Testimony if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no light in them Isa 8. 20. But why dare you say That the practice of Bread Wine and Water was to be held no longer than till Christ came By his coming you intend his coming in Spirit That this is false and contrary to holy Scripture I shall evidently make appear And first I shall begin with the Ordinance of the Lord's Supper which you call Bread and Wine and that the practice of this continues and remains in full force and virtue to the end of the World or until the Second coming or Appearance of Christ in Person and that he is not so come the second time I shall also prove to thee before I have done That the practice of breaking Bread and drinking Wine in remembrance of Christ's Death remains after the coming of Christ in Spirit I prove by these Arguments following First Because the Apostle Paul did receive this from our Saviour as a glorious Appointment and Institution of the Lord Jesus a considerable time after the coming of Christ in Spirit The Promise of the Comforter or Christ's coming in Spirit was performed and fulfilled to the Sainrs some days after his Ascention as may be seen in the second of the Acts and it was some time after this before Paul was converted unto Christ For Paul after the coming of the Spirit according to the Promise of the Father and our Lord Jesus remained in darkness and was a Persecutor of the Saints and yet see I beseech ye what he affirms to the Church of the Corinthians 1 Cor. 11. 23. For I received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you that the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took Bread and when he had given thanks he brake it and said Take eat this is my Body which is broken for you this do in remembrance of me and after the same manner also he took the Cup c. Now if Paul received this after that coming of Christ which you speak of as an Institution and Divine Appointment of the Lord Jesus as it appears plainly he did then that which you affirm is utterly false and to be rejected But Secondly The Apostle did not only receive this from Christ after the coming of Christ in Spirit but also did deliver it as Christ's Appointment to the Saints That which I received of the Lord saith he I also delivered unto yon Thirdly I argue further That this Ordinance doth remain in force and the practice of it to be held up after the coming of Christ in Spirit because the Primitive Saints did abide in the practice of it after the pouring forth of the Spirit according to Christ's Promise as appears Acts 2. 42. They continued in the Apostles Doctrine in breaking of Bread and Prayer compare this with Acts 20. 7 11. also 1 Cor. 11. 20. to the end Fourthly Consider The end of this Ordinance doth remain notwithstanding the pourings forth of the Spirit and therefore the Ordinance must needs remain which is to confirm our Faith in the true Saviour and to keep up our Love to him who gave his Body to be broken and his Blood to be shed for our sakes This is to be done to shew forth his Death until he come And these things considered which hath been said 't is plain it cannot intend his Spiritual Coming or the giving forth the holy Spirit the Comforter according to his promise And that he is not come the Second time without sin to Salvation as you seem to affirm doth appear First Because his coming that day shall be visible Every eye shall see him Rev. 1. 7. Secondly Because his feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives Zech. 14. 4. and he shall come in the same manner as he went up to Heaven Acts. 1. 11. Thirdly Because the Saints which had the highest attainments of the Spirit or to whom Christ was Spiritually come as gloriously as ever he came to any of the Saints did notwithstanding that still expect look and wait for his coming from Heaven See 1 Cor. 1. vers 4 5 6 7. I thank my God alwayes on your behalf for the Grace of God which is given to you by Jesus Christ tht in every thing ye are inriched by him in all utterance and all knowledge even as the Testimony of Christ was confirmed in you mark that So that ye come behind in no gift waiting for his Son from Heaven If Christ was not spiritually come to these who was he come to and yet they waited for his coming The Saints at Thessalonica are said to turn from Idols to serve the true God and to wait for his Son from Heaven 1 Thess 1. 9 10. and unto those that look for him saith the Apostle He shall appear the Second time without sin unto Salvation Heb. 9. 28. The beloved Apostle who injoyed so much of the Spiritual Presence of Christ yet desired and looked for his coming Which clearly shews that his Second coming is another manner of coming than that which you speak of for when he comes he comes with all his Saints and holy Angels with him and when he comes the Graves shall be opened and the Dead shall be raised yea the dead Bodies of Men and Women 1 Thess 4. 16. You say that you are risen from the dead already and Christ is come the Second time but be assured of this you will find another Resurrection Coming and Judgment ere long than this I could wish it were so indeed that thou hadst part in the true work of Regeneration that so in that day thou mightest have part in the first Resurrection for the dead in Christ shall rise first 1 Thess 4. which cannot intend any other save the dead bodies of the Saints who are fallen asleep or gone to the dust But because I have somewhat to say in the Vindication of Baptism which you call Water I shall proceed to that for as you and other Quakers deny the continuance of the Lord's Supper so also you affirm that the practise of Water-Baptism was to continue but till Christ came in Spirit Now how false this is may appear First from the Commission Matth. 28. 19 20. where Christ gave forth this blessed Ordinance All Power is given to me in Heaven and Earth Go therefore teach all Nations Baptizing them in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy Spirit teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded yon and lo I am with you alwayes to the end of the world Now that the Baptism here spoken of is that of Water is evident because the Disciples are commanded or injoyned to be the Administraters or Dispensers of it To baptize with the holy Spirit is the alone Work Prerogative and Office of Jesus Christ and it never was in the power of any Apostle or Disciple of Christ to do it though the Spirit was
given many times as the answer of their Prayers their Supplications to God for to give it plainly shews it was not in their power of the Apostles to give it Secondly That Baptism which is here intended which our Lord commanded his Apostles to baptize with was the Baptism which after his Ascension they did baptize with and that 't is evident was Water Can any man forbid Water saith Peter Acts 10. 47. that these should not be baptized c. 't is said They went both down into the Water both Philip and the Eunuch Acts 8. 38. Now the Baptism here commanded must needs remain to be practised to the end of the World Because whatsoever is here given forth by Christ is given forth as he is King and Mediatour of the New Covenant and as part of his last Will and Testament and his last Will and Testament stands in full force and vertue to the end of the World unalterable and whosoever brings any other Gospel let him be accursed Thirdly Because 't is the mind of Christ that whatsoever he Commanded them should be taught successively to the Nations And his Spiritual Presence being promised unto the end of the World to all those that did keep and observe whatsoever he there commanded them plainly proves that the practice of all those Ordinances were to be kept up to the end of the World But again To prove that the practice of Water-Baptism doth remain in full force and vertue after the coming of Christ in Spirit I need not go further to make it appear than the second of the Acts. Christ made good the Promise of the Comforter or his coming to his Disciples in Spirit as you may see in the beginning of that Chapter by the help and power of which Spirit Peter preach'd to those Jews that had put Christ to death and many of them being pricked in their hearts cryed out What shall we do Then said Peter vers 38. Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ and you shall receive the gift of the holy Spirit And vers 41. 't is said Those that gladly received the Word were baptized and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand Souls This observe was after that coming of Christ which you speak of Do you think that the Apostle Peter in the Name and Authority of Christ Jesus would have commanded so many persons to be baptized if he had understood Water-Baptism ceased at the pourings forth of the Spirit or the practice of it was to remain no longer Besides was not the Eunuch baptized in Water after the coming of Christ in Spirit Acts 8. 41 42. and many in the City of Samaria and was not Paul baptized by Ananias Acts 9. and Cornelius and those with him after the coming of Christ in Spirit with many others that I might mention and yet you very ignorantly affirm That the practice of it was to remain no longer than till Christ so came as aforesaid I might now come to Answer another Objection that some of your judgment bring against this Appointment of Christ and then come to examine the remaining part of your Letter 't is grounded from Paul's words 1 Cor. 1. 14. I thank God I baptized none of you save Crispus and Gaius Observe by the way That though this is brought as an Objection against Baptism yet the Objector doth thereby confess the Baptism here intended is that of Water and then by your own confession Paul baptized after the coming of the Comforter or Christ in Spirit But you say he thanks God he baptized no more Indeed too many by them if the practice of it were out of doors before But to return you an Answer take his next words for it he gives you the reason why he thanked God he baptized no more 't is not because the practice then was not in force but lest any should say he baptized in his own Name many amongst them were grown so carnal as to slight or else to idolize their Teachers and ready to accuse the Ministers of Christ with unfaithfulness as if they did that in their own Names which they did in the Name and Authority of Christ Jesus and this was the cause of his speaking those words But 't is objected That he doth affirm Christ sent him not to Baptize but to Preach the Gospel Answ Paul doth not intend by his so speaking that he had no Authority from Christ to baptize but rather to show that his chief work was to Preach the Gospel He gives us to understand that to baptize was not the alone and chief business he was sent to do but his great work was to Preach the Gospel This word not is not alwayes used as an absolute Negative for then Christ utterly forbids all outward labour Joh. 6. 27. where he commands them Not to labour for the meat which perisheth c. and by the same Argument we may conclude also that Adam was not at all deceived because Paul saith expresly 1 Tim. 2. 14. Adam was not deceived but the Woman It is clear the Apostle meaneth Adam was not first deceived I might give divers instances of the like kind but this shall at present suffice as to the Answer of this Objection I shall now come to examine the next part of your Letter these are your very words being a Repetition and Reply to some part of that which I formerly wrote unto you Thou speakest of the Body of Christ after he was risen again and sayest That after that he spake with his Disciples and gave them Commandments that then he Ascended with the same Body into Heaven which words are not agreeable to the Scripture Brother be not too wise in thy own conceit for it is no where said That flesh and blood is Christ but Jesus Christ came in the flesh Flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God 1 Cor. 15. 50. But one in a certain place saith That he first descended into the lower parts of the Earth and he that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens that he might fill all things Ephes 4. 9 10. Beware at any time thou opens thy mouth against the true Light that lightneth every man which cometh into the World for it is the pure Principle which is owned by the scorned People called Quakers and ought to be owned by thee also Oh Brother come out of your beggarly Elements and turn to the Light which reproves for sin and believe in it and it will certainly take away thy sin Surely he is come yea he is come felt heard and understood c. Answ What I formerly wrote unto you concerning Christ and of his appearing to his Disciples after he rose again from the dead and that he ascended with the same body into Heaven is expresly according to the words of the holy Scriptures And for being wise in my own conceit I have otherwise learned Christ and the wisdom
Is that one of our Brethren Or is that like unto Moses The Lord Jesus was made like unto us in all things sin only excepted Man had sinned and therefore Jesus Christ in Man's Nature came forth to at one and make peace and to satisfie the Justice of his Father The Chastisement of our Peace was upon him and through his Scripes we are healed Isa 53. You ask me What I am the better with others for approaching into the Water who hath required these things at our hands for the things that are seen are carnal c. And then you say That those who have the Spirit of Christ do not bend to carnal Washing but come to the answer of a good Conscience and to the heavenly Manna Answ Could you not ask What the Primitive Saints were the better None of Christ's Ordinances are in vain and much spiritual benefit many can experience thereby And we know and are assured that the Lord hath required it at our hands And may you not call outward Preaching and outward Hearing carnal things as well as so to call Baptism and the Supper of our Lord And why my Sister should say That they that have the Spirit of Christ do not bend to such Ordinances I know not sith the Saints who had the Spirit in former times did bend to them And that you should call them by such reproachful Names is a grief to me Your slighting and despising the Precepts and Gospel-Institutions of Jesus Christ may one day prove your Soul-wound and burden What I mentioned concerning Cornelius his bending and submitting unto Water-Baptism notwithstanding his high attainment of the Spirit you have not in the least weak nor laid down any thing that is like aâ— Answer And now as concerning the remaining part of your Letter Some things are but Tautologies repeating the same thing You tell me That Christ is come and positively say and testifie That you look not for another which hath already been refuted and your ignorance with the rest of those of your perswasion made manifest But to draw towards a Conclusion I do in the bowels of Jesus Christ intreat you to examine and prove these Lines by the writings of the holy Men of God Who spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit and ponder so the paths of your feet that all your wayes may be established and see if you have not refused and forsaken the good way of the Lord opposing that Doctrine which is according to Godliness take heed lest you are irrecoverably carried away with a new and strange Doctrine by the slight of men and crastiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive I as touching my self do know on whom I have believed And do not think I shall lay down my head in sorrow as you are pleased to signifie if I procced in the way I am in for though I am outwardly decaying and the time of my departure is at hand yet am I through the Grace of God in some good measure assured That when the earthly house of this Tabernacle is dissolved I have a building of God a house not made with hands eternal in the Heavens 2 Cor. 5. 1 2. I may say with holy Job Behold my witness is in Heaven and my record is on high Job 16. 19. I do know that my Redeemer liveth and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth and though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes behold and not for another though my reins be consumed in me Job 19. 25 26 27. And that God who fed me all my life long unto this day and hath refreshed my Soul with the dews from above and given me a place in his house will take continual care of me and cause my Soul to bring forth fruit in old Age and be my God and my guide eveu until death And whatsoever you may suppose of the Way and Doctrine in which my Soul is through the Grace of God established and remains unmoveable Yet unto all my faithful Brethren I have this to say and testifie with the Apostle That this is the true Grace of God in which you stand and there is no other Gospel nor Doctrine of Christ to be received nor no other burden laid upon you by Christ but what you have already hold fast until he comes Be you faithful unto death and you shall receive the crown of life And all I have further to say to you my dear Sister is only in tender love to exhort you to Repent and turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and give glory to him before your feet stumble upon the dark Mountains and while you look for Light he turn it into the shadow of Death and make it gross darkness God waits long before he utterly gives up a People or a particular Soul to believe lies to be snared and fall so as never to rise any more If you refuse to hear me I can but mourn and weep in secret for you and however I may be judged and censured by any I shall in what I have done have peace This being all at present I shall leave it to the blessing of God and remain Your Affectionate Brother H. G. POSTSCRIPT Christian Reader THE perilousness of these last dayes are very great and the danger of them appears every day more and more those evil times which our Lord Jesus did foretel should come in which false Christ's and false Prophets should arise and deceive many we are brought forth in The Devil knows his time is short and therefore is in great rage Rev. 12. laying about him as I may say with both hands those Souls which he can't destroy by fleshly and carnal filthiness and cursed debauchery which never abounded more in the World than it doth now he labours to ruine and spoyl eternally by erroneous Opinions blasphemous and damnable Heresies And this let me add further That the sins against the first Table are as heinous and as abominable in the sight of God if not more than those against the Second which may appear by that speedy swist and severe execution of wrath and divine vengeance upon those under the former dispensation who were upon that account disobedient and transgressors Levit. 10. 1 2. Numb 15. 36. Numb 16. 32 35 40. 1 Sam. 6. 19. 2 Sam. 6. 6 7. And of all Heresies none are more dangerous and pernicious than those which tend to the razing and destroying the foundation of Religion and Godliness and therefore it is said by the Prophet If the foundations be destroyed what can the righteous do Psal 11. 3. Now the foundation upon which the true Christian doth alone and wholly build is the Lord Jesus Christ JEHOVAH hath laid in Zion for a foundation a stone a tryed stone a precious corner-stone Isa 28. 16. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid which is Jesus Christ 1 Cor.
Church and to cleanse and wash the Church was Jesus Christ Object But here it may be some will object and say That this same name or appellation hath been given unto men as we read concerning Moses Exod. 7. 1. And the Lord said unto Moses See I have made thee a God unto Pharaoh c. And so the Scriptures elsewhere speak of the Rulers as Gods I said ye are Gods but ye shall die like Men. Answ 1. I do grant the name God hath been given to men upon the account of what those Scriptures speak yet was that name or title never given to any man on earth as it is given unto Jesus Christ for he is not only called God but also the Mighty God See Isa 9. 6. For unto us a Child is born unto us a Son is given and the Government shall be upon his shoulders and his name shall be called Wonderful Counsellor the Mighty GOD the Everlasting Father the Prince of Peace And as he is here called the Mighty God so the Apostle John calls him the True God 1 Job 5. 20. And we know saith he that the Son of God is come and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true even in his Son Jesus Christ This is the true God and eternal life And as he is called by this Apostle the true God so Jude calls him the only Wise God Jude 25. Yea and the Apostle Paul calls him Rom. 9. 5. God blessed for ever see and observe his expressions Whose are the Fathers and of whom as concerning the flesh Chrict came who is GOD blessed for ever Amen Now where is any man save Jesus of Nazareth only called the Mighty God the True God the only Wise God and God blessed for ever And how dares any man these Scriptures being considered deny the glorious Deity of our Lord Jesus Christ But 2. He that made the World must needs be Eternal God for none could do that but God alone 'T is ridiculous and most absurd to think the Creature could make it self before it self was God upon the account of his infinite Power and Wisdom in creating the the World expostulateth and reasoneth with his People glorying if I may so say in the greatness of his Power and Majesty and unwordable Essence proving that way his dreadful Godhead Isa 40. and all the Gods of the Nations to be but Idols And now that Jesus Christ made and created the World see the first of John vers 1. In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God vers 3. All things were made by him c. Now compare this with the 14th verse And the Word was made Flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory as the glory of the only begotten of the Father full of grace and truth Reade the next verse and you may see that this was he that John bear witness of to be the true Christ But again reade Col. 2. 16. For by him saith Paul were all things created that are in heaven and that are in earth visible and invisible If you would know who this is you may see if you please to mind vers 14. 't is he who hath purchased remission of sins for us through his blood and 18 verse 'T is he who is the head of the body the Church who is the beginning the first born from the dead c. compare this with Heb. 2. 10. And thou Lord in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth and the heavens are the works of thy hands That he speaks of the Son 't is evident see the whole Chapter the main drift of the Author is to set forth the glorious Deity and Godhead of Jesus Christ But I must hasten to the next Argument and that is this 3. He that upholdeth all things that are made must needs be God but that Jesus Christ doth uphold and preserve all the whole Creation see Heb. 1 3. Who being the brightness of his Glory and the express image of his Person and upholding observe all things by the word of his Power when he had by him self purged our sins sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on High This agrees with Col. 1. 17. And he is before all things and by him all things consist 4. He that knoweth all things before it cometh to pass must be God such knowledge is too wonderful for us Psal 139. In several places of Scripture you may see how the Almighty doth prove his glorious Being and Godhead by his Omnisciency Job 38. 1 2 4 5 19 20 33 39. Psal 4. 10. Job 36. 4 5 6 c. And that our Lord Jesus Christ knoweth all things see John 21. 17. they are the words of Simon Peter And he said unto him Lord THOU KNOWEST all things thou Knowest that I love thee Moreover 't is said Joh. 2. 24 25. That Jesus did not commit himself unto them because he Knew all men And needed not that any should Testifie of Man for he knew what was in man And in another place it is said That Jesus Knew from the beginning who they were that believed not and who should betray him Joh. 6. 64. What more clearly tends to prove his blessed Deity than his Omnisciency 5. I shall yet add another Argument further to evince this glorious truth which doth hang or depend upon the precedent Reason viz. He that searcheth the heart must of necessity be acknowledged and owned to be the Almighty and Etenal God for who knoweth the heart save that infinite Majesty that formed the Spirit of Man that is in him The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked saith the Prophet Jer. 17. 9. who can know it I the LORD search the heart and try the reins vers 10. As if the Lord should say There is none save my self knoweth or can know it And now that the Lord Jesus Christ who died for our sins doth search the heart and the reins he himself doth assert it Rev. 2. 23. I will kill her Children with death speaking of the woman Jezebel and all the Churches shall know that I am HE which searcheth the reins and the heart and I will give unto every one of you according as his works shall be c. 6. He that is the first and the last must needs be the Everlasting God for from this very ground and consideration the Lord doth argue or reason with his People to shew and make appear there is no other God besides himself Isa 44. 6. I am the first and I am the last and besides me there is no God compared with Chap. 48. 12. Hearken unto me O Jacob and Israel my called I am he I am the first and I am the last c. And that the famous said of the Lord Jesus Christ reade Rev. 2. 8. I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the ending which is and
which was and which is to come the Almighty Also vers 17. And when I saw him saith John I fell at his feet and he laid his right hand upon me saying pray observe it I am the first and the last But may be some will say Who is this Was this Jesus of Nazareth that was crucified for that you are to prove c. Read the very next words and you may see who it is I am HE that liveth and was dead and behold I am alive for evermore Let such fear and be troubled when they reade this and such like Scriptures who deny the God head of the Lord Jesus or do affirm that Person or Man was not the Christ and Son of the Highest who was slain upon the Cross for what doth more clearly prove the marvellous and mysterious Union of the Humane and the Divine Nature in one Person than these Scriptures and Arguments which have been mentioned 7. I argue again yet further he is the most high God unto whom spiritual Worship or Divine Adoration doth appertain or belong and that this belongs unto the Lord Jesus Christ see Matth. 8. 2. chap. 28. 17. Luk. 24. 52. Joh. 9. 38. Nay further 't is said Heb. 1. 6. And again when he bringeth in his first begotten into the World he saith And let all the Angels of God Worship him At the Name of JESUS saith the Apostle Phil. 2. 10. every knee shall bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is LORD to the glory of God the Father 8. He who hath power to forgive sins or to pardon all iniquity which may be forgiven unto men is God but that Jesus Christ hath such power is evident Matth. 9. 1 2 3 4 5 6. And Jesus knowing their thoughts said Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts vers 4. For whether is easier to say Thy sins are forgiven thee or to say Arise and walk vers 5. But that ye may know the Son of Man hath power on earth to forgive sins c. compare this with Mark 2. 5 6 7. Luk. 5. 21. 9. He to whom the Saints ought to pray is the most High God but that the Saints do and ought to pray and call on the name of the Lord Jesus it is very clear Acts 9. 14. Rom. 10. 9 10 11 12. 1 Cor. 1. 2. 10. He that hath power to give the holy Spirit and the saving Graces thereof is God but that Jesus Christ hath power to baptize with the Spirit or to give the holy Spirit and all the heavenly Gifts and Graces thereof See these Scriptures Matth. 3. 11. Mark 1. 4. Ephes 4. 8 9 10 11. 11. He that was in the form of God and thought it no robbery to be equal with God and whom the Scriptures call God's fellow must needs be the Eternal God now that this is said of Jesus Christ is evident Phil. 2. 6 7. Zech. 13. 7. 12. But yet once again He who had power to lay down his life and also to raise it up again must needs be God but that Jesus Christ doth so affirm see Joh. 2. 19. Joh. 10. 18. 13. He who is the Object Author and Finisher of the true Believers Faith is God Eternal blessed for ever Amen but that Jesus Christ is the Object Author and Finisher of the Believers Faith see Joh. 14. 1. Ye believe in God believe also in me Joh. 9. 35. Heb. 12. 2. 14. He who can by his own Name proper Power and Authority give power unto others to become the Sons of God must needs be God himself but that Christ doth and can do this is evident Joh. 1. 11. He came unto his own and his own received him not but as many as received him to them gave HE power to become the Sons of God even to them which believe in his Name vers 12. He doth Adopt Regenerate or make others the Children of God by the effectual workings of His blessed Spirit in their hearts by which they are interested into all the Priviledges Promises and Blessings of the Covenant of Grace which none can do save God alone I might urge many other Scriptures and Arguments for the further proof and confirmation of this glorious Truth viz. He is our life Col. 3. 4. See Deut. 30. 20. Moreover he is said to be present alwayes with his People and dwelleth in their hearts by his Spirit c. It was by and through his Name that all those mighty Miracles were wrought he confirmed his Doctrine by Signs and Wonders by vertue of his own Power he raises and quickens whomsoever he will he as it appears to me lay claim to that glorious Title or Name by which God made known himself unto his People of old Exod. 3. 14. I am that I am this is my Name saith JEHOVAH and this is my Memorial to all Generations vers 15. And much after the same manner doth our Lord Jesus speak Joh. 8. 58. Before Abraham was I am As much as if he had said I have my being from none but have it of and from my self and am from Eternity according to that saying Prov. 8. I was set up from everlasting or from the beginning or ever the earth was when there was no depths I was brought forth vers 23. c. Again He is the Almighty the Omnipotent and the blessed and only Potentate Revel 1. 8. 1 Tim. 6. 16. Finally He was own'd and acknowledged of all to be no less than the Son of God The Father from Heaven doth testifie that he was his only begotten Son in whom he was well pleased He is declared to be the Son of God by the holy Spirit Rom. 1. And The Angels positively affirm the same concerning him yea and the holy Apostles I have shewed you have born witness to the same truth Nay those who had a hand in putting of him to death when they saw the Earth-quake and the vail of the Temple was rent they feared greatly and said Truly this man was the Son of GOD. Nay 6. I might add further The Devil himself is forced to acknowledge this thing See Mark 5. 7. And cryed out with a loud voice and said What have I to do with thee Jesus thou Son of the most High c. And now from all that hath been said it may appear to the weakest capacity That Jesus of Nazareth who was born of the Virgin was in very deed a MAN and did partake of the same flesh and blood WHICH THE CHILDREN partake of That he was made of a Woman and of the Seed of David according to the flesh being really man finite weak subject to passion and sufferings as we are and in all things made like unto his brethren sin only excepted and yet also the very eternal God and omnipotent Creator of the same essence or substance with the Father and the holy Spirit and that he had a personal existence or subsistence before he did assume our Nature and that He the Word or second Person of the glorious Trinity as so considered viz. respecting subsistence was incarnate that the Divine and Humane Nature being in a mysterious and wonderful manner united together is that same one Lord Jesus Christ perfect God and perfect Man in one Person subsisting in two real distinct Natures each Nature retaining notwithstanding this glorious Union it s own natural Propertties and Attributes I might now come to Answer and remove those Objections that are brought against what I have said concerning this glorious Truth but because I have been larger already than indeed I intended or thought I should have been when first I entered upon this work I must forbear and leave the Objections to some other season And now Reader if thou hast received any spiritual benefit from what hath thus occasionally been written by a poor worm weakling and nothing Creature see thou dost not forget to return the praise to JEHOVAH who alone deserves it and labour for soundness in judgement and stability lest thou also beest carried away with these divers new and strange Doctrines Remember the Apostles counsel Heb. 13. 9. The times you see are difficult and perilous and ye knowing these things before 2 Pet. 3. 17 18. Beware lest ye also being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own Steadfastness but grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ To him be glory both now and for ever Amen FINIS