they did concern one time or the men only which spake them But they are of a general interpretation and do concern as they are Prophesies and declare the Doctrine of Salvation all times and People as saith the Prophet This shall be written for the generation to come and the People which shall be created shall praise the Lord Ps 102. 18. Bow down thine ear saith Solomon and hear the words of the Wise they shall be fitted in thy lips that thy trust may be in the Lord have not I written to thee excellent things that I might make thee to know the certainty of the words of Truth that thou mightest answer the words of Truth to them that send unto thee See Pro. 22. 17 18 19 20 21 22. Therefore did Peter write both his Epistles viz. to stir up the pure minds of the believers by way of remembrance that those that had obtained pure minds might be mindful of the words spoken before by the holy Prophets and of the Commandments of the Apostles of the Lord and Saviour Knowing this first saith he that there shall come in the last dayes scoffers viz. such as will taunt and scoffe at the Scriptures at the Doctrine written therein and at such as believe and practice it Which scoffers do walk after their own lusts and not after the words of the holy Prophets and the Commandment of the Apostles of Christ Oh! how much is this fulfilled in these dayes by which we know it is the last times 2 Pet. 3. 1 2 3. Let Believers therefore take heed and beware of false Teachers let them believe and imbrace the Doctrine of the Scriptures of Truth Dan. 10. 21. which teach us that we should believe that Jesus is Christ the Son of God and that believing we might have Life through his Name 1 John 20. 31. Let them therefore give themselves to the reading or hearing the Doctrine of the Scriptures and as every man hath received the gift whether of Prophesie Ministring Teaching or Exhortation Rom. 12. 6 7 8. So ought they to minister the same one to another as good Stewards of the manifold Graces of God 1 Pet. 4. 10. Sect. 7 The last ground which I shall insist upon is the powerful opperation of the Doctrine of the Scriptures upon the hearts of such as believe which experience the good things of God can witness viz. that upon reading hearing and meditating in the Scriptures of Truth God hath sweetly refreshed their spirits with riches of Grace spiritual Comforts and Heavenly consolations and made the Scriptures of Truth a word of Power by which he hath powerfully wrought both to convince convert them to turn them from darkness to light from the Kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of Jesus Christ Acts 26. 18. Yea it is an evident Argument that they which are strangers to what I here say let their Profession be what it will Truth was never yet espoused to their Souls never did any man of God say that the Scripture is a dead Letter a Carnal thing to feed the Carnal mind Oh the Darkness that is in some that boast of Light who can call the holy Scriptures a dead Letter a Carnal thing to feed the Carnal mind and yet themselves do fill the Nation with Books and Writings what may one think of this but that they do either condemn the thing which themselves allow or else they have found out a way to make their Letters and Books to become Spiritual and to cause all other even the Sacred Scriptures to become Carnal which though written or Printed as theirs yet not from the same inspiration for the Doctrine of the Scriptures was written by the Inspiration of God But how can there Doctrine be from the same inspiration which is against the Doctrine of the Scriptures How much therefore is it to be lamented that the Scriptures of Truth should be so villified and reproached and that any should be so deluded as wholly to neglect the reading of them and let them lie in the corners of their houses without all regard of them alas it was not so with Professors in the Marian dayes when one Book of it was at five pounds value and for the least Epistle a man would give a load of hay and carry it up to London into the Bargain but now we having plenty men dare abuse it and tread it under their feet and because it doth not cry out with a vocal voice and reprove in and by it self alone therefore they conclude it is worth nothing and yet can highly esteem of their own Books although they can do as little But now consider take the best grain that can be procured lay it in a dry place where it cannot grow and will it become fruitful not at all But sown in the field and it will bring forth abundantly Even so lay thy Bible in a corner of thy house without regard of the Doctrine therein contained and it will be no waies profitable to thee but lay up the Doctrine thereof in thy heart where it should be and it will become a fruitful Word to thee for it is not likely that the Doctrine of the Scriptures should do thee any good or that thou shouldest feel any vertue in it while thou endeavourest to shut it out of thy heart but let the sayings of the Scriptures when and where they reprove for sin and exhort to amendment of life let the Judgements therein written against the workers of Iniquity and the Promises of Grace which God hath there recorded for the comfort of them that by Faith lay hold on Jesus Christ come close to thy heart and pray that God may make those Promises thine and yield up thy self to the holy directions therein contained and then thou wilt find that there is vertue in the Scriptures Oh! there is a Divine flame in them if they be but taken to the heart that will warm and quicken the dead and benummed affections Did not the Words of Christ make his Disciples hearts to burn within them while he talked with them and while he opened to them the Scriptures I Luke 24. 32. Oh! therefore give diligence to obey what is written in the Scriptures of Truth for if you that are contrary minded shall not consider and leave your Inventions and the Traditions of men which you have imbraced your sin lyeth at your own doors and your blood upon your own heads for what a sad thing is it that men should quote Scriptures like Satan to justifie their Doctrine of deceit which they deliver and yet notwithstanding esteem the Scriptures of no value That men should wrest the Scriptures to their own destruction 2 Pet. 3. 16. Cry down the Word of God and set up the Word of man and Satan yea they can reprove some for reading the Scriptures and yet if one have been at their Meetings and while they are teaching up the so called Light within be reading one of their Books giving little or no heed to what is spoken yet he is not reproved By which it is evident that they know that the design which they drive on is not in the Scriptures of Truth but in their own Books and therefore it is of like acceptance with them to read their Books as to hear their Preaching Let all believers therefore pray that they may be delivered from them which Preach up the so called Light within who deny the Doctrine of the Scriptures of Truth expressed in the Bible to be the Word of God and set up their own sayings for a rule of direction which yet hath no Testimony from God or from his Word Sacra Scriptura est liber vitae origo aeterna Cujus incorporalis Essentia Cujus cognitio vita Cujus Scriptura indelebilis Cujus inspectus desiderabilis Cujus Doctrina facilis Cujus Scientia dulcis Cujus profunditas inscrutabilis Cujus verba innumerabilia vnum tantum Verbum omnia Hug. de art Noe. Thus Englished The Sacred Scripture is the Book of Life Whose Original is Eternal Whose Essence is incorporeal Whose Knowledge is Life Whose writings is indeliable Whose inspect is desireable Whose Doctrine is easie Whose knowledge is sweet Whose depth is unsearchable Whose words are innumerable and onely one Word All. THE END ERRATA IN the Epistle to all the Churches Page 3. line 17. read truth is In the Epistle to the Reader p. 3. l. 5. r. the so called Light l. 21. r. which in all men as the only means of Salvation In the Epistle to all those that teach up the Light within p. 2. l. 27. r. so called Light within p. 4. l. 14. r. so called Light within p 5. l. 18. f. lies r. lyar Of the Book p. 1. l. 6. r. the so called Light l. 21. r. the so called Law or Light p. 2. l. 11. r. makest p. 3. l. 11. r. preacheth p. 6. l. 13. f. Loyaâ— r. Legal l. 19. f. so that it r so it l. last r. as p. 27. l. 25. f. abase r. alass p. 28. l. 12. f. works r. work p. 29. l. 10. f. lives r. life p. 42. l. 11. dele it l 20. r. and to render p. 47. l. 28. d. yet p. 50. l. 23. f. so r. to p. 57. l. 1. f. I shall shew r. I shew l. 3. f. at r. in p. 70. l. 3. f. plunged r. plagued p. 75. l. 11. r. have alwaies margent r. Acts 24. 16. p. 7â— l. 7. f. spoke r. spoken l. 23. f. god r goe p. 88 l. 2. r. Angels p â—1 l. 15. f it s r his l. 17. after world r. of the ungodly so by his word shall the world p. 141. l 12. f. god r. goe p. 144. l. 2 f. desiring r. despising p. 167. l. 23. f. he r. she p. 168. l. 1. f. he r she l. 3 f. him r. her l. 4 f. him r. her l. 5. f. he r. she f. him r. â—er l. 8. f. him r. her f. his r. her l. 10. f. he r. she l. 22 f. his r. â—er p. 173. in the Contents l. 1. f. fine r. five l. 16 f. fine r. five p. 174. l. 15. f. he r. thee p. 185. l. 8 9. f. alleth r. calleth p. 205. l. 21. f. that Bible r. the Bible
satisfie your curious eyes and ears do yet in the behalf of Christ my Lord and Master his Truth and People communicate these Considerations following to your view which as you stand opposite to that Spirit against which I contend I doubt not but you will entertain with welcome but where the weight that I bring out of the Sanctuary to shew the lightness of their Imaginations doth threaten the discovery of your gross Inventions and doth grate upon your Professions it is like that I and my Book to may be shut out of your hearts and hands but this I value not neither do I care what becomes of my Name or Repute in the World so the Cause of Christ be declared and his Truth cleared from the filth which is and hath been cast upon it Sect. 4 And whether you will hear or whether you will forbear as your selves will feel the benefit or loss so I tell you honestly and from my very heart that I cannot rejoyce in any thing on this side Christ more than in seeing Sinners Converted unto him and rightly setled in Faith and Practise c. And I do hereby warn every one of you to look to it in time and look into the matter following as desirous to see thereby the Estate of your own Souls as well as the state of the Controversie between them us and where thou art hit touched in thy heart and conscience I pray thee who ever thou art oppose not I desire unfeignedly that those that shall see or hear the matter herein contained might feel something though secretly whispered of Divine and Everlasting Concernment that the good Lord may have the Glory in thy Conversion and Salvation is and shall be the earnest and continual request of my Spirit JOSEPH WRIGHT To all them that Teach up the Light within all men as that which is sufficient eternally to save them If Mercy may be by you enjoyed it is the desire of an hearty Well-willer of your Souls that in the Grace of Christ once more tendered unto you that you may obtain it Sect. 1 THou art the Party to whom at this time I am desirous to speak although thou dost not owne the name by which thy Notion is by some distinguished the which I do not mention having not so much to do with thy Name as thy Spirit nor with one or two of you as with all Moreover I know that that Name doth not so well befit thee as that which I have endeavoured to distinguish thee by Sect. 2 One reason why I publish this Piece is because I could never have a fair dispute with thee but one reviling term or other thou hast cast upon me Another reason is to shew to thee what little Vnion there is betwixt thee and Truth Another is to set before thee and all men those pernicious Principles which thou holdest although thou seemest to set such a fair glosse on them Another is truly to state the difference which is betwixt us that we may not be disputing about Ordinances when the difference is about the substance and foundation of all Generations that shall be saved Another is to shew unto all those who would have us to own you for Christians and joyn with you the reason of our not consenting thereunto Another is to signifie unto all the danger that is in following thee before they be caught by thee Another is to warn the Churches of Christ that they suck not in thy Principles nor so much as bid thee God speed seeing thou bringest not the Doctrine of Christ Another is to arm them against thee that thy design upon them may be blasted Another is to set before thee thy way and the end which it will bring every man unto that walketh in it the which thy detestable blasphemies that Preachest up the Light within all men are contrary to the Doctrine and Person of Jesus Christ making Christ to be only a power in every man which is his Justification And much more of thy erroneous Doctrine I could rehearse but it is wearisom and might as hath been said in the like case rather be wondred at than confuted But seeing Satan in his Instruments hath transformed himself into an Angel of light thereby to deceive the hearts of the simple for their sakes I must speak something to thee because thou bringest some texts of Scripture which thou wouldest perswade people doth make for thee as some have done Rom. 2. 14 15. thereby opposing Faith in the Man Christ Jesus and his sufferings and from that Scripture confidently affirming that those Gentiles there mentioned knew not the Man Christ Jesus which we believe in nor did believe on him yet kept the Law and were thereby justified before God And because the Scriptures which thou alledgest to colour thy deceits doth declare unto us a Christ therefore thou sayest that that is the Christ to wit the Work of the Law written in the heart for although thou sayest not that any can be saved without Christ yet thou intendest nothing lesse than that any are saved through the purchase of the blood of that Christ who is God and Man apprehended by Faith for this thou reckonest to be erroneous although it be the Foundation of all Generations that shall be saved Sect. 3 Now I know not whom I shall by this writing offend but such as are averse to Truth for one cannot defend the Truth but he shall offend its opposers But this I assure thee of thou wilt not rightly understand me if thou takest any thing herein delivered otherwise than from a lover of God and man I have set down those thy Principles which I have good proof to be thine that Preachest up the Light within all men c. which if thou doest not own and dost except against any thing either by Word or Writing and say that I wrong thee in alledging such things My Answer is many of them are thy own known sufficiently by thy words of mouth and all the rest too for otherwise they would not be dispersed in thy Books the which thou wouldest not publish if thou didst not approve of the Doctrine contained in them And I heartily wish that all that shall have to do with thee about any thing here declared which thou shalt be ashamed of that they would require thee by Writing to publish thy abhorring thereof and if any of thy followers do testifie their abhorring of those things without secret evasion or mental reservation I shall be glad if not let them be content as one said to be called his Disciples whose discipline they follow Sect. 4 I further declare my forwardness to entertain any honest and fair Dispute with thee about these things taking them in order but I shall not take any one Writer that is not a known Leader of this Notion of the Light within c. to be worth my saying any thing unto in reference to what I here say neither shall I take notice of
the Grace of God through the Redemption that is in Christ Jesus unto and upon all them that believe whose Faith is imputed to them for Righteousness and whose iniquities are forgiven and whose sins are covered Thou art a stranger unto which notwithstanding is the Doctrine of the Apostle Paul Rom. 3. 22. and Rom. 4. 3 4 5 6 7 8 9. Sect. 9 Sixthly Thou deniest Christ which died c. because all such as follow after thy Doctrine do not deny themselves as he hath taught they should thou makest a shew of Sin-denial but Self-denial thou dost not practise but Self must be denied and Self-Righteoushess which is of the Law yea when men have done all whatsoever they are commanded they are then to say with humble hearts they have done but what was their duty and that they are unprofitable servants I say to deny our selves and self-righteousness accounting it but dung that we may win Christ and be found in Him not having our own righteousness which is of the Law but that which is through the Faith of Christ the Righteousness which is of God by Faith this is the way to true blessedness as the Apostle teacheth Philip. 3. 8 9. But this laying low Self and onely resting upon Christ by Faith thou canst not away with therefore thou art in Self-exaltation in the highest degree only thou coverest this with a fair pretence by putting pretended Sin-deniall for Self-denial and hereby is many a poor Soul miserably deceived by thee but thus saith the Word of the Lord Rom. 3. 20. Therefore by the deeds of the Law shall no flesh be justified in his sight for by the Law is the knowledge of Sin And Gal. 3. 10 11. For a many as are of the works of the Law are under the Curse for it is written Cursed is every one that continuetb not in All things that are written in the Book of the Law to do them But that no man is justified by the Law in the sight of God it is evident for the Just shall live by Faith Behold saith the Prophet Habâ—k 2. 4. His Soul that is lifted up is not upright in him but the Iust shall live by Faith Sect. 10 To which Justification by Faith in the Blood of Christ thou that placest pretended Sanctification in the stead and place of Justification art a stranger and herein it will appear that although thou seemest to have a Zeal of God yet it is not according to Knowledge for thou sayest so far only as the Creature is brought out of the filth of this World and to leave sin so far only is he justified before God whereas the Scripture saith Rom. 4. 5 6 7. But to him that Worketh not but Believeth on him that justifieth the Vngodly his Faith is counted to him for Righteousness even as David also describeth the Blessedness of the man unto whom God imputeth Righteousness without Works saying Blessed are they whose Iniquities are Forgiven and whose Sins are Covered Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not Impute Sin So that God justifieth the Creature while it is in its Sins in its Blood Ezek. 16. 6. by the pardon thereof upon Repentance and Believing the Gospel which Believing is Imputed to us for Righteousness as it is written Rom. 4. 3. Abraham Believed God and it was counted to him for Righteousness And although Repentance toward God and Faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ Acts 20. 21. be requisite in order to every Sinners Justification yet is Justification an Act of God Rom. 8. 33. whereby he freely by his Grace through the Redemption that is in Iesus Christ doth acquit from guilt of Sin the Repentant Believer not Imputing his Sins to him and accounting his Faith to him for Righteousness See Rom. 3. 23 24 25 26. Yea to Believe as a Sinner while under the guilt of Sin and thereby lyable to the wrath of God Rom. 3. 19. Gal. 3. 10. Ephes 2. 3. that God hath received such absolute Satisfaction by the Sufferings of Jesus Christ in his own Body upon the Cross without the Gate of Jerusalem That he that Repenteth and Believeth the Gospel is wholly acquitted his debt discharged fully and freely through his Blood this is the way to be justified before God So that the main ground and reason why we that Believe should be holy in all manner of Conversation in this present evil World is because we are not our own but are bought with a price even with the precious Blood of Jesus Christ Therefore ought we to Glorifie him in our Bodies and in our Spirits which are his 1 Cor. 6. 20. And so ought we to live to him that dyed for us and rose again c. 2 Cor. 5. 15. That seeing Christ dyed for our sins we ought not to live in them but to die to that which he dyed for and as he was Crucified for our Iniquities So they that are Christs do Crucifie the Flesh with the affections and lusts lest they joyn with his Enemies and provoke his anger against them and as the Apostle Peter teacheth 1 Pet. 1. 14 15. As obedient Children not fashioning your selves according to the former lusts in your Ignorance but as he which hath called you is holy so be ye holy in all manner of Conversation Because it is written Be ye holy for I the Lord your God am holy Levit. 19. 2. But Sect. 11 Seventhly In that thou layest aside this God-glorifying Doctrine of Christs free Reconciliation of Sinners to God by his Death out of and without themselves and of Gods Justification of the Ungodly by the Remission of their Sins upon Repentance Faith It appears that with the High-Priests Elders and Scribes of the Law Acts 4. 5 6 10. the Preachers up of the Light within do set at nought that precious and tryed Stone which is the Head of the Corner and the Foundation of all Generations that shall be Saved yea that Rock of Ages upon which the Congregation of the Faithful are built which is not the Rock of these Legallists their Preachings and Printings being Witnesses see Deut. 32. 31. For in as much as the Light within is no other than the work of the Law written in the hearts of the Gentiles Rom. 2. 14 15. It is evident that these Preachers are Preachers of the Law not of the Gospel to which with those Jews and Greeks mentioned 1 Cor. 1. 23. they are such Adversaries that the Preaching of Christ Crucified is to them both a Stumbling Block and Foolishness while unto them which are Called Christ is the Power of God and the Wisdom of God Oh how great and glorious is the Power of God in the work of Redemption by the Sufferings of Jesus Christ Oh the depth of the Riches both of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God which the proud in Spirit know not as the Prophet David teacheth Psal 11 4. The Wicked through the pride of his Countenance will not seek after God
with thee by way of Concession in putting the case that all this which thou sayest were so and that thou went beyond all others in every one of these five Particulars yet notwithstanding thy Way and Practice is a manifest falshood as shall be made evident in that which followeth Sect. 6 For first suppose that thou in Bodily Habit didest neglect thy self as much as the A Concession and Answer to the first Proof Romish Fryers or the Hermite before spoken of Art thou ere the more in the Truth for that it is apparent that both They and Thee notwithstanding this Humility in shew are great Adversaries to the Truth of the Gospel and that we may know that this shew of Humility in neglect of the Body is no sufficient Proof for this purpose the Scriptures of Truth do warn us of a sort of false Worshipers who worship Angels and walk after the Commandements of men being vainly puft up in their fleshly Minds who hold not the Head Christ Jesus by subjecting to his Ordinances yet are subject to the Ordinances of men touch not tast not handle not which things saith the Apostle indeed have a shew of Wisdom in Will-Worship and Humility and neglecting of the Body not in any Honour to the satisfying of the Flesh Col. 2. 18 19 21 22 23. Oh what a Glorious shew of Wisdom is there in Will-Worship and Humility and neglecting of the Body but alass what benefit is in all this for when this comes to be tryed it is found to be but the Wisdom of this World which is Earthly Sensual and Devilish James 3. 15. And is not the Worship of those that call themselves followers of the Light within the Worship of Angels that is of Devils while they disobey that which God hath shewed them in the Scriptures of Truth and intrude into such things which are not to be found there Where is there such a thing to be found in all the Record that God hath given of his Son that all men ought not to look into and be guided by the Scriptures of Truth but that all men ought to look into and be guided by the so called Light which is within them Oh the vanity of that fleshly and puffed up Mind that hath been the Author of this Intrusion and Doctrine of Devils so directly contrary to the Doctrine of the Holy Prophets Apostles and of Christ Himself the greatest of them all who requires us to hearken to the Word of the Lord expressed in the Law and in the Testimony to take heed unto the most sure Word of the Prophets 2 Pet. 1. 19. to searth the Scriptures which are able to make us wise unto Salvation through Faith which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3. 15. Therefore although thou art outwardly more humble than any other that is no confirmation that thou art in the Truth but in the Falshood rather while thy Doctrine is so directly contrary to the Word of Truth And thus thy pretended proof of thy Humility lies dead and will not do the service for which it is brought Sect. 7 But Secondly Suppose that thou art in A Concession and Answer to the second Proof Vnity and all others are in Differences yet this doth not prove that therefore thou art in the Truth for first although the Devil endeavours to break the Peace of the Saints by sowing Discord among the Brethren because he knows that their Unity will be the ruine of his Kingdom and although sometimes through his Temptations many turn aside from the Truth yet notwithstanding the Lord owns the rest as his People that stand fast in it to those few Names in Sardis which did not defile their Garments it is promised That they shall walk with the Lord in White Rev. 3. 4. notwithstanding the polluted estate of the rest Although there was Divisions among the Disciples of Christ yet they were his Disciples and the Lord useth means to unite them to the Truth that are turning aside after Error before he utterly rejecteth them and when he doth punish the Transgressors he spareth the Obedient as is to be seen in the case of the seven Churches of Asia Rev. ch 2. and 3. So that although Divisions may appear among the Professors of the Faith of Christ it is not safe from thence to conclude that none of those Professors are in the Truth Shall we condemn all Professors because some walk contrary to their Profession Shall we condemn all the Angels of God because some of them did not keep their first estate but left their own Habitations Jude vers 6. Thus it is clear that Divisions amongst Brethren do not warrant an Universal Sentence upon them But Secondly Unity is no absolute estimony of Verity for the Prophets of Ahab spake with one consent there was no Division amongst them although they were four hundred they all agreed together to bid Ahab go up and prosper though it proved his destruction 1 Kings 22. 6 11 12 13. one Micaiah that differed from them all his words was true being the Words of the Lord and their words was false being the inspiration of Satan If ye then the Preachers up of the so called Light within are in Unity your Unity arising from a lying spirit which is in all your mouths we can conclude your condition to be no better then Ahabs and his Prophets and as the Lord permitted that lying spirit to be in the mouths of all Ahabs Prophets to intice him because he had so exceedingly sinned against the Lord by rejecting his Counsel to go up and fall at Ramoth Gilead even so hath the Lord sent or permitted a lying spirit to be in all your mouths that you may intice all them that do reject the Counsel of God which is written in the new Testament to go on and fall and be snared taken and destroyed as it is written 2 Thes 2. 11. 12. For this cause God shall send them strong delusions that they should believe a Lie that they all might be damned who believed not the Truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness It is therefore apparent that unity is not a sure proof of verity Those that are said to have one mind Revel 18. 13. to what end is it but to give their Power and strength to the Beast c. Those that Christ invited to his Marriage Supper Luke 14. 18. They all with one consent began to make excuse This Argument therefore being but a Popish Fig-leaf is utterly invalid But Sect. 8 Thirdly suppose thou destroy the Whore more then any other of her opposers and that by perswading her children to leave her A Concession and Answer to the third Proof and to follow after thee yet notwithstanding thou art not therefore in the Truth for many of the Adversaries of the Whore are enemies to the Gospel of Christ though the great City be divided into three parts yet it is great Babel still Revel 16. 19. and though the ten
that they had both touched and felt him and yet found no vertue come out of him No marvel therefore that the Scriptures seems to be lifeless and a dead Letter to such whose Faith is dead to them it is no wonder that the Scriptures do not enlighen them that go about to destroy them or in Christ himself while they were kiling him they found little excellency And why were some refreshed even by the touching of Christs Garment and others that â—ouched his Body felt no benefit Was it not because the one came to him with a Hand of Faith and Love owning him â—o be the Son of God and the other came with wicked hands to crucifie and slay him because they denyed him to be the Christ And wherefore is it that some find wonderful comfort in the Scriptures and are thereby made wise unto Salvation Is it not because they come with humble and believing Hearts to them But they must needs be a dead Letter to such whose Faith and Affections is quite dead to them Sect. 5 But to make a further manifestation of the Divine Authoriiy of the Scriptures I will lay down these following Considerations to prove the Scriptures to be an infallible Teacher of the Doctrine of Salvation First Because there is no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man in this world â—hat can name a Work of Righteousnesse which as an Act Deed or Duty of Righâ—eousnesse ought to be observed by the Sons of men which the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament do not make mention of fairly discover and fully comprehend Therefore the Scripture is an Infallible Teacher of the Doctrine of Salvation 2. Because there is no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man in this world that can name a work of wickednesse which as an Act or Deed of wickednesse ought not to be done by any of the Sons of men which the Scriptures do not most severely forbid upon pain of the greatest Punishments to be inflicted on them that persist therein Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 3. Because there is no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man in this World that can declare any Promise either of Peace or Happinesse which as a Promise from the True God ought to be embraced by the Sonâ— of men which the Scriptures of the Old and new Testament do not make mention of and very fairly and fully declare Therefore the Scriptures are an infallible Teacher c. 4. Because there is no man nor Spirit or Light within any Man in this world that can declare any Punishment which God wil inflict upon sinners for their disobedience which the Scripture speaketh not of and very fully declares Therefore the Scriptures are an infallible Teacher c. 5. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man c. can prove any act or deed which the Scripture calls an act of Righteousness to be an act or deed of Wickedness Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 6. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man can prove any act or deed which the Scriptures call an act of Wickedness to be an act or deed of Righteousness Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 7. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man c. can prove any Promise which is made in Scripture to be false or that it shall not be made good according to the condition thereof to those to whom it is made Therefore the Scripture is an infallible Teacher c. 8. Because no Man nor Spirit or Light within any man c. can prove that any of the Threatnings expressed in the Scriptures against the workers of iniquity are either unreasonable or false or that they are not according to the minde of God or shall not come to pass Therefore the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are an infallible Teacher c. The Word of God therefore expressed in the Scriptures of Truth concerning his Commandments his Promises his threatings is very far in Authority and clearness beyond any Spirit or Light in any mortal man in the world therefore I conclude they are above all mens books words or Doctrine an infallible Teacher such as are able to make wise unto Salvation through faith in Christ Jesus being given by inspiration of God and are profitable for Doctrine for Reproof for Correction for Instruction in Righteousness that the Man of God may be perfect throughly furnished unto all good works 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. Search the Scriptures therefore saith the Lord Jesus Christ for they are they which testifie of me Joh. 5. 39. To the Law and to the Testimony saith the Prophet if they speak not according to this Word it is because there is no Light in them Isai 10. 20. Sect. 6 To the foregoing grounds I will add two other whereby the Light and power of the Doctrine of the Scriptures is further manifested and so conclude The first of which is taken from Ephes 5 13. Whatsoever saith the Apostle doth make manifest is Light now the Scriptures doth make manifest the mystery which was kept secret since the world began which according to the Commandment of the everlasting God is by the Doctrine of the Apostles made known to all Nations for the obedience of faith therefore according to Pauls Doctrine the Scripture is Light for by it is the way of Salvation manifest See Rom. 16. 25 26. Rom 15 4 2 Pet. 3. 1 2. The Apostle Peter also teacheth the same Doctrine for after he had declared what they which were with Christ in the Mount had seen and heard he tells us that we have a more sure word of prophesie or of the Prophets whereunto ye do well saith he that ye take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place until the day dawn and the day star arise in our hearts that is as hath been already shewed until the Resurrection of the dead and coming of Christ from heaven with his mighty Angels c. Now we know that a shining Light in a dark place is of great use of such concernment is the Doctrine of the Scriptures as the Prophet Teacheth The Commandment of the Lord is pure saith the Prophet Enlightening the eyes Psal 19. 8 9. Thy word is a Lamp unto my feet saith he and a light unto my paths Oh! of what blessed concernment are the Scriptures of Truth to direct in the way of the Lord unto which sure word of Prophecie or of the Prophets and Apostles of Jesus Christ we shall do well if we take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place remembring this first that no Prophesie of the Scripture is of any private interpretation for the Prophesie came not in old time by the will of man but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy Spirit They are not therefore of private or particular interpretation as though
confirmed and also to prove if any hereby may be converted and their Souls saved that the Truth which is so much trodden down as would make ones heart bleed to see it might be made honourable Sect. 5 And not knowing whether ever I shall see you face to face therefore I take this course to discharge part of that Trust which is upon me whereby I shew to you and to every of you the sad Principles of that Spirit of Antichrist which now runs about Preaching up the Law or Light within as also to and from it wherein you may see the sad Consequences and Companions of that Doctrine as also the Faith of Gods Elect laid down and proved by the Scriptures in opposition thereunto In which is discovered that all Righteousness rested in which is not wrought by that God-Man Christ Jesus and made ours by Faith is no better than Wickedness presumed in That they which deny the Doctrine of the Son of God and that deny his Person to be a distinct Person from all other Persons do deny the Father also That to them which Believe not in him that is the only Son of God Baptism in Water Prayer and Laying on of Hands Breaking of Bread all other Ordinances of the New-Testament must needs be as Shadows without substances as Shells without kernels as Bodies without souls for they deny the Father Son and Spirit Sect. 6 It will not be your way therefore to discourse this Spirit about the Authority of Ordinances the difference lies not so much between them and us now about who should Preach and what Ordinances are to be observed but what is the Doctrine that is to be Preached and what is that that is to be Preached to which is the Christ that is to be Believed in Now they which do differ in these Fundamentals need not waste time about other Points which otherwise are necessary to be discussed I need not give you a repitition here of all that is in the following Discourse my main design is to warn every one of you seriously to consider the following matter and to beware you hearken not to those pretended Preachers up of the Light whose Doctrine being examined by the Doctrine of the Scriptures is found to be gross Darkness but if you shall not be warned I have as to this done my duty your blood will lie on your own heads Sect. 7 For my part as I do not seek the Patronage of the great and mighty of the World as I fear not their ignomy nor reproach so I desire not their thanks nor commendation I have this to commend to you I wish I had you to commend also that your Practise were answerable to your Principles and then however some do Preach up the Light within I am sure you would be the Light of the World Mat. 5. 14. I have not further here to say to you but to bespeak your hearts to beautifie the Truth which you are made partakers of Consider what I say and the good Lord give you a right understanding in all things remember me in that intrest which you have at the Throne of Grace Farewell Yours to serve you in the Service of our Lord Jesus Christ JOSEPH WRIGHT To all those that through Ignorance are ADVERSARIES to the DOCTRINE of JESUS CHRIST and to the Professors thereof If you have not sinned that Sin unto death Peace be unto you and Peace be to your House through the Grace of Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace Men and Brethren Sect. 1 I Cannot pass any of you without a bitter sigh lamenting your Ignorance who do please your selves in reproaching others not having the knowledge to discern betwixt one sort of Professors and another but judge all alike and if you get but a Scandal by the end it shall not be suddenly laid down by you nay many of you do wait for our haltings and if but one do miscarry you will be sure to say that they are all such accusing all the Separated Congregations which in this Nation have Separated from the Parish Assemblies as Munster Baptists and Followers of John of Leyden whose Heresies notwithstanding we abhor as also they were abhorred by the Servants of the Lord of that time as may be seen in the History of this Iron Age yea if any fals Doctrin or Practise hath risen up many of you have laid it at our doors as when that notorious vile and abominable Practise of the Ranters did arise O how were we whose Souls do abhor all incivility and unchast actions branded with their lacivious wayes and what an Odium hath been cast upon our Meetings and wayes of Administring the holy Ordinances of the most holy and glorious God which we have ever desired and laboured to observe in a comely and decent manner all which scorn and derision cast upon us we well hope by our Conversations in a great part is wiped away and with the help of divine Grace we shall dayly labour to keep a Conscience void of offence both toward God and toward man that the Worship which we perform to him in his Christ may be approvable and to you more acceptable Sect. 2 Now as we have both by Preaching and Printing declared our selves Non Consentors to all the aforesaid Iniquities and Unrighteous acts against God or man in the mean time there hath risen up a most Pernitious Stratagem of Satan whereby to delude the Children of God and men The Doctrine and Practise is generally known it is a Teaching up the Light within all Men c. I need not express my self in any other terms although you have another Name for the conformists to that Notion which I judge doth not so fully include it and therefore I call them that are in Unity with that Principle the Messengers of Antichrist and the Spirit is his and the Doctrine also a clear discription whereof you have in this Book Sect. 3 And although we have both Preached and Printed against this Device of Satan and have born Witness very much against this Delusion yet so simple are some both People and Teachers as to rank us with them as Co-partners and such as are espoused to that Doctrine which Teacheth up the Law or Light within all Men c. But the Lord knows it and so shall you one day if you shall not believe it now That to entertain such a Doctrine would be to commit a Rape not only upon our very Consciences but also upon our meanest Principles and it is no small grief to us to bear the least tittle of their Inventions neither do we either Preach or Practise any thing at all as from them And to take off all your Suspitions and to resolve even those things in which you your selves are in the dark as also to quit our selves in preventing your ruin by that deceit as we in some measure have done by those Opportunities which we have had Even so now I who am very insufficient to
God is not in all his thoughts but as saith the same Prophet Psal 69. 32. The humble shall see this and be glad and your heart shall live that seek God Sect. 12 The humble do see themselves in a lost and undone Estate by reason of Sin which they and all the world are guilty of by the Sentence of the righteous Law of God they are so broken in their spirits finding themselves under the Curse of the Law Gal. 3. 10 That as Christ teacheth concerning the penetant Publican Luke 18. 10. thinking themselves not worthy to lift up their eyes to Heaven do smite their breasts saying God be merciful to us Sinners while the proud Pharisee rejoycing in himself and in his own Righteousness of the Law like those that now Preach up the Light within exalteth himself saying God I thank thee I am not as other men are Extortioners Unjust Adulterers or even as this Publican Oh with what affection doth the Repentant Believer receive Jesus Christ Oh how precious is the Blood of Sprinkling to him Heb. 12. 24. Which the proud Legalist Pharisee Papist and pretended Preacher up of the Light within do trample under their feet Sect. 13 Even as Water is to a thirsty Land Psal 143. 6. or to the panting Hart Psal 42. 1. which being at the point of death except it be refreshed by the Water Brooks doth expire So is it with the poor Believer who finding himself beset on every side with the guilt and burthen of his Sins which he not able to bear flees from but is still pursued with the guilt thereof until he meets with Christ who sets him free from the guilt and takes away the burthen of his Sins giveth him assurance of peace with God through the Satisfaction which he hath made to his Justice by the Sacrifice of himself for all his sins that are past and requiring this late lost Creature now to follow him he bringeth him to his Fathers house makes him a Son of God by Adoption and giveth him the holy Spirit whereby he may both know that God is his Father and be inabled to serve him in newness of spirit promiseth him that his Grace shall be sufficient for him to relieve him in all his Temptations in this world and that by his Mediation with God he will so secure him from the Calumnious Accusations of Satan that he shâ—â—l not be able to lay any thing to his Charge in the Court of Heaven and now requiring him to be faithful to the death assureth him that he will give him the Crown of life Oh what glorious Grace is this Oâ— hâ—w is he that was Sentenced to death and pursued with the Executioners thereof meeting with Jesus Christ and being by him not only delivered from the power of his Puâ—suers but also intituled to Everlasting Life refreshed and comforted who is able to express the consolation of the water of Life John 4. 10. which Jesus Christ gives to refresh the fainting Spirits of those he meets with that while they flee from sin are pursued with the Law Sin and Death and are never able by all the strength they have to deliver themselves from the power of those their Enemies until Jesus Christ interpose with the might of his power relieve them by his grace delivering the poor broken in spirit that are pursued with the guilt power and wages of Sin from the Law Sin and Death speaking peace to them in the pardon of their sins sprinkling his Blood upon their spirits to cleanse them from the guilt thereof and giving them the holy Spirit John 7. 37 38 39. to strengthen them against the Reigning power of Sin and thereby intituling them to life Everlasting and to the deliverance from the wages of Sin which is Everlasting Death Sect. 14 Oh how contrary is the Doctrine of the Gospel to the Doctrine of those that Preach up the Light within all men as that which though it be but the work of the Law Rom. 2. 15. is sufficient in the opinion of these followers of the Romish Synagogue to lead out of all Sin and eternally to save and therefore contrary to the practice of the Apostles who direct unto Christ all the weary and heavy laden with sin with Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the Sins of the World John 1. 29. These Messengers of Satan lead all such as follow them from Christ to themselves setting up themselves under pretence of the Light within and rejecting that which is indeed the Light viz. the Word of the Prophets of Christ and of his Apostles 2 Pet. 1. 19. which is written in the Scriptures of Truth Dan. 10. 21. they set up that which is indeed the Darkness of this world the Traditions of men the Doctrines of the Romish Harlot and other Adversaries to the Doctrine of the Gospel which they deliver by word of mouth and disperse in their written Books and Pamphlets CHAP. II. Wherein is shewed That the Doctrine of these that call themselves Preachers of and to the Light within all men is not according to the Doctrine of Jesus Christ expressed in the Scriptures of Truth neither concerning the Person of Christ nor the Father Son and Spirit nor the Light nor the Ordinances of Christ nor the Resurrection of the Dead nor the Coming of Christ nor the End of the World Also the Doctrine which is according to Godliness as it relates to these Particulars is here manifested Sect. 1 THe second thing which I lay to thy Charge which teachest that People should be guided by the Light which is within all men is That thy Doctrine is not according to the Doctrine of the Scriptures neither concerning the Conception of Jesus Christ nor the Divine Being of the Father Son and Spirit nor the Light nor the Ordinances of Christ nor the Resurrection of the Dead nor the Coming of Christ nor the End of the World and therefore thou art led by the Spirit of Antichrist Sect. 2 First Because thou dost not confess that by vertue of the Holy Spirit his coming upon and the Power of the Highest his overshadowing that visible woman called Mary that that man Christ Jesus was conceived of the Holy Spirit and made of the Woman without her knowing of man and that he is the only begotten Son of God both according to the Spirit of Holiness Rom. 1. 3 4. and also as he is a man of flesh and bones and that there is none nor can be any that is the Son of God in that sense that that God-man Christ Jesus was and is the Son of God from and to all Eternity according to the Spirit of Holiness and also in the fulness of time according to the flesh Gal. 4. 4. I say because thou dost not own this Person which I here speak of to be the only begotten Son of God and no other but he in all the world beside Therefore thou art deceived and art a Deceiver for thou sayest
his Disobedience against God and his Holy will revealed in his Testament the Scriptures of Truth suggesting unto the Workers of Wickedness That after Death they shall be hid in the Grave from coming forth from thence to judgment Therefore the Doctors of Antichrist do deny Jesus Christ which dyed at Jerusalem they deny both the Father and the Son they deny the Resurrection of Christ they hate and despise his Ordinances oppose and revile his People they sin and transgress without stay until they dye in Unbelief thinking that there shall be no Resurrection of their Bodies out of the Earth but that the Grave shall be a hiding-place to shelter them from the Judgment of the Great Day But thus saith the Truth There is no Darkness nor Shadow of Death where the workers of Iniquity may hide themselves Job 34. 22. Sect. 16 But Sathan that he might perswade his Servants to go on securely in their Disobedience against God and to yield up themselves wholly to the Counsel of the Prince of Darkness to strengthen them hereunto doth suggest unto them that there is no such things to be expected as those which the Faithfull in all Ages have looked for viz. The coming of Christ to judgment and the end of the World Yet lest a positive denyal of these Glorious Truths should discover from what Spirit that Denial doth proceed he hath taught his Ministers to hide their Designe and to make as if they opposed not the things themselves but only some such manner of accomplishment of them as is not promised They call all such carnal as look and wait for the coming of Christ from Heaven out of them they pronounce Woes upon such as say That Christ is not yet come to judgment and that the World is not yet ended But why is it but because they look for no such thing nor have they assurance of Peace in that day They boast that Christ is come to them neither look they for any other coming That the World is ended with them neither look they for any other end That the Judgment is past with them neither look they for any other Judgment But why is all this but because they do deny that which is indeed the coming of Christ in glory the everlasting inheritance of the Saints the judgment of Christ upon his Enemies and the end of the World when the Heavens shall pass away with a great noise and the Elements shall melt with fervent heat the Earth also and the Works that are therein shall be burnt up For as testifieth the Apostle The Heavens and the Earth which are now by the same Word of God are kept in store reserved unto fire against the Day of Judgment and perdition of ungodly See 1 Thess 1. 6 7 8 9 10. men 2 Pet. 3. 7 10. Who seeth not except those whose eyes the God of this World hath blinded that they that now call themselves Preachers of and to the Light within all men are the Scoffers that the Apostle Peter said should come in the last times walking after their own Lusts and saying Where is the Promise of his coming 2 Pet. 3. 3 4. yea the great Prophet the Lord Jesus Christ hath foretold of these Seducers and Deceivers as other the Lords Prophets also have done saying There shall arise False Christs and False Prophets which shall shew great signes and wonders to deceive if it be possible the very Elect But that the Chosen of God may be preserved from the Deceits of this great Antichrist Christ hath foretold with what Lyes the Truth of his coming should by Satan and his Instruments be opposed and hath also so described the manner of his coming that all that believe on his Name may know assuredly as the True Christ from the False so his true coming from a pretended coming which the False Christs and False Prophets shall avouch for the True Christ and his True coming with these words Behold he is in the Desart behold he is in the secret Chamber see here see there Matth. 24. 23 24 25 26. all which the Lord warns his Disciples neither to go after follow or believe and withal gives such a Description of the manner of his coming as is altogether inconsistent with the false Christs and false Prophets Description which intimates That Christs coming which his Saints know shall be glorious and therefore publick shall be and is so private weak and dishonourable that some shall not know that he is come till they shew where he is with their Behold he is in the Desart behold he is in the Secret Chamber see here or see there for saith Christ As the Lightening that lighteneth out of the one part under Heaven shineth to the other part under Heaven so also shall the Son of man be in his day Luke 17. 23. or according to Matthew as the lightening cometh out of the East and shineth even unto the West so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be Matt. 24. 26 27. In which words four things are laied down to vindicate the great and glorious coming of Christ 1. That he will absolutely come as doth the Lightening Who can deny the coming of the Lightening It is as absolute and certain that Christ will come though some do both deny and oppose it but Christ will come certainly and absolutely as is testified by Christ himself and his Apostles in the Scriptures Immediately saith he after the Tribulation of those dayes shall the Sun be darkened and the Moon shall not give her Light and the Starrs shall fall from Heaven and the Powers of the Heaven shall be shaken and then shall appear the signe of the Son of man in Heaven and then shall all the Tribes of the Earth mourn and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the Clouds of Heaven with Power and great glory Mat. 24. 29 30. For the Lord himself saith Paul shall descend from Heaven with ashout with the voice of the Arch Angel and with the Trump of God c. 1 Thes 4. 15 16. For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and will not tarry Heb. 10. 37. He saith John that testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen even so come Lord Jesus Revel 22. 20. Thus it is evident that Christ will certainly come But 2. He will come suddainly as the Lightening cometh as the Lightening cometh suddainly and unexpectedly so also will Christ especially to those that oppose and deny his coming as the Scripture witnesseth But of that Day and Hour saith Christ knoweth no man no not the Angels of Heaven but my Father only but as the dayes of Noah were so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be For in the dayes that were before the flood they were eating and drinking marrying and giving in marriage until the day that Noah entred into the Ark and knew not untill the Floud came and took them all away so shall also