of it and neither of them owning the Scriptures as we have them and never like to be Converted by such shallow Contenders and impertinent Preachers as thou art And as for the Law and the Testimony thou speakest of pag. 125. they are yet unknown to thee for the Law is Light and the Testimony of Jesus Christ is the Spirit of Prophesie Prov. 6.23 Rev. 19.10 which were before the Scriptures And How are Spirits to be tryed as John exhorted 1 Joh. 4.12 To this thou sayest The holy Touchstone by which they are to be tryed is that golden Rule by which the noble Bereans tried the Doctrine of Paul even the Scriptures to know by what Spirit he spake And then thou addest By this we shall know the Spirit of Truth from the spirit of Error and not to prove a Spirit by a Spirit within From whence thou observest That that Spirit which will not be tried by the Scriptures is the Spirit of Antichrist p. 125. Answ. What gross Ignorance Error and perverting the Scriptures hast thou herein shewed thy self guilty of For first Where provest thou in all the Rule thou pretendest That the Scriptures are the Touchstone and golden Rule to try the Spirits by Produce us plain Scripture for this thy Doctrine or else confess thy Error 2dly The tryal of Spirits is more mysteriâ—us than meerly the trying of Doctrines by comparing them with Scriptures for many false Spirits bring Scripture who are not discerned to be such without the Spirit of God which searcheth all things 3dly John did not say That the Scriptures were the Touchstone by which they were to try the Spirits whether they were of God But he saith plainly These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you but the Anointing which you have received of Him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same Anointing teacheth you of all things c. 1 Joh. 2.20 26 27. Now then the tryal of Spirits being â—uch a weighty thing which they were concerned in this Unction in them was the Touchstone and that is the Spirit of Antichrist that opposeth this 4thly The Scripture doth not say That the Bereans tried Pauls Spirit by the Scriptures but that they received the Word with all readiness of mind mark that and searched the Scriptures daily whether those things were so Acts 17. It is not said They searched them to try Pauls Spirit by them for their receiving the Word with all readiness of mind implyes some good belief they had of the Spirit in Paul by which he preached And when they had received the Word they daily searched the Scriptures not with prejudice against the true Ministers or Light within as many of you do but simply to see whether those things were so Now this kind of searching them we own the Word being received within which gives the understanding of the Scriptures And as for thy scoffing at the word Pure Seed calling it New-coyned without Book c. pag. 97. And thy saying Which Seed we vainly say is Christ begotten in us c. p. 98. Thou hast scofft herein without any ground and thereby discovered thy own folly For Is not the Incorruptible Seed a pure Seed and doth not the Apostle call the Seed Christ Gal. 3.16 And is not Christ in the true Believer where the Body is dead because of sin But thou that so nicely carps at words as pure Seed which is Christ within as being without Book what Scripture or Book thereof hast thou for thy calling the Scriptures the only Rule for Salvation for all men to the Worlds end and no other the Touchstone the golden Rule to try or know the Spirit of Truth from the Spirit of Error the ground of Faith c. Produce plain Scripture for these words or else confess thy Error who so exâ—ctly pretendest the Scripture thy Rule how dost thou square thy work by it what Rule canst thou produce for us to believe thou speakest truth when thou givest those Characters of the Scriptures which are not to be produced in them And was not the end of Paul's labouring with the Jews to turn them from Darkness to the Light within which thou contemptuously callst a pretended Spirit p. 127. Was his perswading them to believe in Christ in opposition to his Light within surely no but all in order to turn them to his Spirit or Light within But thou hast confessed his perswading them was concerning the Kingdom of God to teach them to believe on the Name of Jesus and direct them to the Kingdom of God see how manifestly thou art here Contradicted by thy own words for was not the Kingdom of God within Luke 17.21 And the Name of Jesus and its Power thou seest not who hast vilified His Light within and the Scriptures thou citest are against thee as that of Rom. 9 10 11 Chap. for both the Righteousness the Word of Faith and Grace were inward and spiritual Again To prove that the Scriptures make manifest the Righteousness of God thou citest Rom. 1.17 which is thy gross abuse of that Scripture for it saith that I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the Power of God unto Salvation and therein is his Righteousness revealed from Faith to Faith c. It is not said the Scriptures are the Power of God for the Power of God or Gospel was preached to Abraham before the Scriptures were written And to thy saying Faith hath a holy End which it leadeth to even the Salvation of Souls not now in man but at the last day when our bodies shall be raised out of the dust p. 123. And where provest thou this Doctrine Is not the Soul in man And is not its Salvation deliverance and safety from sin wrought within by the Power and Arm of God How dost thou essay to frustrate the End of the true Faith which is Salvation whilst thou sayest It leads to the Salvation of Souls not now in man but at the last day when our bodies shall be raised out of the dust And when thinkest thou shall that be Must all the Sâ—ints have their Hope Expectation and Faith for Salvation of their Souls unanswered till then what is become of their Souls all this while since their decease if they have not received the End of their Faith to wit Salvation in them Surely thou art yet in the dust and death and daâ—kness have power over thy mind or else thou wouldst never shew thy self such an ignorant Papist as here thou hast done for thou hast though at unawares run thy self into rank Popery putting Salvation of Souls so far off till thou knowest not when according to thy earthly and carnal conceits which thou wouldest have us believe for gracious Truths which thou sayest Quakerism doth not own unless in a Mystery to deceive But this is not thy first slanderous Conclusion against the Quakers who only oppose the graceless Errors and
Excommunication given forth by divers of the principal Baptists about BOW against one that forsook them and their dead wayes wherein the Reader may also take notice of their envy and falshood London the 12th month 1669. CHRIST Ascended above the Clouds c. JOHN NEWMAN's Instance to prove the Scriptures the Word Isa. 28.9 10 11 12 13. The Word of the Lord was to this People Precept upon Precept c. Pag. 6. Answ. Scriptures signifie writings and not the Word neither doth this Instance prove them to be the Word for the Prophets of God who speak as the holy Spirit moved them did both inwardly receive and speak forth Precept upon Precept here a little and there a little from the immediate Spiâ—it and Power of God as immediatly taught by him which is before and above the Scriptures thereof which no where â—ffirm themselves being the writings in an abstract sense to bâ— the Word Also preaching Jesus Christ the Word and the Scriptures aâ—e two things the one being in a living Power and Voice and the other in written Characters Moreover the Lord sendeth out his Word and melteth the Snow the Hoar-frost and Ice Psal. 147.18 Surely this Word is not the Scriptures J.N. There are a People labour to blind this Truth by affirming That Christ is the Word not the Scriptures for they say the Scriptures are the Sayings or Words of God pag. 13. Answ. To affirm Christ to be the Word and not the writings but that in them are the words or sayings of God words of his Covenant c. or that they contain a Declaration of God and Christ is no blinding of Truth but what is â—ffiâ—med in and by the Scriptures themselves and the Word of the Lord came to the Prophets before they spake forth or writ the words see Jer. 1.1 2. The words of Jeremiah to whom the Word of the Lord came J. N's Instance from Mark 4.14 What Word was this that the Devil taketh out of mens hearts None will think it Christ but the Scriptures of the New Testament pag. 17. Answ. The Seed sown in the heart by the Son of man hath virtue and life in it in the very being of it for rooting growth and increase of fruit which is more than the writings which no where in Scripture are called the Seed and can he say the Son of man did sow some Scriptures in the High-wayes which the Devil took Also many retain Scripture in the profession of it who notwithstanding are but as the high-way ground unfruitful in whom the Seed of Life doth not take root so that the Devil doth not steal away the Scriptures or Bible from them not properly Christ out of their hearts but he steals away their hearts and minds blinding them from the sense and sight of the vertue life and light of the Seed or Word of Life withiâ— J. N. The Word of God grew and multiplied Acts 19.20 Cannot be understood of Christ a multiplication of Christ p. 17 18. Answ. Can he then think that Bibles grew and multiplied Surely the Word had Life and heavenly Virtue in it that was capable of growth and its multiplying was both in the increase of gifts and adding to the number of them who received it and though Christ be but one yet his Life his living Word and Gifts both grow and increase where he is received J.N. Christ cannot be the Word because Christians may and ought to receive his Word into their hearts Christ is not received into the hearts of men nor in Person dwell in their hearts p. 21. Answ. How grosly Erroniously and Irrationally hath he asserted and reasoned that Christ cannot be the Word because the Word is received into the hearts and how contrary to plain Scripture to say Christ is not received into the hearts see 2 Cor. 13.5 Rom. 8.10 Col. 1.27 Christ in you except you be Reprobates Christ in you the hope of glory c. but that Christ in Person doth not dwell in the hearts who ever affirmed that he doth J. N's Instance from Luke 11.28 Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it None that will makâ— use of Reason can believe that Christ did intend that Christians should keep himself for every Christian is kept 〈◊〉 and Christ 1 Pet. 1.5 p. 15. Answ. Though Christians be kept by God and Christ it s through Faith and Obedience in the Light whereby they continue in both and retain God in their knowledge holding the Head which is Christ and holding fast the faithful Word keeping the Word of his Patience such keep the Truth all which amounts to the same or is equivolent with keeping Christ the Word the Truth the Life wherein is the Patience of God and Faith of the Elect exercised against all Temptations and Tryals which are not overcome by the writings without whicâ— cannot truly be called the Word of his Patience as J. N. doth without distinction when they express words of his Wrath Judgment and Displeasure against sin and wickedness But the word of Faith Life and Patience in the Soul immediately expresseth the Love and Patience of God and Christ unto it to aâ—m it in times of Afflictions and Tryals and this we are to keep For many both profess and keep Scriptures or Bibles who are out of the Patience of Câ—rist And now I Query What Reason is it this Opposer would have us make use of and what is the ground of it in man for he speaks of carnal Reason which cannot reâ—ch God and also a Reason to be made use of Pag. 64. Surely we cannot look on him to be such a Mastâ—r of Reason as infallibly to distinguish how highly soever he thinks of himself whilst he denies and opposeth the Light within as being but a feigned light John Nâ—wman where 's thy Reason and what and wâ—ence is it We must not take thy carnal dark and prejudiced Conception for Reason nor be swayed thereby when thou art ignorant of the very Grounds and Principles of true Reason and so much opposest plain Scripture which hypocritically thou pretendest for thy only Rule J.N. To deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God is to deny the very fountain and well-spring of comforts to the Soul in Affliction which is brought out of the Promises in the Scriptures to the Soul by the Spirit through Faith p. 44. Answ. How grosly Erroneous is it to deem the Scriptures the very Fountain and Well-spring of comforts and to say that the Spirit brings the Comforts from thence to the Soul whereas God is the Fountain which to say of the Writings is all one and as blasphemous as to say they are God as some of the Ranters have said as once one of them affirmed to me at Emnith near Wisbitch That the Bible which I had in my hand was God but he quickly after came to be distracted 2dly The Spirit and Gift of Christ is as a Well of Living Water in true Believers
and it is the Spirit of Promise the Comforter having the Life of all Gods Promises and Truth of Scriptures in it self from God the Fountain and this Spirit is infinite and so not â—ontained in the Scriptures though it contains the truths that are in the Scriptures of Truth for they came from the Spirit and it opens the understanding in the Scriptures as it 's waited in J.N. His sad Consequences which he thinks do follow the denying the Scriptures to be the Word and Rule proved inconsequent and his great Ignorance therein detected In Answer to his 43 44 45 pages There are no sad Consequences as he asserteth in denying the Scriptures to be the Word and Rule for Salvation And Fiâ—st I doth not take away the ground of Faith for Remission 2dly Nor Assurance for Christ and his Light within is the Ground and Foundation of Faith and Assurance 3dly Nor doth it make void the Exercise of Faith in the precious Promises for the Spirit of Promise both as a Rule manifests the Promises exerciseth Faith in and fulfils them 4thly Nor doth it deny the Comforts of Faith from the Promises the Spirit of Promise being both the Comforter and sheweth us things to come 5thly Nor doth it destroy the support supplies of Grace to the Soul in affliction For these we receive from God in his own Spirit and not from the writings outward 6thly Nor doth it deny the knowledge of Acceptance for that is given to us by the Spirit of God by which we are sealed unto the day of Redemption and know that we are oâ— God and the Mystery of Life and Salvation is revealed unto us by the Spirit 7thly Where the Spirit of Truth and its Light within is obeyed and truly owned to be the Guide and Rule it leaves not men in the dark nor out of the knowledge of God or enjoyment of Life eternal But to deny the Spirit or Ligh◠〈◊〉 Christ to be the Rule for Life and Salvation doth leave 〈…〉 dark void of saving Knowledge and Life J.N. 8thly Without this viz. the Scriptures to be 〈◊〉 c. we know not that there is any God or Christ or Salvation by God in Christ nor by what means it may be obtained all men are left in the dark and no man knoweth how to enjoy Life Eternal pag. 45. Neither do we know what God counteth unclean and what holy And in short without the Scriptures we know not any promise that belongeth to this life or that to come these dreadful conclusions will follow denying the Scripâ—ures to be the Word and Rule to Salvation and it leaves men to walk by fancy and imagination Answ. Poor men you hâ—ve shewn your selves sâ—fficiently herein and what an empty implicit Faith you are in and how void both of the knowledge of God Christ and Salvation you are and how yet in your sins having denied Christ and his Light within to bâ— your Rule Way and Foundation as he is to his followers and so you are walking by your fancies and imaginations wâ—o â—et the Scriptures in the place of Christ as your only and absolute Rule and Ground of your Faith and Knowledge And then if one should ask you How you prove the Scripâ—ures to be true if they must be the absolute and only Rule and none other then you mâ—st prove them by themselves or plead their own authority from an implicit Faith you have of them which is but still an absurd way of reasoning or assaying to convince gain-sayers being but Petitio principii a begging the Question And how would this convince either Papists Turks Jews Infidels or Athiests to tell them our Bible or Scriptures are infallibly true and the only Rule to know there is a God and a Christ and Salvation by him and to know what God counteth unclean and what holy And then what a sad sentence of no less than Condemnation doth this pass upon all People and Nations who have not the Scriptures as being all void of knowledge thâ—t there is either God Christ Salvation good or evil whereas there is a living Evidence throughout the Creation or Works of God therein of the eternal Power or Maker see Psal. 19. Rom. 1. Job 12. and many do know and have known these things written of which concerns Salvatâ—â—â— by the Light of God and Christ in them that never could 〈◊〉 or had the Scriptures outwardly as those Gentiles which 〈◊〉 the Law yet did those things contained in it and shewed 〈◊〉 â—ffects of the Law written in their hearts Rom. 2. though the Scriptures are profitable to the Man of God who hath them being led by his Spirit which opens them J.N. The Eternal Power and Spirit that was in Christ cannot properly be called Christ this Power or Spirit is God and not Christ. Answ. Contrary to plain Scriptures opposing both the Divinity and Deity of Jesus Christ who is both the Power and Wisdom of God 1 Cor. 1. The second Adam the quickning Spirit ch 15.45 And the Father the Word and Spirit are One 1 Joh. 5.7 J.N. The will and mind of God is contained in the Scriptures in order to mans Salvation p. 49. Answ. The Word contained is erroneously place for the Writings contain only a Declaration of the Mind and VVill of God in order to Salvation God and his Mind Thoughts VVill and Wayes are Infinite and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain Him J.N. The Word was in the beginning but Christ was in time not till he had taken Nature upon him and became in the likeness of sinful Man being born of the Virgin Mary Christ was not the Word before Christ was pag. 50 51. Answ. This Assertion opposseth the Deity and Divinity of Jesus Christ and contradicts the faithful Testimonies of the Holy men of God in the Scriptures of Truth For if the Son of God was not the Word nor in the Beginning nor before the Virgin Mary then Jesus Christ was not God but is represented as a finite Creature But the Erroneousness of this is apparent for the Word was with and was God in the beginning by which he created the Heavens and framed the Worlds Joh. 1.1 2 3. Heb. 11.3 And that this Word was Jesus Christ is plain seeing it's expresly said God created all things by Jesus Christ Eph. 3.9 Yea all things visible and invisible were created by him Col. 1. But if Jesus Christ the Son of God was not in being before he took flesh in the womb of the Virgin or was not before Mary how could all things be created by him And Nebuchadnezzar was of a better belief than to think that the Son of God was not in his time for he said Lo I see four men loose walking in the midst of the fire and they have no hurt and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God Dan. 3.25 And was not this before Mary or Christ's outward-birth of her All ye Baptists answer me what Scripture had he
CHRIST Ascended Above the CLOUDS His Divinity Vindicated From the cloudy erroneous heretical and blasphemous Conceits of John Newman and his Brethren His Light in Man Vindicated From the cloudy erroneous heretical and blasphemous Conceits of John Newman and his Brethren His being The Word Vindicated From the cloudy erroneous heretical and blasphemous Conceits of John Newman and his Brethren His being In Saints Vindicated From the cloudy erroneous heretical and blasphemous Conceits of John Newman and his Brethren His being The only way and Rule Vindicated From the cloudy erroneous heretical and blasphemous Conceits of John Newman and his Brethren AND The ONLY RULE of FAITH DEMONSTRATED For the general Information of Professours and People of all sorts And the said J. N. his Book stiled The Light within c. with his Manifest Contradictions both scripturally historically and rationally examined By a Servant of Christ G. WHITEHEAD Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee Luke 19.22 His mischief shall return upon his own head Psal. 7.16 Behold they belch out c. Psal. 59.7 The mouth of them that speak lyes shall be stopped Psal. 63.11 Let them be confounded c. Psal. 129.5 London Printed in the Year 1669. The PREFACE to the Unprejudiced Reader IT is real Love and Zeal for God's living Truth and People which constrains me thus to appear in these Controversies against such inveterate scornful Spirits and Antichristian Principles as tend to invalidate and make void the very Life of Christianity and Power of Godliness by their slighting and reviling the Light within professed by us the reproached People called Quakers Which Light being the very Principle which vvould direct the mind to God and Christ by whom it is given Reader such occasions of publick contest are not of our seeking nor is it desirable to us thus to appear against any People professing Religion called Sectaries but it hath been some few angry men called Baptists and some other Professors partly of their Faith who have publickly both in Preaching and Print given us such occasions by their implacable Enmity vented against us and the truth professed by us as also by their dis-ingenuous false and injurious dealing with us and our Principles by mistaking and perverting of them in many things making themselves matter and work to make War with us as this John Nâ—wman hath in several things which he hath forged against us as our Principles which are none of ours But its prejudice and pride makes such blind men presumptuous Reader we find no new thing nor any more profundity brought forth by these prejudiced Baptists against us than the persecuting Hireling Priests did nigh twenty yeaâ—s ago in their Railing Pamphlets and Pulpits One main Subject of this John Newmans in his Book is to prove the Light in every man not to be Christ which he should not need to have done until it had been so affirmed by us for though we do affirm a spiritual divine Light of God and of his Son to be in every man yet it is not our Principle to say that Christ is in every man or that every man hath the Son but a measure of his Light Grace or heavenly Gift in all which would lead out of darkness and give the knowledge of God's Glory in the face of Christ and so reveal the Son of God within whom he that hath hath the Father also But this J. N. his enmity against the Light within hath led him so far besides any true sense of God or reverence to his Gift as to call it but a feigned Light within though he hath neither demonstrated what the Light within is in its self nor shewn any reason against it and also to endeavour to exclude both God and Christ out of all his People endeavouring to perswade us that neither God nor Christ can be in any man contrary to the manifest Testimonies of both the holy Prophets and Apostles Reader in moderation peruse what follows and let the Truth and its Light within not prejudice and darkness jâ—dge concerning these matters which are principal things in Controversie between us called Quakers and the Baptists with other Professors of thâ— same Spirit and here thou mayst see the Controversie is about the Word 2dly about the only Rule of Life 3dly About Jesus Christ 4thly and about the Scriptures whether they be properly to be called the Word the Foundation and only Rule of Life for all men as J. N. asserts of them or Jesus Christ his Spirit within to be the only Way and Rule yea or nay These Controversies are Scripturally and Rationally discussed in the Sequel The Principal Passages of this John Newmans Book against our Principle are in the same Book contradicted and plainly confuted by himself and his chief Principles and Contradictions are herein laid down as collected out of his own Book and briefly noted Reader It may seem very wonderful to thee that any men should have the confidence to undertake to confute others when they can write very few Pages without contradicting and confuting themselves and thereby manifesting their own Folly Distraction and Confusion as this J. N. hath done against us as much as ever I knew any of our Opposers do What reason can any have to follow or depend on such who have neither Soundness Stability nor Consistancy in their own Principles let the Moderate and Rational Reader judge This J. N. had been answered when his Book was newly Published but that we had several more noted Anâ—agonists to deal withal wherefore I waved his Book and did not take time so much as to read it over till very lately being desired by some Friends a little to take notice of it we have a large Answer to part of it by another Friend which is laid by till the rest of his Books be published Reader I have waved much Falshood and Nonsence and many Tautological Impertinencies in J. N.'s Book as not willing further to obtrude upon thy Patience therewith also thou mayst take notice that divers of the Subjects here treated on as that about the Light within and the Scriptures with other matters of Controversie are more fully Discussed and Resolved in our dear Friend Samuel Fisher's Book entituled Rusticus ad Academicos in Answer to John Owen Tho. Danson John Tombs and Rich. Baxter wherein Presbyterians Independants and Baptists are concerned though none of them could ever Reply to it but it lyes upon their heads not Answered by them until this day Also several considerable Books besides have divers of us writ in Answer to many peevish Reviling Pieces of the Baptists which they never yet Replyed to but the Truth is and will be over their heads and over those envious Spirits among them Moreover The Contradictions of some Principal Baptists and others about their Assertion of the Scriptures being the only Rule in Two late Discourses in London may be taken notice of in the sequel As also here is Finally a Bill of
for that And Christ is called the Wisdom and Power of God 1 Cor. 1.24 30. And was not this He the only begotten of the Father that said I was set up from Everlasting before the Earth and when there was no Depths was I begotten before the Mountains were setled and before the Hills was I begotten or brought forth Prov. 8.23 24 25. And also see that Prophesie of Christ Mich. 5.2 Thou Bethlehem-Ephratah though thou be little among the thousands of Judah yet out of thee shall He come forth unto Me that is to be Ruler in Israel whose goings forth have been from of old from everlasting which plainly proves the Eternity and Divinity of Jesus Christ against such Baptists and Professors as this our Opposer J. N. who also in his Antichristian Doctrine of denying Christ to be the Word or to be in the beginning hath followed the steps of those old reputed Hereticks mentioned in the Ecclesiastical Chronography viz. The Allogians who denied Christ to be the Word as this J. N. hath done and of them it is said They condemned the Gospel after John who gave such a plain Testimony for the Divinity of Jesus Christ Joh. 1. Also Theodatas denied the Divinity of Christ and he it 's said was the first Author of that Heresie of Artemon who took Christ but for a bare and naked Man which is like this Assertion That Christ was in time not the Word in the beginning nor till He became in the likeness of Man being born of Mary which hath also affinity with that of Arrias and his Sect called Arrians who said That the Son of God had a beginning of Essence that there was a time that He was not And doth not J. N. affirm as much That there was a time when Christ was not the Word was in the beginning not Christ which is like also to that of Photinus Bishop of Sirmium who as it s said maintained the Heresie of Sabellius agâ—inst Christs Divinity and said The Word was at the beginning with the Father but not the Son Eccl. Chro. fol. 584. Soc. l. 2 c. 24. Ephiphan Haeres 71. Also several others noted in History for Hereticks held the like Also if J. N. or the Baptists should use these words as his Doctrine imporâ—s when they Baptize viz. I Baptize you in the Name of tne Uncreated God in the Name of the Son Created c. would they not then plainly appear like Eunomius Bishop of Cyzicum teaching his Heirs viz. That the Son was Created as when he Baptized all that came to him In the Name of the Uncreated God in the Name of the Son Created c. Eccl. Chro. fol. 583. Now if John Newman did think to be more Popâ—lar and gain Repute by this Piece intended against the Quakers he will be frustrated of his end when his Antichristian and corrupt Doctrines come to be viewed in this Treatise and the Baptists and others that have owned him therein may be ashamed of him and his works and it would be more reputable and commendable for him and them all to study to be quiet and charitable to follow peace with all men and not to revile the Light and Christ within as but a feigned Light or Christ nor to to oppose the Divinity of Christ the Son of God as he hath done J. N. His Names Jesus Christ are not attributed to his God-head but to his Man-hood For his Name Jesus signifies a Saviour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Anointed He was not Jesus or a Saviour as he was God p. 51.65 Answ. Though Jesus signifies a Saviour and Christ Anointed yet to confine those Names only to the Manhood still agrees with the erroneous Doctrines before That Christ was not the Word from the beginning whereas He took upon him the Man-hood in time in which though we own Him as the Anointed of God yet He was also God's Anointed as He was His only begotten and delight and so the Son from His Eternal Being or Substance before the Mountains and Hills were settled Also J. N. though to his own confutation grants That He was the Son of God from the beginning pag. 66 67. and theâ— He was God's Anointed from the beginning But his saying That He was not Jesus or a Saviour as He was God is still as gross and false Doctrine as the former denying God to be a Saviour which is contrary to plain Scripture O God of Israel the Saviour a Just God and a Saviour there is none bâ—sides me see Isa. 45. And also this J. N. notwithstanding he thinks he hath proved his matter by Scripture elsewhere wherein he would shew himself some noted Divine now he would shew us what a profound Logician or Mr. of Arts he is as if he would confirm his matter stop our mouths and bind us down thereby with an invented Argument His Argument runs thus Argument If Christ as Christ was not from the beginning then Christ was not the Word from the beginning But Christ as Christ was not from the beginning Therefore c. pag. 52. Answer The first Proposition in that it renders Christ and the Word both one contradicts himself in his denying Christ to be the Word For however it must follow from this Argument That Christ was when the Word was Christ being the Word and so the Word Christ. So that if the Word was from and in the beginning then Christ was from the beginning but the Word was from the beginning c. And then this flatly contradicts his whole Assertion and proves it false which with the pretended Reason thereof being not grounded upon any general Rule or Maxim of either Truth Scriptures or Reason as all Arguments ought to be but upon a meer Heretical Opinion that denies the Divinity of Christ in denying him to be from the beginning either as Christ or as the Word Now doth not this deny Christs very being in the beginning and make way for that old Heretical Opinion That Christ or the Son of God was not in being before the Virgin Mary But to give my Opposer his Due every way I judge he has out-run himself in this matter at unawares for he hath though to his own Confutation confessed That Christ was the Son of God from the beginning and was He not then the Anointed For if the Son then the Anointed And his words Christ as Christ was not supposes that He was in some other capacity yet his denying Him to be either as Christ or the Word from the beginning is contrary to plain Scriptures For in the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God c. Joh. 1. And He was in the VVorld and the VVorld was made by Him and the VVord was made Flesh and dwelt among us speaking of Christ So that He was in the beginning the VVord and is still Jesus Christ the same yesterday to day and for ever J. N. This Word cannot be Christ because it is here called the Seed by which
they were begotten in the New-birth pag. 56. Answ. See how contrary to plain Scriptures he reasons for Christ is called the Seed unto which the Promises are Gal. 3.16 And He is that Word which begets into the New-birth and not the Letter and this Seed is Living and Incorruptible though the Devil steals away the hearts of many from the sense of the the Seed or Word of Life as he hath blinded the minds of Infidels 2 Cor. 4.4 J.N. Ministers are called Angels Rev. 2. yet there is no Man that is an Angel p. 59. Answ. Yes If he be an Embassador Messenger or Minister he is an Angel J.N. Christ cannot dwell in Man for Christ is perfect Man as well as perfect God p. 61. Answ. To say Christ cannot dwell in Man doth not only oppose His Spirituality Deity and OMNIPOTENCY but also is contrary to the Apostles plain Testimonies of Christ's being in the Saints And if He be perfect God he can dwell iâ— His People as He hath promised and suâ—ely His being perfect Man doth not put a limitation upon Him as a let or hinderance to disable Him from being in His People whilst He who was Christ as come in the Flesh was also truly Jesus Christ within in his Spiâ—itual appearance and we do not confine Him under this or that particular Name His Names are divers in Scriptures according to His Manifestations Offices and Works He is called Emmanuel God with us He is called Jesus Christ The Way The Truth The Light The Life The Seed The Son The Everlasting Father The Word The Power of God A Quickning Spirit c. J.N. Christ Jesus after He rose He was still a Body of Flesh Contradiction the God-head took Flesh in the Womb of Mary the Mystery of Godliness God manifest in Flesh c. pag. 52 60 63. Answ. Christ Jesus was more than a body of flesh for he was Spirit as well aâ— flesh He was Lord from Heaven Neither is Man made up simply of a body of Flesh being a complex or composition of parts of Body Soul and Spirit Also there is a manifest inconsistency between these words He was still a body of flesh And He took flesh or was God manifest in flesh J. N's Argument If he rose Jesus Christ then he rose Flesh and Blood and also Man But he arose Jesus Christ. Therefore Flesh and Blood c. And he did ascend with the same body and is still at the right hand of God with a body of flâ—sh c. p. 64 65. Contradiction As we have born the Image of the Earthly-man so we are now to bear the Image of the Heavenly which is Christ Jesus p. 89. Answer Though I grant That Christ arose with the same body that was Crucified and put to Death and that he ascended into Glory even the same Glory which he had with the Father before the World began And that the same that Descended was the same that Ascended far above all Heavens Eph. 4. And as Christ said What and if ye see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before Joh. 6. Yet the Argument is fallaciously and corruptly staâ—ed in the manner of it the Inference of the first Proposition and so the Consequence being inconsequent to it carrying no proof along in it for it still strictly limits or tyes up the Name Jesus Christ to a body of flesh and blood and so covertly denies His being before he took on him that visible body of flesh blood and bones and so opposeth his Divinity as before Whereas He was the Spiritual Rock which all Israel drank of long before And as to His being at the right hand of God I grant according to the Scriptures but cannot believe His body to be a carnal body in Heaven or that He consists of a carnal existence And further these words are not the Scripture language viz. to say That Christ is a body of flesh blood and bones in Heaven and a Personal being at the right hand of God without all Men remote as J. N's terms are But these words Spiritual Body Glorious Boâ—y One Body and One Spirit and that the Saints discerned and eaâ— the Lord's Body were Members of His Body c. And except ye eat my Flesh and drink my Blood you have no life in you saith Christ These are Scripture terms and language So neither is Chriâ—t nor God's right hand so limitted to a remoatness from them And as we have born the Image of the Earthly-man so we must bear the Image of the Heavenly which is Christ Jesus this is true But the definition that J. N. hath given of Christ Jesus the Heavenly Man is That He is a body of flesh and blood a personal being not in man From whence it follows That this Heavenly Image men must bear or be changed into is a personal Image of flesh blood and bones as if they had not such a body or Image before Whereas the Heavenly man is spiritual and so is His Image And the Apostle distinguisheth between the Natural body and the Spiritual body as he doth between the bodies that are Coelestial and the bodies Terrestrial 1 Cor. 15. And further to take off Objections and Scruples I confess that according to the Flesh Jesus Christ came of the Seed of David and the body that He took upon him or that was prepared for him to do the will of God in upon Earth was a real and not a fantastical body and that according to the flesh He was put to death or died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and rose again the third day and was after seen of the Disciples and of above five hundred Brethren at once and that He was seen of James then of all the Apostles 1 Cor. 15. To which the Apostle Paul adds vers 8. And last of all he was seen of me also as of one born out of due time And how did he appear unto Paul Even by Revelation God revealed his Son in him It was the same Son of God who appeared vaâ—iously both visibly and invisibly after His Resurrection he appeared in various forms and shewed Himself diversly First to Mary Magdalen 2dly to other Women 3dly to the Disciples as they went to Emaus 4thly to James 5thly to Peter 6thly to the Apostles when the Doors were shut 7thly to more than five hundred Brethren as aforesaid after he appeared to Thomas when he said Reach hither thine hands c. Mat. 28. Mark 16. Luke 24. Iohn 20. 1 Cor. 15. Once he said to them Handle Me Luke 24.39 another time to Mary Magdalen when she thought him to be the Gardener Touch Me not Joh. 20.17 And it 's said Luk. 24.30 31. as he sate at meat with them He took bread and blessed and brake it and gave to them and their eyes were open and they knew Him and He vanished out of their sight Now seeing that he appeared so diversly being capable
mouth and that they had a more infallible Word to walk by than is now to us for it 's possible that some Scriptures may be corrupteâ— having been in the hands of corrupted men c. Thus far thou J. N. hast confuted thy self and manifestly broke the neck of thy own Cause First in that thou hast confessed to a more infallible Rule or Word than the Scriptures so that the Scriptures are not the only Rule nor yet the ground of Faith Assurance as often thou hast falsly misrepresented them 2dly In that the Scriptures might be corrupted they are not inseparably one with the Spirit in Nature and Purity 3dly Thou having granted That the Directions or Word thâ— Ancients had from God's own mouth was impossible that should be corrupted p. 106. From whence it follows That the immediate Word and Directions of God are the only infallible Rule in all such as receive them and not the Scriptures which might be corrupted as is confessed But whereas thou sayest The New Testament Letter that now is is to be our Rule p. 103. And often sayest The Scriptures are the only Rule of Faith for all men to walk by unto the end of tâ—â— World and none other c. Herein thou hast set the Letter or Writing above the Spirit and its immediate Directions from God contrary to what thou hast acknowledged as if thou wouldest now place all Rule upon the Letter and leave no room for that which thou hast confest to be more infallible and thus thou art found shuffling saying and unsaying reeling to and fro like a man drunk in Confusion For though many times wherein thou hast granted to truth contrary to thy own corrupt Principle thou dost not keep to it but turnest round again to thy own Confusion which in the tenour of it runneth thus viz. The Letter is the only Rule for all men to the Worlds â—nd nay the Rule of the Spirit or immediate Word which the Ancients had before the Scriptures were written was a more infallible Rule than the Scriptures for they might be corrupted But to go round again They cannot be separated in their Nature and Purity c. Is it not easie to see here what a labyrinth of Confussion and self-Contradictions thou art run into who hast presumed to confute others though to thy own final Confutation And seeing thou pretendest to pray for and own the Spirit of Truth in its help or work as thou sayest in the Word Doest thoâ— mean that the Spirit is in the Scriptures not distinct from them Or That it cannot be separated from the Letter according to thy words before What then Doest thou think that the Spirit is essential in the Writing and so that all that have the Scriptures must needs have the Spirit as it follows from thy own words whereas there 's a multitude of Examples to the contrary even in this Age and Nation of both many Hypocrites and empty Professors and others who are not led by the true Spirit and yet have the Scriptures As also thou thy self who professest the Scripture to be thy only Rule yet art found in Confusion and Error which God is not the Author of not yet his Spirit and what Scripture hast thou that sayeth these words viz. The New-Testament Letter is to be our Rule Produce plain Scripture for these words and it shall end the Controversie or otherwise be ashamed of professing the Scriptures thy only Rule when thou wilt not be ruled by them but presume to assert what thou canst not prove therein And yet for all thy high Assertions and Titles put upon the Scriptures thou hast confessed That another Foundation can no man lay than that which is already laid which is Christ Jesus 1 Cor. 3.11 But hast not thou often essayed to have laid another Foundation for Faith and Assurance even the Scriptures or the Letter yet knowest not but that they may be corrupted what an implicite Faith wouldst thou beget all People into of that which thou canst give no infallible demonstration of If thou shouldest thus preach to the Jews Turks or Infidels and tell them the Scripâ—ures or Letter of the New Testament must be their only Rule for Salvation as thou sayest it must be for all men to the Worlds end and then shouldst tell them that corrupt men for ought thou knowest have corrupted the Scriptures What Conviction thinkest thou would this work upon them and how would it answer either that Light or Reason that is in them and whilest thou seemest not to own the immediate teaching of God or his Spirit now for the Rule but the New Testament Letter or Scriptures only How camest thou by thy Faith concerning them And if thou meanest That the Doctrines contained in the New Testament are the Rule and not the Letter abstractively then how shall a man know these Dostrines and which do particularly relate to his state and condition seeing there are diversities of states written to Do not many misapply them whilest they place the Rule only in the literal Prescriptions and do not begin in the Spirit which gave forth the wholsome Doctrines in Scripture which Spirit is still sufficient to lead into all Truth and doth immediately teach the same wholesome Doctrines and now though every wholesome Direction or Doctrine prescribed may admit of the term A Rule as it is rightly received which thing I granting I thereby do no more grant the Scriptures to be the only Rule than that they are the only Word because I grant that words of God are recorded in them For to say the Scripture-Letter or Writing is the only Rule of Faith for all is a gross mistake and excludes the immediate Teachings Rule and Law of the Spirit which every spiritual mind is led by and supposes no true Faith but what the Letter or Writing is the Ground or Rule of whereas it can be but an historical traditional and implicite faith that is meerly founded upon Tradition and Letter and not Spirit or thâ—t that is without the divine and immediate Illumination of the Sâ—irit without which is no Divine Faith but mens Knowledge Faith and Religion are all but traditional literal and lifeless for in the true Knowledge of the Scriptures there must be an immediate reflection of Divine Light upon the Understanding from that Infallible Spirit which they were Ministers of who could truly distinguish between the Ministration of the Spirit and that of the Letter which thou hast not done p. 104. who sayest the Scriptures of the New-Testament are the Spirits New Administration from whence it follows that all that can preach those Scriptures are Ministers of the Spirit or New-Testament whereas many both can reâ—d and preach them litterally who are yet but Ministers of the Letter and never knew the immediate and living Administration of the Spirit from which the true Ministers preached who immediately were commissioned and whose Gospel came not in word only but in Spirit and in Power it
above all and through all and in all his own Eph. 4.6 And he that dwelleth on High and inhabiteth Eternity dwells with such also as are poor in Spirit and tremble at his Word Oh! how ignorant are these Opposers of the Scriptures and of the Power of God W's Doct. I do believe That essentially from Eternity the Scripture was as really God as a man's mind is himself before it is revealed so before that Spirit that proceedeth from Father and Son gave forth the Scripturâ— the Scripture was really God Can the Quakers shew you That Christ the Word is not Scripture c. pag. 17. Thus far his Assertion Answ. Let this be kept on Record for his Brethren to peruse and for all other that reade this to judge of that the Scripture was really God from eternity yea and that essentially as much as to say the Essence of the Scripture is the Essence of God What say you Baptists and Professors do you own this doctrine If you do not then give forth your Testimony against him and it and correct and stop such Nâ—vices and ignorant men amongst you from medling with Controversies and from scribling their Confusion and Blasphemies against us For do you own that the Scriptures are God or that the Scriptures made all things Or when you carry a Bible in your pocket do you carry God and his essence there Is not this Rantism in the highest that your Brother hath affirmed and doth it not tend to lead into Atheism let Truth in all judge Many of this Opposers Impertinencies gross Lyes Slanders and Abuses against us called Quakers in his Pamphlet I here pass by my recital of these few passages of his being that the rest of his Brethren may take notice thereof and be cautioned not to suffer enmity and darkness to lead them to war against the Light and its Children as too many have done lest that shame and confusion of face instead of Justification and Peace with the Lord be their reward Here followeth a Copy of the Baptists Bill of Excommunication WEE the Church of Christ meeting near Bow of which you Hester Bird were once a Member Do by these presents signifie and declare That you have turned out of the right way of the Lord both in Doctrine and Practice viz. Departing from the Foundation Doctrine of Justification by Grace From the Resurrection of this Body The Personal coming of the Lord Jesus And the Holy Ordinances of Christ viz. Baptism Communion of Saints and the Lords Supper And you having been by Us or some of Us Admonished and remaining Incorrigible WEE do hereby declare That you are gone out from Us because you were not of Us having rejected the Word of the Lord and Us his People WEE also do reject you according to the Sentence of the Lord exprest by the Apostles in these Scriptures mentioned in the Margent George Barrett Benj. Dennis Edw. Annesley Rich. Mathyson Ralph Chapman Signed in the Name and by the Appointment of the Church the 17 th of the 7 th Month 1669 Here followeth a Copy of the said Hester Bird now Hester Andrews her Answer GEorge Barret Benjamin Dennis and the rest concerned I do not own you to be the Church of Christ as you call your selves For the true Church never gave out such a false Bill of Excommunication as you have against Me therefore your pretended Authority therein I deny Whereas you falsly charge me with turning from the Communion of Saints I have sensibly known and felt the Communion of Saints blessed be the Lord since I have been from amongst you As to the Personal Reign of Christ I never owned it when I was amongst you but his Spiritual Appearance I am a witness of Your outward Bread and Wine satisfies not the Soul I have had more peace when I did not touch your Shadows than when I did As to the Water-Baptism I never found any thing in it I was the same when I came out as when I went in Blessed be the Lord I have known one Baptism the Baptism of Christ viz. being Baptized with the Holy Ghost and with Fire for he will throughly purge his Floor As to departing from the Foundation Doctrine of Justification by Grace as you falsly and slanderously charge me I know the Foundation of God standeth sure and another Foundation can no man lay than that is already laid which is Christ in us which is the Hope of Glory by whose Grace I am Justified freely and this I find to be the Doctrine of Christ and his Ministers which I own A Word from the Lord unto you That you would come out from among your dark Customs of this World and come to the Appearance of Christ in you As to your Excommunication it 's known I came from you some years ago take heed your Censure falls not on your own heads but it shews of what spirit you are Your charge of departing from the Resurrection of this Body as you state it It s neither truth nor sense nor have you told me your meaning For what Resurrection and Body have I come to that I have departed from Howbeit the Resurrection I believe according to the Testimony of Christ and his Ministers see Joh. 11.25 1 Cor. 15.42 to the end And Christ's Answer to the Saduces Mat. 22.29 30. H. A. A few brief Observations on the Scriptures in the Margent of the Baptists Bill or rather Bull against the said Hester Bird alias Andrews which they have perverted and misapplyed As FIrst That of Jer. 8.8 9. was against the Rebellious Jews who were backslidden and knew not the Judgment of the Lord and had rejected his Word who were all given to Covetousness and to deal falsly from the People to the Priest vers 7 10. None of which Evils have these angry Baptists proved against this Person whom they have Rejected or Excommunicated for she did first reject them as she was perswaded she had good reason for and that therein she did not reject the Word of the Lord but such as have rejected it whom she denyes to be either Called by Christ to the Ministry or to be of his Church Secondly That 1 Joh. 2.19 was against those Antichrists who went out from the true Apostles and Church where note these Baptists have neither proved their Call to the Ministry nor themselves to be either true Apostles or a true Church nor yet Convicted this Woman to be such an one mentioned 1 Joh. 2.18 19. for she is now directed to and owneth the Vnction within from the Holy One which preserves out of Antichrist's Delusions Lyes and Deceits c. which if she continues in and obey to the end she shall continue in the Son and in the Father and not deny Jesâ—â— Christ or the Father as the Antichrists did vers 22 23. But this Anointing within these Baptists have never turned People unto that they might follow and obey it in all things for they impose upon People their
were given forth the Commands are called words that God spake Is not there a manifest difference between the Word that made all things and the words spoken or writ As also between the Ministry of the Word which is the preaching Jesus Christ and the Writings of the Two Testaments which this ignorant man makes no distinction between for was not the Apostle Paul a Minister of the Word though not of the Letter Did not he distinguish between them which this confused Opposer hath not done J. N's Contrad The Scriptures in which is contained the will of God in order to man's Salvation is properly and principally called the Word and not Christ. There are a People labour to blind this truth by affirming that Christ is the Word of God and not the Scriptures for they say The Scriptures are the Sayings or the Words of God Christ cannot be understood to be the Word of God whereas some do affirm Christ to be the VVord of God Such an Assertion would make Christ a Monster rather than a compleat God and Man c. p. 12 13 15 17 17 49. I shall freely grant That Christ is called by this Name the Word of God Christ being the Word of God Christ may be said to be in men He may be called the Word of God because he will be that dreadful Executioner By the Word of God's Eternal Power c. He shall by by the Word of God slay all his enemies in this he may be truly called the Word of God p. 14 46 47. Animad Thou art a blind Opposer who perverts and darkens Truth with thy monstrous prejudice who denies Christ to be the Word of God and blasphemously sayest Such an Assertion would make Christ a Monster c. Yet for all this thou shalt freely grant Christ to be called the VVord yea the VVord of God's Eternal Power doest thou herein make him a Monster And did not the holy Men of God call him the Word And did they blind the Truth or make a Monster of Christ supposest thou Must we reject their Testimonies as improper and monstrous and believe thine as only proper which is so repugnant to the Scriptures which are the Writings that do contain sayings or words of God which to affirm is no blinding of truth And where provest thou these words in the Scriptures That the will of God is contained in them Is not the will of God Infinite and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain God So take thy Contradictions back again viz. That to affirm Christ to be the Word of God is to make him a Monster yet I shall freely grant Christ is called the Word of God the Word of God's Eternal Power J. N's Contrad The Scriptures properly and principally called the VVord The Word of God therein contained Or the Teachings therein contained The Will and Mind of God contained in the Scriptures p. 19 45 49. Animad See the Contradiction and falshood of these for one while to say the Scriptures are the VVord another while they contain the Word and Mind of God these are different and thou mightest as well say that God is contained in the Scriptures as to say the Word and his Mind and Will is and so grosly go to circumscribe and limit him who is Infinite and unlimitable who is the Eternal Word Mark also how J. N. his Doctrine of the Scriptures being principally called the VVord is absolutely confuted by himself in what follows J. N's Contrad How was Heaven and Earth and the VVorld made by the VVord of God and also by the same VVord are kept in store p. 48. The wicked shall be destroyed by this VVord The Rod of his mouth Isa. 11.11 The Spirit of his mouth Rev. 2.12 The sharp Sword with two edges The word of God's Grace in convincing and converting of Souls quick and powerful sharper than a two edged Sword In this sense Christ may be called the VVord Animad But surely the Scriptures are not all this nor ever had this sense given of them that is here given of the Word which made Heaven and Earth and keeps them in store and this did not the Scriptures J. N's Contrad The Scriptures principally called the VVord of God may be corrupted by man This Word may be and is corâ—upted by man c. p. 19 20. Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever p. 57 c. Contradiction again This maketh nothing to prove this word here to be Christ. Animad The Incorruptible Seed or Word by which we are born again is not the Scriptures which have been corrupted by such Perverters and Corrupters of them as thou art who goes to set them in Christ's place and yet Hypocrite like art not willing to keep to the language and terms or Doctrines of them J. N's Contrad The Scripâ—ures are an absolute perfect Rule for all men c. unto the end of the world Faith is bâ—gotten by Preaching the VVord with the work of his blessed Spirit Christ the Way to bring us to Life c. pag. 42 43 50. Animad The Spirit of Truth leads into all Truth therefore this Spirit or Christ within is both the Guide Way and Rule to all that are Spirtiually minded All men have not the Scriptures to the World's end but Christ is given both for a Covenant and Light for Salvation to the ends of the Earth J. N. his Idolatry in exalting the Scriptures into the place of Christ. The Scriptures the enlightening way of the Lord The perfect way of God A Light unto his paths p. 4 5. The Gospel The Seed in the hearts The will of God in order to Salvation pag. 11 17 20. Eternal Life therein viz. in Scriptures pag. 24. The Scripture's an absolute perfect Rule in order to man's Salvation for all men to walk by and none other pag. 24 25 26 27 28 29. The Scriptures may be corrupted by man False Teachers corrupted the Scriptures The Scriptures may and is corrupted by man p. 19 20. The Devil taketh out of mens hearts the Scriptures of the New Testament pag. 17. Animad To the first part these are high Names put upon the Scriptures but not so proved thereby For the Enlightening perfect Way and Word of the Lord God the Gospel the Seed the Will of God Eternal Life c. were before the Scriptures were written and did preceed the writing thereof it them who spake or writ them as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and Eternal Life is in Christ not contained in the Scriptures as the unbelieving Jews vainly thought Joh. 5. who set up the Scriptures above Christ the Life And the Scriptures are not the absolute sole Rule for Salvation and none other especially if they be corrupted by the Devil and Wicked men But the Rule of the spiritual mind is spiritual of that Spirit which leads the true Believers into all truth For that which must be owned