how sad a subject the Truth of an immortal soul and its being for ever it to such whom the Devil hath so far got under his Command and Power as those visibly are at this day Pos 10. This they professedly own also That not the same individual body is raised again which is laid in the dust but there is a change thereof in substance as well as in qualities which is no new opinion but what was the Heresie of the Marcionites and the Valentinians of old but according to the Scripture it is clear 1. That there shall be a transforming of those vile bodies at the resurrection to be fashioned after the glorious body of Christ Phil. 3. 21. and no forming of a new one which could not possibly be understood if the same numerical body should not be raised and that this change here is but in qualities not in substance 2. If the resurrection of the Saints be conformable to the resurrection of Christ then must it be the very same numerical body that is raised up from the dead and not another 3. This was not Job's testimony only but the Holy Ghost's speaking in the Scripture to us what was his assured hope herein that though worms destroy this body yet in his flesh should he see God whom he should see for himself and his eyes behold and not another Job 19. 26 27. 4. We may humbly adventure to say it is suitable to the holy and unspotted Righteousness of God that the same very body which did accompany the soul here in the pain and labour of duty and under much tribulation for the Truth should be its companion in Glory that those who strove together and run in one race should be both interested in the same crown and reward and the same body also which was the souls Organ and Co-partner with it in committing of sin should partake also of that punishment after the resurrection One thing farther I must here add in which they seek to make themselves remarkable to the World by these austere appearances of Mortification and strictness in denying all civil respects to others which they seem to intend as a visible badg of their prefession but if this be a matter of such weight whereon serious Religion and Mortification to the flesh leans so much as they would have us believe it is then clear 1. That the Popish-Capucchins and Mahumetan-Dervices to whom this way hath so visible a resemblance can sufficiently pretend to and contend for a preference 2. Then the Christian Church must take a new Copy and have no regard to the Example and deport of the Saints this way in Scripture such as Nathan the Prophet of whom the Holy Ghost records when he came in to the King he bowed himself to the very ground 1 Kings 1. 23. Or the Apostle Paul in his expressing himself to Festus and Agrippa Acts 26. 25. Or Luke the Evangelist in the designation he hath of Theophilus Luke 1. 31. 3. If a conformity to this mode and way must be an essential requisite to Religion we must quit the Scripture-Rule also Lev. 19. 32. Thou shalt rise up before the boary head and honour the face of the old man the reason of which Precept is undeniably moral and founded upon immutable grounds and that Rom. 13. 7. Give honour to whom honour is due nor does this suit the Apostles Rule and practice in things indifferent I was all things to all that I might gain some which would be far from denying an humane civil deport to others where this might be gaining 4. But oh what amazing confidence is this for those who find it easie to turn the great Realities of the Gospel and most express institutions of the Word into a shadow and allegory yet to lay such a stress of duty on an outward gesture Do they think the World is such as they may impose upon it what they please and hath so far lost reason though there were no sense of Religion as not to discern such an imposture SECT III. HAving touched a little the most concerning Tenets which these great adversaries of Jesus Christ and his Truth do publick own in their Doctrine we would in the second place seriously consider what so strange and amazing an attempt against the Truth can mean or what these possibly intend except they have concluded the Christian World to be turned wholly Atheistical and to have so far lost all Sense and Impression of Truth as that they need not hide their design to perswade men to quit Religion and Reason at once whilst with so strange a confidence they own yea thus in the open Light dare offer such an assault to the Church 1. To give up at once the whole of Christian Religion and quit that good and old way wherein since Abel the Righteous and Enoch who walked with God it is so clear the Patriarchs Prophets and Apostles yea the whole race of the Saints have to this day walked to come over and embrace a way that if no other were known for Religion in the World it might give Atheism some warrant to judg there were none at all What have we to leave to posterity so precious as the Truth or what can any other gain and advantage amount to if this be lost And why did such an innumerable company of Martyrs on whom the Spirit of God and of Glory was seen to rest seal it with their blood Was it not to stand in defence of the Gospel and of these Truths which they so visibly oppose 2. And is the Night so dark as such a Party dare come forth to have us believe there hath been no true Church in the World but since these twenty or thirty years past except what hath its rise from John of Leyden Thomas Muntzer c. whose steps in most of their Doctrine they seem to follow yea that the great substantials of Christian Religion until now have been but some imposture or mistaken thing and all such who were the excellent of the Earth in their time who expresly owned the same Doctrine and died in the Faith thereof which the Protestant Church doth at this day as can be unanswerably demonstrated have been but false witnesses against God for however they may seek to shift this by undeniable Consequence it must follow either Quakerism is a horrid Imposture or the Truth and way of God hath not been found out till now and the Church both under the old and new Testament hath steered her Course by a wrong compass in taking the Scripture for her Rule 3. Is all sight of the Truth so far lost as that it should be easie for some to come forth and impose upon the World a new Bible a new Guide to follow which every one may find within himself to perswade us to build on another Foundation than that of the Prophets and Apostles Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone Ephes 2. 20 Yea thus put in our hand instead of
the great Realities of the Gospel a new device and mould of their own framing Or do they think their Authority such as is enough to patronize a Doctrine that gives an express lie to the God of Truth in the most clear discoveries of his Word 4. It may seem a strange and amazing assault to obtrude a way of Religion in the face of the Christian Church in so manifest a contradiction to the whole experience of the Saints and that seal which in all ages they have put to this Truth that the Scripture is the Power of God to Salvation and is that mean whereby he maketh the simple wise that it is the very way whereby Jesus Christ keepeth intercourse with his Church here on Earth and such as no line nor tittle thereof did ever deceive any that adventured on the same This we are sure is and hath been the Testimony of the followers of the Truth ever since that great Trust of the Oracles of God was committed to the Church which they have put in their Testament and with their dying breath have owned how oft in this blessed way of the Word hath the Lord sealed their instruction whilst under sad and dark plunging yea thus hath made Life Power and enlivening Influences even to the melting of their heart break up when under their greatest deadness 5. It is a strange attempt and seems a new essay the Devil intends to try in acting forth a Party not to dispute the Scripture and Christian Faith out of the World but to brawl it away in an unusual manner of reviling as if they would out-cry the Truth with a continued flood of noise and reproach whilst they know there is no serious and sober Christian but under the A we of God is restrained from answering them at their rate But yet for answer here is nothing needs seem strange when we see 1. How hard it is to fix in such a way as error and delusion or find land when men once are carried off the Truth and do lanch out into that horrid gulf of error but seducers must wax worse and worse 2 Tim. 3. 13. 2. How in all times it may be discernable that a delusion is a turning men judicially mad and their deliberate acting to deceive others hath the very same effect on themselves nor is it strange such aremarkable stir and noise is made by the Spirit of Error which thus rages when at this day let loose knowing his time is short and that such an hour of the Power of darkness doth but go before some great and remarkable restraint yea that this is near for which with an assured hope upon that blessed Warrant and Security of the Scriptures of Truth we wait and believe SECT VI. IN pursuance of this subject whilst such a darkness is over the Churches of Christ and the very Foundations like to be shaken It should be this day a serious call for our enquiry what solid Improvement might be made of such a Tryal in this strange appearance and growth now of Quakerism for clearing of the Holy and unspotted way of the Lord and our being farther strengthned in the Faith since it is sure that nothing is here before our eyes but what brings a convincing Seal therewith to the Truth and may be an antidote against its own poyson if we but consider 1. That the necessity of Day and Night and of the Ordinances of Heaven to continue as they are is not more clear from the Truth of the Word than that Heresies must be in the Church that such as are approved may be made manifest 1 Cor. 11. 10. And if these were not the Scriptures would want an undoubted witness of its Truth and Certainty 2. That it is undeniably clear this is the very time and season of bringing forth those monstrous Births in the World according to the Scripture-Prophecies thereof for the Spirit speaketh expresly to the latter times 1 Tim. 4. 1. and gives warning that this will be one of the special and greatest Tryals of the Christian Church whereof the Old Testament doth make but little mention yea thus it may be understood why such a Party now must have some blacker dye and a singular edition of grossness beyond all that have gone before as suiting to a greater Light and more flourishing times of the Church than former ages have known 3. Is there not advantage here for being more confirmed in the good ways of the Lord that no such length the Principles of this adversary come and there 's nothing so horrid and amazing in their Doctrine which in the Scripture hath not been foretold such as damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2. 1. even such as tend not to darken the Truth only or a building hay and stubble on this Foundation but most visibly raze the same 4. It should be for our strengthening also in the Truth that nothing is so strange in this marvelous depth of error and delusion as to the way and manner of its spreading in the Church but what hath been foretold by the Holy Ghost to be brought in privily by subtile insinuation and a sowing of these tares while men sleep yea how such shall make merchandize of their souls for in nothing more is the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lye in wait to deceive known to the World than in this Trade which seducers drive to turn those they converse with from that simplicity which is in Christ but as thus Error in its first approaches knows how to take on a cover Is it not seen also where once this is aloft and delusion drunk in with what discernable fury and violence such are then driven so as all may know what mean these clouds which the Apostle speaks of carried about with a tempest 2 Pet. 2. 17. which are then hurried by a judicial stroke and can find no fixing 5. This one thing I confess seems astonishing and that whereat some pretend most advantage for their stumbling at the way of God to see at what rate such have walked under a profession of godliness not only as to Light but with a convincing evidence of their being serious and tender therein who at last to the amazement of the World have fallen into a visible Apostacy from the Faith so as to come even to that dreadful length therein of being Quakers yea thus may seem to bring in question that great Truth of the perseverance of the Saints But it 's well we have the Scripture to go to and know what this means whilst nothing here is such as does not convincingly answer to what is expresly shewed us there and should confirm more than shake if we consider 1. Though it is true that Heresie as other works of the flesh may be consistent with a regenerate estate yet is it impossible for the Elect to be deceived into a falling from the Faith without some gracious recovery as is shewed Matt. 24.
pressure and incitement from such an Impulse as they seem to have no freedom in their own motions but though before of most discernably calm and sober dispositions are then acted forth to those strange expressions of railing and reproach as can leave it under no debate from what spirit they move and how far they are from that wisdom from above which is first pure and then peaceable 2. This strange appearance and change such are under who once embrace this way of the Quakers is seen to be by no moral swasion or conviction suited to a reasonable soul no receiving of the ingrafted word or any discernable impress thereof to shew the Laws being written in their heart but as hath been greatly observed by some is by a strange rude leap and enthusiastick impulse sudden and violent the Conscience being made sound and whole before it be lanced and their false peace broken 3. It may be clearly seen whatever Impulse these pretend to for such a change that this is from a spirit of blasphemy even to a denying of Jesus Christ the blessed Head and Redeemer of the Church except as a Principle within yea from a leud and prophane spirit such as counteracts Holiness in hearing reading of the Scripture praying singing of Psalms sanctifying of the Sabbath the use of the Sacraments 4. That it is from such a spirit also whatever pretences they have to follow a Light within them as counteracts the most express dictates of a natural Conscience in these notes of difference which by the Light of Nature have in all Nations been betwixt Man and Man to a denying that due reverence Children should have to Parents Servants to Masters Subjects to Magistrates 5. And is it not here most discernably a strange bewitching of their Judgment and Reason who once fall in with that Party into such absurd extravagancies both in their Tenets and Practice as no reason can possibly comprehend but that it is the very immediate power and working of Satan Whilst it is so clear that this is such a Religion and way as none can close therewith but by ingaging upon these two Principles to forego their Reason and Judgment and all subjection to the Scripture of God a Religion which is so far from rendring a reason of the ground thereof with meekness to these who ask that it turns visibly inraged upon the most sober Christian essay for bringing of it to the Light SECT VI. IN the fifth place let us consider on this subject what might be of most special use to guard and preserve all who profess the Truth against this horrid and spreading contagion now in these times for clearing of which some few Preservatives I would seriously offer 1. To live much by Scripture and have more near intercourse therewith as that alone rule without which none can write one line in Religion aright but according to the same and is so marvelously suited to enlighten and take the wayfaring man through all these snares here by the way so as the whole race of the Saints since the beginning to this day could not possibly have wished it another thing than it is Oh! what do such part with that can part with this guide which reveals the whole Counsel of God and shews us what is good lovely and just gives Law to the inward man and commands his very thoughts yea that which the God of Truth hath magnified above all his Names Sure it is if such blasphemers knew what converse a serious humble Christian hath oft found this way with Jesus Christ and which his soul knows well to be no dream or shadow they should rather wish their words choaked them in the throat than to adventure to speak at the rate they usually do I know this quarrel they have therewith which Ahab had with the Prophet Micajah that it prophesieth sad things to them and therefore they must hate it and seek a new Light because this is their torment for it 's sure the Scripture and Quakerism are no more compatible to lodg in one heart than the noon-day and mid-night can meet together but their appeal herein is cast for whether they will or not by this word they must be judged in the day of the Lord. 2. That great Counsel of the Apostle 2 Tim. 1. 13. I would press on Christians at this day for holding fast the form of sound words as one great intent of the Scripture to give the Church a full model and standard of saving Doctrine whereon every one may know how he foundeth Now this great duty is the more pressingly called for in such times when most satisfie themselves with some loose notions of the Truth and to know things at random who seem but little concerned to be stable and rooted in the faith so as to know that close contexture and dependance of the Truths of God in the Scripture and how they are linked in the nearest tye and correspondence as there can be no essay for corrupting of one part but must have the same tendence against the whole yea thus reach a thrust at the very life and being of Religion It will be rare to find such as are in earnest for a solid founding on the great Foundation-Truths and Principles of the Word and to feed much thereon to have ever become a prey to delusion and error 3. A third safe Preservative against this contagion should be more deep and serious thoughts How horrid a way this of Quakerism is And to consider 1. What the Apostle shews 2 Pet. 2. 2. that such damnable Heresies bring swift destruction therewith 2. How hopeless the recovery of such prove and how rare 't is to bring them of who are once Prisoners to an erring Conscience or to see them either seek or find out a way of escape these being Trees twice dead pluckt up by the root 3. The very near approach of this to that sin against the Holy Ghost where there is a falling once into those destroying Heresies which subvert the Faith especially where some remarkable work of the Spirit hath gone before to enlighten and convince as we see Heb. 6. 4 6. For it is impossible for those who were once inlightned if they shall fall away to renew them again to repentance 4. And what an awful Impression should this also have on men that such as are thus subject and reject means of conviction are condemned of themselves as the Apostle shews Tit. 3. 11. Since they chuse Delusion and will not hearken to the Truth thrusting the Word from them whereby they judg themselves unworthy of erernal life 4. It should be a singular guard also against this way for Christians to walk humbly and have such a disposition much their study in these times while it is so clear 1. That the most solid and eminently fixed Christians in the Church who have shined most brightly even to the setting of their Sun have still been the most humble 2. That this is a remark
professors in this time be under an irrecoverable woe in the matters of Eternity when profession is so much turned into the form of godliness without the power thereof which should be nothing else when it is native but as the shadow appearing that must needs be because it cannot cease to follow the body Secondly As we must not despise or look lightly on such an amazing sight as that Party now is so it should concern us to guard also against any stumbling at serious godliness on this account but how to improve the same for being more fixed and confirmed in the good ways of the Lord when it is so evident 1. How one and the same spirit and with one concurrence to the same work moves in this Party with the most flagitious and open persecutors and though under some different form yet they do all vigorously unite in that common Interest to counteract Truth and Holiness to decry the Scripture cast reproach on the great Ordinances thereof and how to make that Ministry given by Jesus Christ to his Church contemptible and vile which as it may be seen is the very same work the most profligate Atheists are at and so must have from one airth their Incitements thereto 2. Whatever be of the falling in of some to that way who once seemed to love the Truth and embrace it yet is it not evident as to most of this Party how remarkable the earth hath been made to help the Woman by drinking in such a flood as the Devil had cast forth to ruine the Church whilst so many have thus parted with the Truth of whom no known or convincing evidence could be given that ever they had received it but a most discernible tendency in their way to such an infection had broke forth before the spots of it from that small regard they were known to have to the solid saving and substantial Truths of the Word 3. This sad subject with such shaking winds as now blow almost from every airth on the Church should it not press us to some further length than most seem to satisfie themselves with in a sure and solid founding on the Scripture when it is so clear that none can ossuredly know the Scriptures being the Word of God but may have a sufficient antidote against this deadly poyson and by these great Demonstrative evidences thereof must thus know 1. That it is undoubtedly a full and perfect Rule such as the whole race of the Saints to this day could not have wished it another thing than it is for their Counsel and Conduct within time and takes off all possible ground for the adding either Traditions or any Revelation thereto yea that it is such a Rule as manifests it self with that sufficiency of Light to all as none can reject this one evidence but these whose eyes the God of this World hath blinded since there is no want of Light in the Truth it self but from mens blindness and a defect in the â—isive faculty 2. It is thus they assuredly know how it is no dead Letter by that Divine Power and Efficacy thereof and to be no Historical Rule which is sharper then any two-edged sword to a dividing asunder the soul and spirit with the joynts and marrow Heb. 4. 12. that gives Law to the Conscience makes it tremble and searches in to the most secret recesses of the hearts of men 3. Thus also we know the Holy Ghosts speaking in and by the Scripture to be no private voice and such an Impression as comes in a divided way or by bearing witness to the Truth and Authority of the Scripture in any other way than by the Scripture and an imparting thereto its Power Efficacy and Majesty and enabling us to know and discern the same 4. That such are these great supernatural Truths revealed there as could only have been revealed from Heaven and never possibly could have been once thought of or conceived in the mind of Man by any reasonings or natural helps without Divine Revelation so as it is no pretended Light within can let us know what are the things of God further than it is derived from the Scripture 5. And is it not thus known also what an undoubted certainty is in the verification of these supernatural Truths in the experience of the Saints as they can know they live or breath which is not witnessed to some individual persons only as if from any advantage of Nature and Edification they might have it but in every time in all the Churches of Christ yea by the whole generation of the Saints hath still with the greatest oneness of consent been undeniably attested when it is so clear also How much a great part of professedChristians is wholly stranger thereto and how it is no less above mens reach by Nature to know or discern what thus belongs to the state of the Saints than for a Beast to know what concerns the state of Man and what advantage should it then be as this Party pleads for all persons to follow a Light within themselves Fourthly Though we must own no such austere mode or appearance of Mortification as this Party of the Quakers seek to amuse the World with being visibly stretched beyond the Rule of the Word yea so false and ridiculous a shew of strictness therein as is a reproach to serious Religion yet is it a clear and indispensable Duty to guard against conformity to the World in these sad extravagant fashions of the time so as Christians may let their Moderation be known to all and their faith of the Lords being at hand may commend the Truth by that true adorning which is in the hidden man of the heart and a meek and quiet spirit not by plaiting of the hair or putting on of apparel 1 Pet. 3 4. Which oft as a publick sign stand at the door to let others know what pride lightness and vanity dwell there as though they had not an eternal salvation to work out with fear and trembling or did not believe the third of Isaiah from the 16. vers to the close to be the Scripture of God and to have the same Authority the same theratning Aspect in this generation whic in had then on Israel yea is this a being accountable in the Improvement of what some have beyond others of the World as a Trust put under their hand now when it is such an hour of great Tribulation on the Churches I confess this ground I have last mentioned is such as may cause many in this age fear they be under a sad mistake in their Claim and Title to Heaven and hath oft put me to wonder what kind of peace many have on this account who seem to out-run others in a profession of the Truth Since if the Scripture be undoubtedly sure and no falling to the ground of the least Tittle thereof should not these clear discoveries which are there he as that hand-Writing on the Wall to make their knees smite
But we know this way is the purpose of God made effectual concerning all he hath from Eternity predestinate to life as is express from Scripture 2 Thes 2. 13. That they are chosen to Salvation through sanctification of the spirit and belief of the truth though the evidence of this recovery in some where it hath been in Truth may be but little discernable to others The Lord so disposing in his infinite Wisdom that his People may be taught an alone recumbence on the Word even when his Works seems to justle therewith 2. We know no such length in profession of the Truth from which any have fallen through the prevalence of Error can go beyond those who after they have escaped the pollutions of the World through the Knowledg of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ are yet again intangled therein and overcome 2 Pet. 2. 20. or beyond those degrees of Conviction and common Illumination that may even have some transient taste of the good Word of God and of the Powers of the World to come Heb. 6. 5 6. To which the Apostle shews some may come even that length by a temporary Work of the Spirit who have yet fallen into a most dreadful Apostacy from the Truth and opposition thereto with the greatest hight of malice in both which Scriptures may be seen that it is such an Apostacy there meant as follows upon the prevalence of Error and Delusion 3. With what marvelous plainness doth the Holy Ghost in the Word speak to this Case that we may know what it means and have no cause for stumbling when it shall become the Churches Tryal as we see Mat. 13. 5. in that seed which fell upon stony places where it had not much earth and forthwith sprung up because it had no depthness of earth but when the Sun was up was scorched and because they had no root withered a Truth I may say is not more express in the Scripture when we read it with our eyes than its ratification in after-times in the Church hath oft been on many a sad instance such as after their being enlightned have sprung up yea forthwith with a hasty growth and too early appearance but no solid growing to the root yet such as for a time have most remarkably seemed to out-run those who had in Truth received the ingrafted word by a more forward profession than whom none have been a sadder sight to the generation they lived in and by as remarkable a withering have too visibly witnessed the want of root in which I must say and with some confidence appeal to any serious discerners of the time about this remark if in such who have most observably fallen from the Truth and plunged into that gulf of Error some precious evidence hath not been of such springing up forthwith and hasty appearance in profession of the Truth that hath taken the growth more to the blossom than to any sure founding under the sense of their sinful and lost estate by Nature 6. This also seems strange and may be shaking to some How tenacious and violent such usually are found in this way even when silenced with the clearest discoveries of the Truth so as it is rare almost in an age to find an instance of one who after some observable Hight of Illumination beyond others hath ever found a recovery or shown their returning by repentance after he hath thus fallen into damnable Heresies as the Apostle terms them But is not here also a convincing and marvelous seal to the Scripture if men will but seriously read what is so clear 2 Pet. 2. 20. and that Heb. 6. How dreadful an arrest thus in the Holy Judgment of God is put on this kind of Apostacy even beyond the most gross falling away from the Truth in practice which should cause fear to all that stand and do yet retain their stedfastness Yea is not the reason of this there also held forth that it is a putting the Son of God to open shame and so direct a doing despite to the Holy Ghost in counteracting his Workings and Discoveries once put forth in the soul For my self I must confess nothing in those times I have found more shaking who before a higher Judg than Men have some confidence to say The greatest joy I have upon Earth is to know that assuredly the Lord is God and the certainty of his Truth But I must here also profess how in this I have found cause for being more confirmed yea with admiration to consider How many ages past such things have been foretold what sore assaults the spirit of Error and Delusion should give the Church with so express circumstantiating of this Tryal in its whole frame conveyance and manner of appearance as hath been seen in the Event and at this day before our eyes which by the Holy Ghost only could be revealed to the Church and could never have been supposed or entred into mens thoughts at a distance SECT V. A Fourth particular that calleth for some serious enquiry upon this subject is what should be the grounds of so strange and prodigious a contagion of this way of the Quakers as is at this day in the Church whose Doctrine and Principles are such as the very recital thereof might be judged a sufficient antidote against its own poyson yea this after such clear and bright times of the Gospel but here none needs be in the dark if these things were seriously considered 1. That where a form of Knowledg and mens receiving of the Truth but not in Love comes some great length in the Church there is then cause to fear and foresee some remarkable flood of Error and Delusion to follow for in this the Scripture is express 2 Tim. 2. 10. and lets us see how nothing does more ripen the harvest to make the field white for the spirit of Error 's putting in his Sickle than most solemn times of the brightness of the Gospel if no suitable fruit be found thereof Light is one of the greatest Talents of the Church that must bring either some remarkable gain or loss with it nor need any wonder seduction from the Truth bear some blacker dye now in those days and have a more singular addition of grossness even beyond all former times since thus the Stroke and Judgment must keep proportion to a further degree of the Churches Exaltation and more clear discoveries of the Truth than former ages have known 2. As the formentioned culpable and provoking cause may at this day be discernable to all should the Holy Judgment of the Lord inflicted thereupon be strange to us in a visible Tradition and giving up such a Party unto strong Delusion with a withholding of the very exercise of their Reason and Judgment that they do not see the Light when it is most clearly shining forth before them since this a convincing seal also to that Scripture 2 Thes 2. 10. I confess it is one of the marvelous things of God
seldom fails where delusion and error get place a swelling and being lift up under much self-confidence and esteem might be visibly seen to go before nor is it easie to find an instance of a sober humble prefessor of the Truth plunged in this gulf it is a sad mark the Scripture hath set at their door who know not this Behold the soul which is lifted up is not upright Habbak 2. 4. 3. I may say there should need no dispute against this horrid way of the Quakers were mens eyes kept more within themselves and in the humbling sight of a body of Death under which the choisest of the Saints have been still kept most pressed yea nothing hath helped them to shine more brightly and to a transmitting of their remembrance with the most sweet and fragrant savour to after-ages than this 5. To attend on the Ministry of the Word and a close keeping by that Ordinance given by Jesus Christ to the Church should be found a blessed Preservative against this way and therefore are they so strictly conjoyned by the Holy Ghost Eph. 4. 11. 14. He gave some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints c. and that we be not henceforth children tossed to and fro and it 's sure if men shut not their eyes they cannot but behold that where once any begin to fall off here there is no standing or getting their ground farther kept till either Error or Atheism hath made them a prey This is no personal Interest I plead but the Ordinance of Jesus Christ though never more trampled upon by the World than at this day And I hope with much confidence it can be said that many such of the Ministers of Christ yet are whom Quakers do in the most hateful Terms that can be expressed Revile as Hirelings Baals Priests who yet would bear such contempt and opprobry and a sad outward Lot with much joy so they might get acceptance for their Work and as Embassadors of Christ whose Commission they carry and can shew his credential Letters for the same to all with whom the Scripture hath any weight might find access to drive on that great Interest of Reconciliation betwixt God and Sinners SECT VII NOw in the close I shall touch a little the appeal formerly proposed to that very Light within which this Party of the Quakers so much cry up as an infallible Guide since it cannot possibly be understood another thing than that Tribunal of the Conscience under the great Judg set up in every mans Breast If even before that Light they can stand without horror and amazement at their own way and some enforcing conviction of the Truth of those particulars I attest their Conscience in 1. If a corrupting of the Affections did not previously concur to corrupt their Judgment and if this change in their way might not to their own discerning be sound to begin first in some reigning and predominant lust It is sure the Scripture finds the root of Error and Heresie to be there Gal. 5. 20. 1 Tim. 2. 19. And it is easie for the World to see how visible a rise discontent cross events to their designs about outward things a begun wearying of the very form of Godliness yea some hope and insinuation of advantage from another airth hath in many instances given to this and effectually influenced their taking up a lax conception of Religion and then turning over to such a way 2. I may here appeal to the Conscience of most who have ingaged with that Party if they were sincere and earnest in professing the Truth before they quilt it or knew what it was to be swayed by Principles of their own with that solid founding thereon as they could say no incitement from example or the Testimony of others but the felt Power of the Truth on their soul did influence such a profession Since it is undeniable how many from extream leudness and ere they had any appearance of being Christians have made this leap over to the Quakers so as it can be no wonder that they on easie Terms part with that which they so lightly took up and never in earnest knew yea it is notoriously known how some of the chief among them have as an Argument for perswading others to desert the way of the Lord expresly owned this that while they were once under the same profession with them and seemed to be most serious therein yet 't was but for a shew only and they found never any Truth or Reality in this way which is indeed not strange for they could not find that which they were not then at all seeking after 3. To that Light within that they so much pretend to I must appeal If they can possibly cast the Judgment and Authority of the Scripture without having that very Light within to rise up and witness against them and if their Conscience be not wholly struck dead can deny that witness thereto How by a clear manifestation of the Truth it commends it self to the Conscience of every one as a safe ground whereon to repose their soul yea If it bear not that visible Impress of its Divinity that all may know how it is framed to correspond with the inward Man and to judg and exercise a Power over the Conscience with the most retired thoughts as well as the Actings of Men. 4. Let the Conscience and that Light within speak if Natures Light can be a test and measure of supernatural Revelation when except they do violence thereto they cannot but know that the greatest Truths of Christianity indispensably necessary to Salvation yea the whole contrivance of the Gospel is such as could never possibly have entred into the hearts of Men if the Scripture had not revealed the same 5. Can they without a contradiction to that very Light within deny what in all times is made obvious to the view of the World that irresistible and efficacious Power of the Word accompanied by the Spirit to be such as converteth the Soul enlightens the Eyes and maketh wise the simple and what innumerable Instances of real Conversion from the Power of Satan to God hath in all ages been thus wrought in whom it might be evidently seen that the more vigorous lustre the Power of Holiness in these had the more close also hath their adherence been to that Doctrine now opposed and trampled on by the Quakers 6. As they can give no reason for that bitterness and wrath against those who own the Truth and from whom they can pretend no personal injury or provocation but for the Truths sake let their Conscience also speak if against any they are thus more stirred than these where the most convincing appearance of God in his Image shines forth yea if they do not more easily comply with them in whom nothing of serious Religion can be seen than such being indeed scorched with that heat that enforces them to rage and blaspheme 7. Must not their
one against another 1. That riches and what any hath received beyond others of the World is not theirs but is a Talent in Trust to Trade with for the Masters use for which each must be accountable according to their measure Mat. 25. 15. Luk. 19. 15. VVhat a sound will that once be which is hastening on all Come give an account of your Stewardship 2. That it is clear on what Negatives this dreadful sentence Matt. 25. 41. Depart from me ye cursed c. is there stated and what is intended by that parable Luk. 16. 19. of the rich man of whom no such account is given us as a glutton or notoriously wicked but that in his life-time be had his good things though with a small regard to such a case as Lazarus's 3. And is it not thus clear why then there is such a hardly being saved for the Rich as is expresly by our great Master told Matt. 19. 24. Luk. 18. 26. It being so rare an instance for such to be keeped humble or truly faithful in that trust yea keeped off some snare thereby that plungeth men into eternal perditions Oh how many have riches weighing them down to the pit and what a dreadful noise is now there VVe have lost a heaven and eternity of joy for things of the earth which were but for a moment and are now gone But it seems most in this day shut their eyes and cannot see what Light shines so clearly in the Scripture about it Else I am sure it were not conceivable how they could own any true claim to that blessed Inheritance above in such a way as they embrace and improve their Interests here in the earth whilst so much more ground may he to fear their account for the fruit and product of this Talent in any suitable proportion to the measure received shall be found no other at their appearance before Jesus Christ the great Judg than a hiding it under the earth or putting it in a napkin Fifthly Let it discourage or weaken the spirit of none who now follow the Lord that it is such a thick darkness on the Church and that when personal sufferings are so sore on the one hand there should be on the other such assaults to darken and subvert the Truth Since there is much more to countervail all if we seriously consider 1. That it is sure if there be a safe founding on that foundation of the Prophets and Apostles then may such as have imbraced the Doctrine of the Reformed Churches and received it in love have a sweet and secure calmness amidst the raging fumes of this time as knowing assuredly they build on the same Foundation and no other and are in that good and old way in which the Saints in all ages have revealed the Spirit and been sealed to the day of Redemption 2. Is it not clear also if there wanted not an observing spirit and our eyes were not so much withheld from seeing the Glory of these times there wants not such great convincing discoveries of a Godhead and stately acts of Providence as might silence our complaints with wonder and amazement to see that marvelous way the Holy God takes in building his House 〈◊〉 unfolding his design and bringing forth his Word in most surprising appearances both of Judgment and Mercy and whilst we wait and wonder he comes not one way when we are ready to stint our thoughts he comes very remarkably another way to let all see his faithfulness fails not if man had but eyes to perceive the same 3. Should not the Tribulation of these days be a confirming Seal to the Truth and Doctrine of this Gospel more than a stumbling-block to discourage or shake the spirits of any since it is sure salvation by Jesus Christ is not more plainly discovered than the Worlds hatred and opposition to his way yea to what Hight it should come and in what different ways and manner the Truth and its followers should suffer 4. Whatever sore wrestlings now are when the Waters seem more to rise and swell than to have any discernible abatement yet it is well we may know by the clearest Scripture-Light that the strongest difficulties when overcome yeeld the greatest victory and shall be not only matter of joy here but to all eternity they having with patience and hope endured and got well through such a throng of Temptations and assaults in adhering to the Truth O that Glory which is coming where each of the Saints shall then get an account of the way of the Lord and whole series of Providence towards them in their journey so as to see no way could have been so unspeakably fit and safe for them and thus become matter of praise joy and admiring for ever evermore FINIS