it refelled Sect. 6 But those that are perswaded that some part of their persons either Soul or Spirit is Christ the Light of the World the eternal and uncreated substance being lifted up with high conceit of themselves supposing that the Godhead dwells in them bodily and being unwilling to be divested of that imaginary deity and to be accounted meer Creatures it is likely that they will object whatsoever may be objected against that Doctrine which declares Jesus Christ to be a distinct Person from all other persons having such a manner of unity with God the Father that no person hath in the whole world beside himself and it 's more then probable that they will alledge these and such like sentences of Scripture viz. Christ in you the Hope of Glory Col. 1. 27. My little Children of whom I travel in birth again till Christ be formed in you Gal. 4. 19. That was the true Light which lighteth every man which cometh into the World and the Light shineth in darknesse c. John 1. 5. And the inference which they will make from these and such like Scriptures questionlesse will be to this purpose viz. That the eternal and uncreated substance or witness â—â— in every man that cometh into the World in the same manner as it is in him that was born of the Virgin and is so manifested in those that call themselves Preachers and followers of the Light within c. But in answer to their Allegations and Objections of this kind the Scripture teacheth that all mankind are of the same substance with Christ according to one of his Natures but not according to the other according to the Created but not according to the Uncreated substance Forasmuch saith the Apostle As the children are partakers of Flesh and Blood he also himself likewise took part of the same Heb. 2. 14. The Flesh Soul and Spirit of all men and the Flesh Soul and Humane Spirit of Christ is of one Substance there is indeed a Personal and an Accidental difference but not a Substantial the Persons of men are many but the Person of Christ is one the condition wherein the World of men and women are is unclean by reason of sin but the condition wherein the Humane Nature of Christs Person is is Pure Holy by reason of his Righteousnesse he took part of the same Substance of Adam but no part of his Pollution we are unclean because we are Propogated in unclean Lust the just reward of sinful desire Gen. 3. 16. Psal 51. 5. but he is Pure and Holy because he was conceived of the Holy Spirit we are unclean because we have sinned in transgressing the Law of God but he is Pure and Holy because he hath kept it the Humane Nature of Christ was made in the same condition that Adam was before he sinned but we are become in the same condition that Adam was after he had sinned and as the Substance of Adams Flesh Soul and Spirit was the same after he had sinned as before but not the condition so the Substance of Christs Flesh Soul and Humane Spirit not of the Spirit of Holinesse is the same with Adams now since Adam sinned but the condition the same with Adams before he sinned for though the eternal word took hold of the Seed of Abraham or took into Personal Unity the Substance of Adam after Adam had sinned yet the Estate or Condition wherein that substance was made was as Pure and Holy as Just and Righteous as Adam was before he sinned for as Adam before he transgressed was a Son of God by Creation Luke 3. 38. So the Humane Nature of Christ is the Son of God by Creation God made or built the Body of Christ of the Seed of the Woman as he did the Body of Adam of the dust of the ground see Gen. 2. 7. Gal. 4. 4. Heb. 10. 5. Christs being the Son of David doth respect the substance of which his Body was made not the formation of that substance for in that respect he is also the Son of God Luke 1. 35. It is indeed a Glorious Personality that the Humane Nature of Christ hath because it doth not subsist of it self but in the Godhead but the substance of it is the same with all mankind who subsists not as he doth viz. by Personal Unity with the Godhead and as Adam before he had transgressed had Soveraignty over the Creatures and the Paradise of God for his Habitation wherein was the Tree of Life whereof he might have eaten before he transgressed and so have lived for ever in the enjoyment of God and of that image or likenesse of God wherein he was made had he kept that Law and eaten of that Tree of Life which was given him for that purpose see Gen. 3. 22. Rev. 22. 2 3. So the Humane Nature of Christs Person by keeping that Law which Adam transgressed hath right to all that Adam lost for he being made under the Law which he also fulfilled Gal. 4. 4. Mat. 5. 17 18. in him the Image of God is seen expresly Heb. 1. 3. and all things are put in subjection under his feet Heb. 2. 7 8. see Psal 8. And as the first Adam being tempted by his yeilding to the temptation was soon overcome of the Devil and led Captive at his will So Christ the second Adam by resisting the Devil when he was tempted by him forty dayes in the Wildernesse overcame Satan and put him to flight see Mat. 4. vers 1. to 12. And therefore as the demerit of the first Adams transgression was so great that all that are derived from him by Natural Generation are defiled by it so the demerit of the second Adams obedience is so great that all that ever come to be derived from him by Spiritual Regeneration are sanctified by it So that as it was a blessed estate and condition that the Person of the first Adam and all that were in him lost by sin so it is a blessed estate and condition that the Humane Nature of Christ the second Adam hath gained by his obedience for the same Nature in the Persons of all those that ever come to be in Covenant with him or to be regenerate or born again of Water and of the Holy Spirit and so to be grafted into him by Faith John 3. 5. 6. Romans 11. 19. 20. Sect. 7 For whosoever shall seriously consider and according to the Scriptures of truth determine of the state and condition wherein the first Adam was made and wherein he continued until he transgressed the Law of God shall find that it was a very happy and blessed estate and condition for he was made in the Image of God in Righteousnesse and true holinesse was he created see Eccles 7. 29. Gen. 1. 26. Ephes 4. 24. with dominion over the Creatures the Fish of the Sea the Foul of the Air and over everly living thing that moveth upon the earth was he invested Gen. 1. 28 29.
God is not in all his thoughts but as saith the same Prophet Psal 69. 32. The humble shall see this and be glad and your heart shall live that seek God Sect. 12 The humble do see themselves in a lost and undone Estate by reason of Sin which they and all the world are guilty of by the Sentence of the righteous Law of God they are so broken in their spirits finding themselves under the Curse of the Law Gal. 3. 10 That as Christ teacheth concerning the penetant Publican Luke 18. 10. thinking themselves not worthy to lift up their eyes to Heaven do smite their breasts saying God be merciful to us Sinners while the proud Pharisee rejoycing in himself and in his own Righteousness of the Law like those that now Preach up the Light within exalteth himself saying God I thank thee I am not as other men are Extortioners Unjust Adulterers or even as this Publican Oh with what affection doth the Repentant Believer receive Jesus Christ Oh how precious is the Blood of Sprinkling to him Heb. 12. 24. Which the proud Legalist Pharisee Papist and pretended Preacher up of the Light within do trample under their feet Sect. 13 Even as Water is to a thirsty Land Psal 143. 6. or to the panting Hart Psal 42. 1. which being at the point of death except it be refreshed by the Water Brooks doth expire So is it with the poor Believer who finding himself beset on every side with the guilt and burthen of his Sins which he not able to bear flees from but is still pursued with the guilt thereof until he meets with Christ who sets him free from the guilt and takes away the burthen of his Sins giveth him assurance of peace with God through the Satisfaction which he hath made to his Justice by the Sacrifice of himself for all his sins that are past and requiring this late lost Creature now to follow him he bringeth him to his Fathers house makes him a Son of God by Adoption and giveth him the holy Spirit whereby he may both know that God is his Father and be inabled to serve him in newness of spirit promiseth him that his Grace shall be sufficient for him to relieve him in all his Temptations in this world and that by his Mediation with God he will so secure him from the Calumnious Accusations of Satan that he shâ—â—l not be able to lay any thing to his Charge in the Court of Heaven and now requiring him to be faithful to the death assureth him that he will give him the Crown of life Oh what glorious Grace is this Oâ— hâ—w is he that was Sentenced to death and pursued with the Executioners thereof meeting with Jesus Christ and being by him not only delivered from the power of his Puâ—suers but also intituled to Everlasting Life refreshed and comforted who is able to express the consolation of the water of Life John 4. 10. which Jesus Christ gives to refresh the fainting Spirits of those he meets with that while they flee from sin are pursued with the Law Sin and Death and are never able by all the strength they have to deliver themselves from the power of those their Enemies until Jesus Christ interpose with the might of his power relieve them by his grace delivering the poor broken in spirit that are pursued with the guilt power and wages of Sin from the Law Sin and Death speaking peace to them in the pardon of their sins sprinkling his Blood upon their spirits to cleanse them from the guilt thereof and giving them the holy Spirit John 7. 37 38 39. to strengthen them against the Reigning power of Sin and thereby intituling them to life Everlasting and to the deliverance from the wages of Sin which is Everlasting Death Sect. 14 Oh how contrary is the Doctrine of the Gospel to the Doctrine of those that Preach up the Light within all men as that which though it be but the work of the Law Rom. 2. 15. is sufficient in the opinion of these followers of the Romish Synagogue to lead out of all Sin and eternally to save and therefore contrary to the practice of the Apostles who direct unto Christ all the weary and heavy laden with sin with Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the Sins of the World John 1. 29. These Messengers of Satan lead all such as follow them from Christ to themselves setting up themselves under pretence of the Light within and rejecting that which is indeed the Light viz. the Word of the Prophets of Christ and of his Apostles 2 Pet. 1. 19. which is written in the Scriptures of Truth Dan. 10. 21. they set up that which is indeed the Darkness of this world the Traditions of men the Doctrines of the Romish Harlot and other Adversaries to the Doctrine of the Gospel which they deliver by word of mouth and disperse in their written Books and Pamphlets CHAP. II. Wherein is shewed That the Doctrine of these that call themselves Preachers of and to the Light within all men is not according to the Doctrine of Jesus Christ expressed in the Scriptures of Truth neither concerning the Person of Christ nor the Father Son and Spirit nor the Light nor the Ordinances of Christ nor the Resurrection of the Dead nor the Coming of Christ nor the End of the World Also the Doctrine which is according to Godliness as it relates to these Particulars is here manifested Sect. 1 THe second thing which I lay to thy Charge which teachest that People should be guided by the Light which is within all men is That thy Doctrine is not according to the Doctrine of the Scriptures neither concerning the Conception of Jesus Christ nor the Divine Being of the Father Son and Spirit nor the Light nor the Ordinances of Christ nor the Resurrection of the Dead nor the Coming of Christ nor the End of the World and therefore thou art led by the Spirit of Antichrist Sect. 2 First Because thou dost not confess that by vertue of the Holy Spirit his coming upon and the Power of the Highest his overshadowing that visible woman called Mary that that man Christ Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and made of the Woman without her knowing of man and that he is the only begotten Son of God both according to the Spirit of Holiness Rom. 1. 3 4. and also as he is a man of flesh and bones and that there is none nor can be any that is the Son of God in that sense that that God-man Christ Jesus was and is the Son of God from and to all Eternity according to the Spirit of Holiness and also in the fulness of time according to the flesh Gal. 4. 4. I say because thou dost not own this Person which I here speak of to be the only begotten Son of God and no other but he in all the world beside Therefore thou art deceived and art a Deceiver for thou sayest
to be come in the flesh to deny the Ordinances which he hath appointed to set forth what he hath done in the body of his flesh and it is as much as to deny that ever he shall come again to deny that Appointment which he hath ordained to be used until his second coming or to abuse it with the Papists turning that into a Sacrifice Propitiatory which Christ ordained only to signifie the Propitiatory Sacrifice of his own Body to make that by an humane invention of Transubstantiation to be the very Body and Blood of Christ there present upon their Altar in the hand of their Priest which Christ appointed so signifie his Body as to shew his bodily absence the Bread being present his Body being at the right hand of God in the Glory of the Father This is as much as to deny his coming bodily for if his Body be present how can his Body be at the right hand of God If his Body be come since his Ascention how can his Body be still to come But the truth is so great an harmony is between the Preachers up of the Light within all men and the Doctors of the Romish Synagogue that their Doctrine tends to one thing viz. The denyal of Jesus Christ come in the flesh of Justification by the imputation of Faith in his Blood for Righteousness of Remission of Sins by his Grace of the right use and end of his holy Ordinances yea to the denyal of the vertue of the Death of Christ the essicacy of his Resurrection and the glory of his Coming I shall therefore for conclusion of this Chapter set forth according to the Scriptures of Truth the Doctrine of the Resurrection of the bodies of all men by the power of the Resurrection of Christ the glory of his Coming and the End of the World Sect. 8 For thus saith the Word of the Truth of the Gospel concerning those that shall be saved as it is written 2 Tim. 1. 8 9. 10. God saith the Apostle hath saved us and called us with an holy Calling not according to our Works but according to his own Purpose and Grace given us in Christ Iesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Iesus Christ who hath abolished Death and brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel By his Death he hath destroyed him that had the power of Death Heb. 2. 14. By his Resurrection and Ascension in his own Body He hath led captivity captive He conquered the Grave and overcame it by Death not for himself who knew no sin but for the world of sinners unto whom Death is due as the wages of Sin the just reward of Iniquity Rom. 6. 23. which Death passed upon all men excepting Christ who sinned not because that all have sinned Rom. 5. 12. and are in bondage under Sin and Death the great enemies of the peace and comfort of Mankind for whose deliverance from Sin and Death Christ hath dyed and hath invited the world of sinners to repent and believe the Gospel for the Remission of their Sins and their deliverance from Death from which he will in his due time deliver all those that believe in his Name For he must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15. 25. that the saying that is written may come to passe Death is swallowed up into Victory according to the Word of the Lord by the Prophet Hosea ch 13. 14. I will ransom them from the power of the Grave I will redeem them from Death O Death I will be thy plagues O Grave I will be thy destruction Repentance shall be hid from mine eyes And to this end Jesus Christ did give himself a Ransom for all and tasted Death for every man 1 Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 2. 9. that he might bring all men out of the Grave which though it be not yet effected yet he hath payed the Price that so at his appearing he may raise all men from that first death and deliver from wrath to come all that wait for him believing on his Name 1 Thess 1. 10. 1 Ioh. 3. 23. according as himself hath testified Ioh. 5. 28 29. Marvel not at this saith he for the hour is coming in which all that are in the Grave shall hear the voice of the Son of God and shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation So that it is evident that that of man which goeth to the grave shall be raised again as he hath said I will ransom them from the power of the grave c. But if the bodies of them which are cast into the grave shall not be raised from thence how then is there a ransoming of them from the power of the Grave or a redeeming them from Death How is Captivity led captive or who how will the Grave then come to destruction and not rather be the destroyer And how will the Word of the Almighty Creator be fulfilled and his glorious Power manifested who made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that therein is and keepeth Truth for ever Psal 146. 5 6. Sect 9 But it is further evident That the bodies of Believers although they dye and turn to dust yet shall they be raised again and live eternally as is testified in the Scripture 1 Cor. 15. 42 43 44. by the Apostle concerning the Resurrection of the Dead It is sown saith he in Corruption It is raised in Incorruption It is sown in Dishonour It is raised in Glory It is sown in Weakness It is raised in Power It is sown a Natural Body It is raised a Spiritual Body By all which how evidently is the Resurrection of that which dyes proved It which is sown and it which is raised is one and the same only the condition wherein it is raised is more excellent than that wherein it is sown They that turn Scripture into Allegories cannot turn this into any nor make an Interpretation contrary to this without making themselves very absurd for if they shall say It is the Seed of God which is thus sown then it seems the Seed of God shall be sown in one condition and shall be raised in another yea they must hold that the Seed of God is sown a Natural Body and raised a Spiritual Body changing its Properties which cannot be No no it is the Corruptible man the natural Bodies of Believers which shall be raised changed and fashioned like the glorious Body of Christ and as is testified in the Scripture concerning that Seed which is sown into the Earth as Wheat or other Grain That which is sown is not sown that Body which shall be for when it is sown it is sown but bare Grain not clothed with any thing but God giveth it a Body as it pleaseth him clothed excellently yet to every Seed his own Body And as the Body
Baptize with a spirit and give a spirit to them which do receive their counsel or else they are not lawful Preachers by thy own confession so that thou intendest to Communicate a Teacher from without whatsoever thou declarest of the sufficiency of the Light within For Secondly Thou intendest not that men and women should be guided by the Light which is within them before they receive instruction and a spirit from thee which art without them because thy Teachers do declare to men and women that if they will but wait in silence be still and quiet cease from outward and Scripture-teaching Forms and carnal Ordinances that they shall receive vertue life and strength from them though they never see their faces any more by which it appears plainly that thou intendest to give a spirit to such as adhere to thy Doctrine for otherwise these thy promises of Vertue Life and Strength to be received from thee are vain and thou not faithful that makest them But Thirdly Thou never intendest that men and women should be guided by the Light which is within them before they receive instruction from thee and that thou givest them a spirit because that when thou takest hold of the hand of men and women or layest thy hands on their foreheads or on their shoulders great trouble comes upon their spirits within them yea when thou hast taken hold of the wâ—ists of the hands of some while they have been opposing thee they have been taken with such a trembling that they could not speak nor hold still nor get away from thee by which it is apparent that thy intent is to communicate a spirit Fourthly Thy intent is not that men and women should be guided by the Light which is within them before they receive instruction and a spirit from thee c. because as soon as ever thou apprehendest that any man or woman is inclinable to thy Principles thou art constantly visiting them until thou hast brought them over to thy ways once in thirteen days at the least thou wilt be praying with them after thy fashion untill they be brought out of that laborynth into which thou hast brought them and such a stir there is about this work and so vainly have some of you been affected with it that ye have sent to the Bel-man of a City to cry it up and down that all that would be free to come might come and see this imaginary Resurrection or rather Communication of your unclean spirit by which thou dost plainly declare that the Light in every man will not do the business but a spirit must be communicated for what else is it that thou so earnestly endeavourest to raise up What else is it that thou takest so much delight in when thou feelest it as hath been said by some of you Arise within man About what else are thy groanes spent what else doest thou visit with what else doest thou as thou sayest suffer but with that spirit which thou hast given which till he hath taken full possession of the Creature that so he may become as much the Child of perdition as thy self thou art in a troubled condition Fifthly That thou doest not intend that by the Light which is in every one before they receive instruction from thee they should be guided appears by thy running up and down to spread thy Doctrine and by thy Printing such a multitude of Books all which is done to teach and instruct men in thy way and to direct them how to walk according to thy desire thou cryest down Preaching and yet usest it thou cryest down the Letter and Scriptures of Truth and yet makest use of Letter and writest many Books thereby to disperse thy false Doctrine and even like the Pharisees ye reject the Commandment of God that ye may keep your own Traditions Mark 7. 9. ye lay aside Gods Word and set up your own word Gods holy Scriptures ye reject your own unholy writings ye exalt under pretence of setting up the Light which ye say is within every man ye set up the darkness which is within your selves and from you communicated to such as you can perswade to hear your words or read your Books thus thy pretentions and intentions are like Samsons Foxes Judg. 15. 4 5. not united by the heads yet so tyed together by the Tayls as between them they carry fire to burn up standing corn shocks of corn Vineyards and Olives thou callest thy Doctrine fire and sayest thou art baptized with the spirit and fire I do believe thou art baptized with a spirit and fire indeed which may seem to burn up weeds but it is sent against the good Corn the best Graces Faith Hope and Charity is burnt up in such as receive thy Doctrine by the fire of that unclean spirit with which thou art baptized Sixthly Thou doest not intend that the Light which is within every man should onely be his director because that Light which is in every man doth not lead thee and thy followers to do those things ye do for if it be a Light which is within every man by which onely thou art carryed on in thy way why then doth it not speak the same things in every one as it doth in thee why doth it not make every one quake and tremble as well as thee if every one have it why is it silent in so many why doth it not throw every one down upon the ground swell their bellies roar in them and speak with a vocal voice as well as in thee and thy followers If you say it is because the Light is in prison in those in whom it is not so active as it is in thee It is answered that by that reason it should be the more active if it be sensible of its bondage and if unsensible how then can it be sufficient to perform those things which thou ascribest to it What is it dead or senceless doth it not feel that hard and sore oppression under which it lies or is it asleep and must be awaked if so it is much unlike to make a man a new Creature to lead him out of all sin and iniquity and eternally to save him For how should that deliver a man out of Prison that is so unsensible of its own bondage That must needs be in a small capacity to help another that is not sensible of its own wants neither canst thou say it doth in all and every one what it doth in thee for I my self and many others can and do testifie the contrary if thou say it is by reason of our long sinning it is answered that you in whom the Light as you call it is so prevalent have been long sinners and are so still and if you are guided by no other thing than that Light which is in every man why doth it not do in all the same that it doth in you why doth it not make all little Children to quake and tremble in their mothers
that they had both touched and felt him and yet found no vertue come out of him No marvel therefore that the Scriptures seems to be lifeless and a dead Letter to such whose Faith is dead to them it is no wonder that the Scriptures do not enlighen them that go about to destroy them or in Christ himself while they were kiling him they found little excellency And why were some refreshed even by the touching of Christs Garment and others that â—ouched his Body felt no benefit Was it not because the one came to him with a Hand of Faith and Love owning him â—o be the Son of God and the other came with wicked hands to crucifie and slay him because they denyed him to be the Christ And wherefore is it that some find wonderful comfort in the Scriptures and are thereby made wise unto Salvation Is it not because they come with humble and believing Hearts to them But they must needs be a dead Letter to such whose Faith and Affections is quite dead to them Sect. 5 But to make a further manifestation of the Divine Authoriiy of the Scriptures I will lay down these following Considerations to prove the Scriptures to be an infallible Teacher of the Doctrine of Salvation First Because there is no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man in this world â—hat can name a Work of Righteousnesse which as an Act Deed or Duty of Righâ—eousnesse ought to be observed by the Sons of men which the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament do not make mention of fairly discover and fully comprehend Therefore the Scripture is an Infallible Teacher of the Doctrine of Salvation 2. Because there is no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man in this world that can name a work of wickednesse which as an Act or Deed of wickednesse ought not to be done by any of the Sons of men which the Scriptures do not most severely forbid upon pain of the greatest Punishments to be inflicted on them that persist therein Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 3. Because there is no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man in this World that can declare any Promise either of Peace or Happinesse which as a Promise from the True God ought to be embraced by the Sonâ— of men which the Scriptures of the Old and new Testament do not make mention of and very fairly and fully declare Therefore the Scriptures are an infallible Teacher c. 4. Because there is no man nor Spirit or Light within any Man in this world that can declare any Punishment which God wil inflict upon sinners for their disobedience which the Scripture speaketh not of and very fully declares Therefore the Scriptures are an infallible Teacher c. 5. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man c. can prove any act or deed which the Scripture calls an act of Righteousness to be an act or deed of Wickedness Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 6. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man can prove any act or deed which the Scriptures call an act of Wickedness to be an act or deed of Righteousness Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 7. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man c. can prove any Promise which is made in Scripture to be false or that it shall not be made good according to the condition thereof to those to whom it is made Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 8. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man c. can prove that any of the Threatnings expressed in the Scriptures against the workers of iniquity are either unreasonable or false or that they are not according to the minde of God or shall not come to pass Therefore the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are an infallible Teacher c. The Word of God therefore expressed in the Scriptures of Truth concerning his Commandments his Promises his threatings is very far in Authority and clearness beyond any Spirit or Light in any mortal man in the world therefore I conclude they are above all mens books words or Doctrine an infallible Teacher such as are able to make wise unto Salvation through faith in Christ Jesus being given by inspiration of God and are profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. Search the Scriptures therefore saith the Lord Jesus Christ for they are they which testifie of me Joh. 5. 39. To the Law and to the Testimony saith the Prophet if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no Light in them Isai 10. 20. Sect. 6 To the foregoing grounds I will add two other whereby the Light and power of the Doctrine of the Scriptures is further manifested and so conclude The first of which is taken from Ephes 5 13. Whatsoever saith the Apostle doth make manifest is Light now the Scriptures doth make manifest the mystery which was kept secret since the world began which according to the Commandment of the everlasting God is by the Doctrine of the Apostles made known to all Nations for the obedience of faith therefore according to Pauls Doctrine the Scripture is Light for by it is the way of Salvation manifest See Rom. 16. 25 26. Rom 15 4 2 Pet. 3. 1 2. The Apostle Peter also teacheth the same Doctrine for after he had declared what they which were with Christ in the Mount had seen and heard he tells us that we have a more sure word of prophesie or of the Prophets whereunto ye do well saith he that ye take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day star arise in our hearts that is as hath been already shewed until the Resurrection of the dead and coming of Christ from heaven with his mighty Angels c. Now we know that a shining Light in a dark place is of great use of such concernment is the Doctrine of the Scriptures as the Prophet Teacheth The Commandment of the Lord is pure saith the Prophet Enlightening the eyes Psal 19. 8 9. Thy word is a Lamp unto my feet saith he and a light unto my paths Oh! of what blessed concernment are the Scriptures of Truth to direct in the way of the Lord unto which sure word of Prophecie or of the Prophets and Apostles of Jesus Christ we shall do well if we take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place remembring this first that no Prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation for the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit They are not therefore of private or particular interpretation as though
any one writing against what I charge thee with that is filled with revilings that doth give railing language and put things off with lies c. I shall only receive a sober Antagonist or else expect your renouncing your Errors repenting believing and obeying the Gospel Joseph Wright A TESTIMONY For the Son of Man and against the Son of Perdition CHAP. I. Wherein it is laid to the charge of those that Preach up the Light within all men That they do deny Jesus Christ which is proved by their making no mention of his death for the sins of the world by their not gathering Men and Women into fellowship with him by Faith by their setting up Works for Justification and by their neglect of Self-denial against which is testified the Faith of Gods Elect concerning the Person of Christ his Death and Resurrection and Reconciliation thereby with Faith therein for Righteousness Sanctification and Self-denial Sect. 1 1. THE first thing that I lay to thy chargeâ— whosoever thou art that Preachest up the Light within all men requiring all People to mind the Light which is within them is this That thou doest deny that Christ which dyed at Jerusalem out of every person of man but his own in so doing denyest Jesus Christ come in the flesh and thy spirit is the spirit of Antichrist notwithstanding all thy pretended zeal c. which I prove against thee as followeth Sect. 2 First Because in all thy Preaching Teaching and Declaring thou never makes mention of Christs dying for the sins of the World nor that he tasted death for every man thou art altogether silent in this Doctrine of Christs dying for man in the body of his flesh and out of all other men to Redeem man unto God and to save him from his sins which ought to be taught and preached first of all to sinners and unbelievers to beget Faith in them and Repentance unto life 1 Cor. 15. 3. and 4. But thou dost altogether press every Man and Woman to look to the Light within them telling them that that will shew them all sin and iniquity and will lead them out of it and eternally save them if they be guided by it Sect. 3 Secondly Because as is thy word of mouth even so is thy writings for amongst them all and in them all theâ—e is not one line which teacheth that Christ did die for the sins of the world and freely laid down his life as a ransome for sinners or offered himself a Sacrifice to God upon that Cross on which he was crucified at Jerusalem in his own body and out of every man else thereby to reconcile both Jew and Gentile unto God by his own blood shed in his own body Ephes 2. 13 16. Col. 1. 20 21. which is such a truth of such concernment that whoso preaches it not doth not preach the Gospel of Christ nor lay the foundation which is the true and pretious Corner-stone yea the foundation of all Generations that shall be saved For no other foundation can any man lay than that which is laid even Jesus Christ and him crucified the just dying for the unjust that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickned by the Spirit 1 Pet. 3. 18. who his own self bore our sins in his own body on the Tree that we being dead to sin should live unto Righteousness by whose stripes onely we can be healed 1 Pet. 2. 24. Sect. 4 Thirdly Because thou dost not gather men and women into communion with Christ by Faith teaching them to believe in Jesus Christ him crucified out of them and in his own body for their sins and iniquities by which Faith every true Believer being justified hath Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom as the Apostle teacheth Rom. 5. 1 2. We have access by Faith into this Grace wherein we stand and rejoice in Hope of the glory of God see Rom. 4. 16. Rom. 11. 6. 2 Cor. 1. 24. But on the contrary thou gatherest by Works never questioning whether thy Proselytes believe in Christ that dyed at Jerusalem by whose Death and Resurrection Believers do receive Reconciliation and Justification I say by Works thou gatherest and not by Faith warning all people to look to the Light within them and they which own this thy Doctrine and walk and work according to it thou ownest and none but such nor takest to be such as are either taught or gathered by thee the which thou receivest although as touching the Faith in Christ Jesus they are as ignoranr as Heathens and are absolute Infidels which I have proved many a time by Discourse with thy followers Therefore in that thou gatherest by Works and not by Faith making them Heirs which are onely Workers and not Believers thou makest Faith void and the Promise to them which do believe of none effect Rom. 4. 14. by which it is evident that thou gatherest not in the Name of Christ nor with Christ and therefore art no true and right Gatherer but a scatterer abroad thou art not with Christ but against him and art led by the spirit of Antichrist Sect. 5 But in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ which died at Jerusalem I affirm against thee that there is no Salvation in any other but in Jesus Christ and him crucified for the sins of the world and that by the merit of his Death and by the power of his Resurrection done and acted out of every other man and in his own Person is Justification and Salvation to be obtained through Faith Rom. 5. 10. For there was a necessity that Christ should suffer and rise again the third day for the Justification of all them that believe in him Luke 24. from ver 22. to 48. And they which do not know this know nothing at all as even Caiaphas the high Priest doth declare as it is written John 11. 49. c. And one of them named Caiaphas being high Priest that same year said unto them Ye know nothing at all nor consider that it is expedient for us that one man should dye for tho People and that the whole Nation perish not and this he spake not of himself buâ— being high Priest that year he Prophesieâ— that Iesus stould dye for that Nation anâ— not for that Nation onely but also that hâ— should gather together in one the Children of God that were scattered abroad Behold how ignorant they are that know not thaâ— Jesus Christ ought to suffer death for the People which else had all perished and had all remained scattered had not he gathered together in one the Children of God that were scattered abroad as verse 50 51 52. The loyal high Priest did Prophesie much better than these pretended Preachers up of the Light within c. Sect. 6 But as no sin could be done away without shedding of blood and death really and visibly Heb. 9. 15 22. and 10. 10. So that it is no
of Wheat which is raised and brought forth doth not arise out of other Grain but doth absolutely and truly arise out of that very Seed and by the Power of God groweth out of that very Kernel which was sown even so shall it be in the Resurrection from the Dead the Natural and Visible Bodies of those that believe in Christ although they shall not be raised as they are sown viz. vile corruptible natural weak and dishonourable yet nevertheless they shall be raised and though God will give a Body as it pleaseth him clothed with incorruptibility yet he will give to every Seed his own body 1 Cor. 15. 38. and they shall be raised again without all deformity and clothed upon with their house which is from Heaven yea their vile Bodies shall be made like the glorious Body of Christ even a Spiritual Body which Spiritual Body shall arise out of that Natural Body which doth die and is laid in the Ground even as Grain doth arise out of that very Grain which was sown being the same in substance when raised as when sown only raised in a glorious condition sown in a weak and dishonourable And as the Grain doth all arise and leaves not one jot of it self in the ground even so there shall not be left one jot of whatsoever goes to the making up this Body compleat and every way a perfect man but it shall be raised wholly and fully as it is written 1 Cor. 15. 35 36 37 38 42 43 44. Sect. 10 And that all Believers may be fully assured that their vile Bodies shall be changed and fashioned like the glorious Body of Christ according to the working whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself Phil. 3. 20 21. The Apostle doth unfold this Mystery 1 Cor. 15. 51 52 53 54 55. Behold saith he I shall shew you a Mystery We shall not all Sleep but we shall all be Changed in a moment at the twinkling of an eye at the last Trump for the Trumpet shall sound and the Dead viz. in Christ 1 Thes 4. 16 17. such as lye in the visible Earth shall be raised incorruptible and we viz. the faithful that are alive and remain in this corrupt mortal estate unto that time shall then be changed for this corruptible must put on incorruption and this Mortal must put on Immortality so when this Corruptible shall have put on Incorruption and this Mortal shall have put on Immortality then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written Death is swallowed up in Victory O Death Where is thy Sting O Grave Where is thy Victory The Sting of Death is Sin and the Strength of Sin is the Law but thanks be to God which giveth us the Victory through our Lord Jesus Christ Thus is the Resurrection and Change of all Believers from Death to Life from Corruptible to Incorruption from Mortal to Immortality by the blessed Apostle both Vindicated and Unfolded that every faithful Man and Woman may know that although the Wages of sin is Death yet the Gift of God is eternal Life through Iesus Christ Rom. 6. 28. which God will give unto them all at one and the same time even at the coming of Christ that according to the Word of Truth 1 Thess 4. 15. These that remain unto the coming of the Lord may not prevent them which are asleep in him but although the Lords Labourers are called to work in his Vinyard at the several Hours of the Day of his Grace yet they all shall have their reward together at the Evening Matth. 20. 8. For God hath provided so well for the Faithful of this last Age that though many in former Ages have obtained a good Report through Faith yet shall not they without these be made perfect Heb 11. 39 40. Sect. 11 And although the Preachers up 〈◊〉 the Light within all men do boast of Perfection which they imagine that some of them do attain unto in this life yet it is evident by the Scriptures of Truth that the Perfection in Glory which is promised to the Faithful and the Perfection in Holiness unto which they are exhorted is not attained unto but only in part until the bodies of those that beleeve in Christ the second Adam are raised from the Grave and changed from the corruption whereinto they are fallen by the offence of the first Adam Rom 5. 15 For although in this Life those that believe in Christ are through the Rich Mercy of God even when they were dead in Sins quickened together with Christ Ephes 2. 5. and so renewed in the Spirit of their Mind Ephes 4. 23. that with the Minde they serve the Law of God Rom. 7. 24. Yet alas this Perfection is but in part Paul himself who had attained to so great a Portion of Grace that by the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus he was made free from the Law of Sin and Death Rom. 8. 2. and though together with this Freedom from Guilt and liablenesse to Punishment for Sin he was so set free from the Dominion of Sin being not under the Law but under Grace Rom. 6. 14. that he did delight in the Law of God after the Inward Man yet notwithstanding he found another Law in his Members which warring against the Law of his Mind brought him into Captivity to the Law of Sin in his Members Rom. 7. 22 23. So that though he had hope of Deliverance from this his Enemy the Flesh which lusteth against the Spirit Gal. 5. 17. and for his comfort had obtained the Gift of God The Holy Spirit as a help to him to war a good warfare and as the Earnest of his Inheritance Ephes 1. 13 14. which is to be enjoyed at the Redemption or Deliverance of the purchased Possession yet for the present such was his Condition that as himself testifieth Rom. 7. 23. So then saith he With the Mind I my self serve the Law of God but with my Flesh the Law of Sin So that although this Renovation of the Spirit of the Mind by the Assistance of the Holy Spirit whereby a Believer knows himself to be a Son of God by Adoption and is inabled to cry Abba Father Rom. 8. 16. be the earnest of the Inheritance a Rising with Christ through the Faith of the Operation of God who raised him from the Dead to the obtaining Forgivenesse of all Trespasses Col. 2. 12 13. yet this is not the Resurrection from the Dead nor the State of Perfection which the Faithfull unto death shall obtain as the same Apostle testifies 2 Tim. 4. 7. I have fought a good fight saith he I have finished my Course I have kept the Faith henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of Righteousnesse which the Lord the Righteous Judg shall give me at that Day and not to me only but unto all them also that loves his appearing For the obtaining whereof his great Desire was while he enjoyed but the
his Disobedience against God and his Holy will revealed in his Testament the Scriptures of Truth suggesting unto the Workers of Wickedness That after Death they shall be hid in the Grave from coming forth from thence to judgment Therefore the Doctors of Antichrist do deny Jesus Christ which dyed at Jerusalem they deny both the Father and the Son they deny the Resurrection of Christ they hate and despise his Ordinances oppose and revile his People they sin and transgress without stay until they dye in Unbelief thinking that there shall be no Resurrection of their Bodies out of the Earth but that the Grave shall be a hiding-place to shelter them from the Judgment of the Great Day But thus saith the Truth There is no Darkness nor Shadow of Death where the workers of Iniquity may hide themselves Job 34. 22. Sect. 16 But Sathan that he might perswade his Servants to go on securely in their Disobedience against God and to yield up themselves wholly to the Counsel of the Prince of Darkness to strengthen them hereunto doth suggest unto them that there is no such things to be expected as those which the Faithfull in all Ages have looked for viz. The coming of Christ to judgment and the end of the World Yet lest a positive denyal of these Glorious Truths should discover from what Spirit that Denial doth proceed he hath taught his Ministers to hide their Designe and to make as if they opposed not the things themselves but only some such manner of accomplishment of them as is not promised They call all such carnal as look and wait for the coming of Christ from Heaven out of them they pronounce Woes upon such as say That Christ is not yet come to judgment and that the World is not yet ended But why is it but because they look for no such thing nor have they assurance of Peace in that day They boast that Christ is come to them neither look they for any other coming That the World is ended with them neither look they for any other end That the Judgment is past with them neither look they for any other Judgment But why is all this but because they do deny that which is indeed the coming of Christ in glory the everlasting inheritance of the Saints the judgment of Christ upon his Enemies and the end of the World when the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the Works that are therein shall be burnt up For as testifieth the Apostle The Heavens and the Earth which are now by the same Word of God are kept in store reserved unto fire against the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly See 1 Thess 1. 6 7 8 9 10. men 2 Pet. 3. 7 10. Who seeth not except those whose eyes the God of this World hath blinded that they that now call themselves Preachers of and to the Light within all men are the Scoffers that the Apostle Peter said should come in the last times walking after their own Lusts and saying Where is the Promise of his coming 2 Pet. 3. 3 4. yea the great Prophet the Lord Jesus Christ hath foretold of these Seducers and Deceivers as other the Lords Prophets also have done saying There shall arise False Christs and False Prophets which shall shew great signes and wonders to deceive if it be possible the very Elect But that the Chosen of God may be preserved from the Deceits of this great Antichrist Christ hath foretold with what Lyes the Truth of his coming should by Satan and his Instruments be opposed and hath also so described the manner of his coming that all that believe on his Name may know assuredly as the True Christ from the False so his true coming from a pretended coming which the False Christs and False Prophets shall avouch for the True Christ and his True coming with these words Behold he is in the Desart behold he is in the secret Chamber see here see there Matth. 24. 23 24 25 26. all which the Lord warns his Disciples neither to go after follow or believe and withal gives such a Description of the manner of his coming as is altogether inconsistent with the false Christs and false Prophets Description which intimates That Christs coming which his Saints know shall be glorious and therefore publick shall be and is so private weak and dishonourable that some shall not know that he is come till they shew where he is with their Behold he is in the Desart behold he is in the Secret Chamber see here or see there for saith Christ As the Lightening that lighteneth out of the one part under Heaven shineth to the other part under Heaven so also shall the Son of man be in his day Luke 17. 23. or according to Matthew as the lightening cometh out of the East and shineth even unto the West so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be Matt. 24. 26 27. In which words four things are laied down to vindicate the great and glorious coming of Christ 1. That he will absolutely come as doth the Lightening Who can deny the coming of the Lightening It is as absolute and certain that Christ will come though some do both deny and oppose it but Christ will come certainly and absolutely as is testified by Christ himself and his Apostles in the Scriptures Immediately saith he after the Tribulation of those dayes shall the Sun be darkened and the Moon shall not give her Light and the Starrs shall fall from Heaven and the Powers of the Heaven shall be shaken and then shall appear the signe of the Son of man in Heaven and then shall all the Tribes of the Earth mourn and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and great glory Mat. 24. 29 30. For the Lord himself saith Paul shall descend from Heaven with ashout with the voice of the Arch Angel and with the Trump of God c. 1 Thes 4. 15 16. For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Heb. 10. 37. He saith John that testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen even so come Lord Jesus Revel 22. 20. Thus it is evident that Christ will certainly come But 2. He will come suddainly as the Lightening cometh as the Lightening cometh suddainly and unexpectedly so also will Christ especially to those that oppose and deny his coming as the Scripture witnesseth But of that Day and Hour saith Christ knoweth no man no not the Angels of Heaven but my Father only but as the dayes of Noah were so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be For in the dayes that were before the flood they were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entred into the Ark and knew not untill the Floud came and took them all away so shall also