that may be seen and is more excellent and higher then any Angel Ergo he is not in Heaven that cannot be seen with the bodily eye because of its distance from us Are you not convinced mightily with such strong Argumentations In Eph. 1.20 21. He is said to be set far above every name that is named not only in this World but that which is to come Ergo Christ is above the Father this is the same way of Reasoning That Christ as to his Manhood hath been upon Earth and is upon Earth at least as to his Soul since his Ascension they attempt to prove here Pag. 9. from the Scriptures that speaks of his coming to his Disciples since that time John 14.2 If I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you vers 18. I will not leave you comfortless I will come unto you Answ The first place speaks of his coming at the day of Judgment when he will instate his Saints in their full Glory and Happiness in body as well as soul this is the secónd Personal appearance of Jesus Christ which is not yet but will be at the times of the restitution of all things as the Scripture speaks The other Scripture speaks of his coming in the power of the Spirit to their hearts to comfort them in the evil days wherein they should be cast then they are nothing at all to their purpose to prove Christ personal Descension upon Earth either as to his Soul or Body since his Ascension into Heaven Another Objection is drawn from John 3.13 No man hath ascended up to Heaven Pag. ibid. but he that came down from Heaven even the Son of Man which is in Heaven Here is a third of the Objections which they say is of my own framing and it 's brought here against Christ being now in Heaven as to his Manhood I have in my last answered it fully to which you may have recourse as to what they beg here I can grant them the whole without any loss to my cause or gain to theirs Christ was spiritually in Heaven with his Saints when on Earth and is spiritually on Earth with them now he is in Heaven The Reader knoweth what we mean by the spiritual presence of Christ with his Saints They say Pag. ibid that of his coming the Apostles had signs and evidences who by him wrought Miracles Acts 4.10 i. e. the Miracles that the Apostles wrought were signs of his Personal coming that he hath been upon Earth since his Ascension as to his Manhood Answ There were Miracles wrought by Moses and Eliah and Elisha and what they did they did by the power of Christ who is God blessed for ever Therefore Christ Jesus did Personally appear upon Earth and came again from Heaven in his Manhood before ever he had a Manhood or ever did ascend into Heaven risum teneatis Amici Miracles wrought by the Apostles were only Signs of the coming of Christ in Power and Spirit Here now comes their exceptions against four of the Properties of the Manhood of Christ as they stated by me what pity is it that they should take so much pains to oppose themselves in their own confession The Manhood of Christ since the Ascension is the Object of Sense is hath been seen with the bodily eye and may be seen Stephen saw him thus in my last To this they Object Pag. 10. but before I name their Arguments I here cry out of open and manifest wrong in that they Quakers have twice or thrice endeavoured to make the Reader believe that I asserted there was no more in Stephen 's seeing the glory of God and the Son of Man in Heaven than what was natural that he had no extraordinary assistance and strengh from God in it Pag. 11. but to place all this sight upon carnal and bodily eyes these are their words whereas they had writ my own words before viz. Stephens sight was strengthened after a wonderful miraculous way so that he pierced to the Heavenly glory with his eye this was more than what was natural no doubt mark that whether this be not wilful forging judge ye But to their Arguments against Stephen's seeing Christ in Heaven with his bodily eye it being strenghthened by the Lord. 1. According to my own confession Christ was passed into the invisible Heavens Ergo he could not be seen Pag. 10. Answ Their Argument is only a Childish quible about the word invisible if I had but in the stead of it said unseen there would not have been any ground for this cavil but I did indeed think I should be taken in that sense and I believe was by all but the Quakers Should I say many of the Stars are invisible will any understand me that they are not capable of being seen by any Teliscope or Prospective glasses or that they are not ordinarily seen because of their great distance and the weakness of our sight Children will play with Rattles Arg. 2. Pag. 11. The ground of Stephen 's seeing the Heavens opened and Jesus on the right band of God was on his being full of the Holy Ghost Answ If meerly being full of the Holy Ghost be the ground Then Moses and all the Prophets-saw the Son of Man standing at the right band of God before he was the Son of Man or ever did ascend thither for they were all filled by the Holy Ghost And then Barnabas and all the Disciples in the second Chapter of the Acts saw the Son of Man in Heaven and then this that is related of Stephen in this History that we took to be a singular remarkable thing is but what is common to all Saints filled with the Spirit besides how can this meerly as such be the ground of Stephens sight of Christ in Heaven when the wicked shall see Christ coming in power and great glory Rev. 1.7 Every eye shall see him it cannot be meant of a spiritual sight for every one hath not a spiritual eye For ought I can learn these men understand nothing more nothing besides some spiritual sight that Stephen had of Jesus Christ on Earth in his own heart else why do they mention the vision that John had as a parallel instance Pag. ibid. John saw the golden Candlesticks and in the midst thereof one like-the-Son of Man Now those Churches that were represented by the seven Candlesticks were then upon Earth stay and hear the conclusion Ergo when Stephen looked up stedfastly into Heaven and saw the glory of God and the Son of Man at the right hand of God the Heavens being opened All this was no more then seeing Christ on Earth the light in his own Heart and Conscience O for a little plain heartedness and honesty The instance is not parallel John's we say and believe were only Spiritual Revelations in extasies and trances Stephen's was an Ocular Vision Let me add this to these poor unbelieving Creatures why should it seem a thing
impossible to you that God should so strengthen with his Divine power the bodily eye of a Saint to see into the highest Heaven removing all things out of the way which is denoted by that Phrase The Heavens opened The last thing in this matter Pag. 11. This renders the glory of God and his right-righthand also obvions and visible to carnal eyes you may see say they what mean and carnal thoughts this man hath of God and the glory of God Answ I would not be guilty of any carnal thoughts of God or his glory but yet I dare not but believe the Scriptures of Truth and what they have declared in these matters although I should not satisfy my Reason in all particulars yet it is my duty to submit to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 thus saith the Lord. I do believe the Deity it self cannot be seen no Mortal eye can approach that invisibility yet I believe that Peter and John did see Christ in his Transfiguration they saw his face shine as the Sun and his raiment as white as Snow Mat. 17.2 They saw it I believe with their bodily eye and I query whether that was not something of the glory of God whether there was not a Material created light and splendor that God made use of to set forth the Majesty and Glory of his Son to these his Disciples external Senses Exceptions and Objections against the other Property of Christ Manhood I say it hath the same Form and Figure that it had when here upon Earth yet withall say it is a very glorious Body How gloriously is it represented and painted out to us by Daniel and John more bright then a thousand Suns 1. They cavil at this and say how then hath it the same Form and Figure that it had when here upon Earth was it thus bright and glorious more then a thousand Suns when here on Earth subject to sufferings Pag. 12. Answ I willingly grant that the Manhood hath much more glory upon it then it had in its suffering state but it s being invested with more glory did neither change nor annihilate the Form he had the same Humane shape no doubt when transfigured as when he was crucified and the same Humane countenance a man may be now in vile raiment and anon in gorgeous Attire yet remain the same Man and have the same Form and Figure and distinguishing Character in his face the Sun might have a thousand times more light lustre and glory in it yet retain the same dimensions and rotundity 2. This is to intrude they say into unseen things Pag. ibid. Answ While I keep within the bounds of Scripture and right Reason grounded upon it I do not intrude and whether I have not done so I leave it to the judgement of Christians What would these men have the Manhood must either have the same Form and Figure that it had here upon Earth or it must have the Form and Figure of some other Creature i. e. either of an Angel or of which I will not write or there must be a transmutation of it into the Deity which way soever they take they destroy the Manhood of Jesus Christ which is a destroying the whole Christian Religion at one blow 3. Exception Pag. 12. They say that I talk like one ignorant of the Scriptures in asserting that the Manhood hath the same Form and Figure that it had when on Earth in that he was known to his Disciples after his Resurrection and saith that he appeared in divers Forms after his Resurrection Mark 16.12 After that he appeared to two of them in another Form Answ All the Books of the Evangelists do but compleat the History one of them is to give Light to the other and in any difficulty one to open and explain the other some of them being more full than the other This is Mark is the shortest of all now look into the same particular portion of History as it was written by Luke Luk. 24.15 And it came to pass that while they communed together and reasoned Jesus himself drew near and went with them but their eyes were held that they should not know him it was then he himself and like himself with the same Form and Figure Humane otherwise he ceased to be a man but it pleased the Lord who had absolute command over their senses so by his power to hold their sight that they should not presently discern who he was but seemed to them as one in another habit so the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth sometimes signify 4. Except But if in the same Form how came it to pass that Mary did not know him but thought it had been the Gardiner John 20.14 15. Answ 1. This Scripture makes directly against them it appears that Jesus had a Humane shape and form after his Resurrection which is a glorified State for such is the form and shape of a Gardiner 2. But that Mary did not know him but supposed it had been the Gardiner no wonder when as she knew not that he was risen she came not to look for a living man but only for the dead body Vers 15. if thou hast born him hence tell me where thou hast laid him 3. I say here eyes were held that she should not know him as in the Scripture of Luke before 5 Twice he appeared in the midst of his Disciples the doors being shut John 20.19 26. was there no change then Pag. ibid. Answ Yes of State and Condition not of form and Humane figure The Papists make use of this Scripture for their Transubstantiation they say his body penetrated the doors the same apprehensions must these Quakers have or else in vain do they quote this Scripture but it s no where said that he went through the doors The preposition 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not in the Text only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the doors were shut when he appeared in the midst of them none of them nor any other man opened the doors for him there was then no question a Miracle wrought by him but not by penetrating the doors how then came he in why how came Peter out of Prison did he come through the Iron gate Acts 12.10 They came to the Iron gate that leadeth unto the City which opened to them of its own accord could not Christ effect the like think you for himself Pag. 12 13. The Opposers give a lash at two other Properties in a very scornful way As for his uncouth and unscriptural talk that the Saints ought to worship the Humane Nature of Christ and this Humane Nature is such as giveth life unto our Souls we need take little notice of such Language Answ My Language as to the first is not unscriptural for there I say he received worship from several when he was here on the Earth in the Flesh and this is so notoriously known that I need not to instance But here I will give you some Scripture Mat. 2.11 The
have so frequently caught them jugling equivocating quibling cogging the Dice that we can no more trust them they have said much here more then ever I read in any of their books we would be glad if they were real but behold with the very same breath they unsay it again Pag. 15. This exaltation was not that he might remain in a place remote mark that and separate from his body which he is the head of giving this reason for it For this were to keep body and head asunder adding that the Son of Man had power to descend at his pleasure to come again bringing Matth. 28. I will be with you always to the end of the World Note here is one of the Objections as they say of my own framing the rest will follow They had pray remember in the beginning utterly denyed the matter charged here they are willing to own a good part of it viz. That Christ is not in Heaven a place remote They confessed just now that the same man Jesus Christ that died was raised and ascended But let us enquire whither did he ascend They answer into Heaven But may be mean a state of glory no a place of glory say they but observe the next question in order Where is this Heaven Is it above or beneath Is it remote and and far off or is it near their answer is It must not be remote it must then be near at hand it must be where the Mystical body is and part of it I am sure is on Earth for the head and body must not be asunder why then when they say the same man ascended into Heaven they mean nothing but that Globe which we call the Earth that Heaven they call Gods dwelling place but they mean the hearts of Men he changed not his state only but place at his ascension but that change of place was such you must know that notwithstanding he was here on Earth as to his Manhood for his soul was in the Saints we may despair at this rate ever by words to understand one another Here is Babel indeed Language confounded But he had all power in Heaven and Earth given him and therefore might descend at his pleasure and he promised to be with his Disciples alway to the end To argue from Christs power to his will was never accounted strong or right reasoning The Papists argued thus against the Martyrs for their Transubstantiation viz. God had power and was able to turn the Bread into his Natural body ergo when as the Word his revealed Will declared it otherwise and called it Bread after it was blessed would it be a good argument Christ hath all power in Heaven and Earth given him therefore he may be crucified over again when as the will of God is revealed in the Scripture Heb. 9.26 that he is but once to be offered in the end of the World so in this case Christ though he hath all power can do nothing contrary to his own Will revealed Now it 's plainly revealed that Christ as to his Manhood is not to descend frequently upon Earth but is to abide in Heaven an appointed time which is not yet finished Acts 3.21 Whom the Heavens must receive till the times of restitution of all things If they would mind this one Scripture it would put an end to all their cavils and guide them in this controversy What was received into Heaven His Manhood only as for his Deity it is Infinite and can in no wise be said that the Heaven received it Now how long is the Heaven to receive this Manhood Till the times of the restitution of all things which times let them dare to say are already come he hath not then as yet descended here on Earth as to his Manhood Notwithstanding he hath fulfilled his promise and hath alway been present with his Disciples in the discharge of their Ministerial gifts and will be to the end of the World by his Spirit The reason of this which they produce why the Manhood must not be in a place remote Because that Head and Body would then be asunder Answ It 's not possible for Christ and the Church his Body to have some union without a corporal touch The Sun is in the Firmament at a great distance yet we have some kind of union with it a man may be many miles distant from his wife yet he hath some kind of union with her we took this union to be Mystical and Spiritual not corporal and carnal as there is one soul throughout the natural body of Man the same in the head and in every member so one Spirit in Jesus Christ the Mystical Head and in every one of his Members the Saints whereby they are united to him 1 Cor. 6.17 He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit Let it be judged now whether the Quakers are not those that know Christ after the flesh when they speak of the Manhood being locally present with and in the Saints otherwise there can be no union they think But Christ being present in Spirit which I grant must needs say they Pag. 6. be an overturning of what I have assorted and a contradicting my self and therefore they call upon me to reconcile it how I can But why so because that the Spirit of Christ is an Essential part of the Manhood the same with his Soul Now if Christ be present by his Spirit in his Saints then must he be in some part of his Manhood oâ— Earth I have read there were some formerly that held the Holy Ghost did inform the Humane bod of Jesus Christ instead of the Soul but this opinion of the Hartford Quakers is much worse for they grant that the Soul or Spirit spoken of is an Essential part of the Man Christ in the very same sense with me and yet saith it is in every Saint investing it with the Office of the Holy Ghost Let us try this notion if the Soul of Christ's Manhood be present on Earth with and in his Saints then it must be one of these two ways Either with or without the Humane body united to it or separated from it if in and with the body united then the Humane body which was taken of the Virgin is likewise with and in every Saint on Earth and so is become an Infinite and Immense Spirit and is ceased from being a Humane body this is so monstrous we dare not believe it Or 2. It is separated from the Humane body in its presence with the Saints then is not Jesus Christ a man in Heaven as they have confessed it is but a dead body in Heaven This we cannot receive He was dead once but is alive now and he is to be alive for evermore Rev. 1.18 If they say that needs not viz. that the Soul should be separated from the Humane Natural body it may be and is in it still in Heaven and extended from it to every Saint upon Earth Then must the