out of God to worship God in the Spirit for God is a Spirit and such God only seeks to worship him though many others otherwise seeks to worship God but he will not accept an offering at their hand which causes many to be filled with wrath against those at whose hands the Lord doth accept an offering because they do it in the Spirit of Faith and such do not deny the one offering that perfects for ever them that are sanctified nor the memorial of the Resurrection of the body of Christ nor the Resurrection of the bodies of the Saints but do equally condemn the folly both of those who say there is no Resurrection of the dead and who yet are to seek what the Resurrection of the body is and who say how are the dead raised up and with what body do they come to them both I say as the Apostle said Thou fool that which thou sowest is not quickned except it die and he that hath not part in the first Resurrection for all his shews memorials and figures shall not escape the second death but he that knows he
take beed of being deceived Yea take heed you are not deceived in your Ordinanâ—es in your Church fellowship yea and in your Christ too seeing one Christ is your very light and life and another light that is unapproachable is he leading you in the way to And be not angry because Thomas White exhorts you to look to your building least it be pulled down to your loss neither call it judging of the hearts of Gods people any more seeing thou hast made thy heart and what is in it so manifest And for those Invectives which thou saist are so frequent in our papers thou shouldest have named some of them and who were their Authours otherwise now canst thou expect an answer but doth not fear surprize the hypocrite and are not the hypocrites in Sion afraid and cry out do not judge least you be judged not knowing to whom that was spoken Luke 6.37 to whom he spake a parable and said Can the blind lead the blind shall they not both fall into the ditch The blind are forbidden to judge but not the spiritual man who judgeth all things nor he whose eyes are opened to see good and evil and he that judgeth any thing in another that he hath not first judged in himself is a transgressor but he that judges that in another which hath been first judged in himself is no mans enemy though in the time of mans love to his lust he may count him his enemy because he tells him the truth but when he comes to be awakened he will count him his brother because he would not suffer sin to lye upon him nor the Sun to go down in his wrath And thou saist That which you call Church-fellowship you do not miscal it for it is true Church-fellowship according to the Order of our blessed Lord Jesus which he himself hath instituted and his holy Apostles and Primitive Saints practised in which fellowship though contemned by you do we walk sweetly together having his presence with us and his blessing upon us c. And many other words thou useth and applieth to thy self and brethren which are the words of others and the conditions of others and thou appliest them to thy self and thy brethren thou shouldest first have proved thy self and brethren born of the same spirit that they were and led into those things in which they walked by the same spirit that they were and not in the imitation without the same command that they had and leading which they were well acquainted withal as many as were the sons of God for they spake as they were moved by the Spirit and in it did they worship and by it were they guided to know when to go and when to stand still and by it they knew well their own spirits when self spake at any time and in it had they fellowship together and by the same Rule did they walk according to their several attainments but were not of many Sects neither did they cry up their own inventions for Christs Commands neither did thy differ about what were his appointments some crying one thing and some another like Babylons builders insomuch that their languages are confounded and they cannot understand one another what was the Primitive Order and what are now those appointments believers are to be found Practitioners of But one cryes this and another that but all in errour from the Spirit of the Lord who knows not the movings of his Spirit in them nor knows not that Christ the Leader and Christ the Way and Christ that dwells in the light unapproachable and is the light of the world all is but one Christ neither knows Election nor Reprobation but differs in their understandings about them all such are out of the Appointments and Commands of Christ and as yet knows not the Way of his worship as it was performed in the dayes of the Apostles therefore say not Christs Institutions are contemned because mens Traditions and carnal Imitations are not followed all which must tumble down when Babylon the great the Mother of Harlots falls and when that comes to pass it will be no wonder to those that behold her downfal that are come out of her to see many pleasant Pictures spoiled and lofty Cities laid low and Master builders that have rejected the light bewailing the fall of their Towers which they thought had been so high and built upon such a foundation as could not be shaken and of such materials as they thought had been living stones and formed in all things like the Primitive Churches but their attire will be found to be the attire of the Harlot and not of the true Spouse neither her comeliness that which Christ hath put upon her but a paint like Jezabel and a Harlot though welfavoured and though her garments be purple and scarlet-coloured yet not washed with the blood of the Lamb and therefore follows him not wheresoever he goeth And whereas thou saist you walk sweetly together How can that be seeing you differ in so many things and main things too as Election and Reprobation For how can two walk together except they be agreed and yet thou confesses you walk sweetly together and also confesses you are not agreed in Election c. Therefore may I not say there is no light in thee because thou walks not according to this Rule which saith Can two walk together except they be agreed Amos 3.3 Thousaist Thomas White is deceived in that he cautions you of being deceived your selves while you cry out others are deluded you who are joyned in that which you call fellowship by the outward form of washing c. Is not the mistake on thy own part Are you not so joyned If thou canst plead not guilty who else can seeing thou seems to justifie all that are called Baptists For Tho. Whites paper is directed in general to those people called Baptists and what is both spoken in general and to some in particular thou applies to thy self and brethren as either being guilty of all or else taking thy self to be united to all that are dipped in water and so by the tendency of thy discourse thou pleads for all the people called Baptists though they be such as differ from thee in the understanding of the great business of Election and Reprobation as if thou wert especially concerned in that name though there be many others who are not so called and yet do not differ in such weighty matters from thee and thy brethren as many of those people who are called Baptists do all which being put together spels little less then that you are joyned in your fellowship by your outward form of washing because thou pleads for and takes thy self to be especially concerned in all things charged against the washed or baptists which imports no less then that you are joyned in your fellowship by outward washing otherwise why dost thou not deny some of those people called Baptists seeing by your own confession
endeavoured to make outward water to be may be easily seen by the upright in heart who saith not onely it must continue because fitted to the New Testament as Circumcision was to the Old and so in like manner as the Teachers of Circumcision thrust in that upon the bewitched Galatians and said except they were Circumcised they could not be saved do not all you whose judgement this is do the same concerning your water when you say It is fitted to the New Testament as Circumcision was to the Old And do not you make Proselites by your outward water as they did by Circumcision But as if this were not enough thou saist Outward water is that one Baptism spoken of by Paul joined with the one Faith one Lord and the one God as if that outward water either lets into the union with Christ or the want of it makes void the union and yet you say in words that union with Christ must precede and fit the subject before a right can be to water and yet what it should be that should make you cry up water so much I know not seeing you have no positive Command by Christ in plain words for it except through the cunning craftiness of the old serpent who gives leave to cry up and to rest upon any thing that is outward on purpose to busie the mind upon and to blind the eye from looking at or upon any thing revealed within that onely can give the knowledge of God in Christ and manifests to the Souls its union with and compleatness in Christ Jesus both as to the true Circumcision and Baptism Col. 2.11 12. The next Question thou saist Thou understands not which was whether such do truly discern the Lords body eat his flesh and drink his blood who do imagine of the flesh blood and bones of Christ as the Jews did And yet as if thou wert concerned in the Query though thou understand it not as thou saist will return some kind of answer to it which is not the part of a wise man to give an answer to that which he positively saith he understands not as thou dost but thy answer makes it manifest that thou art not sensible of that fond imagination which runs in the minds of filthy creatures who defile the flesh for thou saist If it be meant of the believing Jews who did believe that Christ rose from the dead with his flesh and bones as himself testifies such may truly discern the Lords hody eat his flesh and drink his blood c. Doth not this answer savour of a Jew outward Or art thou mistaken as thou wast in thy former quotation when as there is neither Chap. nor vers to be found so in this also seeing thou names onely flesh and bones and the Query was flesh and blood and bones as a real man hath or dost thou imagine of Christ that he had or hath flesh and bones onely and no blood like a real man If so speak plainly in thy next Book that I may know thy Opinion in this particular and name thy proof or if it be the Errata of the Printer let thy next be rectified that thou hadst forgotten to put down the blood and so I may pass it by for the present To the next Question which is whether that flesh which is meat indeed and that blood which is drink indeed be not spiritual and that which quickneth and nourisheth up to eternal life all those that feed thereon To this thou confesseth but cannot know it but in the light no more then the Jews did who said how can this man give us his flesh to eat And it is as hard a saying now as it was then though easilier confest now because it is written and may be read To the last Query which is What is that flesh that profiteth nothing And what is that flesh after which Christ was once known yet henceforth know we him so no more To which thou returns this answer Christ in John 6.63 shews that it is the Spirit that quickneth and therefore without that all is without profit whatever is done in the flesh without the Spirit and so if you take it of being implyed in Ordinances with the flesh or outward man onely it profiteth nothing This is thy answer to the first part of the Query viz. What is that flesh which profiteth nothing Can any wise man take this for an answer to the Question or is it not a declining the Question and answering to another Question of thy own framing As if thou had been asked whether that worship that is performed in the flesh or outward man onely without the Spirit of God profiteth or not If this had been the Question then thou hadst returned an answer somewhat pertinent but the Question that thou was to answer to was What is that flesh that profiteth nothing Considering what the foregoing Question was and thy answer to it viz. that there is a flesh that is spiritual and doth nourish to eternal life all those that feed thereon then comes this Question in the next words as depending upon the foregoing Question and what then is that flesh that profiteth nothing seeing there is flesh that nourishes up to eternal life But thou in stead of giving an answer what flesh it is that profiteth nothing tells a story of what ever is born in the flesh or outward man without the Spirit profits not c. A Child that reads his Primer might have said so much by rote out of the Catechism and yet thou quotes John 6.63 as if thy answer were intended to that place of Scripture as if thou didst believe the Question was grounded upon that place which answer of thine doth manifest as if Christ were speaking in this place of worshipping in the flesh without the Spirit and instructing his Disciples that the worshipping in the flesh without the Spirit profiteth nothing which thing though true in it self yet not true in this place as being the thing Christ was at this time teaching his Disciples for he was here rather rectifying and informing of them aright seeing they seemed to be prejudiced at Christs foregoing words about eating his flesh and drinking his blood and saying at the 57. ver he that eateth me even he shall live by me and at the 58. ver This is that bread which came down from Heaven not as your fathers did eat Manna and are dead he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever and at the 60. ver Many therefore of his Disciples when they heard this said This is an hard saying Who can hear it When Jesus knew in himself that his Disciples murmured at it he said unto them Doth this offend you What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before It is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are life So that it is manifest Christs drift and scope in
this place is to satisfie his Disciples that murmured about his telling them of of eating his flesh and drinking his blood and to take them off from looking at his outward fleshly presence as if his outward flesh or outward words were that which they were to feed upon or alwaies to expect to hear but there was another flesh to be known and other work to be read in the inward man by the Spirit for that quickneth and those words are Spirit and life but the flesh profiteth nothing so by this may the enlightned understanding see and read plainly the scope and drift of Christs Words and not to be spoken in that sence which thou and others in your vain minds conceive but have a deeper understanding which the children of light are acquainted withal so that the Query yet remains unanswered by thee viz. what then is the flesh that profiteth nothing And for thy answer to the second part of the Query viz. and what is that flesh after which Christ was once known yet henceforth know we him so no more to which thou answerest To know any man or Christ after the flesh it was to know according to the natural line of Abram and so according to the first Covenant but now know we him no more that is not by a natural descent but he that is in Christ is a new Creature and all the old things of the first Covenant are passed away and all things are become new and thou quotes Philip. 3.3 4 5. and saith We will help to clear the sence of this place viz. what is that flesh after which Christ was once known yet henceforth know we him so no more By this answer to the Query thou hast but manifested thy ignorance of Christ after the Spirit for doth the knowledge of Christ after the Spirit teach to deny the natural descent of Christ after the flesh seeing it is reckoned up as one of the Israelites Priviledges viz. of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Rom. 9.4 5. Or is Christ changed from what he was Or is he the same yesterday and to day and for ever And doth the Apostle Paul teach to forget the Genealogy of Christ from Abram Or hath he forgotten his love to his brethren and kinsmen according to the flesh which he saith Rom. 9.3 he could wish himself separated from Christ for them Or doth he instrust children after they are come to the knowledge of Christ no more to know their Parents after the flesh or natural descent or any other man after any natural line Surely to say so had been crime enough against the people called Quakers then might thou have had some ground to cry out of their disrespect to Superiours and of the neglect of children in not obeying their Parents and subjects in not giving honour to Magistrates and of servants in not obeying of their Masters after the flesh which in thy Book thou seems to blame the Quakers for their remisness therein and dost thou do the same thing Or dost thou go about to interpret Pauls words to such a sence Whereas he himself was so far from denying his natural descent or linage or outward Priviledge that upon occasion he reckons it up again and again and stands upon it and is not condemned for it and doth he write to the Corinthians to know no man after the natural line or descent No not Christ himself What doth Paul make void Matthews and Lukes reckoning up of the natural line or descent of Christ from Abraham Are we no more to know Christ so What do the Christians with it in their Bibles then if Christ be no more to be known so But let us see if the Apostle Paul have one word tending that way in that place thou quotes 2 Cor. 5.16 For he is speaking how the love of Christ constrained them at the 14. ver and the cause of it because saith he we thus judge that if one died for all then were all dead and that he died for all that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves but unto him which died for them and rose again Wherefore from henceforth know we no man according to the flesh for so it is and some translations read it so yea though we have known Christ according to the flesh yet now henceforth know we him no more Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature old things are past away behold all things are become new And all things are of God who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ c. James Pope what ground is here for thy conceived imagination therefore wait upon the Lord in the light of his Son that thou may be made alive by God by being his workmanship in Christ Jesus and then thou wilt know how the word henceforth in the 15. ver answers to the word henceforth in the 16. ver and then thou wilt see how such inventions and interpretations of thy own brain are some of those old things which then thou wilt behold passing away as thou becomes a new Creation and all things will be of God and in that day thou wilt know the first Covenant and its vanishing by the new everlasting Covenant which is Gods free gift but known to none who are alive without the Law and have their first husband living such must know a bitter cup and a day of death before ever they can be married to Christ Take this in love to thy Soul James Pope for this is the Word of the Lord to thee and is of nearer concernment to thee then as yet thou art aware of And for that of Philip. 3.3 4 5. it proves nothing of thy conceit and invention but rather may serve to condemn thee who art comparing outward circumcision and outward washing together as being fitted to the New Testament as outward circumcision was to the Old but we are the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and have no confidence in the flesh neither Faith in any outward washing with outward water but our Faith stands in Christ alone in whom we are compleat both as to the true Circumcision and to the one Baptism and to the one bread in which we have Communion together in the body and as many as are joyned to the Lord are one Spirit and are of one heart and one Soul and do not deny any of the Gospel Ordinances or plead for the abrogating of them as thou saist the Query seems to suppose but this we plead against will-will-worship and all likenesses and dead imitations in the worship of God for by the Gospel of our Salvation are we made alive and do not rush into Gods service without fear and the leadings of his Spirit having in times past felt by experience and smarted for having a form of godliness but not sensible of the power and a name to live and accounted as worshippers but were in the