made flesh as ver 14. or as the Word is God manifest in the flesh as 1 Tim. 3. 16. or as the Word is in union with the humane nature according to his name Emmanuel Matth. 1. 23. Let the impartial and unprejudiced Reader consider what is said in every verse and I doubt not but he will finde it according to the report given as in the 2 verse it is said The same was in the beginning that is the same Word God distinct from the humanity and so it is in the verse following As in the 3. verse All things were made by him that is by the Word God in the 4. verse In him was life and the life was the light of men That is God the Word the Creator who gives life and light to all men according to that in Acts 17. 28 29. In him we live move and have our being and we are all his off-spring in the 5. verse And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not That is The Word God as it is explained in the 10. verse He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not Though the Word the Creator shined as light in the world and was not far from every one of us as the Apostle speaks Acts 17. 27. and had set up a Candle in them whereby the eternal power and Godhead might be known by the things that were made yet such was the darkness of men that they did not comprehend and acknowledge him In the 7. and 8. verses it 's said John was sent to bear witness of that light that is of the Word God to wit that God the Word was come to manifest himself in the flesh he bare witness that the light which was in the world and by whom the world was made and whom the world knew not was now come to appear in the flesh It 's true that John also bare witness of Christ in both natures as when the Word was made flesh verse 14. it 's said in the 15. verse John bare witness of him and afterward when he saw Jesus coming unto him he saith Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world verse 29. Where he speaks of him as the Word made flesh and Tabernacled amongst us But in the verses before mentioned he onely asserts and proves his Divinity In like manner are we to understand the 9 verse That was the true light that is the Word God the Creator and former of all things Isa 40. 28. was to wit in the beginning for thither the Verb in the Original in every verse doth carry us the true light not a borrowed or derived light but the fountain and original of all light according to that Scripture 1 Joh. 1. 5. God is light and in him is no darkness at all This I say is proper to the Creator who is the fountain of Life and Light to all beings according to their capacities whereas Christ as Mediator deriveth Light from the Father as he doth Life and Subsistance as he himself doth witness Joh. 6. 57. I live by the Father c. And thus we see who this true light is Viz. The Word God And hence it may be that the word Christ is not once named in any of the first 9. verses of the first of John but only the Word 2. How doth he lighten every man that cometh into the World The Word God or God the Word as Creator of all things doth lighten every man that cometh into the world by setting up in every man a Spirit by which he lives which is called the Candle of the Lord Prov. 20. 27. and by writing a Law in his heart of which Spirit and Law I have spoken before This is a true and faithful account of the Light that Lightens every man But doth not Christ say expresly Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the World and is not the Word and the true light of whom John bare witness Christ That the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World is the Word as such I have already proved And further I say according to Joh. 1. 14. That the Word was made flesh and tabernacled amongst men and they beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father and being imbodied in flesh he is thenceforth and so considered called Christ the Lord or the Lords Christ Luke 2. 11 26. For unto us in born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ And no otherwise doth he bear that name but as he is the Word made flesh to be seen and beleeved on it is not the Word alone nor the flesh alone but the Word and flesh in union that is called Christ Joh. 1. 41. We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ And is a light to lighten the Gentiles Luk. 2. 26 32. And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel Till then there was no such thing as a Christ or a light to the Gentiles but only in a promise The Word being thus made flesh manifested and seen 1. Joh. 1. 2. brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel by his appearing 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel Now that purpose of grace and love which was in the Fathers bosom before the world began which was promised Gen. 3. 15. The seed of the woman shall break the head of the serpent and from that time believed and expected by all the faithful appears by this manifestation of God in the flesh Tit. 2. 11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared And 3. 4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared c. And thus is Christ said to come a light into the world not to lighten every man that comes into the world but onely those that believe on him according to that testimony Joh. 12. 46. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness This also is that light mentioned Joh. 3. 19. And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light And Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the world c. This Word made flesh is
he that was promised to be a covenant to the people and a light to the Gentiles Isai 42. 1 6 7. Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to open the blinde eyes c. Who brings into the world a life and light far exceeding that light and life that was set up in every man that comes into the world by the Word the Creator which more excellent life and light brought in by the Son none receive but such onely as receive the Son Joh. 1. 12. and are born again Joh. 3. 3. 1 Joh. 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life He also that hath the Son hath light Eph. 5. 14. But till a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God Joh. 3. 3. nor perceive the things of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned but is dead in trespasses and sins Eph. 2. 1 5. and darkness as to this new life and Christ Eph. 5. 8. The neglect of this distinction of the Word and the Word made flesh which is so plainly set down in the Scripture as hath been shewed and of the properties belonging to either of them is the ground of the great mistake of many who not considering what is testified of the Word as Creator do confound that light which is set up by him as such in every man with that light which he gives as he is the Word made flesh And thence do call that light Christ and so saving which is but the spirit of a man and the law written in his heart springing up with his nature in the Creation and therefore can neither be Christ nor saving as hath been already proved That there ought to be care thus to distinguish it will be made further evident by considering these following particulars 1. That Christ is the onely Mediator between God and man as the Scripture testifies 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus 2. That in Christ there are two whole perfect and distinct natures the Godhead and the Manhood inseparably joyned together in one person which is an Article of faith to which the Scriptures give full testimony as may be seen in these few instances Luke 1. 35. And the angel answered and said unto her The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Col. 2. 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Gal. 4 4. But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law 1. Tim. 3 16. And without controversie great is the mystery of godliness God manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory Rom. 1. 3 4. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord who was made of the seed of 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 3. That Christ is often mentioned where the two natures inseparably joyned together in his person are distinctly spoken of that is the matter may respect and be applicable to the properties of one nature and not of the other as when he saith I and my Father are one Joh. 10. 30. he speaks of his divine nature but when he saith in the same chapter vers 15. I lay down my life for the sheep he hath respect to his humane nature As he is God he is equal with the Father as he is man he layeth down his life for the sheep and yet one and the same Christ who is God and man speaks in both places This is also evident in Phil. 2. 6 7 8. In like manner when Christ saith I am the root and off-spring of David Rev. 22. 16. he speaks distinctly of both natures he is the root of David as he is God the off-spring of David as he is man So when it is said of the Son Heb. 1. 2. That the world was made by him and in the next verse that by himself he purged our sin we must distinguish and say The world was made by him as God and he purged away sin as Mediatour by the sacrifice of himself Heb. 9. 26. 10. 12. This man after he had offered one sacrifice for sin for ever Thus rightly to distinguish the natures of Christ is not to divide the Father from the Son nor the Son from himself but to give to either nature that which properly under a distinct consideration belongs to it and to both in union that which belongs to both Without which the works of the Creator and Mediator which are manifestly distinct would be confounded As in the matter under debate concerning the Word and the Word made flesh the Word is God the Creator the Word made flesh is the Mediator The Creator sets up a light in every man the Mediator gives a greater light but to such onely as believe on him Joh. 12. 46. Thus having answered their Objections though I question not but a judicious Reader who hath taken a survey of their Principles and shall seriously consider what I have hitherto asserted and proved concerning the light in all men will easily discern both the unsoundness and absurdity of their Opinions and the peril and danger of the consequences necessarily flowing there from Yet in thankfulness to Jesus Christ and for their sakes whether Quakers or others who either through weakness of judgement or want of due consideration have not taken sufficient notice of the dangerous tendencie of their Tenents especially of their Fundamental Opinion hitherto opposed I shall endeavour in a few Inferences from the premises to shew how injurious it is to the true Jesus who is Immanuel the Word made flesh God and man in union and how pernicious and destructive such a sandy foundation will prove to precious souls And first it is evident that this Opinion is guilty of denying the great mystery of godliness which as the Apostle affirms 1 Tim. 3. â—6 is God manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory In which words the Apostle tells us that the true Christ for of him he speaks is God manifest
which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God So Matth. 13. 11. He answered and said unto them viz. his Disciples Because it is given unto you to know the mystâ—ries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given That Light only is saving which discovers these things to which agrees that saying of Christ John 17. 3. And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent But there are some who know not the Father nor the Son John 16. 3. And these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me Matth. 11. 27. No man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Nor the Spirit John 14. 17. Even the Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him nor the things of the spirit 1 Cor. 2. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned They have not the Spirit as was proved before therefore they cannot discern spiritual things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiritually Yea further they cannot discern nor know these things because their understanding is darkned Ephes 4. 18. and as to these things they are meer darkness Ephes 5. 8. Yea the light that is in them is darkness according to the words of Christ Matth. 6. 23. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness And Christ himself gives another reason why they cannot know these things Matth. the 13. the 11th Because it is not given to them It is given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given And in Matth 11. 25. he tells us plainly it is because they are hid from them And at that time Jesus answered and said I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes Therefore Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light To such as Christ enlightens with a saving Light he also gives a spiritual life such he quickens regenerates and makes new Creatures such as the Light is such is the Life in men Joh. 1. 4. And the Life was the Light of men If the Light be saving that is effectually and eventually saving it quickens and regenerates and makes a new Creature according to that in 2 Cor. 3. 18. But we all with open face beholding as in a Glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord this saving Light and Life and given together as John 8. 12. Thou spake Jesus again unto them saying I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life A man cannot have a saving Light to see the Kingdom of God except he be born again John 3. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him Verily verily I say unto thee Except a mâ—n be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God And hence it is that Christ is a live-making Spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. because who soever is enlightened with a saving Light is also quickened together with Christ Eph. 21 5. You hath he quickened c even when ye were dead in sins hath he quickened us together with Christ But Christ doth not quicken and regenerate every man that comes into the world every one is not a new Creature some are born of the flesh John 3. 6. and are in the flesh Rom. 8. 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God some are dead in sin wherein they walk according to the course of this World Eph. 2. 1 2. and have not life 1 John 5. 12. He that hath not the Son hath not life yea some do dye in their sins John 8. 24. I said therefore unto you that ye shall dye in your sins for if ye believe not that I am he ye shall dye in your sins Therefore Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light Whom Christ enlightens with a saving Light to them he also gives Faith the words of Christ are plain John 12. 46. I am come a Light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness Mark where there is no Faith there is an abiding in darkness and so no saving Light Faith is the Organ of the soul to receive and let in a saving Light An unbelieving soul is a dark and ignorant soul hence it is that Christ who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the beginner of Faith Heb. 12. 2 when he gives his Spirit to illuminate the understanding and to fill the soul with his marvellous light he doth also by the same Spirit give and work faith for it is his gift Eph. 2. 8. whereby the soul is capacitated to receive him as a glorious light to dwell in the heart And thus Christ by his Spirit and Faith and no other way dwells in the heart irradiating the whole soul with the bright beams of his glorious light according to these Scriptures John 14. 16 17. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever but ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you Eph. 2. 22. In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 3. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith But every man that comes into the world hath not Faith 2 Thes 3. 2. For all men have not Faith none believe but such as are ordained to eternal life Acts 13. 48. And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed None can come to or believe on Christ but such as the Father draws John 6. 44. No man can come to me except the Father which sent me draw him nor hath every man that comes into the world Christ dwelling in him some are without him Eph. 2. 12. That at that time viz. when they were Gentiles in the flesh ye were without Christ in the world Some have him not 1 John 5. 12. He that hath not the Son hath not life In a word beleevers only have Christ dwelling in them John 6. 56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him Therefore Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the world with a saving Light To these last Arguments I remember not any thing brought by way of answer to weaken any one proof but that which was their last and chiefest Refuge was that Text John 1.
hand with a further discovery of the mystery of Iniquity In the mean time I shall finish this with a few Cautions to all â—â—ts of people but more especially to young weak inquiring persons 1. Take heed of that Religion that begins with a lye for it is certainly a great judgment of God to be given up to believe a lye 2 Thess 2. 10 11. And 〈◊〉 the first step to this peoples Religion is an abominable lye and that every one is taught and required at his entrance into their religion to believe 〈◊〉 lye I have shewed in my former paper 2. Take heed of that spirit that denies either directly or consequentially Christ come in the flesh for that is the spirit of Antichrist 1 Joh. 4. 3. And he that biddeth such a one God speed is partaker of his evill deeds 2 Joh. 11. 3. Take heed of those persons how fair soever their pretences be who have no better weapons to defend their doctrine with then censures judgings threatenings curses for that was not the way of Christ and his Apostles And of those who can curse men and bless God with the same mouth for that ought not to be Jam. 3. 9 10. Eph. 5. 6. Let no man deceive you with vaine words FINIS 1 Tim. 3. 19 20. with 2 Tim. 2. 17 18. Luke 17. 23. 1 John 4. 1. The first occasion of the debate Their firâ—â— Letter An Answer to that first Letter 2 Tim. 2. 23. * Subjective His second Letter to me The Queries set upon the door An Answer to his second Letter Their carriages towards me in my Chamber My offer to meet them upon conditions Their agreement to meeâ— with some alterations of the conditions My assenâ—â—o their alterations Our meeâ—â—â—ng disappointed by the Gaoler The meeting begins Some things premâ—sed in order to the debate The Assertion to be proved â— Argum Joh. Stubbs Answers My reply to J. Stubbs The reason why a natural man cannot know nor discern the things of the Spirit is Because he hath not the Spirit The disorderly carriage of somo Who were obstreperous Geo. Fox asserts the Spirit of Christ to be in every man The first Scripture brought to prove his Assertion Answer The second Scripture brought to prove their Assertion Answer Not all Israel but such only as are born of the spirit have the 〈…〉 A third Scripture Answer A fourth Scripture Answer A fifth Scripture Answer A sixt Scripture Answer None of the Scriptures brought by them weaken my Arguments 2. Arg. 3 Arg. 4. Argum. 5. Arg. No Answers given to weaken my Arguments Their harsh censures wherwith the meeting was concluded The fruit of that spirit by which this People are led An Answer to their Censures Railing not to be rendered for railing Christ not theâ—e example Their lies and false accusations The chief occasion of their censure What they call the Light with in What is their first lye Three reasons of the additional discourse of the Light within Five particulars premised A twofold light within man What the light within is as it respects the affections What the Light in every man is as It respecteth the understanding The Spirit or ligâ—t in every man is noâ— the Lord. The light in every man is inferâ—or to the â—ight of Angels Vis ratiocinativa a 〈◊〉 facultas intelligendi What the Light in Adam before the fall could do There is a Law written in every mans heart This Law is not God Proved * Though the Hebrew words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 creavit formavit fecâ—t may have a different signification as appears in Isa 43. 7. in which verse they are all used yet this may be gathered from them all that the the thing created formed or made is not the Creator c. A summaâ—y account of the Lightâ— in man before the fall The Light in man before the fall could not manifest a Redeemer The Light in man since the fall not such as it was before the fall The Light and Law remaining in faln man is sufficient to render God righteous when he iudgeth the disobedient A fourfold use of the Light in every man 1. To make manifest 2. To direct 3. To convince What Conscience is The knowledg of sin is by the Law What is the Lordâ— Witness in all men What it was that manifested to Adam and Judaâ— their transgression 4. To feel after God as Creator The suâ— of that which the Light in every man since the fal can do The Light in every man is a great an excellent and necessary Light 2. What it cannot do since the fall It is a nâ—tural light Perse or sensu diviso Subjective or sensu Composito In what respects the light within every man is Insufficient 1. It cannot bring any man to life The tenor of the Law of Works 2. It cannot discover the Redeemer it knows nothing of the Gospel Mystery Which is cleared in several particulars 3. It knows not the law of faâ—th The tenor of the Law of Faith The law of Faith is not natural but supernatural 4. Iâ— cannot convince a man that his not believing in Christ is a sin What light it is that can discover these great Mysteries It is the light of Christ Jesus as Mediator which irradiates the soul with the knowledge of Gospel Mysteries The great Agent by which Christ works is his Spirit None partakers of this Light but new Creatures The law of faith is writâ—ten in the heâ—â— of a new creâ—â—ture The Spirit himself dweâ—â— in the heart a new creaturâ— The Spirit is that witness that every bâ—â—liever hath iâ— himself What the great mistakeâ— of this people is 〈◊〉 worship the â—â—â—â—t in every 〈◊〉 as the â—â—deemer is 〈◊〉 worship an â—â—ol â—â—rist is the â—â—ject of faith â—ho is a deâ—â—iver and an â—â—tichrist â—n Objection â—om Joh. 1. 9. â—â—swered Two things to â—e considered â—oncerning â—â—e true light The true lâ—â—g is the Word God the Creator Not as God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 How the true â—ight lighteth â—very man that â—ometh into â—he World 2. Objection Answer The word made Flesh is only called Christ The Word made flesh doth only bring life and mortality to light The Word made fleshâ— doth only ligâ—â—ten savingly those that blieve on hiâ— The Word made flesh is given for a Covenant The light gâ—â—ven by the Word made flesh is far more excelleâ—â— then the ligâ—â— set up in everâ—â— man by the Word the Creator The misunderâ—standing of Joh. 1. 9. is from a neglectâ— of a distinct consideration of the Word and the Word made flesh â—â—e necessity the foreâ—entioned â—â—stinction â—â—ared in â—ree partiâ—lars The opinion of this people is many wayeâ— injurious to Jesus Christ and pernitious to the souls of Men. 1. It denies the great mystery of Godliness â—â—d the Lord at bought â—â—em It sets up an â—â—ol â—â—hat an Iâ—â—ol is 3. It opens a way to the Doctrine of Daemons and the worship of the Devil 4. It leads 〈◊〉 to slight 〈◊〉 Scripture 〈◊〉 rule and walk after tâ—â— own lusts 5. It opens door to greaâ—â— confusion Their Worship is Idolatry None but Idolaters admitted into the number of their Priends The manner of their Worship very confused as it was practised in their Meetings in Lancaster The names of their Assemblies members thereof Who are their â—â—achers What doctrins are taught by them What books these doctrine are to be found in Their foundation being rased their whole building will fall This people are objects of pitie A further Debate offered with this people 〈◊〉 who teachâ—â— that the â—â—ht in every â—â—n is Christ an Antiâ—â—â—ist â—â—e reason â—â—y the good â—â—ings in this â—â—ople are â—entioned â— plea for â—â—od things â—ay cloak a â—esign against â—hrist â—Vhence their â—pinion hath â—ad its advanâ—age Antichrist most opposeth Christ when â—he appeareth most like him Such hath bâ— the method this people What hath rendred persons unable deal with them Whence so many have embraced the false doctrine and way The wrong way that maâ—ny have take iâ—â— to suppress their errours The right way to suppress their errours What things are commendable and tâ— be owned in them â—ow one may â—â—me to disâ—n their seâ—t deceipts Characters false Prophet in the last days The spirit of the Quakers and of the Dragon compared Such as oppose themselves should be answered in meekness The Quakers in stead of Answers return Invectives Calumniation no refutation The Quakers maledictions How many sheets they have filled with raylinâ— Language Wherein thâ— Quakers folâ—â— manifest A right Spirâ— would have led them a better way When Antichrist speaks like a Lamb and when likâ— a Dragon The vaine shifts of persons maintaiâ—ning Errour â—uch as say â—â—ey are Apâ—â—â—tles ought to â—â—e tryed Preachers sent â—hough Meâ—hanicks are to â—e esteemed We must not â—id God speed â—o those that â—ring not doctrine of Christ When false Apostles are â—ryed they will be found â—ars A request to the Reader Queries to considered
Light according to Joh 3. 3. Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God therefore this Light is to all that have it the Light of life Joh. 8. 12. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of life the same Spirit that inlightens doth regenerate and renew Tit. 3. 5. According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost and so not every man that comes into the world but he that is born of the Spirit Joh. 3. 5. and made a new creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. according to that Gospel-promise Ezek. 36. 26 A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you is inlightned with the marvellous Light of Christ By this Spirit also doth he write this new Law of Faith in their hearts called the Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 2. according to that of the Apostle Heb. 8. 10. I will put my Laws in their minds and write them in their hearts where he speaks not of the Law of works which is writ in the Natural mans heart but of the Law of the new Covenant which the Apostle is there treating of and which God would put into their hearts who were in Covenant with him and whose sins and iniquities he will remember no more Neither doth he onely give a new life a new light a renewed spirit and write his Laws in their hearts by his Spirit but that he may cause them to walk in his ways Ezek. 26. 27. and that they may have help in themselves Job 6. 13. he gives the Spirit himself to dwell in their hearts as the same Scripture Ezek. 26 27 testifies And I will put my Spirit within you So Gal. 4. 6. And because you are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father and so they become one spirit with the Lord 1 Cor. 6. 17. He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit And this is that witness that every believer hath in himself 1 Joh. 5. 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself a witness that he is the childe of God Rom 8. 16. The Spirit it self beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God And while he looks at and believes on a Christ without him as having done all in his own person for him according to Rom. 4. 25. Who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Rom. 8. 3. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Heb. 9. 26. And now in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself And Heb. 10. 12. But this man after he had once offered sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God He also knowes and hath a witness in himself that Christ dwels in his heart Eph. 3. 17. and lives in him as Paul witnessed Gal. 2. 20. Nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me And he is the habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2. 27. In whom ye are builded for an habitation of God through the Spirit 1 Joh. 3. 24. We know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us From that which hath bin said it doth plainly appear that the mistake of this people is very grosse who call the light in every man Christ and worship it as the Redeemer and the Lord that bought them whereas indeed as hath been cleared this light in every man is but the spirit of a man and the law written in his heart from the terrour and condemnation whereof the Lord Jesus came to deliver It also appears that to worship this light as the Redeemer is to worship an imaginarie and fictitious Christ and indeed an Idol and in effect to deny the person of the true Jesus who is Emmanuel God and man in union who in his own person without us not in ours hath by one offering once for ever wrought eternal redemption for us Heb. 9. 12. By his own blood he entred in once into the holy place having obtained eternall Redemption for us and is the alone object of Faith yea hence it will follow that whosoever affirmeth as this people doe that the light in every man is Christ is a deceiver and an Antichrist such as the Apostle speaks of 2 Joh. 7. For many deceivers are entred into the World who confess not that Jesus Christ is come into the flesh This is a deceiver and an Antichrist whom the Saints are forbidden to receive into their house or to bid them God speed Verse 10. Receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed But of these and other usefull Inferences more fully after the answering of an Objection or two wherein all their seeming strength lies and whereon their greatest confidence is built Against that which I have said there is nothing more frequently urged then that one Scripture Joh. 1. 9. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world This Scripture they account to be an invincible proof of their fundament all Assertion which in their words and writings is thus held forth this light is Christ God the Lord God and the Lamb the object of faith and this true light which is Christ lightens not some but every man coming into the world And therefore it must needs be saving And that this light can be meant of no other then of Christ they further alledge Joh. 8. 12 35 36. where it is plainly exprest that Christ is the light of the world Because I observe that that subtil Adversary Satan doth get the greatest advantage against many weak and unstable souls through their misunderstanding and wresting of these Scriptures in the mean while being ignorant of his devices I shall indeavour according to my measure to declare the minde of Christ in them that if it be the will of the Lord such as are taken captive by him may escape out of his Snares When it is said that that was the true light which lighteth every man that comes into the world two things must be considered 1 Who this true light is 2 How he lighteth every man that comes into the world For the first the Scriptures do witness that this true light is the Word God by whom the world was made for as it is said Joh. 1. 1. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God So that which is spoken of in the 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10. verses following is to be referred to the Word God the Creator of all things and not to the Word as the Word is