the ministration of condemnation 2 Cor. 3. That is the proper work of the Moral Law or Ten commandements is to condemne if it be not obeied and yet not to blesse until it be every jot fulfilled wh ch is impossible to be done by any man for justification in that exact and severe way which the Law calls for which makes the Apostle say as many as are of the works of the Law are under the curse Mark he doth not say as many as are of the works of sin are under the curse though that be true but as many as are of the works of the Law aâ—e under the curse for it is written Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the Law to do them But that no man is justified by the deeds of the Law it is evident For the just shall live by faith Gal. 3.10 11. If it be meant of the Ceremonial Law as I am most inclinable to believe because he saith it was our Schoolmaster he doth not say it is but it was our Schoolmaster to bring us to Christ being a Tutor or Governour holding forth Christ to come by its types and significations untill the time appointed of the Father which appointed time and so that Law was to have an end when God sent forth his Son made of a woman Jesus the Son of Mary who was made under the Law to redeem those that were under the Law Now the Ceremonial Law did bring or lead to Christ these two waies First In that it did continue in full force until he did come into the world and had done that which was by it held out for him to do Secondly in that the several types and shadows as thc blood of Bulls and Lambs with diverse other services did lead to or hold forth Christ that was to come but the Moral Law or Ten Commandements is so far from leading us to Christ by our following it that it doth even lead those that are led by it under the curse Not because the Law hath an evil end in it but because of our weaknesse and inability to do it therefore it is forced as it is just to passe a sentence of condemnation on every one that in every particular fulfills it not In the next place thou art offended because I said It is not of works least any man should boast as those fond hypccrites called Quakers would do Thou art offended it seemes because I call you boasters You need not for I do not know your fellows for boasting under heaven In that you Pharisees like do crye up your selves to be the men and condemne all others when you are the men that are the greatest enemies to the Christ of GOD without who is the Saviour of any man under heaven And in that you pretend you are perfect when you are the notablest lyars and corrupters of the sayings of the peopl of God yea and of the Scriptures also that ever I came neer in all the daies of my life And I doubt not but before I have done with you I shall make it appear to them that read or hear my lines aright Thy Quaerie in page 13. runs thus Will that Faith which is without works justifie I answ No Neither will those workes which are without faith sanctifie What then Is it faith and workes together that doth justifie No it is onely faith in the blood of the man Christ that did hang on the Crosse on mount Calvary that doth justifie in the sight of God and the soule and it is the fruits of faith good workes which do justifie in the sight of men So that when it is said wee are justified by workes It is not meant that workes will justifie in the sight of God No but shew me or shew men thy faith or justifie thy faith to be true and right before men by thy workes Shew men thy faith by thy workes it is in the sight of men So that wee conclude a man is justified by faith without the workes of the Law in the sight of God and so his owne soule also and his faith is justified or made manifest to be indeed that which is right both to believers and to the world by it's works Though I must confesse that both Paul and Peter and the rest of the Saints may sometimes be deceived in the truth of the faith of others by their workes Again in page 17. thou seemest to be offended because I say Living by faith is to apply the Lord Jesus Christ his benefits as birth righteousnesse death blood resurrection ascention and intercession together with the glorious benefits of his second coming to me as mine and for me c. Friend methinks thou shouldest find no fault with this but that the man Christ Jesus the son of Ma y is not very pleasant to thee because thou hast swallowed down secretly another doctrine but friend I speak of applying these things and thou speakest of talking of them I know that there are many who talke of Christ that will fall short of heaven and glory But tell me what saiest thou to him thaâ— doth apply all these things to his soul is there not enough in them to justifie him that doth really and truly in the power of the Spirit believe this to be true which I have said Or doest thou deny it and preach another Gospell And whereas thou sayest The word of the Gospell saith not who shall ascend to fetch Christ from above for salvation Though there is never a scripture that saith these words word for word Yet the Scripture saith The word is mghthee even in thy mouth and in thy heart But marke it is the word of faith not the man Christ Jesus but faith which layeth hold on him Rom. 10.8 9. Read the 9. verse which is this Tbat if thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Jesus who was borne of the Virgin Mat 1.21 And shaâ—t believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved These great and precious Scriptures with which by corrupting of them the Quakers have beguiled many have this meaning That if thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Jesus that is in profession and practise own him and believ him to be the Anointed Saviour And shalt believe in thine heart there is the word of faith if thou shalt believe in thine heart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt he saved for with the heart man believeth unto righteousnesse and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation But what should men believe with the heart Namely this that God raised him that is Christ from the dead ver 10. And therefore I wonder thou shouldest so scold as thou doest against the truth If this be not truth blame the Scripture which do testifie of these things for truth For I am ruled and would be ruled by them thtough the Spirit But farther thou art offended
and thou shalt live The Spirit saith that Christ Jesus came into the world to save those that by transgession had broken the law For for this cause saith the Spirit he Jesus the son of Mary the man Christ between God and us 1 Tim. 2.5 is the Mediator of the New Testament For what That by means of death for the redemption of the trangressions that were under the first testament they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance Heb. 9.15 Now I would not be mistaken I do not say that the Spirit of Christ doth give the least liberty to sin God forbid But it's convictions are of a more saving and refreshing nature than the convictions of the law and do more constrain the soul to holiness then that The Law saying Work for life the Spirit saying Now to him that worketh not for life but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly his faith is counted for righteousnesse Rom. 4.5 as thus If I should owe to two Creditors ten thousand talents the one should say unto me thou owest me five thousand talents pay that thou owest the other shoul say thou owest me five thousand talents and I frankly and freely forgive thee all Now these expressions are contrary one to another Even so is the end of the convictions of the Law not according to the end of the convictions of the Spirit of Christ the one saying Pay me that thou owest the other saying Thou art frankly and freely forgiven all The next thing thou utterest is where I say Those that are alive unto sins have not the Spirit of Christ But sayest thou It is given to every man Mark thou saiest It is given to every man The Apostle saith Some are sensual having not the Spirit Jude 19. Who must we now believe the Apostle or you Certainly your doctrine is not according to truth but a lie as is clear in that you will affirme that which the Apostle doth deny Then thou saiest I bring other vain arguments to prove that every one hath not the Spirit of Christ This one is enough to prove it that the Apostle saith Some men have it not But that which thou callest vain I am sure neither thou nor any of thy fellows are able to answer One is to this purpose The Divels are so convinced of sin that they did fear the torment that was to come upon them for their sins and did fear also that the Son of man was come to torment them for their sins and yet the Divels have not the Spirit of Christ So that it is evident that we may be convinced of sin and yet not by the Spirit of Christ A second argument which thou callest vain is this Man in his coming into the world hath this Conscience given him which doth convince of sin Joh. 8.9 yet man in his coming into the world or as he cometh into the world hath not the Spirit of Christ given him for that must be received ordinarily afterward by the preaching of the Word which is preached by the Ministers and servants of Jesus Christ Act. 10.44 While Peter yet spake to the people the holy Spirit fell on all them that heard the Word But farther thou saiest Untill I prove the light of Christ contrary to the spirit of Christ thou wilt say that every man hath that which is one in union and like the spirit of Christ even as good as the spirit of Christ in its measure Answer Friend I have proved already that every man hath not the Spirit of Christ though they have that which thou doest call the Spirit of Christ which is conscience and nature it selfe And this I say again thâ—t thou hast laied open thy weakness very much to say that every man hath that which is as good as the Spirit of Christ Friend seeing the Scriptures say some have not the spirit of Christ how durst thou so blaspheme as to say then it is as good as the spirit of Christ in its measure Was there ever such a deale of ignorance discovered at one time by a man as to say that every man hath the Spirit or that which is as good as the Spirit though the Spirit saith plainly that some have not the Spirit as I have proved plainly Jude 19. Friend what is there besides the Spirit that is as good as the Spirit Be silent and say no more so least thou do through ignorance or presumption set up thy coscience or nature as high and as good as the Spirit of Christ when indeed they are not worthy to be compared with it being weak and not able to do that which is and hath ben done by the Spirit of Christ Then thou art offended because I said the Devill doth deceive poor souls by bidding them listen within and see if there be not that which doth convince of sin Friend All men have not the Spirit though they have that conscience that doth convince of sin John 8.9 Now seeing all men have not the spirit is it not a great deceit of the Devill to perswade poor soules that because they are convinced for sin by their owne consciences therefore they have the Spirit of Christ Surely it is from the devill First because he would make thee believe that Conscience which is but a creature is the Spirit of Christ by whome the world was made Again because the Soule being perswaded that it hath the spirit when it hath it not as all men naturally are without it Eph. 3.13 If it kept off from sâ—eking and begging for it being allready perswaded falsely that it hath it And whereas thou saist the voice of the Gospell is to bid listen within the heart as Paul preacheth I deny that Paul biddeth listen within But the Scripture that you would faine make shelter for your errour is this where he saith The word is nigh thee even in thy mouth and in thy heart That is the Word of Faith which wee preach Now friend Faith is that which layeth hold of or beleeveth the Gospel And that this is the meaning read the next verse That saith he If thou shalt confesse with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved So that it is cleer that the Word of faith is to believe assuredly from the very heart that God hath raised up Jesus from the dead out of the grave into which he was laid by Joseph And that he was raised again for my justification Rom. 5 25. as it is written· 1. Cor. 15. Moreover Brethren saith he I declared unto you the Gospell which I preached unto you at the first which also you have received and wherein you stand by which also you are saved if you keep in memory or assuredly believe what I preached unto you unlesse you have believed in vain But what was that Gospel you preached Why saith he ver â— I delivered unto you first of all that which
he cannot be able to lay hold savingly of and to hope for that glory that Christ as he is God-man hath accomplished in his own person without unless he have the Spirit But farther thou saiest It is not the whole mystery of salvation God manifested in the flesh Answ Truly to know that God out of love to poor sinners did in the fulness of time send forth his onely begotten Son who is equall with his Father to be born of a woman and made under the law to redeem them that are under the law that he might receive the adoption of sons this is to know the mystery of godliness Therefore when the Scriptures say God was manifested in the flesh they mean God sent forth his Son which was and is the Word of God God himself and he was made flesh Joh 1.14 And so in the nature of man he did become the Lamb of God or the sacrifice of God that doth take away the sins of the world ver 29 Now here I might enlarge abundantly but that I would not be tedious 7. Quaer Whether is it not possible that many may professe as much of Christ Without as thou hast sayd of him and yet be damned and if this be the faith to professe him born dead risen and ascended without then is there any unbeleever in England seeing all in the outward sound beleevs and professeth as much as thou hast said Yea or nay Answ I know there are many that do profess in word that Christ was born dead risen and ascended without and yet may be damned Yet he that doth really with the faith of the operation of God beleeve these things and doth also apply the virtue and merit of the same to themselvs for justification and life shall be saved If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus and shalt beleeve in thine heart that God raised him from the dead thou shalt be saved Rom. 10.9 And also 1 Cor. 15.2 By Which ye are saved if ye keep in memory What I preached unto you What was that Why how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures that he was buried and rose again c. 2. It is not faith onely to talk of him with the mouth but as I said before to beleev the same by the operation of the Spirit in our hearts If this be faith saiest thou to profess him born dead risen and ascended Without then is there any unbeleever in England Answ All that professe this do not truly beleeve it for to professe in word alone and beleeve in heart are two things Secondly if to professe this were the faith yet were there a good many unbeleevers in England for the Quakers will not professe him ascended without neither making intercession without but contrarywise strike at this doctrine 8. Quaer Whether hath that man faith in Christ that is not changed in the nature and is not the liar and slenderer an unbeleever and of the cursed nature yea or no Answ He that hath faith in Christ is a new Creature and the liar and slanderer is an unbeleever and if he live and dye in that condition his state is very sad though if he turn there is hope for him therefore repent and turn quickly or else look ro your selvs for you are the men as is clear by your discourse 9. Quaer Whether any receive Christ Who receive him not into him if not shew how Christ can be received and whether many professe him not which never receive him Ans Christ as he is man as he was a sacrifice for sin cannot be received really and personally into any but yet he that doth indeed receive the Gospel and beleeve that he was a sacrifice upon the Crosse for his sins doth and hath also received his Spirit into him which giveth him the comfort of these things John 14.26 And secondly there are very many that professe him that at the day of judgment will fall short of eternall life notwithstanding all their profession for as I said before it is not the professor but the sound beleever that shall be saved by him But let the Reader mark how thou condemnest thy own doctrine by this Quaery for thou grantest many professe Christ that never receive him How then hath every man Christ or the light of Christ within him If it be within him either he must receive it or snatch it by force against the will of another however the Scripture saith what is it that thou hast not received yet all men have not received that Jude 19. 10. Quaery Whether to preach for hire for gifts and rewards and to divine for money and to make merchandise of the people for so much a year for preaching to them be not true marks and signes of false prophets or can any give truer signes of false prophets than Isaiah and Micha give yea or nay Ans There are a company of dumb dogs that are crept into the Nation that love give ye and desire to bear rule by their means and they are every one for his gain from their quarter Secondly there are a company of wolvs crept out also having warpped themselvs about with sheeps clothing and these are both alike abominable to the Lord Neither can a man give a more right description of a false prophet than the Prophets and Christ with his Apostles did give therefore examine your selvs 11. Quaer Whether must not the Devill be chained before Christ reign and what is that which chains him and whether art thou come to one of the days of the thousand years yea or no Answ Christ hath two severall times wherein Satan must be bound by him one is at the conversion of sinners the other when he shall come the second time and personally appear and reign in the world to come Again whether I am come to one of the days of the thousand years Ans No because he that doth reign with Christ one of these days shall live and reign with Christ a thousand years Rev. 20.4 But there is never a beleever in the world that doth or in any likelyhood shall live halfe so long before they die or be changed at the coming of the man Christ Jesus 12. Quaer Whether doest thou know any Christ preach or professe any Christ who hath not lightened every man that coms into the world with the light of life or of condemnation And is he not a deceiver that exhorts people for salvation to any other thing then the light of Christ Yea or no And how hath Christ lightened every man if not within him Ans That Christ I preach is the Christ of God who as he is God hath lightened every man that coms into the world wiâ—h conscience and the law which is the light of condemnation but nor of life for the law is the ministration of condemnation 1 Cor. 7.8 And all men have the law and conscience but these will not save them Again there are some that
A VINDICATION OF THE BOOK CALLED Some Gospel-Truths Opened According to the Scriptures and the Opposition made against it by EDWARD BORROUGH a professed Quaker but proved an enemie to the Truth examined and confuted by the Word of GOD. AND ALSO The things that were then laid down and declared to the world by me are a second-time born witness to according to truth with the Answer of Edward Borrough to the Quaeries then laid down in my Book reproved And also a plain Answer to his Quaeries given in simplicitie of soul and is now also presented to the world or who else may read or hear them to the end if God will that Truth may be discovered thereby By John Bunyan Preacher of the Gospel of CHRIST I have found David a man after mine own heart saith God Act. 13.22 Of this man's seed hath God according to his promise raised up to Israel a Saviour Jesus saith the Apostle ver 23. And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him they took him down from the tree and laid him in a sepulchre But God raised him from the dead ver 29. 30. And we declare unto you glad tidings how that the promise which was made unto the fathers God hath fulfilled the same to us their children in that hee hath raised up Jesus again ver 32. 33. Be it known unto you therefore men and brethren that though this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins ver 38. And by him all that believe are justified from all things from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses ver 39. LONDON Printed for Matthias Cowley Book-seller in Newport Anno Dom. 1657. READER WEe whose names are here under-written having through grace some blessed Faith and experience of the Truths declared in this Book and knowing them so to be having tried them by the Scriptures in the light of the Spirit thought it our duty to bear witnesse thereunto together with our Brother desiring the blessing of God may go along with these endeavours of his for the doing good to our Christian brethren or any other who may read it Farewell Yours in the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ for which Faith we desire to contend Richard Spencly John Burton John Child TO THE READER SInce it hath pleased the Lord to work in my soul by his holy Spirit and hath translated me in some measure from darknesse to light I have seen and heard that such things have been done by those who did once pretend themselves to be the servants of Jesus Christ that it hath made me marvel Partly while I have beheld the vile conversation of some and also the seeming legal-holinesse of others together with their damnable doctrine which have notwithstanding their professions made shipwrack of the Faith both to themselves and their followers I having had some in-sight into such things as these was provoked to publish a small treatise touching the fundamentals of Religion supposing that God might adde his blessing thereto both for the establishing of some and the convincing of others which things I doubt not but they have been accomplished and will be still more and more But as it was in former daies so it is now That is some in all former ages have been on foot in the world ready to oppose the truth So it is now there are certain men newly start up in our daies called Quakers who have set themselves against the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ and do in very deed deny that salvation was then obteined by him when he did hang on the Crosse without Jerusalems gate Now these men do pretend that they do verily and truly professe the Lord Jesus Christ but when it comes to the trial and their principles be throughly weighed the best that they do is to take one truth and corrupt it that they may thereby fight more stoutly against another As for instance They will own that salvation was obtained by Christ this is truth that salvation was obtained by Christ but come close to the thing and you will finde that they corrupt the word and onely mean thus much That salvation is wrought out by Christ as he is within and by it though not warranted by the Scripture they will fight against the truth Namely that salvation was obteined for sinners by the man that did hang on the Crosse on mount Calvary between two thievs called Jesus Christ I say by what he did then for sinners in his own person or bodie which he took from the Virgin Mary according to the Word of God Secondly they will own the doctrine of Christ within This is truth that Christ is within his Saints But this doctrine they will take to fight against the doctrine of Christ without Ascended from his Disciples into heaven by whom salvation was obtained neither is there salvation in any other Act. 4.12 3. They will own the Resurrection of the Saints but their meaning is onely thus much That the Saints are raised from the state of nature to a state of grace and herewith they will sight against this truth Namely the resurrection of the bodies of Saints out of their graves into which they were laid some thousands some hundreds of Years before And if they do say they do own the Resurrection of the Saints out of their graves they do mean out of the grave of sin onely and nothing else These things I am an ear witnesse to 4. They will say they do own the second coming of Christ to judg the world but search them to the bottom and you will finde them onely to own him in his coming in Spirit within in opposition to the glorious coming of the Lord Jesus the son of Mary from heaven in the clouds with all his mighty Angels to raise the dead and bring them to judgment according to the Scripture And so for the the Intercession of Christ and the truthâ— of the Gospel they onely own them to be within in opposition to the glorious intercession and mediation of the man Christ Jesus in his own person without now in the presence of his Father between us and him pleading and making intercession for his children These things together with maâ—â— more I might mention but now I forbear knowing that none shaâ—â— be lost nor altogether carried away by them nor any Hereticks but the sons of perdition Now that they might the better make their doctrine take place in the hearers they endeavour to make a fair shew in the flesh that thereby they might now as did their fathers in time past compell and constraine them who are not hy the Lord 's right hand planted into the truth of Jesus to follow their covered errors as it is written Galath 6.12 For as many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh That is according to the workes of the Law do with good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Rom. 16.18 And indeed it doth
clearly appeare that those that are carried away are such as are not able to discerne between fair speeches declared by hereticks and sound Doctrine declared by the simple-hearted servants of Jesus 2ly Now I shall lay down severall grounds not onely why errors are broached in the World but also why so many are carried away with them 1. One ground why so many errours do from time to time come into the world is because those that are not indeed of the planting of the Lord 's right hand might be rooted out Mat. 15.13 Now these are many times carried away by deceivable doctrines And truly in this our God hath both a care of his own glory and of his Churches welfare For fiâ—st should they not be swept away by some heresie or other there might be great dishonour brought to his name by their continuing among his people And secondly that he might take away such grievances as such may bring had they continued still in the society of his children 2. Another ground why the Lord doth suffer such errours to come into the World is because those that are Christians indeed might be approved and appear 1 Cor. 11.19 For there must be heresies among you that thâ—se that are approved may be made manifest Should not the Lord goe this way to worke sometimes there would be many that would make people beleeve that they are Christians and yet are not And again that he might make it appeâ—r that though there be heretickes yet he hath a people inabled by his Spirit to contradict and oppose them and plead to the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ and his glorious Gospell against them 3. Another ground why the Lord doth suffer yea even send delusions among the people is That those who were so idle and slothfull as not to seek after the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity might be taken away and violently possessed with errour and be made to run greedily after the same That they might smart the more for their neglect of the truth For alwaies those who were lazy in seeking after the truth when it was profered and afterward hasty after the Doctrine of Divels when that is declared to them shall be sure to have their latter behaviâ—ur to riâ—e up in judgment against them in that when the truth was profered to them they were Idle and did not receive it and yet when delusion did profer it selfe they were industrious and labouring Now mark that they all might be damned who beleeved not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse because they received not the truth in the love of it that they might be saved And for this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they might beleeve a lye and be damned 2 Thes 2. ver 10 11 12. Now in the second place why so many are so easily carried away with errours in this day The grounds are these â—â—at follow 1. Because men count it enough to be professors of the truth without seeking to be possessors of the same Now because men are but onely professors of the truth not having it in their hearts in reality they are carryed away with an errour if it come in never so little power more then the truth they professe And this is the reason why so many are carried away with the errours that are broached in these daies because they have not indeed received the Lord Jesus by the Revelation of the Spirit and with power but by the relation of others only and so having no other witnesse to set them down withall but the history of the Word and the relation of others concerning the truthes conteyned therein though the knowledge of the truth this way shall abundantly aggravate their damnation yet they having not had the Spirit of the Lord to confirme these things effectually unto them they are carried away with delusions 2. Another reason why so many are carried away with delusions is those differences that are among the Children of God about smaller matters O friends how is the hand of the enemy strengthened by our carnality while one saith I am of Paul and another I am of Apollo many apoor soule is carried away with delusion And why so They are not satified that this is the truth because the Children are at disfference among themselves about some outward things And againe it makes those that are not so desperatly possessed with a spirit of delusion as are others but are meere morall men I say it makes them to say within themselves and one to another There are so many sects and judgments in the World that we cannot tell which way to take And therefore you that have the spirit pray that these things may cease least you blush for your folly at the appearing of Jesus our Lord. 3. The pride covetousnesse and impiety of hypocrites and carnall professors are great stumbling-blocks to the poore World And the cause why many at this day do drink down so greedily a deluding Doctrine and especially if it come with a garment of pretended holinesse But as for these they shall go to their place in their time with the curse of the Almighty pow ed out upon them for their casting of stumbling-blocks before the simple by their loose conversations if they do not hastily repent of their wickednesse and close in reality with our blessed Lord Jesus 4. Another reason why delusions do so easily take place in the hearts of the ignorant is because those that pretend to be their teachers do behave themselves so basely among them And indeed I may say of these as our Lord said of the Pharisees in an other case All the blood of the ignorant from the beginning of the World shall be laid to the charge of this generation They that pretend they are sent of the Lord and come saying Thus saith the Lord Wee are the servants of the Lord our commission is from the Lord by succession and the like I say these pretending themselves to be the preachers of truth but are not do by their loose conversation render the Doctrine of God and his Son Jesus Christ by whom the saints are saved contemptible and do give the adversary mighty encouragement to crie out against the truths of our Lord Jesus Christ because of their wicked walking Now shall not his soule be avenged on such a Nation as this who pretend to be teachers of the people in goodnesse when as for the most paâ—t of them they are the men that at this day do so harden their hearers in their sins by giving them even their hearers such ill examples that none goeth beyond them for impiety As for example Would a Parishioner learne to be proud hee or shee nâ—ed look no further then to the Priest his wife and family for there is a notable pattern before them Would the people learne to be wanton they may also see a patterne among their Teachers Would they learne to be Drunkards they may also have that from some
Dives's of this and all other ages would be glad if they might have but the least favour from you one drop of cold water on the tip of your fingers O you Despised begging Lazarus's as in Luk. 16.24 For the world for all their stoutnesse must be forced to come to judgment before your Lord and you 1 Cor. 6.23 This honour have all his Saints Psal 149. Now seeing that these things be so I beseech you by those the mercies of God that you do give up your bodies as hands tongue strength health wealth and all that you have and are to the service of God your God Rom. 12.1 2. Let your moderation in every thing be knowne to all men for the Lord is at hand Phil. 4.5 3. Study to walk as like the Lord Jesus Christ as ever you can for for your lives Mat. 11.29 4. Let that you strive for be the faith of the Gospell of your precious Lord Jesus Phil. 1.27 And not any earthly advantages 5. Let your conversation be as becometh the Gospell Phil. 27. 6. Let your hearts be alwaies in heaven where our Lord Jesus is Col. 3.1 2 3. 7. Forbeare and forgive one another in love and with all your hearts as God for Christ sake hath forgiven you Eph. 5.2 8. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your Father which is in heaven Mat. 5.16 9. You are the Salt of the earth have a care you loose not your savour Mat. 5.13 10. Be forward to distribute to those that are in want for this is well-pleasing to your most glorious loving Father Heb. 13.16 11. Learn all one of another the things that are good for this is the command of God and also commendable in Saints Phil. 3. ver 17. 12. And lastly O Brethren consider what the Lord hath done for you hee hath bought you and paid for you with his blood and he doth now also make it his businesse to pray for your safe conduct to glory Heb. 7.25 He hath delivered you from those that would have been your ruine and hath promised to you everlasting life Let the love of Christ constrain you let the love of God win upon your souls What! he that spared not his own Son but delivered him up for us all How shall he not with him freely give us all things Hold out my brethren hold out for you have but a little while to run Hold fast unto the death and Christ will give you a crown of life Revel 2.10 Farewel dear brethren The mighty God of Jacob preserve and deliver you from every evil work and all the daies of our pilgrimage let us pray one for another that our God would count us worthie of this rich and glorious calling and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodnesse and the work of Faith with power to whom be glory now and ever And now Reader before I make and end of this discourse I think it meet to let thee understand that though there hath been a Book put forth by Edward Borrough in seeming opposition to that of mine called Some Gospel-Truths opened according to the Scripture Yet the substance of my discours then published by me standeth uncontrouled by Scripture as from him or others I do not say he doth not wrangle with them but I say he doth not by any one plain Scripture contradict them As for instance The First great thing that I do hold forth in that discourse is this That that Babe that was born of the Virgin Mary and that at that time did give satisfaction for sin was the very Christ of GOD and not a type of any thing afterward to be revealed for the obteining redemption for sinners within them Which thing my Adversary can find no ground in Scripture to build an opposition vpon see his Book page 12. but is forced to confesse it in word though he do deny the very same in doctrine see his Book p. 29. at his sixth Quaerie And p. 27. where in answer to this question of mine Why did the man Christ hang on the Crosse on mount Calvarie All the answer he gives is this Because they wickedly judged him to be a blasphemer and as in their account saith he he died as an evil doer And this is all the ground he giveih See his Answer to my second Quaerie in this my book taken word for word as he laid them down 2. The next thing I do prove in that book is That that light which every one hath is not the spirit of Christ because the Scripture saith some have it not Jude 19. But Edward Borrough saith it is given to every one p. 18. of his Booke and he saith they have it within them too p. 26 of his Book in answer to my first question though he have no Scripture to confirm the same as I have had to contradict it See his book 3. The next thing I prove is That Jesus Christ did fulfill the Law in his own person without us for justification and that his blood then shed hath washed away the sins of the children of God as aforesaid Which thing he would oppose but finds no footing for his discourse See his book p. 12. where he saith the Law is not fulfilled Read the latter end of that page contrary to Scripture Col. 2.14 Rom. 10 4. which saith He did fulfill all the Law for justification for every one that believeth Another thing I prove in that book is That Christ is ascended into that heaven without above the clouds and stars and that I prove by eight several Scripture demonstrations of which not one is confuted by Scripture though secretly in his book smitten against Read his whole book 4. The next thing I prove is That the same Jesus that was born of Mary laid in the manger who is the Saviour is at this day making intercession in that bodie he then took of Mary which thing also is not confuted by him by the Scripture though cunningly smitten against in his discourse where he saith It is onely necessary to salvation to preach Christ within laying aside all that Christ did when he was in his own person in the world See p. 29 of his Book Qu. 6. 5. Another truth I prove is That the very same Jesus that was born of Mary that very man that was also hanged on the Crosse will come the second time and that shall be to save his children and to Judge the world at the last day that great day of Judgment And though they will not own that he shall so come as he went away which was a very man without yet they could not at all by the Scripture contradict it But the very summe of his discourse is a wrangling with the thing laid down as a Dog with a bone but hath not nor cannot by Scripture overcome the same This have I written that the Reader into whose hand this book may come may have the more certain
untruly vented of me which I feare not but they shall be cleered both now and also at the second appearance of the man Christ Jesus And therefore friend I say to thee be not so Pharisaicall as to say within thine heart I am not as this Publican Why am I reckoned with the Ranters Thou art both thou and thy fellowes of the same minde with them in many things and shall assuredly partake of the same plague with them if they and you repent not speedily Again in page 7. Thou wouldest make us beleeve that the Quakes do Really and truly laythe Christ of God God-man for their foundation Saying Wee prise the Lord Jesus Christ God-man to be precious to us and to all that do beleeve and have owned him to be the foundation c. Now friend this is fairly spoken But by words in generall we may be deceived because a man may speake one thing with his mouth and mean another thing in his heart especially it is so with those that use to utter themselves doubtfully therefore wee will a little enquire what it is to lay Christ God-man for a foundation First then To lay God's Christ God-man for a foundation is to beleeve that man that was borne of the Virgin Mary to be the Saviour 2. How he was and is the Saviour and therefore if you do indeed lay him for your foundation Then you do beleeve that when the man Christ did hang on the Crosse on mount Calvary that then your sins were satisfied for 1 Pet. 2 2â— at that time as it is written He bare our sins in his own body on the tree 2. If the Christ of God God-man be indeed your fâ—undation then you do beleeve that that every man in that very body did fulfill all the Law in the point of justification as it is written Christ is the end of the Law for righteousnesse to every one that beleeveth So that now believ aright in what the son of Mary hath done without on the Crosse and be saved 3. If you have laid Christ that man aright for your foundation then you do believ that when he was raised out of the Sepulchre into which Joseph had laid him then at that time was accomplished your justification Rom. 4.25 How say you to these things do you make an open profession of them without dissembling or do you not notwithstanding your talke of Christ in very deed deny the vertue of the death and blood of Christ without as for Justification and Life if so you have not laid him for your foundation 4. If you have indeed laid Christ God-man for your foundation then you do lay the hope of your felicity and joy on this That the Son of Mary is now absent from his Children in his person and humanity making intercession for them and for thee in the presence of his Father 2 Cor. 5.6 And the reason that thou canst rejoyce hereat is because thou hast not onely heard of it with thine eare only but doest enjoy the sweet hope and faith of them in thy heart which hope and faith is begotten by the Spirit of Christ which spirit dwelleth in thee if thou be a believer and sheweth those things to thee to be the only things And God having shewen thee these things thus without thee by the spirit that dwelleth in thee thou hast mighty incouragement to hope for the glory that shall be revealed at the comming again of the man Christ Jesus of which glory thou hast also greater ground to hope for a share in because that that spirit that alone is able to discover to thee the truth of those things is given to thee of God as the first fruites of that glory which is hereafter to be revealed being obtained for thee by the man Christ Jesus his death on mount Calvary and by his blood that was shed there together with his resurrection from the dead out of the Grave where they had layd him Also thou believest that he is gone away from thee in the same body which was hanged on the Crosse to take possession of that glory which thou through his obedience shall at his the very same mans returne from heaven the second time have bestowed upon thee having all this while prepared and preserved it for thee as he sai h himselfe I go to prepare a place for you And if I go and prepare a place for you I will come again and receive you to my selfe that where I am there ye may be also John 14.2.3 Againe 5. If thou hast laid Christ God-man for thy foundation though thou hast the spirit of this man Christ within thee yet thou doest not look that Justification should be wrought out for thee by that spirit of Christ that dwelleth within thee for thou knowest that salvation is already obtained for thee by the man Christ Jesus without thee is witnessed to thee by his Spirit which dwelleth within thee And thus much doth this man Christ Jesus testifie unto us where he saith he shall glorifie me Marke He shall glorifie me saith the Son of Mary But how Why He shall take of mine what I have done and am doing in the presence of the Father and shall shew it unto you Joh. 16.14 I have been a little the larger in this because it is of weight But again thou saiest further The rest of this first Epistle I shall say little to onely thus much is the mind of the pen-man's spirit Here again he speaks falsly secretly smiting at the doctrine of true Faith and Salvation to wit Christ within Answ My friend by saying that my brother doth strike at the doctrine of true Fâ—ith and Salvation thou doest him a great deal of wrong for it is so far from him so to do that he telleth souls plainly that without true Faith in the blood of the Son of Mary who was crucified on Mount Calvary there is no remission for saith he It is onely through that one offering then given up to the Father that you must be justified And that is according to the whole stream of Scripture For by one offering What was that Why the offering up of the bodie of Jesus once for all Heb. 10.10 he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified For this man when he had offered up one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down Mark it This man when he had offered up one sacrifice for sins for ever sate down on the right hand of God ver 12. And as for thy saying that salvation is Christ within if thou mean in opposition to Christ without in stead of pleading for Christ thou wilt plead against him for Christ God-man without on the Crosse did bring in salvation for sinners And the right believing of that doth justifie the soul Therefore Christ within or the Spirit of him who did give himself a ransome doth not work out justification for the soul in the soul But doth lead the soul out of it selfe and out
able to shew their lost state because of sins against the Law but also to lead them to the right Saviour and plant them into him which all other things are not able to do And thus much in answer to thy scolding against my Epistle the truth of which I blesse God through the strength of Christ I could be willing to seal with my blood And now friend in love to thy soule I say have a care of thy selfe that thou do not satisfie thy selfe with any thing untill thou seest by the operation of the Spirit of Christ which thou must have given thee from heaven as being without it before conversion that the blood of that man Christ Jesus that was crucified on mount Calvary did at that same time when it was there shed wash thee from all thy sins and be not so stout and so sterne against the truth because it suits not with thy beguiled conscience Beare with me in patience and seriously enquire into the truth of things according to the Scriptures For they are they that testifie of Christ how salvation doth come by him In thy entering upon my Book the first thing I find thee wrangle with is First by corrupting my words and then by calling me lyer Thou corruptest my words saying That I said The blood of Christ was shed before the â—world began Whereas I said that in the account of God marke in the accoun of God the blood of Christ was shed before the world began Friend art thou not able to distinguish betwixt a thing being done in God's account or according to his fore-knowledge and a thing that is reaslly and actually don Surely it was either thy folly to speake evill of the things thou knowest not or else thy madnesse doth much appear in that though thou understandest these things yet for to wrangle by corrupting my sayings here as also in other places as will afterwards appear This is in page 11. of thine page 3. of my book Then thou goest on pag. 12. and quotest the place where I say p. 37. How horribly are those deceived who look on Jesus but thou leavest out those words the Son of Mary to be but a type which thing you say you know none that do And again thou saiest that I say he is of something afterwards to be revealed My words thou corruptest thou wouldst fain gather thus much out of my words by corrupting them Here my words are corrupted That though I denied Christ Jesus the Son of Mary to be a type yet I my self say He was a type of somthing afterward to be revealed Which thing as there in my book so here again I do most positively deny and I quote the same words again for a second confirmation of the same saying as then I did How horribly are those deceived who look on Jesus the Son of Mary to be but a shadow or type of something that was afterwards to be revealed Whereas the Scriptures most lively hold him forth to be the Christ of God and not a type or shadow of a spirit or body afterwards to be revealed but himself was the very substance of all things that did any way hold forth or type out Christ to come And when he was indeed come then was an end put to the Law for righteousnesse or justâ—fication to every one that believeth Rom. â—0 4 And therefore friend though thou hast or wouldest corrupt my words yet have a care of corrupting Christs words least thou doest even heap up wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God And whereas thou saiest Thou deniest not but Jesus is the substance Answ I doubt thou do'st not speak thine heart plainly but hidest thy self with so saying as with an apron if we enquire into what it is to hold forth Jesus the son of Mary to be the substance Therefore he that holds forth Jesus the Son of Mary to be indeed the substance and not a type holds forth and believs that that Jesus that was born of the Virgin Mary did in his own body of flesh fulfil the Law and impute the righteousnesse of his obedience unto them that he accomplished then without them and that his blood that was shed without on the Crosse doth and hath washed away all sin past present and to come from him that believeth this as it is written For what the Law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh that is through our flesh God sending his own Son in the likenesse of siâ—ful flesh and for sin condemned sin in the flesh That is he was condemned in the flesh that he took on him of the Virgin Ma y Rom. 8.3 And again hee bore our sins in his own body on the tree which was the Crosse on mount Calvary Jesus also saith the Apostle that he might sanctifie the people with his own blood suffered Where Not in any believer but without the gate of Jerusalem Heb. 13.12 How say you do you really believe that at that time when Jesus did hang on the Crosse without Jerusalems gate even at that time he did give the justice of God a full and compleat satisfaction for all the sins of all believers that have been formerly or are now or hereafter shall be Or do you look upon Jesus at that time to be but a shadow or type of somewhat that was afterwards to be done within Answer plainly yea or no that the simple may understand you Now I come to answer thy Querie laid down page 12 in these words Did Christ Jesus put an end to the Law for them who live yet in the transgression of the Law Or doth he justifie that which the Law condemneth Indeed a right answer to this will be great satisfaction to some though I think some trouble to others And therefore in answer to thy question I shall lay down these following things First Christ Jesus did put an end to the Law for righteousnesse for all that the Father hath given him as it is written The bodie of Jesus was offered once for all for all that shall be saved for he shall not be offered a second time No but once for all Heb. 10.10 Once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself and he hath done it once by himself for all Heb 9.26 Otherwise he must have often suffered since the world began But that must not be for he dieth no more Rom. 6.9 But say you Did he put an end to the Law for them who still live in transgression 2. Answ There are many poor souls that are given unto Christ who yet live in their sins But Christ did at that time when he hanged on the Crosse give a full and compleat satisfaction for them In due time Christ died for the ungodly For scarcely for a righteous man will one die but peradventure for a good man some one would even dare to die I but God
receiving but I tell thee he that hath it hath received it Gal. 3.2 and he that hath not received it hath it not Jude 19. My second Quaery was What is the Church of God redeemed by from the curse of the law Is it by something done within them or by something done without them If you say it is redeemed by something that worketh in them then why did the man Christ Jesus hang on the Crosse on mount Calvary without the gate of Jerusalem for the sins of his children and why do the Scriptures say That through this man is preached to us the forgivenesse of sins The answer thou givest is The Church of God is redeemed by Christ Jesus which is revealed in all believers And Christ Jesus wrought in them mightily And it was he that wrought in them to will and to do This is plain Scripture and the man Christ Jesus sai'st thou hanged on the Crosse on mount Calvary because they wickedly judged him to be a blasphemer and through their envy persecuted him to death because he bare witness against them and as in their account he died and hanged on the Crosse for an evill doer And this is one ground at least why he hanged on the Crosse c. Ha friend I had thought thou hadst not been so much hardened art thou not ashamed thus to slight the death of the man Christ Jesus on the Cross and reckon it not effectually for salvation but saiest the Church is redeemed by Christ Jesus which is revealed within And to confirm it thou doest also corruptly bring in two Scriptures The one saith whereunto I also labour according to his working which worketh in me mightly By which words Paul signifies thus much That as God was witb him in the ministry of the Word so did he also strive according to his working which wrought in him mightily What is this to the purpose See Col 1.26 27 28 29. And also the other Scripture makes nothing to prove that the Church of God is redeemed by Christ within as he is within Onely you must corrupt the Scriptures and be transformed though ministers of darknesse into an Angel of light if you will do any mischief And now that thy answer is false I shall cleerly prove First because thou deniest that redemption was wrought out for sinners by the man Christ Jesus on the Crosse or tree on mount Calvary when the Scripture saith plainly that when he did hang on the tree Pet. 2.24 then did he bear all our sins there in his own body And secondly in thy saying it is redeemed by Christ within by being within when the work of the Spirit of Christ in believers is to make known to the soul by dwelling within which way and how they were redeemed by the man Christ Jesus on the Crosse And this I prove farther because when thou art forced to answer to these words Why did the man Christ Jesus hang on the Crosse on mount Calvary for the sins of his Children Thou saiest because they wickedly judged him to be a blasphemer Friend I did not ask thee why the Jews did put him to death but why was he crucified there for the sins of his Children But thou willing to cover over thine errour goest on cunningly saying and through their envy they persecuted him to death for an evill doer This is one ground at least c. Friend but that thou art ashamed to own the Gospel of Jesus Christ thou wouldest have said he was crucified there for the sin of the world and by his offering up of himself upon the Crosse he did for ever perfect them that are sanctified Nay thou wouldest have studied to exalt his dying there first by shewing what a sad condition we were in without it secondly by holding forth the manifold and great priviledges that we have by his dying for us there But thou art at enmity against the things of God as is cleerly seen by those that have indeed the Spirit of God in them and are enabled thereby to discern you And though you say there is no other that can forgive sin nor the blood of any other that can take away sin but the blood of God Yet thou deniest that the blood of him who was and is truly God as well as man Christ Jesus I say thou deniest that his blood that was shed without Jerusalems gates doth wash away sin from the Saints of God and cunningly though not at this time uttered concluding that the blood of God was shed for sin on a Crosse within If it be not so then call me lyar but it will cleerly appear so to be in your answer to my third Quaery 3. Quaery is What Scripture have you to prove that Christ is or was crucified within you dead within you risen within you ascended within you Thy answer is There is no Scripture that mentions every of our names in particular And thy Quaery saiest thou is raised from a misunderstanding of us so I judge But Christ is within us that we do dot deny and he is the Lamb that was slain in the streets of the great City wich is spiritually called Sodom and Egypt mind Spiritually and he is now risen and ascended this we know and leave thee to receive a farther answer from them that are led by a spirit of delusion Friend how doest thou run about the bush seeking to scrable up an answer but findest not a right one and wouldest also fain hold out that Christ is or was crucified within dead within risen and ascended within but seeing thou canst not with or by the Scriptures give an answer then seeing thy self left of them through rhe strength of carnall reason thou goest about this way Is there any of our names made mention of in Scripture or to that purpose and would'st fain inferr from thence that because we have names though not mentioned in Scriptures therefore Christ is and was crucified within though not mentioned in the Scriptures Friend thy sophistry deceivs thee The second argument which is like the first is this He is the Lamb slain in the streets of the great City Spiritually called Sodom and Egypt Now from the word spiritually thou wouldest willingly inferre also that Christ is and was crucified within dead within and risen within you and therefore thou saiest mind spiritually Friend I may well mind thy spirituall wickedness by which thou wouldest willingly cover thy heresie but it will not be Though thou dare not speak plainly in so many words yet the thoughts of thy heart are made manifest by the words that flow from thee Ah friend that thou couldest but close with the truth and venture thy soul upon what was done by Jesus on the Crosse without the gates of Jerusalem for it is by and through that blood that was there shed that we have redemption Heb. 13.12 compared with Col. 1.20 and remission of sins Eph. 1.7 and 1 Pet. 2.24 My fourth Quaery was is that very man
And poor Creatures heating the name Christ being ignorant of the nature of Christ do presently close in with these things supposing nay verily beleeving that these are the Spirit of Christ Which things being thus received if at any time one come and oppose them and tell them that it is an errour that they have taken up to think that that which is in an unregenerate man is the Spirit of Christ and contrarywise telleth them plainly that it is but their own conscience that doth convince them or the law written in their hearts by nature Nay say they it is the light of Christ in the conscience when there is no Scripture hath any such manner of expâ—essions onely a fancy of their own taken up without ground from the Word But the soul being possessed with this doctrine presently its heart riseth against any thing that doth contradict it and is filled with a secret enmity against it Now the way that Satan takes to bring this about is to perswade poor souls that all these thoughs that do any wise contradict the Principles received is but a temptation of the Devill And if at any time there be the doctrine of Jesus held forth in truth his death buriall resurrection ascension and intercession now without in the presence of his Father for sinners and that there is salvation no where else but in the merits of the first born of Mary which is Jesus Christ without the works of the Law Rom. 3.28 Presently with envie they are enraged and cry Doest thou not know that every man hath a measure of tbe Spirit given to him Follow that listen to that turn thy mind to that and walk in the light of that When alas there is no such thing as the Spirit of Christ in every man as I said and proved before at large onely the Devill hath gotten this way to call conscience Christ the law Christ and hereby to intangle the soul with the name of a thing without the thing it self But now the soul is set down in its principles and he that doth any way confute that Spirit presently it falls a raging and cries out Seâ—pent Liâ—r Wolfe Dragon Devill be silent with thy serpentine wisdom and smoak of the bottomlesse pit Now in this the Devill is wonderfull cunning for least he should indeed be discovered he doth set the face hard against the truth and counteth it such a deadly enemy that he will not cannot bear it but le ts flye against it all the hellish words and madnesse he can And now he begins first to cry avoyd Satan All which is onely to harden him in whom he doth dwell more and more against the truth Now he doth also harden souls in delusions by presenting the ugly and base conversations of a company of covetous wretches who do professe themselvs to be the Ministers of the Gospel but are not now poor creatures being shaking and doubtfull what way to take seeing the conversation of these men to be wicked and the doctrine of these deluders coâ—ered with a seeming holinesse they presently embrace it saying surely these men are in the right way they cry down the Priests whose lives we also see to be profane they are very strict in their ways and if such be nor good men who are But yet that which is most taking is through the corruption and pride that is naturally in the heart of man these men propose such a way to salvation as is in the compasse of a mans owe abilitie even works of righteousnesse done by him which is very agreeable to mans natâ—re which would willingly be saved but would not be altogether beholden to God for it and these works not being wrought by the Priests or Nationall Ministers but by the other though in opposition to the righteousnesse of Christ the Messias God-man poor souls not onely suck in these erroneous principles but are hardened in them against the doctrine of God and his Son Jesus Christ by their ungodly conversation and thus dishonour the Son of God But come brethren let us be patient stablish our hearts wait but a while and I doubt not but you will see that those who dishonour our Jesus shall soon be brought down both Ranters Quakers Pâ—iests and people also that shall continue in opposing him either in doctrine or practise for our God hath said Ah! I will ease me of my adversaries Now a few words more to those who do beleeve in Christ aright and lay him for their foundation First blesse God that you are not carried away with the delusions that are on foot in this generation Secondly see that you are laborers after a more experimentall knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ flye more to his birth death blood resurrection ascension and intercession and fetch refreshing for your souls more and more from him without through the operation of his Spirit within and though the fruits of the Spirit be excellent and to be owned where they are found Yet haue a care you take not away the glory of the blood of Christ shed on the Crosse without the gates of Jerusalem and give it them which you will do if you do content your selvs and satisfie your consciences with this that you finde the fruits of the Spirit within you and do not go for peace and consolation of conscience to the blood of Jesus shed on the Crosse Therefore learn of the Saints or rather of the Spirit Revel 5. who teacheth to sing this song Thou art worthy to take the book and to open the seales thereof for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood And as for you that cannot yet well indure to think you should be justified by the blood of the Son of Mary shed on the Crosse without the gate I say to you Kiss the Son least he be angry and you perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little blessed are all they tbat put their trust in him Psal 2.12 FINIS Some Questions put forth to them commonly called Quakers for to answer whether in London or elswhere Be alwaies ready to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you 1 Pet. 3.15 And I beseech you do it in sincerity 1. IF thou saiest that every man hath a measure of the Spirit of Jesus Christ within him Why say the Scriptures Some are sensual having not the Spirit Jude 19. And when Christ tells his Disciples of sending them the Spirit he also saith The world cannot receive it Joh. 14.17 2. What is the Church of God redeemed by from the curse of the Law Is it by something done within them or by something that is done without them or by something that worketh in them Gal. 3.3 Act. 13.38 1 Pet 2.24 Col. 1.20 c. If thou Answer It is redeemed from the curse of the law by something that worketh in them then I ask Why did the man Christ Jesus