really believe that the Scriptures the Old and New Testament were written by the Holy Men of God as they were moved thereunto by the Holy Ghost And we do believe whatsoever things were written afore-time were written for our Learning that we through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have hope Rom. 15. 4. And we do believe That the Scriptures are able to make wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus mark through Faith which is in Christ Jesus And in this the Scripture is profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all Good Works 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. Now here we may see that it is through Faith in Christ Jesus that the Scriptures are profitable unto us But we do not remember that the Scriptures in any place do say they are the Written Word Will and Mind of God or the Only Rule of Faith Worship and Manners and therefore we do desire Joseph Hallett or any other man to prove it by Scripture if they can But this we do find that Jesus Christ is called the Word of God in several places in the holy Scriptures for John saith In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God the same was in the beginning with God all things were made by him and without him was not any thing made that was made John 1. 1 2 3. Now here it is plain that the Apostle called Christ the Word of God for it cannot be reasonably supposed or said that the Scriptures were in the beginning with God or that the Scripture was God or that all things were made by them for what we understand Moses did write the first five Books which was many hundred Years after the beginning So that it is plain that Christ is the Word of God by whom the Worlds were framed Heb. 11. 3. So now we would not have any to be ignorant of this That by the Word of God the Heavens were of Old and the Earth standing out of the Water and in the Water 2 Pet. 3. 5. And John hath written in the Revelations of this Word of God for he saith I saw Heaven opened and behold a White Horse and he that sate upon him was called Faithful and True and in Righteousness he doth Judge and make War his Eyes were as a Flame of Fire and on his Head were many Crowns and he had a Name written that no man knew but he himself and he was cloathed with a Vesture dâ—pt in Blood and his Name is called the Word of God Rev. 19. 11 12 13. And this is The Word of God which is quick and powerful and sharper than any two edged Sword piercing even to the dividing assunder of Soul and Spirit and of the Joynts and Marrow and is a Discerner of the Thoughts and Intents of the Heart Heb. 4. 12. Now this Word of God is nigh unto People even in the Mouth and in the Heart Rom. 10. 8. And this Word of God to wit Christ Jesus doth declare the Mind and Will of God and is the only Rule of Faith Worship and Manners For if we say that these afore-mentioned things are things of God then the Apostle saith The things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God And he farther saith Now we have received not the Spirit of the World but the Spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God 1 Cor. 2. 11 12. Now if any would know the Will and Mind of God they must turn in their Minds unto the gift of God's Spirit in their own Hearts For that which may be known of God is manifest in them for God hath shewed unto them Rom. 1. 19. And again the Apostle saith It is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure Phil. 2. 13. Now concerning Faith Christ saith When the Son of Man cometh shall he find Faith on Earth Luk. 18. 8 Now it is written that Faith cometh by hearing and heariâ—g by the Word of God Rom. 10. 17. Christ is the Word of God and he is the Author and Finisher of our Faith it is undeniable for the Apostle saith Looking unto Jesus thâ— Author and Finisher of our Faith Heb. 12. 2. And concerning Worship Christ saith The Hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him And he further saith God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4. 23 24. We desire the Reader to take notice of this for it is a weighty thing to be a Worshipper of God and it must be performed by the assistance of God's Spirit for Christ saith in plain words Without me ye can do nothing John 15. 5. And the Apostle Paul saith As many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 14. And we say if Sons then true Worshippers The Apostles were come unto the Spiritual Worship for the Apostle Paul saith We are the Circumcision which worship God in the Spirit and rejoyce in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the Flesh Phil. 3. 3. Now concerning Manners we find it thus written that Evil Communications corrupt good Manners 1 Cor. 15. 33. Therefore if any be willing to know good Manners then let them take the Apostle's advice in the next Verse where he saith Awake to Righteousness and sin not Now it is the holy Ghost that teacheth People Good Manners for Christ saith He shall teach them all things and bring all things to your Remembrance John 14. 26. And now concerning the Light within it doth manifest unto the Sons and Daughters of men their States and Conditions and by it Thoughts Words and Actions are tryed and by the Light of Jesus we come to understand these things which are written in the holy Scriptures of Truth and therefore it is a higher and superiour Rule unto which we ought more especially to attend it being according to Scripture for Christ saith While ye have the Light believe in the Light that ye may be the Children of the Light These things spake Jesus John 12. 36. And it is written That every one that doth Evil hateth the Light neither cometh to the Light lest his Deeds should be reproved But he that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made manifest that they are wrought in God John 3. 20 21. Mark it is the Light that discovereth and maketh manifest as it is walked in it is an undeniable Truth for it is evidently set forth by the Apostle Paul for he saith All things that are reproved are made manifest by the Light for whatsoever doth make manifest is Light Ephes 5. 13. And observe John's Testimony of the Light and the
Pure then Peaceable Gentle and Easie to be Intreated full of Mercy and good Fruits without Partiality and without Hypocrisie James 3. 17. And now whereas thou dost Intreat those that shall Answer these or the former Questions to prove their Opinions as they deliver them so Accordingly it is done And by these foregoing Answers thou mayst know what Ground and Foundation we have for what we hold If thou canst but see with the Spiritual Eye that God is the opener of And whereas thou sayest The great God by his Holy Spirit lead you into all Truth and deliver you from all Error We say this is that which our Souls desire and we should be glad if thou wast but as mindful of the Leadings of God's Spirit in thy own Heart as thou hast been in putting of us in Remembrance of it for then thou wouldest not be such a great Stranger unto the Right Way of the Lord as now thou appearest to be And therefore we do desire all that may Read or hear these Lines to be mindful of the Leadings of Gods Spirit in your own Hearts to wit the Spirit of Truth which Guideth into all Truth John 16. 13. Exon the 8th Month 1691. John Gannacliff Joseph Nott. Now having Answered Joseph Hallett's Twenty Seven Queries we shall propound some Queries for him or any of the Preachers among the Presbyterians to Answer Query 1. WHat was that Labour in the Gospel that them Women laboured with the Apostle Paul in Phil. 4. 3. if not preaching the Gospel And if Preaching the Gospel why then are we blamed for suffering Women to preach amongst us Qu. 2. What is that one Baptism that the Apostle Paul spoke of Ephs 4. 5. if not a Spiritual Baptism seeing he saith By one Spirit are we all baptized 1 Cor. 12. 13. Is not this the Baptism that is only essential to Salvation Qu. 3 What is that true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World John 1. 9. if not the Divine Life and Light of Christ And if it be the Light of Christ why then do so many call it a natural Light diabolical c Qu. 4. Whether the Grace of God that bringeth Salvation which hath appeared to all men Tit. 2. 11. be not saving And if it be saving why then do so many say That the saving Grace hath not appeared unto all men Qu. 5. Whether Christ be not the Word of God and the holy Scriptures a true Testimony of him seeing Christ saith They are they which testifie of me John 5. 39. And the Scripture calls Christ the Word of God John 1. 1. Rev. 19. 13. And if so why then do any blame us for saying Christ is the Word of God and not the Scriptures Qu. 6. Whether People ought not first to seek the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness seeing that Christ bids us do so Mat. 6. 33. And where must People seek it if not in their own Hearts seeing Christ saith The Kingdom of God is within you Luk. 17. 21. And whether Christ ought not to rule and reign in his Kingdom and to have the Government of the Hearts Minds and Affections of the Sons and Daughters of men And if it be granted that he ought why then are we blamed for Preaching of Christ within the Hope of our Glory Col. 1. 27. Qu. 7. Whether the Spirit of Truth be not the Spirit of Christ seeing he saith I am the Truth John 14. 6. And whether every Man and Woman ought not to be led and guided by the Spirit of Truth in their own Hearts seeing it guideth into all Truth chap. 16. 13. And that as many as are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God Rom. 8. 14. Qu. 8. Whether People may not attain to the Knowledge of God by the Immediate Revelation of Jesus Christ now in our day seeing it is written They shall all know the Lord Jer. 31. 34. Heb. 8. 11. And if people may then where if not in their own Hearts seeing that which may be known of God is manifest within Rom. 1. 19. Qu. 9. Whether People ought not to wait to be set free from Sin by Jesus Christ seeing it is said He shall save his People from their Sins Mat. 1. 21. And Christ saith No man can serve two Masters chap. 6. 24. Qu. 10. Whether every true Worshiper ought not to worship God in Spirit and in Truth seeing Christ saith The true Worshipers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth And whether there be any other true Way of Worship beside this seeing Christ farther saith God is a Spirit and they that Worship him must Worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4. 23 24. Qu. 11. Whether the Apostles did not direct People unto this Inward Teacher See 2 Cor. 4. 6 7. Col. 1. 27. 2 Pet. 1. 19. 1 John 2. 27. And if they did why then do not many now in our day that profess themselves Ministers of Christ direct people unto this inward Teacher Qu. 12. Whether this inward Teacher the Spirit and Grace of God be not sufficient to teach People as they turn in their minds unto it and wait in silence for the Teachings of it although there may be no outward Teacher seeing the Apostles were taught by the Grace of God Tit. 2. 12. And John saith The 〈…〉 the same Ancinting teacheth you of all things 1 John 2. 27. And if it be sufficient why then are we blamed for waiting in silence for the teachings of it Qu. 13. Whether People must not walk in the Light of Jesus Christ wherewith they are lighted if they will have benefit by his Death seeing it is written If we walk in the Light the Blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all Sin 1. John 1. 7. Qu. 14. Where have you any Example from the holy Scriptures for the putting off the Hat to Man and to use the word Tou to one Qu. 15. Whether you have the Spirit of Christ or not seeing it s written If any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Rom. 8. 9. And whether you are fitted and prepared authorized and sent forth to preach the Gospel by the Spirit of the Lord And if not why then do you Preach seeing that â—hey which run and the Lord never sent them shall not profit the People at all Jer. 23. 24. So nâ—w we desire of Joseph Hallett or some of the before-mentioned People to give their Judgment of these things in their Answers John Gannacliff Joseph Nott. A few more Questions propounded according to Scripture for the said Joseph Hallett or any of the Preachers aforesaid to answer which are added by another Hand Query 1. WHâ—ther Joseph Hallett or you do believe that them Presbyterians in New-England were not guilty of Murther in Hanging them Innocent Persons called Quakers in the year 1658 and 1659 if not by what Law of God or the King did they it Qu. 2. Whether in those Acts of Cruelty to wit of Imprisoning Whipping Burning Cuting off Ears and Hanging they acted like Christ and according to his Doctrine or like the Devil who was a Murtherer from the bâ—ginning John 8. 44. Qu. 3. Whether the learned Jews were not Blind Leaders of the Blind and wit out a right understanding and who notwithstanding they had Scriptures and did they not so err that they killed the Prophets and Murthered the Son or God Mat 22 29. and 23 27. Acts 7. 52. Qu. 4. Whether the Scriptures are Rightly understood by the Spirit of God or by Humane Learning to wit Latine Greek and Hebrew Or whether by Humane Learning any man can or did ever attain to the Knowledge of the things of God seeing the Apostle says The World by Wisdom knew not God 1 Cor. 1. 21. Qu. 5. Whether Joseph Hallett or any of the rest of the Teachers of the Presbyterians do perform any act or part of Worship towards God without the assistance of the Spirit of God If they do are they not like the false Prophets Jer. 29. 9. And Will-Worshipers and found offering strange Fire Levit. 10. 1 2 3. THE END
Priviledge that doth attend those that walk therein for he saith God is Light and in him is no Darkness at all If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in Darkness we Lye and do not the Truth but if we walk in the Light as he is in the Light we have fellowship one with another and the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin 1 John 1. 5 6 7. Well then the Nations of them which are saved shall walk in the Light Rev. 21. 24. And the Lord sent the Apostle Paul to turn People from Darkness to Light Acts 26. 18. But what have the Watchmen of the Night the Merchants of Babylon been a doing these many Years Why they have laboured to keep People from the Light and Wo and Misery will be their Portion if they Repent not Qu. 4. Whether they believe any such thing as Original Sin that is Whether every Man is a Sinner and defilled from his very Birth Or whether Children when born into the World have their Natures depraved and corrupted by Sin Answ If by Original Sin be meant the first Sin of Adam there was such a Sin But all have not sinned after that similitude nor is every Man or Child a Sinner depraved and corrupted by Sin from his Natural Birth The Prophet Ezekiel saith This Proverb shall no more be used in Israel The Fathers have eaten sower Grapes and the Childrens Teeth are set on edge Behold saith the Lord all Souls are mine both the Soul of the Father and the Soul of the Son are mine the Soul that sinneth it shall dye Ezek. 18. 2 3 4 5. Jer. 31. 29 30. Shall we ascribe the Wages of Sin to those that never sinned Christ said Suffer little Children to come unto me and forbid them not for of such is the Kingdom of Heaven Matth. 19. 13 14. Mark 10. 13 14. And Christ saith Whosoever shall not receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child shall not enter therein Some were said to be sanctified from the Womb as John the Baptist the Prophet Jeremiah Chap. 1. 5. Before I formed thee in the Womb I knew thee and before thou camest out of the Womb I sanctified thee and ordained thee to be a Prophet unto the Nations But as to the General estate of Mankind the Apostle hath made known what man is by Nature dead in Sins and Trespasses and how man is saved 2 Ephes You hath he quickened who were dead in Trespasses and Sins Ephes 2. 1. And you who were dead in Sins and the Vncircumcision of your Flesh hath he Quickened together with him Forgiving you all your Trespasses 2 Ephes 5. When we were dead by Sins hath he quickened us together in Christ by whose Grace we are saved 2 Thes 2. 13. But we ought to give Thanks alwayes for you Brethren beloved of the Lord because God hath from the beginning chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth Qu. 5. Whether the Soul or Spirit of a Man is Immortal Whether it will never dye Or Whether the Soul lives whilst the Body lies rotting in the Grave Answ Yea Immortal never Dyes but ever Lives which are all one The Querist might have spared such impertinant Reitterations Yea we believe and that really as the Body goeth to Dust so the Spirit returns to God that gave it for if in this Life we have hope only we are of all Men most Miserable Qu. 6. Whether the Bodies of the Saints shall be raised again by the Power of God out of their Graves at the last day Answ Yea Spiritual we believe according to Scripture the Resurrection of Just and Unjust and that each shall receive a reward according to things done in the Body The Righteous unto Everlasting Life and the Wicked unto Everlasting Condemnation Well but now we may say as the Apostle Paul said Awake to Righteousness aâ—d Sin not But yet some one may say How are the Dead Raised up and with what Bodys do they come Thou Fool that which thou sowest is not Quicâ—ened except it Dye and that which thou sowest thou sowest not that Body that shall be But God giveth it a Body as it hath pleased him and to every seed his own Body There are Coelestial Bodys and Bodys Terrestial but the Glory of the Coelestial is one and the Glory of the Terrestial is another There is a Natural Body and there is a Spiritual Body Aâ—d as â—ne have born the Image of the Earthly we shall also bear the Image of the Heavenly but this I say Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God neither doth Corruption Inherit Incorruption 1 Cor. 15 34 35 36 37 38 40 44 45 50. Qu. 7. Whether Christ that suffered without the Walls of Jerusalem was true God and also true Man I demand a full direct Answer to this Question and pray let there be no Equivocation or shiftings here Answ Yea Christ was true God and true Man tho' it was as Man that he suffers for the Divinity and Manhood of Christ see Matth. 1. 23. John 1. 1 2 3 4. Prov. 8. 22 23 24. to the enâ— Psal 33. 6. Coll. 1. 16 1â— Eph. 3. 9. Heb. 1. 2. Rom. 9. 5. Rev. 3 14. 1 John 5. 20. Psal 45. 6 7. Heb. 1. 9. Isa 9 6. 7. Chap. 32. 2. John 10. 29 and Chap. 14. 28. Rom. 1. 3 4. 1 Cor. 15. Chap. 3. 4 5 6 7 8 45 47. 1 Tim. 2. 5. Gal. 3. 20. Heb. 8. 6. chap. 9. 15. chap. 12. 24. And if the Querist will not believe us but think we Equivocate let him ask us no more Questions until he be more charitable Qu. 8. Whether Christ by his Holy Life and painful Death Satisfied the Justice of God that was offended by the Sin of Man and thereby merited Pardon of Sin and all other Mercies and Blessings for us Answ This Query appears not consistant in the matters implyed between satisfying offended Justice and Pardon of Sin or between a Strict payment and a forgiveness of the Debt Yet no doubt God was well pleased and so satisfied in his Dear Son Christ being the Son of his Love both in his Life Suffering and Death and all the Worth Merit Desert and Dignity thereof and truly ascribed unto Christ in Holy Scriptures for the universal good of Mankind we must needs own and highly esteem yet not as intended to acquit the Guilty nor to indemnifie Pardon or Justifie Persons in their Sins or without Faith in his Name true repentance and Conversion But that they may come under these conditions and receive Pardon thereupon Antiquery 1. How did Christ satisfy the offended Justice of the Father 2. Did he undergo vindicative Justice in the Offenders stead 3. Did he pay all the debt in Man's stead 4. And was it for all Mankind or for some only 5. Or did he not rather appease stay and suspend the Execution of Divine Vengeance and Wrath
and rose again for their Justification And it is Christ that died or rather that is risen again and because he lives we live also And God hath chosen us to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the Truth 2 Thes 2. 13. And is not this Work to be known within of the Spirit and Faith of Christ read Rom. 10 6 7 8 9 10. But thou dost not seem to love to hear of Christ and his Light within which Paul preached and said Know you not that Christ is in you except you be Reprobates This was the Mystery hid from Ages and Generations Christ within the Hope of Glory Qu. 23. Whether the way of serving of God that the Quakers use be the Way to Heaven And if it be the Way whether it be the only Way Answ The Way we profess and own is the Way to Heaven which is Christ the Way the Truth and the Life in whom our acceptance is Neither is there Salvation by any other Name And the Worship which he set up we practise which is in Spirit and Truth and that this is the right Way and the true Worship yea the only way to Heaven we have great assurance the Lord manifesting his presence in the midst of us which is his Seal of approbation and we have known and do know an Overcoming and Victory over the World by our Faith which stands in the Power of God which Paul exhorted the Believers unto that their Faith might not stand in the Wisdom of Words but in the Power of God and God is the Author and Finisher of our Faith and the Day of God's Power is known which hath made us a willing People and for the Word of our Testimony we have not neither do we love our Lives to the Death but far be it from us to limit the Holy One for in every Nation he that fears God and works Righteousness is accepted of him But can a man be said truly to fear God and work Righteousness without having regard to this inward Law by which the Gentiles are said to have attained to the Righteousness which is of Faith and they doing the things contained in the Law shewed the Effect of the Law written in their Hearts their Consciences also bearing Witness and their Thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another At the Day saith Paul when God shall Judg the Secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to the Gospel Rom. 2. 15 16. This was the Gospel that great Apostle to the Gentiles preached the Law in the Heart the New Covenant Jer. 31. 32. Heb. 8. 9 10. This is the Covenant I will make with the House of Israel after those days I will put my Laws into their Minds and in their Hearts will I write them and I will be to them a God and they shall be to me a People and they shall not teach every man his Neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for all shall know me from the least to the greatest So that we believe as the Scripture testifies God hath been always good to such as are of an Upright Heart though under various Professions and Ministrations and of this some have had experience before the Way of Truth was clearly made known to us as hath been since made manifest through the refreshment from the presence of the Father And our desire is for thee and for all Men that you would receive him that is Christ in his Light with which he hath lightned you and all men and thereby you will receive Power to become the Sons of God And take heed of grieving the good Spirit of God as the Apostle Exhorts Grieve not the Holy Spirit of God whereby you are sealed unto the Day of Redemption And this I say farther take heed of Opposing this Work for it is of God and shall stand Goa's Foundation stands sure 1 Peter 2. 6. Wherefore it is contained in the Scripture Behold I lay in Sion a Chief Corner-Stone Elect Precious and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded unto you therefore that believe he is pretious but unto them which are disobedient the Stone which the Builders Disallowed the same is made the Head of the Corner and a Stone of Stumbling and a Rock of Offence even to them that Stumble at the Word being disobedient Mark such as Stumble at the Word he is a Stone of Stumbling unto them And the Word is near in the Mouth and in the Heart This is the Word of Faith which we Preach Rom. 10. 8. Having Answered thy Three and Twenty Questions by Scripture-proofs we proceed to Answer the other four put forth by Thee Qu. 1. Whether when a Man at any time Speaks to a single Person it be unlawful for him to use the Word You Ans It seems thou art offended at the Word Thee and Thou but was it not the Language of Christ and the Holy Men of God both to Superiour and Inferiour as is sufficiently Manifested in the Scripture And it seems strange that thou or any Man Learned in the Tongues should put forth such a Question knowing there is to be an Agreement in the number both in Hebrew Greek and Latin as our Translation makes apparent and why are Children taught Singular and Plural Number by the Grammer Rules but that it is absolutely necessary in the Latin Tongue as well as in other Tongues and without it thou knowest cannot be true so the Word You to one is improper it is as proper for a Man to use the Word Thee unto a Thousand Men as it is for him to use the Word You unto One for Thou is in the Singular Number but You is in the Plural So that for to use the Word You unto One it is nonsence For One is but one and the Word You signifies to more then one and it is also contrary unto the Holy Scriptures of Truth to use the Word You unto one and therefore it is unlawful for Christ said Thou unto Peter and Peter said Thou unto Christ several times in the 21. Chap. of John and it s the common Language throughout all the Scriptures of Truth to use the Word Thee or Thou unto one and we desire all People to take notice of it for the Lord used to Speak the Word Thee or Thou when he Spake unto any particular of his People and his People used to speak Thee or Thou unto the Lord and one unto another And People do use the Word Thee and Thou unto the Lord in their Prayers and we do greatly admire that People should count that Language which they give unto the Lord is not good enough for themselves For some have been very angry with us when we have used the simple proper Language as the Word Thee or Thou unto one O blush and be ye ashamed and bow before the Lord all ye proud ones that think scorn to receive that Language unto your selves that you give