Historical Belief of what Christ did for us above Sixteen Hundred Years ago 't is not this only that will administer a sufficient true and saving knowledge of Christ and really interest us in his Death and Sufferings all which People may talk of and please themselves withal and yet continue as fast bound under the Dominion of Satan who still rules where disobedience is as those less perfect in that Lesson But the true and saving Knowledge of Christ is to know our selves turn'd from Darkness to Light Act. 26.18 from the power of Satan to the power oâ— God Col. 1.13 that by it we may be delivered from the power of Darkness and be translated into the Kingdom of his dear Son to know his saving power really to rescue and redeem us from under the power of him that hath enthrall'd us Joh. 8.32.36 Mar. 3.27 and leads Captive at his Will those who lives in the vanity of their Minds to know him bind this strong Man Mal. 3.2 3. to spoil his Goods and dispossess and cast him out to know Christ to sit in the Soul as a Refiner Luk. 3.16 17. Ro. 15.16 Joh. 13.8 1 Thes 5.23 1 Cor. 1.2 Joh. 14.23 Heb. 13.21 to burn up consume and destroy to purify and throughly to purge out whatsoever is contrary to him to wash us and make us clean that we may have right to a part in him that being cleansed and sanctified he may take up his abode with us exercising his Kingly power and working in us both to will and to do of his good pleasure The Mind being thus disentangled and having cast off its former Yoke the old things being done away 2 Cor. 5.17 Ezek. 36.26 all things now become new a new tender Heart of Flesh according to the Promise new Thoughts Desires Inclinations Affections Words and Actions this new inside producing a new outside also Mat. 23. â—6 even throughout a new Creature now in Christ indeed and â—eally entituled to those Benefits that â—…erue to Men through him That liâ—ing Faith that pleaseth God Jam. 2.18 to the end and gives Victory and is ever fruitful to him in â—ood Works being begotten and this work of Redemption and Regeneration thus wrought in the Soul by Jesus Christ Heb. 12.2 together with that most preâ—ious Sacrifice he offer'd up when his Precious Blood was shed upon the Cross for us we believe compleats the Salvaâ—ion of every Soul that is thus awakened and made alive and set free Ro. 6.11.13 by the power and Spirit of him that â—s the Way the Truth Joh. 8.36 and the Life of every Soul that truly lives to God to walk in that Holy way of Life Truth and Peace Isa 35.8 9. that was prepared of old for the Ransomed and Redeemed to walk in And we believe that he graciously waits with exceeding great kindness and long suffering that Men may Repent knocking at the Door of every Man's Heart freely offering Rev. 3.20 but not imposing his Assistance to this most concerning work and change in the Minds of Men Mat. 23.37 so that in the day wherein God will judge the World by Jesus Christ and every secret thing will be made manifest God will be justified and clear of the Blood of a Men and every Mouth will be stopped and every Man's Condemnatioâ— will be of himself for having rejected the Day of his Visitation where in God calls to Man and offers to be reconciled to him for resisting thâ— strivings and slighting the Reproofâ— of his Spirit Neh. 9.20 which in matchless Mercy he hath given Man to instruct him and shew and lead him in the way of Life and Peace We believe that though the pravity of Man's Nature in the Fall is such that the Natural or Carnal Man that is enmity against God in the state of meeâ— Nature Ro. 8.5.7 8. minds only the things of the Flesh and naturally brings forth the Works thereof and cannot please God nor keep and observe his Laws but is prone to evil yet that those who embrace the Visitation of God 1 Pet. 1.23 and are really Regenerated and born again of incorruptible Seed Heb. 4.12 by the Word of God that lives and abides for ever that ingrafted Word that is quick and powerful Jam. 1.21 Joh. 17.17.19 and able to Save and Sanctify the Soul are born into a new Life and invested with another and higher power and becomes Spiritually minded Joh. 3.6 and by the Spirit are set at liberty to walk after the Spirit and bring forth it's fruits and receive ability from the Spirit to serve God acceptably Ro. 8.14.15 being now led by the Spirit of God and become his Children taught of him and through the Spirit of Adoption receiv'd into their Hearts 1 Cor. 12.3 Ro. 8.13 6.6 Eph. 4.22 23 24. Gal. 5.24 Col. 3.9.10 have right to call God Father and Jesus Lord For having through the Spirit mortified the Old Man or first Nature with his corrupt and depraved â—nclinations and evil Deeds and put him off having crucified the Flesh with the affections and lusts thereof they put on the New and Heavenly Man which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness and being renewed in the Spirit of their Minds Ro. 6.4 7.6 they now walk in Newness of Life and are really in Christ and therefore are changed and become new Creatures and now think and act under the conduct of a principle Superiour to that which formerly governed them having their Minds raised to a Region above that of fallen Nature so that now the stream of their thoughts desires and actions runs in another current and the bent of their affections are after those things that are above where Christ is Col. 3.1 2. that Eye being now open'd that sees a more transcendent beauty and desireableness in the invisible and durable treasures of him than all the transcient felicitles of this World can afford â— Ro. 13.14 And we believe That whosoever expects the blessed imputation of Christ's Righteousness ought thus to put on the Lord Jesus and to be thus cloathed upon and covered with his Righteousness and in measure have his Holy Life brought forth in and through them and know him to enliven and influence their Minds Isa 26.12 Phil. 2.13 and 4.13 Joh. 15.5 and to work in and for them and that without him they can do nothing but through him that strengthens them they can do whatsoever he commands them that as they abide living branches in him through that sap and vertue they daily receive from him Joh. 15.5 8. they are made able to bring forth fruits well-pleasing to God whereby he is glorified For though God the Father accepts us in Christ and for his sake yet is the New-Birth the indispensible Qualification and true distinguishing Mark of those that are really in him He that is in Christ is a new
A Brief APOLOGY IN Behalf of the PEOPLE In Derision Call'd QVAKERS WRITTEN For the Information of our Sober and Well-inclined Neighbours in and about the Town of Warminster in the County of Wilts BY Wil. Chandler Alex. Pyott Io. Hodges And some others By honour and dishonour by evil report and good report as deceivers and yet true as unknown and yet well known as dying and behold we live 2 Cor. 6.8 9. LONDON Printed for Thomas Northcott in George-Yard in Lumbard-Street and are to be Sold by William Longford Bookseller in Warminster 1694. A Brief Apology c. IT is not that we love Contention or desire Controversie or are impatient in bearing Reproaches that we appear thus publick but such have been the repeated high Charges and smart Lashes that our Adversaries more especially some of the Presbyterian Assembly have of late taken a liberty liberally and lavishly to bestow upon us that we find our selves concern'd to Clear and Vindicate the Truth and Innocency of our Christian Profession from those black Aspersions that have rendred it so frightful and formidable as though 't were only a meer complication of pestilent Errors as well as to satisfie the Minds of such of our piously inclined Neighbours as may be desirous to hear us speak for our selves as also for the information of those who may have been imposed upon by that dress wherein our Opposers have represented us And although these can Object nothing material against us now that hath not been long since over and over offer'd by some of the same Perswasion and have as often received Answers from some or other of our Friends some of which have never yet been by them replyed unto yet forasmuch as those may not have come to the view of many of our Neighbours for whom this is chiefly intended we thought it fit briefly to say so much as we think may be accommodate to the present occasion and which perhaps with unprejudic'd Minds may bespeak our Creed not so unsound and erroneous Esth 3.5 as our somewhat different deportment hath rendred us obnoxious and contemptible as well as distasteful to those who either ambitiously affect honour and respect Joh. 5.44 Mat. 23.10 and love greetings or think a complaisant complyance to the Fashions customs and complements of the Age to be one of the chiefest felicities of this Life and best expression of their Civility and good Manners We therefore desire our well-disposed Neighbours candidly to weigh what we have to alledge against the Clamours of those who to be sure will not set us out to our best advantage and to receive an Account from our selves what we are and what we believe and hold for Christian Truths who certainly must needs know better our own Belief than those who perhaps never examined it to any other end than to find fault if ever they did it and also that you will not think it strange that we express not our Belief in some particulars in the affected Terms of other Professors of Christianity but think it more reasonable and safe to content our selves with that Dress of Language in which the Holy Ghost thought fit to hand them to us in the Holy Scriptures Those most Excellent and Divine Writings which above all others in the World challenge our Reverence and most diligent Reading those Oracles of God and rich Christian Treasury of Divine saving Truths which were written for our Learning Ro. 15.4 that we through patience and comfort of them may have hope and are profitable for doctrine reproof correction 2. Tim. c. 3. v. 15 16 17. and instruction in righteousness to the perfecting and thoroughly furnishing of the Man of GOD to every good Work making him wise unto Salvation thro' Faith which is in Christ Jesus containing all Christian Doctrins necessary to be believed for Salvation and are a sufficient external standard and touchstone to try the Doctrins of Men and we say with the Apostle Gal. 1.8 whosoever shall publish and propagate any other Gospel and Faith than is therein testified of to us by those inspired Pen-men who were the first Promulgators thereof though he were an Angel let him be accursed all which and whatsoever is therein contained we as firmly believe as any of you do and as 't is the duty of every sincere Christian we are heartily thankful to God for them who through his good Providence hath preserved them to our Time to our great benefit and comfort We Believe in that Great Omnipotent God that made and created all things and gave us our Being whom in sincerity of heart we fear reverence and worship being seriously concern'd for our souls welfare to eternity We believe that Great Mystery that there are Three that bear Record in Heaven 1 Joh. 5.7 the Father Son and Holy Ghost and that these Three are One in Being and Substance And as do ye so do we also hope for and expect Salvation only and alone through the Son of God our blessed Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST of Nazareth believing that God the Father hath ordained him for Salvation to the ends of the Earth Isa 49.6 Act. 13.47 4.12 and that no other Name is given under Heaven by which Men shall be saved who being conceived by the Holy Ghost in the Womb of the Virgin Mary was born of her at Bethlehem 1 Pet. 2.21 22. Heb. 4.15 as also his Holy and Exemplary Life perfectly free from sin his Doctrin Miracles Sufferings and Death upon the Cross without the Gates of Jerusalem his Resurrection from the Dead and Ascension into Heaven Ro. 8.34 1 Tim. 2.5 6. 1 Jo. 2.12 where he is at the Right Hand of God the Father perfect GOD and perfect Man and the alone Mediator between GOD and Man and is our Advocate with the Father and ever liveth to make Intercession for us and also shall judge both Quick and Dead Act. 10.42 All which and whatsoever else is recorded of him in the Sacred Scriptures we firmly believe This Jesus Col. 2.9 in whom dwelt the fulness of the God-head we believe offer'd up himself according to the Will of the Father Eph. 5.2 1 Joh. 2.2 Heb. 10.12 an acceptable Sacrifice to God and became a Propitiation for the sins of Mankind to the end of the World and died for all Men Rom. 5. v. 12.18 as all died in Adam through whose Blood God proclaims Redemption and Salvation to Man 2 Cor. 5.19 Ro. 3.25 and offers to be reconciled and freely for his Sons sake to remit forgive and pass by all past Offences to as many as shall truly and heartily repent of their Sins Luk. 24.47 Acts 10.43 26.20 Eph. 4.22 23 24. Ro. 8.3 4. 2. Cor. 5.15.17 Tit. 2.14 Joh. 14 15 21 23 24. 15.10 2 Tim. 2.19 1 Pet. 4.1 2 3. Jam. 2 12. to the end and turn from the same and shall so believe in our Lord Jesus Christ and
these had not been long since laid down they would have cleav'd as close to them and that had those of Baptism and Bread and Wine been then discontinued also they would be now as easie under its omission For Tradition Custom and Education makes greater impressions on Mens Minds than perhaps every one may be sensible of nor is it an easie task at first to move them from those things to which they have been fastned by it Would but People wholly relinquish these Prejudices and consider it impartially 't is probable there may appear no such real difference as justly to omit the one and yet with equal reason to continue the other since 't is not that Bread that gives Life to the Soul nor doth necessarily include it but that Christ may be and is received and fed on without it Nor that those can be thought to forget his Death and Sacrifice Tit. 2.14 who sensibly partake of the Benefits thereof and pursue its Ends who are taught and assisted by him to live a Godly Righteous Life Gal. 1.4 and bear about in them the Marks of the Dying of our Lord Jesus who died for all Mat. 1.21 2 Cor. 5.15 that those who live should no longer live to themselves fulfilling the Desires of their Minds but to him that died for them Phil. 3.10 that through the power of his Resurrection they may mortifie the Deeds of the Flesh and have Fellowship with his Sufferings in whom his Life is made manifest Neither can those who acknowledge his Death and Sacrifice and partake from time to time of this Bread and Wine in memory of it and yet are not by him redeemed from a vain Conversation and made conformable to his Death and so feed on him as to participate of that Life that comes by him in any wise escape Damnation let their Pretensions be what they will Since then God hath replenish'd our Hearts with his Grace and hath not with-held his Heavenly Manna from us but daily owns us by his comfortable Presence to our great satisfaction under the Omission of these things supplying our Wants and Necessities as we have recourse unto him in that which ever hath access unto him having our continual Dependancy on him who enables and strengthens those of us * For we intend not to Apologize for those who tho' they may be call'd by our Name yet live loosly and walk disorderly and are Blemishes and a Grief to us which yet ought to be imputed to their Insincerity or Unwatchfulness and not to the Insufficiency of the Principle they pretend to that retain our Primitive Sincerity and Integrity to lead a Sober Pious Christian Life as becomes the Gospel of Christ which is the certain Product of Spiritual Grace and forasmuch as our Opposers acknowledge it to be but an outward visible Sign and dare not say that the inward Spiritual Grace is tied to it nor that 't is of absolute necessity to Salvation with what Reason do they Unchristian us and so load us with Calumnies and Accusations on this Account using it as an Instance to blacken us and condemn in gross our whole Christian Profession principally from hence as though 't were the chief thing that constitutes a Christian and entitles him to the Benefits that come by Christ What shall we think then of perhaps more than Two parts in Three of their own Assembly who no more practice this than do we and yet are many of them as sober People and if we may know as Christ directs us by their Fruits are doubtless as near the Kingdom and no less in a State of Grace than are those who so exult in and value themselves upon this Performance which however it may bound and distinguish particular Societies and Communions 't is certain no Observations nor Performances short of being ruled and governed by the Spirit of Christ as Head can entitle us to a Membership in him we may make a specious shew and carry a System of Divinity in our Heads but if he rules not our Hearts we are none of his 'T were well they were as thoughtful to fulfil all Righteousness in every respect and as zealously careful and concern'd to observe and punctually perform all the Commands and Injunctions to which the Christian Religion obligeth them and to qualify themselves to be rightful Inheritors of those Blessings and Promises pronounced by our Saviour as they tenaciously adhere to this as though 't were indeed the Sum both of Mens Duty and Enjoyments and that their Salvation turned upon this very Pin which yet People may perform while their Wills are unsubdued and Lusts unmortified But we find that Men have been apt enough to be busily employed about Mint Annis and Cummin whilst they neglect the weightier Matters to run into and cry up and maintain those exterior parts of Religion that are reconcilable to an Unconverted State If the Professors of Christianity were less taken up about Signs and Shadows and nice and unnecessary Scrutinies and Distinctions wherewith they perplex it and more devoted to observe the weighty important and indispensable Precepts of Christ and demonstrate the Power that Christianity hath over their Minds by affording signal Instances of their being his true Disciples and rightful Heirs of his Kingdom being in measure invested with his Divine Vertues and Graces we should have less Envy Variance Back-biting and Detraction which weaken the common Interest and Piety and give our common Enemy an advantage and more Christian Love Peace Concord and good Neighbourhood amongst us If all that mean well did but pursue Vertue love it and encourage it where-ever it appears and hate Vice and Evil in all and discountenance it every where and make these the Measures of their Christian Charity rather than Parallel Opinions in lesser Matters 't would bring us nearer together and more advance True Piety than all their contending about different Apprehensions in things far less essential God who regards not Names but Natures knows among all Nations and People who are his and the Rule he left us to know also was their Fruits their Actions being the exertion of their Wills all Mankind are either under the Power and Conduct of the Spirit of God or else of the Devil all are either Carnal or Spiritual-minded and as is the spring and bent of their Desires and Affections so is their Actions each Birth have their proper Products which are contrary to each other So that let what Notions or Opinions soever possess Mens Heads they live according to that Spirit and Principle that governs their Hearts We cannot gather Grapes of Thorns nor Figs of Thistles no Fountain sends forth bitter Water and sweet at the same time 'T is an Evangelical Truth Gal. 5.19 20 21 22 23 24. Those that live in Envy and Strife and bring forth the Fruits of the Flesh are of their Father the Devil Eph. 5.9 and those who by the Spirit mortifie those corrupt
love him as for the future to live a holy Circumspect Christian Life and obey his Commands thereby continuing in his love Which Holy Life so much Celebrated and strictly kept to in the Primitive Ages of Christianity that whosoever named the Name or took the Name of Christ upon them were to depart from Iniquity we believe ought to be inseparable from a true and faithful Christian as ever accompanying a true living and active Faith and it seems was thought no less necessary by those who composed the promise that should be made in behalf of Infants before they were admitted into that once sacred Catalogue to wit that as they came to Years of discretion Tit. 2.11 12. they should forsake the Devil and all his Works the Pomps and Vanities of this wicked World Luk. 1.75 and all the sinful Lusts of the Flesh and keep Gods holy Will and Commandments and walk in the same all â—he days of their lives Ro. 6.18 19.22 2 Cor. 7.1 Eph. 4.24 1 Thes 3.13 4.7 Heb. 12.10.14 1 Joh. 4.4 This we beâ—…eve to be the bounden Duty of Manâ—ind and though our Opposers have â—coft us and branded us with error for holding Perfection because in pleadâ—ng for a Holy Righteous Life as that which is well-pleasing to God and avouching his power to be stronger in Man as Man believes and cleaves to it â—o rescue him from under the power of Satan than is that of the Devil to retain him in Thraldom we have sometimes made use of the Words of Christ and his Apostles as be you perfect Mat. 5.48 Col. 4.12 1 Joh. 3.3 as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect he that hath this Hope in him purifieth himself even as he pure c. Yet have we never pretended to a Moral Perfection beyond what is contained in the above Promise which is sound and true in it self and is that which God requires of us and therefore 't is that we frequently press it's necessity and fervently exhort People to its performance Neither do we expect to be exempt from Temptations while we inhabit these frail Tabernacles Heb. 4.15 which is no Sin provided we consent not Christ himself was likewise tempted yet he Sinn'd not for tho both Good and Evil is presented to our Thoughts yet we appropriate neither but as we entertain and embrace it So that tho the number of Thoughts may sometimes press us and the nature of some grieve us yet they don't otherwise affect us or is Sin thereby conceived iâ— our Wills don't close with and joyn to them by assenting but if we consent we are culpable in the sight of God tho it proceed not to an open immorality And as we can't prevent the forming of some Thoughts so we can't wholly avoid the presentation of some Evil ones while our common Enemy is busie with his Baites but yet the more we resist and the more the Lusts and Affections of the Flesh which is the part that entertains them is mortified the more their Habit is weakned their Assaults Feebler and we the less infested by them And notwithstanding we have hence been falsely accused that we expect to be saved by our own works as being Meritorious yet we don't acknowledge a Holy Life as the Efficient and procuring Cause of our Salvation which we no less than you totally refer to the free Grace Eph. 2.8 and Mercy of God in Christ without any Merit in Man but we esteem it as a constant Companion thereto James â— 18 to the end and a necessary â—ondition on our part in complyance with God's gracious Offer without which we may not obtain it Heb. 11.6 Ro. 12.1 2. being â—nseparably annext to that Faith which only pleaseth God and is but our reasonable Duty And we believe that although Christ thus offer'd up himself once for all Heb. 2.9 10.12 for the Sins of all Men to the end of the World thereby rendring Repentance and Amendment of Life prevalent with God yet that the Traditional Belief of that alone is not sufficient to entitle us to that common Salvation that comes by him but that 't is of necessity that we truly Repent and be Converted from the evil to the good Act. 3.19 and therefore 't is no less necessary for us now than 't was for Believers in the Apostles Days and 26.18.20 that we be turned from Darkness to Light or in other terms from the dark power of Satan to the power of God who is light that thereby we may every one know the work of Redemption and Salvation wrought in and for our selves For 't is not enough to believe that Christ died if we feel not the blessed Effects of his Death who came to save us from our Sins and bless us by turning us from our Iniquities Mat. 1.21 Act. 3.26 and gave himself for us Tit. 2.14 that he might redeem us from all Iniquity and purify unto himself a peculiar People zealous of good works Gen. 2.17 Ro. 5.12 2 Cor. 5.14 Gen. 6.5 Ro. 7.5 For we believe such to be the natural State of Man in the fall that by Nature we are dead as to God at a distance from him prone to Evil and to gratify the Desires of our Sensual Minds sway'd by the corrupt and sinful Lusts of the Flesh Eph. 2.2 and under the power of a strange King rul'd by the Prince of the Power of the Air 2 Tim. 2.26 so that our inward Man being thus Dead from God we cannot exercise our Spiritual Senses towards him nor can this natural Man perceive know or savour the things of God 1 Cor. 2.14 which only are Spiritually discerned Wherefore notwithstanding our Saviour died for us we are yet by Nature in a miserable undone condition in Captivity to our Souls Enemy 1 Cor. 15.45.47 Eph. 2.1.5 Col. 2.13 Ro. 8.11 Eph. 5.13.14 Joh. 1.9 Eph. 2.3 5.6 except we know the Second Adam the Lord from Heaven that quickning Spirit to quicken our Souls and make us alive to God again that being restored to the use of our inward Senses we may by the assistance of his Divine Light wherewith for that end he hath blest all the Sons and Daughters of Men see our selves in â—his sad and lost state under the wrath â—f God and abhor our selves therefore â—nd under this living Sense wherein â—hings will appear with another aspect â—han before cry to God for deliveâ—ance therefrom 2 Cor. 7.10 with such an inward â—earty Sorrow as works a true Reâ—entance for the same 'T is not our â—eing sprinkled when Infants that will make us true Christians convert us â—rom being Children of Wrath Joh. 1.12.13 Ro. 8.14 to beâ—ome Children of Grace and Sons of God and Members of Christs Church and invest us in an Interest in him 't is not learning our Catechism and subscribing to certain Articles of Faith though never so Orthodox and being educated in a
things of the Spirit of God because they are spiritually discerned and to that end they had received the Spirit which is of God The Light of Nature is occupied about natural Objects those things that are within its own Region acting within its own propâ—… Orb but reaches not to that knowledg of God which is Life Eternal except our natural Powers or human Capacity be illuminated by the Rays oâ— Divine Light for the World by Humane Wisdom knows not God Anâ— Christ saith very plainly and positively 1 Cor. 1.20 That none knows the Father but thâ— Son Mat. 11.27 and he to whom the Son revealâ— him That these strugglings in us should be the suggestions of Satan that he should disquiet and disturb People for their Sins for serving him and put them upon endeavouring to be freed from their vassalage under his power were absurd to imagine no our Saviour puts that beyond a Question when he asks Mark 3.24 27. Luk. 11.21 Can a Kingdom divided against it self stand And by and by saith plainly That whilst the Strong Man arm'd keeps the House his Goods are at peace till a stronger than he comes to bind him c. So that 't is clear it 's not the Devil but the approaches of a Superiour Power that breaks the peace of People for Sin and that follows and condemns them for Disobedience and Transgression and is the same that would and only can redeem their Minds â—â—t of that miserable state and bind â—…at Strong Man and break his power â—nd cast him out would they but joyn â—ereto and accept of Deliverance by 〈◊〉 Nor does its being extended to all Men through all Ages from their Youth â—pwards bespeak it to be therefore natural or contemptible but on the contrary of the greater moment to all Men For besides that the Apostle saith 〈◊〉 manifestation of the Spirit is given â—o every Man to profit withal 1 Cor. 12.7 the Blesâ—ings and Gifts of God are free and valuable from their intrinsick worth God in nature ordained nothing in vain â—ut by how much any thing is of the greatest use to us for sustaining and accommodating our natural Life the more common it is as the Sun that gives Light to all thro' all Ages c. 'T is we fondly rate things according to our Fancies and esteem and prize them more for their Rarity and Curiosity than Usefulness but God bestows most universally that which is of the absolutest necessity to Man Are not all Men that are born Strangers and Enemies to God in the dark and at a distance from him in the State of Nature and must therefore be enlightned Jo. 3.3 5. converted and born again and becoâ—â— Spiritural before we can be reconcileâ— to him shall not God then that woulâ— have all Repent and be Saved 1 Tim. 2.3 4. 2 Pet. 3.9 cauâ—… the Light of the Son of Righteouâ—…ness to shine upon all and give measure of his Grace and Spirit to aâ—… to assist them in the accomplishment oâ— that in themselves which they cannoâ— do of themselves and yet is of indiâ—pensable necessity to our Salvation Wherefore God by his Spirit strive with Man so long as his day of Visitation lasts Since then our Opposers acknowledge the Spirit and Grace of God which also is Light to be in Man unless they can shew it by its manifestly different and superiour nature tendency and operation to be contradistinct from that we have been speaking of we see neither absurdity nor error in concluding it to be one and the same grace and free-gift of God to all which is always the same in nature though it differs in degree and is that Heavenly Treasure which God hath committed to our trust And blessed will they be who rightly employ and improve it Mat. 13.31 32. and give place and room to this seed of the Kingdom in their Hearts where though it may appear at first contrary to the expectation of Man little mean and contemptible scarcely regarded amongst the stuff wherewith Mens Minds are filled yet â—oyn but to it that it may exert its power and energie and 't will grow and increase Mat. 13.33 Luk. 13.21 let but this leaven have its perfect work and 't will leaven the whole lump into its own Nature Be pleased to consider whether we have justly merited the invidious invectives of our Adversaries Jer. 17.10 Ro. 8.27 Rev. 2.23 Amos. 4.13 in believing that the Lord searches the Heart of Man and shews him his Thoughts that he hath and will remember this â—atter Age of the World and hath not forgotten to be gracious in performing those bountiful Promises made in times past to the Off-spring of the Gentiles Jer. 31.33.34 Ezek. 36.26 27. Joel 2.28 29. Act. 2.16 17 18. Isa 54.13 Mat. 11.27 Isa 42.7 and 61.1 â—n placing his Law in our Hearts and putting his Truth in our inward parts â—n pouring out of his Spirit upon all the Sons and Daughters of Men in becoming our Teacher and giving us the knowledge of himself through the Revelation of his Son Jesus Christ who â—s come to open our blind Eyes and to bring us that were bound in darkness â—ut of the Prison-house who hath promised to be with his People to the end of the World Joh. 14.16 17 26. 16.7 in believing that God hath sent us the Comforter the spirit of Truth to be our Remembrancer and to guide and direct us in the way of Truth in attesting the sufficiency and utility of the Teachings of this Holy Unction 1 Joh. 2.20 27. sent into our Hearts in believing that though Christ be in his glorified Body in Heaven yet that he is present also in the Hearts of his People Joh. 14.17 20 23. 17.23 26. Isa 57 15. 2 Cor. 6.16 Prov. 8.31 who is King of Saints and shall he not then rule in them The High and Holy One that inhabits Eternity hath promised to dwell also with the Humble and Contrite to revive and comfort them shall not he whose Presence fills Heaven and Earth be present in the Heart of Man Shall not he that rejoyceth in the habitable parts of the Earth and delights in the Sons of Men reside in his People Are they not Members of him 1 Cor. 6.15 17 19. and he their Head Can there be a more intimate Union and Communion than between the Head and the Body Joh. 15.4 5. the Vine and the Branches The same Spirit of Life that is in the Head is the Life of the Body also and acts it he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit doth not the Life that is in the Root pass to the Branches also and preserve them living Are not all dead Branches in whom this Life is not Whosoever hath the Son of God Joh. 6.56 57. 1 Jo. 5.12 and feeds on him hath Life by him and those that have not Christ who is the Life of his Saints have
12.15 16. it being disagreeable to his Justice to condemn those that have not deserved to be punished and having no pleasure in the death of him that dies Ezek. 18.32 Wis 11.23 24. should yet make the major part of Mankind with design to damn them unprovok'd thereto without ever tendring them Salvation or that he would make the far greater number wholly uncapable of accepting the Salvation tendred them by putting it out of their power to perform those Terms upon which he offers it and then condemn them to eternal Misery for not complying with those Conditions that 't was impossible for them to observe Isa 45.22 For he don't only call to all the ends of the Earth which implies all Mankind to look to him and be saved but he hath given to every one a Portion of his Spirit to enable them so to do he hath not only sent forth the Son of his Love to shed his Blood for every Man Joh. 3.14 15 16. to be lifted up as Moses lifted up the Brazen Serpent that whosoever believeth in him Joh. 6.44 45. should not perish but he also draws them and as they will receive it toucheth them with that Divine Magnet that only can incline and impower them effectually to turn to that Pole in which all our true Happiness centers But this is the condemnation Joh. 3.19 20. that Light is come into the World and Men love Darkness rather than Light Eph. 5. â—â— because their Deeds are evil and hate the Light and will not bring their Deeds to it lest it should reprove them for whatsoever is reprovable is made manifest by the Light but Men love their own broad ways to pursue the sight of their Eyes and desire of their Minds Eccl. 11.9 and therefore hate to be control'd therein and reform'd The Apostle stirring up the Ephesians to Purity of Life and to avoid several Evils there mentioned saith expresly Eph. 5.6 7. Let no Man deceive you with vain Words for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the Children of Disobedience And in another place Ro. 8.13 That those who live after the Flesh shall die So that 't is for want of Peoples embracing the Means and bringing their Deeds to the Light of Christ in their Hearts and heeding the Reproofs of Instruction Pro. 6.23 Gal. 6.8 which is the way of Life for want of sowing to the Spirit and by it mortifying the Deeds of the Flesh that People are lost and sentenced to Perdition and not because they were personally and inconditionally reprobated from all Eternity God who is Lord of all 1 Tim. 2.3 4. is gracious unto all and would have all Men to be saved but they disobey the Call of God and reject his Offers and resist the Strivings of his Spirit and are deaf to those Knocks of our Saviour for Reception and Entertainment in their Hearts Rev. 3.20 and choose and prefer the present World and will not deny themselves to follow Christ 'T is not as these Men say because Salvation was never within their reach if 't were not what must we think Were those feigned Tears then Luke 13.34 Mat. 23.37 that our Saviour shed over Jerusalem when the Day of its Visitation was over Saying also How often would I have gathered thee as a Hen gathers her Chickens but you would not not you could not But if any Men can be so hardy as to entertain an Opinion so derogatory to the Justice Mercy Love and Paternal Care of God and repugnant to the Gospel-message we cannot but admire what should induce them to obtrude it upon others and urge it as though 't was a necessary Point to be believed in the Christian Religion for we cannot apprehend how this begets Love to God increaseth Faith in Christ and raiseth our Veneration for him excites to Diligence and encourages Piety which is that which advanceth true Religion but on the contrary it 's plain that it tends to the indulging some in a Security and procure in others a slight Esteem of the Death and Sacrifice of Christ as being partial and casts them into Despond and probably may encourage both to gratifie the Desires of their Minds to the full extent since nothing can alter such a supposed Decree of God one way or the other Yet we deny not the Prescience of God who fore-knows all things things past present and to come being at once present to him so that it may be said such who believe in Christ with that living active Faith that works by Love and excites to Obedience and persevere therein unto the end and so know Salvation by him are in him in whom the Election is before the World began and that those who so believe not but reject the Tenders of his Love and by persisting in Disobedience neglect so great Salvation are condemned already Nor do we deny such a Preference as that some are made Stewards over more and some fewer Talents according to which their Improvement ought to be Where much is given much is required and where less is given less is required for God is just and equal in all his Ways he is not a hard Master Mat. 25.14 to the 28. that he should exact or expect more than the Improvement of his own Had he that received but one Talent imploy'd it and made it Two we doubt not but it had been accepted for we believe that none are from Eternity absolutely excluded without any Talent and that a Day also is afforded wherein 't is possible for them to improve it So that though the Grace may work more powerfully in some than in others yet are all left without Excuse There is yet another Opinion dependant on this which we cannot receive neither as they state it for which our Opposers think very ill of us that is once in a state of Grace and ever so that there is no total or final falling away from Grace How this Doctrin promotes true Zeal and Piety and improves Christianity we can't understand nor see no other reason why its Votaries should be so fond of it but because 't is concordant to that of Personal Election and Reprobation so that those who imbrace the one are bound to believe the other But otherwise certainly it tends rather to slacken than spur on People to that care and diligence and constant unwearied watchfulness to Prayer which our Lord so much exhorted to and the Apostles so solicitously presse the Saints every-where to be found in as of absolute necessity What else means those Promises of Reward in the Revelations to those who should overcome and hold out to the end but to ingage them to a constant Perseverance Or what needed it if 't were impossible for them to fall short whom we suppose none will deny to have been in a state of Grace And the Church of Ephesus was threatned to have their Candlestick removed Rev. 2.5
Lusts and Affections and bring forth the Fruits of the Spirit adorning the Doctrin of God our Saviour by a Sober Godly Righteous Life are of God 1 Joh. 3.10 for herein the Children of God are manifest from the Children of the Devil Thus have we candidly though briefly exprest our real Opinion and Belief in those Points in which we apprehend our Adversaries have endeavour'd most to expose us which we hope may prove satisfactory to those who are not resolved to think ill of us But to speak fully to every critical trifling Objection were a tedious Task as well as vastly beyond the Extent of our Design We request our serious Neighbours to hear and see for themselves and not take things upon trust from others and judging the things they know not condemn us by hear-say Don't be imposed upon by those whose peevish Humours would have all do like themselves who either look not at all or but very coyly into the Books of those they have taken a Pet against whose Perswasion in some things differs from what they have pronounced Orthodox as tho' Truth were their peculiar inclosure which yet certainly argues either a great deal of Prejudice or a feeble and fleeting Judgment that dares not trust it self Were our Books stuft with such palpable Errors as is suggested surely 't were not so dangerous Reading them Who fears to read the Alchoran But on the contrary 't is a strong indication that they contain much truth for as 't is the proper Object of the Understanding so where it appears with a clear Evidence answering to Peoples own Experience 't is very forcible and prevalent upon the Minds of those who diligently seek it for love of it and willingly deposit all pre-ingagements of Mind in its disquisition Be then so just to us and kind to your selves as to relinquish all Prejudice and Prepossessions and impartially examine the truth of these things search the Sacred Scriptures diligently with an inclination rather to find and embrace Truth than to support a received Opinion try whether 't is so or not comparing it with your own Experiences and the Witness of God in your own Hearts Though our Belief in some of these Particulars don 't exactly quadrate to that of our Opposers it don't therefore necessarily follow 't is not agreeable to Truth and Scripture Nor can they give us any infallible assurance that their Conceptions are a true Standard of Truth notwithstanding they vend their Apprehensions as the only Orthodox yes and are displeased too with those that can't be determined by them We have no Design carrying on behind the Curtain howsoever our Sober Demeanour may be uncharitably not to say maliciously insinuated as only a Cover of Sheeps Cloathing upon the Wolves Nature and our most Solemn Declaration of our Belief in several Religious Points being undeniable Truths construed and suggested by some Men as only a fair Cover wherewith we guild over our Poyson that it may pass the less suspected and be the more glibly swalâ—owed What think you is not this â—he heighth of Prejudice and Envy in â—he abstract Would they themselves be content to be thus interpreted We have no intent to decoy and traâ—an People that we should walk under a Disguise which Intreagues usually have interest at one end of them which can't be our case who neither give nor take Money for Preaching so that the increase of our Numbers won't fill our Coffers We have no other Interest to promote but the Advancement of True Piety and Christianity And having Love and Good-will to all People more especially to those whose Minds are awakened and Hearts warmed having true fervent Desires and living Breathings towards God thirsting after a nearer and more satisfactory knowledge of and acquaintance with him than barely a profession and hear-say of him and therefore what we have found advantageous assistant and satisfactory to us in our unwearied pursuit after Peace with him that we recommend to others We call People home to the Gift of God in themselves which only can do them good that every one may know the good Shepherd and Bishop of Souls for themselves and hear and know his Voice in them from that of a Stranger and learn of him and follow him who is pure and ever leads to Purity and Holiness that so his offering up of himself for them may be of benefit to them and they experience the great Salvation of God For impress this upon your Minds and take it along with you That notwithstanding our Saviour hath paid a Ransom for us and made an Atonement through the precious Blood of his Cross yet if we experience not the end of his Coming and Death effected and answered in our selves it shall avail us nothing except we know him a Saviour and Supporter near except we know a Principle of Divine Light and Life to illuminate our Minds to revive and warm our languishing Hearts to beget and increase true Love to God and the living Faith that gives Victory to convert us and govern our Thoughts to renew and regulate our Wills and limit our Desires and bridle our Tongues to excite holy Inclinations and keep up a due Heat in our Christianity and strengthen our Minds in that which is good and well-pleasing to God Except we know these things in and for our selves all our outside shew of Religion is but vain and our profession of Christ shall profit us nothing but we shall lye down in sorrow at last For none are Christ's Ro. 8.9 14. but those that have his Spirit and are influenced by it nor are any Children of God but those that are led by the Spirit of God which begets in the Mind a detestation of Sin and Evil and a love to Purity Goodness and Vertue Wherefore laying aside all Strife and Animosities all Envying and Evil-speaking let us abhor that which is Evil Ro. 12.9 and cleave to that which is Good and address our selves with a due and humble Application to the accomplishment of that most concerning and important Affair of our Lives the working out our Salvation And let every one follow the Lord faithfully according to what is made known to them knowing that we shall be judged according to our Knowledge and that 't will be happy for those whose Wills and Performances correspond with their Understandings in that Day when all must stand before the Judgment-seat of Christ and give an Account of their Deeds done in the Body and receive a Sentence thereafter either Come ye blessed or Depart from me ye workers of Iniquity It won't be then of what Congregation or Confession of Faith or of what Perswasion amongst the many wast thou Among all which there will then be but Two sorts the Sheep and the Goats those that heard the Shepherd's Voice and followed him who were guided and governed by the good Spirit of God in their Hearts and those who wrapping their Talent in a Napkin stifled Convictions and