uncircumciâ—ion availech but a new creature Gal. 6. 15. and so people may understand wherefore Paul as well as others did baptize although they might not be sent to Baptize nor Circumcise yet he did both for he became all things to all that he might win some out of all unto Christ the end of all things that was to stand but their time but when the Baptists were in strife one for Paul and others for Apollo and Cephas but then they were carnal 1 Cor. 3. 3. and then Paul told those Baptists plainly he was not sent to Baptize 1 Cor. 1. 17. and 1 Cor. 1. 12. some went to subvert those believers that were turned from among the Gentâ—les nnto God saying they must be Circumcised after the manner of Moses or else they could not be saved but when the Apostles and Elders and brethren and the whole Church was met together at Jerusalem and when they had confâ—rred about the matter it seemed good unto the Holy Ghost and unto them to write letters and send them with chosen men unto Anâ—ioch and this was the substance which is there mentioned of their letters to let them know they gave no such command for Circumcision or such things mark and how they laid no greater burden upon them then these necessary things saying that if ye abstain from meats offered to Idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication from which if you keep your selves ye shall do well fare ye well Acts 15. 25. and here you may see there was neither Circumcision nor observing the seventh day for a Sabbath neither water Baptism or any such things laid upon the Church that from among the Gentiles were turned unto God neither by the Holy Ghost nor the general Assembly of Saints at Jerusalem and therefore if any come among the people now to cry up Circumcision or water Baptism to be a command of Christ to us because there was Circumcision with hands and water Baptism practiced before Christs Resurrection and after by the Apostles yet the Scripture saith no greater burthen then these necessary things before mentioned in Acts 15. for we see now the Circumcision is that of the heart and the Baptism is with the spirit in the name which saves and so now there is no need of those old outward things because the end of them is come within which is Christ the better hope and his Bâ—ptism is with the spirit into the one body and his Circumcision is of the heart and ears and so he sitteth the true worshippers to worship the Father in the spirit and in the truth and such are built upon the Rock which the gates of Hell cannot prevail against and therefore cannot be moved when the sects of the Baptists or Priests or they of the Circumcision comes like the troubled Seas foaming out their own Jude 1â— shame against the Lamb and his followers who gets the victory over all through sufferings and blessed are all those that waâ—teth in the patience faithful unto the end And now concerning outward bread and wine which the Papists and the several Sects of the Priests and likewise the Sects of the Baptists use concerning and pertaining to their worship some calling of it the Sacrament and some the Lords Supper and every one useth those good creatures according to their vain imaginations and every Sect of them counts their own way right to use bread and wine and Pro. 16. 2 water concerning their worship both Papists and Baptists and all the other Sects of Priests which cry up visible things to be Ordinances of Christ pertaining to their worship and such worships now is not the true worship of the true God the Father for he is and ought to be worshipped in the Spirit and in the truth and all that are out of the Spirit in the visible bread and wine water they are the false worshippers both Papists and other Sects as well as they for they are all subject to the creatures more then to the Creator who is worshipped in Spirit and in truth and all the Statutes and Ordinances after the fall into the transgression in reference to visible things pertaining to the Worship of God in those forms was ordained in time for to stand their time as shadows types figures of good things to come in due time and the end of all those things did come and those that did not know the end of all those things come to redeem the mind to God in due time mark they Idolized them and they were their Idols set up out of their time by the Idolatrous worshippers Hâ—o 〈◊〉 2â— 1 Cor. 12. 31. for in due time God sent forth his Son a more excellent way a new and living way and they that received him in due time he changed them out of the old things which had their time to be set up and to stand until fulfilled and then it was time for them to fall and have an end when Christ had been in them and fulfilled them and was come out of them again and then will-worshippers they sought to hold them up out of their time and thereby drew people from Christ into those things but Christ called out of those things to take up the Cross and follow him who fulfilled those things and he sent those that followed him forth to call others which were without ready to perish with those things and therefore to come into the Fathers house for all things were ready there they that would not forsake those things and come into Christ where all things was ready they should Luke 14. not taste of the Supper and it is said as they were eating Jesus took bread and blessed it and brake it and gave it unto his Disciples and said Take eat this is my body and he took the Cup and gave thanks and gave it to them saying Drink ye all of it for this is my blood of the New Testament which is shed for many for the remission of sins Matth. 26. 26. 1 Cor. 11. 24. And now both Papists and Baptists and many other carnal-minded people imagineth that bread and the cup of Blessing to be outward bread and wine and therefore they will be eating and drinking outward bread and wine and when they have been asked to prove their practice to be a Command of Christ by the Scripture then they have run to those Scriptures as if they would have proved something for them but we find those Scriptures to be against them for there it is said in Matth. â—6 1 Cor. 11. The Bread was his body which was broken for them and the Cup was his blood which was shed for the remission of sins but the natural man doth not know the things of God because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2 1â— and so they eat visible creatures and do not dicern the Lords Body now the visible bread and drink is for the satisfying the hunger and thirst of
THE FALL OF A Great Visible Idol By the coming of the INVISIBLE POWER And SUBSTANCE In this day and time of the Lambs War which is come Wherein Christ the true Light is exalted at the right hand of God who dwells and walkes in his people which are his Temple Which doth bring down the boasting Baptists that hath highly exalted themselves upon the high and dark mountains of their own imaginations as may be known by their own principles which are herein answered with something to the simple hearted that are among them concerning water baptism and breaking of outward bread which these Baptists hath so much Idolized in the night Thus saith the Lord cursed be the man that trusteth in man and maketh flesh his Arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord for he shall be like the heath in the desert and shall not see when good coâ—â—eth Jer 17. 5. 6. And blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is Jer. 17. 7 for it is the spirit that quickneth the flesh presiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life John 6. 63. From a true friend unto all that loves truth in the inward parts in true love and pitty unto the lost sheep that they may be of the house of Israel Joseph Fuce London Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth near Aldersgate 165â— This is to the Reader that he may the better understand NOw first of all before thou comest to the matter hereafter written thou art to be turned unto a measure of the true light in thy own conscience and with it to search thine own heart and to see whether there be not envie or prejudice lodging in thee against the way of truth which hath been so abominably abused and evil spoken of as if it were the most damnable Heresie that ever was declared in so much that people hath often been stirred up by their Teachers into a great rage against the truth before they know it or hath heard us declare it or seen our writings so as to understand the matter and therefore if there be any of the envious ones leaven in thee let that be laid aside and wait thou in the light not turning to the one hand nor yet to the other not joyning with me nor against me before thou doest understand rightly the things there spoken of in love to thy poor soul but wait in the pure fear of the Lord to feel the Power of God to arise within and rent the vail which hath been over thy heart that so the measure of the true light may come up in thee to bare rule so as to give thee the true knowledge and the right understanding for happy is the man that findeth wisdom and the man that getteth understanding for it is better then the gain of gold and except the light make these things manifest thou canst not understand this which I have spoken of in the wisdom of God which I have received this knowledge cometh a far off the wisdom of the flesh thereâ—ore I will ascribe wisdom and righteousness unto my Maker for he that is perfect in knowledge is with God the fountain of wisdom true knowledge and verily I shall leave the truth of my words to answer the witness in thy own conscience and be thou so honest to thy own soul before thou judgest to try these things aright with that which will not lie in thee that is the true ballance and just weight that weigheth things a right that so thou mayest come to be perswaded in thy own minde who are in the truth it self that gives true peace unto the soul and who are in the profession of the truth without the possession in the hypocrisie but have no true peace And truely I have seen the hypocrisie and great deceit of those Baptists many times at several places where they have opposed the very life of truth withal the strength and subtilty they have received from the wicked one to deceive the hearts of the simple even to the grieving of my soul to think that ever these Baptists should so impudently gainsay the truth and life of what they prosess in words and often I have been moved of the Lord in the power of the spirit to reprove them for their lies and false accusations which they have brought against us that witness forth the truth against their deceit and when I have so done I have had peace in the light and did not desire nor think to lay their wickedness open unto the world in Print but rather desired they should have owned reproof and repented and have turned unto the Lord in time as some hath done that did walk with them but they have despised reproof and hated instruction and set themselves against the light and spirit of the Lord until his anger is kindled against them And now seeing how they have set themselves against the truth and will not cease to pervert the right way in going on in their dâ—ceit bending their tongues like a bow for lyes thereby to deceive the hearts of the simple Therefore the Lord hath put it into my heart to begin to lay open their wickedness in Print for the truths sake and in true love and pitty to the poor simple-hearted people that they may not run so rashly into their snares to go with them they know not whether until their steps take hold on Hell for they have openly denied the true light as is hereafter mentioned and they that walk in darkness know not whether they go and therefore thou that lovest thy own Souls peace be warned in time to weigh things rightly with that which is a Just weight and true Measure in thy own Conscience so mayest thou come to be perswaded in thy own mind who are in the right way and then let the light be thy guide in it to walk that so thou mayest come in due time to have peace with God in the Covenant of light and life for evermore At a Meeting at Nethurst upon the 24th of the 6th Month 1659. appointed by Matthew Caffin Baptist but there were several of the chief Baptists in all these South parts namely William Jeffery Matthew Caffin John Parsons William Steel and several others of Kent and Sussex It was pretended by the Baptists there to shew the cause wherefore they could not joyn with the Quakers as they with other scoffers in these last times call us the People of the Lord but in stead of proving any Just cause why they do not own and joyn with us they gave sufficient cause for us and all that fear the Lord to deny them and to have no fellowship with them except they repent And the cause they gave us at this Meeting and at other places was those errours damnable heresies and lyes which are hereafter mentioned and answered as moved by the Spirit of love to all the simple-hearted people that doth
desire to walk in the way of truth unto Zion the City of the living God where Peace is to be enjoyed for evermore FIrst the Baptist affirmed That the Eternal Spirit that was in Christ was not the Saviour of the world Answ Here they deny the true God to be the Saviour of the world who was in Christ the Authour of Eternal Salvation the ground and foundation of all truth who is a Spirit and is Eternal and God the Father and Christ the Son whose Name is called the Word of God and the Eternal Spirit or Holy Ghost are one and the Father was in the Son and the Son was in the Father John 14. 11. and he that hath seen the Son hath â—oh 10. 30 seen the Father and God who is the onely Invisible and Eternal Spirit saved all the holy men of God in the dayes of old since the beginning and when the old world was drowned God saved Noah 2 Pet. 2. 5. and the Eternal God said by the Prophet Isaiah Look unto me and be ye saved all the ends of the earth for I am God and there is none else Isa 45. 22. there is no God effectual besides the Eternal Spirit that is a Just God and a Saviour vers 21. and this Saviour said I even I am the Lord and besides me there is no Saviour Isa 43. 11. And the Apostle said The Lord is the Spirit 2 Cor. 3. 17. and this Eternal God who is a Spirit was he that saved all the holy men of God and they both Prophets and Apostles called God their Saviour 1 Tim. 4. 10. Titus 7. 3. and this Everlasting God and Eternal Spirit that was the â— Pet. 1. 1. â—ude 25. onely Saviour of all the holy men of God the Apostle said to wit That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself 2 Cor. 5. 19. and Christ was in God and sometime the Apostle called Christ Lord and Saviour and they also called God their Saviour for they were one in the beginning before the world was but the Baptists doth not see how Christ â—ut the boâ—y without â—he Spirit is dead â—am 2. 26. and God are one as one of them said and therefore denies the Eternal Spirit that was and is in Christs body to be the Saviour and so blaspemously hath denied both the Father and the Son and there is no Saviour besides the Eternal Spirit which was God manifest in the flesh and if any should read this and not perceive the things of God and so not believe the Words of truth read the 13th of Hosea and 14th verse were God saith Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt and thou shalt know no God but me for there is no Saviour beside me and all those that readeth this with a right understanding may see and perceive the Baptists to be ignorant of the Power of God and also of the Scriptures which doth so largely speak of that God that was in Christ to be the onely Saviour but time might fail us to bring all those Scriptures which doth speak of God to be the Saviour Baptists Affirmed That Christ was not come to them yet the second time nor yet to any man upon the face of the earth Answ Here the Baptists hath manifested themselves openly to be Reprobates according to the Scripture and therefore it is no marvel why they oppose the light in others so much seeing they deny Christ the light to be come to them the second time and there were such in the Apostles dayes that sought a proof of Christ speaking in the Apostle Paul who said unto them Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith prove your own selves know you not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13. 5. and now you may see the Baptists yea the very chief among them are Reprobates out of the Faith the Saints were in who preached Christ in them the Hope of Glory and said He is come that is true and they were in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ and so they that did receive him at his coming to dwell in them he gave them an understanding how to preach him up in others and also in Heaven at the right hand of God but they that do not know him come to them they do not know him in any other Creature in Heaven or in earth and where the true Christ the Son of God who is a quickning Spirit doth not Rule there the Antichrist ruleth the son of perdition ruleth the old man of sin reigneth in them and over them and he maketh them subject to sin and now Antichrist is come up very high in these Baptists and he doth appear very bold in them insomuch that they deny the true Christ to be come the second time to them or to any other Creature but the Scripture is so far a witness against them that all the moderate people may see that they are ignorant of the things of God and also of the Scriptures and so altogether unfit to preach unto others for how can any truly preach Christ to come to others that doth not know him come unto themselves Paul was a persecutor before he knew Christ revealed in him but after it pleased God to reveal his Son in him then he was fit to preach the manner of his coming in others Gal. 1. 16. and Christ said unto his Disciples he dwelleth with you and shall be in you I will not leave you comfortless I will come to you John 14. 18. and John in his Epistle said We know that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ 1 John 5. 20. here John said he is come but the Baptists saith he is not come and so are out of the Faith and Doctrine that the Apostles were in and John spake of such false prophets that were entred into the world as these Baptists are who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh this is a deceiver and an Antichrist 2 John 7. Mark he doth not say there he that denies that he was come or shall come but he saith who confess not that he is come in the flesh Mark that for both Papists and other Priests and the Baptists and we do all believe that he did come in the flesh and was crucified without the Gates of Jerusalem and also that he shall come at the last day to Judge the quick and the dead according to the Scriptures but this is the great controversie which we have with all those about this matter that is whether Jesus Christ be manifested or come in the flesh now according to the Scripture but all that resist the light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world they resist the true Christ which the Apostles and we say
power thereof 2 Tim. 3. â— and John said in his first Epistle 2. 1â— Little Children it is the last time and as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now are there many Antichrists whereby we know it is the last time and John said Many false prophets are gone out into the world 1 John 4. 1. but first they came unto the Church but they resisted them and overcame them and then they went into the world and the world heard them vers 4. 5. and so hath the world been deceived ever since the Apostles dayes in the night which Christ spake of to come wherein no man could work but if I should undertake to declare as much as might be spoken of both of the true Apostles and Prophets and false apostles and prophets surely time would fail me but this is a sufficient proof for this particular also the Disciples were to see Jerusalem compassed about with Armies and then was there wars and the Sun and Moon was to be darkned and there was to be earth-quakes and there was darkness for it was said from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the Land unto the ninth hour Mat. 27. 45. and when Jesus cryed with a loud voice and yielded up the Ghost behold the vail of the Temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom and the earth did quake and the rocks rent and the graves were opened and many bodies of Saints arose Mat. 27. 50 51 52. And Christ said the Gospel should be preached in all the world for a witness unto all Nations Mark and then shall the end come And when Paul questioned whether the Gospel had been so preached he said have they not heard yea verily their sound went into all the earth and their Words unto the ends of the world Rom. 10. 18. and then came the end of all those things according to Christ his Words but the Baptists call that Blasphemy The Baptists affirmed That neither Abraham nor Isaac Peter nor Paul was redeemed from the curse nor out of the fall nor are not yet neither is Abraham Isaac nor Jacob in the Kingdom Answ The fall of man was into transgression of the righteous Law and Command of the righteous God of Heaven and earth and so man fell from God out of that state which he was created in into sin and iniquity which separated between God and man yet God had an eye of pitty unto man in that fallen sinful separated condition and God made a Covenant with man whereby man might come again unto himself out of the fall and the Covenant was that the seed of the woman should bruise the serpents head which tempted and led away into sin that so man might come again unto God out of sin and so the Seed or Word of God which was with God before the World was made became as a Gen. 14. 19. Gen. 15. 1. Gen. 22. Gen. 17. hammer unto the head of the serpent to bruise it and God talked with Abraham when he appeared unto him as a man talketh with his familiar Friend and God blessed him and made a Covenant with him and changed his name from Abram to Abraham for a Father of many Nations have I made thee said the Almighty whose everlasting Covenant was with Abraham and his Seed for ever and the Covenant was to be in their flesh Gen. 17. 3. and Abraham the Father of the faithful was perfect and did see Christs day and he rejoyced to see Christs glorious day who said before Abraham was I am John 8. 56. 58. And Noah was perfect and God saved him and Enock was translated by Faith that he should not see death Heb. 11. and they were redeemed out of the fall and from under the curse up to God who blessed Abraham the Father of the faithful and they that were of Faith pleased God were are blessed but they that were of the wicked one and did alwayes resist the holy Ghost they were and are under the curse in the fall and the wrath of the just God comes upon them but Enoch and Noah walked with God Gen. 5. 22. Gen. 6. 9. and David said Into thine hand I commit my Spirit thou hast redeemed me O Lord God of truth Psal 3â— â— Now the Baptists in the envy and bitterness of their spirit hath manifested their ignorance of the â—criptures and also of Redemption out of the fall in saying those notable holy men of God were not redeemed out of the fall But now thus saith the Lord that created thee O Jacob and he that formed thee O Israel fear not for I have redeemed thee I have called thee by my name thou art mine Isai â—3 â— Isai 63. 9. and the Apostle paul when he spake even to this very thing concerning himself and they that were redeemed from under the curse mark that he saith Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the Law c Gal. â— 13. and Peter said they were not redeemed with corruptable things as silver and gold from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers but with the precious blood of Christ as of a Lamb without blemish without spot 1 Pet. â— 18. â—9 and so it doth appear they were redeemed unto God the Judge of all by the blood of the Covenant or Lamb slain from the foundation of the world and the Saints and Elders which were in heaven were redeemed unto God out of every kindred and and tongue and People and Nation and they sang a new song saying Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the Seals thereof for thou wast slain and hast-redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred and tongue and People and Nation Revel 5. 9. and the Saints conversation was in heaven and are in the Kingdom of Heaven although the baptists say neither Abraham Isaac nor Jacob was in the Kingdom neither are they yet in the Kingdom saith the Baptists who shuts up the Kingdom of Heaven against men for they neither go in themselves neither suffer they them that are entering in to goin and so are found in the Pharisees and Hypocrites practices see Mat. 23 â—â— there was entering into the Kingdom then and there was those that did hinder men from going into the Kingdom then and as it was then so it is now as it doth appear by these Baptists that say neither Abraham Isaac nor Jacob was in the Kingdom and so are found out of Christs Doctrine and altogether contrary to his words as they are in the Scriptures of truth which are profitable for correction of such unprofitable talkers as these envious ignorant Baptists are and for instruction of the simple now when Christ spoke of Abraham Isaac and Jacob he said they were in the Kingdom but the Baptists say they are not in the Kingdom Now when you have read the Baptists words and Christs words then let the witness be Judge who is the lyar And I
say unto you that many shall come from the East and West and shall sit down with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Luke 16. 22. Heaven Mat. 8. â—â— here Christ saith with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the Kingdom of Heaven and in Mat. â—â— he speaketh of entering into the Kingdom and John spake of his brethren in the Kingdom Revel 1. 9. and Paul speaks of some that were come unto Mount Sion unto the City of the living God the Heavenly Jerusalem to innumerable company of Angels to the general Assembly and Church of the first born which are written in Heaven and to God the Judge of all and to the spirits of Just men made perfect Heb. 12. 22. 23. they were redeemed out of the fall up to God the Judge of all and they had received the Kingdom and were in Heaven and all that feareth the Lord truely may see the Baptists far unfit to Preach the way into the Kingdom of God seeing they are yet in the fall and Kingdom of darkness and thinking all others to be so and there they labour as may be seen by these principles of theirs to keep others in darkness and unbelief and so do not enter themselves neither would they have others to be translated into the Kingdom of the onely dear Son of God there to find rest and Peace for evermore The Baptists affirmed that no man could come into that state that Adam was created in on this side the grave Answ This is a denying Christs suffering to do the work which the Father sent him about which was to seek and to save that which was lost and to quicken man that was dead in trespasses and sins and Christ did finish the work which the Father gave him to do although the effect of the Baptists words is to deny it Now see what the Scripture saith The Son of man is come to save that which was lost Mat. 18. 11. and the Saints were saved as in 2 Tim. 1. 9. 1 Cor. 15. 2. for since by man came death by man came also the resurrection of the dead 1 Cor. 15. 21. and this the Apostles witnessed and declared unto them that had been dead in trespasses and sins on this side the grave and you hath he quickned Eph. â— â— mark for we are his workmanship created in Christ Jeâ—â—â—â—nâ—â— good works which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them verse the 10. and so they were come out of the sin and transgression which Adam was dead in up to God again who was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself and the Law of the Spirit of life did make them free from the Law of sin and death on this side the grave and then there was no condemnation to them that were in Christ Jesus which walked not after the flesh but after the Spirit and that was on this side the grave for they could do nothing against the truth but for the truth in Christ Jesus who is the expresse Image of his Fathers Person and in him and by him was man created in Christ Jesus and the Apostle Paul said on this side the grave O death where is thy sting O grave where is thy victory the sting of death is sin and the strength of sin is the Law but thanks be to God which giveth us the victory Eccl. 11. 3. through our Lord Jesus Christ 1 Cor. 15. and if victory be not received on this side the grave which these Baptists speak of it will not be at all known unto them that are cut off in their sins for where the tree falleth there it lyeth whether it be towards the North or towards the south for the time is at hand he that is unjust let him be unjust still and he which is filthy let him be filthy still he that is righteous let him be righteous still and he that is holy let him be holy still Revel 2â— 11. he that can receive it let him Matthew Casfin one of the Baptists affirmed that if he were in that first state that Adam was created in he should not be mortal nor thirsty sick nor weary Answ Thou that sayest neither Abraham nor Isaac nor Peter nor Paul was redeemed from the curse nor from the fall and that no man could come into that state that Adam was created in on this side the grave thou hast manifested Zach. 5. 1. 2. thy self to be yet in the fall in sin and darknes and transgression not yet come to Adams first estate which was a living soul but under the curse which is gone forth as a fiery flying rowl and in that fallen estate thou hast exalted thy self over a people to be their Teacher who counts themselves members of the Church of Christ for how canst thou tell what thou shouldst have done that art not come to Adams first estate mark yet art intruding into those things wch thou knowest not as it appeareth by thy saying thou shouldst not be mortal thirsty sick nor weary and it is no marvel to me to see such contention and confusion among those Baptists that doth own such messengers that comes in their own name which are not redeemed out of the fall into Adams first estate but art in the will worship beguiling unstable souls through thy voluntary humility intruding into those things which thou hast not seen vainly puft up by thy fleshly mind and all may read there were such Col. 2 18. and they that are not yet hardened amongst those scattered people that were once made tender by something of God in their consciences which they knew not oh I say let them with speed return their minds again to the witness in them and that will let them see how the Lords hand is and hath been much against the Baptists since they resisted the light therefore he hath scattered them so much in their imaginations that they are divided into opinions like the Priests and therefore it is high time for all people that fear the Lord to come out from among them and wait in the light of Christ which would then appear to lead them out of darkness by the footsteps of the flock toward the rest at Noon Cant. â— â— The Baptists at that meeting affirmed that the light which we Preach whom they call Quakers they do deny and trample under foot but John Lukes at a meeting soon after appealed to the light in every ones conseience which Joseph Fuce spoke of A. Here the Baptists hath declared the very cause why they are in so much confusion errours and Popish Doctrine and lies and so full of envy and bitterness of spirit against us the people of the Lord which bears witness unto the true light which is Christ seeing that they deny the light which we Preach and trample it under foot as one of their chief Teachers said but another said he appealed to the light in every ones conscience which Joseph Fuce spake of
the Father are one John 1â—â—0 but neither the Jews nor these Baptists doth not see how for they neither know the Christ of God nor the Father that say he is not a Spirit Joh. 8. â— but the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. â— 1â— and therefore the Baptists being natural saith Christ is not a Spirit but they in whom Christ is revealed know him to be a Spirit as the Apostle said and so it is written The first man Adam was made a living soul the last Adam was made a quickening Spirit â— Corin. 15. 45. mark that you may see how carnal the Baptists are Another Baptist at the aforementioned meeting affirmed That Christ and God was not one Answ This is altogether contrary to these Scriptures which are Christs own words read these Scriptures in the light and you need no farther proof I and my Father are one Joh. 10. 30. Holy Fathâ—r keep through thine own name those whom thou hast given me that they may be one as we are Joh. 17. 11. and now people may see with the light that is risen in the conscience how these Baptists hath separated themselves sensual having not the Spirit Jude 19. And when these Baptists were justly charged with confusion for speaking three or four together to one of us Matthew Caffin said to Joseph Fuce it was to make him silent and also when Matthew Caffin was required to prove what he had accused us of or else he had proved himself a false accuser then Matthew Caffin Baptist Teacher said they were fain to cavil hard with us and many such like swelling words and boasting false accusations and affirmations against the truth and us that own it but their proud boasting words being so unsavoury I shall not meddle with them all they are too many but those that are so much against the truth I am constrained to answer for the truths sake and in the Power of the Spirit did I justifie the truth against its gainsayers to their faces and then they fled into confusion and cavilling making use of that to make us silent as Matthew Caffin said and all that doth understand the Scriptures of truth knoweth such there were and such there are as Peter said 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 2 Pet. 2. 1. Now if their hearts should be vexed because their Ezek. 3. 9. folly is so manifested openly they may blame themselves for these damnable heresies were taken from their own mouths at the meeting aforementioned and most of them were affirmed by Matthew Caffin one of their chief Teachers who said they were fain to cavil hard and use confusion to make us silent who did then as at other times earnestly contend for the Faith which was once delivered unto the Jude 3. Saints but now mark what James said But if ye have bitteâ— envying and strife in your hearts glory not and ly ' not againâ—t thâ— truth this wisdom descendeth not from above but is earthly sensual devilishs or where envying and strife is there is confusion and every evil work â—ames 3. 14 15 16. And those Baptists were found boasting themselves enviouâ—ly and cavilling hard and in confusion as Matthew Caffin said and gloried into his own shame and the rest of the Baptists that resist the truth let it be especially to them that were with him and did not reprove him such as is here mentioned and answered have they often brought forth since they opposed the light and gainsayed the truth and so by their fruits are they known unto those that do not wilfully resist the light More of the Baptists Principles declared and affirmed by Matthew Caffin Baptist Teacher at another time and place as is hereafter mentioned at Chichester upon the 30th day of the 3d month 1659. MAtthew Caffin affirmed That Christ and his Spirit was distinct one from the other and at a Meeting at Henry Copeses at Ellsted in Surrey he declared and stood to affirm the same thing again before many people at that Meeting Answ Here this deceiver goeth about to divide Christ or to make people believe there is a dead Christ without a Spirit for James saith The body without the Spirit is dead James 2. 26. and Christ said I am alive for evermore Rev. 1. 18. and this deceiver hath falsly said we deny the Resurrection but now it is fallen upon his own head for if Christs body were without a Spirit then were it dead according to the Apostles Words and if he were dead without a Spirit according to the Baptists doctrine then were he not risen so in effect he hath plainly denied the Resurrection but if thousands should deny him yet he abideth faithful and lives forever you may take notice there were such that came among the Corinthians that were in contention and Paul asked them whether Christ were divided or was Paul crucified for them as if one might be as possible as the other but of a truth Christ is not divided but he is both Lord and Christ and the Lord is that Spirit which proceeded from the Father and went again unto the Father and he and the Father is one and all that doth truly and rightly know these things they must be converted into the light first for great is the Mystery of Godliness And now if there be any so wilful as not to believe that Matthew Caffin is a deceiver by all these fore-mentioned fruits of his which are sufficient proofes mark then see how William Jeffery one of his chief brethren proves plainly that Matthew Caffin is led by the spirit of Antichrist and in a very deceitful secret way denies Christ come in the flesh but that ignorant envious man William Jeffery did intend that should have been a proof against us but it doth not at all concern us for all people that hath heard and rightly understood our Doctrine of Christ and his Spirit which is in his body they know we have declared Christ to be a quickening Spirit in his body and also to be the head of the Church which is his body as the Scriptures saith Eph. 5. 30. Col. 1. 2â— and the Saints were Members of his body and of his flesh and of his bones and he was their head over them and in them all Col. â— 11. and so in his Name and Power do we preach him up to be the light within the body and not apart from the body as Matthew Caffin hath affirmed him to be distinct the body from the Spirit But how fit a proof hath William Jeffery brought against his brother and fellow-messenger Matthew Caffin in the 68 pag. of their own book with their names to â—â— in the 68 pag. William Jeffery his words chiefly is to prove them
the visible body being received in the fear of the Lord but the bread of life and the fruit of the heavenly Wine doth satisfie the hungry Soul and the immortal Soul that hungereth and thirsteth after righteousness cannot be satisfied without that Bread of Life and Blood which Christ gave unto his Disciples and with the light you may easily perceive that proved to be the spiritual meat for Christ said I am the Bread which came down from Heaven John 6. 41. but that troubled the professing Jews even as our words of Truth doth trouble both Papists and the rest of the Sects that use visible bread and set that in stead of the invisible Bread of God which came down from Heaven and gives life unto the world John 6. 33. and when we say the bread and drink which Christ gave unto his Discâ—ples was his body and blood according to the Scriptures then they wonder and some of them hath said how could he give them his body to eat and drink and such was the Jews carnal reason when Christ said The bread that I will give is my John 6. 52 flesh then the Jews strove among themselves saying How can this man give us his flesh to eat then Jesus said unto them Verily verily I say unto you except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood you have no life in you John 6 51 52 53. but this was a hard saying unto the Jews and also to the Disciples that looked without at the flesh and blood that was visible insomuch that many were offended and went back and walked no more with Jesus for he said unto them Doth this offend you What and if you shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before it is the Spirit that quickneth the flesh profiteth nothing the words that I speak unto you they are Spirit and they are Life vers 63. and so he did give his body and blood and life unto his Disciples as he said in Matth. 26. for he had life in himself to give John 5. 26. unto whom he would and unto this agree those Scriptures which speaketh of heavenly and spiritual gifts that were given unto the Saints which were to feed the flock of God with that which they had received and they did feed some with the milk of the Word that were as new born babes and 1 Cor 3 â— Heb â— 1â— some with strong meat as they were able to bear it and so they broke bread or devided the Word aright as good stewards of the manifold grace of God 1 Pet. 4. 10 and so that which they received of the Lord they ministred unto others 1 Tim. 2. 15. according to their gift or ability as Paul said after he had asked the Corinthians whether they had not houses to eat and to drink in For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you 1 Cor. 11. 23. and they had received the word of reconciliation and the life and truth it self and that they declared and delivered a right according to every ones ability and so they break bread from house to house as Acts 2. 46. the Scripture saith And they kept the Feast but not with the â—â—aven of malice and wickedness but with the unleavened bread of sâ—ncerity and truth 1 Cor. â— â— and this was their manner of breaking of bread or ministring spiritual things who did not handle the Word of God deceitfully but devided that a right which they had seen tasted and handled which was 2 Câ—r 4. 2. Heb. 6 5 1 John 1. 1. good unto them whose affections were set upon things above those natural things which the natural man looketh at Now you may see there is not a word in Scripture that ever Christ or the Apostles did Command breaking of outward visible bread but Christ whose Words were Spirit Life said I am the bread that came down from Heaven that a man may eat of and not dye again he said Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood ye have no life in you John 4. and the true worshippers worship the Father in Spirit and in truth and he that eateth of Christs body the bread of Life shall live by him said Christ John 6. 57. and he said the bread that he brake and gave to his Disciples was his body and the cup was his blood which he gave them then mark what he said But I say unto you I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Fathers Kingdom John 5. 1. and he that will drink of the fruit of this vine with Christ must first come into the Kingdom of God for there is the Throne and Table of the Lord known and when one of them that sate at meat with him heard these things he said unto him Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God Luke 14. 15. Here it speaks of eating and drinking in the Kingdom of God but the natural Jews and Baptists doth not know how those things should be because they are spiritually discerned and so they deceive themselves and others that set up and cry up visible things in the room of that which is invisible and such beguile people in a voluntary humility intruding into those things which they have not seen vainly puft up by their fleshly earthly and sensual knowledge and not holding the head such the Apostle Paâ—l speaks of to the Câ—lâ—ssians that they might beware of them saying Wherefore if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world why as though living in the world are ye subject to Ordinances touch not taste not handle not which all are to perish with the using after the commandments and doctrines of men which things have indeed a shew of wisdom in will-worship and humility and neglect of the body Col 2. And so in love and pitty unto poor Souls have I freely declared and rightly proved that which first I received of the Lord in the Light which gives the right understanding hâ— that can receive them let him do it freely in the Light THE END