A Short DISCOVERY Of certain TRUTHS of GOD According as they are revealed through the manifestation of the eternal light of the Son of Righteousnesse Which are A Reply against two things in an Epistle And An Answer to ceâ—tain Queries contained in a Book Intituled Christian Queries to Quaking Christians Subscribed by one J. B. Also Queries propounded to be answered by the Authour of the same Book or any other By JOHN STORY But sanctifie the Lord God in your hearts and be ready alwaies to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meeknesse and fear 1 Pet. 3. 15. Printed in the year 1664. A Pamphlet or little book being come to my hands intituled Christian Queries to Quaking Christians c. By one who subscribes himself I. B. with an Epistle to the Reader from one who subscribes himself I. A. And I having duly weighed and seriously considered both the Epistle and the Queries I return this following Reply against two things in the Epistle with an Answer to the Queries First to the Epistle in the Frontispiece of which I. A. saith Go little book improve thy Scripture skill Advance the truth and throw down all self-will Reply IT is not in the power of that little book or any other writing how holy or good soever they may be in themselves either to advance the truth or beat down the self-will haughty pride of man farther then they are accompanied with the living word Spirit and power of the Lord God therefore may I say much more it is not in the power of that little Book either to throw down self-will in any in whom it is not yet subdued or to exalt the truth in general because its only queries gathered by the Authour from the Letter of the Scriptures without and no message of heavenly prophesy doctrine or exhortation received by the Authour from the Lord through the divine inspiration of his light and Spirit within whose light Spirit and power operating in the hearts of men is that only means which becomes effectual to accomplish the things before mentioned viz. the laying low the pride of all flesh and the exaltation of the name and tâ—uth of God in the world Therefore may I say it 's a very vain and idolatrous exhortation which I. A. hath given to I. B. his little book And I. A. further saith Let light without be guide to light within Reply If by this exhortation I. A. means that light without should guide the true light which shines in the hearts of Saints which I cannot but gather from the forementioned words then I must needs say 't is a very absurd and foolish exhortation and being spoken upon a divine account it is very full of idolatry and evil and greatly contrary to the Gospel and exhortation of Gods Embassadours to the Saints upon earth which was that they should abide in the light or anointing that was in them 1 John 2. 27. And the Apostle preferreth the light that God hath caused to shine into their hearts so far beyond any perishing thing or light without that he exalts it as that excellent means by which he the Saints received the knowledge unto everlasting life 2 Cor. 4. 6. Where he saith God who commanded light to shine out of darknesse hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ Many more testimonies proving the same truth might be instanced And though the holy Scriptures without and the Saints practises are as lights in the world yet far be it from all true Christian men so to idolize them as to set them in esteem above the light which is sufficient to guide or to esteem them equal with the light and Spirit of Christ within from which the Scriptures were given forth which are but branches of that holy â—oot and as it were fruits of that heavenly tree viz. the appearance of God in the hearts of his people If I. A. had bid people mind the doctrines and exhortations of the holy Scripture which testifies of and exhorts to Christ the true and never erring light in the hearts of his followers he had done better But what I have already in love said I shall leave to his more serious and better consideration 1. Query How and by what means may salvation be attained whether by adhering to light within us or by faith in Christ without us 1 if the later be not the best way why is it that the Scriptures do so often bid us to believe in Jesus Christ and that by so doing we may be saved 3 Joh. 15 16. Acts 16. 30 31. 2 or if the former be the better way if so I would then ask farther Answ Salvation is to be obtained through believing and walking in the obedience unto Christ Jesus who is that only true and saving light which lighteth every man that comes into the world Iohn 1. 9. And all mankind who cometh out of that night of darknesse which hath overshadowed the whole world and from under the cloud of errour that hath covered all the inhabitants of the earth must both believe receive and walk in the light of the Lamb Rev. 21. 24. which is the best and most excellent way though we must confesse as Jesus the true light of the world is God blessed forever our vessels are not able to contain him because his presence is infinite and fills heaven and earth and as he is thus infinite in himself we must confesse that he is as real without us as within us yet the true knowledge and faith which we with all the Saints have in Christ unto our salvation is not of him at a distance without us but even in him as he is near at hand by his light and spirit revealed within us according to what the Apostle saith Rom. 1. 19. That which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed it unto them And Col. 1. 27. the Apostle saith To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery amongst the Gentiles which is Christ in you the hope of glory Therefore I say the hope which we with all true Christâ—ans have whereby we may attain heaven where all felicity and happinesse is enjoyed for ever is not by any knowledge of Christ at a distance without us but as he is inwardly revealed by his light and Spirit in our hearts and they who thus know him have and do experience the virtue of his precious bloud which was shed for many to wash away their sin and to purge them from all their transgressions And this is that knowledge which a man may have and not dye for the soul that hath it lives to God in this world and shall reign with Christ to all eternity in the world to come And because this is the best and most excellent way for Christians both to believe
the creatures as it is written Rom. 4. 13. and 1 Cor. 3. 22 23. where the Apostle saith All things are theirs whether Paul or Apollo or Cephas or the world or life or death or things present or things to come all are yours c. Yet in the creatures they must not so delight as to love and worship them more then their Creatour who is God blessed for ever Therefore if any who professeth himself a Christian so love and delight in the creatures as that his love and delight in the Lord is made lesse thereby such a one may professe himself a Christian in words but in works he denies Christ Therefore all Christian men had need to be watchfull against the temptations of that lustful spirit of the world which would lead them to abuse the creatures First its lawful to enjoy the creatures afforded for us in the joy and mirth which cometh of or is allowed by the Holy Ghost but not in the vain mirth and foolish pleasures of sinful worldly men who have their end in lamentation and wo for it is better as the wise man saith to go to the house of mourning then to the house of such mirth and feasting for that is the end of all men the living will lay it to heart Eccles 7. 2 3. But if a man doth eat and drink and enjoy the good of his labour in the covenant of God that is to the praise of God and to his spiritual and creaturely comfort in this fading world in which God fills his heart with content and satisfaction whether he hath much or little of the perishing things of this life Secondly its lawful for a true Christian who is guided by the Spirit of Christ to wear what apparel he by the wisdome and instruction of the Spirit shall see both to be lawful and expedient for him to wear that he in that as in all other things may give a good example not only to them that are weak but that also he may be a pattern of righteousnesse unto those that are without and may shine as a light in the world that they seeing his good works and example may be made to glorifie his Father which is in heaven Mat. 5. 16. Therefore the Apostle exhorted the Christian women to adorn themselves in modest apparel with shamefastnesse and sobriety not with broidered hair or gold or pearls or costly array but which becometh women professing godlinesse with good works 1 Tim. 2. 9 10. 9. Query Whether when Christians are met together for the worship and service of God they may then be silent and depart without any thing done for the edification of one another or 1. Whether they ought not rather to stir up and exhort one another to continue in the faith and practice of the Gospel as the Apostles of old did who when they met together spent the time in praying with and exhorting one another Acts 1. 13 14. Acts 12. 12. 2. Whether to speak in a strange tongue or to be wholly silent when the people of God are met together be not one and the same thing the former of which the Apostle forbids as no way tending to edification 1 Cor. 14. 4. to the 20. Answ When Christians are met together to worship God in Spirit they may be silent if nothing be given them from the Lord to say for God who is a Spirit may be as truly worshipped in Spirit and adored in the hearts of his people when there is no words as when there is words of God given them to speak to the edification one of another But if any should meet together with a resolution to be silent and not to wait for but to quench the motions of the Spirit if any thing should be given this would be worse then to speak in an unknown tongue First for if any thing be freely given Christians ought freely to speak what from God they have received to the edification one of another as the Saints of old did when they were met together 1 Cor. 14. 26 Whether by prophecy doctrine or prayer Secondly though people may sometimes meet in silence in the name and truth of Jesus yet it 's not one and the same thing with speaking in an unknown tongue for the unknown tongue may be so far from edifying in the truth that people may rather be led from the truth thereby But when Christians are met together in Christ's name though they be silent for a time yet God hath and will fulfill his promise by the manifestation of his presence amongst them by whose spirit they receive inward teaching both to comfort build up and instruct them so that many have gone away satisfied with the spiritual sence of the Lords heavenly presence which hath been seen and enjoyed in silence amonst them by the incomes of whose love his children are refreshed in preaching and without outward preaching glory unto his name for ever whose spirit cannot be limited that he shall not appear to the joy and comfort of his people either by or without outward preaching for it hath been the manner and practice of the Prophets and people of God to sit together in silence when nothing was given them of the Lord to say though it was day after day as saith the Prophet Ezek. 3. 15 16. then I came to them of the captivity at Telabib that dwelt by the river Chebar and sate where they sate and remained there astonished among them seven dayes and it came to pass at the end of seven dayes the word of the Lord came unto me saying so it seems they sate together in silence till the word of the Lord came to the Prophet although he was a Prophet and the hand of the Lord upon him yet must he not speak till it was given him from the Lord what he should say and all preachers and people who are not in but against this example in meetings together are such as come under the wo due to them which use their tongues and say he saith howbeit the Lord hath not spoken to them Jer. 23. 31. Therefore how much better were it for them to wait upon and worship God in silence when nothing is given them or revealed unto any of them from the Lord to speak then to use their tongues when he hath not spoken to them I shall leave to the sober minded to judge 10. Query Whether Christians that do not palpably contradict the practice of Godliness may not live with and have charity towards one another though different in judgements And 1. whether this hath not rendred the popish religion more odious because they have so little charity for any that differ from them who stile all to be hereticks that are not of their way Or 2. whether any of the Apostles or our Saviour himself did ever condemn others upon this account only but on the contrary when the Apostles told our Saviour they had seen one casting out Devils in his name yet followed
in and receive Christ unto their everlasting salvation therefore it is that the holy Scriptures testifie of Christ being revealed unto the Saints in this way but neither the Scriptures which thou hast instanced nor any other exhorts Christians to believe in Christ as he is at a distance without them but the contrary Rom. 10. 6 7 8. 2. Query Whether the light within us be a sufficient guide to direct us unto true happinesse and what this light is whether in every man or how to be attained 1. if this light be sufficient to salvation of what use are the Scriptures And why are we at all exhorted unto faith which implyeth something at a distance and not yet enioyed Heb. 11. 1. 3. Answ The light of Jesus within us is a sufficient guide to direct and lead us which all them that walk in it out of darknesse and misery to the inheritance of glory and joy with the sanctified in Christs spiritual Kâ—ngdome according as our Saviour who is this light testifieth of himself John 8. 12. where he saith I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk in darknesse but have the light of life and Zechariah prophesying of him whose light is sufficient to guide men out of errour and darknesse saith Luke 1. 78 79. through the tender mercy of our God the day spring from on high hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darknesse and in the shadow of death to guide our feet into the way of peace By these two testimonies may this truth be confirmed viz. that the light of Jesus which shines within us is sufficient both to direct and lead us to true happinesse Secondly this true light in which we walk give testimony to the world and say it is that unto which all mankind must be turned that come to receive remission of sins Act. 26. 18. is no other but even Jesus the everlasting son of God as the Scriptures testifieth John 1. 9. and John 8. 12. Rev. 21 24. Thirdly This true light lighteth every man as it is before already proved John 1. 9. And he that desires to attain the knowledge of Jesus the true light let him not say in his heart who shall ascend or descend Rom. 10. and 6. 7. for Christ the light is near whose beams in a small measure shines in the darknesse of his heart according to John 1. 4. 5. and may be known by its operation of manifesting the secret evils there which are reproved and through it he comes to have a descerning between the inward thoughts and desires which would incline his heart towards God and those which would or doth cause his heart to decline from God therefore he that would attain to the knowledge of Christ whose light gives him in some measure the knowledge of himself as is before said must in love and obedience to Christ whose light convinceth him of sin confesse and forsake his sin in which obedience man comes to receive that heavenly power of God which begets him again out of sin and death and makes him partaker of the divine nature and life of Christ the light in which he comes to see light to have the excellent knowledge of that everlasting son through which in some measure he saw the filthinesse of sin and the motions of it in his heart while as yet he had not the knowledge of the light neither could it comprehend Fourthly Because this light is sufficient of great use are the Scriptures which testifieth of and directeth to this light and exhorteth Christians to the growing in faith and belief in Jesus who is the true light and Saviour of the world and able to save to the utmost Heb. 7. 25. Heb. 5. 9. 3. Query Whether is this light the conscience of every man or 3. is it Christ in every man if so why then are not all men saved for if he that hath not this light be out of Christ as you say then all that have this light must of necessity be in Christ and consequently saved 2 Cor. 13. 5. 2 Cor. 5. 17. Answ This light is not the conscience of every man neither is it the conscience of any man but is that heavenly light by which God lightens the consciences of the sons of men to distinguish between good and evil as I have already said And all they that believe in and obey the motions of Gods Spirit by the light of his Son he will lead them out of all darknesse and errour and guide them in the way everlasting and he will give them richly to possesse the evidence of his light and Spirit upon their consciences that they are his children Herein they come to partake of that peace which never shall have an end Secondly though we do not say that every man knows or hath received Christ within yet we say the beams of his light lighteth all men in which his grace that bringeth salvation hath appeared to them 1 Tit. 2. 11. And hereby his good Spirit is tendered to instruct them notwithstanding they rebell against him Neh. 9. 20 26. And this is the cause that all men are not saved viz. their not believing in but rejecting the light of his salvation and rebelling against his Spirit which should instruct them in the way thereof through which Spirit all men that continue in sin shall be left without excuse whose destruction is of themselves 4. Query Whether that way which you teach and the doctrines you maintain and propagate be consonant to and may be defended by the word of God contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament whether it be not necessary to haue some rule of trial by which we may try the spirits whether they be of God or no 1 John 4. 1 2 3. And 2. whether the Scriptures be not sufficient thereunto or is there any better way to be propounded for such a tryal and 3. if there be any better way why are we directed by the Prophet Esaiah to the Law and to the testimony and if any man speak otherwise it is because there is no light in him as Esai 8. 20. and 4. why were the Bereans commended for searching the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Act. 17. 11. Lastly if the Scriptures are not to be the rule for all Doctrines why is it that the Apostle doth so severely and that over and over again pronounce a curse against all such as should preach any other Gospel then what he had already preached which is onely to be found in the Scriptures as Gal. 1. 7 8 9. Answ The doctrines which we maintain and propagate are consonant to and may be defended by the forceable arguments of truth and holy records thereof contained in the Old and New Testament First It is necessary to have a rule of tryal to try the spirits whether they be of God as I. B. hath already instanced 1 Iohn 4. 1 2 3. And he that in
some measure hath it not is not yet settled or grounded upon Gods foundation but is unstable and may be tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine ready to be beguiled by every false motion and device of the enemy of the soul inwardly and to be led afide with the cunning craftinesse of evil men outwardly even like a ship without an anchor left to the mercy of the wind and the seas ready to suffer shipwrack every moment therefore how wholesome was the counsel of our Saviour to his Disciples to have salt in themselves Luke 9. 50. and he tells them that they are the salt of the earth Mat. 5. 15. he that wants this salt which seasons gives to savour and discern between what is of God and what is not of God is or may easily be deceived or misled by that spirit of errour through which men becomes vessels of wrath fitted for destruction Secondly The Scriptures are not the most sufficient rule of tryal not in any dispraise unto them be it spoken because it is possible that men by that Spirit which is not of God may not only speak according to but use the very same words as the Apostles and Ministers of Christ did and do unto this day so that whiles they speak not contrary words or doctrines that Spirit at many times cannot by the rule of Scriptures be detected though it 's true many Spirits there are which may be proved not to be of God by the Scriptures for their speaking and acting contrary thereunto but the forementioned Spirit which is Satan transformed into an angel of light or into a person who hath sometimes prophesied â—n the name of Christ and declared the joyfull tydings of the everlasting day cannot be discerned but by the immortal light oâ— Spirit from which the Scriptures were given forth and though many have and may be zealous for the letter of the Scriptures yet thereby they do not discern Satan in this deceivable appearance in which he steals the words of the true prophets and in declaration of words and doctrine may seem to speak like an angel or messenger of God even speaking the same words with a false spirit as hath sometimes been spoken through the same person by the true Spirit but the inward knowledge of this is a great mystery which is hid from all worldly and sinfull men but is opened by the Lord unto that spiritual man which judgeth all things yea Angels who are made able to put a true difference between the angels of God that in truth serve him and those who in outward appearance seem to be his angels and yet serve him not therefore spiritual and heavenly men have a more sure rule to try spirits by then the Scriptures which is the unction that they have received from the Holy One 1 John 2. 20. that gives them to discern of spirits and the matters that belong thereunto that differs in nature and quality though not in profession nor outward appearance and this is that infallible rule of tryal which may and not with any derogation from the authority which belongs to the holy Scriptures truly be said to be better then the Scriptures insomuch as it is the same life and Spirit of Christ manifest in the hearts of Saints from which the Scriptures were given forth and therefore must in all things have the preheminence For this holy unction in the hearts of true Christians is that spiritual law in Christ Jesus through which they have the testimony as their father Abraham had of Christs glorious day in the sight of which their hearts are made exceeding glad and if any man want light to discern and try what spirits are of God and what spirits are not of God let him look into the spiritual law of Christ which is a light that shines within through which the heavenly testimony is received as it is written If any man want light let him look upon the law and the testimony and see if they speak not according to this meaning as the old translation renders it Isa 8. Thirdly though the Scriptures be not the most infallible sure rule to try all doctrines by as is before shewed yet I say cursed be that man that preacheth another Gospel then that which the Scriptures testifies of which is the power of God unto salvation as it is preached by the same divine authority and power as it was in the dayes of the Apostles but that either the power or all the words of the Gospel 〈…〉 be found extant in the Scriptures I do deny for as it is 〈…〉 the Evangelist John 31. and the last There are also many other things which Jesus did the which if they should be written every one I suppose that even the world it self could not contain the books that should be written Amen And doubtlesse many heavenly and saving doctrines were preached by the Apostles as they ran to and fro upon earth in that Gospel-day in which knowledge was encreased which we have not extant at this day therefore all the wholesome doctrines and exhortations that they preached are not only to be sound in the Scriptures 4. Query Whether all men do or may attain perfection in this life and whether any that come short of this perfection may be saved or 1. Whether those texts of Scripture that exhorts us to be perfect may not imply certain degrees of perfection rather then perfection it self as to the heighth of it And 2. whether there be not a perfection of sincerity as well as of degrees And 3. whether believers may not be perfect by imputation of his righteousness who knowing no sin yet was made sin for us that we might be made the righteousness of God in him 2 Cor. 5. 21. Answ All men do not attain perfection in this life because many there are that do reject the means ordained by our heavenly Father through which otherwise they might receive freedome from sin and obtain perfect dominion over it to reign in victory with the Lamb for evermore All that die in the faith of Christ shall be saved though they be even babes in Christ and far short of that attainment in life wisedom dominion and strength as to the fulnesse of it as it is manifest in the perfect man who is come even to the measure of the stature of the fulnesse of Christ Eph. 4. 13. In whom all rule and authority and power contrary to God is put down and he crowned with perfect dominion over all his spiritual enemies reigning as a King in the triumphant victory over sin death and the grave in the image of the heavenly which he bears in which the perfect life of the new man is known that walks with God in this world and that shall live and reign with him perpetually in the world to come for spirituall men in this triumphant state have received the end for which the blessed ministry of the Gospel was given which was for the
not abolished or made void through faith in Christ Jesus as it is written Do we through faith make void the Law God forbid Rom. 3. 31. Through faith we establish the Law for it is by virtue of faith in the Gospel that Christians are fully enabled to practice those religious duties which were commanded under the Law viz. to love God with all their heart and with all their mind for our Saviour calls this the first and great Commandement saying the second is like unto it thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self and on these two commandements hang the whole Law and the Prophets Mat. 22. 37 38 39 40. these religious duties with many other righteous practises of the people of God under the Law are indeed binding to Christians under the Gospel First Christians ought to live and continue in sincere desires after God at all times and to pray unto him not onely at morning evening and at noon day but at all seasons and hours wherein they shall find the immortal birth of life inclining their hearts to seek after him and his spirit to help their infirmities without the help of which Christians cannot pray ask or seek aright as it is written Rom. 8. 26. 27. We know not what we should pray for as we ought but the spirit it self maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered and the motions of this immortal life and spirit of our heavenly Father is not limitted to dayes set times places or houres of dayes but when and what time it inclines and moves Christians are to follow and as they seek through and by its assistance they shall find and as they ask in the life and nature thereof they shall receive theirs hearts desire and obtain the thing which they pray for Secondly It is lawfull for Gods people to set apart a time for religious exercise as did Daniel and the rest of the servants of the Lord who notwithstanding the great afflictions and persecutions which attended them for righteousnesse sake and for their practice in the worship of God yet did they continue not only to professe him openly but to worship him after their accustomed manner as appears by the Scriptures which I. B. hath instanced Dan. 6. 10 13. with several other Scriptures which might be mentioned whose example herein I desire the Lord may instruct all Christians in sincerity to follow and continue in the practice of the doctrines exhortations of the Apostles and Ministers of Christ who exhorted the Saints not to forsake the assembling themselvs together as the manner of some was Heb. 10. 25. but as the day approacheth exhort one another in which practice the true Christians ever did walk and continue notwithstanding the cruel persecution grievous afflictions that were inflicted upon them by ungodly men of this world for so doing viz. their continuing in the profession of Christianity and practice of meeting together to wait upon and worship the Lord in Spirit and truth for which holy practice so great were the sufferings and afflictions by them indured as may be read at large in Ecclesiastical Histories that Fox saith in the book of Martyrs what fires what tortures without respect either to age or sex they were inforced to feel then did the earth without doubt bewail her children and the round world which containeth all things being imbrued with their bloud made a dolefullamentation for them and the day it self provoked to mourn was amazed for them when the very barbarous Nations rejoyce for their sakes which received and harboured them when they were afraid and fled from us keeping them as it were in a most loving and amiable captivity to which I may say Alas alas that ever any that professe the same Christ as these persecuted Christians suffered for should now Acts and Monuments lib. 1. fol. 92. become persecutors and not only of such as in words deny him but even of such as confesse and believe in him to be the only Saviour of the world Surely the true Christian soul that seriously considereth will be greatly afflicted and the heart that sees it cannot but mourn in the beholding of the woful apostacy darknesse and delusions in which many thousand Christians are fallen who professe Christ in words and yet walk so far contrary to the light of Christ and are so far out of his nature which is to shew kindnesse mercy and love to all men not only to them that believe but to them that believe not even with long patience to instruct them that they may believe and repent but the heart that is possessed with the true knowledge of the woful backsliding from the ancient doctrine and truth of the Gospel in which those persecuted Christians walked both in and after the Apostles dayes beholding this dismal night that is come upon multitudes of Christians cannot but even take up a lamentation and cry Alas alas that ever any who professe Christ should be so far void of his bowels and mercies and should have so far lost all tendernesse of conscience that they should even now persecute their brethren who professe and believe in the same God and Christ as they in words professe and believe having no other reason for their so doing but only because they differ from them in some ceremonial and outward practices of Christianity Alas alas that ever the Devil the enemy of mankind should so far delude and deceive men who agree in the outward profession of one God and Christ which is the main and weighty matter in the outward profession of Christian Religion Oh that ever they should be so far darkned and misled to afflict and persecute about the smaller matters or outward practices of Religion whenas it ought to be a duty incumbent upon all who professe the name of Christ to perswade one another in the power of the Gospel and if the true Christian cannot overcome the errour of the mind in the false Christian after this manner he ought notwithstanding to walk in love towards him and leave him to the Lord who is that great Potter that hath power over all men to change from errour to truth and out of death into life when and what time soever he pleaseth Thirdly Christians are to mind in that serious and weighty duty of Prayer the motions and leadings of Gods Spirit through which their infirmities are helped and they not praying in their own name or will but in the name of Christ their prayers become effectual and God answers them in the things they pray for as it is written John 14. 13 14. Fourthly It is a duty incumbent upon all true Christians to use family duties viz. to pray unto him as they are led thereunto by the heavenly birth and Spirit which of him they have received And parents ought to instruct their Children by word and godly example as they may find the Spirit of Christ lead them so to do by the virtue and authority of which their