Excommunication given forth by divers of the principal Baptists about BOW against one that forsook them and their dead wayes wherein the Reader may also take notice of their envy and falshood London the 12th month 1669. CHRIST Ascended above the Clouds c. JOHN NEWMAN's Instance to prove the Scriptures the Word Isa. 28.9 10 11 12 13. The Word of the Lord was to this People Precept upon Precept c. Pag. 6. Answ. Scriptures signifie writings and not the Word neither doth this Instance prove them to be the Word for the Prophets of God who speak as the holy Spirit moved them did both inwardly receive and speak forth Precept upon Precept here a little and there a little from the immediate Spiâ—it and Power of God as immediatly taught by him which is before and above the Scriptures thereof which no where â—ffirm themselves being the writings in an abstract sense to bâ— the Word Also preaching Jesus Christ the Word and the Scriptures aâ—e two things the one being in a living Power and Voice and the other in written Characters Moreover the Lord sendeth out his Word and melteth the Snow the Hoar-frost and Ice Psal. 147.18 Surely this Word is not the Scriptures J.N. There are a People labour to blind this Truth by affirming That Christ is the Word not the Scriptures for they say the Scriptures are the Sayings or Words of God pag. 13. Answ. To affirm Christ to be the Word and not the writings but that in them are the words or sayings of God words of his Covenant c. or that they contain a Declaration of God and Christ is no blinding of Truth but what is â—ffiâ—med in and by the Scriptures themselves and the Word of the Lord came to the Prophets before they spake forth or writ the words see Jer. 1.1 2. The words of Jeremiah to whom the Word of the Lord came J. N's Instance from Mark 4.14 What Word was this that the Devil taketh out of mens hearts None will think it Christ but the Scriptures of the New Testament pag. 17. Answ. The Seed sown in the heart by the Son of man hath virtue and life in it in the very being of it for rooting growth and increase of fruit which is more than the writings which no where in Scripture are called the Seed and can he say the Son of man did sow some Scriptures in the High-wayes which the Devil took Also many retain Scripture in the profession of it who notwithstanding are but as the high-way ground unfruitful in whom the Seed of Life doth not take root so that the Devil doth not steal away the Scriptures or Bible from them not properly Christ out of their hearts but he steals away their hearts and minds blinding them from the sense and sight of the vertue life and light of the Seed or Word of Life withiâ— J. N. The Word of God grew and multiplied Acts 19.20 Cannot be understood of Christ a multiplication of Christ p. 17 18. Answ. Can he then think that Bibles grew and multiplied Surely the Word had Life and heavenly Virtue in it that was capable of growth and its multiplying was both in the increase of gifts and adding to the number of them who received it and though Christ be but one yet his Life his living Word and Gifts both grow and increase where he is received J.N. Christ cannot be the Word because Christians may and ought to receive his Word into their hearts Christ is not received into the hearts of men nor in Person dwell in their hearts p. 21. Answ. How grosly Erroniously and Irrationally hath he asserted and reasoned that Christ cannot be the Word because the Word is received into the hearts and how contrary to plain Scripture to say Christ is not received into the hearts see 2 Cor. 13.5 Rom. 8.10 Col. 1.27 Christ in you except you be Reprobates Christ in you the hope of glory c. but that Christ in Person doth not dwell in the hearts who ever affirmed that he doth J. N's Instance from Luke 11.28 Blessed are they that hear the Word of God and keep it None that will makâ— use of Reason can believe that Christ did intend that Christians should keep himself for every Christian is kept 〈◊〉 and Christ 1 Pet. 1.5 p. 15. Answ. Though Christians be kept by God and Christ it s through Faith and Obedience in the Light whereby they continue in both and retain God in their knowledge holding the Head which is Christ and holding fast the faithful Word keeping the Word of his Patience such keep the Truth all which amounts to the same or is equivolent with keeping Christ the Word the Truth the Life wherein is the Patience of God and Faith of the Elect exercised against all Temptations and Tryals which are not overcome by the writings without whicâ— cannot truly be called the Word of his Patience as J. N. doth without distinction when they express words of his Wrath Judgment and Displeasure against sin and wickedness But the word of Faith Life and Patience in the Soul immediately expresseth the Love and Patience of God and Christ unto it to aâ—m it in times of Afflictions and Tryals and this we are to keep For many both profess and keep Scriptures or Bibles who are out of the Patience of Câ—rist And now I Query What Reason is it this Opposer would have us make use of and what is the ground of it in man for he speaks of carnal Reason which cannot reâ—ch God and also a Reason to be made use of Pag. 64. Surely we cannot look on him to be such a Mastâ—r of Reason as infallibly to distinguish how highly soever he thinks of himself whilst he denies and opposeth the Light within as being but a feigned light John Nâ—wman where 's thy Reason and what and wâ—ence is it We must not take thy carnal dark and prejudiced Conception for Reason nor be swayed thereby when thou art ignorant of the very Grounds and Principles of true Reason and so much opposest plain Scripture which hypocritically thou pretendest for thy only Rule J.N. To deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God is to deny the very fountain and well-spring of comforts to the Soul in Affliction which is brought out of the Promises in the Scriptures to the Soul by the Spirit through Faith p. 44. Answ. How grosly Erroneous is it to deem the Scriptures the very Fountain and Well-spring of comforts and to say that the Spirit brings the Comforts from thence to the Soul whereas God is the Fountain which to say of the Writings is all one and as blasphemous as to say they are God as some of the Ranters have said as once one of them affirmed to me at Emnith near Wisbitch That the Bible which I had in my hand was God but he quickly after came to be distracted 2dly The Spirit and Gift of Christ is as a Well of Living Water in true Believers
they were begotten in the New-birth pag. 56. Answ. See how contrary to plain Scriptures he reasons for Christ is called the Seed unto which the Promises are Gal. 3.16 And He is that Word which begets into the New-birth and not the Letter and this Seed is Living and Incorruptible though the Devil steals away the hearts of many from the sense of the the Seed or Word of Life as he hath blinded the minds of Infidels 2 Cor. 4.4 J.N. Ministers are called Angels Rev. 2. yet there is no Man that is an Angel p. 59. Answ. Yes If he be an Embassador Messenger or Minister he is an Angel J.N. Christ cannot dwell in Man for Christ is perfect Man as well as perfect God p. 61. Answ. To say Christ cannot dwell in Man doth not only oppose His Spirituality Deity and OMNIPOTENCY but also is contrary to the Apostles plain Testimonies of Christ's being in the Saints And if He be perfect God he can dwell iâ— His People as He hath promised and suâ—ely His being perfect Man doth not put a limitation upon Him as a let or hinderance to disable Him from being in His People whilst He who was Christ as come in the Flesh was also truly Jesus Christ within in his Spiâ—itual appearance and we do not confine Him under this or that particular Name His Names are divers in Scriptures according to His Manifestations Offices and Works He is called Emmanuel God with us He is called Jesus Christ The Way The Truth The Light The Life The Seed The Son The Everlasting Father The Word The Power of God A Quickning Spirit c. J.N. Christ Jesus after He rose He was still a Body of Flesh Contradiction the God-head took Flesh in the Womb of Mary the Mystery of Godliness God manifest in Flesh c. pag. 52 60 63. Answ. Christ Jesus was more than a body of flesh for he was Spirit as well aâ— flesh He was Lord from Heaven Neither is Man made up simply of a body of Flesh being a complex or composition of parts of Body Soul and Spirit Also there is a manifest inconsistency between these words He was still a body of flesh And He took flesh or was God manifest in flesh J. N's Argument If he rose Jesus Christ then he rose Flesh and Blood and also Man But he arose Jesus Christ. Therefore Flesh and Blood c. And he did ascend with the same body and is still at the right hand of God with a body of flâ—sh c. p. 64 65. Contradiction As we have born the Image of the Earthly-man so we are now to bear the Image of the Heavenly which is Christ Jesus p. 89. Answer Though I grant That Christ arose with the same body that was Crucified and put to Death and that he ascended into Glory even the same Glory which he had with the Father before the World began And that the same that Descended was the same that Ascended far above all Heavens Eph. 4. And as Christ said What and if ye see the Son of Man ascend up where he was before Joh. 6. Yet the Argument is fallaciously and corruptly staâ—ed in the manner of it the Inference of the first Proposition and so the Consequence being inconsequent to it carrying no proof along in it for it still strictly limits or tyes up the Name Jesus Christ to a body of flesh and blood and so covertly denies His being before he took on him that visible body of flesh blood and bones and so opposeth his Divinity as before Whereas He was the Spiritual Rock which all Israel drank of long before And as to His being at the right hand of God I grant according to the Scriptures but cannot believe His body to be a carnal body in Heaven or that He consists of a carnal existence And further these words are not the Scripture language viz. to say That Christ is a body of flesh blood and bones in Heaven and a Personal being at the right hand of God without all Men remote as J. N's terms are But these words Spiritual Body Glorious Boâ—y One Body and One Spirit and that the Saints discerned and eaâ— the Lord's Body were Members of His Body c. And except ye eat my Flesh and drink my Blood you have no life in you saith Christ These are Scripture terms and language So neither is Chriâ—t nor God's right hand so limitted to a remoatness from them And as we have born the Image of the Earthly-man so we must bear the Image of the Heavenly which is Christ Jesus this is true But the definition that J. N. hath given of Christ Jesus the Heavenly Man is That He is a body of flesh and blood a personal being not in man From whence it follows That this Heavenly Image men must bear or be changed into is a personal Image of flesh blood and bones as if they had not such a body or Image before Whereas the Heavenly man is spiritual and so is His Image And the Apostle distinguisheth between the Natural body and the Spiritual body as he doth between the bodies that are Coelestial and the bodies Terrestrial 1 Cor. 15. And further to take off Objections and Scruples I confess that according to the Flesh Jesus Christ came of the Seed of David and the body that He took upon him or that was prepared for him to do the will of God in upon Earth was a real and not a fantastical body and that according to the flesh He was put to death or died for our sins according to the Scriptures and was buried and rose again the third day and was after seen of the Disciples and of above five hundred Brethren at once and that He was seen of James then of all the Apostles 1 Cor. 15. To which the Apostle Paul adds vers 8. And last of all he was seen of me also as of one born out of due time And how did he appear unto Paul Even by Revelation God revealed his Son in him It was the same Son of God who appeared vaâ—iously both visibly and invisibly after His Resurrection he appeared in various forms and shewed Himself diversly First to Mary Magdalen 2dly to other Women 3dly to the Disciples as they went to Emaus 4thly to James 5thly to Peter 6thly to the Apostles when the Doors were shut 7thly to more than five hundred Brethren as aforesaid after he appeared to Thomas when he said Reach hither thine hands c. Mat. 28. Mark 16. Luke 24. Iohn 20. 1 Cor. 15. Once he said to them Handle Me Luke 24.39 another time to Mary Magdalen when she thought him to be the Gardener Touch Me not Joh. 20.17 And it 's said Luk. 24.30 31. as he sate at meat with them He took bread and blessed and brake it and gave to them and their eyes were open and they knew Him and He vanished out of their sight Now seeing that he appeared so diversly being capable
for the Rule of Faith Life and Salvation must likewise be infallible pure and incorruptible Christ being the Author of the holy Faith and his Light the Rule of the right Understanding Conviction and Perswasion and consequently of the Belief J. N's Contrad The Gospel which was preached unto every Creature under Heaven was the Scriptures of the New Testament The Everlasting Gospel The general ground of Faith and Assurance Now to deny the Scriptures to be the Word is to deny the very Fountain and Well-spring of Comforts to the Soul in Afflictions pag. 12 35 42 44. The Scriptures is corrupted by man Prayer and Supplication to God by his Spirit by Faith in Christ God approveth Christ saith Ye will not come to me that ye may have Life pag. 20 24 44. Animad Both many Creatures and the Gospel were before the Scriptures were written and the Light of the Gospel is more general to ground Faith upon than the Scriptures and it is the Light of the Power or Gospel of God in the hearts And the Gospel is preached in every Creature under Heaven And eternal Life is in Christ the Incorruptible Seed the VVord Spirit Life and Light And God is the very Fountain whose fulness is in Christ and the Well-spring of Comforts to the Soul not the Scriptures This Opposer might as well say the Scriptures are God as the very fountain and well-spring of Comforts And those Unbelievers that thought to have Eternal Life in the Scriptures were like J. N. and his Brethren who will not come to Christ that they might have Life And if we must Pray and Supplicate God by the Spirit then the immediate guidance of the Spirit of God must be to us a Rule therein not the Letter J. N's Contrad The Scriptures are a perfect absolute Rule in order to man's Salvation for all men to walk by and none other For the sons of men to walk by unto the ends of the world pag. 32 33 34 35. A Second Covenant of his VVill he foretold Jer. 31. is still in force for all men to walk by and none other The Second Covenant was confirmed by the Blood of that spotless Lamb c. The Second Covenant of God's Will in order to man's Salvation was confirmed by the Death of his only begotten Son pag. 27 28. Animad If the second Covenant or new Testament may be the perfect Rule for all men to walk by and none other as is confest then must the immediate Teachings of God in his Spirit be followed and obeyed as the perfect Rule for the New Covenant-way is spiritual to wit the Law and Spirit of God in the inward parts and this is above the Writings or Letter outward which many in remote parts of the world have not Many have not the Bible who have a spiritual Light or Law of God within as the Gentiles had Rom. 2. And Paul was not a Minister of the Letter but of the Spirit wherefore thou that sayest the Scriptures are the absolute Rule for Salvation for all men to the worlds end when many of whom have them not therein thou hast shut out the spiritual Rule of the New Covenant and art one of them that tread the blood of Christ under foot by which the second Covenant was confirmed and ratified And why hast thou such hard thoughts of God as to think thaâ— all Nations that have not the Scriptures outwardly are deprived of Salvation for want of them But in plain Contradiction to thy self The second Covenant is a perfect Rule still in force for all men to walk by and no other J. N's Contrad The Scriptures of the New Testament so confirmed are a perfect Rule for all men to walk by and none other p. 29. The New-Testament Letter is to be our Rule pag. 103. In the second Covenant of his VVill in order to man's Salvation there is the Man Christ Jesus at the right hand of God c. In his second Covenant he hath promised himself to be â—he God of his People 2 Cor. 6.16 17 18. pag. 29 30. Animad The Scriptures Writings or Letter outward whether of the Old or New Testament And the second Covenant which is spiritual and inward are two distinct things In this second Covenant God is the Teacher of his People himself immediately by his immediate Spirit Power or Unction within which teacheth the spiritual minds of all things which is true and no lye And what Scripture have Baptists for saying that the New-Testament Letter is to be our Rule Let them produce plain Scripture proof for their Assertion herein or else confess their error For Paâ—l expresly testified that God had made them able Ministers of the New-Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit c. 2 Cor. 3. He doth not say they were Ministers of the Letter of the New-Testâ—ment his words will bear no such meaning for he plainly distinguisheth between the New-Testament and the Letter as he doth between Spirit and Letter Many both Priests and Baptists have and preach from that he calleth the Letter of the New-Testament who never knew the Spirit in its living ministration although the Scriptures testifie thereto J. N's Contrad The Scriptures are a perfect Rule in order to Salvation for all men unto the end of the world The very fountain and well-spring of Comforts to the Soul pag. 44. Act. 3.23 It is said A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your Brethren saith Moses like unto me him shall you hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you observe that Him shall you hear c. In the second Covenant Salvation and Eternal Life to those that obey the same in his Son Christ a way to bring us to Life pag. 23 31 39 40 50. Animad See how manifestly this Opposer hath in these passages broke the neck of his own Cause For if the Son of God must be heard in all things and he the way to Life and Salvation be in him as confest then the Scriptures are not the fountain and well-spring of Comforts God is the Fountain not the Scriptures as most ignorantly and blasphemously is assetted of them Also note how J. N. hath totally confuted and destroyed his Cause of the Scriptures being the only Rule in what follows J. N's Contrad Abel Enoch Abraham Isaac Jacob Noah and the rest of the Holy Men before Moses day I grant they had a sufficient Rule before the Scriptures were written They had a more infallible Word to walk by viz. from God's own mouth than is now to us for it 's possible that some Scriptures might be corrupted This may be granted in the bâ—st sense that the Spirit is the Rule The Spirit is of more efficacy than the Letter I shall freely grant that the Spirit is greater than the Letter c. pag. 104 106 108 110 112. Animad Here 's enough granted to make void all the Baptists work for the Scriptures being the only Rule
Name and yet Crucifie to themselves his Life or spiritual Appearance He was spiritually pierced and crucified in spiritual Sodom and Egypt And this sin you carnal conceited Professors and Hypocrites are guilty of who despise him and his Light within counting them a feigned Christ and a feigned Light within as this our Opposer hath blasphemously done but the same Jesus as he was seen ascend when a cloud received him out of their sight who stood gazing Acts 1.9 10 11. it is said shall so come in like manner c. which though every like manner is not the very same nor all clouds the same yet the same Jesus certainly cometh and in like manner his coming being in the clouds Behold he cometh with clouds and you shall see him to your sorrow who talk of his Name and Coming and yet depart not from Iniquity for out of his mouth proceedeth a sharp two-edged Sword Rev. 1.16 to cut you down with all your Hypocrisie carnal conceits and feigned Profession of Christ without the sense of his Power Life or Light within J.N. Hope to the end for the grace that shall be brought to light at the revelation of Christ and this revelation will be from Heaven not in man pag. 71. Answ. This Inference and Conclusion is false and contrary to the Apostles plain Testimony For as whatsoever might be known of God is manifest within So the Revelation of Jesus Christ the Son of God is within to the true believers in his Light And no man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him And God revealed his Son in Paul Gal. 1.16 his Glory was to be revealed in the Believers and Sufferers for Christ. And surely as they hoped looked or waited in the measure of Grace or Light received for the Revelation Appearance or second Coming of Christ to Salvation in their dayes their hope and expectation therein was not void nor they disappointed thereof as theirs is like to be who are expecting that Christ's second Coming or Appearance to Salvation will be a Personal Coming and his Reign a Personal Reign which word Personal they add to the Scripture and to the Book of the Prophesie of John to wit the Revelation not truly minding the penalty they incur by adding as mentioned Rev. 22. And so where they add the word Personal or in Person to his Coming again or Personal being c. do they not herein shew their carnal expectations mean thoughts and unscriptural conceptions touching Christ his Divine Life Being and coming to Salvation And their knowledge not to be divine nor after the Spirit For where doth the Scripture say That Christ shall come the second time in Person to save Or that he shall Reign in Person or Personally Reign c. But about this Point and several other things Baptists do not accord and other Proffesions also are divided And so likewise some imagine That the new Jerusalem Prophesied of that should come down from Heaven must be some ouâ—ward City or Place consisting of fair buildings outwardly and so might they not as well imagine of the Temple thereof that it is some fair outward structure whereas the Lord God and the Lamb is the Temple and Light thereof and the Nations of them that are saved shall walk in the Light of this holy City J. N. By denying any personal being of Christ without all men at the right hand of God but only a feigned Christ within then Remission of sins must die and Faith also for want of the object Christ p. 73 74. Answ. This manner of excluding God's right hand and Christ to a limitation out of his People in a personal being which are no Scripture terms still implyes him to be a Personal God or Châ—ist like the Anthropomorphites and Muggletonian's conceits of Him And J.N. his scornfully and blasphemously calling Christ and his Light within a feigned Christ not owning Jesus Christ within as the object of Faith This is both contrary to the true Faith and its Righteousness and savours not of any real knowledge of Christ in this scornful man For the true Faith and its object or foundation are inseparable see 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith Prove your selves Know you not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you except ye be Reprobates So that their knowledge and proof of their being in the Faith was their knowledge of Jesus Christ in them as their foundation c. and this was not a feigned Christ and in him the Remission of sins is known to them that are in the Faith Paul was sent to turn the Gentiles from darkness to the Light and from the power of Satan to God that they might receive the remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are Sanctified And this was the Light of Christ within And the Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh in this wise Say not in thine heart who shall ascend into Heaven that is to bring Christ down from above or who shall descend into the Deep that is to bring up Christ again from the Dead But what saith it The Word is nigh thee c. yea very nigh thee Mark The Righteousness of Faith doth not shut Christ the Word or object of Faith out of the hearts of true Believers but the Word of Faith is nigh even in the heart c. And we know the Power of God and true Remission thereby is inwardly felt by all the Children of the Light and that Living Faith that stands in the Power and Word of God within shâ—ll not die nor be void nor miss of its blessed end which is Salvation J.N. â—he Spirit of God I my self own and daily pray for The same Spirit I own though not distinct from the Scriptures They canot be separated one from the other in their Nature and Purity p. 91 94 1.10 Answ. Are the Scriptures and the Spirit inseparable and yet thou hast the Spirit daily to pray for when thou hast the Scriptures What Confusion is this Whereas if they be inseparable it follows that all â—â—at have the Scriptures must necessarily have the Spirit also which is false for the unbelieving Jews who had Scriptures thought to have had Eternal Life in them like such as you who make them the ground of your Faith and Assurance yet they would not come to Christ that they might have Life Also where thou affirmest The Scripture and the Spirit cannot be separated one from another in their nature and purity This is all one as to say The Scriptures are as incorruptible as the Spirit which is a gross Error and contradicted by thy self in thy 104 105 106 pag. where thou hast granted That Abel Enoch Abram Isaac Jacob Noah c. had a sufficient Rule before the Scriptures were written viz. The Spirits Rule God's Speaking and Directions to them from his own
path but only where the Scriptures are Or Presbyterian or Independant Teachers or such-like go What a pitiful narrow Spirit and Principle is this among them And had not those Gentiles spoken of Rom. 2. those things contained in the Law written in their hearts when they had not the Law or Scriptures outwardly And were they not either accused or excused before God by his Law written in their hearts T.D. They not walking up to the Light they had was the cause of their Codemnation and they were left without excuse T. D's Contradiction But it was not sufficient to lead them to Life or Salvation it was a Natural Light c. Answ. Then from this it follows That all was a case whether they walked up to the Light they had or not they were like to be Condemned do what they could a sad Doctrine charging God with no less than Cruelty and Injustice then for what Reason was the Light given to them and what was God's End therein if it was insufficient â—ow should they be left without excuse And for what end were they brought into the world if a capacity of Salvation was not afforded them As to his calling it a natural Light what rule hath he in Scripture for so calling it For the Law in their hearts was spiritual and it 's said When they do by Nature it is not said By a Natural Light and what Nature was it by which they obeyed the Law of God in the heart Surely it was not a Nature repugnant to the Law And when I demanded of these men to produce us that Scripture that saith The Scriptures are the only Rule of Faith and it shall end the Controversie Ald. H. Answ. I will in the last of the Revelations If any man shall add to this Rule c. Obs. Here he was mistaken for it is not said this Rule but these things c. the words of the Book c. see Revelations 22.18 19. T. D's Arg. That which the Scriptures direct to as the Rule of Faith that is to be the only Rule But the Scriptures direct to themselves Ergo. Answ. The first part I own that which the Scriptures direct to is the Rule and that is the Light within the Spirit or Unction from the Holy One 1 Joh. 2. that gave them forth therefore I deny that the Scriptures direct to themselves as the only Rule T. D. That the Scripture directs to its self as the only Rule and no other I prove from Joh. 5.39 Search the Scriptures c. Rep. Christ did not say the Scriptures were the only Rule but rather reproved these unbelievers whom these men resemble in these words viz. In them to wit the Scriptures ye think to have Eternal Life and ye will not come to Me that ye might have Life vers 40. T. D. The more sure word of Prophesie 2 Pet. 1.19 was the Scriptures c. Rep. Here he hath confounded and perverted the Scriptures as if the word of Prophesie and the Writings and Prophesies were all one and as if it were to be read You have more sure Scriptures of the Prophets whereas they were not more sure than the Scriptures of the Apostles and the word of the Prophesie or Holy Ghost that moved in the Prophets to speak or write Scripture was before the Prophesies of it or the Scriptures were written the Word came to the Prophets before they Prophesied it was in their hearts and the same Word now appears in many as a Light shining in a dark place whereunto ye shall do well to take heed until the day dawn and the Day-star arise in your hearts 2 Pet. 1.19 Obs. So this Light within was in all Ages and still is the most absolute perfect and universal Rule to all the Righteous who believed in the Light and were the Children of the Day where God hath appointed the Great Light of Himself to Rule His People in Faith and Practise At the Second Discourse which was the 20th of the 11th Month 1669. Will. Kiffin and his Brother Jeremiah Ives with some others appeared against us Some of their Contradictions follow W.K. THe Scriptures are the only Rule of Faith from 2 Tim. 3.15 16. the Spirit considered as a Rule is absolutely excluded but as a Director as my Way and my Guide are distinct c. as before Obs. First This Scripture cited by him proveth not his Assertion to wit That the Scriptures are the only Rule Secondly His so absolute excluding the Spirits Rule is contrary to this Scripture which saith All Scripture given by inspiration of God c. the particle is being added Here the Inspiration of God is owned to give Scripture as also it 's the Man of God that knows the use thereof who doth not exclude Divine Inspiration or the Holy Spirit from being his Guide Rule and Way for he walks in the Spirit So that if Rule and Way be one and the same as here they are rendered that which is the only Way to Life and Salvation must needs be the only Rule and surely neither Christ nor his Light or holy Spirit within must be excluded from being this Way in which we are to walk And now mark how Jer. Ives coming into the Meeting after his Brother W. K. had thus absolutely excluded the Spirit did positively contradict him Jer. Ives Our saying the Scriptures are the only Rule doth not exclude the Spirit or the Spirit 's Illumination the Scripâ—ures including the Spirit are the only Rule c. that is our meaning Obs. See how manifestly they have contradicted one another here the one wholly excluding the Spirit as a Rule and the other including it But this Jer. Ives was not aware of his Brothers having excluded the Spirit before he came in upon which we urging them to confess their Error and Contradiction Jer. Ives endeavoured to salve up the business as well as he could saying We are reconciled And in order thereto he proceeded thus viz. J. I. Our saying the Scriptures are the only Rule does not exâ—â—â—â—e every thing else or the Spirits Illumination from being a Rule any more than to say God Only hath Immortality doth exclude all else from having Immortality c. Obs. Still he could not hide himself from contradicting his Brother W.K. and the terms of their own Question For if the Spirit 's Illumination be included as in Rule then to say the Scriptures are the only Rule of Faith is not true and wholly to exclude the Spirit as a Rule is erroneous And to instance in this case That God only hath Immortality which is dwelling in the Light 1 Tim. 6.16 Was this a fit comparison for their Assertion of the Scriptures being the only Rule For hath not God Immortality above and before all others And hath he not it only dwelling in the Light And have any it out of him or out of his Light But hath he it not only as more eminently and above all others As he is
own Practises without the immediate guidance of the Spirit And therefore this Woman hath cause for ever to bless the Lord thâ—â— she turned from them if she continue in this Anointing within which is true Thirdly As to that 2 Tim. 2.17 1 Tim. 1.20 These concerned such as did blaspheme and used profane and vain bablings of whom was Alexander and also Hymeneus and Philetus who said That the Resurrection was past already and overthrew the Faith of some But no such thing as vain Bablings Blasphemy or saying That the Resurrection is past already have these Baptists proved against this Person whom they have Excommunicated And therefore it is 1st A great sin in them thus to misaply the Scriptures against such as they were never intended And 2dly A great presumption in them to assume an Authority from the Apostles words 1 Tim. 1.20 to deliver up to Satan when they have no Commission Power or Authority given them of God so to do as the Apostles had c. 3dly What great folly and madness do they shew and bewray in Rejecting Excommunicating or Delivering up to Satan such as have before rejected and denyed them and refused to have any Communion with them as this Hester for some time hath for such as were rejected and cast out of the true Church they were either such as would have continued among them in scandalous Practises as Fornication c. 1 Cor. 5. Or 2dly Such false Brethren as by Blasphemies or Heresies troubled the Church and would have sown Sedition and Strife amongst them for Testimonies in truth against such we own Fourthly As to that of Acts 3.22 23. It 's on the behalf of Christ that great Prophet â—hom every one ought to hear in all things And it 's said Every Soul that will not hear that Prophet shall be destroyed from among the People c. Now it is not every Soul that will not hear you Baptists and come under your Water and Ordinances as you impose them that must therefore be deâ—troyed however you pretend to deliver such to Satan but every Soul that will not hear Christ that great Prophet of God in all things that Soul must be cut off And can you say that you have ever heard the Voice of Christ who pretend your selves to be his Church which we both deny you to be As also we deny that you have any Call from Christ to the Ministry Do you judge that none hear his Voice but such as you plunge in Water And that all must be condemned who cannot own you in your imposed Shadows called Ordinances upon pretence of the Scripture being your only Rule when you never yet did either prove or demonstrate that ever you heard the immediate Voice of Christ or had a Call from him for your plunging People under Water which is but a Shadow Much less can we believe that you hear him in all things else which you practise and impose for Christ is the Life and Substance and they who hear him in all things receive Life and the One Spiritual Baptism which yours is not John Newman set against himself HIS Book and corrupt Principles being Answered by John Newman himself His Principles and Contradictions are Collected and set opposite in his own words and the Pages of his Book cited where they are and briefly Noted and Annimadvertized upon particularly as followeth Whereto is added Tho. Danson W. Kiffin and Jer. Ives their Contradictions J. N. his Contradictions THE Scriptures of the two Testaments is properly and principally called the Word of God and that distinct from Christ This is asserted above twenty times over Pages 3 4 5 7 8 9.10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 22 42. Jesus Christ in Scripture is stiled the Word of God a Name that 's given to him his Name is called The Word of God Rev. 19.13 but then again to shufle off this J.N. adds Christ is not alwayes really that which in Scripture he is called comparatively He is called a Door a Vine c. pag. 3 46 47 49. Animadversion Surely the holy Men who spake and writ Scriptures from the Spirit of God knew how to speak properly and truly better than J.N. who in effect reflects on them all as for speaking improperly what bold presumpâ—ion and pride is it in him when they called God or Christ or his Name the Word and said In the beginning was the Word c. Therefore Christ was principally the Word for the Scriptures were not in the beginning nor do they any where call themselves the Word as improperly J. N. doth For Scriptures signifie Writings And is not Christ really the Door in the sense intended to them that enter in by him Howbeit he was really the Word before his Name was held forth in the many Parables J. N's Contrad The Scriptures of the two Testaments in which is contained the Will of God properly and principally the Word c. Or Way of God in which is contained the will of God p. 5. The Prophet saith God's Word is a Lanthorn to his feet and a Light unto his paths Psal. 119.100 105. Animad Christ is the Way the Word and Light and not the Writings they are not Christ And the Word that was a Lanthorn and Light to David was within him before he wrote the words and when much of the Scriptures of the two Testaments were unwritten And said he I have hid thy Word in my heart that I may not sin against thee Psal. 119. J. N's Contrad The Scriptures of the Two Testaments principally called the WORD distinct from Christ. God's perfect Way enlightned David p. 4. and this is called the Word Psal. 18.28 30. Thou wilt light my Candle the Lord will enlighten my darkness Animad God's perfect enlightening Way and Word and the Light and Candle of the Righteous which was Spiritual Living and Powerful was before the Scriptures were written J. N's Contrad The Scriptures principally called the Word The words that God hath spoken by his holy Prophets blessed Son and Apostles p. 3. Animad Is there no distinction between the Word and words In the beginning was the Word but since were the words spoken and Scriptures written Besides the holy Prophets and Apostles who preached the Word from the immediate Power of God were living witnesses of what they spoke and their Ministry was attended with the same Power and the plain Evidence of the Spirit went along with it which was more than barely the writings received by tradition J. N's Contrad The Commands of God in the first Testament or Scriptures of the Prophets the Word p. 7. I shall labour to prove That the Scriptures of the new Testament is also called the Word distinct from Christ. The Teaching and Preaching Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures is called the Ministry of the Word is stiled is called the Word of God Act. 4.25 26 27. 5.45 Animad The Word was in the beginning before the Commands Words or Writings
were given forth the Commands are called words that God spake Is not there a manifest difference between the Word that made all things and the words spoken or writ As also between the Ministry of the Word which is the preaching Jesus Christ and the Writings of the Two Testaments which this ignorant man makes no distinction between for was not the Apostle Paul a Minister of the Word though not of the Letter Did not he distinguish between them which this confused Opposer hath not done J. N's Contrad The Scriptures in which is contained the will of God in order to man's Salvation is properly and principally called the Word and not Christ. There are a People labour to blind this truth by affirming that Christ is the Word of God and not the Scriptures for they say The Scriptures are the Sayings or the Words of God Christ cannot be understood to be the Word of God whereas some do affirm Christ to be the VVord of God Such an Assertion would make Christ a Monster rather than a compleat God and Man c. p. 12 13 15 17 17 49. I shall freely grant That Christ is called by this Name the Word of God Christ being the Word of God Christ may be said to be in men He may be called the Word of God because he will be that dreadful Executioner By the Word of God's Eternal Power c. He shall by by the Word of God slay all his enemies in this he may be truly called the Word of God p. 14 46 47. Animad Thou art a blind Opposer who perverts and darkens Truth with thy monstrous prejudice who denies Christ to be the Word of God and blasphemously sayest Such an Assertion would make Christ a Monster c. Yet for all this thou shalt freely grant Christ to be called the VVord yea the VVord of God's Eternal Power doest thou herein make him a Monster And did not the holy Men of God call him the Word And did they blind the Truth or make a Monster of Christ supposest thou Must we reject their Testimonies as improper and monstrous and believe thine as only proper which is so repugnant to the Scriptures which are the Writings that do contain sayings or words of God which to affirm is no blinding of truth And where provest thou these words in the Scriptures That the will of God is contained in them Is not the will of God Infinite and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain God So take thy Contradictions back again viz. That to affirm Christ to be the Word of God is to make him a Monster yet I shall freely grant Christ is called the Word of God the Word of God's Eternal Power J. N's Contrad The Scriptures properly and principally called the VVord The Word of God therein contained Or the Teachings therein contained The Will and Mind of God contained in the Scriptures p. 19 45 49. Animad See the Contradiction and falshood of these for one while to say the Scriptures are the VVord another while they contain the Word and Mind of God these are different and thou mightest as well say that God is contained in the Scriptures as to say the Word and his Mind and Will is and so grosly go to circumscribe and limit him who is Infinite and unlimitable who is the Eternal Word Mark also how J. N. his Doctrine of the Scriptures being principally called the VVord is absolutely confuted by himself in what follows J. N's Contrad How was Heaven and Earth and the VVorld made by the VVord of God and also by the same VVord are kept in store p. 48. The wicked shall be destroyed by this VVord The Rod of his mouth Isa. 11.11 The Spirit of his mouth Rev. 2.12 The sharp Sword with two edges The word of God's Grace in convincing and converting of Souls quick and powerful sharper than a two edged Sword In this sense Christ may be called the VVord Animad But surely the Scriptures are not all this nor ever had this sense given of them that is here given of the Word which made Heaven and Earth and keeps them in store and this did not the Scriptures J. N's Contrad The Scriptures principally called the VVord of God may be corrupted by man This Word may be and is corâ—upted by man c. p. 19 20. Being born again not of corruptible Seed but of incorruptible by the Word of God which liveth and abideth for ever p. 57 c. Contradiction again This maketh nothing to prove this word here to be Christ. Animad The Incorruptible Seed or Word by which we are born again is not the Scriptures which have been corrupted by such Perverters and Corrupters of them as thou art who goes to set them in Christ's place and yet Hypocrite like art not willing to keep to the language and terms or Doctrines of them J. N's Contrad The Scripâ—ures are an absolute perfect Rule for all men c. unto the end of the world Faith is bâ—gotten by Preaching the VVord with the work of his blessed Spirit Christ the Way to bring us to Life c. pag. 42 43 50. Animad The Spirit of Truth leads into all Truth therefore this Spirit or Christ within is both the Guide Way and Rule to all that are Spirtiually minded All men have not the Scriptures to the World's end but Christ is given both for a Covenant and Light for Salvation to the ends of the Earth J. N. his Idolatry in exalting the Scriptures into the place of Christ. The Scriptures the enlightening way of the Lord The perfect way of God A Light unto his paths p. 4 5. The Gospel The Seed in the hearts The will of God in order to Salvation pag. 11 17 20. Eternal Life therein viz. in Scriptures pag. 24. The Scripture's an absolute perfect Rule in order to man's Salvation for all men to walk by and none other pag. 24 25 26 27 28 29. The Scriptures may be corrupted by man False Teachers corrupted the Scriptures The Scriptures may and is corrupted by man p. 19 20. The Devil taketh out of mens hearts the Scriptures of the New Testament pag. 17. Animad To the first part these are high Names put upon the Scriptures but not so proved thereby For the Enlightening perfect Way and Word of the Lord God the Gospel the Seed the Will of God Eternal Life c. were before the Scriptures were written and did preceed the writing thereof it them who spake or writ them as they were moved by the Holy Ghost and Eternal Life is in Christ not contained in the Scriptures as the unbelieving Jews vainly thought Joh. 5. who set up the Scriptures above Christ the Life And the Scriptures are not the absolute sole Rule for Salvation and none other especially if they be corrupted by the Devil and Wicked men But the Rule of the spiritual mind is spiritual of that Spirit which leads the true Believers into all truth For that which must be owned
put upon the unlimited God like the old Heretical Monks of Egypt called Anthropomorphites contrary to his own confession J. N's Contrad Christ sitteth Advocate with the Father to plead the vertue of his blood that as there are new sins committed we might through Faith have fresh grace in the pardon thereof pag. 73. The Condâ—scention of God and Christ into the hearts of his People to work up his Saints into the same nature with himself c. God and Christ is holy so his Word is holy Heb. 4.12 and through Faith in this Word Christians are wrought up into the nature of it self and into God Gal. 4.19 Little Children in whom I travel in birth till Christ be formed in you and this to bring them forth into a Gospel purity in heart and life Finally Brethren farewel be perfect be of good comfort c. pag. 78 84 87 88. Animad Wherein the Baptists or others do preach up or plead the continuance of sin in all men even Believers c. term of life This is flatly contradicted in J. N's following words viz. That God and Christ works up his Saints into the same pure Nature with himself which is not a sinful Nature however he tells us of new sins committed which he saith Christ pleads for pardon of And that through Faith in the Word Christians are wrought into the Nature of it self and into God in whom is no sin nor imperfection And where Christ is formed in man he doth not say in a personal being remote and men thereby brought forth into Gospel purity in heart and life c. Such do not alwayes commit or renew new sins which renew the old man but are renewed in Grace and in the new-man by the Spirit of Holiness knowing Christ's Intercession answered viz. that they might be kept from evil Joh. 17.15 to the end The sins of such being done away and blotted out by the blood of Christ which in his Light within is experienced in its vertue and power by such as believe and walk in it 1 Joh. 1.7 Now if J. N's Contradictions as implyed should be thus placed viz. Finally Brethren farewell be Perfect be of good Comfort There are new sins committed c. How would this answer the end of the Command Be Perfect c. Or be any comfortâ—ble Doctrine to any that truly desire perfect freedom from sin and not to live any longer therein Here followeth the Contradictions of Tho. Danson W. Kiffin and Jer. Ives upon their Principle which was viz. Contradict THat the Scriptures are the only Rule of Faith T.D. The Scriptures without divine illumination are but the foundation of an Historical Faith and not of a saving Faith The divine illumination of the Spirit is the Foundation or Rule of saving Faith Contradict T.D. W. Kiffin The Director and Rule of Faith and Salvation are two distinct things as the way to Bristol and my Director into the way Yet that Christ is both the Director into the way to God and the Way it self they could not deny Irational Inconsistences Contradictions T.D. That the Light which the Gentiles had Rom. 2. was not sufficient for Salvation That their disobedience to the Light they had was the cause of their condemnation Yet That if they lived up to their Light it would not lead them to Acceptance with God Their Contradictions at the latter Discourse Contradictions W. Kiffin The Spirit of God considered as a Rule is absolutely excluded c. Jer. Ives The Scriptures including the Spirit are the only Rule Our saying the Scriptures are the only Rule does not exclude all other Rule or the Spirits illumination any more than to say God only hath Immortallity doth exclude all else from having Immortality Jo. Newman his Contradiction to W.K. This may be granted in the best sense that the Spirit is the Rule It is of more efficacy than the Letter Contrad W. K. and Alderm Hayes Quest. Whether the Scriptures are the only Rule of Faith yea or nay affirmed by them Jer. Ives in his Letter I never owned this Question in their words Animad Here it 's manifest how these men have shaked their own Foundation destroyed their own Cause and are confounded in their Babylonish building they having rejected the chief Corner-stone but they who believe in the Power of God which is known in his Light within and trust in his Everlasting Name shall never be confounded THE END The faults of the Press the ingenuous Reader may perceive by the sense of the matter whether they be points letters syllables or words which are not to be imputed to the Author but corrected whereof these are some ERRATA In the Preface pag. 4. l. 25. the parenthesis is misplaced read it thus Light within not prejudice and darkness judge P. 13. in the Margent read Soc. Scho. l. 30. r. Theodotus P. 14. l. 11. for heirs r. haeresie P. 22. l 4. blot out P. 28. l. 12 dele without P. 35. l. 34. r. or Inferred P. 62. l. 25. for it r. iâ— Of the Scriptures * Note Jer. 2.18 Psal. 36.9 Joh. 4.10.14 7.38 39. Of Christ. See Euseb. Soc. Ecc. Ecc. Cro. fol. 572. Christ called by several Names Christs Resurrection owned and Ascention 1 Cor. 10.4 Christs Body real Professors Confusion about the Body Of God's right hand Euseb. Eccl. Chro. fol. 584 588. Of Christ his second coming Heb. 9.28 Matth. 16.27 Luke 9.26 Heb. 6.6 Revel 11.8 Joh. 3.19 20 21. Job 24.13 Rom. 10. Deut. 30.14 Jer. 8.8 9. 1 Joh. 2.19 2 Tim. 2.17 1 Tim. 1.20 Acts 3.22 23. * Gross ignorance is God any where without His real Being * Christ's Spiritual Birth owned Mat. 5.48 2 Cor. 13.11 1 Pet. 1.14 15 16. Lev. 11.44