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 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
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
which is Christ the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1. â— and no other do we Preach to be Christ but he that said I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of Life John 8. 12. John 12. 46. which is Christ the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world John 1. â— and this is the light which we have Preached up at the right hand of God who dwells in his people according to the Scriptures and no other Christ do we own but he which all the Prophets bare witness of and that John said was the true light as we have proved very plainly by the Scriptures and that thousands of people know which are not come yet to walk in the light but if they do not harden themselves but fear the Name of the Lord in due time they shall know the rising of the Son of righteousness with healing under his wings and the wicked shall be brought down in them and for them and now all moderate people may see these Baptists to be blasted with a thick mist and overcome with grosse darkness who make it their work to deny the true Christ the Son of the onely true God and so denies the Father also for no other light do we Preach to be the Christ the Saviour the Son of God but he that hath said I am the light of the world and he that believeth in him is not condemned but he that believeth not is condemned already and this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men love darkness rather then light because their deedâ— are evil John â— 19. And here their Teachers are found one against another about the light and now people may see the Apostles words are true who spake of such boasters proud blasphemers having a form of godliness but denying the power and now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth men of corrupt minds reprobaâ—e concerning the faith But they shall proceed no farther for their folly shall be made manifest to all men that reads this with the light as theirs also was 2 Tim. 3. and take notice what Petâ—r saith but there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false Teachers among you who privily shall bring in damnable Heresies even denying the Lord thaâ— bought them and bring upon themselves swift dâ—struction â— Pet. â— 1. and these Baptists that deny the Eâ—ernal Spirit to be the Saviour of the world and also deny tâ—e true light and so they now while they are in their form crying up outward things to be Ordinances for a prerence and so bring in damnable Heresies And so did the Pharisees that were exceeding wicked cry up the Temple and such things and for a pretence made long prayers Mat. 23. â—4 But whosoever shall deny me before men him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven saith Christ Mat. 10. 33. therefore be warned in time you that be not past feeling for this I know that it had been good for such wicked blasphemers that they had never been born â—hen so lightly and rashly to deny the onely Son of God which is the light of the world for he that despised Moses Law dyed without mercy under two or three witnesses of how much sorer punishment suppose ye shall he be thought worthy who hath troden under foot the Son of God and hath counted the blood of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified as an unholy thing and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace Heb. 1â— 28. 29. Another Baptist at Nethurst meeting afore mentioned affirmed That Christ was not a Spirit and bid one Humphery Killingâ—eck prove iâ— if he coâ—ld Answ God is a spirit John 4. 24. and Christ said he and his Father was one John â—0 30. and he is a quickening Spirit the Scripture saith but the Baptist saith he is not a spirit for they make flesh their arm and therefore look without to know him after the flesh although the Apostles said they were to know him so no more mark Thus saith the Lord Cursed be the man that trusteth in man maketh flesh his arm and whose heart departeth from the Lord for he shall be like the heaâ—h in the desert and shall not see when good cometh Jâ—r 17. 5. 6. and blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord and whose hope the Lord is Jâ—r 17. 7. and the quickening Spirit is both Christ and Lord. Now concerning Jesus Christ our Lord hâ—w he came in the form of a man or how he took flesh upon him he was of the seed of Abraham and David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead Rom. 1. and when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son born of a Virgâ—n and made under the Law and then he made himself of no reputation but Gal. 4. took upon him the form of a servant and so came under Tutors and Governours for a time in that form of a man or in that body which was prepared under the Law in the time of signs and types and figures and shadowes of good things to come and there was Ciâ—cumcision without and Baptisme withâ— outward water and Synagogues and Temples made with hands and he like unto other men came into those things in that body of flesh which he â—ook upon him and so fulfilled all those things which did signifie of that which is become more excellent unto us and so he passed through those things which were but shadows â—nd went to his Father from them as a shadow for it is said a cloud received him out of their sight and while he was among them in that form he was also rejected and grieved to see their wickedness in so much that he wept over them and was taken by wicked hands and crucâ—fied and put to death and slain and pierced by them and was laid in a Sepulchre a figure and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and appeared unto Mary like a gardiner and also he appeared unto his Disciples in another form Mark 16. and so he tasted death for every creature for in him was life and the life was the light of men and he said John 10. I lay down my life that I may take it again no man taketh it from me but I lay it down of my self I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it again and so he took flesh upon him and offered once for all who perfected for ever them John 6. that are sanctified but the flesh profiteth nothing and he was one with the Father before the world was made and he wâ—nt to the Father again and was and is one with the Father and he and
to be led by the spirit of errour and the spirit of Antichrist mark that preach up the Spirit of Christ apart from the body or flesh of Christ and as it is before set down Matthew Caffin did several times say and affirm that Christ and his Spirit was distinct one from the other and so the one of these proves the other to be a deceiver mark William Jeffery his words in the 68. page of that book called the deceiving Quakers discovered how plainly he proves his brother a deceiver and also himself and the rest of the Baptists who do generally believe and say that the body or flesh of Christ is above the skies in some place they call Heaven and his Spirit in them which hath been dipt in water this is generally held forth by them and so it is plain they do say the Spirit of Christ is in them a part from the body which they say is above the skies in Heaven but if it were as they say then hath William Jeffery overthrown their whole faith which is vain proved them all deceived and deceivers as well as himself and Matthew Caffin but with the light all moderate people may see these Baptists to be in the night and not to have a Vision that could not see how William Jeffery went to overthrow their whole faith before it came openly forth printed into the world but now it is manifested their form is dead and they in it appear nakedly for all their high-swelling words and to be all deceived and deceivers And for Zions sake I cannot hold my peace the love of God is so strong in me unto simple-hearted poor Souls but after the Fathers love is manifested unto them and they reject it then I may say as the Apostle said But if any be ignorant let him be ignorant 1 Cor 1â— 38 At a Meeting at Covole the 28th of the 6th month 1659. the afore-mentioned Matthew Caffin Baptist Teacher affirmed That Christ doth not come in us that is in their bodies and he also said He dâ—nied that to be Christ that was in people and many words to that effect Answ These Baptists chief Principles are to deny the true Christ at the Meetings where they come and that exceeding boldly and impudently as all sober people may see that reads this with the least measure of light for that was the true Christ which all the true Prophets bore witness of and that Moses writ of to come amongst the people and hâ— did proceed from God and dwelt amongst Johâ—â— 14. his Disciples and they beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father full of grace and truth and he John 14. â— told his Disciples he dwelleth with you and shall be in you for said he I will not leave you comsortless I will come to you John 14. 17 18. and this was the true Christ the light of the world and the eye of the body who proceeded from the Father and went unto the Father and come again unto the Disciples which waited to know him that was to come and be in them and he did come to them within and the Antichrists came unto them without but greater was he that was in them then he that was in the world or they that were without them and so by his power in them they withstood the false prophets and Antichrists and then went they into the world 1 John 4. â— but Christ the Son whom the Father sent to be the Saviour of the world was then come again according to his former promise and was in them and they in him as it was said in John 14. 20. and if you that read this do not believe he did come again so soon to them see what John saith And we know 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 this is the true God and Eternal life â— John 5. 20. and so the Scriptures testifie of him to come and be in his Disciples and they in him but the Baptists saith plainly he is not come in their bodies and that is the ground why they are so inraged like the troubled Sea because they have resisted him that said Behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my voice and open the door I will come into him Rev. 3. 20. but the Baptists hath kept him out and so are Reprobates concerning the Faith which he worketh in them that receive him at his coming and the Apostles bid the Corinthians examine themselves whether they were in the Faith Prove your own selves know you not your own sâ—lves how that Jesus Christ is in you except you be Reprobates 2 Cor. 13 5. and now all may see that they were Reprobates that dâ—d not know Jesus Christ in them and so are these Baptists now that do not know Jesus Christ in them and now is it seen and proved plainly that these Baptists are led by the spirit of Antichrist in a reprobate state not confessing Christ to be come in the flesh but denying him in themselves which is the very cause why they so wilfully resist and gainsay him in others where he is come up a swift witness against unrighteousness and so according to the Scriptures it is proved that the true Christ did come and dwell with his Disciples in the form of the flesh and did go away unto the Father and came again unto his Disciples according to his promise and they knew he was come in them to dwell but this was not after the flesh for they were to know him so no more but as he appeared they were to see him as he is 1 John 3. 2. and they did know him come in them a quickning Spirit for by him were they quickned who had been dead in trespasses and sins he that reads with the light may understand And now I shall prove again he doth not onely deny Christ to be come in their bodies or flesh but he also denieth that to be the Christ that was in people and now if you will at all regard the Scriptures of truth with the light you shall see how plainly â— shall prove out of the Scriptures that to be the true Christ the Son of the onely true God that was in people that you may all see how the Baptists hath denied both the Father and the Son and would go on deceiving and being deceived First see what Christ saith unto his Disciples At that day ye shall know that I am in my Father you in me and I in you Mark that John 4. 2. and so it is plain that Christ said they should know him in them which was the true Christ which lighteth every man that cometh into the world and Paul to Timothy said Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all long-suffering
for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting 1 Tim. 1. 16. here the Apostle speaks of the true Christ suffering in him and first to shew it forth for a pattern mark that and Paul told the Galathians what a persecutor he had been of those that preached in the Name of Christ while he was among the professing Jews But when it pleased God who separated me from my mothers womb and called me by his gace to reveal his Son in me that I might preach him among the Heathen Gal. 1. 15 16. and Christ was in them the Hope of Glory and the Apostle said Little children of whom I travel in birth again until Christ be formâ—â— in you Gal. 4. 12. and again the Apostle said but that with all boldness as alwayes so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body whether it be by life or by death Philip. 1. 20. and God was their Father who was above all and through all and in Eph. â—â— them all and Christ was at the right hand of God in them all and Christ lived in Paul and he said The life that I now live in the flesh I live by the Faith of the Son of God Galat. 2. 20. Many more Scriptures might be brought to prove that Christ was in people whom the Father sent to be the onely Saviour of the world and that was the true Christ which was in them and they were in him as John said He is come that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ 1 John 5. 20. but these Bapâ—ists have denied him to be the Christ And them will he deny before his Father which is in Heaven Matth. 10 33. And so you may see how the Baptists preacheth Christ in words but now when they are tried they deny him to be come in them and also deny him in all others and now it may be said by some that are ignorant of the things of God that Christ did say unto his Disciples He would go away and come to them again and be in them and that the Apostle said He was come and was in them but yet they speak of his coming to Judgement and also of their waiting for him until he did come and all this is true I shall answer it in short for the truths sake all that did wait and watch in a readiness for his coming in them they knew his appearance in them and also the Resurrection from the dead without for he was manifest with them and revealed in them and they preached him so to come in like manner unto others and the Apostle bid them watch and wait for his coming and the Apostles themselves did meet with such and wait with them for his coming and hoped to see him appear in them in due time unto whom he had been preached and among whom they had laboured and the Apostle Paul said My little children of whom I travel in birth again until Christ be formed in you Gal. 4. 19. and so they looked for his coming into them and for his appearance even as we do now in whom he is come to rule in our hearts and the Apostles did look and we do look for his coming in the Clouds of Heaven and all his holy Angels with him at the last to Judge the secrets of men according to the everlasting Gospel and this is the Word of truth to all that can recieve it And now all you simple-hearted people which desire to know the truth concerning water-baptism and breaking of outward bread whether you have been dipt or would be dipt if you were sure God did require it of you who have thought or do think water-baptism and breaking of outward bread had been commands of Christ to his Disciples after his Resurrection and so to all believers after the Apostles decease And now in the fear of the Lord lend your ear and hearken diligently that your Souls may live for in true love and pitty unto your poor Souls do I write unto you of these things even as it hath been manifested unto me in the light which gives the true knowledge of the things of God unto they that are spiritual And by the Revelation of the Spirit I have perfect knowledge given unto me of those thingâ— which the natural man doth not know because they are spiritually discerned and revealed by the Spirit unto the Children of the Lord to the praise and glory of our God and to the comfort of their Souls which are redeemed out of death to reâ—oyce in God the Saviour for ever And when there doth arise in you a desire to read and understand these things then let your minds be turned unto the light of Christ in your Consciences which is so freely given unto you for to make manifest that which may be known of God unto you and in you mark and when the mind is turned unto the light then will the darkness and ignorance be manifested to be within which is the very cause why people doth not rightly understand the things of God when they speak or read of them with their minds blinded and the nobility of their understandings clouded with enmity against the light and therefore doth not know those things they read or speak of but naturally as bruit beasts yet will they be judging or saying this or that is their Judgement or Opinion then when they are contradicted they wring or wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction thinking thereby to uphold their Opinion and so to get victory over one another such is the Pharisee practise who love to have the praise of men in these our dayes and therefore now you simple-hearted that would walk in the right way but do not know it I do write unto you that you may not be hasty and so run rashly into any opinion but believe in the light in your own Conscience for he that Isa 28. 16. believeth shall not make haste and then waiting in the light the power of God will arise in due time and rent the vaile and overturn the dark mountains and so may you come to Rom. 14. 5 be perswaded in your minds such was the Apostles Doctrine when there was striving or contending about dayes even as there is among the chief Baptists now and so now people may see the Baptists are gone into Opinions and Sects like the Priests some for one thing and some for another one Sect for free Will and another for Election as they call them and another Sect of them are among the shadows and figures observing the seventh dayes for their sabbath which God gave unto the Children of Israel for a sign Ezek. â—0 1â— and the Apostle said unto the Colossians Let no man therefore Judge you in meat or in drink or in respect of an holy day or of the new Moon or of the Sabbath day which are a shadow of things to come but the body