having a peculiar intrinsick aptitude and fitness beyond all the Graces of the Spirit for applying him to the soul 5. Must not all serious Religion begin first at this great Truth of an imputed Righteousness since no access can be to perform new Obedience till we have got once from under the curse of the Law and be found that in another which we are not in our selves It is a blessed and inseparable tye by which these are conjoined in the Scripture which none may essay to divide but upon that dreadful penalty of being shut out of all possible right or claim thereto that Christ is made over to be both our Righteousness and Sanctificacation yet so as the alone weight of our peace and acceptation with God must still lye on what Jesus Christ hath done for and not what he hath wrought in us but as it is an assured evidence of the former our Faith being thus made discernable and justified by works O what can thus influence so strange an opposition to the Doctrine of Grace as is this day in the World and to that unexpressibly sweet and excellent Truth of the Righteousness of the Gospel the clear breaking up of which Light in these last times hath been as life from the dead to the Church after a long and dark night of Antichristianism had gone before to obscure it It is clear the Holy Ghost hath indissolubly conjoyned our being justified by faith and having peace with God through Jesus Christ Rom. 5. 1. And in this I can attest such as ever knew the sensible intimation of pardon and what it is to have a spirit broken and wounded under the sense of sin put under the hand of the great physician and a solid cure thereunto if this ever came in another way than by some clear warming discovery and sensible application of the Righteousness of Christ and that the alone sure and effectual way to heal is by appplying his blood and laying that blessed propitiatory sacrifice as a salve thereto But oh what another thing is the power and efficacy of the Truth on the soul than can be expressed in some scholastick notions about it such as brings a demonstration of its certainty to those who know it indeed that all the disputers of the World could never answer yea I must say if a possibility could be for such a choice as to carry Heaven by works of our own I should think it a sad evidence of those whose heart did not warrant them to witness that no choice could be to them here but to this alone blessed way of being saved by the Righteousness of Jesus Christ doth their soul cleave and 't is that which gives a more indearing sight of Heaven in holding the same only of him who hath purchased it for them and them for it by his own blood which shall thus draw forth and intend their love to the highest pitch for all eternity Pos 5. It is one of their known Tenets that none should move in the commanded â—â—â—ties of a Christian but by some inward call and motion on their spirit and that we ought to forbear where this is wanting but it is sure herein we are taught from the Scripture 1. To have the command as the rule and object of our Faith and not any spiritual disposition nor is there a restriction thus shewed to the Church when it so expresly injoyns pray without ceasing 1 Thes 5. 17. Trust in him at all times c. Psal 62. 8. nor gives it any Latitude to sift our obedience upon the want of actual influence 2. It is clear moral Commands are perpetually obliging though the breathings of God and his immediate assistance be not in our power But the wind bloweth where it lists John 3. 8. And though it 's ever true that it is in vain for one to rise early or essay any work without God Psal 127. 1. Yet this argument should then conclude for the Husbandmans restraining his plowing and sowing in the season thereof until he be sure of the Lords joyning his influences with the same since it 's as impossible to sow without the common influence of God who is the first Cause as it is to pray in Faith without the special breathings of the Spirit 3. It is not such Doctrine can darken the undoubted experience of all the Saints whilst nothing is more known to them than this what singular advantage they have found in essaying duty under the greatest indisposition and deadness and how oft ere they were aware their spirits with a blessed surprisal even to astonishment have been revived and inlarged 4. What assurance can men have the next hour or to morrow more than in the present time of the Spirits moving on their souls or that they shall be thus at a farther advantage by waiting the call of the Word for duty until they have some inward call and motion thereto Pos 6. Though these men pretend to own Teachers of their own wav and mould such as they say are commanded by the eternal Spirit to that work yet do they expresly deny a fixed ministry in the Church with a mediate call thereto or any Scripture-institution thereof But I confess it needs be no wonder that such whose great intent is to destroy the City have the first and sorest thrust at the Watch-men and that in so strange a manner their rage and passion should burst out against the faithful Ministers of Jesus Christ whom by all possible means they seek to withstand in their work since the more enforcing convictions there are of the Authority of God and his Power with them the more does their pain and torment turn them inraged though in this they are such a sight and should be to us as calls for some sad and compassionate resentment when there seems no access to convince those who do but express the greatest cruelty against themselves in making them the But of their wrath and revilings who before the Lord dare say they have no other revenge but how to pluck such out of the fire and if possible reclaim their soul from perishing But who is that Party here against whom they thus quarrel sure it is not the Ministry so much as the Scriptures of Truth in which it's express warrant is too clear and there 's no possible access to debate 1. That such a marvelous erection of the Church as a politick body is undeniably there shewed with its peculiar offices and service and a fixed Ministry thereto 2. That this Ministry given by Jesus Christ is a perpetual standing ordinance in his house to the end of the world Matt. 28. 20. Ephes 4. 11 12. 3. That it lyeth not common but hath a peculiar guard and hedg set about the same For no man taketh this honour to himself but be that is called thereto as Aâ—ron Heb. 5. 4. And what this calling was is told us in the first verse that he was taken from among men and ordained for
a terror and while the Watchmen slept hath the Devil essayed to sow such seed having that advantage which in the like case Calvin said of Servetus Fatuitas dogmatum me securum reddit It 's true they are skilful to put themselves in such different forms as may make it something difficult how to handle them being under a visible awe and dread to be found out in what they are But I am sure if what they own to the World in their Writings bear any sense and their words be not such as none possibly but themselves can understand it may be easie to see the undoubted tendency of this way is to subvert the Christian Faith to explode the Scripture from being the alone rule and standard of our Religion and incite those they converse with to a real Apostacy from Christianity Now in speaking to this subject which is such as should make it a sad and unpleasant work to rake in so horrid a dunghil as the known Tenets of this Party are if a testimony to the Truth and for its Vindication did not necessarily require the same 1 must here offer a few things to be considered which in this following discourse seem to be of greatest use to be cleared 1. What Positions these of the Quakers are in which they do most visibly agree and unite and how direct a sendency they have to subvert the Faith in the great Foundations of Christianity 2. What should be the meaning of this so strange and amazing an assault they do adventure upon against the Faith and how sad an account it gives of the temper and complexion of this time when with day-sight such dare come sorth to express themselves at this rate 3. It is of special use to consider what advantage Christians have here even from the strange appearance of this Party to clear the holy and unspotted way of the Lord and for being more sixed and strengthned in the Truth whatever cause others may pretend on this account for stumbling 4. It seems needful also to consider the great influencing cause of this contagion and it 's too evident growth now in the Church whilst such horrid things are by these vented with an amazing confidence as we should think a natural Conscience in men who have but any sense and impression of a Deity and are not wholly given up to Atheism could not but tremble at 5. We would consider what is of greatest use to guard Christians now against such mortal poyson that they fall not from their stedfastness nor be carried about with this cloud driven with such a tempest 6. I must shut up this with a twofold appeal one to that Light which Quakers so much cry up in every one which I am sure in the most favourable sense it can be taken is the Conscience that high Court of Justice set up under the Authority of the great Judg in every mans Breast which doth enforce the soul to some reflexion on it self even when they tremble at that sight if before this Light these can possibly stand and be but in earnest therewith without horror and amazement at themselves A second is to the most ordinary observers in the time if without shutting of their eyes they can shun the clear discovery of the horrid imposture of such a Party whatever high pretences they seem to have how visible a contradiction their way is not only to Scripture and Reason but to it self SECT II. FOr the first of these which concerns their Doctrine and Principles That I am sure none needs pretend is latent and hid from the World except what an expressing themselves with a reserved sense and palcable equivocating may cause to some I have confidence to say that without passion or prejudice in the least or without any quarrel but for the Truths sake I have in earnest sought to know the certainty of what they own herein which in these following Positions I shall briefly touch Position 1. It is undeniable they own a sufficient light in every man to guide him in the way to salvation which he is expresly obliged to follow and lean to a Tenet above all they most closely keep by and on which their whole Doctrine seems to found it self We know such a Light did once shine brightly in Adam in the State of perfection so as he needed no light or voice without to be his guide but since that time none ever knew how to guide himself and they must think the Christian World in a strange darkness if it be easie to obtrude such a Light upon them which when brought to the test of Scripture and solid Reason doth resolve in most direct Paganism and is an express setting up of a Light and Spirit in opposition to the Holy Spirit speaking to us in the Word where we are taught 1. That such a Spirit is not of God which hears not Gods voice as Christ reasons with the Jews John 10. 3 4. Nor can it be his which leads not into all truth and brings not these things shewed forth there to our remenbrance John 14. 26. 16. 13. Which made Luther say if any Spirit should suggest an opinion for which he had not Scripture he should spit in his face knowing assuredly that it was the Devil 2. This expresly owns a common universal and sufficient grace to all as that which knocks at every mans door whether Christians or Pagans and that it is in his power to open and entertain the same and that no spiritual advantage doth accrew to Christians by the Scriptures being revealed unto them but what Pagans may have also by this Light within yea that they have no other Teacher but that inward teaching and guide common to them with the most savage Indians 3. But is there a sufficient and saving Light in these who are spiritually dead Ephes 2. 15. Or could that Light be a sufficient instructer to Paul when he thought verily he ought to do many things against the name of Jesus of Nazareth and in his following that Light within did consent to Stephens Death 4. How should this Light possibly be known when so oft stated in a direct opposition to the Light within others who may reckon they have as much advantage for the same as they if both be not brought to the Scripture for tryal 5. Did this Light within give the Heathens a check for Idolatry or could it let them see the alone way of being saved by that unconceiveable contrivance of the Gospel or restrain these from swearing to whom that moral prohibition of the third Command was never known 6. The Scripture shews that the natural man cannot discern the things of God which to him are foolishness 1 Cor. 2. 13. and that there is a necessity of the spirit of wisdom and revelation that the eyes of our understanding being enlightned we may know what is the hope of our calling and what are the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints Ephes
pressure and incitement from such an Impulse as they seem to have no freedom in their own motions but though before of most discernably calm and sober dispositions are then acted forth to those strange expressions of railing and reproach as can leave it under no debate from what spirit they move and how far they are from that wisdom from above which is first pure and then peaceable 2. This strange appearance and change such are under who once embrace this way of the Quakers is seen to be by no moral swasion or conviction suited to a reasonable soul no receiving of the ingrafted word or any discernable impress thereof to shew the Laws being written in their heart but as hath been greatly observed by some is by a strange rude leap and enthusiastick impulse sudden and violent the Conscience being made sound and whole before it be lanced and their false peace broken 3. It may be clearly seen whatever Impulse these pretend to for such a change that this is from a spirit of blasphemy even to a denying of Jesus Christ the blessed Head and Redeemer of the Church except as a Principle within yea from a leud and prophane spirit such as counteracts Holiness in hearing reading of the Scripture praying singing of Psalms sanctifying of the Sabbath the use of the Sacraments 4. That it is from such a spirit also whatever pretences they have to follow a Light within them as counteracts the most express dictates of a natural Conscience in these notes of difference which by the Light of Nature have in all Nations been betwixt Man and Man to a denying that due reverence Children should have to Parents Servants to Masters Subjects to Magistrates 5. And is it not here most discernably a strange bewitching of their Judgment and Reason who once fall in with that Party into such absurd extravagancies both in their Tenets and Practice as no reason can possibly comprehend but that it is the very immediate power and working of Satan Whilst it is so clear that this is such a Religion and way as none can close therewith but by ingaging upon these two Principles to forego their Reason and Judgment and all subjection to the Scripture of God a Religion which is so far from rendring a reason of the ground thereof with meekness to these who ask that it turns visibly inraged upon the most sober Christian essay for bringing of it to the Light SECT VI. IN the fifth place let us consider on this subject what might be of most special use to guard and preserve all who profess the Truth against this horrid and spreading contagion now in these times for clearing of which some few Preservatives I would seriously offer 1. To live much by Scripture and have more near intercourse therewith as that alone rule without which none can write one line in Religion aright but according to the same and is so marvelously suited to enlighten and take the wayfaring man through all these snares here by the way so as the whole race of the Saints since the beginning to this day could not possibly have wished it another thing than it is Oh! what do such part with that can part with this guide which reveals the whole Counsel of God and shews us what is good lovely and just gives Law to the inward man and commands his very thoughts yea that which the God of Truth hath magnified above all his Names Sure it is if such blasphemers knew what converse a serious humble Christian hath oft found this way with Jesus Christ and which his soul knows well to be no dream or shadow they should rather wish their words choaked them in the throat than to adventure to speak at the rate they usually do I know this quarrel they have therewith which Ahab had with the Prophet Micajah that it prophesieth sad things to them and therefore they must hate it and seek a new Light because this is their torment for it 's sure the Scripture and Quakerism are no more compatible to lodg in one heart than the noon-day and mid-night can meet together but their appeal herein is cast for whether they will or not by this word they must be judged in the day of the Lord. 2. That great Counsel of the Apostle 2 Tim. 1. 13. I would press on Christians at this day for holding fast the form of sound words as one great intent of the Scripture to give the Church a full model and standard of saving Doctrine whereon every one may know how he foundeth Now this great duty is the more pressingly called for in such times when most satisfie themselves with some loose notions of the Truth and to know things at random who seem but little concerned to be stable and rooted in the faith so as to know that close contexture and dependance of the Truths of God in the Scripture and how they are linked in the nearest tye and correspondence as there can be no essay for corrupting of one part but must have the same tendence against the whole yea thus reach a thrust at the very life and being of Religion It will be rare to find such as are in earnest for a solid founding on the great Foundation-Truths and Principles of the Word and to feed much thereon to have ever become a prey to delusion and error 3. A third safe Preservative against this contagion should be more deep and serious thoughts How horrid a way this of Quakerism is And to consider 1. What the Apostle shews 2 Pet. 2. 2. that such damnable Heresies bring swift destruction therewith 2. How hopeless the recovery of such prove and how rare 't is to bring them of who are once Prisoners to an erring Conscience or to see them either seek or find out a way of escape these being Trees twice dead pluckt up by the root 3. The very near approach of this to that sin against the Holy Ghost where there is a falling once into those destroying Heresies which subvert the Faith especially where some remarkable work of the Spirit hath gone before to enlighten and convince as we see Heb. 6. 4 6. For it is impossible for those who were once inlightned if they shall fall away to renew them again to repentance 4. And what an awful Impression should this also have on men that such as are thus subject and reject means of conviction are condemned of themselves as the Apostle shews Tit. 3. 11. Since they chuse Delusion and will not hearken to the Truth thrusting the Word from them whereby they judg themselves unworthy of erernal life 4. It should be a singular guard also against this way for Christians to walk humbly and have such a disposition much their study in these times while it is so clear 1. That the most solid and eminently fixed Christians in the Church who have shined most brightly even to the setting of their Sun have still been the most humble 2. That this is a remark