the Priests might shew themselves some of them thinking it to long to wait the Magistrates Leisure turn'd their own Pay-Masters upon Heads Shoulders and other Limbs of Men and Women not distinguishing in either Sex or Age. The Cry of these Innocent People came up to the then Supream Authority but Relief could not be had One Book came out upon another conjuring the Magistrates to employ their Power to the utter Extirpation of these Seducers commanded the People that they should not so much as have any common Intercourse with them but avoid them as the Pest and fly them as Witches Sorcerers It were to irksom to tell the moity of their Stratagems O the Mercys of these Men were Cruelties But yet farther many things were writ by us in Vindication oâ—… our Innocency Some that sought for the Redemption of Israel and the Right Way of God believ'd here there a Simeon a Centurion a Priest a Lawyer a Physitian a Customer Fisherman and abundance of Handecrafts for the Poor receiv'd the Gospel But Alas Neither our Apologies nor grievous Sufferings were enough to allay that swelling spirit of Cruelty nor in the least affect the minds of Priests or Rulers with the Deploredness of our Condition so as to redress all these grievious Sufferings perhaps somtimes a little shew of Favour there might be but usually attended with a more terrible Storm They at last I mean the Magistrates by the detestable Suggestions of the Priests not having any Law in force by which they could justâ—…fie the Rigor of their Carriage towards us enacted first that no Man should Travel on the Sabboth-Day thereby to punish us as Criminals for going to our Assemblies to Worship the living God and next that such Persons as should be found above so many Miles from their own Homes not being able to give a good account of themselves should be whipt as Vagabonds by which Laws they miserably opprest our Friends many Men of considerable Estates being worse us'd then very Vagabonds Thus covering the one over with Devotion for the Day of rest and the other with prudent care for the Good of the Common-Wealth Nor was this all but as if they would out-do the Ages of cruel Popery and degenerated Prelacy they received both the Oath of Queen Mary made against such Protestants as came to decry the Idolatrys and Superstitions of the Romish Worship in the time of their Service thereby to justifie themselves in the Exercise of Cruelty and Revenge upon us for beaâ—…ing our faithful Testimony against their Formal and Hypocritical Preachments and that Oaâ—…h of Abrogatâ—…on of Popery that by the Advantage they took of our not Swearing at all they might the better fasten upon us the Character of Papists as Men Jesuited to that Interest with plain Design to render us odious and cover their own Cruelty Well may I say OUT-DONE when pretended reformed Protestants endeavour the Security of their Religion by the enaction of those Laws which were made by Inhuman Papists against such as in good measure we can say were truly reformed Protestants thereby condemning that in the Papists which they vigorously acted themselves and basely sought to entrap us by a colourable Oath wickedly forecast because they knew we could not Swear at all to punish us for not swearing against the Papists This was their Cloak they had to cover their Malice but it is grown to short scanty and out of date The Bruises Blood-shed grievous Beatings and tedious Imprisonments which followed this procedure are now seen with detestation of almost the very multitude it self and after Generations shall have it in utter abhorrance O what did not the Blood-thirsty Spirit in its Day These were the great pretending Presbyterians Independents and Anabaptists Fighting Knocking Kicking Robbing Imprisoning and Murthering an Innocenâ—… People whose whole Business was to Deny the dawâ—…g Doctrines of the Times and to Direct People to a certain Holy Principle in themselves unto which being Obedient they should experience Sin conquer'd and Peace with God preferring this above all the Traditions of Men or utmost Power of Human Ministry But as many of us saw in the Eternal Light that such Obstinacy in both Priests and Rulers to the Heavenly Truth would provoke the Just God to overturn them forever which though we did once and again tell them by Writings and by Word of Mouth they slighted our plain-Dealing turning it upon us that we should vanish in a little while So within very few Years God wrought the wonderfull Revolution and those who had been Inflicters of Heavy Punishments upon us became the Objects of their greatest Dis-pleasure whose Power and Estates they had so long usurp'd I can call it no otherwise for not the Country but Self was wickedly advanc'd thereby Behold the Justice of the Almighty such as refused us our Liberty after their Solemn Oathes to God and Men for the Preservation of Liberties Civil and Religious became destitute of their Own and who spoil'd us were spoil'd by Others and we just now under their Feeâ—… came upon Equal Terms with Our Adversaries At what time though both They and We used our Endeavours to prevent Coertion upon Conscience yet whether they prevailed or no some were in Hopes that the Edge of their Spirits by this Change of Affairs had been so doubl'd as never more to cut or wound a People that had never wrong'd them and that their Retirement would have been rather employ'd in hearty Sorrow for their Abuse of Government in their Unjust Severity towards us as well as others then a Continuance of the same Enmity But thus far such fail'd in hopes their Displeasure against us surviving their Power to inflict it for though it is true that in time of Persecution they would inquire out of their By-Holes of our Well-fare for who had so long reigned shew'd they were most unfit for Suffering and like People upon City-Walls or from other convenâ—…ent standings would diligently observe the State of things and by their Observation or Inquiry carefully acquaint themselves with the Success for our Overthrow had been the End of them and as one of themselves said We were the Bulworks that receiv'd the Shot Yet so unabated hath their implacable Malice been at the King 's first coming in they thought to do great Matters by letting the Powers know they were no Abettors of the Quakers which indeed stood us in great stead least we might have been taken for those Tumultuous Blood-thirsty Covenant-breaking Government-destroying Anabaptists and that they might prove to the World we were not of them No sooner those Storms of Persecution have been over but like forgetful Mariners they have faln to their Old Work of bitter Envying Either some one of their Church leaves them or the Quakers are prosperous in their Labours or any thing else that is next for a Cover to palliate their Emulous Spirit in all its base Detractions from us and the blessed Truth
in being I cannot see but the Type and the Thing typified might be at one and the same time not as to Degree but Nature for so I would be understood Before I conclude take this notable Saying of Christ to the Jews and what may be collected from it to our Purpose BEFORE ABRAHAM WAS I AM ABRAHAM SAW MY DAY AND REJOYCED which affords us briefly thus much That though he was not so visibly come yet it was the very same HE that came about One Thousand Six Hundred Years ago who was with the Fathers of Old and that Abraham who lived One Thousand Nine Hundred Years before that outward Appearance saw him and his Day If this be not the Import of the Place I know none For the Jews not believing him to be the Messiah thought it high Presumption sor him to compare with Abraham Art thou Greater then our Father Abraham who is dead and the Prophets are dead Whom makest thou thy self said that Unbelieving People Unto which he answered that he might prove himself to be the true Messiah the Christ of God ABRAHAM SAW MY DAY and rejoyced They still harping upon that Visible Body not Thirty Three Years old replyed Thou art not yet Fifty and hast thou seen Abraham Taking that to be the Messiah the Christ of God and Saviour of the World he meant which they saw with their Carnal Eyes To which he rejoyn'd with a Verily verily I say unto you before Abraham was I am then took they up Stones to cast at him c. By all which it is most clear that unless our Adversaries will deny him that so spoak which yet T. Hicks's Anti-scriptural Opinion doth imply to be Christ who singled and distinguisht himself as the Messiah the Christ of God and Saviour of the World from that Visible Body not Fifty Years old indeed both Christ that then spoak must needs have been long before Abraham's Time and that such Holy Ancients were not without a Sight and Prospect of him and the Day of his Glorious Appearance or that most Signal Manifestation of himself in that Body prepared for that Great and Holy Purpose witness the exceeding Clear and Heavenly Prophecyes that were as so many Fore-runners or Introducers of the Evangelical State And this is unquestionably confirm'd unto us by that known and very weighty Expression of the Apostle Paul to the Romans Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came who is over all God blessed for ever Amen Since here both Christ is distinguisht from the Body he took and made one with that God who is over all blessed for ever Amen As much as to say of whose Flesh Christ took therefore Christ was before he took it or his taking it did not constitute him Christ which Christ is God And if God which cannot be said of meer Flesh or any Corporal Lineage then must he have been from all Everlasting To conclude As Abraham Outward and Natural was the great Father of the Jews Outward and Natural whose Seed God promis'd to bless with Earthly Blessings as Canaan c. that they were figurative of the one Seed Christ and such as he should beget unto a lively Hope through the Power of his Spiritual Resurrection it will consequently follow that this Seed must be Inward and Spiritual since one outward thing cannot be the proper Figure or Representation of an other Nor is it the Way of holy Scripture so to teach us The Outward Lamb shows forth the Inward Lamb The Jew Outward the Jew Inward As God attended the one with many singular outward Mercies to say no more above other Nations So the Jew in Spirit doth he benefit above all other People I have these two short Arguments to prove what I believe and assert as to the Spirituallity of the True Seed and a clearer Overthrow it is to the Opinion of our Adversaries to the True Christ. First Every thing begets its like What is simply Natural produces not a Spiritual Being Material Things bring not forth Things that are Immaterial Now because the Nature or Image begotten in the Hearts of True Believers is Spiritual it will follow that the Seed which so begets and brings forth that Birth must be the same in Nature with that which is begotten therefore Spiritual then Christ's Body or what he had from the Virgin strictly considered as such was not the Seed Secondly it is clear from hence The Serpent is a Spirit Now nothing can bruise the Head of the Serpent but something that is also Internal and Spiritual as the Serpent is But if that Body of Christ were the Seed then could he not bruise the Serpent's Head in all because the Body of Christ is not so much as in any one and consequently the Seed of the Promise is an Holy and Spiritual Principle of Light Life and Power that being receiv'd into the Heart bruiseth the Serpents Head And because the Seed which cannot be that Body is Christ as testify the Scriptures the Seed is one and that Seed Christ and Christ God over all blessed forever we do conclude and that most truly that Christ was and is the Divine Word of Light and Life that was in the beginning with God and was and is God over all blessed for ever And this may yet more evidently appear let it but be seriously weigh'd that before ever that visible Appearance the Seed bruised in good measure the Serpent's Head in the Holy Men and Women of all Generations otherwise they had not been Holy but Serpentine and Wicked And if the Seed was before and that Seed be Christ because there is but One Christ as well as but One only Seed it doth clearly follow that Christ was Christ before that Outward Appearance and consequently it could but be a more Excellent and free Manifestation of his Truth Righteousness Salvation Wisdom Power Glory and Dominion as indeed it was For notwithstanding that this Heavenly Seed was in some measure known and what was wrought of Inward Deliverance in that Day was by and through the Power and Vertue of it as the Minds of People were retired to that Word of God nigh in the Heart to cleanse and redeem And though particular Persons might arrive at great Attainments even to a Beholding the Day of the Seeds compleat Redemption and Conquest over all it's Oppressors when what was but in the Condition of a Seed or New-born Child should become the only Son the Wonderfull Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace of the Increase of whose Government there should be no End as speaks the Prophet Yet it is granted through that good Understanding the Lord has given us in these weighty Things that the Generallity were but Weak Dark and Imbondaged as saith the Apostle under Carnal and Beggarly Elements not clearly seeing through those outward Services which if I may so speak God held them in hand with condescending to
their Weakness that he might both keep them from gadding after the Pompous Invention and Idolatrous Worship of other Nations and point out unto them under their great Carnality that more Hidden Glory and Spiritual Dispensation which should-afterwards be revealed to wit The Compleat Redemption of the Soul and Raign of the Holy Seed from the Child born and the Son given to the Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty God the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace of the Increase of whose Government there shall be no End So that then we ought and we do by absolute Force of Truth conclude 1. That the Seed which Seed is Christ was in all Ages with Abraham with the Israelites with the Prophets Therefore he was as well before he came in that prepared Body as then and since 2. Yet it is confest That He was not so clearly revealed perfectly brought forth and generally known before his so Coming as then and since but more darkly figured out by Types and Shaddowy Services which though they Cleans'd not Sav'd not Redeem'd not yet did show forth a more Hidden and Spiritual Substance that was able to Cleanse Save and Redeem and did all that received it and were truly subject to it 3. That it therefore is not at all Absurd that the more Excellent Manifestation of Truth should he Typified and Prophesied of under the Enjoyment of the Lesser since the Reason of the Thing and the Testimonies of the Scripture are so express for it which ends our Answer to this Particular CHAP. XX. The Fourth Part of the Objection stated and considered Christ's Death and Sufferings confessed to and respected they were beneficial The Light of Christ within is the Efficient Cause to Salvation HAving thus considered the Third Part of this great Objection I am now come to what chiefly stumbles People with respect to the Light within at least as I apprehend and that is this Fourth and Last Particular viz. But if the Light in every Man be Christ how doth it bear our Sins and are our Iniquities laid upon it and how can we be said to be Justified Redeemed or Saved by its Blood since all these things are spoken by the Holy Pen-men of the Man Christ or Jesus born at Nazareth Surely you wholy invalidate his Life Death Resurrection Ascension and Mediation by this Belief in the Light This I take to be the very Stress of the Matter collected out of the most Forceable Writings of our Adversaries To which I Answer and let him that reads understand It must be considered in this Last Part of the Objection how those Questions can be applicable to the Light and yet be reconciliable with those Scriptures that seem to attribute all to his Bodily Sufferings I hope to make appear that as we exalt the First so we dare not by any means to slight the Last The Light or rather He that is Light in Man for I have alwayes desired so to be understood Light being a Metaphor or word taken from the outward Day and chiefly so term'd because of Man's Darkness which is thereby discovered hath been as a Lamb slain since the Foundation of the World that is the World had not been long created before the good Order of it and every thing therein being envied by the Fallen Angels that Spirit of Iniquity betrayed Man of his Innocency and Sin by Disobedience prevailing the Light or Principle of Life under whose Holy Leadings Man was placed became Resisted Grieved and as it were Slain which word Slain is also Metaphorical that is to say the Innocent Pure Life was as Wounded unto Death through Man's Disobedience and Lamb-like Image in which Adam was created by him through Rebellion lost Thus that Holy Principle which God placed in the Heart of Adam in which was true Light Life and Power bore the Sin was prest under it as a Cart under Sheaves grieved exceedingly and as it were quencht with Iniquity This hath been the Condition of that Precious and Elect Seed Spirit Light Life Truth or whatever Name equivalent any may please to give it ever since that first Rebellion to this very Day And as in Wicked Men God's Holy Light and Spirit or that Principle which is so called hath been deeply Wounded yea as one Slain so in Good Men that have had a Sence of the World's Abomination hath it also born many Burdens and Weights for the Light and Life is One in All. And those who have been reformed by it and joyned to it have been as One Spirit and have not been without their Share of their Lord 's heavy Sufferings from the Ungodly World which was as well a filling up of Christ's Sufferings that were before his Outward Coming as what to this Generation are behind And as at any time Disobedient Men have harkened to the still Voice of the WORD that Messenger of God in their Hearts to be affected and convinced by it as it brings Reproof for Sin which is but a Fatherly Chastizement â—…o upon true Brokenness of Soul and Contrition of Spirit that very same Principle and Word of Life in Man has mediated and attoned and God has been propitious lifting up the Light of his Countenance and replenishing such humble 〈◊〉 with Divine Consolations So that still the same Christ Word-God who has enlightned all Men by Sin is grieved bearing the Iniquities of such as so sin and reject his Benefits but as any hear his Knocks and let him in he first Wounds and then Heals afterwards he attones mediates and re-instates in the holy Image Behold this is the State of Restitution And this in some Measure was witnessed by the Holy Patriarchs Prophets and Servants of God in old time to whom Christ was substantially the same Saviour and Seed bruising the Serpent's Head that he is now to us what Difference sâ—…ever there may be in Point oâ—… Manifestation But notwithstanding the same Light and Life with that which afterwards clothed it it self with that outward Body did in measure inwardly appear for the Salvation of the Souls of Men yet as have often said never did that Liâ—…â—…eminently put â—…orth it self for that End as in that 〈◊〉 and prepared Body so that what he then suffered and did in that transcendent Manisestation may by way of Eminency assume the whole Work unto it self that he ever did before or might do afterwards For doubtless that very Light Life and Power which dwelt in that Fleshâ—…y Tabernacle eminently was the Convincer Condemner Saviour and Redeemer yet not only as confined to that Body but as revealed in the Hearts of Men as he was in Paul who not consulting with Flesh and Blood against the Lord of Glory willingly receive him in to bind the strong Man spoil his Goods and cast him out that He might Reign And that the Divine Life Light Spirit Nature of Principle which resided in that Body was the efficient Cause of Salvation observe the Title that is given from the great Work he was to
Light of Jesus Christ and secret Power of God that moved in them and opened their Hearts and seriously inclined them to hear the Gospel preached and which Light in them closed with the lively Testimony thereof which did concur with the Light to the opening their Understandings and turning their Minds from Darkness and Sin to the Light shining in their Hearts and when those of the Circumcision heard how well the Gentiles were prepared to receive the Gospel and the Effect of it Act. 10. and 11. Chap. They were then convinced of God's Graciousness to those of the Uncircumcision as well as to themselves their contending with Peter for going unto and eating with men uncircumcised was then stopped when they heard these things they held their Peace and glorified God saying then hath God also to the Gentiles granted Repentance unto Life And its evident that Cornelius and the rest that received the Word as preached had a Work of saving Grace in their Hearts before which prepared them and begot true desires in them after Life and Salvation Also when Barnabas come to Antioch and had seen the Grace of God he was glad and exhorted them all that with Purpose of Heart they would cleave unto the Lord Act. 11. 23. So this Light of the Grace of God both to and in them was great Encouragement to him so to exhort them but if there had been no Saving Grace in their Hearts what Effect could such Exhortation or Preaching have been of unto them If the Light within be sufficient to save Men then it renders Christs Coming and Suffering needless This is a blind Inference still opposing the Light of Christ within yea and all that is of God in Man as Insufficient and so as neither discovering Christ's Coming nor the Effect of his Suffering or as iâ—… Men might be saved by his Coming and Suffering without Respect to his Light within which shews gross Darkness as if there were not a Concurrence between the Light within and the End of Christ's Coming and Suffering and he might as well say that if the Ingrafted Word which is within be able to save the Soul then Christ's Coming and Suffering was needless he should rather have saiâ—… that Christ's Coming and Suffering without was because men were turned from his Light within for if all had walked in his Light within he had not been persecuted and murthered but this man's Argument supposeth Christ's Coming and Suffering to be for the Supply of some great Defect or Insufficiency of his Light within as if man had so well improved it and found it too scanty or Insufficient and therefore by this Christ must suffer and die for his own Light within to supply it whereas Christ dyed for the Ungodly for all men that were dead in Sin who had disobeyed and transgressed his Light within and though there be a Reconciliation by his Death yet the being saved is by his Life whose Life is the Light of men which for men to be turned to in themselves and therein to live to God varies not from the Blessed End of Christs coming and Suffering while he works in man by his Light and Power within both in shewing him Sin saving him from it as he believes in the Light becomes a Child of the Light thereof as Christ exhorted and if we walk in the Light of God the Blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all Sin The Light within cannot be a sufficient Rule because then there would be no certainty of Truth or Error of Sin or Duty for that which one Man maketh Light to Day the same Man will call Darkness to morrow one Man calleth one thing a Sin another calleth it a Duty by this there will be no such thing as Sin but only in the Opinions of Men. Answ. 1. If there can be no Certainty of Truth or Error Sin or Duty by the Light within how is he certain that there is any real Light at all in him 2. His placing such uncertainties and those various and contrary Opinions of men upon the Light within and rendring it an Insufficient Rule either to distinguish between Truth and Error Sin or Duty this is contrary to both Christ's and the Apostles Testimony as namely that it is a manifesting Light both of good and Evil both of those deeds wrought in God and those that are reproved Joh. 3. 20 21. Ephes. 5. 13. wherefore the Light of Christ within is a sufficient Rule 3. And what Proof is it against the Light if one man calls it Light to day and the same call it Darkness to morrow or that one man calleth one thing a Sin another calleth it a Duty doth this therefore prove the Light not a Sufficient Rule Or doth it prove any more then that there are those that put Darkness for Light and Light for Darkness and that call Evil good and good Evil Isa. 5. 20. or those that call that a Sin which others call a Duty If it must â—…om hence be argued therefore that there is no such certain Discovering Light or Rule in man to distinguish these may it not aswell be argued that therefore there is no such thing as Truth or Duty to be distinguished from Error and Sin And doth not this directly lead into Ranterism and finally into Atheism let the Serious Reader judge If the Light within be a sufficient Rule then I have a sufficient Rule within me because you say every Man hath it and I am bound to obey it In Obedience to this Rule I oppose your Errors and in opposing your Errors one of our Lights cannot be a sufficient Rule because such a vast difference between us then one of us hath not a sufficient Rule Answ. However he hereby grants the Light in one of us to be a sufficient Rule pretending that he obeys this Rule and here he hath found another Rule for a Christian besides the Scriptures and then they are not the only or sole Rule of Faith and Practice though its evident he doth not obey the Light within while he represents it so variable and uncertain and the Opposition and difference between us to arise from Light in both whereas the Light is but one and changeth not that divine Principle of Life which is the Light of men is immutably pure and cannot err however the Creature doth therefore it follows that both of us cannot be led by the Light in such direct Opposition for its Darkness that opposeth the Light After his so grosly and impiously slighting and invalidating the Light within he does not at all tell us what good it can do or understand nor what good End or Use God hath given it for to Man-kind nor what shall be the End of them of what Nation soever that walk up to the Light within them nor what Condition or End do the Dictates and Leadings of it tend to this he has not at all resolved but in his Darkness dealt most
throughout all the Generations of the Righteous since the World began being the Rock of Ages that spiritual Rock whereof all Israel drank 1 Cor. 10. 4. who said before Abraham was I am this great and most eminent Prophet God promised to raise up unto Israel of their Brethren which was in a more familiar Appearance even in the Flesh though his spiritual Out-goings were before from of old and he was called the faithful and true Witness the beginning of the Creation of God Rev. 3. 14. who faith behold I stand at the door and knock if any man hear my Voice and open the Door I will come in to him and will sup with him and he with me ver 20. Now I ask what and where is that Door that he so universally knocks at And is not this the true Christ that thus knocketh And was not his Light or Word in Israels Hearts and his Spirit in the Holy Prophets by which they fore-saw his Coming in the Flesh his Sufferings and Glory that should follow Now though the pure Light and Glory of the Father was more fully eminently and signally then ever before manifest and shining forth in him as coming in the fulness of time to consummate and end the Types and Shadows of the first Covenant whereby he gave a more eminent and signal Testimony of God's Universal Love and Power to man this is no Argument to prove that either the true Christ or his Universal Light was not in being and in some degree discovered before for without this no Soul could ever be saved it was his divine Light that could minister Life unto the Soul and not Shadows Sect. IX The Dipper plung'd in a Laborinth of self-Contradictions and the Light within proved a Rule above the Scriptures T. H. IT will be our Wisdom yea our Duty not only to attend the Light within but specially to those Revelations of God's Mind and Will in the Holy Scriptures p. 13. Answ. In thy granting its part of our Duty to attend to the Light within thou hast plainly contradicted thy Blasphemy in opposing it in other places as a mis-guiding Light and comparing it with the Man of Sin Mahomet c. and judging our following its Conduct as a subverting and anihilating the Covenant of Grace and that this Light doth directly oppose it and ought to be rejected as appears p. 38. Is it part of our Duty to attend upon that that subverteth and opposeth the Covenant of Grace O! that thou wouldst consider and see thy Blasphemy and what a Laborinth of Contradictions thou art fallen into as also in thy Concession of attending to the Light within thou art defective whilst thou dost not place the special Attention to be upon it but upon the Scriptures whereas the Light within is specially to be attended to as that which both opens the Understanding in the Scriptures and discovers the several Conditions which they relate to otherwise men are apt to pervert and mis-apply the Scriptures to their own Destruction turning the Truth of God into a Lye as they did who turned their Backs upon the Manifestation of God in them Rom. 1. 19 21 25. T. H. I conceive enough hath been said to evince that the Light in every man neither is the true Christ nor a sufficient Rule to guide us unto Salvation p. 13. Answ. While Thou are following thy own Conceptions thou dost not follow the Guidance of the Light of Christ within and therefore conceivest amiss of it for it is a true and perfect Rule unto which he that loveth doth truth cometh and bringeth his Deeds that they may be manifest that they are wrought in God Joh. 3. 21. it is a convincing Rule that pure and inward Law or Light which converts the Soul It doth not onely convict man of Sin but upon Repentance evidenceth unto him Remission And this doth not the Scriptures without to men particularly though they testify of the several Conditions which the Light guides the Soul through The Scriptures testifie against all Sin but do not shew unto men their particular Sins many read the Scriptures who over-look the Deceits of their own Hearts but if they Eye this Light of the Son of God within it will manifest unto them their particular Evils and shew them their Thoughts Motions and Actions and the Tendance of each so do not the Scriptures they cannot of themselves convince any as the divine Light can And this divine Light within discovers all the Temptations and mysterious Workings and Depths of Satan to that Soul that waits in it as they are met withall and as Satan attempts to insnare that the Soul may shun his Snares and Wiles upon all Occasions and in all Tryals and this does not the Letter without This Light within also as a perfect and immediate Rule of Faith directs the Soul in all the Operations of Faith against all the Innumerable Temptations and Tryals and Besetments of the Enemy and it opens an Inward Eye of Faith and is the Immediate Guide to see him who is Invisible through all but so is not the Scripture All which being seriously considered the Light within is the Rule of Faith and not the Scripture But if it be objected That the Scriptures being the Rule of Faith is not intended without the Help of the Spirit or divine Light in the Soul I answer This granteth that the Scriptures are not the Rule of Faith alone therefore that they are not to be taken as the Intire Rule of Faith they not being effectual without the Spirit whereas the Spirit is effectual without the Scriptutes and able of it self to lead into all Truth The Spirit or Heavenly Unction considered as a higher Degree Gift or Effusion of divine Life than that degree of Light that is given in common to all is attained unto only by those that faithfully improve the Life or Light in its less Appearance which in some degree appears in every man's Conscience T. H. I query whether all the Generations of Christians since Christ's time until within these very few Years be not eertainly lost and damned forasmuch as they acknowledged not this Light within as the true Christ p. 12. Answ. This shews thou hast very little Sense of all the Christians and their Acknowledgments who thus queriest of them Did not they acknowledge Christ in them the Immortal Word of Life and Light in them And was not Christ both their Life Light and Salvation And was not the Apostle Paul sent to turn the Gentiles from Darkness to Light And did not all the true Ministers preach Christ as God's Covenant given for a Light and Salvation to the Ends of the Earth But in thy dark Thoughts thou seest not the Drift of rheir Testimony but queriest whether all the Generations of Christians till within these few Years be not certainly lost and damned And yet thou wouldst be accounted a Christian in this thy Unchristian Work Sect. X. The Subject Understanding and Obeying
Dignity of our Lord Jesus More particularly we have made Confession of those reigning Abominations in our own Souls and in the Churches of that light Spirit living short of the true Sight and Sense of God's Majesty in his Churches and among his Saints from whence proceeds that Vanity and Carelesnes which doth so much attend them We have bewailed that wretched worldly Spirit that plucks down the Saints from their Excellency and leaves such Blackness upon them which renders them so uncomely in the Eyes of Men. We have bewailed that Coldness and Deadness that is upon our selves and upon the Churches that Formality in holy Duties that Indifferency and that Laodicean Spirit that is fallen in upon us while we have been crying let him make Speed and hasten his Work that we may see it let the Counsel of the Lord come that we may know it and all this while we have been drawing Iniquity with Cords of Vanity having been in a great Measure as without the Sense of the Work so without the true Travil of Soul which this Work should put us into the Crown is fallen from Sion's Head by Reason of her Iniquity we have been bewailing personal Iniquity Congregational Iniquity National Iniquity Family Iniquity Closet Iniquity we have by Search found poor Sion as it were without Soundness from the Crown of the Head to the Sole of the Foot ful of Bruises and putrified Sores your own poor Souls are in Distress Heaven and Earth seem to frown Oh! come down sit in the Dust and weep bitterly before the Lord for all your Abominations you have but as it were played with God you have not trembled in his Presence you have been wanton before him having been without the Terrour of his Majesty therefore you have confessed and have delighted to word it out with the Lord Oh! how often have you mocked God It appears already how God takes it at your Hands We have begged him to save us yet this once more and truly we tremble the Hope that is in Israâ—…l lies in your putting from you that accursed Thing Oh! now if you would pursue this Worldliness this Coldness and Sloathfulness your personal Neglects your Family Neglects how doth the World as a Canker eat out your Affections to the Lord Jesus eat out your Time your Strength your Zeal while you have been asleep in the Lap of this Daâ—…ilah your Locks have been cut off and you are but as other Men whoever beholds you may say what singular thing do ye Now then lay to Heart these crying Abominations the World is too beautiful this hath bewitched you have fallen before your Enemies this Iniquity hath been apparently written upon your Fore-heads witness your Remissness in Meetings your Neglect or the poor Saints Ministers of Christ whose daily Complaints and Addresses are living Monuments of this reigning Abomination your Cruelty to Servants Children exacting all their Labours but take no Time to counsel them instruct them that are without Christ that miserable Estate wherein they are this hath made Professors Families so dry useless and unprofitable this Sin eats out all of that divine Sweetness of regenerating sanctifying Grace We have mourned in that we have had so great a hand in this Trespass in not bearing so faithful a Testimony against it in our Ministry but slavish Fear of being accounted selfish or the like hath stopt our Mouth until the Mouth of this Iniquity hath almost devoured the poor Churches of Christ That of Sloathfulness and Carelesness another reigning Evil They are Evils rooted deeply in the Heart it is hard to get them out They are Sermon-Proof and Epistle-Proof so strong that they have wrested all Weapons out of the hands of Saints and Ministers that have been formed against them Now we desire we may no longer rest in a Testimony of Words but proceed to take some effectual Course that Sin or Sinners may be purged out of the house of God in order to this we desire the Churches that they would set some day or dayes a part wherein they may bewail the Iniquities and Pollutions oâ—… Zion before the Lord also that the Ministring Brethren would without Respect of Persons bear their constant Testimony warning every one to fâ—…ee from these Abominations Another Evil we had Thought to have spread before you for want of Opportunity we shall now omit yet desire you to lay it to Heart THE Presbyter's Antidote TRYED Or Stephen Scandret with his Antidote against Quakerism Proved a PHYSICIAN of No Value AND The Truth plainly asserted and vindicated in divers Weighty Points against both the Imperfect and corrupt Work of S. S. and his Masters the Assembly of Divines so called who sat at Westminster in the long Parliament's Time and of the general Assembly of the Kirk of Scotland about their Confession of Faith which was first printed at Edenburg and after reprinted at London Anno 1651. G. W. Ye are all Physicians of no Value Job 13. 4. Printed in the Year 1673. THE Presbyter's Antidote TRYED c. CHAP. I. A Comprehensive Account concerning the Rule the Light and Scripture Explaining both â—…ur sense of the terms and S. Scandret's together with the Assemblies Confession about the Scriptures BY the word RULE we understand 1st The Power of Government and Authority to order and rule in the Sense that in the first Creation the greater Light was set to rule the Day Gen. 1. 16. or for the Rule and Order of the Day So in the new Creation the divine Light of Christ the Son of Righteousness doth govern and rule in the Order of his Everlasting Day in the Souls of the Righteous the Path of the Just being this shining Light which shineth more and more until this perfect Day 2ly So this divine Light is truly the only Rule for its being most eminent above all outward Rules and Prescriptions â—…or its Power Glory Virtue Order and Government as Rule of Life in all the Children of Light The only trying and discovering Rule for its manifesting whatsoever things are reproveable Ephes. 5. 13. whether they be Spirits Works or Words and he that doth Truth cometh to the Light that his Deeds may be made maniâ—…est that they are wrought in God Joh. 3. 21. 3dly By only Rule An universal manifest publick Standard â—…or Truth and Righteousness in the Consciences of all People and Nations and against all Sin Wickedness and Unrighteousness and so is the S piritual and Divine Light of the Son of God in whom was Life and the Life was the Light of Men Joh. 1. 4. whose Life is Supernatural Increated and Incorruptible Christ the divine Word being that true Light that inlightens every Man coming into the World vers 9. 4thly Concerning that heavenly Gift or divine Manifestation within which was the Saints Rule of Life the Apostle Paul thus speaketh 2 Cor. 10. 13. But
terms of his Covenant and Promise on his part I Would ask our Opposer who reckons it not a falling from Grace for those he counts Elect Persons as David and his Children with others of his own Opinion now to sall into the Guilt of Adultery and Murther c. whether or no did not his Son Solomon fall from Grace when he loved the outlandish Women so as they turned away his Heart aster other God's 1 Kings 11. Did he stand in the Covenant of Grace or in God's Favour all this time Was not the Lord angrv with him See ver 10 11 12. And surther that of Psal. 89. Concerning David his Seed and Throne it extends further then meerly a literal Relation of him and his Seed according to the Flesh for David is beloved I have sound David my Servant with my holy Oyl have I anointed him ver 20. his Seed also will I make to endure for ever and his Throne as the dayes of Heaven ver 29. his Seed shall endure forever and his Throne as the Sun before me ver 36. Herein David was truly a Type of Christ the Anointed of God to whom these Promises relate which were typified in David as also that saying I will make him my First-bâ—…rn higher tâ—…en the Kings of the Earth ver 27. This is a Mystery beyond a meer Literal Acceptation and I may say in this as the Apostle said in his Instance of Abraham and his Seed That as they that were of Faith were of Abraham and his Children so they that are spiritually anointed of God and his Beloved Children and Faithful Servants are of David's Seed even such who incline their Ear to God and obey his Voyce for it is written Hearken diligently unto me and eat ye that which is Good and let your Soul delight it self in Fatness Incline your Ear and come unto me hear and your Soul shall live and I will make an Everlasting Covenant with you even the sure Mercies of David Isa. 55. 2 3. A POSTSCRIPT about the Will of God Election and Reprobation Concerning the Will of God in its Manifestation both 1st as unresistable â—…dly as resistable sect 1 FIrst On what Considerations it may be said to be unresistable shewing forth the Might of his Power as 1. In bringing forth the Works of Creation Whatsoever he pleased that did he Psal. 135. 6. 2. In fore-ordaining his Son to be set forth in him to tender Grace and Salvation in due time to Mankind Who could hinder his first Ordination though many reject the Tenders 3. In extending his Light and Power universally to the final Conviction of Impenitent Evil-doers for their Rebellion which Light and Power unavoidably at times seizes upon their Consciences reproving and convicting them while they have a Day and though they may shun being reformed thereby yet they cannot alwayes avoid the Torment and Trouble thereof in themselves That God may shew himself clear when he Judgeth 4. In bringing and executing his Judgments and Wrath as he sees Cause upon the Wicked and Rebellious who are finally Impenitent By all which God hath manifested his Power or Soveraignity which on these Considerations hath irresistably shewed it self for the fulfilling his Righteous Will so far as it hath absolutely extended it self from an Intention or Design of God to shew forth his Wisdom Justice and the Greatness or Might of his Power without the Creature Complyance as 1. God's Work of Creation 2. His Fore-ordination to bring forth his Son into the World c. 3. His Power in finally Convicting Rebellious Sinners 4. The Execution of his Judgments upon the Rebellious In all these who shall say to God What doest thou Who shall let what he will do so far as his Will inevitably and unresistably hath acted or doth act in any thing without Man's Complyance as it was in Making Man in Convicting and Condemning the Rebellious and Stubborn But Secondly The Will and Power of God as condescending and reaching gradually to the Creature 's Capacity it is possible â—…or Men to resist the Manifestation thereof to their own Condemnation As the Will of God is manifest in a Way of Friendship and Kindness to Mankind as 1. In a way of Counsel Commands Instructions Invitations Perswasions and gentle Reproofs which have a tendence to draw Men out of Sin and 2. In his Patience and long Suffering towards them waiting to be gratious desiring their Return striving with them by his Spirit Thus his Will is That all should know the Truth and be saved 1 Tim. 2. 4. 2 Pet. 3. 9. But Mens Conversion and Salvation is not wrought without their Subjection Obedience and Complyance with the Spirit and Power of God co-operating by Faith Reprobation What it is A Reproving Disallowing Rejecting sect 2 Reprobate is Wicked Base Dishonest Corrupt so as to be cast out of God s Favour c. And the Cause of Persons being given over to a Reprobate Mind is their Rebellion against Light given them their rejecting the Knowledge of God till their Minds became so reprobate or corrupt as to be void of true Sence and Judgment Rom. 1. As they who wâ—…re called Reprobate Silver or as corrupt drossy false Coyn were rejected of the Lord Jerem. 6. 30. The Word Election explained Election is Choice which respects both sect 3 I. The chusing of some from amongst many as Christ said to his Followers I have chosen you out of the World Joh. 15. 19. II. The Excellency or Choiceness of that which is chosen And this relates First To Christ the Elect Seed of whom it is said Behold my Servant mine Elect in whom my Soul delighteth Isa. 42. 1. And He is also called a chief Corner-Stone Elect Pretious 1 Pet. 2. 6. Secondly To the true Church or Elect People who being chosen through Sanctification of the Spirit and Belief of the Truth are the faithful Followers of Christ these are choice and pretious in God's Sight and therefore are called the Elect of God Holy and Beloved Col. 3. 12. a chosen Generation a Royal Priesthood an Holy Nation a peculiar People c. 1 Pet. 2. 9. They that are with the Lamb are Called Chosen and Faithful Rev. 17. 14. the Pretious Sons of Sion comparable to fine Gold Lam. 4. 2. This God's Election or Choice of his Church or People is gradually manifest and experienced in them as 1st When they have known the Work of God by his Grace begun it them unto their Separation from the World through a Decree of Faith and Sanctification are called Elect that is as chosen out of the World or from among Men being more peculiar to God then others while yet they are not perfectly grown and established in the Truth as Israel of old was Elect and Jerusalem chosen before their Estrangement from God Esa. 44. 1. 1 Kings 11. 13. Paul was a Chosen Vessel when first he had received and obeyed the heavenly Vision and Call Acts 9. 15. and Chap. 26. 19.
himself his by himself purging our Sins the Will of God sanctifying us through the offering of the Body of Jesus Christ once for all c. as being a Sacrifice of far more Value then those Typical ones under the Law which he fully answered and ended though they were said to make Attonement Reconciliation for Sins of Ignorance that they might be forgiven and the Scape-Goat to bear away the Iniquities and Transgressions of the Children of Israel Lev. 4. 16. 23. And did not the killing and sacrificing of Bulls Goats and Heifers typifie or figure forth the killing and destroying that corrupt beastly Nature and Enmity in man which is for Death and Destruction and which those Beasts were as a lively Embleme of Seeing hereby God was pleased in a Way of Condescension to their low Capacities to shew a Pacification or Expiation to express his Forbearance suspending the severe Execution of the Law and Willingness to pardon Iniquity and to pass by former Transgressions and be reconciled when they afflicted their Souls and offer'd up burnt-Offering in the Day of Attonement as both were required much more hath God declared himself reconciled to us in commending his Love to us in that while we were Enemies Christ dyed and so he hath shewed forth his Kindness and free Love as willing to pass by and pardon the Sins of the World upon true Repentance in his setting forth his Son to be a Propitiation through Faith in his Blood and in his being in Christ reconciling the World unto himself not imputing their Trespasses unto them which was both in his Forbearance commending his Love and Good-Will in his Son unto the World and sending his Son that the World through him might be saved Let it be seriously here minded 1. That those Scriptures relating to Christ's Death Reconciliation Sanctification and putting away Sin as by Way of Sacrifice c. as Joh. 1. 29. Rom. 5. 10. Heb. 10. 10. Chap. 1. 3. Col. 1. 22. which intimate the Work as if universally done yet it is with respect unto the general Favour and Good-Will of God in Christ as by the which Will we Believers are sanctified through the Offering of the Body of Jesus and so we are said to be reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through Death Withall note that it was the manner of the Hebrews Prophets and Apostles to speak many Things in the Spirit of Prophecy as done or past before they were accomplished in the proper Subjects God having an Eye of Pitty and Compassion open to lost Man for his Redemption even before it was fulfilled whereby he saw and lookt beyond the former Transgressions Sins and Infirmities for the Sin of the World is not actually taken away purged out or put away as to its Nature and Be ing nor are Men in a State of Reconciliation or Friendship while actual Sinners and Enemies in their Minds but as they come to be converted and sanctified by the Spirit Therefore God's reconciling the World in and by his Son shews his gracious Will and was intended conditionally to be fulfilled in them viz. Upon Faith and Obedience It was done so as with respect unto Christ as the first Fruits and with an Eye to the Condition before it was actually fulfilled in them and what was outwardly signified as to the Good of Man by Christ's Sufferings and Death in the Flesh as our great Exemplar in his Obedience and Holiness is inwardly to be fulfilled and answered in Spirit as to the Principle End and Design of God therein as for Instance God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself yet the Apostle added We pray you in Christ's stead be you reconciled to God 2 Cor. 5. 19 20. And to the Saints at Colos. You that were sometimes alienated and Enemies in your Minds by Wicked Works yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Flesh through Death to present you Holy and Unblameable and Unreproveable in his Sight If ye continue in the Faitle grounded and setled c. Colos. 1. 21 22 23. Mark on this Condition they were reconciled and to be presented to God Not as being Enemies and in wicked Works But as made Friends by Conversion to and continuing in the Faith And God shewing forth Mercy to all and universal Pardon of Sin past in and for the sake of his Son Christ Jesus he being the Propitiation for the Sins of the whole World declares his not imputing their Trespasses unto them according to Severity but his being reconciled to them that they may be reconciled to him Finally Because God was in Christ reconciling the World to himself and because he commended his Love to us while we were Sinners and we reconciled c. by the Death of his Son as our Representative If from hence any infer That their Sin being not imputed therefore they are justified by the Imputation of Christ's Death and Blood though they continue in Sin and Disobedience to him and remain Unsanctified I must deny their Consequence and tell them that there is a two-fold non-Imputation of Sin or under a two-fold consideration Sin is said not to be imputed 1st with respect to God's Forbearance while he suspends Execution and doth not cut off 〈◊〉 in their Sins when yet the Nature and Being of Sin is not destroyed nor purged away expecting their Repentance c. In this Sense David when he said I have sinned Nathan toâ—…d him The Lord hath put away thy Sin Thou shalt not dye 2 Sam. 12. 13. Yet this proves him not then at that time in an absolute and compleat Justified Estate or his Sin blotted out for aâ—…ter this he both implored Mercy intreated Forgiveness and passed through great Judgment Difficulty and Trouble under the Weight and Burthen of his Iniquity 2. A Non Imputation of Sin in a better and higher State as where the Miâ—…d and Spirit is sanctified and cleared and Sin really done away and wholy blotted out where the Lord Imputeth not Iniqâ—…ity but Righteousness as Blessed is he whose Transgression is forgiven whose Sin is covered Blessed is the Man unto whom the Lord Imputeth not Iniquity and in whose Spirit there is NO GUILE Psa. 32. 1 2. It were unreasonable to think that all to whom Sin is â—…ot imputed iâ—… the first Sense are in a Justified State for then were the whole World Justified for God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself not imputing their â—…respasses But in the latter Sense they are Justified being Washed Sanctified and Justified in the Name oâ—… the Lord Jeâ—…us and â—…y the Spirit of our God 1 Cor. c. 11. and such as in wâ—…ose Spirit there is no Guile And so no Condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus who walk not after the Flesh but aâ—…ter the Spirit Rom. 8. 1 2. Therefore Justification And if it be further queried viz. Quest. How doth it consist with God's Justice and Truth which alwaies required perfect Obedience either to
Pardon or pronounce Man Just upon the account of an Inhâ—…rent Righteousness Sanctity or Reformation wrought by the Spirit without Satisfaction to vindictive Justice for Sins past seeing those who are the most inherently Holy have not perfectly obeyed God s Law from the Beginning of Life to the End Answ. 1. Both God's Justice Truth and Mercy have a share in Man's Reformation and Restoration to himself and it is in his uâ—…iversal Love in Christ Jesus to Mankind that he makes knowâ—… his Truth that makes free and the Grace and Truth concurring in Man's Conversion and Restoration and so in making him a New Creature it must needs be consistent with God's Truth to Pardon and pronounce Man Just as he becomes and is God's own Workmanship in whom he beholds his own Image renewed for he blessed the Works of his Hands and still blesseth them 2dly Without such a Satisfaction he doth pardon c. And yet Justice and Truth are not violated nor destroyed but have their place and share in Man's Reformation both in God's Judging Reproving and Correcting Man for Sin Coâ—…demning Crucifying and Slaying the Transgresfing Earthly Nature and Birth and Christ came not to destroy the Law but to fulfil it He came to condemn Sin in the Flesh and to Save Man that the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in them who walk not after the Flesh but after the Spirit The Law forbids Adultery Christ forbids and removes the Evil Lusts and Desires which are the Ground of it The Law forbids Covetousness Christ removes It The Law forbids Murther Christ forbids Envy 3dly But from the Beginning of Life to the End who can say he hath perfect Righteousness inherent in him Answ. He that is born of God the New Creature to whom Christ is made Righteousness and who being God's Workmanship is made the Righteousness of God in Christ Jesus He that is attained to this New Creature 's State hath crucified and put off the Old Man with his Deeds whom the Law 〈◊〉 that hath been the Offender and Sinner from the Beginning of Life to the End as The new Birth and new Creâ—…ture in Christ hath No Guile in his Spirit but is alwaies inwardly Righteous from the Beginning of Life And that â—…or this End God is pleased in his Son to shew forth his Forâ—…earance and Favour to Mankind and for a time to suspend the â—…evere Execution of his Law as not to execute Judgment â—…peedily but in giving Man Grace and Space to Repent be Converted and Renewed in Righteousness This answers the 〈◊〉 of his sending his Son into the World to be both a Saâ—…ice and a Saviour So his Forbearance or Suspension of the â—…verity oâ—… the Law for Christ's sake can be no making void 〈◊〉 Law Justice or Truth which Christ came to fulfil and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 The Difference between the Terms or Tenour of our Opposers Gospel and ours I. AS to the Sense or Substance of our Opposers the Predestinarians according to their Traditional Faith partial harsh Opinions repugnant to God's universal Grace and Love in Christ Jesus to Mankind their Gospel runs on this wise or in such Terms as these viz. We tender Grace and Salvation to all but believe it is only free for a few Elect Persons for whom only Christ dyed Therefore believe you are Elect Persons and that Christ dyed for you apply his Blood and Merits and you shall be saved though you be Sinners all your Dayes Believe that you are Justified by Christ's Death and Sufferings only though you have nothing but Matter of Condemnation in you believe that you are Imputatively Righteous by Christ's Sufferings and Righteousness without you only and in Comparison thereof do you abhor all Sanctification in you or inherent Righteousness wrought in you by the Spirit Believe that it is God's good Pleasure Sin should be in you all your Dayes to keep you humble and that Christ hath satisfied for all your Sins past present and to come Believe that God hath poured out all his Wrath upon his Son Jesus Christ and punisht your Sin to the full in him to satisfie Justice for your Injury done him Therefore there remains no more Wrath behind for you being Elect and Justified Persons Though you commit Sin as did David and have Corruption remaining in you all your Dayes and and daily Sin in your best Duties and have Sin mixt with your Graces your Salvation is eternally secured for you as Persons whom God has had in his Eye to save you need not fear any final Fall or falling away from Grace once in Christ and ever in Christ. Thus far Presbyterians II. The Sense and Terms of our Gospel according to what follows From the Sence and Experience we have of God's free Love and Grace in Jesus Christ to all Mankind We preach in the Spirit of the Gospel The Instructions and Conditions thereof are on this wise viz. Be converted that your Sins may be blotted out Turn ye from Darkness and Sin to the true Light that shews It and reproves Evil And so turn from Satan's Power to God and receive the Remissions of Sins Believe in the Light that ye may become the Children of Light Labour to make your Calling and Election sure If ye walk in the Light the Blood of Christ cleanseth from all Sin If ye be Crucified Dye and Suffer with Christ ye shall Live and Reign with him Believe and Obey the Gospel and be saved Christ Jesus is the Author of Eternal Salvation unto all them that obey him Confess and forsake Sin and ye shall finde Mercy Depart from Evil and do Good and dwell forevermore Wash you make you Clean put away the Evil of your Doings c. Except a Man be born again he cannot enter in the Kingdom c. If I do not wash thee saith Christ thou hast no part with me And to them in whose Hearts the Work is begun Look diligently to your Standing lest any of you fall from the Grace of God Abide in his 〈◊〉 that you may not fall into the hand of Severity To Unbelievers and Rebellious If ye believe not in Christ you shall dye in your Sins and where He is ye cannot come The Wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all Ungodliness and Unrighteousness of Men who hold the Truth in Unrighteousness and his Wrath abides upon them that do not Believe nor Obey his Son Thus far Quakers so called Now serious Reader judge which of these whether the Presbyterians or the Quakers Doctrine tends to stir up and excite People to Righteousness to true Fear and Watchfulness And whether the Presbyterians doth not tend to beget People into a Self-Confidence and false Liberty in Sin upon a partial Opinion and Conceit But the Quakers Desire Aim and End is To turn People from Darkness to the true Light and to true Fear Diligence and Faithfulness to God CHAP. V. Concerning ELECTION and REPROBATION THE CONTENTS A brief Introduction