ministred by the hearing of faith preached as wel as sometimes immediatly both which administrations I own as true But I come now to his other main Tenent which chiefly tendeth to the disparagement of the Scriptures and which chiefly ingageth men to oppose him in it as a work of Sathan And why should not I whiles I am in the world what in me lieth indeavour to destroy the works of the devil see 1 Joh 3.8 He saith further in his Book against Baxter speaking of the Apostles that they did never say the letter was the Word And in his 7th Querie in the end of his Book he enquireth whether the word of God can be changed or can it admit of several meanings as to one particular thing A I Answer that James Naylor may wrest the Scriptures to his own destruction and he is not so infallible but he may misunderstand the genuine meaning 2 Pet. 3.16 2. He enquireth whether it be visible or invisible A I answer the Word was made flesh and dwelt on earth and is now visible in Heaven and yet is here invisibly in spirit in the hearts of his people but how the word was made flesh James Naylor understandeth not 3. He enquireth is there any word but one or whether was that word before the letter and shal be when the letter is turned to dust A. To which I answer that Christ the essential word is but one we own but one Christ who shal remain when the Quakers have burnt their Bibles if they wil burn them as some of them have said it were all one to them if the Bibles were all burnt Foster by name hath so exprest himself and they say they are all of one mind then such esteem they have all of the sacred scriptures which we account of as not only the word of men but the word of God as so I shal make to appear that it is not blasphemy as they most wickedly assert but our bounden duty to own and call it the word of God and that it is blasphemy in them to deny it and cal it carnal and a dead letter And the Lord assisting I shal prove 1. That there is not only one but many words yea words of God so taken in scripture 2. That what God hath spoken is his word 3. That whatever Christ hath spoken who is the essentia word is also the word of God 4. That all scriptures given by inspiration of God and all expressions of men unto which they are moved by the Holy Ghost are the words of God and that it is not they that speak but the spirit of their Father that speaketh in them 5. That every word of God is pure and also true by whomsoever spoken but nor such lies as these of the Quakers but they are the words of another spirit then the spirit of God as I trust in God to make it manifest as so I ought And before I begin for fuller satisfaction how they account of the scriptures take notice that I find it in a little Book called The holy Scriptures clearing it self from scandals or an Answer to a Book written by Richard Farnworth who is commonly called a Quaker written by Thomas Polard who had opposed them by argum nt in a publick way Which Thomas Polard saith that they cal the scripture carnal and a dead letter and say it wil never bring a man to the knowledg of God but that all that is gotten from the scripture is but brain knowledg And I find in a Book of Naylors against one Thomas Moore how he answereth this to wit being asked by Moore whether the writing of the Prophets and Apostles be a dead letter He answereth that without the spirit it is nor can any without that spirit that gave them forth understand them or know the voices of Prophets or Apostles aledging Luk 24.45 Act 13.27 A 1. But where doth the scripture or the spirit of God cal the scripture a dead letter or carnal and that it wil never bring a man to the knowledg of God but that all that is gotten from it is but brain knowledg A 2. Where is it said in scripture that the spirit of God and the scripture are seperated The words that Christ hath spoken they are spirit and they are life and Moses said unto the people set your hearts unto all the words that I testifie unto you this day which ye shal command your Children to observe to do all the words of this Law for it is not a vain thing for you for it is your life and through this thing yee shall prolong your daies Deut 32.46 47. And again the law is spiritual faith saith the Apostle I am carnal Rom 7. and Prov 2. My sonn if thou wilt receive my words and hide my Commandements with thee so that thou incline thine ear to wisdom and apply thine heart unto understanding if thou seekest for her as silver and searchest for her as for hid treasures Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledg of God see v 1 2 3 4 5. See also Pro 3.1 2. My sonn forget not my Law but let thine heart keep my Commandements For length of daies and long life and peace shal they add to thee see also ch 4.1 2 3 4. Let thine heart retain my words keep my Commandements and live And ver 13. Take fast hold of instruction let her not go keep her for she is thy life Consider I say whether the wisdome of God so pathetically expressing her self to us if possible to perswade us to attend and hearken to the words of his mouth and to keep his Commandements and instructions and treasure them in our hearts as words of life to our souls and marrow to our bones as in another place and that for this end we should teach them to our Children as I might be large upon any of these Texts But whether I say doth the wisdome of God account the scripture as a dead letter let all wise men judg and whether they have not in them more spirit of life and power then the words and writings of James Naylor and whether they ought not rather to be observed and beleeved and trusted in for eternal life Now it is evident that the directions of James Naylor as a way to be infallibly guided and to attaine unto life and peace and rest for our souls is one thing and these directions are another his directions are to attend and hearken to that spirit and light within though it be a question whether it be the spirit of God or a lying spirit and a question whether there be at all any light within but grosse darkness and he that is in darkness knoweth not whither he goeth til he be enlightned by the Word and Spirit But he that hateth his Brother is in darkness until this present time it were wisdom therefore for James Naylor himself to try his spirii and light by the Law and
THE QUAKERS Quaking Principles EXAMINED AND REFUTED In a briefe answer to some erroneous Tenets held forth by James Naylor in his Answers unto Mr Baxter and some others that have publikely opposed that blacke spirit in the deluded Quakers Wherein is also included a serious Admonition how wee ought to behave our selves towards the Ministers of the Gospell in respect of communicating unto them and for giving to the poore so as the Gospell requires and to beware of covetousnesse and the effects thereof least wee be left of God and delivered up unto strong delusions and a blasphemous spirit instead of the Spirit of God The heads of the whole Discourse are also premised Written by ELLIS BRADSHAVVE And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion that they should beleeve a lye That they all might be damned who beleeved not the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse see 2 Thess 2.11 12. LONDON Printed for Lodowicke Lloyd and are to be sould at his shop at the Castle in Cornehill 1656. TO HIS HIGHNES THE LORD PROTECTOR Of England Scotland and Ireland with the Dominions thereof MAy it please your Highnesse I have made bold being advised thereunto to presume so farre as to Dedicate and commend this little Treatise to your serious consideration The which I should not have don though advised to it being so meane a man Had I not been perswaded that your Highnes will approve of the contents hereof Or had I not also conceived that your approbation and publike owning and incouragement thereof would much tend to the glory of God and the good of his people And so by consequence also not onely to the fullfilling of your minde and desires being bent that way but it will really tend for your honour advantage in many respects which I could easily name One whereof is that though the Treatise is little yet it hath much in it that by the blessing of God may strongly tend for turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children unto their fathers as Mala 4.6 Least the Lord should come and finding us devided smite the earth with a curse I meane for so wee ought to apply it for turning the hearts of the Ministers unto the people and the hearts of the people unto their Ministers Least the Lord finding us in a devided seperated malignant posture each against others should smite the earth with a curse for our sakes instead of causing the blessing to rest in our houses upon all that we have Now it is evident that Satan and all his instruments especially the Quakers labour with all their might and are too powerfull quite to the contrary as in this Treatise it will appeare That it is the chiefe designe of Satan in the Quakers to render the Ministers odious to the people that so hee might make their doctrines and labours utterly ineffectuall And I being confident that your Highnes is not Ignorant of these things nor of the ends and devices of Satan For I have not written to your Highnes because you know not the truth but because you know it and that no lye is of the truth And againe being also confident that your Highnes much desireth and is exceeding glad of all opportunities and meanes to effect this accordance amongst all the faithfull Ministers and people of God which doth much commend the goodnesse of your spirit through the grace of God in the sight of all good men that know your minde I have made bold to commend this Treatise the more to ingage your Highnes the rather to reade it Being a little jealous least your many and great affaires should withdraw your minde to sleight and neglect it before you know it Especially in regard here is included divers pressing arguments and that from Scripture-grounds such as cannot be reproved To ingage the people in love and duty to their faithfull Ministers freely to communicate and make them pertakers with them in all good things so as the Gospell requires Which love and dutyes Christianly performed so as really to proove the naturalnes of their love will doubtles ingage the hearts of the Ministers unto the people It being the nature of true cordiall affection such love I meane as commeth of God to be reciprocall And what happinesse attendeth both the Ministers and people that are in such a case Especially in respect of the blessing of God is clearely held forth Psal 133. Behold saith David how good and how pleasant a thing it is for brethren to dwell together in unitie vers 1. For there the Lord hath commanded the blessing even life for evermore vers 3. And so the Apostle biddeth us Be perfect be of one minde live in peace and the God of love and peace shall be with us 2 Cor 14.11 Now what better meanes can wee use for compleating all this happinesse to our selves and posterities Then to provoke one another unto love and to good workes And one thing I dare say that through the grace of God here are divers Arguments and doctrines for provoking to good workes which have never yet that I know of been published before either by word or writing from Gospell-foundations but in this Treatise But it is not suitable for mee to commend it but let it praise it selfe nor should I have done it at all but to ingage your Highnes not to neglect to reade it and take speciall notice of such a serious buisinesse so strongly opposed and of such high concernment to all our soules Thus hoping in God your Highnes will grant me this desired favour as with deliberation to reade it over when time will permit I Commit you to the guidance and protection of God and rest your loving faithfull and obedient Souldier ELLIS BRADSHAVVE The heads of the chiefe things herein prooved against James Naylor and others of his Complices are 1. THat it is not the Gospell nor the Scripture in generall which is called the letter by the Apostle Paul Rom 2.27.29 Chap 7.6 2 Cor 3.6 But the Law onely and that but in some respects 2. That there is more lights then one yea then that within that are properly spoken of and called lights in Scripture which Naylor denyeth 3. That there is more words of God then one and so properly called in Scripture which he denyeth 4. That the Scriptures are the words and word of God and properly so called in Scripture which hee denyeth 5. That there is no man justified by faith in Christ but he loveth the Scriptures and will owne them as words of spirit and life and that to him and therefore will not call them a dead letter and carnall c. as the Quakers doe 6. The absurditie of Naylors directorie to a light within and to desert the Scriptures and the teachings of men discovered 7. That James Naylor is not infallibly guided but either grossely erreth through delusion or is obstinately wicked in maintaining such things as
are herein named 8. That the Quakers are clearely under a degree of blasphemy and in what perticulars evidenly demonstrated 9. That they are acted and mooved by an evill and malitious spirit which is not of God prooved from Scripture 10. That they shall bring upon themselves swift destruction unlesse they humble themselves greatly in the sight of God and repent and turne 11. That Naylor for all his profession of perfection and infallibilitie and knowing of all things yet hee teacheth us nothing except lyes but what wee knew before the which is clearely Illustrated 12. That James Naylor and his complices are sent with strong delusions and for what end and cause cleared from Scripture 13. That Satan hath Commission to be a lying spirit in their mouthes 14. That they shuffle up their lyes closely amongst many knowne truths to make them feizible 15. That if the Ranters doctrine had been feizible the Devill would never have transformed his Ministers so like to the Ministers of righteousnesse Though his designe is the same in the Quakers as in the Ranters in some chiefe respects 16. Some Queries proposed to Naylor Requiring Scripture-ground for what hee asserteth which he never yet gave nor can I suppose 17. That Christ who is the true light and inlightneth every one that commeth into the world yet doth not inlighten them all sufficiently by immediate lumination no not all the Elect themselves so as to bring them to salvation But doth it mediately by the Scriptures and teachings of men to bring them to the knowledge of God and of Christ for the saving of their soules 18. That it is the same designe of Satan in the doctrines of the Quakers which hee had in the Popish Hierarchy when they inhibited the Scriptures to be read or knowne in their owne mother-tongues to the Layitie to wit to keepe them in Ignorance one of the chiefest policies that Satan hath to perpetuate his kingdome in the darke world 19. That James Naylors Directorie is quite contradictory to the Directorie of Scripture And is as much to some men as if hee should expresly bid them to eye and observe and obey Satan instead of the Spirit of God 20. That yet they have not Commission to deceive the Elect totally and finally but such as received not the truth in love 21. That in the Judgement of charitie wee may well beleeve at least that all those people are not obstinately thus lead but Satan deceiveth them and maketh them beleeve that it is no other but the Spirit of God that acteth and teacheth them when notwithstanding it is but himselfe And how he deceiveth them is shewed at large 22. An objection is answered to wit how they come to be so spirited and acted and changed from what they were before If it be not indeed the Spirit of God In answer whereunto is shewed by what stepps and degrees they attaine these things 23. A serious Admonition to beware of the least of those stepps whereby they come to be delived up of God to such strong delusions and to be spirited and acted by that lying spirit instead of the Spirit of truth which stepps are chiefely these 1. Satan by his Ministers worketh them up to a dislike of the Ministers of God and of the Christian professors 2. Of all the Ordinances of God 3. Of the Scriptures themselves as all but carnall and a dead letter and vaine unto them 4. To Reproach and despise them which is expresse blasphemie and then hee hath power to spirit them and act them at pleasure 24. Here is also added a paralell List of some of the manifest contradictions betwixt the teachings of that spirit in the Quakers and the expresse teachings of the Spirit of God A BREEFE ANSWER To some erroneous TENENTS held forth by JAMES NAYLOR In his Answers unto Baxter and some others that have publickly opposed that black Spirit in the deluded QVAKERS to wit HE alledgeth that Scripture Rom 10.8 The word is nigh thee in thy heart and in thy mouth And further he saith that this word of Faith the Apostles preached which was in peoples hearts All which in some sence is true and he saith further that such were not Ministers of the letter but of the Spirit The which in some sence must needs also be true for it is in the scripture But he saith further Nor did ever say the letter was the Word The which I utterly deny if he mean by the letter any part of Scripture the which I shal make appeare by the help of God from many Scripture grounds which he owneth in his Answers unto Baxter as truths of God I mean the scripture But first I must clear the meaning of those words of the Apostle to wit Not of the letter but of the Spirit for the letter killeth but the spirit giveth life 2 Cor 3.6 Now it is plain what rhe Spirit of God intendeth by it if we read the Verses following to wit 7 8 9. where the Apostle maketh a comparison betwixt the glory of the Law and that of the Gospel the ministration of Moses and that of Christ and therein maketh the Law as a ministration of condemnation and of death but the ministration of the Gospel the ministration of the Spirit and of Righteousness which is through Jesus Christ and so of life So that his meaning is clear to any that wil understand that he doth not mean as though the Apostles did not Preach and ground their Doctrines from sacred Scripture but that by preaching of Faith from scripture grounds they minister life to those that were spiritually slain by the letter of the Law For in regard that no flesh can be justified in the sight of God by keeping of the Law in regard they cannot fulfil it in every point and therefore lye under death and condemnation spiritually I mean being condemned by it in their souls and Consciences and as it were bound over unto death and hel without hope of recovery and that unto all eternity in their own apprehensions in the fight of God having transgressed the Law They so remain as it were without hope and without God in the world til it pleaseth God to revive and quicken them to a lively hope and confidence in God by the ministration of the spirit of life which is not ministred by Preaching the works of the Law but by the hearing of faith preached see Gal 3.2 So that it is clear what the Apostle meaneth and intendeth to teach us when he declared that they were able Ministers not of the letter but of the spirit and that spirit within if it be of God doth so apprehend it and wil own it as a truth of God And therefore James Naylor is either much mistaken and so is but fallibly guided or else obstinately wicked in drawing such inferences from this scripture as to account them no Ministers of God that are Ministers of the letter and ground their Doctrines thereon For the Spirit is
and that in publick which was the old Testament But James Naylor saith he may read all his life the Letter of the Scriptures and therewith come amongst the Parish Ministers and never discern the voyce of Christ See page 45. in his book against Moore To the which I answer It is true that such who are none of the sheep of Christ may indeed read the Scriptures and heare them read and preached all their lives and yet never know the voyce of Christ in them so as to follow him but they will rather follow strangers instance James Naylor But such who are his sheep they know his voyce and will follow him and not the stranger yea by what means soever he speaketh unto them mediatly or immediatly and they account the Scripture as the word of God himselfe as if he should speak unto them by an audible voyce and they know them to be written for their learning that they through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope And it is no disparagement to the Scripture the Letter as he calls it that some despise it and regard it not but undervalue it and let it slip Nor to the words of Christ himselfe and his Apostles nor to his Ministers now because many people did not profit by them nor do not know them in regard they are not mixed with faith in such as heare them For it is they that are of God they hear Gods word and they that are Christs sheep know his voyce and obey and follow him But some therefore heare them not because they are not of God and some obey not his voyce because they are none of his sheep John 10 and Chap. 8.47 But Naylor often produceth the non-proficiencie of the people as a ground of disparagement to the Ministers of the word yea and to the word it self the Letter I mean the which I shall prove to be the word of God And first that there is not onely one but many words of God and so called in Scripture it is plain to any rational Christian that knoweth the Scriptures 1. Psalm 12.6 The words of the Lord are pure words like silver tried in a Furnace of earth purified seven times 1 Arg. Now the words of the Lord are words of God 2 Arg. And words in the plural number must needs include more then one Conclus Therefore there is as certainly as that the Scripture is true more words of God then one spoken of in Scripture 2. Prov. v 30.5 Every word of God is pure he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him Now this word Every includeth more then either one or two words and that of God 3. 1 Thess 2.13 where the Apostle saith Because when yee received the word of God which ye heard of us yee received it not as the word of men but as it is in truth the word of God From whence it is clear that the word which they heard of the Apostles was in truth the word of God Even that audible word which they heard of the Apostles yea heard them speak 4. 1 Tim. 5.17 Especially them that labour in the Word and Doctrine 5. 2 Tim. 2.9 But the word of God is not bound 6. Heb. 6.5 And have tasted of the good word of God 7. Jam. 1.18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth 8. And verse 21. And receive with meeknesse the ingrafted word which is able to save your souls And verse 22. And be yee doers of the word and not hearers onely deceiving your own souls Quest Can any of these be meant of Christ How improper had it been to have said Be ye Doers of Christ in stead of Be ye doers of the word 9. See Deut. 8.3 But by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God Obser Observe how improper it had been to have said Every Christ that proceedeth out of the mouth of God 10. Psa 68.11 The Lord gave the word great was the company of those that published it Observe It it is not said him but It. 11. Isai 2.3 For out of Zyon shall go forth the Law and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem 12. Jer. 6.10 The word of the Lord is unto them a reproach they have no delight in it 13. Amos 8.11 12. A famine of hearing the words of the Lord. 14. Matth. 13.23 He that receiveth seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word and understandeth it And Luke 8.11 12. 15. The seed is the word of God Those by the way side are they that heard then cometh the Devil and taketh away the word out of their hearts lest they should believe and be saved Could the Devil take Christ out of their hearts after once received how absurd were it 16. John 5.24 He that heareth my word and beleeveth on him that sent me hath everlasting life 17. Acts 4.31 And they spake the word of God boldly 18. Acts 6.2 It is not meet that we should leave the word of God and serve the tables And verse 7. And the word of God increased and the number of the Disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly Quest. Had it been proper to have said That Christ increased 19. Acts 8.14 15 16. Samaria had received the word of God and yet the holy Ghost was not come down upon any of them Conseq So they had received the Word but not the Spirit and so not Christ by James Naylors account if there be no more but Christ 20. Act 12.24 But the word of God grew and multiplied Did Christ grow and multiply See also chap. 13.44 and verse 46 48 49. And chap. 15.35 36. And chap. 19.20 2 Cor. 4.2 Ephes 6.17 All which are clearly meant of the teaching and preaching of the word of God and of the growth thereof Assertion 2. to wit That what ever God hath spoken is his word or words The which I prove thus it is written Exod 20.1 And God spake all these words saying Conseq Therefore when God speaketh his expressions are called words or a word See Psalm 68.11 The Lord gave the word great was the Company of those that published it Arg. But if what God speaketh is his word or words Conseq Then it must necessarily follow that all Scripture is the word of God and the particular words of it are words of God and altogether they are his word See Heb. 1.2 God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake unto our Fathers in times past by the Prophets hath in these last times spoken unto us by his Son whom he hath appointed Heir of all things by whom also he made the worâ—ds See also Chap. 12.25 See that yee refuse not him that speaketh Also Luke 1.69 As he spake by the mouth of his holy Prophets which have been since the world began Observe he spake it by the mouth of his holy Prophets and of his Apostles and af his Son Therefore all such speakings and expressions are the words and
Ingrossing of all the Ministers of God under the name of Antichristian Ministers if they owne a Law without and a light without and a word without and a Church without a Baptisme without Praises and singing without and a Christ without and righteousnesse without as well as within as so they ought is from the Spirit of God but they doe at presumptuously Nor doe I thinke it any lesse then under a degree of blasphemie against Christ so to vilifie and reproach his Ministers for so hee accounteth it Hee that despiseth you despiseth mee and hee that despiseth mee despiseth him that sent mee c. And all such poore ignorant people as by their example and ministration are perswaded to speake and act against the Ministers of God in such an opprobrious blasphemous manner it is great marvaile if the Justice of God doe not deliver them up to the power of Satan to be acted by him and to be led captive by him at his will and pleasure who like a roaring Lyon walketh about seeking whom hee may devoure or whom hee may possesse for the destruction of their bodyes or their soules or both as the Lord in Justice shall give him leave And if I be not deceived it is so with some their countenances bewray them that they are acted and mooved by an evill and malicious Spirit which is not of God Those darke and stolen spirits that looke through their eyes I meane of some of them that I have seene are at the greatest distance from the spirit of love which is the Spirit of God of any spirits that ever I discernd through the eyes of men where they are to be discernd or not at all for spirits are invisible unlesse they assume a shape of some thing that is visible yet they are discernable through the eyes of men if well considered And the discerning of spirits is one of those gifts of the Spirit of God that are given unto men to profit withall see 1 Cor 12.8 9 10. But their rancorous and bitter carping and catching at every misplaced word or syllable and following it so close and vehemently to the disparagement of mens persons and professions what in them lyeth by giving them hatefull and reproachfull language in stead of clearing up the truth by dint of argument And the vilifying of those whom I know to be Saints and servants of God doth fully confirme mee in this opinion that they are not acted by the Spirit of God but by a wicked malicious and lying spirit For the Spirit of God reproacheth not his Saints But especially and above all their under-valuing of the Scriptures calling them but the letter as if they were not spirituall and denying to owne them as the word of God as so the Devill and the prophane Ranters have done before them who were the first that ever I heard doe it Which cannot possibly have any other end or tendency but to perswade the people to slight and neglect them and to eye onely what light they have already within them that so if any be possessed with a false and lying corrupt spirit or if the Prince of the ayre who ruleth in the children of disobedience be there already hee might still continue and not be cast out but keepe his credit and power and dominion which the knowledge of the Scriptures would discover and dissipate if they should attend and listen thereunto For what other tendency can it have to direct them so much to a light within but to make men beleeve that what ever motion cometh into their mindes is of the Spirit of God and ought to be obeyed that so they may follow the wayes of their owne hearts and the vanities of their owne mindes and so run headlong to destruction without trying of the spirits whether they be of God as the Scriptures injoyne them and will direct them also for how should they try them but by such Rules as are held forth in the Scripture which was written for our learning and not to be slighted and laid aside as a dead letter or as uselesse and unvaluable or like a nose of wax pervertible at pleasure for though it is true that some doe pervert it and wrest it for their own ends and purposes yet it is saith the Apostle to their owne destruction As so doe but marke the successe of James Naylor and all his complices unlesse they repent and humble themselves greatly before the Lord if it doth not bring them to destruction at last 2 Pet 3.16 It is as dangerous to the soule to wrest or pervert or disparage the Scriptures as kicking against prickes is to the body hee that undervalueth and disparageth the Scriptures doth it to the Lord himselfe whose word it is as hath been clearely prooved But I looke for no other but like Jannes and Jambres they should resist the truth yet the promise I expect to be fullfilled against them that their madnesse and folly shall be discovered and made manifest unto all men even as theirs also was see 2 Tim 3.8 9. Their wrestings and turnings of devices shall be but as the potters clay their bed is too short and their covering too narrow they cannot wrap themselves See also 2 Pet. 2.1 the end of such â—â—e teachers who deny the Lord that bought them whether they shall not bring upon themselves swift destruction As so it is manifest James Naylor doth for hee utterly denyeth the manhood of Christ who dyed for us and who was in all things like unto us sinne onely excepted and therefore hee maketh no account of a Christ without us and at a distance nor one that is visible having a visible body which the heavens must containe till all things be restored And hee shall appeare againe the second time without sinne unto salvation The Scripture is cleare that the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us saith the Apostle and they saw his shape as the shape of the onely begotten Sonne of God full of grace and truth But great is the mystery of godlinesse God was manifest in the flesh justified in the Spirit seene of Angels beleeved on in the world and received up into glorie It is indeed such a mysterie as James Naylor understands not else hee durst not sleight it and so undervalue the person of Christ or of his words either as now hee doth But this is so grosse and palpable a doctrine that hee dareth scarce expresly owne it when men of understanding are present there being thousands of Scriptures make it so clearely manifest both in the old and new Testament which makes him dumbe and silent when questioned in that point And yet he will needs be accounted infallible and as some great Prophet and as though he had some extraordinary Revelations that no man else had knowne before him And yet he teacheth us nothing except lyes but what wee knew before Who that is versd in Scripture but he knoweth that Christ is the true light who lighteneth every
the cleare evidence and demonstration of the Spirit And doth hee not herein teach men to despise his teachings also Have all a like measure of the Spirit and of power and of understanding But such who have more both can and ought to communicate it and to administer it what in them lyeth to such who want it or have the lesse But they that have it not cannot possibly administer it nor obtaine it neither but as it pleaseth God to give it forth unto them mediately or immediately And have all the people a like measure of light or are they alike capable or comprehensive of it though it be taught them precept upon precept and line upon line here a little and there a little as it were by drops distilled into them let wise men judge Are there not some people spoken of in Scripture that were a people of no understanding therefore hee that made them would have no mercy on them and hee that formed them would have no compassion on them And are there not some spoken of in Scripture that are sensuall having not the Spirit Jude And is not the manifestation of the Spirit given to every man to whom it is given to profit withall and whom shall they profit if all be alike qualified and need no teaching And is there not diversities of gifts of that selfe same Spirit and all for edifying of the body of Christ till wee all grow up to a full stature which is not yet attained no not by Naylor himselfe for all his boastings of his infallibilitie and purenesse from sinne And I doe beleeve that he keepeth within compasse and as free from any notorious sinne in the sight of men as hee possibly can and that for credit of his doctrine And so without all question Satan is willing to cloake them with any externall righteousnesse and with good words and doctrines and faire speeches to deceive the hearts of the simple and especially on this condition that hee may but stablish their doctrine and draw men off from the use of meanes and ordinances and from the teachings of men and to neglect the Scriptures For this would still continue and increase his kingdome unto all generations for where the Scriptures are not knowne nor the ordinances administred in power and puritie his kingdome is in peace and hee ruleth at pleasure in the children of disobedience and persecuteth the Elect and keepeth them in ignorance as is well knowne to all that know any thing What blindnesse and darknesse and sottish ignorance is in all places where the Word is not preached nor the Scriptures minded and searched and knowne So that give him but the reception of this doctrine and it is the best foundation for his kingdome that can be laid It is just suitable to that doctrine of the Papists to wit that ignorance is the mother of devotion and upon that they forbid that lay-people should meddle with the Scriptures in their own mother tongue which hath been a meanes to keepe them in such ignorance that their Priests have lead them and kept them so long in such grosse Idolatry and superstition to their utter destruction both of their soules and bodyes doe but paralle the cases and they are just the same and from the same spirit and principles which is a blacke author Hee well knoweth that where the Scripture is knowne and accounted of as the word of God his kingdome must downe in the hearts of the Elect and therefore it is that hee would have it sleighted as but a dead letter and as unusefull unto them till they have the Spirit But the Scripture would teach them how to obtaine the Spirit and how to obtaine wisdome if any man lacke namely to aske it of God which is none of Naylors directions but quite the contrary I never heard nor saw it in any of his bookes that ever hee advised men that lacke wisdome to aske is of God Jam 1.5 6. nor men that lacke the Spirit or desire greater measures of it to aske it of God though it is promised to them that aske him c. if they seeke him with all their heart hee will be found of them Luk. 11.13 1 Cor 28.9 And this is the directory of the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive But hee adviseth them to seeke it within before they have it and to follow and love that light within them which yet for the present is but grosse darknesse for ought hee knoweth A most grosse directory hee might as well bid some men follow and observe and obey the Devill for he ruleth Thirdly And againe in what part of Scripture is the Gospell called the Letter or the preaching of the faith the preaching of the letter answer if you can how much more is it not called a dead Letter Fourthly And where is it said in Scripture that God is not to be worshipped with reverent gestures of the body as well as in spirit and truth Fifthly And where doth the Scripture forbid praying praising and singing with the mouth and voyce as well as with the heart and with the understanding and Spirit Sixthly And where doth the Scripture forbid the assembling together of the Saints and faithfull for worshipping of God and for spirituall ministration in his sacred name of the Word and Sacraments which Christ hath appointed for their edification as the Churches of the Saints did in the primitive times and were so enjoyned by the holy Apostles Seventhly And where saith the Scripture that every one that commeth into the world hath an unction from the holy One and knoweth all things and needeth not that any man teach him but is the same anoynting teacheth him of all things Nay where saith the Scripture that all the Elect have it now for the present or at their comming first into the world But if none of these things be asserted in Scripture how shall James Naylor make his doctrines feizible amongst rationall creatures much more amongst the Elect For hee is not sent to deceive the Elect but such onely as have not received the truth in love but had pleasure in unrighteousnesse as hath been said before For it is not possible to deceive the Elect totally and finally though they may for a time be lead away with the errour of the wicked and fall from their owne steadfastnesse Eightly And let mee inquire further did not the Saints that were at Ephesus and the faithfull in Christ Jesus that were the Elect of God chosen in Christ before the foundations of the world In times then past to wit before they were quickned I say did they not walke according to the Prince of the power of the ayre the spirit that worketh in the Children of disobedience Ar But if this be true that the Elect of God before conversion be under the power and government of Satan as the most predominant and ruling spirit then within them Qu What a directorie is this to them to eye and
lyars and by what spirit they are acted and therefore their testimony will not serve to excuse our consciences before God 2. And secondly let them not perswade us to desert the Ordinances of God For unlesse wee could thinke that the Quakers are wiser then the Lord himselfe that appointed them wee have no ground nor reason to beleeve them God never appointed any Ordinances in vaine but they are profitable if in the use thereof wee waite for him and for his blessing upon them for the good of our soules hee never failes them that waite for him And therefore if wee doe not finde them so spirituall and so efficacious to us for the present as wee doe expect let us rather blame the hardnesse of our owne hearts than the Ordinances of God or the Ministers of them or much more then the holy Scriptures which are a spirituall word and if they doe not seeme so to us it is doubtlesse because that wee are yet carnall And to presse us on to a full Resolution so to doe let us call to minde that Parable concerning Dives and Lazarus Especially the saying of Abraham unto Dives to wit They have Moses and the Prophets let them heare them see Luke 16.29 And note this If they heare not Moses and the Poophets neither will they be perswaded though one should rise from the dead see vers 31. For doubtlesse if the Ministers of God and of his holy Word and Ordinances which the wisdome of God hath thought fitt and appointed to save them that beleeve Be not effectuall to the perswading of us and saving of our soules It is without all question because wee are not ordained to eternall life As it was said in the Acts that as many as were ordained to eternall life beleeved Acts 13.48 It behooveth us therefore to waite on the Lord in the use of all his Ordinances and not to thinke our selves wiser then hee least he giveth us up unto strong delusions and to beleeve a lye and so proove our selves fooles as so it is but just if wee thinke our selves wiser then hee 3. And thirdly let us above all things take heed that wee be not provoked by these delusive doctrines of the Quakers to reproach or speake evill either of the Ministers or the Ordinances of God or of the holy Scriptures It is without question a very haynous sinne in the sight of God so much as but to thinke evill of them But it is an high degree of blasphemie to speake evill of them in the least degree Now speaking evill of them is when we speake any thing tending in the least to the disparagement of them to cause them to be undervalued and disesteemed as carnall and vaine and uselesse or unprofitable c. And especially for the Ministers of God to call them Priests of Baal and hirelings and Wolves in sheepes cloathing and covetous and such like Epithets as the Quakers give in generall unto all that are not of their way Which can be accounted no lesse than speaking evill of him that sent them But least the Quakers should deceive us and make us beleeve they are such indeed Consider with mee first who they are and by what spirit they are guided and acted that speake so of them As for that I shall onely desire your serious consideration of this little Treatise and the Contents thereof whether it be not fully prooved that they are acted by a lying and malicious spirit to speake evill of the things they know not and of many hundredths and thousands of Ministers and faithfull Christians which they never saw nor heard of in their lives either good or evill and yet they damne them all as eternally lost and for the pitt of hell And let us not thinke it strange that Satan should threaten damnation to the Elect of God for what in him lyeth hee seeketh to destroy their faith above all other graces because when our faith faileth wee beginne to sinke and to decay in love and all other graces and so are laid open to his wiles and stratagems And therefore when wee heare the Quakers call men damned and carnall which they never saw before nor it may be never at all wee may well imagine whose spirit is in them for Satan would gladly perswade any man living on the face of the earth save onely his deluded instruments that hee hath assured to him already That there is no hope of salvation for such as them at all nor for any but such as are really acted and guided by him And therefore knowing who they are that speake evill of them wee have the more cause and ground to thinke well of them and to love and honour them But it will be needfull to answer some Objections whereby they delude so many unstable soules to wit 1. First it may be objected because it is true and well knowne that some Ministers are carnall and worldly minded and covetous and therefore to maintaine such is a sinne 1. I answer first that because of some wee must not condemne all 2. Secondly wee ought not to be uncharitable in judgeing or censuring any Now it is beyond the Rule of charitie to judge or censure further then wee certainly know and it is a great signe of malignitie against all if wee be so apt to censure any further then wee know 3. Thirdly wee ought not to judge according to appearance but righteous Judgement For wee may see failings and humane frailties in the best as so there was also in the most of the Prophets and Apostles and holy men of God that wee reade of in Scripture And therefore if we doe not finde them in a way of wickednesse let us take heed of censuring them least wee condemne the generation of Gods children as David had like to have done And therefore if wee doe not finde in them any way of wickednesse and know it for certaine let us judge and hope the best and forbeare censuring 2 Object Secondly it will be objected that though wee cannot clearely condemne them for any way of wickednesse yet if wee know them not certainly to be godly and faithfull Ministers such as are sent of God how can wee so freel communicare unto them as is required of us and as wee ought in case when wee know them such Answ I answer that if wee be godly and faithfull our selves wee shall doubtlesse know them by their fruits whether they be such or no for so Christ hath promised Yee shall know them by their fruits But in case wee are are not able to judge and resolve our selves whether they be so or no Then let us communicate freely and liberally unto them in regard they are in place as such appointed to be our Teachers through the providence of God and are the best wee have And above all things Beware of covetousnesse in this respect for if that sway us it will make every little fault an excuse to hinder us from communication And therefore let us
children for so they are commanded by the Spirit of God in the holy Scriptures And to take heed to the Law and Testimonie whereby they will try the spirits whether they be of God for if they doe not speake according to these it is because there is no light in them but the spirit of darknesse that Ruleth in the children of disobedience as is more at large in the booke 2. Secondly their spirit teacheth them to deny the Scriptures to be the Word of God and to call them carnall and a dead letter But the Spirit of God teacheth us that every word of God is pure and that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God and that the words which Christ hath spoken to us are spirit and life to them that beleeve them and receive them in love 3. Their spirit teacheth them to speake evill of all men that embrace not their lying doctrines and wayes But the Spirit of God teacheth us to speake evill of no man but to honour all men and as much as in us lyeth to have peace with all men 4. Their spirit teacheth them to Revile and disparage the Ministers of God and to blame and Revile those that heare them and maintaine them But the Spirit of God teacheth us to love and honour them and to communicate freely and liberally for their maintenance that they may have lacke of nothing nor need to labour and intangle them with the affaires of this life they being ingaged in a spirituall warfare against princiyalities and powers and spirituall wickednesse c. For if it be true that God hath so ordained that they that preach the Gospell should live of the Gospell Then it also followeth that such Churches or people whomsoever that doe not so ordaine and take care or doe not so communicate to those that teach them as that they may live of the Gospell and have lacke of nothing for themselves or theirs but doe inforce them to labour with their owne hands and to intangle themselves with the affaires of this life They are not obedient to the Gospell of Christ nor followers of God as his deare children neither doe they walke in love as Christ hath loved us nay they are so farre unlike Christians as that they are worse then Infidells for if it were an unjust thing and a worke of crueltie to mussle the mouth of an Oxe that treadeth out the corne How much more cruell will it one day appeare to mussle the mouth of a Minister and Messenger of God that Ruleth well and laboureth in the Word and Doctrine Are they not more in value in the sight of God then many sparrowes yea then many Oxen Doubtlesse they are so in the sight of God and ought to be so in the sight of Christians But how much pressing will this point need before it be effectuall so as to naturalize Christians like Christians indeed I have much more in a Manuscript that I writ long since concerning this point which when the Lord seeth good may likewise be held forth But 5. Their spirit teacheth and ingageth them also and that upon paine of eternall damnation not to use the word You but thou or thee to a single person But the Spirit of God never gave us any such charge nor are wee so limited by any Rule in Scripture but quite the contrary For wee are commanded to give custome to whom custome is due feare to whom feare honour to whom honour Now it is the Custome of all true Christians in our English Nation to use this word You when they direct their speech either to man or woman especially if they be their superiours or if but their equalls and that in meere civilitie as it is accounted fitt And is seldome otherwise amongst civill men that have any breeding or humanitie in them and are not brutishly Irrationall and besotted in their minds save onely in case when men are transported with passion as sometimes civill men may in case when provoked by some injurie or incivilitie offred them and when they shew their displeasure or it may be are ready to fight they beginne to thou each other and to Revile and reproach and miscall one another just as the spirit of the Quakers also acteth them but never at any time whiles they are in love and friendship and sobrietie And that is the reason as I suppose why the spirit in the Quakers will not allow them to give us any civill language because hee cannot love us nor indure to be at peace with us but must needs shew his wrath and malice against us it is so implacable and bitterly seated and habituated in him for there was enmitie put betwixt the seede of the woman and the seede of the Serpent even from the beginning And therefore it is that if the Quakers should love us and give us civill language hee could not indure to have any fellowship with them nor would hee owne and spirit and act them as hee now doth if they did not obey him in acting so malitiously and opprobriously against the people of God and against all Gods Ordinances yea against the Scripture it selfe and so by consequence against the Spirit of God which gave it forth But it is wonderfull to mee how hee ever wrought them up to such a height of exorbitancies in all these things For it cannot be but meere civilitie and rationalitie and their wonted customes of civilitie ingaged them to be shie and unwilling at the first to use them it being so Improper a language and carriage for children to thou their Parents servants their Masters subjects their Majestrates and inferiours their superiours of all sorts and Relations and bringeth them into such a snare as that they are made uncapable of living amongst and conversing with men or occupying any trade merchandize especially and chiefly with strangers who cannot but thinke them either to be naturall fooles or distracted persons or some angerie uncivill malicious men which will make them afraid to have any trading or dealing with them And the truth is this their grosse incivilitie doth much hinder their growth and multiplying And without all question Satan would give them a full dispensation in many of these things if it were not so that hee is forced through his malice onely to act with and in such men as are really mal gniz'd against the people of God and are first really ingaged to him in voluntary obedience in something or other that he well knoweth will worke a separation from the children of light else hee could not exspect to keepe them in darknesse But to keepe them in darknesse hee first perswadeth them that it is their duty to God to observe the language held forth in Scripture and the examples of Christ and his Apostles and upon paine of damnation not to varie from it Now it is true that thee and thou were commonly used in Scripture-language But for ought wee know not because the word you had been a sinne for
it is not forbidden in Scripture and where there is no Law there is no transgression But the reason was because it was the customarie language in those dayes the which then to have aborated from had been offensive as the contrary is now And then againe hee telleth them that it is Improper to use the word you to a single person and they stand much upon the proprietie of the language thee and thou and thinke themselves wise and all others fooles that use any other Yet in case when they speake to more then one they use the word you and doe allow it as orthodox in their Religion Now if they will grant us this wee shall need no more to warrant our practise Rea For wee say with Solomon Eccle 4.10 Woe to him that is alone for when hee falleth hee hath not a second to lift him up And so also our blessed Saviour said of himselfe I am not alone but I and the Father that sent mee Joh 8.16 And I am one that beare witnesse of my selfe and the Father that sent mee beareth witnesse of mee vers 18. And in another place I and my Father are one Now the Quakers beleeve and are very confident and boast much of it that the eternall Spirit of God which was in Christ Jesus is in them also and if so then they are not alone but God is with them as hee was with Christ in some measure And as Christ said to his Apostles It is not you that speake but the Spirit of your Father speaketh in you And the truth is If any man hath not the Spirit of Christ the same is none of his Now then if they be not alone they are not meerely single persons And therefore may properly use the word you one to another which yet they doe not And suppose that others who have not the Spirit of Christ ' have the spirit of Satan in them as the Quakers say that wee have Then yet such are not alone nor properly single but the word you may be properly used to such also and therefore if they sticke but upon proprietie of language if they will get a dispensation from their spirit to use it to us wee have a dispensation from that Spirit by which wee are acted to use it to them And I also beleeve that as Christ could truely say I and my Father are one So also may some of them say properly and truely I and my father are one For some men are as properly one with the Devill as Christ was with God and are as properly guided and acted by him and therefore are not alone in that respect but are two persons united so together as that they are properly one in one sence and properly two in another And therefore the word you nor the word thee or thou is Improper language to be spoken to any that is so spirited So that the proprietie of our language being cleared If they cannot finde it forbidden in Scripture wee have not onely a dispensation to use it but doe account it our dutie in regard it is the Custome of our Country least wee should offend For wee must give no offence neither to Jew nor Gentile neither to the Church of God And it is such grosse incivilitie and such an angerie kinde of language that any stranger would beleeve that wee are ready to fight them And so in stead of provoking one another unto love and to good workes wee are more likely to provoke them unto hatred and wrath and to doe us some injurie in regard wee give them such disgracefull language And by that meanes in stead of As much as in us lyeth to have peace with all men wee should bring it about to have peace with no man And that for no cause but to please the adversarie the accuser of the brethren and his complices the Quakers whom hee enslaveth and befooleth in these and such like things 6. And againe their spirit teacheth them not to put off their hatts nor bow their bodies in reverence or respect to any man at all in what place or Relation soever hee be nor in way of curtesie when they meete with friends neither to drinke one to another in a modest and moderate way for this they call worshipping of men and drinking one to another they say is to provoke them to excesse c. the which wee deny for they are not alwayes used for such ends But the spirit of God teacheth us so clearely to the contrary that wee need not to plead the custome of the Country to excuse us in these for they are all included under this command of the Apostle to wit Bee yee courteous and tender-hearted towards all men And it were easie to proove that bowing of the body was the customarie reverence in old time But I need not I shall rather aske them what courtesie at all they shew to any man upon any occasion And that taking off the hatt is a proper Reverend duty to those whom wee honour and doe and ought to reverence is easie to proove And wee are commanded to honour all men So that if wee know them to be dutyes either of love or honour wee are bound to use them Nay if they be proper expressions of love or honour and that wee have any spirit of love or honour in us it will naturally ingage us to use such expressions one to another if wee were not so commanded But there is doubtlesse some men in these last dayes are without naturall affections accoring as was prophesied 2 Tim 3.3 And those like bruit beasts made to be taken and to be destroyed 2 Pet 2.12 From such it is not to be expected no more then love for they should but dissemble if they should make a shew of what they have not And it were better to be without then to be deceived by their outward shews And therefore by my consent they shall never be perswaded to use them at all till their cordiall love and respects ingage them sincerely to it which can never be till they love us better And wee may not expect any love from them whiles they are acted and guided by our old adversarie the enemy of mankinde who hateth any thing in us that in the least resembleth the Image of God And wherefore is it required that wee should honour all men but because there is at least some Remnant of the Image of God excistent in them For man is the Image and the glory of God as I might shew at large but I have been too long about so cleare a point yet this further I shall make bold to assert namely That where the Spirit of God dwelleth there is also the Spirit of love for it is but the same For God is love And where there is love it will act curteously and tender-heartedly and that towards all men And doe but marke the Quakers how many of those fruits of the Spirit of God Gal 5.22 23. you can finde in them