made flesh as ver 14. or as the Word is God manifest in the flesh as 1 Tim. 3. 16. or as the Word is in union with the humane nature according to his name Emmanuel Matth. 1. 23. Let the impartial and unprejudiced Reader consider what is said in every verse and I doubt not but he will finde it according to the report given as in the 2 verse it is said The same was in the beginning that is the same Word God distinct from the humanity and so it is in the verse following As in the 3. verse All things were made by him that is by the Word God in the 4. verse In him was life and the life was the light of men That is God the Word the Creator who gives life and light to all men according to that in Acts 17. 28 29. In him we live move and have our being and we are all his off-spring in the 5. verse And the light shineth in darkness and the darkness comprehended it not That is The Word God as it is explained in the 10. verse He was in the world and the world was made by him and the world knew him not Though the Word the Creator shined as light in the world and was not far from every one of us as the Apostle speaks Acts 17. 27. and had set up a Candle in them whereby the eternal power and Godhead might be known by the things that were made yet such was the darkness of men that they did not comprehend and acknowledge him In the 7. and 8. verses it 's said John was sent to bear witness of that light that is of the Word God to wit that God the Word was come to manifest himself in the flesh he bare witness that the light which was in the world and by whom the world was made and whom the world knew not was now come to appear in the flesh It 's true that John also bare witness of Christ in both natures as when the Word was made flesh verse 14. it 's said in the 15. verse John bare witness of him and afterward when he saw Jesus coming unto him he saith Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world verse 29. Where he speaks of him as the Word made flesh and Tabernacled amongst us But in the verses before mentioned he onely asserts and proves his Divinity In like manner are we to understand the 9 verse That was the true light that is the Word God the Creator and former of all things Isa 40. 28. was to wit in the beginning for thither the Verb in the Original in every verse doth carry us the true light not a borrowed or derived light but the fountain and original of all light according to that Scripture 1 Joh. 1. 5. God is light and in him is no darkness at all This I say is proper to the Creator who is the fountain of Life and Light to all beings according to their capacities whereas Christ as Mediator deriveth Light from the Father as he doth Life and Subsistance as he himself doth witness Joh. 6. 57. I live by the Father c. And thus we see who this true light is Viz. The Word God And hence it may be that the word Christ is not once named in any of the first 9. verses of the first of John but only the Word 2. How doth he lighten every man that cometh into the World The Word God or God the Word as Creator of all things doth lighten every man that cometh into the world by setting up in every man a Spirit by which he lives which is called the Candle of the Lord Prov. 20. 27. and by writing a Law in his heart of which Spirit and Law I have spoken before This is a true and faithful account of the Light that Lightens every man But doth not Christ say expresly Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the World and is not the Word and the true light of whom John bare witness Christ That the true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World is the Word as such I have already proved And further I say according to Joh. 1. 14. That the Word was made flesh and tabernacled amongst men and they beheld his glory the glory as of the onely begotten of the Father and being imbodied in flesh he is thenceforth and so considered called Christ the Lord or the Lords Christ Luke 2. 11 26. For unto us in born this day in the City of David a Saviour which is Christ the Lord. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ And no otherwise doth he bear that name but as he is the Word made flesh to be seen and beleeved on it is not the Word alone nor the flesh alone but the Word and flesh in union that is called Christ Joh. 1. 41. We have found the Messias which is being interpreted the Christ And is a light to lighten the Gentiles Luk. 2. 26 32. And it was revealed unto him by the holy Ghost that he should not see death before he had seen the Lords Christ A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel Till then there was no such thing as a Christ or a light to the Gentiles but only in a promise The Word being thus made flesh manifested and seen 1. Joh. 1. 2. brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel by his appearing 2 Tim. 1. 9 10. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began but is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel Now that purpose of grace and love which was in the Fathers bosom before the world began which was promised Gen. 3. 15. The seed of the woman shall break the head of the serpent and from that time believed and expected by all the faithful appears by this manifestation of God in the flesh Tit. 2. 11. For the grace of God that bringeth salvation to all men hath appeared And 3. 4. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared c. And thus is Christ said to come a light into the world not to lighten every man that comes into the world but onely those that believe on him according to that testimony Joh. 12. 46. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness This also is that light mentioned Joh. 3. 19. And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light And Joh. 8. 12. I am the light of the world c. This Word made flesh is
the way to others and knew it not my self It becomes persons that say they have received the annointing from the holy one even the same Spirit that was in the Prophets and Apostles and gave forth the holy Scriptures always to speak forth the words of truth and soberness When thou calledst me a deceiver I did not say I was offended nor did I give cause for thee to mention this word in thy paper But this I demanded of thee and do still That thou make it to appear whom I have deceived or wherewith I have deceived any or else there will be little of truth or soberness found in thy saying And as for thy saying I taught the way to others and knew it not my self by which thou wouldst have proved me a deceiver it will be hard for thee or any of thy friends to find truth in it for no man can teach others to know that which he himself knows not and therefore I say as thou writest thy words are at best improper And whereas thou writest that I may read how the Apostle said some preached Christ who was the way the truth and the life and yet such who so preached him knew him not but were false Apostles transforming themselves as the Ministers of Righteousness I would have thee soberly to consider whether thou hast dealt truly and faithfully with the Apostle in relating his own words And tell me where thou readest That the Apostle said That some preached Christ who was the way the truth and life and yet knew him not It 's true the Apostle speaks of false Apostles deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ but these preached not the true Christ the way the truth and the life but as the Ministers of Satan they rather taught another Jesus and another Gospel than the Apostles had taught and as I am willing to take a â—aution from thee or any other man that gives it in love and meekness so I would have thee and the rest of thy friends in fear and meekness to consider whether ye set not up another Christ than the Apostle preached As for thy 24 queries I shall not satisfie thee or any other queriest to answer their questions which tend rather to strife than edification though I have in readiness to answer thee or any other man that shall in love ask me a reason of the hope that is in me And though I think it not meet at this time to answer all thy queries yet whereas thou askest Whether Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the world with a saving Light I answer That the Light wherewith every man is lighted that comes into the world is not a saving Light and this I shall through the strength of Christ be ready to maintain against thee or any of thy friends who hold the contrary where and when a meeting may be had in a peaceable and quiet way and before compeâ—ent Witnesses As for thy threatning to stick thy paper upon the door I value it not but would have thee seriously to consider whether that expression proceeded from the holy Spirit This is all at present from Thy Friend Jo. Wigan 1. M. 5 d. 1663-64 A second Letter from Tho. Curwen The next morning being the sixt day of the first month the following Letter was brought to my hand with this inscription For John Wigans John Wigans Whereas I sent thee a few Queries to answer but thou seemes to have slighted and passed by all except one that is to say the first Querie whether Christ doth enlighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light And thy answer is That every man which comes into the world is not inlightned with a saving light And this thou will maintain against me or any of my friends who hold the contrary when and where a meeting may he had in a peaceable way before competent witnesses and this is to let thee understand that I and some of my friends with me if the Lord will doth intend to give thee a visit tomorrow about the first hour or second in thy Chamber to treate about this above mentioned both with thee and all who is of thy juâ—gment that may come to thee but yet I let thee know this cannot serve for all my Queries for I intend to set the Paper upon the dore according to my word from thy friend Thomas Curwen This sixth day of the first Month. According to his word his Queries were the same day set upon the Hall door though he had no regard to make good his word concerning me nor yet to clear himself from the wrong done to the Apostle who no where useth such words as he fathers upon him In the evening therefore of the same day I writ the following Answer to his second Letter Thomas Curwen In thy seccond Paper which was brought to my hands this day whether with a purpose to disturb is best known to thy self Thou dost not make good thy word spoken concerning me nor yet acknowledg thy mistake therein nor the abuse done by thee to the Apostle however I am more inclined to passe by the weaknesses of others then by multiplying words as were easie upon such an advantage to occasion more strife Thou tels me that thou and some of thy friends do intend to give me a visit to morrow about the first or seccond hour in my Chamber to treat about the fift Querie I am willing to meet thee and any of thy friends to treat in a spirit of love and meekness about the said point and after that about any other wherein we differ but thou art mistaken if thou thinkest that I shall leave it to thee to appoint time and place at thy pleasure and therefore thou wast over confident to say no more of it to nominate my Chamber the day and hour except I had invited thee or agreed thereto know therefore that I take no notice of nor shall I observe any meeting till upon discourse with thee or some of thy friends we have mutually agreed about a place and such a day as my friends can come upon to morrow they cannot when this is done bring whom thou wilt for truth which we all pretend to seek after neither fears multitudes nor great words as for thy setting â—hy Paper upon the door thou hadst done some right if thou hadst set my Letter by it but thy practice doth favour in several circumstances of a fleshly spirit as I can shew at better leisure and will reflect more upon thy self and friends then where thou didst intend it and if I be disposed that way it will not be difficult to answer thee in thy own kind but God hath called us to peace and I am taught to study to live peaceably with all men and further then I am provoked to appear in the defence of truth shall endeavour to leave off contention before it be medled with Prov. 17. 14.
Nor do I intend hereafter to spend much time in answering thy jangling Letters From thy friend John Wigan 1. M 6 d. 1663-64 The next day being the seventh day of the Month in the afternoon Thomas Curwen and William Wilson came to my Chamber and urged me to nominate a time and place for the intended meeting and withall did break forth into many heavy censures against me in such a magisterial way as John Coward then present can witness that I was forced twice or thrice to intreat them to leave my Chamber telling them that I would appoint no meeting with them but with some others of their company whom I jugded to be more sober men at last they left me saying if I did not appoint a time they would take it for granted that I durst not meet Being thus provoked to a meeting in the evening of the same dâ—y I writ the following paper and sent for Richard Cubhan and Richard Johnson to agree with them upon a day and place and upon the matter therein contanied Thomas Curwen I am willing to meet thee and thy friends in the Hall neer thy Chambeâ— if the Lord permit upon the next fift day about the third hour vulgo nine of the clock and there shall endeavour by the Lords assistance to maintain That the light that is in every man that comes into the world is not a saving light or that Christ doth not enlighten every man that comet into the world with a saving light 1. Provided that whatever is asserted by any man be proved by the Scriptures and that nothing be determined but according to the Scriptures 2. That the meeting may be peaceable and quiet without rayling or reproachful speeches and that the whole debate may be carried on in a spirit of love and meeknese 3. That the meeting may be orderly aod without confusion that is that one may have as much time allowed him to speak in as another and that but one speak at once and that none disturb him that is speaking 4. That the meeting continue three hours and no longer or at most not to exceed four hours because of the occasion oâ— friends afterwards If these be consented unto let him that is appointed to treat with me subscribe his name to a true Copy of this and send it to Thy Friend Jo. Wigan 1 M. 7 d. 1663-64 The above-written I sent by Richard Cubhan and Richard Johnson to be considered by them and the rest of their Friends They not agreeing to every thing therein the next morning sent up a Paper a Copy whereof followeth John VVigan I and my friends are willing to meet thee and thine in the Hall near our Chamber if the Lord permit upon the next fift day about the ninth hour in the fore part of the day and there shall be ready to give thee a meeting according to thy own appointment and to hear thy assertion as thou hast said thou wilt maintain either against me or any of my Friends that is to say That Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light 1. Provided That what ever is asserted by any man be proved by the Scriptures and that nothing be determined but according to the Scriptures 2 That the meeting may be peaceable and quiet and that the whole debate may be carried in the Spirit of love and meekness 3 That the meeting may be orderly and without conâ—usion that is that every one may have convenient time to speak for we cannot limit any 4. That the Meeting be not limited to an hour but as either side hath freedom to pass away From thy Friend Thomas Curwen 1 M. 8 d. 1663-64 Though this Paper differ from that which I sent to them in several considerable points yet lest they should have any occasion to say as I heard some gave out That I durst not meet them I assented to their paper and the same day sent another writing A Copy whereof followeth Thomas Curwen I am willing to meet thee and thy Friends in the Hall near thy Chamber if the Lord permit upon the next fift day about the third hour or as thou writest about the ninth hour in the fore-part of the day and there shall give you a meeting being earnestly urged by thee and thy Friends yesterday in my Chamber to appoint time and place and there shall endeavour in the strength of the Lord to maintain this assertion viz. Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light against any that hold the contrary 1. Provided that what ever is asserted by any man be proved by the Scriptures and that nothing be determined but according to the Scriptures 2. That the meeting may be peaceable and quiet that the whole debate may be carried on in a Spirit of love and meekness And whereas I had in my former paper put in these words Without railing or reproachful speeches I am content they be left out hoping the thing will be observed 3. That the meeting may be orderly and without confusion that is that every one may have convenient time to speak and that none be limited And I added in my former paper That but one speak at once and that none disturb him that is speaking which I desire may be obseeved 4 That the meeting be not limâ—ed to an hour but as either side hath freedom to pass away From thy Friend Jo. VVigan 1 M. 8 d. 1663-64 The day appointed being come and the Judges coming into the Town the same day the Gaoler prevented our meeting Whereupon another day was agreed upon and the writing following subscribed The meeting above-mentioned being disappointed by the Gaolerâ— we are agreed on both parties that it be the first morning after the Judges go from this Town about the time above said Jo. Wigan Thomas Curwen Upon the seventeenth day the Judges being gone the day before we met in the place appointed where I briefly declared the occasion and end of the meeting also the four paâ—ticulars agreed upon for the manner of the debate and then propounded the assertion which I was to maintain viz. Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving Light and desired to know who held the contrary viz. That Christ doth lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light for against such had I undertaken to maintain my assertion John Stubs answered I hold the contrary viz That Christ doth ligthen every man that comes into the world with a saving light Before I could enter upon the proof of my assertion Richard Cubhan stands up and would have altered the state of the question requiring me to prove that which I had writ in my first Letter to Thomas Curweâ— namely That the Light wherewith every man is lighted that comes into the world is not a saving Light This I told him I owned and should be
ready to make good when we had debated the other which we were agreed upon as appeared by their own paper With much ado he was perswaded and I proceeded to proof premising first that the question was not Whether there be some light in every man that comes into the world nor Whether Christ doth lighten true believers with a saving light forasmuch as I denied not but did affirm That there was some light in every man that comes into the World and that true believers are lighted with a saving light but that which I had undertaken to prove by the Scriptures was That Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light My first argument was laid down thus Christ lightneth no man with a saving light but by his Spirit But Christ doth not give his Spirit to every man that comes into the world Therefore he doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light The first proposition is clear from the great promise of the New Covenant Isa 59. 21. As for me this is my Covenant with them saith the Lord my spirit that is upon thee and my words which I have put in thy mouth shall not depart out of thy mouth nor out of the mouth of thy Seed nor out of the mouth of thy Seeds seed saith the Lord from henceforth for ever And from the promise of Christ John 14. 16 17. And I will pray the Father he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of truth c. And from the end of his giving the Spirit namely to be a Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation unto them for the acknowledgement of Christ to enlighten the eyes of their understanding that they might know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints Eph. 1. 17 18. and to lead them into all truth John 16. 18. Howbeit when the Spirit of truth is come he will guide you into all truth Neither is there any other way by which Christ doth infuse a saving Light into any man but by his Spirit 1 Cor. 2. 10 11 12. But God hath revealed them unto us by his spirit for his spirit searcheth all things yea the deep things of God even so the things of God knoweth no man but the spirit of God Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God It is onely by the unction of the Spirit received from Christ and no other way that men come to see and know these things 1 John 2. 20. But ye have an unâ—tion from the holy â—nd and ye know all things The assumption is proved from Jud. 19. Some are natural not having the spirit and from John 14. 17. Even the spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you And from Rom. 8. 9. But ye are not in the flesh but in the spirit if so be that the spirit of God dwell in you Now if any man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his From all which Scriptures it is evident that some have not the Spirit of Christ Many other testimonies I had to produce for the further clearing of this proposition Viz. That Christ doth not give his Spirit to every man that comes into the world But here John Stubbs began to answer not denying either Proposition but as disliking the proof of the Assumption he spake to that Scripture Jude 19. and said Those that had not the Spirit were such as had gone in the way of Cain who had not obeyed but resisted the Spirit and so lost it Where by the way it may be observed That when a Scripture pincheth them they will not stick to give a meaning of it and such a one as may best suit their purpose But I replied That it could not be that those ever had the Spirit of Christ because they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sensual or natural for the same word is so rendered 1 Cor. 2. 14. who never had the Spirit but are opposed to the spiritual or regenerate man ver 15. And therefore it is said 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 the spiritual man discerneth all things Now the reason why one discerneth and the other cannot is because one viz. the spiritual man hath received the spirit the other viz. the natâ—ral man hath not the spirit as appears 1 Cor. 2. 10 11 12. To this purpose as far as I can remember was my Reply And now notwithstanding our agreement that the debate might be orderly and without confusion and my desire that but one might speak at once great disorder began for whereas I expected to have reasoned with one or at least but one at once divers took liberty to speak one after another and sometimes many at once running from the matter in hand to other points and many asking new questions that it was hard for me to get convenient time to speak Besides they were so obstreporous especially George Fox and Margret Fell as many can testifie that they seemed to some when not able to elude the plain Scriptures brought for the proof of the Assertion yet resolved to word it for victory George Fox coming in about the time I was replying to John Stubbs gets up to a seat with one foot and to the table with the other whereas I and others were standing on the ground about the Table he did not at all take off the strength of those Scriptures alledged by me but his endeavour was to prove That every man that comes into the world hath the Spirit of Christ in the management whereof he used many under valuing and taunting expressions towards me and several times went from the Table with these words The least or meanest Babe will answer thee as if the presence of their Leader or rather Misleader was not needful and which is yet worse he did miserably wrest and abuse several Scriptures which he would have forced to have spoken in his dialect calling upon the people for attention as if his work had been more to preach to them than to answer my Arguments as many of the Scritures made use of by him as I caâ— recollect I shall give an account of as also of my answers That which he would have made out was that every man that comes into the world even wicked men have the spirit of Christ one Screpture alledged by him or some other was 1. Cor. 12. 7. The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withall My
be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost for the promise is unto you and your children and to all that are a far off even as many as the Lord our God shall call And Jo. 38. 39. He that believeth on me as the Scripture hath said out of his Belly shall flow Rivers of living water But this spake he of the Spirit which they that believe on him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because that Jesus was not yet glorified so that it is apparent in several respects that this Scripture proves not their assertion Further it was said that Balaam was a wicked man and yet he had the spirit of God and saw the starr of Jacob Numb 24. therefore every man that comes into the world hath the spirit of Christ Ans It is one thing to have the spirit of the Son which is the great promise of the new Covenant Isa 50. 21. dwelling in a man 2 Tim. 1. 14. and another thing to have the spirit of God come upon a man at some particular time and for some particular work thus it was with Balaam and thus with Saul and his messengers 1 Sam 19. 20. 21. 23. but this proves not that every man that comes into the world hath the sprit of Christ for the Scripture doth not say that these men had the spirit of God before it came upon them only these Scriptures do shew that God can and sometimes doth by the power of his spirit impress upon a wicked man and make him to declare some future glorious things for his own praise and his peoples comfort as Dan. 4. 1. 2. 3. Joh. 11. 50. 51. may be seen neither is it said in that place Numb 24. 17. that Balaam saw the starr of Jacob but I shall see him but not now I shall behold him but not nigh but when every eye shall see him Rev. 1. 17. but it will not follow hence that he had the faith of Job to see him his Redeemer Job 19. 25. 27. nor the spirit of the mediator the man Christ Jesus 1 Tim. 2 5. which only dwels in believers 2 Tim. 1. 14. that good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us no more then the Angel of the Lord that spake in the Asse with mans voyce Numb 22. 28. 2 Pet. 2. 16. dwelt in the Asse though that is utterly false which this people hath published in their Paper viz. that he was a Baptist which said that Balaam had no more spirit then his Horse Some of them asked what was that which caused Judas to bring the money again and made him repent implying as I apprehend them that it must needs be the spirit of Christ Ans There is a light and law in every man that convinces and reproves of sin except of not believing in Christ Rom. 2. 14 15. for when the Gentiles which have not the Law do by nature the things contained in the Law these having not the Law are a Law unto themselves which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their concscience also bearing witness and their thoughts the mean while accusing or excusing one another and this made Judas bring the money again c. But this light or Law in every man is not the spirit of Christ mentioned Joh. 16. 7. 8. which was promised to be sent to reprove or convince the world of the sin of not believing in Christ c. for he was not come while as Christ was not ascended John 16. 7. 13. but of this light and Law in every man I shall speak more after the rest of my Arguments to prove my assertions are laid down By these briefe Answers it may appear with what little success these Scriptures were brought to prove that every man even the wicked and unregenerate have the spirit of Christ and that notwithstanding all that was said the plain and positive Scriptures brought brought by me to prove the contrary viz. That all men have not the Spirit of Christ do remain firm â—and â—nshaken there being nothing more plain than Christ's own words John 14. 17. That the world cannot receive the Spirit of Truth And the Apostles Rom. 8. 9. Jude 19. That some are in the flesh are sensual not having the Spirit of Christ As I could get liberty other Arguments were propounded for the proof of that which I had undertaken to make good viz. That Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving Light which are as follow though in that confused Assembly they could not be so orderly and with that enlargement urged as they are here set down Whom Christ enlightens with a saving Light into their hearts he causeth the Light of the glorious Gospel of Christ to shine to give the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ according to the testimony of Paul 2 Cor. 4. 6. For God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness hath shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ He brings life and immortality to light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. And he doth no otherwayes manifest the Grace of God our Reconciliation Peace and Salvation but by the light of the glorious Gospel shining in our hearts and he that wants this gospel-Gospel-light hath no saving-saving-light but is lost 2 Cor. 4. 3. But if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost But Christ doth not cause this light of the glorious Gospel to shine in the heart of every man that comes into the world for the Gospel is hid to some and the light of it doth not shine in their hearts as the Scripture testifies 2 Cor. 4. 3 4. But if our Gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost in whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the Image of God should shine unto them Therefore Christ doth not enlighten every one that comes into the world with a saving light Whom Christ enlighteneth with a saving light to them is given an understanding to know the Father 1 John 2. 13 Ye have known the Father And the Son 1 John 5. 20. And we know the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true And the Spirit John 14. 17. Even the spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him but ye know him c. And the things that are freely given them of God 1 Cor. 2. 10 12. But God hath revealed them uuto us by his spirit Now we have received not the spirit of the world but the spirit
9. That was the true Light which lighteth every man that comes into the world as if the bare urging or rather wresting of this one Scripture were sufficient to overthrow all that I had said For is not he the true Light say they And is not he a saving Light And doth not he lighten every man that comes into the world As I was replying to this Scripture divers of them took liberty to pass many heavy censures upon me which before I speak to that Scripture I shall here set down that the Spirit by which they are acted may better be discerned Margaret Fell said Thou art a miserable Creature James Brown with great fierceness Thou art an Enemy of God Thomas Davenport said but very mildly Thou hast denyed Christ to day Richard Cubhan said Thou hast denyed the Lord that bought thee and would undertake to prove that I was one of those false Prophets mentioned 2 Peter 2. 1. And so the Meeting ended Since which time I have also met with many harsh censures and reproaches The Caoler told me Margaret Fell said I had spoken many blasphemies George Fox said Thou art not a rationable man that was his own word John Baley a youth in the Town said The eternal Judgements of God will fall upon thee and burn thee up as chaff thou art worse than a Drunkard James Park in my own Chamber said with great vehemency Thou art a lyar and a Deceiver and the Curse of God will be upon thee in thy Bed-Chamber and Closet and where-ever thou goest and thou suffers as an evil doer And afterwards sent me a Paper with his Name subscribed wherein he hath these expressions John Wigans Thou full of subtilty Thou enemy of the Light of Righteousness Christ Jesus wilt thou not cease to pervert the right way of God the path of Life Thou art from the Doore thou art a Thief and a Robber thou art a blind Guide Thou Monster Thou strange Birth of the Flesh Thou conceiveâ— Chaffe Thou brings forth Iniquity and drinks it up Thou foolish builder and despiser of the Light the true Light thou art in the darkness of thy clouded understanding contemning the Son of God and setting at nought the love of God to the world thou art a doing despite to the true Light and the Spirit of Grace accounting it an unholy thing Thou art a blind Leader of the blind in the ditch keeping people in the fall and in the ditch wo unto thee thou suffers as an evil doer Henry Wood in a Letter to Evan Price calls me his Priest with much more of this kind of Language which I forbear to mention have I been followed from day to day My answer to these great swelling words of vanity is That I am taught not to strive but to be gentle to all men 2 Tim. 2. 24 and that I have otherwise learned Christ than to render railing for railing 1 Pet. 3. 9. Yet may I not say to them as once Christ did to his Disciples Ye know not of what spirit ye are Are these the fruits of the Spirit of Christ Let them shew if they can where it is written That he or any acted by his Spirit called men even the worst of his Enemies Monsters or strange birth of the flesh or where he ever spake an untruth or falsly accused any yet thus they deal with me for besides that they are not able to prove me a Thief a Robber a Deceiver It is utterly false that I am any mans Priest or that I suffer as an evil doer which thing nevertheless they positively assert but I am moved with compassion towards them and shall not further insist upon these things for I pass not for mans day my judgement is with the Lord in this matter and I am also perswaded the Lord will in due time rebuke every evil Spirit whereby some simple-hearted ones may for a time be ensnared and led captive by him at his will onely here it may be necessary to enquire what in most probâ—bility may be the occasion of these high and peremptory censures Surely I know no other nor do they declare any other cause then this viz. That my Assertion and Arguments brought from Scriptures to prove it do strike at the very Corner-Stone of their building which being removed the whole superstructure must unavoidâ—bly fall to the ground That which they boldly affirm with highest confidence in their words and Printed Books and which is their foundation is that the light which is in every man that comes into the world is Christ the Redeemer and Saviour the Lord that bought them the Eternal and just one the tryed precious corner Stone which God hath laid in Sion the Spirit yea the true infallible Spirit that was in the Prophets and Apostles the door the way the truth and the life in a word the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spirituale the All that is to be known and believed and this is their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 first lie now because I cannot call this the true Jesus as indeed it is not and worship an Idol as they do therefore am I charged to be their Enemie and Christs also in the fore-mentioned censures and in much more of the same kind To the end therefore that the grand deceiver with his deceipts yet hid under a disguise may be more easily detected and that truth being cleared from mistakes may be better discerned and that many simple hearts who being yet ignorant of Satans devices are captivated and led away with the errors of the wicked into pernitious wayes may be more effectually undeceived and reclaimed I shall endeavour briefly and plainly to shew 1. What the light in every man is 2. Of what use it is and the utmost it can do 3. What it cannot do That if God peradventure may please to give unto any Repentance to the acknowledging of the truth they may be recovered out of the snare of the Devil c. 2 Tim. 2. 25 26. For the better understanding of that which is to be spoken of the light in man it is necessary that these things following be premised 1. That God is light 1. Jo. 1. 5. and dwels in the light which no man can approach unto 1 Tim. 6. 16. and is the fountain and originall of all light And hence 2. That all light is of God all light is Gods light that is it is his off-spring he is the Author and efficient cause of it and thence is called the Father of lights Jam. 1. 17. And yet 3. That all light is not God for there are created lights light was the first distinct part of the whole creation Gen 1. 13. He made two great lights to rule the day and the night he made the Stars also Gen. 1. 16. which are called Stars of light Psal 14. 8 3. Now what God creates forms or makes that is not God 4. As External proper sensible
light is Gods creature so also is internal light intellectuall light invisible light both in Angels and men the Angels those ministring spirits those flames of fire those star-like sparkles of light are Angels of light 2 Cor. 11. 14. yet they are but derivative lights lighted up by the Father of lights and spirits Ja 1. 17. Heb 12. 9. created by him by whom all things were made Col. 1. 16. For by him were all things created that are in Heaven and that are in Earth visible and invisible whether they be Thrones or Dominions or Principallities or Powers c. So the spirit of man is a light in man an invisible light called the candle of the Lord Pro. 20. 27. formed in man by the Lord Zach. 12. 1. of which more will be said afterwards 5. As all derivative lights which God hath made are subordinate to himself so are the inferior one to another the light in man when he was at his best was far inferior to the light of wisdome and knowledg in Angels Psal 8. 5. the light in Angels is far inferior to the light in the man Christ Jesus as he is the anointed Saviour and sustains the office of a Mediator he as such is the Sun-light far above all other lights lighted up by the Father of lights in him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge Col. 2. 3. These things being premised I come to shew what the light in every man is The light that is in man may be considered either 1. With respect to the will and affâ—ctions and so it is that inward peace comfort joy and gladness which is opposed to the darkness of inward trouble griefe and sorrow and thus I find the Scripture frequently speaking of light and darkness metaphorically as Psal 97. 11. Light that is joy is sowne for the righteous and gladness for the upright in heart Isa 50. 10. He that walks in darkness and hath no light is one that hath no peace no comfor no consolation when the Jewes were delivered from Hamans conspiracie they had light and gladness joy and honour Esth 8. 16. so Job 18. 5. the light of the wicked that is their joy and comfort shall be put out the Church saith Micah 7. 8. When I sit in darkness the Lord will be a light unto me that is of joy and comfort Or secondly the light in every man may be considered and so it is spoken of in this question with respect to the intellectual powers the mind and understanding and thus it is the spirit of every man which is in him the Father of lights and spirits doth form a spirit in every man Zach. 12. 1. Who formeth the spirit of man in him or as it is Gen. 2. 7. The Lord breathed into man the breath of life and man became a living soul agreeable to that of the Apostle 1 Cor. 15. 45. The first man Adam was made a living soul so that without this spirit he could not be a man now this spirit in every man is the light in every man according to the testimony of that Scripture Prov. 20. 27. The spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord that is a candle which the Lord hath set up in him to see by whereof he is the Author and efficient cause Mark Reader this spirit or light in every man is not the Lord but a candle lighted up by the Lord this interâ—al light in the little world man is no more the Lord then the external lights in the firmament are the Lord nay it is so farr from being the Lord the Sun light that it is lesser and inferior to the light in other creatures namely the Angels as was hinted before their light of wisdome reason and understanding doth farr exceed mans as the wise womans words to the King do import 2 Sam. 14. 20. and my Lord is wise according to the wisdom of an Angel of God to know all things that are in the earth and so do those words Rev. 4. 8. they are full of eyes within moreover as this light in every man is inferior to other lights so it is limited and â—â—unded as to the use and exercise of it and cannot extend it self beyond its bounds as will appear by that which followes Again this spirit of a man or light in every man is the reason and the understanding of a man which in the state of mans created integritie was an ascendant light shining with pure Beams of light whereby he was adâ—pted to know his God that made him and the end why he made him and how to answer that end that is to know him as God and glorifie him as God by yielding just and perfect obedience unto him this was the end of Gods making man that he should serve him as David argues Psal 95. 6. Oh come let us worship and how down let us kneel before the Lord our maker for he is our God c. And Psal 100. 3. Know ye the Lord he is God it is he that made us and not we our selves and the end of Gods making us exprest ver 2. Serve ye the Lord c. Of this light we may understand Christ to speak Math. 6. 23. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness that is if thy intellectual eye be blind how great is thy blindness Together with this light set up in man which shewed him his Creator and that he was to be served and how he was to be served it was necessary that Law should be implanted and written in his heart which Law is called light Prov. 6. 23. whereby the will and mind of his Creator was imprest upon him and made known unto him so that by the Spirit or light set up in him he could reflect upon this Law as a rule to every motion and operation and understand the reason and reasonableness of it yet here by the way it is to be observed that this Law is not God God is the Law-giver or the Law-writer whether in the fleshly Tables of the heart or in Tables of Stone but the Law giver or the Law writer is not the Law nor è Contra c. The Law was written in the natural mans heart to be a Rule according to which he was to obey and worship his God therefore it is not to be called God and worshiped as God its true that the Law as also the light as it is in God the fountain of Wisdom and Justice is God but the Law exhibited and in a manner ineffable and beyond expression imprest upon and formed in the heart of man is not God as the thing formed is not the former of the thing Now God saith of himself Isa 45. 7. I form the Light c. even as it is said of him Zach. 12. 1. Who formeth the spirit of man within him And Gen. 2. 7. And the Lord God formed
man the Hebrew Root 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 formavit is the same in all the three places importing that the things formed are not God that formed them the like may be gathered from other words which signifie to create or make the Law of God written in mans heart is begotten of God proceeds from him is his off-spring as all lights whatsoever are from him and lead to him and thence it is that he is called the Father of Lights Jam. 117. but it is not the Father of Lights who is an infinite and incomprehensible Fountain of perfection and glory but a borrowed ray or beam of Divine Glory confined to its Orb and limited to its uses as all other lights are beyond which it cannot go And thus the Scripture seems frequently to distinguish between God and his Law as Psal 1. 2. But his delight is in the Law of the Lord. Psal 37. 31. The Law of God is in his heart And Psal 40. 8. Thy Law is in my heart 2 Chron. 12. 1. it 's said of Rehoboam He forsook the Law of the Lord. In all which places there is a clear distinction between the Law or Rule given to man and the Author of it from all which it is evident that the Law written in mans heart is not God And thus have we an account of the fullest light that was in man before his fall The sum whereof is this He had the light of a clear understanding to know his Creator and his whole will contained in that Law which was written in his heart and the Light of Reason to see how just and equitable it was to yeeld perfect obedience to his will and thus he could look his God in the face and come into his presence with delight and serve him with gladness But all the Light that man had in his Created integrity whether set up in his Spirit or in the Law implanted in him was not sufficient to manifest or make known unto him a Redeemer for as in that state he had no need of a Redeemer so his Light had neither commission nor power to make one known to him even as it was with the Angels which never fell they having no need of redemption notwithstanding all their light had never known the Redeemer but by means of the Church which stands in need of him Eph. 3. 10. To the intent that now unto the Principalities and Powers in heavenly places might be known by the Church the manifold wisdom of God so 1 Pet. 1. 12. Which things the Angels desire to look into And as their Light so the Light which Adam had before his fall was so limited and bounded that it could not extend it self then nor now if any had as great a measure as he had further then to shew how man being perfectly obedient to the whole will of his Creator might live for ever in the happy fruition of him as such Since the fall of man this Candle of the Lord in him that is his Reason and Understanding is become exceeding dim in comparison of what it was before as the Scripture testifies Eph. 4. 18. Having the understanding darkened being alienated from the Life of God through the ignorance that is in them because of the blindness of their heart In the fall the Devil got into this Candle the mind of man whereof he hath ever since kept possession and will keep it still except a stronger than he cast him out he is the Spirit that works in the children of disobedience and so blinds their minds and darkens their eyes that they cannot look up to God or discern the things that concern his glory and their own happiness but their Candle doth mostly give light downward to things below Eph. 2. 2. Wherein in time past ye walked acâ—ording to the course of this world according to the Prince of the Power of the Air the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience 2 Cor. 4. 4. In whom the God of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them Insomuch that it may be said of every man in the fall how wise soever he may conceit himself to be That he is a vain empty man born like a wild Asses Colt Job 11. 12. and that he is in respect of man in his Innocency but a beast in regard of his ignorance man that was made like unto God hath made himself by his fall like unto a beast according to that of Solomon Eccles 3. 18. I said in my heart concerning the estate of the sons of men That God might manifest them and that they might see that they â— themselves are beasts Yet is not this Light wholly extinct for then he could not exist but would cease to be a man where there is no spirit of a man there is no man So likewise the Law written in mans heart which at first was plainly to be read is not so oblitterated but that there is sufficient left to render God righteous in his proceedings against men who do hold that measure of the knowledge of God which is left in them in unrighteousness and to leave them inexcusable before him in the day of the revelation of the righteous Judgement of God Rom. 2. 5 6. I say there is so much of the Eternal Power and God-head manifested and made known to men by the things that are made that such as like not to retain God in their knowledge nor to glorifie him so far as they do know him shall be left without excuse in the day when God shall render to every man according to his deeds according to Rom. 1. 18 19 20 21. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness unrighteousness of men who hold the truth in unrighteousness because that which may be known of God is manifest in them or to them for God hath shewed it unto them 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 Godhead so that they are without excuse Because that when they knew God they glorified him not as God c. In asmuch therefore as there is a Light remaining in every man since the fall though far inferiour to that which was in man in his innocency I shall endeavour in the next place further to declare these two things 1. What this remaining Light can do or what the utmost uses of it are And 2. What it cannot do There is a fourfold use of the Light that is in every man since the fall 1. To make manifest 2. To direct 3. To convince 4 To feel after God First This Light as the Scripture testifies searcheth all the inward parts of the belly Prov. 20. 27. The Spirit of a man is the Candle of the Lord
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
hand with a further discovery of the mystery of Iniquity In the mean time I shall finish this with a few Cautions to all â—â—ts of people but more especially to young weak inquiring persons 1. Take heed of that Religion that begins with a lye for it is certainly a great judgment of God to be given up to believe a lye 2 Thess 2. 10 11. And 〈◊〉 the first step to this peoples Religion is an abominable lye and that every one is taught and required at his entrance into their religion to believe 〈◊〉 lye I have shewed in my former paper 2. Take heed of that spirit that denies either directly or consequentially Christ come in the flesh for that is the spirit of Antichrist 1 Joh. 4. 3. And he that biddeth such a one God speed is partaker of his evill deeds 2 Joh. 11. 3. Take heed of those persons how fair soever their pretences be who have no better weapons to defend their doctrine with then censures judgings threatenings curses for that was not the way of Christ and his Apostles And of those who can curse men and bless God with the same mouth for that ought not to be Jam. 3. 9 10. Eph. 5. 6. Let no man deceive you with vaine words FINIS 1 Tim. 3. 19 20. with 2 Tim. 2. 17 18. Luke 17. 23. 1 John 4. 1. The first occasion of the debate Their firâ—â— Letter An Answer to that first Letter 2 Tim. 2. 23. * Subjective His second Letter to me The Queries set upon the door An Answer to his second Letter Their carriages towards me in my Chamber My offer to meet them upon conditions Their agreement to meeâ— with some alterations of the conditions My assenâ—â—o their alterations Our meeâ—â—â—ng disappointed by the Gaoler The meeting begins Some things premâ—sed in order to the debate The Assertion to be proved â— Argum Joh. Stubbs Answers My reply to J. Stubbs The reason why a natural man cannot know nor discern the things of the Spirit is Because he hath not the Spirit The disorderly carriage of somo Who were obstreperous Geo. Fox asserts the Spirit of Christ to be in every man The first Scripture brought to prove his Assertion Answer The second Scripture brought to prove their Assertion Answer Not all Israel but such only as are born of the spirit have the 〈…〉 A third Scripture Answer A fourth Scripture Answer A fifth Scripture Answer A sixt Scripture Answer None of the Scriptures brought by them weaken my Arguments 2. Arg. 3 Arg. 4. Argum. 5. Arg. No Answers given to weaken my Arguments Their harsh censures wherwith the meeting was concluded The fruit of that spirit by which this People are led An Answer to their Censures Railing not to be rendered for railing Christ not theâ—e example Their lies and false accusations The chief occasion of their censure What they call the Light with in What is their first lye Three reasons of the additional discourse of the Light within Five particulars premised A twofold light within man What the light within is as it respects the affections What the Light in every man is as It respecteth the understanding The Spirit or ligâ—t in every man is noâ— the Lord. The light in every man is inferâ—or to the â—ight of Angels Vis ratiocinativa a 〈◊〉 facultas intelligendi What the Light in Adam before the fall could do There is a Law written in every mans heart This Law is not God Proved * Though the Hebrew words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 creavit formavit fecâ—t may have a different signification as appears in Isa 43. 7. in which verse they are all used yet this may be gathered from them all that the the thing created formed or made is not the Creator c. A summaâ—y account of the Lightâ— in man before the fall The Light in man before the fall could not manifest a Redeemer The Light in man since the fall not such as it was before the fall The Light and Law remaining in faln man is sufficient to render God righteous when he iudgeth the disobedient A fourfold use of the Light in every man 1. To make manifest 2. To direct 3. To convince What Conscience is The knowledg of sin is by the Law What is the Lordâ— Witness in all men What it was that manifested to Adam and Judaâ— their transgression 4. To feel after God as Creator The suâ— of that which the Light in every man since the fal can do The Light in every man is a great an excellent and necessary Light 2. What it cannot do since the fall It is a nâ—tural light Perse or sensu diviso Subjective or sensu Composito In what respects the light within every man is Insufficient 1. It cannot bring any man to life The tenor of the Law of Works 2. It cannot discover the Redeemer it knows nothing of the Gospel Mystery Which is cleared in several particulars 3. It knows not the law of faâ—th The tenor of the Law of Faith The law of Faith is not natural but supernatural 4. Iâ— cannot convince a man that his not believing in Christ is a sin What light it is that can discover these great Mysteries It is the light of Christ Jesus as Mediator which irradiates the soul with the knowledge of Gospel Mysteries The great Agent by which Christ works is his Spirit None partakers of this Light but new Creatures The law of faith is writâ—ten in the heâ—â— of a new creâ—â—ture The Spirit himself dweâ—â— in the heart a new creaturâ— The Spirit is that witness that every bâ—â—liever hath iâ— himself What the great mistakeâ— of this people is 〈◊〉 worship the â—â—â—â—t in every 〈◊〉 as the â—â—deemer is 〈◊〉 worship an â—â—ol â—â—rist is the â—â—ject of faith â—ho is a deâ—â—iver and an â—â—tichrist â—n Objection â—om Joh. 1. 9. â—â—swered Two things to â—e considered â—oncerning â—â—e true light The true lâ—â—g is the Word God the Creator Not as God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 How the true â—ight lighteth â—very man that â—ometh into â—he World 2. Objection Answer The word made Flesh is only called Christ The Word made flesh doth only bring life and mortality to light The Word made fleshâ— doth only ligâ—â—ten savingly those that blieve on hiâ— The Word made flesh is given for a Covenant The light gâ—â—ven by the Word made flesh is far more excelleâ—â— then the ligâ—â— set up in everâ—â— man by the Word the Creator The misunderâ—standing of Joh. 1. 9. is from a neglectâ— of a distinct consideration of the Word and the Word made flesh â—â—e necessity the foreâ—entioned â—â—stinction â—â—ared in â—ree partiâ—lars The opinion of this people is many wayeâ— injurious to Jesus Christ and pernitious to the souls of Men. 1. It denies the great mystery of Godliness â—â—d the Lord at bought â—â—em It sets up an â—â—ol â—â—hat an Iâ—â—ol is 3. It opens a way to the Doctrine of Daemons and the worship of the Devil 4. It leads 〈◊〉 to slight 〈◊〉 Scripture 〈◊〉 rule and walk after tâ—â— own lusts 5. It opens door to greaâ—â— confusion Their Worship is Idolatry None but Idolaters admitted into the number of their Priends The manner of their Worship very confused as it was practised in their Meetings in Lancaster The names of their Assemblies members thereof Who are their â—â—achers What doctrins are taught by them What books these doctrine are to be found in Their foundation being rased their whole building will fall This people are objects of pitie A further Debate offered with this people 〈◊〉 who teachâ—â— that the â—â—ht in every â—â—n is Christ an Antiâ—â—â—ist â—â—e reason â—â—y the good â—â—ings in this â—â—ople are â—entioned â— plea for â—â—od things â—ay cloak a â—esign against â—hrist â—Vhence their â—pinion hath â—ad its advanâ—age Antichrist most opposeth Christ when â—he appeareth most like him Such hath bâ— the method this people What hath rendred persons unable deal with them Whence so many have embraced the false doctrine and way The wrong way that maâ—ny have take iâ—â— to suppress their errours The right way to suppress their errours What things are commendable and tâ— be owned in them â—ow one may â—â—me to disâ—n their seâ—t deceipts Characters false Prophet in the last days The spirit of the Quakers and of the Dragon compared Such as oppose themselves should be answered in meekness The Quakers in stead of Answers return Invectives Calumniation no refutation The Quakers maledictions How many sheets they have filled with raylinâ— Language Wherein thâ— Quakers folâ—â— manifest A right Spirâ— would have led them a better way When Antichrist speaks like a Lamb and when likâ— a Dragon The vaine shifts of persons maintaiâ—ning Errour â—uch as say â—â—ey are Apâ—â—â—tles ought to â—â—e tryed Preachers sent â—hough Meâ—hanicks are to â—e esteemed We must not â—id God speed â—o those that â—ring not doctrine of Christ When false Apostles are â—ryed they will be found â—ars A request to the Reader Queries to considered
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
which is of God that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God So Matth. 13. 11. He answered and said unto them viz. his Disciples Because it is given unto you to know the mystâ—ries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given That Light only is saving which discovers these things to which agrees that saying of Christ John 17. 3. And this is life eternal that they might know thee the only true God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent But there are some who know not the Father nor the Son John 16. 3. And these things will they do unto you because they have not known the Father nor me Matth. 11. 27. No man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him Nor the Spirit John 14. 17. Even the Spirit of Truth whom the world cannot receive because it seeth him not neither knoweth him nor 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 They have not the Spirit as was proved before therefore they cannot discern spiritual things 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 spiritually Yea further they cannot discern nor know these things because their understanding is darkned Ephes 4. 18. and as to these things they are meer darkness Ephes 5. 8. Yea the light that is in them is darkness according to the words of Christ Matth. 6. 23. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness how great is that darkness And Christ himself gives another reason why they cannot know these things Matth. the 13. the 11th Because it is not given to them It is given to you to know the mysteries of the Kingdom of Heaven but to them it is not given And in Matth 11. 25. he tells us plainly it is because they are hid from them And at that time Jesus answered and said I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes Therefore Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light To such as Christ enlightens with a saving Light he also gives a spiritual life such he quickens regenerates and makes new Creatures such as the Light is such is the Life in men Joh. 1. 4. And the Life was the Light of men If the Light be saving that is effectually and eventually saving it quickens and regenerates and makes a new Creature according to that in 2 Cor. 3. 18. But we all with open face beholding as in a Glass the glory of the Lord are changed into the same Image from glory to glory as by the Spirit of the Lord this saving Light and Life and given together as John 8. 12. Thou spake Jesus again unto them saying I am the light of the world he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness but shall have the light of life A man cannot have a saving Light to see the Kingdom of God except he be born again John 3. 3. Jesus answered and said unto him Verily verily I say unto thee Except a mâ—n be born again he cannot see the Kingdom of God And hence it is that Christ is a live-making Spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. because who soever is enlightened with a saving Light is also quickened together with Christ Eph. 21 5. You hath he quickened c even when ye were dead in sins hath he quickened us together with Christ But Christ doth not quicken and regenerate every man that comes into the world every one is not a new Creature some are born of the flesh John 3. 6. and are in the flesh Rom. 8. 8. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God some are dead in sin wherein they walk according to the course of this World Eph. 2. 1 2. and have not life 1 John 5. 12. He that hath not the Son hath not life yea some do dye in their sins John 8. 24. I said therefore unto you that ye shall dye in your sins for if ye believe not that I am he ye shall dye in your sins Therefore Christ doth not lighten every man that comes into the world with a saving light Whom Christ enlightens with a saving Light to them he also gives Faith the words of Christ are plain John 12. 46. I am come a Light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness Mark where there is no Faith there is an abiding in darkness and so no saving Light Faith is the Organ of the soul to receive and let in a saving Light An unbelieving soul is a dark and ignorant soul hence it is that Christ who is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the beginner of Faith Heb. 12. 2 when he gives his Spirit to illuminate the understanding and to fill the soul with his marvellous light he doth also by the same Spirit give and work faith for it is his gift Eph. 2. 8. whereby the soul is capacitated to receive him as a glorious light to dwell in the heart And thus Christ by his Spirit and Faith and no other way dwells in the heart irradiating the whole soul with the bright beams of his glorious light according to these Scriptures John 14. 16 17. I will pray the Father and he shall give you another Comforter that he may abide with you for ever but ye know him for he dwelleth with you and shall be in you Eph. 2. 22. In whom you also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit Eph. 3. 17. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith But every man that comes into the world hath not Faith 2 Thes 3. 2. For all men have not Faith none believe but such as are ordained to eternal life Acts 13. 48. And as many as were ordained to eternal life believed None can come to or believe on Christ but such as the Father draws John 6. 44. No man can come to me except the Father which sent me draw him nor hath every man that comes into the world Christ dwelling in him some are without him Eph. 2. 12. That at that time viz. when they were Gentiles in the flesh ye were without Christ in the world Some have him not 1 John 5. 12. He that hath not the Son hath not life In a word beleevers only have Christ dwelling in them John 6. 56. He that eateth my flesh and drinketh my blood dwelleth in me and I in him Therefore Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the world with a saving Light To these last Arguments I remember not any thing brought by way of answer to weaken any one proof but that which was their last and chiefest Refuge was that Text John 1.
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
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
means the more to amuse the people and beget in them an opinion of me as some hainous offender Surely methinks they should not be so weak as to imagine that these unchristian calumniations should pass with wiser men for a sufficient refutation of what I have writ And if hereby they think to affright me they are greatly mistaken for I fear nothing that they or any others can do to hurt my unstained reputation amongst men I shall therefore pass by many biting false scornful jeering and frothy expressions in their published Papers and onely mention some few of those censures judgings cursings which like a floud they have sent out against me with their names who have published their Papers or sent them open Such as have sent Sealed Letters their names are concealed Thomas Gurwen in a Paper writes thus John Wigans what a rage and chafe art thou in and how theu swellest and fretieth Oh the plagues of God will be thy portion and be poured out upon thy head Thou was so full of rage and bitterness and envie and malice in thy heart Thou hast raked and scraped a deal of chaff and rabling stuff which came out of the bottomless pit In another Paper A filthy dreamer who vomits up thy own shame Thy Book will be thy utter overthrow for it 's no more to me thoâ—â— chaff and dirt under my feet In another Paper Thy ill-bred behaviour thy ill-bred sawcie tongue unnurtured and unbred and besides thy sawcie language Thy hypocrisie and sawcie tongue and unmanner liness and ill breeding Whether this was endited by Thomas Curwen Husbandman or dictated by George Fox Shoo-maker I know not but when he hath shewed as he hath not in what particulars I have manifested ill-bred behaviour sawcie unnurtured unmannerly language I may possibly learn better but never in this mans School Let the Wise judge what manner are most likely to be learned from this master of Cacologie Margaret Fell in one Letter Thou manifests thy gainsaying spirit Core-like gainsaying and resisting of the truth as Jannes and Jambres did that is to say the light with the which every man is enlightned is not the light of Christ nor a saving light Thou art without God in the world Thou hast manifested thy self to be out of the first step that leads to Christianity and art a minister of darkness Thy foul sinful prayers are abominable They fleshly performances are but grass and chaff All thy rotten bypocritical performances Thou hast committed sacriledge and hast blasphemed against the holy Spirit of God which never will be forgiven thee in this world nor in that which is to come Thou art under it and it remains upon thee for ever That foul and unclean spirit that thou art of Thou manifests thy dark sottish spirit In a second Letter Thou begins with a lye and ends with the devil and sets John Wigan next to him as if thou wast his head-Vicegerent but certainly thou art a great zealot for him All such unclean spirits as thine is Thy black defiled heart and conscience Thou hast manifested thy self to be a childe of darkness What hast thou to do to take the Name of God and Christ in thy mouth Thou enemy of God Thou art a thief Thou are not a believer of Christ Thou art yet in thy sins Thou art a man separated from God Thou never knewest nothing of the worship of God Thy envious poysonous heart Thou art under the chain and it is over thee A fighter against God and his truth and the reward thou wilt be sure to have And never look that that which is cursed will be blest Thou art accursed and no other portion can thou have and this is Scripture and truth to thee In a third Letter Thou can do something in writing a Book of thy own dreams and thy imaginations and brain-studies and telling of lyes which thou hatcheth out of darkness Thou art a meer Sot and Ignoramus Thy evil unclean heart Thy malicious dark envious spirit Thy weakness inability and ignorance in the things of God I having told her that if she called the light that that is in every man that comes into the world Christ she set up an Idol and if she worshipped that light as Christ the Redeemer she was an idolateâ— She answers thus I never heard such words but from an idolater and a blasphemer against God and Christ Thou art an enemy of God thou art worse then the Jews Thou art a fit man to joyn with the Turk to set up Mahomet O thou infidel O thou childe of darkness Speaking of Christ she saith I am a witness for him against all such Antichrists and deceivers and blasphemers as thou art Thou art a minister of the night and of darkness in the Apostacie Thou art a night-bird The curse and the judgement that 's written therein speaking of the Scripture Christ Jesus and the Apostle hath pronounced it upon thee Thou art the man Thou hast lost God and Christ Because I asked this Question viz. What Parish-priest in England had got more money with his tongue then George Fox since he was Journeyman-Shoomaker in Manchester she saith Thou art a wicked ungodly impudent lyer Thou lyer A proud disdainful spirit A heathenish spirit which torments thee and many more such night-owls as thou art Thou wicked lyer The devil the God of this world is thy God and thou hast done what thou canst in opposing the Quakers to get him glory Thou hast a great measure of the spirit of envie malice and cruelty and bloud Thus far are her expressions whom Thomas Curwen affirms to be so vertuous a woman that I am not worthy to take her name in my mouth Another writes thus Thy vain hypocritical prayers and formal preachings and Chains offerings Thou art darker and darker and will be to thy dying day unless thou come to believe undoubtedly that Christ enlightens every man that comes into the world with a saving light You have been and are hypocrites Thy blasphemies against the everlasting truth Another writes thus Thou opposes the truth and manifests thy self to be an enemy of Christ the light an opposer of the Gospel which is the power of God of which power thou art ignorant and a stranger unto Thou art gone into rebellion and not onely ignorant of the true God and Christ but also art become an enemy and opposer of him by deceit and deceivableness Thou hardens thy heart and stiffens thy neck against the Lord and heaps up wrath against the day of wrath Another writes thus Thou hardens thy self against the truth more and more It hath been evidently manifested that thou art an enemy to God and his truth Thou art in thy will worship and carnal ordinances as Baptism and bread and wine Thou art vainly puft up with thy fleshly minde and art in the steps of the false Prophets of old and the false Apostles in the days of Christ In a Paper from William Holden
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