Shame but that which causes Repentance grieving that we should so long as we have done put off the day There is only required for the condemnation of us the Judgment of our Adversaries their bare affirmation of the matter wherewith we are charged is enough to pronounce us guilty and to expose us to the publick hatred of the misguided World 7. Now to let the World know our Principles we shall do our endeavour to express our Faith in a larger Character than that in which we have but now declared it Not but that which William Pen has said is the substance of all that can be spoken But because all are not of equal Capacities and that the aforesaid word Doctrine is by Adversaries abused and we thereby rendred to hold such things as are repugnant to the Holy Scriptures we shall here do our endeavour to rend the Vail and dispel these Clouds which either has or may yet blind the mind and understanding of the Intellectual part of Man We believe that there is One only Heb. 11.6 Great Almighty Eternal and holy God Eph. 4.5.6 the Maker Creator and upholder of all things Nehem. 9.20 who has given a measure of his Spirit or Grace unto all Men by which they might come to know him the true God Gen. 1.1 the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ Joh. 1.9 Through this Grace we believe that Jesus Christ our Lord Tit. 2.11 was in the fulness of time manifest in flesh 1. Cor. 12.7 being Conceived of the Holy Ghost Born of a Virgin Mat 1.20 and made in all things like unto us 1. Tim. 6.13 sin only excepted That he witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate Act. 2.23.32 was condemned suffered the death of the Cross Heb. 10.12 was Buried and rose again the third day Ascended Heb. 8.1 and in his own glorious and Heavenly Body Eph. 1 2â— sits at the right hand of the Heavenly Majesty Phil. 7.9 And that this same Jesus God hath highly exalted and given him a Name above every Name Joh. 3.16 that whosoever believes in him Act. 4.12 should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3.16 and that there is no other Name under Heaven given among Men Joh. 11.26 whereby we must be saved We believe in the Holy Ghost Joh. 14.17.26 which is the Spirit of truth the Vnction or Anointing from the Holy One that he proceedeth from the Father Joh. 16.13.15 and will shew us things to come 1. Joh. 2.20.27 and that he beareth witness of the Son and will dwell both with us and in us and that he shall teach us all things and abide with us for ever Eph. 28. Through the teachings and demonstrations of this Holy Spirit we believe 1. Joh. 5.4 that as through faith in Christ we shall be saved so that by the vertue of that faith we shall overcome the World Tit. 2.12.14 and bring forth the blessed fruits of Repentance in an boly Life Eph. 1.7 We also believe that Sanctification is by the blood of Jesus Heb. 9.14 and that so far as we are sanctified so far we are justified and so far made the Righteousness of God in him Phil. 3.9.10 And we believe that the Righteousness of Christ is no otherwise imputed unto us but as we are true Believers and in conformity to his death and sufferings Heb 2.9 And that although Christ our Lord made his Soul an Offering for sin tasted death for every Man and is a propitiation for the sins of the whole World 1. Joh. 2.2 yet none receives the peculiar benefit thereof unless through faith in his name power 2. Thes 2.12 or spirit denying themselves and taking up the daily Cross Col. 3.5 they dye unto sin and live unto righteousness and so through a mortification of the deeds of the flesh come to witness a new Birth Tit. 3.5 and Regeneration in Spirit Joh. 4.23 We believe that the Worship of God is a Spiritual Worship Joh. 3.3.5 and that they that Worship him Rom. 6.4 must Worship in Spirit and Col. 2.11.12.14 truth and that we are Circumcised with the Circumcision made without hands Eph. 1.12 in putting off the Body of the sins of the flesh by the Circumcision of Christ Rom. 2.26.29 and in like manner Buried with him in Baptisin if we be also risen with him Philip. 3.3 through the faith of the opperation of God who hath raised him from the dead Eph. 2.15 And that he has blotted out the Handwriting of Ordinances which was against us which was contrary unto us and took it out of the way nayling it unto his Cross Col. 3.17 We believe that Prayer and Thanksgivings are incumbent duties 1 Thes 5.17.18 and holy Ordinances of Gods spiritual Worship to all the Worshipers in Gods holy Temple Prov. 2â— â— 27 but being performed and not in the sence and power of the holy Spirit and in the fear and dread of Gods great and glorious name Psa 50.16 they are not only sin but an abomination to the Lord. Isa 66.3 And we believe that the holy Scriptures are the Jer. 6.20 Declarations Amos. 5.22 Writings and Testimonies not only of holy Men but of the Spirit of Truth it self and that they ought to be read believed and practised 2. Tim. 3.15 being profitable for Doctrine reproof correction and instruction in righteousness that the Man of God might have comfort through the same be made perfect and throughly furnished unto all good works and through faith in Jesus Christ our Lord are able Joh. 5.28.29 to make wise unto salvation Lastly We believe the Resurection of the Dead both of the just 1. Cor. 15.16.17 and unjust the one to salvation to an Inheritance Incorruptible and undefiled which fadeth not away 1. Pet. 1.4 reserved in Heaven where our vile or low Bodies shall be changed Phil. 3.21 and fashioned like unto his glorious Body 2. Pet. 3.7 according to the working of his mighty power whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself the other to Condemnation and wrath Eph. 1.19 according to the Judgement of the great day 8. Having thus in few words given an account of our Faith without any Equivocation Mental Reservation or secret Evasion we must tell the Adversary in the words of our Lord that Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh By thy words thou shalt be justified and by thy words thou shalt be condemned Our good Confession then being fully agreeable with the tenour and sense of the holy Scriptures is not only an Evidence to our Salvation but also a matter of Justification thereby demonstrating that it is as well the intent and belief of our hearts as the expressions of our mouths And we think the Dilemma is
AN APOLOGY FOR THE Innocency and Iustice OF THE QUAKERS CAUSE AND A short ELUCIDATION of their PRINCIPLES With some Reflections upon J. IVES his PAPERS Written in the Behalf of the CHRISTIAN RELIGION By William Salmon Professor of Physick Non enim possumus quicquam adversus veritatem sed pro veritate 2 Cor. 13.8 Thanks be to God which giveth us the Victory through Our Lord Jesus Christ London Printed in the Year 1674. TO THE READER OMnia Flumina properant ad Mare nec tamen Mare impletur Although all was written which might be written yet would not the Enemies of the Truth be satisfied should an Angel appear from Heaven with an evident Demonstration of the Justice of this Cause the Adversarys would hardly be enduced to confess their Error although the Evidence thereof be crowned with their own belief Such an Impression has the Spirit of the Enemy of Mankind the Devil made in their Souls that they had rather at present lose the Salvation of them than embrace that which would Eternally make them happy and only because it is our Friend and has had mercy upon us But my Counsel and Advice is that they would while there is a day and time lay hold of the Truth if not for our sakes or the Truths sake yet for their own Souls sake there would be more Comfort found in one hours enjoyment of the sweet Influences of that holy Spirit although in the ministration of Condemnation than in many days and months years living senceless thereof or in opposition thereto People may feed themselves up with Fables put their trust in broken Reeds the strength of the Aegyptian Hosts but shall at length come to know it may be when it is too late what they have dispised and how they have slighted and done dispight to that which only and alone was able to save them It is them that walk in disobedience to the Holy Spirit and make a mock at its reproofs which Crucifie the Lord afresh and put him to open shame this did our Enemies but seriously consider might put a stop to their slanderous Tongues if they made never so little inspection into their own Lives and Conversations A small reflection upon themselves by the Light of the Divine Spirit would strike their Souls with horror for that they should go to tax others with Denying the Lord and themselves his daily Murtherers I have only one small Objection to remove out of the way and that has relation to my self that whereas the following Papers are written in the Plural Number and I have put my self in that Discourse into the Body of that People this is to inform in the first place that I there speak what I know is the Truth according to the faithful perswasion of my Soul and so abstractly consider the cause according to the Justice thereof that only and simply for the real Truth sake But in the second place knowing the equity of their Cause the Excellency Glory and Power of that Truth which they hold I also put that Discourse in the aforesaid stile as being really one satisfied therein and so having by that conjunction a just cause to appear in their vindication and so the Adversary may take me if he pleases if not in the other sense But which way soever let him charge only me for what I have writ as being immediately concerned and responsable for the same and I have hope I shall approve my self to that holy and just Spirit of Truth in Faithfulness thereunto and by the Power and Assistance thereof not only maintain and defend that Truth which in the following Lines I have appeared in vindication of but take a part and portion with that and them from hence forth and for ever Fastend of Pauls neâ—r the Free-School William Salmon AN APOLOGY FOR THE Innocency and Iustice OF THE QUAKERS CAUSE I. Of our Religion and Faith in general 1. IT was an eminent truth which was delivered by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that the Disciple is not above his Master nor the Servant above his Lord if they have called the Master of the House Beelzebub how much more them of his Houshold It is the Portion of the little Flock to suffer Persecution which the Devil and his Instruments were ever ready to present them withal not only by exquisite tortures of their Bodies and ruine of their Estates but also by the wounding of their Reputation if possible through the detraction of slanderous and malitious Tongues But as we have learned of our Master to go through good report and evil so that holy and Christian Spirit has taught us to rejoice and be exceeding glad when Men speak all manner of evil of us falsly for its name sake And indeed there is little reason to be given why we should not be partakers of his Portion who enduring the Cross despised the shame and suffered the contradiction of sinners since we expect to be sharers with him in his glory How have Men incensed themselves with madness and sury against our Religion and taken up a resolution to condemn us without so much as hearing the reasons we offer for our defence And think that all the Calumnies slanders and abuses which Ignorance and Envy can heap upon us to be infinitely less than what we deserve Be pleased then to take this following refutation in Paper since you are dull of apprehension or will not understand it by word of mouth This truth which we profess and defend seeks no favour at your hands since we are without hope to meet with any better measure than what her Enemies have formerly given Our Religion drawing its Original from Heaven is indeed a Stranger upon Earth where we conclude it must meet with as many Enemies as the Author thereof all that we desire is that it might not be condemned unknown which if any shall refuse they will not only stand charged with manifest injustice but may be justly suspected to act wilfully against the secret witness in their Consciences 2. It is Ignorance of the truth we profess which makes your Censures against us unjust you say we are no Christians but it is because you know not what Doctrines we hold it is that which blinds your eyes which renders your Judgements faulty were it a thing which ought to be hated yet nothing is more unjust than to speak evil of it before it is known It is not the evil of the thing but a Mans knowledge thereof which gives him a right to condemn it till when we fall not under the lash of your Judgement Did you know our Religion the holiness and Piety thereof you could not but embrace it unless you wilfully should refuse the offers of the saving health We our selves when ignorant as you are believed as you do but when we became informed we were necessitated to hate what we formerly loved and the Progress which truth hath made in our Souls has forced us to
impossible to be avoided Either what Christ our Lord spake is Truth or not Truth if Truth then our Confession is in some measure a demonstration of our Justification mangre all the spight and malice of our Adversaries but if they I not own it to be Truth that 's no proof against us while we are faithful Followers of our Master in that we have taken him for our Example and if followers of Christ then Christians But we hope the Adversary will not dare to give our Lord the Author and God of Truth the Lye or yet presume without the Inspiration and Revelation of the Spirit of Truth to give any Construction or add any meaning to those plain words of the Truth it self for fear if he has any fear of God before his eyes that God should add to him the Plagues which are written in that Book 9. The Adversary hath not yet nor indeed can he shew in the least measure any thing of a reason in opposition to what we urged once in a former Paper the which was this Whether what we say is our Faith ought not rather to be taken for our Faith than what our Adversary says it is since we better know what we believe than what another do's if yea wherefore should the Adversary say the contrary if nay wherefore should they or any else be any more believed in any of their Verbal Confessions than we or any other man since there is no reason that their credit should exceed in the least measure ours or any other persons This Argument we think not only unanswerable but also strong enough to make invalid what ever the Adversary can say in opposition to us and not only so but also force him to give himself the Lye It was indeed great Policy in him to decline that which he could not approach to evade those things which neither his Abilities nor Malice dare venture to oppose and to let all those things pass by in silence the bare remembrance of which might be enough perfectly to overthrow his Cause But alas I talk to them who say the Confession of our Faith in Scripture Language is an Old Art of Deceivers Surely the Christian Faith and Holy Scriptures were never thus abused before But this is that the Scripture might be fulfilled they shall say all manner of evil against you falsely for my name sake 10. It is Policy in him that intends to tell a Lye to tell such an one as might have some seeming probabilities of Truth with it and not such as almost the whole world knows to be a notorious Falcity thereby rendring themselves not only void of Honesty but also Wit Let but this Calumny of the Adversaries viz. That the Quakers are no Christians be but seriously considered and you will not only find it look like an egregious Slander but such an apparent Lye as that nothing in the world could be told to exceed it either in Matter End or Evidence I hope there is none thinks but that we believe we have Souls as well as others and that we desire hope for and seek after the Salvation of them as well as others do or at leastwise that we have as much reason to do it as any have And if so who should be so simple as to believe that we should jest with Heaven or trample underfoot the blood of the Covenant as an unworthy thing What Mortal can be so void of Reason as to imagine that we should despise or slight that which has sought us or deny him from whom we not only know we receive all our Mercies here but of whom we hope to have an everlasting Life hereafter and by whom we do believe we shall be made partakers of Glory and Heirs of an eternal Inheritance The Adversary could tell no greater a falcity of us than to say that we deny him who is more to us than all the World beside for whose sake we esteem nothing we have in this world and account all things loss that we may gain him and without doubt his end of speaking of it was only to render us odious to the world and to make us the mark for all to shoot their Arrows at that if possible we might be rooted out from off the face of the Earth This is the Adversaries Charity II. Reflections upon J. Ives his Papers in Particular 1. IN the Adversaries first Paper he lays down his Charges against the Quakers upon a Chalenge to meet them to dispute but more properly to rail and that with so much Confidence and Impudence as if he intended to make the world think he positively believed them himself the which I supose and am perswaded any sober and rational man would judge the contrary and really conceive it was Prejudice not his Faith which made him lay down those Assertions 2. He says that By force of Argument he had driven them to that strait that they could make no reply but the true reason of his not having a reply was because he could not be induced by any means to stay to hear William Pen make his Answer wherein was plainly detected his falshood and Calumnies and to salve that he says he was under some indisposition of Body a notable come off and so it is not to be doubted but he may always be when he sees he is like to come by the worst 3. He says We own such Books as contain in them Doctrines no way reconcilable to Scripture Language or Christian Religion but are destructive both of the one and the other but all the proof he gives us is his bare Affirmation he needs but only say so though nothing be more false he thinks it is a good means of rendering us odious to the world there is no Artifice so excellent with him as to dare and say he will do it that people which know not his Impudence may believe he can though nothing is more impossible to be done 4. In his second Paper he reiterates his Charges and instead of seriously considering and answering of a Paper sent to him by W. S. he makes a long descant because he put not his name at length and then at length taxeth the said W. S. with Contradiction in these words that the Adversaries Tongue was no slander with sober Citizens yet that he never met with more Lyes and Slanders in so few Lines All which may well be true for in respect of the falsity of the Adversaries words themselves they are both Lies and Slanders but in respect of their acceptation with some sober Citizens they might be no Slanders because of their not believing of them 5. And totally to avoid an Answer to the said Paper he relates some Opinions he holds as That the same Body which is now the Habitation of the soul shall rise again and enter with the Soul into everlasting joy or Torment But we query whether this Body must be corruptible and Earthly Elemental or not if Earthly or Elemental the Adversary
Contradicts the holy Scriptures which say Flesh and Blood shall in no wise inherit the Kingdom of God if not Elemental it loses its Accidents and then cannot be the same but do's as much differ as a Natural and Spiritual But with the Apostle Paul we say The Body that is sown is not the Body that shall be it is sown an Earthly but is raised a Spiritual the which Spiritual Body shall really be Our Body 6. He says that The Light in every man he should have said the Light of Christ which is the Light of the Spirit of the Living God but we will suppose that is his meaning for if it be not he there also wrongs us could never teach discover or reveal unto him that Christ was born of a Virgin and that he dyed and rose again though that Light did teach them that Lying Stealing Drunkenness and the like was sin yet it could not tell how God would Pardon and Save This is the greatest Presumption that ever I met withal to charge Gods Holy and Wiâ—e Spirit with inability as that because it do's not ordinarily do those things that therefore it cannot do them before our Lord was manifest in flesh it revealed not unto all that he should come and be born of a Virgin yet to some it did to wit to his Servants the Prophets and shall we believe that that Spirit which did reveal to some that Christ should come in such a manner could not if it so pleased the Divine Wisdome reveal the same to some others since he is come if there had deen no record thereof in being since his Arm is not shortned that he is God and changes not but is the same to day yesterday and for ever But thanks be to God the Record of the Son of God is left amongst us yet I ask the Adversary one Question How he knows that Record to be Truth except that God has revealed it to him by his Holy Spirit which he so slights and dispises 7. He saith that Every man in the world is not enlightned with the Light of Christ because that the Scripture saith that many are in darkness and stumble and have no Light in them Here the Adversary contradicts not us but the Scriptures and gives the Holy Spirit which dictated them the Lye for they testifie that that Light which John came to bear witness of was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1.7 8 9. The Adversary Errs not knowing the Scriptures nor the Power of God We doubt not but many do quench the Holy Spirt else how should the Candle of the wicked be so often put out there may be a time in which the Spirit of the Lord may cease striving with man because that he is flesh and may give him up to strong delusions and to believe a Lye that he might be damned but the reason is because he believed not the Truth but had pleasure in Unrighteousness Who are they that daily Crucifie afresh the Lord of Glory and put him to open shame to whom is he a Stone of stumbling and a Rock of Offence to them who shall stumble and fall and be broken and be snared and be taken From whom was the Talent or capacity of Salvation taken away but from him that had not improved it yet it appears by the Context he had a time of receiving of it The fault is not in the Giver for he without respect of Persons gives to all but in him to whom the offer is made that he accepts it not There is a great difference between Lumen Illuminatio and Illuminatus between the thing it self the action of the thing and the matter upon which it operates The Light and Spirit of God is a free gift to all and because it is a living and active thing it cannot but enlighten all and so without doubt it do's that they might reap benefit thereby in the first place till such time as the heart waxes gross that man stops his ears and closes his eyes lest he should see with his eyes and hear with his ears and understand with his heart and should be converted and healed and in this state man is not only said to be without Light or true understanding but also without God in the world and in that sense he is said to be without God because he is not with him nor joyned to him in his Spirit but is at a distance and opposition with him But yet his Judgment and Condemnation follows such And we have one reason more to believe that the Grace of God has appeared to all men not because that wicked men turn it into wantonness and set at nought the reproofs threof Prov. 1.23 25. But because that God might be just when he judges and man might be left without excuse when he condemns for that he gave unto him his good Spirit but he rebelled against it Nehem. 9.20 26 33. Psal 51.4 Prov. 1.29 30 31. which Spirit persues the Rebellious to the Pit of Misery 8. He saith that men may sin out all sence of sin and become dark and have no light in th m The first part of this Assertion is very strange and positively contradicts the very Letter of the Holy Scripture for to those that were so bad as that they had transgressed after all the Abominations of the Heathen which mocked the Messengers of God dispised his Words and misused his Prophets yet the Lord sent to them his Messengers rising up betimes and sending them because he had compassion on them even so long till there was no remedy till the very time that his wrath brake forth upon them 2 Chron. 36.14 15 16. And the Apostle Paul saith That those which did not like to retain God in their knowledge who were given up to a reprobate mind and were filled with all Vnrighteousness Fornication Covetousness Wickedness Maliciousness full of Envy Murther Malice Debate Deceit Malignity Whisperers Backbiters Haters of God Dispiteful Prowd Boasters Inventers of evil things disobedient to Parents without Vnderstanding Covenant breakers without Natural Affection Implacable and Vnmerciful that these knew the Judgments of God that they which commit such things are worthy of Death yet notwithstanding did not only do the same but also had pleasure in them which did them Rom. 1.28 29 30 31 32. As to the last part of this Assertion and the next following in his Paper we have fully answered in the preceding Paragraph 9. The next thing the Adversary urges for is a Dispute as though it was impossible for him to prove his Charges in any other way Either the Adversary can prove what he asserts or he cannot If he can prove what he says and will not without a Publick Dispute it argues his want of Charity for who is he that has any thing of Christian Charity in him that shall see another in the Paths of Error and in the way that leads to the eternal destruction of
his Soul and will not inform him of it unless the Person so misled be willing to be subservient to his way of doing it O no unless he will condescend to my way of doing of it he shall be damned he shall perish this is the Charity of the Adversary with whom we deal not only to root us off from the face of the Earth but to cut us off from heaven also if so be it lay in his power O! prodigious kindness surely it is as Elijah said he is a God cry aloud to him But if the Adversary cannot prove his affirmation then it will appear that his Charges are not only horrid Lyes of an immeasurable Latitude but also the Productions of Malice whose Center is Hell it self 10. He now comes to speak to my Paper but yet not one word of Answer to what I desired The chief matter which he says is that I use an uncivil Dialect with high Rants and boasting Rhodomontadoes insult over my Adversary and that I can Encounter him and all his abettors and that this my undertaking is in the name of that despised People called Quakers To which I Answer The speaking of truth is no uncivil Dialect to tell a Lyer he lyes are but the words of truth the same Spirit which taxes me with uncivil Language would without doubt have charged Paul with the same when he said to Elymas the Sorcerer O full of all subtilty and mischief thou Child of the Devil thou Enemy of all Righteousness c. It is not plain Language and Truth which makes a Dialect uncivil but the affirmation of Lyes and therefore the Adversary's Accusation is returned upon himself again he talks of high Rants and boasting Rodomontadoes but they are his own till he hath proved his Assertions the Adversary although in his altitudes sees not himself and yet pretends he sees all others he needs not say that that is the way of our resuting our Adversaries whilst his own way whether of refuting or proving is only by accusing and confidently affirming upon no greater credit than his own ipse dixit that his protestations are true He is the insulter who would force our belief without demonstration and make us subject our reason to what our sences only are able to evince a salcity He tells me that I say that I can Encounter him and all his abettors but leaves out the former of my words viz. through the assistance of the Divine Power by which it appears the Mans only intention is Slander and Infamy He says that I say I did it in the name of that despised People called Quakers and what then must a Man deny the truth because Slanderers and Lyers despise it Is iâ— not the duty of a Christian to embrace that which the World is not worthy to receive But I talk to Prejudice and Folly for should he be bray'd in a Morter I see little hopes of his learning to speak the truth or probabilities of his amendment 11. He says The former words were Reasons of Inducement to make him believe me to be a Quaker but upon Inquiry of Samuel Newton and others they did say that they did hear my Conversation was not answerable to my Profession and that they did disown me Since which I have spoken with Samuel Newton and he affirms that he neither heard nor spake any such words but says he is very much abused therein It is to be feared that it is his design to tax the Conversations of other men with Guilt to cover the Infamy of his own and by disparaging Language to wound the Reputation and Credit of those whom he has a particular design to abuse He says he had the same report of others also but what these others are he either may not or cannot tell however who or whatsoever they were having found already that he has belyed Samuel Newton I have as much ground to believe that his slanderous tongue has done the same by those too 12. This Accuser because that he understands that I am a Professor of Physick would fain Insinuate to the world that my particular and private interest not my love to the Truth was the only motive and induction of my appearing in the behalf thereof this day Certainly this man measures the honesty and actions of every man by his own he was resolved that if what he had said before would not disparage me enough this should if that he had not told a lye big enough he would strain a little more to tell a bigger as far as I can perceive it is the only Art in which his chief Excellencies lie The opposition of his belief concerning me and belying and slandering of my Reputation and Credit he thinks may pass for an answer to me an excelent way of encountring with irrefutable Arguments Who should believe or credit a man that is false to his own Principles who could blame with Cowardise and Temporising his Brethren Pitman and Shewwell and tell them in a Letter he wrote to them That they had quitted the cause of Righteousness and ways of Holiness complying with the Precepts of men because they had taken Oaths which is indeed contrary to the Principles of Christianity and yet he himself our present Accuser in about five days after to avoid suffering not only did the same but also justified his Apostacy as more fully may appear in Samuel Fishers Antidote against Swearing in Calce Libri 13. But why should the Accuser tax me in respect of the Interest of my Profession since had I designed Interest I could have espoused that which should have been very much a greater than this whose Appendices should have been accompanied with worldly Glory and Repute but contrarily meerly for the Truths sake I have chosen that wherein I can look to meet with only Contempt and Ignominy to be made the Scorn and Mock of the World and instead of gaining Interest and External Happiness can expect nothing but Persecution Contumely and Reproach Surely no man that has reason would judge but that if I had made my Interest my end but that I could have made a much better choice had the love of the World been my design I would have had my eye upon that which to the appearance of Reason might in some measure have answered my expectations and not upon a despicable People which the World tramples upon and make the off-scouring of all* things I have now done hoping I have said enough to that which I can never expect should be just to me since it has been so unjust to it self III. An Explication of our Principles by way of Question and Answer 1. WHat is the way of God The way of God is the way of Holiness and Truth the way of Salvation Isa 26.7 a way of Uprightness Joh. 14.6 that leads to an Eternal Life It is a plain and easie way not hard and difficult to be understood but a way in which the wayfaring man Isa
35.8 although a fool if he walks therein cannot err 2. How shall this way be known It is to be known by the Revelation of the Son Mat. 11.17 John 3.35 Gal. 1.16 to whom all things are delivered which Revelation is in us by vertue of the Eternal and Holy Spirit of Truth 3. How shall the Spirit of Truth be known from the Spirit of Error It may be known according to that direction delivered in the Holy Scriptures by this may the Spirit of Truth be known from the Spirit of Error Joh. 16.8.13 because it reproves the world of sin so when any one finds in himself the Convictions and Reproofs of sin let him know it is by the discovery of the Spirit of Truth which Spirit will guide and lead all them that follow it into all Truth when I tell a lye that which discovers this to me is the Holy Spirit if I deal deceitfully Rob Murther or be tempted to any of these things that which discovers and reproves these things is this Holy Spirit by which if we suffer our selves to be guided we shall be lead and guided out of those things and gradatim as we become obedient to the motions thereof we shall be able with the Apostle Paul to say 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plusquam victores sumus we are more than Conquerours Rom. 8.13.14 37. The knowledg of this then is that which leads to the knowledge of God and is that by which the deeds of the Body are to be mortified Gal. 4.5.6 7. and by which we also witness the Adoption of Sons 4. By what other names is this Spirit of Truth known or called It is called the Grace of God which bringeth Salvation teaching us Tit. 2.11 that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present world John 14.26 It is called the Holy Ghost which shall teach us all things Joh. 16.8 The Comforter which shall reprove the world of sin of Righteousness and of Judgment 1 Joh. 2.27 The Anointing which is in us and abideth with us that no man need to teach us John 1.9 The Light which lighteth every man which cometh into the world Christ formed in us Gal. 4.19 when it comes to rule and have dominion in us and by many other names according to the state condition and growth of the Soul therein Isai 4.4 as the Spirit of Judgment and Burning when it comes to purge purifie and cleanse the Soul and destroy the sin thereof Jud. 24.25 A Saviour when it has Redeemed and keep the Soul not only out of sin but also from falling Mat. 1.21 The Breasts of Consolation when the Creature through obedience comes to witness a new Birth and to lie down in the will of the Father Isa 66.9.10.11.12 and is made partaker of the dayly incomes of the Spirit of Life in satisfaction and enjoyment thereof and by many other the like names 5. Have all men received a measure hereof Yea All men have received a portion thereof Isa 52.10 Ps 98.2.3 some one Talent some two and some five more or less according to the good pleasure of the the Giver Luk. 3.6 This Grace the Apostle Paul saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Tit. 2.11 Apparavit omnibus hominibus 1 Cor. 12.7 hath appeared unto all men and it was given to them to profit withal Eph. 3.12 that when they come before the Judgment Seat of God Rom. 1.19 20. they might either appear with boldness or be left without excuse 6. If all men have received thereof what is the reason that all are not saved by it or is it insufficient It is not insufficient but is the power of God to Salvation Isa 63.10 but the reason why all men are not saved by it 1 Tim. 1.19 is because they refuse its reproofs and will have none of its Instruction but making shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience turn the grace of God into wantonness upon whom God shall not be slack Eph. 5.5 6. but render Vengance in flames of fire whose destruction is just 7. What do's this Holy Spirit teach us It Teaches us to know and fear the Lord our God and to love and obey him all the days of our Lives the knowledge of whom is life Eternal and the fear of whom is to depart from evil which is the beginning of Wisdome the love of whom is peace and joy in the Holy Ghost and the obedience to whom gives us the fulness of an assureance for ever more 8. What do's the knowledge of God teach us It teaches us the knowledg of the Son of God Luk. 1.27.31 which in the fulness of time was conceived of the Holy Ghost and born of a Virgin and made in all things like unto us sin only excepted Gal. 1.51.16 For so the Apostle Paul saith when it pleased God to reveal his Son in him 9. By what ways and means do's God usually reveal his Son to the Sons of Men Various ways sometimes by the immediate Inspiration of his Spirit Isa 7.14 and so he revealed him to his Prophets of old that he should come Mat. 1.23 and how and after what manner sometimes by the mouths of his Servants the Prophets and so them which received their Testimony by the witness of the Spirit of God in themselves Heb. 1.1 came also through faith to look to him which was to be after made manifest in flesh Luk. 2.26.30 To others by his real appearance in flesh according to the many faithful promises of God who having purged our sins Heb. 1.3 is set down on the right hand of the Majesty on high Joh. 1.14 And lastly to us by the witness of the holy Record the Scriptures of Truth by which we know he is come Luk. 2.7 and that he has given us a dispensation of the Spirit of Truth Mat. 2.1 even the Anointing which shall teach us all things 1 Cor. 12.7 which holy Unction beareth witness to that Record 1 John 2.27 whereby we know it is Truth which twofold cord we think is not easily broken 10. Why did God leave that Record amongst us Because it was his good pleasure 2 Tim. 3.16 to teach us and inform us and to direct us to his holy Spirit which gave that forth that by it we might be lead and guided into all truth and for the same reason that he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers Eph. 4.11 12 13 14. for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come into the Unity of the Faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ 11. If that Spirit be sufficient what need
is there of Scriptures Ministers Teachers and the like Though the Spirit or Anointing be sufficiently able both to teach and reveal yet by reason of the darkness of mens minds John 14.26 and understandings being alienated from the life of God Eph. 4.18 through the Ignorance that is in them it was necessary to have the witness and directions both of the Scriptures Jer. 1.5 and Gods chosen Vessels some of which were sanctified in the womb for that purpose as Jeremiah to direct them to the knowledge of that Holy Spirit Isa 49.1.5 which shall lead them into all Truth And because the Spirit of Truth is the same in all and answers through every Vessel as face answers face in a glass 2 Pet. 1.12 therefore the Saints of old were not negligent to put us always in remembrance of these things though we know them and are established in this present Truth 12. What is the Office of the Spirit of Truth The Office of the Spirit of Truth is to Reprove to Teach and to Sanctifie Rom. 15.16 It Reproves of Sin of Righteousness and of Judgment It teaches us the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ It Sanctifies in body soul and Spirit through Faith in his holy name 13. How does it Reprove It Reproves by witnessing in our Consciences against all our evil ways in thought word Ro. 1.32 Eph. 5.5 and deed testifying against and condemning the same showing that all such as do those things are worthy of death and can have no inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God 14. How does it teach It teaches us by the example of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ to deny our selves and take up the daily Cross that as he dyed and offered one Sacrifice once for all for sin even the sins of the whole world so we also every one in particular should dayly dye to sin that through a mortification of the deeds of the the flesh we might come to witness a holy life in all righteousness in Spirit a new Birth a new man a new life in which Christ only rules and dwells all which is only to be known through the sanctification of the whole intire being 15. How does this Spirit Sanctifie It Sanctifies through Faith in the name of the dear Son of God which faith brings forth a lively hope by which the heart is purified as God is pure and if this Purification be not witnessed the faith is very much to be questioned for the true faith being grounded upon Knowledge and that Knowledge upon the Revelations of the holy spirit must needs have a purging force for who is he that shall really believe from a present Knowledge of the same the wrath of God to be revealed against the man of sin and all manner of unrighteousness of men and shall come to know the terrors of the Lord who is able to cast into Eternal Flames and yet shall persist on in their Wickedness what Vigor what force has the true Faith in it what a strong cord is that which holds the Anchor of hope no less than the possession of an Eternal Inheritance an Everlasting life in an Immense Ocean of Joy and unspeakable satisfaction in the Lord in the presence and communion of his Saints and holy Angels 16. How does this Faith Operate in the Soul There are several ministrations and dispensations and yet by the same Spirit the ministration of Condemnation which is a gloriouswork is first to be known Mount Sina is the way that tends to Mount Sion there is a Wilderness between AEgypt Canaan the Thunders the Jugments the Terrors are first to be past through before the feet of that Messenger which brings the Message of the glad tydings of Peace can be known there is nothing but the death of the first life can satisfie the wrath Isa 52. 7. and that Life that Spirit that Power is that which makes the Attonement and makes the Soul lay hold thereof thus the new Birth comes to be known the holy Life to be witnessed and that to appear which can behold the Mercy-Seat with open face Till then the Cherubims which are in number two according to the two dispensations of the Law and Gospel which are beaten out of the Mercy Seat and Figure out the Condemnation of the said dispensations Rev. 11.5.6 do like the two Witnesses out of whose mouth Fire proceedeth and who have power to smite the Earth with Plagues still remain 17. This Christian Pattern seems to be very hard how far must we go before we can enter into the good Land The work of Condemnation is first to be gone through before an enterance into the good Land can be administred mean season with Moses as a Servant upon Mount Nebo mayest thou have a sight thereof behold the excellency and the goodness thereof have great knowledge and openings of the Divine Life and infinitely desire it yet have no admittance till the vail of flesh is put off till the low carnal mind which is for death is dead and buryed till nothing but the pure part remains till even the Perfection of Holyness comes to be known 18. How Is perfection to be expected in this Life Yes And if our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ speak truth without any difficulty Mat. 11.30 Take my yoak upon you for my yoak is easie and my burthen light the which is confirmed by the mouth of the beloved Desciple who saith his Commandments are not grievous 1 Joh. 5.3 and what are his Commandments Be ye perfect as your Father in Heaven is perfect love one another which Love saith the Apostle Paul is the bond of perfection to which he often exhorts the Saints But let us a little consider this Perfection more narrowly In what do we offend daily doubtless you will answer in thought or word or deed he then that offends not in one of these three is a Perfect man but saist thou how can this be I answer thee The God whom we worship and adore is an Almighty God and through his Almighty Power is not only able to keep us from falling Jud. 24. but also faultless and shall we mistrust his Power shall we doubt his Almightiness No No. How shall we do then I 'le tell thee thou must watch the Command is given to all I say saith the Lord watch Thou saist thou canst not how then that is true of thy self thou canst not the Psalmist saith Except the Lord keep the City the Watchmen watch in vain Thou hast many enemies to contend withal thou art but newly got out of Aegypt how shalt thou venture to engage them the answer is short and ready stand still wait and thou shalt see the Salvation of God since thou canst do nothing that is good go not backward rather stand still that good Spirit that has brought thee one step onward of the way if but barely out of Aegypt he
undone state 'T is true as God begins to work the Evil one works also the slavery of Israel seems to be heavier till God by a powerful Hand and a strong Arm binds the power of the Adversary till he brings the soul from under his dominion And this is understood first in the discovery of sin Secondly in the Reproofs for it and then in the drawings of Gods Spirit wherein if man although he can act nothing that is good yet if he can but stand still and only look on he may be caught before he is a ware as a firebrand out of the fire and the soul seeing its misery will then begin to groan under the bondage of its corruptions at the gronings of which the compassions of God will be stretched forth and his bowels of loving kindnesses will be extended and his Arm will be made bare to work a deliverance out of Aegypt from under the domination of the power of sin Thus will the Soul be brought into a wilderness and into a Warfare where as God of old accompanied his people in a Pillar of Cloud by day and of Fire by night so also now will he accompany them by his Holy and Saving Spirit by which he will give them the knowledge of his Law as afore time at Mount Sina wherein the Condemnation Wrath and Terrors of God against the whole man of sin comes to be known and under the banner of which man must walk till he comes to possess the blessed Inheritance as once the Apostle Paul said the Law is our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ Thus we at length following the Lord which draws us come neer to the good Land come to view and see it to behold the excelency and goodness of it and also to tast of the fruits thereof and now and not till now he sets before us life and death and the will now comes into a certain equal capacity of chosing of either the excellency of what we hope for is set before our eyes God puts us into the capacity of chosing either good or evil before he sets the choice before us and gives us the priviledge of embracing of that which the freedome of our wills inclines us to wherein if we choose death our blood is upon our own heads and the Lord our God is clear And what now could the Lord do more for us he would but we will not he did not say to us when we were in Aegypt dead in trespasses and sins this day have I set before you life and death chose you whether but he first quickned us when we knew him not and brought us into the capacity of chosing and then set life and death before us from whence forward if we dye our destruction is of our selves 23. What is not God Almighty is not he stronger than we cannot he which brings to the borders and sight of the good Land bring into it Yes he can and will bring all that chose the good into the possession thereof but he brings not man thereinto against his will for he gives him the freedome of his choice he that would enjoy life and be everlastingly happy must love and follow the Lord God with all his heart and with all his Soul and with all his might and with all his strength 24. Wherefore is it then that some chose death and perish The Answer is because of an evil heart of Unbelief the way is strait and narrow difficult to flesh and blood there are many thorns to be trampled upon and many crosses to be borne and much to be denyed that is very dear to the flesh and although the land seems to be a good and pleasant Land and infinitely to be desired yet the difficulty of attaining of it the hardships which are to be met with in the way to it and the hopelessness of entering therein seem as so many Hydra's to deter the soul and to stave it off from so much as hoping much less striving after its everlasting happiness and this is the sad condition of all those who consult with flesh and blood and have taken up a liking to and a pleasure in the sading delights and glorys of this world who think that the ways of sin are casie and the paths thereof broad and so take up through the reception of the evil report of the good Land a resolution to return back again like the Dog to the Vomit and the Sow which was washed to the wallowing in the Mire the end of whom is fearful and miserable 25. There are many ways in the World every one says they are in the right now since there can be but one right way how shall he which never knew the true escape the false He that would find the true and escape the false must come to know that which neither can deceive nor be deceived which is the holy Spirit of Truth which as is already said is that which reproves the world of sin and by the same to know the Son the belief in whom is eternal life this Faith if true is that which overcomes the world and through Christ our Lord gives us the Victory and makes us partakers of that new which is the true and living way which Jesus the Author of a better Testament than the Old has consecrated with his blood and he which comes into this Faith comes into the true way which is not in names and terms and distinguishing Titles nor in Sects nor in Opinions or any reproachful Epithite but consists in holyness and the fear of the Lord in standing and abiding in the holy life and councel of God and till people come into this they are all out of the way We desire you not to be Quakers but to come to know and believe in this and to walk as Christ our Lord and Master walked before us and then you need not doubt but to be Christians which is indeed what we are and what we indeed desire all to be 26. Tell me plainly what mean you by Jesus Christ We mean what the Scriptures mean Col. 1.16.22 him that is before all things him by whom the world was created even all things which are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible Eph. 3.19 whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principalities or Powers even him which in the fulness of time was manifest in flesh born of a Virgin Heb. 1.10 who having made peace through the blood of the Cross do's reconcile all things unto God whether things in Earth Act. 2.36 or things in Heaven and in the body of his flesh through death to present us holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight if we continue in the Faith grounded and setled Col. 1.22.23 and be not moved away from the hope of the Gospel which we have heard 2 Thes 2.16 and was preached to every creature under heaven This is he whom we mean this is he in whom we believe
Cant. 5.16 this is our Beloved and this is our Friend O Daughters of Jerusalem 27. What mean you concerning the Seed and how many Seeds are there The Seed to whom the Promise is made is Christ Gal. 3.16 the Seed of the Woman which should bruise the Serpents head Isa 62.2 But there is an off-spring of God even the workmanship of his hands Deut. 28.2 which that Seed comes to redeem Isa 61.8.9 the lost Souls of poor fallen man which when that Redemption comes to be known is also called by its name that Redeems it for that was the Promise of God Eph. 3.15 and thou shalt be called by a new name which the mouth of the Lord shall name even by the name of thy God Isa 65.9.15 which Moses said all the people of the earth shall see and this is that Seed with whom God makes an everlasting Covenant even the Seed which God hath blessed the Seed which God brings forth out of Jacob and out of Judah the Elect chosen people which shall inherit his holy Mountain 28. Is Immediate Inspiratition Revelation ceased or no No Eph. 1.17 It is that which Paul prayed for that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory might give unto the Saints the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation It is the Inspiration of the Almighty which gives us an understanding Job 32.8 who revealeth to us deep and secret things Dan. 2.21 And that Spirit in all Ages saith Solomon entering into holy Souls Wisd 7.27 makes them friends of God and Prophets Isa 29.11 And without this Inspiration the Scriptures and things of God cannot be known or understood 1 Cor. 2.10 11 12. for no man knows the things of God but the Spirit of God and he to whom the Spirit reveals them till when the Scriptures are but a Sealed Book Eph. 1.13 4.30 which neither the Unlearned nor Learned can read till the opening of the Seal which is the Spirit of Truth by which we also are Sealed to the day of Redemption 29. What is it to believe in the name of Christ and what is the effects of that Faith To believe in the name is to live Hab. 2.4 to live the life of Righteousness and Holyness Heb. 10.38 without which none can ever see the Lord now the true Faith is known by the effects thereof Rom. 1.17 for that gives victory over the world 1 John 5.4.5 3.3 and brings forth a lively hope which purifies the heart as God is pure 30. To whom is the Righteousness of Christ imputed Only to them which believe Act. 13.39 who walk not after the flesh Rom. 3.22.25 4.22.23.24 but after the Spirit who bear in their bodies dayly the dyings of the Lord Jesus Heb. 10.29 But he that walks after the Flesh fulfilling the Lusts of the same tramples underfoot the blood of the Covenant as an unworthy thing and makes the death of Christ to himself of none effect 31. What mean you by Sanctification and of Justification and how are they distinguished Sanctification is by the Spirit of God 1 Thes 2.13 and blood of Jesus our Lord and it is a making holy as it is written Rom. 15.16 thou shalt be an holy people to the Lord thy God Heb. 10.29 and he that is Sanctified comes to be justified for they are Concomitants in the work of Regeneration for the unsanctified or wicked man I will not justifie saith God Ex. 19.6 1 Pet. 2.9 Ex. 23.7 and they are chiefly distinguished in name as the cause and effect that Gods faithfulness might appear who will not acquit the guilty person 33. But Wherefore doth Paul say who Justifieth the ungodly The Speech is Tropical by a Metonymia of the subject Rom. 4.5 in which place the word ungodly is put for a Believer as the following words inculcate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Imputatur fidei ejus ad justitiam his Faith is counted to him for Righteousness So that he is called ungodly only in respect to what he once was before he believed and not what he is by Faith 34. Can the Creature be perfectly Sanctified seeing John saith 1 Joh. 1.8 If we have no sin we deceive our selves and the truth is not in us It is falsely Translated for the Verb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is the Subjunctive Mood governed by the Particle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 si and the Preterimperfecttense of the same Mood ar appears by the ninth verse where he saith If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and how can that be if at the same time we cannot say we haue no sin the version should be thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Si dixerimus quod peccatum non haberemus nos ipsos seducimus If we say we have had no sin we deceive our selves and it is so rendred by Beza non est nobis peccatum to which Tremelius agrees nos peccatum non habere and I think out of the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established 35. What think you of Good Works They are the fruits of the Spirit the effects of the true faith and although that man is not saved by Works but by Faith yet he cannot be saved without them Jam. 2.22 for it is as impossible that the true Faith should be where the effects of it are not as that God should deny himself 36. What hold you of Prayer and Thanksgiving They are only to be done by that Soul which comes to dwell in the Life of Jesus 1 Thes 1.1 and 5.17 18. Jam. 1.5 6 7. and to dye dayly to Sin for to such God opens himself and then they see and know what they want and what to ask for and asking in Faith are fully assured that they shall receive the same at the hand of the Lord The Prayers and Praises then are presented to God from the Soul by the Holy Spirit which makes them a Sacrifice of sweet Savour in his Nostrils and then the Creature comes to seee that the Sacrifices of the wicked are not only sin but an abomination to the Lord. Prov. 21.28 And thus receiving an answer from God the Soul returns him a sacrifice of thanksgiving which is acceptable in his sight It is dreadful to appear before God with poluted hands and a wicked heart 37. How are the holy Scriptures to be understood By the Spirit only that gave them forth to which they are a Testimony and stand as a witness against all the wickedness and evil ways of men and all unrighteousness 2 Pet. 1.20 2 Tim. 3.16 and every evil work which is acted against God and the appearance of his holy Spirit 38. Tell me what you think of the death of Christ It was the means by which God was pleased to redeem