blood of Christ and they that discern not this body eat and drink their own damnation he that hath an eare to hear let him hear and under his Banner we fight against the Beast false Prophet Deceivers and all the Nations of the world now united together against him Our weapons being not carnall but spirituall mighty through God to the casting down of strong holds and high imaginations whose daily Crosse we witness to be the great power of God to salvation who lives and dwels in us and whose peace none can ever take from us and who shall dash his enemies in pieces and grinde them to powder before whom Nobles doth bow and Kings cast down their Crowns whose scepter is a scepter of righteousnesse and of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end unto whom be glory for ever and ever And this is the truth spoken from our hearts the Lord bearing us witnesse and this is the true way decreed by God for attaining of justification which we have seen and heard and are witnesses of and is no principle of delusion but held by us truly as it is in Jesus according to the Scriptures of truth and so Thomas Collier hath wronged the innocent for which he must account Another of the particulars falsly charged on us is that we have set up another way for the attaining of Justification that is by Quaking c. This is onely affirmed in his Dialogue but no proof mentioned and in his Glasse he endeavours thus to prove it that this is true is evident and apparent in that they have affirmed that their Quaking is the spirit of burning through which all must passe to enter into Righteousnesse and Justification c. Let the Reader minde this proof he saith it is evident and apparent by what evidence If persons will take an impudent false affirmation for proof then it is evident and apparent but not otherwise by what is produced he saith they have affirmed it who is it what particular person we and many others deny it and own no other way but what we have already declared and it 's very likely if he had heard such a thing from any particular person he would have mentioned it in his Dialogue or his Glasse and so he appeals to the understanding for judgment but we say he that judges this a proof to say they have affirmed it is void of understanding And if T. C. had not been blinded with envy arrogancy and impudency he would rather have confest his lye then have persisted in his obstinacy but at last he calls I. N. to justifie this in his answer to the Dialogue Now this must be granted that the Dialogue was published before there could be an answer to it and the charge was laid in the Dialogue and so laid without proof or cause And can any one in reason take J. Naylers Book for a witnesse when in that Book he returns this to be one of the Lyes charged by T. C. on the people called Quakers and no such words in his Book as to say that the Quakers have set up another way to attain Justification by that is by quaking c. He alledges the 15 page but there is no such thing affirmed This he saith that all that do declare the way they came to God witnesse quaking or trembling and all that knew the word of God trembled at it Do he here say that the Quakers have set up quaking as a way to attain Justification T. C. might blush at such impudency if he had not got a forehead that could not Another lye by T. C charged on us is that we have outed Christ in the great work of justification and no lesse then trample under foot the blood of the covenant counting it an unholy thing or at least too unholy to look to it or expect justification by it this he affirms in his Dialogue Now in his Glasse to prove it he saith if the preaching of it be Stories and Blasphemy this is a trampling of it under foot c. And if Sanctification and Mortification be the fulfilling of the Law and the creatures justification then the blood of Christ is laid aside For answer we say that T. C. and such as he makes the preaching of it a story If any in taking upon them to preach Justification by the blood of Christ to other while abominations reign in their own souls and are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity as is exprest in Tiverton writing before mentioned and as for Sanctification and Mortification to be the fulfilling of the Law and the Creatures justification is not proved by T. C. that the people called Quakers own any such thing but we say such as imagine to themselves a Justification without Sanctification and Mortification shall be scattered in their imaginations being no other but filthy Dreamers deceivers and being deceived and are blinde leaders of the blinde and shall all fall into the pit together Now consider what greater Agents can the Devil have for his Kingdome then such who preach to others or expect to themselves Justification without Sanctification and Mortification taking and what in them lies giving liberty to themselves and others to live in lust but the grace we own and witnesse teacheth us to deny ungodlinesse and worldly lusts and so Justification Sanctification and Mortification is all the work of God by Christ and none may conclude they have one without all Faith without works being dead As for our owning the blood of Christ we refer it to what we have said in our answ to the first particular But T.C. goes on in his wickedness adding sin to sin lye to lye and saith pa. 3. it further appears in that all that will own them must deny all their faith and justification in Christ crucified Verily except thou repent God will smite thee thou lying tongue he will destroy thee for ever he will take thee away and pluck thee from thy dwelling place and root thee out of the land of the living and give thee thy portion with lyars who hast herein out-stript all that have gone before thee that have come to our view If thou canst produce one example that ever any were invited to own or refused to be owned by us on any such termes or let shame and confusion cover thee for ever But he is still running on in his lying false accusing like the horse into the battel saying hence it is they judg and condemn all but themselves because they have found out another righteousness So that indeed and in truth they account the blood of the Covenant too unholy for them to look at for justification neither do they ever teach remission of sins by faith in the blood of Jesus Very many people can in this bear testimony against thee and surely we say didst thou know that blood and faith in it thou wouldst witnesse victory over and cleansing from those abominable lies Now let any rational
to discover the vanity of such a people who would conceit a possession of justification without sanctification or mortification like the Authors of that Writing from Tiverton who say they are joyned to the Lord and yet confesses abominations reigning in their souls drawing iniquity with cords of vanity A light spirit slavish fear mockers of God living short of the true sight and sense of Gods Majesty a wretched worldly spirit coldnesse and deadnesse on their souls formality in holy duties indifferency Laodicean spirit without the sense of the work and true travail of soul as in that writing with more such fruits is exprest Now J. N. clearly lays the work of justification sanctification and mortification on Gods righteousnesse saying it is the work of God wrought by Christ and they who had received the Spirit were called to all these by faith in his blood And in what he writes concerning Redemption in the same Book he saith All who knows the redemption of Christ by his precious blood c. And in another place Who hath redeemed us to God by his blood and so it 's clear by his words as he expresseth them without T. Colliers Expositions that he lays the work on Gods righteousness wrought by Christ and why should T. C. conclude a meaning from some of his words contrary to his own expressions but the thing is very probable that he had laid this charge from his own imagination before he had ever seen J. Naylers Love to the Lost Another testimony he offers for proof of this particular is what himself heard as he saith at a meeting of ours at a place called Himmington but it 's like it was intended Limmington where he and another as he saith taking occasion to hold forth Christ amongst them they heard with patience untill they came to hold forth justification through his blood Then their Teacher cryed out blasphemy and said that they spake stories to the people and denyed the spirit by which they spake There coming to the meeting and speaking there of justification by the blood of Christ is confest and their preaching of that which they knew not might well be called stories but that our friend Christopher Holder called Justification through the blood of Christ Stories or Blasphemy is utterly denyed as severall do witness who were then present and do affirm that our friend said he owned the words but their spirit he denyed for them to talk of that which they were ignorant of might well be called Stories the Prophet saith Jer. 5.2 Though they say the Lord liveth surely they swear falsly Dare any say the Prophet denyed the Lord lived Now for such whose abominations reign are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity c. as T. C. confest of himself since that time witnesse Tiverton writing We say for such to take upon them to preach Justification through the blood of Christ Their testimony is by the truth in us denyed and may well be called stories they blasphemers and the Lord will say to such what have you to do to take my words into your mouths And further we know that Christopher Holder at that time and believe yet doth if living own no other way for justification but Christ crucified by faith in his blood as the Scriptures declare and so both those which T. C. produces as witnesses for him are found bearing testimony against him and so the two first particulars and this which follows are found false We also say that if both those before produced by T. C. for evidence had declared the thing asserted which is utterly denyed yet could no rational unprejudiced man take them for sufficient evidence to prove the people called Quakers hold such principles And further we do declare for our selves and that which is also assented unto by the people called Quakers that this we own and witnesse Jesus Christ is come a light into the world that all men through him might believe and is the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world And whosoever follows him shall not abide in darknesse but shall have the light of life This is he who is the way to the Father and none can come to the Father but by him even he who was in the beginning before all things and by whom all things were made even he that was dead but is now alive and lives for evermore who is made unto the Saints sanctification and righteousness as well as justification and redemption and saves his people from their sins And they who are made witnesses of him know him dwelling in them and for that end made manifest to destroy the works of the Devill And all those who make a profession of his name and say he is their Redeemer Saviour or Justifier and have abominations reigning in their souls Iniquities written in their fore-heads and are drawing it with cords of vanity are Lyars and Deceivers for none can know him a Justifier but they who know him a Sanctifier and a Mortifier and whosoever knows his salvation from condemnation must know his salvation from sin This is that Christ we bear record unto the seed of the woman that bruises the Serpent head whose day Abraham saw and was the Rock that followed Israel of whom they drank The same the Prophets prophecyed of who was born of the Virgin in the City of David preached himselfe the light of the world the way to the Father was hated persecuted mocked reviled and delivered to be crucified by those who profest they were in expectation of his coming yet chose a Murtherer before him This is he who is the living bread that came down from heaven whose flesh is meat indeed and whose blood is drinke indeed and whereof whosoever doth not eat and drink have no life in them He that can receive it let him who was a man of sorrows acquainted with griefs his visage more marred then any mans of whom many were and are astonished was crowned with thorns crucified between Theeves was buried rose again and ascended far above all heavens and fills all things being glorified with the Father with the glory which he had with him before the world was the same to day as yesterday and for evermore who makes intercession for the Saints and is the Mediator of the New Testament even the man Christ Jesus and he that hath seen him hath seen the father also through whose blood we are justified and are redeemed from our former vain conversation and witnesse remission of sins who hath baptized us with the holy Spirit and is our righteousnesse with whom we have fellowship and with the Saints in light And they that walk in the light as he is in the light have fellowship one with another and the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin who though we are many are one bread for the bread that we break is the Communion of the body of Christ and the cup that we drink is the Communion of the
But he goes on in his old way saying That they will not enter unless they may enter by their own righteousness and not by the blood of the Covenant First by the blood of the Covenant you will not enter that is clearly often proved We say it hath been falsely charged but never yet proved for Christ Jesus we witnesse to be a Covenant of Light and an entrance into the Kingdome which is everlasting by faith in his blood to us is administred by which we are redeemed from our former vain conversation and from whom we receive power and strength to do his will and not our own who of God is made unto us wisdome righteousness sanctification and redemption He further sayes Then it must be by your own righteousnesse if you expect to enter but in truth you never look to come there We answer as before an entrance is freely administred unto us into the kingdome which is everlasting but not by our own righteousnesse for we suffer the losse of it with our bodily exercises will-worship voluntary humilities with vain imitations forms and traditions which we sometimes lived in while short of the life which none knows but they that hath the Son in whose righteousnesse alone we now stand and rejoyce in the losse of our own that we might be found alone in him in whom is acceptance the will the deed and the power is onely his and so is the glory for ever And then T. C. brings these words of J. N. There is a seed to which the promise of Redemption is c. Doth not the Apostle say the same in effect The promise is to the seed not seeds as of many c And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed c. J. N. also saith All who know the redemption of Christ by his precious blood are redeemed from the vain conversation c. And much more he hath to the same purpose wherein he clearly and fully declares that he owns Justification and Redemption of persons not by their own rigteousnesse but by the blood of Christ and so the witnesse Th. Collier produces for him is found to give testimony against him Another charge against us is That we leave the weighty things of faith and obedience to the Laws and Ordinances of Christ as vile and contemptible And for his proof he saith This is a truth there needs no proof But we say this is a lye that cannot be proved But he goes on with his work saying Else what means not onely their leaving undone the Ordinances of Christ as Baptisme Church-fellowship breaking of bread c. Even the whole profession of the faith of the Gospel but reproaching it and those who in faithfulnesse to Jesus Christ walk in obedience to Christ therein Now this we say as before the Ordinances of Christ do we own and his dayly cross do we witness yea one Baptism even the Baptism of Christ have we received and are baptized into his death and the fellowship of his sufferings being content patiently to suffer with him for a while that we may reign with him for ever yea and Church fellowship are we brought into and live in where our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ where all the faithfull feeds at one Table and drinks of one Fountain being heirs of one inheritance and the life and power of the Gospel do we partake of and far from reproaching it or any others the Lord is our witness for by him are we taught better things and all those who in faithfulnesse obey him we dearely own and in the life have unity with but such as we find making a profession of the name of Christ his Ordinances the Faith of the Gospel and obedience to him and know not his voice but are setting up their own inventions imitating such as went before without their Authority and knows not the true Faith which purifies the heart gives victory over sin and the World but are drawing Iniquity with cords of vanity abhominations reigning not Christ iniquities apparently written in their foreheads not the Fathers name these are they who professe God in words but in deeds deny him against all such do we bear testimony and let such as names the name of Christ depart from Iniquity for because of such things is the wrath of God revealed and let all those who professe the faith of the Gospel shew it by their vvorks of Righteousness and not live in vvorks of vvickedness for vve dare not count them clean vvhich are vvicked but in the name and fear of the Lord vve say vvo unto them that call evil good and good evil that put darknesse for light and light for darknesse and are dravving Iniquity vvith cords of vanity Then he produces J. N. in his love to the Lost concerning Baptisme where he saith their forms of Water and God cannot be limited to any form or rudiment now J. N. is speaking of such as keep themselves disputing and jangling about outward ceremonies in an imitation of Johns Ministry calling it the Baptism of Christ but so far from the power of Christ or John as not come to the form of either and saith their form of Water and God cannot be limitted c. And we say such may well be called formes of Water who are thus taking on them forms but are from the life and power as their own Confession witnesse Tiverton writing T.C. further saith let them not think this will be a good excuse for them in the great day of the Lord that we took them up from the Letter to which we say the day is come that they that worship God must worship him in Spirit and in truth and for all your litteral obedience you are no better then those of whom the Lord speaks Isa 1. While your abhominations are thus reigning your iniquities apparently written in your foreheads and you drawing it with cords of vanity and are mockers of God formall in holy duties and the World like a canker hath eaten out all the divine sweetness of regenerating sanctifying grace c. as witnesse your own confession in Tiverton writing ' hath the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as in obeying the voyce of the Lord wash you make you clean c. but T.C. farther saith God can and doth limit his people to a visible Rule and order wherein they shew their faith in him love to him and his Authority over them c. We say that God hath according to his promise tent the spirit of truth which guides his people into all truth and put his Law in their hearts and written it in their inward parts c. And this the Saints in scripture witnessed and by it were kept unto him with whom we give in this testimony that the spirit of truth is come which guides into all truth and all those who are led by it are the Sons of God and so of the
truth of the scriptures are we witnesses and have their testimony for and with us And then he farther saith page 11. We blesse God that we have the Letter and that he hath given us his spirit through the Ministry and hath in any measure subjected our hearts to his Authority in the Letter c. We say let him that mentions the name of God depart from Iniquity and stop they mouth and leave boasting of being subject to his Authority until thou witnesse cleansing from and Dominion over abhominations which by thy own confession are yet reigning in thee He still goes on saying so undermining all the Ordinances of Christ and laying of them aside as vile and contemptable else what meanes not only their judging all except themselves to be carnal c and themselves Pharisees c. Thou Hypocrit be silent how hast thou judged us and called us selfe righteous Pharisees c and now sayest we judge all but our selves thou confest we profess to own Christ and press after holiness selfe-denyall and perfection and seem to be most holy selfe denying c. and that our lives seem to demonstrate that we are perfect and free from sin and yet art charging us for judging who judge according to Christs rule exprest in the Scripture to know the tree by his fruit and so because we judge thee by thy fruits and not thy profession thou art crying out against us for judging we say again behold the Lord comes in flames of fire to render vengeance against all such ungodly sinners who profess his name in words but in workes deny him Therefore cease thy talking of thy Ordinances of Christ of faith in him obedience and love to him and of making mention of his name untiâ—l thou depart from Iniquity and know Dominion over those abhominations which are now reigning in thee for our God is just and will render to every one a due reward according to their works But thou sayst its the way to make an end of all saith and profession at once this vve say of all such faith and profession vvhich thou livest in vve trample upon it in the name povver and Authority of the living God yea all that profession of God in vvords vvhere vvorks deny him as thine do by thy ovvn confession and vvhat is here proved against thee and that faith vvhich doth not purify the heart nor overcome sin vvhat is it better then the faith of Devils and is not thine short of this for the Devils believe and tremble vvhile thou art speaking against trembling And thou sayest but indeed vve are bad and vile and vvretched yea thy actions declare thee so to be hovv many years hast thou been confessing thy badnesse and vilenesse and yet continuest so hast thou never read in the Scriptures he that confesseth and forsaketh his sin shall find mercy thou sayest we believe that he hath made us accepted in the beloved and in him he doth accept our services c. He that is in him is a new Creature old things are done away and they that are Christs have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts Thou farther sayest we do not only live by grace now but we hope for the mercy of God c. The grace of God teacheth to deny ungodlynesse and wordly lust and to live righteously godlyly and soberly in this present world but what grace do you stand in whose iniquities are apparently written in your foreheads Abhominations reigning and drawing iniquity with cords of vanity and what hope is yours but the hope of the Hypocrite that perisheth for they that truly hopes for his appearing purifieth themselves as he is pure 1 Joh. 3.3 and this is far different from what appears in you who are as before exprest in Tiverton writing Farther he saith in this grace we stand poor and needy c. We say they that stand in the grace of God though they may stand poor and needy yet not wicked and ungodly for the grace of God teacheth to deny ungodlynesse c. and this in the fear and name of the Lord we utterly deny that such stand in the grace of God whose Abhominations reign and are drawing iniquitie with Cords of vanity c. What is all your sacrifices better then the offering of Swines blood or the cutting off of a dogs neck verily the Lord is so far from accepting such services as that they are ahominable unto him And thou farther sayest rejoycing that he hath accepted of such poor ones as we are to honor him in the profession of his name we say the joy of the wicked is but as the crackling of thorns under a pot and what is yours otherwise if your wickednesse be according to your own confession in Tiverton writing surely in vain do you cry the Temple of the Lord the Ordinances of Christ while thus defiled with your Abhominations against such a profession and Professors of it will the Lord appear to render vengeance whose works deny him and in this faith and profession thou sayest thou art confident that God will keep a remnant to his Kingdom and glory notwithstanding all the rage of Devils Quakers and men We say there is no unclean thing shall ever enter into the Kingdome of God and therefore vain is thy confidence that God will keep such a remnant which he by his faithful Servants declares shall never enter therein What will that God before whom the wicked cannot stand whose eyes cannot behold the thing that is evil suffer such a remnant to enter in or be kept to his Kingdome whose abhominations reignes and are drawing Iniquity with cords of vanity nay the remnant that the Lord hath and will choose shall be of an upright heart and without guile in their mouthes not mockers of God and they that comes on Mount Sion must be such whose garments are not defiled and are redeemed from the Earth not the Earthly mind standing in them and who have the Fathers Name not Iniquity apparently written in their foreheads Another lye charged on us by him is that we make God a lyer and for his proof he saith they that say they have no sin deceive themselves and what in them lyeth make God a Lyer it is the Scripture Language read your own doom 1 John 1. Now what evidence is this to prove that the people called Quakers make God a Lyer if thou canst produce that person amongst them who make God a Lyer or that have said he hath not sinned for that is the Scripture language he that saith that he hath not sinned made God a Lyar but what is this to the people called Quakers that Scripture we own but it doth not at all serve for thy purpose unless thou prove the people called Quakers say they have not sinned and so until then it must rest as a lye invented by thee and not that we are guilty of it And farther we say all have gone out of the way all shut up
Truth Vindicated AND The Lyars Refuge swept away Being an Answer to a Book set forth by THOMAS COLLIER called A Looking-glasse for QVAKERS and also to some particulars in a Book of his called A Dialogue c. Wherein the truth is cleared from those Slanders and Reproaches by him cast upon it and the Refuge of Lies swept away and upon tryal himself found guilty of many of those Evils which he hath falsely charged upon the INNOCENT Also an Answer to his Queries in the end of the Book called A Looking-glasse c. with some Queries returned to him to be answered Together with an Epistle to the people called Baptists with whom we sometimes fed on Husks But now are brought to the Fathers house where there is BREAD enough Published by us who love truth in the inward parts and are now called forth by the Lord to bear testimony against Deceit Unrighteousnesse and deeds of Darkness who have long wandered upon the barren mountains running from mountain to hill but now have heard the voyce of the good Shepherd and are brought to the true fold and known to this generation by the names of John Pitman Jasper Batt The lip of truth shall be established for ever But a lying tongue is but for a moment LONDON Printed for Thomas Simmons at the Bull and Mouth neer Aldersgate 1658. Truth vindicated and the Lyars Refuge swept away THomas Collier a man long well known unto us who hath for some time profest himselfe a Minister of the Gospel or a Teacher of others saying that he is set for the defence thereof having published a Book which he calls A Dialogue between a Minister of the Gospel and an Inquiring Christian where in truth there was neither in which he undertakes to discuss the principles of the people called Quakers therein setting down several particulars as by them held and guilty of which they deny Neither hath he made any proof thereof but only said it which Book being answered by I. N. and Thomas Collier charged for uttering many Lies against the foresaid people and above fifty of them returned to him for a proof or to rest on his head untill the dreadfull day of account unlesse he timely repent Thereupon he hath published another Book which he calls A Looking-glass for Quakers in which he saith the truths asserted in that Dialogue are clearly proved and James Naylor and the Quakers are proved to be lyers and deceivers Now it is not the truths in that Dialogue if any there which he was called upon for a proof but the lies by him therein invented which yet remain unproved notwithstanding what is by him alleadged Now these Books coming to our view and by us examined and weighed and finding our selves concerned therein we being reputed by him under that name were pressed in spirit to publish this vindication on the Truths behalf which is by us owned and lies and lyars denyed But before we proceed further this is to be observed that we sent him a Letter dated the 19th day of the first moneth 1657. thereby acquainting him that such books we had seen published in his name expressing such particulars which we did declare in the name and fear of the Lord were not owned by us but denyed and the Author to be neither Minister of the Gospel nor Christian but a Lyar slanderer and false accuser And that if he did not disown the said books or confess that he had wronged the truth and us who own it or otherwise reasonably satisfie us in some short time either by word or writing we should as the Lord should direct and order publish our Innocency and some of the Authors wickednesse that so his Sheeps cloathing might no longer hide his wolvish nature Now there being a time and place agreed on and appointed by him and one of us for him to vindicate himself and prove the particulars before mentioned where was a meeting accordingly and where only four of those particulars debated Thomas Collier went away not mentioning any further or other time for debating the rest though it was then and still is by us denyed that what was then by him offered for proof of his Assertions to be any way valued for his purpose And now his Looking-glasse being his only Refuge that we know of which consists much of Lyes must be swept away unto the particulars whereof we are now come 1 That all our principles are delusions 2 That we hold not any principle of truth truly as it is in Jesus Now for proof of these particulars he saith that if that which follows be true then this is true and we may safely conclude that if that which follows be false then so must this That which follows is this that we forsake the true way decreed and ordered of God for the attaining of justification which is by faith in Christ crucified this is charged on the people called Quakers not one or some of them but the people called Quakers Now for proof hereof in his Dialogue he only says it but offers none In his Glasse he alledges James Nayler in his love to the Lost concerning justification where he uses these words That persons are so justified as they are sanctified and mortified and no farther And at other places he severall times expresses Mortification and Sanctification before Justification And at another place That by which the just lives is that by which the creature is justified And so T. C. sayes that it is James Naylers great work to make Sanctification Mortification and Justification to be one and Justification to depend on Sanctification and Mortification The work that we have in hand is not to vindicate persons but truth and if any one should forsake the true way decreed and ordered of God for the attaining of justification Is that a sufficient ground to say the people called Quakers do so Is there any one or more that hath set out any writing by appointment and signed in the name of the people called Quakers as T. C. and others did a writing in the name and by appointment of the Messengers of the Churches at Tiverton the 18th day of the 7th moneth wherein such a thing is declared as to forsake Christ the way to Justification then there might be some ground for such a charge but further the truth declared by James Nayler in this particular we own and he that with an impartial eye views his writing will never finde any such thing by him declared as T. C. falsly charges for J. N. saith that the wisdome of men in the fall finding these severall words in the Scripture hath in their imaginations run them into division and separated that which is in one and cannot be divided in the possession for it is one that worketh all these and that which sanctifies that mortifies and the same justifies and so his drift is not to make Justification to depend on Sanctification and Mortification but all on the just one and so
of Christ we own them so but to raile at any we deny unlesse you will call such Language as Peter spoke to Simon Magus spoken by the same spirit to be railing and with them have we unity but against thee and such as thou art do we bear testimony for severall reasons they were redeemed from all Iniquity but ye are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity The grace of God had taught them to deny ungodlinesse c. Your abhominations reigne they were saved by the vvashing of Regeneration but your sin hath eaten out all the Divine svveetnesse of regenerating and sanctifying grace and so by their fruits of holinesse were known to be what they profest but your works of wickednesse deny God though in words you confesse him witnesse Tiverton writing and Paul bids Timothy stir up the gift that was in him Query 10. Why is it not lawfull for Saints now to be raised on in the way of holinesse by imitation or example and as a meanes or a help as well as in the Primitive times according to these Scriptures Mat. 11.29 John 13.14,15 Phil. 3.17 2 Thes 3 9. Answ Christ is given for an example and is a perfect pattern for his to follow and the Saints are to be followed while they walk so as they have him for example but the word Imitation we finde not in the Scripture nor the practice as we take it unlesse the Magicians of Aegypt the sons of Sceva and such like and the Scriptures beforementioned we own Query 11. Whether it be not a cunning device of Satan to judge and condemn all the Saints to be formall and without the spirit of Christ that walke in the Ordinances of Christ on purpose to cause contempt and reproach upon both Christ and his Ordinances Answ Yea it is and as cunning a device likewise of Satan to perswade persons in a form that they are Saints walk in the Ordinances of Christ are set for the defence of the Gospel and yet abhominations reign in them iniquities apparently written in their fore-heads and are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity while they confesse to wait for the counsell of the Lord. Now such as come to the Light of the world and follow it are led out of both into the practice of the true Ordinance and worship whch is in Spirit and Truth Query 12. Whether as the Ministry of the legall Ministration was to open the law of that Ministration Nehem. 8.4.8 So the Ministers of the Gospel are not to have respect to the written rule of the Gospel and to open and apply the same rightly dividing the word of truth according to 2 Tim. 3.15,16,17 Answ The true Ministers of the Gospel are not Ministers of the Letter but of the Spirit and they know the Law written in the heart and have the anointing dwelling in them whose teaching they are to follow and speak as the spirit gives them utterance and then they rightly divide the word of truth Query 13. Whether if any speak not according to the Law and the Testimony it is not because there is no light in them Isa 8.20 Answ They that speak not according to the Law and the Testimony are turned from the light for the Law is light and the Testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy 14. Qu. If all have the true light in them which leads to God why doth the Apostle say Ephes 5.8 Ye were sometimes darknesse but now are ye light in the Lord Answ The true light lighteth every man that cometh into the world He was in the world and the world knew him not but unto as many as received him unto them he gave power to become the sons of God and the light shined in the darknesse when the darkness comprehends it not but a time is witnessed that God commands the light to shine out of darknesse Qu. 15. Whether Christs ascending into heaven when he was taken up in a clond Acts 1.10 be meant that he ascended into the hearts of men Answ It is meant as it is spoken and the Saints have their conversation in heaven and are in Christ and Christ in them John 17. 16 Qu Whether his sitting at the right hand of God making intercession for the Saints be in the hearts of Saints or in heaven Answ The glorious God at whose right hand Christ sits fils heaven and earth and dwells in the Saints whose conversation is in heaven as the Scriptures witnesse 17 Query Whether the Scriptures do not make a reall distinction between Jesus Christ and the Spâ—…t John 16.13,14 Chap. 14.26 Chap. 5.39 Answ The Scriptures testifie that Christ is the Word and that the Father Word and Spirit are one 18 Query Whether God or the Spirit be at all called man or the Son of man the seed of David as Christ is and whether you own Christ to be indeed truly a man of flesh and blood as we are according to Heb. 2.14 Answ Christ is called the Son of Man and he saith I and the Father are one And unto us a Son is borne his name is the mighty God c. And unto the Son he saith Thy throne O God c. And the man Christ Jesus do we own and his flesh and blood do we witnesse which is meat indeed and drink indeed Yea him we own according to Heb. 2.14 but not as you are for he was perfect without spot without sin but ye are wicked your abhominations reigne are drawing Iniquity with cords of vanity Iniquity apparently written in your foreheads as by your own confession appears in Tiverton writing but in his mouth was found no guile Now the wicked think that God is like unto them but he will reprove them and set their sins in order before them 19 Qu. Why the Saints if perfest as you pretend were so much in the sense of sin and confession of it as we finde they were Ps 32.5 Isa 6.5 Rom. 7.24 25. Answ The Saints as they declared a sense of sin so also a purging healing and deliverance from sin as Isa David Paul and others whom the Scriptures witnesse and as they confessed so they forsook and found mercy 20 Qu. Whether a lowly self denying frame of the spirit sensible of finne and corruption and warring against it be not the frame of spirit that most of all becomes the Saints and is most approved of God in Scripture as Isa 57.15 Mat. 5.3 Rom 7.24,25 Answ We know that the Lord dwells with him that is of a contrite spirit and an humble heart and the poor in spirit are blessed and are approved of God even they and onely they that deny selfe daily but there is no peace to the wicked and they do not war against sin whose abhominations reign but they war against Christ who are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity 21 Query Whether this temper of spirit be found in you yea or nay Answ Yea lowly self-denying and truly poor For we suffer the losse of our
Christ had all his weapons wrested out of his hands by the strength of sin and whether such a one can stand in the warfare against sin or for the defence of the Gospel 29 Qu. If sin or sinners be purged out of the house of God whether those that remain must not be perfect and if so whether any of you will be left there 30 Qu. If the Church take effectuall course to purge away sin or sinners as in the Writing from Tiverton is directed whether thou must not be purged away whose Abominations reigne are drawing iniquity with cords of vanity Slavish feare hath stopt thy mouth sinne hath wrested all thy weapons out of thy hand a light spirit living short of the true sight and sense of Gods Majesty in the Churches Coldnesse and deadnesse on thy soule formall in holy Duties and indifferent and Laodicean spirit on thee without the sense of the worke and true travail of soule as in that writing by thy own confession appears Besides those many lyes slanders and reproaches thou art found guilty of in what is before declared A word to those called Baptists AND now a few words to you called Baptists who stumble at the same stumbling stone as all the rest of the professions in the world do Oh who would or could have thought that truth should have become such a burthensome stone to you of all others who are professing that you waite for his Reigne yet when he is witnessed to reign and have dominion whose right it is and must reigne untill and his enemies become his foot-stool even the promise of the Father The same the Prophets prophesied should come and whose day Abraham saw and rejoyced And the Apostles were eye-witnesses of when he is owned and witnessed obeyed and followed now is all of an uproar and many of you among the rest are engaged against him But know that this is the stone upon which whosoever falls it breaks them to pieces but on whomsoever it falls will grind them to powder for assuredly he is the same and not another Jesus Christ the same to day as yesterday and for ever And therefore we beseech you in bowels of love consider what you are doing and against whom you strive Oh! Its hard for you to kicke against the pricks For wee beare testimony in the name and feare of the living God that its the Son of God many of you persecute revile and reproach and that you shall one day confesse though now you may think you do God service And therefore cease striving against him and come down to his foot-stool and let every thing bow to his Name that so his reign in the particular you may come to witnesse For truly unlesse you know his Reigne there over sinne and corruption and all that is contrary to God his appearance who you professe yee are waiting for will be a day of dread and terrour of woe and misery of bitter lamentation though many of you now dispute preach and print against him yet in that day shall your mouths be stopt and palenesse cover your faces when this sentence you must hear Depart ye workers of Iniquity I know you not Then shall you see that nothing that 's unclean can enter this City And verily unlesse you know him a Saviour from sin and your Redeemer from iniquity in the particular he will not be a Saviour to you from hell and condemnation for they that hope for the latter and know not the former this is the hope of the hypocrite that will perish and not stand in the time of greatest need So think it not sufficient to be offering sacrifice to the Lord and crying out The Temple of the Lord c. And that you professe his Ordinances and walk in Church-fellowship as you call it But in coolnesse and moderation of spirit let each put this question to himselfe Hath the Lord commanded me Is this required at my hands or do I it because others have done it and left it upon Record and so the testimony in my selfe is wanting that the Lord required it Oh consider of it in time yee that have not heard the voyce of God nor seen his shape and have not his Word abiding in you but are enemies to those that this witnesse Surely the Lord will not hold you guiltlesse when he comes to judgement neither can you stand before him with any boldnesse for want of the testimony in your selves Then must your profession come to the ground So be not hasty or rash but try your selves search your selves Know you not that Christ Jesus is in you except ye be Reprobates And where he is made manifest it is to destroy the works of the Devill And if it be not done in the particular while you are upon Earth when doe you think it shall be seeing the Tree lies as it falls Think of this all yee that are yet strangers to it in your selves and oppose it in others even by pleading and printing against it Surely the Lord is arising yea in glory and great Majesty is he arising to rip off all unrighteous coverings And now must all appeare as they are before him who will not respect the persons of any nor the highest profession whilest they are strangers to his life and enemies to his Crosse and opposers to his work Now wee appeale to Gods witnesse in you which many of you so slight and set at nought Whether it be not the condition of many of you notwithstanding your high profession and know assuredly unlesse you return and repent this shall one day witnesse for the Lord and for us against you though for the present you may set light by it you shall one day bow unto it Oh! do not many of you now bow to the pride of the world and respect persons and receive honour one of another You that so long have professed to be separated from the world and yet uphold the worlds Teachers lest you should suffer Abominable deceit what to declare against them in words and yet uphold and maintain them in actions Nay do not many of you in words writings and actions joyne with the world against the innocent denying the same as the vvorld doth even the beginning and the end of the work of God the light and perfection Whereas the work of Christs Ministers was To turn people from darknesse to the light and the end of their Ministry for the perfecting of the Saints Oh! how can it be but that you should be overcome by the enemies of your own houses while you thus oppose the works of God and plead against it as many of you do How is your glory turned into shame who are become the degenerate plant of a strange Vine unto God How are you smitten with blindness and wearying your selves to finde the Door You were once hated by the world but now joyned with the world against the Heir And truly it s now no marvail to the Children of Light though the