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A44802 One of Antichrists voluntiers defeated, and the true light vindicated. In answer to a book called Ignis fatuus, published by one R.I. Wherein he vindicates Edward Dod and Samuell Smith (of the county of Salop) in their lyes, folly, and wickedness, and hath added more of his own, with divers of his false doctrines, lyes and slanders, &c. brought to light, and reproved: As that the law of the spirit of life, is imperfect, and not fit to be a Christian rule, and also, humane nature may be taken for the regenerate part of man, and the soul, &c. And likewise calls idolatry, civillity, and heathernish complements courtesie. His vindication made voyd, and his weapons broken, and he taken captive, and left with E.D. and S.S. among the slime pits of Siddim near Sodom, with his Ignis fatuus. / By F.H., a witnesse to the perfect law, of the spirit of life. Howgill, Francis, 1618-1669. 1660 (1660) Wing H3175; ESTC R16812 30,660 33

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reckoned him in the Bead-row of Saints it may be wich Saint Dominick and Saint Patricke Saint Francis and some others of the Popes Canonizing but however I shall set many of his envious and frivolous and impertinent arguments passe as things of no validity or worth being they have been answered over and over by mony hands all the fortresses strong holds thrown down so that to any judicious man they will appear to be but rubbish however R. I. would be gathering together the rubbish again and would make it appear as goodly a fabrick as he can when indeed there is nothing in it all so thou may see Reader in R. I. his vindication of this mouldey cankered ware of Babylon which he would hold up his own folly ignorance and error made manifest in the ensuing discourse of his doctrines and most of his principles thou may view and see which I have taken up and answered and his confusion and blindnesse thou may see and also view the Spirit that acts this man and how this man is like to convince any who hath not power over his tongue but lets it run to utter forth the deceit that proceeds out of his own corrupt heart thinking thereby to blind peoples eyes that they should not see how ignorant and light vain and treacherous these Priests are who would monopolize all into their own hand nay though God command and move by his Spirit yet this must not speak nor declare the mind of God except these Priests will allow of it in whom the welfare of all people lyes if thou wilt beleeve R. I. in the 11 page of his book yet if these count it disorderly for any to speak as he hath received of the Lord from his Spirit it must go for such and be accounted such as disorderly In the Epistle to the Reader R. I. saith Such Schismaticks as these Quakers hath torn the Church in peeces and its authority condemned and the Ministry slighted and false Religion advanced Answ. It seems that the Church that R. I. is of is none of the true Church which is built upon the rock Christ which the gates of hell prevaileth not against neither any weapon that is formed against it can prosper but R. I. his Church is torne in pieces and may be prevailed against sure it is but Babylon whose stones must be scattered and whole building must be thrown down and it is but the whores attire which is renting off that her nakednesse may appear and her deceit made manifest and the authority which is condemned and reproved is no authority but the authority of the beast upon which the false Church hath ridden and hath call'd it by the name of higher power and the Ministry is but such as traffick with the whores sorceries by which she hath deceived the Nations and this indeed and those Ministers indeed are slighted by us because we know him who is the Minister of the everlasting Covenant whose Spirit is manifest according to his promise to lead his people into all truth and so the Religion which standeth only in the traditions of men and in idolatry such things as R. I. goes about to maintaine as Images Crosses and Picture Mass-houses Hirelings Priests Popish tythes and Popish-ceremonies which R. I. so much pleads for all these are slighted as not to be consistant with the true Religion or the true Church of Christ Yet neverthelesse saith R. I. in his Epistle I have adventured voluntarily to side with those that contend for the truth against the Quakers and yet in the same Epistle saith He was moved of the Lord thus to declare Answ. What confusion and lying and blasphemy is here hath R. I. adventured voluntarily in his own willfulnesse and perversnesse to take part with those contenders against the truth in which the Quakers live and worship and God must be made as the author of this and all the heap of lyes and confusion which is declared and uttered forth in his Ignis fatuus which if no more were said then hath been were answer enough unto his railing discourse and yet what impudency this man hath to say he was moved of the Lord when as he hath confest he hath voluntarily took part with the contenders so that it is manifest to all reasonable men who set thee awork and whose work thou hast been doing for which thou shalt be sure to receive a reward in the mighty day of the Lord And R. I. saith Forasmuch as their counterfeit coin hath been offered to me for good silver I thought it fit to nail it to the Market-Post that it might not deceive others and instead thereof I have here made a tender of other Money viz this ensuing Treatise which I doubt not but that it may passe with truths approbation Answ. That which R. I. calls counterfeit coin was made publick by our selves and it hath been and shall be received by them that know Gods Image and the inscription of the Spirit and though R. I. hath denyed it when it was proffered to him the value and worth of that which hath been proffered is no worse For though a price be put into the hand of a fool he regards it not And now Reader thou shalt see what kind of Coin he hath tendered and how thou judges it may pass with truths approbation as hereafter will be made manifest in his further discourse Wherefore Reader saith R. I. Have not so great regard to the authority of the Writer as the truth of the matter written by him who was moved of the Lord as thus to declare against those who are adversaries to truth Answ. Indeed the authority of a writer or of that which is written is of no great moment seeing he is but one of Antichrists Voluntiers who hath not only belyed them that feared the Lord but also hath uttered forth many damnable doctrines and yet would fasten all these upon the Lord so that his deceit might be of more authority and none might question the matter thereof because the Lord allwayes moveth to truth and righteousnesse and so R. I. is one of them that hath taken the name of the Lord in vain which will not be holden guiltlesse but will be found guilty when the searcher of all hearts shall make all things manifest And then R. I. further saith That sprinkling of infants is commanded by the Scriptures and is a seale of the Covenant and baptisme of infants is that which answers to circumcision for mortification of the flesh and remission of sins and admission into the Church are sealed unto infants by sprinkling or that which R. I. calls baptizing I say Baptisme of infants is a Popish-Tradition as hath been proved by divers so that of it I need not say much but where it is commanded in the Scripture as R. I. saith Coll. 2. 11 12. is but a bad proof for R. I. for the Colossians were circumcised with the circumcision made without hands and they
law written in the heart is imperfect and not fit to be a rule but to be ruled contrary to the Apostles doctrine and so this R. I. is tryed by his own infallible standard to be a deceiver who teaches contrary to that which he cals his law and testimony and the Law which is outward is the Law of the first Covenant which made nothing perfect but the bringing in of a better hope did by which we draw nigh unto God Heb. 7. 19. Therefore the Lord said by the mouth of the Prophet Behold the dayes come that I will make a new Covenant with the house of Israel not according to the Covenant I made with you when I brought them out of the Land of Egypt when I was as a husband into them which Covenant they brake but I will write my Law in their hearts and put my spirit in their inward parts I will be to them a God and they shall be unto me a people Jer. 31. 33. Heb. 8. 9 10. Now this blind man who gropes as at noon day saith This is imperfect which is written in the heart and so faulty with him and therefore to be ruled over and the other which is outward is perfect and faultlesse and so ought to be a Rule but saith the Apostle contrary to R. I. If the first Covenant had been faultlesse there had been no place for the second which second the Apostle saith is a better Covenant and stands upon better promises but yet saith R. I. this is not the rule not fit to be a rule And furthermore the Apostle said as many as are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God and this was their rule and the Law of the Spirit of life made the Apostle free from the law of sin and death and was the new creatures rule by which they were led into all truth and as many as did walk in it out of all sin But nay saith R. I. It is not sit to be a rule for this is imperfect and is that thing to be ruled and for his proof brings Psal. 17. 4. By the word of thy lips I have kept me from the path of the destroyer and how doth this prove that the Law in the heart is to be ruled Thou ignorant man who litters forth nothing but deceit and error and so the Scriptures declares against thee for they say The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soul The Commandement of the Lord is pure enlightening the eyes Psal 19. 7 8. For the Commandement is a Lamp and the law is light Prov. 6. 23. And the Commands of the New Covenant are spirituall and not carnall and they are perfect and fit to be a rule to guide all them that beleeve in a perfect way and not as this R. I. saith unfit to be a Rule because of their imperfection and would in his blind distinctions cast a mist before peoples eyes and all may judge not only of this R. I. his mistake but of his wilfull impudence in preferring that which is visible and outward and may be seen which was given forth in time viz. the Commands outward and the letter outward above the Law of the Spirit of Life which is invisible spirituall and eternall And as I said to S. S. So I may say to thee Leane souls are they like to be who receives such damnable Doctrine as this for Articles of Faith But however Reader thou may take notice of R. I. in his Epistle to the Reader he saith The Quakers money is counterfeit coyne which he hath nailed on the Market post and instead thereof hath tendered other money and that thou may see what kind of other money the Priests is and what Image it hears by the Principles here discovered which is altogether Tin and drosse and Reprobate Silver which will be received by none but them whom the God of this world ha●h blinded the eyes of that they should not see the things that belongs unto their peace And Edward Dodd being sensible that he all his stuffe or he and all his arguments was carried Captive and become a booty and a prey he is glad that any will step in and rescue him and flatters R. I. and saith I am engaged to you to imbrace you as a precious friend that of so weake principles as mine have raised so perfect a structure so absolute rationall and demonstrative that more need not to be done Answ. R. I. his Vindication hath not redeemed E. D. his principles at all but rather hath laboured in vain and spent his strength for naught and hath brought forth such a birth as sober men will blush at made up of Ignorance Blasphemy Derision and lyes which they that have the lest moderation will abhorre and detest And the Principles of E. D. and R. I. are not only weak and feeble but wicked and impious as is manifest in what hath been declared And the structure that R. I. hath made is but builded with untempered Morter lyes falshood errour false Doctrine which the stormy wind of the Lord will Rent and scatter and confound and exalt his Truth above it all But E. D. saith What can be said to reduce such a people I know not since so many convincing arguments cannot prevaile Alass poor men whether would you reduce us or bring us back to the slime pits of Sodome where E. D. fell with his stuffe or turn us back again to Images Pictures and Crosses to Mass-houses Hirelings and Tythes to Lace Ribons and Cuffes which both E. D. and R. I. hath strongly pleaded for as faithfull Servants to their Master who would not have him loose a foot of his Territories however E. D. hath resolved to continue one in life and death with R. I. who hath shaken hands with the Prince of darknesse and made a Covenant with death which must be broken and though S. S. E. D. R. I. joyne hand in hand yet the wicked shall not goe unpunished for every one shall receive a reward according to their works And so I have done with R. I. his Book called Ignis fatu●● whose arguments false doctrines errours and lies are dissolved into nothing his Vindication made voyd his ignorance made manifest his false Doctrines brought to light and reproved by the word of truth Only I shall returne him a few of his lyes back again for him to review the second time and repent of them and remember the sentence for all Lyars is The Lake that burneth Rev. 22. 15. First That their worship differs not in whole nor in part in matter nor in manner from the Churches in the Primitive times Secondly According to the Scriptures their whole worship is framed Thirdly That Jezabel was never more madder against the Prophets then these Quakers are against Christs Ministers Fourthly The Quakers contemn Magistracy infect the Common-wealth with ●action Fifthly That the Quakers burnt some houses at Oxford Sixthly That Timothy Titus were setled in a Parochial way in their quarters Seventhly That F. H. complains of the darkness of the Sun when the fault is in his own eys Eightly The Quakers deny honour to Superiors to whom it is due and so blaspheme the name of God and his doctrine Ninthly F. H. would never have cryed out of deceit but a purpose to deceive the more Tenthly That the Quakers bid open defiance to the worship of God Eleventhly That I. N. did say That he was as just and holy and good as God Twelfthly That F. H. said That Christ Jesus was not glorified in Heaven with a real body Thirteenthly Humane nature is taken for the regenerate part of man and the soul Fourteenthly That the best men though regenerate bears Nettles Brambles and Pricks Fifteenthly There is an inward law called the law of the Spirit of life which is imperfect and not fit to beare rule but to be ruled Sixteenthly And the Scriptures leads us to the Spirit and enclines our hearts to the obedience of the rule Seventeenthly And F. H. preferreth Ignis Fatuus before the clear light of Gods word Eighteenthly lastly when he hath spoken all these lies publish'd them in Print to the world he blasphemously saith in his Epistle to the Reader Have not so much regard to the authority of the Writer as the truth of the matter written by him who was moved of the Lord thus to declare So all these lyes with many more and all these damnable Doctrines which he hath uttered forth against the truth these things he would fasten upon the Lords motion and so make him the Author of iniquity and a cloak for his ungodly speeches against them who love the truth as it is in Jesus who hath suffered many reproaches for its sake and hath been killed all the day long by this Generation amongst which R. I. is who hath bent his tongue to mischief and his lips to utter forth deceit and as Jannes and Jambres resisted Moses so hath this R. I. resisted the truth being a man of a corrupt mind and concerning the faith reprobate but he shall not proceed much further for in what he hath written his folly will be manifest unto all men and them that fear the Lord will depart out of his foot-steps which leads to the chambers of death and from those dark paths in which R. I. treadeth which leadeth into utter destruction Westmorland the 15. of the 4. month 1660. THE END
ONE OF Antichrists Voluntiers DEFEATED AND THE True light vindicated IN Answer to a Book called Ignis fatuus Published by one R. I. Wherein he vindicates Edward Dod and Samuell Smith of the County of Salop in their lyes folly and wickedness and hath added more of his own with divers of his false doctrines lyes and slanders c. brought to light and reproved As That the Law of the Spirit of life is imperfect and not fit to be a Christian Rule and also humane Nature may be taken for the regenerate part of man and the Soul c. And likewise calls Idolatry Civillity and heathenish complements Courtesie His Vindication made voyd and his weapons broken and he taken Captive and left with E. D. and S. S. among the slime pits of Siddim near Sodom with his Ignis fatuus By F. H. a witnesse to the perfect Law of the Spirit of Life The wicked are estranged from the womb they goe astray assoone as they be borne speaking lies LONDON Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate 1660. ONE OF ANTICHRISTS VOLUNTIERS DEFEATED AND THE TRUE LIGHT VINDICATED AMongstall the opposers of the truth that yet hath appeared among the black army of the old Dragon who like the Philistims hath alwayes defied Israels God and also their camp through their ostentation and boasting and with their clamorous loud cryes in the ears of the people like Rabshekah to dishearten and dismay Israel none hath appeared more out-ragious and virulent then one who subscribes himselfe R. I. who in vindication of his brethren in iniquity Edward Dod drunkard and Samuel Smith an unprofitable talker otherwise called a Minister at Cresige who hath preached that which he calls the Gospel there divers years and yet sees no fruit at all and yet this impudent R. I. whom I beleeve to be another dreamer like him for his language do manifest him to belong to mistery Babilon the great City the mother of Harlots he saith One may minister and preach the Gospel and the people not be profited at all as Samuel Smith hath done at Cresige And he saith farther that they are barren professors yet saith R. I. that S. S. need not be abashed at it And for instance he saith Was Pauls preaching of less credit because there were many Runnagates in the end shewed themselves hypocrites yet this comparison will not excuse S. S. neither E. D. nor R. I. who would cover them with an old patched Cloak some peices he hath scraped up out of Aesop's Fables a book full of lies and altogether compacted and patched up of fictions and some out of Ovid Seneca Heathens in their own account the like frivolous stories and Plato and Diogenes they must serve for a covering if it will to the two former opposers of truth but stay R. I. Did Paul stay seven years in any place and saw no fruit And though there were many unbeleevers among the Jews notwithstanding the publication of the word and the miracles of Christ yet some beleeved and though the Apostles and Ministers of Christ laboured in the work of the Lord yet some beleeved and clave unto them but there is no fruit at Cresige at all but they are barren professors as R. I. saith but if this will not serve take another of R. I. his arguments That God sends his word sometimes for the hardning of people and upon this account S. S. teaching and Ministry must be kept in credit A sad thing for the people of Cresige that they should hire a man for seven years together and pay him wages for hardning of their hearts and for counting them barren professors yet I judge S. S. E. D. R. I. counted them fruitful and abounding in zeale and fervency to God when they came into the meeting of the Quakers some ringing Pans some Candlesticks and Frying pans and throwing water like people void of understanding and saith this R. I. these yeelded a better sound then the Quakers So that thou may see what will not this R. I. vindicate and what wickednesse as can be acted and spoken here they may look for a shelter rather then they shall want a Guardian as Pictures images crosses cuffs ribons lace and such other like things invented by the Devil to draw people from serving and worshipping the living God R. I. will patronize them all being brought forth and when they are not brought forth he will reach forth his hand to help to elevate iniquity and to under-prop the Devils kingdom which is exalted in the children of disobedience as all along may be seen in his Fabulous Scrole called Ignis Fatuus when like his two brethren before him he goes about to vindicate Idolatry Images Hirelings Mass-houses Cuffs and Ribons Tithes Flattering Titles and vain Customs and Popish practices Pride Persecution and lying all those things he pleads for and hath used many vain arguments and false interpretations of Scripture so that the two former it may truly be said they have done wickedly but this R. I. exceeds them all who is so stout hearted against the truth and power of God that whatsoever he can invent in his corrupt heart against it and gathers up the rest of the Priests lies that they have vomited up before and cast in the face of truth and tenders them as good proof and some Scriptures perverted with Aesop's Fables and Ovid and Diogenes stories and upon such materials he hath framed his book called Ignus Fatuus which he hath writ in vindication of E. D. his book called A pair of Spectacles for a dark-sighted Quaker and S. S. Malice striped and whipt three Pamphlets whole Title will discover what the substance of their matter is and whose work they drive on so that I need not say much some of them vindicating persecution and incouraging the rude behaviour of the people another mocking at innocency and scorneth them who trembles at the word of the Lord and last of all R. I. who hath made a Fortresse for both the other and hath cast up a heap of confused darknesse to guard his brethren he mocks at the light within and calls it Ignis Fatuus and the law which is light which God hath promised to write in his peoples hearts this he calls an imperfect thing and therefore to be ruled and not fit to be a rule of the Saints as may be seen in the 55 page of his book and so ha●h spoken contrary to the Spirit and Scripture of truth Prov 6. and the law of the Lord which is the law that endureth for ever this saith R. I. is imperfect and the letter or law without written is perfect and is a standard as R. I. saith for all controversies then if it be so perfect and so fit to decide all controversies why doth R. I. borrow his proofs and raise his arguments from Aesop's Fables Ovids stories Plato and Diogenes discourses and to omit Seneca because R. I. saith Ambrose hath
shooting at randome cannot misse the right mark Answer It is one thing what God accounteth true honour it is another thing what R. I. counteth honour True honour is to obey the commands of Superiours who rule in the power of God and this the Quakers doe submitteth to all the just and equall commands which are required of them that rule in the power of God and this is not to blaspheme the name of God and his Doctrine but this fellow would have accused the Apostles as his generation did who put them out of the Cities charging them to speak no more in the name of Jesus and then when the Apostles returned plead their authority saying Did not we command you to speak no more in his name and now you are disobedient blaspheming the name of God and his Doctrine Is this good reasoning R. I. And charity shoots not at randome neither misses the marke but it is pure and singles out its object to joyn unto and joynes not unto deceit But this is R. I. his charity to think wel of them that are doing evill and joyne to them who are doing the Devils worke but this man honours charity as he doth the Scriptures he saith charity shoots at random and the Scriptures are the true cards as hereafter thou shalt see And saith R. I. F. H. labours to disgrace if not to deface our Churches he like a cunning gamster knows how to alter the course of true cards the Scripture as R. I. calls them Answer Because F. H. would have them to take away their crosses Pictures and Images which was set up in the time of grosse idollatry this R. I. counts graces and adorns their churches and so he is joyned to Idolls I shall let him alone and the Reader may see how R. I. honours the Scriptures when in one place he pleads for the same Titles to be given unto them which is given to God And saith No man can dishonour Christ by giving as honourable Titles to the Scriptures as to God or Christ Then by his own argument he hath brought a great dishonour to God and Christ and the Scripture by giving them so base a Title as the name of Cards and so in going about to exalt his own imaginations he hath villified the Scriptures of truth And saith R. I. To call steeple-houses churches is no addition to the Scripture but a true exposition thereof and what if there be some Reliques of Idollatry in our materiall Temples as therei 's some reliques of sin in our living Temples must they therefore be called Idoll Temples Answer The Temple in which the Jews worshiped was builded by the command of God which all these Steeple-houses cannot be compared unto which was invented and set up in the Apostacy since men hath departed from the faith and turned into formallities and Idollatry When Christ was offered up the everlasting offering them that did beleeve in Christ separated from the Temple and the Gentiles who believed separated from their Idolls Temples and they met together in houses which we do not read of was fill'd with pictures Images and Crosses and Steeple-houses now was not then invented and the Councell of Nice diverse hundred years after the Apostles decreed that Images and Crosses were to be placed in the churches and also worshiped and there is the Originall of those things which R. I. saith doth grace and adorne their Church And if some of the Reliques of Idollatry doe abide in your Temples then it demonstrates that you are in the same spirit as they were that set them up And if your Temples take its denomination from the people that met therein as R. I. saith in the 32 page then they may be truly called popish houses and Mass-houses from the people that meet therein And if the reliques of sin abide in your living Temples and bear rule there then they that defile the Temple will God destroy for holiness becomes the habitation of his house for ever and the 1 Kings 8. 11. will be but a bad proof for thee for the glory of the Lord shall fill the House of the Lord for that is the Temple blind man which was commanded by God and the glory of God did appeare there but if this will not serve we must have another proof Psal. 76. 2. In Salem is his Tabernacle and his dwelling place in Sion which may be understood allegorically of our Temples saith R. I. Doth the glory of the Lord fill your Mass-houses you glory in deceit and in pride and your glorying is not good and thy allegory is false though his Tabernacle was in Salem and his dwelling in Sion and his presence in the Temple is yours the Temple or Salem or Sion or the Tabernacle if not for shame pervert not the Scripture nor bring it to cover your idollatrous practices which R. I. pleads for and saith Images Pictures and Crosses may be continued in some places and it is like R. I. would count it sacriledge to take them away he is far from the exhortation of the Apostle abstain from every appearance of evill and hate the garment that is spotted with the flesh And R. I. saith I plead not for Baal nor for proud phantastick spirits and yet a little after saith that putting off lace ribbouds and costly apparrell may be putting on of pride Now who will believe this R. I. that he pleads not for Baal when he pleads for Pictures Crosses and Images for cuffs ribbonds lace and costly apparell Now Reader thou may observe by R. I. his decorum how the wheels goes within And further R. I. saith It is utterly unlawfull for any Christian whatsoever gifled or not gifted to preach the word in the name of the Lord before the Church publikely assembled unlesse they be ordained and set apart by the Church for such a work Answer This man is farre from Moses spirit who wished that all the Lords people were prophets and would not forbid Eldad and Medad to prophesie in the Camp which was a publick assembly and Israel then the Church of God and R. I. hath made too hasty a conclusion who would prohibit all from speaking the word of God if they wanted outward ordination then Paul was a great transgressor who consulted not with flesh and blood neither with any other of the Brethren nor went not up to Jerusalem for ordination but preached three yeare the word of God and then afterwards went up to Jerusalem and saw none except Peter and James and had no ordination then as we read of and afterward he went into Syria and Celecia and furthermore saith he was not known by face to the Churches of Judea So who ordain'd him all this time for there was no Churches of the Gentiles but what he had planted then and so they could not ordaine him Gal. 1. 17 18 19 21 22. And who ordain'd Apollo but it may be that R. I. will say that Paul was ordain'd at Antioch Act. 12. 2. But
of his sufferings as it is written Mat. 16. 21 from that time forward began Jesus to shew unto his Disciples how that he must goe unto Jerusalem and suffer many things and be kil'd and rise again the third day So that it is manifest that here was distance of time and space betwixt Peters confession of Christ and of his rebuking of him however the unbelief was gotten up in Peter and he that had need to be taught came to be a rebuker of him who was his Teacher this was another state then the former but of these things R. I. is ignorant and let the Serpent feed upon dust for I desire to give him no other food And further R. I. saith Though Saints sin not Devil-like unto death yet if any man say he hath not sinned ofter the similitude of Adam's transgression he saith John is a lyar and the truth is not in him for when all is done the best men are men still and the best earth is earth ever and will bear nettles and brambles me and if these things were well considered by F. H. he would not say and E. D. for pleading for sin or Satan for we plead against those who say they have no sin Answer This R. I. is so in love with sin that by his arguments which he makes one would judge that he accounts it as necessary as his dayly food and these are strange kind of Saints that R. I would make at the best they are but still sinners and unsanctified but they that are called to be Saints who are begotten by God the father and preserved in Christ Jesus they are sanctified and made clean through the washing of Regeneration through the sanstsification of Gods holy Spirit which divelleth in them by which they have power to mortifie the deeds of the flesh and to overcome and to be made partakers of the promises but here lyes the difference in R. I. his account betwixt his Saints and his Sinners The sinners sinneth devil-like yet the Saints sin not devil-like I say they that sin are in one nature notwithstanding R. I. his blind distinctions for they that sin are liker the Devill then God and liker his image then Gods Image for Gods Image consisteth in righteousness and ture holinesse and the devils image consisteth in unrighteousness sin and unholiness And now Reader thou may judge whose Image R. I. his Saints bears and if thou be one that can plead against them who are born of God and sinneth not and who are cleansed from all sin by the blood of Christ then R. I. will rank thee with E. D. and himself in his Bead-row of Saints as he calls it And if any man say he hath not sinned after the simititude of Adam's transgression he is saith John a lyar Nay it is R. I. that saith it and not John and so R. I. is the lyar for the Scripture saith on this wise Rom. 5. 14. Death reigned from Adam to Moses even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adams transgression So that it is manifest that there were many that death reigned over and yet they sinned not after the similitude of Adams transgression But this R. I. will accuse every man with whom he hath a mind to quarrel and will not only tell lyes himselfe but publish false Doctrine but he will bring the Saints for his author and John saith not If any man say he hath no sin And thou that sayest when all is done the best men and the best earth will bear nestles brambles and tricks as I said to E. D. so I may to thee thou hast given thy verdict for the Devill and not for God and his Saints for They that are born of God sin not and them that are cleansed by the bloud of Christ from all sin and are clear in his sight and are kept by his immortall word which dwells in them that the evill one touch them not but hath overcome the wicked one and the best earth is that wherein righteousnesse dwells which R. I. is altogether a stranger too and that brings forth no bryars no brambles nettles nor pricks for that ground is curst so this man by his devillish Doctrine hath made the coming of Christ of none effect and the bloud of Christ of none effect and so have denyed the work of redemption to the best of men and deliverance to the Creature who hath travelled in paine This dreamer is far contrary to the Prophet Daniell who saw by the Spirit of Prophesie which this R. I. so deadly hates both in men and women that if it be not allowed of by such as he it must not speak nor they by ir This Prophet I say testified of the coming of the just one and of his work that he should make an end of sin and finish transgression and bring in ever-lasting righteousnesse but saith R. I. The best men are men still and the best Earth earthever and the best saints sinners though they sin not devil-like nettles and brambles and pricks they will all bring forth Now if this doctrine be true how is the soul raised out of death and where is the restauration of the creature from under the bondage of corruption and where is the redemption of the seed which is heir of the promise Nettles and brambles bryars cumbers the ground and choakes the seed and these things F. H. hath well considered and I see more and more that thou art a pleader for sin and Satan and imperfection for a spirit of errour for Images Pictures and Crosses for Cuffs Ribbonds and Lace for Nettles Brambles and bryars and art a man that doth lay claime to the utmost borders of the Devils Kingdome and a greater servant of his Master I have not met with long whose reward will be according to his works And the lye being the chief cognisance of his Master in which he greatly gloryes in he goes on and saith Another errour of the Quakers is they do not beleeve the Scriptures to be true because they deny them to be the word of God for if they beleeve what the Scriptures say of themselves and they say of themselves that they are the word of God and for his proofs he cites Mar. 7. 13. Rom. 10. 8. 2 Cor. 2. 17. 1 Pet. 1. 25. Answer The Scriptures we own to be true and whatsoever the Scriptures say of themselves that we own them to be to wit a declaration Scriptures of truth holy Scriptures the words of God of Christ and of his Apostles a Treatise And for his proofs I could wholly referre them to the Readento examine them himselfe and to discover the ignorance of this R. I. who tenders these Scriptures aforementioned for sufficient proof as that the Scriptures calls themselves the word of God as for Mark 7. 13. making the word of God of none effect by your tradition He doth not say of making the word of God the Scriptures of none effect neither