Selected quad for the lemma: scripture_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
scripture_n	apostle_n	church_n	foundation_n	3,386	5	8.7283	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A85315	Stablishing against shaking: or, A discovery of the Prince of Darknesse (scarcely) transformed into an angel of light, powerfully now working in the deluded people called, Quakers: with a sober answer to their railings against ministers for receiving maintenance from their people. Being the substance of one sermon preached Feb. 17. 1655. at Shalford in Essex. / By Giles Firmin (pastour of the church there) upon occasion of the Quakers troubling those parts.	Firmin, Giles, 1614-1697.	1656 (1656)	Wing F967; Thomason E885_13; ESTC R202074	45,528	65

what should such Revelations concern Faith or Manners If Faith All that we are bound to believe Christ hath perfectly revealed in his Word If Manners Christ also hath perfectly reveal'd the whole will of God for our obedience 2 Tim. 3.16 17. The Scripture c. There it is to be found in the Scripture whatever is requisite to make the man of God perfect Since we have a perfect rule what need we more What if there be a revelation that crosse an Article of faith or rule of obedience in the Scripture as doe the pretended revelations of the Quakers what shall we judge of it Surely the Devil is the Author of it 2. The foundation upon which the true Church of Christ is built hath long since been perfectly layed Ephes 2.20 and are built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets Jesus Christ himself being the chief Corner-stone No Church need any better foundation to be built upon than the Church of the Ephesians was built upon that was built upon not any of our new mad Diabolical Apostles but the Apostles which the Lord Jesus himself called fitted in a glorious manner that the servants did shew who was their Master and Paul one of these Acts 20.27 tells the Elders I have not shunned to declare to you All the Counsell of God which concerneth our salvation If the Quakers bring any more then Paul did not declare All but whether Paul or the Quakers speak truest we will not dispute shew us now such men as those Apostles were 3. I pray tell us what Scripture have you to prove that any men now in these dayes should have such revelations and that now we must look again for Apostles It may be you will make a tush at Scripture and tell us your infallible Spirit tells you so but we can upon better grounds make a tush at your Spirit and curse you by the authority of the Spirit for adding to his Word Deut. 12.32 Rev. 22.18 4. Before you brag of your Apostleship and Revelations shew your selves to be I will not say Christians but Men rational men which as yet you have not done 5. As after those Prophets under the Old Testament whom God raised up no man dared to assume to himselfe that Name and Office I know there were those who were called Prophets in the N. Test but they differed from the Old or dared to be a Pen-man so after the Apostles whom Christ himselfe chose fitted and authorized to be his Pen-men in the New Testament let none dare to be so devilish to assume that Office or Name unto themselves 6. The Testatour is dead who then shall make any other Testament or what need is there of any other than what himself hath made For the infallible Spirit the Quakers so much prate of abusing the Ministers because they doe not boast of it and Mason in particular pag 15. abuseth Mr. Scortrith and bid his people take heed of him I shall speak a few words Mason adds this Take this along with you too The Spirit of Truth is the infallible Spirit But George Scortrith confesses he hath not the Infallible Therefore George Scortrith preaches from the Spirit of Errour What now what doe Quakers make Syllogismes then we look to our selves but Mason the next time you make a Syllogisme desire your Master to learn you so much skill to make a true one for the Priests doe laugh to reade such a false one You might have indeed disposed the predicate of your question in the Major proposition with some words altered but now it is no where disposed But to the businesse 1. If the Quakers would have us affirme that all Ministers must have the Spirit in that manner as the Prophets 1 Pet. 1. v. 11. and Apostles v. 12. So 2 Pet. 1. ult then we professedly say we have it not If the Quakers say they have it so then I say the Spirit in the Prophets and Apostles was not the infallible Spirit for the Quakers spirit is crosse to that 2. I affirm that Ministers I mean not every particular man who calls himself a Minister have that Spirit which is Infallible to some a Spirit of gifts and grace to some onely gifts We pray to the Lord for it and that we may be guided by it 3. True Ministers doe by that Spirit from his word teach to their people the infallible truths of Christ they build them upon such foundations for doctrine and practise that not one who follow their preaching shall ever miscarry but shall honour God here and be infallibly saved hereafter 4. Those who have forsaken this Ministerie the Spirit of God hath left them and let them fall into corrupt errors and some damnable heresies with practises grievous and offensive to the Spirit But yet to say that this Spirit which with reverent humility we dare say we have doth or is bound to teach us every one in every Iota of truth so that not in any particular whatever we may mistake this we doe not affirm no more than he doth or is bound to expell every relique of corruption out of our hearts we know but in part Peter might boast of this Spirit more than Mason but whence then doth he walke so Gal. 2.11.14 as to deserve a reproof Nay goe to others who were guided extraordinarily Isaac by a prophetical Spirit and infallible blessed Iacob but he mistook in the person whom he blessed he thought it had been Esau the infallible Spirit did not guide him there to know Jacob but he erred as to his owne purpose Samuel went to anoint David by an infallible Spirit but he mistook in Eliab So Nathan a Prophet but he mistook in his counsell to David about the Temple building Then why the Spirit should so teach every Minister that in no point whatever he should mistake so long as in nothing that concern the salvation of his people I know not Much more might be gathered out of their Books whereby it may appear by what spirit these Quakers are led truely by Satan scarce transformed into an Angel of Light And now to you who are my people and have chosen me to be your Officer having thus opened the wickednesse of this Sect I exhort you to beware of them for you who have understanding so as you are able to oppose them I doe not fear your going to hear them or conferring with them they are scarce men in reason for you who are of the weaker sort I exhort you again come not neer them so much as to hear them since warning is given what they are but if you will doe it know assuredly the Church will proceed against you for so doing as for any other sinne FINIS A Minister now in Essex gave this Narration to a friend of mine written with his own hand and his name to it the Copie is true that I here offer to the Reader The 8th Moneth 19th day 1654. AT the earnest desire of some friends I went with John Ward and Anthony Hunter to a meeting of the deluded souls called Quakers at John Hunters of Benfield-side in the County of Durham where we found about twenty persons sitting all silent after we had sate awhile all being mute the Lord moved me to arise and call upon his name by prayer I was no sooner up but my leggs trembled greatly so that it was some difficulty to stand but after I had prayed a short space the trembling ceased while I prayed to GOD as a Creatour there was but little disturbance but when I cryed in the name of JESUS CHRIST my Mediatour God in my nature now in the highest glory appearing and interceding for his Saints then the Devil roared in the deceived soules in most strange and dreadfull manner some howling some screeking yelling roaring and some had a strange confused kinde of humming singing noise Such a representation of Hell I never heard of nothing but horror and confusion After I had done praying not opening my eyes before I was amazed to see about the one halfe of those miserable creatures so terribly shaken with such strange violent various motions that I wondred how it was possible some of them could live In the midst of this confusion one of them asked if I were come to torment them To whom I applyed this word Mat. 8.29 And while I spake something of Faith they declared that they were come to the faith of Devils Jam. 2.19 but said we were not attained to such a faith After two houres as we were departing out of the house one of them cursed me with these words All the plagues of God be upon thee Whereupon I returned and prayed for such of them as had not committed the unpardonable sinne Thus farre this Minister Lately in a Town neer me when the Quakers were met together there appeared one amongst them in such a shape as caused them to break up their meeting with no small trouble to divers of them I cannot learne the perfect manner for the Quakers will not reveale it onely so much some of them have affirmed and I will not publish more than I am certaine of I wish it may turn to their good

refused the least acknowledgment much lesse performance of duty to any Parnel Goliahs head c. p. 68. speaking about Ornaments Moderation in every thing I owne but what is wast is for the lust both in Kings Princes and great Personages as thou callest them but with us there is no respect of persons Conclusion Since then the Light of the Quakers doe put out this Light of Nature I conclude their Light is the Light of Satan not of Christ Argum 3 Major That Light which teacheth men to forsake the Scriptures setting up a Spirit in man which shall not be examined by the Scriptures is the Light●● Satan not of Christ Minor But such is the Quakers Light Ergo. The Scriptures are left by God to be our Light and our Rule Major proved Prov. 6.23 Psal 119.105 The Prophets bid us goe to them Isa 8.20 Christ bids us search them Ioh. 5.39 The men of Berea Act. 17.11 Tried Paul by these for Paul to tell them of his infallible Spirit and so they might believe him without searching the Scriptures he had as good say nothing those men were commended for this action Apollos a mighty man in the Scriptures Acts 18.24 convinced the Jewes by the Scriptures ver 28. Minor But the Light of the Quakers teach men to forsake the Scriptures setting up a Spirit in man which shall not be examined by the Scriptures If you aske me before I goe to the proof Doe the Quakers cast off the Scriptures I answer when they can finde any thing which they think make against us then they will urge the Scriptures very much Golich p. 63. yea they will run to the Apocrypha rather than faile to help themselves as Parnel to evade the strength of Levit. 19 32. runs to Chap. 4 of the Booke of Wisdome v. 8 9. but mistakes Yea further when Satan hath gotten strong hold of persons in their way yet he will then provoke them to reade the Scriptures much but casteth strange glosses upon the Scripture p. 21. 21. as I. Told confesseth when he was in that snare Herein he worketh like an Angel of Light But to speake truely the Quakers make nothing of the Scriptures miserably abusing that text 2 Cor. 3.6 You shall hear them speak 1. I. Toldervy p. 6. reporteth of that Quaker who was the means of his seducing that he expressed with firme confidence that searching of the Scripture was not the way to finde out the knowledge of Christ but the turning the minde to within quite crosse to Christ why did not Christ bid them turn to that 2. Mason pag 12. in his defence of Craven Thou sayest to his Opponent the Old and New Testament is thy rule the same was writ for thy imitation He answers But did Paul or any of the Aposlles walke by any literall rule or was not their rule a ●●asure of the Spirit of God committed to every one of them but it were well if these pecuniary Priests would walke answerable to the precepts left upon record in the Letter By this you may see what Mason makes of the written Word 3. Parnel Watcher pag. 8. where you may have a learned discourse how the profession of the Christian Faith Religion came into England two pages before Let those who are ignorant read it But p. 8. he addes and those had the writings of the Prophets and Apostles which is called Scripture and so was the Keepers of the Letters and that they took to be their rule to walke by as they doe now but knew not that which gave it forth to lead them unto the life but had the letter and the forme To the same purpose he speaks p 40. and in his Goliah p 77. 4. Naylor against I. Reyner p. 3. speaking against us hath these words Whose Law is without Light without their Word without their Church without Baptisme Prayers without All which we witnesse to bee within Farewell then the written Word Naylor Saluta c. p. 29. tells those that will follow their doctrine then you shall not have your Light and Life to seek in a Book without you c. Naylor against F. Harris p 9. speaks out The Infallible Spirit by which the Scriptures were given forth is the sole tryer of spirits and doctrines neither hath it need of any addition where it is you bring the letter to oppose Christ and so deny the end of the Scriptures which is to see up the Spirit of God for Judge and not themselves c. So then the Scriptures must not judge of his Spirit but your spirit is Judge of the Scriptures 5. Priests Ignorance p. 4 5. The summe is this it is all one to them Scriptures or no Scriptures for they have the Spirit that did give forth the Scriptures As for the written Word you see how they contemn it and condemn those who make it their rule to walke by when they doe use it it is at the pleasure of their infallible spirit what shall be the meaning of it Here I will give you a taste of their spirit Parnel entitles one of his Books the Watcher and tell us in his Title-page of the stone that struck the feet of the Image quoting Dan. 2.31 32 c. By this title we shall ●●pect some great matter about the Image p. 21 22. It is one thing to allude to a scripture another thing to inte●pret it as doth Parnel here his spirit interprets the Image Now the head of the Image which is of gold and are those that have had a light shining into them and have seen the emptinesse of many Forms and have gotten the thing in their comprehension with more of this stuffe which I am loath to transcribe and the breast of the Image which is of silver and the thighs of brasse are the rest of the sects and forms and the legs of the Image which is of iron is the beast and the feet of the Image which is part of iron part of clay are the Priests and Pharisees joyned to the powers of the earth c. But Parnel the Spirit in Daniel gave another Interpretation of this Image in the same Chapter and we have seen it fulfilled in the greatest part How darest thou then set down thy Interpretation thus crosse to his Oh that any Christians should admit such a Fellow into their houses Let us hear Deusbury's spirit interpreting Revel pag. 20. 17. Babylon is within you the Beast is within you which all the world wonders after what a wonder is this I hear there is a Doctour of Divinity in London hath given the same interpretation of this Beast c. that all the world should wonder after that which none of the world ever saw is your wills your wisdome is the great Whore that sits upon the Beast But why doe you stay here Deusbury goe on to 9 10 11 12 16 verses and tell us what they are when you have done turn to the last clause

thing in Rev. 6.9 10 11. there is mention made of many slain for the Word of God c. these had white robes given them c these who were slain must needs fall under the X Persecutions under the heathen Emperours and may well in a speciall manner look to that horrible butchery under Dioclesian but if you know those times you will finde there were abundance of Bishops slain in those times I mean Bishops who were above Presbyters in the Church and you shall finde abundance of ceremonies humane inventions in those times in the worship of God yet we finde God doth not show such disdain of them as you doe now he gives them white robes Thus Bp Cranmer Ridley Hooper and abundance of Ministers ordained by those Bishops but suffered gloriously for the testimony which they held the Lord will own them with honour in the Day of Judgment how then you come to cast off so many Ministers of Christ so able in the worke of the Gospel as none have been more able since the Apostles dayes no nor so able so godly in their conversation to whose Ministery God hath sealed in the spirituall children he hath given them and onely because they were ordained by Bishops who yet were Ministers and did Ministeriall work doe you provide to answer for this at that day Some men will scarce own any mans Ordination but that which is by such Bishops and you will own no Ministers who are ordained by such if you two should meet who would be the strongest Parnel Gol p. 26. makes this a proof against our Ministery that it is earthly because in thus many years we have wrought no better reformation 1. But Parnel the English Ministery through grace will show the greatest reformation in the world and yet none in the world opposed like it We can show the souls who confesse by us the Lord inlightened them turned them and hath built them up 2. Then Isaiahs and Ieremiahs with other of the Prophets Ministery was earthly for I am sure they wrought but little reformation 3. What was Christs Ministery earthly also he complains Isa 49.4 that he had laboured in vain 4. What you will have many called and many chosen Christ saith the contrary Conclusion To conclude I dare affirm that there is as true and as able a Ministery in England this day as ever was since the Apostles died and if any Quakers or Separatists will undertake to prove the contrary so they will argue and not babble they shall soon finde those who will answer them While therefore you cast filth upon these I plead not for every particular Minister and upon all the Churches you show your light to be of Satan c. Argum 11 Major That Light which brags of the infallible spirit and yet cannot speak good sense or reason that Light and Spirit must come from Satan not from Christ Minor But such is the Quakers light and infallible Spirit Ergo. Major The Spirit of Christ is a Spirit of wisdome but he that speaketh irrationally nonsense he doth not speak wisely the Spirit of God is a most rationall Spirit and where it speaks it speaks like it self Acts 6.10 They were not able to resist the wisdome and the Spirit by which Stephen spake Thus Paul Apollos c. they spake rationally carried such strength that none could answer them Ministers must be men able to convince 1 Tit. 9. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those that talk irrationally will never 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I know Satan can speak rationally sense also which makes us wonder what he means to take such instruments unlesse it be because he is at the last seeing witty Jesuits cannot doe the businesse now try if foolish Quakers can doe it this also I know that reason being a beam of God there can be no true reason for sin or errour Also though abundance of Gods people are weak and shallow yet they never speak truth but they speak sense and reason But here we have a pack mightily insulting over the Ministers because they doe not assume to themselves the infallible Spirit in that notion which the Quakers boast they have it and yet cannot speak rationally Let us hear a little Qua gl● of God p 3 4. there they undertake to answer the arguments the Apostle brings 1 Cor. 9.9 10 11 c. to prove the maintenance of Ministers They that preach on the Gospel must live upon the Gospel This scripture shames you and shews your Gospel will not maintain you but you seek to Magistrat s●● and the Ministers of the Gospel are ashamed of such a pack of teachers This is his answer so He that thresheth thresheth in hope Oh how have they threshed in hope all this while and got forth no corne but are faine to seeke to the Magistrates for me●nes and food So Thou shalt not muzzle the month of the Oxe Oh you shamelesse teachers your mouthes must be muzled have been treading all this while and no corne trodden out to feed you but are faine to seek to the Magistrates Doe not these men speak gallantly Is not here evidence of the infallible Spirit But if these Quakers would have spoken like men thus ye should have said True those who preach the Gospel those who thresh those who tread out c. that is those who doe perform the work of the Lords Ministers in teaching Iabouring faithfully they may challenge maintenance by these Scriptures But you doe not thresh labour c. in the Lords work Therefore you cannot claim maintenance from these Seriptures now you had spoken rationally and there had been matter of shame indeed that we should have called for corn and not wrought but now you have cast all the shame upon the people that we preaching labouring threshing c. are denied our corn our maintenance and are forced to goe to the Magistrates our nursing fathers Isa 49 v. 23. for it Like a man who hath been plowing and threshing halfe a yeare for another when he comes to demand his wages he is denied the man goeth to the Magistrate to be helped the Quakers cry out Oh thou shamelesse man hast thou been plowing and threshing so long and now art fain to goe to the Magistrate c. Doth the man deserve shame or he who deny him his due So here Thus Priests Igno p. 2. The teachers of the world sprinkle Infants telling people its an Ordinance of God which is contrary to the Scriptures and quotes in his margent Gal. 3.1 Luc. 1.26.36 Let any one reade those Scriptures and see how they oppose it he quotes no other Scriptures In the next The teachers of the world call people unto a Sacrament for the which there is no Scripture here they act contrary to the Scriptures quoting Gen. 29.28 the words are these and Iacob did so and fulfilled her weeke and he gave him Rachel his daughter to wife also and Gen. 10. but no verse These are all the Scriptures Here