9.24 And to bring in everlasting Righteousness prophecying of the Messiahs coming in the flesh he saith Seventy weeks were to be accomplished to make reconciliation for iniquity atoning justice by being cut off vers 25. not for himself then it was to be and not till then not before he offered not himself before Heb. 9.26 But now once in the end of the World hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself Abraham David Paul none of them brought in this Righteousness was Paul crucified for you 1 Cor. 11.3 yet is this Righteousness an everlasting Righteousness the working of it was now and fulfilling of it in his person taking flesh upon him but yet everlasting in that it was first the Righteousness that the Father had from eternity designed Secondly the Righteousness of the eternal word Thirdly a Righteousness of an eternal virtue and efficacy Fourthly a Righteousness that remained forever where-ever it is imputed Fiftly a Gift never by God repented of Therefore it is very frivolous and arguâ—s nothing but that thou wantest matter to fill thy paper with to cavil in this wise as if it could enter into my thoughts that any either before or after were saved but by vertue of this Righteousness when-as against Papists Socinians Quakers I am pleading that all those I named viz. Abraham David Ezra Daniel Job Isaiah had no Righteousness that would save them but this because the other Righteousness they had in them was imperfect as appears by their Confession of sin and God will accept of nothing but what is intirely and absolutely perfect As to that Micah 5. I cannot find the word everlasting but only in the vers 2. where it is thus written whose goings forth have been of old from everlasting which is certainly spoke as to Christ's Deity for his coming forth from Bethlehem was in time there mentioned and then did he bring in and fulfil and not till then this Righteousness that I am speaking of In the fulness of time God sent his Son Gal. 3. Behold I come to do thy will A Body hast thou prepared me Heb. 10. J. C. pag. ibid. We Believe Salvation only by that Jesus which witnessed a good Confession before Pontius Pilate Answ This is a good Confession if only by him then not by the light within for that is not Jesus that witnessed before Pontius Pilate if only by him exclusive of all things else then not by the Vertues Gifts and Graces of the Spirit for they are not Jesus that witnessed amp c. J. C. pag. 10. For Answer to the Heathens Knowledg of God's Vengeance and sight in the Deity I refer the Reader to the Reply to the young Mens Book Answ I shall also defer my Answer in full till I come to that only say that I find you Brethren in iniquity in abusing so grosly my words If you do it not with purpose and design then you be more ignorant than School-Boys If designedly it is Jesuite-like my words are these viz. They saw speaking of that Barbarous people in the Deity a Vengeance ready to punish Now would not a Boy of seven years of Age take it thus viz. They saw a Vengeance ready to punish sin in the Deity i. e. to be in the Deity and thou with thy Brother makes this phrase viz. in the Deity to be the modus of their seeing the Vengeance when-as before I said that God had Justice in him there is the Subject of it the very Light of Nature sheweth there is the way and manner of their seeing it not as you say and make use of it as a Concession for your turns sight in the Deity i. e. Light that was in their Consciences believing the Light to be God himself O horrid Blasphemy you would make me speak-like your selves I believe no other Light in those Heathens but that of Nature and this was not the Deity But 〈◊〉 the Reader take notice that J. C. wholly passeth over this Paragraph concerning that of Christ's Righteousness as indeed he doth the other two before which consists in his sufferings and making satisfaction and not a word unto that Vengeance that is naturally in God lest he should discover himself to be a Socinian Oh for a little plainness from this people for if this be true that God hath a Vengeance in him and that naturally his Nature engageth to punish sin and all have sinned I would know how all the Righteousness of meer Man will or can atone this but I had like to have omitted something material J. C. pag. ibid. But for thy own knowledg of it I find thee like the Pharisees of old casting all God's Vengeance upon Christ an easie way of thou could'st so escape it by imagining his doing and suffering God's pleasure to be reckoned thine by a bare belief of it wholly without thee Answ I do not understand thee help me herein I pray thee how the Pharisees did cast all God's Vengeance upon Christ as a way to escape the wrath to come Mat. 3.7 I never read this or heard of it It is written who hath warned you to fly from the wrath to come and that followes bring forth Fruit meet for Repentance so then they having some convictions upon their Consciences and apprehensions of wrath through John's Ministry betake themselves to the Baptism of John believing that an External submission to this would be sufficient to 〈◊〉 their Consciences in the mean while being destitute of any inward change of heart or any real Holiness in their lives and all this while had no whit of Faith in Jesus Christ which is always accompanied with true Repentance as the beginning of it These Pharisees were very ignorant of Christ if not altogether they were Vipers John calls them so they placed their Religion in their carnal kindred to Abraham v. 9. and were Chaff to be burnt up v. 12. yet thou dost make their Faith as good as the Faith of any of the Godly in the Nation my Knowledg of the Vengeance of God is this which I express in the Epistle if it should rest upon thee or me or any of the Sons of Mâ—â— or all Mankind it would burn to the neithermost Hell Therefore having felt something of it in my Conscience in the sence of Sin and knowing more of it was due to me for my sins I fly by Faith which the Spirit works in me by the hearing the Gospel to Jesus Christ 〈◊〉 be delivered from this wrath to come 1 Thess 1.10 believing through Grace that all that Vengeance and Wrath that was due to me for transgression was upon that person Jesus my Surety in my stead and room and though thou dost scurrilously call the Faith we have Imagining yet this is the Faith of God's Elect Isai 53. The Chastisement of our Peace was upon him which we should have born in the same kind v. 7. the right reading of it is it was exacted and he answered and whoever believes not thus
thou mentionest 〈◊〉 the Pharisees themselves with their erroneous Principles directly such â— sort of People as the Quakers as thou mayest see in the Answer to Crook and the Lords hand will assuredly pluck up all Heresies and Hâ—reticks in due time In Pag. 33. He pretends to describe the Glorious State of the Kingdom of Christ as brought in by Obedience to the Light Within Read it over for it is too long to Transcribe and you will see this is the sum of it viz. That all the Earth would become outwardly reformed living Peaceably Sobeâ— Civil Neighbours one to another not wronging one another that Law-Suits and Wars would be no more but every 〈◊〉 growing Rich Building and Planting they would all have Vines and Fig-trees and so sit under them in Peace and Eat and Drink the good of the Land Live merry sensual proud lives yet all this while Carnal Ignorant have Lusts Reigning in their hearts not a Dram of the Knowledg of a Mediator or any thing of the Spirit of the Son upon them not a word of that in all this but only guided by the Light within i. e. In a word the Subjects of this Kingdom and all Inhabitants of the World will all be Quakers honest civil Heathens and Baily apprehends this Kingdom will never come till we all take up this Principle of obeying the Light of Nature and so turn Quakers Baily saith peremptorily that Christ's Kingdom would come this way viz. By attendance to the Light and appeals to the wise in heart to Judg. Now let the Judgment be made from these two Scriptures that he hath quoted Isa 2.4 and Micah 4.2 For out of Zion shall go forth the Law and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem Whether is this the Light within that every Man hath or the Preaching of the Gospel by Apostles is the question Now to resolve it what we are to understand by the Law going forth from Zion and the word from Jerusalem whether it was not the Apostles Preaching first to the Jews according to their Commission they were sent to the lost Sheep of the House of Israel and not to go into the way of the Gentiles and this they did and when they had done it then they turned to the Gentiles The Preaching of the Gospel did thus go out of Zion and from Jerusalem from among the Jews to the Gentiles the Law of works was from Mount Sinai but the Law of Faith as it is called Rom. 3.27 did come from Mount Zion according to that in Luke 24.47 That Repentance and Reâ—â—â—â— of sins should be Preached in his Name among all Nations beginning Jerusalem Whether was it this Doctrine or the Doctrine that George Fox â—â—â—ght out of the Mountains in the North about 20. years since that 〈◊〉 in the Kingdom of Christ Let the wise Judg 〈◊〉 34. Baily Thou art running the same round again like in the 2 Paragraph thou hast this How would the very Root of wickedness decay and wither inwardly if all were ceased from outwardly would it 〈◊〉 speak Barrenness if no Fruit appeared Reply By this it 's clear what the Quakers Kingdom of Christ is that this Man hath spoke of what a Reformation they would have wrought in the World only outward if this be not right Pharisaism where is there any to paint the outside when all is full of Rottenness within not a word of any change of heart but thou supposest necessarily that if no Fruit outwardly the Root must decay when-as some external means as Cold Mildews Blastings Shakings by Wind may the away all the Fruit of a Tree and yet it 's Root be in it 's full Life and Vigour may not fear of the Law awe of Parents the strength of 〈◊〉 Disease Old Age take many off their Practice of Sin when-as at the same time the Love of it is in their Hearts thus we have counted the number of the Beast as thou biddest us and see that the Quakers Religion is meerly external Before we leave this let the Reader take notice how this blind Man perverts that Scripture 1 John 3.8 For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil and puts a mark upon it applying it to the Light within every Man calling it the Son of God who was of the same Nature with the Father the Jews knew that who-ever called himself the Son of God made himself God and therefore they charged Christ with Blasphemy and would have stoned him when he called God Father now here it 's plain he calls this Light of Nature the Son of God coequal coeternal with the Father An Eternal Father must have an eternal Son this is the 5th time of thy Blasphemy Now would you know what the manifestation of the Son of God is nothing but Obedience to the Light and Christ's destroying the works of the Devil only some outward Reformation attained by Obedience to the Light according to the Quakers The other Scripture is Matth. 28.18 All Power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth Bayly Why dost thou leave out these last words viz. in Heaven and in Earth why dost thou quote Scriptures as Satan did omitting 〈◊〉 thereof now Answer is all power in Heaven and Earth given to the Light within which is in every Drunkard Swearer and Robberâ— If so this Light then is to send forth Apostles as Christ did at that time he spoke this of himself and they are to Preach in the Name of this Light and teach them to observe all things that this Light commandeth and this Light is with them to the end of the World and this would enable them to cast out Devils to convert many and would give Eternal Life to as many as it pleased John 17.2 there it is said as thoâ— hast given him power over all flesh that he should give Eternal Life to as many as thou hast given him Doth not thy Ears tingle Reader and thy Heart tremble at these Rampant Blasphemies B. pag. 35. And W. H. saith that the Righteousness of Faith by which we are Justified is wholly without us and that the Father hath poured out all his Wrath upon his Son Jesus Christ now if this Doctrine 〈◊〉 true and sound Doctrine there is no need to fear miscarriages for there is 〈◊〉 Wrath left to punish sinners if all be poured out upon Jesus Christ Reply I have already given Answer to this Cavil consisting of two Branches As for the first touching the Righteousness of Faith I have abundantly spoke to it as the Reader may find in many places both in my Answer to Crook and this Caviller and to the other concerning Gods pouring out his Wrath but will add here a little to that This is true Baily rightly understood as it 's spoke of in the Epistle viz. That the Father poured out all his Wrath upon his Son Jesus Christ by the Wrath of God we understand as in the Epistle may
thee as to thy Wife and Estate to take them from thee What can be the tendency and import of this Phrase so frequently used in thy Book only that you think we have no Right or Claim to the Scriptures as our Rule or that you would if possible take them from us as the Pope from the People Your Rule we are sure they are not otherwise you walk not according to your Rule for ye practice not many things that Christ commanded in the Scriptures Baily It follows that the Faith that Justified them and their Salvation was without by a Righteousness or Person wholly without as ye do Reply I am not here concerned to Answer in that these are not my words nor the young Mans words my words were cited a little before in that same Page of thine line 4. the Reader may see them is this to do Justice Arguments of Baily to prove Man to be Justified by inherent Righteousness Answered B. PAg. 36. Did they not say their Faith wrought by Love Reply The Faith that receiveth Christ's Righteousness doth work by Love but as it works by Love in us it is not the Righteousness that Justifieth nor receiveth it any vertue or efficacy from this working by Love to Justifie us in the sight of God but still the Righteousness that Justifieth us is in the Person of Christ as its Subject Baily And purified their Hearts Acts 15.9 Reply There is a purifying the Heart in Sanctification and in Justification also and both are through Faith it is upon Faith we are Actually forgiven by the merits of Christ thus our hearts are cleansed from the guilt of sin and this is chiefly to be understood I apprehend in this Text. Again by Faith our Hearts are purified in that the New Creature begins in Faith upon our believing we are turned to God begin to Repent and be Holy but yet our Justification is not our Regeneration nor this purifying of the Heaâ—â— in our Sanctification the Righteousness whereby we are Justified B. And that the Righteousness of the Law was fulfilled in them who walk not after the Flesh Reply That Scripture Rom. 8. That the Righteousness of the Lâ—â— mighâ— be fulfilled in us cannot be meant that it should be fulfilled in our persons in that in v. 3. before he saith For what the Law could 〈◊〉 do in that it was weak through the Flesh Now if we could in our own persons fulfil the Law then might we be Justified by the deeds of it but in this v. 3. he had said the Law could not Justifie because it was weak through the Flesh i. e. since the fall none ever that was but meen Man could keep it so it was invalid to Justifie then it follows God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful Flesh c. That the Righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us By Christ coming in the Flesh and being a Sacrifice the Law was Answered in us he having our Nature and being our Head and Surety in our Room and the Law is not fulfilled by any other nor in any other way thou sayest in one place of thy Book that thou hast known the Scriptures from a Child O! that thou hadst but understood this one great place of Scripture thou wouldest never have turned Quaker B. And that the Anointing was in them and was their Teacher and that it was Truth and no Lie Reply May not this be true and yet the other Doctrine also The Spirit here spoke of is in all the Saints and is their Teacher what then did the Spirit therefore dye for the Church shed its Blood on the Cross was that made under the Law is there no distinction to be made betwixt Christ and the Spirit Is that which the Spirit works in the heart of a Saint that very self-same work and suffering and Obedience which Christ acted and sustained in Judea and at Jerusalem we are for inward Righteousness but this is not compleat enough to Justify us B. And was he not their Righteousness Sanctification and Redemption Reply In this Scripture these two viz. Righteousness and Sanctification are plainly distinguished which thou wouldst confound we have both from Christ and by him but they are not both one B. How their Salvation was wrought out with fear and trembling and â—…t it was God which wrought in them to will and to do of his own good â—…ure Reply As to the first of these we shall have an occasion to mention when we come to that part of the Book wherein he goeth about to prove all God's people to have been Quakers The other is true and 〈◊〉 own God's working in us both to will and to do every thing that 〈◊〉 good but yet neither our willing nor doing by his enabling of us is the Righteousness that Justifieth us in the light of God These are all thy Arguments to prove we are Justified by a Righteousness within not without how strong they be let the Reader Judg. After some Repetition of my words in the Epistle viz. Of Christ's being amongst us and that I said we eat his Flesh and drink his Blood that we have Christ both within and without c. Thou Paraphrasest thus B. Now if Jesus Christ dwelleth in you doth not the Saviour dwell in you and if you eat and drink his Flesh and Blood is it not then in you Reply The Saviour Christ is in us by his Spirit but yet neither is the whole person of Christ in us for he is Man as well as God this Union doth not confound our Person and his Person nor our Actions and his but they are distinct neither is this In-dwelling and Union the Righteousness that Justifieth us we eat and drink his Flesh and Blood by Faith so have the benefit of his Obedience Sufferings and Death the Spirit causing us to trust to the Merit of them as Sinners but yet the Flesh and Blood of Christ is not in us unless the Quakers will turn Carpocrations that asserted that they did really eat the substantial Bodily carnal Flesh and Blood of Christ or Papists that assert the very Flesh Blood and Bones of Christ are turned into the Bread or rather the Bread into the Body of Christ Yet the Quakers have asserted this that the Man Christ is within us meaning nothing but the Light within but of this before Thou intimates thus much here Baily that the Flesh and Blood of Christ is nothing else but the Light that is in every carnal wicked Man In the close of Pag. 36. B. Would not this be madness and folly for Paul to say I count all loss and dung that I may Win Christ and that I may be found in him not having those Gifts and Vertues which the Spirit of God worketh in me Reply I query and Answer plainly whether those Gifts and Vertues of the Spirit which he had within him were not his own Righteousness i. e. his own Faith Love Humilty and Prayers Tears Fastings
Ainsworth the corrupt Doctrines of the Jews Now Josephus will tell thee that the Fruit which grew in the place where Sodom and Gomorrah stood was always Bitter and of a Poysonous Nature nay the Grapes and Apples there were so Rotten that if touched they would fall into Dust and Ashes that were fair to the Eye But you delight in such Childish quibbles J. C. pag. 16. Thy following words taste of the same Leaven like those Pharisees that said Christ was a Sinner when he had opened the blind Mans Eyes Let God have the Glory so sayest thou let Christ have the Glory for bringing this young Man amongst you Answ How wide art thou in applying this of the Pharisees the Pharisees did think Christ was a sinner we Believe he is the Holy and just One a Lamb without spot harmless and undefiled such an High-Priest became us to have They did not Believe that Christ was God therefore would not give the Glory to him We Believe according to the Scriptures that he is and was over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. and therefore we give the Glory of all his works and of this work of his upon the young Mans heart in opening the Eyes of his mind to see the glorious Gospel and discern your delusion who was in his first Birth Spiritually-blind Thou and thy Brethren are worse than the Pharisees they acknowledged matter of fact but you deny this young Mans Eyes to have been opened when-as the most inlightened Servants of Christ whos 's same is in all the Churches of the Saints have owned it as an eminent work of the Spirit giving thanks to Christ for it J. C. pag. 5. Again thy words None of those that went out from you were properly of you had Received the Gospel which you Believe No it is not possible for any to receive it truely and forsake it What that Gospel is which you Believe it concerns you to search that it be not another Gospel Gal. 16. than the Apostles Preached Answ It doth highly concern us I grant for we are saved by the Gospel Therefore we have searched the Scripture which you despise and say is not the Rule Where do you search for the Gospel You enquire of the Light within as of the Oracle Therefore that Gospel which we Believe is not another but the same with that which the Apostles Preached We are Built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Christ himself not the Light within being the chief Corner-Stone Ephes 2.20 The Gospel which we Believe is that Good Ancient Everlasting-Gospel which was revealed to Adam fallen and in vain was that Revelation if the Light within would have shewn it viz. The seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents bead The Light within cannot be said to be the Seed of the Woman When the Woman that is not to Prophecy in the Church according to your interpretation is the Carnal part but it is Christ that in the fulness of time was made of a Woman Gal. 4. Again it is that Gospel that was Preached to Abraham viz. In thy Seed shall all the Nations viz. Jews as well as Gentiles of the Earth be blessed Which Seed the same Apostle in the same Epistle saith is Christ's Person This Gospel is witnessed by the Law and the Prophets and the sum of it is in Rom. 1.1 separate unto the Gospel of Christ v. 3. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord who was made of the Seed of David according to the Flesh This is more than to appear in a Body according to J Bolton's Faith and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of Holiness by the Resurrection from the Dead in Cor. 1.15 I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you c. v. 3. how that Christ died for our Sins according to the Scriptures v. 4. And that he was Buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures This is the Gospel and we confessing with the mouth this Jesus Christ and Believing with our hearts that God hath raised him from the dead shall be saved Rom. 10.7 For he was delivered i. e. to death for our offences and was raised up again for our justification Rom. 4.25 J. C. For there were those that perverted the true Gospel and turned it upside down and wrested their sayings to their own destruction and others departed from the Faith which Paul Exhorts Timothy to hold fast 1 Tim. 1.19 Answ It 's very true there were such in the Apostles times and they were those that made themselves equal to the Apostles they transformed themselves into the Apostles of Christ and said Paul was but Carnal walked after the Flesh and do not you pretend to an infallible Spirit equal to the Apostolical Spirit And have not you cryed down all sorts of Ministers besides your selves Now what was that perverting the true Gospel in the Galatians but joyning something to Christ in Justification viz. Circumcision whereby they would make every one a debtor to the whole Law that they must keep it to perfection which whether it be not the same thing that thou art pleading for shall be tryed as we go on Only herein these false Apostles were not so much to be blamed as you we read not that they deserted the person of Christ but you have run up and down the Nation with this viz. That the Light in every Man was Christ from that Text John 1. This was the Light c. J. C. That others departed from that Faith which Paul Exhorts Timothy to hold fast Answ Now John what is Paul's Exhortation to Thee Whenas thy Brother Bayly pag. 35. in a derision saith the Scripture which you call your Rule is not your Rule what matters it what Faith you are Exhorted to thereby why do you thus make use of it But let us see what Faith it was that these departed from in I Tim. 1.19 See that v. 20. mention is made of Hymeneus and Alexander Now in the 2 Epistle to Timothy Chap. 2.17 18. Hymeneus is named again and his Error particularly mentioned saying the Resurrection is past already v. 18. Hymeneus was for an Allegorical Resurrection within and now how often have I heard this that when I have spoke with your Friends concerning the Resurrection of the Body viz. That they witnessed the Resurrection They are for an Allegorical Resurrection This old musty Error of Hymeneus we all know you be guilty of Thou hadst better not named that Scripture Thou goest on J. C. pag. 5. And is not the Gospel the power of God Rom. 1.16 and the being led away by sin and lust a departure from or a denyal of the power as 2 Pet. 3.17 where the Apostle exhorts the Beloved that knew the Truth of the Gospel to beware lest they also should be led away with the Error of the wicked Answ The Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation Christ who is the
that think in these thoughts of Foolâ—â—ess Satan is frequently exciting and suggesting its true but yet 〈◊〉 experienced Christian may discern those Temptations that arise from 〈◊〉 in his Heart from those Temptations of Satan I grant that in 〈◊〉 we yield not to Satan we are not guilty His Temptations not 〈◊〉 to are our Afflictions not our Sins and likewise it 's true of Christ notwithstanding the Devil's Assaults yet was he without sin But then as I have said these Motions and Desires arise not from Satan 〈◊〉 our own Lust and the very presence of them in the Soul is sinful 〈◊〉 been proved Withal may not I say it 's easier to resist the Temptâ—â— than these in that they are so near close and continued and who is there that though he give not a formal express yet a virtual inâ—eâ—â—â—etative consequential consent he doth many a time unawares when he doth but in the least admit of that which is an occasion of sin Again there is sin habitually in the Will of every Man though at present his Will consents not actually to these Motions These Desires arise from a Will that is corrupted As to that of Christ we say he had no Lust 〈◊〉 his case was different he saith of the Tempter John 14.30 〈◊〉 cometh and findeth nothing in me So that his Temptations were only external and there was no mixture of Evil in them you see it 's nothing to the purpose then to instance in him Now John Crook Who are for Holiness more you Quakers or we who pleads for sin most you or we You say we plead for sin when we deny Perfection in this Life we say you plead for sin in saying 〈◊〉 the Motions to Evil in the Heart if not consented to are not sin we 〈◊〉 this now that your Perfection boasted of is no other than that which every Babe in Christ hath viz. Not to consent to these evil Moâ—â—â—â—â— who now hath most tenderness of Conscience you or we you 〈◊〉 that a motion to Adulteries Murthers Incests are not sin if not 〈◊〉 to therefore need not concern your selves about them groan 〈◊〉 them cry out of them be troubled for them but we say they are sins and their being in us is â—â—â—som and burdensom we 〈◊〉 against them the new Creature in 〈◊〉 is contrary to them and 〈◊〉 with them hates them and cannot bear them therefore we 〈◊〉 the the utter extirpation of them and again no wonder you your 〈◊〉 and your followers prize not Christs Sufferings and Atonemâ—nt but 〈◊〉 Proud Pharisaical resting in Moralities and legal Righteousness 〈◊〉 as you believe this and teach it the people that if no consent 〈…〉 Will to covetous and unclean thoughts there is no sin in them 〈◊〉 Blood is therefore despised by you Paul did despise it in Româ— 7. and was alive self-Righteousness led some to know this by understanding the spirituality of the Law Rom. 7. I was alive without the La◠〈◊〉 c. But to return from whence we came Their slavery appears greatly in this thing in that they adhere 〈◊〉 their Teachers as infallible so that whatsoever they say or write they dare not but believe it as Gospel now is not this Bondage and 〈◊〉 Popish Bondage Yea they are brought into Bondage to every 〈◊〉 Voice any thing they fancy to be but a Vision Revelation 〈◊〉 Oh poor deceived people Yea what Bondage ere long will you 〈…〉 to the Presbytery at Devonshire-House no marrying without their 〈◊〉 judging of matters of fact by their pretended Revelations G. 〈◊〉 solving at his Knees whom he will sending out to the Ministery 〈◊〉 he will You may see this in the little Book called the Spirit of the 〈◊〉 and the other stiled Tyranny and Hypocrisie of the Quakers detected Theâ—e is certainly a great Bondage and slavery to be in Bondage to sin and Lusts and not only the Quakers as thou writest think thus 〈◊〉 others But there is another Bondage i. e. to the Law which 〈◊〉 sore Bondage and that I see the Quakers are in viz. to the Law 〈◊〉 Covenant of works You have tempted God and displeased him 〈◊〉 putting this Yoke upon the necks of the poor people and galled 〈◊〉 necks with it and neither they nor any of you are able to bear 〈…〉 to go about to keep the Law so that in case they keep it not to the height they are damned Cursed is every one c. Gal. 3. J. C. Which you believe all Men must continue in term of Life Answ We say and believe that sin will continue in us for 〈◊〉 Life but that Phrase thou makest use of speaks more viz. our â—â—luntary activity in sin which thou knowest we are against we say 〈◊〉 know that the power of sin is broke by the Spirit in us Rom. 6. 〈◊〉 shall not have Dominion c. But yet it doth dwell in us the Leprosie of Original sin will eleave to us till the House of our Bodies be 〈◊〉 down But John if thou beest for absolute Perfection in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sayest thou not so in this place but thou art for lying hid 〈◊〉 J. C. Parag. ibid. As high as Heaven is above the Earth so far is that 〈◊〉 â—f the Faith of Jesus in you above the Spirit of Antichrist that 〈◊〉 them viz. the Quakers How now is your own Righteousness grown 〈◊〉 haft thou forgotten that thou callest the Gifts and Vertues that 〈◊〉 of God works in your minds but your own Righteousness Answ I am still of the same mind what ever is wrought by the 〈◊〉 is but the Righteousness of the Law i. e. what that Law doth 〈◊〉 in us and of us and that Paul calls his own Phil. 3.9 and 〈◊〉 Righteousness doth grow in us stronger and stronger as we hold 〈◊〉 Communion with Christ but my Confidence which I express in 〈◊〉 words doth not arise from my own Righteousness as thou 〈◊〉 left have it but still from Jesus whom I mention in these words 〈◊〉 height and strength of Faith doth not arise from it self as an Habit 〈◊〉 or Act of ours but from its Object Jesus Christ as before Beâ—â—â—â—â— I say the Spirit of Faith viz. That Spirit that is the efficient 〈◊〉 of Faith in Jesus opposing this to a contrary Spirit of Antichrist Now I have said the Spirit it self was not our own Righteousness but 〈◊〉 it in us and is not the Spirit of God above the Spirit of the 〈◊〉 and smaller Antichrists I believe it therefore speak it and I 〈◊〉 it still and affirm it J. C. Pag. ibid. But take heed of the Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost 〈◊〉 Francis Spira's condition be thine or madness and distraction befal 〈◊〉 Answ To the making up of that sin there must certainly be this 〈◊〉 viz. an Acting against high Conviction certain knowledge and perswasion now I ask my self am I convinced and perswaded that the Spirit of Jesus is in the Quakers I Answer my self 〈◊〉 certainly
to any without hearing of it first by the outward ear Can they believe that never heard the word of Faith God can it 's true reveal himself without any outward means but is it his ordinary way Hath he not declared his Will viz. That he makes known himself and his Salvation by Preaching But this same Baily saith no but by silent Meetings and his Brother the Prophet Isaiah is for silent Meetings Chap. 26.8 Yea in the way of thy Judgments O Lord have we waited for thee thy Judgments i. e. silent Meetings would it not be better understood of Afflictions and Chastisements upon the Godly which God inflicts with moderation when-as in 1 Cor. 11.32 it is there When we are Judged we are Chastned Judging is Chastning Judgments then are better expounded Chastisements thâ—n silent Meetings There was indeed a silent Meeting by many of the Corinthians but it was then in the Graves v. 30. For this Cause God did so Judg them that many fell asleep in Death What is there more then in this Scripture but this viz. God's people will wait upon him cleave to him love God honour and serve him in their Afflictions when-as Hypocrites will run away and cast off his fear and speak hardly of him saying why should we wait any longer But another Scripture to prove silent Meetings a means of knowing the Lord is Isa 41.1 keep silence before me O Islands here is the word 〈◊〉 Reply O Islands what is meant by them look into v. 5. The Isles 〈◊〉 the ends of the Earth i. e. the remote places from Judea 6 7. Which worshipped Idols as you may see there next Let the people reâ—â—â— their strength what by people here is to be understood the people here is not Israel for the word is in the plural number and so denotes the Nations in opposition to Israel and in v. 8. you may see Israel is spoke to in contradistinction to the Nations Renew their strength i. e. â—â—ster up themselves and get what power they can and let them speak i. e. then let them plead for themselves now what this keeping silence is Why the Prophet calls to them being about to speak to 〈◊〉 by writing of great things viz. v. 2. Who raised up the Righteous 〈◊〉 gave the Nations before him and made him rule over Kings v. 4. 〈◊〉 hath wrought and done it i. e. Was it any of the Idols that did this Nay I the Lord as it followeth in that same 4th v. He puts these Questions to them and knew they must be silent For it was his own Power not the power of their Idols that did all these great things this is the right understanding now according to you I know another thing can be evinced out of this Scripture but such a sence as this viz. That after the people of the Nations had ended the noise 〈◊〉 would be in making them Idols the Carpenters Goldsmiths as 〈◊〉 When they have done their Sawings Hammerings and driving 〈◊〉 Nâ—ilâ— they may gather as many as can and sit down about these Iâ—â—â— and silently Worship them But Baily this Scripture will not be for 〈◊〉 purpose for here is such a silent Meeting wherein there is speaking mentioned Then let them speak and the Prophet speaks here to the people whom he calls to silence you know it 's common for the people to be silent when any one speaks in a Meeting Acts 21.40 Paul bechened with his hand and there was made a great silence and then Paul spake So God spake to all the Nations by the Prophet that were in Idolatry appealing to them as I said before that it was not their gods but he himself that called Cyrus to this great work if then you would prove silent Meetings from this Scripture as thou sayest thou canst then it must run thus and this is the most genuine sence viz. That the Prophet here calls the Dumb Idols that had Mouths and spake not and Ears and heard not and Feet and walked not to gather themselves together and keep a silent Meeting and there God would be known to them they should turn to the Light and become Quakers The next Scripture for silent Meetings is Jam. 25.2 Zachary 13. Be silent O all Flesh before the Lord such another is that which is joyned to this Hab. 2.20 The Lord is in his Holy Temple let all the Earth know silence before him Now let us try if from hence all Flesh and all the Earth should keep a silent Meeting who seeth not but these two Scriptures with that third that this Man nameth Psal 46. Be still and know that I am God c. do speak forth thus much viz. That seeing the Heathens had been Enemies all along to God's people and had wronged and distressed them now God was eminently coming forth to Judg them and deal with them and therefore speaks thus to them of silence foreseeing how it would be with them all as with them that are amazed and astonished with the sence of their own guilt and weakness and God's Greatness and Righteousness therefore we read in Psal 46. of Desolations in the Earth of Wars and how God is the Lord of Hosts c. Therefore it follows I will be exalted among the Heathen I will be exalted in the Earth W. Baily thou mightest as well have brought that passage in the Parable when the King came in He saw there a Man that had not on a Wedding Garment and he was speechless Mat. 22.11 12. this speaks as much as the other Scripture This Man was astonished at his own Guilt and God's wrath that was due I do think in this sence there will be the greatest silent Meeting that ever was at the day of Judgment when every Unbelievers mouth shall be stopped but yet as no means of savingly knowing God But Revel 8.1 which is brought next will do it effectually all these have failed There was silence in Heaven it follows about the space of half an hour now Baily why didst thou omit this last passage whereby thou mightest as well have known how long your silent Meetings should continue not above half an hour But let us enquire the genuine sence of this place likewise is there any more in it than this viz. that for some small space of time comparatively to the time of trouble the Church should have a time of freedom from persecution this brings to mind that your silent Meetings have been of great use to you in these late persecutions Your custom was we know at Hartford and we have heard in other places likewise in the heat of the Execution of the late Act for fiâ—eing the Speaker so much and so the House and people to have much silence in Heaven for many half hours in many of your Meetings The next Scripture is Psal 4.4 be moved the Hebrew is either with anger fear and grief but sin not Examine your own hearts upon your Beds and be still This certainly is
had swallowed And this Testimony of himself may be credited if enâ—â—ry be made of his Integrity at Hartford and if need be I will prove 〈◊〉 the hands of several there that shall witness that neither he nor I myself are Lyers or Forgers in what we have said in this matter but what we have done herein we have done in Truth and for this end 〈…〉 the gross and damnable Errors of the Quakers In the 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33. for nine Pages together there 〈◊〉 strange a Wild-Goose-Chase as I have seen and the fame Coleâ—â—â—â— boiled over again for frequently things are repeated usque ad nanâ—â—â—â— that turns the Readers Stomack The sum of that which the young Man offers by way of Answering 〈◊〉 Questions is this viz. That the Light which he had before Conversion 〈◊〉 not the Light of the Spirit of the Son of God Jesus Christ that of â—â—generation because of the Fruits of it which were only convictions of â—â—moralities and some outward Reformations but it did not shew the saving knowledg of Christ Crucified in the room of Sinners as their Surety so that it was but the same Light the Heathens had 1600 years since spoke of Rom. 2.14 and all Heathens have it now This is true and we dare maintain it against you all and question not but he is able to say enough for it himself First I will prove that it is but a natural Light which the Heathens have and that which as you say every one hath that Light within Secondly That therefore it is not sufficient to reveal Christ savingly towards the latter end the Reader may see it proved that this Light within is not the Spirit of Regeneration but that it differs in kind Page 1. That which is Common to all men is natural but this Light is Common to all Men Ergo. The Major is made good thus viz. That without which a Man cannot be a Man must needs be Common and so Natural but without this Light Man is not Man Ergo. That which distinguisheth Grace from Nature is this that Grace is a special Gift of God to whom he will the other is Essential to Man he cannot be a Man without it 2. Arg. If the Heathens did by Nature things contained in the Law then this Light the Heathens had was a Natural Light and no more but this is asserted by the Apostle in Rom. 2.14 For the Gentiles which had not the Law i. e. of Moses do by Nature things contained in the Law Ergo. 2. That this Light is not sufficient to Reveal Christ savingly 1. If by Nature all Men are Children of wrath then Nature cannot savingly inlighten but the first is true Ephes 2. Ergo. 2. If Whatever is Natural be but Flesh then it cannot savingly reveal Jesus Christ but the first is true from John 3. What-ever is 〈◊〉 of the Flesh is Flesh 3. If the Heathens by all the Light they had did not savingly know Christ then this Natural Light cannot savingly reveal Christ but thâ— is true that they did not the Scripture testifies 1 Thes 4.5 Tâ— Gentiles that knew not God i. e. savingly in Christ Gal. 4.8 〈◊〉 then when ye knew not God speaking to the Saints how it was 〈◊〉 them before Conversion 2 Ephes 12. they were it 's said withâ—â— Christ and so without God and had no hope If you say it was not sufficient because they resisted it I Answer it 's said they obeyed it in Rom. 2. They did things â—â—â—tained in the Law If you say not to the full I Answer that would have been according to you unto Perfection and then no need of Christ being revealed 4. If the Heathens could by all the Light they had attain to Salvation then their Conversion was not such a Mystery but it 's spoke of as a very great Mystery wherein God's Rich Grace and Power was seen to a wonder as the Scripture bears Witness 5. That Opinion that makes void that Prophecy spoke of Luke 2.32 viz. That Christ should be a Light to Lighten the Gentiles cannot be true but this of the Quakers doth Ergo. For if they had sufficient Light before there was no need of the other 6. If the Heathens notwithstanding all the Light within which is spoke of in Rom. 1.20 yet were at that same time unrighteous Rom. 3.9 10. and under Sin and fallen short of the Glory of God v. 23. unjustified then this is true that the Light they had was not a saving Light but so it is Ergo. You cannot say they were not obedient to it for they did things contained in the Law 7. That Opinion that makes Divine Revelation to be in some is false but this doth to say that the Light that every Man hath is a saving Light Ergo. For if Salvation can be attained by attendance to this Light then it 's in vain for God to make known his will and mind and way to Salvation by the Revelation of the Scriptures Frustra fit per plura and fieri potest per pauciora In vain doth any that by more which may be done by fewer things and ways 8. If the Light within can reveal Christ savingly then was the Covenant made with Abraham no Covenant of Grace it was not Grace to Abraham for God to make known his Will to him when-as he might have attained it by the Light he had before and which others might have known as well as he 9. If all the Light that Adam had before his fall was not sufficient to preserve him to Salvation and prevent his fall much less is that Light in Man being fallen sufficient to restore him and so save him 10. If Angels could have known the Gospel without Revelation then this Light is not sufficient to Reveal him savingly but the Angels could not as appears by the Scripture in that it was a Mystery hid in God and they learned it of the Church Ephes 3.9 10. 11. That which makes the omnipotent Work of God upon the heart of Man by savingly enlightning his Mind and Understanding giving a new Heart taking away the Heart of stone making him a new Creature c. in vain is not to be admitted as true but this doth to say every Man hath a saving Light For if Man by attendance to the Light can be saved then no need of the other works of God upon the Soul of Man If thou writest again Baily Answer plainly to these Arguments The Objections that Baily raiseth are here Answered THe first stone that out of the Rubbish of this Babel is thrown at us is this Baily And in that he saith the Light by which the Heathens did the things contained in the Law Rom. 2.14 Which shewed the work of the Law written in their Hearts is not the Light of the Spirit of Christ he is found a denier of the Scriptures John 1.9 If every Man that cometh into the World be lighted with the Light of Christ then the Heathens and all
this point if it were possible to forget my experience Who knew a time when the Lord gave a Light which I perceived by its workings and operations in me was of a different Kind from that which I had from my Childhood I dare in this point appeal to any that have had experience of the work of the New-Birth upon their hearts Arguments that Baily offers to prove That every Man hath the True Saving Light And that the Light that every Man hath and the Spirit of Regeneration differ not in Kind HE saith That John did testifie That it was the true Light that Lighted every Man that cometh into the World John 1.9 and adds That all Men through him might Believe Reply We have opened this Scripture and given the sense of it and it 's nothing to the Quakers purpose 2. The next Scripture for Proof is Tit. 2. The Grace of God appeareth unto all Men. Here Baily saith Paul is as large in his Testimony as John Reply I think so likewise they do agree in their Testimony every way and one is as large as the other But neither of them in these Scriptures that have been brought speaks a word of the Light within that every Man hath As to this last Scripture this infallible Man is utterly mistaken in the reading of it as before p. 3. Scripture This is the Condemnation That Light is come into the World c. Reply This is spoke of the Person of Christ the Fountain of all Light and of his coming into the World when the Eternal Word took Flesh Argument 4. And the wicked Sloathful Servant was not condemned because he had not a Talent but for not improving of it according to his Masters requiring Reply The Conclusion from hence must be this Therefore every wicked and sloathful Servant hath a true and saving Light and it is of the same kind with that which the best Believer hath Then is the wicked and sloathful Servant a true Believer in some Degree But let us see what Talents these were that are spoke of in those three places Matth. 25. Mark 13. Luke 19. Are we not to understand by these Talents those Offices that Christ did appoint in his Church and Gifts to discharge those Offices This will appear if you consider in Matth. 25. For the Kingdom of Heaven is as a Man Travelling into a far Country who called his Servants and delivered to them his Goods Mark 13.34 it 's said Taking a far Journey and left his House and gave Authority to his Servants and to every Man his Work What could this going a far Journey be but Christ's leaving this World upon his Ascension going to Heaven And compare Ephes 4.8 with this It 's said He Ascended and gave Gifts and tells us there of what kind viz. Prophets Apostles Pastors Teachers c. Officers in the Church as we said before and Gifts to discharge those Offices So then these Servants to whom he distributes these Goods are not all Men in the World as thou Baily wouldst have it For he calls them his own Servants his House but they were such certainly that were in a profession of the Gospel and had Evangelical Gifts bestowed from Christ upon them for the use of their Brethren That these Talents cannot be any Natural Gifts which all have and of which sort the Light within is will appear presently 1. They were such Talents upon the Improvement of which there was Eternal life given v. 21 23. But now Eternal Life is not given upon the Improvement of any Natural Gifts For then that which is Natural would be saving which we have disproved before p. 112. 2. In v. 30. It 's said That the Servant that did not improve the Talent was cast into utter Darkness Was not that Hell think you to be damned Yes surely But now God doth not damn all and send them to Hell that do not improve their Natural Gifts the Light within c. No for the Lord we read converted many that finned against the Light of Nature and Conscience and doth so daily by his Grace To worship Idols Stocks and Stones to abuse themselves â—â—th Mankind to be Drunkards c. are all against the Light of Nature But these things the Corinthians were Guilty of 1 Cor. 6.9 yet upon the Grace of God coming they were Converted Washed Justified Sanctifyed and were not thrown into utter darkness This Word was done for them when they were not improving the Light within but sinning against it to the utmost 3. It is such a Talent that this is said of it viz. From him that 〈◊〉 not shall be taken that which he hath Now if this was to be understood of the Light within every Man then it must be taken away upon the non-improvement of it and if so then must every one it 's taken from cease to be a Man or become a Mad-Man For if the Light be Nature and if Nature be taken away Man ceaseth to be a Man and is not fit for any Society of Men will become as a Bruit not discerning betwixt Good and Evil and be a Fool or Idiot But this we do not see many ungodly Men that do not turn Quakers yet are not Fools many that have been Quakers fallen from them to Loosness and Debauchery yet not Idiots Why then Baily this Scripture is nothing to thy purpose The Slothful Servant was Condemned and that Justly because he did not improve his Talent but it will not therefore follow That this Talent was the Light within every Man and the very same in kind with the Spirit of Adoption and Regeneration as thou sayest I have Reader more fully opened this Scripture because it 's a Scripture that they often make use of and pervert Baily But if all Men are not Lighted with the true Light then some Men have no true Light Reply All Men we grant are lighted with the Light of Nature which we speak of and that it is in its kind a true Light we have granted So that the Inference should have been this viz. Therefore some Men have no true saving Light and that we have proved to be true Baily Then why should such be Condemned that are so miserably deceived Is this equal Reply Who art thou poor crawling Earth-Worm that should reason with God and call him to an account for his matters I ask in order to satisfy this bold Question whether any carnal Man doth to the utmost height at all times obey the Light within If not God then is Righteous in Condemning him If thou Object viz. That we say It is not sufficient for Salvation so that one will be miserably deceived if he trusteth to it and hath not a better Guide I 〈◊〉 God is not bound to give his Good Spirit to any one no Law oâ—â—geth him He certainly may do with his own as he will Object But Man hath not power to come up to that which God requireth Answ If Man hath lost his power
as having Eternal Vertue in them for the taking away of sin appeasing Justice making his whole Church compleat I wonder not â—at any such should Quake and Tremble In a dying hour they will â—â—mble more In the day of Judgment most of all Any that will â—ave no Saviour but the Light within and no Righteousness but what 〈◊〉 in Obedience to that to Justify them in God's sight such will call for the Hills and the Mountains to cover them in that day In the end he casts out like the Dragon a flood of Railing but I must not will not return Reviling but have learned to bless them 〈◊〉 that curse me and to pray for this Man that the Lord would not â—y this sin to his charge viz. of speaking evil of the Truth and of me â—ut forgive him for he knoweth not what be doth Let not the Gospel O Lord be hid unto him Let not the god of this World blind him that the Light of the Glorious Gospel may shine into him Give him the eyeâ—â—â—e open his dark Vnderstanding Let the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation be upon him in the acknowledgment of the Mystery In thy Light â—et him see Light Hide Pride from him bring down every high thing in him every thing that exalteth it self every thought into Captivity to the Obedience of Christ that he may come as a helpless Sinner to be reconciled to God through Christ and not any longer despise the Cross of Christ and count the Doctrine of it foolishness through a Confidence in the flesh lest he wonder and perish Amen WILL. HAWORTH An Answer to Mary Stouts Letter AH W. H. What is become of that tenderness that once was upon thy heart Answ That which was true tenderness in avoiding what was really evil is still through Grace maintained in me But Childish scrupulosity and that Bondage-Spirit that sometimes I have been in and which the Quakers remain in is removed from me through more Gospel Knowledg given to me M. Stout Then wast thou little in thine own eys Answ I am now nothing in mine own eyes as I am in my self By Grace I am what I am And this is the way to be little to have 〈◊〉 sence that by Nature we are sinners and Enemies to God and without strength fallen short of Gods Glory Children of Wrath And so humbly to receive the Doctrine of free Justification by imputed Righteousness which your Teachers oppose Whether is likely to be less in hiâ— own eyes he that seeth he hath nothing to justifie him but what iâ— without which God by a free Act of his imputeth to him or 〈◊〉 that thinks there is enough within from the Birth if it be obeyed 〈◊〉 which he hath Will and Power to do the Lord open thine eyeâ— Mary and humble thee Mary Thou didst then confess to the Truth Answ Christ's Person is the Truth John 14.6 I am the Way thâ— Truth and the Life I am still confessing against the Errors of the Quakers who are certainly against the person of Christ and set up another Christ a Quality that is in every Murderer and Robber which here thou callest Truth and yet it will not teach many things necessary to be known But with this which thou callest Truth and attendanâ—â— on it many have gone astray Witness all the Heathen World anâ— the Quakers at this day wandring in desperate Errors I have aâ— ways given this Light it 's due in its place which is that I suppose thoâ— meanest by Confessing to the Truth I never any otherwise professed Quakerism For then indeed had I been guilty of the highest Rebellion â—maginable to own the Light in every Man to be the Christ of God to lift Nature into the Throne of God to make a Deity of the Creâ—ture which the Quakers do The Lord convince thee Mary of thâ— Truth Mary And the Quakers were honest people in thy account Answ There may be honesty where no Godliness I should be glad if the Quakers were as sound in their Judgments as Moral in their Lives Though of late they have much declined from Morality Whatever thoughts I had of them formerly I know now them better and have no Reason to call Darkness Light having had so much Experience of them how honest soever they be in their Callings I know assuredly there are Errors and Scarlet Errors of a deep dy among them and the Scripture calls Error Iniquity 1 Tim. 2.19 They are then such an honest people among whom there is much gross Iniquity Mary How well had it been with thee if thou had'st grown in tenderness Answ Through Grace I am grown so in tenderness that I cannot but bear my Testimony against the Quakers Errors Where indeed is thy tenderness Mary when-as thou canst bear with such Blasphemies that are in thy Brother Bailies Book Yea Witness to them as Truth That is but a narrow-Tenderness that extends only to witness against some Pride in Apparrel against saluting with the Hat and in the mean while can hug embrace and kiss these Serpents Crocodiles Plague-Sores of Blasphemies I find my Spirit and rejoyce at it growing in this Tenderness every day more and more to loath Corruption stench and rottenness not only in Mens lives but in their Judgments Mary But it is just with the Lord that all them that have rebelled against the Light of his Son should be hardened Answ The Light that every Man hath of which thou speakest is no where in Scripture called The Light of the Son of God Thou mayest learn from Reading this Book that it is but the Light of Nature Your Teachers have beguiled you by putting a false Name upon it Thou might'st as well and may'st as properly call the Sun in the Firmament the Light of the Son of God It 's a far better and higher Light that should be so stiled As for my Rebelling against the Light thou mentionest I can say in a great measure I followed and obeyed it when a Child and a Youth But knew a time when I had a better guide bestowed upon me I have now that Light in me walks not contrary to it But it is not my Guide nor Rule But the Spirit of Christ leads me to the Holy Scriptures as the Rule There have I seen higher and greater things than the Light could discover to me Why should'st thou have me and others walk by Moon-light as in the night when we have the Sun-light to direct us in the day of the Gospel Take heed Mary lest thou hast not rebelled against the knowledg thou once had'st from the Scriptures That God hath thus left thee to Delusion and hardned thee in Error Mary It would be well for thee to consider where thou art and what thou art a doing Answ I cousider my self to be in Christ and that I am doing that which Christ would have me to do for him in my Generation Mary For doubtless thou art now found fighting against the Lord. Answer The Light
he was Maâ— he was capable of suffering Death To be cut off not for himself 〈◊〉 he was God he was able to go through the Work he had to do for pooâ— sinners This was he the Light that John bare Witness of whâ—â— chiefly deserveth the Name of Light seeing he giveth Light 〈◊〉 and receiveth Light of none Now as he was the Creator of all thing John 1.2 So he Lighteth every one we will grant that â—â—â—â—thing the World reading that Phrase as you do Of which Light 〈◊〉 partook before his Fall yea and after his Fall though not in so great 〈◊〉 measure as when he was in the Image of God The Heathens had thâ— Light also yet were without God in the World Ephes 2.12 Tâ—â— Young Man Matth 10.20 that came to Christ had it And Paul before his Conversion yet both were without the Spirit of Regeneration as appears plainly Also there are many things and several Conditions to which man may by this Light of Nature attain and yet be without thâ— Spirit of Adoption viz. to be touching the Law blameless in the eyâ— of Man and seeming to himself to be Righteous before God 〈◊〉 9. It was so with me when time was and I saw no Bondage 〈◊〉 State though there was real Bondage According as it was with the in John 8.33 that said We be Abrahams Seed and are not in Bâ—â—â— to any Man Where Christ did imply that they were not free they 〈◊〉 being sensible of their Spiritual Bondage If any say that by this Light a Man may apprehend the Notion 〈◊〉 Christ a Saviour a Gospel Why If that should be granted 〈◊〉 if I consult my own former experience and the Scripture it 〈◊〉 turneth the Gospel into loosness that Grace may abound or it corrupteth it by joyning the Law and Works for Justification with Christ It teacheth that the Law must be kept perfectly or else thou canst not be saved Yet I still deny that every Man that cometh into the World is Lighted with a Gospel-Spiritual-Light This is a Light that every Man hath not Therefore in Answer to your Request pag. 40. viz. to know of us Whether there be a Light that every Man hath not And if so how it differs from the other I ask Can there be the Light of the Sun without the Sun Or the Light of the Fire without the Fire Or can there be the Light of a Candle without a Candle Then can there be the Light of the Spirit in Man without the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.9 10 11. Now it is Evident that all Men have not the Spirit as in Rom. 8.9 If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Implying that some were without the Spirit Jude 19. Sensual not having the Spirit Gal. 3.2 This only would I learn of you Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith Then there was a Time before they received it seeing they might remember when and how they received it John 14.17 The Spirit of Truth which the World cannot receive Then the World hath it not And many more Instances may be gathered out of the Acts of the Apostles That both Jews and Gentiles had a Light the Gentiles had the work of the Law written upon their hearts and the Jews with this Natural Light the Knowledg of the Law of Moses Yet were without the Spirit not being Converted to the Faith of Jesus but opposing it Wherefore as a Man in outward things cannot lay hold on that which is beyond his reach no more can any by that common Light that every Man hath lay hold on that which is above its reach For that Light that shewed Adam that he had broke the Law of God Gen. 3. did not shew unto him the way of deliverance but God shewed it to him by Revelation So is it in our Day none seeth any Beauty or Comeliness in the Gospel without the Lord reveal it unto him by his Spirit Now here comes in the other Query pag. 41. Whether this Light I speak of the Light of the Spirit of Christ be another sort or kind of Light differing from that which every Man hath I Answer Of those that have the Common Light it 's said John 3. 6. That which is born of the Flesh is Flesh Titus 1.15 16. Vnto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing â—ure but even their mind and Conscience are defiled they profess that they know God but in works they deny him being abominable disobedient and to every good work reprobate or of no judgment The Natural Man discerneth not the things of God neither indeed can 1 Cor. 2.14 But now of those that have the other in the least measure of it this is said 1 Tim. 1.5 Now the end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure heart and of a good Conscience and Faith unfeigned 1 Tim. 1.19 Holding Faith and a good Conscience which some having put away But how did they put it away What by falling into Theft Murder and Adultery and such-like practises Not so much by these things if at all for they became Teachers of the Law and as I humbly conceive thought that the Law must be kept perfectly as necessary for Salvation by which Doctrines they did corrupt the Gospel and cast off the Faith which once they pretended to making an unlawful use of the Law as Paul Witnesseth v. 7 8. whose Doctrine did eat as a Canker as it doth in our day Therefore the sum of all is as to these two Scriptures No Faith in Jesus no good Conscience no pure Light For they are always joyned together never go asunder Furthermore Paul speaking of himself 2 Tim. 1.3 That he served God at that present from his forefathers i. e. as Abraham and Isaac c. that were in the same Faith that he had now only they looked unto Christ to come and he as already come With pure Conscience How so had he not a pure Conscience always No when-as he said of himself before when a Pharisee he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus Yet lived strictly as touching the Law But time was that when a Pharisee the Lord met him and smote him to the Ground and gave him his Spirit and then he builded up the things that before he destroyed viz. The Faith of Christ and then and not till then had he a pure Conscience and served God with this pure Conscience Obj. But why should this Common Light be counted impure or an evil Conscience seeing it reproveth for sin And the Heathens by this did things contained in the Law which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their Consciences bearing Witness Why should it be so called or stiled Answ Because it doth not shew unto Man Obedience to the Will of God from right ends and from right principles from right reason and understanding and judgment But is like an
sin and we ought to call it so and think it so But the Apostle Paul giveth this name to those motions to evil that were in his heart not consented to Ergo. The Major cannot be gainsayed the Minor is proved thus Rom. 7.20 He calls this sin that dwelleth in him and saith Now if I do that which I would not it is no more I that do it but sin that dwelleth in me And in Prov. 24.9 a thought of foolishness is called sin though not consented to 2. That which is a Transgression of the Law of God the ten Words as they are called delivered by Moses is a sin But a motion a desire to evil in the heart though not consented to is a Transgression of the Law of God Ergo. The Major is evident the Minor I confirm thus If a motion to evil in the hearts of Men not consenâ—ed to be a breach of the tenth Commandement viz. Thou shalt not Covâ— or desire as in Deâ—t 5.21 then it is a Transgression of the Law But this it is 〈◊〉 The Major is clear the Minor is thus proved If this 10th Commandement doth specially and particularly forbid such a motion in the Heart then such a motion in the Heart is a breach of this Command But it doth especially forbid such a motion c. Ergo. All the other Commands going before forbid consent to evil thoughts arising in the 〈◊〉 as Thou shalt not commit Adultery thou shalt not kill thou shalt not 〈◊〉 c. according to Christ's interpretation of them in Mat. 5. These Commands forbid not only the outward actions but the consent in the mind so that if this 10th Command forbid no more it is but the same over again needless impertinent and there are not ten 〈◊〉 Words as they are called Exod. 34.28 3. That which is to be Mortified Crucified put to Death must needs 〈◊〉 evil But these motions arising while we are not consenting to them it is our Duty to Mortify them and to Crucifie them Ergo. I ask whether these motions to evil are not some deeds of the Body of sin and we are 〈◊〉 to Mortify them by the Spirit Rom. 8. I ask from whence they arise if not from an evil habit in the Soul 4. If they are such though not consented to as are a burden to one that is made partaker of the New Nature then they must be evil and 〈◊〉 But the former is true from Rom. 7. Wretched Man that I am who shall deliver me Yet at that time it 's evident he did not consent but saith that which he would not do that he did Which cannot be understood of outward Actions but inward Motions Ergo. 5. If these Motions though not consented to bring so much guilt upon a Man that there is need of the Atonement of Christ and if it were not for this Grace of God in Christ we should be condemned for them and we are to give thanks unto God for his Grace in Christ that we are not condemned for them then they are evil but all this plain from Rom 7. For Paul consented not to them because regenerated delighting in the Law of God after the inward Man yet saith I thank God through Jesus Christ There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ He had no need to give thanks for non-Condemnation if they were no sin God who is a Righteous God would not have Condemned for their being there if not sin 6. That which flows from an evil Fountain must needs be evil But these do though not consented to they flow from fallen corrupt Nature James 1.14 every Man is tempted when he is drawn away of 〈◊〉 lust Luke 6.45 Ouâ— of the evil Treasure of the heart is brought 〈◊〉 that which is evil 7. That which is a privation of that Righteousness and Image 〈◊〉 was at first in Man and should be now in Man and the Law 〈◊〉 it should be in every one of us that must needs be Evil But this 〈◊〉 the presence of these motions argue though not consented to The â—â—nor appears thus Adam had none of these before he had sinned while he had the Image of God compleat in him Christ that had the Image of God compleat had none The Saints and Angels in Glory that 〈◊〉 perfect Righteousness in them have none of these Ergo. 8. Every thing is either good or evil or indifferent i. e. neither good nor evil in its own Nature being neither forbid not commanded now one of these three must these first motions beâ— Good who will say if so we ought to consent to them Evil the Quakers 〈◊〉 them to be if they be resisted and judged as they say the indwelling and being in the heart is to them no sin then they must be indifferent If so then they are neither commanded nor forbidden and if they are not forbidden then the Perfection that the Quakers speak of 〈◊〉 much is not commanded nay if we go about to Mortify these and subdue them it is a work of supererrogation more than needs more than is required Object 1. All sin is voluntary these are not voluntary the Will consents not therefore Answ We deny that all fin is voluntary if so then there are no 〈◊〉 of ignorance but there were sins of ignorance that Sacrifice 〈◊〉 offered up for Levit. 4.2 and in Psal 19. David prayed that God would cleanse him from his secret sins i. e. those fins that escaped him and he knew not of them as appears plainly by that which goeth immediately before viz. Who can understand his errors and that which follows Keep back thy Servant from presumptuous sins these presumptuous sins are such as be committed knowingly and wilfully opposed to the other besides Paul frequently in Rom. 7. calls that sin that 〈◊〉 Will was against that which I would not do c. Lastly the proper notion of fin doth not consist so much in voluâ—â—iness as in contrariety to the Will and Law of God a Man 〈◊〉 if he committeth any thing contrary to God's Will though his own Will be not in it not knowing it is a breach of a Precept Object 2. But are not all these stirrings and first motions to Evil we speak of from Satan Now will any say in case we yield not to Satans Temptations that we sin Was not Christ tempted and yet had not any sin 〈◊〉 is frequently in the Quakers Mouth Answ Those first Motions to Evil that we are treating of are not 〈◊〉 Satan but from that corrupt Principle of fallen Nature that is in 〈◊〉 in James 1.14 Every Man is Tempted when he is drawn aside of 〈◊〉 Lusts and inticed Mat. 15.19 Out of the Heart proceeds evil 〈◊〉 c. No mention of Satan Gen. 6.5 The imagination of the 〈◊〉 of the Heart there is a Minting and Forming of thoughts to Evil 〈◊〉 are only from the Heart And let it be considered Satan cannot 〈◊〉 to think in us but it is we