him in his natural birth whereby he is enbabled to see himself quite thorow and to know all his own inward motions and outward actions and to look upon things that are made without and upon a Law of works within written in his heart and thereby we know something of his Creator and of his own dutie what is right to be done â—â—d not only so but by reflecting upon that Law he may see the regularitie or inregularitie of his own actions and according to their conformitie or non-conformitie thereto may have peace a legal peace or trouble in his conscience and this it may do where Christ as the way the truth and the life is not so much heard of thus it was with Adam the light and Law within him first convinceth him of sin troubles and torments him so that he runs to hide himself from the presence of God Gen. 3. 10. I was afraid and hid my self before the promise of grace was held forth in the seed of the woman ver 15. And thus having declared how much is to be acknowledged concerning the light within common to all men whereby it evidently appears to be a great an excellent and in many respects a very necessarie light I proceed to speak of the second branch namely What the remaining Light in every man cannot do But first by the way it ought to be remembred that the light whereof we speak whether we respect the Candle-Light of mans spirit or the Light of the Law written in his heart is a natural Light that is a Light that is in the nature of all men for though it be true that if this Light be considered abstractly and apart or with respect to its Author and efficient cause the Father of Lights and Spirits it is Spiritual in which sence not only the Law as the Apostle speaks Rom. 7. 14. but all Light whatsoever may be called Spiritual yet when this Light is considered as united to its subject and by the Law of Creation according to the good pleasure of the Creator put into the nature of man for the enabling him as a man to perform that obedience which God requires of him for his own glory thus it is a natural Light or a Light flowing from the principles of nature without which as was said before there could not be a man so that as there is a natural man 1 Cor. 2. 14. a natural mind a natural understanding a natural conscience so is there a natural Light in man This is evident from the Apostles words Rom. 2. 14. For when the Gentiles that is unconverted Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law to themselves Mark here they do the things contained in the Law but how the Apostle answers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by nature that is by the Light of nature or by natural internal Light there being no other inward guide but Light so when the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 11. 14. Doth not nature it self teach c. It must be understood of inward Light which is natural and it remains that I shew what this Light cannot do Notwithstanding this Light of nature remaining in man since the fall be an excellent Light and very useful as hath been said yet in several respects it is â—o deficient and useless even in those things that concern his everlasting happiness that unless the help of a greater Light be given in for his reliefe he will perish everlastingly For first it is utterly unable to bring any man to life that doth most exactly obey and follow it its true the Law which is a Light in a natural mans heart was ordained to life that is to be a Rule which if man had obeyed he should have had life as a just and equal reward of his obedience according to that of the Apostle Rom. 7. 10. The Commandment which was ordained to life c. and Rom. 4 4. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of Grace but of debt And this was the tenor of the Law Do and live as the Scripture testifies Rom. 10. 5. For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the Law that the man which doth those things shall live by them But when sin entred into the world by Adam and death by sin and so passed upon all men for that all have sinned in him according to Rom. 5. 12. Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world and death by sin and so death passed upon all men 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in whom all have sinned Now I say Adam is driven out of Paradice and a flaming sword that turns every way guards the way of the Tree of Life that neither he nor any of his posterity over whom the death reigned though they had not sinned after the similitude of Adamâ— transgression Rom. 5. 14. could enter into the Life by the Gate of doing or working as the Apostle teacheth Rom. 3. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the Law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight for now all being under sin Rom. 3. 9. and subject to the judgement of God Rom. 3. 19. the Law can only make known the transgression to the sinner Rom. 3. 20. for by the Law is the knowledge of sin but cannot offer the least help grace mercy compassion or life it wounds him and leaves him but pours in neither oyle nor wine that 's the work of Jesus Christ the good Samaritan by whom comes grace and truth John 1. 17. it knows nothing but pure Justice can speak nothing but wrath and the curse to the offender according to that Rom. 4. 15. Because the Law worketh wrath Gal. 3. 10. Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the Book of the Law to do them Nay though Adam after the first transgression had turned or any of his posterity should turn to the Candle-light of their own spirit within them and by the help thereof to the Light of the Law written in their hearts and should most exactly obey it as their Rule and never offend it more which neverthelesels since the fall it is imposble for any man to do yet so weak is the Law that it could not give them life as the holy Spirit testifieth Gal. 3 21. If there had been a Law given which could have given life verily righteousness should have been by the Law And Gal. 2. 21. If righteousness come by the Law then is Christ dead in vain I say such is the weakness of the Law that it cannot give life not in respect of it self for it is holy just and good Rom. 7. 12. and able to give life to the doers of it but in respect of its subjects who through the weakness of the flesh cannot fulfil it Rom. 8. 3. For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through
it till their Corner-stone and mine be so thorowly tryed that it may evidently appear whether of them is the true Rock Christ Jesus And whereas I said in my paper that I was willing and ready again to debate the point in controversie with Geo. Fox or any of his friends before the high Sheriff or any in the commission of peace if they should require us to come forth for that end Let not George think to shuffle himself out and put the task upon others for he must know that in as much as it is affirmed that he was called of the Lord from his trade as the Apostles were my desire is in this matter chiefly to deal with him and such others that say they were Apostles that their doctrine and deeds being brought to light it may be clearly known whether they be true Apostles indeed or false who preach another Jesus and Gospel then Paul did as I have great cause to suspect them and doubt not to prove them to be if they adhere to the principles which are laid down by them in their printed books and asserted and maintained in our late debate And lest it should be thought that these Mechanicks are mentioned with contempt as if none such were or could be usefull labourers in the Lords vineyard I do here seriously profess that any truth declared by such a one being sent is as precious to me as coming from any other man And there are at this day persons well known to me of several occupations under a special anointing who being sent are successfull labourers in the work of the Gospel and whom I highly esteem for their works sake But as the Lord approveth not so neither can I own preachers who are not sent Jer. 23. 32. Rom. 10. 15. but do creep privily into the work and run unsent Jude 4. Jer. 14. 14. Nor can I bid them God speed who bring not the doctrine of Christ nor preach the same Jesus and Gospel that Paul did but speak perverse things Acts â—o 30. bringing in damnable heresies even denying the Lord that bought them 2 Pet. 2. 1. For though such as these may say and others may think that they are Apostles when they are not and for the greater confirmation of their erroneous Doctrines may boast of gifts as some have said to me that George Fox had the gifts of Tongues and to others it hath bin said he could speak above thirty Languages And by this and such like plausible pretences they may insinuate themselves into many and gain a multitude of followers which is one certain character of Antichrists last coming that many shall follow his pernitious wayes Matth. 24. 5. 2. Pet. 2. 2. Yet when they are tryeâ— they will be found lyars Rev. 2. 2. In the Interim I have one request to leave with the sober Reader Viz. That he will seriously and impartially resolve in himself these following Queries 1. Whereas it can be found in all the Scriptures that any of the true Prophets or Christ or his Apostles ever used such language as is before mentioned to any person professing Repentance towards God and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ or whether it be not clearly the fruit of an Antichristian spirit as hath bin hinted 2. Whether there can be any other aym in the aforesaid censures then to cast an odium upon and to cause a disesteem of the person opposing them And whether this was not the practice of the false Prophets and false Apostles of old thereby to gain more credit to their own cause 3. Whether it be not a manifest abuse of the Scriptures and a presumptuous intruding into the office of Christ positively to affirm that the sins of any man shall never be forgiven in this world nor in that which is to come meerly because he denies that light that is in every man that comes into the world to be saving In as much as the Scripture no where saith that that light is saving 4. Whether do not this people censure all the men and women in the world as well as the Author of these papers to be out of the first step that leads to Christianity to be infidels and to be accursed if they deny the light that is in every man that comes into the world to be saving And whether is not this asmuch as to say that they only and none besides themselves are Christians And whether is not this a great appearance of pride in them thus highly to extol themselves above all others 5. And whether are not all these censures directly contrary to the Scriptures and such as make them lyable to greater Judgment Matt. â—â— 2. Jam. 3. 1 2. 6. Whether do not these clamours and evil speakings for which there is no Scriptural warrant manifestly slow from bitterness anger â—rath malice as the Apostle intimates Eph. 4. 31. 7. Whether any wise experienced Christian can judge this people to be in a perfect sinless estate who appear with these open sinful revilings cursings judgings in their mouthes Nay-since they boast and glory in this their shame Whether is it not evident that they are servants of Corruption 8. Whether this hath not bin their manner all along to strive to overcome with these carnal weapons threatenings censurings cursings revilings c. And since no spiritual weapon is yet employed in the management of their cause whether have not all persons just cause to suspect tâ—â— badness of it and that as the weapons are carnal and devilish so is their cause supported thereby 9. Whether it be not abominable wickedness to father all their evil speeches upon the Holy Ghost and to say when they curse rayle revile speak falsly and frothily that it is by his inspiration and command 10. Whether can any man rationally conclude that these people beare any true love to that person whom they judge to be an enemy of God and â—â—cursed and whose sins shall never be forgiven in this world nor in the world to come Or rather when they profess love and say they desire his eternal welfare is not there just ground to believe that they speak lyes in Hypocrisie as it 's said Apostates should do in the later times 1 Tim. 4. 2. 〈◊〉 11. Do they not plainly discover a persecuting spirit in the forementioned revilings and may not any man in reason conclude that whom they judge an enemy of God and accursed they would use as such if they had power 12. Lastly I leave it to be considered by such as will take the paines to read the account which I have given of the light within whether they do not speak all this evil of me merely because I have told them the truth and not for any other cause c. By that time thou hast well considered these Queries and by the resolution of them hast gained a better understanding of this people â—â—robable if providence intermit not another sheet may be preâ—â—ted to thy
among men yea then my own life But I beseech you let no prejudice nor reproaches cast upon me or this Work hinder you from a serious perusal of it It 's likely many of you may be as sheep scattered without a shepherd and your adversary who goes about like a roaring lion will seek all advantages against you and his ministers will be in this dark hour of temptation the more industrious to make merchandise of your souls Oh Remember the Apostles exhortation 2 Joh. 8. Look to your selves c. Believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God because many false prophets are gone out into the world And among all the deceivers that Christ foretold should come there are none more subtil nor lead into more pernitious wayes then the leaders and teachers of this people with whom I have to do O consider what need you have to be alwaies upon your watch take heed whom and what you hear and in a special manner be careful that you bottom upon a right foundation Jesus Christ God and man in union who in his own person without us hath wrought a great salvation having finished transgression made an end of sin abolished condemnation and death for us And if any man or an Angel from Heaven should not bring this doctrine and point you unto a crucified and glorified Jesus for access to God receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed Neither let it suffice you thus to behold redemption wrought for you in the person of the Mediatour without you but minde his comming down in spirit into your hearts to manifest this redemption and to live and work in you as a quickening spirit and let it be your care as to live so to walk in the spirit And the Lord grant that you being rooted and â—uilt up in him and stablished in the faith may henceforth be no more Children tossed to and fro and carried about with every winde of doctrine by the slight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in weight to deceive but may keep your selves in the love of God looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life so prayes Your Brother and Companion in Tribulation and in the Kingdome and patience of Jesus Christ J. W. Mo. 1. the 15 day 1665. Here follow two LETTERS from several Friends to the Author desiring the Publication of this Dispute c. Dear Friend and Brother WE received yours with the inclosed Manuscript containing a relation of a Debate you had with the Quakers An account of the Light within and An Appendix all which we have as we could perused but yet not so as we intend and desire onely did hastily run it over being willing as many as could conveniently might see it or hear it before we set upon the transcribing of it for then it must of necessity lie still a while And lest we might either discourage or not comfort you in so good a work as we can bless the Lord for from our hearts by making no return till we have got it writ over we thought it meet to give you a few Lines from a few of us so signifie the receipt of it also our acceptance of it and hearty agreement with you in it and do believe the good hand of the Lord was in it to make your condition a necessity upon you by his wise-ordering providence to encounter this strong man in his strong hold the light within with which this spirit of delusion hath run thorow the dark world and by it kindled some sparks upon the reliques of old Adam but brought nothing to light of a crucified Saviour nor of the bloud of his Cross by which we have peace with God but contrariwise hath reviled us in making mention of this way of peace rather glorying in their own cross then in the Cross of Christ keeping a catalogue of their own wounds and sufferings filling all places with Prints of them but never mention the sufferings wounds and death of him through whose stripes we are healed which hath been to us as another Gospel then that which our Lord brought to light and was afterwards preached by his disciples and glorified in by good Paul when others glorified in the flesh this is that Gospel we have heard and received through the workings of his grace how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures and that he was buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures and ascended far above all the heavens of this creation into heaven it self there to a ppear before God for us our blessed high-Priest and onely Advocate to whom we desire always to look that we may not sin against him this is our Kings high-way in which the way faring man though a fool shall not erre We confess there is a righteousness that is more agreeable unto man unto which he is more enclined as that liquor which this vessel of the natural man had first in it we hope without offence we may say not onely then this righteousness of Christ by faith but then unrighteousness and upon this spark may this light fall and make man to walk in the light of it but shall never place man again in that garden of Gods presence with him making all things delightful to him out of which after mans fall God drove him and hath ever since placed such a guard as shall for ever keep man from coming that way Nay an as it were in this matter may not be admitted under the administration of the Gospel nor is there any name given by which we shall be saved but that Name which is above all names unto which all things shall bow this is the Fathers Christ and our Jesus who when he came in the flesh was not ministred unto but did himself minister and became a servant but our God who also is Christs God hath highly exalted him This Gospel we have never heard nor felt from these folks but on the contrary derided with scornful expressions when we have gone about thus to argue any thing with them and in stead of words of soberness in the evidence of Scripture-light we have had such returns as you have met with as many in this County can evidence clearly for us as their own Papers do for you under their own hands Nor are we willing to rip up the remembrance of things upon any other account then if it be the Lords will some among them might be reduced and the Lord may give them repentance unto life and do hope there may be such a blessing in this Labour of yours God having directed you not to insist upon any thing less then their All viz. That the light with which every one is enlightned that comes into the world is not a saving light this is that which we have believed but have not had ability to bring it forth in so orderly a way fit for publick
answer was that the persons there writen to by the Apostle were members of the Church of God which was at Coriâ—th which were sanctified in Christ Jesus called to be Saints Cap. 1. 2. And that if every one of these had some manifestation of the spirit it will not follow that every man that comes into the world hath either the manifestation of the spirit or the spirit it self and that the Apostle speaks not of every man that comes into the world but only of every man that by one spirit was baptized in to one body and had been made to drink into one spirit is very evident from the whole scope of that Chapter and especially from the 13. ver For by one spirit we were all baptized into one body whether we be Jewes or Gentiles whether we be bond or free and have been all made to drink into one spirit and ver 27 now ye are the body of Christ and members in particular The same word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is used in the same manner in the 11 Chap. 21. Every man taketh before other his own supper that is not every man that comes into the world but every man of you who come together into one place ver 20. So that this scripture concludes nothing for their purpose Another scripture brought to prove his assertion was Neh. 9. 20. where it is said that God gave his good spirit to instruct the Israelites Ans 1. Israel was Gods Church his chosen peculiar people Ex. 19. 5. and if he did give his good spirit to them it will not thence follow that he gave it to all other nations even to every man that comes into the world the scripture is expresse that he dealt not with any nation as with Jacob and Israel Psal 147. 19. 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and his judgments to Israel He hath not dealt so with any nation and as for his judgments they have not known them and therefore he gave not his good spirit to any other nation for if they had had the unction of his spirit it would have shewed them his word and made known his judgments unto them 1 Joh. 2. 20. 2. Though it be said he gave them his good spirit it will not follow that every particular or individual Israelite had this good spirit but only such as were Israelites indeed Joh. 1. 47. such as were Jewes inwardly Rom. 2. 28. 29. and were born after the spirit Gal. 4. 29. All are not Israel that are of Israel Rom. 9. 6. and to such only that saying in Neh. 9. 20. must be referred thus Moses had that good spirit and God promiseth to take off the spirit which was upon him and put upon the seventy elders Numb 11. 17. Thus Joshua was a man in whom was the spirit Numb 27. 18. and had another spirit then many others had and was fitted thereby for the conduct of the congregation Numb 27. 16. and if this scripture Neh. 9. 20. will not prove that every particular Israelite had the spirit much less will it prove that every man that comes into the world hath the spirit of Christ A third scripture alledeged Isa 63. 10. and Acts 7 51. where it is said the people rebelled vexed resisted the holy spirit hence they would conclude that wicked men have the spirit of Christ Ans though it be true that believers who because they are sons have the spirit of the Son sent forth into their hearts Gal. 4. 6. may and oft do grieve the spirit Eph. 4. 30. yet all that do vex and resist the spirit have it not for Christ saith plainly Joh. 14. 17. the world cannot receive him therefore hath him not yet the world do vex and resist the spirit of God speaking in the Prophets Apostles or other servants of God by slighting and rejecting their reproofes exhortations or counsels or by undervalluing and not regarding the wonderous works of God wrought by the power of his spirit thus when Stephen saith Ye do resist the holy ghost it was the spirit in him by which he spake compared Acts. 6. 10. and they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake In like manner they had resisted the spirit in the Prophets Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted c. ver 52. thus when the mighty power of God was put forth in signs and miracles in Egipt and the wilderness Numb 14. 11. 22. and they believed not his spirit not in themselves but put forth in those mighty works and speaking in Joshua and other faithful witnesses for God in that day thus the spirit of God was vexed in Noah and Lot by the wickedness of the old world and of Sodom Gen. 6. 2 Pet. 2. 7. 8. and not in the wicked who being strangers and without God in the world were not the habitation of God through the spirit Ep. 2. 12. 22 A fourth scripture was urged Joh. 10. 7 8. but if I depart I will send him viz. the comforter unto you and when he is come he will reprove the world of sin c. therefore say they he must needs be in the world and in every man that comes into the world Ans 1. By this promise which Christ makes to send the holy ghost after his departure it is evident enough that this scripture can be no proof of their assertion to wit that every man that comes into the world hath the holy ghost for if every man had him when he came into the world what need was there he should be sent to them after Christs ascention nay rather this shews they had him not before he was sent and so not tillâ— after Christs departure which destroyes their opinion 2. But seccondly this promise is made particularly to the disciples of Christ I will send him unto you and not to the world 3. As for that saying when he is come he shall reprove the world of sin c. admit it were granted as it is not that when he came he was within every man reproving him this would contribute nothing to the proof of their assertion for then he would only be in every man after Christs ascention not in every man that comes into the world since the fall or since Christs manifestation in the flesh which is the point they should prove But further I say That when the Holy Ghost according to the promise was poured out upon the disciples he so mightily wrought in them and by them in bearing witness to the resurrection of Christ Acts. 2. 32. and in doing many wonders and signs ver 43. that the world was hereby justly reproved and yet the Holy Ghost was not poured out upon all flesh that is as was urged upon all mankind or every individual man but only upon such as were thereby enabled to repent and believe Acts 2. 38. 39. Then Peter said unto them repent and
searching all the inward parts of the Bedy That is Whatsoever is most secret in our minds for as in the Belly natural conceptions are wrought and shaped so in the Mind Moral Conceptions of good or evil are wrought and shaped To this also agrees the saying of the Apostle 1 Cor. 2. 11. What man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of a man whech is in him That is No other man knows what his own thoughts are or what they are working but his own understanding This Spirit of a man sees all the inward motions and outward actions of a man with a direct act of the understanding which is called Science and this simply considered makes not any thing that is discovered good or evil And this is the first use of the Light that is in every man viz. To make manifest the things of a man to himself Secondly This Light in every man is useful for direction in a double respect 1. As it looks upon the Law written in his heart it presents unto him the principles of Justice Righteousness Equity Soberness and other Moral Vertues and shews him what is right to be done according to that of the Apostle Rom. 2. 14. For when the Gentiles that is unconverted Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law that is formally published and preached unto them are a Law unto themselves Which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their Conciences also bearing witness c. 2. As it looks upon the works of the Creation which are seen such clear beams of the God-head may be understood by the things that are made as might direct and induce man to glorifie God as God which the same Apostle Rom. 1. 18 19. makes the ground of the Righteousnesse of God in that dreadful Revelation of his Wrath against all ungodlinesse and unrighteousnesse of men who ever they be who hold the Truth in unrighteousnesse Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them or to them But how or where hath God manifested this to them The Apostle answers in the next words Verse 20. For the invisible things of him from the Creation of the world are clearly seen being understood by the things that are made even his Eternal Power and God-head so that they are without excuse So that though every man have not a Light in him that is able to save him as will be further cleared hereafter yet he hath so much as will make him guilty and leave him without excuse Thirdly the light in every man is useful for conviction for though as was said before when it looks upon the things of a man with a direct act it makes nothing good or evil yet when it reflects upon the Law within which shall be the Rule of every motion and operation and compares the Action done with that Law the goodness or evilness of it is discovered according as it bears conformitie or non-conformitie thereunto and now Science or a bare knowing of an Action done is become Conscience for this reflex Act of the soul is called Conscience that is a knowing together with something else as when the understanding considers what is done in conjunction with a Law according to which it ought to be done thus the Spirit of a man which is the Candle of the Lord doth manifest the deed done and the Law discovers the quallitie of the Action according to that of the Apostle Rom. 3. 20. By the Law is the knowledg of sin were there not a Law there would be no Transgression and were not the Law looked upon and the Action compared with it there would be no such thing as Conscience but when deeds are laid before the Law as a Glasse shews not only the face but the spots that are in it so it will give a true report of their regularitie or irregularitie of their goodness or badness and suitable thereto will its Sentence be and Answerable to the Sentence the Law pronounceth will be the excusations or accusations of the person according to Rom. 2. 15. Which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their Consciences also bearing witness and their thoughts mean while excusing or accusing one another Hence I say it comes to passe that when a man a meer natural man refuseth to follow this light of direction in doing what is right he is convinced in himself that he guiltie his Conscience troubleth him and judgeth him and is a Witnesse for the Lord that he is righteous when he judgeth according to that saying of the Apostle Rom. 3. 19. Now we know that what things soever the Law saith it saith to them who are under the Law that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may become guiltie before God or be subject to the judgment of God not having a word to object why Sentence should not be executed because they have Transgressed This light was that which manifested to Adam his Transgression convinced him of his guilt tormented him with fear and made him hide himself from the presence of the Lord Gen. 3. 10. I heard thy voice in the Garden and was afraid because I was naked and I hid my self and as it was then so it hath been ever since and will be still that if any man transgresse that Rule and Law that is written in the heart of every natural man there is a light set up in his conscience which will accuse him be a witness against him torment him and condemn him according to that testimonie before mentioned Rom. 2. 15. and 1 Joh. 3. 20. this manifested to Judas his sin and caused him to bring again the money and confess he had sinned And more then this is not needful by way of Answer to H. W. or any other person demanding where that witness is that doth condemn and what that was which caused Judas to bring again the money and to confess that he had sinned in that he had betrayed the innocent blood Fourthly there is yet a further use of this light common to all men it doth not only make manifest direct and convince but is able also to know much of God as a Creator and Law giver at least his eternal power and Godhead by the works of the Creation which are seen Rom. 1. 19 20. and to feel and seek after him as such Acts 17. 27 28. That they should seek the Lord if happily they might feel after him and find him though he be not farr from every one of us for in him we live move and have our being c. Thus for the light in all men or common to all men good and bad believers and Infidels may go serve for the fore mentioned excellent uses even since by trasgression man fell from his created integritie the sum whereof is briefly this Every man hath a light springing up with
the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Secondly As the Light of which we speak cannot give nor lead to life so it knows not nor can make any discovery of the Redeemer who only can give life it is not acquainted with the precious Gospel-Mysterie hid in God it knows nothing of the good pleasure and purpose of Grace in God to restore faln man to life and communion with himself by Jesus Christ For the clearing whereof let it be observed That the Scripture doth abundantly testifie 1. That God purposed in himself from Eternity to restore man to life by Jesus Christ and no other way who therefore is most rightly callled the repairer of the breach the restoreâ— of paths to dwell in Isa 58. 12. and the restorer of life Ruth 4. 15. And 2. That Christ only can give a new life and 3. That he onely is the way to the Father as may be seen in these few instances Eph. 1. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world 5. Having predéstinated us unto the Adoption of Children by Jesus Christ unto himself according to the good pleasure of his will Chap. 3. 11. According to the Eternal Purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord. That Christ only can give life see 1 Cor. 15. 45. And so it is written The first man Adam was made a living soul the last Adam was made a quickening spirit John 10. 20. I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly Ver. 28. I give unto thee Eternal life John 6. 57. He that eateth me even he shall live by me 1 Jo. 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath life c. And he also is the new and living way to the Father Heb. 10. 19 20. Having therefore Brethren boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus by a new and living way whicâ—h he hath consecrated for us through the vail that is to say his flesh None knows the Father but the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Matth. 11. 27. Nor can any come to the Father but through this new and living way There 's no other entrance into the Paradise of God and to the Tree of Life but onely by Jesus Christ Rev. 2. 7. And therefore such Teachers as excluding the Mediator do affirm That as Adam fell from God by departing from the Light within him even so is he recovered and restored by returning and yeelding obedience to that Light within do lead people from Christ Jesus the true way to the Law that old deadly Gate through which it is impossible for any of the sons of Adam to enter and live They that would lead men unto God by a perfection of obedience in themselves and not by saith in a crucified Christ as the only way into the holiest instead of bringing them into Heaven to life and peace with God do shut up the Kingdom against them No man by the endeavours of the highest perfection of Reason or natural speculations of the Divinity will ever find accesse to God upon a Mercy-seat until he come to acknowledge the flesh or dead body of Christ to be the only way consecrated and prepared for him Heb. 10. 29 30. 2. That the Light that is in every man knows not this mysterie of Christ nor is able to make any discovery of it as is evident from Eph. 3. 9. where the holy Spirit testifies That it hath been hid in God from the beginning of the World And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the Mysterie which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God who created all things by Jesus Christ to the intent that now unto Principalities and Powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God Mark here it was hid from the beginning of the World so that neither all the Light in Adam in his innocency nor in the holy Angels knew it how much less could the Candle-light of mans Spirit since the fall by any force remaining in it enter into this great secret Doth not Christ himself tell us plainly That these things are hid from the wise Matth. 11. 25. I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and the prudent and hast revealed them unto babes And doth not Paul say when he preached the Gospel That he spake the wisdom of God in a Mysterie which none of the Princes of this World knew 1 Cor. 2. 7 8. But we speak the Wisdom of God in a Mysterie even the hidden Mystetie which God ordained before the world to our glory which none of the Princes of this world knew for had they known it they would not have crucified the Lord of Glory And doth not the same Paul who was a learned man brought up at the feet of Gamaliel and instructed according to the perfect manner of the Law Acts 22. 3. And as touching the righteousnesse thereof blameless Phil. 3. 6. plainly declare That before his Conversion notwithstanding all his Light and Learning and all his care to follow that Light to the utmost for he had lived in all good Conscience before God until that day Acts 23. 1. he was ignorant of these things and utterly unable with all his natural and acquired parts to come to the knowledge of them Why else if it was not so did he so violently persecute the Saints as appears at large in Acts 8. 3. 9. 1. and 22. 5 9 19 20 and 26. 10 11. And how else could he think with himself That he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus of Nazareth Acts 26. 9. And kick against the pricks and persecute the Lord Jesus ver 14 15. But that the Light within which he was faithful to was unable to make known unto him the true Jesus and that it was so he himself doth yet further declare in those words Who are thou Lord Acts 26. 15. and in 1 Tim. 1. 13â— where he confesseth he had been a blasphemer a persecutor and injurious yet had obtained mercy because he did it ignorantly in unbelief Thirdly As the Light in every man knows not the Redeemer who according to Gods Eternal Purpose is the Author of Eternal Salvation to all them that obey him Heb. 5. 9. So it is altogether unable to discover the way and means whereby the Redeemer and with him life and happiness is to be received and enjoyed that is it knows nothing of the Law of Faith mentioned by the Apostle Rom. 3. 27. The tenor whereof is this That whosoever believeth in Jesus Christ shall not perish but have everlasting life according to John 3 15 16. For God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not
Light according to Joh 3. 3. Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God therefore this Light is to all that have it the Light of life Joh. 8. 12. He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the Light of life the same Spirit that inlightens doth regenerate and renew Tit. 3. 5. According to his mercy he saved us by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost and so not every man that comes into the world but he that is born of the Spirit Joh. 3. 5. and made a new creature 2 Cor. 5. 17. according to that Gospel-promise Ezek. 36. 26 A new heart will I give you and a new spirit will I put within you is inlightned with the marvellous Light of Christ By this Spirit also doth he write this new Law of Faith in their hearts called the Law of the Spirit of Life which is in Christ Jesus Rom. 8. 2. according to that of the Apostle Heb. 8. 10. I will put my Laws in their minds and write them in their hearts where he speaks not of the Law of works which is writ in the Natural mans heart but of the Law of the new Covenant which the Apostle is there treating of and which God would put into their hearts who were in Covenant with him and whose sins and iniquities he will remember no more Neither doth he onely give a new life a new light a renewed spirit and write his Laws in their hearts by his Spirit but that he may cause them to walk in his ways Ezek. 26. 27. and that they may have help in themselves Job 6. 13. he gives the Spirit himself to dwell in their hearts as the same Scripture Ezek. 26 27 testifies And I will put my Spirit within you So Gal. 4. 6. And because you are sons God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts crying Abba Father and so they become one spirit with the Lord 1 Cor. 6. 17. He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit And this is that witness that every believer hath in himself 1 Joh. 5. 10. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself a witness that he is the childe of God Rom 8. 16. The Spirit it self beareth witness with our spirits that we are the children of God And while he looks at and believes on a Christ without him as having done all in his own person for him according to Rom. 4. 25. Who was delivered for our offences and raised again for our justification Rom. 8. 3. For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinfull flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh Heb. 9. 26. And now in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself And Heb. 10. 12. But this man after he had once offered sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God He also knowes and hath a witness in himself that Christ dwels in his heart Eph. 3. 17. and lives in him as Paul witnessed Gal. 2. 20. Nevertheless I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me And he is the habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 2. 27. In whom ye are builded for an habitation of God through the Spirit 1 Joh. 3. 24. We know that he abideth in us by the Spirit which he hath given us From that which hath bin said it doth plainly appear that the mistake of this people is very grosse who call the light in every man Christ and worship it as the Redeemer and the Lord that bought them whereas indeed as hath been cleared this light in every man is but the spirit of a man and the law written in his heart from the terrour and condemnation whereof the Lord Jesus came to deliver It also appears that to worship this light as the Redeemer is to worship an imaginarie and fictitious Christ and indeed an Idol and in effect to deny the person of the true Jesus who is Emmanuel God and man in union who in his own person without us not in ours hath by one offering once for ever wrought eternal redemption for us Heb. 9. 12. By his own blood he entred in once into the holy place having obtained eternall Redemption for us and is the alone object of Faith yea hence it will follow that whosoever affirmeth as this people doe that the light in every man is Christ is a deceiver and an Antichrist such as the Apostle speaks of 2 Joh. 7. For many deceivers are entred into the World who confess not that Jesus Christ is come into the flesh This is a deceiver and an Antichrist whom the Saints are forbidden to receive into their house or to bid them God speed Verse 10. Receive him not into your house neither bid him God speed But of these and other usefull Inferences more fully after the answering of an Objection or two wherein all their seeming strength lies and whereon their greatest confidence is built Against that which I have said there is nothing more frequently urged then that one Scripture Joh. 1. 9. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world This Scripture they account to be an invincible proof of their fundament all Assertion which in their words and writings is thus held forth this light is Christ God the Lord God and the Lamb the object of faith and this true light which is Christ lightens not some but every man coming into the world And therefore it must needs be saving And that this light can be meant of no other then of Christ they further alledge Joh. 8. 12 35 36. where it is plainly exprest that Christ is the light of the world Because I observe that that subtil Adversary Satan doth get the greatest advantage against many weak and unstable souls through their misunderstanding and wresting of these Scriptures in the mean while being ignorant of his devices I shall indeavour according to my measure to declare the minde of Christ in them that if it be the will of the Lord such as are taken captive by him may escape out of his Snares When it is said that that was the true light which lighteth every man that comes into the world two things must be considered 1 Who this true light is 2 How he lighteth every man that comes into the world For the first the Scriptures do witness that this true light is the Word God by whom the world was made for as it is said Joh. 1. 1. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God So that which is spoken of in the 2 3 4 5 7 8 9 10. verses following is to be referred to the Word God the Creator of all things and not to the Word as the Word is
he that was promised to be a covenant to the people and a light to the Gentiles Isai 42. 1 6 7. Behold my servant whom I uphold mine elect in whom my soul delighteth I have put my Spirit upon him he shall bring forth judgement to the Gentiles I the Lord have called thee in righteousness and will hold thine hand and will keep thee and give thee for a covenant of the people for a light of the Gentiles to open the blinde eyes c. Who brings into the world a life and light far exceeding that light and life that was set up in every man that comes into the world by the Word the Creator which more excellent life and light brought in by the Son none receive but such onely as receive the Son Joh. 1. 12. and are born again Joh. 3. 3. 1 Joh. 5. 12. He that hath the Son hath life and he that hath not the Son hath not life He also that hath the Son hath light Eph. 5. 14. But till a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God Joh. 3. 3. nor perceive the things of the Spirit 1 Cor. 2. 14. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness unto him neither can he know them because they are spiritually discerned but is dead in trespasses and sins Eph. 2. 1 5. and darkness as to this new life and Christ Eph. 5. 8. The neglect of this distinction of the Word and the Word made flesh which is so plainly set down in the Scripture as hath been shewed and of the properties belonging to either of them is the ground of the great mistake of many who not considering what is testified of the Word as Creator do confound that light which is set up by him as such in every man with that light which he gives as he is the Word made flesh And thence do call that light Christ and so saving which is but the spirit of a man and the law written in his heart springing up with his nature in the Creation and therefore can neither be Christ nor saving as hath been already proved That there ought to be care thus to distinguish it will be made further evident by considering these following particulars 1. That Christ is the onely Mediator between God and man as the Scripture testifies 1 Tim. 2. 5. For there is one God and one mediator between God and man the man Christ Jesus 2. That in Christ there are two whole perfect and distinct natures the Godhead and the Manhood inseparably joyned together in one person which is an Article of faith to which the Scriptures give full testimony as may be seen in these few instances Luke 1. 35. And the angel answered and said unto her The holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God Col. 2. 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily Gal. 4 4. But when the fulness of time was come God sent forth his Son made of a woman made under the law 1. Tim. 3 16. And without controversie great is the mystery of godliness God manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory Rom. 1. 3 4. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness by the resurrection from the dead 3. That Christ is often mentioned where the two natures inseparably joyned together in his person are distinctly spoken of that is the matter may respect and be applicable to the properties of one nature and not of the other as when he saith I and my Father are one Joh. 10. 30. he speaks of his divine nature but when he saith in the same chapter vers 15. I lay down my life for the sheep he hath respect to his humane nature As he is God he is equal with the Father as he is man he layeth down his life for the sheep and yet one and the same Christ who is God and man speaks in both places This is also evident in Phil. 2. 6 7 8. In like manner when Christ saith I am the root and off-spring of David Rev. 22. 16. he speaks distinctly of both natures he is the root of David as he is God the off-spring of David as he is man So when it is said of the Son Heb. 1. 2. That the world was made by him and in the next verse that by himself he purged our sin we must distinguish and say The world was made by him as God and he purged away sin as Mediatour by the sacrifice of himself Heb. 9. 26. 10. 12. This man after he had offered one sacrifice for sin for ever Thus rightly to distinguish the natures of Christ is not to divide the Father from the Son nor the Son from himself but to give to either nature that which properly under a distinct consideration belongs to it and to both in union that which belongs to both Without which the works of the Creator and Mediator which are manifestly distinct would be confounded As in the matter under debate concerning the Word and the Word made flesh the Word is God the Creator the Word made flesh is the Mediator The Creator sets up a light in every man the Mediator gives a greater light but to such onely as believe on him Joh. 12. 46. Thus having answered their Objections though I question not but a judicious Reader who hath taken a survey of their Principles and shall seriously consider what I have hitherto asserted and proved concerning the light in all men will easily discern both the unsoundness and absurdity of their Opinions and the peril and danger of the consequences necessarily flowing there from Yet in thankfulness to Jesus Christ and for their sakes whether Quakers or others who either through weakness of judgement or want of due consideration have not taken sufficient notice of the dangerous tendencie of their Tenents especially of their Fundamental Opinion hitherto opposed I shall endeavour in a few Inferences from the premises to shew how injurious it is to the true Jesus who is Immanuel the Word made flesh God and man in union and how pernicious and destructive such a sandy foundation will prove to precious souls And first it is evident that this Opinion is guilty of denying the great mystery of godliness which as the Apostle affirms 1 Tim. 3. â—6 is God manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles believed on in the world received up into glory In which words the Apostle tells us that the true Christ for of him he speaks is God manifest
in the flesh and that this God-man was justified in the spirit and assumed into glory and also saith that this God-man was seen of angels preached unto the Gentiles and believed on in the world But this people as the Spirit speaketh expresly some should do in the later times 1 Tim. 4. 1. do revolt or depart from the faith of this great mystery affirming that the light that is in every man is Christ the Redeemer And if so where then is the person of Christ where is God manifest in the flesh This is denyed in their saying that the light without the flesh is the true Christ as also is the assumption of this God-man to the throne of glory In like manner do they who hold this opinion deny the Lord that bought them according to that prophesie of the later times 2 Pet. 2. 1. For the Lord that bought them is no other then God manifest in the flesh who purchased them with his own blood Acts 20. 28. which is contradicted and denyed by this opinion which saith that the light alone is the Redeemer Secondly this Opinion is guilty of setting up a gross and dangerous Idol which will appear to any man who shall impartially consider and compare this Opinion with the description of an Idol An Idol is any thing besides the true God that mans imagination seigns to it self to be a God and to which he ascribes a Deity whether it be exhibited to the body or minde Exod. 20. 3. Thou shalt have no other Gods besides me 1 Joh. 5. 21. Keep your selves from idols Now this people do set up and call the light that is in every man God Christ the Spirit which yet is not God nor Christ nor the Spirit as hath been proved Therefore they set up an Idol in stead of Christ And inasmuch as it is light and a light within and hath a greater likeness to God then other representations of him have which are set up in stead of the true light by so much it is a greater and more dangerous Idol The more like any thing is to God the sooner is man induced to call it God himself therefore Satan who seeketh the possession of Gods throne doth more effectually deceive and draw men to worship him as God when he appears as an angel of light 2 Cor. 1. 14. Thirdly admit this Idol this grand lye for the corner stone and the whole superstructure will consist of lyes for as the Apostle observes 1 Tim. 4. 1. when men have revolted from the faith of the great mystery of godliness they presently attend to erroneous doctrines to wit the doctrines of Daemons either to doctrines taught by Daemons or devils or to doctrines concerning devils as Mede understands the place Those are the very Rocks which this people concerning the faith having made shipwrack do further run their souls upon For having set up this Idol the light that is in every man that comes into the world as God and as the Anointing which is to be attended and obeyed as their Teacher they do not onely open a way for Satan being transformed as an angel of light to suggest unto them as many lyes and erroneous doctrines as he pleaseth of which I shall name some afterwards but while they do worship that light as God they do deifie and worship Angels Fourthly this Opinion doth necessarily lead all such as own it and are true unto it to walk according to the suggestions and motions of their own mindes without any respect had to the Scripture as a rule for as they affirm that the light in all men is Christ and is the same Anointing both in believers and unbelievers so they say it is a perfect rule in every mans conscience whereby he ought to be guided Whence it will unavoidably follow that whosoever shall give up himself to obey and be guided by this light as a perfect rule will no longer hold himself obliged to walk after a certain Scriptural rule but must follow the uncertain motions in his own minde whether those motions lead to actions good or evil And hence it hath come to pass that some who have followed this guide have been led to many heady rash unclean unjust actions altogether unwarrantable by the rule of the Scripture of truth Of such as these the Apostle speaks 2 Pet. 3. 3. where he foretels that in the last days there should come such as would scoff at the second personal coming of Christ as this people do walking after their own lusts that is according to the Greek walking after that which is in their own mindes Fifthly Open this as the first door of entrance as they do and it leads into a Babel of confusion and errours No sooner is a man entred in at this deadly gate but he is in the Citie Toâ—u where first if his eyes be anointed with eye-salve by the true Jesus he may behold this Image of Jealousie i. e. the light that is in every man that comes into the world set up and worshipped in prayers and praises all the honour and attributes due to the true Redeemer alone being ascribed to it which is an idolatry so much worse then that of Jeroboam or of the Papists by how much it is more mysterious and in shew more spiritual and so less discernable whence it comes to pass that multitudes are ensnared by it according to that 2 Pet. 2. 2. Many shall follow their pernitious ways The falling down to this Image is that whereby every particular person is matriculated or registred into their Sotiety of Friends for now and not before as they say he hath received the Truth and notwithstanding many defects is accepted as a friend The next thing to be beheld is a company of worshippers in great confusion praying and singing or teaching and singing all or many together with loud voices contrary to 1 Cor. 14. 33 40. For God is not the author of confusion but of peace as in all the Churches of the Saints Let all things be done decently and in order If he ask how this company is called the answer will be A Meeting not A Church and the particular members Friends not Brethren and Sisters For though the Apostles and primitive Saints constantly called the Assemblies gathered into the fellowship of the Gospel Churches and the particular members thereof Brethren and Sisters yet this people having set up another Jesus and Gospel then that which the Apostles preached do also characterize themselves by new names Though he cannot finde the name or office of Pastor Teacher Elder Deacon which Christ set in his Church in this company nor hear the Scriptures read or alleadged for proof of any of their doctrines nor scarce finde a Bible amongst them yet he may hear not onely men but women-teachers contrary to 1 Cor. 14. 34. Let your women keep silence in the Churches for it is not permitted unto them to speak