as the fruit of his once dying for them who therefore died rose and revived that he might be Lord of all the Judge of quick and dead not so any other man or men and so he mostfully answers the similitude or comparison as used in that 1 Cor. 15. 36 37. also But now Christ being risen from the dead is become the first fruits of them that sleep and the first fruits and harvest must needs be both of one and the same kind as to the thing to be raised though the first fruits be more excellent and glorious in it self then the following His resurrection therefore being the resurrection of the body the resurrection of others by him must needs be the resurrection of their bodies also for since by man came death and was not that also the death of the Body by man also the resurrection of the dead and is not that the body for as in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive So then 2. We further say with the Apostle in his following answer and application of the comparison the same body that is now a natural body it even the same that is sown in corruption it is raised in the Resurrection after Death in incorruption it the same it or body that is sown in dishonour having neither Life Breath Beauty or Fitnesse for Society it is raised in honour it the same that is sown in weaknesse so as it cannot help it self but moulders to dust it is raisin power and so in Immortality It the same It or body that is sown a natural body it is raised a Spiritual body For there is a natural Body and such are all men first and there is a Spiritual Body and such shall the same bodies be that were sown natural Bodies in the resurrection the same shall be Spiritual Bodies it is the same body in a new quality And as it is absurd and unreasonable to immagine that that Body that suffers much even to death for the name of Christ shall after death cease for ever and another Body that never so suffered be raised and Glorified in stead thereof or that the body that runs on in wickednesse and is yeilded up to unrighteousnesse even to death shall from thence cease to be for ever and another Body rise that never so acted the sin nor was imployed in the service of it and suffer the punishment for the former for we must all appear before the righteous Judgement Seat of Christ that every one may receive in his Body the things in the fruit or reward of them done in his Body according to what he hath done whether it be good or bad for what a man soweth that shall he the man reap be not deceived God is not mocked 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rom. 14. 9 10 11 12 Gal. 5. 7 8. c. So likewise it is as absurd to think there can be a resurrection of that which never died or before it be dead Thou fool that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die c. as before it is the dead that rise in the Resurrection Luke 20 37. Mark 12. 25 26. 17. Query And must not every seed have a body of its one Nature Answ In this question that they may render absurd the belief and acknowledgment of the resurrection of the dead body which while it lives here is vile and mortal in it self and in death further corrupts and turns to dust They imply that every seed must have a body of its own Nature and so that if the mortal and dead Body rise it must rise the same or in the same Quality or manner of being for so much they include in its own nature in which its sown namely Vile Mortal Weak c. In all which it clearly appeares they therefore so greatly err even as the Sadduces of old because they know not the Scriptures as likewise neither the Power of God Mark. 12 24 27. For the Scripture saith expresly in the forementioned similitude that which thou sowest thou sowest not that body that it shall be but bare grain c. But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him and to every seed his own body the same corn is quickened after it dyes in the ground and so retains its nature or kind as Wheat or some other grain but in the quickening is changed into another quality or manner of being and glory as in the blade and after the ear and fruit as aforesaid So likewise in the Resurrection of the dead yea more fully and clearly for such resemblances have not the lively Image of such greater things to come as yet are shadowed or resembled by them the same Body of man that dyed and was buried is raised and so every Soul shall have its own proper Body which it laid down or departed out of but not in the same quality or manner of being which is all one with the nature or kind of beings in these mens confusions But as we have shewed already it s the same body in a new or other quality or manner of being than that in which it was sown for it is sown a natural body it is raised a spiritual body c. as before yea Christ himself was crucified through and in weakness but he even the same he that dyed and was buried as before is shewed he was raised and liveth in the Power and Glory of God But it appears in these Questions and by their consounding the Seeds in the similitude with the bodies of men resembled by them and spoken of as sown in death and raised in the Resurrection especially if we compare these and the next Question with their discourses and writings on this subject that they are of no faith or judgement concerning any other Resurrection either of the just or unjust then such an imaginary Resurrection as is made or may be atrained in this life and that is not not a Resurrection of the man or dead body that cannot be except it first die and so not before its death nor is that in their imagination but of some Seeds sown in man distinct from the body of the man and so the resurrection of the just in their vain thought is when that they call the good Seed of which some of them dream Christ takes flesh in the man and sometimes they call it Christ and the light within when this gets above the other Seed and gets victory over the lusts in the man and that is the Resurrection to praise and to life likewise the resurrection of the unjust is nothing else with these Dreamers but the rising or getting above of the evil seed or seed of the Serpent in every or any man distinct from the man or Body of the man and when that rises it rises to condemnation and death that is according to their meaning that it may be condemned and judged to death by the other Seed yet can they not tell us who sew these Seeds and
when nor what Bodies they have before they die yea according to this their imagination the resurrection of the unjust is usually or often first contrary to the order of the Resurrection of the dead witnessed in the Scriptures of truth and there may be also many Resurrections of both the just and the unjust whereas the Scriptures mention but one a Resurrection not many Resurrections and that of the dead both of the just and unjust but every man in his own order but more need not here be added to shew the filthiness of this Satanical Dream the mention of it is enough with what hath been already said to shew the Dreamers to be denyers of the Resurrection of the Bodies of men that die in Adam that is after the natural or Bodily death and so of the Resurrection of the dead affirmed and shewed in the Scripture and to evince the truth of that Doctrine against all their endeavours to overthrow it yeâ— something further we shall add to this subject in answer to their next Question Quest 18. And whether the wicked upon whom after Death Judgement is come whose Souls are in Hell must afterward come out of Hell again to receive a second Judgement Ans This Question needs no other answer but the mention of that Scripture Rev. 20. 12 13. which speaking prophetically of the final and Eternal Judgement saith expresly That Death and Hell delivered up the dead which were in them and they were judged every one according to his works ther 's death and hell delivering up their Prisoners to Judgement But because in this last Question especially they manifest their horrible Corruption and infidelity about the Doctrine of the Resurrection of the dead and Eternal Judgement and what Deriders and Scoffers of both they be even against the plainest assertions of Scripture as in the fifteenth Question they are of Christs personal coming the second time and that we may further bear witnesse to the Truth denyed and reproached by them for the good of others we shall here add something further in return to this Question also noting the palpable wickednesse of the intention and scope of it and the falshood and folly they are found in in their pursuit of such a wicked enterprise 1. The intention and scope of it is to fasten an error upon the Doctrine of the resurrection of the dead and their coming forth to an Eternal Judgement after death viz. That if so then the wicked must come out of hell again after sentenced and sent thither and thereby to give a total overthrow to that doctrine of the resurrection of the dead Bodies of men and their coming forth to Eternal judgement after the natural and bodily death and so to make God a lyar even in those his most plain and full manifestations of the Truth by the Son himself who having declared the powerful efficacy of his voice as now speaking from heaven in the glorious Gospel for making those dead in sins and trespasses to hear and to the quickening and preserving in life those that in hearing hear and said that hour is coming and now is John 5. 25. he biddeth them vers 28. not marvel at that for the hour is coming he saith not as before and now is but onely that it is coming and in leaving out that clause and now is having mentioned it in the former declaration he fully implies that the hour here spoken of in the 28. vers now is not but certainly cometh after the forementioned hour or time that was then begun even when God shall send us Jesus who before was preached to us as Acts 3. 20. with Mat. 24. 14. See the instruction to the living from the consideration of the future state of the dead by T. M. Junior pages 15 16 17 18 19. the hour is coming in the which all that are in the graves in the dust of the earth and in the disappearing state of death shall hear his voice and shall come forth namely out of their graves they shall be wholly freed and made alive from the first death Hos 13. 14. 1 Cor. 15. 22. they that have done good shall come forth unto the Resurrection of life and they that have done evil unto the resurrection of Damnation for even death and hell shall deliver up the dead that are in them and they shall be judged every one according to his works as before is shewed This is that which the scope of this question is to deny and so consequently that Christ is risen from the dead for if the dead rise not then is not Christ risen and so in the denyal of this the Apostles whole Preaching is rendred vain and faith in Christ as Preached by them vain also yea they are therein proclamed false witnesses of God because they have testified of him that he raised up Christ whom he raised not up if so be the dead rise not 1 Cor. 15. 12. 15. 2. In their pursuit of this end they make lies and mistakes their desence that which they first suppose and take for granted as that in which their chief strength lies is neither granted by us nor so expressed in the Scripture but according to the import of it in their query very erroneous viz. that judgement is come upon the wicked after death now that by is come they mean is now already come as soon as they are dead and that by Judgement they mean the whole of the judgement is clear by their bringing it to disprove and deride a coming forth again to any other or further judgement and so it s very false for though judgement may come upon them in this life and their death is a terrible Judgement it proves so accidentally to them through their misimprovement of their time because it cuts them off from further space of repentance they being from thence sealed up and reserved as Prisoners in the Pit to the judgement of the great day of Christ yet neither is the one or the other that great and Eternal judgement unto which all the ungodly that continue such till death are reserved to be punished nor doth that seize on them till that day of judgement whence it is alwayes truly called the wrath to come and not that is already come upon any and so much is plain in that Heb. 9. 27. with vers 28. to which they would seem to allude especially if compared with other Scriptures see the text as it is appointed to men once to die he speaks of men indefinitely and so of the whole kind for all shall once dye though some shall not sleep in death but suffere a sudden change in which both death and resurrection shall be accomplished upon them in a moment But after this the judgement he saith not that then or as these that after this the judgement is come as if it were already come upon such of them as are dead or should come upon any that die before the rest at least of their
God by whom all things were made So there was not nor ever was or will be any other man or Angel like him and so as he was and is John 1. 1 2 3. Col 1. 15 16. Phil. 2. 7. 2. He saith not as he was when the Word was made flesh in Vnion of Person with the Son of God Gods onely Son his first begotten and first born God-man in one Person John 1. 14. 18. Mat. 1. 23. So is no man else 3. He saith not as he is now at Gods Right hand in his body glorified by virtue of that he did here on the Earth in his personal sufferings for so he is the Lord of all Angels Powers and Authorities being made subject to him 1 Pet. 3. 22. alive and living for evermore and hath the Keys of Hell and Death Rev. 1. 18. Yea so he is the Christ exalted a Prince and Saviour to give Repentance and Remission of sins Acts 2. 36. and 5. 31 32. The great High Priest and King that hath all Power in Heaven and Earth given to him Heb. 7. and 8. Mat. 28. 18. The fulnesse of the God-head dwelling in him bodily Col 2. 9 10. The Mediator of God and man 1 Tim. 2. 5. The Way the Truth the Life John 14. 6. The recoverer of Man-kind the second Man the last Adam who is made a quickening Spirit Rom 5. 14. 18. Gal. 3. 13. 14. and 4. 4. 1 Cor. 15. 45 to 49. The Saviour of the World and propitiation for the sins of the whole World 1 John 2. 2. and 4. 14. The Authour of Faith and of Salvation Heb. 12. 2. and 5. 9. The caller of all Isa 45. 22. The Head and Husband of the Church and special Advocate of believers Ephes 5. 26. and 1. 22. 23. 1 John 2. 1. So he is and was so as there never was is or will be found another in these respects as he to do that which and as he hath done and to be by virtue thereof as and what he is 4. He saith not as he is in himself in his own person and for the work done by him and excellency in him in the estimate will and love of God his Father so and in the same manner and sence are we Not so for it hath pleased the Father that in him all fulnesse should dwell and that in all things he should have the preheminence Col. 1. 18 19. And so likewise is he in the esteem of the true Church 2 Cor. 4. 5. Col. 3. 11. So as no other is as he much lesse upon the account of any thing done in and by them 5. He saith not as he shall appear at his coming again so are we in this World no that is denied by the Apostle for in that respect we are dead and our life hid with Christ in God and such conformity to him is not here to be enjoyed but waited for till his glorious appearing 1 John 3. 2. Col. 3. 3 4. none yet so as he is Phil. 3. 12. and 20 21. 6. He saith not simply as he is so are we not so for he is the mighty God Tiâ— 2. 13. God over all blessed for ever Rom. 9. 5. God-man in one person John 1. 14. Mat. 1. 23. He by whom the Worlds are upheld Heb. 1. 3. And by him God will raise and judge all men Rom. 2. 16. None therefore so as he in such respects 7. Nor saith he as he was in the World so are we though in some respects that be true He when here in weaknesse here on Earth was then Immanual the onely begotten Son of God the Saviour of the World So no other none so impowered to give forth the Gospel and appoint new Ordinances to be used as he was we may onely receive declare and use what he gave forth and appointed Yet as he when on Earth preached that Gospel and suffered shame and reproach for so doing and was humble meek loving patient and constant to the death in so doing So it becomes us to do and be that we may therein be like him John 15. 1â— 22. Ephes 5. 1. 2. 1 Pet. 2. 22. And so in living by Faith so as he but this Text speaks in a more proper Language for incouragement And so 8. He saith plainly not of others but of themselves the Apostles and those unfained believers that were one with them in the same Faith as he is so are we in this World He had before declared the foundation and Gods love commended therein as the ground of confidence and love vers 9. 10 11. like that in Rom. 5. 1. 10. And how by the abiding of this love in us God dwells in us and his love is perfected in us vers 7 8. 12 13. And then affirming that they had seen and did Testifie that the Father sent the Son the Saviour of the World vers 1â— and how they had known and believed the same commended through him and how they that have believed and dwell in that love dwell in God and God in them vers 15 16. He adds herein is love with us or our love made perfect he saith not so perfect as there is no fear in us because there is none in love but that perfect love casteth out fear c. doth dayly or continually cast it out as it riseth in us that so we may have boldnesse in the day of Judgement And giveth this as the reason because as he is which can here be no other then as he is in the publication and demonstrations of him in the Gospel approved and received or dispised and rejected so are we in the declaration and holding forth of this message approved or rejected in this World which is sutable to that foretold by our Saviour Mat. 10. 40. Luke 10. 16. Again as he used comparatively signifies not in every respect nor in the fulnesse of measure as may be seen Mat. 10. 16. Gal. â— 12. Rev. 16 15. And so here Not as he by his omnipotent power upholding the Heavens and the Earth and ruling amongst all for ever making his counsel to take place upholding his Church in the World c. Not as be is in his omniscience in the World seeing all things and beholding the hearts thoughts and wayes of all men not as he in his Perfection of Holinesse and Righteousnesse as inherently found in us He is yet about that work to bring his Church to that that he may in his season present them so to himself Ephes 5. 26 27. 1 Thes 5. 23 24. Acts 3 19 20 21. Because of his perfect Righteousnesse and Power vengence belongs to him and he may punish and cut off at his pleasure not so we Rom. 12. 19. So that such an assuring to be like him as thâ—se imply in such perfection of sinlessnesse applying it to themselves is to aspire to such a likenesse to and equality with God as the Serpent tempted Eve to And no marvel if such be high conceited of themselves and
that believing is which closing with that Object of faith is therefore called faith and not else 1. The Object of faith is the same that was preached by the Apostles for the obedience of faith or to the faith Gal. 1. 23. Rom. 1 3 4 5. and 16. 25 26. The most holy faith in believing to be built up in Jude 20 The precious faith of Gods elect Tit. 1 1 2 Pet. 1 2. Which object though one yet is three ways considerable 1. In respect of the most inmost and absolute Object the further and full stay of the soul and that is God Almighty the divine essence of God in Christ as evidenced by the holy Ghost in his infinite power love mercy truth c. And so God is called the trust of his people Psal 40. 4 and 17 3 5. 2. The most inmost and absolute medium which the believer discerns comes to and fastens on God and that is Jesus Christ the son of God become man the Saviour of the world c. Rom. 1 2 3 4 5. John 4. 42. 1 John 4. 14. And this as he is set forth in Scripture John 7. 37 38. Rom. 16. 26. Both in respect of what he hath done in his incarnation death resurrection sacrifice by which he made peace obtained redemption compleated righteousness and received spirit in the man and for men and what by vertue of all this he is doing in his mediation between God man and appearing in the heavens before God interceeding for transgressors and advocating and mediateing in speciall manner for believers affording and continuing means and sending forth spirit to the rebellious that the Lord God might dwell amongst them and to believers to lead them into all truth and what by reason and vertue of all said he is even the propitiation for sins wisdom righteousness holiness and redemption the Saviour of sinners the head of believers the fountain of life the Lord and Judge of all And what he hath assured in his 〈…〉 confirmed by his blood that he will do in his visible and glorious 〈…〉 the dead and causing all his peculiar to appear in glory with him and bring 〈…〉 before his judgements seate to acknowledge him and receive 〈…〉 1 Tim. 2 4 5 6. Tit. 1. 1. 2 3. and 2. 11. -14 and 3 -4. 7. And thus is Jesus Christ both the Object of faith and living and enlivening medium by which any comes to God and believe in God Heb. 7. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 21. 3 The instrumentall and outward Object or medium through which God in Christ and his well pleasedness in him and the things above mentioned are declared and according to which he is to be beheld believed and trusted in which is the faith the Apostles preached and wrote to be obeyed in believing and this is the word and Gospel of God and Christ as testified and recorded by the spiration and inspiration of the Holy Ghost in the holy Scriptures John 5. 39. and because so reported it is called his name Psal 138. 2. and believing him is in believing his Gospel Mark 1. 15. Joh. 2. 22. and 5. 47. and begins in glorifying his word Acts 13. 38. and so right believing on him is believing on him as the Scripture hath said John 7. 37. and according to his word and so trusting him in his word Pal. 56. 3 4. 10 11. and so to us-ward this is the first and outward Object and medium nigh to us discovering God and Christ that we may trust rightly in him the next which through this is come to the inmost living mediate Object discovered in that word and through that word believed in is Jesus Christ as aforesaid and so through Christ the last and most inmost and absolute Object is God in Christ 1 Tim. 4 10. Rom. 4. 24. and so the Object of faith is one that is God in Christ as discovered by his Spirit in the Gospel and this is the faith of which these opposers discover themselves by their own words to be void and of no judgement as after also may more appear 2. As for that believing which closeth with this Object of faith and is therefore called faith it is in holy Scripture shewen to have these three things in it together in one 1. A right discerning judgement and perswasion of God in Christ according to the discovery of himself in this word and testimony and begotten by this word and testimony Joh. 5. 39. 44. 47. and 7. 37. 2 Thes 1. 10. Rev. 19. 10 Heb. 11. 13. 2. From and with this an hearty imbracement of this discerned and from thence an unfeined believing and trusting in God for all the grace and glory in Christ promised Heb. 11. 13. Rom. 4. 18 -25 and 5. 8 9 10. 2 Tim. 4. 18. 3. Thirdly a yielding up the heart and powers to be saved and framed in affections choise and endeavours of service by the teachings allurements and operation of this grace believed Isa 45. 22. 2 Cor. 5. 20. Cant. 1. 3 4. and 2. 4 5 6. Phil. 3. 3 7 8 9. 1 Pet. 1. 5 6. 8. Rom. 6. 17. Tit. 2. 11 -14 Heb. 11. 13. And in these three meeting in one is that believing that closing with and receiving this Object of faith that is rightly called faith which had these opposers known they would not have avouched it an errour to say that Jesus Christ the Lord from Heaven the quickning Spirit dwelleth in believers by faith for by faith the Object discovered and believing or faith in the heart begot there they receive his word or testimony into their hearts Jam. 1. 18. 2 Cor. 3. 3. and where this word abideth in the heart there and so is Christ John 15. 4. 7. 1 John 2 24. and 5. 10. and 2. 9. And here through the Holy Ghost discovering Christ and the things of Christ the vertues of his death resurrection fulness sacrifice and by his divine light breathing and power glorifying him to their hearts John 15. 26 27. and 16. 13 14 15. 1 Pet. 1. 20. Rom. 4. 25. draweth them more on Christ 1 Pet. 2. 5. From whom they receive and believing have in them remission of sins Acts 10. 43. Col. 2. 13. Justification and peace with God in Christ access to God in that grace and hope of glory Rom. 5 1 2. 8 9 10 11. 1 Cor. 6. 11. And as these are by the word and spirit witnessed in them and received by them so and thereby is Christ in them 1 John 5. 10. 20. Col. 1. 27. And by the word and Spirit in it with these riches received is effected in them an inner man a new heart new Spirit the mind and disposition of Christ Ephes 4. 20 -24 Col. 3. 10 11. Rom. 8. 14 15. 1 Cor. 2. 16. 2 Cor. 3. 3. 17 18. And as this Spirit and mind and faith and love is in them so and therein is Christ and God in Christ in them ◠John 3. 24. and 4. 13. 16. And from this
die immortal or spiritual as they shall rise But we say the bodies that are sown mortal and natural shall rise immortal and spiritual To Thomas Moors saying that the same Kirnel of Wheat rises up again in the blade They say It is known that the same Kirnel doth not rise but another body or Ear of corn grows forth in the nature of that which is sown But we appeal to sense whether it be not that Kirnel that is sown that is changed into the Blade that springs out and grows into blade ear and corn as that other body or ear of corn grows forth in the nature of that which is sown so it springs out of that which is sown too and that was sown is quickened and grows into that which comes up and not another thing that being annihilated They talk of Riddles but of their own imagination of conceited Seeds and the nature of them and their center and habitation like those conceits of Jacob Behmen which are all Aliens to the Apostles discourse which we pass by as things frivolous and impertinent being nothing but carnal imaginations of men destitute of the Truth and that believe not Gods Doctrine And as for what they say of the last Trumpet in the last day and the Resurrection of just and unjust We see their corruption about it in what was said by them above viz. that the Saints in Pauls time remained till that coming of Christ which is to be with a shout and with the Voice of the Arch-angel and Trump of God by which they know that though they use the Scripture Words of the last Trumpet Sounding and Resurrection of the just and unjust and that many that sleep in the Dust of the Earth shall rise and shall come forth some to the Resurrection of Life and some to the Resurrection of Condemnation every one to be rewarded according to his Works and that John said the Sea gave up the dead in it and Death and Hell delivered up that which were in them and they were judged c. Yet we know by what is already said by them in their Book and by their Questions to us in which they propound Shall the Souls of the wicked which are in Hell and have received their judgement come forth again to receive a second judgement that they are void of the faith of those sayings and turn them into delusions of their own or other mens inventions for what shall rise that sleeps in the dust or that is in the graves as in Job 5. 28 29 if not the Body that was laid into it which they say rises not And what shall Hell and death give up if Hell give up no souls in it as their question implies and death give up nothing in it For what should it give up Is it the Spirit that dies not with the body but when the body goes to dust it returns to God but sure the Apostle sayes its the Body that is now vile that shall be changed that it mark that it and its a Relative and relates to that before it which there is the vile body that it may be fashioned into the likenesse of his Glorious Body which they believe not and therefore what but deceit and equivocation is this in their Hearts while they quote the Words of Scripture that say every man shall be Judged according to his Works if neither the Soul nor the Body come up again what of the man is that that shall be judged Let all judge And this they say is an answer about the Resurrection but such an answer as clearly denies it and turns it up by the roots as not grounded in their conceited appearance of Christ in them W. and F. They say to their question to Thomas Moore What was the Seed of which the Apostle said God giveth it a body as it pleaseth him He answered That the Seed was the Body that dies or is laid in the Ground which he pleaded for the rising of Reply Surely ye wrong T. M. for the Seed there spoken of is the Grain or Seed mentioned which men sow and which the Apostle mentions by way of illustration T. M. might say that which answers to the seed in the Comparison is the Body of man but see here that by their faulting T. M. as pleading for the Resurrection of the Body that dies they plead Tertul. de Resur carnis praescripta adversus Heretic not for it but deny it See then if they be not out of the Apostles Creed and out of the Faith of all the Primitive times who believed and pleaded for the Resurrection of the body But they say to this it was replyed That then every man must rise with two bodies if that body that is Terrestrial must arise and have another body given it but herein his ignorance say they was seen Reply Nay rather your Sophistry appears For is that seed that men sow a Body or not I suppose sense will prove it is for it may be seen felt tasted c. Well then doth God give it a body or no the Apostle saith yes Hath the Seed then two bodies one that is quickened it dying and another that comes up surely no but his giving it a body is his changing it into another body that is a body of another form so is the Resurrection of the dead Phillip 3. 20 21. It is sown a natural body God changes and fashions it mark it into a Spiritual body that 's his giving it a body Even as when the Potter was fashioning a Vessel upon the Wheel and it was broken he made it into another Vessel was there two vessels then one that was made into another and another into which it was made let reason judge t is another body made of the same this mortal shall put on immortality and this corruptible shall put on incorruption But they say of us We have both confuted our selves because in our Post-script we say the Apostle implies plainly that the raised body in the Resurrection shall not be flesh and blood Whence they ask How is it they have pleaded so much for the same that dies to rise again which is a body of flesh and blood when the raised body is not flesh and blood they say whence they conclude us much shut up in Babylon c. Reply Reader mind it again and see whether we or they be in confusion we said the same body should rise but it shall not rise the same we say it shall not rise flesh and blood a carnal natural body follows it Therefore it was not flesh and blood a carnal natural body when it dyed or that the same that was so shall not rise a spiritual body judge of it by this men sow bare grain the bare grain they sow dying is quickened and comes up but the grain they sow comes not up bare grain when it comes up this mortal body that dies shall rise but it shall not rise a mortal body
what was spoken by him though yet their defence That the light was the same in nature in both the Apostles and them they preach to is unsound too For what Light was in the Ephesians who were darknesse before the Apostle preached to them The Light the Apostles Preacht was the Light of the Glory of God in the Face of Jesus Christ that the Ephesians while darknesse had any measure of that in them we want their proof G. W. Should have done well to have vindicated his own corrupt Gloss upon that saying Ephes 5. 8. ye were sometimes darknesse viz. they had some darkness in them but he sneaks away from that and takes no notice of it Sure here it behoved him to have proved what light the Ephesians had in them of the same nature with what the Apostles brought them before their coming to them We accused them that as a main piece of their corrupt Doctrine that they say All have the Light of Christ in them and that that is whatsoever reproves any sin in men to which they bid men look for all their Light and teaching To this they say We might as well have accused Christ and the Apostles but mention not one Saying of theirs that jumps with their Doctrine for though Christ Saith I am the Light of the World yet he saith Not every man in the World hath me or my Light in him and that 's it that reproves and checks them John saith Christ is the true Light that lighteth it is not enlightneth every man coming into the World But he saith Not that that light is in every man that cometh into the World and continues in him so long as he is in the world and whatsoever he find reproving sin in him is that Light The Apostle Saith That which may be known of God was manifest in them that detain the Truth in unrighteousnesse but that it still continues in them that like not to retain it but put it from them and say to God Depart from us we desire not the knowledge of thy wayes somewhat like these mens saying That they desire not the Knowledge of that Christ we look for from Heaven and whose minds are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without judgement the Apostle sayes not Can they be without judgement that have Christs light in them seeing its his judgement that he makes to rest for a Light of the People Isa 51. 4. The Grace of God that bringeth Salvation hath appeared to all men it s said But that all receive and so have it abiding in them it s not said much lesse that whatsoever reproves sin in them is it that it s given to all we deny not And therefore men are condemned because when given them they accept it not They ask What it is in men that must leave them without excuse And we say but what of it have they in them whom it hath left or leaves without excuse is that in a man which hath left him They ask How can we shew that have not a Light of Christ in them to reprove them And we say George Whitehead George Fox and such impudent lyars if they be as much without reproof within as they seem to be without in their brazing out their lies before men and in the Scriptures those that being past feeling have given over themselves to all licentiousness to work iniquiry with greediness Ephes 4. 19. But they say We have wickedly wronged them for they do not say what soever reproves any sin is the Light of Christ But that here they themselves are the lyars and do wrong we appeal to those that heard and remember what John Whitehead said in his discourse at Gedney about the Covenant of Light how after he had told them it is given to every man and that that 's the word in men by the hearing of which comes Faith corruptible enough then propounded where it is and asked if they found not something in their consciences reproving them for sin and told them that was it they should heed that was that light and much to that purpose which when we opposed and said Satan transforming himself into an Angel of Light could for his own ends reprove for sin they exclaimed of us till we brought diverse arguments from Scripture about it And surely if Satan know that men have such principles he is so Subtile as to put himself into the form of a Reprover for many evils that so he may gain credit with them to receive his delusions as the run-about Pharisees also could do many of these steps these men walk in whether their way exposes men to follow their own Spirits on the Grounds aforesaid or onely to follow the the Light of Christ we leave it to the judgement of all that understand things that differ or that have read the relations of John Toldervy and John Gilpin and others of that way They charge it as a lye of ours that we say Geo. Whitehead derided at mens faith in the Death and Bloodshed of Christ beyond the Seas We added as if that was a good foundation of faith which they subtilly suppresse and herein we appeal to all that heard our dispute that remember and have the honesty to say what they heard and what else do they in their Book when they say our faith that is not grounded in Christs appearing in us is to be turned up by the roots Yea and again in p. 15. in what they say against our affirming the Death and Bloodshedding of Christ to be the foundation or of the foundation of our faith yea and here they shew their corruption in saying that the faith they own they know the word of it to be in the heart they mean before outward Preaching heard and that they have it not to fetch from beyond the Sea nor from above nor from beneath but it s nigh in the heart and in the mouth refusing still to take notice of what follows though with that we charge them in our Book and shewed from what follows the scope of the Apostle therein and how it favours not their corrupt conception which here they have clearly past over as not daring to meddle with it we refer the Reader then to what our Book says about it as being left unanswered by them That the light wherewith Christ lighteth every man is both Natural and Spirituall in diverse streams of it we said and explicated largely which here they dissemble here they cavil that we called not the light he lightens men with lights but light If a man should ask what peace God is Author of and we should say of all true and good peace both Temporal and Eternal outward and inward VVere not he a very caveller that would cavel at us for not saying all peaces but all peace such is their folly here As also in faulting us for not proving one light to be both Natural and Spiritual when as we never affirmed it no more then one peace to be
are as followeth For John Horn and Thomas Moor both Teachers who disputed against George Whitehead at Lin the 15. th day of the 7th month 59. A few questions of concernment for them or any that own them to answer directly 1. WHether do you own that Christ hath two Bodies one in Heaven and another on Earth yea or nay 2. Whether the body of Christ which is the sulnesse of God whereof the Saints are members is a Body of flesh and bones in the Heavens yea or nay 3. Whether did the body of flesh and bones wherein Christ suffered descend from Heaven into the lower parts of the Earth yea or nay Seeing no man hath ascended up to Heaven but the Son of man which came down from Heaven And it is the same that descended into the lower parts of the Earth that ascended far above all Heavens that be might fill all things Eph. 4. 9 10. Psal 68. 18. 4. What and where are the lower parts of the Earth whereinto Christ descended from his Father 5. And if he which descended into the lower parts of the Earth be a person of flesh and bones which ascended far above all Heavens what is that place he is in far above all Heavens which is not Heaven 6. Whether do you believe that all the Heavens are local places one above another and above the Firmament called Heaven yea or nay 7. Can a body of flesh and bone be both in the Heavens and far above them all and fill all things at one and the same time yea or nay 8. Seeing Thomas Moor did not own that Christs body is a carnal body in Heaven how is it that you say his body is a body of flesh and bones or a humane body without blood in it is not a fleshly body Carnal 9. Can any locall place containe that Glory which Christ had with the Father before the World was wherein he is Glorified 10. Where or how came Christ into the house where his Disciples were met after his Resurrection the doors being shut John 20. 19. 26. Have not some of you said that then his body being Spirituallized it glided in at the Key-hole of the door for so it hath been spoken concerning some of your way 11. Whether the same Christ who in the dayes of his flesh suffered persecution whose body was subject to hunger and afliction be not made a quickening Spirit 1 Cor. 15. 45. And yet his flesh and blood is so nigh to every true believer that his Flesh is his meat indeed and his Blood is his drink indeed 12. And if the Blood of Christ that was shed be the drink indeed and the purger of the Conscience where is that blood if not in Christs flesh as you affirmed Seeing that men must drink the Blood of Christ as well as eat his Flesh or else they have no life in them 13. And was the Blood of Christ that was shed seperate from his Body and then bearing Record in the Earth when John wrote these words in 1 John 5 8. 14. And how can the Blood of Christ either cleanse away from sin or give life to any if the Life of Christ be not in it as Thomas Moor affirmed 15. How many comings of Christ do you own seeing you yet have his second coming without sin unto Salvation to look for 16. What are these seeds that must every one have its own Body in the Resurrection and whether are they Natural or Spiritual 17. And must not every seed have a body of its own nature 18. And whether the wicked upon whom after Death Judgement is come whose souls are in Hell must afterward come out of Hell again to receive a second Judgement 19. Whether the receiving Bread and Wine to shew the Lords Death be to continue an Ordinance in the Church till the end of the World yea or nay 20. And whether doth the receiving Bread and Wine alone without an outward Passeover really figure forth the Death of Christ 21. And how must the life of Christ be shewen forth and when if People must receive Bread and Wine as a continuing Ordinance in this Life alwayes to shew forth the Death of Christ 22. What is your ground for sprinkling the Children of them you count believers have you ever a command from God or evident example for it if you have shew it 23. Whether do you own such Teachers as take Tythes or Preach for hire or for gifts and rewards yea or nay 24. What is the Soul of man which the Word of God is to save and what is the difference between the Soul and the Spirit seeing the word of God divides them asunder 25. Whether men must be justified by the same Righteousness of Christ in them which sanstifies them yea or nay 26. What is that Light with which Christ lighteth every man that cometh into the world which Thomas Moor said is both Natural and Spirituall Name one Light that every man is lighted with that is both Natural and Spiritual or else let your silence be an acknowledgement of your Ignorance touching the Light and that you have confuted your selves for Thomas Moor would not acknowledge that every man hath a Spiritual Light in him or is inlightned with a Spiritual Light But that every man should in due time be enlightned with such a Light when the seed is sown or by the Preaching of the Gospel what says he then to this the Gospel is preached in every Creature under Heaven Answer directly in simplicity without evading from these things propounded to you as you did evade and cavil at the dispute and Thomas Moor severall times fled from his own words and John Horn when you could not answer to our Question where the Blood of Christ is which you say is the foundation of Faith in his deceit asked us the same question again leave off such deceit for shame and come down to the simplicity of God in you and speak not evil of the things you know not And if you answer these questions send or give your answer to some of our friends in Lin to be conveyed to me Who am a friend to the Truth But a witnesse against all Deceit Hypocrisie and dead formality that is among you George Whitehead An Answer to the Questions forementioned THese Questions give so full intimation of their Antichristian Spirit and give us such occasion to discover it to others and so evidence the Truth of God in the great things of his Doctrine against their endeavours to make it void That since all the three forementioned have owned them as sent by them all We have judged it seasonable and tending to the profit of many that they may be saved to make them with this answer publick which answer is owned by John Horn and Thomas Moor senior and Thomas Moor junior And in it we desire the Readers to note that we direct not our speech to them because they have been already discovered and proved deceivers and
given and broken for us and so alwayes to be remembered and fed upon by us Luke 22. 19. 1 Cor. 11 24. John 6. 5â— Again by his Blood as distinguished from his flesh is meant that blood of his Crosse which was shed for us for the Remission of sins Col â— 14. 20. Mat. 26. 28. Not only nor so directly his being sometime partakers of material and mortal blood in that body of his flesh that is included in the forementioned sence of his flesh as distinguished from his blood and when mentioned together with it such blood being in and with his flesh all the dayes of his mortallity untill his death in which it was so fully shed forth and powered out that water followed but by his blood as distinct from his flesh is directly meant his humbling himself to that death in the finishing of his sufferings wherein that blood in which was his natural life in the flesh as of man was shed and so therein his Soul or Life in the flesh powered out yeilded up and laid down for our sins that were caused to meet together upon him that so he might by means of that his death in the flesh take his Life again in the Power of God and live for ever in the Glory of his Father even in that raised body of his flesh And this is very usual in the Scripture by blood to signifie the shedding of blood to Death or the natural and bodily death by any other means so Abels death by Cain called his blood Gen. 4. 10. with Heb. 12. 24. So Naboths death by stoning called his blood 2 Kings 9. 2â— generally the Martyrdom and death of the Servants of God for his sake 2 Kings 9. 7. Deut. 32. 43. Psal 72. 14. with Psal 116. 15. Yea the natural or bodily Death however it come on a man is called his blood Psal 30. 9. Heb. 12. 4. So also that by Christs own blood the blood of his Crosse by which peace was made Redemption obtained and so by which he entered into Heaven it self and so by the Spirituall sprinkling of which in the Preaching of the Crosse he purgeth the conscience is meant his Death his shedding of his blood his once suffiring even to the death of the Crosse his being put to death in the flesh see it in the foreceited Scriptures Col. 1. 14 20. Mat. 26. 28. with Phil. 2. 8. 1 Pet. 2. 24 and 3. 18. so also in Heb 9. 2. 14. with ver 15 16. 22. 26. Again Secondly By the distinct mention of his flesh and blood is signified some distinct considerations of the ends and powerfull efficacies of his own suffering in that body of his flesh for our sins As 1. For making peace and atonement with God for our sins in which we have all sinned in the disobedience of one and in which we are from thence become altogether filthy and as such justly banished and dead at Law and so it s said he gave his flesh for the life of the World and by suffering the judgement of this World and being made a Curse for us he hath abolished death obtained a Redemption and release of mankinde from under the power of that judgement that came on all in and by the first man Adam and so from the curse of the Law to be under his dispose and judgement by whom the Kingdom of God is brought unto us that through him we might be saved As the offence of one was unto all to condemnation so the Righteousnesse of one in laying down his Life that he might take it again is unto all to Justification of Life from under the power of the first death and banishment that they may not perish therein or be held out from God thereby but that they might live to him that dyed for them and rose again Rom. 5. 18. 2 Cor. 5. 1â— 15. 19. Col. 1. 20. John 6. 51. and 12. 31 32. Gal. 3. 13. 11. His shedding of his blood laying down his Life or powering out his Soul unto death for our sins was also to obtaine into himself for us a better life yea better then that we lost in the first Adam even Eternal Life Yea all fulnesse of all things pertaining to life and Godlinesse even the fulnesse of the Godhead bodily that of his fulnesse we might receive And so the immeasurable fulnesse of that Holy and Eternal Spirit to rest upon him in that body in which he so suffered that he should Teach sinners in the way and guide the meek in Judgement Yea further he hath by his blood or by means of that his death which was for the Redemption of the Transgressions under the first Testament obtained plentious and Eternal Redemption even the forgivenesse of such sins as are after the similitude of Adams transgression he hath received power in the name of the Father and as the fruit of his sufferings to take away such sins by his dayly appearing in the presence of God for us and so all such gifts as may serve for the good of the Rebellious while it is to day for forbearing and renewing mercies to them that yet through him they might be saved and that he might be just and the Justifier of him that believeth in Jesus even from such sins yea from all things from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses And so he is a Saviour from the wrath to come being now by means of his death a Mediator and propitiation for such sins as deserve it John 17. 4 5. 1 John 5. 11. Heb. 9. 12. Col. 1. 14. 19. and 2. 9. Acts 2. 33. Psal 68. 18 19. with Ephes 4. 8. 10. Heb. 9. 15. 1 Thes 1. 10. 1 John 2. 2. He was bruised wounded and put to death in the body of his flesh for our transgressions that through death he might abolish death in his Resurrection and make such peace and healing for us that through him we might be delivered and saved that were all our life time through fear of death subject to bondage Yea therefore also he shed his blood and powered out his Soul unto death that he might by vertue thereof obtaine and receive into himself a better even Eternal life for us with all such gifts for men yea for the Rebellious also as was needful that yet while it is to day they might be brought back to God and that he might be able to save to the utmost them that come to God by him 2. This his flesh and his blood was evidenced to be meat indeed and drink indeed for men spiritually to feed upon by the Resurrection of Christ from the dead and his offering up his spotlesse body a Ransom or price of Redemption once for all as being made perfect through sufferings and his being accepted and set down on the Right hand of God and Glorified with the Fathers own self Immeasurebly filled with all gifts in the man for men as before we have shewed all as the fruit of
generation or sort of men have finished their course as well as they But after this the Judgement even after this appointment of the whole kind once to die is fulfilled on all generations then will be the general final and Eternal judgement And though those that now sleep in Jesus and have suffered with him shall have their judgement come upon them their Kingdom glory given them to possess first before the rest of the dead yet that will not be till the time and state of the Resurrection of the just that have suffered with him for they shall first rise from the dead neither will that be till the beginning of that great day of Christ when the dayes of sufferings and trouble to that generation will be ended So that the judgement that properly so called as distinguished from other Judgements in this life that are temporal and reversible even the Eternal judgement that is after death it is in the time and state of the Resurrection for there shall be a General Resurrection of both the just and unjust in which they shall come forth to their judgement and that shall be to both at the hour or day of Christ even at his appearing and his Kingdom Acts 24. 15. John 5. 28 29. 2 Tim. 4. 1. and so much also appears in that which follows Heb. 9. 28. where after he hath said as it is appointed to men once to die but after this the judgement he adds as a remedy against the evil that otherwise might be unto men in that death or that judgement following so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin to salvation now as his first appearing to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself answers to the first death and misery and was effectual that by Christ we should be saved from perishing in it and that through him we might be saved so his second appearing without sin to Salvation answers to the judgement after death and is such as by it all those that now through his grace bringing salvation to all men in due time do look for him shall be saved from wrath through him even from the wrath to come when it shall come forth in that judgement so as they shall stand in the judgement even before the Son of man when he appears and the second death shall have no power on them yea they shall then be saved to the utmost by that his appearing yea he shall then appear to their salvation in that judgement which implies his appearing the second time to be first and the judgement after death following upon it at that his appearing and his Kingdome to come upon men in the time and state of the resurrection as before is shewed compare with the forementioned Scriptures Heb. 6. 2. Rev. 20. 12 13. Again their folly is manifest in taking up a sence of the Word Hell from some common contradions without examination as if in every place it signified that place and state of torment in which the wicked are to be punished for ever after the passing of the Eternal judgement upon them whereas they might have known the word Hell is used in Scripture generally for that which is deep and low obscure and dark And so 1. Sometime for the Grave or disappearing state of death whence t is often translated grave from which and from the power of it there is a redemption and deliverance though no man can redeem himself c. Psal 49. 8 9. 15. and 89. 48. Job 17. 13. 16. with Hos 13. 14. 2. Sometime for any such distress or misery as threatens death and as in which a man is in darknesse that he can see no way out or how deliverance should come out of which yet there may be deliverance though he see not how as Jonahs being in the Whales belly Jonah 2. 2 3. c. see also Psalm 86. 13. 88. 6. and 116. 3 4 c. 3. Sometime for that place and state of darkness and separation from God into which the Spirits of ungodly sinners that dy in their sins are cast and shut up from the time of their departing out of the body unto the judgement of the great day for when the body returns to its dust then the spirit returns to God who gave it Ecles 3. 21. and 12. 7. by him to be appointed to its proper place by whom the Spirits of Believers such as die in the Lord are received into Paradise a place and state of pleasure and rest in heaven under the altar on which the perfect Sacrifice was offered sometimes called Abrahams bosom t is such as in which they are from the time of their departure out of the flesh or body with the Lord made perfect so much as the Spirit without the body is capable yet still waiting for the redemption of the Body and Glorious Kingdom promised And so likewise by him the Spirits of the disobedient that persisted in the refusal of him till their sin was finished are when they depart out of the body at the death of the body driven away shut cut from his presence shut up as prisoners in some place and state of darknesse where they are reserved to the judgement of the great day Prov. 14. 32. Isa 24. 22. 1 Pet. 3. 19 20. And this is called hell Psal 9. 17. Luke 16. 23. Rev. 20. 13. that hell that follows or goes along with the first death Rev. 6. 8. That might have been an everlasting Prison to the Souls or Spirits of all mankind had not Christ abolished death by his appearing and obtained a release of all Mankind unto him and the Keys of Hell and Death into his hand But now by him that Hell going with or pertaining to the first death as in this last sence is onely appointed for a prison for all the ungodly in which they shall be reserved as in chains of darknesse to the judgement of the great day where also they are fil'd with unspeakable horror and torment in their spirit in the remembrance and sence of what they have lost and for what lying vanities and what they must shortly and for ever suffer in soul and body together reunited And out of this Hell there shall be such a deliverance as may be resembled by the deliverance of Prisoners to judgement so Rev. 20. 13. John 8. 28 29. in which yet they are not delivered out of darknesse but still in a state of separation from God and the Light of his countenance brought forth to receive their bodies that slept in dust and in them to receive their final conviction and judgement Again 4. Sometime and but seldome the word Hell singly but Hell fire is used for that wrath to come the lake of fire prepared for the Devil and his angels which is to man the second death into which they are not cast while the body is held in the grave and
c. They may if they see it convenient according to the instructions and liberty given them by him take such things as God by his providence orders to them and sets before them Be it the Tenth or what part it will that is appointed them by the Fathers of the Countrey of that which is at their dispose or that is otherwise produced to them by the Gospel But all that take Tythes we own not no more then we do all that refuse them we make not their taking or leaving them our rule for knowing or owning Preachers but leave that gross way of judgeing to such as being Reprobate concerning the Faith have no better rule to walk by To the other two parts of this Question we say 1. We distinguish between taking Hire Gifts or Rewards and Preaching for them and so being hirelings 2. Such as Preach for Hire or for Gifts and rewards and so for filthy Lucre in their so doing we own not but are instructed to flee that vile lust and to warn others of it 1 Pet. 5. 2. Yet it is not our parts to judge the hearts of men yea though therebe some failings but rejoyce if Christ be Preached and not to account any to be hirelings until it appear by their fleeing when the Wolfe comes to devour the sheep of their faith and hope of the Gospel and so of their fallowship in the Word and Ordinances thereof he that then neglecteth and fleeth from the sheep as not caring for them but leaving them to the Thief and Wolfe he flyeth because he is an hireling and by his flight may be judged so to be John 10. 10 11 13. 3. Yet some that do or may receive hire and gifts we own as being no hirelings but moved and carried forth by the love of Christ constraining them to Preach the Gospel and perswade men to be reconciled to God as the Apostle 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. 18 19. and 6. 1. â—â— who yet receive hire or took wages 2 Cor. 11. 8. and gifts Phil. 4. 14 15 16 17 18. as Elisha did 2 Kings 4 42. and Jeremiah Chap. â—0 5. But 4. Such as bring another Doctrine then that which the Apostles have Preached and delivered we own not no though they Preach it freely as it may seem the false Apostles boasted they did 2 Cor. 11 12 13. Yea the Wolf comes without hireing desiring or sending for to the sheep and barks against hirelings too seeking to scare them away yet is no better friend to the sheep but a far more dangerous and hurtful Enemy for he cometh not but to scatter catch rob and destroy John 10. Yea further if such persons coming to such a contrary end and with another message should not onely scorn 〈◊〉 but also give rewards to hire others to come in to them However Ignorant and Worldly minded men may admire such yet in the account of God and those taught of him it agravates their sin and shame Ezek. 16. 31. 33 34. 5. It s given us as a Character of false Apostles and deceitful workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ to boast of and commend themselves to others by their Preaching freely and great labours and sufferings and to seek occasions where they can right or wrong for report say they and we will report it Jer. 20. 10. against the true Ministers of Christ to reproach and vilifie them by their taking wages or gifts see 2 Cor. 11. 8. 13. c. 24. Query What is the Soul of man which the Word of God is to save and what is the difference between the Soul and the Spirit seeing the Word of God divides them asunder Answ This hath two Questions distinct the first is what is the Soul of man which the Word of God is to save To which we say It s the Soul of man that God hath made Isa 57. 16. And that by sin was defiled corrupted and lost for the Son of man came to save that which was lost But happily they think to intimate something in this to strengthen their denial of the Resurrection and Redemption of the dead body as to say that because the Soul onely is mentioned as to be saved by the Word of God Jam. 1. 21. and 5. 20. 1 Pet. 1. 9. Therefore the dead body is not to be saved or Redeemed from death after the natural and bodily death We therefore further say 1. That the Soul of man is understood in Scripture in a twofold sence 1 Sometimes for the Spirit Soul or inward man distinct from the body or outward man which at death departs out of the body and returns to God that gave it to be appointed to its proper place and still retains a sensible being either in prison or at liberty even till the Resurrection of the body when they shall be for ever reunited Gen. 35. 18. Luke 12. 20. Eccles 12. 7. 3. John 2. And this is that in which the saving work of Christ begins and especially hath its efficacy now while yet the body is mortal and decaying though it also works in and through the mortal body to the devoting it to Christ and strengthening it to service and suffering and preserving blamelesse 2. By the Soul or Souls of men is frequently meant the whole person Soul and body Gen. 12. 5. and 14. 21. and 46. 18. 22. 26 27. Deut. 10. 22. Acts 7. 14. 1 Pet 3 20. Revel 18. 13. with Ezek. 27. 13. And so in the Creation of man it is said the Lord God formed man of the dust of the Earth and breathed into his nostrils the breath of Life and man became a living Soul And these are the Souls even the whole persons of men for every of whom Jesus Christ by the Grace of God tasted death and gave himself a ransome that through him they might be saved yea when the Soul and Body are spoken of distinctly they are both mentioned as bought with one price that God might be Glorified in both 1 Cor. 6. 20. And so that both even the whole man might be Sanctified and preserved in Christ and so blamlesse even to the coming of the Lord 1 Thes 5. 23. And as in Adam all die so in Christ shall all be made alive and appear before the Judgement seat of Christ to receive the things done in the body as before is shewed at large 2. By the Word whose Name is also called the Word of God is sometimes meant that Word that was in the beginning with God which Word is God one God with the Father Eternal Spirit though distinct in respect of manner of being in the Godhead the same that in the fulnesse of time was made flesh and in that body of his flesh is now raised from the dead and Glorified with the Fathers own self and made both Lord and Christ John 1. 1. 2. 14. 1 John 1. 1. 2. and 5. 7. And sometimes by the Word of God which also was called the Word of Christ of
Children in their infancy no such thing is required expresly because they have not known c. Deut. 1. â— 2. c. Nor are any blamed for not knowing to do good till they are wise to do evil And there is a time when they know not to chuse the good and refuse the evil and no such knowledge being given them nothing of that nature is required of them though the declarations of Gods Grace in Christ are affirmed true concerning them and his free promises in Christ to them and so to be witnessed by his servants But so soon as God requires any hearing knowing or acknowledgement of his Grace of any he prevents them with his Grace bringing Salvation to them even by his Spirit to their spirits as before sowing his Words in their hearts as Mat. 13. 19. And further we say that when the light of the knowledge of God comes to them it shines in darknesse it finds them in darknesse yea dead in sins and trespasses John 1. 5. and 5. 25. Ephes 2. 1. 4. Else no need of shining light into them from without them at least not of such light as in which is both discovery of the objects or things to be known as also giving of understanding or opening the eyes of the minde to perceive what is discovered as Psal 119. 130. with Psal 19. 7. Acts 26. 18. Again we say that if when light comes men love darknesse and like not to retain God in their knowledge they are still darknesse and have not the knowledge of God So the Ephesians were sometimes darknesse but now saith the Apostle ye are light yet he saith not in themselves but in the Lord who is the Fountain and Original of their light Ephes 5. 8. 1 Cor. 15. 34. But if any persist in their chusing darknesse when light comes or on hearing reject or after receiving the knowledge of the Truth put it away from them till his holy Spirit have done shining with them and he take it away from them Then they are left to hardnesse and blindnesse and have no true or morning light in them but a mind void of Judgement Rom. 1. 28. with Psal 8. 12. 2 Thes 2. 11. with 1 Tim. 4. 1 2. Jude 12. And so we read of many that under one or other of these considerations that is either not having heartily received or not retaining or having rejected to the utmost are truly said to have no morning light or knowledge of Christ the morning Star in them as Isa 8. 20. no truth in them Yea that is expresly affirmed of such as say they have no sin as 1 John 1. 8. 10. But if so say they what saith he then to this the Gospel is Preached in every Creature under Heaven Answ To that he saith 1. Where read they those words that the Gospel is Preached in every Creature under Heaven The Apostles were commissioned and instructed to Preach the Gospel to every Creature namely of all the Nations or Generations of mankind as appeares by comparing the three Evangelists Relation of the Commission Mat 28. 19. Mark 16. 15. Luke 24. 47 48. And accordingly the Apostle Paul saith having obtained help of God he did continue witnessing both to small and great not of any thing in every of them but saying none other things then what Moses and the Prophets did say should come to passe and so witnessed them as things not actually accomplished in their day as 1 Pet. â—â— 12. And then not in any person to whom they Preached how that Christ should suffer and should be the first that should rise from the dead and should shew light to the People and to the Gentiles these things the Apostles Preached as now manifested by the appearing of Christ who had now suffered and risen and ascended and received the promise of the Holy Ghost in that body prepared for him once in the end of the World and therein abolished Death and thereby brought Life and Immortality to light through the Gospel 2 Tim. 1. 10. with Acts 2. 22. 36. And so in that Col. 1. 23. The words are as in our reading the Gospel which they the Collosians had heard and of which he was made a Minister was or had been Preached to every Creature and that reading agrees with vers 6. where he saith it was now come unto them as in all the World and did bring forth fruit it was now come unto them in the Preaching of it it appeares it was not in them before for then it could not have been said to have come unto them the Grace of God brings Salvation unto men it finds it not in them before And though in its being brought to them by the Preachings and witnesses of it in the Light and Power of his Spirit accompanying them it came into many of them such as were capable of hearing and so was manifested in them as Rom. 19. Yet still the thing manifested was not any thing essentially in them but that which may be known in God and of his Grace and Truth in and through Christs Repentance and Remission of sins in the Name of that Jesus of Nazareth and not in any other Name Luke 24. 47. with Acts 4. 10 11 12. That Christ had now once in the end of the World suffered in the flesh for our sins and that he was risen from the dead in that body in which he bore our sins on the Tree and is now become therein Gods light to the Gentiles and his Salvation to the ends of the Earth Acts 26. 22 23. with Chap. 2. 22. 36. and 13. 23. 38. 4â— and 17. 3. This was the thing brought to them in the witnesses of it which was also evidenced by the Spirit to their spirits and so manifested in them Yea further he onely that believeth on the Son of God is said to have this witnesse in himself and neither is he said to have the thing witnessed in himself otherwise then by Faith receiving the Testimony God hath given of Christ which witnesse he hath in him But such as like not to retain God in their knowledge but on hearing reject are not yet said to have it though it be still manifested by his Spirit to their spirits and so in them working and striving for reception and entertainment as is foreshewed Yea neither was it so manifested in or to the minds or spirits of all to whom they witnessed it to an opening of their eyes and moving to Repentance for they witnessed to small and great to every Creature of mankind and so unto such as yet were not capable of hearing or attending to the things spoken by them and so of whom therefore no such thing was required yet they witnessed it unto such in as much as they so Preached it as all their hearers might understand the latitude of the Grace of it that it reached to and included their Children as well as themselves and was tidings of great joy to all People Acts 2. 39.
and 16. 31 32 33. Ephes 3. 6. 9. The truth of which they was also before instructed to witnesse as in this their following Ministrations even in receiving the little Children or Infants that were brought to them in his Name as the price of his Blood and subjects of the gracious Kingdom of God brought to us by him Mark 9. 37. and 10. 13 14. with Luke 18. 15 16. Yet had not they the Light of the knowledge of God in their hearts or capacity to understand or perceive the shinings forth of it in the Face of Christ so that Light and capacity to such understanding in every of them to whom their Preaching came or witnesse reached nor in the real being of the thing witnessed otherwise then by Faith in any But further he faith 2. That as by the Gospels being Preached in Creatures may be meant its being witnessed in by and through them to others so as by Gods making use of them to man-ward as witnesses for him and of him and his things to men in such a sence he grants and asserts that the Gospel is Preached by God through Christ in every Creature under Heaven without exception even in all his works of Creation and Providence as Rom. 1. 20. For so the Gospel of the Grace of God which is his Glory to man-ward is declared and shewed forth to men that it may be seen and understood by them in and by the things that are made and preserved for them and to them by and through Christ as the Heavens the Firmament the Sun Moon and Stars Psal 19. 1. 6. and Psal 8. Yea all his works in and over all which his Mercy and Truth to man-ward is witnessed Psal 145. 9 10. 15. and Psal 136. and 148. His preserving man and other Creatures for his use and so his giving Rain from Heaven and fruitful seasons c His patience and bounty to sinners yea his forbearance and long suffering to rebellious sinners Psal 36. 5 6. and 68. 18 19 20. Acts 14. 16 17. Mat. 5. 45. with Luke 6. 35. Rom. 2. 4. 2 Pet. 3. 9. 15. Though of men his Saints do onely truly blesse him with the Mouth or Tongue and from the Heart where the understanding and knowledge of his Goodnesse is received and precious Yet also all his works do and more Gloriously shall praise him he never left himself without witnesse in them to make known to the Sons of men his mighty Acts and the Glorious Majesty of his Kingdom Yea so wonderful is he in working he knows how to make the wrath of man which of it self works not the Righteousnesse of God yet turn to his Praise But what is this to their purpose What makes this for proving such Spiritual Light as aforesaid in every man more then in every beast or plant Do these men suppose that every thing that may be a witnesse for God unto men hath the understanding of the witnesse they bear or of the thing witnessed or Light and capacity to such understanding in them Surely when God opened the mouth of an Asse she spake more truly and to purpose then these men Yet who will say she had in her the understanding of the warning and reproof God gave to Balaam therein or light and capacity thereto Numb 22. 28. 30. Or that the Pillar of the Stones Gen. 31. 45. 48. 52. had in them the understanding or light of the Covenant of which they were a witnesse or that all the things that are made as the Sun shinning the Rain falling c. have the light or understanding in them of the things witnessed in them to man-ward and that may be clearly seen and understood by them Doubtlesse they are brutish that would so infer But it is no strange thing for men that have no Faith in Christ but are void of Judgement concerning that to be also unreasonable or absurd 2 Thes 3. 2. Nor for such as are seeking after and professing to be wise in themselves to become most foolish Rom. 1. 22 23. 1 Cor. 1. 22 23. Thus have we answered in simplicity and plainnesse and not with hidden things of dishonesty but by a plain manifestation of the Truth in the words of Truth have declared our mind and meaning in our words That others when they read may understand our knowledge in the mysteries of Christ According to our measure as 2 Cor. 1. 2 13. 2. 17. 4. 1 2. Ephs 3. 4. And have been the larger for the helpfulnesse of such as will read and consider our Answers Desiring them to search the Scriptures whether these things be so And so far as any in reading and by searching and comparing the Scriptures may be helped to understand the things that we have written to be contained in and confirmed by the words of Truth let them so receive them as the Word of God and not of man And if in any thing they find we speak not according to that word let them refuse it and shew us in love by evidence of Scripture our mistake and we shall thankfully accept it for we dare not make our selves of the number or compare our selves with some that commend themselves c. See 2 Cor. 10. 12 13. for not he that commendeth himself but whom the Lord commendeth is approved verse 18. But let none be either over-hasty to believe every word before he find it contained and confirmed in the words of our Lord Jesus and in the Doctrine which is according to godlinesse nor yet to speak evil of the things he knows not That is if he cannot yet see it to be according to that word already delivered in the Law and Testimony and yet neither can be thereby satisfied that it is not according to it or that the lip of knowledge is not in it let him suspend his judgement and still wait in the believing mindfulnesse of the great things in the Doctrine of Christ for further understanding for so its meet to be said unto God what I see not teach thou me Nor have we in our answers to these queries or in any of our dealings with these men walked according to any other Rule or done by them otherwise then we would that men should do by us That is we have not declared and protested against any of their corrupt principles as evil and Antichristian further then we have been fully assured by the word of God that they are such as may be seen by our shewing them thereby to be such for so such instructions as have not the lip of knowledge in them but do cause to erre from the words of knowledge they may be by the light of the Lord known and discerned to be such and as such to be avoyded though the depths of Satan in them what their lip is and whitherto it tends their wayes being moveable and their Depths in the bottomlesse pit we cannot know them Pro. 5. 6. And therefore it is not our work to search or enquire into them Rev. 2. 24. 25. But in the holding fast that which we have heard from the beginning of the word of the beginning of Christ So soon as ever we perceive and know by the light thereof that the lip of knowledge is not in any Doctrine or spirit that comes to us That it lifts not up the Son of man by taking of his things and shewing them but tends to render him undesirable in what he hath done is doing and will do and to withdraw from the words of knowledge we are then presently to depart from such to cease to hear them and let them be to us as an accursed thing not further to be considered or pondered by us and so to warn others of them for with good words and fair speeches even such may easily deceive the hearts of the simple that in confidence of their own strength and out of an unstable mind and itching ear will be often tempting God and trying and pondering their moveable paths after they have perceived that the lip of knowledge is not in them but the Preaching of the personal sufferings of Christ foolishnesse to them We have therefore left this for an instruction and warning to others that the Truth of the Gospel may remain with believers and that such as are Ignorant and out of the way may be recovered And further we desire of the Reader if ever he see any reply to this of ours he would distinctly observe if they pervert not or alter our sayings by taking them in pieces and changing expressions to marr the sence if also they give not a go-by to the matters of the greatest weight and importance and onely lie at the catch to get some by-matters or words to strive snarle about which can tend to no profit but to the subverting the Reader from the things chiefly to be minded And in observance of this caution we doubt not but the Reader will be satisfied even from themselves concerning their Antichristian spirit without our adding any more by way of return to theirs Which though we will not bind our selves from yet we do not resolve to do though they should give us occasion by such sorry shifts and pretended answers as hitherto they have returned As for their slanders and revilings that follow we weigh them not but commit our selves to him that judgeth Righteously who will at that his second coming which they scoff at when He the Son of man shall appear in his Glory make their folly manifest to all men and bring to light the hidden things of darknesse Then it shall fully appear who have walked in craftinesse Pride Hypocrisie and hidden things of dishonesty in the mean time we are during his good pleasure in his Name and strength his witnesses against it all JOHN HORN THOMAS MOOR Senior THOMAS MOOR Junior FINIS