now to expect a Revelation of all Truths necessary to salvation by the immediate objective teachings of Gods Spirit It is not for us to expect and promise our selves or others this if the Lord hath no where promised it Can it be proved when Christ saith The Spirit shall lead you into all truth that this is to be understood without means without the Scripture When God saith They shall teach no more every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying know the Lord for they shall all know me The sense is they shall not teach as the unconverted are to be taught who believe not who have no saving knowledge of God at all So they who have received the anointing need not as doubting and unbelieving persons that any teach them that Jesus is the Christ Can it be proved that the words are to be understood in that sense as to exclude the Ministry from edifying the Body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the Faith This Assertion That God is pleased objectively and immediately by his Spirit to reveal to all men or to his own people at least all Truths and all Duty necessary to Salvation so that they need not mind the Scripture but only wait for these immediate objective Teachings is the Wile of Satan whereby evil men take people off from what they acknowledge the full and the only Rule to lead them into a thousand Errours I prove it an Errour by these Arguments following Arg. 1. God hath promised that in order to his peoples instruction in matters necessary to Salvation his Word shall concur with his Spirit to the end of the world Therefore 't is not his pleasure to teach his people these necessary Truths immediately or without the word much less to teach all men The promise we have Isa 59.21 As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord my Spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the mouth of thy Seeds Seed saith the Lord from henceforth and for ever Arg. 2. God never from the beginning of the world to the Apostles days so taught his Church much less all men Therefore 't is without reason to imagine he doth so now Not in Innocency for the Moral Law he taught Adam by that Light he was created with which Moral Law contained necessary Truths to his Salvation In Moses's days though he himself was so taught yet none else the Church was taught mediately by Moses his Ministry In the Apostles days the Church was taught by their Ministry The Apostles themselves had immediate Revelation the Prophets also but 1 Cor. 12.29 Are all Apostles Are all Prophets Arg. 3. Excepting Moses there cannot a man be shewn to whom God by immediate Revelation discovered all Duties necessary to Salvation Paul might seem the most likely but though the Gospel was so manifested to him yet not the Law this was partly by the Law of Nature partly by the consideration of the works of Creation especially by the Scriptures How fond is the Conceit then that the whole Church should now be so taught Arg. 4. Had it been Gods purpose in Gospel times to teach all men nay to teach his whole Church immediately all their Duty then would he not have provided for this end Scriptures inspiring his word into Holy men and moving them to write it and enduing them with the Spirit of Prophesie and the Spirit of Miracles to render them credible that without hesitancy his Church might embrace the word wrote by them for the undoubted Truth of God Had this been Gods pleasure he would not have appointed a Ministry and that to continue to the end of the world for this very end to instruct his Church in those Truths that are necessary to Salvation Go preach saith Christ I am with you always to the end of the world And he gave some Apostles some Pastors and Teachers for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the Body of Christ till we all come into the unity of Faith Did God provide Scripture and appoint Ministers with an intent not to use them but to do all immediately by his Spirit without them When God gives Means he doth not ordinarily work without means but by them It is worth observation where the Scripture and Ministry are vouchsafed the Heathen attain only to know Moral Duties nothing of Christ Is it not because God concurs to teach them with the means they have the Law of Nature but doth not supply the want of means they have not to teach them immediately Jesus Christ Where therefore he hath given Scriptures and the Ministry he doth not ordinarily teach without them Men may as well expect God should ordinarily preserve life and strength without Bread Arg. 5. Immediate teachings were extraordinary things Therefore not to be expected by all men nor ordinarily and for continuance by the Church Look on them in Abraham in Moses in Samuel or any of the Prophets they were extraordinary Those persons chosen above any for God thus to reveal himself to The Revelation at certain times only 1 Sam. 3. The Lord called Samuel and to him denounced Judgment upon Elies House It was so extraordinary that all Israel v. 20. from Dan to Beersheba took notice of it and hereby knew that Samuel was established a Prophet of the Lord. And v. 21. It is said God appeared to him again in Shiloh This was no ordinary thing Daniel's and Ezekiel's Visions no ordinary things nor were Joseph's and Nebuchadnezzar's and Pharaoh's Dreams nor John's Revelation Every one nay every Believer must not look that the Sun should stand still at his Prayers or the Sea be driven back for him This were to confound ordinary with extraordinary Arg. 6. He that is by the Spirit immediately taught the Gospel can say I received it not of man neither was I taught it but by Revelation of the Holy Ghost But every Believer cannot say so Therefore every Believer is not immediately taught the Gospel Arg. 7. If immediate teaching be a sufficient Rule to Heaven then Believers need not hear the Word or read the Scriptures But God commanding Believers Be swift to hear Remember the Law of Moses my Servant Vnto the word of Prophesie ye do well to attend Thou shalt read Deut. 17.10 puts them not upon a needless duty Arg. 8. If every Believer hath immediate teachings then every one of them can write Gods mind as infallibly as the Pen-men of the Scripture Then every believer may add to the Scripture and enlarge the Churches Canon Whereas Heb. 1.1 God did deliver the Churches Canon by parts 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but now by his Son which opposed to the former discovers the whole Canon is by Christ delivered no more parts that may be added are now to be expected Arg. 9 They that hold this must either say
our Gracious God supernaturally to reveal his whole Will touching his Churches duty to the end of the World unto particular men moving them by his Spirit to write which motion was their Rule for that Action the same and commanding others to transcribe Copies that so our guidance to Heaven might safely be conveyed to posterity not lost through neglect nor forgotten through the slipperiness of his peoples Memories nor altered by relating it from mouth to mouth nor corrupted by the Relation of it made sometimes by wicked men So that as before the Scriptures were written Gods Will made known partly by the Light in every man partly by Supernatural Revelation and conueyed to posterity by word of mouth Tradition and Preaching was the full Rule of the Church then living so the same Will of God more clearly and brightly made known by Supernatural Revelation and conveyed down to us most safely by the Holy Scriptures of the Prophets and others is our full Rule in which we are to triumph as guiding us comfortably to Glory and Salvation Obj. Touching the Ceremonial Law he objects p. 31. As for those Laws of Ceremonies and Shadows to the Jews Salvation doth not depend upon them Answ This is much to the purpose The Query is whether those Laws were not part of their Rule before the death of Christ and whether the Light in them without the promulgation of those Laws could discover them Though our Salvation doth not depend on the Jewish Ceremonies yet had not the neglect of them before Christ's death been sin to a Jew Had not the contempt of them then been the hazard of his Soul Then it follows that these Laws were part of their Rule and that the Light within them was not their full or whole Rule The same is to be said for the Supper and Baptism in the Apostles days These were part of the Churches duty yet the Light within without the help of Supernatural Revelation or the Institution promulged could not discover it Obj. p. 8. If the Light within doth not dictate Baptism nor the Supper then if you Baptize you do it not as lead thereto by the Light within Answ 1. Would these men prove that the Light within without the help of Supernatural Revelation can see Baptism and the Supper a Duty Why then are they against it rebelling against the Light within 2. By the help of Supernatural Revelation even the Scriptures our Reason can tell us our Consciences can convince us of our duty herein And we dare not shut our eyes against the Truth lest we perish for ever But were it not for Scriptures our Light within could say nothing here To conclude Since something which the meer Light within could not reveal hath been the Duty of Gods people from Adam in Innocency to the Apostles days it followeth that in all that time the Light within was not their full Rule And certainly that Rule that comes short of what the Church in the Apostles days went to Heaven by cannot be a full Rule to us Arg. 2. That which doth not reveal many duties which we are bound to perform cannot be to us a full Rule and safely bring us to Glory A full Rule reveals all our duty whatever God would have his Church do and is pleasing to him But this Light in every man doth not reveal many duties which we are bound to perform We are bound to believe that the Father is God the Son God the Holy Ghost God and that these three are one God But these are high mysterious Truths which without Supernatural Revelation the Light in every man can no way discover We are bound to believe the Resurrection of our Bodies a fundamental Article of our Faith but Reason cannot assure us of this to seek for a new Birth but meer Reason cannot apprehend this nor the tendency of it no more than whither the wind goeth To pray that Gods Kingdom might come his Spirit might govern within us and cause us to bring forth fruit hearing the Word But this is a Mystery Mark 4.11 20. We are bound not to have the least motion or inclination in our hearts to sin against God Thou shalt not covet Consequently to repent of any such Motion fly to Christs Blood for the pardon of it but by the light within Paul had not known Lust except the Law had said Thou shalt not covet We are bound to believe and repent of our Fall in Adam and consequently fly to Christ for recovery but laying aside Scriptures this light cannot reveal that Adams eating the fruit of a Tree should be our Fall We are bound to keep the first day of the week a Sabbath to the Lord one day in seven we are enjoyned in the fourth Commandment the seventh from the Creation is not now the day Col. 2.6 Let no man judge you in Meat or Drink or in respect of a holy day or the New Moon or of the Sabbath days It must then be one of the other six and which doth the Scripture point out unto so much as the first John was in the Spirit on the Lords day And the Disciples met on the first day of the week to break Bread The bare light in every man cannot shew this We are bound to celebrate the Ordinance of Baptism Go Baptize The Ordinance of the Supper Do this By all this it appears this light cannot be a full Rule As much duty as it can reveal ought to be done these things which it cannot reveal ought not to be left undone If we would safely get to Heaven we must with Caleb fully follow the Lord obey him in all his Commandments and not those only this Light reveals Herod could do many things Arg. 3. My chief Argument is this That which reveals not Christ cannot possibly be a full Rule or by it self any Rule at all to Heaven But the Light in every man without Supernatural Revelation can make no discovery of Christ Therefore it cannot possibly be a full Rule or by it self be any Rule at all that can guide any to Salvation The Major I prove That that reveals not Christ can of it self be no Rule at all to Heaven Two things will clear this 1. There is no Salvation but by Christ God hath indeed exalted Christ to be a Prince and a Saviour to give Repentance to Israel and forgiveness of Sins But there is not Salvation in any other Acts 4 12. For there is none other Name under Heaven given among men whereby we must be saved 1 Cor. 3.11 Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ John 14.6 No man cometh unto the Father but by me As there is but one God so there is but one Mediator between God and Man the Man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 They that are without Christ are without God without hope Ephes 2.12 2. There is no Interest in Christ without Knowledge and Faith in him This is that which the promise
of Christ and all his Benefits is made unto Gal. 3 22. That the Promise by Faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe This is the Condition of the Promise of purchased Salvation Mark 16.16 He that believeth shall be saved How can any be supposed to obtain Interest in Christ and Salvation purchased by him that hath not the Qualifications to which Christ is promised that comes not up to the Condition of the Promise Again whom God hath decreed to save on them he doth infallibly bestow Faith and the Knowledge of Christ Acts 13.48 As many as were ordained to eternal life believed All that are to be saved shall know Christ Isa 54.13 All thy Children shall be taught of God That it is to know Christ See John 6.45 They shall be all taught of God every one therefore that hath heard and hath learned of the Father cometh unto me Further This work he hath committed unto Christ to bestow the knowledge of himself on all that are to be saved John 17.2 3. Thou hast given him power over all flesh that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him And this is Life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Those that are given to Christ are all to be saved Eternal Life is to be given to them all and since this is eternal Life to know Christ it follows that the knowledge of Christ is to be given to them every one And this follows too to whomsoever the knowledge of Christ is never given to them eternal life is never given The Minor I prove That the Light in every man reveals not Christ Had not God said Gen. 3.15 I will put enmity between thee and the Woman ond between thy seed and her seed it shall bruise thy Head How could Adam with all the Light that was left him after the Fall ever have understood that it was the Gracious Design of God to save lost man by a Saviour the Seed of the Woman 1 Cor. 2.11 What man knoweth the things of a man save the Spirit of man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God Hence it is that the whole Doctrine of Jesus Christ in Scripture is called a Mystery 1 Tim. 3.16 And without Controversie great is the Mystery of Godliness God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seen of Angels preached unto the Gentils believed on in the World received up to Glory Christ's Love to his Church is a Mystery Eph. 5.31 32. For this cause shall a man leave his Father and his Mother and shall be joyned unto his Wife and they two shall be one flesh This is a great Mystery but I speak concerning Christ and the Church Every Truth that bears any relation to Christ is a Mystery precious but secret hid in God that which the Light every man hath that comes into the world could never find out were it not for Supernatural Revelation Yea the very Angels of God who greatly excel us in knowledge the Church being supernaturally taught of God have from it received Light to understand this Mystery Eph. 3.9 10. To make all men see what is the Fellowship of the Mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God To the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in Heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God The Light of every man cannot possibly give the knowledge of Christ Only Christ himself can do this Luke 10.22 No man knoweth who is the Son but the Father and who the Father is but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Where therefore the Gospel comes not for Christ reveals himself by the Gospel for all the Light men brought with them into the World they have been there utterly destitute of all knowledge of Christ Isa 55.5 Thou shalt call a Nation that thou knowest not and Nations that know not thee shall run unto thee Yea Christ hath not been so much as named amongst them Rom. 15.20 I have strived to preach the Gospel not where Christ was named Obj. G. W. in a Book stiled The Light and Life of Christ within would prove That this Light can reveal Christ p. 46. because it can reveal God And Christ is God If it be told him that Christ is not our Saviour considered meerly as God but as God-man that hath suffered for us he objects John 8.58 Before Abraham was I am John 17.5 Glorifie thou me with the Glory I had with thee before the world was He was before he took our Nature and was he not a Saviour then A. Let it be considered how Christ is our Saviour He is our Saviour by purchasing Forgiveness and Salvation for us by his Blood and he is our Saviour by applying that purchase to us This purchase is the Ground-work of our Salvation Had there been no purchase there had been no application of the things purchased Before Abraham was Christ was our Saviour as God who was to become man and shed his Blood for us to purchase our Pardon and Salvation and so he applied to us what he was to purchase Now he is our Saviour as God-man that hath already purchased our pardon and Salvation by shedding his Blood for us To prove that he is our Saviour considered meerly as God is to prove that he saves us though he never did nor ever was to take our Nature upon him and shed his Blood for us Truly had he never been desigued to this he had not been our Saviour any more than he is the Saviour of the Fallen Angels whose Nature he was not to take on him Those therefore who before Abraham was knew not Christ as he was to be the Seed of the Woman knew him not as the Saviour And so now those that know not Christ as God in our Nature who by his death hath purchased forgiveness and salvation for us know him not as our Saviour Obj. He objects further John 6.41 I am the Bread which came down from Heaven Eph. 4.10 He that descended is the same that ascended Ans Doth this prove that Christ is not our Saviour as God-man purchasing forgiveness for us suffering in our stead but as God only This rather confirms the contrary For this was his main end in coming down from Heaven that he might take our nature on him and by dying purchase forgiveness for us that having finished this work he might ascend again This proves him our Saviour as God-man Obj. p. 70. His Divine Nature hath given us all things that pertain to Life and Godliness 2 Pet. 1.3 To which may be added Isa 45.15 O God of Israel the Saviour These Scriptures prove him a Saviour as God A. As his Man-hood concurs with his God head in applying his purchase to us Rom. 5.10 We shall be saved by his Life Chap. 4.24
for men to found their contrary opinions on the Scripture Paul p. 17. l. 5. enjoying Scripture but for all this Light missing the sence persecutes the Saints 4. Yet this Light may possibly stumble upon the true sense of Scripture in all points necessary to Salvation the Scripture is perspicuous in these and many destitute of the special Illumination of the spirit and all saving grace have been Orthodox in these points 5. The Spirit of God doth by a common operation help men to understand the true sence of Scripture hence the ungodly amongst us believe those truths which Turks and Jews p. 16. l. 3. Will not be convinced of 6. The Spirit of God by a special operation helps the Saints spiritually to apprehend the true sense of Scripture p. 15. The Inspiration of the Almighty giveth understand And this in all points necessary to Salvation The spirit saith Christ shall lead you into all Truth The duty of all is to look up to God by prayer for his spirit in a right manner to understand the Scriptures 1. They are in themselves an infallible Rule That is 1. A Rule that cannot deceive us 2. A Rule which if we practise in all it requires of us we cannot possibly miss of Salvation Three things necessarily concur to make a Rule thus Infallible 1. It must reveal truth for this only leads to heaven 2. It must reveal nothing but truth it must be incapable of revealing any error instead of truth otherwise it may possibly deceive us and we miss of heaven 3. It must reveal the whole truth at least all necessary to salvation otherwise following it we may come short of Heaven That the Scriptures are in themselves an Infallible Rule I proved in the first dispute for there I then began 2 Tim. 3.16 17. All Scripture is given by Inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine c. that the man of God might be perfect throughly furnished to every good work He fled from the argument by a rambling discourse but neither then nor since in his book hath he answered it Let the judicious read p. 15. The proof here is clear For that reveals Truth to us nothing but Truth all Truth necessary to salvation must needs be in it self an Infallible Rule to heaven But the Scriptures reveal Truth given by divine Inspiration Nothing but Truth all Scripture is given no part given by the suggestion of Satan nothing dictated by a principle of darkness Psal 12.6 The words of the Lord are pure words All Truth able to furnish to every good work Therefore an Infallible Rule in themselves 2. They are an Infallible Rule to us That is we can be sure or good and undeceiving grounds that all dictates and directions out of the Scripture are from God and sufficient to guide us to salvation The Miracles of the Pen-men the Efficacy of the word working so good a change on so many in all ages The Innate Characters of divine Authority stamped on the word as the Holiness Majesty Sublimity and Truth of Prophecy suffice abundantly to satisfie our hearts they are from God all from God And satisfied in this their own Testimony their excelling fulness compared with any other Rule what ever and the Consolation of our Spirits upon our Universal and sincere obedience to God speaking in them give us sweet assurance that they are a sufficient guide to Salvation From one of the Characters mentioned the Truth of Prophecy the Apostle Peter hath full assurance that the Scriptures are a most safe Rule to walk by 2 Pet. 1.19 Nevertheless we have a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto ye do well that ye take beed Can so much be said for the dictates and directions of every mans heart That they are an Infallible Rule to us That as men may be sure that all directions out of the Scriptures are from God so they can be sure on good undeceiving grounds that all directions out of their hearts are from God It will be said the comparison is not rightly stated it should be so all directions of the Light in every man are from God To this I answer So far as men make the Light within their Rule they have nothing to walk by but dictates or counsels out of their own hearts Let but the Question then be stated as that it might meet with the concerns of men as to their practice and it must be thus I shall not therefore alter the stating of this Question though in the handling of it I shall not wave that Query whether all directions of the Light be infallibly from God 1. Can it be said that out of our hearts we are sure proceed no dictate or direction from darkness or error within as we are sure no directions out of scripture proceed from any such principle Not only in the Unregenerate is there darkness ye were sometimes darkness but in the Regenerate also The word of Prophecy shines in the hearts of believers yet it shines there in a dark place 2 Pet. 1.1 19. compared And this darkness abides whilst on earth 1 Cor. 13.12 Now we see in a Glass darkly That Now is whilst on Earth 1. Because opposed to Then which is after this Life is ended 2. Because it is as long as Faith Hope and Charity abideth vers 13. And Now abideth Faith c. and that is whilst we live on Earth darkness and error within will be prompting amiss Have all Men that know the Scriptures as much reason to say we are sure no iuward Counsel that we have proceeds from the suggestion of Satan as to say no Scripture-Counsel is suggested by him Within men are to be found many evil motions from Satan 1 John 4.1 Try the spirits for many false Prophets are gone out into the World The Devil is a busie Agent He filled the heart of Ananias and Saphira to lie to the Holy Ghost He put it into the heart of Judas to betray his Master Obj. These were unconverted Answ Are all Converts free from his Temptations Remember the Devil had access to Adam even in Innocency to Peter And why are Saints bid resist him stedfast in the Faith And to put on the whole Armour of God It is now impossible for men to go astray walking after the Counsels they find within as it is impossible to go astray walking after the Counsels that are found in Scripture Eccles 11.9 Rejoyce O young Man in thy youth and walk in the waies of thy bea rt and in the sight of thine eyes but know that for all these things God will bring thee to Judgement If a man saith I shall have peace though I walk after the imagination of mine own heart the Lord will not spare but then the anger of the Lord and his jealousie shall smoak against that man Can this please God that every man should do what is right in his own eyes 3. Can it be said that the Light in every man dictates in his
heart the whole Truth as much as is necessary to salvation What though it should be able infallibly to tells us that we ought not to commit murther or adultery and direct us in some other few moral duties Yet as long as it cannot infallibly reveal all Truth necessary to salvation for as hath been shewn 't is no full Rule it cannot possibly be an infallible Rule to heaven 4. Can it be said that every man hath an infallible Spirit of discerning the Counsels of this Light within him from the Counsels of darkness sin and error within him and of Satan that hath access to him If every man had such a spirit yet were not this Light to be preferred because it reveals but few truths in comparison of the Scriptures But the unconverted have not p. 16. Paul mistaken was unconverted And saith our Saviour They that kill you shall think they do God service They find no counsel in Scripture putting them upon this therefore they must find it in their own hearts 'T is the Counsel of darkness and error yet taken for the Counsel of their Light for they approve it and think it to be from God They are not therefore infallibly guided in judging the counsels of their hearts Nor have the converted this infallible spirit of discerning the dictates of Light within from the dictates of Darkness The young Prophet could not discern when the old one counselled in the name of the Lord to come back and eat Bread 1 King 1.18 David thought he should please God by bringing up the Ark though in a Cart 'T was by the Counsel of his own heart not of the Scriptures Nathan thought David might build God a Temple 2 Sam. 7.2 3. Since no man hath an infallible Spirit of discerning between the Counsels of Light and Darkness in the heart how can men say of every motion in their hearts I am as sure this is and this is not from God as they can say of all the Counsels in the Scripture I am sure these are from God When men have their right sense of what is counselled in their hearts they may possibly take Error for Truth When they have the right sense of what is counselled in Scripture they cannot We need no infallible Spirit to help to discern the Counsels of Light and Darkness in Scripture for all there comes from God To make the Counsels of the Scripture our Rule is safe To make the Counsels of our hearts dangerous 'T is the way to be led into a thousand errors A deceived heart hath turned them aside 5. May it not be possible for the Light in every man to dictate some error for Truth at least through our fault forcing it to speak when it should be silent Obj. It might be objected that I confessed it to be a Light wrought by the spirit of God in every man and how possibly can a Light of the Spirit of God direct amiss Answ 1. The Spirit the Creator who speaks in the Scripture cannot possibly fall from his goodness and dictate Error But things created are in their nature mutable may fall from their goodness and dictate Error as is to be seen in many of the Angels and in our first Parents Consider Evahs Judgement which was wrought by the Spirit of God Gen. 3.6 The Woman saw that the Tree was to be desired to make one wise She saw 't was an act of her Judgement or that power of judging which the spirit of God had in perfection created in her She saw that the Tree was to be desired 't was false She erred Here you see what the Spirit of God reveals is mutable and falls from its goodness and so dictates Error And if Evahs Judgement failed her may not our power of judging what is Gods will what not call it Light or what you will fail us though created by the spirit of God 2. This Light that Gods spirit hath created in us is now placed there where it meets with much Darkness and Vice to corrupt it But a corrupt Judge will pass a wrong sentence 3. Paul persecuting the Church acted according to his conscience Act. 26.9 I verily thought with my self that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth The Scripture sets forth Conscience by thoughts Ro. 2.15 Their Conscience bearing witness and their thoughts mean while accusing or excusing one another Therefore Pauls Conscience put him on to persecute The great Query is whether Pauls Conscience did act according to Pauls Light or against his Light or according to his Darkness only his Light standing Neuter Not against his Light for Paul not having studied the Scriptures sufficiently concerning Christ not having attended to the Doctrine of Christ preached by his Disciples was not informed concerning Christ the light he brought with him into the world unable to reveal that there should be a Christ much less that this Jesus of Nazareth is he he therefore had no Light concerning Jesus of Nazareth for his Conscience to act against further though a man may act against his own light yet a mans Conscience never acts against his Light Hence is it that when a man acts against his Light he acts against his Conscience also this ever siding with his Light If it should be said Pauls Conscience acted according to his darkness only his Light standing Neuter I ask what Light was that that stood Neuter Any Light able then to reveal Jesus of Nazareth to be the Christ Since he had no such Light no such Light could stand Neuter Let it be considered God sets up Conscience in man to act according to the best present Light in him This cannot be denied Hence when Conscience hath not satisfying light to act by it is doubtful and refuseth to encourage to act when it hath light discovering such an action contrary to Gods Will it restrains from doing it if it be done it accuseth condemneth When it hath light representing such an action pleasing to God it puts on to do it excuseth approveth a man for doing it And doth it with any confidence encourage to do a thing unless a mans best present light be positively for it Since Pauls Conscience did positively put him on to persecute the Church and this with all confidence I thought verily I conclude Pauls Light stood not Neuter but his present Light his best present light all his best present light was positively for persecuting the Church of Christ Now judge whether this light within may not dictate Sin for Duty Errour for Truth 4. It is possible for darkness to prompt Errour in stead of Truth But this Light which the Spirit of God hath created in every man is darkness Therefore it is possible nay very easie for this Light to prompt Errour and hard in some cases to do otherwise That it is darkness I prove Matth. 6.23 If thine Eye be evil thy whole Body is full of darkness Some peoples eyes are evil and if
their whole bodies be full of darkness it follows that there no true Light at all in them the Light that is is real darkness It therefore is added If the Light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness Luke 11.35 Take heed that the Light which is in thee be not darkness If there were no danger that a mans Light should be darkness what room were there for this warning It is therefore uudeniable that there is a Light in man which is but darkness And I ask what Light is that Not Christ himself in the Saints not his holy Spirit that dwelleth in them not the Light of the Gospel taken in by Faith not the special illumination of the Holy Ghost Tell us then what Light can it be but the Light we brought with us into the world the Light that is in every man He that hath no more but this Light is all Darkness Therefore it is said Eph. 5 8. Ye were sometimes Darkness All darkness Ye had then not one Drachm of Light in you the Light you had was but Darkness Q. But how can this be If it be Light 't is Light how can it be and not be the same thing Ans It can of it self without Scripture teach Moral Duties that God is to be worshipped Parents obeyed c. as hath been hinted often and in this respect 't is Light But it cannot reveal Christ of it self When he is revealed by the Striptures and preaching of the Gospel it cannot discern him nor any other spiritual Mystery of the Gospel for they are spiritually discerned the Natural man with all his Light cannot reach to this And in these two respects 't is meer darkness no more able to guide a man to Salvation than darkness it self Obj. We may not put Light for Darkness Ans When Christ evidently hints the Light within may be darkness must he be thus reproved You may not put Light for Darkness That which in respect of Morals is Light he calls Light and the same being in respect of Spirituals real Darkness he properly calls it so He doth not therefore put Light for Darkness And G. W. himself acknowledgeth Div. of Christ in Answer to Mr. Dawson p. 42. That the Natural man bath not power to discern spiritual things Is not his Light darkness then What he adds yet he hath a power to receive them is very odd For how do men receive spiritual things into their Souls but first by discerning them then approving and embracing them His Reason is miserable for after Conversion he doth saith he receive them He might as well have said the Unconverted hath power to receive spiritual things for after Conversion he doth discern them 'T is as if he should have said When Sampson was an Infant he had power to carry the Gates of a City up the Hill for when he was a man he did it In Conversion we receive a new Light and a new Heart which is a new power to receive spiritual things This Light that is wrought in us by the Spirit of God when put upon it to direct us how to obtain Pardon and Justification bids us seek it by the works of the Law never pointing to Christ therefore at least being forced to speak through our fault where it should be silent as being unable to direct herein it both can and doth misguide It will be yielded in terms I think that there is no Pardon or Justification without Faith in Christ And it hath been proved that this light of it self cannot speak one Syllable of Christ therefore it cannot tell us how to obtain Pardon and Justification If then we will force it to speak in this point it must needs speak Falshood if any thing See it thus directing Rom. 2.13 14. The doers of the Law shall be justified for when the Gintiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law to themselves The Apostle lays down the way of Justification by the Law of works The Doers of the Law shall be justified He proves it for the Light of Nature puts the Gentiles upon doing of the works of the Law that they may be justified having no knowledge of the Law of Grace which direct to Christ by Faith for Justification they walk by the Law of works which is no way to Heaven for a fallen Creature The like we may see in several of the Israelites Rom. 9.32 They sought for Righteousness not by Faith but by the works of the Law And that the Light within them did put them upon this we may see chap. 10.2 I bear them Record that they have a zeal of God This they did then in a zeal for God designing his Glory and to do his will But never doth a man any thing in zeal to Gods glory but when his Reason his Judgment his Conscience his best Understanding the best Light he hath puts him on And that this is not the way to obtain Justification is evident chap. 9.32 The works of the Law are called a stumbling Stone It is a truth indeed that the Doers of the Law shall be justified but no man can possibly be a Doer He that hath once in thought word or deed in all his life broken the Law is not a Doer of the Law but a Transgressor therefore this is no way for our Justification because in our hearts are motions of darkness and errour because Satan hath access to insinuate evil into us because the Light we brought into the world doth not reveal all necessary Truths because we have not an infallible Spirit to discern these few Truths it doth reveal from Errours suggested in our hearts and because 't is possible for this very light it self to suggest errour we are not sure upon good grounds that all Counsels out of our hearts are from God as werare sure all Counsels out of the Scriptures are from God No can we so safely walk after Counsels out of our own hearts for the Counsels of the light within come out of our own hearts as we can safely walk after Counsels out of the Scripture These are infallible to us the other not Before I end I must answer what he brings to prove this Light an infallible Rule Arg. 1. p. 17. l. ult Christ bids us believe in the Light He would not have us believe in that that might deceive us Answ John 12.36 Whilst ye have the Light believe in the Light The words intimate they were like to lose the Light according to the Threat Matth. 21.43 The Kingdom of God shall be taken from you The true sense here is Whilst ye have the Gospel believe in me the Light of the world 'T is not Believe in the Light you brought with you into the World Nor was this to be taken from them Not believing in Christ they were to cary this to Hell with them to torment them for their Sin Arg. 2. The
Scripture is not to be preferred before the Spirit p. 13. The Spirit is greater than the Scripture p. 17. And you did acknowledge the Spirit revealed as certainly the mind of God as the Scripture ib. Ans 1. This is nothing to the point the Light in every man one thing the Spirit another Ans 2. Though the Counsels of Gods Spirit in Believers hearts be in themselves as certainly the Truths of God and the Spirit is not to be quenched as are his Counsels in the Scriptures for he can never lie Yet are they not to Believers so certainly the Truths of God Believers are not at all times so readily certain they are indeed the Counsels of the Spirit as they are that the Scriptures are We have a more sure word of Prophesie More sure than what Not only than the Counsels we find in our hearts not only than the Counsels of the Light within us but more sure than the direction or Voice of God himself speaking to us immediately or not by the Scriptures 2 Pet. 1.17 There came a voice to him from the excellent Glory This is my Beloved Son v. 18. This Voice we heard v. 19. We have also a more sure Word of Prophesie The Scriptures containing the Prophesies of Christ are to us a more sure Rule than the immediate voice of God himself though in it self what God immediately speaks is as certainly truth as what is spoken in the Scripture Answ 3. The Controversie being about a Rule the Spirit should not be opposed to the Scriptures For the Spirit properly is no Rule at all The Spirit enditing and speaking in the Scriptures is not the Rule but the Authr of the Rule The Spirit bringing Scripture to remembrance even what Christ hath spoken and thereby directing us is not our Rule but puts us in remembrance of the Rule The Spirit enlightning us to understand Gods mind in the Scripture is not our Rule but our spiritual Oculist strengthning our Eyes to see the Rule Nor is the Illumination of the Spirit a Rule at all as he often supposeth the Artificers Rule is one thing the clearness of his Eye to see the Rule another for our rule to Heaven is one thing the clearness of our Understanding given by Gods Spirit to discern the rule another The Rule objectively sets Gods Will and our Duty before us the Spirits illumination brightens our Understanding to apprehend it so set before us And if the Spirit be not a Rule much less is he a greater Rule than the Scriptures He should thus have expressed himself to speak to the Point The Dictates or Counsels or Directions of the Spirit of God immediately and without the Scriptures are to all men a more infallible Rule to Heaven than the Directions of the Spirit of God in the Scriptures are to those that have them And if he had well proved this he had manifested that there is some foundation for his Religion But neither can he nor all his Brethren prove that Gods Spirit doth without the Scripture reveal to every man the whole mind of God as much as is necessary to bring him to Heaven God spake immediately to Moses Did he then thus reveal to every man as much as to him Doth he now Are all Prophets If he should vouchsafe to reveal a little to any of his and not by the Scripture they have also a more sure word of Prophesie c. But since he doth not reveal to any without the Scriptures all necessary Truths as he doth by it to desire and prefer the Spirit teaching without the Scriptures before the Spirit teaching by the Scriptures as a more infallible guide to Heaven is to desire and prefer what God denies us before that which God vouchsafes us to hanker with Evah after the denied fruit to dislike with the Israelites the Mannah that came from Heaven We must not frowardly prescibe to God the Spirit immediately teaching shall be my Guide to Glory the Spirit teaching in the Scriptures shall not We ought thankfully and admiring his Grace accept of that Guide to Glory he chuseth for us 4. I assert The Scripture is a Trying Rule That is a Rule able to prove or manifest Truth to be Truth Falshood to be Falshood in all things that concern our Faith and Conversation A Rule by which we may and ought when we have any reason of doubting to try for our own safety Opinions Doctrines or Spirits whether they are of God or no. Arg. 1. That which discovers the whole Truth is able to try every Opinion Doctrine and Spirit But the Scriptures are a full Rule discovering the whole Truth Arg. 2. By that which we know to be infallible we may and ought to try what is doubtful But we know the Scriptures are an infallible Rule Therefore by them we may and ought to try whatever as to Faith and Conversation we doubt of 2 Pet. 1.19 When the Apostles had said We have a moresure word of Prophesie he adds unto which ye do well to attend He means for trial and proof of Truth He had asserted the Doctrine of Christ to be no Fable ver 16. We have not followed cunningly devised Fables To help their Faith he minds them v. 17. of the Voice from Heaven he heard in the Transfiguration Bnt saith he we have a more sure word of Prophesie more sure to prove the Doctrine of Christ and so confirm our Faith in it Therefore he adds you do well to attend to it that is for this end Arg. 3. That which the Holy Ghost approves of is our duty and for our good But he approves of it that we try Doctrines yea the Doctrines of the Spirit of God by the Scripture Acts 17.11 These were more noble than those of Thessalonica in that they searched daily whether these things were so This Argument was fled from in the first Dispute and neither then nor since answered in their Book Arg. 4. What Rule Christ directs us to try by himself his Apostles also made use of for this purpose is our safe trying Rule But our Saviour directs us to the Scriptures John 5.39 Search the Scriptures they are they which testifie of me that I am the Messiah the things the Jews doubted of He himself made use of it Luke 24.26 27. The Disciples doubting whether he were the Messiah because put to death Ought not saith he Christ to have suffered and beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them the things concerning himself His Apostles likewise Acts 2.24 God raised Christ from the dead for David did so prophesie of him Thou wilt not leave my Soul in Hell Acts 15. The Question being whether Circumcision were necessary to Salvation concerning this they decreed according to the Scripture v. 15. To this agree the words of the Prophet as it is written c. Arg. 5. We may safely embrace what agrees with Scripture for what agrees with Truth is Truth We may safely reject all that is
contrary to Scripture for what is contrary to Truth is Errour Yea we may safely reject as to Faith and Conversation what is beside the Scripture for what is more than our full Rule is more than what is needful is vain Mark 7.7 In vain do they worship me teaching for Doctrine the Traditions of men Col. 2.18 Beware lest any spoil you through Philosophy or vain deceit after the traditions of men after the Rudiments of the world and not after Christ Therefore the Scriptures are a safe trying Rule Can so much be said for the Light in every man that we may safely try by this in all cases 1. Can that which is scanty discovering but a small part of Gods Will suffice to try in all Cases 2. Can that which Christ calls Darkness that which is fallible it self keep us from being deceived 3. Can that readily give us satisfaction in all doubtful cases which it self is oft to seek Looking within all that we can see when we are in doubt of a thing is a Dictate Inclination or Consideration for it and another against it Now we are to see and need another Rule to try which of these comes from our Light which from our Darkness Whereas every direction of Scripture is sure and needs not be tried Having our Rule to seek we are like to have our satisfaction to seek also 4. If this be a trying Rule then a man may do whatsoever is right in his own eyes Then publishing Heresie to infect others is no sin nor to be punished by God or man as long as the person doth it according to his Light within No nor Drunkenness nor Whoredom nor Theft nor Self-Murder by fasting supposing the Light within puts any upon it And it hath been proved the Light within may approve of sin as it did of Persecution in Saul 5. If this be the trying Rule then it follows contradictory Opinions may possibly be on both sides true G. W. saith his Light tells him that the Light in every man is a sufficient and safe Rule to guide to heaven I am assured in my very Conscience and from the Scripture it is not He saith Baptism with water and the Lords Supper are no Ordinances of Christ now binding the Church I am assured from all the Light within me and from the Scriptures that they are If what he speaks be according to his Light indeed as what I speak is according to mine then it follows we do both hold Truth whilst we contradict one another for whatsoever agrees with the trying Rule is Truth Obj. p. 18. He that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God Ans If he had proved that the Scripture speaks here of the Light in every man he had done something vers 19. This is the condemnation saith Christ that Light is come into the world and men love Darkness Christ speaks of a more full Gospel-light which was then come into the world and not before whereas the Light in every man was in the world ever since men were in the world And we know what Christ calls darkness The sense then is this Gospel-light shines now more than before and at this day in the Holy Scriptures but men follow the dictates of their dark Understandin their Light within even their own apprehensions rejecting Gospel-light This is the Condemnation 5. I assert the Scriptures are a Binding Rule and that in those things which the light in every man doth not of it self teach Arg. 1. The Scriptures did bind in Moses time and after to Christs and in the Apostles time even speaking of things which this Light without extraordinary Revelation cannot discover And if so still To deny that the Scripture did in these things then bind is to say it had been no sin for the Jews before Christ death To reject the whole Ceremonial Law or for the Corinthians to reject the Apostles directions touching the Lords Supper Arg. 2. If the Scripture doth not bind us in such things it will follow we are not bound to believe that the Father Son and Holy Ghost are all three one and the same God or that there shall be a Resurrection of the body that we are not bound to keep the first day of the week a Sabbath to the Lord nor to seek for Regeneration nor to repent of our Fall in Adam nor mourn for our corruption of Nature or for any first motions to sin that we are not to be Baptized or Receive the Lords Supper no nor believe in Christ at all for justification nor to embrace the Gospel consequently that the contrary is no sin for this Light of it self without supernatural Revelation teacheth us none of these things Arg. 3. Gods commands cannot want Authority must therefore needs bind us even in those things this light cannot teach But the Scriptures contein such commands Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy This is his command that we believe in his Son do this in remembrance of me Go teach all Nations Baptizing them This argument was urged in the second dispute not answered there nor since in their book Arg. 4. If we are to be saved in obeying Christ fully that is in things this light speaks nothing of as well as in other things to be damned not obeying Christ in those things this light doth not of it self require then in these things the Scriptures do certainly bind us But the former is true Ezek. 18.21 If the wicked will turn and keep all my statutes he shall surely live not only do what the Light in every man teacheth but all my Statutes Heb. 5.9 Christ is the Author of eternal salvation to all that obey him and we know he hath commanded us in those things this light cannot of it self teach Jo. 12.48 He that receiveth not my word is not Do this Go baptize his word The word that I have spoken the same shall judge him at the last day Ro. 2.16 God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my Gospel The Gospel contains commands and mysteries this Light of it self cannot find out Luke 16.29 They have Moses and the Prophets let them hear them The Scriptures of Moses and the Prophets taught things above the reach of this Light if men therefore will escape that place of torments they must obey the Scripture in such things as well as other 2. Thes 1.7 8. The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ The Gospel still prescribes things above what this light can of it self reaveal or reach The Lord God awaken these men How fearful is it to reject the Scriptures as not binding in those things this Light cannot teach us Obj. But we must not do any thing because we see it written in the Scripture but must obey the spirit of God moving
covet That the Principles inclining hereunto are sins they are called sin dwelling in us To act no further then the Light that is in every man doth dictate is all one as to say I will not repent of the first motions of my heart to sin nor of any sinful principles in me I will not fly to Christs blood for pardon for them 3. This Light doth not dictate that Baptism by water is Gods will But God in Scripture commands Go Baptize In what sense Philip who could not be without the mind of Christ herein may assure our Consciences Acts 8 36 37. Look here is water But to go no further then the Light that is in every man doth dictate is as much as to say doest thou Lord command go Baptize I will not baptize nor be baptized 4. The Light that every man hath doth not dictate that we ought to celebrate the Lords Supper that is to meet to take bread signifying the body of Christ by institution and give thanks and break it and give and take and eat in remembrance of Christ to take Wine and having blessed give it signifying Christs blood by institution and take and drink to shew forth the Lords death But the Scriptures manifest this in all particulars clearly to be the mind and will of Christ and to the sanctified 1 Cor. 1.2 God in the Scripture commands 1 Cor. 11.24 25. Take eat do this To practice no further then what the Light that is in every man doth dictate is to say to a commanding God I will not take I will not eat And this in these four particulars is Rebellion Therefore that Person who having the Scriptures will practice no more then what the Light that is in every man doth dictate cannot be saved Have the commands of Christs no Authority over mens Consciences Or do his commands cease to be his commands for being written Doth not Christ say the word that I have spoken shall Judge you Jo. 12.48 And is not he resolved to take vengeance on them that obey not the Gospel 2 Thes 1.7.8 Truly these words Repent Believe Baptize Do this Yea and now by reduction Remember the Sabbath are though written not only the words of Christ but they are Gospel also Woe Woe to those Persons at the day of Judgement that are then found to have lived and dyed in Rebellion against Christs commands by these words These words shall Judge them and for disobeying the Gospel Christ will take vengeance on them To conclude blame was laid on Israel that of a long time they had not kept the Passeover as it was written 2 Chron. 30.5 But in Nehemiahs time the People of God finding it written that they should keep the feast of Tabernacles on this motive obeyed Neh. 8.14 And t is said v. 17. There was great gladness They were assured they pleased God in so doing And the mother of our Lord was careful after the daies of her Purification to offer a sacrifice as it was written Knowing it was written she knew she was bound and heartily obeyed These instances are in things the Light in all men doth not dictate as it doth not dictate Justification by Christs Righteousness Repentance and Faith in Christs blood for pardon of sinful motions of the heart and sinful Principles the observation of the Christian Sabbath Baptism and the Supper The former things instanced the Scriptures declare abolished These the Scriptures no where reveal they are abolished The God of all grace then open your understanding to see your duty and obey fully and not by halves that following God fully with Caleb and Joshua you may be accepted of the Lord. Your Truly well-wisher in Christ Jesus St. Scandrett Thus it appears the words I delivered in the Dispute taken in a right sense are no way in themselves derogatory to the Truth of God I am willing to hear defective because I did not fully explain my words in the dispute But I cannot but complain of disingenuity and falseness when I see p 4. They have given out that I should say This Light within might through the blessing of God with a good improvement save them that have not the Scriptures By what I have written it is clearly otherwise Quest I desire to answer one Query more to give full satisfaction touching inward Light 'T is this Is not the immediate teaching of the Spirit the highest and safest Rule to heaven Is it not safer to walk by the immediate teachings of the Spirit in our hearts than by the teaching of the Spirit in the Scripture and to entertain the spirits teachings in the Scripture no further then they agree with these than to entertain these no further than they agree with the Spirits teachings in the Scripture This Query is weighty And indeed the whole Controversie stated anew I must be large in the solution of it First Therefore I shall open the Terms then lay down my Answers 1. Let us remember nothing is a Rule to heaven but it Reveals Law and Gospel our whole Duty 2. Let us understand the ways of the Spirits teaching 1. He teacheth us Physically by enlightning our minds Thus Gods Spirit so assures our hearts that Jesus is Christ that there is no need in the least we should enquire of men the truth of it 1 John 2.27 The Anointing which ye have received abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you John was confident Seducers should never be able to perswade them that Jesus was not the Christ Hence also Paul could curse an Angel that should preach any other Gospel than what he had delivered This Teaching is no Rule at all but an help to see the Rule 2. He teaches us Morally or Objectively propounding or setting before us Gods Mind or Will to embrace and walk by 1 John 14.26 The Comforter shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance whatsoever I have said unto you These Teachings which take in the things taught are a Rule for we must walk according to them And of this way of the Spirits Teaching must we understand the Question 3. Let us be informed what is the immediate teaching of the Spirit There is a Mediate which is done by Means by the Scriptures as in the last mentioned The Spirit brings these to remembrance and thus we hear a word behind us saying this is the way walk in it when we turn to the right hand or to the left Isa 30.21 By the Ministry Thus the Spirit of Christ in the Prophets 1 Pet. 1.11 Testified to the Church beforehand the sufferings of Christ And by other means even by the works of Creation and the Light in every man propounding the Creation to be considered he helps us to conclude a God thence that he is to be worshipped c. I say Gods Spirit by these teacheth us for in him we live move and have our being without his help the world could not come into consideration without his
it would be his sin Eli's not punishing his Sons cost him dear and so did the like offence cost David The Lord would have us forgive private Injuries for his sake who will make us satisfaction when the Offender cannot as he himself is willing to forgive us for Christs sake who hath made him satisfaction which we cannot Eph. 4.32 Forgive one another even as God for Christs sake hath forgiven you And since we have assurance that it is the free pleasure and purpose of God according to the truth of his Word and as he judgeth it meet to punish all sin and that he hath punished our sin in his Son how vain is it now to question Cannot God appease his own wrath If God will not justifie us without satisfaction we are not to look for it any other way but rather admire and heartily embrace his Mercy in that for Christs sake he is willing to forgive us Obj. 2. Christs Sufferings could not be any satisfaction to Gods Justice for our sins For they were Persecutors that imputed sin to him p. 63. Nothing but a Creature suffered He suffered by sinners and under the burden and weight of their Transgressions His tender Spirit suffered for Transgressors foreseeing wrath coming on them p. 58. He suffered not eternal death not that height of revenge as goes against Reprobate Angels p. 9. Not infinite Wrath pag. 45. Answ Whatever Persecutors did it must not be denied that God laid on him the iniquity of us all Nor that God made his Soul an Offering for Sin though men were Instruments of part of his Sufferings Not only did he grieve foreseeing mens misery but he bore the killing stroak of Gods Justice to prevent the misery of all that believe in him Without his Death Justice would not suffer that we should be forgiven Without shedding of Blood there is no Remission For the sake of his Death Gods wrath is appeased towards us he forgives accepts loves saves us What can be more evident than that Gods Justice is satisfied in his Death And for that person who is God to suffer a Temporal Death though in his humane nature only this is of infinite value an infinite abasement a stroak of infinite wrath for had not Gods wrath against sin been infinite he would not thus have struck a person of infinite worth and dearness to him interposing as Surety between him and us miserable sinners For God in our Nature to suffer what he did this is more than for Men or Devils to suffer Gods eternal wrath or revenge this wrath more clearly shines in the Infinitude of it in thus smiting the Brightness of his Glory and the express Image of his Person than in the eternal damnation of Men and Devils in the unquenchable Flames of Hell Obj. 3. It cannot be that God should punish our sins in Christ to satisfie his Justice God doth not hate his Son p. 52. God bears Infinite love to his Son His Law is the Son shall not bear the iniquity of the Father but every man his own sins Answ That Law admits exceptions One is this Except one man voluntarily becomes Surety for another In this case Gods Law is Take his Garment And he that is Surety for a Stranger shall surely smart for it In regard then Christ voluntarily became Surety for us in punishing him for our Sins God doth not act contrary to this Rule And in regard Christ could conquer his Sufferings and they according to the everlasting appointment of God were to be a Step to his own eternal advancement as well as the Salvation of his chosen it was an act of Gods Dear Love to chuse him forth for this Undertaking though for a time he poured forth his wrath upon him for our Iniquities Isa 42.1 Behold my Servant whom I uphold mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth Obj. 4. Christs death did not make satisfaction to Gods Justice for our sins God promiseth pardon upon our repentance and turning p. 40. If satisfaction be made what need could there be of Christs Intercession p. 15. Why are not all out of Prison and Fetters Why doth the Debt of Obedience still remain p. 60. Why are those for whom Christ died still punished p. 61. Answ It is for Christs sake that God doth pardon upon repentance there is no pardon for fallen Angels promised upon their repentance because Christ satisfied not for them But having purchased Salvation for us at the hands of Justice by his Intercession he obtains the purchase at the hands of free Grace and so applies it to us Christs Death doth so glorifie Gods Justice in our Salvation as if therein he had put forth no act of Grace Christs Intercession doth so glorifie Gods Grace in our Salvation as if therein he had put forth no act of Justice This Satisfaction was designed for all them who through special Grace in time believe These all are delivered here from the guilt and reigning power of their sins and so are out of their Fetters and shall hereafter be delivered from the being of sin It is required of them that they be obedient which is but Gratitude Being disobedient they shall be corrected for their good which is but Love and Kindness They are to suffer nothing from revengeful wrath nothing in order to the satisfying of Gods Justice they shall never come into Condemnation Obj. 5. This Doctrine is mans Invention Did Christ satisfie that man might take liberty to sin As if a Prince should grant an Act of Indempnity that his Subjects might spread Dung on his Face p. 48. Answ How will mad men spurn away Gold and cast Dirt on those that tender it to them Since Mankind fallen must needs according to the truth of Gods Laws established perish for ever as well as fallen Angels if we had had no Mediator to expose himself to the Stroak of Gods Justice engaged and resolved to punish our sins Since for Christs sufferings sake it is that we are pardoned accepted saved all this according to the unerring Scriptures of our most glorious God He must shut his eyes against the Sun who will not see that this Doctrine of Satisfaction is according to truth Nor doth it tend to Licentiousness If a discovery that the least sin deserves Gods infinite wrath that upon commission of the least sin nothing can free us from everlasting burnings but the Death of Jesus Christ in our stead that for the sake of Christs death God is most freely ready to forgive all our sins if this tends not to break the heart for sin to turn the heart to God to engage the heart with everlasting indignation against what is displeasing to the Lord what is Nor can this Writer nominate one of us that encourageth men to take liberty of sinning from the consideration of Christs satisfaction Nay he cannot but know that our common doctrine is none are sharers in the benefit of this satisfaction but those who have such lively apprehensions of
not the Author of sin in decreeing to permit or in fore-ordaining it p. 41 42. For what God doth can neither be partiality nor cruelty nor unholiness Is he partial that gives his Alms where he pleaseth Is he cruel that never denies any due Compassion Who can prove that converting confirming Grace is a due Debt to every fallen man and woman Who hath first given to him Or is the Judge cruel that hangs up a Murtherer God doth actually damn none but the finally impenitent Acts 2.23 Christ being delivered by the determinate Counsel and Fore-knowledge of God you have taken and by wicked hands have crucified and slain Chap. 4.27 28. Against thy Holy Child Jesus Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Governors and People of Israel were gathered together to do whatsoever thy Hand and thy Counsel determined before to be done Is God the Author of Sin in determining or fore-ordaining the wicked actions of these men It is one thing to decree the permission of sin or to fore-ordain it another thing to commit it Between Gods fore-ordaining the sin and the actual commission of it came in the Will and Wicked Hands of men This Will and these wicked hands were the Author and Cause of sin and not Gods Fore-ordination 3. That it doth not become us to have the least Risings of heart against it and say as p. 41. If any are reprobated they cannot avoid Hell and Damnation whatever they do Or as p. 45. Then the blame of mans Damnation is to be laid on God This is the same with that Rom. 9.19 For why doth he yet find fault who hath resisted his Will What the Apostle speaks in the following Verses must quiet us Nay but O man who art thou that repliest against God Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it why hast thou made me thus Hath not the Potter power over the Clay of the same Lump to make one Vessel to Honour another to Dishonour 4. That it tends not to drive any to a sinful Despair p. 41. It is indeed a dreadful Doctrine and to be trembled at yet doth it leave room for comfort It tends to make an impenitent man that loves his sin to despair of Salvation whilst such but this is a good Despair But it tends not to make any that have not sinned the sin against the Holy Ghost how vile soever they be absolutely to despair Had the Lord passed by all there had been no hopes for any Rom. 9.29 Except the Lord had left us a Seed we had been as Sodon and been made like unto Gomorrah But though all fallen Angels are all fallen men and women are not reprobated This is some comfort and it importunately urgeth all in compassion to their own immortal Souls to turn from sin to God in Christ and to seek after good Scripture-Evidences of their Election I shall lay down two or three 1. Hast thou ever had a heart to chuse Christ Joh. 16.16 You have not chosen me but I have chosen you He that can assure his own Soul that he hath chosen Christ for his Saviour for his Teacher for his Governour for his Portion with his very heart and dearest affections may be confident he is a chosen Vessel of Mercy 2. Hast thou an heart to believe in Christ for Salvation John 10.26 You believe not because you are not my sheep He that can be assured that seeing himself lost in himself and renouncing all trust in his own performances placeth all his confidence in the Obedience and Death of Christ for Pardon Acceptance shelter from wrath and the salvation of his Soul as Paul who knew whom he had believed and was perswaded that he was able to keep what he had committed to him against that day this person hath no ground to fear Reprobation Those that are not the sheep do never thus believe 3. Hath God given thee power over thy Corruptions in some good measure a heart to pray sincerely and a holy Conversation so that thou livest not like the generality of thy Neighbours 1 Pet. 2.9 Ye are a chosen Generation a Royal Priesthood an holy Nation a peculiar People Because ye are chosen and dear to God therefore doth Grace reign over sin in you therefore have you hearts to seek God uprightly Therefore are you lovers of Holiness and your Conversation differs from other men 4. Is your heart spiritually tender Rom. 11.7 The Election hath obtained it and the rest were hardned Rom. 9.14 He hath mercy on whom he will and whom he will he hardneth You are not a Despiser of Mercy a Neglecter of Salvation a presumptuous person giving your self up to known sinful Practices but had rather lose your life than miss of Christ do grieve for what hardness you find do fear God and would in nothing offend him Are these things to be found in Reprobates Let Gods Word give your heart security that you are not Reprobates Yea if heretofore you did in truth experience these things but you are now afraid you have lost all for you have greatly fallen as did David you are sorely scourged as was Job your Faith is even giving up the Ghost with the Disciples We thought it had been he yet are not you fallen from Grace God hath not forsaken you Psal 89.30 If his Children forsake my Law and walk not in my Judgments I will visit their Transgressions with a Rod nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him nor suffer my righteousness to fail Nor have you totally forsaken your God Peter I have prayed for thee that thy Faith fail not Nor ever shall you totally forsake him for the foundation of God stands sure having this Seal to it the Lord knows them that are his There is a Recovery for you who have seemingly lost your Faith Thomas reach hither thy singer and behold my hands and reach hither thy hand and thrust it into my side and be not faithless but believing And you shall yet find more strength against the Devil and your own Corruptions more wariness love to God than ever Rom. 8.28 All things work together for good to them that love God to them who are the called according to his purpose Therefore still hope you in God still trust in your faithful Advocate Seek the Lord and his strength seek his face evermore Never cast him off that will not break a bruised Reed Strive to be more and more holy in all manner of conversation Faint not nor be dismayed the Lord is your God for ever and ever he will be your Guide unto death He will not forsake his People because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his People I have now through Gods help finished this Work and do hope that through these poor Labours of mine God will give some that are mistaken others that are staggering to discern the dangerous Errours of these People and avoid them And surely if Persons whose hearts the Lord hath framed with all readiness of mind to embrace Truth and only Truth if Persons to whom Truth is precious because proceeding from God and leading to him again if these do but see that where there is no Election among fallen Creatures there is no Salvation which is plainly visible in the fallen Angels they will readily and gladly and thankfully embrace the Doctrine of Election If these were but perswaded that they are cursed who ever diminish from Gods Word they will be afraid to reject Christs Ordinances of the Supper and of Baptism by Water If these heartily believe and they will that Christ did not die in vain Oh they will be torn Limb from Limb rather than part with that most precious soul-saving Doctrine of the Imputation of Christ Death and Sufferings to lost Sinners for Justification If these do but yield Salvation is not now attainable by the Covenant of Works that this Law is now weak through the flesh that it cannot give Life How will they at once let go all hope of attaining perfection in themselves here and desirously seek to have Christs Righteousness imputed to them that they may be found in him blessing praising and admiring God that he was graciously pleased to provide it for undone Sinners and invite them to it If these persons do but seriously consider that Adam fallen notwithstanding all the Light he brought with him into the world was not able to attain to the knowledge of Christ till God revealed him They will surely conclude the bare Light every man brings with him into the world cannot be saving And if these persons do but believe verily the Lord doth bestow on his Church and People a safer and better Rule to walk by than he bestows on the Heathen that know not God they will embrace the Scripture for their Rule and not prefer the Light that is in every man as a safer and better Rule These are the Truths I contend for and these I doubt not will be precious in the eyes of those whom God loves to the end of the World FINIS