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
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
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
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
AN ANTIDOTE AGAINST Quakerisme Wherein these Following QUESTIONS Are Opened the Truth concerning them Proved the contrary Arguments Examined and Confuted Whether the Scriptures or the Light in every man be our Rule to Heaven Whether the Light in every man be a Saving Light Here Something also concerning Immediate Teaching Whether Perfection viz. a State free from all Sin be attainable in this Life Whether Baptism with Water be an Ordinance of Christ binding us Whether the Supper be an Ordinance of Christ binding us Whether Justification be by the Righteousness of Christ imputed By Stephen Scandrett Minister of Gods Word 1 Cor. 3.13 Every mans works shall be made manifest for the Day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire and the fire shall try every mans work of what sort it is London Printed for Tho. Parkhurst at the Bible and Three Crowns in Cheapside near Mercers Chappel 1671. TO THE GODLY READER A Brief Account of Two Disputations between George Whitehead Robert Ludgater c. Quakers and the Author BEing informed of the great number of Quakers in and about Old-Samford and considering the destructive Opinions of those that teach among them the certain eternal ruine of them if in all things they should believe and practise according to the Doctrine of some at least of these Teachers As Pauls Spirit was stirred in him when he saw the Athenians wholly given to Idolatry so my Bowels yearned towards this misguided Flock of which many I am perswaded truly breathing after Salvation are led away as those two hundred men that went after Absolom in the simplicity of their hearts and know not whither these Teachers are leading them What might be done to stop the erroneous course of this people If these that take upon them to preach among them saw the evil of their own wayes it would be a good step to the reducing of many Is it impossible that these should be informed I told a Friend that lived near the place I could willingly discourse with some of their Teachers had I an opportunity aiming only at a private Conserence About a year after this person directs two Quakers to my House with a Letter which when I opened I found that whereas I had challenged to dispute with them they required these may be the Questions c. and that time and place may be agreed upon I wondred at this Language for before the Quakers utterly disclaimed any such thing as a Challenge Yet considering that a Dispute would draw Quakers to it who are utterly averse from hearing any that preach the wholsom Doctrine of the Gospel and thus there might be an advantage of clearing up the Truths of God before them it may be the Lord will convince some of them at least and so rescue them from that destruction their Teachers are drawing them into I consented Pauls practice in the School of Tyrannus was my Encouragement and my Hope trusting in the Lord for help and setting his Glory the advancement of Truth and the salvation of souls before mine Eyes The Place being appointed the Day come George Whitehead appearing my Antagonist I demanded Whether he would grant the Scriptures to be a Truth or no This Principle being yeilded to bottom an Argument upon I required silence to begin with Prayer This was flouted at Thou hast thy God to seek Thus did he shewing a scornful proud self-confident Spirit deride the solemn Worship of God who is to be sanctified in all things especially in undertakongs of this nature in that he only can enlighten and lead us into Truth and all assembled stood in need of his teaching Gods people surely are a Generation of such as seck his face I returned not reviling for reviling I came for another purpose I further press'd for silence He continuing to dissent I did however though the more briefly seek Gods presence among his people and his Vindication of what is Truth This done Concerning the Scriptures I asserted them to be a most certain and infallible Rule He bids me prove it This was my Argument That which is given by Inspiration of God to guide us to heaven cannot but be a most certain and infallible Rule But so are the Scriptures He granted the Scriptures were given by inspiration but instead of shewing how these may deceive us notwithstanding which indeed is impossible he rambles and runs out in an impertinent Discourse as if he were preaching rather than disputing And this was his manner when to prove the Scriptures a trying Rule I urged an Argument from the example of the Bereans That which God approves of is our Duty But God approves of it that we try Doctrines by the Scripture This therefore is our duty He would not hearken to this argument nor attempt to give any answer at all to it though repeated three or four times but flies to another thing rambling tediously Indeed to prove Perfection he brought several Arguments and Scriptures one after another somewhat closely and having received distinct Answers to them he fairly ceased being unable to make good his Assertion and heard my Argument to the contrary But then grow mose tedious again in his repetitions and impertinences I was too mild towards him But when entring upon Justification I saw that he hid himself in impertinent long answers and that the day was now far spent that I might not be prevented in what I chiefly designed the discovery of the only way of Justification by Christs Righteousness imputed that people might see whither these Teachers were leading them and prevent if God saw good their everlasting damnation of body and soul I resolved I would not regard him but deliver something to the People touching this point for their instruction and safety Three Arguments I delivered and enlarged my self on them freely and fully to the People and would not be interrupted pressing them as they desired to escape condemnation at Gods Barr to look for Justification in nothing else but the righteousness of Christ imputed to fly to Christ and build only on his Blood and Righteousness as that alone that is able to satisfie God for their transgression And having done this I commended all to God by Prayer and went away The People seeing how I was hindred by this mans tedious enlargements desired another dayes dispute I told G. W. by a Letter that if he would give it in Writing that what Question is asked pertinent to the point in hand it should be answered expresly by affirming or denying it the Question being capable of such an answer I was willing to meet him a second time And that it might be lawful for others also to speak his friends and mine that so we might carry the Dispute on and the People attend through this veriety with less weariness He useth many shifts to keep off from this engagement I being peremptory knowing without this he would ramble but not dispute at length he gives this under his hand I do intend
handle the six Questions in Order Opening them as far as I judge needful laying down Scripture or Reason for what we hold examining what the Adversary hath said against it whether in the Dispute or in the Narrative since or in his Book stiled the Divinity of Christ or any other of his Writings that come to hand And herein I hope I shall deal more candidly with my Adversary then I have been dealt with all my self not bauking his strength but improving it rather For Truth fears no Weapons Doing this I shall commit all to a good God even the Bishop of our souls who will bring all his sheep into his fold and cause them to hear his voyce and give them eternal life never suffer them to perish nor any to pluck them out of his hand You that are Godly do and will strike in with the design of my endeavours by your prayers That Truth might prevail and find more generally entertainment in the hearts of men to the advancement of Christs Kingdom glory of Gods name and eternal blessedness of never-dying souls And my request for you is that having received the Love of the Truth you might by Christ be rooted and grounded therein for ever and so at last be presented holy unblameable and unreproved in his sight This God will do for you and it is the rejoycing of One unworthy to be reckoned among you STEPHEN SCANDRETT To the Misguided FLOCK Commonly Termed QUAKERS Especially in and about Samford YOU will bear with me in this Application allowing every man to speak according to the Light of his own Conscience For your sakes Brethren did I engage in Disputation for your sakes in good will and true compassion to your souls do I also now write My design in it falls in with your desire even that you might have an undeceiving perswasion touching the way to Heaven and Glory that walking therein you may not miss of everlasting Rest when you are departed hence How you may attain this perswasion is a matter of very great importance and well worth a strict inquiry Do but think with your selves how others might attain it A Jew a Turk a Papist an Independant a Presbyterian an Anabaptist If they should say our present perswasion is undeceiving because our hearts assure us therein or because our Teachers do so instruct us or because we have an infallible spirit which will not suffer us to be deceived in any thing your Light would tell you they took not a 〈…〉 But if looking up to God for illumination and 〈…〉 â—earch for and examine the grounds of their own and others Opinions and what they see upon good grounds to be truth that they embrace whoever rejects it what they see upon good ground to be error that they cast aside whoever countenanceth it would not your Light tell you this were a better and a safer course for them Now be your own Judges is not that a good and a safe course for you to take which is so for others You may not then say it is impossible I should be deceived touching my present Opinion because my heart perswades me it is right As a Papist may not thus argue so neither may you For the Heart is deceitful above all things He that trusts to his own Heart is a Fool. Lean not saith God to thine own understanding Neither may you say it cannot be that I should be mistaken in this for such and such have taught it A Turk a Socinian may not thus pin his Faith on anothers sleeve for deceitful workers transform themselves into the Apostles of Christ therefore neither may you Our Saviour cautions you take heed that no Man deceive you commands you call no man Master on Earth and threatens too Cursed be the man that trusteth in man Nor may you say it is impossible I should be out for I have an infallible spirit that will not suffer me to erre in any thing As a Presbyterian an Independant an Anabaptist may not thus build his considence so neither may you It is incumbent on you as well as on them to try the spirits whether they be of God Your work then is looking up for special assistance to examine the grounds of what you and others hold to prove all things that you may hold fast that which is good And truly a well grounded knowledge is a very choice mercy Wisdome and knowledge saith God shall be the Stability of thy times and Strength of Salvation For your furtherance herein if the Lord shall adde his blessing I put this small book into your hands It will present you with the grounds of what your Teachers hold for truth and what we hold Read and Judge which have clearest reason for what they hold which have Scripture taken in its true sense and meaning And as Elijah said to Israel If God be God follow him if Baal be God follow him So say I to you If what we teach be well built upon a sure foundation embrace it If what yours teach be rightly drawn from sound Principles cleave to it for ever Remember it speaks a Generous and a free Spirit to be able with Candor and Impartiality to read an Adversary But unless Gods spirit enlightens your mind you may see truth and not perceive it unless he sanctifies your heart you may perceive it and not embrace or practise it You must therefore needs beg for the gracious presence of God with you if you would benefit your souls by reading Examine your selves also whether you have a Love of the Truth a Readiness to acknowledge and close with it whether it shall appear to be your own opinion or ours If you are resolved in heart to cast away our doctrine though it should never so clearly appear to be the truth of God to retain what you have received from your Teachers though it should never so plainly be discovered error to what good intent can you read It is not Truth you are for but a Party But if you can be willing to take in Truth on which hand soever you find it then are you capable to aim at and receive profit by Reading What do you say How do you find it with you If our present Opinion shall appear to be Truth we can hold to it That 's not so difficult a business But what if the contrary Opinion proves true If it should indeed we hope through Gods grace we should not reject it Only Truth leads to Heaven we should otherwise provoke God to give us up to strong delusions to believe a lie that we might be damned This is like Persons that are in good earnest for Heaven But it is good for you to consider before hand that it is no easie thing to part with an Opinion you have been long wedded to and it may be commended and contended for to be reconciled to an Opinion at which you have it may be for several years taken distast and opposed and to expose your self
most free such a person with an intention to leave and never recover him out of his fallen state by renewing grace Thus God doth not make any a wicked creature as G. W. imagines we must say p. 46. Nor doth God consume any man meerly as his own workmanship but God endureth with much long-suffering unregenerate men and they fit themselves for destruction This he that is recovered will acknowledge 2 Tim. 1.9 Not according to our works but according to his purpose The reason of God saving us in time by the washing of regeneration is not to be fetcht from our works any thing that we have done but from Gods purpose of old who freely and of his good pleasure did decree it Eph. 1.5 Predestination unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ is according to the good pleasure of his will 2. Gods Election is unchangeable He will certainly bring in he will never finally reject that soul he hath taken liking to Christ must bring in his sheep and he hateth putting away nor shall it be possible to deceive the Elect. Psal 33.11 The Counsel of the Lord shall stand for ever the thoughts of his heart to all Generations Election is that product of Gods counsel the determination of infinite wisdom consulting Rom. 9.11 The Purpose of God according to Election must stand So that here is purpose upon purpose a purpose to save such a soul and a purpose not to alter that purpose but infallibly to bring it to pass Men change their purposes for want of fore-knowledge but nothing can fall out not sin it self causing God to alter his purpose he foresaw all and can give repentance From this Doctrine grace will not cause a Child to sin the more boldly but to loath himself the more for sin As in other things the Lord purposeth and none disanulleth it Isa 14.27 So in this Psa 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in heaven and in earth and in the Sea and all deep places 3. From all Eternity did God Elect. In time doth God convert and cause to persevere but Acts 15.18 Known unto God are all his works from the foundation of the world Eph. 1.4 According as God hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world 2 Thes 2.13 From the beginning hath God chosen you Rev. 17.8 Whose Names were not written in the book of Life from the foundation of the World Obj. p. 41. This puffs up Answ It works self-abasing admiration of Soveraign grace it gives great rest and engageth the heart of a sincere believer to an utter detestation of all sin Obj. If the everlasting state of persons is thus secured all Warnings are impertinent and vain Answ No God that decrees their salvation decrees by such warnings to work in them his fear and a holy caution to keep in his ways that they may be saved From this Doctrine of Election thus manifested thus vindicated by most evident consequence appears the Truth of the Doctrine of Reprobation viz. That God hath rejected or refused others from all Eternity or Decreed never to convert them by bestowing saving grace on them but for sin to damn them for the praise of the glory of his Justice For if God hath chosen some who can deny that he hath refused others And the Scripture if we will believe it will make it manifest in all the parts of it 1. That God hath refused some particular persons Jo. 10.26 You are not my sheep Rom. 11.7 The rest were blinded Rom. 9.18 Whom he will he hardeneth Peter deserved hardening as well as Judas that God hardeneth Judas not Peter proceeds from the meer pleasure of his Will He makes as the great Potter what Vessel he pleaseth to dishonour that is God makes him with an intention to suffer his fall and never recover him by renewing grace 2. That God hath from Eternity thus refused them Jude 4. There are certain men crept in unawares who were before of old ordained to this Condemnation Rev. 17.8 Whose Names were not written in the book of Life from the foundation of the World Add this Argument As there are Particular Angels whom God suffered to fall though he could as easily have preserved them from it as he did the rest so there are Particular Men and Women whom God never recovers by saving grace out of their fallen condition though he could as easily have recovered them as others if he had pleased but he endures them with much long suffering to fit themselves for destruction Therefore from all Eternity did God decree thus to do concerning them in particular for known to God are all his works from the foundation of the world 3. That God hath decreed to damn these persons for sin Prov. 16.4 The Lord hath made all things for himself yea even the wicked for the day of evil He damneth particular persons for sin therefore of old did he decree to damn those particular men for sin 2 Pet. 2.12 As Beasts made to be taken and destroyed 4. That all this is for the praise of the glory of his Justice Rom. 9.22 What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his power known endured with much Long-suffering Vessels of wrath fitted to destruction And though God hath no pleasure in the death of him that dieth considered barely as his Creature for he is willing to receive to mercy every returning Sinner yet if a person perseveres in wickedness as such God will laugh at his Calamity and mock when his fear cometh This Doctrine of Reprobation being the Truth of God according to Scripture from it I draw these Consectaries 1. That it cannot be inconsistent with his Prohibitions p. 42. Eat not His Conditional Promises If thou dost well shalt not thou be accepted If you seek the Lord be will be found of you Whosoever believeth shall not perish shall not abide in darkness His Conditional Threats If thy heart turn away thou shalt perish If you forsake him he will forsake you His sending his Son into the world not to condemn the world His giving his Spirit to instruct them in these things His setting Life and Death before them in the Promises and in the Threats Or his giving men up to their Lusts for sin For there can be no Repugnancy in Gods actions between themselves On the contrary all these are subservient to the Soveraign Design of Gods Decrees the magnifying his Mercy and Grace in the salvation of all the Elect who enabled by his special Grace to believe and obey are saved according to the Promises the magnifying his Justice or making known his wrath in the Reprobates who according to the Soveraign Dominion of God left to themselves reject Christ and increase in their Rebellion against God and so are justly given up and damned according to the Threats 2. That God is neither partial nor cruel in decreeing to deny saving Grace to some whilst he decrees to give it to others that he is