God is not in all his thoughts but as saith the same Prophet Psal 69. 32. The humble shall see this and be glad and your heart shall live that seek God Sect. 12 The humble do see themselves in a lost and undone Estate by reason of Sin which they and all the world are guilty of by the Sentence of the righteous Law of God they are so broken in their spirits finding themselves under the Curse of the Law Gal. 3. 10 That as Christ teacheth concerning the penetant Publican Luke 18. 10. thinking themselves not worthy to lift up their eyes to Heaven do smite their breasts saying God be merciful to us Sinners while the proud Pharisee rejoycing in himself and in his own Righteousness of the Law like those that now Preach up the Light within exalteth himself saying God I thank thee I am not as other men are Extortioners Unjust Adulterers or even as this Publican Oh with what affection doth the Repentant Believer receive Jesus Christ Oh how precious is the Blood of Sprinkling to him Heb. 12. 24. Which the proud Legalist Pharisee Papist and pretended Preacher up of the Light within do trample under their feet Sect. 13 Even as Water is to a thirsty Land Psal 143. 6. or to the panting Hart Psal 42. 1. which being at the point of death except it be refreshed by the Water Brooks doth expire So is it with the poor Believer who finding himself beset on every side with the guilt and burthen of his Sins which he not able to bear flees from but is still pursued with the guilt thereof until he meets with Christ who sets him free from the guilt and takes away the burthen of his Sins giveth him assurance of peace with God through the Satisfaction which he hath made to his Justice by the Sacrifice of himself for all his sins that are past and requiring this late lost Creature now to follow him he bringeth him to his Fathers house makes him a Son of God by Adoption and giveth him the holy Spirit whereby he may both know that God is his Father and be inabled to serve him in newness of spirit promiseth him that his Grace shall be sufficient for him to relieve him in all his Temptations in this world and that by his Mediation with God he will so secure him from the Calumnious Accusations of Satan that he shâ—â—l not be able to lay any thing to his Charge in the Court of Heaven and now requiring him to be faithful to the death assureth him that he will give him the Crown of life Oh what glorious Grace is this Oâ— hâ—w is he that was Sentenced to death and pursued with the Executioners thereof meeting with Jesus Christ and being by him not only delivered from the power of his Puâ—suers but also intituled to Everlasting Life refreshed and comforted who is able to express the consolation of the water of Life John 4. 10. which Jesus Christ gives to refresh the fainting Spirits of those he meets with that while they flee from sin are pursued with the Law Sin and Death and are never able by all the strength they have to deliver themselves from the power of those their Enemies until Jesus Christ interpose with the might of his power relieve them by his grace delivering the poor broken in spirit that are pursued with the guilt power and wages of Sin from the Law Sin and Death speaking peace to them in the pardon of their sins sprinkling his Blood upon their spirits to cleanse them from the guilt thereof and giving them the holy Spirit John 7. 37 38 39. to strengthen them against the Reigning power of Sin and thereby intituling them to life Everlasting and to the deliverance from the wages of Sin which is Everlasting Death Sect. 14 Oh how contrary is the Doctrine of the Gospel to the Doctrine of those that Preach up the Light within all men as that which though it be but the work of the Law Rom. 2. 15. is sufficient in the opinion of these followers of the Romish Synagogue to lead out of all Sin and eternally to save and therefore contrary to the practice of the Apostles who direct unto Christ all the weary and heavy laden with sin with Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the Sins of the World John 1. 29. These Messengers of Satan lead all such as follow them from Christ to themselves setting up themselves under pretence of the Light within and rejecting that which is indeed the Light viz. the Word of the Prophets of Christ and of his Apostles 2 Pet. 1. 19. which is written in the Scriptures of Truth Dan. 10. 21. they set up that which is indeed the Darkness of this world the Traditions of men the Doctrines of the Romish Harlot and other Adversaries to the Doctrine of the Gospel which they deliver by word of mouth and disperse in their written Books and Pamphlets CHAP. II. Wherein is shewed That the Doctrine of these that call themselves Preachers of and to the Light within all men is not according to the Doctrine of Jesus Christ expressed in the Scriptures of Truth neither concerning the Person of Christ nor the Father Son and Spirit nor the Light nor the Ordinances of Christ nor the Resurrection of the Dead nor the Coming of Christ nor the End of the World Also the Doctrine which is according to Godliness as it relates to these Particulars is here manifested Sect. 1 THe second thing which I lay to thy Charge which teachest that People should be guided by the Light which is within all men is That thy Doctrine is not according to the Doctrine of the Scriptures neither concerning the Conception of Jesus Christ nor the Divine Being of the Father Son and Spirit nor the Light nor the Ordinances of Christ nor the Resurrection of the Dead nor the Coming of Christ nor the End of the World and therefore thou art led by the Spirit of Antichrist Sect. 2 First Because thou dost not confess that by vertue of the Holy Spirit his coming upon and the Power of the Highest his overshadowing that visible woman called Mary that that man Christ Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and made of the Woman without her knowing of man and that he is the only begotten Son of God both according to the Spirit of Holiness Rom. 1. 3 4. and also as he is a man of flesh and bones and that there is none nor can be any that is the Son of God in that sense that that God-man Christ Jesus was and is the Son of God from and to all Eternity according to the Spirit of Holiness and also in the fulness of time according to the flesh Gal. 4. 4. I say because thou dost not own this Person which I here speak of to be the only begotten Son of God and no other but he in all the world beside Therefore thou art deceived and art a Deceiver for thou sayest
Baptize with a spirit and give a spirit to them which do receive their counsel or else they are not lawful Preachers by thy own confession so that thou intendest to Communicate a Teacher from without whatsoever thou declarest of the sufficiency of the Light within For Secondly Thou intendest not that men and women should be guided by the Light which is within them before they receive instruction and a spirit from thee which art without them because thy Teachers do declare to men and women that if they will but wait in silence be still and quiet cease from outward and Scripture-teaching Forms and carnal Ordinances that they shall receive vertue life and strength from them though they never see their faces any more by which it appears plainly that thou intendest to give a spirit to such as adhere to thy Doctrine for otherwise these thy promises of Vertue Life and Strength to be received from thee are vain and thou not faithful that makest them But Thirdly Thou never intendest that men and women should be guided by the Light which is within them before they receive instruction from thee and that thou givest them a spirit because that when thou takest hold of the hand of men and women or layest thy hands on their foreheads or on their shoulders great trouble comes upon their spirits within them yea when thou hast taken hold of the wâ—ists of the hands of some while they have been opposing thee they have been taken with such a trembling that they could not speak nor hold still nor get away from thee by which it is apparent that thy intent is to communicate a spirit Fourthly Thy intent is not that men and women should be guided by the Light which is within them before they receive instruction and a spirit from thee c. because as soon as ever thou apprehendest that any man or woman is inclinable to thy Principles thou art constantly visiting them until thou hast brought them over to thy ways once in thirteen days at the least thou wilt be praying with them after thy fashion untill they be brought out of that laborynth into which thou hast brought them and such a stir there is about this work and so vainly have some of you been affected with it that ye have sent to the Bel-man of a City to cry it up and down that all that would be free to come might come and see this imaginary Resurrection or rather Communication of your unclean spirit by which thou dost plainly declare that the Light in every man will not do the business but a spirit must be communicated for what else is it that thou so earnestly endeavourest to raise up What else is it that thou takest so much delight in when thou feelest it as hath been said by some of you Arise within man About what else are thy groanes spent what else doest thou visit with what else doest thou as thou sayest suffer but with that spirit which thou hast given which till he hath taken full possession of the Creature that so he may become as much the Child of perdition as thy self thou art in a troubled condition Fifthly That thou doest not intend that by the Light which is in every one before they receive instruction from thee they should be guided appears by thy running up and down to spread thy Doctrine and by thy Printing such a multitude of Books all which is done to teach and instruct men in thy way and to direct them how to walk according to thy desire thou cryest down Preaching and yet usest it thou cryest down the Letter and Scriptures of Truth and yet makest use of Letter and writest many Books thereby to disperse thy false Doctrine and even like the Pharisees ye reject the Commandment of God that ye may keep your own Traditions Mark 7. 9. ye lay aside Gods Word and set up your own word Gods holy Scriptures ye reject your own unholy writings ye exalt under pretence of setting up the Light which ye say is within every man ye set up the darkness which is within your selves and from you communicated to such as you can perswade to hear your words or read your Books thus thy pretentions and intentions are like Samsons Foxes Judg. 15. 4 5. not united by the heads yet so tyed together by the Tayls as between them they carry fire to burn up standing corn shocks of corn Vineyards and Olives thou callest thy Doctrine fire and sayest thou art baptized with the spirit and fire I do believe thou art baptized with a spirit and fire indeed which may seem to burn up weeds but it is sent against the good Corn the best Graces Faith Hope and Charity is burnt up in such as receive thy Doctrine by the fire of that unclean spirit with which thou art baptized Sixthly Thou doest not intend that the Light which is within every man should onely be his director because that Light which is in every man doth not lead thee and thy followers to do those things ye do for if it be a Light which is within every man by which onely thou art carryed on in thy way why then doth it not speak the same things in every one as it doth in thee why doth it not make every one quake and tremble as well as thee if every one have it why is it silent in so many why doth it not throw every one down upon the ground swell their bellies roar in them and speak with a vocal voice as well as in thee and thy followers If you say it is because the Light is in prison in those in whom it is not so active as it is in thee It is answered that by that reason it should be the more active if it be sensible of its bondage and if unsensible how then can it be sufficient to perform those things which thou ascribest to it What is it dead or senceless doth it not feel that hard and sore oppression under which it lies or is it asleep and must be awaked if so it is much unlike to make a man a new Creature to lead him out of all sin and iniquity and eternally to save him For how should that deliver a man out of Prison that is so unsensible of its own bondage That must needs be in a small capacity to help another that is not sensible of its own wants neither canst thou say it doth in all and every one what it doth in thee for I my self and many others can and do testifie the contrary if thou say it is by reason of our long sinning it is answered that you in whom the Light as you call it is so prevalent have been long sinners and are so still and if you are guided by no other thing than that Light which is in every man why doth it not do in all the same that it doth in you why doth it not make all little Children to quake and tremble in their mothers
they did concern one time or the men only which spake them But they are of a general interpretation and do concern as they are Prophesies and declare the Doctrine of Salvation all times and People as saith the Prophet This shall be written for the generation to come and the People which shall be created shall praise the Lord Ps 102. 18. Bow down thine ear saith Solomon and hear the words of the Wise they shall be fitted in thy lips that thy trust may be in the Lord have not I written to thee excellent things that I might make thee to know the certainty of the words of Truth that thou mightest answer the words of Truth to them that send unto thee See Pro. 22. 17 18 19 20 21 22. Therefore did Peter write both his Epistles viz. to stir up the pure minds of the believers by way of remembrance that those that had obtained pure minds might be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the Commandments of the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour Knowing this first saith he that there shall come in the last dayes scoffers viz. such as will taunt and scoffe at the Scriptures at the Doctrine written therein and at such as believe and practice it Which scoffers do walk after their own lusts and not after the words of the holy Prophets and the Commandment of the Apostles of Christ Oh! how much is this fulfilled in these dayes by which we know it is the last times 2 Pet. 3. 1 2 3. Let Believers therefore take heed and beware of false Teachers let them believe and imbrace the Doctrine of the Scriptures of Truth Dan. 10. 21. which teach us that we should believe that Jesus is Christ the Son of God and that believing we might have Life through his Name 1 John 20. 31. Let them therefore give themselves to the reading or hearing the Doctrine of the Scriptures and as every man hath received the gift whether of Prophesie Ministring Teaching or Exhortation Rom. 12. 6 7 8. So ought they to minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Graces of God 1 Pet. 4. 10. Sect. 7 The last ground which I shall insist upon is the powerful opperation of the Doctrine of the Scriptures upon the hearts of such as believe which experience the good things of God can witness viz. that upon reading hearing and meditating in the Scriptures of Truth God hath sweetly refreshed their spirits with riches of Grace spiritual Comforts and Heavenly consolations and made the Scriptures of Truth a word of Power by which he hath powerfully wrought both to convince convert them to turn them from darkness to light from the Kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Acts 26. 18. Yea it is an evident Argument that they which are strangers to what I here say let their Profession be what it will Truth was never yet espoused to their Souls never did any man of God say that the Scripture is a dead Letter a Carnal thing to feed the Carnal mind Oh the Darkness that is in some that boast of Light who can call the holy Scriptures a dead Letter a Carnal thing to feed the Carnal mind and yet themselves do fill the Nation with Books and Writings what may one think of this but that they do either condemn the thing which themselves allow or else they have found out a way to make their Letters and Books to become Spiritual and to cause all other even the Sacred Scriptures to become Carnal which though written or Printed as theirs yet not from the same inspiration for the Doctrine of the Scriptures was written by the Inspiration of God But how can there Doctrine be from the same inspiration which is against the Doctrine of the Scriptures How much therefore is it to be lamented that the Scriptures of Truth should be so villified and reproached and that any should be so deluded as wholly to neglect the reading of them and let them lie in the corners of their houses without all regard of them alas it was not so with Professors in the Marian dayes when one Book of it was at five pounds value and for the least Epistle a man would give a load of hay and carry it up to London into the Bargain but now we having plenty men dare abuse it and tread it under their feet and because it doth not cry out with a vocal voice and reprove in and by it self alone therefore they conclude it is worth nothing and yet can highly esteem of their own Books although they can do as little But now consider take the best grain that can be procured lay it in a dry place where it cannot grow and will it become fruitful not at all But sown in the field and it will bring forth abundantly Even so lay thy Bible in a corner of thy house without regard of the Doctrine therein contained and it will be no waies profitable to thee but lay up the Doctrine thereof in thy heart where it should be and it will become a fruitful Word to thee for it is not likely that the Doctrine of the Scriptures should do thee any good or that thou shouldest feel any vertue in it while thou endeavourest to shut it out of thy heart but let the sayings of the Scriptures when and where they reprove for sin and exhort to amendment of life let the Judgements therein written against the workers of Iniquity and the Promises of Grace which God hath there recorded for the comfort of them that by Faith lay hold on Jesus Christ come close to thy heart and pray that God may make those Promises thine and yield up thy self to the holy directions therein contained and then thou wilt find that there is vertue in the Scriptures Oh! there is a Divine flame in them if they be but taken to the heart that will warm and quicken the dead and benummed affections Did not the Words of Christ make his Disciples hearts to burn within them while he talked with them and while he opened to them the Scriptures I Luke 24. 32. Oh! therefore give diligence to obey what is written in the Scriptures of Truth for if you that are contrary minded shall not consider and leave your Inventions and the Traditions of men which you have imbraced your sin lyeth at your own doors and your blood upon your own heads for what a sad thing is it that men should quote Scriptures like Satan to justifie their Doctrine of deceit which they deliver and yet notwithstanding esteem the Scriptures of no value That men should wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction 2 Pet. 3. 16. Cry down the Word of God and set up the Word of man and Satan yea they can reprove some for reading the Scriptures and yet if one have been at their Meetings and while they are teaching up the so called Light within be reading one of their Books giving little or no heed to what is spoken yet he is not reproved By which it is evident that they know that the design which they drive on is not in the Scriptures of Truth but in their own Books and therefore it is of like acceptance with them to read their Books as to hear their Preaching Let all believers therefore pray that they may be delivered from them which Preach up the so called Light within who deny the Doctrine of the Scriptures of Truth expressed in the Bible to be the Word of God and set up their own sayings for a rule of direction which yet hath no Testimony from God or from his Word Sacra Scriptura est liber vitae origo aeterna Cujus incorporalis Essentia Cujus cognitio vita Cujus Scriptura indelebilis Cujus inspectus desiderabilis Cujus Doctrina facilis Cujus Scientia dulcis Cujus profunditas inscrutabilis Cujus verba innumerabilia vnum tantum Verbum omnia Hug. de art Noe. Thus Englished The Sacred Scripture is the Book of Life Whose Original is Eternal Whose Essence is incorporeal Whose Knowledge is Life Whose writings is indeliable Whose inspect is desireable Whose Doctrine is easie Whose knowledge is sweet Whose depth is unsearchable Whose words are innumerable and onely one Word All. THE END ERRATA IN the Epistle to all the Churches Page 3. line 17. read truth is In the Epistle to the Reader p. 3. l. 5. r. the so called Light l. 21. r. which in all men as the only means of Salvation In the Epistle to all those that teach up the Light within p. 2. l. 27. r. so called Light within p. 4. l. 14. r. so called Light within p 5. l. 18. f. lies r. lyar Of the Book p. 1. l. 6. r. the so called Light l. 21. r. the so called Law or Light p. 2. l. 11. r. makest p. 3. l. 11. r. preacheth p. 6. l. 13. f. Loyaâ— r. Legal l. 19. f. so that it r so it l. last r. as p. 27. l. 25. f. abase r. alass p. 28. l. 12. f. works r. work p. 29. l. 10. f. lives r. life p. 42. l. 11. dele it l 20. r. and to render p. 47. l. 28. d. yet p. 50. l. 23. f. so r. to p. 57. l. 1. f. I shall shew r. I shew l. 3. f. at r. in p. 70. l. 3. f. plunged r. plagued p. 75. l. 11. r. have alwaies margent r. Acts 24. 16. p. 7â— l. 7. f. spoke r. spoken l. 23. f. god r goe p. 88 l. 2. r. Angels p â—1 l. 15. f it s r his l. 17. after world r. of the ungodly so by his word shall the world p. 141. l 12. f. god r. goe p. 144. l. 2 f. desiring r. despising p. 167. l. 23. f. he r. she p. 168. l. 1. f. he r she l. 3 f. him r. her l. 4 f. him r. her l. 5. f. he r. she f. him r. â—er l. 8. f. him r. her f. his r. her l. 10. f. he r. she l. 22 f. his r. â—er p. 173. in the Contents l. 1. f. fine r. five l. 16 f. fine r. five p. 174. l. 15. f. he r. thee p. 185. l. 8 9. f. alleth r. calleth p. 205. l. 21. f. that Bible r. the Bible
to be come in the flesh to deny the Ordinances which he hath appointed to set forth what he hath done in the body of his flesh and it is as much as to deny that ever he shall come again to deny that Appointment which he hath ordained to be used until his second coming or to abuse it with the Papists turning that into a Sacrifice Propitiatory which Christ ordained only to signifie the Propitiatory Sacrifice of his own Body to make that by an humane invention of Transubstantiation to be the very Body and Blood of Christ there present upon their Altar in the hand of their Priest which Christ appointed so signifie his Body as to shew his bodily absence the Bread being present his Body being at the right hand of God in the Glory of the Father This is as much as to deny his coming bodily for if his Body be present how can his Body be at the right hand of God If his Body be come since his Ascention how can his Body be still to come But the truth is so great an harmony is between the Preachers up of the Light within all men and the Doctors of the Romish Synagogue that their Doctrine tends to one thing viz. The denyal of Jesus Christ come in the flesh of Justification by the imputation of Faith in his Blood for Righteousness of Remission of Sins by his Grace of the right use and end of his holy Ordinances yea to the denyal of the vertue of the Death of Christ the essicacy of his Resurrection and the glory of his Coming I shall therefore for conclusion of this Chapter set forth according to the Scriptures of Truth the Doctrine of the Resurrection of the bodies of all men by the power of the Resurrection of Christ the glory of his Coming and the End of the World Sect. 8 For thus saith the Word of the Truth of the Gospel concerning those that shall be saved as it is written 2 Tim. 1. 8 9. 10. God saith the Apostle hath saved us and called us with an holy Calling not according to our Works but according to his own Purpose and Grace given us in Christ Iesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Iesus Christ who hath abolished Death and brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel By his Death he hath destroyed him that had the power of Death Heb. 2. 14. By his Resurrection and Ascension in his own Body He hath led captivity captive He conquered the Grave and overcame it by Death not for himself who knew no sin but for the world of sinners unto whom Death is due as the wages of Sin the just reward of Iniquity Rom. 6. 23. which Death passed upon all men excepting Christ who sinned not because that all have sinned Rom. 5. 12. and are in bondage under Sin and Death the great enemies of the peace and comfort of Mankind for whose deliverance from Sin and Death Christ hath dyed and hath invited the world of sinners to repent and believe the Gospel for the Remission of their Sins and their deliverance from Death from which he will in his due time deliver all those that believe in his Name For he must reign till he hath put all his enemies under his feet 1 Cor. 15. 25. that the saying that is written may come to passe Death is swallowed up into Victory according to the Word of the Lord by the Prophet Hosea ch 13. 14. I will ransom them from the power of the Grave I will redeem them from Death O Death I will be thy plagues O Grave I will be thy destruction Repentance shall be hid from mine eyes And to this end Jesus Christ did give himself a Ransom for all and tasted Death for every man 1 Tim. 2. 6. Heb. 2. 9. that he might bring all men out of the Grave which though it be not yet effected yet he hath payed the Price that so at his appearing he may raise all men from that first death and deliver from wrath to come all that wait for him believing on his Name 1 Thess 1. 10. 1 Ioh. 3. 23. according as himself hath testified Ioh. 5. 28 29. Marvel not at this saith he for the hour is coming in which all that are in the Grave shall hear the voice of the Son of God and shall come forth they that have done good unto the resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of damnation So that it is evident that that of man which goeth to the grave shall be raised again as he hath said I will ransom them from the power of the grave c. But if the bodies of them which are cast into the grave shall not be raised from thence how then is there a ransoming of them from the power of the Grave or a redeeming them from Death How is Captivity led captive or who how will the Grave then come to destruction and not rather be the destroyer And how will the Word of the Almighty Creator be fulfilled and his glorious Power manifested who made Heaven and Earth the Sea and all that therein is and keepeth Truth for ever Psal 146. 5 6. Sect 9 But it is further evident That the bodies of Believers although they dye and turn to dust yet shall they be raised again and live eternally as is testified in the Scripture 1 Cor. 15. 42 43 44. by the Apostle concerning the Resurrection of the Dead It is sown saith he in Corruption It is raised in Incorruption It is sown in Dishonour It is raised in Glory It is sown in Weakness It is raised in Power It is sown a Natural Body It is raised a Spiritual Body By all which how evidently is the Resurrection of that which dyes proved It which is sown and it which is raised is one and the same only the condition wherein it is raised is more excellent than that wherein it is sown They that turn Scripture into Allegories cannot turn this into any nor make an Interpretation contrary to this without making themselves very absurd for if they shall say It is the Seed of God which is thus sown then it seems the Seed of God shall be sown in one condition and shall be raised in another yea they must hold that the Seed of God is sown a Natural Body and raised a Spiritual Body changing its Properties which cannot be No no it is the Corruptible man the natural Bodies of Believers which shall be raised changed and fashioned like the glorious Body of Christ and as is testified in the Scripture concerning that Seed which is sown into the Earth as Wheat or other Grain That which is sown is not sown that Body which shall be for when it is sown it is sown but bare Grain not clothed with any thing but God giveth it a Body as it pleaseth him clothed excellently yet to every Seed his own Body And as the Body
and Power for he must raign till he have put all his Enemies under his feet the last Enemy that shall be destroyed is Death as it is written Rev. 20. 12 13. And I saw the Dead small and great stand before God and the Books were opened and another Book was opened which is the Book of Life and the Dead were judged out of those things which were written in the Books according to their Works And the Sea gave up the Dead which were in it and Death and Hell or the Grave delivered up the Dead which were in them and they were judged every man according to their works So that we see clearly that both the First and Second Resurerction is the raising of whole Man from death or from the grave contrary to the conceipt of such as suppose the renewing of the spirit of the Mind which is but a part of man to be the first Resurrection of man the Dying to Sin and Rising again to Righteousnesse being so far from being the Resurrection of whole Man from the Dead that it is but the Earnest of the Inheritance of the Righteous as for the Wicked they have no part in it though they shall have in the Resurrection for they as Christ hath taught shall come forth of the grave unto the Resurrection of Damnation John 5. 28 29. Neither is it in the dying to sin and rising again to Righteousnesse as it is in the Death of man and his Rising again for Man dyeth and riseth again but when sin dyeth sin ought never to rise again God forbid that any Believer should plead for a resurrection of sin Sect. 13 But as the denial of the Resurrection of the dead or the affirming that it is past already is a Doctrine false in it self so are the Consequences thereof most dreadfull and destructive to all true piety yea of such a fretting and gangreen-like nature that in those that are infected therewith it devours member after member till the whole body of the Faith be overthrown and the Professors thereof divested of the Knowledg of God and reduced to Gentilisme again and not only so for even among the Gentiles were some Principles of Morality but this is not content to stay here but encreaseth to more ungodlinesse till it arrive at that prophane desire Let us eat and drink for tomorrow we die a Conception so corrupt that as Scollars do affirm that are acquainted with the Sentences of the Heathen Poets the Verse of Menander might serve to rebuke it which the Apostle Paul sticks not to mention for that purpose saying Be not deceived Evil Communication corrupts Good Manners 1 Cor. 15. 32 33. And were those that vent those loose Principles followers of them in practice as the Ranters their Predecessors were we should soon see these as unclean in their lives as they and such as cannot now so easily discern the deceitfulness of their Doctrine because of the covering which they put upon it were it uncovered and reduced to Practice it would be abhor'd by some that are now seduced by it But if we examine all Doctrines that are brought unto us apart from the Lives of those that bring them as we ought to do For since Satan is transformed into an Angel of light it is no great thing if his Ministers be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness 2 Cor. 11. 14 15. we shall find that that Doctrine which denies the Resurrection of the bodies of Believers and of all that are dead in Adam from the grave doth make void the hope of Israel the Doctrine of Faith contained in the Scriptures of Truth and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ himself Sect. 14 For thus saith the Truth concerning the Hope of the Israel of God If in this Life only we have Hope in Christ we are of all men most miserable 1 Cor. 15. 19. For such are and have been the Tribulations of the Children of God in this Life that if they had not hope of Happiness in a life that is to come after the death and at the Resurrection of the Body they were the most miserable of all men for the Punishment of the first Offence lyeth upon the Godly as well as upon the Sinner Labour and Sorrow both of Man and Woman Sicknesse and Death is the portion of Good and Bad In the sweat of their faces the righteous as well as the wicked do eat their bread untill they return unto the dust from whence if they shall not be raised they are in a worse condition than the wicked for oftentimes the most sincere Believers do tast the deepest of misery in this life whereas the ungodly are in prosperity There are no bands in their death bâ—â—â—heir strength is firm they are not in trouble like other men neither are they plagued like other men therefore Pride compasseth them about as a chain and violence covereth them as a garment their eyes stand out with fatness they have more then heart can wish Psal 73. 3. 4 5 6 7. This is the prosperous estate of the wicked in this life wherein the Godly man is plunged all the day long and chastened every morning Psal 73. 14. Poor Lazarus in this life received evil things when the Rich man received his good things but in the other Life indeed we see a vast difference between them Lazarus is comforted but the Rich man is tormented Luke 16. 25. Which torment is to be understood to be upon the body of the Rich man from his desire that Lazarus might be sent to dip his finger in water to cool his tongue a part of his body and therefore we are to understand the fulnesse of happinesse in the one and misery in the other to be after the Resurrection of the body from the dead by the denyall whereof the comfortable hope and strong consolation which every true Believer hath in this life and even in death when they commend their Spirits with Stephen Acts 7. 59. into the hands of Jesus Christ is made void and of no effect For wherefore have Believers the earnest of the Spirit by the Holy Ghost speaking peace to their spirits but that they might also enjoy the full Inheritance Why are they sanctified in their spirits 1 Pet. 1. 2. Heb. 12. 23. But to assure them that the very God of Peace will also sanctifie them wholly and their whole Spirit and Soul and Body shall be preserved blameless unto the coming of Iesus Christ 1 Thes 5. 23. And why is it said that the Faithfull when they dye do fall asleep in Jesus that they dye in the Lord that they rest from their labours and their works do follow them Revel 14. 13. But that it might be understood that they shall rise again from the dead in their bodies as Jesus dyed and rose again in his body and is therein become the first fruits of them that sleep 1 Thes 4. 14 16. And as the spirits of all wicked men that die in unbelief
this Chapter it is manifest that those thy main grounds viz. Thy Humility Thy Unity Thy destroying the Whore Thy discerning Secrets and Thy Sufferings are utterly insufficient though supposed to prove that the Preachers up of the so called Light within are in the Truth yea by that way which thou hast taken to justifie thine own way and to disparage the Faith and Obedience of the People of God thine own falshood rottennesse and deceit is discovered So that into the pit which thou hast digged for others thou art fallen thy self the snare which ye have spread for others hath caught your selves by the heels CHAP. V. That the Preachers up of the so called Light within do deny the Doctrine of the Scriptures to be the Word of God that although Christ is truly called the Word of God yet the Doctrine of the Scriptures is truly so to be called and accounted That it is very dangerous to add to or take from the Scriptures That those that contemn the Doctrine of the Scriptures of Truth do despise Jesus Christ and God the Father The reason why such as despise the Scriptures find no more vertue in them Eight Considerations to prove the Doctrin of the Scriptures to be the Word of God and an infalliable Teacher Two other grounds to prove the former conclusion the first taken from the Light which is in the Scriptures the latter from the powerful operation of the Doctrine thereof upon the hearts of Believers Sect. 1 BUt if the Preachers up of the so called Light within were able to justifie their way and Practice by the Scriptures it is likely they would endeavour so to do but being unable thereby to carry on their design they endeavour by such like Arguments as are used by the Popish Synagogue to justifie themselves as we have heard and that they may proceed with the greater security they deny the Doctrine of the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament commonly called the Bible to be the Word of God for the discovery therefore of their wickednesse herein and for the vindicating the Blessed Doctrine of Salvation contained in the Scriptures that which here followeth is intended to conclude this work For first That thou that preachest up the so called Light within c. dost deny the Doctrine which is contained in that Book called the Bible to be the Word of God appears by thy reproachful language concerning it yea in words at length ye do familliarly deny it to be the Word of God one of you laying that Bible upon the ground and setting his feet upon it said If this be the Word of God why doth it not stir and speak Thus ye delight to abuse the Scriptures and because ye can so do therefore ye conclude they are not the Word of God and being lifted up with Pride and filled with Rage against the Word of God expressed in the Scriptures of Truth ye call all such Carnal as give them that Title giving this reason for your so doing viz. Because the Scripture saith Christ is the Word of God and therefore ye conclude the Scripture is not the Word of God c. And to colour over your deceit ye alledge a sentence of Scripture and presently declare a falsehood saying The Word of God is quick and Powerful which is true but the Scripture is a dead Letter which is false thus ye fume out disdain against the Scriptures and against those that acknowledge them to be the Word of God and a word of Power to them which do believe But Secondly That I may make thy ignorance with thy enmity unto the Scriptures manifest I shall undertake by Divine assistance to prove them to be the Word of God and an infallible Teacher to them which do believe for although the Scripture doth say that Christ is the Word of God yet it doth also affirm that his Commandment contained in the Scriptures is the Word of God and as I did never deny the former since I was instructed in the Doctrine of the Scriptures so I do affirm that whosoever doth own the Scriptures to be the Word of God doth not deny that Christ is the Word of God neither can such a thing be layed to their charge without doing great injury to them but I say as it is true that Christ is the Word of God as the Scripture saith Revel 19. 13. So it is as true that the Scripture is the Word of God as Christ saith Mark 7. 13. Sect. 2 It might therefore well be concluded that they which are so curious as to make a distinction betwixt the words you and thou may as well be able if they be not wilfully or maliciously blind to make an acknowledgement of the Word of God as it is given forth in the Scriptures and the Word of God as it is Essentially in Christ Are the Precepts Promises and Threatnings which are a main part of the Scriptures and were the Word of God before they were written in the Scriptures I say are they the less the Word of God because they are written in the Scriptures Is not the Truth expressed in the Scriptures eternal and uncorruptible because the Ink and Paper is subject to alteration Shall we think so of the Truth therein expressed God forbid And what less then an Almighty hand hath preserved that Book viz. the Bible unto this present hour notwithstanding all the rage and fury of the Devll and his instruments against it who now being unable to suppresse it by force have devised this deceitful Doctrine viz. To teach all men to hearken to the Light within them thereby to turn away their minds from the Doctrine of the Scriptures Concerning therefore the Purity and Eternity of the Doctrine of Salvation expressed in the Scriptures the Scripture doth give ample Testimony in many places The Words of the Lord saith David are pure words as silver tryed in a Furnace of earth purified seven times Psal 12. 6. Every Word of God saith Solomon is Pure he is a shield to them that put their trust in him Prov. 3. 5. The entrance of thy words saith David giveth Light it giveth understanding to the simple Psal 119. 130. Heaven and Earth saith Christ shall passe away but my Words shall not passe away Mat. 24. 35. Whosoever therefore saith he shall be ashamed of me and of my words of him shall the Son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the Glory of his Father with the holy Angels Mark 8. 38. Therefore said Peter unto the Lord when Jesus said unto the Twelve Will ye also go away Lord saith he to whom shall we go Thou hast the Words of Eternall Life and we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the living God John 6. 67 68 69. Thus is the Purity and Eternity of the Truth expressed in the Scriptures vindicated yea it will be found to be so unchangeable that those that now despise it shall lie under the punishment therein
that they had both touched and felt him and yet found no vertue come out of him No marvel therefore that the Scriptures seems to be lifeless and a dead Letter to such whose Faith is dead to them it is no wonder that the Scriptures do not enlighen them that go about to destroy them or in Christ himself while they were kiling him they found little excellency And why were some refreshed even by the touching of Christs Garment and others that â—ouched his Body felt no benefit Was it not because the one came to him with a Hand of Faith and Love owning him â—o be the Son of God and the other came with wicked hands to crucifie and slay him because they denyed him to be the Christ And wherefore is it that some find wonderful comfort in the Scriptures and are thereby made wise unto Salvation Is it not because they come with humble and believing Hearts to them But they must needs be a dead Letter to such whose Faith and Affections is quite dead to them Sect. 5 But to make a further manifestation of the Divine Authoriiy of the Scriptures I will lay down these following Considerations to prove the Scriptures to be an infallible Teacher of the Doctrine of Salvation First Because there is no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man in this world â—hat can name a Work of Righteousnesse which as an Act Deed or Duty of Righâ—eousnesse ought to be observed by the Sons of men which the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament do not make mention of fairly discover and fully comprehend Therefore the Scripture is an Infallible Teacher of the Doctrine of Salvation 2. Because there is no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man in this world that can name a work of wickednesse which as an Act or Deed of wickednesse ought not to be done by any of the Sons of men which the Scriptures do not most severely forbid upon pain of the greatest Punishments to be inflicted on them that persist therein Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 3. Because there is no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man in this World that can declare any Promise either of Peace or Happinesse which as a Promise from the True God ought to be embraced by the Sonâ— of men which the Scriptures of the Old and new Testament do not make mention of and very fairly and fully declare Therefore the Scriptures are an infallible Teacher c. 4. Because there is no man nor Spirit or Light within any Man in this world that can declare any Punishment which God wil inflict upon sinners for their disobedience which the Scripture speaketh not of and very fully declares Therefore the Scriptures are an infallible Teacher c. 5. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man c. can prove any act or deed which the Scripture calls an act of Righteousness to be an act or deed of Wickedness Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 6. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man can prove any act or deed which the Scriptures call an act of Wickedness to be an act or deed of Righteousness Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 7. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man c. can prove any Promise which is made in Scripture to be false or that it shall not be made good according to the condition thereof to those to whom it is made Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 8. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man c. can prove that any of the Threatnings expressed in the Scriptures against the workers of iniquity are either unreasonable or false or that they are not according to the minde of God or shall not come to pass Therefore the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are an infallible Teacher c. The Word of God therefore expressed in the Scriptures of Truth concerning his Commandments his Promises his threatings is very far in Authority and clearness beyond any Spirit or Light in any mortal man in the world therefore I conclude they are above all mens books words or Doctrine an infallible Teacher such as are able to make wise unto Salvation through faith in Christ Jesus being given by inspiration of God and are profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. Search the Scriptures therefore saith the Lord Jesus Christ for they are they which testifie of me Joh. 5. 39. To the Law and to the Testimony saith the Prophet if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no Light in them Isai 10. 20. Sect. 6 To the foregoing grounds I will add two other whereby the Light and power of the Doctrine of the Scriptures is further manifested and so conclude The first of which is taken from Ephes 5 13. Whatsoever saith the Apostle doth make manifest is Light now the Scriptures doth make manifest the mystery which was kept secret since the world began which according to the Commandment of the everlasting God is by the Doctrine of the Apostles made known to all Nations for the obedience of faith therefore according to Pauls Doctrine the Scripture is Light for by it is the way of Salvation manifest See Rom. 16. 25 26. Rom 15 4 2 Pet. 3. 1 2. The Apostle Peter also teacheth the same Doctrine for after he had declared what they which were with Christ in the Mount had seen and heard he tells us that we have a more sure word of prophesie or of the Prophets whereunto ye do well saith he that ye take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day star arise in our hearts that is as hath been already shewed until the Resurrection of the dead and coming of Christ from heaven with his mighty Angels c. Now we know that a shining Light in a dark place is of great use of such concernment is the Doctrine of the Scriptures as the Prophet Teacheth The Commandment of the Lord is pure saith the Prophet Enlightening the eyes Psal 19. 8 9. Thy word is a Lamp unto my feet saith he and a light unto my paths Oh! of what blessed concernment are the Scriptures of Truth to direct in the way of the Lord unto which sure word of Prophecie or of the Prophets and Apostles of Jesus Christ we shall do well if we take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place remembring this first that no Prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation for the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit They are not therefore of private or particular interpretation as though
laps as that spirit which you call the Light within hath caused some little Children to do where some of you have been present Sect. 17 But that an evil spirit is your familiar which also you communicate to such as adhere to your Doctrine shall be yet further manifested in several particulars First that humming blowing and hollow sighing proceeding from the bottom of your bellies from whence is it but from the evil spirit that hath there his residence for as the Hebrew word that signifies familiar spirit doth also signifie bottles to intimate that they which have familiar spirits do speak as it were througâ— bottles So some of you have had a voyce speaking to them from the hollow or bottom of their bellies which is no other than the voyce of the evil spirit and indeed by what else are you inabled at your meetings when you have nothing to say but by a spirit that comes into some of you by which ye are made able to speak 2 or 3. hours and then when ye have done are as empty again as if no such thing had been and so by the said spirits going out of one into another those things are performed which you ascribe to the Light within all men and as it hath been said by some of your selves Life goes to Life Life goes to Life So it is manifest that by the assistance of that spirit that comes from one and goes to another and not by the Light within all men are you inabled to do those things ye do and that hollow humming sighing and speaking is not from the Light within all men nor from the Light within your selves but from the spirit of darkness which you have received and are his instruments to help others to receive For Secondly Your silent meetings of Meditation or muttering is the direct practice of such as have familiar spirits as the Prophet teacheth Isai 8. 19. For the word translated Mutter signifies a silent Meditation or muttering as they that understand the Hebrew word do observe To what end therefore are your silent Meetings of Meditations or Mutterings but for the Communicating your unclean spirit for never did any of the Churches of Christ or servants of the living God hold Meetings of silence to meet and speak not one word to one another is such a practice of which there is not any example in the Word of God but even the contrary is found there for it is written They that feared the Lord spake often one to another and the Lord hearkned and heard it c. Mal. 3. 16. So that it is certain that the Practice of silent Meetings is contrary to the Practice of the People of God in all ages Therefore the Scripture Isai 8. 19. is worth thy further consideration as it is there written When they shall say unto you Seek unto them that have familiar spirits and unto Wizards that peepe and that mutter Should not a People seek unto their God for the living to the dead Now the Spirit of God upon this accompt gives warning and instruction in the very next words vers 20. saying To the Law and to the Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no Light in them Now let them shew if they are able that either the Law or Testimony of Christ speaketh any thing to the Justification of their doings their silent Meetings of Meditations or Mutterings their slighting the Word of God the Scriptures of Truth setting up their own Traditions under the name of the Light within for what ever they boast of Light Light here is an obsolute sentence upon them that there is no light in them Oh that all that hear might fear and not persist with them to their own destruction When men and Satan enter into Covenant when men hold Meetings to carry on his design to publish his Doctrine to communicate his Spirit Oh my Soul come not thou into their secrets unto their Assembly mine Honour be not thou united Gen. 49. 6. for they reject with the Pharisees and Papists the Counsel of God and set up their own unwritten Traditions they are gone a side after Satan whose Doctrine they publish and whose unclean spirit they hold assemblies in silence to communicate But Thirdly It is further manifest even by the confession of some of your own Prophets and Proselytes who are and have been owned by you as in your Ministry and of your way that an evil spirit is by you communicated as for instance There came a spirit into one of you as he was going to reprove another which did roar and make such a terrible noise in his belly that one might have heard it near a furlong from him the which he himself did confesse to be the Devil Another and one that is as a brand pluckt out of the fire did testifie before many witnesses that when he did joyn with those that preach up the Light within a spirit came into him which did make him quake and tremble so exceedingly that he thought it would have tore him in pieces which the Spectators were so afraid to behold that they called in several other persons to help hold him in his Bed which they had much ado to perform the Bed on which he lay did shake so exceedingly which violence was the motion of the evil spirit with which his own Spirit did not consent Another who is now bodily destroyed did confess a little before her death that there did a spirit speak in the bottom of her Belly with a vocal voice to the hearing of the outward ear and bad her go and leave her Kindred and House and all therein and Preach where it would have her and it would reward her three-fold c. The said party within a very little time after was found dead in a Furrow of Water And thus a dear Friend of mine was deluded and by your means destroyed which I cannot forget while I remember my self Sect. 18 But I will conclude this Chapter with the story of the sad pranks the Devil played in one that thought himself perfect who had been a great Preacher of to the so called Light within such a one that was concluded both by himself others to have attaired to the state of Perfection for several years past the said party being at a great Meeting of those that are called Preachers and followers of the Light within c. When they with such others as came to hear and himself also expected that he should have been the Teacher of the rest to have shewed them the way to the state of perfection yet so it was that a spirit entred into him as he sate behind the Table which did cause his Feet to fasten to the frame of the Table whereon he had set them and did cause his knees to clap together and there to stay and his arms to lock together and so to abide it did cause his mouth to shut his
better condition So that if denying Bodily Habit if Humility of shew in the greatest measure be thy Proof to justifie thy Way and Practice those Adversaries of the Gospel and the Professors thereof the Romish Friers except you will say that they are of your Society and carried on by the Light within to do those things they do even they will be justified rather than thee for their Humility of shew and neglect of the Body far excels thine Again that Hermit at Icknam near London a great Adversary to the Truth of the Gospel as was shewed apparently in two publick Disputes yet for Humiltty in shew in neglecting the Body he far excels the Preachers up of the so called Light within for he rejected his Trade cast off his Garments put himself into a Canvas Frock with a Plat of Rushes about his Head no Shoes of Leather his Legs bare his Meat sometimes tops of Weeds boiled other whiles he lies down and eats Grass like a Beast or else makes himself Puddings of Bran or Feeds upon raw Grain with Water only to Drink his Lodging sometimes under a Hedge or in an out-house upon a wad of Sraw denying to lay the Old Man as he calls it upon a better Bed and although his Doctrine is somewhat consonant to thine yet is he denyed with Execrations by the followers of the so called Light within while he excels â—hem in outward shew of Humility So â—hat if this kind of Humility be thy Proof this Hermite and his followers as great opposers of the Truth as they be are justified and the Preachers up of the so called Light within condemned who are seen in their Silver Plate Buttons and that in superfluity their Trades Diet and Garments much as other mens but the Hair of their Heads like Womens which is so contrary to Nature and the Scripture 1 Cor. 11. 14. that they are more like the Locusts that come out of the bottomless Pit Rev. 9. 8. then such as are led by the Light of Christ It is therefore evident that you are not in outward and bodily Habit more Humble and Free from Pride than all others But secondly for inward and more secret Pride of Heart thou that Preachest up the so called Light within must be silent for the Pride of thy Heart is perceived in thy countenance and by thy Actions for thou neither fearest God who created the Heavens and the Earth the Sea and the Fountains of Water Rev. 14. 7. nor Jesus Christ the Saviour of the World who sits at his right Hand in the Glory of the Father nor dost thou reverence man as he hath commanded For the first of these such is thy pride that thou fearest not the Judgements of God thou regardest not his Commandements thou despisest his Promises That great Day of God Almighty when Jesus Christ shall come in flaming Fire taking vengenance on them that know not God and obey not the Gospel 2 Thes 1. 7 8 9. thou in thy Pride dost contemn Thou hardnest thy self in thy wickedness supposing that thou art passed through this Judgement already the Holy Commandement the Precepts of Jesus Christ expressed in the Record which God hath given of him in the Scriptures of Truth thou art so proud that thou dost not regard but callest them in contempt Shels without Kernels Shadows without Substance Empty Carnal Lifeless and what not And the like esteem thou hast of the exceeding great and precious Promises of Life and Immortality of the Raising and Changing our Vile Bodies and Fashioning them like the Glorious Body of Christ Phil. 3. 20 21. of bringing to pass that which is written Death is swallowed up in Victory So great is thy Pride and so gross thy Blindness for as Humility is accompanied with Knowledge so is Pride with Ignorance that thou rejectest that great Promise of the Resurrection and the Life of the whole man Spirit Soul and Body and settest up an imaginary Resurrection and Life in the stead thereof wherein not the whole Man but a part onely is raised nor that part neither in Truth but onely in Imagination And that thou dâ—â— not reverence man it is apparent for 〈◊〉 â—â—ere thou comest that Preachest up the so called Light within thou acknowledgest not any Superior hardly wilt thou give the tearm of Father to him that begot thy Body Thou wilt not so much as put off thy Hat to any man but sayest That it is Honouring men and all Honour ought to be given to God Yet notwithstanding although thou sayest It is Honour and God ought to have all Honour and that is thy pretended Reason why thou wilt not give it to men yet thou givest it not to God neither for I have seen thee Preach and Pray too after thy fashion with thy Hat on thy Head thus thy self-contradiction is manifest Thou wilt not salute nor bow thy body to any man nor give to men Titles of Honour and for thy justification herein thou dost alleadge some particular examples and makest them General Rules wholly neglecting Faith and Gospel-Obedience though generally Commanded and Practised by the Saints and Servants of God whereby the Pride of thy Heart doth appear in that it closeth with what it can find for its lifting up but is too high to submit to any thing whereby it should manifest Humility of Spirit Faith and Obedience Humane Courtesie and Honour is too low for thee that 's Carnal in thy account but it was not so with good men of God in former times of which for brevity sake I will onely give some instances see Rom. 12. 10. Phil. 2. 3. 1 Pet. 2. 17. Ephes 6. 2 9. Col. 3. 20 22. 1 Tim. 6. 1 2 3 4. He is proud that consents not to the Doctrine of the Scriptures see also Gen. 23. 6 7 11 12. Gen. 16. 8 9. Gen. 33. 3 8 13 14. Gen 41. 43. Acts 26. 25. Mat. 5. 44 46 47. 2 Sam. 13. 25. 2 Sam. 14. 22. Rom. 16. 4. Which Scriptures do teach that Humility which thou that Preachest up the so called Light within dost deny thou art not therefore more Humble but more Proud rather than others and these sentences of Scripture do fitly describe thee viz. Prov. 30. 11 12. There is a Generation that curseth their Father and doth not blesse their Mother Whose mouth is fuller of Cursing and Bitternesse then thine There is a Generation that are pure in their own eyes and yet is not washed from their filthinesse Who boasteth more of self-purity and who more in Rebellion Unbelief and Opposition to Gods Truth There is a Generation Oh how lofty are their eyes and their eye-lids are lifted up And who carries a higher look than thee Every one is but Filth and Froth that opposeth thy way What an eye of scorn and disdain hast thou by which it is evident that thou art not more humble but rather more proud than others Sect. 2 The second proof is Thy Vnity the which also I do
with thee by way of Concession in putting the case that all this which thou sayest were so and that thou went beyond all others in every one of these five Particulars yet notwithstanding thy Way and Practice is a manifest falshood as shall be made evident in that which followeth Sect. 6 For first suppose that thou in Bodily Habit didest neglect thy self as much as the A Concession and Answer to the first Proof Romish Fryers or the Hermite before spoken of Art thou ere the more in the Truth for that it is apparent that both They and Thee notwithstanding this Humility in shew are great Adversaries to the Truth of the Gospel and that we may know that this shew of Humility in neglect of the Body is no sufficient Proof for this purpose the Scriptures of Truth do warn us of a sort of false Worshipers who worship Angels and walk after the Commandements of men being vainly puft up in their fleshly Minds who hold not the Head Christ Jesus by subjecting to his Ordinances yet are subject to the Ordinances of men touch not tast not handle not which things saith the Apostle indeed have a shew of Wisdom in Will-Worship and Humility and neglecting of the Body not in any Honour to the satisfying of the Flesh Col. 2. 18 19 21 22 23. Oh what a Glorious shew of Wisdom is there in Will-Worship and Humility and neglecting of the Body but alass what benefit is in all this for when this comes to be tryed it is found to be but the Wisdom of this World which is Earthly Sensual and Devilish James 3. 15. And is not the Worship of those that call themselves followers of the Light within the Worship of Angels that is of Devils while they disobey that which God hath shewed them in the Scriptures of Truth and intrude into such things which are not to be found there Where is there such a thing to be found in all the Record that God hath given of his Son that all men ought not to look into and be guided by the Scriptures of Truth but that all men ought to look into and be guided by the so called Light which is within them Oh the vanity of that fleshly and puffed up Mind that hath been the Author of this Intrusion and Doctrine of Devils so directly contrary to the Doctrine of the Holy Prophets Apostles and of Christ Himself the greatest of them all who requires us to hearken to the Word of the Lord expressed in the Law and in the Testimony to take heed unto the most sure Word of the Prophets 2 Pet. 1. 19. to searth the Scriptures which are able to make us wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3. 15. Therefore although thou art outwardly more humble than any other that is no confirmation that thou art in the Truth but in the Falshood rather while thy Doctrine is so directly contrary to the Word of Truth And thus thy pretended proof of thy Humility lies dead and will not do the service for which it is brought Sect. 7 But Secondly Suppose that thou art in A Concession and Answer to the second Proof Vnity and all others are in Differences yet this doth not prove that therefore thou art in the Truth for first although the Devil endeavours to break the Peace of the Saints by sowing Discord among the Brethren because he knows that their Unity will be the ruine of his Kingdom and although sometimes through his Temptations many turn aside from the Truth yet notwithstanding the Lord owns the rest as his People that stand fast in it to those few Names in Sardis which did not defile their Garments it is promised That they shall walk with the Lord in White Rev. 3. 4. notwithstanding the polluted estate of the rest Although there was Divisions among the Disciples of Christ yet they were his Disciples and the Lord useth means to unite them to the Truth that are turning aside after Error before he utterly rejecteth them and when he doth punish the Transgressors he spareth the Obedient as is to be seen in the case of the seven Churches of Asia Rev. ch 2. and 3. So that although Divisions may appear among the Professors of the Faith of Christ it is not safe from thence to conclude that none of those Professors are in the Truth Shall we condemn all Professors because some walk contrary to their Profession Shall we condemn all the Angels of God because some of them did not keep their first estate but left their own Habitations Jude vers 6. Thus it is clear that Divisions amongst Brethren do not warrant an Universal Sentence upon them But Secondly Unity is no absolute estimony of Verity for the Prophets of Ahab spake with one consent there was no Division amongst them although they were four hundred they all agreed together to bid Ahab go up and prosper though it proved his destruction 1 Kings 22. 6 11 12 13. one Micaiah that differed from them all his words was true being the Words of the Lord and their words was false being the inspiration of Satan If ye then the Preachers up of the so called Light within are in Unity your Unity arising from a lying spirit which is in all your mouths we can conclude your condition to be no better then Ahabs and his Prophets and as the Lord permitted that lying spirit to be in the mouths of all Ahabs Prophets to intice him because he had so exceedingly sinned against the Lord by rejecting his Counsel to go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead even so hath the Lord sent or permitted a lying spirit to be in all your mouths that you may intice all them that do reject the Counsel of God which is written in the new Testament to go on and fall and be snared taken and destroyed as it is written 2 Thes 2. 11. 12. For this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a Lie that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness It is therefore apparent that unity is not a sure proof of verity Those that are said to have one mind Revel 18. 13. to what end is it but to give their Power and strength to the Beast c. Those that Christ invited to his Marriage Supper Luke 14. 18. They all with one consent began to make excuse This Argument therefore being but a Popish Fig-leaf is utterly invalid But Sect. 8 Thirdly suppose thou destroy the Whore more then any other of her opposers and that by perswading her children to leave her A Concession and Answer to the third Proof and to follow after thee yet notwithstanding thou art not therefore in the Truth for many of the Adversaries of the Whore are enemies to the Gospel of Christ though the great City be divided into three parts yet it is great Babel still Revel 16. 19. and though the ten
Horns do hate the Whore make her desolate and naked eat her flesh and burn her with fire yet do they agree and give their Kingdom unto the Beast until the words of God shall be fulfilled Rev. 17. 16 17. Thou therefore that wouldest have the name of destroying the Whore art so far from obeying the Truth that thou hast the nature of the Beast the great Antichrist whose followers and admirers are the world whose worship is not performed to the living God that made the Heavens and the Earth but to the Dragon from whom the said Beast hath his Power his Seat and his great Anthority thy blasphemies are great already thou beginnest to have a stout Look thy followers do admire thee saying in effect Who is able to make War with thee thou blasphemest against God his Name his Tabernacle and them that dwell in Heaven Revel 13. 6. A God above and a God out of thee thou sayest is Carnal his Name by which his People through Faith therein have Salvation is blasphemed in thy denying the appointments of Christ in the New Testament those Worshippers of God who worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth are by thee despised and contemned the followers of Jesus Christ that love him though now they see him not and believing in him do rejoyce with joy unspeakable and full of glory 1 Pet. 1. 7 8. yet are they the object of thy scorn and derision Thy pretended opposition therefore to the Whore will not prove thee other than a Limb at least of that Beast which the World in worshipping doth worship Devils and Idols of Gold and Silver and Brass and Stone and Wood which neither can see nor hear nor walk See Revel 13. 4 12. Revel 9. 20. Thus this proof also is made void and of no effect Sect. 9 But fourthly Suppose that thou didst discern all secrets and didst see into all A Concession and Answer to the fourth proof and through all men as thou sayest yet art thou not therefore in the Truth for those that have the use of Divinations that have the familiarity of evil spirits do sometimes discover very secret and hidden things yet the Devil is the father of such Revelations And art thou therefore Justified because thou sometimes doest very strange things and revealest very great secrets No not all except the power by which thou doest them were the Power of God and not of Satan and except the end for which thou doest them were the Glory of God and not of Satan It is not therefore thy going into a house the doors being shut and out again none knowing how as one of the Preachers up of thee so called Light within hath done nor thy appearing in the field to one walking alone and then vanishing away again that will justifie thee to be in the Truth except this were done by the Power and for the Glory of God neither is it the declaring to a man all that he had done that day before he came into thy company and much of that he had done at other times also as one of the Preachers up of thee so called Light within did to one that came to visit him in prison that can prove this Deceiver to be a servant of the Lord for the servants of the Lord are not alwayes to be found by such tokens for it is written of one that had the knowledge of all secrets who yet was so far from being a servant of the Lord that he was appointed for destruction at that very time when he had so great knowledge of whom it is said Be hold thou art wiser then Daniel there is no secret that they can hide from thee and yet because his heart was lifted up by reason of his wisdom and riches therefore the Lord pronounceth destruction upon him and though he said I sit in the Seat of God yet God said Thou art a man and not God though thou set thy heart as the heart of God And wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee I am God but thou shalt be a man and no God in the hand of him that slayeth thee See Ezek. 28. 2. 9. How far short the Preachers up of the so called Light within come of this pride of heart let their sayings witness for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh Mat. 12. 34. For they say they must judge all men they see into and through all men they have the Godhead in them even as Christ hath and the like But though thou set thy heart as the heart of God yet will he destroy thee and bring thee down to the Pit And wilt thou yet say before him that slayeth thee I am God but thou shalt be a man and no God in the hand of him that slayeth thee Thus it is apparent that they which suppose they know all secrets and because of their wisedom do lift up their hearts in pride contemning God and his Truth will at last be so far infatuated that they shall not know how to save themselves from destruction and perpetual wo and misery Therefore it is a very false conclusion to conclude that because thou knowest others secrets therefore thy way is the way of Truth for it is evident that the discerning of secrets is so far from being a proof that the discerners thereof are servants of God and obeyers of his Truth that there by they are sometimes proved to be slaves of Satan and followers of his delusions But Sect. 10 Fifthly Suppose that thou art in Sufferings more then any other yet notwithstanding thou art not therefore in the Truth A Concession and Answer to the fifth Proof For as hath been said it is not the Sufferings but the Cause that makes a Martyr What if a man do give his body to be burned it profiteth nothing except it be done with charity 1 Cor. 13. 3. But when in love to God and to his Truth a man suffereth for the Truth this is available but this is not thy case Let none of you saith the Apostle suffer as a Murtherer or as a Thief or as an evil-doer or as a busie body in other mens matters yet if any man suffer as a Christian let him not be ashamed but let him glorifie God on this behalf 1 Pet. 4. 15 16. But never did any of the Preachers up of the so called Light within suffer as a Christian never did they suffer for Christ whose Person and Doctrine they deny And were it so that Sufferings did alwayes demonstrate the Sufferer to be in the Truth it would not onely justifie evil doers but also Truth it self which is alwayes one and the same would thereby become mutable and variable But what need I spend time to confute so vain a Notion as this for in very deed they that do suffer but a reproachful word for the Truths sake that Suffering is more acceptable with God than the suffering of death for errour therefore to conclude