for she comes down from above ready prepared of God for all that is fit to enter therein Man's Work ceaseth here for he can add nothing to her Beauty and Perfection Martha's over Carefulness ends here and Mary's better part is enjoyed that can never be taken away and as Man's over-carefulness is over here so fear is at an end for as there is no Night here so her Gates stand open by Day for the good to enter therein whilst that which is not good cannot The true Church is here indeed but not yet referable to any Society with respect to outward Rules and therefore ought to be waited for by all Again he tells us Page 4. To plead being left to the Grace of God against Vnity is to abuse the very Plea c. Answer The drift of this Argument is like the rest to gain a presumptive dependance upon Men either for their greater number or for some external consideration or other without 〈◊〉 regard to Conviction or Perswasion 't is true to plead this against our Understanding is an abuse of the Plea and is little better than Heresie but none can be an Heretick that truly fears God therefore to plead this against this or that thing brought in by this or that Man or by this or that Assembly that we believe is wrong is so far from abusing the Plea that it may be a true using of it therefore before the Plea is proved abused he must prove the things brought in to concern the Essence of true Religion or those that bring them in to be infallible that so we may have something that is certain to depend on for as that is a-wanting Truth is to seek till this be done he doth nothing but beg the Question we are satisfied and that he knows it Page the 4th he saith I must say unto thee Friend what if thou wilt not be left unto the Grace and Spirit of God in thy self c. Answ We answer readily then such do the thing that is extreamly evil but on the other hand what if they are left with the Grace and Spirit of God which they may or at least some for any thing that he hath said What Care has he taken What Remedy has he provided that true liberty and freedom of Speech may be maintained Not a word of that which as it shews he has not asserted the Truth for that has no respect to Persons but allows equal liberty to all so it discovers him partially devoted in this business He cannot but know equal liberty is absolutely necessary in Truths Government as also the want of it hath ruined most of Christian Societies before us and as we have heretofore impeached the Building of others as not good where that was awanting allowing it at that time as a main Pillar of our Building if discontinued our Building that was true will not only fall down but then what is set up will be worse than what has been before us by how much we did begin better Again in the same Page he asketh If he may not exhort to the practice of what he is moved to press to the practice of c. If not he saith Thou art the Imposer by restraining me from my Christian liberty and not only so but away goeth Preaching and with it the Scripture that are both appointed of God for Exhortation Râ—proof and Instruction Answer We are as much for saving of the Scripture as he is and for saving of all that is good therefore we grant he may exhort to what he believes he is moved to press to the practice of and thus having agreed with him to save true liberty and all that is good we hope he will accord with us to shut all out that is not good therefore we say though we have granted this liberty as above it 's not our Duty to obey him because he says it but because we know or at least are perswaded that what he says is true for he may be mistaken and moved to what is wrong as well as to what is right for any thing that we know and the same that may be said to him is true to every one and all Men in the things of God Again in the same Page he Questions But are there not various Measures diversities of Gifts and several Offices in the Body To this he answers Yea and then questions But therefore are not the Members of one Mind and Judgment in common and universal Matters relating to the Church of God Answer There is not much doubt in this when truly understood but we are to mind that we be not deceived and imposed upon as to what is or ought to be accounted common and universal Matters By common and universal Matters we understand and we hope according to Truth that is what has been commonly and universally received and not new and novel things that have not been so received for all new things that have not been so received they must stay that bring them in whatever they are till they come in as the former did to wit by Conviction or at least by Perswasion before they can be truly said to be common and universal Matters and in the mean time observe this of Conviction and Perswasion preceding Conformity hath been a common and universal matter or thing because commonly and universally received among us as a great Truth we believing no true Building could be or stand without it therefore let us mind we leave not common and universal Matter and old Truths too for new Notions for if we must receive new things for common and universal Matters because some that bring them in call them so would have them so or at best believe they should be so we do not only go from this old received Truth Conviction and Perswasion the main Pillar of every true Building but then what is it that may not be obtruded This would bring us to rest upon Opinion and what is uncertain then what is more contrary to Truth and the whole tendency of his Discourse seems to this purpose on which account many excellent Truths are mis-applied Page the 5th he tells us What comes from the Light Life and Spirit in one is the same in Truth and Vnity to the rest as if it rise in themselves this is seen he saith in our Assemblies every day c. Answer The Design of this Argument is to gain a dependance upon the teachings of God by Instruments equal at least to the teaching of God immediately by his Spirit in our own Hearts but how plausible soever this is 't is not according to the Truth as 't is in Jesus for though there is no contrariety in the Spirit of God so no contradiction in the Spirit teaching being all for one and the same end to wit the good of Man by the Salvation of his Soul yet betwixt God's teaching by Instruments and teaching immediately by his Spirit in our own Hearts there is this distinction
or difference that the first is but to prepare the latter to perfect and as the latter is the highest Administration the Leader being only here that cannot be removed into a Corner so he is in that Administration the substance of all Types Figures and Shadows and the fulfiller of every Addition for Righteousness sake to them that truly believe in him therefore in a Holy Reverence to the Divine Being we say the teaching of God by his Spirit immediately in our own Hearts must have the preference if ever we be truly perfected and yet there is so much Truth in what our Author hath said that when fairly stated we are content it should be as a Rule to measure the whole Difference by And therefore we offer either all that do speak in our Assemblies or Meetings speak from the Light Life and Spirit or all do not if all do so speak set it out fairly and prove it that we may be satisfied but if all do not so speak which we take for granted then you must give us a certain rule to know who do so speak and who do not or otherwise you must leave us to receive or refuse according to the best of our understanding Observe we say you must either give us a rule as above or you must leave us free for there doth not appear any mean betwixt those two that can be certain To make the matter short we take it for granted that you can give no such Rule therefore we conclude we are left free in those things of God which when they do come from God's holy Spirit immediately there is no greater Authority for are then as the Oracles of God 'T is true all should speak thus but all do not there 's the doubt and the like doubt is every where where the Truth is concerned if not give us an infallible Rule to know that the Church as referred to this or that Assembly is infallible this is absolutely necessary if we must not act according to our Understanding for no less than what is infallible can keep in the Truth We take it for granted that you can give no such Rule and therefore conclude we are every where free where the Truth is concerned to act according to the best of our Understanding in the fear of God for the Truth is but one in all 't is not more because many say it nor less because one says it therefore we are as much bound to receive the Truth from one as from many and no more to regard many than one in this case wherefore it follows as we are not bound to receive from one Man what he saith is Truth when it agrees not with our Understanding we are not to receive it from many for it must agree with the Understanding or unto such as receives it it cannot be Truth Again Truth is to be received for its own value and not for the value of those that bring it in for if it were we were in equal hazard to miss it on both hands on the one by an over-value of Persons or else how could the Leaders of the People have caused to have err'd as they have done And on the other by an undervaluing when God chuseth the foolish Things of this World to confound the wise as he often doth and what is this for but that no Flesh should glory in his Presence Therefore upon this foot as above we conclude that Conviction or at least Perswasion must be freely allowed to preceed Conformity as well to keep down that over Greatness and Dominion poor Man by the Enemy's subtilty is subject to aspire at as also to keep every one in mind that they must know the Truth for themselves for others can never know it for them nay to speak plainly and properly Truth can only be received for its own value or it can never be received so that we may safely conclude where Conviction and Perswasion are disallowed that Government ceaseth to be true and is so far from being the Government of Truth as that it wants the likeness of it Page the 6th he saith They that walk in the Light have Fellowship one with another 1 John 1. whence he saith 'T is easie to conclude that those that go out of Fellowship go out of the Light c. Answer Every saying or Position hath only one other saying or Position that stands against it if therefore what is brought as the Antithesis differ from the direct opposite sense the Work that follows or what is builded upon it cannot be true Now this Position that they that go out of Fellowship go out of the Light he brings as the true Antithesis to this Position of Scripture quoted 1 John 1. or he doth not so bring it if he doth not bring it as true he deceivs or abuses his Reader but if he do bring it as the true Antithesis he is mistaken for this is not that true Position that stands against this Scripture for if it was then what stands against this Position would directly be that Scripture at least in a true sense for opposites remain as fixt in their sense as the East doth from the West Therefore we need go no farther for a Proof of the Truth of the Work than to take that Position that stands against his for if it be that Scripture in a true sense the work is true but if it prove another thing then may we see the cunning that is in daubing as well as something of that ground of the false reasoning that is among the Children of Men. To try the matter his Position is that they that go out of Fellowship go out of the Light Now that saying that stands against this must be that they that keep in Fellowship abide in the Light this is not that Scripture 1 John 1. but another thing differing materially from it that Scripture is If we walk in the Light as God is in the Light then have we Fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin Here the ground and cause of true Fellowship is a walking in the Light and the proof that the work is true is the witness in a Man 's own mind by the cleansing from all sin without this Fellowship is ineffectual but where this is such is safe let what will come and as this is the beginning and ground of Fellowship with God 't is the ground of Fellowship with those that is born of God but his Position that those that go out of Fellowship go out of the Light make Fellowship with Men for so it must be understood at last or 't is un-intelligible to be the ground of Fellowship with God or of walking in the Light as God is in the Light which is the same thing and as for the Proof that the work is true to wit the cleansing from all sin not a word of that should the witness in a Man's self been spoken on
be quiet let all concerned consider there is that to be done they yet cannot do that so in a sense of our Nothingness and Inability we may wait on him that 's able to do all things and in the mean time let us consider if it hath not been on this foot that all before us since the Apostacy have miscarried hasting God's work taking that to themselves God has not yet given to any visible Society if so we can only avoid that Rock by being more humble And therefore we desire such as do know what he means and take themselves of this Church to consider seriously in their own minds if they find themselves thus qualified to take the Government of Christ upon their Shoulders that so others may certainly depend on them in the things of God as infallible and if they do not thus find it then to consider if they certainly know who are thus qualified on whom not only themselves but others also may depend But if this be not known then whether they are still to suppose that there is some that are thus qualified and on that Supposition presumingly depend seeing where there wants Certainty there must want Truth This we commend to every ones serious Consideration for the good of their own Immortal Souls that they may not depend on Suppositions Conjectures or at best but on Probabilities but that all may be established on God's everlasting Truth manifested in their own Souls the Truth of all Shadows and that which fulfils all Additions for Righteousness sake But again what doth he drive at What doth he intend by placing Infallibility upon this Church as it relates to Men To us it must either be to set up the worship of God or not if not we cannot find 't is worth his while for if God's worship may be known without their being set up as infallible there can be but little if any thing at all in it for where God's worship is truly known such must love God with all their Hearts and who so loves God cannot avoid loving his Neighbour as himself and herein the whole Duty of Man seems included But if any think the worship of God cannot be set up but as direction comes from Men called a Church and that because nothing can set up the worship of God but what is infallible therefore we must accept the Church as infallible in this matter then we enquire if this be not to have two infallible Rules for one and the same thing for the Spirit of Truth is certainly one infallible Rule and if this Church be another then here 's two but as this is improper so they cannot both stand together However we may distinguish the one from the other the one is to be look'd for in the mind the other from Men called a Church without and so the one is inward the other outward but taking this in the best sense not as meer Men but as they think Men indewed with God's Spirit and thereby fitted for Government Now which of those must give way for both cannot stand in equal Authority together will any venture to say that the inward must give way for a few or the lesser number cannot be so such as many or the greater number however not as this Church that is set up as the Ground and Pillar of Truth then we desire such to consider if they do not justle Christ out of his Throne or at least set up a Tutor or Governour over the Spirit of Truth as some before us have done who begun well and will still in the general in a good measure acknowledge as we do to the Influences of God's holy Spirit but then they tell us the Scripture is the Rule and what difference is there to tell us the Church is the Rule the Heir while under Tutors and Governours differing nothing from a Servant though he be Lord of all We would by no means miss your meaning either you take your selves as infallible in the matter or not if not we say why do you impose upon your Brethren For if you 're not infallible certainly you must allow Conviction to preceed Conformity but if you think your selves infallible we tell you notwithstanding that you are to give way for we hope all will conclude our Saviour perfect and every way infallible and as good and as certain a Rule as any Church can be while he was in that Body prepared for him and if his Disciples could not be made perfect while he so abode with them we hope no Church will take more to themselves or think they can do more than he did Well then if you will seek his Will as he sought or did the Father's Will you must do as he did you must tell your Disciples or those that depend upon you that you must go away as a guide to them in the worship of God and a holy Conversation before they can be made perfect for it is certainly as expedient for you to let all know how far your Ministry can go as it was for him did he tell his Disciples it was expedient for him to go away or else the Comforter could not come the Spirit of Truth that only guide into all Truth 'T is as expedient we are sure for you to let all know that except Men come into their own minds and there wait to know the work and teaching of God for themselves they can never be made perfect by your Ministry We would not have you mistake us do we hereby make void the gifts of God given unto Men for the work of the Ministry No by no means but we would have all to know that the best of gifts for this end are but Additions and are not to be perpetuated as for ever for that which is but until hath a limit and ends in him that gave them and as all ought to look for Christ the hope of Glory to arise in their minds to fulfil every Addition so should all that have received any gift from God direct all to him in whom they all end otherwise such will be always learning but can never know that Truth that maketh free for though the light of a Candle is good 't is in the dark 't is in the Night and they that use it are sensible of its service yet in in its use wait for the Day to come for the Sun to arise where its service is swallowed up and truly fulfilled even so the light that comes from Men as it comes from God to them is good and serviceable by way of direction but its chief service is to those that are in the dark and therefore if the Son of Righteousness be not waited for through the use of it to rise upon their Souls they still remain in the dark notwithstanding all the teaching of Men let their Gifts and Abilities be what they will therefore send all to Christ and leave all with him seek his Honour truly and he will certainly seek yours
AN ANSWER TO Several Material Passages IN A BOOK Published some time since by W.P. ENTITULED A Brief Examination and State of Liberty spiritual both with respect to Persons in their private Capacity and in their Church-Society and Communion c. By J. H. London Printed in the Year 1691. THE PREFACE TO THE READER FRIENDS YOV being esteemed such as profess the Spirit of Truth the guide into all Truth having met with this Book Entituled A brief Examination and state of Liberty spiritual both with respect to Persons in their private Capacity and in their Church Society and Communion and finding the Author tells us his aim was to assert Truth detect Error and point at some Shoals and Sands that some have too boldly run upon c. Noting the great difference among Friends touching the latter we could do no less than give it a serious Perusal in which we found instead of asserting the Truth freely detecting Error fairly or pointing at any dangerous Sand or Shoal certainly the tendency of our Author's Discourse was rather to remove those true Marks we had then otherwise by endeavouring to bring in a Blind Obedience and an Implicit Faith to what he calls the Church which seems rather implied too than fairly set forth that we can find On this account considering how easie 't is for many on a Religious score to take things for granted from Persons valued on that account rather than give themselves the trouble of tryal by a true search according to the due weight of the Matter We say considering the danger of this we could do no less than take notice of several parts of the said Book desiring they may be well weighed and considered by such as believe the Spirit of Truth is that only guide into all Truth How far we was obliged to do this at present by an immediate Motion from God we shall not now determine nor Impose upon any for as we find the name of the Lord in this case is almost become as a Reproach being so often used of late to so little purpose so we would not administer further Occasion in that respect to those that are without to speak evil of the way of Truth because of some difference among such as profess it nor would we peremptorily impose upon our Brethren who professing the same Principles of Truth may pretend to the like Certainty for avoiding those things we chuse rather to commend whâ—t we have to say to the witness of God in every mind that being the likeliest way to make room for Truth and as soft words are said to pacifie Wrath so are they most like to be heard at this time 'T is true we have delivered our Judgment plainly that the Tendency and Import of our Author's Discourse was and is to bring in blind Obedience c. which as it leads from the Truth so it is wrong in it self and as every wrong is managed knowingly or otherwise thro' some mistake if wrong is carried on knowingly 't is evil or wicked because designed but from this censure we may in Charity excuse our Author believing him both a better Man and more a Christian but if not designed it must be carried on and managed through some mistake and so we would have what is said in the following Discourse to be understood But then some may inquire how our Author could be mistaken being Master of such great Abilities to which we answer easily through the mysterious working of the Enemy in the likeness of Truth nor need this seem strange to any if they consider how many have been deceived thereby both great and small and some at times hurried into things grosly evil as killing their fellow Creatures and yet at the same time think they did God Service c. How much more easie is it for Persons to be deceived by the Enemy in things that appear like good The likeness of good and of Truth is that which the evil one takes up to keep his place and save his Life when he can keep no longer in the polluted State for being a Spirit he can turn into any likeness and through the over-valuing of outward thing 's on a Religious score has the Enemy slipped undiscovered into all Forms of Religion that have been in the World and thereby kept alive his Kingdom in the Wrath Enmity hard Speeches Hatred and Vncharitableness that have been kept up among the various Professors of it Therefore that great Mystery of Iniquity stands in the likeness of Truth for if there was nothing like Truth that is not Truth there could be no Vncharitableness among such as in any measure fear God for as then there would be nothing but good and Evil so such as loved the Good as they would deny the Evil they would own the good to the least degree of its appearance knowing that as the Root of all Evil was but one so the Root of all good was but one But now besides what is evil and good as coming from each respective Root there is a third thing as we may say that stands betwixt them The outward appearance resembles good to a great degree but the Root is of the same Nature with the Evil having only changed his appearance and though good may sometimes be witnessed here as there is any thing of Sincerity in the Mind yet the Root of Evil not being removed away the covering of the Soul in the best sense is but as the linnen and woolen Garment forbid to be worn under the Law On this account it is as needful to know the Enemy cast out of our Hearts as he appears like good as it was to know him cast out as he appeared as Evil for as where the latter is not known there wants the form of Truth so where the former is not witnessed there wants the power of it It is here that he deceives poor Man sitting as God in the Temple of God and therefore till he is cast out we cannot know our Names truly to be written in the Lamb's Book of Life In this is the Victory not only over Sin but over Satan for when he can keep no longer in the polluted State nor deceive by the likeness of good then can he deceive no more This we must hope and look for and the Turnings and overturnings in Profession of Religion since the stirring of God by his Spirit to Reformation do shew that he is on his way to reign whose Right it is a But to our Time this Likeness of Truth this Enemy as God sitting in the Temple of God c. hath not been cast out nor could in any Reformation because all-a-long some outward Ceremoniel or shadowy things was joyned with the Spirit of Truth as essential to Salvation True Religion and the Government of Christ But as the Enemy can go into any outward Form or Thing therefore he could not be cast forth whilst those outward Things were overvalued but whether such have acted against
or to apply them to avoid the Cross of Christ in our selves is extreamly evil but to apply them against what we believe is wrong and imposed let who will be concerned may be a true Application for the like cause will have the like effect where-ever it appears But he proceeds and saith the Doctrin is true but not exclusively of all External Counsel c. We say so too for we are for agreeing with him as far as we can and therefore that we may continue we must mind him there is a vast difference betwixt excluding all External Counsel and receiving all for Counsel that comes from this or that Man or from this or that Assembly and we are sure we cannot find that he makes any good provision in his Book to the contrary by allowing Conviction to preceed Conformity but he saith such sayings as this that I must mind the Spirit of God in myself c. are false in Application where Men are allowed observe to have had the fear of God and mind of his Spirit and are not proved to have acted in their own Wills c. Answer We did concur above as far as we could but now we must dissent it is not therefore false in Application for that were to say because some have had the fear of God and mind of his Spirit therefore such have it now or always Again because some are not proved to have acted in their own wills therefore such have acted in the will of God and therefore we must depend on such at all times in what they direct because we believed that once they was right O sad Argument How is it possible that we should believe his cause good when we are sure those are unsound Arguments and are also certain the Truth stands in no need of what is untrue to defend it much less can make use of what is false nay that belong to what is wrong or at best to what is but like Truth and to this purpose is the whole Page nay the whole Book for instead of proving things he takes for granted that this Church must be right and all she differs with must be wrong but the mischief is we know not certainly what he means by this Church and therefore desires she may be set forth fairly and in the mean time we believe he can no more prove her infallible as directed to Men than he can make this Argument good that because some had the fear of God as above therefore such have it now wherein there is no Evidence no Certainty to depend on for such may have had the fear of God and mind of his Spirit and for all that may now be without it as well as himself who used to have good Arguments but now wants them Again every Fact must be committed before proved therefore they may have acted in their own will and not yet fully proved but what proof would he have and we will endeavour to provide in the mean time can any indifferent Man think that all this Smoak can be without Fire What one part all right and t'other all wrong let them think so that can we cannot and not only so but if we have allowed any to have had the fear of God and mind of his Spirit in things offered to us if that allowance was true observe it was because we had a divine sense rellish and taste of it in our own Hearts was not this all the true Evidence we had or could have that such was right And are we to go any further for a proof that such are wrong then when the same Evidence comes not along with them Nay instead of that Evidence what we have is either against the things or manner of bringing them in must not we stand or fall here or otherwise put our own Eyes out on purpose to be led and guided by others and that before we are either perswaded that their sight is good or deputed to lead us Page 11. he saith The Enemy is at work to scatter the mind of Friends by those loose Pleas as leave me to my freedom and to the Grace of God in my self c. For he saith The plain Consequence is to go from ancient Principles and Practices as there set down and to set measure against measure as in Page 12. which he saith is Confusion it self Babel indeed this is the very Rock he saith both Professor and Prophane would long since have run us upon that a way is hereby opened to all the World Libertines to plead the light within for their Excesses c. which he saith grieveth God's Spirit and was severely reproved by our Friends in the beginning and is still reproved by them that keep their Habitation c. Answer The ground of this great noise and clamour was not a going from ancient Principles or Practices but your bringing in new things and pressing them to dissatisfaction against which it was alledged by those dissatisfied as the Spirit of Truth was not only allowed but was truly the only guide into all Truth they ought to be left to the Grace of God in this matter and not pressed to receive circumstantial or shadowy things contrary to their freedom and satisfaction here such pleaded Conscience against Imposition Now will you for this criminate such with going into what is evil or immoral or at least with designing such things is not this to judge before the time What 's this but first to suspect your Brethren of evil and then kill them in a sense to prevent it a practice always judged by us in others as evil and unrighteous and therefore every appearance of it ought to be avoided in our selves do such or did they meet together And then as a Church agree what Rules should be observed by you and might not they do that as well as you For if Church Authority may be pleaded in the case a few may be a Church as well as many for 't is not the greatness of the number in a Scripture sense but the qualifications of the Persons that makes a true Church But if nothing that is simply evil or immoral can be charged upon your Brethren nor yet any excess in imposing new things upon you will you to make way for Lordship and Dominion over your Brethren joyn with the prophane and Professors against them and the Truth or at least against those Testimonies to it For when he tells us That this was the very Rock Professors and Prophane would have run us upon namely that hereby a way was opened to all the Worlds Libertines to plead the Light within for their excesses either he makes some Friends among which is himself to be one with Professors against the light within or otherwise doth not he joyn what is unequal together For it is plain that the Professors tho' they owned the light within and Spirit of God in a sense yet they denied it was a sufficient Rule to be relied upon to guide into
the only guide into all Truth be discouraged so early and freedom of Speech taken away what may we think the next Age may do when we consider there was not yet any Christian Society but did at long run decline its Integrity in which danger we seem as well as any that did go before us And his own words to us seems to import as much for he brings the young convinced to be in most danger and for whom those requisite things seems mostly alledged to be serviceable is this because the Truth grows old that outward things are joyned with it to assist it nay sure then it must be because there seems a decrease and if the young convinced seems in this great danger whilst the old are living what must they do when they are gone beside if not an increase there will be a decrease Well since there is danger to go backward from the Truth in the Mind and Love of God in the Heart either into the World or into Form without Power and Life why should not liberty of Speech be allowed to all yea to such as think themselves the Church For if not suffered now because you think you are right they will not be allowed when there is need because they are wrong especially having your early Example to plead and thus may Truth 's Testimony suffer in the future by the cause which you now have given wherefore we think since you seem to make so much Povision for future time you ought in this more especially to have set Posterity a good President by your Moderation and Forbearance why may not you be cautioned to beware of Formality We would gladly have a satisfying reason for this while we consider all before us have failed â—â—re and what can you say more in our day than others before us could in their time Have you received more then more is required Have you any thing but what you have received Must not the Rooâ— bear yoâ— and not you the Root Must particular Persons by our own Rule be humble and low and think others better than themselves and must not Churches as they relate to Assembâ—â—â—â— read in the same book for they are made of the same Menâ— Are they holier for being assembled or because the greater number then let them be more humble too We believe it is as much the duty of Assemblies as of Individuals for at best you know but in part and there is yet that to know which you do not and God is no more bound to many than he is to one as the Wind blows where it listeth so may God speak or appear by whom he pleases Pray let us know why Truth 's Testimonies may not be allowed and pass currant where the Life and Conversation is suitable is it because you are the greater number or because there is some among this greater number that is infallible and then have received the whole Counsel of God that nothing can be true but what such allow of and all must be so that they approve Not the first surely for Truth never prospered in the World while that was to be Truth concluded by the greater number besides 't is from hence that the Whore takes her power and strength so that it s not less than a scandal to speak of it in the case but if the latter we must confess 't is rare if true because without President or Example but on the contrary that many have pretended as high things and yet have been wrong is no news why then should not you fear that while you think you stand least you fall For we believe you cannot make it appear that any pretended such high things but they failed So that by all we can find you seem in more danger than safety and consequently more occasion to bear if not receive those Testimonies than reject them under the notion of loose Pleas. Perhaps you will say that those that use those Pleas are wrong and therefore the Testimonies are false and wrong as used against you but those that use them will tell you that they really concern you and that they are for your good to regard them and indeed are so for any thing that we can find that you have said or done but if some have been wrong must all be condemned for that Will that make you right We doubt not but you say they are wrong if so it must be manifest in their Lives and Conversation or not If manifest in their Lives and Conversations place your Judgment upon what is evil and spare not for there it will stand for we plead not for evil in any but for what is good but let that which is true live you know where the Heart believeth to Righteousness the Mouth must confess unto Salvation so where the Spirit of Truth is owned and known the guide into all Truth such may truly hold forth those Testimonies which belong unto it yea for those Testimonies of Truth ought to live as outward Monuments of it through all Generations But if no evil manifest in their Conversation nay perhaps instead of finding any evil there their Lives and Conversations may be as good as yours and such as adorns the Gospel against which Scripture saith there is no Law will you then make Laws against such as God has made none What will you do now Will you say they are still wrong though you have nothing against their Lives and Conversations nor yet against any principle or essential thing they hold and that because of that wrong those Testimonies of Truth which they use are wrong and false For he saith Page 9. That a saying may be false or true according to the subject or matter it is applied too but that we believe is a mistake for we think Truth 's Testimonies are not false because some may mis-apply them For instance this Testimony that the Spirit of Truth is guide into all Truth is always true however mis-applied to illustrate it in lower things as Meat Drink and Cloathing then what is more abused or mis-applied are they wrong or false because some abuse them No such matter no more do we think Truth 's Testimonies false because some abuse them Will you then abuse and discourage those Testimonies because you think those are wrong that use them though nothing that is immoral or evil in it self can be proved against them We think you cannot do this in the best sense but do evil that good may come of it and though that may be a Maxim in a false Church we believe 't is none in a true are they wrong still in your thought then 't is what you cannot right without doing wrong your selves Now if you cannot right a thing without doing wrong is it not your place to suffer Nay is it not your Duty And if the advice to the Church of Philadelphia was thought on in this case it might help to support However we know our Saviour overcame by suffering and
must not all that 's born of his Spirit overcome by the same way when they cannot do otherwise but do wrong Otherwise do not you put forth your strength instead of waiting for God's and that we believe will spoyl the work Doth Truth 's Government seem to totter What then Is not the Government of truth God's Cannot he establish it without your strength Remember Vzza put forth his hand to stay the Ark when it seem'd in danger he could plead his end good as well as yours and yet he suffered for it there may be an over-carefulness as well as too little But might not a little Charity help all this could you look upon such as trouble you to be conscientious which we think you might safelier do than make such Transgressors and evil-doers for refusing circumstantial or shadowy things while they own with you that without Holiness no Man can serve the Lord for how can this preach to them that are not of our Communion while you give not unto your Brethren what you desired to receive from others This we think you might easily do while you differ not in essentials for as you differ not in essentials there seems nothing but what might be dispensed with Remember they obtrude nothing upon you nor seems to stand for any other freedom but that wherein Christ has made them free therefore if you could esteem them or any of them conscientious the work would be easie You know the Lord often spared those that are wrong for the sakes of those that are right and 't is our Doctrin Tares should be suffered to grow rather than destroy Wheat then how can your Government be like his whilst that is wanting Certainly you cannot think that all is wrong that are dissatisfied with those new things brought in at least as made Terms of Communion We would perswade you better if we could by assuring that some are right by being sincere could you but believe this you would quickly find all that is lawful is not expedient Here the work would be easie nay your duty too to omit the pressing to dissatisfaction some things that you might think good whilst in themselves no essential things rather than put your Brethren upon the receiving things that are not good which all such things are that are not of Faith you know who hath said it But if this difference cannot be ended but that it must be like that of Judah and Israel manage it with more Moderation and in that love of God that it may be shewed the Lord is at hand to gather different apprehensions into a better tempeâ— and thus in your difference there might be true service by shewing the World that Christian Example which as yet they never had and do as much want otherwise you will dishonour the God of Truth and Peace before the People It will not be the laying the blame one of another that will do the business you must agree together quietly or part friendly or you are no preachers of Righteousness whatever your Principles of Truth may be Abraham's Family and Lot's could not agree together but they agreed in their parting nor did their separation lose their Friendship as the Offices of love performed after do manifest at least on Abraham's part who was the greater more by his Self-denial and Meekness than his Eldership for he was content for quietnâ—ss with what the other left or refused But why cannot you agree together whilst you own one and the same righteous Principle You came out together have you not done the greater and cannot you do the less That 's strange were it not worth your while seriously to consider that the Lord may have a hand in the matter than still either think of differing or dividing Had not you need consider that all before us that have come out through the stiring of God in their Mind to a Reformation was not only tryed by such as was wrong but also by such as was right In the first they stood but in the latter have failed and can we think to be made perfect without the full Trial if you think that therein is your danger O that this could be considered in that coolness love and good will that 't is written in For certainly this is our Trial. But that we may come to an end seeing there has been so much said by him of the Church and power of the Church we desire to know what is meant and intended by this word Church for sometimes the whole Communion is taken for the Church and sometimes every particular Society have the name of the Church and therefore because of those divers acceptations of the word Church we desire to have it set forth fairly what is intended by the word Church with respect to the Controversie In the mean time we grant that any may reprove evil and what is immoral in any of the same Society we grant that any Assembly that meets about the outward Affairs of the Community may deal with such as go from Truth 's Principles or goeth into any thing that is immoral or that layeth any other Foundation than Jesus Christ and his holy Spirit to be guide into all Truth But forasmuch as the difference is not about any of those things but about certain new things that have been brought in since our beginning on this account we desire to be satisfied where that power remains to bring new things in and to make such things Terms of Communion and to this end we offer either such things must have a value in themselves or they must have a value set upon them by others If the first they will speak for themselves without any unsound or untrue Argument to defend them or force them forward for those are so far from helping any good cause as they really hurt it for how should we believe that cause good which we know not but by those Arguments which we are sure is false or at least not true But if the latter then others must speak for them and we must receive them not because we know they are true and good by their own worth but for the value of those that bring them in which we think must be either some particular Persons or else some Assembly If the first who and where are they and from whence does their Power and Authority grow This can neither be peremptory nor impertinent for if any such thing we should know it and every one that doth well is willing to bring his deeds unto the Light nor doth God lay an Office upon any but he will support them in it But if the latter then it must be an Assembly of the whole Community or some particular Assembly not the first because they cannot meet to consult not the particular meeting that our Author belongs too nor that which we belong too nor any of that Order for then as there is as many Churches as distinct Assemblies there might be as many Opinions
as Churches their Power being all alike If then some distinct Assembly it must be such an one to speak modestly as is superiour to all the rest according to Constitution and then what comes not in this way can have no shadow of any Authority for force or pressure of new things beyond satisfaction and freedom but such a Church cannot be but either by a civil Compact or by a divine Institution The first is not agreeable with the Truth for we cannot delegate or give power to any to make Rules or Laws to guide us or oblige us in spiritual Matters because we cannot be bound by any thing but the Truth and we must know it such before we can be bound by it therefore no such Compact or Agreement can be because liberty reserved and our power given away are inconsistent But if the latter that some one Assembly according to divine Institution is superiour to all the rest who can make circumstantial or shadowy things Terms of Communion 'T is necessary we should know that Assembly as well also that their Authority is divine if we must rest upon their Determinations without Trial in these matters c. But this we think we cannot know but by a divine way and that then must be either by a divine sense in our own minds or by the Authority of Truth which such bring to convince in both cases we conceive our Understanding is concerned in our Obedience and Duty but neither of those ways are known to us at present therefore till set forth to press Obedience under the notion of a divine Institution implies a kind of Contradiction being in effect to say we are to go out of the Truth to serve it for to go into uncertainty is not to serve the Truth if it be not to go out of the Truth directly thus by all our endeavour in searching into the matter we cannot find according to the Principles of truth that Conformity is to go before Conviction however not before Perswasion And yet we say for Peace sake and that nothing might be hindered that is good as also that true liberty may be preserved any Particular or any Assembly of the Community may offer what is new if they sincerely believe it good and serviceable without breach of Unity or at least of Communion but we cannot find to the bringing of new things in as matters of Faith or Terms of Communion that any Assembly have any more power than a particular Person and if mistaken we would very gladly be better informed and therefore till that be done we believe to press new things as matters of Faith or Terms of Communion to dissatisfaction and indeavouring to get such things strengthened by geting the majority of Voices either directly or indirectly is a going out of Truth to make Parties And this being done how easie is it for Men to be hurried into that Uncharity as not to dispence with those Dissenters which themselves have made without Characters of Indignity as publick marks of Dis-favour as though the thing was out of doubt Truth because the most are for it We shall endeavour to bring this long business to this short issue either such as believe the Spirit of Truth is the only guide into all Truth have liberty and freedom to judge of what they are to receive or they have not if they have not power and liberty to judge of what they are to receive and practice as matters of Faith c. then the power over them is uncountable and such must submit to their Determinations not because they know or are perswaded they are true but because those that have this power over them say they are true if this be not Usurpation exercising Lordship and Dominion as well as the bringing in blind Obedience and the begetting into an Implicite Faith we desire it may be fairly demonstrated to be according to Truth this cannot fairly be denied because we believe the Truth will stand the Test and be willing to come to the Tryal we know that which is false will not indeed because it cannot therefore we are fully perswaded where any is offended at this fair and free Inquiry for satisfaction 't is a sign if not an infallible one that such are faulty But on the other hand if we have liberty and freedom to judge of what we are to receive and practice as matter of Faith on terms of Communion that so our Religion and Duty may be according to our Understanding and Judgment then we may dissent as well as assent to things proposed or brought in according as things or occasion may fall out and this without fear or hazard of being proclaimed Delinquents for Nonconformity not only with respect to our private Sentiments or Opinions for that we might do in Turky or at Rome but with respect to those of the same Communion that would bring new things in to be observed otherwise we have neither true liberty nor freedom The Result is if there be a power over us that can bring in new things as matter of Faith and terms of Communion let it be fairly set forth and proved according to truth but if we have power and liberty to judge of what we are to receive then allow it freely that dissatisfaction and difference may come to an end To this we think can be but one Objection and that is that such as are dissatisfied are not conscientious which we confess is an old Objection but yet not more old than evil and never was to seek to abuse others by such as over-valued themselves 't is time therefore it were removed being as well unchristian uncharitable as unrighteous to criminate Perfons before any thing that 's evil or immoral can be justly proved against them and such practices have always been so far from making difference less as they made them greater for instead of restoring the Path of Peace and Truth to dwell in they always laid a sure foundation both for dissatisfaction and at last for division seeing every one that is truly conscientious have not far to go for an unerring Evidence to reverse so erronious a Judgment Those are some of those many things that we are dissatisfied with in his Book and we can say on a conscientious account either then from a true Understanding or from some misapprehension of the matter in both cases we conceive we should be relieved according to Truth And as our Author is great in the Reputation of Men we expect and also hope he will be great as a Christian too which is to submit unto the Truth where-ever it appears concerned by amending what is amiss whether it be with respect to himself or it be in our mis-understanding so far as lieth in his power and that he may proceed chearfully in this undertaking we are content to say we know but in part and indeed we think but in a little part too nor dare we think our selves so perfect but what we have writ may be objected against by such as will cavil on divers accounts Perhaps some may say it wants Method may be some may say there 's seeming Contradiction or 't is full of Tautologies nay perhaps some fault may be found as to the matter for we confess and think that the day will still grow more clear and then shadows will still be less However as we are sure our end is good there can be nothing done against us in the same mind that can hurt or be of evil Consequence for varieties of Understanding that stands in the fear of God and are managed in his love may be some cause that more light is afforded but however we make our advice to others in the first place a caution to our selves to be always ready to hear and mind what when and how the Lord is pleased to speak or appear for we do not already count our selves perfect yet one thing we do forget what is behind and presses hard after the Mark that stands before and think those that do not so seems not apt for the Kingdom of God for the mind of Christ must be sought for forward and not back to his former appearances and thus in part we know what we are but what we shall be we do not fully know but as the living hopes remain in the mind such truly wait for his appearing which as they cannot miss of his coming so shall they see him as he is and be purified by him that is pure for he was is and is to come Lastly we must confess we do believe our Author might be really troubled touching our Differences as Israel was about Ruben when he built his Altar but we believe also he did not inquire the matter out fully as they did which if he had we are fit to think we should have found as few Objections in this Book as in his other Writings or had he considered of what of this nature was as we were informed communicated to him some time since then perhaps had been no occasion for this however we hope shall be always as ready to confess unto a Truth as to oppose an Error In the mean time we conclude truly desiring the good of Mankind in general but especially of them that have in any measure believed or confessed that the Spirit of Truth or Light within that comes from God is the only guide into all Truth for those we are the more concerned not only because they are nearer to us by Profession but also because they have received more and so have more to give an account of therefore we do earnestly desire such may not sit down in a Notion or Profession of so holy a Principle and thereby take the name of the Lord in vain but by a true Travel in their own Hearts and Minds with God's holy Spirit may come to prove the Truth of what is professed then will they be established as Mount Sion indeed that never can be removed The END