THE Spirit of Delusion REPROVED OR The Quakers Cause FAIRLY HEARD AND JUSTLY CONDEMNED Being an Answer To William Penn George Fox George Whitehead George Keith Edward Burroughs and several other the most leading Men amongst them Wherein their horrid Perversion and false and dangerous Interpretations of above 50 distinct Texts of Holy Scriptures are plainly Evinced By Thomas Wilson Rector of Arrow in Warwick-shire Imprimatur Guil. Jane Jan. 28. 1677. London Printed for B. Harris at the Stationers Arms in Sweetings-Rents in Cornhil near the Royal Exchange 1678. QUAKER'S FALSE INTERPRETATIONS OF SCRIPTURE ONly of this at present Hereafter perhaps I may Treat of their Doctrines and their Manners All that I desire of the Reader is that in the several Texts I shall instance he consult the Bible because words separated from the Discourse may seem even to a wise man to signifie what the Inspired Authors never intended and the like expressions and sometimes the same do mean different things as in all other Books so in holy Writ G. K. Immed Revelat. p. 21. We may not nor dare not make use of the Scripture but in the Life and Spirit as that opens and influences We dare not nor ought not to speak the Spirit 's words in our own Spirit We tie the words of Scripture unto the Spirit so as not to use them but in and by the Spirit G. K. Help in need p. 77. Away with that manner of interpreting Scripture and searching truth by drawing and knitting consequences by the fallible erring mind and natural understanding Keep close in all things to the determination of the Spirit of God and where that leads you to draw a consequence or frame an argument do it else forbear W. Duesbury's discovery p. 48. The word of the Lord came upon me in the common Gaol in Warwick 13. of 1. Moneth 1664. which constrained to be given forth from the Spirit of the Lord c. N. Love to Lost p. 1. The things following are not of Man nor did I receive them but by the Revelation of Jesus Christ. Atkinsons Standard of the Lord p. 30. Written from the Spirit of the Lord. Burrough's Trumpet p. 1. The Order and Authority given unto me by the Spirit of the Living God 31. of 10. Moneth in the Year 1655. about the 4 th hour in the Morning when my Meditations were of my God upon my Bed in Kilkenny City at that time the word of the Lord came unto me saying Write c. Given under my hand and Sealed with the Spirit of the eternal God Foster's Guide p. 59. Do you not Professors confess your selves to be fallible If then I can prove that you have Interpreted Scripture in a false Sense you must grant that you have not Interpreted only in and by the Spirit of God but in your own and by the natural understanding and fallible erring mind And I hope if it appear to you that you have thus done you will not lay the error how little soever it may be upon that Holy One but take it to your selves though it contradict your Glorious Pretence and abate your Credit and Shame you never so much And in the name of Christ I admonish you that you do so that God be not Dishonoured and his excellent Spirit Vilified The tryal follows G. K. Im. Revel p. 72. Out of Sion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem And he The word for that is his name Rev. 19. shall judge among the Nations Isa. 2 3 4. 1 Your reason why the Word of the Lord must here signifie Christ for that is it you mean viz. Because his name is the Word is infirm unless you can prove it always so signifies which it doth not as you may see in many places of Scripture particularly in this Prophet's writings Chap. 39.5 Hear the word of the Lord of Hosts That is not Christ but this Sentence which follows Behold the day is come that all that is in thine House shall be carried to Babylon Chap. 28.14 Hear the word of the Lord Namely this Thus saith the Lord behold I lay c. vers 16. 2 As in these former words Come and let us go up to the house of the God of Jacob and he will teach us of his ways He refers to God and not to house So it is manifest that in these latter For out of Sion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem and he shall judge among the Nations He refers to Lord and not to the Word For 3 it had been all one if it had been only said Out of Sion shall go forth the Law of the Lord and he shall judge The Law of the Lord and the Word of the Lord being here the same And then as the Law here is not Christ so neither is the Word 4 And thus was it fulfilled concerning the Gospel as that being distinct from Christ. For it was first Preached at Jerusalem and from thence proceeded to the Gentiles Luk. 24.47 Thus it is Written that Repentance and Remission of Sins should be Preached in Christ's Name among all Nations beginning at Jerusalem Thus Tertullian understands the Text. Adv. Marc. L. 3. C. 21. Ex Sion exibit lex sermo Domini ex Hierusalem Haec erit via sua novae Legis evangelium novi sermonis in Christo non in Moyse And Just. Mart. Apol. 2. p. 78 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. For Out of Sion c. From Jerusalem went twelve men into the World who declared to all Mankind that they were sent of Christ to Preach the Word of God to all Ibid. p. 66. I desire the Reader to weigh what word it is David speaks so frequently of in Psal. 119. It is not any word writ any outward word or words But the eternal word which created the Heavens and Earth The word in the begining which taught him the Laws Judgments c. Jesus Christ P. 67.68 65. You may as well say Testimonies Statutes Judgments Commandements Law are not a written and outward word or words For they are all used promiscuously and what is spoken of the word is spoken of these As it is said I beheld the Transgressors and was grieved because they kept not thy word So Rivers of Waters ran down mine Eyes because they kept not thy Law As I rejoyce at thy word So Thy Testimonies are the rejoicing of my Heart As I have hoped in thy word So I have hoped in thy judgments As Thy word is very pure therefore thy Servant loveth it So Vpright are thy judgments I love thy Commandments As For ever thy word is settled in Heaven So Thy testimonies thou hast founded for ever The word then here spoken of being the same with Testimonies Statutes Judgments Commandments Law it is as much outward written and spoken as they are and you may as well say the Testimonies Statutes c. are Christ as that this word is and that
Interpretations to consult the Text as it stands in the Bible Pro. 15.28 The heart of the Righteous Studieth to answer but the Mouth of the Wicked poureth forth evil things FINIS THE TEXTS Vindicated ISa. 2.3 4. Out of Sion shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem and he shall judge among the Nations Psal. 119. The word of the Lord. Prov. 6.24 To keep thee from the evil woman Rev. 5.6 Seven Spirits of God 2 Cor. 12.2 Caught up to the third Heaven Joh. 6.50 51. This is the Bread which cometh down from Heaven And the Bread which I will give is my Flesh which I will give for the Life of the world Joh. 17.24 Father I will that those thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my Glory which thou hast given me Jam. 5.9 Grudge not lest ye be condemned Behold The Judge standeth before the door Heb. 9.28 Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto Salvation Act. 1.11 This same Jesus that is taken up from you into Heaven shall so come in like manner as you have seen him go into Heaven 2 Pet. 1.19 We have also a more sure word of Prophecy whereunto you do well to take heed c. 1 Cor. 12.7 The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal 1 Cor. 11.29 He that Eateth and Drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh Damnation to himself not discerning the Lord's Body 1 Cor. 11.25 This do ye as oft as ye drink it in remembrance of me c. 10.21 Ye cannot be partakers of the Lord's Table and the Table of Devils 1 Cor. 11.26 As often as ye eat this Bread and Drink this Cup ye shew the Lord's Death till he come 1 Joh. 4.2 3. Every Spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh is of God And every Spirit that confesseth not Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh is not of God And this is that Spirit of Antichrist c. Joh. 4.29 Come see a man which told me all things which ever I did 1 Tim. 2.12 But I suffer not a Woman to Teach c. 1 Cor. 14.34 Let your Women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted to them to speak but c. Jer. 23.30 31 32. I am against the Prophets which steal my Word every one from his neighbour that say He saith that Prophesie false Dreams and cause my people to erre by their Lies yet I sent them not Therefore they shall not profit this people at all Mat. 6.5 They love to pray standing in the Synagogues and in the corners of Streets that they may be seen of men Mat. 23.6 And love uppermost Rooms at Feasts and Chief-seats in the Synagogues and greetings in the Market and to be called of Men Rabbi Rabbi but be not ye called Rabbi c. neither be ye called Master for one is your Master Christ. Jer. 5.31 The Prophets Prophesie falsly and the Priests bear rule by their means Rev. 17.15 13.7 Power was given the Beast over all Kindreds and Tongues c. 1 Cor. 15.22 As in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive Rom. 13.1 Let every Soul be subject to the Higher Powers Rom. 1.16 I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Isa. 8.20 To the Law and to the Testimony c. Rev. 19.10 The Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of Prophecy Isa. 47.5 Sit in silence c. Isa. 15.1 Kir of Moab is laid wast and brought to silence Psal. 31.18 Let the lying Lips be put to silence 1 Cor. 13.8 Tongues shall cease Joh. 15.3 Now are ye clean through the word which I have spoken unto you 2 Cor. 5.19 And hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation 2 Cor. 3.6 Who hath also made us able Ministers of the New-Testament not of the Letter but of the Spirit c. Est. 6.2 Mordecay bowed not c. 1 Pet. 2.17 Honour all Men. Honour the King Lev. 19.15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment thou shalt not respect the person of the Poor nor Honour the person of the Mighty c. Luk. 15.21 22. Master we know thou sayest and teachest rightly neither acceptest thou the person of any Jam. 2.2 Have not the Faith of our Lord Jesus with respect of persons for if there come c. Mat. 5.33 34. But I say unto you Swear not at all c. Act. 7.38 39. This is he which was in the wilderness Mat. 10.34 I came not to send Peace but a Sword Joh. 15.22 If I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had sin c. 12.46 I am come a Light into the world Mat. 28.19 Baptising them in the Name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Mark 16.16 He that Believeth and is Baptized shall be saved 1 Joh. 3.9 Whosoever is Born of God doth not commit sin Rom. 14.7 Render to all their dues Tribute c. Rev. 11.7 8. The Beast shall kill the two Witnesses c. c. 17.5 Mystery Babylon the Mother of Harlots 2 Thes. 2.4 The Man of Sin sitteth in the Temple of God FINIS Books Printed and are to be Sold by Benjamin Harris at the Stationers-Arms at the East-end of the Royal-Exchange in Cornhil Octavo and Twelves A Confession of Faith put forth by the Elders and Brethren of many Congregations of Christians Baptized upon Profession of their Faith in London and the Country Lately Published Price 1 s. Warr with the Devil Or The Young-Man's Conflict with the Powers of Darkness discovering the Corruption and Vanity of Youth the horrible Nature of Sin In a Dialogue To which is added An Appendix containing a Dialogue between an old Apostate and a young Professor The Fifth Impression price 1 s. The Second Part of the Warr with the Devil The Grand Impostor Discovered or The Quaker's Doctrine weighed in the Ballance and found wanting a Poem by way of Dialogue wherein their chief and most concerning Principles are laid down And by the Authority of God's Holy Word thereby Refuted price 10 d. Summons to the Grave or A Timely preparation for Death Demonstrated in a Sermon Preached at the Funeral of John Norcott with two Elegies thereunto praefixt price 8 d. All five written by Benj. Keach Minister of the Gospel The History of the Young Converted Gallant or Directions for the use of that Divine Poem Warr with the Devil Here shewing the Readers thereof how to read the same Poem right in these four Respects c. First In reference to the Substance or History thereof 2 dly In reference to the Intent or Mystery thereof 3 dly In reference to the Consequent Doctrine thereof 4 thly In reference to Practical Application thereof Compiled in a Poem by John Mason Gent. of Fordham in Cambridgshire price 1 s. Blessed Rest for the Burthened Sinner or The only Center of the Soul wherein is discovered 1. Who he is that Invites and calls Sinners to this Rest. 2. The Encouragement to come unto him for Rest. 3. Many Obstructions and Impediments which keep back sinners with their Unreasonableness answered 4. The Rest that every one shall have that comes unto Christ Delivered in several Sermons from Matthew 11.28 By John Hopwood Preacher of the Gospel price 2 s. * Note that this is all the Answer to the Question * Yet I find some odd passages in your Writings K. Help p. 2. The letter and outward teachings so much cried up with all the Fruits and effects of the one the Crucified Body of Christ though a very Blessed and Comfortable enjoyment in its place and kind yet being but that which made nothing perfect is now no less necessary to be parted with than at that time it was else the Comforter as the blessed effect of the other the Living Body of Christ can not come F. Truth and Deceit p. 55. Then came Christ according to the Flesh to be Crucified the Lamb slain that Flesh of his which is a mystery when the first Adam's and Eve's Flesh was defiled P. 57. Yet his Flesh never corrupted which Flesh is the offering for as he was not God he did not Die and this Flesh is a mystery and in this Flesh is the Belief which takes away the Sin that never corrupted that is the offering for Sin and the Blood of this Flesh cleanseth from Sin This offering who is found in the Shape of a Man And where this belief is entred into his Flesh it knows Adam's Flesh that corrupted Through his Flesh he doth reconcile and by the offering up his Body his Flesh that which hath been Slain from the Foundation of the World and yet never corrupted he breaks down the Partition-wall betwixt Jews and Gentiles p. 59. So this pure Flesh this offering is set over all which never corrupted which must be your Meat if you Live though there is more in all these things which is hard to be uttered and cannot be uttered yet * Tertullian understands the Text of the visible Flesh De Carne Chr. Chap. 13. In Christo invenimus animam carnem simplicibus nudis vocabulis editas id est animam animam carnem carnem Quid anxia est anima mea usque ad mortem Et Panis quem ego dedero pro salute mundi caro mea est Si una caro una anima illa tristis usque ad mortem illa Panis pro mundi salute salvus est numerus duarum substantiarum in suo genere distantium excludens Carneae animae unicam speciem * See c. 3.17 Act. 15.9 1 Cor. 11.29 * De Spec. Leg. p. 594. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. If necessity require an Oath it is more fit to swear by the health and old age of Father and Mother if they be living and if they be dead by their blessed memory because God is not to be rashly named Some are wont to say So help me omiting the rest which might be compleated not by adding the most High but Earth Sun Heaven or the World But others are so hasty that passing by the creatures they are bold to swear by the Creator himself
food Christ then hath ordeined that all the wicked who are always unfit must be famished or else you must say they sin when ever they eat and to save their lives may indeed eat though they do sin But further could you not see that this was done in the Church when many of the Christians came together into one place for this very end and not in their own houses not by every one apart in every eating Could you not see it is called the Lord's Supper with express distinction from their own It is written plain enough vers 20.21.22 When ye come together into one place this is not to eat the Lord's Supper for in eating every one taketh before other his own Supper What have ye not houses to eat and drink in So far are you from the Truth when you say the Christians did partake of the Lord's Table when they eat with the very Heathens and whensoever else Ibid. p. 58. Christ charged his Disciples to wait for his coming at Jerusalem the promise of the Father of which he had told them before his Death which they were to shew so often as they brake bread till he came 1 Cor. 11.26 and after he was come to the Apostles they continued it for their sakes who were weak in the Faith to whom he was not appeared R. Barclay Catechism p. 98. This was to continue till Christ came Which coming is inward 1 The Commandment of our Saviour Do this in remembrance of me according to you belonged only to the Apostles and those that were Disciples before his Death and was obligatory but till the descent of the Holy Ghost that is but fifty days after his Resurrection and that after this time it was arbitrary and they might observe it or forbear But this is false for St. Paul tells the Corinthians that he had received this of the Lord and accordingly delivered the same unto them 2 Cor. 11.23 So that that which was commanded the Apostles before Christ's death was given in charge again to St. Paul and that after Christ's coming to the Apostles in Jerusalem at Pentecost for after this time was he called to the Ministry and moreover was delivered by him as a command to be observed by the Church Nay though Christ was come by the descent of the Holy Ghost at Pentecost yet still says the Apostle As oft as ye eat this Bread and drink this Cup ye shew or shew ye 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Lord's Death till he come 1 Cor. 11.26 So that he means another coming and until that be he teaches us that this is to be done 2 Not only in that first descent of the Holy Ghost but also in all Divine operations in the heart by the same spirit was Christ come already when the Apostle wrot for unless he was so come working graciously upon the heart the Corinthians were not to receive the Supper of the Lord v. 27.28.29 Wherefore that inward coming cannot be meant by the Apostle for as much as that which he speaks of was not as yet as is manifest by those words Till he come 3 If the Apostles continued it as you further say for the sakes of the weak why do not you likewise continue it for the sakes of the same What are there no weak ones among you Is the Church of the Quakers better than the primitive Or are you wiser than the Apostles judging that unfit which they judged fit But dear Souls in good earnest is the Lord's Supper below you too mean and beggarly for your strength and spirituality What Christian how great and perfect soever he be if as perfect as St. Paul doth it not become to commemorate Christ and shew forth his Death as this Solemnity requires Which is to declare by this outward Rite to all the world his Faith in this Crucified Person whom the Jews by reason of his vile death despised and rejected 1 Cor. 1.18.23 and to profess himself his Servant and to admire his love and the Love of his Father and to acknowledge that our eternal Redemption is by his Blood-shed and for all to offer most ardent thanks and the profoundest Praises and Adorations of his heart This reason is perpetual and equally concerns all And further was there ever any Church which discontinued the Supper of our Lord Or was there never heretofore the glorious appearance till which time your selves say it was to be observed until now among you Quakers I adde you discern not the wisdom of our Lord in this matter in that he hath injoyned us to come and yet forbids unless we prepare our selves So that he provokes and even compels us to Devotion and Piety and doth what may be not only to excite and animate our coldness but to continue us in our goodness and to bring the more profane to a godly mind and life viz. by the frequent repetitions of this grand and serious solemnity 4 Christ's coming therefore until which time his Supper is to continue is that in the end of the world which is so eminently spoken of every where in the Gospel and all Christians wait for Of which you read again in this Epistle c. 15.23 Christ the First-fruits is risen afterwards they that are Christ's shall rise at his coming Then cometh the end G. K. Help p. 22. This is Antichrist who denies Christ the Son came in the revelation of himself in the heart for that coming of Christ in his Bodily appearance at Jerusalem Antichrist will not does not deny being he knows it will never harm his Kingdom so to confess him come provided Christ's Kingdom be not set up in the heart Tomlinson word of Reproof p. 5. The spirit of Antichrist doth not confess Christ come i. e. when he comes or appears in flesh or in his servants Parker's Discovery p. 20. Every Spirit that confesses Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God but the Pope and his Train and the vilest persons have confessed Christ come in his flesh at Jerusalem yet are not of God They who deny Christ come in their mortal flesh to destroy sin are Antichrists I am sorry to hear such words come out of the mouths of men pretending to Christianity I trust it is out of ignorance and inconsideration you speak not malice For will not Antichrist deny Christ come in his Body when he took that Flesh that through Death he might destroy him that had the power of Death the Devil and when through the offering of his Body we are all sanctified when by that Blood he entred into the holy place having obteined Eternal Redemption for us and when it is that which cleanseth us from all our sins when in this body he rose again without which Resurrection we had yet been in our sins and in the same ascended without which ascension the Holy Ghost had not come When without this Body the world had never had his Preaching nor Miracles nor Example nor his Apostles nor any of
his Religion for ought we know all depending as the History of the Gospel shews us upon his being made the Son of Man In Conscience can you say that to deny all this doth nothing advantage Antichrist's Kingdom Or to confess it all it being our right Faith doth nothing hinder his Kingdom and advantage Christs Wherefore then hath Christ given us this Faith Will not Antichrist deny Christ's coming in his Flesh that he may frustrate all the benefits that proceed from thence and spoil our whole belief on him You may be sure he will if he can do it by any means handsomly either covertly or more openly as he sees he can prevail and that he hath done it you shall see anon No but say you He will not deny his bodily appearance at Jerusalem being he knows it will never harm his Kingdom so to confess him come provided Christ's Kingdom be not set up in the heart If this be right I may likewise say Nor will the Devil deny God being he knows to confess him will never harm his Kingdom provided God be not worshipped Upon this account I begin to conjecture that by and by we shall indeed have no Antichrist For it may likewise be said Neither will he deny Christ's coming from Heaven his Divinity his being the Son of God and the Christ being he knows it will never harm his Kingdom so to confess him provided Christ's Kingdom be not set up in the heart Yet he is said to be the Liar that denieth Jesus to be the Christ and the Son of God 1 Joh. 2. Who then at last is Antichrist He say you That denies him the Son come in the revelation of himself in the heart But say I again Nor will Antichrist deny this seeing to confess him so come will never harm his Kingdom provided yet Christ's Kingdom be not set up there So that it is come to pass as I feared it would that at this rate we have no Antichrist neither one nor other And it were happy for us if he were thus whifled out of the world But hereby the vanity of your proviso appears Say we then bluntly without any proviso at all as St. John doth He truly is this wicked Antichrist that either denies Christ come in his Flesh or denies him to be the Christ or denies him to be the Son of God You say further Every Spirit that confesseth Jesus Christ is come in the Flesh is of God But the Pope and his train and the vilest Sinners have confessed Christ come in the Flesh at Jerusalem yet are not of God So say I Whosoever confesseth Jesus to be the Son of God and the Christ is of God is Born of him and God dwelleth in him and he in God you know the same St. John likewise asserts it But the Pope and his Train and the vilest Sinners have confessed Jesus to be the Son of God and the Christ and yet are not of God nor are Born of him nor dwell in him nor he in them Yet for all this he that confesses not Jesus to be the Christ is Antichrist as the same divine Author also asserts and therefore likewise so may he be and so say I still notwithstanding your reasoning he is that confesses him not come in his Flesh at Jerusalem Yes and hear you again the Pope and his Train and the vilest Sinners have and do confess that Christ come in the Hearts of his Saints yet are they not of God If you mean or shall so reply they resist him when he comes in their own Hearts I tell you every Wicked man doth so and yet every Wicked man is not Antichrist in St. John's Sense And surely you know the difference betwixt resisting him and denying him and discern I hope what kind of persons our Apostle speaks of when he says in this place Try the Spirits because many False-Prophets are gone out into the World Namely that he doth not mean that every Wicked Man be Tryed but some sorts of Prophets that we may not be Poisoned with false Doctrine As you may learn again from these his precedent words Believe not every Spirit They say you again that deny Christ come in their Flesh to destroy Sin are Antichrists So say I are they that deny him come in his own Flesh to destroy the Devil But Antichrist say you further doth not deny this Well if there be not such an one now the times are altered for I am sure there have been many such heretofore Or if you think I am mistaken in calling them by so ill a name that have only denyed Christ's Flesh and Bodily appearance at Jerusalem speak it out and let us moreover hear what we may more truly call them They have ignominy enough among the Antients Some of whose words I will recite that you may be convinced there have been such Men and may see what they thought of them Ignatius Ad Tral 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. There are some vain Talkers and Seducers mixing poyson with sweetness They reject Christ's Nativity of the Virgin Some as if they were Infidels and without God say Christ was only in appearance a man and took not a true Body and suffered and died in appearance Fly these ungodly Heresies for they are the invention of the Devil Ad Smyrn I warn you of these Beasts that have the shapes of Men. For if the Lord was seemingly in a Body and Crucified in appearance then I am now likewise bound for him in appearance He that says Christ had not Flesh perfectly denies him If any man believe him not to have been conversant in Flesh and confesses not his passion and his blood shed he cannot obtain eternal Life Ad Phil. He was truly Born truly increased did truly Eat and Drink was truly Crucified truly arose He that believes not this differs not from his Crucifiers For the Prince of the World rejoices when any one denies the Cross as knowing that the confession hereof is his destruction Thus again Ad Eph. Hear we another Irenaeus L. 1. C. 22. Saturninus affirms the Saviour was not Born nor had a Body but was only man in appearance Chap. 25. Carpocrates says Jesus was not Born of a Virgin but was the Son of Joseph and Mary after the manner of other Children and that after his Baptism Christ descended into him from the supream God in the shape of a Dove and in the end Christ flew away from Jesus and Jesus suffered and rose L. 3. C. 11. The Gnosticks affirm that the Word and Christ did not come into the World that the Saviour had not Flesh nor suffered But some of them say Jesus was incarnate and suffered whom they affirm to have passed through Mary as Water doth through a Pipe The opinion of all the Hereticks is that the Word was not made Flesh. Hear another Tertullian Adv. Haer. Chap. 46. Basilides the Heretick says Christ was without the substance of Flesh that he suffered not of the
the Profiting of the People do they not remain still in their Sins These Prophets spake Peace to the People when all manner of impieties were committed and told them that evil should not come upon them as other Prophets had denounced And this they spake not as their own private judgment but pretended to have received it from the Lord immediatly by Dreams and Visions and so incouraged them the more in their Wickedness Vers. 17. They say still unto them that despise me the Lord hath said ye shall have peace no evil shall come upon you Vers. 25. They Prophesie Lies in my Name saying I have Dreamed So in our Text I am against them that Prophesie false Dreams and cause my People to err by their Lies yet I sent them not So also Chap. 6.14 and 8.11 and 28.8 9. Now is this to speak the experience of the Saints true and sound Doctrine the very word of God And is God against us for so doing as he was against these false Prophets who both feigned a vision and also corrupted the truth speaking peace to the wicked Is he angry when we like honest men having no vision pretend none but as faithfully warn men of their Sins as if we had saying to the Rebellious they shall Die endeavour to turn every one from his evil ways preach the Truth as we have learned from his written Oracles If we should receive the word immediatly from his Mouth it would be but the very same Conscience where art thou blush for this accusation and for the abuse of sacred Scripture If we were Knaves we might pretend Inspiration as well as others It is an Argument of our Honesty and fear of God that we do not when we might gain admiration and a croud of Disciples as well as others if we did But see we whether you have not likewise erred as to the other words They shall not profit this People at all Which you understand thus they shall not edifie their Souls in Righteousness I thus Destruction shall fall upon this people though these Prophets say it shall not but Prophesie peace to them Their word which is concerning good shall not come to pass Vers. 19. Behold a Whirlwind is gone forth it shall fall upon the head of the Wicked Chap. 14.13.15.16 They Prophecy a false Vision and a thing of naught They say Sword and Famin shall not be in the Land By Sword and Famin shall those Prophets be consumed and the People to whom they Prophesie shall be cast out in the Streets of Jerusalem because of the Famin and the Sword Thus in many other places we read where also the same word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used As Chap. 7.8 Ye trust in words which cannot profit The meaning you have vers 14. I will do unto this People as I have done unto Shiloh Vide etiam Chap. 12.13 Isa. 30.5 and 44.9 and 47.12 and 57.12 But because you say no Preachers can profit the People unless they receive their word immediatly from God let me add as you have no proof in this place so I challenge you to produce any other Text for this assertion and admonish you that you make not the efficacy of the word to depend altogether upon the Persons that Minister For Paul Plants and Apollo Waters but God giveth the increase It is a rational word and carries conviction in its divine nature and what makes it more prevalent it bears the authority of God and is accompanied with the operation of his Spirit Moses and the Prophets were Dead when our Saviour spake those words If they hear not them neither will they be perswaded though one rose from the Dead So that he thought the hearing of their writings read in the Synagogues or the peoples reading of them themselves or their knowledge of them was sufficient for their repentance and if this prevailed not neither would Moses and the Prophets themselves if they should come again For alass what prevailed they when they did Preach upon obdurat and profligat Sinners And the persons which commonly Ministred among the Jews you know were not Prophets nor Inspired received not their word immediatly from the Lord but read the Book of Moses and the Prophets to the People Which also our Saviour did And St. Paul charged that his Epistle should be read unto the brethren in the Church Luk. 4.26 Act. 15.21 Col. 4.16 1 Thes. 5.27 1 Tim. 4.13 Farnsworth's Priest's ignorance p. 2. The Teachers of the World have the chief places in the Assemblies are called of men Masters stand praying in the Synagogues Jesus Christ forbad such things Mat. 6.5 and 23.6 So they shew themselves Antichrist Seducers and Dissemblers G. Fox Catechism p. 64. Are we to hold up such Teachers as stand praying in the Synagogue and have the chiefest place in the Assembly which Christ cried wo against Parker's Testimony p. 7. Their Man-made Churches their standing Praying in high places there and being called of men Master are contrary to the plain words of Christ Mat. 33. As for praying standing in the Synagogues Mat. 6.5 1 It is not Praying in those places because they were made by Men as you Interpret that is condemned For in the same the Law was read every Sabbath day without any reproof from Christ or his Apostles Act. 15.21 And Christ commonly Taught in them Joh. 18.20 Mat. 4.23 and 13.24 Luk. 4.16 And so his Apostles Act. 13.5.13 14 15 c. and 9.20 and 18.4 and 17.1 2. 2 Nor is standing in Prayer here forbidden For that was done both by the best Jews and by Christians also without fault 1 Kings 8.14.54 55. Neh. 9.4 5. Mar. 11.25 Luk. 18.13 And standing refers to Corners of Streets as well as to Synagogues 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 But if they had Kneeled in the Corners of Streets yet would they have been equally condemned and so likewise would they if they had Kneeled in the Synagogues It would be all one if it had been thus said standing being not expressed they love to Pray in the Synagogues and in the Corners of the Streets that they may be seen of Men. 3 Nor is Praying in High-places in the Synagogues as our Ministers do in Pulpits forbidden as you Interpret again For the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth not so signifie of it self nor is their any thing in the Text which imports so much but rather the contrary For whereas they stood also in Corners of Streets it is altogether improbable that they had High-places built there for this purpose or that they climbed up upon the Walls of the Houses And if this were the thing reproved then if they had Prayed in a Low place they would have escaped the accusation which in no wise is to be believed Nor do I think you will acquit our Ministers when they pray in their Seat below True the Pharisees had High-places in the Synagogues But those do not necessarily signifie high from the Ground but high
which did enter into the Hearts of the Wicked and cut down the Sin But say I the Sword which the Text produced speaks of is the Carnal which Kills the Creatures and not the Spiritual which cuts down Sin that which Kills the Body the Bodies of Christ's Disciples and not that which enters the Hearts of the Wicked that which the Wicked use against the Righteous and not that which Christ useth against the Wicked Or which is all one it is Persecution Hatred Reproach Variance and as the Sword strictly taken doth signifie it is Death it self the Killing of the Body For it follows For I am come to set a man at Variance against his Father and the Daughter against her Mother and a mans foes shall be they of his own house And such foes they are that Kill the Body as we find a little after this in these Words He that loseth his Life for my sake shall find it And as appears by those a little before our Text vers 28. Fear not them that Kill the Body And vers 21. Brother shall deliver up Brother to Death The whole discourse is of Persecutions which should arise by reason of the word of Christ which his Disciples were to Preach and profess openly of evil which they should suffer upon the account of their Religion Wherefore when our Saviour says he sends this Sword he only means that it will come upon his account And whereas he expected tranquillity and great earthly prosperity from him he being the King that was to Rule whose Kingdom also they thought should be like other Princes with external pomp and dominion Chap 18.1 Act. 1.6 he faithfully tells them afore hand the contrary that they shall meet with many troubles to the end they might be armed against them And for the Exposition of his sending a Sword I give his own words vers 12. Ye shall be hated of all men for my sake Joh. 16.33 In the World ye shall have Tribulation Mat. 13.21 Tribulation or Persecution ariseth because of the Word Reb. Trevers Testimony p. 21. Had I not come into the World ye had had no Sin But now your Sin remains because ye believe not on him whom God hath sent for I am come a light into the World This his coming thou wouldest have only at that time at Jerusalem as if he had not come before nor since I would enquire of thee was there no Sin till Christ was manifest at Jerusalem The cause of all Sin was and is the not coming to him which saves from Sin who was and is and is to come and so he that was the Light says I am come a Light into the World Yes this his coming this spoken of in the Text was only at Jerusalem that in his Body among the Jews As will appear from the words Joh. 15.22.24 if I had not come and spoken unto them they had not had Sin but now have they no Cloak for their Sin If I had not done among them the works which none other man did they had not had Sin For when did Christ speak unto those Jews then Living and do those works among them but since his Birth of the Virgin Mary Means he not by that which he spake unto them that which he spake with his Carnal Mouth and they heard with their Carnal Ears his Preaching in their Cities Synagogues and Temple Means he not by his Works those that he did in Corazin Bethsaida Capernaum which they saw with their Carnal Eyes as the healing of Diseases the expulsion of Devils c and for the contempt of which he pronounced woes against them so sure is it that his coming here spoken of is only that at Jerusalem in his Flesh. And how is it possible to understand any other coming than this by those other words which you cite God hath sent me I am come a Light into the World As well may you understand these words also of God's sending him and his coming into the world before his incarnation God sent his Son in the likeness of Sinful Flesh. In the fulness of time God sent forth his Son made of a Woman I am come forth from the Father and am come into the World To this end was I Born and for this end came I into the World For thus lie the words speaking plainly of a sending and coming lately into the World and such a sending and coming as that he had a Mouth to speak with to Mens Ears Joh. 12.44 He that believeth on me believeth not on me but on him that sent me I am come a Light into the World that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness And if any man hear my words and believe not I judge him not for I came not to judge the World but to save the World And when was this The word that I have spoken the same shall judge him in the last day For I have not spoken of my self but the Father which sent me he gave me a commandment what I should say 2 This coming of Christ at Jerusalem being only spoken of in respect of this alone must he therefore be understood when he saith in the same place If I had not come they had had no Sin And to your enquiry was there no Sin before I answer there was But if you put the question as you ought to do had not these Jews had Sin if Christ had not come in his Body and so spoken unto them and done his works among them the Text would have answered you they had not Which is not to be taken absolutly as you take it saying if Christ had not come a Light into the World before in the hearts of men then indeed there had been no Sin at all Which is another false interpretation of yours but comparatively They those Jews that heard Christ's Doctrine and saw his Miracles and yet believed not nor repented had not had Sin in comparison of what now they have their Sin had been less they had been more excusable Which sense is manifest from those Words in the Text But now have they no Cloak for their Sin For if they will not see when they have the clearest Light nor believe when they have multitude of miracles nor repent when they have the best instruction what can they plead for themselves And in like manner we had not had Sin if the Gospel had not come unto us our Sin would not have had those aggravations which now it hath it being now the abuse of far greater Grace G. W. Authority of Ministry p. 2. Baptizing people in outward Baptism doth not Baptize Men into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost p. 7. That Baptism which Christ commanded Mat. 28. and Mark 16. is of necessity unto Salvation For by it they were to Baptize men into the name of the Father Son and Holy Ghost Now without being Baptized into this name a man cannot be saved For by no other name under
Jews but Simon in his place so that we are not to believe in him that was Crucified lest we believe in Simon Chap. 49. Valentinus the Heretick says that Christ was not in the substance of our Flesh but brought I know not what kind of Spiritual Body from Heaven and passed through the Virgin as Water through a Pipe taking nothing thence Chap. 51. Cerdon affirms him to have been only a Phantasm not to have truly suffered but as it were to have suffered not to be Born of a Virgin nor to be Born at all After these comes Apelles and he says Christ was neither in the appearance nor in the substance of a true Body but for asmuch as he descended from the superior Places in his descent he wove for himself a Flesh of the substance of the Stars and Air and in his ascent restored to each Element what he had borrowed and the parts of his Body being thus dispersed only his Spirit went to Heaven See the same Author De Carne Christi per totum Thus you have seen Antichrist hath denied Christ to have come in his Flesh And I hope therefore you will correct your assertion that he doth not denie this nor will lest you should be thought to judge this monstrous error not foul enough to be called Antichristianism And thus your foundation viz. Antichrist confesses Christ to be come in his Flesh and Bodily appearance at Jerusalem being thrown down that which you have built upon it falls with it viz. That therefore Antichrist denying Christ to be come in Flesh must be understood of his coming in the Flesh of his Servants his revealing himself in the Heart I add as for Christ's coming in Flesh as this signifies his own Flesh his incarnation or his mean condition we every where read of it in Scripture As The Word was made Flesh. God sent his Son in the likeness of Sinful Flesh. God sent forth his Son made of a Woman made under the Law He was made like unto us in all things He took upon him the form of a Servant and was made in the likeness of Men. But in what places of Scripture his coming in Flesh signifies his appearance in our Hearts I require you to shew and withal what Hereticks have denied this coming as I have shewed many that have denied the former But there is another rendring of St. John's words which perhaps may give you a better understanding both of the confessing of Christ and also of his coming in Flesh viz. every Spirit 1 Joh. 4.2 3. which confesseth Jesus Christ who came in Flesh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is of God Every Spirit which confesseth not Jesus Christ who came in Flesh is not of God And then the Sense is plainly this He is the true Prophet which confesses Christ though he was in the mean condition of a Man made Man and made a Servant And he is the false Prophet which denies him and doth so upon this account Which confession is the acknowledgment of his Person viz. That he is the Christ and the Son of God and the acknowledgment of his whole Doctrine And which denial is likewise the denial of both According to this Sense we read throughout the Epistle Vers. 14.15 We have seen and do Testifie that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God God dwelleth in him and he in God Chap. 2.18.22.23.26 Even now are there many Antichrist's Who is a Liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ He is Antichrist that denieth the Father and the Son Whosoever denieth the Son the same hath not the Father These things have I written to you concerning them that Seduce you Chap. 5.1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is Born of God Vers. 5. Who is he that overcometh the world but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God Vers. 20. We know that the Son of God is come Thus also in his 2 Epist. Vers. 7. Many deceivers are entred into the World who confess not Jesus Christ coming or who did come 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Flesh. Vers. 9. Whosoever abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God If any bring not this Doctrine receive him not into your House In his Gospel we have the same Chap. 20.31 These signs are written that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ. This was the principal thing to be Preached and Believed Act. 9.20.22 and 2.36 Rom. 10.9 And hereby True and False Prophets were known 1 Cor. 12.3 No man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed anathema vile Mar. 9.39 and no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but by the Holy Ghost This is the same with our Text. The importance then of the whole is this The true Prophets confess that Christ the Son of God is come and that Jesus who came in Flesh is he The false Prophets deny both So that according to this rendring of the words which is so much strengthened by what is so oft repeated in this Epistle and is a chief design of it your mystical interpretation can not likewise stand Christ's coming in Flesh here also plainly signifying his bodily appearance in the World in the condition of a Man and not his spiritual appearance in the Hearts of his Servants as he is a Spirit and the Word G. K. Woman Preacher p. 6. Outwardly Christ told her only concerning her Husbands that were Dead and how the man she had was not her Husband Joh. 4.28.29.30 And certainly in so short a time they had together perhaps but an Hour words could not tell her half nor the hundredth part of all that ever she did Christ therefore in her Heart told her all these things as he well could even in a moment bring all things before her and tell her all things in her Life And many an honest man says as she did who never means as you do who understand this Woman's words in the strictest Sense that Christ told her not only half but even all that she ever did in her whole Life not an ace abated and that not only belonging to her Sins but all of what nature so ever Such universals not only in our common speech but in the sacred writings have their limitation Joh. 3.32 No man receiveth his Testimony Yet Vers. 33. He that hath received his Testimony c. And Chap. 1.11 As many as received him to them gave he power c. Mat. 23.3 All whatsoever the Scribes and Pharisees bid you observe observe and do Yet vers 16. They were Blind Guides and said to Swear by the Temple was nothing and taught men to break the Commandment of God and taught for Doctrine the Commandments of men Chap. 15. Again Chap. 10.22 Ye shall be hated of all men Yet vers 40. He that receiveth you Again Chap. 3.5.6 All Jerusalem and Judea went out and were Baptised of John Yet Luk.
7.30 The Pharisees were not Baptised of him See Luk. 2.1.3 Act. 24.5 and 2.47 Eph. 5.24 Ph. 2.21 But indeed told he her inwardly of every word she had spoken and of every thought she had conceived every step she had taken every scrat she had given her Head every bit of Bread she had eaten every sigh prayer bargain cough breath spitting that she was concerned in from her youth to that present time Did he bring all these before her To what purpose should it be I can sooner believe that a Saint or Angel especially in Heaven can hear all the Papists that call upon him at once throughout the world And from hence let them fetch a proof for their Doctrine and Practice in that particular for ever after which I believe they never dreamed on before and do you Quakers answer them I believe choose you whether you will or not that if after this discourse one had asked this Woman of an hundred things which she had done yes of an hundred sins which she had committed in thought word and deed she would have been found as ignorant of them as you are and that not only as you may say because they presently after their appearance vanished away again but because they never appeared at all Ibid. p. 17.18 19. But say the Preachers of the Man-made Ministry Women ought not to Preach because the Apostle expresly saith But I suffer not a Woman to Teach nor c. 1 Tim. 2.12 What if I should understand by the Woman in this place the flesh as Bernard doth Let them leave off their insolent words against Quakers as if they understood the Scriptures all contrary to the mind of the Antient Fathers Some going about to represent it as a ridiculous Exposition to expound the Woman the Flesh I give them this advice Let them hear Bernard If I should so far condescend to them as to take the words of Paul for Women in the common sense of speech what would they gain by it Forster's Guid. Pref. Thou hast lost thy state of happiness by hearkening to the Woman thy fallen reason who is not to speak in the Church For my part I was in some doubt whether you did thus expound the Text when I read the charge in your Adversaries Books conceiting you might only make an Allegory or allusion But now I see it is granted to be your downright exposition and to take Woman literally is a condescension to us But we need not your favour for from the Apostles words we shall extort it from you Which are these v. 8. c. I will that men pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting In like manner also that Women adorn themselves in modest Apparel with shamefacedness and sobriety not with broidered hair or Gold or Pearls or costly aray but as becometh Women professing godliness with good works Let the Woman learn in silence with all subjection But I suffer not a Woman to teach nor to usurp authority over the Man but to be in silence For Adam was first formed then Eve For 1 as men here are real men and what is spoken of them ought to be taken in the literal sense so are Women here real Women and what is spoken of them ought so likewise to be taken there being not the least expressed that signifies the contrary Women adorning themselves with Apparel Women professing Godliness signifies as much literally as Men Praying Men lifting up hands without wrath doth And therefore so doth the Womans learning in silence the Womans not Teaching not Usurping Authority over the Man the plural Number being only changed into the singular which singular also hath a plural signification as is usual and as you find again v. 15. and as is evident from the parallel place where the plural is expressed 1 Cor. 14.34 Let your Women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak but they are commanded to be under obedience as also saith the Law and if they will learn any thing let them ask their Husbands at home for it is a shame for Women to speak in the Church Where observe lest you should still resist the Women are such as have Husbands and those at home and that as distinct from the Church viz. in their several houses and unto real Women in the literal sense did the Law speak commanding them to be under obedience even as of real Women in the literal sense it spake in the same place of their bringing forth children in Sorrow Gen. 3.16 Such therefore and in the literal sense are here to be understood and therefore such in the same sense in our present Text it being altogether the same with this 2 Men and Women are here distinguished the different Sexes Male and Female are spoken of such as Adam and Eve were For the Apostle shews distinctly what the one should do and what the other Whereas according to your sense no such distinction ought to be understood for that flesh or fallen reason belongs to the Male as well as Female So that if that be as you say it is the meaning of Woman then the Male as well as Female is prohibited to teach and usurp authority And so one of you speaks Parker's Testimony p. 30. Christ is one in the Female as well as Male and where he Rules he may and ought to speak and this is according to Scripture But let the Woman be silent According to this Author the Man as well as the Woman is flesh and fallen reason for that it may be likewise said Let the Man be silent let Christ only speak Thus the Woman is become the Man which is contrary to the Apostles discourse which makes an absolute difference 3 You make the Apostle say thus I suffer not the flesh and fallen reason to teach and usurp Authority over the man for Adam was first formed then Eve Which is incongruous and therefore not the Apostles mind Thus having shewed the true sense to be the literal I tell you now as you ask what we shall gain by it viz. That you have false interpreted and a greater thing than that your suffering Women to Teach is contrary to the Apostles Doctrine who says I suffer them not But you will reply not so however For thus says G. K. Ibid. p. 21. What sort of Women is it that Paul doth not permit to speak in the Church 1 Cor. 14. 1 Tim. 2 Let us look into the Context of both places and that will clear it For they are 1 Unlearned 2 Tatling 3 Unruly proud Women All which is implied in these words Let the Woman learn in Silence with all Subjection 4 Vain given to gaudy Apparel 5 Such as Usurped Authority over the Man 6 Such as were in the Transgression as the first Woman was 7 Such as Transgress the Law and are not come to be under Grace So a seven-fold sort of Women are not permitted by Paul to speak in