Doctrine of Devils to Preach That Men shall have Sin and not overcome it while on Earth but Sin is the work of the Devil and Christ is manifest to destroy it 1 John 3. Therefore c. 'T is the Devils work to lead into Sin but 't is Christ's work to lead out of it Christ's Ministers are sent to turn People from Satan's Power to God's Power consequently from Satan's work and service they are the Devil's Ministers who Preach up Sin to continue term of Life and that it shall not be overcome nor perfect Sanctification obtain'd during life which therefore tends to keep People in Unbelief of Christ's Power and Work 13th Instance or Charge of Blasphemy p. 7. And Will. Penn in his Truth Exalted Re-Printed 1671. Laughs at the Church of England Men for confessing themselves Sinners and praying to God for Mercy Alas poor Souls saith he are not you at Have Mercy upon us miserable Sinners there is no Health in us from Seven to Seventy Obs Alas poor Sinners is not a sign of Laughter at them but rather of Lamentation and Pity over their miserable State who are always confessing but not forsaking their Sins You may see what Proofs of Blasphemy these Men produce against us 14th Instance or Charge p. 7. And Edw. Burroughs p. 33. saith That God doth not accept any where there is any Failing all who do not fulfill the Law and Answer every Demand of Justice Though none are accepted in any Act of Injustice or Omission of real Duty required yet coming under Judgment for the same and repenting thereof as they ought to do they obtain Mercy and Forgiveness of God for Christ's sake whose Grace though it Pardons Sins past through Faith and Repentance yet does not Indulge or Justifie any in their Continuance in Sin nor in wilful Sinning after Conviction Obs His meaning is First God doth not accept them in their Failing in Duty and in their not doing what 's Just as when some complain their best Duties are sinful and they do not answer or obey Truth in their Actions For our Acceptance is in Christ the Beloved and not out of Him 2. If Men seek acceptance by their own Legal Performances they fall short See James 2.10 But these Adversaries have unjustly left out the fore-going Words in their Quotation viz. But those that love God keep his Commandments and they are not grievous And these left out within the same Period Now doth God accept of any that do not love Him who do Injustice and Iniquity Now these Adversaries having opposed the Vrim and Thummim Light and Perfection Typified in the Brest-plate of Judgment Exod. 28.30 as testified and witnessed in the Gospel-Dispensation they proceed to other Charges to prove the People called Quakers Blasphemous in Principle 15th Charge p. 8. In Truth defending the Quakers written from the Spirit of Truth in G. W. and G. F. Jun. Printed 1659. p. 7. The Question being put Whether the Quakers did esteem their Speakings to be of as great Authority as any Chapter in the Bible 'T is Answered That which is spoken from the Spirit of Truth In any is of as great Authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are and greater Observe Here they have unjustly quoted G. W. c. leaving out the Annexed Explanatory Words which are within the same Period viz. As Christ's Words were of greater Authority when He Spoke than the Pharisees reading the Letter and they in whom that Spirit speaks not are out of the Authority of the Scriptures and their Speaking we deny Thus far the Answer Note here that the Comparison is not plac'd upon our Speakings nor yet the Authority distinct from the Spirit of Truth but upon the Spirit of Truth speaking in Man in the first place and through and by the Ministers thereof in the next place And surely the Spirit has not lost his own Authority or Power since it first gave out the Holy Scriptures In the next place that the Spirit of Truth immediately Ministring In Man or by any Spiritual Minister is of greater Authority Power or Efficacy than the Chapters are simply considered as without the Spirit And as to the Division of Chapters and Verses can these Men say That was done by Divine Authority I suppose not Yet we sincerely still acknowledge the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be of Divine Authority as given by Divine Inspiration and prefer them before and above all other Writings or Books and in no wise question the Truth of them But we must needs allow the Holy Spirit from whence they came the Preference and its Immediate Teaching and Speaking in the Soul as of greater Efficacy Power and Authority to that Soul than the bare Writing or Scripture without or only reading thereof though it contain the same Words immediately taught And so Christ and his Apostles living and powerful Preaching in and from the Powerful Motion of the Holy Spirit as being of greater Efficacy Power and Authority than the outward Writing or Scripture it self simply or abstractly considered as distinct from that Spirit Though the Words Preached and the Words Written may be the same As when Christ had opened the Scriptures unto his Disciples they said one to another Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us by the way and while he opened to us the Scriptures which concerned his Suffering and entering into his Glory Luke 24.32 But how many by reading Christ's Words and Exposition of the Prophets without his Spirit do ever cause Peoples Hearts so to burn within them The Gospel as livingly Preached came not in Words only but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost 1 Thes 1.5 For the real Authority Efficacy and Service the Holy Scripture has upon a Soul is from the Holy Spirit or Word of Life giving the true Belief and right Understanding thereof As Answered in my Treatise Intituled The Christianity of the People called Quakers Vindicated in Answer to Doctor Ford p. 13. And in Christ's Lambs Defended to the Reader p. 7. Their Inference in the Margent That they i.e. the Quakers have immediate Revelations equal with the Prophets and Apostles Is not truly inferred for we may have Immediate Revelation from the same Spirit yet not in the same Degree There are manifold Gifts Openings and Discoveries given by the Holy Spirit and yet some above and excelling others And so there are many Testimonies and Writings proceeding and given forth from the same Spirit yet some far excelling others as there are many Varieties in God's Creation And it ever was and is far from me to prefer any of our Books or Writings how true soever to the Holy Scripture or Bible 16th Charge p. 8. G. F. Gr. Myst p. 242. tells us that the Priest saith That the Apostles were Eye-witnesses and understood by immediate Revelation from God Inspired with the Gift of the Spirit more than any Man could hope for since and saith They do not pretend
And what Prophecies are for Christ's Kingdom or the Government of the Lamb This we must own and that He shall Rule the Nations and He shall Rule in the midst of his Enemies and that the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdoms of God and of His Christ These and such like the Holy Scriptures do expresly warrant and testifie And to G. F's saying That the Quakers are in the Power of God and in the Authority of the Lamb above all Houses and into Houses creep not but are upon the Throne Gr. Myst p. 31. He meant Spiritually no doubt and not Literally for they are not upon an outward Throne They that suffer with Christ shall Reign with Him as Kings and Priests upon Earth though their Kingdom be not of this World And it is testified That HE God with-draweth not his Eyes from the Righteous but with Kings are they on the Throne yea He doth establish them for ever and they are exalted Job 36.7 Again these Adversaries charge G. W. and G. F. Junior out of Truth Defending the Quakers Printed 1659. p. 9 10. with Answering That the Magistrate that is sent of God he receives the Law from the Mouth of God and he is the Prophet whom Moses spoke of Deut. 18.18 We are very wrongfully quoted in this place for our Words are The Magistrate that is sent of God and is his Minister he receives the Law at the Mouth of God and hears the Prophet whom Moses said the People should hear in all things Deut. 18.18 Acts 3.22 And what Sedition are in these Words Pray or Blasphemy either seeing He that Rules over Men must be just ruling in the fear of God 2 Sam. 23.3 And Divine Wisdom which is confest to be the Eternal Son of God saith By me Kings reign and Princes decree Justice Prov. 8. Must they not then receive Wisdom and Counsel from Him who is the Wisdom and Power of God And if his People must hear him in All things how shall Matters of Just Government be excepted As to what these Men quote against us in their sixteenth Page to prove us the aforesaid People Anti-Monarchical they are very broken in their Quotations with their many senseless Dashes like the Snake in the Grass Second Edition p. 220. but varying in the Citation of the same Passage These Men have the Words Are not all these Elders that will dote so much of an Earthly King But the Snake has it Are not all these Christians that will dote so much c. And both leaving out what may more plainly import the Intent of the Author And yet by what 's so abruptly quoted his meaning may be understood As some then doting so much on an Earthly King to rule over them as Christians he meant no other but such Earthly Kings as were persecuting Kings as he mentions Herod the King who was mad at the Child Jesus such Earthly Kings as would rule over Men's Consciences such as the Gentiles set up and such corrupt and wicked Kings as the Holy Prophets prophesied against as David Isaiah Ezekiel and others did see Psal 2.2 Psal 107.40 Job 12.21 Isa 63.3 6. Jer. 44.9 It 's said in Isaiah 24.21 And it shall come to pass in that day that the Lord shall punish the Host of the high Ones and the Kings of the Earth upon the Earth see also vers 22. and Isai 30.33 Tophet is ordained of old yea for the King it is prepared c. Yet these Prophets were for Good Kings and Righteous Government and such Kings were foretold of who should be nursing-Fathers and Queens nursing-Mothers Isai 49.23 therefore these were not Anti-monarchical without exception And I am persuaded G. F. never intended to reflect upon any good Kings or such as were against Persecution and Oppression but against such as he compares to Herod who was mad at the Child Jesus And we have known him speak well and give good commendation of our present King with respect to his Moderation and Tenderness and the Liberty of Conscience in Religious Worship owned and granted by him When Christ told his Disciples The Princes of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them but it shall not be so among you Matt. 20.25 26. was he therefore an Enemy to Caesar as he was accused No sure he did not thereby preach Sedition against Caesar or the Kings of the Gentiles nor dissuade the Christians from their due subjection unto them We may further observe that those Kings of the Earth and those Great and Mighty Men and Chief Captains c. who have incurred the wrath of God and of the Lamb so as to hide themselves in Dens and in the Rocks of the Mountains and to call to the Mountains and Rocks to fall on them and hide them from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. Rev. 6.15 These no doubt were wicked Kings who were concern'd in this Prophesie But there 's another Prophesie which bespeaks a Great Reformation among the Nations And the Kings of the Earth when the Nations of them that are saved shall walk in the Light of the Holy City of God and the Kings of the Earth bring their Glory and Honour into it Rev. 21.24 26. Therefore all Kings are not condemnable as the wicked are We have been accused to be one while against another while for Kingly Government particularly in a Scandalous Libel stiled A Letter to the Quakers and also in the Snake in the Grass to which the following Answer was given which may now serve for a General Answer to these Adversaries viz. The first part of the Charge is false as 't is charged on us For tho' it 's true that some were rather in their judgments for a Common-wealth duly qualified for the Ease and Liberty of the People than such a Monarchy that might as they supposed be oppressive and persecuting for Conscience yet not against such a Monarchy as is justly qualified for the Good of the People under which they might enjoy their Liberties and Properties as Men and Christians such Monarchy and Common-wealth being not inconsistent as to the good Ends of Government i. e. Salus Populi in true Liberty and Property And it 's evident the Common-wealth or Weal of England is consistent with and allowed by Monarchy But many honest Men were in their judgments rather for such a Common-wealth-Government than an Oppressive Persecuting Monarchy And what then Did they sin against God therein No Did they offend against Man or any Humane Laws thereby They are pardoned by divers Acts of Indemnity which those Libellizing Informers manifestly violate by upbraiding them now in such Matters of State and Government Pray let this be observed And to obviate further Objections of Prejudice in this Case set Case some of our Friends in former days expressed their Respect to a Republick rather than a Monarchy then when they feared it would prove more burthensome and yet as Christians quietly
this Age is greater suffering and more unjust than in the Days of Christ or of the Apostles or in any time since here they leave out Queen Mary 's Days brought not forth a Suffering more Cruel in many respects as doth appear Now tho' I may not undertake to Vindicate all those Expressions or the next following yet the words In many Respects which these Men have left out do so far help the matter and explain his meaning and intention as not to compare the then Sufferings of the Lord's People in every respect or in all respects to the Sufferings in the Days of Christ or his Apostles or in Queen Mary's Days but in many respects And those Respects E. B. partly explains in the same and in the next Paragraph viz. As First The Martyrs in Queen Mary's days had more just Examination and Prosecution in Law than the People of God have now for now some of the Magistrates in England cast Men into Prison and confine them and cause their Goods to be spoiled without any Law or the due Execution of a Law Secondly Herein it doth appear to exceed the Suffering of the Saints in former Age in that many Suffer now cruel Things about Trivial Foolish Matters as for not putting off the Hat or for Theeing i. e. Thouing Men and also for denying Swearing We do not read that the worst of Tyrants in the Apostles Days or before or since ever caused any to suffer for Such things as these or ever questioned any upon such small Accounts for Hundreds have suffered upon Suspicion when nothing at all can be charged against them And this is contrary to Magna Charta And in many other respects which might be named this suffering is greater than hath been in any Age. Thus E. B. explains himself And further to shew the greater Injustice of such Persecution under the then Common Wealth in 1657. he gives this Reason Because Liberty of Conscience in the Exercise of Religion was never so much promised and professed as in this Nation at this day and yet for the Exercise of a pure Conscience many are Woful Sufferers even by such who in words profess Liberty of Conscience themselves c. This was under the Common Wealth 's Government in 1657. And as to the following quoted against E. B. viz. What was done to Christ or the Apostles was chiefly done by a Law and in a great part by the due Execution of a Law c. Now according to E. B's own Explication his words should run thus viz. The Suffering of the People of God in many respects in this Age is greater and more Extraordinarily Arbitrary than in the days of Christ or his Apostles and more Vnjust that is on their parts who professed Liberty of Conscience and knew better than the Ignorant Persecutors in the days of Christ and his Apostles For E. B. in 1657. and in p. 337. tells them then of the People of God being persecuted by many of the Rulers Priests and People sent to Prison and Banish'd out of Towns and Whipt and Beaten scorn'd and revil'd that the same things were done to the Apostles and to the Servants of the Lord which saith he are now done unto the People of God c. So that the one was as unjust in it self as the other I confess tho' E. B. was a Man truly inspired with the Spirit of God and of Prophesie and endued with Heavenly Gifts above many of his Years being but a Young Man yet he was not so skilled in Law-terms as to express himself therein altogether free from Exception For instead of due Execution it should rather have been by a Regular or Judicial Procedure he intending as to Form or Order of Law tho' the sufferings of the People of God both in the days of Christ and his Apostles and in Queen Mary's were very unjustly inflicted upon them and with far greater Barbarities and Cruelties unto Death than in the Common-wealth's days in Old England But in New England some were cruelly Whipt and others unjustly put to Death And in the Vallies of Piedmont in 1655. Morland's History gives account in the Year 1658. of the Lamentable Cruelties Barbarities and Tortures many of those People suffered unto death But as to this said Charge against E. B. I have sufficiently answered and clear'd the matter as on our parts and sufferings over and over to F. Bugg as in the Quakers Vindication against Bugg 's Calumnies in one Sheet p. 2. and my Sober Expostulation p. 63 64 65 66. But instead of taking any Serious Notice thereof he frequently repeats the same Charge with his Additions Scoffs and Perversions As in his Postscript subjoned to these Three Norfolk-Priests Brief Discovery p. 28. he has a fling at us about it after his flouting fallacious way of writing in these words This your Prophet and Son of Thunder in his Works p. 273. tells the World that the sufferings of the Quakers are greater yea and more unjust too than the sufferings in the days of Christ his Apostles and Martyrs yea all the Ten Persecutions by your Doctrine were nothing to the Quakers sufferings Now what a notorious and horrid Lie and Perversion this is upon us F. B. himself cannot be ignorant how I have answered him two or three times over to the contrary in this point To their quoting Jos Wyeth in his Primitive Christianity p. 6. asserting Our Principles are now no other than what they were when we were first a People for Truth changes not And also for Conclusion they quote G. Whitehead in his Brief Remarks on T. C's Book annext to the Counterfeit Convert Printed 1694. p. 72. saying I may see cause otherwise to word the matter and yet our Intentions be the same To the first I say These Men have not convicted us of any such Change of our Principles from what they were when first we were a People as they would insinuate as if we were changed to such Confessions of Faith as seem much more agreeable to the Word of God and more Conformable to the Church of England than formerly as in their Margent p. 26 27. And yet these Men do now more hidiously exclaim against us as blasphemous and seditious than ever they did before Now when in their Esteem we are far more Orthodox than at first in our Principles But they will needs have it that they have just Cause to distrust these our Professions as being design'd to serve a Turn because we are far from disowning our ancient Books as they say in which these Blasphemies are contained Margent Note p. 27. So they conclude all Blasphemies they have quoted out of our Books against us but we want Proof still of this great and loud Charge And they have given no clear Definition of our Principles nor distinguish'd Principles from the Circumstance of Words Expressions and Arguments which may be variously given in defence of the same Principles But which is worse give their partial
one like a Conjurer c. quoted against G. W. and other Quakers as they say in their Book Intituled Ishmael and his Mother cast out As to this Quotation though not truly taken yet as the Words are in the said Ishmael c. quoted G. Whitehead hath positively disown'd the Words and affirms They are none of his and that he writ not that part of the Answer to Townsend which was in the Year 1654. and that he neither shall stand by nor own these Words and that after he saw them in Print he was sorry his Name was to that Paper without distinction between what he writ and what he did not write in it wherein the Words are which gave the Occasion and which appear too Rash and Irreverent either to Vindicate Solid Truth or oppose any wrong Notion For a more full account of G. Whitehead's Innocency and Clearness in this very Matter he refers the Reader to his Answer to Dr. Forde Intituled The Christianity of the People commonly called Quakers Printed 1690. p. 28. Now pray observe That in the Vnity of the Godhead there is the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost being those Divine Three Witnessing in Heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Spirit and that those Three are One of one Substance Power and Eternity As we have not denied but confess'd this Doctrine herein we don't disagree II. Concerning Christ our Blessed Lord. 4. That the outward Person which Suffer'd was properly the Son of God we utterly deny against W. P's Serious Apology p. 246. Here I take him to mean the Son of God in respect to his Divine Being as He is of One Substance with the Father which his Body that Suffered Death was not Though He was truly the Son of God as He took upon Him that Body and as made of a Woman Gal. 4.4 Being conceived by the Holy Ghost and born of the Virgin Mary Take W. P's own Explication in the same Page and Paragraph which is unfairly left out where he plainly confesseth That He that laid down his Life and suffered his Body to be Crucified by the Jews without the Gates of Jerusalem is Christ the only Son of the Most High God c. one with the Father and of a Nature Eternal c. These Words our Adversaries leave out 5. Your Imagined God beyond the Stars and your Carnal Christ is utterly denied c. Here they quote Sword of the Lord drawn p. 5. By C. A. Which Book I have not but these Words are denied as well as the Person that writ them as Offensive and as neither proper to the true Christ or Omni-present God who therefore is not an imagined God nor is the true Christ a Carnal Christ but a Spiritual and Most Glorious Christ See Antidote against the Venom of the Snake in the Grass p. 145. 6. The Devil was in thee thou sayst thou art Saved by Christ without thee and so hast recorded thy self a Reprobate Against Great Mystery p. 250. Which was because this Adversary was Ignorant of the Mystery of Christ within him as the Words there follow which are unjustly left out For instead of owning the Mystery of Christ within the Adversary in the place quoted pleads the Continuance of Sin in the Saints for their Humiliation Gr. Myst p. 250. 7. What was his Christ's Person being mean and contemptible to them his Disciples more than another Person Against Will Bailey's Works p. 307. The Parenthesis is wrong placed here to pervert the Sense 't is thus in the Book quoted viz. They loved his Person for the sake of the Frame and Quality of the Spirit that dwelt in Him or else what was his Person being mean and contemptible to them more than another Person but for that which dwelt in him they loved him let none mistake I do not slight it c. So that by this his Person was more than any other i. e. more excellent though made very low by Suffering 8. That Finite and Impotent Creature Speaking of Christ Here they quote Sandy Foundation p. 20. Which is a shameful Abuse and Lie he speaks not a Word of Christ in that Paragraph but of the Finite and Impotent Creature in general as being capable of Forgiving Injuries done him which the Notion of an Adequate and Rigid Satisfaction allows not God 9. The Sufferings of the People of God Quakers c. Quakers is added and the Subsequent Matter Answered before 10. The Blood of Christ was no more than the Blood of another Saint Quoted against S. E's Letter Not warrantable Expressions and disown'd in the said Antidote p. 223 224 225. Where the Benefit of Christ's Blood is truly confessed Their Charge against W. P. about Christ's Co-essentiality and Co-eternity with the Father of his being made Man c. p. 4. Answered by W. P. himself hereafter 11. Christ's coming in the Flesh was but a Figure i. e. a Figure or Type of the Inward Christ or Light within This is quoted against G. Whitehead's Truth Defending the Quakers p. 22. They abuse me still in this it was none of my Assertion That Christ's coming in the Flesh was but a Figure Neither is there such a word in that page quoted but in the Priest's Question p. 20. as before is answered and it is a manifest Forgery upon me that Christ's coming in the Flesh was but a Figure or Type of the Inward Christ or Light within I positively disown these words as a down-right Forgery and Abuse put upon me What a horrid shame is it that any Priests or their Agents should have a hand in presenting the Parliament with such Lies and Abuses 12. One outward thing cannot be the proper Figure or Representation of another The Outward Lamb shews forth the Inward Lamb i. e. The Paschal Lamb was not the Figure or Type of the Outward Christ but of the Light within of which Christ himself was but a Figure This is quoted against W. Penn's Christian Quaker p. 97. Their subsequent Perversion is notorious and as grosly false Tho' it is not the way of the Scripture to teach us as W. P. saith in the page quoted that One outward thing is or can be the proper Figure or Representation of another yet it is a twofold Falshood and Perversion to make it the Quakers Doctrine that the Paschal Lamb was not Figurative or Typical of Christ as without us but of the Light within As also that Christ himself was but a Figure of the Light within These I testifie against as a Two-fold Falshood and Perversion against the Quakers And how will these Men prove that the outward Paschal Lamb was the proper Figure or Representation of Christ's outward Person pray What proper Resemblance had they Was not rather the Lamb in respect of its Innocency a proper Figure of Christ's Innocency as the Lamb of God once Offered for Sin 13. The Quakers see no need of directing Men to the Type for the Anti-type nor yet to Jerusalem either
which Created all things c. Where 's the Blasphemy in all these Surely none feeing God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all 1 John 1.5 The Lord is my Light and my Salvation Psalm 27.1 And there is one God the Father who is above all and through all and in you all Ephes 4.6 And know you not how that Jesus Christ the true Light is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13.5 God who is Light and Christ the Light of the World is so in all as he enlightens all Mankind God who commanded Light to shine out of Darkness hath shined in our Hearts 2 Cor. 4.6 Now it is evident what these Adversaries call Blasphemous is testified in Holy Scripture 3. Charge of Blasphemy p. 3. In Geo. Fox's Book styled The Pearl found in England c. Printed 1658. where speaking in the Person of the Quaker's Light he hath these Passages p. 15 16. I 'll break in Pieces I 'll make Nations like Dirt I 'll tread them into the Mire c. With divers other Prophetical Passages partially pick'd up minced and curtailiz'd and many Lines left out where the dashes are as against Pride Hypocrisie Covetous Practices Hypocrites False Prophets c. All within the Threats and Prophesied against in the Name of the Lamb and Life of God and if truly read agreeable to the Holy Prophets in Scripture Thou shalt crush them with a Scepter of Iron or with a Rod of Iron and break them in Pieces like a Potters Vessel prophesied of the Son of God Psal 2.6 7 8 9. And will not the Lord tread down his Enemies I will Tread them in mine Anger and Trample them in my Fury Isa 63.3 Now is it not great Presumption to deem such Prophesies Blasphemous These words are also quoted and included in their charge of Blasphemy i. e. The Wrath of the Lamb is risen upon all Apostates who are gathered in the Apostacy Apostatiz'd from the Prophet's Life the Apostles Life the Life of the Lamb the Lamb is Risen c. the pure Life of God is Risen c. the Just will Rule the Lamb will have the Victory Woes Woes and Miseries are out-going upon all the Heads of the Wicked What our Hands have Handled and what our Eyes have Seen what was from the Beginning the Word of Life this declare we unto you What a strange Presumption is it that these Men should charge us with Blasphemy for such passages as these which are directly concurring with Holy Scripture Prophecies against the Wicked and for the Lamb's Power Dominion and Judgment against them Apostates and others And for our handling and seeing the Word of Life which was from the Beginning we knowing and sincerely professing the Lord God and the Lamb to be our Light and no other see Isa 14.5 Jer. 21.5 Nahum 1.2 Zeph. 1.14 15. Zech. 7.12 John 3.36 Rom. 1 18. and 2.5 8. 1 Thes 2.16 Rev. 6.16 17. and 14.10 and 15.1.7 and 18.3 See Wo and Woes and to whom Isa 5.8 11. and 18.20 and 10.1 4th Charge of Blasphemy p. 4. Again G. Fox in his Book stiled The Teachers of the World Vnvail'd c. in p. 27. thus saith I am the Light of the World him by whom the World was made if you love the Light with which you are enlightened withall you love Christ who saith Learn of me But if you hate that Light there is your Condemnation from him who is one with the Truth in every Man who of the Lord was moved thus to write whose name of the World is called G. Fox Obs Here are several Lines left out before the last words relating to G. F's name wherein mention is made of what he means that 't was the Light which the Apostles were in Which could not be meant of G. F. himself who was not in the Apostles days nor born into the World until many hundred Years after their days thus perverse and impertinent are these Men in their Charge and Proofs 'T is evident G. F. here speaks in the name of Christ and for him and not of himself or in his own name but of Christ the Light who Enlightneth every Man and who is Lord over all And G. F. writes as his Servant moved by him and therefore 't was very unjust as well as great Envy in these Persons to make this an Instance of the Quakers Blasphemy see John 1.9 and 3.19 5. Their next Charge of Blaspemy against us p. 4. Is viz. And to This another of their Eminent Teachers one of their Prophets says Amen in his Book The Quakers Challenge c. printed 1668. Of G. F. 't is said who is a Prophet indeed and hath been Faithful in the Lord's Business from the Beginning It was said of Christ that he was in the World and the World was made by him and the World knew him not So it may be said of this true Prophet George Fox added whom John said he was not But thou wilt feel this Prophet George Fox again added one day as heavy as a Milstone upon thee And altho' the World knows him not yet he is known p. 5. These words whom John said he was not we disown in that place they are confusedly misplaced And the Author was not one of the most Approved or Eminent among us as falsly represented tho a more Honest and well Intending Man than Skilful in Expression as in this case his Intention ought to be considered He could not intend that the World was made by G. F. as he did after explain himself in Print but by Jesus Christ by whom God Created all things Ephes 3.9 Heb. 1.2 but that the World knew him not he intended relative both to Christ and to his Servant as 't is said of the Sons of God 1 John 3.1 The World knoweth us not because it knew not him As there could be no Blasphemy or Reproach to God or Christ intended in the aforesaid recited Passage so neither can the People call'd Quakers be justly charged therewith That we-may see cause to word some things otherwise than some have and yet mean the same thing is often repeated by F. Bugg and these Persons tho I see no real advantage they get by it against us For suppose any one does unsafely or untelligibly or dubiously word any matter And I find his meaning to be safe and give a true Explication thereof according to the Honest or Innocent meaning of the Author from other passages his meaning therein is agreeable to mine which I safely and sincerely express tho' his words are not altogether the same 6th Charge of Blasphemy Edw. Burroughs In his works p. 149. Has an Answer to this Question is that very Man with that very Body within you Yea or Nay He saith the very Christ of God is within us we dare not deny him Obs To Instance this for a Proof of Blasphemy against us is to Charge the Holy Apostle with Blasphemy 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves
contain'd in them To that other Part of their Charge relating to Difference p. 11. As they make nothing of it against us but only give us a Quotation whether altogether true or not is a Question So I see no advantage they can make of it against us suppose it as it is That if any Difference arise in the Church or among them that profess themselves Members thereof the Church with the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ hath power to determine the same if any pretend to be of us and in case of Controversie will nor admit to be tried by the Church of Christ Jesus nor submit to the Judgment given by the Spirit of Truth c. such to be rejected And what of all this Is there either Blasphemy or Sedition herein How is this pursuant to the Priests Charge in their Title Page Doth not our blessed Lord say concerning the offending Brother if he should neglect to hear the Church let him be unto thee as an Heathen-man and a Publican Mat. 18.17 But first he prescribes a due Order of Procedure towards such an Offender First privately then before Witnesses vers 15 16. And the Apostle severely reprehends one Brother going to Law with another and that before Unbelievers saying Do ye not know that the Saints shall judge the World and if then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this Life set them to judge who are least esteemed in the Church See more at large 1 Cor. 6.1 to v. 9. As to the Story against Sam. Jennings about the proceeding against G. K. in Pennsilvania I question the Truth of it however if these Priests do esteem G. K. such an Eminent or Good Christian and not a Quaker why do they not openly receive him into their Society and Arms of their Church and promote him as well as privately Consult with him and Credit and Accept his Accusations against us It seems they are hard put to it for Aid in their Designs that they must be beholden to such as F. Bugg and G. K. for their Help against the People called Quakers who for many Years were own'd by them for God's Chosen and Peculiar People And G. K. will never be able to obliterate all he has written in their behalf with all his pretended Retractations 24th Charge p. 12. Saul's Errand p. 14. The Question was put to G. F. Whether Christ in the Flesh be a Figure or not and if a Figure how and in what To which he Answers Christ is the Substance of all Figures and his Flesh is a Figure And in Truth Defending the Quakers by G. W. c. p. 20. It is said expresly That Christ's coming in the Flesh is but a Figure Ans I deny that it is so said expresly by G. W. That Christ's coming in the Flesh is but a Figure it is an express Falshood as it seems to Charge me with the Words for they are in the Priest's Question Quest 35. Did R. H. well in Writing That Christ's coming in the Flesh was BUT a Figure These were none of my Words but the Priests In my Answer I have neither the Word But nor the Assertion So I ask hast thou not read That he was the express Figure of his Father's Substance And I understood that by the Word Figure R. H. and G. F. meant Example that is that they look'd on Christ as in the Flesh as an Example rendring Example or Figure Synonimous and yet confess Christ to be the substance of all Figures Types and Shadows as in Saul's Errand p. 8 and 14. but do not say that Christ in the Flesh is but a Figure neither did I so say or assert as is falsly cast upon me But in my Antitode against the Snake in the Grass I fully explain this Point according to Scriptures from p. 155 to 178. part whereof follows viz. Type or Figure sometimes points at a thing to come as in Rom. 5.14 who was the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Figure of him that was to come And sometimes Type or Figure denotes a present Example or Pattern as in Phil. 3.17 Mark them which walk so as ye have us for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Example And the same word is used in 2 Thes 3.9 and 1 Tim. 4.12 and Tit. 2.7 and 1 Cor. 10.11 only in different Cases or Terminations And also the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an Example or Type John 13.15 Heb. 9.23 Thus Example or Type are made Synonimous in T. C's Lexicon and the like in Crit. Sacr. but more fully explained For there 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 i. e. Exemplum Exemplar triplicem habet in Scriptura significatum 1. Significat Typum seu figuram rerum vel praeteritarum Heb. 8.5 vel futurarum Heb. 9.23 2. Exemplum Imitationis John 13.15 1 Tim. 4.12 Tit. 4.7 3. Exemplum Monitionis sive Cautelae ut 2 Pet. 2.6 That is to say Exemplum or Exemplar hath a threefold signification in Scripture 1. It signifies a Type or Figure of things either past or to come 2. An Example of Imitation 3. An Example of Warning or Caution Now see how Synonimously the Terms Type Figure Pattern and Example are rendred in Scripture and of what extent not only in relation to the Types under the Law but in some respect to Christ and his Ministers tho' he be also confessed to be the Antitype Substance and End of all Legal Shadows Types and Figures But I have not called Christ himself a Type of our Light within nor justified the same Thus far Antidote p. 176 177. 25th Charge G. F. Great Mystery p. 206. The Apostles preached Christ that was crucified within and not another him that was raised up from the Dead was risen that Lord Jesus Christ within Obs Not to insist on their following broken and lame Quotations with their nonsensical Dashes here they sillily carp at the manner of these Expressions they wanting due points as The Apostles preached Christ that 's crucified within and not another there wanted this Parenthesis For 't is plainly exprest before viz. If Christ that is crucified be not within and Christ that 's Risen be not within I say that you are all Reprobates Great Mystery Ibid. And he that hath not this Christ that was risen and crucified within is a Reprobate Ibid. here wanted the Parenthesis again tho' explained in the foregoing words viz. If Christ that was crucified be not within c. 'T is certain there is but one Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 8. who came both in the Flesh and in the Spirit What they Charge News coming up c. p. 14. Your Baptism is Carnal here they leave out Sprinkling Infants which God never commanded and their Sacrament as they call it is carnal and here again they leave out and there is not a word in the Scripture that speaks of a Sacrament and their Communion is Carnal a little Bread and Wine whereupon I propose to these our severe Judges that if these Expressions be offensive to them and
that as the Serpent is a Spirit the Seed Christ must be Inwardly and Spiritually known by his Light Life and Power to bruise under and cast out the Serpent See how at large W. P. explains it and confesseth to the true Christ the promised Seed both as in the Flesh and in the Spirit Christian Quaker 1st part Chap. 19. 25. Let us but Soberly consider what Christ is and we shall the better know whether Moral Men tho' Heathen are to be reckoned Christians What is Christ but Meekness Justice Mercy c. Can any then deny a Meek Man to be a Christian This against W. P's Address to Protestants Second Edition Anno 1692. p. 119. Here they have added tho Heathen and after Mercy they leave out Patience Charity and Virtue in Perfection W. P. did not design thereby to lessen the Power or Dignity of Christ who is the Author of these Virtues no more than the Apostle did in saying He Christ is made of God unto us Wisdom Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption spoken in the Abstract And the Prophet saying God is my Light and my Salvation tho' God and Christ also be the Author of Redemption and Salvation III. Concerning the Holy Scriptures 26. Whether the first Pen-men of the Scriptures was Moses or Hermes Or whether both these are not one c. This with more Questions quoted against John Whitehead Quakers Refuge p. 17. Thus these adversaries as F. Bugg and the Author of the Snake use to do to Defame us leave out these following words relative to each thing questioned viz. is not the subject of my Argument at this time Hence 't is plain the Person who recited the Questions which was not John Whitehead but R. R. waveth these Questions and cited them not as the Subject of his own Argument about the Scriptures but of some others he would not be concern'd to dispute those Questions or Doubts For he further confesseth in the said Quakers Refuge quoted That such Scriptures and Prophecies as have been Written and Prophesied by the Holy Men of God as they were moved by his Spirit Treating of the Mystery of God in the Redemption and Salvation of Mankind by Jesus Christ and the Duty of Man in his Obedience to and Worship of the same God as his reasonable Service for the Gift of so great Salvation are the great Concerns now under our most serious Consideration From hence it 's clear the Author was no Contemner of Holy Scripture nor intended any Contempt thereof as is more fully cleared in my said Antidote against the Venom of the Snake in the Grass p. 83 84 85. 27. The Scriptures are not the Word of God Yet he says of his own Writings To you all this is the Word of the Lord. Against G. F. Gr. Myst p. 246. Ibid. p. 225. Note first by the Word of God he means Christ the Essential Living Word in the first place Secondly To you all this is the Word of the Lord in that place he speaks of the Light within and the Spirit that was in them that gave forth the Scriptures Gr. Myst p. 225. yet confesseth the Scriptures of Truth are God's Words which Christ the Word fulfills p. 246. And if elsewhere concerning what he gave forth from the Living Word that it was the Word of the Lord he intends only as Words immediately proceeding from the Motion of the Word of the Lord and not of his own Writings Abstractly as he is misunderstood and misrepresented What we are Charged with in their next Passages concerning the Authority of the Scriptures and concerning Beastly Wares the Letter c. p. 6 7. 'tis fully Answer'd and Distinguish'd in the first Part And our Adversaries injuriously dealing with us and misrepresenting us fully detected IV. 29. Concerning the Sacraments so call'd Circumcision Water-Baptism Paschal-Lamb Bread and Wine Sprinkling Infants c. These are spoken to before only this I propose That what any of our Friends have written heretofore against Sprinkling Infants as Unscriptural if they 'll please to bring us plain Scripture-Proof for that Practice as they use it then we are bound to revoke what 's written against it V. Concerning the Resurrection of the Body 30. They quote some Arguments out of W. P's Reason against Railing and his Invalidity of J. Faldo 's Vindication and Tho. Ellwood 's Answer to G. Keith 's First Narrative and Rich. Hubberthorn 's Opposing the Doctrine of the Glorified Saints in Heaven not being Perfect both distinguishing between the Natural Body and the Spiritual Body according to 1 Cor. 15. whose Arguments not being Answer'd by these Opposers I shall need say the less to them only would have them so Charitable as that if they believe that the Resurrection-Bodies of the Saints shall be the same Natural and Carnal Bodies that now they are upon Earth that they would not Condemn us as Blasphemers for Believing our Resurrection-Bodies shall be Spiritual and Glorious far excelling these Natural Carnal and Earthly Bodies For else how should the Saints Bodies be like unto Christ's Glorious Body VI. 31. That the Quakers make themselves Equal to God and a Part of God This repeated Falshood is detected and answered in the First Part and so are their Instances of the Soul against Gr. Myst p. 273. and p. 100. and p. 91. and p. 229. where the Word Soul is distinguish'd in a two-fold Sense First in Relation to God his Divine Spirit or Breath of Life Secondly to Man as thereby made a Living Soul 32. We are of his Flesh and Bones and have his Substance Against Gr. Myst p. 248. This is falsly Quoted 'T is not there said in the Affirmative That we are so but an Inversion upon the Adversary from Ephes 5.30 John 6.56 33. Christ is not distinct from his Saints Against Great Mystery p. 207. He means not divided or separate from his Saints as by his following Words Christ is in his Saints Gr. Myst p. ibid. 34. Christ is the Elect. Gr. Myst p. 88. So saith the Prophet of Him Isai 42.1 G. F. also calls Christ's Sheep the Elect. Gr. Myst p. 88 89. 35. The Light within is Christ Gr. Myst p. 310. True but not truly Quoted but thus viz. The Light which every Man that cometh into the World is Lightned withal is Christ Gr. Myst ibid. And Christ the Light saith I in them and Thou in Me John 17.23 26. 36. The Soul is not a Creature but Infinite in it self without beginning Gr. Myst p. 29 90. This is mis-cited and wrong mixt they turn and confound Questions into Affirmatives That which is Infinite in it self relates to that which came out from the Creator namely that Divine Life or Soul which gave Life and Being to Man's Soul 'T is not said Man's Soul or Spirit is not a Creature as distinguished more fully in the First Part. 37. They that have the Spirit of God are equal with God Er. Howgill 's Works p. 232. These are none of F. Howgill's