that they will rather confirme them in their deceit Now according to us scripture is the rule which lyes patent open to both parties And therfore a Papist of great note is faine to acknowledge that Scripturis nihil est certius nihil est notius i. e. nothing is more certaine and more evident then the Scriptures And this is profitable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is for conviction and as was said though the Scriptures do not actually convince the stubborn and stiff-heretick yet there is so much in them as may satisfy an inquisitive adversary who is willing to know right from wrong and truth from errour Appollos mightily convinced the Jews by the Scriptures It is inconsequential to argue that the Scripture or written word is not the rule to us to whom GOD hath set down his mind in write because it was not a rule to them who lived when the Scripture or written word was not As for the Prophets the event of what they foretold was that whereby they were to be tryed Deut. 18.22 When a Prophet speaketh in the Name ef the LORD if the thing follow not that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken but the Prophet hath spoken presumptuously thou shalt not be affraid of him Ierem. 28.9 The Prophet which prophesieth of peace when the word of the LORD shal come to passe then shal the Prophet be known that the Lord hath sent him But because GOD for the tryall of his people may sometimes suffer such things to fall out as false-prophets fortell Deut. 13.2 Therefore when men pretend themselves to be prophets sent of GOD their doctrine must be brought to the rule and touch-stone of GODS written word and thereby examined Esay 8.20 He saith page 31. that we disjoyne the word and the spirit because many preach and read the scriptures and talk of them without the joyn'd concurrence of the spirit which they ought not to do Answer He hath not offered to prove that the Scriptures should not be read or spoken of without the concurrence of the spirit unless that be his proof we say they ought not to do but upon what ground do ye say so 1. The command for reading and speaking of the Scriptures hath not this condition annexed to it that we should read and speak of the scriptures onely when we have a concurrence of the spirit and never but then where is there such a condition mentioned 2. What shal be the carriage of wicked persons who are strangers to the drawings and motion of the spirit must the Bible be to them as an Almanack out of date Shal it be to them as a book useless to look into 3. When the Saints want the concurrence of the spirit may they not read and talk of the Scriptures as a mean of good to their souls Hovv many cold hearts have been rubbed and chaffed into spiritual heat by reading and talking of the Scriptures In so doing the Lord hath met vvith them and made their hearts to burne within them Now though the scriptures may be read and spoken of without the concurrence of the spirit Yet to affirme this is not to disjoyne the Scriptures and the spirit separating the one from the other for still the Scriptures remaine to be the endytment of the spirit being spoken and breathed forth by the spirit Act. 28.25 Well spake the Holy Ghost by Isaias the prophet unto our fathers Act. 1.16 this scripture must needs have been fulfilled which the holy Ghost spake by the mouth of David Marke the Scriptures which Dav d and others of the Prophets penned they are the breathings forth of the Holy Ghost himself Why doth the Quaker complaine so much for my improving Esay 59.21 as if it made so much against me whereas it is directly to that purpose which it was alledged for namely that GODS Spirit and word go together and doth not the Lord here promise that the Spirit and Word should continue with his Church and People to direct and instruct them in all necessaries throughout all ages sucessivly even unto the end of the world He asketh cannot dead things kill if men feed upon them Answ There is no doubt of it yet the Scripture or that part of Scripture which is called the law is said to be killing in such a way as dead things are not And therefore this killing Letter is spoken of as being the ministration of death and the ministration of condemnation For the Law threatens death against the sinner and curseth every one that abideth not in all things that are written therein 2. Cor. 6.7.9 Now are the dead things which the Quaker reckons up thus killing It shal not be denyed but feeding upon sand gravel stones c. will prove deadly and destructive to the body even as the drinking in of the lifeless poysonous opinions of Quakers will prove hurtful and destructive to the soul SECT V. Quakers have learned their Language about the Scriptures from Papists Now any may perceive a Popish designe in all the Quakers reasonings against the Scriptures for both Papists and they joyne in studing to disgrace them Herein they very much resemble one another Ye may hear how Quakers lisp after the Papists and concurre with them in speaking the language of Ashdod Do not Papists call the Scriptures Do not Quakers say of them 1. A nose of wax or a rule of lead which may be bowed every way as men please If the delusion be strong in the heart will it not twine the Scriptures without to cause the scriptures to seem for it 2. Papists call the Scriptures inky Divinity paper and parchment Quakers speake of the Scriptures as a dead letter 3. Papists blaime the Scriptures the reading of them by the Laity as that which causeth controversies multiplyeth both Heresies and Sects Quakers say ye that set up the Scriptures as a rule what Sects what jangling and contesting is among you 4. Papists preferre the Church before the Scripture Quakers prefer the light within hence they say that it is by the inward dispensation that the outward dispensation of the Gospel is serviceable without which it hath no service at all 5. Papists contemne and vilify the Scriptures Quakers will not have the Scriptures to be so much as a copy to thē but the Spirit is both their teacher and their copy and if they walk according to this by looking upon it and eyeing it they shal be good scholars and proficients they need not go forth for a copy 6. Papists say the church was judge before the Scriptures were written Quakers say there was a rule before the Scriptures were written 7. Papists deny the Scriptures to be the principal compleat rule of faith And Quakers do the same So true is that of Tertullian CHRIST is alwayes crucified between two theives He denyeth That that more sure word of prophesie 2. Pet. 1.19 is the scripture Answer Had it not been meet not onely to have denyed this but
to GOD and what is Religious worship but that which is given to GOD Answer It is true Religious Worship is given to GOD and its that which is peculiar to GOD and due to him alone and giveing to the Creature what is thus pecular to GOD Is Idolatry but bowing of the body and uncovering of the head is not of this nature And therefore worship is to be distinguished it is either Civil or Sacred this distinction is founded on Scripture of Civil-worship we read Luke 14.10 Then shalt thou have worship in the presence of them that sit at meat with thee We read of Sacred Religious worship Matth. 4.10 Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God and him only shalt thou serve Civil worship proceedeth from a reverencing of men for their Stations Relations or some notable Qualifications and this kind of worship hath been given and received by the holiest of Saints neither is it any where forbidden in Scripture and so Joseph upon his approach to his Father Jacob he bowed himself with his face to the ground Genesis 48.12 Abraham and Lot bowed themselves to the Angels supposing them to be men Genes 18.3 and 19.2 compared with Heb. 13 2. and the Angels accepted this worship without any reproof of them for it yea Abraham bowed himself twice before the people of the land Gen. 23.7.12 and though every practise of Abraham is not to be so lowed yet these practises which are not condemned in Scripture neither by repehension or prohibitiō why should we be blaimed for an imitatiō of the Saints in them Seeing we mantain Sacred Religious worship to be due onely to GOD and his glory must not be given to another as the Papists give to their Images of which one of themselves affirms that it is the constant opinion of their Divines that the Image is to be honoured and worshipped with the same honour and worship which is given to him whose Image it is None can say unless they will be peevish and perverse that we bow to men to worship GOD in and by them It is known that the Papists speak of two kinds of Religious worship namely absolute which they give to GOD or the Saints and relative which they give to their Images and therefore Papists have no advantage as to their Idolatrous worshipping of Images from our allowable practise of bowing to men thereby to testify a meer Civil respect to them The Gentle-man disputeth against bowing of the body as Idolatry but he seemeth to justify Moses his doing Obeysance to his Father in law And yet what is obeysance but civil reverence by bowing the body in token of that regard which we owe to some person of note SECT II. Concerning Salutations by Words And as Salutations by Gestures are warranted by the Scriptures so likewise are Salutations by words Ruth 2. 4. And behold Boas came from Bethlehem and said unto the Reapers the Lord be with you and they answered him the Lord bless thee And that command of Christs Matth. 10.5 when ye come into an house salute it It s explained by the Evangelist Luke chapter 10. verse 5. And into whatsoever house ye enter first say peace be to this house Now it s known that the Jews in their ordinary Salutations and Greetings when they wished all happiness unto one another they expressed it thus Peace be to You And from this I inferre that bowing of the body and expressing our affections by words comprehending desires and good wishes though persons be not friends but foes Matth. 5.47 is agreeable to Scripture and the practise of renowned Saints As for taking of the Hatt seeing it is not manifest from Scripture that the Saints did wear Hatts the word so rendred Dan. 3.21 is varied on the margine Turbants which were Head-garments peculiar to those Eastern Countries it is no wonder that we do not read of their putting them Off and yet this being one harmless way whereby we express outward honour to those to whom it is due why should it be quarrelled against We must not think it enough to give Superiours inward honour the Scripture also calleth for outward honour Levit. 19.32 Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head and honour the face of the old man SECT III. Containing an Answer to the Quakers Objection He saith It s strange that we should say considering our principles the kingdom of God consisteth not in words for what is our Preaching and the Scripture it self and the very Gospell according to us but a company of words Answer Truely by the Scriptures we meane nothing else but that Heavenly Doctrine those divine instructions or revelation of the mind and will of God which the Lord excited and moved Holy men of old to speake and write for the good of his Church and People and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or the Gospel according to us is the doctrine of Christ the good newes and joyful tydings of Salvation by him to poor sinners contained in the Scriptures And the Preaching of this Gospell hath been found the Power of God to the salvation of many a Soul Rom. 1.16 Now if Quakers be for another Gospel then they may justly be reputed subverters of the Christian Religion and enemies to the Cross of Christ and therefore liable to that curse which is threatned Gal. 1.8 And likewise know that we use to distinguish between the subject matter of the Scripture or the doctrine which it contains and the words or writtings containing or expressing this Doctrine the one is as the Blood the other as the Veins in which it runneth II. HEAD Wherein is warranted our way of speaking in Opposition to the Quakers Thou and Thee Page 12. He findeth fault with me for saying that to whom the singular number is agreeable the plural may be applyed without making a lie and saith the proofes alleadged evince nothing in this matter Answer Though that place Luke 22.31 be not understood of one Exclusively of others yet Christ there directeth his speach onlie to one viz. Peter and he saith not after the Quakers way Satan hath desired to have Thee and You that he might sift Thee and You but behold Satan hath desired to have you and to sift you as wheat It is plaine that the third Epistle of John is directed to a single Person verse 1. The Elder unto the well beloved Gaius whom I love in the Truth and yet verse 12. the Apostle saith Ye know that our report is true Job 18.2 there Bildad speaking to Job saith how long will it be ere you make an end of words I am of that minde that if our Translators had translated Attah and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 not according to the rigour of construction but as use hath made the propriety of our Language that then the Quakers would have kept their old tone and said you instead of thou But if men will needs make a contentious busle about words then let them read and ponder 1. Tim. 6.4 he is
and the spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets The Quakers themselves have not many speakers for at times they sit dumbe as if silence could promote their mutual edification Was this the Churches way Or the custome of the Apostles and primitive Christians Certainly this hemlock or invention hath sprung up since their late apostacy from the Truth Secondly They will not have the Scriptures called their Masters letter no forsooth their Masters letter is written in their hearts and there they are to find it neither is their Master seperated from them as those who use to write letters to servants to set them on work But is not Christ as much seperate from Quakers as from the seven Churches of Asia Or was he not as near those Famous Churches as them And yet they had letters sent to them from their great LORD and Master to direct them in their duty Revel 1.11 I am Alpha and Omega and what thou seest write in a book and send it unto the seven Churches which are in Asia Now will ye observe how much these persons bend their strength to evacuate the authority of the Scriptures For they say GOD requires us to do all our work by immediat counsel and direction as if by the outward command contained in the Scriptures GOD did not require any work of them yea they will not allow the Scripture precepts the name of Commands but call them the outward testimony and signification of the Command which as they say they regaird in its place that is onely when they have an inward command and so while this inward command is wanting through their neligence in waiting all that time the Scripture loseth its authority and is of no use to them Is this to regard the Scriptures Doth it not tend to forward and confirme negligent Atheists in their contemptuous slighting and undervaluing of the Scriptures Oh! that all such would read and tremble at the reading of Ioh. 12.48 he that receiveth not my words hath one that judgeth him the word that I have spoken the same shal judge him at the last day Thirdly They preferre their silent waiting to the reading of the Scriptures as if we must first come to this ere we can know the Scriptures aright Now they should prove which is not so much as touched upon that their way of waiting is a meane appointed by GOD for right understanding of the Scriptures or profitable speaking concerning them Waiting in their notion is Apocriphal not warranted by any Scripture Some of them have defined it to be a silent posture of the heart without thinking good or evil It seemeth to me no better then mispēt time to be employed in seeking such a posture of heart the heart is such a stirring working thing that if it be not upon good it will be busie enough in evil as may be found in our daily experience According to Scripture faith patience and hope must be exercised in waiting Psal 40.1 Lam. 3.26 and can we be in the exercise of these graces without thinking good or evil What an odd conceit is this Fourthly Lest they should seeme to be too great enemies to the Scriptures they confess it to be their desire to try Doctrines by the Scriptures Ans If this be their desire indeed how is it then that one of the Quakers seeing a Religious woman in this Town with a Bible in her hand told her she might as well read a Latine book as that Book And why is it that they do not desire their hearers to bring their Bibles that so they may the better discerne whether the doctrines taught at their meetings be answerable to the Scriptures But happily they think not this convenient lest their juglings should be found out And I must tell the Gentle-man that though he charge us with jugling that the Quakers have been suspected from their first rise as notable juglers which R. Farmer in his Mystery of ungodlyness sheweth by this instance saith he it is usual for Quakers to say they owne the Scriptures yea we confirme and establish the Scriptures and witness the Scriptures Now saith he an honest-man that means plainly would think they believed the Scriptures to be the written Word of GOD and the rule of a Christian to walk by in things to be believed and practised But saith he these persons play the deceivers not using words in that sense they are usually understood they meane otherwise they say in express words else where the Scriptures are not the Saints rule of knowing God and living to him And indeed these are the words of one C. Atkinson a Quaker see his book called the sword of the Lord furbished in answere to the Ministers first principle and a little after he insinuats that to affirme the Scriptures to be the rule is to put darkness for light and light for darkness Now let all unbyassed persons judge whether these men put the Scriptures in their true place SECT II. Proving the Scriptures to be the Word of GOD. He addeth page 26. That every declaration of a mans mind is not his word for signs may be a declaration of his mind Ans Though a dumb man may declare his mind by signs yet this maketh nothing against the Scriptures being the word of God which are such a declaration of Gods mind as he uttered and spake If any thing can be accounted the proper word of one that must be it which he utters and speaks Now the Truths the Commands and Precepts contained in the Scriptures were uttered and spoken by God Exod. 20.1 And God spake all these words c. He saith people usually distinguish between a mans word and his write Ans True For they call the one verbum dictum a word spoken and the other verbum scriptum a word written but can it be inferred from this that the Scriptures are not the Word of GOD which he hath committed to writting for the good of his Church and People He saith the Word of GOD is like unto himself spiritual yea spirit and life and therefore cannot be read with the external senses Ans The Word of GOD is twofold 1. There is the coessential coeternal word namely JESUS CHRIST who is one with the Father this Word properly cannot be read though we may and do read of it 2. There is the Spiritual Word the temporal expressed Word or the Word written in time now the external senses may be employed in reading this Word He saith that these scriptures Hos 1.1 Joel 1.1 Esay 38.4 are understood of that word from which the scriptures were given forth Ans It is not denyed that the Lord spake by the Prophets and was the authour of giving forth the scriptures but yet that word of the Lord which came to the Prophets is not mean'd of the Word made flesh as Quakers would have it but of the mind and message of the Lord contained in Scripture Ieremiah 14.1 the word of the Lord that came to
Ieremiah Now what word was this surely none else but the message which the Prophet was to deliver from GOD to the persons therein concerned having reference to that dearth which should make Judah mourne and languish verse 2. The same may be said of the other scriptures He addeth What the Scripture saith and GOD saith may be said that they are one because of their agreement Ans This is to advance humane writings and to equal them with the scriptures when their sayings agree with what God saith He saith every one that reads and heares the scriptures read heareth not God immediatly Answer GOD himself speaketh in the Scriptures to them that have eares to hear him Rev. 3.6 And though all that read and hear the Scriptures Read hear not GOD immediatly as the Prophtts who had truths revealed to them by immediat inspiration yet when we read the Scriptures GOD speaks to us mediatly by his written Word and believers so hear his voice that at the reading and hearing of the Scriptures they are forced to say the voice of GOD and not the voice of man Page 27. He saith in answering 1. Thes 2.13 that the word which they heard of the Apostles was the living word Answ The word which they heard of Paul and received as the word of GOD was the Scripture or written word which speaketh of the essential and living word or it was the doctrine he preacht concerning Chtist grounded on and warranted by the Scriptures compare 1. Thess 2.13 with Act. 26.22 He saith that the Pharisees in striking at the first Command did consequently strike at the living word which gave it forth Ans The Pharisees without doubt were enemies to Christ and struck at him many wayes but yet the word which they sought to make void Mark 7. is plainly held forth to be that written precept honour thy father and thy mother compare verse 13. with verse 10. He concludeth the matter saying that the reason why they may not call the scriptures the word of God is that people may be directed to that inward living word Ans If they believe the Scriptures to be true they may and ought to call them the word of GOD for the Scriptures call themselves the word of GOD Ephes 6.17 the sword of the spirit which is the word of GOD this sword of the spirit is not a carnal but a spiritual weapon even the holy Scriptures which are mighty through GOD for repelling the temper and cutting assunder temptations this was the sword which Christ made use of in his conflict with Satan it s written and againe it is written Matth. 4. Luke 4. By calling the Scriptures the word of God which is a name due to them this will make their testimony concerning Christ to be more regarded and therefore the more effectual means to our closing with the living word It seemeth Quakers have strange thoughts of the Scriptures as if they were set up as an Idol instead of that from whence they came If we profess love to the Scriptures and desire to obey them this is not to Idolize them and we are far from putting the Scriptures in Christs stead Did they ever hear any of us call the Scripture the eternal Son of God that Saviour who dyed and suffered thereby paying a ransome for sinners Redemption Do we not say that though the Scriptures be the word of God yet there is a vast difference between them and Christ he being the essential eternal word and the Scriptures onely the word written in time Why then should it be insinuate that we call Christ the Scripture and put the Scripture in his stead is not this unworthy dealing We distinguish between Christ the word and the word of Christ and though the Scripture be not that word which is Christ yet it is the word of that word Colos 3.16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly SECT II. Clearing the Scriptures to be the Rule He addeth that it rests to be proved that the Law and Testimony mentioned Esay 8.20 was not the inward law Ans The proof of this will not be difficult for here the Prophet opposes what is written as being no light if it agree not to the law and testimony Let people pretend what they will to a law and word within yet if they accord not with the Scripture law or scripture word there is no light of truth in them It is undenyable that the outward law gets the name of testimony this name was given unto the law written in the two Tables in regard whereof the Ark was called the Ark of the testimony because those Tables were laid up in the Ark Exod. 25.16 1. King 8.9 My intent in bringing that scripture Ioh. 7.49 was onely to prove the acceptation of the word law for the outward law left upon record in the Scriptures though the Quaker maliciously glosses on it as if in speaking for the law we were crucifying Christ afresh therein comparng us to the Pharisees whereas the comparison will fit the Quakers a great deal better then us their knowne rash censuring abundantly declares their conformity to Pharisees for they can freely pronounce men damned and cursed who will not take their gate of it and this was the way of the Pharisees this people said they who know not the law are cursed Neither is it probable that Christ checkt the Lawyer Luk. 10.26 in saying how readest thou But rather would have men in matters of Religion to consult the scriptures and therefore in convincing ignorant and erroneous persons of their ignorance and errours He alleadged the Scriptures against them Matth. 22.31.32 When a question arose about devorcement Christ had present recourse to the Scripture Matth. 19.4 have ye not read that he that made them at the beginning made them male and female So when the Pharisees accused Christs Disciples for breach of the Sabbath Christ said unto them have ye not read what David did when he was an hungred and they that were with him Matth. 12.3 Christ then would have the scriptures the rule to walk by and matters of Religion to be tryed by them for he refers us to the scriptures for direction and it s his will that we resort to them in controversies and doubts for resolution He saith page 28. That we seeme to lay much stresse upon this that it cannot be made out to a Jew or Turk that Jesus the Son of Mary is in very deed the Christ without the Scripture Answ We lay so much stress on it that we think Quakers can never prove this fundamental truth referring them to the light within for they pretend following of their light in opposing Christ as much as Quakers do at this day in opposing the precious ordinances and truths of Christ And if Pauls course was commendable so must ours if against the Jews we should alledge scripture in demonstrating Christ to be the Messiah for the Jews profess a belief of the scriptures of the Old
Testament Though the inward testimony of the spirit be of great use to perswade and assure us of the divine authority of the scripture yet it is false to affirme that this can be proved no other way but by the spirits inward testimony there are other arguments whereby the authority of the scripture may be convincingly and solidly proved against Turks and Pagans and all Anti-scripturists whatsoever Let me crave leave to put Quakers in minde of one argument which is excellently improved by that judicious servant of GOD Mr. Baxter in his book of the Saints rest page 239. Where he thus reasoneth if the Scriptures be neither the invention of Devils nor of men then they can be from none but GOD he takes it for granted that good Angels could not be guilty of forging the scriptures now he proves at length it would be needless to set down here the full proof of this argument because the book is common and in the hands of many that the Scripture is not the invention of Devils that no meer men were the inventers of Scripture it was neither devised by good men nor by bad men then sure by no man and consequently must of necessity proceed from GOD. When the Ancient Fathers had to do with Pagans who were strangers to the inward testimony of the spirit they made use of other arguments in proving the Scriptures Divinity such as the Heavenliness of the matter the Majestie of the style the efficacy of the Doctrine the verity of the predictions and by these and such like arguments they confounded the learnedst Pagans And JOHN CALVIN lib. 1. cap. 7. of his Instit plainly supposeth that there are other arguments besids the testimony of the spirit to prove the divine authority of the Scriptures saith he verum quidem est si argumentis agere libeat multa posse in medium preferri quae facile evincant siquis est in Coelo DEUS Legem Prophetias Evangelium ab eo manasse i. e. True indeed it is that if we pleased to deale by arguments many things might be produced that may easily prove that if there be a GOD in Heaven that the Law the Prophets and the Gospel came from him Now seeing the Quakers have cited CALVIN I would advise them to look to the 9. chapter wherein be fully sheweth that fanatical men who forsaking scripture betake themselves unto revelation do overturne all principles of godliness He saith that Ioh. 5.39 may be translated ye search the scriptures as Pasor translateth the words Ans The same Pasor speaking of that scripture the kingdom of God is within you 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he rendereth the words in medio vestro in sinu gentis vestrae that is in the midst of you in the bosome of your nation and yet the Quakers will not admit of this translation It is confessed that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken by some even PROTESTANT Writters in the indicative mood though by that which followes it appears to be imperative rather then indicative for the great controversie at that time was whether Christ was the Son of GOD and the true Messiah now Christ remits them to the scriptures which the Jews deservedly had in high esteeme as bearing witnesse unto him search the scriptures and they are they which testify of me As who would say peruse them frequently search them diligentlie digging for these heavenly treasures as men do for gold who break every clod that they may find the golden oare Neither doth Christ check them when he saith in them ye think to have eternal life this was a true thought as to the scriptures pointing out the way to Eternal life 2. Tim. 1.10 Seeing the Quaker page 29. granteth that the scriptures are profitable for doctrine correction reproof instruction in righteousness why then doth he not acknowledge them to be a perfect rule of faith and manners VVhat more can be requisite to prove their perfection then their teaching truth confuting errour reproving sin and discovering duty There is enough said and delivered in the Scripture to direct us in things to be believed and practised and if the Scriptures do not actually profit us for this end the blaime is to be laid at the door of our ignorance and perversnesse Now the scriptures are thus profitabe that the man of God may be perfect i. e. That the Minister of Jesus Christ may be compleate and every way fitted for the work of his Calling for though any man led by the spirit of GOD may in a general sense be called the man of God yet the Lord honours his Ministers with this tittle and peculiarly attributs it to them 1. Sam. 2.27 and 9.6 1. King 17.18 SECT III. Shewing that the Spirit within is not the Rule In stead of answering my argument proving that the Spirit within is not the rule he saith did these Jews receive Christ who had the scriptures Did they not reject him and why Because they hearkned not to the inward voice and testimony of the Father concerning him and this was the testimony which he said was greater then that of John Ans Look into the place where Christ speaks of this testimony and it will be found that it is no inward voice of the Father there spoken of See Ioh. 5.36 I have a greater witness then that of John for the works which the Father hath given me to finish the same works that I do bear witness of me That is his works in doing miracles these were a more convincing witness of Christs being the promised Messiah then that of John And therefore when Iohns Disciples askt saying art thou he that shal come or do we look for another Jesus answered go and shew John these things which ye do hear and see the blind receive their sight c. As for that testimony which the Father gave concerning Christ verse 37. it was not an inward voice and testimony but an outward audible voice from Heaven Matth. 3.17 compared with 2. Pet. 1.17.18 And Christ reproveth the unbelieving Jews in that they were ignorant of the Father though they gloried so much of him as being the people whose Progenitors had heard the voice of GOD Deut. 4.12 Now Christ sheweth that all this was nothing to them for they were strangers to such manifestations of GOD and they looked not like that people whose Ancestors had heard so much of GOD ye have neither heard his voice nor seen his shape He saith there is not any word 1. Ioh. 4.1 of trying the spirits by the scriptures Answer It is sufficient if there be warrand in other places though no express mention of it in this for trying the spirits by the scripture Now seeing every spirit is not to be believed that is every doctrine propounded as received by inspiration from Gods spirit false teachers will be as ready as any to boast of the spirit and therefore we must try from what spirit their doctrine cometh And what surer and
say they have no sin they are but liars and the truth is not in them 1. Ioh. 1.8 It is remarkable to consider whom the Apostle speaketh of if we saith he what we look to verse 1. we that have heard and seen and handled the word of life verse third we who have fellowship with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ verse 7 we who by our Justification are cleansed from the guilt of all sin yet it we say we have no sin we are not sincere but hypocrites deceiving both our selves and others Object This Scripture 1. Iob. 1.8 is conditional otherwise it would contradict what followes verse 9. and chapter 2.4 and chapter 3.9 Answer There is no contradiction but sweet agreement between these Scriptures for verse 9. speaketh of forgivness of sin which consisteth in freedom from the guilt of sin and this may be where sin is nor utterly abolished And 1. Ioh. 2.4 is understood of a sincere nor absolutlie perfect keeping of the Commands of GOD. And as for 1. Ioh. 3.9 it was formerly opened and may be further cleared by comparing it with chapter 5.16 where the Apostle speaketh of a sin unto death which they that are born of GOD cannot commit verse 18. we know that whosoever is born of GOD sinneth not but he that is begotten of GOD keepeth himself and the wicked one toucheth him not That is so as to draw him to that unpardonable sin the Child of GOD is secured from this sin HEAD XVII Wherein Truth is cleared of Calumnies Page 72. He cometh to examine whether their or our principles will be most acceptable to the wicked And first he saith wicked men and hypocrites love well to hear that they can never be free from their sins in this life Answer Some wicked men are so well conceited of the honesty and integrity of their hearts that it is a hard thing to get convictions of sin fastened upon them and as for mortification of sin which we urge as necessary to Salvation there is nothing more distastful to the wicked then this Secondly He saith they love well to hear to be justified by Christ without them Answer How is it then that so many wicked men scoff at justification by Christs righteousness without them Calling in contempt this imputed righteousness an imaginary putative righteousness Is it not natural for persons to seek to be justified by something within them Thirdly He saith they love well to hear that the words without them are the onely rule Answer Doubtless there are many wicked persons who could wish there were no such rule Hath it not been the attempt of the wicked to destroy the Scriptures In the tenth Persecution the books of the holy Scriptures were ordered to be burnt and to this day there is a secret enmity in the hearts of thousands of sinners against the Scriptures Fourthly He saith they love well to hear that they may use the customes and fashions of this world and that they may use sports games and playes and weare laces ribbons c. Answer They hear from none of us any thing to encourage them in following sinful customes and fashions these we oppose yea we think that people should be sparing even as to lawful games and recreations As for wearing ribbons laces gold-rings c. we judge it not simply unlawful and yet persons sin when in this they exceed their degree and rank which is the thing condemned by the Apostle 1. Tim. 2.9 Fifthly He saith they love well to hear that men must not expect to hear GOD immediatly Ans Some of them know not what is intended by GODS immediate speaking and others have no liking to hear GOD mediatly by the Ministry of his Word this is a burdensome stone that they would faine be rid of Sixthly He saith they love well to hear that water Baptism and giving of Bread and Wine are the Ordinances of Christ for then they think they are Christians if they partake of these outward things Answer Our endeavour is to take them off from their groundless thoughts telling them that outward priviledges must not be rested on and that who ever build their hopes of Heaven meerly upon these they build upon the sand a foundation which will faile them in the day of their straite Seventhly He saith that none plead more for the observation of the Sabbath then profane light men Answer The contrary is abundantly known for none are greater enemies then they to the true observation of the Sabbath which must be devoted entirely to GOD and spent in the publick and private exercises of his worship and service Are not the wicked brought in saying when shal the Sabbath be gone Amos 8.5 Eightly He saith they love well to hear that they may be members of a Church though they have no infallible evidence of holiness Answer Have all the members of the Quakers Church infallible evidences of grace and holiness I must be free to tell you that your raw conceity Proselyts are so ignorant and yet so confident that sober men suspect them to be in a fools paradise Ninthly He saith they love well to hear of our Doctrine of Election and Reprobation Answer I have heard diverse of them Pelagians mocked at predestination wrangle against this doctrine and herein Quakers joyne with them but the truth will stand firme against them both Tenthly He saith they love our Doctrine of once in grace and ever in grace Answer What ground can graceless persons have to like this they being alienated from the life of GOD the promise of persevering in grace doth not belong to them and we do not plead for a wild perseverance the Saints who have had most perswasions of their perseverance have been most closs and circumspect in their walk with GOD. Thus it is evident that our principles do not gratifie the wicked nor give them the lest allowance in licentiousness and loosness and if any of us be looss and licentious as a lace there be too many it is our principle that the wrath of GOD will come upon such children of disobedience HEAD XVIII The Quakers tenents are pleasing to the Wicked The Quakers religion is exceeding suitable to carnal hearts First They love well to hear that a sufficient light is in them that Christ and saving grace is in them Secondly They love well to hear that all dayes are alike and that men may work and plough on the Sabbath as well as on any other day Thirdly They love well to hear that Family Prayer is but a forme Fourthly They love well to hear that they must not pray in secret but when they have an inward drawing and motion to it Fifthly They love well to hear outward teaching cryed down and mind the light within here is your teacher and this light is not a chapter without you in a book Sixthly They love well to hear the holiest Ministers spoken against as hirelings and Baals Priests Seventhly They love well to hear the LORDS Ordinances vilified and reproached carnal Bread and Wine is lovely language to them Eightly They love well to hear that Adams sin is not theirs and that the evil seed doth not make them guilty of sin before GOD untill they close with it Ninthly They love well to hear that they may sit down to eate and drink and rise up againe without a word of thanksgiving or prayer to GOD. But I am tyred with raking in this Dung hill I leave it to unbyassed persons to judge whether these principles will not sure with carnal hearts Will not the wicked be glade to hear these things cryed down which they themselves live down and cannot be brought up to the practise of them He shuts up his book charging me with a notorious lie Ans Wherein am I guilty of lying The Dialogue supposed A Conference between an enemy to a Lover of the Truth and might I not without a lie testify so much love to mens Souls as to express pity toward the seduced wishing GOD to reclaime them and to confirme his people in his wayes What is it that some will not carp at Epecially the persons that I have to do with of whom a pious Minister in England giveth this testimony saith he We have a strange generation of men abroad whose very Religion consists in railing reviling reproaching the Servants of the living GOD not the best men nor the best Ministers under Heaven can escape them Then he sets down a letter wherein the Quakers gave the Ministers of Christ these following names Conjurers Theeves Robbers Anti-Christs Witches Blind-guides Devils Lyars Dissemblers Baals Priests a Vipeâ—ous and Serpentiâ—â— Generation Bloody Herodians Blasphemers Scarlet coloured Beasts Babilons Merchants Busie-Bodies Whited walls Painted Sepulchres reavening Wolves Persecutors Tyrants greedie Dogs Pharisees Then he gives good advice Christians saith he when ye hear this language learne to conforme your selves to Christ go ye first to GOD with the LORDS own plea. Zach. 3.2 Now the LORD rebuke thee O Satan even the Lord that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee See Ambrose his looking unto Jesus pag. 1006. FINIS