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A78608 The deceived, and deceiving Quakers discovered. Their damnable heresies, horrid blasphemies, mockings, railings, unparallel'd deceit, and dishonestly laid open. In the discovery of which, is made known the pure use of the holy scriptures (which by them is denyed) the true Christ, and how he justifies, his second coming proved not to be already (as the Quaker affirms) also the resurrection from the dead, and the eternal judgement, and several other particulars that saints are required to be stedfast in. / Set forth especially for the good of those that are called out of the world, into the primitive order of the Gospel, but may be usefull for all people. By Matthew Caffyn a servant of the Lord, related to the Church of Christ near Horsham in Sussex, being an eye, and ear-witnesse. As wee have heard that Antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists, whereby we cannot but know that this is the last of the last time. Antichrist made known. Or, The Romish vvhore of Babylon proved not to bee the Antichrist, or man of sin, in seven particulars. 1 Who is this great whore of Babylon, and where her chief seat hath been, and is. 2 Her fall, and the means how and by whom. 3 What is the spirit of Antichrist, and who hath that spirit. 4 That the Antichrist will bee a single person. 5 The manner of his rising, and when. ... 7 Lastly, his fall, when, and by whom. By William Jeffery servant of the Church of Christ. Entered into the register book, kept by the Company of Stationers. Caffyn, Matthew, 1628-1714.; Jeffery, William, 1616-1693. Antichrist made known. 1656 (1656) Wing C206; Wing J522; Thomason E873_2; ESTC R206563 72,973 85

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〈…〉 29. and upbraideth them with this qu●●● 〈…〉 have ye not read Mat 12.3 5. chap. 〈…〉 the will of Christ was that men should lear●●● 〈…〉 ●●●veries which if you seriously consider 〈…〉 blame in case they ought not to have learn●d 〈…〉 Scriptures which is said by Paul 2 Tim. 3 1● 〈…〉 for Doctrine for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may be perfect THOROWLY furnished unto all good work all which Scripture is given by inspiration from God and so originally God is the Teacher of his people yea of all but as it is written 2 Cor. 5.20 God beseecheth you BY US in Christs STEAD Object The Spirit an internal Teacher saith the Quaker from that in Joh. 16.13 is that which is to lead into all truth Answ Christ indeed there speaks of the Spirits leading into all Truth but it is to be observed that it was spoken unto such as were so far before led into Truth by Christs personall preaching as that they were pronounced clean through the words which he had spoken unto them John 15.3 Wherefore in an especiall manner he there speaks of those many things which the Disciples then could not bear as is most plain verse 12. and besides the acts of the Disciples together with their directions sent to the Churches when they were led by this Spirit are left to us in Scripture yet wee may not deny but that the Spirit in whom he dwels is a Teacher evidently and particularly laying before the soul the privy deceit and evill inclinations of his heart and leading him to a mortification thereof he being waited upon and also revealing many other usefull things which unto the natural man is foolishnesse but judge Oh friends how far off this is from the Quakers purpose who exhorts all ignorant persons of the World whatsoever to depend upon a light within them when as Christ in plain words saith that the World CANNOT receive this Spirit whereof we speak John 14.17 the promise thereof so as to dwell with a soul as a comforter being to obedient beleeving persons Act. 2.38.5.32 John 14.15 16. Ephes 1.13 even such as walk up in duty towards God according to the instruction of the holy Scriptures Oh how great then is the darkness of him that talks so much of the Light and counsels all to depend upon it alone which is contrary to the counsel both of Christ the true Light the Angel of God and the holy Apostles For when the Disciples inquired of Christ What sign there should be of his comming by which it is plain they distrusted that Light they had within he directs them not to a Light within but readily answers their desires to which agrees also the relation of Sauls conversion so also when Cornelius cryed out saying what is it Lord the Angel of God bid him send for Peter and HE should tell him what he ought to do Act. 10.4.5 6. so also when those that were pricked in heart said unto the Apostles what shall we do Act. 2.37 Peter directs them not to an internal Teacher but teaches them himself vers 38. Likewise when the Jaylour cryed out saying what must I do to he saved Paul and Silas neither directed him to a Light within but THEY spake unto him the Word of the Lord likewise when the Eunuch said how can I understand except some man guide mee Act. 8.31 Philip said not as the Quaker doth that the Light within is to guide into all Truth but himself began at the same Scripture and preached unto him Jesus consider I pray ye how fair an occasion in all these instances there was for such counsel namely to wait upon the Light within in case it had been the Lords pleasure so to teach men but we find another Doctrin and consider that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and to day and for ever Wherefore be counselled not to bee carried about with DIVERS and STRANGE Doctrins Heb. 13.8 9. for this I affirm with all confidence that it is not to be found from the beginning of Genesit unto the end of the Revelations that either Christ or any of the holy men of God from the beginning of the Creation that did at any time counsel ignorant self-serving persons which had not been before enlightened within through outward teachings to wait upon a Light within them as the ONLY revealer of the Gospel Christ indeed gave this counsel to some that they should walk in the Light while they had the Light but they were such as were with Christ the Light and had heard him preaching the Kingdome of God often and had seen so many miracles done by him that John admires at their unbeleef John 12.37 wherefore this shelters not their opinion and so it remains naked an Heresy proceeding from the flesh which by reason of its pride would not submit unto the self-denying Laws of Christ but hath found out a way to passe by it even by turning the Scriptures into mysterious senses and so makes void many plain Truths of Christ by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour Jer. 23.27 which at the time of awaking will appear even to them to be a meer deceitfull dream proceeding from him who pretends himself an Angel of Light but greater is he that is in us than he that is in the World whereby the Quaker is discovered in his nakednesle and Christ the true Light of the World more and more gloriously made known unto us even him who is a Light indeed not as John who was a shining Light to Israel only but the glory of Israel and a Light to lighten the Gen●les also Luk. 2.32 being for salvation unto the ends of the earth a Light that lighteth every man that com●●●● the World from whence the Quakers would gather that Chr●●● the Light is within all as their ●nly seacher but P●●l 〈◊〉 Barnahas being of another spirit gathers 〈◊〉 thing eve 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thence saing A● 13.46.10 we turn to the Ge●tiles or so 〈◊〉 ●ord ha●● com a●●ded us saying I have set 〈…〉 Light o● the Gentiles verse 47 So far were they from beleev●●● thence that 〈◊〉 ●as the alone Teacher in men that they conc●●●●● 〈…〉 ●he Gentiles in Christs STEAD 2 Cor. 5.20 yet will 〈◊〉 say ●●at●●●y have the same Spirit which the Apo●●●●s●●a●● judge y●● hat●●● wise Object The Children of the New Test●● 〈◊〉 not t●●●every man his Brother saying Kn●w the Lord 〈◊〉 the ●moi●ting ●●●●●th them all things so that they need not that any man ●each th●●● ha●●●●●●e Law written in their hearts Answ Abrahams seed with whom the old C●●enan was made was Children thereof by generation which Pa●l al●egorically sets ●orth by the bond-woman and 〈◊〉 even I●hmae who was born after the slesh and being so in covenant they had need to be taught to know the Lord but the children of this more glorious administration are not so accounted of but otherwise even by regeneration and
the words of men but AS IT IS IN TRUTH the word of God 1 Thes 2.13 wherefore the Quaker supposing that God himself in men is their Teacher only erres not knowing the Scriptures for Israel was willing to be taught yet said they let not God speak with us but speak thou with us Moses and we will hear Exod. 20.19 and in this they well said saith God Deut. 5.28 Most true it is that no man can come to the Father but by the Son who offered up himself to death that we might have life by whose stripes we are healed without his blood there is no remission Heb. 9.22 by him also we have access unto the Father who at his right hand makes intercession for us and so he becomes our righteousnesse our sanctification and this Gospel was witnessed first by Christ himself but since saith the Apostles we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled to God those that were thus wrought upon through their ministry are said to be the called of Jesus Christ Rom. 1.6 Act. 28.23 and so is made good the words of Jude 3. contend earnestly for that Faith which was ONCE delivered to the Saints Object By this saith Lawson we set the Scriptures in the room of the Father and Son and so saith he deny both Father and Son Answ Many are the shifts of men to race out of the World that esteem of the Scriptures which indeed is but due being accounted by the Apostles HOLY Scriptures in respect of their use Rom. 1.2 whereby is made known the will of Christ in which we walk indeavouring through his grace the honour of the Father and Son which cannot be a denying of the Father and Son but he that hath his eyes closed will say so it is said the Scripture is profitable for teaching correction and instruction in Righteousness and that there ought to be attendance given to the reading of it yet most surely neither Paul that spoke it nor Timothy to whom it was spoken denyed either Father or Son nor pulled off the Crown from Christs head putting it upon the Scriptures as saith Lawson we do yet say no more than they did he most surely is worthy of the Crown that dyed to bring forth a word of salvation for men and that strengthens us by his Spirit to walk up accordingly from whom the Apostles removed it not yet said to men WE pray you in Christs STEAD 2 Cor. 5.20 yea and that from the Scriptures perswading men from morning till evening Act. 28.23 Aaron was to hearken unto Moses who was to put words into his mouth and therein to be unto him in STEAD of God Exod. 4.16 yet neither he nor the Apostles robbed God of his honour he being the original of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Rom. 11.36 Oh how great are the self-exaltations of these men how doth their arrogancy appear while they so mightily indeavour to destroy mens faith of the Scriptures as being adiscovery of the Lords will and yet in the mean while furnish the Nations almost in every corner with THEIR SCRIPTURES which is writings calling them a DISCOVERY of several particulars which they publish to men as the will of the Lord as witnesseth Deusburys book which he calls a discovery of mans return to his first estate with a discovery of Mystery Babylon Martha Simmons also speaks something in discovery of the nakednesse of all professions c. Farnworth also hath writ that the Truth might be cleared and the ignorance both of Priest and people might be discovered What! O friends may men know from their writings and yet not from the holy writings which were written for that very end that the CERTAINTY of the Lords will might be known Luk. 1.3 4. and that men MIGHT beleeve Joh. 20.31 God forbid Object Also I deny the Spirit saith Lawson in his book in saying that by the Scriptures is made known or revealed the will of Christ because the Spirit searches all things yea the deep things of God Answ There is indeed such words spoken by Paul 1 Cor. 2.10 but Lawson waiting so much upon the darkness within him hath wrested the Scripture and so himself is found unlearned 2 Pet. 2.16 though he hath talked so much of the tongue of the learned for the Apostle in the words before saith that eye hath not seen nor ear heard c. the things which God hath prepared for them that love him but God saith Paul hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit that is them things which God hath prepared for those that love him wherefore he saith vers 12. that we might know the things which are freely given to us of God wherefore most plainly will it appear to him that searches that the Apostle THERE speaks not of the Spirits revealing the duty of man but rather of the great glory and reward that is the portion of them that walk up in their duty though it is not to be denyed but rather witnessed by experienced souls that the Spirit doth teach them manisesting and laying open particularly the corruption of the heart which is but in general heads signified in Scripture and not only so but also mortifies the same Rom. 8.13 and also beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God verse 16. 〈◊〉 so are we sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Ephes 1.13 moreover by the Spirit is revealed and clearly made known those particulars which are obscurely signified in the Scripture Ephes 3.5 6. which things together with the revelations of the future glory the naturall man receives not for they are foolishness unto him wherefore he is required in the first place to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins and then is he under the promise of the holy Spirit Act 2.38 through which he may discern these things for they are spiritually discerned Object The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withall but by reason of darkness it is not comprehended Answ Christ the true Light speaks otherwise saying that the World CANNOT RECEIVE the Spirit wherefore though the Spirit be a Teacher as aforesaid yet it is to be considered that the promise thereof so as to dwell in men is to such as yeeld obedience to that self-denying Doctrin of repentance and are not ashamed of those ordinances that belong to penitent men wherefore saith the Apostles God hath given the Spirit to them that OBEY him Act. 5.32 and those that say God hath given him also to disobedient men as a dweller in them doth make the Apostles words of no effect if the Spirit dwel in every unbeleeving man what meaneth Paul when he asked the Disciples whether they had received the Spirit SINCE they beleeved moreover when they signified their ignorance saying we have not so much as heard whether there be any holy Spirit Paul did not as we find tell them that they were mistaken
shewing them that the Spirit was in them but by reason of darkness they comprehended it not but rather questions their faith Act. 19.2 3. shewing plainly that faith is to precede the receiving of the Spirit as an indweller wherefore saith Paul after ye beleeved ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise Ephes 2.13 all which being considered may shew us the Quakers mis-understanding of Pauls words in 1 Cor. 12.7 who speaking before unto the Church concerning the diversities of the gifts of the Spirit said unto them considered as a Church such as were sanctified in Christ that the end of the manifestation of the Spirit given to every man was to profit withall but him the World cannot receive John 14.17 Another shift of those men to put by the true intention of writing the Scriptures is to tell people that they are not the Word of God and their reason is because Christ is called the Word which may not be denyed but yet Christ is not so the Word but that himself testifies the Scriptures to be the Word of God for saith he to the Pharisees Moses said honour thy Father and thy Mother but ye suffer a man no more to do ought for his Father or his Mother and thus ye make the Word of God of no effect Mar. 7.12 13. Mat. 15.6 that is plainly the Scriptures which saith honour thy Father and thy Mother God said to Moses that he would raise up a Prophet unto Israel and that he would put his words into his mouth Deut. 18.18 unto this Christ bears record saying I speak not of my self but the Father gave mee commandement what I should speak now judge ye I pray whether any of Christs hearers might have said and well said that the words which he spake was not the Word of God if they might not then the Scriptures being a presentation of what Christ did do and teach Act. 1.1 may properly be said to be the Word of God even so it appears Paul Sylvanus and Timotheus understood it who writing unto the Saints testified that they had heard of them and RECEIVED OF THEM how they ought to walk yet they received it not as the word of men but as it is in Truth saith the Apostles the Word of God 1. Thes 2.13.4.1 or the word of Truth which Timothy was rightly to divide 2 Tim. 2.15 but Christ is not divided or a word of faith because it testifies of Righteousness no otherwise attainable but by faith yet not but that Christ is the author of Faith he being that pure sacrifice that makes reconciliation for sins through Faith in him which the Scripture speaks of and so it still remains that through the Scriptures is made known the will of Christ yea the CERTAINTY thereof Luke 1.3 4. it being evidently his will that his saying should be set forth in writings as they are as will appear by severall counsels and cautions of Christ the danger whereof he well knew would not happen in the dayes of his then Disciples and so had been uselesse had he not intended that what he spake unto them should be recorded for the benefit of after generations Mat. 24. Mar. 13. Luk. 21. wherefore diligently observe what is written and give attendance to the reading thereof and I beseech you in the fear of the Lord that ye slight them not no not in the least least the judgements of God break out upon you I mean hardnesse of heart to beleeve lyes Oh remember how the anger of the Lord was kindled against Jehoiakim King of Judah when hee burnt the Scripture that was sent unto him that hee might know the Lords will and turn unto him Jerem. 36.23.30 31. whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for OUR LEARNING Rom. 15.4 let us learn let us learn The Quaker also denyeth that the Ministers of Christ indued with the Spirit of Christ ought to minister or preach from the Scriptures as appears in Lawsons book called the untaught Teacher pa. 2.3 Undoubtedly this will seem strange because in their preaching and also in their books they commonly speak of Scripture but friends there lyes a winding Serpent in that grass for from it they speak not though OF it but from that which they call Light within them which they wait upon as their ONLY TEACHER the teachings of which they witness forth and least iniquity should appear as iniquity nakedly they pervert the plain Scriptures into mysterious meanings and frames them up one way or other to that which their Light speaks within them and SO speak much of the Scriptures thus is it a MYSTERY OF INIQUITY yea though it be altogether against the plain Scripture yet will they follow the dictates of the darkness within them and that herein I abuse them not I present unto you one revelation of their Teacher that is concerning the Scripture which testifies that a woman is not permitted to speak in the Church by way of teaching though permitted in other cases by which say they is meant the wisdome of the flesh either in man or woman which revelation Farnworth thought worthy of the press and so published it yea I have been told by them that that woman which is forbidden thus to speak was within mee and spake in mee this say they proceeds from the Light but woe unto them that puts darkness for Light Isa 5.20 All that hath been already said serves for the proof of this which by them is denyed for the Light which they speak of within being tryed and found darkness and the Scriptures that which makes known the will of Christ it must neéds follow as a safe practice for the spirituall man to minister from the Scriptures since we find it also agreeable with the practice of the Apostles who at their first publick preaching after Christs ascention directed the people to the Scriptures yea a great part of that which Peter preached Act. 2. consisted of repetitions of the Prophets words which was to them and is to us in Scripture yea as matter of proof of what he spoke when he had asserted that Christ was risen from the dead he adds this reason verse 25. FOR DAVID SPEAKETH concerning him c. yea very much Scripture doth he there relate and then expounds them vers 29 30 31. and reasons from them verse 34. and this became effectual whereas if Peter had been altogether instructed by a Teacher within him and owned no other than the same Teacher within his hearers must have been the only means to convince them of their sins but it is otherwise recorded vers 37. when they heard THIS that is Peters preaching from the Scriptures they were pricked in heart and also the only thing through which they might be added to the Saints but it is otherwise said even that they which gladly received HIS WORD were baptized and the same day there was added unto them about three thousand souls verse 41. to this agrees also the manner of Pauls preaching
Swine feeding upon husks thou Cain killing thy brother Abel thou Drunkard thou Thief thou Murtherer thou Serpent the Curses Plagues and Vengeance of God is thy portion and saith Lawson in his Book against me Thou Image-maker thou Cockatrice hatching Eggs Vultures eye and this because I said Christ was ascended with that body that God raised from the dead thou Heathen because I said the will of Christ was made known by the Scriptures thou Lyar bundle of Lyes thou Esau selling thy Birth-right a Mate for the Night-birds Cormorants Bitterns Owls Ravens Dragons wild Beasts Satyrs Vultures Scritch-owles and this because I said that the Saints had not the Kingdom by possession but by promise and when they thus with fury and loftiness of spirit have pronounced Judgements I have endeavoured to moderate these raging waves but presently it is replied KNOW YEE NOT THAT THE SAINTS SHALL JVDGE THE WORLD sometimes also they endeavour to shelter themselves with the expressions of Christ and the Apostles but consider did ever Christ or any of his Apostles use such expressions to men for preaching up the Kingdom which is Saints reward as by promise nay himself did so and his Apostles also Luke 12.32 Jam. 2.5 or did they because men searched the Scriptures thereby to know the will of Christ Nay search the Scriptures saith Christ but indeed to the Jews and to Elimas the Sorcerer who had a long time before kicked against the counsel of the Lord and would not CEASE to pervert the righteous wayes of God to them they did SOMETIMES use some of those expressions which might be with a low Spirit delivered but what is this to justifie the Quakers raging against men that hold forth the counsel of God yea and that at the first dislike of their wayes yea and at all times when opposed nay rather is hee found to bee of that number that the Apostle prophesied of saying In the last dayes perillous times shall come for men shall be FIERCE 2 Tim. 3.3 their look being more STOUT THAN HIS FELLOWS Dan. 7.20 but render YE not evill for evill railing for railing but contrariwise be ye temperate of a good behaviour and HOLY IN ALL YOVR WAYES The Abominable Deceit of the Quaker discovered HOw far off the Ministry of the Quakers are from the Apostolicall Ministry who renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftinesse nor handling the Word of God deceitfully 2 Cor. 4.2 judge ye by these following lines though I question not but that many have experience of their deceit as well as I if you ask them whether they own the resurrection from the dead they will I say will except they be changed readily answer you that they do but means a present rising from a dead condition in sin whether they own a resurrection from the grave yea will they say we do but mean a rising from the grave of sin wherein living men now are whether they own a resurrection to come yea will they say we do but mean a rising from sin to come to OTHERS but when I have asked them whether they own a resurrection to come unto THEM then SILENT FLESH SILENT moreover as I said before so I say again that Thomas Lawson plainly said that all that goes into the grave shall never rise again which was written by his consent at my house yet notwithstanding in his book tells people that he owns the resurrection both of the just and unjust and calls mee slanderer for saying that hee denyed the Resurrection Now hee knows that wee and the major part of men own the resurrection of the bodyes of just and unjust men which are commtited to the graves of the earth but their meaning is the rising and being of the old corrupt nature in man which they call the resurrection of the unjust and the rising of Christ the Light in man as they say is the resurrection of the just which the Scripture speaks of and so they NOW witnesse both this have I been plainly told by one of them I speak the Truth in Christ O shamefull deceit If you ask them whether they own the coming of Christ they will answer you that they do but they mean his coming to others but when I have asked them whether they own Christ to come to THEM then SILENT FLESH SILENT but through importunity George Fox said that HE looked for him to come no otherwise the like will they say concerning the eternal judgement likewise when we speak of the Righteousnesse of God wrought through the person of Jesus as it was offered up they will say as Nayler hath said * Satans design diseovered pag. 4. that they own no other righteousnesse than that which was wrought IN the person of Jesus of Nazareth his suffering resurrection and ascension but they mean Righteousnesse wrought BY the Spirit IN that person and the sufferings of that Spirit IN that person whose resurrection is now within THEM * Naylers book called a salutation to the feed of God pa. 21. excluding all this while the effect wrought BY the Person of Christ offered up to death If you ask them whether they own justification by the blood of Christ they will answer yea but they mean blood mysteriously Whether hee died yea or nay they will say yea also to that but they mean death in a mystery for he that suffered saith Nayler * Satans design c. pa. 25. is NOW in his people leading them through sufferings himself now suffering with them If you ask them whether they beleeve that Christ hath now a body they will say yea but they mean his Church Whether he ascended into Heaven yea or nay they will say yea but saith Laucock Christ is ascended into Heaven WITHIN MEE At a certain time having reasoned with Lawson concerning Gods making of the earth on which we went and the Heaven above I asked him whether Gods presence was not more in Heaven than on earth to which he said yea but being suspicious of his deceit asked him whether he did not mean that he was more in heavenly-minded men than in earthly-minded men O then how did he shuffle consider ye that fear God whether this be not deceit for men to answer plain-meaning questions with such double-meaning expressions as may seem to agree with the judgement of him that asks and YET by the same words intend the contrary what is this the language of Canaan which they speak of nay surely deceit is of the deceiver TOUCH not the unclean thing for blessed are the PVRE in heart they shall see God The Dishonesty of the Quaker in contending for his Principles discovered IF dishonesty in and about the things of this life be odious in the sight of God and godly men what may bee said of men that shall defend yea unsound principles with impure dishonest indeavours and not only so but in the mean time advance themselves by their supposed pleaded-for perfection above the Saints
of nature and in many the spirit of errour their light being become darknesse being delivered up to strong delusion to beleeve lyes thinking they have Christ in them when it is a spirit of errour and so pervert the sense of the Scriptures declaring the anointing and the anointed to be all one teaching up the Spirit of Christ apart from the body of Christ to be the Christ or rather the spirit of errour in them to be the Christ come in their flesh and so in a very deceivable secret way deny Christ come in the flesh in saying he is the Christ that is within them which is an evill spirit so applying the Scriptures that speak of the Spirit of Christ dwelling in men to be that evill spirit in them so declaring that Spirit of errour in them apart from the body or flesh of Christ to bee the Christ and so deny Christ come in the flesh but note well what the Scripture of truth saith they declare that Jesus the Christ was slain Act. 2.22 23. chap. 3. 5. chap. 4.10 in chap. 5 30. Peter who was ful● of the Holy Ghost saith the God of our Fathers hath raised up Jesus whom ye SLEW and HANGED on a tree and Paul saith to the Corinth 1 Cor. 15.3 4. first of all I delivered unto you that which I received how that CHRIST DYED FOR OVR SINS according to the Scriptures and that he was BVRIED and that he AROSE the third day according to the Scriptures so it is plain that the Spirit apart from the body or flesh of Christ is not the Christ And therefore again note what Paul saith 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God and one Mediatour BETWEEN God and man which is the MAN Christ Jesus and Heb. 10.10 sheweth that the Hebrews were sanctified by the offering of the BODY of Jesus Christ verse 19 20. seeing therefore Brethren that by the BLOOD of Jesus we may be bold to enter into the holy places by the new and living way which he hath consecrated for us through the veil that is his FLESH So that Jesus that was baptized of John in the River Jordan was anointed with the oyl of gladnesse above his fellows Mat. 3.13 16. Psal 45.7 so Jesus the Saviour is the anointed of God for he gave him not the Spirit by measure Joh. 3.34 and so the Spirit of the Lord resteth and abideth upon the MAN Christ Jesus Isa 11.2 Jo. 1.32 so then the Spirit of God or of Christ apart from the BODY of Christ is not the Christ Therefore most abominable is that which men say that that which is in them is Christ when it is a spirit of errour and so men may see how through this mystery of iniquity men come to say they are Christ for consider if the spirit in some man be the Christ what hindreth him to say hee is Christ and therefore some one presumes to say hee is Christ let no man mistake mee for I say that the Spirit of God doth dwell in the Saints and that Christ doth dwell in their hearts by faith but note that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen Heb. 11.1 so the just live by faith and look for the Son of God from Heaven whom he raised from the dead even Jesus that delivereth us from the wrath to come but to return so as to shew yet further who hath the spirit of Antichrist and they are such as race out the Ordinances of Christ which came in being when Christ came in the flesh and so declare Christ come in the flesh dead and risen again as baptism of water and breaking of bread which doth declare the Lords death till he comes 1 Cor. 11.26 Rom 6.3 4. Col. 2.12 now there are a sort of men which say to know or acknowledge Christ in the practice of those Ordinances is formall and fleshly and low and carnal and so reject the Counsel of God and will not be baptized and so not walking up in the Ordinances that did come in being when Christ came in the flesh and do so excellently declare him come in the flesh and are to continue unti●l Christ come from Heaven and change our vile bodies and make them like his most glorious body Phil. 3.20 21. I say those that do slight and reject those ordinances and say they are formall and will not practice them have the spirit of Antichrist and do deny Christ come in the flesh because they will not practice those ordinances that declare Christ come in the flesh yea more fully than the Whore for shee hath a shew and so a remembrance of those Ordinances though she have changed the subject and the manner as aforesaid but THESE root out the very being of them and so deny Christ come in the flesh and so are discovered to have the spirit of Antichrist also those that have been inlightened and have beleeved the Resurrection of the body and also the eternal Judgement and then come to question it and deny it and say the Judgement day is come have the spirit of Antichrist for Christ being put to death in the flesh and rising again from the dead so bringeth in the Resurrection of the bodyes of all men and then cometh in the eternal Judgement according to that in Act. 17.30 31. hee hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the World in Righteousnesse by that MAN whom he hath appointed whereof he hath given assurance to all men in that he hath raised him from the dead so as by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead for as in Adam all dye so in Christ shall all bee made alive but every man in his own order the first fruits is Christ afterwards they that are of Christ at his comming 1 Cor. 15.21 22 23. so Christ being come in the flesh the MAN Christ Saviour dyed and rose again and so comes in the Resurrection and no otherwise therefore they that deny the Resurrection of the body deny Christ come in the flesh and so have the spirit of Antichrist and therefore John writing to the Saints warning them that they take heed of the Antichristian spirit that they be not deceived exhorteth them thus let that therefore abide in you which you have heard from the beginning if that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you ye also shall continue in the Son and in the Father 1 Joh. 2.24 read also for this purpose the whole chapter Now that which they heard from the beginning was the beginning Word of Christ according to that of Paul 1 Cor. 15.3 4. which he delivered first of all to the Corinthians that Christ dyed for our sins according to the Scripture c. and the first principles of the word of God which is the principles of the Doctrin of Christ to wit repentance from dead works and of faith toward God the Doctrin of Baptismes and laying on of hands
and of the Resurrection of the dead and of eternal judgement Heb. 5.12 chap. 6.1 2. now these principles of the teachings of Christ came in being by and through Christ being manifest in flesh his death and Resurrection as hath been shewed before therefore whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the Doctrin of Christ hath not God for he denyes Christ come in the flesh and so hee hath the spirit of Antichrist 2 Joh. 6.7 8 9 10 11 and so having in part declared what is the spirit of Antichrist and who hath that spirit I come now to the fourth thing which is that the Antichrist will bee a single person And for the proof of this first consider how the Antichrist is set out in Scripture in the singular number not in the plural as the MAN of sin 2 Thes 2.3 not men and Isa 14.16 is this the MAN that made the earth to tremble and did shake the Kingdomes the SON of the morning and SON of Perdition not Sons the vile person not persons Dan. 11.21 Isa 14.12 there fell a great Star from Heaven Rev. 8.10 chap. 9.1 not Stars Obj. This in Isa 14. was fulfilled in Nebuchadnezzar King of Babel of Chaldee Answer That cannot be for after this power that is there spoken of is faln the whole World is at rest and is quiet they sing for joy yea the Firre-trees rejoyce at thee and the Cedars of Lebanon saying Since thou art layd down no feller is come up against us vers 7 8. now the World did not injoy such a rest as is there spoken of so as that no Feller came up against the people of God no more for since the time of Nebuchadnezzar and that Monarchies fall there hath come up many fellers or destroyers of the Jews and the beleeving Gentiles as is clear that Antiochus and the Romans against the Jews and the Whore of Babylon against the Christians and again the Apostle in 2 Thoss 2. takes up the same words in substance and applies them to the Man of Sin which is the Antichrist therefore that in Isaiah cannot be fulfilled in Nebuchadnezzar for this compare Isa 14.13 14. with 2 Thess 2.4 though he might be a type of Antichrist 2 It appears that the Antichrist will bee but one man though many have his Spirit because it will suit best with his way of delusion for he will pretend he is the very Christ and will cause fire to come down from heaven on earth in the sight of men Rev. 13.13 and so he will indeavour to imitate Christ in all things for as the Lord Christ shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty Angels in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God and that OBEY not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ so the Antichrist will make fire come down from heaven in the sight of men so he will endeavour to make all the Scriptures that speak of Christs coming and of his reign to meet upon him SO his coming will be after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders and with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish because they receive not the love of the truth that they might be saved 2 Thess 2. 9 10. so as there is the MAN Jesus the Christ the Son of the living God which came in his Fathers Name Mat. 16.16 Joh. 5.43 without sin 1 Pet. 2.22 so there will be the MAN of Sin the Antichrist which will come in his own name and profess to be the Christ but will be directly an enemy against Christ and his people And so I come to the Fifth thing which is the manner of Antichrists rising and by what means for the clearing up of this First consider that the Gospel and the way thereof is to be purely preached and the Ordinances rightly administred and so the Angel is to fly in the midst of Heaven having the everlasting Gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth and to every Nation and Kindred and Tongue and People Rev. 14.6 and so the Gospel being preached to the Nations and the Ordinances administred in the good old way according to the Scriptures men come to be inlightned as many are in these Nations where the Kingly power is fallen that did support the Whore and would not give Liberty of Conscience so I say as the Gospel comes to be ministred in the old way thereof men come to bee inlightned the power of the Whore falleth and men slighting and rejecting the truth and also many of them that do receive and obey the truth fall and depart from the Faith and so receiving not the love of the truth that they might be saved for this cause God doth and will send them strong delusion that they should beleeve a lye 2 Thess 2.10 11. and so are given up to the Spirit of Antichrist and so as the Apostle Paul sheweth that the day of Christs coming shall not come except there come a falling away first and that Man of Sin be revealed the Son of perdition 2 Thess 1.7.8 chap. 2 3. and so the Spirit speaking expresly that in latter times some shall depart from the faith giving heed to seducing Spirits and Doctrins of Devils speaking Lyes in Hypocrisie having their Conscience seared with a hot Iron forbidding to marry c. as in 1 Tim. 4.1 2 3. and the Apostle Peter writing to the ●aints in his Second Epist chap. 2.1 2. sheweth that there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord that bought them and bring upon themselves swift destruction and many shall follow their pernicious wicked ways by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of and chap. 3.3 4. he saith that there should bee Scoffers walking after their own lusts saving Where is the promise of his coming c and so men transgressing and abiding not in the Doctrin of Christ fall from the faith of the Gospel and so the Spirit of God departeth from them and an evil spirit is sent unto them which is the spirit of Antichrist so out from them that thus fall away and go out from the Church 1 Joh. 2.19 and so separate themselves sensual having not the Spirit as Jude hath it verse 19. and also from them that have been enlightened and have neglected to walk up in truth and so reject the Counsel of God as the Pharisees and Lawyers did Luk. 7.30 so I say from them that so fall away and neglect to hear and obey the Gospel from them ariseth the Antichrist or man of sin Again the sixth head of the Roman Monarchy which is the Imperiall or kingly power hath and doth by the guidance of the Pope and the Nationall Ministry which rides upon the beast as hath been shewed alwaies persecuted men for their consciences and so hath let and hindred the Gospel from being preached and the Ordinances from being rightly administred and so the
THE Deceived and deceiving Quakers DISCOVERED Their damnable Heresies horrid blasphemies mockings railings unparallel'd Deceit and Dishonesty laid open In the discovery of which is made known the pure use of the holy Scriptures which by them is denyed the true Christ and how he justifies his second coming proved not to be already as the Quaker affirms Also the Resurrection from the dead and the Eternal JUDGMENT and several other particulars that Saints are required to be stedfast in Set forth especially for the good of those that are called out of the World into the primitive order of the Gospel but may be usefull for all people By Matthew Caffyn a servant of the Lord related to the Church of Christ near Horsham in Suffex being an eye and ear-witnesse As wee have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists whereby we cannot but know that this is the last of the last time Antichrist made known OR The Romish VVhore of Babylon proved not to bee the Antichrist or Man of Sin In seven particulars 1 Who is this great Whore of Babylon and where her chief Seat hath been and is 2 Her Fall and the means how and by whom 3 What is the spirit of Antichrist and who hath that spirit 4 That the Antichrist will bee a single person 5 The manner of his rising and when 6 Some of the great things hee will do 7 Lastly His Fall when and by whom By William Jeffery Servant of the Church of Christ. Entred into the Register book kept by the Company of Stationers LONDON Printed by R. I. for Francis Smith and are to bee sold at his shop in Flying-horse-Court in Fleet street neer Chansery-Lane 1656. To the Reader REader take notice that the hour is comming and now is that Satan in a more than ordinary manner doth transform himself into an Angel of Light and shape his Ministers into the similitudes of Ministers of Righteousnesse that so he may not only take faster hold of those that are already under his dominion and blind their minds lest the Light of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ should in the purity thereof shine unto them but also that hee may if possible deceive the very Elect and cause them that have escaped the pollutions of the World to bee again intangled therein and overcome Therefore those exhortations so often repeated in the Scripture to take heed watch and pray c. are of great necessity by all Saints to bee in a speciall manner regarded for that Satan will endeavour to deceive such is most certain And it is as certain that the most likely way and means that he hath to effect this his design must bee by fair shewes of holinesse and excellent pretences of Piety which is figured out in Scripture under the name of Sheeps cloathing with which Christ saith the false Prophets which are Satans Ministers shall bee attired Therefore t is possible that a Christian-like outside may bee in some but a cover for an Antichristian spirit And that Satan should thus delude his Servants into such a conversation that savoreth of sobriety self-deny all and a transformity from the World in very many things which are very eminent characters of Christianity I say that the Devil should delude some into a shew of such things is no more to bee admired at than his acting forth himself in the Magicians of Egypt to work miracles much like to those which God shewed by his servant Moses Yea the Apostle testifies that in his dayes some did make resistance to the truth after this manner 2 Tim. 3.8 and of some also that were deluded into a voluntary humility and such things as he confesseth to have a shew of wisdome in wil-worship and humility and neglecting of the body not in any honour to the satisfying of the flesh Now t is a kind of self-denyall to neglect the body and not to satisfie the desires of the flesh And also to abstain from meats which God hath created to bee received with thanksgiving as he saith 1 Tim. 4. ● 2 3. that some should do who yet were such as had departed from the faith and given heed to seducing spirits and Doctrins of Devils And thus Satan by transforming his servants into such shews doth make them the more fit to advance his deceiving design amongst the sons of men for hereby hee doth not only deceive them but also furnish them with ability to be DECEITFULL WORKERS to prevail upon others 2 Cor. 11.13 And of this sort are those people now called QVAKERS whose deceitfull and hereticall wayes in part are in this little volume presented before thee in answer to a book intituled An untaught teacher witnessed against lest thou shouldest by their subtle insinuations and fair pretences of self-deny all c. so far let out thy affections towards them as not to try them in other things which being throughly searched out will prove them to bee those deceivers which yee have heard should come in the last dayes of whose deceit O reader bee thou aware and consider that the deceiver cannot put away his brass mony but by mixing it among good silver whereby men may if not circumspect bee unawares deceived Wherefore bee CIRCV MSPECT and stable in all thy wayes And if through reading and due consideration of this ensuing treatise thou shalt bee the better fitted to discern truth from error CHRIST from ANTICHRIST and so through grace be the better enabled to stand fast the aim of mee herein is accomplished who am An unworthy servant of Christ desirous of the eternal wel-fare of thy soul MATTHEW CAFFYN The Damnable Heresies of the Quakers Discovered CHristian Friends it doth not a little concern the People of God at this time to walk circumspectly having their Lights burning as wise Virgins that they may be the approved of the Lord and so the preserved of the Lord in these last days wherein the evil is great justly may we be blamed as others have been by the Lord if we discern not this time which is and much more will be full of peril yea such a time of trouble as never was since there was a Nation Dan. 12.1 in which the Mystery of Iniquity that did in measure work in the Apostles days shall be finished and the Man of Sin revealed the Son of Perdition which then was let even till our days by the power of the Kings of the earth which withstood the liberty of mens Consciences 2 Thess 2.6 7 8. but now the Lord hath removed it in this our Nation and so we have praised be the Lord enjoyed much Liberty and Freedom by means whereof the Gospel of Jesus hath been and yet is declared among the Sons of Men whereby divers have been fully convinced of the Truth of Christ some of which have denied themselves and become obedient and other some have put from them the words of everlasting life yea notwithstanding all the goodness of God together with his
THEIR WORDS Mat. 10.14 yea when his very Disciples were blameable in respect of their ignorance he charges it not for neglecting a Teacher within but saith Oh fools and slow of heart to beleeve all that the Prophets have spoken and to make them wise he expounded the Scriptures to them Luk. 24.25 27. upbraiding their unbeleef also because they beleeved not THEM he saith not Light within but them which had seen him after he was risen Mar. 16.14 now when Christ was to ascend he authorized his Servants to go and teach all Nations to observe all things which he had commanded them marke not to turn them to a Teacher within but to teach them all things who accordingly went and testified that God did beseech people by them and that they in Christs STEAD prayed persons to be reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5.20 yea declaring the whole counsel of God the summe of which is that Christ sent his Servants to teach all things which he had commanded them they accordingly taught his whole counsel Act. 20.27 yet saith the Quaker the Light in every man is the ONLY Teacher Judge yee that are wise Moreover 't is said that the Church of the Thessalonians received of the Apostles how to walk and to please God yet not as the words of men but as it is in truth the Word of God 1 Thes 4.1 2 13. and these were the elect of God 1 Thes 1.4 yet not thought by the Apostle capable by any Light within them in an ordinary way to comprehend all things relating to their faith wherefore he prayed night and day EXCEEDINGLY that he might see their faces and PERFECT that which was lacking in their faith 1 Thes 3.10 also Paul writing to the Saints at Rome Rom. 1.11 said that he longed to see them to impart some spirituall gift that they might be established now if Paul had been of the Quakers spirit he need not so exceedingly desired to see them or to write unto them upon that account because their alone Teacher and leader towards perfection was alwaies in them needless I say except it had been to exhort them to keep close to their Teacher within but neither this do we find was their aim in writing neither was it their aim in desiring to see them but that they might be established perfected in their faith through what they delivered considering that as the Apostles gave the Churches to know and understand so also they directed them to wait upon the Lord who gives the increase that by him they might be enabled to walk up according to what they knew through their ministry their ministry I say because it agrees with the Scriptures which testifies that by them was made manifest the savour of his knowledge in every place 2 Cor. 2.14 and saith Paul if OUR Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost who are blinded lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ should shine UNTO them not from a Teacher within but from the Apostles who plainly affirms that they were to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus God having first shined in their hearts 2 Cor. 4.3 4 6. that is in the hearts of Paul and Timothy who sent that Epistle who were enlightened yea both of them through outward teachings Paul in an extraordinary manner by the Lord Jesus was changed in his mind to beleeve in him which makes him say that the Gospel was not taught him by man but by the revelation of Jesus who saith Luke appeared UNTO him and spake UNTO him a Light shining round ABOUT him from HEAVEN Act. 9.3 4 17. and by him was he commanded to go into Dam●scus and there he should be told of all things which were appointed for him to do Act. 2● 10 not by a Light within him but by Ananias a certain Disciple vers 12 14 15 16. thus Paul being instructed went forth preaching the Gospel through which Timothy was enlightned in the Truth and so commonly called by Paul his SON in the Faith 1 Tim 1.2 even as Onesimus was whom Paul BEGOT in his bonds Phile. 10. by all this we may learn that the Ministers of Christ were by their ministry to make known the Lords will yea moreover the Churches of old were to mark the walkings of the Apostles as an ENSAMPLE to them Paul commanding them to do those things which they had both learned and received and heard and seen in him Phil. 3.17.4.9 and to this purpose agrees also his words to Timothy give attendance to reading 1 Tim. 4.13 wherefore false and erronious is that spirit which bids men give attendance to a Light within as their ONLY Teacher Wherefore hold fast the counsel of the Spirit of God and give attendance unto reading the Scriptures being by a good argument provoked thereunto even that they are able to make us wise unto salvation through Faith in Christ 2 Tim. 3.15 for even unbeleeving men are required by Christ to search the Scriptures wherein they thought they had eternal life but they were mistaken wherefore search saith he for they testify of mee John 5.39 plainly shewing that the Testimony of Scripture was to rectify their understandings which if they had beleeved they would have beleeved mee saith Christ FOR HE WROTE OF MEE verse 46. but saith Antichrist if ye would beleeve in the Light within as your only Teacher then ye should be led by it up to Christ Mark ye I pray the great difference betwixt the Doctrin of Christ and the Doctrin of the Quakers who make void the Commandement of Christ by their extolling an internal Light as the only Teacher which is their OWN tradition it being tryed and compared with the Spirit of Light indeed which dwelt in the Apostles as you may further learn ●rom what Pauls Spirit led him unto concerning his Son Timothy 1 Tim. 3 14 15. unto whom he hoped to go shortly but if he tarried long that he might KNOW how to behave himself in the house of God he WROTE an Epistle unto him and therein he did not counsel him to wait upon a Teacher within as is the substance of the Quakers Epistles but particularly informed him of his duty as will appear to him that reads the Scripture with due respect thereunto now if there be such an internall Light that makes known all things judge I pray you what ground Paul had to question Timothys knowing those things in his absence considering also how eminent in grace T●mothy was even so disposed unto the work of the Lord as that Paul had NO man like-minded Phil. 2 2● you even he was to read Paul Epistle which was Scripture and for that end tha● 〈◊〉 ●i●ht kn●●● h●w he ought to walk in the house of the Lord. O●●● 〈…〉 now to re●● the Scriptures that wee may know 〈…〉 our selves God forbid God forbid 〈…〉 peoples ignorance to their not knowing 〈…〉 erre not knowing the Scriptures nor th●
such none can be till they first know the Lord and such considered AS children of the New Covenant need not teach one another to know the Lord for all such do know him as did the Church of the Galathians whom Paul calls children no● of the bond woman but of the free Gal. 4.31 that is of the New Testament yet consider they were such as heard the Gospel from the Apostles who said unto that people that if wee or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you than that which WE have preached unto you let him be accursed yea at that time when they were children of the New Testament they were also to give heed unto the Scriptures for direction for otherwise Paul would not have sent unto them an Epistle in Scripture and therein tell them that as many as walked according to this rule peace be on them Gal. 6.6 yet this their respect to the teachings of the Apostles and the Scriptures in things pertaining to the Faith and order of the Gospel doth not in the least contradict Gods promise of writing his Law in their hearts for such they are that have a promise of his Spirit Act. 2.38 and are the Temple wherein God dwelling by his Spirit 1 Cor. 3.16 writes his Law even in their hearts particularly and plainly makes known his ROYAL LAW that so together by the power of the Spirit such may have the Righteousnesse of the Law●fulfilled in them they walking not after the flesh but after the Spirit Rom. 8.4 wherefore it still remains that though the Children of the New Testament need not to be taught to knew the Lord yet have need to be builded up in the knowledge of the Lord for Timothy knew the Lord as his Saviour yet Paul sends Scripture unto him that he MIGHT KNOW how to behave himself in the Church of God 1 T●●●● 3.14 15. and also by Scripture stirs up the Saints to edify ONE AN●●●HER 1 Thes 5.11 and saith Pe●●● grow in the knowledge of 〈◊〉 Lord 2 Pet. 3.18 to them that k●ew the Lord 2 ●●t 1.3 and this might ●e the practice of them John wrote 〈◊〉 for ●ught ●●a● is said against it for though he judged them so ●m●●●●t in spiritual gi●ts and in the knowledge of the Ant●chri●●●an dec●its which the there speaketh of as to conclude there was no abso●ute ●●●ssity for hi●● o● any other of the Apostles to write unto them y●● this is far from shewing that they ought not ●o edifi● 〈◊〉 ther as other Sa●●s were to do the anoin●ing indeed was dwelling in them and so was he in other ●ain●s that were enjoyned to edifie one another even the Spirit of truth whose gi●ts●●●●ivers the manifestations whereof are given to every man to profit withall he that techeth is to wait ●n teaching and he that exh●rteth on exhortation 〈◊〉 12 7 8. these with other of the gifts of the Spiri● it appeat● this Churen was enriched with and so in a capacity to press forward notwithstanding all oppositions as good Stewards ministring one to another the manifold discoveries of Truth Object The Apostles were indeed to go unto the Gentiles but it was to turn them from darknesse to the Light within through which the word of Faith which they preached was nigh them even ●n their mouths and in their hearts before as a Light shining in darkness but darkness comprehended it not Answ Surely the Messengers of Christ that were led by one Spirit had but one message which was to go and teach all Nations baptising them c. teaching them to observe ALL things whatsoever Christ ●ad commanded them Mat. 28.19.20 To which agrees the words of Paul Rom. 15.19 where he testifieth that from Jerusalem and round about unto Illyricum HE had FULLY preached the Gospel of Christ and moreover ●aith that if we or an Angel from Heaven preach any OTHER Gospel than that which WE have preached let him be accursed Gal. 1.8 and this Gospel was not in every mans heart before thus preached or by some other outward discoveries for Paul testifies that he strived to preach the Gospel where Christ was not named but as it is written to whom he hath not been spoken of they shall see and they that have not heard shall understand Rom. 15.20 21. wherein it is very observable that the Gentiles ignorance is not ascribed to their darknesse not comprehending what was spoken in them but to the want of some to speak unto th●m to whom Christ had not been spoken of as come in the flesh to which agrees these words of the Apostle How shall they beleeve in him of whom they have not heard that is hath not heard by an outward ministry as plainly appears by his continued questions how shall THEY preach except THEY be sent as it is written how beautifull are the feet of THEM that preach the Gospel Rom. 10.14 15. wherefore not by the Light within which even in our adversaries sense is but one yet by this do we not limit God to this his ordinary way and so make void his speaking by Angels or otherwise UNTO men at his pleasure and further if you consider the word of Faith cannot be said to be in mens hearts and in their MOUTHES and they not comprehend it nay it is no better than an unlearned ignorant mystery which cannot bee received by any except sensualists that have not the Spirit Jud. 19. for they that so possesse the word of Faith are at present in a fit condition to beleeve with the heart and also to confesse what they beleeve with their mouths and even so saith Paul in that place verse 9. that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shall beleeve in thine heart c. thou shalt bee saved Now we know that a man cannot make confession to Salvation with his mouth of such things which in his heart he comprehends not wherefore well observe that saying of Paul Rom. 10.8 and you shall finde that though he say that the word of Faith which he with others preached was nigh them even in their mouthes and hearts yet he doth not say that it was there before it was preached unto them while they were in ignorance and blindness for at that time when he spake these words unto them they were converted persons such as beleeved through Pauls preaching before and perswading them both out of the Scripture of Moses and out of the Scripture of the Prophets from morning till evening Acts 28.23 24. which is agreeable with that which Moses said to Israel Deut. 30.14 even that the Word was nigh unto him in his mouth and heart that he might do it but most plain it is that Israel was enlightned within through the written Law of Moses which there he speaks of vers 10. which he preached unto them saying That the words which I command thee shall bee in thy Heart Deut. 6.6 and these my words shall yee lay up in your hearts and souls
Deut. 11.18 after which means he said and well he might that the Commandement which I command thee is not hidden from thee but is in thy mouth and in thy heart wherefore still it remains that the Lord in all Ages did teach men through outward discoveries and not that they were led into all truth by a light within them as the only revealer of the Gospel as saith the Quaker and so he is tried and sound to have spoken contrary to the Law and Testimony wherefore I conclude that it is because there is no light in them though they so much talk of light The Quaker saith That the Scriptures are not a rule whereby men may know the Will of Christ as often they have spoken being prest to it and as appears in Tho. Lausons Book called The untaught Teacher pag. 6 7 8. wherein he repearts my saying That the Scriptures doth so farre reveal the minde of God and Christ to a Creature as that hee walking up to its revelation to his lives end with a single heart should be saved this I say he repeats and publishes as great Heresie God who at sundry times and divers manners spake unto the Fathers by the Prophets hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son who in his own person while personally upon earth instructed the sons of men exhorting them to repent and turn from sin pronouncing them everlastingly blessed that so did and followed him unto whom he particularly revealed his Will Mat. 5 6 7. chap. saying that he was a wise man building upon a rock that heard his sayings and did them and that he was a foolish man that heard his sayings and did them not which plainly shews that the words of Christ proceeding from himself was a rule to lead persons then in the way of Salvation and so is made good that saying Heb. 2.3 How shall we escape if we neglect so great Salvation which at the FIRST began to be spoken by the Lord Jesus afterward his Disciples took in hand to set forth in order a Declaration by writing of those things which Christ had spoken unto them which was most surely beleeved by them Luke 1.1 Acts 1.1 to whom he shewed himself alive after his Passion being seen of them forty days speaking of the things per●aining to the Kingdom of God vers 3. who also went forth after his ascension into the Nations an spreached that Word of Truth unto them which was FIRST spoken by the Lord to themselves teaching them to ob●erve ●ll ●h●●g● whatsoever Christ had commanded them according to 〈◊〉 commission Matth. 28.20 God also bearing them w●●●●s● w●●●●ig●● Miracies and divers girts of the Holy Gho●t Heb. 2 3. th●●●g● which n●ny obtained like precious faith with the Ap●●tles 2 Pet. ●● W●●● A●ts of the Apostles Luke also signifi●●●● 〈…〉 writing ●y all which Scriptures together with the ma●●●● 〈…〉 unto the persons thus converted the preach●● 〈…〉 made man●●●st and by the Scriptures of the Prop ●●t 〈◊〉 to the Commandement of God made know 〈◊〉 Nations 〈…〉 obedience of faith Rom. 1● 25 26. whe●●●●ore 〈◊〉 was cou●● 〈◊〉 ●●OBILITY in the m●n of Berea because 〈…〉 daily whether those things were so 〈…〉 ●●h●d which indeed had been a very igno●●● ●●sig●●● 〈…〉 of them had not the Scriptures been as a r●l● 〈…〉 know the truth of what was preached as it appears 〈…〉 it is said that therefore many of 〈◊〉 ●●eeve● 〈◊〉 7. ● 12. ●or which cause Christ bids the Jew ●earch●● Scrip●ure● saving That if they had beleeved the Scriptures ● ●oses th●y 〈◊〉 I have to beleeved on him Joh. 5.39.46 ●7 t● w●om 〈…〉 T●●t if they beleeved not in him the w●rds which he spake which are now in Scripture should judge th●m at the ●●●t day Jo. 12 4● 48. And saith Paul Sylvanus and ●●morh●us 〈◊〉 a●y man obey not OVR word by this Epistle which was ●●criou●● 〈◊〉 that man and have no company with him that he ●ay be ●h●ned now that the disobedience to the Scriptures should render men subjects of so great shame in this ●●fe and that 〈◊〉 the last day Christ should also judge them by it even the words which he hath spoken and yet not a rule now to walk by is altogether incredible the ways of God being just●and righteous altogether will might the Quaker be ashamed were he not given over to beleeve Lyes while hee affirms that the Scriptures is not a rule whereby to know the Will of Christ since Luke signifies no other end in his writing in order a Declaration of the sa●ings and loings of Christ but that the CERTAINTY THEREOF MIGHT BE KNOWN Luke 1.1 3 4. These are written that yee MIGHT BELEEVE Joh. 20.31 wherefore saith Christ O fools and slow of heart to beleeve all that the Prophets have spoken Oh then let us be wise like the holy men of old who esteemed the Scriptures holy in reference to the use thereof able to make MEN WISE TO SALVATION through faith which is in Christ it being profitable for Doctrin which in English is teaching for reproof for correction for instruction in righteousness that the man of God may bee perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3.15 16 17. yea so great was their respect to the Scriptures that though Peter was an eye witness of the Majesty of Christ in his Transfiguration upon the Mount wherein was presented the manner of his comming yet saith he We have a MORE SURE WORD OF PROPHECY that was in the Scripture as appears 2 Pet. 1.16 17.19 20. whereunto O friends we shall do well if wee take heed for whatsoever was written afore time was written for our LEARNING that we through patience and COMFORT of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15.4 Obj. The Scripture is not the rule saith Lawson for no man can come to the Son except the Father draw him and no man can come to the Father but by the Son Ans Gods way to draw men is by the cords of his great love manifested in Christ which the servants of Christ in Christs stead are to publish to the Nations perswading men thereby to bee reconciled to God and this is saith Paul as though GOD DID BESEECH YOU BY US 2 Cor. 5.20 the Saints indeed are said to be the called of God but saith Paul BY OVR GOSPEL 2 Thess 2.14 so also it is said of the Corinthians That they were called of God 1 Cor. 1.9 yet saith Paul In Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospel I have espoused you to one husband 1 Cor. 4.15 2 Cor. 11.2 and so it is that as God did speak unto the Fathers BY THE PROPHETS so now by his Servants in Christs stead who are to minister by his Spirit that which was FIRST spoken by the Lord himself Heb. 2.3 who spake not of himself but what God the Father commanded him and so it was that the Saints to their commendation received the words of the Apostle not as
Scriptures that Jesus was Christ is said MIGHTLY TO CONVINCE the Jews to which agrees Pauls direction to Timothy about Bishops signifying therein that he must be one able by SOUND DOCTRIN both to exhort and CONVINCE the gainsayers Tit. 1.1.9 according to which agrees the relation of the people dwelling at Jerusalem Act. 2.37 WHEN THEY HEARD THIS to with Peters powerfull preaching by the Spirit out of the Scriptures they were pricked at the heart thus was he a sower that went forth and went OUT to sow good seed into the hearts of men Luk. 8.5 but according to the sense of the Quaker the sower dwels in the ground the wicked world oh horrible confusion but it may be the Quaker will take some advantage because it is said a sower and not sowers but the wise will consider that there is no room in the least for an advantage against what here or elsewhere hath been said for by the parable of one lost sheep or one lost peece of silver Christ justifies his practice in companying with many Publicans and sinners Luk 15.1 2 4 8 therefore it follows not that Christ himself in men is the sower only though all is from him originally for the Apostles said 1 Cor. 9.11 WE have sown unto you spiritual things which they did in Christs STEAD 2 Cor. 5.20 Object Christ saith when the Spirit is come he shall reprove the World of sin of Righteousnesse and of judgement Joh. 16.8 Answ It is to bee observed that hee doth not say when hee is come in the World but having before verse 7. shewed the expediency of his going away said if I depart I will send him unto YOU that was his Disciples and when he is come that is to you for the World saith Christ CANNOT RECEIVE HIM Joh. 14.17 he shall reprove the World of sin by which Spirit when the Disciples had received it they went forth with all boldnesse and utterance plainly declaring the word of Truth perswading men OUT OF THE LAW OF MOSES AND OUT OF THE PROPHETS which was in Scripture from morning till evening Act. 28.23 with such power and wisdome as that the adversaries were not able to resist the Spirit by which THEY spake Act. 6.10 wherefore notwithstanding this objection I have not so learned Christ as to beleeve that the wicked hath this Spirit of promise dwelling in them when as Christ saith they CANNOT receive it what God may do by his Spirit for men at certain times especially where other means are wanting I here speak not against but against this conception of theirs viz. that the holy Spirit of God DWELS in all UNHOLY persons of the World as that which alone convinceth them of sin and of Righteousness Moreover saith Paul Rom. 3.20 by the Law is the KNOWLEDGE OF SIN yea that Law by the deeds of which no flesh shall be justified whereby the Apostle prevents the Quakers objection concerning his spirituall Law by which alone he saies men shall be justified and also saith Rom. 7.7 that he had not known sin but by the Law for saith he I had not known lust except the Law had said thou shalt not covet which Law he saith verse 6. they then were delivered from and verse 4. dead to James also being of the same Spirit told the Saints that in case they had respect to persons they would be by the Law the tenor of which was thou shalt not commit adultery thou shalt not kill CONVINCED as transgressors Jam. 2.9 10 11. yet saith Lawson the outward Law doth not convince man of sin and his reason is because Paul said that he was once alive without the Law not considering that persons in their childish and youthfull dayes which are vanity Eccles 11.10 may properly be said to bee without the Law though nurtured by them that have the Law whike they live in lusts coveting after every pleasant object of the eye not understanding the things of God but when the commandement comes to their understandings capable to comprehend such things then sin is revived and they dye and so remains till remission of sin is assured to them now in reference to those Gentiles that have not the written Law Paul saith that they HAVING NOT THE LAW marke that are a Law unto themselves which never was said to them or of them that had the written Law that is concerning such things as is held forth in the Law of Moses which saith the man that doth those things shall live by then Rom. 10.5 but the things relating to Faith in Christ we find was made known UNTO men by outward discoveries but something to this hath been already said The Quaker saith that the Scriptures are not a touchstone to try Spirits withall as saith Lawson in his book pa. 14. The summe of all concerning the Quakers esteem of the Scriptures is thus THEY OWN IT NOT A RULE WHEREBY THE WILL OF CHRIST MAY BE KNOWN NEITHER THAT WHICH SAINTS endued with the Spirit ARE TO PREACH FROM NEITHER THAT WHICH CONVINCETH OF SIN NEITHER THE TOUCHSTONE TO TRY SPIRITS WITHALL yet will they say that they own all the Scriptures from the beginning of Genesis unto the end of the Revelations but oh their shamefull deceit Now this last particular must needs be found short of truth because the Scriptures are found to be the rule now that which is the rule must needs be the tryer or touchstone to manifest unruly persons though it be true that there is a gift of the Spirit which discerns the unsound man yea by very slender appearances yet hereby is he not so to bee tryed as to be openly published and judged till some evident disobedience to the written Law and so by their fruits we must know them not he that saith Lord Lord or Light Light shall enter into the Kingdome but he that doth the will of the Father whose will is signified in the Scripture moreover when Christ had informed his Disciples of false Prophets and false Christs together with their works and sayings which should come hee said unto them take heed behold I have FORETOLD YOU ALL THINGS Mar. 13.23 ye that fear God consider how inexcusable we shall be found if when Christ hath so exprest his kindnesse in foretelling the danger and prescribing the manner of its appearance that we might escape it it I say we shall not take heed thereunto comparing the workings and sayings of men with this written Prophecy and so try the Spirits thereby have we not good ground to beleeve that these men are evilly disposed in that they refuse to come to the rule to be tryed what is not that to try men withall now which Christ will judge and try and judge men by in the last day the word that I have spoken saith Christ shall judge him in the last day Joh. 12.48 which word is witnessed to us in the Scripture but Lawson supposes this day to be now which is to try every mans work wherein the righteous
though we have known Christ after the flesh that is had esteem of him in reference to the fleshly birth-priviledged seed of whom he came as concerning the flesh Rom. 9.5 thus the Apostles knew Christ no more out rather as HE was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holine●e by the resurrection from the dead Rom. 1.4 and that Pauls intention in slighting the knowing after the flesh is after this manner is further evident Phil. 3.3 4. where he speaking of himself saith that if any man might trust in the flesh or have confidence in the flesh he might much more and his reasons are because he was circumcised the eight day of the stock of Israel of the Tribe of Benjamin c. vers 5. which plainly shews how men were known after the flesh in the old ministration which is now made void by the comming in of a more glorious ministration Object The flesh profiteth nothing saith Christ from whence t is likely the Quaker will object Answ Consider we find the Apostle Peter being one of them that Christ spake these words unto testifying that Christ hath once suffered for sins that he might bring us to God being put to death in the flesh but quickened by the Spirit 1 Pet. 3.18 now did not he even HE understand Christ though filled with his Spirit which was to guide them into all truth judge ye and withall consider the occasion of these words of Christ John 6.63 which was a proposed question by Christ himself as appears verse 62. what will ye say if ye shall see the son of man ascend up where he was before the flesh saith Christ profiteth nothing that is in reference to his personall tarryance with his Disciples for t is saith he the Spirit that quickneth which will not come unto you except I go away wherefore Christ perswadeth them that it was expedient for him to go away Joh. 16.7 that is to ascend up where he was before but as himself saith he must FIRST suffer many things Luk. 17.25 yea and it behoved him thus to suffer Luk. 24.46 and what doth this profit nothing God forbid for herein is the love of God manifested in that while we were yet sinners Christ dyed for us who at that time said to his Disciples that he gave HIS FLESH for the life of the World verse 51. that whosoever eat thereof and drink his blood that is as himself saith beleeveth on mee shall never hunger nor thirst verse 35. whosoever therefore loves him not let him be saith Paul Anathema Maranatha This may serve also to discover the unlearnednesse of Lawson who cannot confess that Christ is a distinct being from the Father though hee say John 14.28 my Father is greater than I unto whom he prayed lifting up his eyes unto Heaven John 17.1 who is now a MEDIATOR between God and men even the MAN Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2.5 now if Christ be not distinctly considered then how is he a mediator for Paul saith a mediator is not of one but God is one Gal. 3.20 wherefore by this the Quaker is but the more revealed what he is for consider the Spirit now dwelling in their flesh is also the Father and Son in their account and they look for him to come NO OTHERWISE as said George Fox before many witnesses the truth in Christ I speak and lye not and so are they found to be the ANTICHRIST that the Apostle speaks of denying the Father and the Son 1 John 2.22 in whose fear let us live not TOUCHING THE UNCLEAN THING The Quaker saying as aforesaid also saith and indeed cannot but say that Christ ascended not into Heaven with that body which God raised from the dead and glorified and Thomas Laucock being several times asked by mee where that Heaven was that Christ ascended up into and now was in he answered clapping his hands upon his breast saying WITHIN MEE WITHIN MEE Him whom the Jews crucified on the tree and slew God raised from the dead Act. 10.39 40. who being raised bid his Disciples behold his hands and feet bidding them also to handle him saying a Spirit had not flesh and bones as ye see mee have HEE that was raised again and THUS spake to his Disciples Luk. 24.39 HE led them out as far as to Bethany and HE lift up his hands and blessed him verse 50. and while HE blessed them 〈◊〉 ●●s parted from them and carried UP INTO HEAVEN 〈◊〉 51. and this is made good also by the Testimony of Stephen who said that hee saw the Heavens opened and the SON OF MAN standing on the right hand of God even Jesus whom God raised saith Paul from the dead 1 Thes 1.10 yea confirmed with his own Testimony Rev. 1.18 I am hee that liveth and WAS DEAD and behold I live for evermore wherefore I say as Peter said LET ALL KNOW ASSUREDLY that God hath made the SAME JESUS whom the Jews CRUCIFIED both LORD and CHRIST Act. 2.36 but if any be so obstinate and ignorant as to beleeve that Heaven is within these mens mortall and corruptible bodyes and that Christ whom the Jews crucified is now dwelling therein as his throne and there is a mediator between God and men let him bee let him bee ignorant still that which is said in the former particular manages this truth also The Quaker saith that some of them are already come unto the END OF FAITH this Thomas Lawson John Slee gave mee in writing which thing I denying they thought it advantagious to their cause to publish it Laws book pag. 10. This their affirmation gives us to understand what glory if I may say glory it is they expect and own and moreover by this we may most clearly discern their denyall of the resurrection for otherwise they cannot say with any pretence that they are NOW at the end of Faith wherefore our confidence towards God concerning a resurrection is alone sufficient to manifest the emptiness of this saying of theirs which they would establish from Pauls expression to Timothy ch 1.9 Who hath saved us c. but how according to his own purpose and grace given us saith Paul in CHRIST JESUS who is our life and when he shall appear THEN shall we appear with him in glory Col. 3.4 for unto them that LOOK for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation Heb. 9.28 in which day all tears shall be wiped awa● 〈◊〉 but Timothy who among others is said there to be saved was in 〈◊〉 even to tears wherefore Paul had a great desire to see him 〈◊〉 mindfull of his TEARS verse 4. in that day also all 〈◊〉 ●●ous and misery shall be done away but Timothy is exhorted 〈…〉 of afflictions and to endure hardnesse verse 8.2 3. more● 〈…〉 Paul the Scripture is able to make thee not hath made thee wise unto salvation c. yea and that which is more plain verse 5. Timothy is said to have
be which he signifies in these words the hour is COMMING not come and now is as he said before when he spake of rising from deadness in sin which had been true provided his meaning had been as the Quaker would have it for men were as really risen from sin then as now thirdly because some that rise out of the graves there spoken of are signified to rise fit for damnation but those that rise from sin are fit for salvation fourthly because othersome that rise or come forth out of the graves here spoken of are such as HAVE done good and so are subjects of life in reference to what they HAVE done before they rise from the grave which could not be so if it be meant the graves of sin for the wages of sin is death to this agrees the answer of Christ to the Sadduces question to wit whose wife of the seven she should be in the resurrection when they shall rise for saith Christ when they SHALL RISE from the dead c. signifying that should certainly rise again yea from that death which cannot possibly be understood a death in sin the nature of the question being considered also in the resurrection whereof Christ speaks they shall neither marry nor are given in marriage but are as the Angels of God Mar. 12.23 25. wherefore most plainly it appears that by these words Christ preached up the resurrection of the body for from the beginning persons risen from sin did marry and were given in marriage and after Christ spake these words it was accounted honourable by the Children of God and is now so to be to this agrees also the voice of the Prophet Isa 26.19 thy dead men shall live together with my dead body shall they arise and the earth shall cast out the dead and saith Daniel many that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake yea from such a death as some awakes from it to shame and everlasting contempt Dan. 12.2 and in this truth was Job well satisfied insomuch that he wished his words were printed in a book and graven with an Iron Pen in the rock for ever saying in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another though my reins be consumed within mee and after my skin worms destroy this body Job 19.23 24 25 26 27. Object Job saw God in his flesh saith Lawson with a spiritual eye before his returning to the dust Job 42.5 6. Answ Jobs testimony concerning his seeing God then is not to be slighted neither that of Abraham Isaac and Jacob who also and after the like manner talked with God and saw God yet they dyed in Faith NOT receiving the promises Heb. 11.13 the Prophet also bearing testimony saying though Abraham be IGNORANT of us and Israel acknowledge us not yet there is a time that shall come and will come spoken of by Christ Luk. 13.28 29. when Abraham Isaack and Jacob and al the Prophets with many that shall come from the East and from the West from the North and from the South and shall sit down in the Kingdome of God and to this agrees the words of Job speaking of his seeing God but the time when he intimates to be after his body was destroyed by worms and the consuming of his reins within him which had not been when he spake these words Job 42. read 1 Cor. 13.12 Moreover if it were true that these men were in the resurrection and so in the Kingdome as they say they are then should those that are thrust out in their account SEE Abraham and all the Prophets in the Kingdome with them in glory and themselves weeping and gnashing their teeth for so said Christ to the rebellious Jews Luk. 13.28 but this with many more things which shall appear in the resurrection now appears not yet will they say that they NOW are in the resurrection oh STRONG DELUSION The truth of this is yet further evident for saith Paul since by man came death by man came also the resurrection from the dead for as in Adam all dye even so in Christ shall all be made alive 1 Cor. 15.21.22 that is from that death occasioned by Adams sin which God tells us was a returning to the dust of that which was taken out of the dust or ground Gen. 3.19 which we know was the fleshly body of man which by reason of sin must dye but through Christ all shall be made alive again now wee know that all are not made alive from a spirituall death therefore the Apostle speaks not here of that but indeed of the fleshly bodies of men that are buried or sown into the earth even as the sown Corn which cannot hold comparison with any thing else of man which he testifies shall rise again saying that THIS corruptible must put on incorruption THIS mortall must put on immortality verse 53. marke not an immortal body of other matter but THIS which is now mortall now corruptible shall be made immortall incorruptible and so is made good the words of the Apostle Phil. 3.21 who shall change our VILE body that IT may be fashioned like unto his glorious body but the Quaker having another Spirit saies that it shall never come out of the grave but a lasse how greatly do they erre while they leave the Scriptures as not to be their rule wherein is clearly testified the conquest of the grave for saith the Lord Hos 13.14 O grave I will be thy destruction wherefore the Sea shall deliver up all that are in it Hell or grave shall deliver up all that are in it and death which feeds on many that were never buried in the earth or in the Sea shall also bee delivered up and so all shall come to judgement Rev. 20.13 this is certain for repentance is hid from mine eyes saith the Lord Hos 13.14 but according to the Quakers opinion the grave is the conquerer having got the bodyes of men in it and so holds them fast for ever saith Lawson that is originally the Devil but Christ in the Apostles account oh let him be also in our account even him who through death hath destroyed him that hath the power of death that is the Devil who will in his time ransome all from the power of the grave O remember Hymeneus and Philetus who are men branded with error for saying the resurrection was past already 2 Tim. 2.18 Object The Quaker saith this cannot be so because Paul saith flesh and blood connot inherit the Kingdom of God and thou sowest not that body that shall be but God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him Answ True it is that flesh and blood as now it is corruptible cannot inherit wherefore the Apostle afterwards saith that it must put on incorruption then shall it inherit the incorruptible inheritance and so is made good the comparison thou sowest not that body that shall be for we sow that is commit