Selected quad for the lemma: truth_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
truth_n	wonderful_a	word_n	wrought_v	43	3	7.8949	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A79837	A full discovery and confutation of the wicked and damnable doctrines of the Quakers. As also, a plain vindication and confirmation of sundry fundamental points of the Christian religion, denyed or corrupted by the enemies of the truth in these times. Published for the benefit of such weak Christians, who are not so able to discover and oppugne the dangerous doctrines of subtil seducers when coloured over with fair words and pretences, and so are more apt to be taken in their snares. Whereunto is annexed an excellent discourse proving that singing of Psalmes is not only lawful, but an ordinance of God. / By Jonathan Clapham, a servant of Christ in the work and labour of the Gospel at Wramplingham in Norff.	Clapham, Jonathan.	1656 (1656)	Wing C4407; Thomason E498_7; ESTC R206047	81,821	100

sufficiently convince God would have us to heed his word more and try the spirits by that and the grosse and palpable blindnesse of such as want the direction of the Scriptures may shew God is not pleased to use this way of immediate revelations now nor indeed is it the work of God holy Spirit to discover things to us now immediately having already made a full discovery of them in the Scriptures but to open our eyes to see the wonderful things of his Law to apprehend those discoveries of God made in his word and to sanctifie our hearts so as they may close with those truths revealed and rellish them and to remove the natural enmity that is in as to the things of God 3. It hath pleased the Lord of his infinite goodnesse to give his holy Scriptures the Word of God for so now I will call them whether the Quakers will or no that this may be a direction and rule to us of faith and obedience how we are to believe in God and worship and serve him and to direct us to eternal salvation this is a special pledge of Gods love to us though the enemies of truth will not acknowledge it The Lord hath not done so to all Nations neither have the heathen knowledge of his Laws Psalme 147 19 20. and the end of writing them was that we might be directed in our faith and obedience John 20 last These things are written that ye might beleeve c. we are to try the spirits now by them whether they be of God as the noble Bereans did Acts 17.11 we are to go to the Law and to the Testimony Isa 8.20 to search the Scriptures John 5.39 or otherwise we shall be necessarily exposed to errour Matth. 22.29 They are now a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our steps Psal 119.105 and through the words of Gods lips we may be kept from the path of the destroyer Psal 17.4 in a word they are able to make wise to salvation to furnish to all good works they are profitable for doctrine reproof correction instruction in righteousnesse c. 2 Tim. 3.16 17. The Lord accompanying them with the blessing and efficacy of his Spirit And let not any ignorantly pretend it is a disgrace to the Spirit to be tried and regulated by an outward rule for gold may be tryed by a touchstone why may not any doctrine or revelation or practice now though pretended to come from the Spirit be tried by the Scriptures which we are more sure came from the Spirit of God they being a surer word of prophecy then any voice we can heare spoken from heaven 2 Pet. 1.18 19. 4. Now let the weakest Reader if he be not wilfully blinded judg whether these people be not extreamly ingrateful to God for his goodnesse in giving the Scriptures to deny this principal use and end of the Scriptures and whether hereby they declare not themselves enemies thereunto I might shew other uses and ends of the Scriptures that they subvert but this may suffice for this second particular to prove the charge that the Quakers be enemies to the holy Scriptures III. They make Scriptures to be but a declaration of the Saints condition an expression frequently to be found in their writings insinuating thereby as if they belonged not to us now Burroughs p. 30 Glory from North. p. 8 9. but concerned the Saints only in former times for so much its clear they intend by comparing this with the former particular they are the declaration of the Saints conditions in former times but they are no rule of faith and life to us what do they then concern us what need we regard them what benefit have we by them A most unworthy expression when God hath written to us the great things of his word and we account them a strange thing Hosea 8.12 as if they did not at all concern us and the Lord had not spoken those things to us but to others But as it delares their enmity against the Scriptures so is it a very false assertion There be some part of the Scriptures that do more concern us now in these last dayes of the world then they did the Saints in former times as many Prophetick Scriptures in Dauid and the Revelations and for other Scriptures the Apostle faith what ever was written was written for our learning Rom. 15.4 and for our admonition upon whom the ends of the world be come 1 Cor 10.6 11. The example of Christ and his Apostles teaches us to make use of the whole Wood of God they frequently cited the writings of Moses and the Prophets in the book of the Psalmes applying them to that generation why may not we then apply the same as also the writings of the New Testament for our benefit In Heb. 13.5 The Apostle applies that promise made to Joshuah to the beleeving Hebrews I will not have thee nor forsake thee See 1 Cor. 7.1 where the Apostle applies the promises made by the Prophet Jer 31.1 to the Corinthians and presses them to duty from thence and indeed to what end are they written down and by the gracious providence of the Lord preserved to this day but for our use and benefit it 's needlesse to adde more here that which was spoken in the former particular will also clear this IV. They call the Scriptures reproachfully a letter a dead letter c. as may be seen in their writings frequently which is but a piece of Popish Rhetorick for this hath been the language of Papists before them who have called them a dead letter divinity of ink and paper with many more such opprobrious tearms But whether we should beleeve Papists and Quakers in vilifying the Scriptures or credit the holy penmen their commendation of them judge ye David saith The Law of the Lord is perfect converting the soule the testimonies of the Lord are sure making wise the simple the Statutes of the Lord are right rejoycing the heart the Commandments of the Lord are pure enlightning the eyes c. and Psalme 119.50 Thy word hath quickened me The Apostle James 1.18 saith he begot us with the word of truth Paul saith faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God Rom. 10.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it 's not said by the personal word Jesus Christ but by the word that is preached by men not that we exclude the co-operation of Gods Spirit with preaching for we are workers together with God 2 Cor. 6.1 but that the word written and preached might have it's due place and commendation being mighty through God the power of God to salvation and therefore no dead letter It is a grosse perverting of that Scripture 2 Cor. 3.6 to alledge it for to prove the Scriptures to be a dead letter for the Apostle there compares the doctrine or ministration of the Law and the old Covenant with the ministration of the Gospel Covenant disputing against such as commended the

travel and should have a man-childe whose name should be Immanuel which child was shewed afterward to the Protector for a wonder Many aged and infirme women say they since they came into this way out of weaknesse have become strong and able to travel hundreds of miles on foot These things being objected against by me as being done far of and most of them in corners and therefore far unlike the miracles done by Christ and the Apostles I desired to hear of some done neerer hand the truth of which I might finde out whereupon I was informed of one in this Town wherein I live and another at Norwich That in this Town was reported to me as neer as I can remember in these very words Was it not a Miracle for T. C. that had been brought so low by a Quartane Ague to be so suddenly recovered I answered it was a merciful providence but no miracle and further demanded by what means he was cured It was replyed that Richard Hubberthorne did but go to his door and speak to him and presently he recovered but afterwards enquiring of the man himself what Hubberthorne said to him he told me he said nothing but bade him look to the light in him he did not rebuke his distemper nor command him in the Name of Christ to arise and walk and since that time this poore man hath continued in a languishing condition That other pretended miracle at Norwich was upon Thomas Symonds Weaver one of their speakers a letter whereof I read subscribed with his own hand It was this that upon a Lords day some few moneths agon the hand of the Lord was upon him from morning to evening very sore and he was smitten with a tormenting pain in his bowels and nothing that his friends about him applied could help him insomuch that they gave him over as irrecoverable whereupon the voice within him bade him take a draught of cold water which he doing in the obedience of faith his spirits revived and himself presently recovered and sent out a letter of this to his friends that they might give glory for it to God and be thereby further confirmed and established in their way The Pawwaw do greater cures then this upon the poor Indians to confirm them in their worshipping of devils Besides this is a medicine many have been helped by when troubled with paines upon the distillation of a salt humour upon the inward parts and therefore is no miracle Concerning their quaking trances visions rapture and Revelations I have not heard much in these parts They knowing how prejudiciall these things have been to their way as also their going naked they have much left them Only I have one memorable story to relate about the same which is of Atkinson that notorious impostor when he first came to Norwich who pretended and those poore people did readily believe him that the dread of the Lord fell upon him as he was travelling on his journey and he was smitten off from his horse as Saul going to Damascus and it was told him he was going to as ignorant and blind a City as any was in the world and there should suffer for Christ and be imprisoned but should have unspeakable comforts c. The notorious wickednesse of this wretch now discovered to all may convince that it was no hard thing for him to invent such cheats to delude poore creatures by who are willing to be deceived Now least any weak ones should be stumbled at these pretenses of Miracles and be thereby induced to hearken to them I shall adde these few things for the sake of such 1. If these Miracles or wonders which those persons pretend to work were indeed true and reall and not feigned things yet seeing they are wrought to confirme lying doctrines as the doctrines of the Quakers are before proved to be we are not to hearken unto them Deut. 13. 1 2. If a Prophet shall give a signe or wonder and it come to pass of it be to tempt to follow strange gods we are not to hearken to such for the Lord permits it to try his people and prove them It was before shewed that in these last dayes this power of working Miracles is to be in the hands of false prophets and deceivers Math. 24. 2 Thess 2. And therefore faith Aug. tract in Joh. 13. God hath armed us against such Miracle-mongers by warning us that in the latter daies false prophets shall work signes and wonders c. 2. But how evident is it they are but lying signes and wonders as the Apostle 2 Thess 2. calls them or as Austine speaks of the miracles of Hereticks in former times either the juglings or mockeries of deceitfull men or else illusions of lying spirits For such as were pretended to be wrought in these parts I shewed before those to be no better and for such as be pretended to be done in remote parts we have reason enough to suspect them when we find their deceits at home besides it 's most certain God will never put to his seale of true miracles which he only can work to confirme lyes 3. The enemies of the truth in former times have wrought greater wonders by far then these people have pretended to what wonders were wrought by the Egyptian Sorcerers in the time of Moses by many Hereticks in the primitive times but especially how many and how great miracles have been pretended to be wrought by the Papists these being so eminent we are prophetically warned of them Rev. 13.13 14. where we read that the second beast or the Pope possessing the seat of the first beast or Romane Empire should do great wonders and deceive them that dwell upon the earth by his miracles And indeed hardly any new doctrine that the Papists coyned or superstitious rites and ceremonies but that had multitudes of pretended miracles to confirme the same When they would bring into the Church Transubstantiation or the Doctrine of Christs bodily presence in the Lords Supper they have pretended their wafer-cakes have been seen bleeding as they were broken and eaten by them and that heathens have come into their assemblies and seen the Christians put a little pretty boy into their mouthes c. When they would bring in the worshipping of Images they have pretended that those dead stocks have moved themselves could walk could stirr their eyes and hands could speak could light their owne Tapers could heale the sick and raise the dead how many wonderfull cures and miracles have been wrought as they say by the image of the Virgin Mary some of her chappels have laid up in them very many crutches pictures of armes leggs c. All which they pretend she hath miraculously healed and recovered they that will not believe things done beyond sea nay enquire after the great miracles done here amongst us by the Lady of Walsingham and Ipswich strang things for Images to do and wherefore were all these fained but to draw people to

faithful dispensers thereof if you would not fall into errours let not any say I plead more in this for the honour and benefit of Ministers then for the good of peoples souls So Heb. 13.7 9. for the spirit of God hints this direction Eph. 4 14. in v. 11. you read God hath given to his Church Prophets Apostles Pastours Teachers and in the following verses is shewed the end thereof for the work of the Ministry for the edifying the Church and perfecting the Saints and v. 14. to prevent being tossed to and fro and carried away with every wind of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftinesse of deceivers This is one great end of Gods giving Ministers to his Church to prevent their being deceived by seducers one great part of their work is to confute gain-sayers There is scarce any desert the truth but they first desert the Ministry men first begin to have itching ears and seek new Teachers and then embrace lies and fables 2 Tim. 4.3 4. how diligent therefore are seducers to undermine the Ministry and steal peoples hearts from them if the wolves can draw the sheep from the shepherds they will soon devour them What designes have they against the office maintenance and persons of Ministers to bring them down and especially against the most faithful and industrious in the Ministry think not therefore you can be long preserved from these ravening wolves if you stragle from your shepherds but learn to keep close to your faithful Ministers If it be asked who are those Ministers we are to adhere unto for many lay claime to this office now I answer in two words 1. Those whom God hath so visibly owned and set his seal to by blessing their Ministry to the convincing converting comforting and confirming so many thousands of his Saints in England those whom God hath used as instruments under him to maintaine the profession and power of godlinesse in the Nation for many yeares that have by their doctrine conversation and sufferings adorned the Gospel of Christ can any but the hardened enemies of the truth call these Anti-christian whoever is not blinded by Satan may see these to be the Ministers of Christ 2. Those whom the devil and his instruments hath most opposed and maligned whom the Popish Prelates silenced fined imprisoned banished whom the Malignant Caveleirs hated cursed and plundered whom all drunkards swearers and profane persons would have suppressed and whom apostates the most bitter enemies of all the rest do now with such implacable hatred and malignity prosecute and molest These are the Ministers of Christ there need no other arguments to prove it VII Consider seriously the many eminent testimonies God hath given from heaven against hereticks and apostates against despisers of his Ordinances and Ministers and against the errours and heresies broached by them God hath in all ages borne some signal testimony against them which being duly observed might be a very effectual means to preserve from the errours of those times It might be shewed in what age and by what persons most of these now supposed new lights but indeed old exploded heresies newly revived and brought from hell were first broached what successe they had what fearful judgements befel the Authours of them how truth prevailed against them and this might much tend to establish Christians against seducements thereunto but this would require a volumn to do it In the primitive times many wonderful testimonies God gave against several enemies of his truth Simon Magus who was the first arch-heretick and by his Sorceries deceived much people and contended with the Apostles themselves in working miracles as the Egyptian Sorcerers did with Moses he attempting to flie in the aire was by the prayers of the Apostles brought tumbling down and miserably perished Cerinthus was killed by the fall of an house Montanus hanged himself Manes had his skin torn off his flesh Arrius his bowels gushed out Nestorius his tongue rotting and consuming in his head the earth opened and swallowed him up What standing monuments are these of Gods wrath against hereticks yet are many of their wicked errours revived in these days if these testimonies of Gods wrath against them were duly considered it might make people to this day more fearful of drinking in their abominable doctrines In the first times of Reformation from Popery the devil stirs up the Anabaptists to hinder that work and they were more bitter and malignant enemies to the first Reformers and greater obstructers of the work of God then the Papists and what signal tokens of Gods wrath were shewen against them by giving them up to such vile affections and practises as preparing them for destruction there were say some * Pontanus one hundred and fifty thousand of them slaine What a warning might this be to people to beware of the leaven of Anabaptisme now spreading amongst us When the Churches of Christ in N. England were infested with Antinomians Familists and Anti-ordinanced men betwixt whom and the Quakers is great agreement how did the Lord give signal testimony against them by those prodigious births of Mrs. Hutchinson and Mrs. Dyer are not these land-marks to warn people to take heed of suffering ship-wrack upon such rocks of errour And amongst our selves in England God hath many ways appeared against the raging enemies of his truth and Ministers risen up in these late years some are so given up to be blinded and infatuated that they have lost the understanding and reason of men and are become brutish in their wayes others casting off the profession of godlinesse are given up to vile affections and practises what abominable errours and delusions have some swallowed down gredily and what remarkable judgements of God have befallen others It would require a large volumne to record the history hereof These things if duly considered might be serious admonitions to all to take heed of deserting the truths Ordinances and Ministers of Christ I adde no more these directions if conscionably used might through the blessing of the Lord be special preservatives against the infection and contagion of the errours of our times Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy to the only wise God our Saviour Jude 24.25 be Glory and Majesty Dominion and Power now and ever Amen FINIS A TABLE Shewing some principal Doctrines of Religion cleared and confirmed in the former Treatise with other useful things B BOwing to Superiours and other gestures of Civil honour justified from Scripture pag. 68 69 C How Hereticks deny Christ come in the flesh pag. 11 Christ proved a true and real man and personally distinct from other men pag. 13 Christ his death resurrection and ascension proved from Scripture pag. 12 Christ dwells in us by his Spirit not by his humane nature pag. 14 What it is to know Christ after the flesh pag. 15 The Quakers