justification for them when it is evident from the whole current of Scripture that the Son of Mary was delivered to be crucified for our offences and his Resurrection through faith in it is our justification as all along through grace I have declared and cleared And the work that the Spirit doth in point of justification is to shew us what the Son of Mary hath done and suffered in his own body on the tree and is now doing in the presence of his Father in the highest heaven Jude 19. Eph. 2.12 And to help us to apply this to our souls by faith now for a preservative against these and the like delusions observe First as I said before All have not the Spirit of Christ 2. That the law with all our obedience to it is not able to save or justifie any poor soul Rom. 3.20 For by the works of the law shall no flesh living be justified though it gives the knowledge of sin 3. That there is none other way to be justified in the sight of God but by laying hold of what the Son of Mary Jesus did do and suffer in his own person when he was in the world For it is by him and what he hath done in his own person by himself Heb. 1.2 that any man is justified from his sins and the wrath of God due to the same by believing that his blood was shed for their sins as it is written By his stripes we are healed Isa 53.5 as if their own blood had been shed for their own sins and that his righteousnesse is theirs by imputation as if they themselvs had actually fulfilled all the law of God for their own justification Rom. 10.4 The second thing is who are they that are carried away with this delusion and why Answ First not one of God's elect whom he foreknew shall be utterly destroied thereby I do not say they shall not be led away for a time but they shall not be utterly destroied for they are kept by the mighty power of God through faith unto salvation But they are such as are not indeed the elect of God not chosen in Christ before the world began Though Hymeneus Philetus fall away and overthrow the faith of some yet the foundation of God stands sure having this seal The Lord knoweth them that are his 2 Tim. 2. ver 18 19. Secondly they are such as in time past for the generality of them were either but light frothie professors or else were shaken in their principles and unstable therein as saith the Scriptures They that are deceivers do beguile unstable souls Or if they were such as were in appearance sober and serious in the account of others it was either from those convictions they had from the Law or else from high notions they had of the Gospel which have both such influence at som time on the foul though not savingly that the soul will go very far in obedience to them as for example Herod who was an enemie to the truth yet for a time had such heart-workings being convinced by the preaching of John the Baptist that he feared him and observed him and when hee heard him he did many things and heard him gladly Mark 6. ver 20. Now the reason why such people are carried away with such heresies as these or the like is First that as they were not of the elect of God so God by suffering them to be carried away finally may make it appear that they were not of his elect They went out from us but they were not of us for if they had been of us they would no doubt have continued with us But they went out from us that it might be made manifest or that men might see that they were not all of us 1 Joh. 2.9 2. Because God will not have his Church so disturbed alwaies with such as are not of the truth Now there are some men that have their time to walk with the Church of God by permission and these men are ever and anon ready to broach their errours even while they are among the Saints to their trouble Now God having a care of his Church hath a time to suffer the Divel to run through the world with some erroneous doctrine or other which when these men taste being spirited before hand for that purpose do presently close in with the same to the purifying of the Church and the manifestation of hemselvs And thus every branch which the Lord 's right hand hath not plantd shall and must have a time to be rooted up Mat. 15.13 3. Because others that are of the right graffing in may notwithstanding not resume but fear least they also fall through the same example of others who re already fallen or may fall hereafter Heb. 4.1 2 11. 4. Because others may see that it is not by their own strength that they do stand but fâ—eely by the grace of God and his power and love towards them in the Lord Jesus Christ God hath chosen som before the foundation of the world Now to manifest this though they are even as bad as the worst by natuâ—e yet I say because God will shew his power and his love he doth preserve some to eternal life though others fall into eternal damnation Of all that thou hast given me saith Christ have I lost none but the son of perdition that the Scripture might be fulfilled Joh. 17.12 Many other reasons might bee given why these things must and shall be but I rather chuse to forbear Onely thus much I have spoken because I know it is my duty to speak a few words unto you that you may either close in with the truth or else the more clearly be left without excuse at the great day The third and last thing is the way that Satan takes to make those delusions take place in the soul Now the way whereby he makes these or any other delusions to take place in the soul is first to perswade the soul that they are the truth and secondly to to stir up in the soul an enmitie to any thing or person that shall declare the contrary First they are given over to believe a lie that is To believe false doctrine to be the doctrine of God and of Christ And that he might bring this to passe he goeth about to change the names of things and because the Law Conscience and Nature it self can convince of sin therefore he calleth them Christ or the light of Christ Saying to a natural man one that is not yet converted Minde the light wihin you If they ask what light say they That which doth convince of sin If they farther ask Why what is that They say It is the light of Christ the light of life or Christ within Now these things are nothing else but conscience nature or the law for a naturall man hath nothing else that dwelleth within him to convince him of sin onely these things have a new name put upon them
A VINDICATION OF THE BOOK CALLED Some Gospel-Truths Opened According to the Scriptures and the Opposition made against it by EDWARD BORROUGH a professed Quaker but proved an enemie to the Truth examined and confuted by the Word of GOD. AND ALSO The things that were then laid down and declared to the world by me are a second-time born witness to according to truth with the Answer of Edward Borrough to the Quaeries then laid down in my Book reproved And also a plain Answer to his Quaeries given in simplicitie of soul and is now also presented to the world or who else may read or hear them to the end if God will that Truth may be discovered thereby By John Bunyan Preacher of the Gospel of CHRIST I have found David a man after mine own heart saith God Act. 13.22 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised up to Israel a Saviour Jesus saith the Apostle ver 23. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him they took him down from the tree and laid him in a sepulchre But God raised him from the dead ver 29. 30. And we declare unto you glad tidings how that the promise which was made unto the fathers God hath fulfilled the same to us their children in that hee hath raised up Jesus again ver 32. 33. Be it known unto you therefore men and brethren that though this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins ver 38. And by him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses ver 39. LONDON Printed for Matthias Cowley Book-seller in Newport Anno Dom. 1657. READER WEe whose names are here under-written having through grace some blessed Faith and experience of the Truths declared in this Book and knowing them so to be having tried them by the Scriptures in the light of the Spirit thought it our duty to bear witnesse thereunto together with our Brother desiring the blessing of God may go along with these endeavours of his for the doing good to our Christian brethren or any other who may read it Farewell Yours in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ for which Faith we desire to contend Richard Spencly John Burton John Child TO THE READER SInce it hath pleased the Lord to work in my soul by his holy Spirit and hath translated me in some measure from darknesse to light I have seen and heard that such things have been done by those who did once pretend themselves to be the servants of Jesus Christ that it hath made me marvel Partly while I have beheld the vile conversation of some and also the seeming legal-holinesse of others together with their damnable doctrine which have notwithstanding their professions made shipwrack of the Faith both to themselves and their followers I having had some in-sight into such things as these was provoked to publish a small treatise touching the fundamentals of Religion supposing that God might adde his blessing thereto both for the establishing of some and the convincing of others which things I doubt not but they have been accomplished and will be still more and more But as it was in former daies so it is now That is some in all former ages have been on foot in the world ready to oppose the truth So it is now there are certain men newly start up in our daies called Quakers who have set themselves against the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ and do in very deed deny that salvation was then obteined by him when he did hang on the Crosse without Jerusalems gate Now these men do pretend that they do verily and truly professe the Lord Jesus Christ but when it comes to the trial and their principles be throughly weighed the best that they do is to take one truth and corrupt it that they may thereby fight more stoutly against another As for instance They will own that salvation was obtained by Christ this is truth that salvation was obtained by Christ but come close to the thing and you will finde that they corrupt the word and onely mean thus much That salvation is wrought out by Christ as he is within and by it though not warranted by the Scripture they will fight against the truth Namely that salvation was obteined for sinners by the man that did hang on the Crosse on mount Calvary between two thievs called Jesus Christ I say by what he did then for sinners in his own person or bodie which he took from the Virgin Mary according to the Word of God Secondly they will own the doctrine of Christ within This is truth that Christ is within his Saints But this doctrine they will take to fight against the doctrine of Christ without Ascended from his Disciples into heaven by whom salvation was obtained neither is there salvation in any other Act. 4.12 3. They will own the Resurrection of the Saints but their meaning is onely thus much That the Saints are raised from the state of nature to a state of grace and herewith they will sight against this truth Namely the resurrection of the bodies of Saints out of their graves into which they were laid some thousands some hundreds of Years before And if they do say they do own the Resurrection of the Saints out of their graves they do mean out of the grave of sin onely and nothing else These things I am an ear witnesse to 4. They will say they do own the second coming of Christ to judg the world but search them to the bottom and you will finde them onely to own him in his coming in Spirit within in opposition to the glorious coming of the Lord Jesus the son of Mary from heaven in the clouds with all his mighty Angels to raise the dead and bring them to judgment according to the Scripture And so for the the Intercession of Christ and the truthâ— of the Gospel they onely own them to be within in opposition to the glorious intercession and mediation of the man Christ Jesus in his own person without now in the presence of his Father between us and him pleading and making intercession for his children These things together with maâ—â— more I might mention but now I forbear knowing that none shaâ—â— be lost nor altogether carried away by them nor any Hereticks but the sons of perdition Now that they might the better make their doctrine take place in the hearers they endeavour to make a fair shew in the flesh that thereby they might now as did their fathers in time past compell and constraine them who are not hy the Lord 's right hand planted into the truth of Jesus to follow their covered errors as it is written Galath 6.12 For as many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh That is according to the workes of the Law do with good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Rom. 16.18 And indeed it doth
information concerning the things before published by me and also concerning the opposition made against them by the Adversarie And here because I am loath to be too tedious I do conclude and desire thy praiers to God for me if thou be a Christian that I may not onely be preserved to the end in the faith of Jesus but that God would enable mee to bee an earnest contender for the same even to the last and rest The servant of the LORD JESUS John Bunyan A VINDICATION OF THE BOOK CALLED Some Gospel-Truths Opened According to the Scriptures and the Opposition made against it by EDWARD BORROUGH a professed Quaker but proved an enemie to the Truth examined and confuted by the Word of GOD. IT is very expedient that there should be heresies among us that thereby those which are indeed of the truth might be made manifest and also that the doctrine of GOD and his Son JESUS CHRIST might the more cast forth its lustre and glory For the Truth is of that nature that the more it is opposed the more glory it appears in and the more the adversary objects against it the more it will clear it self which doth give me and all that stand for it and doth plead on its side in the wisdome of the Spirit much boldnesse and incouragement to venture without any slavish fear upon those that have already or shall hereafter stand up to oppose it I did some few weeks past put forth a small Book called Some Gospel-Truths opened and so forth and the thing I looked for from them was namely opposition from the adversary which hath been accomplished in that as I did look for it so it did happen not that it daunted me for had it so done it might have made me kept those Truths within my breast which are now made manifest by me as well as others to the world Now I have not onely met with some opposition from others face to face in secret but there is one Edward Borrough as I heard his name is so by some of themselvs that hath ventur'd to stand up against the Truth with the rest of his companions and hath published a book called The true Faith of the Gospel of peace contended for in which book of his there is a very great number of heresies cunningly vented by him and also many things there falsly reported of me which things in this my discourse I shall very plainly discover and the way that I shall take shall bee First by laying down some of thy expressions and also some of mine and by inquiring into the truth of one and the errour of the other through the assistance of the Spirit of CHRIST and according to the Scriptures Onely by the way I think good to mind thee of thy cloathing thy self with the words of the Prophets and Apostles against whom thou doest fight as will appear in my following discourse and also of thy endeavouring to wrest the sword out of the hands of the Saints and art fighting against them bitterly with a parcel of scolding expressions But I wish thee to learn if thou canst to be sober and to keep under thy unruly spirit and do not so much appear at least not so grosly a railing Rabshakeh but contrariwise if you would be looked upon to be holy which we know and believe that as yet many of you are not Let at the least some appearance of moderation be manifest among you After many words that are flung into the wind by thee my adversary in the 1. and 2. page of thy book thou couldst not be contented therewith as being too few to vent thy self wi hall but thou breakest out in page 3. with a false testimony of John Burton and his fellow saying * This is a tie I blesse God spoken of the Adversary against me They have joined themselvs with the broken army of Magog And have shewed themselvs in the defence of the Dragon against the Lamb in the day of war betwixt them When alas poor soul we do know and are bold to declare in the name of the Lord Jesus the son of Mary that our God hath owned us with others of his servants in his own work against the Divel devices and false doctrine as instruments both for the comforting and establishing of his own and also for the convincing and converting of some of them who afore-time were not converted And friend why doest thou say that we join with Magog in the defence of the Dragon against the Lamb when thou seest the whole drift both of my Brothers Epistle and also of my Writing is to exalt and advance the first born of Mary the Lord of glory and to hold on his side notwithstanding there are so many tempests go through the world and the rather because we know that it is he and he alone that did bear our sins in his own body on the tree 1 Pet. 2.24 for it is he that hath taken away the sins of the world Now I say therefore do not thou thus accuse the Brethren for speaking good of the Name of Jesus least thou be troubled at thy end for thus spending thy beginning in taking part with the Divel to accuse God's children Then in the same page thou saiest thou hast numbered up part of our work and the sum is A corrupted graine of Babylons treasure c. Answ Friend the summe of our discouse is of the birth righteousnesse death blood resurrection ascension intercession and second coming of the Son of Mary the Virgin by which righteousnesse blood death buriall resurrection ascension and intercession we are saved And dost thou count this a corrupted graine of Babylons treasure Have a care what thou sayst least thou utter that with thy mouth now which will lye heavie on thy conscience for ever Then as though this thy unwise speaking were too little thou breakest out with a taunt or a jeere saying A larger portion and more to the purpose might have been brought in but with such as you had or could procure from your Neighbours are you come Answ Friend Who hath despised the day of small things But again we desire not to bring to others no nor to know our selves any thing else but Jesus Christ the Son of Mary and him crucified for our sins 1 Cor. 2.2 Then thou saiest further in the same page That though thou hast not seen our faces yet our spirit is tried and we are cleerely described to thee saiest thou to be of the stock of Ismael of the seed of Caine whose line reacheth to the murthering Priests c. Answ Friend thou art verie censorious and utterest many words without knowledge We blesse God for the most part of our line we do labour to stretch it out eiâ—her in building up and exhorting the Saints of the most high to cleave close to their Jesus or else much as in us lies we labor to convince poor souls of their lost condition according to the word of
and for those that are with me when I have opportunity And I trust that the Lord Jesus who hath helped me to reject the wages of unrighteousness hitherto will also help me still so that I shall distribute that which God hath given me freely and not for filthy lucres sake Other things I might speak in vindication of my practise in this thing But ask of others and they will tell thee that the things I say are truth and hereafter have a care of receiving any things by hear-say only least you be found a publisher of those lies which are brought to you by others and so render your self the less credible but be it so And as for your thinking that to drink water and wear no hat-bands is not walking after your own lusts I say that whatsoever men do make a religion out of having no warrant for it in the Scripture is but walking after their own lusts and not after the Spirit of God Thus have I passed thy 23 page And least you should think that the Quakers are not such as condemned me and others for preaching according to the Scriptures as you would fain clear your selves of this charge laid against you in my book by your saying you deny the accusation to be true upon any of the Quakers I shall therefore tell you of your sister Anne Blackly who did bid me in the audienee of many To throw away the Scriptures To which I answered No for then the Divel would be too hard for me And again because I said The man Christ Jesus was above the clouds and the heavens now absent from his people in the world touching his bodily presence She said I preached up an Idol and used conjuration and witchcraft Which things I should rather have desired her to repent of then to make her a publick example for others to take warning by but that it is expedient that your folly be laid open that others may fear to do as you have done But farther thou chargest me with a loud This is anothâ—r of his false accusations of me crying out against Christ within This is thy throwing of dirt in my face again for I have said it often that if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Again thou saiest that in page 203 I do take in hand to prove or discover that the doctrine of Christ within Here is another lie made of me is a false opinion Thou do'st also here speak falsly of me for all that I take in hand to prove is this That they hold a false opinion and principles too who hold up a Christ within in opposition to Christ without who is the Saviour as doth plainly appear by my following discourse if you read from page 203. to the end of my book But in the next place after much railing thou comest to the place where I again ask this question Doth not the Scripture make mention of a Christ within To which I answer Yes and he that hath it not is none of his But to lay open thy folly at last thou sai'st doth not the Scripture say Christ is within you except you be reprobates and is not this thus much are not all they reprobates say you but they in whom Christ is within Answ They are indeed reprobates who have not Christ within them but now how is thy folly manifest that in one place thou shouldest confesse some are reprobates who have not Christ within And yet in page 18. of thy book thou sai'st it is given to every man And in page 26. of thy book thou saiest that a measure of the Spirit is given to every man and is given within him too though the Scripture declareth the contrary and thy self also now at last It is well thou doest recant so much as to eat thy first words at the last or at least to shew thy self unstable in judgment Friend thou maist see the more thou doest fight against the truth the more thou foilest thy self Partly by helping of it and partly by contradicting thy self One thing more thou doest befool thy self with and that is In that thou in the first place saiest thou ownest the words in my book and yet hast spent some four sheets of paper to vent thy thoughts against them But peradventure thou wilt say those words that I owne are not those that I spake against but the other To which I answer There are many things in my book spoken of by me that are truth which if you owne you must leave professing your self a Quaker As first That that man that was born of the Virgin Mary called Jesus I say you will not owne that he in his own person by himself without us did compleatly bring in everlasting life for us by offering up himself once for all upon the Cross Secondly that Christ who wrought out redemption for his Children did after he had wrought it out go away from them and not into them in his person Thirdly that he ever-liveth that very man to make intercession in his person in the presence of his Father without untill the end of the world Fourthly that that very man who did go away from his Disciples into heaven will come again personally the same man the second time and before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall judge them for their sins and take his to himself who shall soul and body be with him to all eternity these things I say thou couldest not owne though they are the truth of God But leaving thee to the great God who will give the according thy works in this as in other things I shall come to thy Answers to my Quaeries The first Quaery that I propounded is if thou say that every man hath a measure of the Spirit of Christ within him why say the Scriptures some are sensuall having not the Spirit And when Christ telleth his Disciples of sending them the Spirit he saith the world cannot receive it Here in the first place thou hast not onely answered deceitfully but hast also corrupted my words in laying down the Quaery in that thou didst leave out some words for thou didst lay it down thus If thou saiest that every man hath a measure of the Spirit of Christ within him why say the Scriptures Some are sensual having not the Spirit and Christ saith the world cannot receive it Reader compare them both together Now thy answer is Some are sensual having not tbe Spirit because they receive it not and some cannot receive it because they believe not on him from whence it comes Yet saiest thou The measure of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall as the Scriptures say When there is no Scripture saith a measure of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall But again see here thy strange confusion 1. To say some have it not 2. To say every man hath it But you would make a difference between having and
that was crucified between two theevs whose name was Jesus the Son of Mary is he the very Christ of God yea or no Thy answer is Yes he is the very Christ of God which was before the world was by whom the world was made who was made manifest from Maries womb and was persecuted to death by the Scribes and Pharisees in whose steps thou treadest in asking subtill questions to insnare the innocent as they did Read thy example saiest thou and thy self to be an enemy to God's Christ This answer is doubtfully given I did not ask thee whether he was the Christ of God that was before the world was but I asked thee whether he was the Christ of God that did hang between two thievs on mount Calvary Now I know the Christ of God was before the world was but thou art afraid to look upon him as suffering on the Crosse on mount Calvary between two thievs for our sins But contrariwise wouldst willingly own him to be no otherwise but as he was before the world which thing is very dangerous for he that doth so doth lay aside all things that in his own person he did in the Flesh that he took from the Virgin Mary as to justification and salvation onely supposing him to be but an example and so bespatters all his merit and righteousnesse by your false conclusions which in his own person he accomplished for our justification And friend hadst thou not been afraid of thy self thou wouldst have been so far from calling these my Quaeries subtil Questions that thou wouldst have owned them and have given a sober Christian answer to them in stead of a railing accusation But it matters not it hath but made thee shew thy self the more which peradventure for a time might otherwise have lien hid My 5 Quaerie was Is that very man with that very body within you yea or no To which thou answerest The very Christ of God is within us we dare not deny him and we are members of his bodie of his flesh and of his bones as the Ephesians were they that are led with a spirit of delusion shall answer the rest of this thy Quaery if they will Thy answer is nothing to the question for I did not ask whether the Spirit of Christ was in thee though I question the truth of that But I asked you whether that very man with that very bodie or the bodie of Christ that was hanged on the Crosse be within you But I see you are minded to famble and will not answer plainly But thou answerest saying We are members of his bodie of his flesh and of his bones as the Ephesians were This is nothing to the purpose neither for it is one thing for a man to be a member of the flesh and bones of Christ and another thing to have the flesh and bones of Christ within him What because believers are members one of another must they therefore be also one in another No. Even so though a believer be a member of the body flesh and bones of Christ it doth not therefore follow that Christ flesh and and bones is within him But thou art loath to discover thy self in plain terms though thou art made manifest full sore against thy will for thou do'st here also though very cunningly signifie that thou ownest Christ no otherwise but as he is within And to own him no otherwise is still against the Gospel and faith of the Apostles who said they were absent from him while they were at home in the body or here below 2 Cor. 5 6. My 6. Quaerie was this Was that very Jesus that was born of the Virgin Mary a real man of flesh and bones after his resurrection out of Josephs sepulchre yea or nay The Scriptures say he was And if so then did that man go away from his Disciples and not into them as the Scriptures declare or did he with that body of flesh go into his Disciples as some fond dreamers think Thy Answer is What the Scriptures speaks of Christ we own to be truth and own him to be what the Scriptures speaks of him and all men's imaginations of him we deny and their false interpretations of the Scripture concerning him And let the fond dreamers who err in their thoughts be reproved for we dare own nothing but what the Spirit of the Lord bears witnesse of according to the Scriptures And thus far I answer in the behalf of the Quakers And let them that are led with a spirit of delusion answer the rest which concerns themselvs This answer hath some pretended fairnesse in it But yet we know you that you can wrest the Scriptures to your own destruction and that is clear in that though you say you own him as the Scriptures speak of him yet you deny him as the Scriptures speâ—k of him in part And if at any time you plead one truth it is that you might by your corrupt dealing with that clash again another as for instance You professe you own Christ within but withall with that doctrine you will smite against the doctrine of Christ Jesus in his person without and deny that though that is a truth as is also the other 2. You do use that truth of the resurrection of Saints from a state of nature to a state of grace to fight against that truth of the resurrection of the bodies of saints out of their graves together with other things that I might add as your holding forth the intercession of the Spirit of Christ within in opposition to the intercession of Christ in his person without in the heavens Which things being thus done they shew forth a great deal either of ignorance or presumption knowingly to fight against the truth And in this that thou answerest so generally and not particularly to the question it is evident that thou doest not plainly declare thy minde but doest keep that in thy bosome which thou darest not manifest to the world My 7. Quaerie was Hath that Christ that was with God the Father before the world was no other body but his Church If you say No as it is your wonted course Then again I ask you What was that in which he did bear the sins of his children If you say in his own body on the tree Then I ask Whether that body n which he did bear our sins was or is the Church of God yea or no Again if you say he hath no other body but his Church then I ask What that was that was taken down from the Cross But here thou puttest a stop to the rest of my words with an c. Thy answer is In this thou hast not onely quaeried but slandered therefore thy slander saiest thou I do remove It is our wonted course saiest thou to say that Christ hath no other bodie but his Church Thou art here a false accuser But we say the Church is Christ's bodie and it is sufficient for salvation to know Christ
do indeed enjoy the light of life And whereas thou ask'st is not he a deeeiver that exhorts people to any thing else than the light of Christ Answ He that telleth any man that the ministration of condemnation will save him which is the law he is a lier and a deceiver but he that exhorts people to lay hold on what the man Christ Jesus hath done in his own person for sinners and presseth souls to venture upon that for salvation preacheth the truth Thirdly Christ hath given to every one the law and conscience within him yet these are not able to save him but let him follow the righteousnesse of the the law never so much yet if he be not directed of God to flie to Jesus the Son of Mary and to what he hath done in his own person for them he shall never be saved Act. 4. verse 12. Friend thus have I with all plainnesse of speech answered thy Quaeries and I fear not at all but I have spoken the truth as it is in Jesus And as for committing them to the judgment of others as thou wouldest have me set others say what they will I am sure I have spoken the truth of God and I make no question but at the second coming of my Lord Jesus from heaven to judge the world these things I shall not be ashamed of Neither am I now but am ready if God shall give me life to speak the same things to any man face to face and I desire thee and all even as many as shall read or hear this Treatise to consider and look to themselvs least they sin against God so much in their life time by rejecting these truths that it shall never be forgiven them to all eternity though they repent them of their rejecting the same There is one thing more to which I shall speak a few words and that is to a few words written at the end of thy book which is called the postscript wherein is severall charges against my self and som others which I shall speak somewhat to The first is agaist John Burton thuâ— John Burton said in a discours with some friends that Christ had two bodies and one of them is out of the sight of the Saints Answ My Brother Burton being absent I shall answer for him concerning the charge laid against him And therefore that Christ who is and was before the world began God equal with his Father did in the fulnesse of time take upon him a bodie from the Virgin Mary which was so prepared by God his Father it is evident in Scripture and in it after he had lived a while in the world he did hang on the Crosse was taken down thence again and laid in Josephs sepulchre was raised again and ascended away from his Disciples therewith into glory Act. 1.3 9 10 11. Again he hath another bodie and that is his Church Eph. 1. ver the last Now that he is out of the sight of his Saints in one of the bodies namely that which did hang on the Crosse it is also evident 1 Tim. 6. where Paul speaking of that very Jesus who did bear a faithful witnesse before Pontius Pilate saith in ver 16. Who onely hath immoâ—tality dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto whom no man hath seen nor can see That is not with their mortal eâ—es in that glory as yet If you say still notwithstanding this that Christ as he was before the world began hath but one body and that to be his Church I ask you what that was that was taken down from the Crosse and laid into Josephs sepulchre Luk. 23.52.53 The second charge is â—gainst my self and is this John Bunyan said Christ second coming is not his coming in Spirit for his coming in Spirit is no coming This is a false thing spoken of me The former part of the words namely Christs second coming is not his coming in Spirit those I owne But the other namely * For his coming in spirit is no coming is a lie made of me by the Author Edward Borrough The former words were spoken at a meeting in Bedford some Quakers being present contradicting and blaspheming And now they could not be content with that but they must make up all with a lie and publish it in print Quaker there and I had some discourse concerning Christ's second coming and he would affirm that his coming in Spirit was his second coming spoken of in Scripture Then I asked him which was his first coming He answered when he was born of rhe Virgin and took flesh upon him from her Then said I I shall easily prove that his coming in the Spirit is not his second coming for I will prove that his coming in the Spirit was before that which the Scripture and you also do call his first coming and proved it by that plain Scripture where Peter speaking of the Prophets saitb searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them the Prophets did signifie when it testified before hand of the suffering of Christ and the glory that should follow 1 Pet. 1.10 11. and 3 18 19. where speaking of Christ's being put to death in the flâ—sh but quickned in the Spiâ—it By which Spirit he preached to the spi its now in pâ—ison but when was this only when once the long suffering of God waited in the days of Noah ver 20. Which was long before the first coming of Christ so called in Scripture for that was as I said when he took a body from the Virgin Mary But secondly it seems cleerly by these words that you do look for no other coming but his coming in Spirit O! how suddenly and unexpected of you will the Son of man break down from heaven with all his mighty Angels in flaming fire and call you together with all Nations to judgment And though now peradventure you are ready to slight the personall appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ that man to judgment only looking for a judgment within yet you will I am certain very suddainly be made to pass under another judgment which will be more exceeding great then any judgment you shall have here and more terrible As for the latter part of the charge which is a very lie though I shal not trouble my self to lay it to your charge you have so manifestly declared your selvs already what you are Yet I beseech you that hereafter you would not be so ready to receive lies from others and publish them to the view of the world least you appear to all men as you do to some to be such as are of an accusing lying spirit But farther That Christ's coming in the Spirit is not his second coming it is evident partly in that the coming of Christ in Spirit was before that called in Scripture his first coming Secondly he that comes the second time is he that came the first time Now he that came the first time
Dives's of this and all other ages would be glad if they might have but the least favour from you one drop of cold water on the tip of your fingers O you Despised begging Lazarus's as in Luk. 16.24 For the world for all their stoutnesse must be forced to come to judgment before your Lord and you 1 Cor. 6.23 This honour have all his Saints Psal 149. Now seeing that these things be so I beseech you by those the mercies of God that you do give up your bodies as hands tongue strength health wealth and all that you have and are to the service of God your God Rom. 12.1 2. Let your moderation in every thing be knowne to all men for the Lord is at hand Phil. 4.5 3. Study to walk as like the Lord Jesus Christ as ever you can for for your lives Mat. 11.29 4. Let that you strive for be the faith of the Gospell of your precious Lord Jesus Phil. 1.27 And not any earthly advantages 5. Let your conversation be as becometh the Gospell Phil. 27. 6. Let your hearts be alwaies in heaven where our Lord Jesus is Col. 3.1 2 3. 7. Forbeare and forgive one another in love and with all your hearts as God for Christ sake hath forgiven you Eph. 5.2 8. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven Mat. 5.16 9. You are the Salt of the earth have a care you loose not your savour Mat. 5.13 10. Be forward to distribute to those that are in want for this is well-pleasing to your most glorious loving Father Heb. 13.16 11. Learn all one of another the things that are good for this is the command of God and also commendable in Saints Phil. 3. ver 17. 12. And lastly O Brethren consider what the Lord hath done for you hee hath bought you and paid for you with his blood and he doth now also make it his businesse to pray for your safe conduct to glory Heb. 7.25 He hath delivered you from those that would have been your ruine and hath promised to you everlasting life Let the love of Christ constrain you let the love of God win upon your souls What! he that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all How shall he not with him freely give us all things Hold out my brethren hold out for you have but a little while to run Hold fast unto the death and Christ will give you a crown of life Revel 2.10 Farewel dear brethren The mighty God of Jacob preserve and deliver you from every evil work and all the daies of our pilgrimage let us pray one for another that our God would count us worthie of this rich and glorious calling and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodnesse and the work of Faith with power to whom be glory now and ever And now Reader before I make and end of this discourse I think it meet to let thee understand that though there hath been a Book put forth by Edward Borrough in seeming opposition to that of mine called Some Gospel-Truths opened according to the Scripture Yet the substance of my discours then published by me standeth uncontrouled by Scripture as from him or others I do not say he doth not wrangle with them but I say he doth not by any one plain Scripture contradict them As for instance The First great thing that I do hold forth in that discourse is this That that Babe that was born of the Virgin Mary and that at that time did give satisfaction for sin was the very Christ of GOD and not a type of any thing afterward to be revealed for the obteining redemption for sinners within them Which thing my Adversary can find no ground in Scripture to build an opposition vpon see his Book page 12. but is forced to confesse it in word though he do deny the very same in doctrine see his Book p. 29. at his sixth Quaerie And p. 27. where in answer to this question of mine Why did the man Christ hang on the Crosse on mount Calvarie All the answer he gives is this Because they wickedly judged him to be a blasphemer and as in their account saith he he died as an evil doer And this is all the ground he giveih See his Answer to my second Quaerie in this my book taken word for word as he laid them down 2. The next thing I do prove in that book is That that light which every one hath is not the spirit of Christ because the Scripture saith some have it not Jude 19. But Edward Borrough saith it is given to every one p. 18. of his Booke and he saith they have it within them too p. 26 of his Book in answer to my first question though he have no Scripture to confirm the same as I have had to contradict it See his book 3. The next thing I prove is That Jesus Christ did fulfill the Law in his own person without us for justification and that his blood then shed hath washed away the sins of the children of God as aforesaid Which thing he would oppose but finds no footing for his discourse See his book p. 12. where he saith the Law is not fulfilled Read the latter end of that page contrary to Scripture Col. 2.14 Rom. 10 4. which saith He did fulfill all the Law for justification for every one that believeth Another thing I prove in that book is That Christ is ascended into that heaven without above the clouds and stars and that I prove by eight several Scripture demonstrations of which not one is confuted by Scripture though secretly in his book smitten against Read his whole book 4. The next thing I prove is That the same Jesus that was born of Mary laid in the manger who is the Saviour is at this day making intercession in that bodie he then took of Mary which thing also is not confuted by him by the Scripture though cunningly smitten against in his discourse where he saith It is onely necessary to salvation to preach Christ within laying aside all that Christ did when he was in his own person in the world See p. 29 of his Book Qu. 6. 5. Another truth I prove is That the very same Jesus that was born of Mary that very man that was also hanged on the Crosse will come the second time and that shall be to save his children and to Judge the world at the last day that great day of Judgment And though they will not own that he shall so come as he went away which was a very man without yet they could not at all by the Scripture contradict it But the very summe of his discourse is a wrangling with the thing laid down as a Dog with a bone but hath not nor cannot by Scripture overcome the same This have I written that the Reader into whose hand this book may come may have the more certain
who seek to be justified by their obedience to it it is made an Idol of and a Saviour though it were given to no such purpose For if there had been a Law given which could have given life verily righteousnesse should have come by thy obedience to the Law Gal. 3.21 Now at thy conclusions somtimes thou doest utter thy self in this wise Learn what this means Answ Indeed thy words are dark and enough to deceive the hearts of the simple but blessed be God he hath given me to understand that thou doest all along in the drist of thy discourse disown Christ without by pretending to a Christ within whereas hadst thou indeed the Spirit of Christ within thee It would be thy great businesse to extoll and magnifie the Son of Mary the Christ of God without thee because it is the nature of the same spirit so to do even to glorifie Christ without who went away from his Disciples into heaven Luke 24.50 51. to prepare a place for them Then thou further saiest with a kinde of disdaining spirit Many things more thou passest by in my book as being not pertinent to the thing in hand But I believe they are so pertinent that neither thou nor thy friends or fellows are able to contradict without blaspheming in the view of all them that have eyes to see for if they could it should have been don by thee And whereas thou saiest Fools must be medling Answer It must needs be that the Saints of God should be call'd fools by the enemies of the man Christ Jesus without because that the doctrine of the man Christ Jesus crucified without for the sins of poor sinners is also held to be fooilshness by them although it be the wisdom and also the power of God unto every one that believeth 1 Cor. 1.23 24. And further thou sayest that the Pope can speak as much of Christ without as I. Answer Friend doest thou put no difference betwixt the speaking of Christ without and believing in Christ without I tell thee though there may be many that can speak of the Christ of God without yet there are but very few that can or do believe indeed in him without by the mighty operation of his holy spirit within Nay you your selves do testify this who deny that the salvation of sinners was compleatly wrought out by that one offering of Jesus Christ without upon the Crosse on mount Calvary and that he is ascended from his Disciples above the clouds touching his bodily presence as in 1 Cor. 5.6 compared with Acts. 1.9 10 11. Then again thou saist I do ask my selfe a question and do also answer it my selfe deceitfully The question is Do not the Scriptures make mention of a Christ within And thou saist I answer it deceitfully my selfe But I answer again that I am not ashamed of that answer I then gave because I know it is truth and whereas thou saiest it is deceitfull and yet canst not find fault with any point thereof it confirmes me that had there been falsity in it such an enemy to the truth as thou art wouâ—dst have taken that advantage as to have discovered it that thereby thou mightest have rendered the truth the more odious The answer I shall leave to the Christian Reader which is so indeed yet am confirmed my selfe concerning it and shall give thee an answer to thy question which is Doth not the Scripture say or witnesse that all that have not Christ within are Reprobates Answer Yes the Scripture saith so and it is true they that have not the spirit of Christ in them are reprobates But there are some that are reprobates that you will confesse Then by your own argument you must grant that some have not the Spirit of Christ in them Pray take notice they that have not the spirit of Christ in them are reprobates There are some who are reprobates therefore there are some who are sensual having not the spirit of Christ in them see thy folly how it is made manifest Jud. v. 19. The next thing thou art offended withall is because I say the Devill deceives poore soules by perswad ng them to follow the light within which all men have Answer Friend I say again and again That there is nothing lesse then the Spirit of Christ that can give a soule a sight of justification by the blood of the man Christ Jesus without by following of it Now as thou saiest thy selfe some are reprobates and have not the spirit of Christ Then is it any heresie to say that it is of the Divel to perswade a soule to follow that light which is no better then conscience or Nature it selfe which are not able to lead to Christ his things being foolishnesse to it Rom. 2.14 or is conscience which every one is lightened withall the Spirit of Christ give an answer in sincerity Then thou sayest that my whole purpose is a secret smiting at the light wherewith Christ hath lightened every man I Answer My whole designe in my book is and was these following things First to shew soules where salvation is to be had Namely in Christ without 2. To shew souls how they should lay hold of this salvation Namely by the operation of the spirit of Christ which must be given within And 3ly To forwarne poor soules that they should not deceive themselves neither by conscience nor the Law which are both inferiour and much below the Spirit of Christ even as much as he that buildeth the house hath more honour then the house Heb. 3. And 4. to shew how poore soules should know whether they had the Spirit of Christ or not within them or whether the spirit of the Divell had exalted himselfe above the Spirit of Christ by transforming himselfe into an Angell of light Farther thou thinkest I contradict my selfe because I admonish poor souls to beg of God to convince them by his holy Spirit and thou saiest This is my confusion When alas confusion is of and from thy selfe who wouldest make a defiled conscience the Law and the Spirit of Christ to be all one as I shall further clear to the reader by and by But I tell thee friend there are many who have not the Spirit of Christ and yet are convinced of sin by their owne consciences John 8.9 He doth not say by the light of Christ in their Consciences that is a saying of your owne without warrant from the Word of God but by their owne Consciences Mark that Now I knowing that a man may be convinced and yet not by the Spirit of Christ for he may be without that but by nature itselfe 1 Cor. 11.14 I do admonish every foule if they love themselves to beg of God for Jesus Christ his sake that he would not onely let them he convinced by these poor low empty beggerly things their consciences in respect of the spirit of Christ but that he would convince them by that spirit of his effectually which is not onely
able to shew their lost state because of sins against the Law but also to lead them to the right Saviour and plant them into him which all other things are not able to do And thus much in answer to thy scolding against my Epistle the truth of which I blesse God through the strength of Christ I could be willing to seal with my blood And now friend in love to thy soule I say have a care of thy selfe that thou do not satisfie thy selfe with any thing untill thou seest by the operation of the Spirit of Christ which thou must have given thee from heaven as being without it before conversion that the blood of that man Christ Jesus that was crucified on mount Calvary did at that same time when it was there shed wash thee from all thy sins and be not so stout and so sterne against the truth because it suits not with thy beguiled conscience Beare with me in patience and seriously enquire into the truth of things according to the Scriptures For they are they that testifie of Christ how salvation doth come by him In thy entering upon my Book the first thing I find thee wrangle with is First by corrupting my words and then by calling me lyer Thou corruptest my words saying That I said The blood of Christ was shed before the â—world began Whereas I said that in the account of God marke in the accoun of God the blood of Christ was shed before the world began Friend art thou not able to distinguish betwixt a thing being done in God's account or according to his fore-knowledge and a thing that is reaslly and actually don Surely it was either thy folly to speake evill of the things thou knowest not or else thy madnesse doth much appear in that though thou understandest these things yet for to wrangle by corrupting my sayings here as also in other places as will afterwards appear This is in page 11. of thine page 3. of my book Then thou goest on pag. 12. and quotest the place where I say p. 37. How horribly are those deceived who look on Jesus but thou leavest out those words the Son of Mary to be but a type which thing you say you know none that do And again thou saiest that I say he is of something afterwards to be revealed My words thou corruptest thou wouldst fain gather thus much out of my words by corrupting them Here my words are corrupted That though I denied Christ Jesus the Son of Mary to be a type yet I my self say He was a type of somthing afterward to be revealed Which thing as there in my book so here again I do most positively deny and I quote the same words again for a second confirmation of the same saying as then I did How horribly are those deceived who look on Jesus the Son of Mary to be but a shadow or type of something that was afterwards to be revealed Whereas the Scriptures most lively hold him forth to be the Christ of God and not a type or shadow of a spirit or body afterwards to be revealed but himself was the very substance of all things that did any way hold forth or type out Christ to come And when he was indeed come then was an end put to the Law for righteousnesse or justâ—fication to every one that believeth Rom. â—0 4 And therefore friend though thou hast or wouldest corrupt my words yet have a care of corrupting Christs words least thou doest even heap up wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God And whereas thou saiest Thou deniest not but Jesus is the substance Answ I doubt thou do'st not speak thine heart plainly but hidest thy self with so saying as with an apron if we enquire into what it is to hold forth Jesus the son of Mary to be the substance Therefore he that holds forth Jesus the Son of Mary to be indeed the substance and not a type holds forth and believs that that Jesus that was born of the Virgin Mary did in his own body of flesh fulfil the Law and impute the righteousnesse of his obedience unto them that he accomplished then without them and that his blood that was shed without on the Crosse doth and hath washed away all sin past present and to come from him that believeth this as it is written For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh that is through our flesh God sending his own Son in the likenesse of siâ—ful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh That is he was condemned in the flesh that he took on him of the Virgin Ma y Rom. 8.3 And again hee bore our sins in his own body on the tree which was the Crosse on mount Calvary Jesus also saith the Apostle that he might sanctifie the people with his own blood suffered Where Not in any believer but without the gate of Jerusalem Heb. 13.12 How say you do you really believe that at that time when Jesus did hang on the Crosse without Jerusalems gate even at that time he did give the justice of God a full and compleat satisfaction for all the sins of all believers that have been formerly or are now or hereafter shall be Or do you look upon Jesus at that time to be but a shadow or type of somewhat that was afterwards to be done within Answer plainly yea or no that the simple may understand you Now I come to answer thy Querie laid down page 12 in these words Did Christ Jesus put an end to the Law for them who live yet in the transgression of the Law Or doth he justifie that which the Law condemneth Indeed a right answer to this will be great satisfaction to some though I think some trouble to others And therefore in answer to thy question I shall lay down these following things First Christ Jesus did put an end to the Law for righteousnesse for all that the Father hath given him as it is written The bodie of Jesus was offered once for all for all that shall be saved for he shall not be offered a second time No but once for all Heb. 10.10 Once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself and he hath done it once by himself for all Heb 9.26 Otherwise he must have often suffered since the world began But that must not be for he dieth no more Rom. 6.9 But say you Did he put an end to the Law for them who still live in transgression 2. Answ There are many poor souls that are given unto Christ who yet live in their sins But Christ did at that time when he hanged on the Crosse give a full and compleat satisfaction for them In due time Christ died for the ungodly For scarcely for a righteous man will one die but peradventure for a good man some one would even dare to die I but God
the ministration of condemnation 2 Cor. 3. That is the proper work of the Moral Law or Ten commandements is to condemne if it be not obeied and yet not to blesse until it be every jot fulfilled wh ch is impossible to be done by any man for justification in that exact and severe way which the Law calls for which makes the Apostle say as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse Mark he doth not say as many as are of the works of sin are under the curse though that be true but as many as are of the works of the Law aâ—e under the curse for it is written Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the Law to do them But that no man is justified by the deeds of the Law it is evident For the just shall live by faith Gal. 3.10 11. If it be meant of the Ceremonial Law as I am most inclinable to believe because he saith it was our Schoolmaster he doth not say it is but it was our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ being a Tutor or Governour holding forth Christ to come by its types and significations untill the time appointed of the Father which appointed time and so that Law was to have an end when God sent forth his Son made of a woman Jesus the Son of Mary who was made under the Law to redeem those that were under the Law Now the Ceremonial Law did bring or lead to Christ these two waies First In that it did continue in full force until he did come into the world and had done that which was by it held out for him to do Secondly in that the several types and shadows as thc blood of Bulls and Lambs with diverse other services did lead to or hold forth Christ that was to come but the Moral Law or Ten Commandements is so far from leading us to Christ by our following it that it doth even lead those that are led by it under the curse Not because the Law hath an evil end in it but because of our weaknesse and inability to do it therefore it is forced as it is just to passe a sentence of condemnation on every one that in every particular fulfills it not In the next place thou art offended because I said It is not of works least any man should boast as those fond hypccrites called Quakers would do Thou art offended it seemes because I call you boasters You need not for I do not know your fellows for boasting under heaven In that you Pharisees like do crye up your selves to be the men and condemne all others when you are the men that are the greatest enemies to the Christ of GOD without who is the Saviour of any man under heaven And in that you pretend you are perfect when you are the notablest lyars and corrupters of the sayings of the peopl of God yea and of the Scriptures also that ever I came neer in all the daies of my life And I doubt not but before I have done with you I shall make it appear to them that read or hear my lines aright Thy Quaerie in page 13. runs thus Will that Faith which is without works justifie I answ No Neither will those workes which are without faith sanctifie What then Is it faith and workes together that doth justifie No it is onely faith in the blood of the man Christ that did hang on the Crosse on mount Calvary that doth justifie in the sight of God and the soule and it is the fruits of faith good workes which do justifie in the sight of men So that when it is said wee are justified by workes It is not meant that workes will justifie in the sight of God No but shew me or shew men thy faith or justifie thy faith to be true and right before men by thy workes Shew men thy faith by thy workes it is in the sight of men So that wee conclude a man is justified by faith without the workes of the Law in the sight of God and so his owne soule also and his faith is justified or made manifest to be indeed that which is right both to believers and to the world by it's works Though I must confesse that both Paul and Peter and the rest of the Saints may sometimes be deceived in the truth of the faith of others by their workes Again in page 17. thou seemest to be offended because I say Living by faith is to apply the Lord Jesus Christ his benefits as birth righteousnesse death blood resurrection ascention and intercession together with the glorious benefits of his second coming to me as mine and for me c. Friend methinks thou shouldest find no fault with this but that the man Christ Jesus the son of Ma y is not very pleasant to thee because thou hast swallowed down secretly another doctrine but friend I speak of applying these things and thou speakest of talking of them I know that there are many who talke of Christ that will fall short of heaven and glory But tell me what saiest thou to him thaâ— doth apply all these things to his soul is there not enough in them to justifie him that doth really and truly in the power of the Spirit believe this to be true which I have said Or doest thou deny it and preach another Gospell And whereas thou sayest The word of the Gospell saith not who shall ascend to fetch Christ from above for salvation Though there is never a scripture that saith these words word for word Yet the Scripture saith The word is mghthee even in thy mouth and in thy heart But marke it is the word of faith not the man Christ Jesus but faith which layeth hold on him Rom. 10.8 9. Read the 9. verse which is this Tbat if thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Jesus who was borne of the Virgin Mat 1.21 And shaâ—t believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved These great and precious Scriptures with which by corrupting of them the Quakers have beguiled many have this meaning That if thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Jesus that is in profession and practise own him and believ him to be the Anointed Saviour And shalt believe in thine heart there is the word of faith if thou shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt he saved for with the heart man believeth unto righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation But what should men believe with the heart Namely this that God raised him that is Christ from the dead ver 10. And therefore I wonder thou shouldest so scold as thou doest against the truth If this be not truth blame the Scripture which do testifie of these things for truth For I am ruled and would be ruled by them thtough the Spirit But farther thou art offended
that I should say They are deceived who owne Christ no otherwaies then as he was before the world began This Question I briefely aske thee Had Christ a body of flesh before the World began If you say no as you must if you say true Then do not I say true when I say they are deceived who own Christ no otherwise then as he was before the world began because they owne him not with that body of flesh which he took of the Virgin Mary and so are Antichrists as the Scripture saith And how say you Do you believe that the same Christ who was â—efore the World without a body did in time come into the world and tâ—ke a bodie from the Virgin and in that bodie did obtain everlasting redemption for sinnesr and is gone with that very body into the presence of his Father above the clouds into heaven from his Saints on earth though in them by his spirit A plain answer to this would unlock your double meanings Again thou saiest the Saints drank of the spiritual Rcck that followed them Friend I confesse that that spirituall Rock that did follow the Fathers and long after was from the same loines with them even from the loins of Abraham and the rest of the children of the promise according to the promise was the meat and drink of Saints Rom. 9.4 5. But to look upon Christ no otherwise then as he was before the world was which was a spirit onely and not to own him now clothed with a bodie absent from his children touching the same bodie I dare be bold to say they are no Christians but Antichristians yea Antichrists He that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is Antichrist and of Antichrist Again At this also thou wranglest because I said that every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ who was with the Father before the world was did in the appointed time of the father come into the World take a body upon him and was very man as well as very God and did in that very body suffer what did belong to the sons of men c. So my book page 42. 43. 44. I answer if thou didst indeed believe the truth thou wouldest owne these things But being deceived rather then thou wilt let this pass for truth though thou dare not oppose it with open face yet thou wilt put on a vaile and venture upon it thus saying If every spiâ—it were of God wâ—ich doth confesse in words this then is not the Pope himselfe Antichrist Answer Friend it is one thing to confesse the things in words and another thing to believe them and to make a life out of them and therefore is thy life made out of Christ without thee by the operation of his spirit within thee yea or no Then in answer to my bidding people receive no Christ except God's Christ thou saiest thus That Christ is a mistery and unto him is light and shall be salvation where his person never came Thâ—s Question I aske thee did or doth Christ obtaine salvation for any without that â—â—â—y which he took of the Virgin And yet thou saiest it cannot be said here is the place where the Son is not I answer as the Son of God is also very man so it may be said here is the place where he is not and there is the place where he hath not been though as he is God it is otherwise let him that reads understand And now passing by many things that I might justly examine and also many unseemly expressions I come to the next thing and that is where you say you wrest not the Scrripture in Joh. 1.9 But it is evident that you do most horribly wrest it in that you though you seem to take it in the plaine words yet would hold that that light is the Spirit of Christ notwithstanding there is no such thing mentioned in that Scripture For marke as I have sometimes said and now also will say that that light wherewith Christ as he is God hath lightened every one with is not the Spirit of Christ as is cleere in that some are sensuall having not the Spirit which they must needs have if it were given to every one that comes into the World and therefore in that you say I say you lay down that scripture false I say again that you say many things which I do know to be blasphemie as I shall prove cleerely anon as also I have already And therefore to take thee off from this I shall say that Christ as he is a mediator a man between God and man so he doth not lighten every man that comes into the World though as he is God he doth And that is manifest where he often as he was man saith These things are spoken to them that are without in parables that seeing they might not see and hearing they might not understand Luk 8.10 And again where Judas not Iscariot said Lord how is it that thou wilt manifest thy self to us and not unto the world He saith If a man love me he will keep my sayings and my Father will love him and we I as Mediatour and my Father as reconciled in me will manifest our selves unto him Joh. 14.21.23 And again No man knoweth the Father but the Son That is no man knoweth him as a Father but the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Mat. 11.27 But above all take that Scripture where the Son saith I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them to Babes ver 25. Here the Son and the Father are speaking one to another the Father he hides the glorious things of the Gospel from the world Mat 11.25 26 27. and the Son he rejoices in so doing At that same houre Jesus rejoiced in Spirit and said I thank thee O Father c. Therefore understand thus much that though Christ as he is God doth give to every man a light which is Conscience otherwise called Nature Rom. 2.14 1 Cor. 11.14 yet it doth not follow that every man hath enlightning from Christ as he is Mediatour No Christ as he is Mediatour doth neither pray for the world Joh. 17.9 neither doth he give his Spirit to all that are in the world for some are sensual and have it not But now the argument that thou do'st bring to colour the contrary with is this For what the Father doth saiest thou the Son doth also Answ Though this be true that the Son doth what the Father doth yet it doth not appear that either the Father or the Son hath given the Spirit to every one that comes into the world Again thou saiest thou deniest those that say That light which every ono hath as he coms into the world is Conscience though some call it Christ falsly Jude 19. Answ Friend What wilt thou have it called Christ No. If not Conscience
And poor Creatures heating the name Christ being ignorant of the nature of Christ do presently close in with these things supposing nay verily beleeving that these are the Spirit of Christ Which things being thus received if at any time one come and oppose them and tell them that it is an errour that they have taken up to think that that which is in an unregenerate man is the Spirit of Christ and contrarywise telleth them plainly that it is but their own conscience that doth convince them or the law written in their hearts by nature Nay say they it is the light of Christ in the conscience when there is no Scripture hath any such manner of expâ—essions onely a fancy of their own taken up without ground from the Word But the soul being possessed with this doctrine presently its heart riseth against any thing that doth contradict it and is filled with a secret enmity against it Now the way that Satan takes to bring this about is to perswade poor souls that all these thoughs that do any wise contradict the Principles received is but a temptation of the Devill And if at any time there be the doctrine of Jesus held forth in truth his death buriall resurrection ascension and intercession now without in the presence of his Father for sinners and that there is salvation no where else but in the merits of the first born of Mary which is Jesus Christ without the works of the Law Rom. 3.28 Presently with envie they are enraged and cry Doest thou not know that every man hath a measure of tbe Spirit given to him Follow that listen to that turn thy mind to that and walk in the light of that When alas there is no such thing as the Spirit of Christ in every man as I said and proved before at large onely the Devill hath gotten this way to call conscience Christ the law Christ and hereby to intangle the soul with the name of a thing without the thing it self But now the soul is set down in its principles and he that doth any way confute that Spirit presently it falls a raging and cries out Seâ—pent Liâ—r Wolfe Dragon Devill be silent with thy serpentine wisdom and smoak of the bottomlesse pit Now in this the Devill is wonderfull cunning for least he should indeed be discovered he doth set the face hard against the truth and counteth it such a deadly enemy that he will not cannot bear it but le ts flye against it all the hellish words and madnesse he can And now he begins first to cry avoyd Satan All which is onely to harden him in whom he doth dwell more and more against the truth Now he doth also harden souls in delusions by presenting the ugly and base conversations of a company of covetous wretches who do professe themselvs to be the Ministers of the Gospel but are not now poor creatures being shaking and doubtfull what way to take seeing the conversation of these men to be wicked and the doctrine of these deluders coâ—ered with a seeming holinesse they presently embrace it saying surely these men are in the right way they cry down the Priests whose lives we also see to be profane they are very strict in their ways and if such be nor good men who are But yet that which is most taking is through the corruption and pride that is naturally in the heart of man these men propose such a way to salvation as is in the compasse of a mans owe abilitie even works of righteousnesse done by him which is very agreeable to mans natâ—re which would willingly be saved but would not be altogether beholden to God for it and these works not being wrought by the Priests or Nationall Ministers but by the other though in opposition to the righteousnesse of Christ the Messias God-man poor souls not onely suck in these erroneous principles but are hardened in them against the doctrine of God and his Son Jesus Christ by their ungodly conversation and thus dishonour the Son of God But come brethren let us be patient stablish our hearts wait but a while and I doubt not but you will see that those who dishonour our Jesus shall soon be brought down both Ranters Quakers Pâ—iests and people also that shall continue in opposing him either in doctrine or practise for our God hath said Ah! I will ease me of my adversaries Now a few words more to those who do beleeve in Christ aright and lay him for their foundation First blesse God that you are not carried away with the delusions that are on foot in this generation Secondly see that you are laborers after a more experimentall knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ flye more to his birth death blood resurrection ascension and intercession and fetch refreshing for your souls more and more from him without through the operation of his Spirit within and though the fruits of the Spirit be excellent and to be owned where they are found Yet haue a care you take not away the glory of the blood of Christ shed on the Crosse without the gates of Jerusalem and give it them which you will do if you do content your selvs and satisfie your consciences with this that you finde the fruits of the Spirit within you and do not go for peace and consolation of conscience to the blood of Jesus shed on the Crosse Therefore learn of the Saints or rather of the Spirit Revel 5. who teacheth to sing this song Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seales thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood And as for you that cannot yet well indure to think you should be justified by the blood of the Son of Mary shed on the Crosse without the gate I say to you Kiss the Son least he be angry and you perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they tbat put their trust in him Psal 2.12 FINIS Some Questions put forth to them commonly called Quakers for to answer whether in London or elswhere Be alwaies ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you 1 Pet. 3.15 And I beseech you do it in sincerity 1. IF thou saiest that every man hath a measure of the Spirit of Jesus Christ within him Why say the Scriptures Some are sensual having not the Spirit Jude 19. And when Christ tells his Disciples of sending them the Spirit he also saith The world cannot receive it Joh. 14.17 2. What is the Church of God redeemed by from the curse of the Law Is it by something done within them or by something that is done without them or by something that worketh in them Gal. 3.3 Act. 13.38 1 Pet 2.24 Col. 1.20 c. If thou Answer It is redeemed from the curse of the law by something that worketh in them then I ask Why did the man Christ Jesus