had swallowed And this Testimony of himself may be credited if enâ—â—ry be made of his Integrity at Hartford and if need be I will prove 〈◊〉 the hands of several there that shall witness that neither he nor I myself are Lyers or Forgers in what we have said in this matter but what we have done herein we have done in Truth and for this end 〈…〉 the gross and damnable Errors of the Quakers In the 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33. for nine Pages together there 〈◊〉 strange a Wild-Goose-Chase as I have seen and the fame Coleâ—â—â—â— boiled over again for frequently things are repeated usque ad nanâ—â—â—â— that turns the Readers Stomack The sum of that which the young Man offers by way of Answering 〈◊〉 Questions is this viz. That the Light which he had before Conversion 〈◊〉 not the Light of the Spirit of the Son of God Jesus Christ that of â—â—generation because of the Fruits of it which were only convictions of â—â—moralities and some outward Reformations but it did not shew the saving knowledg of Christ Crucified in the room of Sinners as their Surety so that it was but the same Light the Heathens had 1600 years since spoke of Rom. 2.14 and all Heathens have it now This is true and we dare maintain it against you all and question not but he is able to say enough for it himself First I will prove that it is but a natural Light which the Heathens have and that which as you say every one hath that Light within Secondly That therefore it is not sufficient to reveal Christ savingly towards the latter end the Reader may see it proved that this Light within is not the Spirit of Regeneration but that it differs in kind Page 1. That which is Common to all men is natural but this Light is Common to all Men Ergo. The Major is made good thus viz. That without which a Man cannot be a Man must needs be Common and so Natural but without this Light Man is not Man Ergo. That which distinguisheth Grace from Nature is this that Grace is a special Gift of God to whom he will the other is Essential to Man he cannot be a Man without it 2. Arg. If the Heathens did by Nature things contained in the Law then this Light the Heathens had was a Natural Light and no more but this is asserted by the Apostle in Rom. 2.14 For the Gentiles which had not the Law i. e. of Moses do by Nature things contained in the Law Ergo. 2. That this Light is not sufficient to Reveal Christ savingly 1. If by Nature all Men are Children of wrath then Nature cannot savingly inlighten but the first is true Ephes 2. Ergo. 2. If Whatever is Natural be but Flesh then it cannot savingly reveal Jesus Christ but the first is true from John 3. What-ever is 〈◊〉 of the Flesh is Flesh 3. If the Heathens by all the Light they had did not savingly know Christ then this Natural Light cannot savingly reveal Christ but thâ— is true that they did not the Scripture testifies 1 Thes 4.5 Tâ— Gentiles that knew not God i. e. savingly in Christ Gal. 4.8 〈◊〉 then when ye knew not God speaking to the Saints how it was 〈◊〉 them before Conversion 2 Ephes 12. they were it 's said withâ—â— Christ and so without God and had no hope If you say it was not sufficient because they resisted it I Answer it 's said they obeyed it in Rom. 2. They did things â—â—â—tained in the Law If you say not to the full I Answer that would have been according to you unto Perfection and then no need of Christ being revealed 4. If the Heathens could by all the Light they had attain to Salvation then their Conversion was not such a Mystery but it 's spoke of as a very great Mystery wherein God's Rich Grace and Power was seen to a wonder as the Scripture bears Witness 5. That Opinion that makes void that Prophecy spoke of Luke 2.32 viz. That Christ should be a Light to Lighten the Gentiles cannot be true but this of the Quakers doth Ergo. For if they had sufficient Light before there was no need of the other 6. If the Heathens notwithstanding all the Light within which is spoke of in Rom. 1.20 yet were at that same time unrighteous Rom. 3.9 10. and under Sin and fallen short of the Glory of God v. 23. unjustified then this is true that the Light they had was not a saving Light but so it is Ergo. You cannot say they were not obedient to it for they did things contained in the Law 7. That Opinion that makes Divine Revelation to be in some is false but this doth to say that the Light that every Man hath is a saving Light Ergo. For if Salvation can be attained by attendance to this Light then it 's in vain for God to make known his will and mind and way to Salvation by the Revelation of the Scriptures Frustra fit per plura and fieri potest per pauciora In vain doth any that by more which may be done by fewer things and ways 8. If the Light within can reveal Christ savingly then was the Covenant made with Abraham no Covenant of Grace it was not Grace to Abraham for God to make known his Will to him when-as he might have attained it by the Light he had before and which others might have known as well as he 9. If all the Light that Adam had before his fall was not sufficient to preserve him to Salvation and prevent his fall much less is that Light in Man being fallen sufficient to restore him and so save him 10. If Angels could have known the Gospel without Revelation then this Light is not sufficient to Reveal him savingly but the Angels could not as appears by the Scripture in that it was a Mystery hid in God and they learned it of the Church Ephes 3.9 10. 11. That which makes the omnipotent Work of God upon the heart of Man by savingly enlightning his Mind and Understanding giving a new Heart taking away the Heart of stone making him a new Creature c. in vain is not to be admitted as true but this doth to say every Man hath a saving Light For if Man by attendance to the Light can be saved then no need of the other works of God upon the Soul of Man If thou writest again Baily Answer plainly to these Arguments The Objections that Baily raiseth are here Answered THe first stone that out of the Rubbish of this Babel is thrown at us is this Baily And in that he saith the Light by which the Heathens did the things contained in the Law Rom. 2.14 Which shewed the work of the Law written in their Hearts is not the Light of the Spirit of Christ he is found a denier of the Scriptures John 1.9 If every Man that cometh into the World be lighted with the Light of Christ then the Heathens and all
he was Maâ— he was capable of suffering Death To be cut off not for himself 〈◊〉 he was God he was able to go through the Work he had to do for pooâ— sinners This was he the Light that John bare Witness of whâ—â— chiefly deserveth the Name of Light seeing he giveth Light 〈◊〉 and receiveth Light of none Now as he was the Creator of all thing John 1.2 So he Lighteth every one we will grant that â—â—â—â—thing the World reading that Phrase as you do Of which Light 〈◊〉 partook before his Fall yea and after his Fall though not in so great 〈◊〉 measure as when he was in the Image of God The Heathens had thâ— Light also yet were without God in the World Ephes 2.12 Tâ—â— Young Man Matth 10.20 that came to Christ had it And Paul before his Conversion yet both were without the Spirit of Regeneration as appears plainly Also there are many things and several Conditions to which man may by this Light of Nature attain and yet be without thâ— Spirit of Adoption viz. to be touching the Law blameless in the eyâ— of Man and seeming to himself to be Righteous before God 〈◊〉 9. It was so with me when time was and I saw no Bondage 〈◊〉 State though there was real Bondage According as it was with the in John 8.33 that said We be Abrahams Seed and are not in Bâ—â—â— to any Man Where Christ did imply that they were not free they 〈◊〉 being sensible of their Spiritual Bondage If any say that by this Light a Man may apprehend the Notion 〈◊〉 Christ a Saviour a Gospel Why If that should be granted 〈◊〉 if I consult my own former experience and the Scripture it 〈◊〉 turneth the Gospel into loosness that Grace may abound or it corrupteth it by joyning the Law and Works for Justification with Christ It teacheth that the Law must be kept perfectly or else thou canst not be saved Yet I still deny that every Man that cometh into the World is Lighted with a Gospel-Spiritual-Light This is a Light that every Man hath not Therefore in Answer to your Request pag. 40. viz. to know of us Whether there be a Light that every Man hath not And if so how it differs from the other I ask Can there be the Light of the Sun without the Sun Or the Light of the Fire without the Fire Or can there be the Light of a Candle without a Candle Then can there be the Light of the Spirit in Man without the Spirit of God 1 Cor. 2.9 10 11. Now it is Evident that all Men have not the Spirit as in Rom. 8.9 If any Man have not the Spirit of Christ he is none of his Implying that some were without the Spirit Jude 19. Sensual not having the Spirit Gal. 3.2 This only would I learn of you Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law or by the hearing of Faith Then there was a Time before they received it seeing they might remember when and how they received it John 14.17 The Spirit of Truth which the World cannot receive Then the World hath it not And many more Instances may be gathered out of the Acts of the Apostles That both Jews and Gentiles had a Light the Gentiles had the work of the Law written upon their hearts and the Jews with this Natural Light the Knowledg of the Law of Moses Yet were without the Spirit not being Converted to the Faith of Jesus but opposing it Wherefore as a Man in outward things cannot lay hold on that which is beyond his reach no more can any by that common Light that every Man hath lay hold on that which is above its reach For that Light that shewed Adam that he had broke the Law of God Gen. 3. did not shew unto him the way of deliverance but God shewed it to him by Revelation So is it in our Day none seeth any Beauty or Comeliness in the Gospel without the Lord reveal it unto him by his Spirit Now here comes in the other Query pag. 41. Whether this Light I speak of the Light of the Spirit of Christ be another sort or kind of Light differing from that which every Man hath I Answer Of those that have the Common Light it 's said John 3. 6. That which is born of the Flesh is Flesh Titus 1.15 16. Vnto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing â—ure but even their mind and Conscience are defiled they profess that they know God but in works they deny him being abominable disobedient and to every good work reprobate or of no judgment The Natural Man discerneth not the things of God neither indeed can 1 Cor. 2.14 But now of those that have the other in the least measure of it this is said 1 Tim. 1.5 Now the end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure heart and of a good Conscience and Faith unfeigned 1 Tim. 1.19 Holding Faith and a good Conscience which some having put away But how did they put it away What by falling into Theft Murder and Adultery and such-like practises Not so much by these things if at all for they became Teachers of the Law and as I humbly conceive thought that the Law must be kept perfectly as necessary for Salvation by which Doctrines they did corrupt the Gospel and cast off the Faith which once they pretended to making an unlawful use of the Law as Paul Witnesseth v. 7 8. whose Doctrine did eat as a Canker as it doth in our day Therefore the sum of all is as to these two Scriptures No Faith in Jesus no good Conscience no pure Light For they are always joyned together never go asunder Furthermore Paul speaking of himself 2 Tim. 1.3 That he served God at that present from his forefathers i. e. as Abraham and Isaac c. that were in the same Faith that he had now only they looked unto Christ to come and he as already come With pure Conscience How so had he not a pure Conscience always No when-as he said of himself before when a Pharisee he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jesus Yet lived strictly as touching the Law But time was that when a Pharisee the Lord met him and smote him to the Ground and gave him his Spirit and then he builded up the things that before he destroyed viz. The Faith of Christ and then and not till then had he a pure Conscience and served God with this pure Conscience Obj. But why should this Common Light be counted impure or an evil Conscience seeing it reproveth for sin And the Heathens by this did things contained in the Law which shew the work of the Law written in their hearts their Consciences bearing Witness Why should it be so called or stiled Answ Because it doth not shew unto Man Obedience to the Will of God from right ends and from right principles from right reason and understanding and judgment But is like an
Ainsworth the corrupt Doctrines of the Jews Now Josephus will tell thee that the Fruit which grew in the place where Sodom and Gomorrah stood was always Bitter and of a Poysonous Nature nay the Grapes and Apples there were so Rotten that if touched they would fall into Dust and Ashes that were fair to the Eye But you delight in such Childish quibbles J. C. pag. 16. Thy following words taste of the same Leaven like those Pharisees that said Christ was a Sinner when he had opened the blind Mans Eyes Let God have the Glory so sayest thou let Christ have the Glory for bringing this young Man amongst you Answ How wide art thou in applying this of the Pharisees the Pharisees did think Christ was a sinner we Believe he is the Holy and just One a Lamb without spot harmless and undefiled such an High-Priest became us to have They did not Believe that Christ was God therefore would not give the Glory to him We Believe according to the Scriptures that he is and was over all God blessed for ever Rom. 9. and therefore we give the Glory of all his works and of this work of his upon the young Mans heart in opening the Eyes of his mind to see the glorious Gospel and discern your delusion who was in his first Birth Spiritually-blind Thou and thy Brethren are worse than the Pharisees they acknowledged matter of fact but you deny this young Mans Eyes to have been opened when-as the most inlightened Servants of Christ whos 's same is in all the Churches of the Saints have owned it as an eminent work of the Spirit giving thanks to Christ for it J. C. pag. 5. Again thy words None of those that went out from you were properly of you had Received the Gospel which you Believe No it is not possible for any to receive it truely and forsake it What that Gospel is which you Believe it concerns you to search that it be not another Gospel Gal. 16. than the Apostles Preached Answ It doth highly concern us I grant for we are saved by the Gospel Therefore we have searched the Scripture which you despise and say is not the Rule Where do you search for the Gospel You enquire of the Light within as of the Oracle Therefore that Gospel which we Believe is not another but the same with that which the Apostles Preached We are Built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Christ himself not the Light within being the chief Corner-Stone Ephes 2.20 The Gospel which we Believe is that Good Ancient Everlasting-Gospel which was revealed to Adam fallen and in vain was that Revelation if the Light within would have shewn it viz. The seed of the Woman shall break the Serpents bead The Light within cannot be said to be the Seed of the Woman When the Woman that is not to Prophecy in the Church according to your interpretation is the Carnal part but it is Christ that in the fulness of time was made of a Woman Gal. 4. Again it is that Gospel that was Preached to Abraham viz. In thy Seed shall all the Nations viz. Jews as well as Gentiles of the Earth be blessed Which Seed the same Apostle in the same Epistle saith is Christ's Person This Gospel is witnessed by the Law and the Prophets and the sum of it is in Rom. 1.1 separate unto the Gospel of Christ v. 3. Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord who was made of the Seed of David according to the Flesh This is more than to appear in a Body according to J Bolton's Faith and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of Holiness by the Resurrection from the Dead in Cor. 1.15 I declare unto you the Gospel which I preached unto you c. v. 3. how that Christ died for our Sins according to the Scriptures v. 4. And that he was Buried and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures This is the Gospel and we confessing with the mouth this Jesus Christ and Believing with our hearts that God hath raised him from the dead shall be saved Rom. 10.7 For he was delivered i. e. to death for our offences and was raised up again for our justification Rom. 4.25 J. C. For there were those that perverted the true Gospel and turned it upside down and wrested their sayings to their own destruction and others departed from the Faith which Paul Exhorts Timothy to hold fast 1 Tim. 1.19 Answ It 's very true there were such in the Apostles times and they were those that made themselves equal to the Apostles they transformed themselves into the Apostles of Christ and said Paul was but Carnal walked after the Flesh and do not you pretend to an infallible Spirit equal to the Apostolical Spirit And have not you cryed down all sorts of Ministers besides your selves Now what was that perverting the true Gospel in the Galatians but joyning something to Christ in Justification viz. Circumcision whereby they would make every one a debtor to the whole Law that they must keep it to perfection which whether it be not the same thing that thou art pleading for shall be tryed as we go on Only herein these false Apostles were not so much to be blamed as you we read not that they deserted the person of Christ but you have run up and down the Nation with this viz. That the Light in every Man was Christ from that Text John 1. This was the Light c. J. C. That others departed from that Faith which Paul Exhorts Timothy to hold fast Answ Now John what is Paul's Exhortation to Thee Whenas thy Brother Bayly pag. 35. in a derision saith the Scripture which you call your Rule is not your Rule what matters it what Faith you are Exhorted to thereby why do you thus make use of it But let us see what Faith it was that these departed from in I Tim. 1.19 See that v. 20. mention is made of Hymeneus and Alexander Now in the 2 Epistle to Timothy Chap. 2.17 18. Hymeneus is named again and his Error particularly mentioned saying the Resurrection is past already v. 18. Hymeneus was for an Allegorical Resurrection within and now how often have I heard this that when I have spoke with your Friends concerning the Resurrection of the Body viz. That they witnessed the Resurrection They are for an Allegorical Resurrection This old musty Error of Hymeneus we all know you be guilty of Thou hadst better not named that Scripture Thou goest on J. C. pag. 5. And is not the Gospel the power of God Rom. 1.16 and the being led away by sin and lust a departure from or a denyal of the power as 2 Pet. 3.17 where the Apostle exhorts the Beloved that knew the Truth of the Gospel to beware lest they also should be led away with the Error of the wicked Answ The Gospel is the Power of God to Salvation Christ who is the
ashamed I hope J. C. pag. 6. Thou sayest that thy dayly Prayers to Christ are that we all meaning thy Brethren in the Ministery may be made able Ministers of the New Testament and to this it is Answered Then it seems you are not yet so by your own Confession therefore be silent till you are made so Answ Yea and I continue my Prayers for my self and Brethren in this manner yet this doth not follow that there is no ability already to Preach the Gospel John 17.17 Christ prays sanctifie them through thy Word by this way of reasoning it would follow that then these he prays for were not sanctified at all yet in v. 6. he saith he had manifested his Name unto them And v. 8. That they had received his words and in v. 20. That they did Believe not for these alone but for them that shall Believe It is evident that it was for more degrees of Sanctification and a continuance of it so then here when I pray that we may be made able c. it 's for a continuance of that Ability that we have already and further degrees thereof Paul intreats the Colossians Chapt. 4. v. 3. that they would pray for the Apostles that God would open unto them a Door of utterance to speak the Mysterie therefore according to thy Logick they had no faculty for that Work Ephes 1. the Apostle prays that God would give unto them the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation Therefore though Saints and faithful ones in Christ they had none of the Spirit How wouldst thou have me pray if not thus wouldest thou have me pray that we should be made weak Ministers of the Old Covenant of Works J. C. Pag. 7. Thou sayest thou hast but Law and Gospel to Preach Where in all the New Testament dost thou find the Apostles preaching the 〈◊〉 and saying they were sent to Preach the Law but a Dispensation of the Gospel was committed unto them and they were made able Ministers of the New Testament not of the Letter or Law but of the Spirit Answ It follows in the Epistle which thou mightest have writ the Law for the knowledg of Sin and might have understood by that and what follows that we Preach the Law in order to the Gospel to prepare the Spirit of Man by convincing of Sin and so humbling the Soul to a welcome reception of the Grace of the Gospel the Soul being weary and heavy laden seeing its weakness to keep the Law flies to Christ for Rest and laying hold of the free Remission of sins by the Blood of Christ so that when thou enquirest Where in all the New Testament do I find the Apostles Preaching the Law thou hadst forgot a passage when but three pages lower These are thy words 〈◊〉 And as for the Moral Law Christ is so far from repealing it that in Matthâ— he binds it faster and closer to his Disciples How now John is Christ and the Apostles Ministry in a different way Method and tendency and dost thou not here say the Apostles Preached not the Law in all the New Testament and yet the Apostle of our profession Christ himself Heb. 3.1 preacheth the Law and the Moral Law and to his Disciples and binds it faster than Moses to be kept for Life thou meanest surely of which afterwards But again do not the Apostles in several places speak of the Law explaining the nature use of it Rom. 3. That by the Law is the Knowledge of Sin in the Corinthians the Letter killeth in Galatians how it was added because of Transgression how it is a Schoolmaster to Christ in Timothy how it is not for the Righteous in the Hebrews how frequently is the Law spoke of now is not this Preaching the Law 〈◊〉 grant that the main work was to preach the Gospel they but Preach the Law in subserviency to the Gospel Thus they were Ministers 〈◊〉 of the Letter only for this doth but kill but of the Spirit the Gospel by the dispensation of which the Spirit of Adoption is communicated But Christ wounds as well as heals he kills as well as makes alive The one he doth by the Preaching of the Law the other by the Gospel The Spirit of Bondage accompanies one the Spirit of Adoption the other J. C. ibid. But why dost thou divide betwixt Law and Gospel 〈◊〉 they were not one in the End and Nature saying the one is for the conviction of sin and yet thou callest it Spiritual Answ How this agreeth with the former that in all the New Testament the Apostles Preached not the Law but the Gospel and here they are not thou sayest to be divided but are one in the End and Nature is not this a Contradiction Why then the Apostles when they Preached the Gospel Preached the Law And why shouldest thou quarrel with 〈◊〉 for saying we have the Law to Preach for the Law and the Gospel are one in the End and Nature Why then when the Apostle Paul said we are able Ministers not of the Letter or Law which thou addest above i. e. not of the Gospel or Spirit for the Law and Gospel are all one in their Nature it will cost thee some Sweat to untie this Knot What strange Divinity is this But when the Lord hath infatuated and left 〈◊〉 through Pride to delusion what will they not speak Law and Gospel are one in the End and Nature then are Moses and Christ one yet 〈…〉 came by Moses but Grace and Truth by Jesus Christ then Haâ— Sarah are one Ishmael and Isaac one Jerusalem beneath and that above one Thou hast brought Heaven and Earth together Gal. 〈◊〉 there the Apostle makes them distinct then the Covenants are one and the same Heb. 8. one made with the People when he brought them out of Egypt and that afterwards spoke of in Jeremiah then no difference betwixt Mount Zion and Mount Sinai they are come toâ—â—â—â—â— Thou John canst remove Mountains they are now both one In the Galatians The Covenant and Promise the Apostle saith was 430 years before the Law but John Crook saith the Apostle was out in his Chronology for they were both delivered at once for the Law and Gospel are one the Spirit and Letter are all one that which was Engraven in Stones and that work of God on the heart by the Gospel This is like the Divinity that you may hear from Quakers when you have discoursed them a little which I have seen in Jacob Behmen All things are but one so here Light Spirit Word and Gospel Heaven and Earth and Sea all but one The Creation is God and God is nothing but Creation what we do he doth O Confusion what 〈◊〉 this to but Rantism indeed and Atheism yet hitherto tends this admitting of no distinction of Law and Gospel But let us proceed 〈…〉 were not one in their End and Nature thou sayest John the Nature of the Law is by the Apostle described in 2 Cor. 3.6 the
that think in these thoughts of Foolâ—â—ess Satan is frequently exciting and suggesting its true but yet 〈◊〉 experienced Christian may discern those Temptations that arise from 〈◊〉 in his Heart from those Temptations of Satan I grant that in 〈◊〉 we yield not to Satan we are not guilty His Temptations not 〈◊〉 to are our Afflictions not our Sins and likewise it 's true of Christ notwithstanding the Devil's Assaults yet was he without sin But then as I have said these Motions and Desires arise not from Satan 〈◊〉 our own Lust and the very presence of them in the Soul is sinful 〈◊〉 been proved Withal may not I say it 's easier to resist the Temptâ—â— than these in that they are so near close and continued and who is there that though he give not a formal express yet a virtual inâ—eâ—â—â—etative consequential consent he doth many a time unawares when he doth but in the least admit of that which is an occasion of sin Again there is sin habitually in the Will of every Man though at present his Will consents not actually to these Motions These Desires arise from a Will that is corrupted As to that of Christ we say he had no Lust 〈◊〉 his case was different he saith of the Tempter John 14.30 〈◊〉 cometh and findeth nothing in me So that his Temptations were only external and there was no mixture of Evil in them you see it 's nothing to the purpose then to instance in him Now John Crook Who are for Holiness more you Quakers or we who pleads for sin most you or we You say we plead for sin when we deny Perfection in this Life we say you plead for sin in saying 〈◊〉 the Motions to Evil in the Heart if not consented to are not sin we 〈◊〉 this now that your Perfection boasted of is no other than that which every Babe in Christ hath viz. Not to consent to these evil Moâ—â—â—â—â— who now hath most tenderness of Conscience you or we you 〈◊〉 that a motion to Adulteries Murthers Incests are not sin if not 〈◊〉 to therefore need not concern your selves about them groan 〈◊〉 them cry out of them be troubled for them but we say they are sins and their being in us is â—â—â—som and burdensom we 〈◊〉 against them the new Creature in 〈◊〉 is contrary to them and 〈◊〉 with them hates them and cannot bear them therefore we 〈◊〉 the the utter extirpation of them and again no wonder you your 〈◊〉 and your followers prize not Christs Sufferings and Atonemâ—nt but 〈◊〉 Proud Pharisaical resting in Moralities and legal Righteousness 〈◊〉 as you believe this and teach it the people that if no consent 〈…〉 Will to covetous and unclean thoughts there is no sin in them 〈◊〉 Blood is therefore despised by you Paul did despise it in Româ— 7. and was alive self-Righteousness led some to know this by understanding the spirituality of the Law Rom. 7. I was alive without the La◠〈◊〉 c. But to return from whence we came Their slavery appears greatly in this thing in that they adhere 〈◊〉 their Teachers as infallible so that whatsoever they say or write they dare not but believe it as Gospel now is not this Bondage and 〈◊〉 Popish Bondage Yea they are brought into Bondage to every 〈◊〉 Voice any thing they fancy to be but a Vision Revelation 〈◊〉 Oh poor deceived people Yea what Bondage ere long will you 〈…〉 to the Presbytery at Devonshire-House no marrying without their 〈◊〉 judging of matters of fact by their pretended Revelations G. 〈◊〉 solving at his Knees whom he will sending out to the Ministery 〈◊〉 he will You may see this in the little Book called the Spirit of the 〈◊〉 and the other stiled Tyranny and Hypocrisie of the Quakers detected Theâ—e is certainly a great Bondage and slavery to be in Bondage to sin and Lusts and not only the Quakers as thou writest think thus 〈◊〉 others But there is another Bondage i. e. to the Law which 〈◊〉 sore Bondage and that I see the Quakers are in viz. to the Law 〈◊〉 Covenant of works You have tempted God and displeased him 〈◊〉 putting this Yoke upon the necks of the poor people and galled 〈◊〉 necks with it and neither they nor any of you are able to bear 〈…〉 to go about to keep the Law so that in case they keep it not to the height they are damned Cursed is every one c. Gal. 3. J. C. Which you believe all Men must continue in term of Life Answ We say and believe that sin will continue in us for 〈◊〉 Life but that Phrase thou makest use of speaks more viz. our â—â—luntary activity in sin which thou knowest we are against we say 〈◊〉 know that the power of sin is broke by the Spirit in us Rom. 6. 〈◊〉 shall not have Dominion c. But yet it doth dwell in us the Leprosie of Original sin will eleave to us till the House of our Bodies be 〈◊〉 down But John if thou beest for absolute Perfection in this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sayest thou not so in this place but thou art for lying hid 〈◊〉 J. C. Parag. ibid. As high as Heaven is above the Earth so far is that 〈◊〉 â—f the Faith of Jesus in you above the Spirit of Antichrist that 〈◊〉 them viz. the Quakers How now is your own Righteousness grown 〈◊〉 haft thou forgotten that thou callest the Gifts and Vertues that 〈◊〉 of God works in your minds but your own Righteousness Answ I am still of the same mind what ever is wrought by the 〈◊〉 is but the Righteousness of the Law i. e. what that Law doth 〈◊〉 in us and of us and that Paul calls his own Phil. 3.9 and 〈◊〉 Righteousness doth grow in us stronger and stronger as we hold 〈◊〉 Communion with Christ but my Confidence which I express in 〈◊〉 words doth not arise from my own Righteousness as thou 〈◊〉 left have it but still from Jesus whom I mention in these words 〈◊〉 height and strength of Faith doth not arise from it self as an Habit 〈◊〉 or Act of ours but from its Object Jesus Christ as before Beâ—â—â—â—â— I say the Spirit of Faith viz. That Spirit that is the efficient 〈◊〉 of Faith in Jesus opposing this to a contrary Spirit of Antichrist Now I have said the Spirit it self was not our own Righteousness but 〈◊〉 it in us and is not the Spirit of God above the Spirit of the 〈◊〉 and smaller Antichrists I believe it therefore speak it and I 〈◊〉 it still and affirm it J. C. Pag. ibid. But take heed of the Blasphemy of the Holy Ghost 〈◊〉 Francis Spira's condition be thine or madness and distraction befal 〈◊〉 Answ To the making up of that sin there must certainly be this 〈◊〉 viz. an Acting against high Conviction certain knowledge and perswasion now I ask my self am I convinced and perswaded that the Spirit of Jesus is in the Quakers I Answer my self 〈◊〉 certainly
thou mentionest 〈◊〉 the Pharisees themselves with their erroneous Principles directly such â— sort of People as the Quakers as thou mayest see in the Answer to Crook and the Lords hand will assuredly pluck up all Heresies and Hâ—reticks in due time In Pag. 33. He pretends to describe the Glorious State of the Kingdom of Christ as brought in by Obedience to the Light Within Read it over for it is too long to Transcribe and you will see this is the sum of it viz. That all the Earth would become outwardly reformed living Peaceably Sobeâ— Civil Neighbours one to another not wronging one another that Law-Suits and Wars would be no more but every 〈◊〉 growing Rich Building and Planting they would all have Vines and Fig-trees and so sit under them in Peace and Eat and Drink the good of the Land Live merry sensual proud lives yet all this while Carnal Ignorant have Lusts Reigning in their hearts not a Dram of the Knowledg of a Mediator or any thing of the Spirit of the Son upon them not a word of that in all this but only guided by the Light within i. e. In a word the Subjects of this Kingdom and all Inhabitants of the World will all be Quakers honest civil Heathens and Baily apprehends this Kingdom will never come till we all take up this Principle of obeying the Light of Nature and so turn Quakers Baily saith peremptorily that Christ's Kingdom would come this way viz. By attendance to the Light and appeals to the wise in heart to Judg. Now let the Judgment be made from these two Scriptures that he hath quoted Isa 2.4 and Micah 4.2 For out of Zion shall go forth the Law and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem Whether is this the Light within that every Man hath or the Preaching of the Gospel by Apostles is the question Now to resolve it what we are to understand by the Law going forth from Zion and the word from Jerusalem whether it was not the Apostles Preaching first to the Jews according to their Commission they were sent to the lost Sheep of the House of Israel and not to go into the way of the Gentiles and this they did and when they had done it then they turned to the Gentiles The Preaching of the Gospel did thus go out of Zion and from Jerusalem from among the Jews to the Gentiles the Law of works was from Mount Sinai but the Law of Faith as it is called Rom. 3.27 did come from Mount Zion according to that in Luke 24.47 That Repentance and Reâ—â—â—â— of sins should be Preached in his Name among all Nations beginning Jerusalem Whether was it this Doctrine or the Doctrine that George Fox â—â—â—ght out of the Mountains in the North about 20. years since that 〈◊〉 in the Kingdom of Christ Let the wise Judg 〈◊〉 34. Baily Thou art running the same round again like in the 2 Paragraph thou hast this How would the very Root of wickedness decay and wither inwardly if all were ceased from outwardly would it 〈◊〉 speak Barrenness if no Fruit appeared Reply By this it 's clear what the Quakers Kingdom of Christ is that this Man hath spoke of what a Reformation they would have wrought in the World only outward if this be not right Pharisaism where is there any to paint the outside when all is full of Rottenness within not a word of any change of heart but thou supposest necessarily that if no Fruit outwardly the Root must decay when-as some external means as Cold Mildews Blastings Shakings by Wind may the away all the Fruit of a Tree and yet it 's Root be in it 's full Life and Vigour may not fear of the Law awe of Parents the strength of 〈◊〉 Disease Old Age take many off their Practice of Sin when-as at the same time the Love of it is in their Hearts thus we have counted the number of the Beast as thou biddest us and see that the Quakers Religion is meerly external Before we leave this let the Reader take notice how this blind Man perverts that Scripture 1 John 3.8 For this purpose was the Son of God manifested that he might destroy the works of the Devil and puts a mark upon it applying it to the Light within every Man calling it the Son of God who was of the same Nature with the Father the Jews knew that who-ever called himself the Son of God made himself God and therefore they charged Christ with Blasphemy and would have stoned him when he called God Father now here it 's plain he calls this Light of Nature the Son of God coequal coeternal with the Father An Eternal Father must have an eternal Son this is the 5th time of thy Blasphemy Now would you know what the manifestation of the Son of God is nothing but Obedience to the Light and Christ's destroying the works of the Devil only some outward Reformation attained by Obedience to the Light according to the Quakers The other Scripture is Matth. 28.18 All Power is given to me in Heaven and in Earth Bayly Why dost thou leave out these last words viz. in Heaven and in Earth why dost thou quote Scriptures as Satan did omitting 〈◊〉 thereof now Answer is all power in Heaven and Earth given to the Light within which is in every Drunkard Swearer and Robberâ— If so this Light then is to send forth Apostles as Christ did at that time he spoke this of himself and they are to Preach in the Name of this Light and teach them to observe all things that this Light commandeth and this Light is with them to the end of the World and this would enable them to cast out Devils to convert many and would give Eternal Life to as many as it pleased John 17.2 there it is said as thoâ— hast given him power over all flesh that he should give Eternal Life to as many as thou hast given him Doth not thy Ears tingle Reader and thy Heart tremble at these Rampant Blasphemies B. pag. 35. And W. H. saith that the Righteousness of Faith by which we are Justified is wholly without us and that the Father hath poured out all his Wrath upon his Son Jesus Christ now if this Doctrine 〈◊〉 true and sound Doctrine there is no need to fear miscarriages for there is 〈◊〉 Wrath left to punish sinners if all be poured out upon Jesus Christ Reply I have already given Answer to this Cavil consisting of two Branches As for the first touching the Righteousness of Faith I have abundantly spoke to it as the Reader may find in many places both in my Answer to Crook and this Caviller and to the other concerning Gods pouring out his Wrath but will add here a little to that This is true Baily rightly understood as it 's spoke of in the Epistle viz. That the Father poured out all his Wrath upon his Son Jesus Christ by the Wrath of God we understand as in the Epistle may
to the works of the Law for Justification Sometimes to the other false and strange foolish Opinions Therefore surely it was no needless thing to bid the Christians beware of temptations and to stir them up to make their Calling and Election sure seeing they had many Enemies to meet with and had but little Faith but like Children when they first go alone are ready to stumble and fall at a small thing But because it is my desire to help others if it may please God I would proceed before I leave this a little further according to the Knowledg God hath given me Quest What Comfort hath a Christian in these Conflicts with his Enemies which are so many Answ This is one Comfoâ—â—â—hat God will never leave him nor forsake him his loving kindness he will not take away from him but will preserve him and defend him to his Heavenly Kingdom 2. That Jesus Christ doth Intercede for his people as he prayed for Simon that his Faith should not fail Luke 22. 32. 3. That he that hath begun that good work Faith in us is able to carry 〈◊〉 on to the end and to perfect it to the day of Glory John 10.28,29 4. That there is a Promise of Victory over sin and Death and all 〈◊〉 Enemies So that we may say they shall not always overcome us 〈◊〉 there is a stronger than they Rom. 6.14 Heb. 12.5 6. 5. That we fight against vanquisht Enemies such as are overcome in our Head already John 16.33 Surely Paul had a strong Faith in these things when he Preached the Gospel meeting with many difficulties and dangers from his Enemies yet his perswasion we see did not fail him but the Lord stood by him and strengthened him and he was delivered out of the paw of the â—â—on and he saith in confidence that the Lord would deliver him from â—â—â—ry evil work and preserve him to his heavenly Kingdom 2. Tim. 4.18 Obj. But W. Baily saith Who among the ungodly would turn their ears from this kind of Doctrine pag. 35. Answ What if the ungodly make a wicked use thereof Is it therefore false and is it unlawful to Preach it If a Man walk with a staff â—â— his hand in the Road with which he Murdereth a Man is it therefore unlawful for me to walk with a Staff by which I am supported and my Life preserved If any make that bad use of it as to continue in sin let them remember the Lord's dealing with Israel in the Wilderness treated of 1 Cor. 10. and the 12 verse But now on the other hand the self-Righteous the Just before Men 〈◊〉 proud in their Spirits and they scorn this Reconciliation by the Obedience of the Person of Christ and his Death and Sufferings and â—â—e no need of it or them no Beauty no Comeliness in Christ Therefore according to that which Christ saith he came not to call the Righteous but sinners to Repentance So that I may bring in your Objection here Obj. But if all Men are not Lighted with the true Light then some have no true Light Then why should they be Condemned is this equal pag. 41. Answ That all Men are Lighted by a Light that is true in its kind by Jesus Christ as he was the Creator of all things I deny not But that all Men have a saving-Light from him as Mediator I do deny And if thou ask Is this equal Answer Is it not lawful and equal to with-hold relief from him that scorneth to receive it and yet is in want 2. Is it not equal for a King to withold a Pardon from a Murderer when he scorneth to accept of it yet is at the point of Death Why then should it not be equal with God to with-hold a saving-Light from such as those I have been speaking of that say in their hearts they have no need of it Many more things might be spoke but I pass them by and shall not meddle with them but leave them to others whose business it is more properly to contend for them viz. As to the powerful work of God without and the Righteousness that justifies being without and other things which I am satisfied in yet deny not the inward workings of the Spirit neither a Holy Life and Conversation but say as before often that good Works must be maintained upheld and taught but in their time and place and not so as to destroy the Gospel and bring Mens Consciences into slavery Bondage under the Law The next thing is S. Crisp his expressions concerning me how he hath set me forth which I could not but wonder at when I viewed it that any pretending to an infallible and an unerring Spirit should write so many false things First pag. 50. Oh horrible Canaan Such a Canaan God never led hiâ— people into nor ever will Where these tasks are not laid upon them Thâ— is a Canaan for the Sons of Belial who are Men without any Yoke I testify in the Name of the Lord that made the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in them that the true Name of this Canaan is Sodom and Egypt What shall I Judg of this I have not met with the like Expression That Canaan the Kingdom of Christ given unto his people being Justifyed by Faith without the Deeds of the Law and from thenceforth acting in Love to him living to his Glory That this should be called a Canaan for the Sons of Belial And to be so confident to say He testifyeth in the Name of Jehovah that the true Name of this Canaan is Sodom and Egypt It made me even tremble when I considered it That any Man should testify in the Name of Jehovah and speak such Vntruths Why might not this Man say of Paul as well where he saith Galat. 5.13 Brethren ye have been called unto Liberty that he told the Galatians that they might Steal and Lie and Kill and Commit Adultery and do all manner of Evil Seeing he was Treating as we are about the Law and the Works thereof And likewise why did ye not say that Paul allows it to be lawful to Kill Steal and Commit Adultery c. when he saith in 1 Cor. 6.12 All things are Lawful unto me And so Chap. 10.23 It may be thou wilt say not so because Paul said to them in the Galâ—t Vse not your Liberty as an Occasion to the Flesh but by Love serve one another And in the Corinthians said All things are not expedient And besides Paul lived a just Life In like manner did I say that I ought to go on in Holiness 1. For the Glory of God 2. To manifest my Love to Christ 3. To convince the World of sin 4. It is my Duty in God Pag. 19 20. To be found in doing justly between Man and Man according to the Light And yet he saith This is a Canaan for the Sons of Beâ—â—â— and declareth it to be the Wickedness of my Principles Pag. 50. he saith The