the_o spirit_n have_v give_v they_o of_o their_o truth_n much_o or_o indeed_o most_o of_o all_o this_o be_v again_o deny_v by_o w.p._n tell_v we_o in_o answer_n to_o that_o objection_n page_n 32._o this_o light_n you_o speak_v of_o can_v not_o tell_v you_o which_o way_n sin_n come_v into_o the_o world_n that_o there_o be_v a_o adam_n and_o eve_n that_o they_o fall_v after_o that_o manner_n and_o that_o sin_n so_o enter_v the_o world_n that_o christ_n be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n suffer_v death_n and_o rise_v again_o etc._n etc._n he_o roundly_o answer_v that_o inasmuch_o as_o a_o account_n of_o those_o thing_n have_v be_v already_o reveal_v and_o be_v extant_a therefore_o any_o new_a revelation_n of_o such_o thing_n be_v not_o need_v i_o answer_v how_o not_o need_v and_o yet_o certain_a to_o you_o upon_o the_o spirit_n inward_a evidence_n and_o testimony_n and_o to_o none_o but_o you_o and_o such_o as_o you_o who_o pretend_v to_o the_o same_o revelation_n with_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n however_o see_v he_o grant_v he_o and_o his_o brethren_n have_v no_o revelation_n from_o the_o light_n within_o they_o that_o christ_n be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n suffer_v death_n and_o rise_v again_o therefore_o he_o must_v needs_o confess_v all_o these_o thing_n concern_v christ_n birth_n death_n resurrection_n be_v uncertain_a to_o they_o and_o so_o no_o matter_n of_o their_o faith_n and_o then_o see_v other_o christian_n believe_v these_o thing_n upon_o a_o inward_a evidence_n and_o testimony_n of_o the_o spirit_n though_o not_o by_o the_o same_o revelation_n in_o kind_a or_o specie_fw-la with_o that_o of_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n yet_o by_o way_n of_o seal_n to_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o as_o above_z explain_v the_o proper_a consequence_n of_o which_o be_v this_o that_o all_o these_o great_a thing_n record_v in_o scripture_n concern_v christ_n birth_n of_o a_o virgin_n his_o have_v die_v for_o our_o sin_n his_o resurrection_n ascension_n and_o intercession_n for_o we_o in_o heaven_n be_v altogether_o uncertain_a upon_o the_o quaker_n foundation_n because_o as_o w.p._n confess_v not_o inward_o reveal_v to_o they_o which_o yet_o be_v certain_a upon_o the_o foundation_n of_o all_o true_a christian_n to_o wit_n the_o inward_a testimony_n and_o evidence_n of_o the_o spirit_n by_o way_n of_o seal_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o as_o by_o a_o objective_a medium_n as_o above_o explain_v but_o why_o be_v not_o these_o thing_n concern_v christ_n birth_n death_n reveal_v to_o the_o quaker_n by_o w._n p_n confession_n why_o because_o they_o be_v not_o necessary_a to_o be_v believe_v they_o be_v none_o of_o the_o eternal_a precept_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o conscience_n of_o all_o man_n teach_v some_o few_o thing_n of_o own_v a_o great_a god_n almighty_a and_o some_o few_o moral_a principle_n of_o temperance_n and_o justice_n as_o do_v as_o we_o will_v be_v do_v by_o this_o be_v the_o quaker_n evangelium_fw-la eternum_fw-la their_o everlasting_a gospel_n whatever_o be_v more_o be_v unnecessary_a and_o superfluous_a page_n 32._o he_o say_v to_o say_v the_o light_n or_o spirit_n can_v not_o do_v it_o viz._n reveal_v that_o christ_n be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n suffer_v death_n and_o rise_v again_o etc._n etc._n be_v blasphemous_a as_o well_o as_o absurd_a answ_n i_o know_v none_o that_o say_v the_o spirit_n or_o god_n and_o christ_n consider_v as_o the_o light_n can_v not_o do_v it_o but_o that_o be_v not_o the_o question_n what_o the_o spirit_n can_v do_v or_o what_o the_o light_n within_o take_v it_o in_o the_o high_a sense_n as_o to_o signify_v the_o divine_a word_n can_v or_o can_v do_v but_o the_o proper_a state_n of_o the_o question_n be_v whither_o the_o spirit_n or_o light_v within_o have_v give_v general_o any_o such_o revelation_n of_o these_o thing_n which_o if_o he_o have_v not_o give_v and_o that_o to_o all_o man_n then_o to_o be_v sure_a even_o by_o w._n p_n confession_n such_o revelation_n be_v no_o part_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n for_o it_o be_v not_o what_o god_n who_o be_v light_n or_o the_o spirit_n can_v reveal_v but_o what_o he_o have_v reveal_v that_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o do_v ordinary_o reveal_v and_o see_v the_o quaker_n as_o w.p._n have_v grant_v have_v no_o inward_a revelation_n of_o these_o thing_n viz._n that_o christ_n be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n etc._n etc._n it_o be_v no_o part_n of_o their_o faith_n or_o creed_n for_o the_o rule_n of_o their_o faith_n have_v not_o teach_v it_o they_o if_o any_o have_v say_v the_o light_n within_o every_o man_n can_v reveal_v these_o thing_n they_o do_v not_o mean_v by_o the_o light_n within_o either_o christ_n or_o the_o spirit_n but_o that_o common_a illumination_n that_o be_v in_o all_o man_n that_o be_v neither_o christ_n nor_o the_o spirit_n but_o yet_o be_v a_o gift_n of_o christ_n and_o of_o the_o spirit_n section_n 17._o his_o proof_n out_o of_o the_o father_n and_o primitive_a protestant_n for_o the_o spirit_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n all_o fallacious_a a_o instance_n of_o calvin_n quote_v by_o he_o in_o some_o passage_n of_o his_o institution_n express_o to_o the_o contrary_n whither_o the_o esseni_n pythagoras_n clinias_n and_o the_o scythian_n before_o our_o saviour_n incarnation_n think_v swear_v unlawful_a from_o the_o light_n within_o as_o for_o these_o many_o author_n some_o father_n and_o other_o late_a protestant_a author_n that_o he_o quote_v in_o confirmation_n of_o his_o assertion_n viz._n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n but_o the_o light_n in_o every_o conscience_n none_o of_o all_o these_o quotation_n which_o i_o have_v diligent_o read_v and_o consider_v say_v any_o such_o thing_n viz._n that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n or_o that_o the_o light_n in_o every_o conscience_n be_v that_o rule_n either_o he_o be_v very_o ignorant_a and_o unacquainted_a in_o calvin_n and_o beza_n wriing_n and_o other_o protestant_n or_o very_o unfair_a to_o quote_v they_o when_o he_o can_v but_o know_v in_o his_o conscience_n if_o he_o be_v acquaint_v with_o they_o that_o all_o those_o protestant_a author_n do_v zeolous_o contend_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n and_o though_o they_o do_v zealous_o assert_v the_o necessity_n of_o the_o spirit_n internal_a evidence_n and_o testimony_n to_o seal_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o the_o scripture_n and_o give_v the_o understanding_n of_o it_o yet_o none_o of_o they_o all_o that_o he_o have_v quote_v say_v or_o hold_v that_o the_o spirit_n or_o light_n in_o every_o conscience_n be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n ay_o rememno_fw-la such_o doctrine_n teach_v by_o they_o and_o yet_o i_o suppose_v i_o know_v their_o doctrine_n as_o well_o as_o he_o and_o be_v it_o needful_a i_o can_v produce_v sufficient_a testimony_n from_o their_o book_n that_o he_o have_v manifest_o wrong_v they_o but_o he_o who_o take_v so_o great_a liberty_n to_o wrest_v the_o scripture_n no_o wonder_n if_o he_o make_v bold_a to_o do_v the_o same_o with_o these_o man_n write_n his_o quotation_n out_o of_o calvin_n be_v this_o inst_n lib._n 1._o cap._n 8._o it_o be_v necessary_a the_o same_o spirit_n that_o speak_v by_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o prophet_n shall_v pierce_v into_o our_o heart_n to_o persuade_v we_o that_o they_o faithful_o deliver_v that_o which_o be_v commit_v to_o they_o of_o god_n this_o do_v not_o prove_v that_o calvin_n deny_v the_o scripture_n to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n have_v express_o teach_v that_o they_o be_v but_o to_o show_v how_o little_o acquaint_v w.p._n be_v with_o calvin_n doctrine_n in_o this_o point_n who_o he_o have_v quote_v for_o he_o to_o prove_v that_o the_o scripture_n or_o write_v word_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n but_o the_o light_n in_o every_o conscience_n or_o the_o spirit_n abstract_o consider_v from_o the_o write_a word_n or_o how_o unfair_a and_o fallacious_a in_o so_o do_v if_o acquaint_v with_o his_o write_n i_o shall_v give_v some_o passage_n out_o of_o his_o institution_n that_o be_v in_o english_a 4_o for_o when_o the_o mind_n of_o man_n for_o its_o weakness_n can_v by_o no_o way_n come_v to_o god_n unless_o help_v and_o assist_v by_o his_o holy_a word_n it_o be_v necessary_a that_o all_o man_n the_o jew_n except_v do_v walk_v in_o vanity_n and_o error_n because_o they_o seek_v god_n without_o the_o word_n thus_o we_o see_v according_a to_o calvin_n how_o necessary_a be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n to_o wit_n the_o doctrine_n outward_o deliver_v of_o god_n to_o man_n by_o the_o holy_a prophet_n to_o bring_v they_o to_o god_n out_o of_o error_n and_o vanity_n for_o by_o the_o holy_a word_n it_o be_v manifest_a calvin_n mean_v not_o the_o
allow_v what_o if_o any_o now_o shall_v say_v that_o the_o light_n within_o they_o forbid_v they_o to_o eat_v flesh_n how_o can_v w.p._n convince_v they_o of_o their_o error_n if_o he_o bring_v paul_n word_n or_o any_o other_o scripture_n word_n to_o his_o conviction_n may_v he_o not_o answer_v that_o the_o scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o his_o faith_n and_o w.p._n have_v confirm_v he_o by_o his_o late_a book_n that_o say_v the_o same_o and_o if_o the_o light_n within_o in_o the_o esseni_fw-la may_v contradict_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n why_o may_v not_o the_o light_n within_o in_o a_o quaker_n contradict_v the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n both_o be_v give_v from_o the_o same_o spirit_n and_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o old_a testament_n as_o bind_v to_o the_o jew_n before_o christ_n incarnation_n as_o the_o scripture_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v to_o the_o christian_n since_o and_o how_o can_v w.p._n prove_v that_o polygamy_n be_v against_o the_o light_n within_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o new_a testament_n forbid_v it_o but_o what_o then_o by_o w._n p_n doctrine_n the_o great_a thing_n in_o the_o new_a testament_n be_v not_o necessary_a absolute_o to_o be_v believe_v but_o upon_o conviction_n of_o the_o spirit_n i._n e._n upon_o a_o new_a revelation_n as_o that_o christ_n be_v bear_v of_o a_o virgin_n die_v for_o our_o sin_n etc._n etc._n and_o he_o plain_o tell_v we_o any_o such_o new_a revelation_n be_v not_o necessary_a if_o this_o be_v not_o to_o turn_v people_n loose_v and_o to_o run_v they_o into_o great_a confusion_n light_n against_o light_n and_o spirit_n against_o spirit_n while_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v deny_v to_o be_v the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n yea_o a_o rule_n i_o leave_v to_o the_o sober_a and_o intelligent_a to_o judge_v section_n 18._o a_o correction_n of_o a_o say_v of_o w.p._n scandalous_a and_o offensive_a to_o christian_a ear_n that_o man_n be_v not_o like_a to_o be_v inform_v of_o the_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n from_o our_o saviour_n word_n to_o nicomedus_fw-la john_n 3_o nor_o can_v that_o scripture_n be_v my_o rule_n say_v he_o in_o that_o heavenly_a travel_n etc._n etc._n neither_o can_v any_o other_o write_v whatever_n page_n 29._o here_o i_o find_v one_o passage_n more_o in_o this_o book_n of_o w._n p_n that_o i_o be_o sure_a great_o derogate_v from_o the_o scripture_n and_o be_v just_o offensive_a to_o christian_a ear_n have_v quote_v our_o saviour_n word_n to_o nicodemus_n that_o he_o say_v may_v be_v credit_v historical_o that_o unless_o a_o man_n be_v bear_v again_o he_o can_v see_v the_o kingdom_n of_o god_n john_n 3_o but_o what_o be_v that_o say_v he_o to_o the_o knowledge_n and_o experience_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n that_o they_o be_v never_o like_a to_o be_v inform_v of_o there_o nor_o can_v that_o scripture_n be_v my_o rule_n in_o that_o heavenly_a travel_n respect_v the_o many_o and_o wonderful_a trial_n and_o exercise_n that_o be_v to_o be_v meet_v with_o in_o the_o way_n to_o it_o neither_o can_v any_o other_o write_v whatever_n this_o only_a be_v the_o office_n of_o that_o spirit_n and_o word_n immortal_a by_o which_o we_o be_v beget_v again_o i_o answer_v here_o he_o exclude_v not_o only_o that_o place_n above_o mention_v but_o the_o whole_a scripture_n from_o be_v instrumental_a to_o our_o information_n and_o plain_o deny_v that_o any_o can_v be_v inform_v of_o it_o there_o this_o be_v indeed_o to_o make_v it_o not_o only_o not_o the_o rule_n but_o not_o a_o rule_n in_o this_o great_a case_n but_o his_o assertion_n be_v extreme_o false_a the_o place_n quote_v john_n 3.3_o 5._o inform_v we_o of_o the_o necessity_n of_o regeneration_n and_o the_o follow_a word_n inform_v we_o of_o the_o way_n and_o manner_n how_o it_o be_v wrought_v to_o wit_n by_o the_o spirit_n as_o the_o principal_a efficient_a and_o by_o faith_n in_o the_o son_n of_o man_n as_o the_o instrumental_a cause_n v._n 14_o 15_o 16._o and_o this_o faith_n be_v wrought_v instrumental_o by_o the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n of_o the_o gospel_n call_v by_o paul_n rom._n 6.17_o the_o form_n or_o pattern_n of_o doctrine_n whereunto_o the_o believe_a roman_n be_v deliver_v as_o the_o metal_n that_o be_v melt_v into_o the_o mould_n that_o frame_v it_o into_o a_o vessel_n and_o will_v w.p._n say_v that_o his_o and_o his_o brethren_n preach_a and_o word_n inform_v people_n nothing_o of_o regeneration_n nor_o of_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o and_o the_o several_a step_n in_o the_o progress_n of_o it_o if_o not_o their_o preach_v so_o much_o of_o the_o new_a birth_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o it_o at_o least_o as_o they_o think_v be_v very_o unprofitable_a but_o if_o they_o think_v their_o preach_a profitable_a to_o inform_v concern_v regeneration_n and_o manner_n of_o it_o than_o their_o preach_a must_v be_v better_a than_o the_o whole_a scripture_n have_v he_o say_v the_o scripture_n without_o the_o spirit_n can_v guide_v or_o direct_v we_o in_o the_o way_n of_o regeneration_n nor_o be_v instrumental_a towards_o it_o without_o the_o same_o he_o have_v not_o be_v to_o blame_v all_o true_a christian_n say_v the_o same_o but_o to_o exclude_v the_o scripture_n that_o be_v the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n contain_v in_o the_o scripture_n from_o be_v so_o much_o as_o a_o organ_n or_o instrument_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o spirit_n as_o the_o spirit_n give_v efficacy_n to_o it_o be_v extreme_o false_a and_o erroneous_a and_o contradict_v the_o scripture_n testimony_n and_o the_o experience_n of_o thousand_o who_o can_v set_v to_o their_o seal_n that_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v make_v the_o scripture_n to_o wit_n the_o word_n and_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o they_o instrumental_a both_o to_o their_o conviction_n and_o conversion_n sure_o james_n be_v of_o another_o mind_n than_o w.p._n who_o say_v that_o the_o faithful_a be_v beget_v of_o the_o will_n of_o god_n by_o the_o word_n of_o truth_n and_o peter_n say_v they_o be_v make_v partaker_n of_o the_o divine_a nature_n by_o the_o exceed_a great_a and_o precious_a promise_n which_o be_v to_o be_v find_v in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n through_o the_o operation_n of_o the_o divine_a power_n and_o as_o false_a it_o be_v what_o he_o say_v that_o experience_n to_o wit_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n must_v go_v before_o all_o doctrinal_a scripture_n mean_v the_o doctrine_n deliver_v in_o the_o scripture_n which_o be_v the_o same_o before_o it_o be_v write_v this_o be_v to_o set_v the_o cart_n before_o the_o horse_n as_o the_o proverb_n be_v or_o the_o fruit_n before_o the_o seed_n be_v man_n regenerate_v in_o blindness_n and_o ignorance_n or_o rather_o be_v they_o not_o renew_v in_o knowledge_n and_o this_o knowledge_n do_v it_o not_o presuppose_v some_o doctrinal_a principle_n of_o which_o man_n must_v be_v first_o convince_v have_v the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o great_a love_n of_o god_n in_o send_v his_o son_n into_o the_o world_n outward_o to_o die_v for_o we_o and_o inward_o to_o enlighten_v we_o no_o influence_n on_o our_o regeneration_n be_v adam_n regenerate_v before_o god_n give_v he_o the_o promise_n of_o the_o woman_n seed_n after_o his_o fall_n by_o his_o assertion_n it_o must_v be_v so_o which_o be_v wonderful_a ignorance_n be_v he_o so_o little_o acquaint_v with_o the_o holy_a scripture_n as_o not_o to_o have_v see_v the_o lineament_n step_n and_o progress_n of_o the_o new_a birth_n fair_o delineate_v and_o the_o whole_a manner_n of_o it_o as_o clear_o as_o any_o country_n can_v be_v delineate_v in_o the_o fair_a map_n with_o all_o the_o several_a road_n but_o as_o the_o map_n can_v be_v of_o no_o use_n to_o a_o blind_a man_n though_o to_o a_o see_v it_o be_v of_o great_a use_n so_o to_o a_o man_n who_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n have_v in_o some_o measure_n enlighten_v the_o scripture_n be_v as_o serviceable_a as_o a_o map_n to_o a_o traveller_n yea_o and_o much_o more_o they_o be_v real_o the_o instrument_n of_o the_o spirit_n both_o for_o convince_a and_o convert_v man_n and_o the_o rule_n according_a to_o which_o the_o spirit_n lead_v they_o in_o the_o various_a step_n of_o it_o it_o be_v grant_v that_o the_o experience_n of_o regeneration_n in_o who_o it_o be_v wrought_v be_v much_o more_o than_o any_o verbal_a account_n of_o it_o by_o the_o best_a of_o word_n and_o give_v a_o man_n in_o some_o respect_n a_o more_o satisfactory_a knowledge_n of_o it_o than_o any_o man_n can_v have_v by_o scripture_n word_n or_o any_o word_n whatsoever_o who_o be_v not_o himself_o regenerate_v as_o the_o sight_n of_o a_o country_n be_v more_o and_o give_v a_o man_n a_o more_o satisfactory_a account_n of_o it_o than_o all_o verbal_a description_n or_o map_n can_v do_v to_o
the_o deism_n of_o william_n penn_n and_o his_o brethren_n destructive_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n expose_v and_o plain_o lay_v open_a in_o the_o examination_n and_o refutation_n of_o his_o late_a reprint_v book_n call_v a_o discourse_n of_o the_o general_n rule_n of_o faith_n and_o practice_n and_o judge_n of_o controversy_n wherein_o he_o contend_v that_o the_o holy_a scripture_n be_v not_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n but_o that_o the_o light_n in_o the_o conscience_n of_o every_o man_n be_v that_o rule_n by_o george_n keith_n london_n print_v for_o brab_n aylmer_n at_o the_o three_o pigeon_n against_o the_o royal_a exchange_n in_o cornhill_n 1699._o the_o preface_n to_o the_o christian_n protestant_n reader_n christian_n reader_n i_o have_v be_v concern_v more_o earnest_o and_o ample_o to_o treat_v on_o this_o subject_a in_o the_o follow_a treatise_n to_o refute_v that_o grand_a error_n of_o william_n penn_n and_o his_o brethren_n who_o make_v it_o their_o great_a fundamental_a that_o the_o light_n within_o with_o respect_n only_o to_o its_o ordinary_a and_o common_a discovery_n give_v to_o all_o mankind_n to_o christian_n jew_n mahometan_n and_o heathen_n of_o all_o sort_n protestant_n and_o papist_n be_v the_o general_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n to_o they_o all_o so_o that_o all_o under_o these_o several_a denomination_n be_v true_a and_o good_a christian_n and_o aught_o to_o own_o and_o acknowledge_v one_o another_o as_o christian_a brethren_n and_o member_n of_o one_o catholic_n or_o universal_a church_n if_o they_o obey_v and_o walk_v according_a to_o the_o common_a and_o ordinary_a dictate_v thereof_o without_o all_o superadded_a revelation_n external_n or_o internal_a of_o christ_n without_o as_o god_n and_o man_n in_o one_o person_n but_o their_o constant_a practice_n do_v evident_o contradict_v their_o principle_n for_o though_o they_o have_v acknowledge_v that_o such_o the_o heathen_n who_o be_v or_o now_o be_v obedient_a to_o the_o common_a discovery_n of_o the_o light_n within_o they_o without_o all_o faith_n in_o christ_n without_o they_o be_v their_o christian_a brethren_n and_o for_o the_o same_o reason_n they_o may_v conclude_v jew_n and_o mahometan_n who_o be_v obedient_a to_o their_o light_n within_o to_o be_v such_o yet_o general_o they_o disow_v all_o christian_a protestant_n among_o who_o they_o live_v be_v they_o ever_o so_o just_a and_o sober_a and_o obedient_a to_o their_o light_n within_o they_o if_o they_o come_v not_o under_o their_o profession_n and_o circumstance_n to_o be_v christian_n and_o thus_o as_o some_o have_v well_o observe_v they_o christianise_v the_o heathen_n and_o heathenise_n the_o christian_n call_v they_o all_o the_o world_n people_n but_o themselves_o they_o call_v the_o child_n of_o light_n the_o elect_a people_n of_o god_n and_o say_v of_o themselves_o they_o be_v in_o the_o truth_n and_o none_o but_o they_o and_o their_o deist_n and_o heathen_a brethren_n and_o perhaps_o the_o quietist_n and_o follower_n of_o molinus_n who_o book_n they_o so_o much_o esteem_v among_o the_o papist_n this_o be_v their_o fundamental_a and_o capital_a error_n and_o the_o great_a original_a and_o spring_n of_o all_o their_o other_o error_n that_o as_o so_o many_o stream_n issue_n and_o proceed_v from_o it_o the_o which_o be_v plain_o detect_v as_o by_o divine_a assistance_n i_o hope_v i_o have_v do_v in_o the_o follow_a treatise_n it_o be_v great_o to_o be_v hope_v to_o which_o i_o join_v my_o earnest_n and_o sincere_a prayer_n to_o god_n almighty_a in_o the_o name_n of_o christ_n jesus_n that_o it_o may_v be_v a_o mean_n to_o undeceive_v and_o recover_v from_o error_n many_o of_o that_o people_n if_o they_o will_v or_o dare_v give_v themselves_o the_o liberty_n to_o read_v it_o the_o book_n call_v a_o discourse_n of_o the_o general_n rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n by_o w._n penn_n to_o which_o this_o be_v a_o answer_n be_v first_o print_v in_o the_o year_n 1673_o as_o a_o appendix_n to_o his_o part_n of_o the_o christian_a quaker_n and_o be_v now_o again_o reprint_v in_o this_o present_a year_n 1699_o which_o sufficient_o show_v that_o w.p._n and_o his_o brethren_n be_v not_o change_v nor_o reform_v from_o what_o they_o be_v so_o long_o ago_o though_o his_o and_o their_o late_a pretence_n that_o they_o own_o the_o common_a principle_n of_o christianity_n and_o differ_v not_o much_o in_o doctrine_n from_o the_o church_n of_o england_n have_v occasion_v some_o to_o think_v they_o somewhat_o reform_v of_o late_a but_o it_o be_v their_o great_a mistake_n which_o the_o fallacy_n of_o w.p._n and_o other_o of_o his_o brethren_n by_o their_o late_a fallacious_a creed_n have_v lead_v they_o into_o indeed_o i_o do_v not_o know_v but_o that_o it_o be_v a_o new_a book_n so_o little_a have_v i_o read_v or_o consider_v the_o content_n of_o it_o which_o by_o occasion_n of_o their_o reprint_n it_o this_o very_a year_n i_o have_v be_v awaken_v and_o as_o it_o be_v alarm_a to_o take_v special_a notice_n of_o and_o strict_o to_o examine_v detect_v and_o refute_v the_o which_o whither_o effectual_o do_v or_o not_o be_v leave_v to_o the_o free_a and_o impartial_a judgement_n of_o the_o intelligent_a christian_a protestant_n reader_n their_o print_n it_o at_o this_o juncture_n do_v not_o a_o little_a argue_v their_o great_a imprudence_n in_o lay_v themselves_o so_o open_a to_o be_v rank_a deist_n while_o they_o at_o the_o same_o time_n pretend_v to_o hold_v the_o christian_a doctrine_n that_o be_v point_n blank_a incosistent_n therewith_o and_o great_a boldness_n that_o they_o be_v not_o ashamed_a in_o the_o face_n of_o the_o world_n to_o say_v and_o unsay_v and_o to_o be_v profess_v deist_n and_o christian_n at_o once_o which_o be_v as_o great_a a_o chimaera_n or_o impossibility_n as_o for_o one_o and_o the_o same_o thing_n to_o be_v horse_n and_o man_n at_o once_o i_o mean_v not_o one_o part_n horse_n and_o another_o part_n man_n for_o such_o a_o monster_n perhaps_o be_v possible_a but_o to_o be_v in_o all_o the_o part_n both_o man_n and_o horse_n without_o all_o redundancy_n or_o deficiency_n of_o either_o which_o as_o impossible_a as_o it_o be_v to_o be_v in_o nature_n it_o be_v as_o impossible_a that_o w.p._n and_o his_o brethren_n can_v be_v both_o deist_n and_o true_a christian_n at_o once_o that_o they_o be_v deist_n the_o book_n to_o which_o this_o be_v a_o answer_n do_v sufficient_o prove_v and_o therefore_o notwithstanding_o all_o their_o late_a pretence_n till_o they_o retract_v that_o and_o their_o other_o former_a book_n true_a christian_n they_o can_v be_v errata_fw-la page_n 35._o line_n 13._o read_v imperfect_a p._n 43._o l._n 10._o for_o regulus_fw-la read_v regulans_fw-la p._n 76._o l._n 2._o for_o jad_n r._n and._n p._n 99_o l._n 12._o for_o 13_o r._n 3._o the_o deism_n of_o william_n penn_n and_o his_o brethren_n destructive_a to_o the_o christian_a religion_n expose_v and_o plain_o lay_v open_a the_o introduction_n show_v the_o great_a importance_n of_o our_o know_v what_o the_o true_a rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n be_v and_o contain_v a_o retractation_n of_o some_o unsound_a and_o erroneous_a passage_n in_o some_o of_o my_o former_a book_n about_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n yet_o no-wise_a so_o erroneous_a as_o the_o doctrine_n of_o w.p._n nor_o be_v of_o that_o tendency_n as_o he_o be_v to_o introduce_v deism_n page_n 3._o he_o say_v since_o there_o be_v so_o many_o faith_n in_o the_o world_n and_o perplex_v controversy_n about_o they_o that_o be_v great_o behoove_v every_o man_n if_o he_o contend_v for_o then_o first_o to_o know_v the_o true_a faith_n that_o overcome_v the_o world_n concern_v the_o general_n rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n he_o be_v press_v to_o say_v something_o from_o that_o weighty_a consideration_n that_o man_n perish_v for_o want_v of_o it_o and_o can_v no_o more_o arrive_v at_o truth_n without_o it_o than_o the_o distress_a mariner_n can_v gain_v his_o port_n who_o sail_n without_o either_o star_n or_o compass_n this_o his_o weighty_a consideration_n be_v a_o plain_a confession_n that_o the_o not_o have_v a_o right_a and_o true_a understanding_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n what_o it_o be_v be_v of_o very_o dangerous_a consequence_n even_o no_o less_o than_o perish_v and_o destruction_n to_o all_o such_o who_o want_v the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o it_o and_o set_v up_o another_o thing_n in_o the_o room_n of_o it_o it_o may_v therefore_o be_v very_o necessary_a for_o w.p._n to_o consider_v the_o matter_n a_o little_a more_o weighty_o that_o in_o case_n he_o himself_o have_v not_o the_o true_a knowledge_n of_o the_o rule_n of_o faith_n and_o life_n in_o what_o danger_n he_o be_v of_o perish_v and_o how_o in_o this_o his_o work_n of_o labour_v to_o bring_v all_o people_n under_o a_o christian_a profession_n that_o give_v up_o to_o believe_v he_o to_o
self-evidence_n but_o the_o evidence_n of_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o depend_v on_o the_o veracity_n of_o god_n the_o original_a author_n of_o they_o the_o next_o thing_n to_o be_v inquire_v into_o be_v what_o be_v the_o great_a and_o most_o principal_a motive_n of_o credibility_n to_o move_v and_o effectual_o persuade_v the_o mind_n that_o they_o be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n sure_o he_o who_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v a_o god_n can_v but_o assent_v to_o this_o proposition_n that_o whatever_o god_n have_v say_v be_v true_a that_o all_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v word_n of_o truth_n it_o have_v as_o immediate_a evidence_n to_o he_o that_o have_v the_o least_o true_a knowledge_n of_o god_n as_o that_o the_o whole_a be_v great_a than_o the_o part_n that_o than_o which_o be_v only_o requisite_a to_o move_v the_o mind_n of_o man_n to_o assent_v to_o any_o word_n deliver_v to_o we_o as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v to_o have_v a_o sufficient_a motive_n of_o credibility_n give_v we_o why_o we_o shall_v believe_v they_o to_o be_v indeed_o the_o word_n of_o god_n that_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n know_v that_o all_o the_o word_n they_o deliver_v to_o man_n as_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v infallible_o the_o word_n of_o god_n be_v general_o grant_v by_o all_o that_o own_o the_o truth_n of_o divine_a revelation_n the_o manner_n of_o their_o conveyance_n to_o their_o understanding_n be_v with_o such_o a_o divine_a power_n majesty_n and_o glory_n and_o make_v such_o a_o divine_a impression_n on_o they_o as_o infallible_o assure_v they_o and_o this_o many_o time_n without_o all_o miracle_n propose_v to_o their_o outward_a sense_n section_n 8._o that_o the_o faithful_a have_v as_o good_a assurance_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n by_o the_o ordinary_a inspiration_n of_o the_o spirit_n in_o the_o use_n of_o the_o outward_a mean_n as_o the_o prophet_n have_v by_o extraordinary_a and_o prophetical_a the_o distinction_n betwixt_o they_o explain_v the_o great_a question_n therefore_o that_o remain_v now_o to_o be_v consider_v and_o resolve_v be_v whither_o the_o faithful_a can_v have_v and_o actual_o have_v not_o as_o good_a assurance_n in_o respect_n of_o all_o fundamental_o and_o essential_o of_o the_o christian_a faith_n at_o least_o that_o the_o word_n deliver_v by_o the_o holy_a prophet_n and_o apostle_n be_v the_o word_n of_o god_n as_o if_o they_o have_v receive_v they_o in_o the_o same_o way_n and_o manner_n as_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n receive_v they_o which_o be_v without_o any_o external_a medium_fw-la such_o as_o the_o ministry_n of_o man_n and_o book_n whereas_o the_o way_n that_o we_o now_o receive_v those_o word_n be_v by_o some_o external_a medium_fw-la to_o wit_n the_o ministry_n of_o man_n and_o book_n i_o shall_v not_o here_o insist_v upon_o the_o external_a motive_n of_o credibility_n take_v either_o from_o so_o many_o thousand_o of_o the_o best_a and_o wise_a of_o man_n in_o the_o several_a age_n of_o the_o world_n since_o the_o word_n be_v commit_v to_o writing_n who_o have_v receive_v and_o embrace_v they_o to_o be_v what_o real_o they_o be_v even_o the_o word_n of_o the_o live_n and_o true_a god_n or_o such_o as_o be_v take_v from_o the_o word_n themselves_o as_o outward_o deliver_v such_o as_o the_o simplicity_n purity_n majesty_n and_o efficacy_n of_o their_o doctrine_n the_o harmony_n of_o the_o several_a part_n the_o fulfil_n of_o the_o many_o prophecy_n contain_v in_o they_o the_o many_o other_o incomparable_a excellency_n of_o they_o the_o wonderful_a effect_n they_o have_v have_v on_o many_o thousand_o and_o million_o of_o man_n in_o be_v instrumental_a to_o their_o conversion_n from_o idolatry_n and_o ungodliness_n to_o true_a piety_n and_o sanctity_n all_o which_o be_v of_o great_a weight_n to_o convince_v the_o reason_n of_o man_n but_o because_o all_o this_o do_v amount_v to_o no_o more_o but_o a_o rational_a conviction_n and_o do_v not_o beget_v a_o divine_a assent_n or_o persuasion_n therefore_o i_o conclude_v with_o all_o orthodox_n and_o sound_v christian_n that_o our_o full_a persuasion_n and_o assurance_n of_o the_o infallible_a truth_n and_o divine_a authority_n of_o they_o be_v from_o the_o inward_a work_n of_o the_o holy_a spirit_n by_o his_o internal_a and_o supernatural_a illumination_n inspiration_n and_o revelation_n and_o secret_a and_o most_o inward_a teach_v in_o our_o heart_n by_o sensible_a and_o perceptible_a impression_n seal_v to_o the_o truth_n of_o they_o upon_o our_o heart_n and_o mind_n and_o here_o i_o think_v fit_a to_o guard_v against_o a_o twofold_a extreme_a that_o i_o find_v too_o many_o run_v into_o both_o great_o and_o dangerous_o erroneous_a the_o one_o be_v of_o some_o that_o grant_v indeed_o that_o the_o spirit_n do_v inward_o operate_v in_o the_o soul_n of_o man_n and_o more_o especial_o in_o the_o soul_n of_o the_o faithful_a but_o this_o operation_n or_o agency_n and_o efficiency_n of_o the_o spirit_n they_o will_v have_v it_o only_o to_o be_v effective_a and_o no-wise_a objective_n that_o be_v to_o say_v no-wise_a perceptible_a or_o sensible_a to_o the_o soul_n in_o which_o the_o spirit_n do_v so_o operate_v hence_o it_o be_v that_o some_o of_o they_o have_v call_v this_o internal_a operation_n of_o the_o spirit_n even_o in_o the_o faithful_a medium_fw-la incognitum_fw-la assentiendi_fw-la the_o which_o assertion_n be_v so_o repugnant_a to_o the_o scripture_n testimony_n in_o many_o place_n that_o hold_v forth_o the_o spirit_n internal_a operation_n and_o virtue_n to_o be_v as_o sensible_a upon_o the_o internal_a and_o spiritual_a sense_n of_o soul_n in_o any_o good_a degree_n inward_o quicken_v and_o make_v alive_a to_o god_n as_o the_o operation_n of_o outward_a light_n heatt_z cold_a or_o the_o most_o affect_a object_n of_o sight_n taste_n smell_a and_o feel_v be_v upon_o our_o outward_a and_o bodily_a sense_n and_o also_o be_v so_o contrary_a to_o the_o experience_n of_o many_o thousand_o of_o true_a experience_a christian_n i_o shall_v not_o insist_v here_o any_o further_a to_o refute_v it_o the_o other_o as_o dangerous_a and_o erroneous_a extreme_a be_v of_o such_o of_o who_o be_v w.p._n and_o his_o party_n as_o plain_o appear_v by_o what_o he_o lay_v down_o in_o this_o treatise_n and_o oft_o elsewhere_o in_o his_o book_n who_o hold_v that_o the_o manner_n and_o kind_a of_o the_o spirit_n internal_a inspiration_n revelation_n illumination_n and_o inward_a teach_n be_v the_o same_o with_o that_o which_o the_o prophet_n and_o apostle_n have_v that_o be_v to_o say_v that_o whatever_o they_o think_v they_o have_v a_o divine_a knowledge_n and_o faith_n of_o the_o word_n which_o be_v necessary_a to_o be_v the_o rule_n and_o medium_fw-la to_o the_o obtain_v this_o knowledge_n and_o faith_n must_v be_v give_v they_o as_o they_o be_v give_v to_o the_o penman_n of_o the_o holy_a scripture_n to_o wit_n without_o the_o external_a 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