Physick The Q. Spiritual Court p. 39 40. whereas it was one Mrs. Slack of Islington who inspired him and made him pay sauce for it Paracelsus would have been a good Physician for them or Helmont who at length obtained a Vision of his Soul being a pellucid transparent Substance Dr. Charltons Ternary of Paradoxes If Hermolaus Barbarus had had this Light he needed not to have gone to the Fiend to know the meaning of Aristotles Entelechy 3. Consider the debate about the Hat and their Canons so far as Inspiration is concerned whether the Hat should be put off or no in Prayer hath caused great heats among them they who act consentaneously to their first Principles would have it left to the Spirits motions The rest who set up a Tyranny will have it off as matter of Decency as significative that the Veil is taken from their Heart as expressive Honour to God c. The thing I debate not but the Consistency of it with their Doctrines their Mournful Gildaes makes a sad Narrative of what was made known Spirit of the Hat p. 9. and manifested in him concerning the great Apostacy to wit among themselves to such a height was it carried that to keep on the Hat was a forfeiting of their Priviledges Perrot declared Tyran and Hipo. detec p. 33. I have received by express Commandment from the Lord God of Heaven in the day of my Captivity in Rome viz To bear a sure Testimony against the Customs and Traditions of the taking off of the Hat by men when they go to Pray to God the which they never had by Commandment from God And yet this Revelation is thrown by as a Delusion Fox and the ruling party having determined the Contrary but it is hence Evident that men may take that for Inspiration which is not so even among Quakers as well as other men And Ben. Furley wrote a large Letter to shew that such imposing Idem p. 67. is contrary to the Freedom or Motion of the Spirit of Life and the thing begot much confusion some taking their Hats off at wrong times c. How can I know which are the right Quakers the Hat-men or the others Spirit of the Hat p. 32. or should not I believe the Revelations of the weak side rather than the Arts and Tyranny of the stronger But the most unparallel'd Usurpation Printed at the end of the Tract and Lordliness consists in their Canons or the Testimony from the Brethren which are a direct Receding from their first Principles But experiencing the Light in every one to be the way to destroy all Government and Order they Mint a pretty thing called the Light of the Body in which the dispersed Light is concentred and to which it must be accountable we shall first consider the making and entertainment of this Testimony and then some of the matter of it The makers thereof declare that through the Lords good hand being met together were through the Operation of the Spirit of Truth In the Preamble as God hath put it into our Hearts Art 1. The Lord giving us to see being thereto encouraged by the Lord whose Presence is with us c. Which imply that Testimony to be drawn up by Inspiration Mr. Pen calls them inoffensive nay Christian and necessary Resolves Faldo's Appendix p. 2 which sinks them far below Revelation But G. Bishop who deserves as much credit as any of the party wrote a large Letter in Opposition to that Testimony having considered their Paper in the Spirit of Truth In Tyran and Hypo. detect p. 34. he was moved of the Lord to let them know c. and upon their first Principles he proceedeth shaking down what the others later Model had erected but Gods Spirit is opposed to himself and in such Wicked Debates what side must an Inquirer joyn unto or what undoubted security can one party give of their having the Spirit more than the other it being in both alike Invisible and neither submitting to an outward Rule nor giving outward proofs They enjoin them to be read in their several meetings and kept as a Testimony So W. D. sent his Papers to be read in the fear of the Lord in the Holy Assemblies of the Church of the first Born an insolent Act to impose their Motions on others who are equally taught by God their notion of the Body of Friends of good and ancient Friends the Witness of God in Friends the Judgment of the Spirit of Christ in his People good and serious faithful and sound friends the Vniversal Spirit of Truth c are such canting ways of inslaving Souls that they exceed both implicite Faith and all the Intrigues of the Conclave this being their new Maxime and Infallible Rule that the Body will have a true sence Spirit of the Hat p. 21. feeling and understanding of Motions Visions Revelations Doctrines c. and therefore safest to make her my Touchstone in all things relating to God But what signifieth the Light in every man or Immediate Revelation they are wholly useless upon these Principles for if my Revelations must be tryed by the Body what must I be guided by in the Interim till their approbation be sent in a Cloak-bag from London but who are this Body how many members go to constitute it Where is it deposited In what place lodged whence have they this Authority or how can I infallibly know when they proceed upon Inspiration are they turned into Body who were all Spirit Thomas Ellwood is a Non-conforming Brother as he states things but to have such a power over others requireth a being deputed thereto as Bishop well urged but especially the trying Divine motions in that manner requires the highest degree of Inspiration and Authority from God Never did any turn Revelation into a craft so much before the Body to be sensible of Visions c. Where is this Body one in every County or the Universal one at London such a Representative mankind never heard of The Apostles at the Council Acts 15. received their outward information from Paul and Barnabas and so proceeded but for a Body of Friends to understand the motions of all the Members makes such a trifling prodigious supersaelation of Revelations as cannot be imagined suppose the number of Quakers to be 20000. each Believer of these hath Scripture renewed hath expository Inspirations on it besides all that concern civil Life as eating drinking marrying c. Now what Body besides its own particular ones can possibly without omnisciency have a feeling of those Visions daily conferred upon each of that 20000 and if a man cannot obey his own motions till Freinds have approved his Condition is endlessly perplexed the Saints in Heaven by a repercussion or Speculum hearing their Votaries on earth is nothing so intangling as the Universal Spirits communicating all the Revelations to the Body But this expedient have they hit upon to keep
kept as a Testimony among them We your Friends and Brethren whom God hath called to Labour and Watch for the Eternal good of your Souls at the time aforesaid being through the Lords good hand who hath Preserved us at Liberty met together in his Name and Fear were by the Operation of the Spirit of Truth brought into a serious Consideration of this present State of the Church of God Which in the day of her return out of the Wilderness hath not oâ—â—â— many Open but some Covert Enâ—mies to Conflict against Who are not afraid to speak evil of Dignities and dâ—spise Goverâ—mâ—nt without 〈◊〉 we are seâ—sible our Societies and Fellowship cannot be kept Holy and Inviolable Therefore as God hath put it into our hearts we do Communicate these things following unto you who are turned from Darkness to Light and Profess with us in the Glorious Gospel throughout Nations and Countries Wherein we have Travelled as well for a Testimony against the unruly as to Stablish and Confirm them unto whom it is given to believe the Truth which is unto us very precious as we believe it is also unto you who in Love have received it and understood the Principles and felt the Virtue and Operation of it In which our Spirits breath that we all may be preserved untill we have well finished our Course and Testimony to the Honour and Glory of our Lord God who is over all blessed for ever 1. We having a true sence of the Working of the Spirit which under a Profession of Truth leads into a Division from and Exaltation above the Body of Friends who never revolted nor degenerated from their Principles into marks of Separation from the Constant Practice of good and antient Friends who are found in the Faith once delivered to us And also into a slight esteem of their Declarations or Preaching who have and do approve themselves as the Ministers of Christ and of the Meetings of the Lords People whereby and wherein Friends are and often have been Preciously revived and refreshed And under Pretence of keeping down Man and Forms doing down the Ministry and Meeting or Encourage those that do the same We say The Lord giving us to see not only the Working of that Spirit and those that are joined to it that bring forth these ungrateful fruits but also the â—vil Consequents and Effects of it which are of no less Importance than absolutely tending to destroy the work of God and lay wast his Heritage We do unanimously being thereto encouraged by the Lord whose Presence is with us declares and testifie That neither that Spirit nor such as are joyned to it ought to have any Dominion Office or Rule in the Church of Christ Jesus whereof the Holy Spirit that was poured forth upon us hath made us Members and Overseers Neither ought they to act or order the affairs of the same But are rather to be kept under with the Power of God till they have an Eâ—r opâ—n to Instruction and come into Subjection to the Witness of God of the encrease of whose Kingdom and Government there shall be no end 2. We do declare and testifie That that Spirit and those that are joined to it who stand not in unity with the Ministry and Body of Friends that are constant and stedfast to the Lord and to his unchangeable Truth which we have receiv'd and are witnesses of and Ambassadors have not any true Spiritual Right or Gospel-Authority to be Judges in the Church and as the Ministry of the Gospel of Christ so as to Condemn you and their Ministry Neither ought their Judgment to be any more regarded by Friends than the Judgment of other Opposers who are without For of Right the Elders and Members of the Church which keep their Habitation in the Truth ought to Judge matters and things that differ and their Judgment which is so given therein ought to stand good and valued among Friends which though it be kickt against and disapproved by them who have degenerated as aforesaid And we do further declare and testifie That it is abominable Pride which goeth before Destruction that so puffs up the mind of any particular that he Will not admit of any judgement to take place against him For he that is not justifyed by the Witness of God in Friends is condemn by it in himself though being hardned he may boast over it in a false Confidence 3. If any Difference arise in the Church or amongst them that profess themselves Members thereof We do declare and testifie That the Church with the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ have Power without the assent of such as dissent from their Doctrine and Practices to hear and determine the same If any pretend to be of us and in case of Controversie will not admit to be tryed by the Church of Christ Jesus nor submit to the Judgment given by the Spirit of Truth in the Elders and Members of the same but kick against their judgment as only the Judgment of Man it being manifested according to Truth and Consistent with the Doctrine of such good antient Friends as have been and are found in the Faith agreeable to the Witness of God in his People then we do testifie in the Name of the Lord if that Judgment so given be risen against and denyed by the party Condemned then he or she and such as so far partake of their Sins as to Countenance and Encourage them therein ought to be rejected and having Err'd from the Truth persisting therein presumptuously are joyned in one with Heathens and Infidels 4. We do declare That if any go abroad hereafter pretending to that Weighty Work and Service who either in Life or Doctrine grieve good Friends that are stedfast in the Truth sound in the Faith so that they are not manifest in their Consciences but disagree to the Witness of God in them Then ought they whatever have been their Gifts to leave them before the Altar and forbear going abroad and Ministring until they are reconciled to the Church and have the Approbation of the Elders and Members of the same And if any that have been so approved of by the Church do afterwards degenerate from the Truth and do that which tendeth to Division and Countenance Wickedness and Faction as some have done then the Church hath a True Spiritual Right and Authority to call such to Examination and if they find sufficient cause for it by good testimony may Judge them unfit for the Work of Gods Ministry whereof they have rendred themselves unworthy and so put a stop to their Proceedings therein And if they Submit not to the Judgment of the Spirit of Christ in his People then ought they Publickly to be declared against and Warning given to the Flock of Christ in their several Meetings to beware of them and to have no fellowship with them that they may be ashamed and Lambs and Babes in Christ preserved 5. And if any man or Woman
being Resyant a short Attendance might be Sufficient Christ thus dwelt in the Holy Maid Catherine of Jesus as well as in Quakers and their Inspirations coming to none but Expecters that is a sign of their Wrong Original for we cannot Imagine that God will Reveal his mind to such as do nothing sooner than to such as read and pray The ground for this Waiting is taken from Acts 1.4 where the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to tarry or bodily to stay there till the Spirit descended as the last verses of Chronicles are resumed at the beginning of Ezra So the History Luc. 24.49 where the Greek is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 reside or sit you down there is resumed Acts. 1. But it is not waiting in their sence but bodily staying and the very time is limited ver 5. not many days hence Cateches 16 how many days must we wait ten or more why goes not T. E. to Jerusalem and there attend at the right place and time Cyril of Jerusalem saith 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those very words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. which he renews Cat. 17. and applyes those Texts of John wrested by T. E. to them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and makes the Visible descent of the Holy Ghost on them to be their being baptized therewith and with fire Saint Paul advized Timothy to other means than waiting and whether is likelier to know Gods mind he who in pursuance of his waiting entertaineth in the mildest terms the first motions of his own Spirit as Divine discoveries and so quicquid dixerint hoc legem Dei putant ad sensum suum incongrua aptant testimonia ad-Voluntatem suam sacram Scripturam repugnantem trahunt take what they say St. Hierome in his Epistle to Paulinus to be Gods Law c. or he who looking on the Scriptures as the word of God Reads Compares searches out their sence taking the draughts of their Religion thence and leading a Conversation suitable Theophylact was of a different mind from Quakers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in Argumento Epis ad Rom. c. the dayly constant Reading of the Scriptures brings unto the knowledge of them for he cannot ly who said Seek and you shall find knock and it shall be opened unto you T. E. doth also Contradict himself making the Spirit alone to Reveal and yet p. 238. he saith Christ the Lamb doth open them for he cannot make that Lamb whom John Baptised and pointed at to be that Holy Ghost that descended on that Lamb though he make no Distinction between Father Son and Spirit yet he must not confound the Visible Lamb with the Invisible Spirit but whilst he Repaires his sandy Foundation we shall view his Structure raised Cateh Eccl. Po. lon C. 3. The Socinians for the Explaining of Prophecies especially the obscurer where Divine men have not already done it or given some hints that way or where the event doth not unfold them require the peculiar help of the Divine Spirit Mr. Boyls style of Scrip. p. 38. applying 2 Pet. 1.21 to that purp se and all may accord with that noble person that Oâ—scureness is wont to attend prophetick Raptures and the assigning the exact completion of many of them hic labor hoc opus est but whether the History or their Motions be more truly serviceable thereto may appear in this Chapter But Thomas Elwood excepts no part the whole is a Sealed Book to him even that David begat Solomon till his supposed Interpreter unfold it The Difference then is whether the Scriptures be penned in such a Style that they need a second Immediate Revelation to confer their true Sence and that Art Study Industry or humane learning which is to be conversant in natural humane or civil affairs p. 218 219. are no wayes serviceable which T. E. maintains which though it was true yet we have no evidences to satisfy that the Quakers Inclose and are Intrusted with handing these Inspired Expositions to mankind for taking our selves for Believers we might put in for our share rather than they we owning the Scriptures and those he calleth Martyrs more than they do and so granting his whole Article we are no nearer Satisfaction with whom that whole sole Power is lodged Protestants on the other hand assert That the Scriptures are so penned that weaker Parts upon reading hearing the word praying and endeavouring may attain so much knowledge as will save their souls and that the more Recondite and abstrucer parts may be understood by such helps as God hath afforded and doth bless to his Church as Tongues Historys Idioms Comparing obscurer with clearer texts c. So far as is necessary to Salvation it not being required thereto to to be able to give an Infallible Exposition on each line in those sacred pages Now 1. This doth not Exclude Holyness of life as a help to discern the Excellency of Divine truths His secret is with the Righteous Prov. 3.32 with them that fear him Psal 25.14 if any man do his will he shall know of the Doctrine whether it be of God Joh. 7.17 Sapientia Christiani est timor est amor Christi Salvian 2. Nor Indifferency of Judgement in our search Mr. Mede Mr. Chillingworth freedom from the Studium partium or the travellers Indifferency as two great names worded it 3. Nor the Assistance of the Spirit which assists to know as well as to will or do inclines inlightens gives a Right Judgment in all things he seeth necessary going along from the first preventing to the utmost Persevering but the Difference lyeth in the kind and the manner of its operation This Secret Working and Breathing or as Mr. Pen words it more safely than T. E. secret strivings Winding sh p. 4. discoveries and operations fresh and lively touches is as much different from Immediate Apostolical Inspiration as Gods minutely Concourse is from the Power of Miracles when he alters or exceeds the Regular Established course of Nature so that we allow the Spirit to all purposes but assert God doth not Multiply things unnecessary T. E. folds his hands and waits and Inspired Expositions drop into him we are gratefull for Scripture and use our best means to Understand it and think the Spirit helps the most when we are the most Diligent he is for such Revelations as the Apostles had conferred instantly we are for Gods ordinary Assistance to our Endeavours which yet Render us more Infallible than his calls do offer Violence to our Wills We take the means and the Sâ—â—rit together his Spirit Resolves all withoâ—â— means we joyn the Spirit and means together as plowing c. on mans part and Rain c. on Gods do Concur to the producing Corn. T. E. â—â—d have the best crop an hundred sold but the Rain must do all he cannot Dig or Sow yet his Increase is no less than Apostolical The Divine Books are so composed that they need not a
of the Gospel nor directed to the Disciples by which he dispatcheth also much that Christ spoke 5. To do that more effectually he breaks all in pieces with this reply p. 37. it was under the Law before the One offering was actually offered up making what Christ spoke whilst alive and Executing his Prophetick Office to signify nothing to us 6. He makes the Apostles to speak by way of condescension to take in others and omit themselves p. 77. which though sometimes used yet must not be pressed when such terms as we All Jam. 3.2 do include themselves as well as others 7. He declines the Lords Prayer as taught p. 81. when the Disciples were young and weak c. which equally destroys the whole Sermon on the Mount at the same time delivered Thus David George and the Familists said the Scripture was given to Novices 8. He changeth Tenses p. 137. is should be read was an alteration which if allowed may be serviceable to strange purposes 9. He inlargeth to his party the particular Promises made to the Apostles p. 228. and the Commands as Matth. 10. about meat and drink 10. He conceals the unkind parts of a Text which favour not his Pretensions p. 230. this he conceals with an c. he shall bring to your remembrance all things c. and quoting John 16.13 he wholly omitteth the last word he shall shew you things to come and yet challengeth all the other Promises 11. He gives Christs words a downright denyal p. 20. to that Command Mat. 23.3 to do whatsoever they bid them he replyes nay hold there we have had too much of that already He fastens also a Ridiculous Command upon God whilst he saith to challenge a property in mans Labour c. is ridiculous p. 335. when as the Priests by Gods Command had a Property therein receiving the Tenth of that Increase obtained by sweat care industry c. And he saith That Christs Excellency lay not in Humane Learning p. 207. had he said His Commission lay not there he had spoken like a Schollar of so All knowing a Master He that made the Eye shall he not see c. Suppose a man be pressed to any Duty Thomas Ellwood hath furnished him with evasions the Law doth not oblige nor what Christ spoke before his Death this discards the Old Testament and the Gospel and the Remainder may be avoided by his Rules as spoke to such as were weak or under the Law or by way of Condescension or if none cut the knot yet the last breaks the Bonds insunder Nay hold there we have had enough of that already thus whilest he is pleading men may live without Sin he enervates that Doctrine which was designed to keep them from it and his New Light attempts to turn true Old Religion out of the World The Conclusion HAving Considered his Pretence to Inspirations I think it not necessary now to view his Notion of Humane Learning that being in Effect yielded up by acknowledging that Learning must Translate put an English Bible into his hand for his Spirit if true is as able Immediately to do the one as the other When Thomas Ellwood considers Sacred Geography Historyes Prophecyes Chronology the Fabrick of the Temple the dispersion of People over the World Numbers Weights Coins Measures Customs Rites Proverbs with many such he must acknowledg the usefulness of Learning in other concerns besides bare translating the most convincing and beneficial Employment for him will be to let the World see the noble Fruits of his Interpreting Spirit for the Ministration of the Spirit being given to every one to profit withal 1 Cor. 12. he is bound to acquaint the World with his Inspired Expositions and if he please as a Specimen to begin with the Chronicles from what he doth perform In Prolâ—go we may be induced to change our thoughts about their Pretensions St. Hierom saith the Book of Chronicles is such that without it if a man arrogate to himself the knowledg of Scriptures he doth but abuse and delude himself and Dr. Lightfoot thinks that a close Comment on it would contribute much Light to the other Scriptures when we see solid Interpretations and not Allegorical Fancyes proceed from him we may entertain better Opinions but he must borrow none of our Aegyptians Jewels nor go to the Philistins Forge to sharpen his Weapons nor with David make use of the Sword of Goliath though wrapt in a Cloth behind the Ephod and that there be none like it For our security of his Faithful performing when he discerns his Spirit to seize on him let him repair to some Justice of peace or his Parish-Priest that by them he may be certifyed of the Truth or if his Spirit be indisposed like Baal be talking pursuing in a Journey or in a sleep and must be awaked we shall have patience a while till he be better fitted such a Specimen as above will for a while imploy us but I suppose he need no protracting of time the Spirit of Truth dwelling in them and suffering no recess he must be always ready but if he will bury that his Talent in a napkin and think a rejoynder sufficient I desire he will Demonstrate the Fruits of the Spirit in his proceedure The Jews put off difficult things till there stood up a Priest within Vrim and Thummim and afterwards till the coming of Elias if Quakers speak true better than those are now come among us 't is but a Reasonable Request we make viz. Apostolical Proofs of his Apostolical Inspirations or convincing Evidences to remove those many Reasons drawn up against his claims but he must not make out his pretensions from those Sacred Scriptures which he denies to be the Rule and looks upon as unintelligible without Inspiration and when they are produced do cunclude as fully for any other party as for his when he Demonstrates his Spirit some other way it will deserve another manner of discussion but besides Miracles he must produce the Spirit of Prophecy or certain proofs like Daniels weeks c. That this is the foretold Season when the Dispensation of Christ in the inward or in the Spirit was to Commence and withal Evidence that our English Quakers and Positively whether the Conforming or Non-conforming party are the Persons intrusted with the delivery of it or if he except against their being the off-spring of Winstanley it no way can prejudice us we having as much reason to believe a Levellers Inspirations as a Quakers There having been in the Preceeding Discourse Reference sometimes made to the Quakers Testimony or Constitutions and those being Destructive both of the Light in each man and of Thomas Ellwood's Immediate Revelation in each Believer they are here verbatim Presented A Testimony from the Brethren who were met together at London in the third Month 1666. to be Communicated to the Faithfull Friends and Elders in the Countries by them to be Read in their several Meetings and