for habitations of God He hath given these gifts to men some Apostles some Prophets some Evangelists some Pastors and Teachers to perfect or furnish the Saints for the work of their Ministry for the edifying of the body of Christ till we all come in the unity of the faith and knowledge of the Son God unto a perfect man c. Psal 68. 18. Ephes 4. 7-11 c. 1 Cor. 12. 7. c. And so the Apostle Peter said of that which they spake and others heard that that was of those gifts which Christ had received on the right hand of his Father and did then shed forth Act. 2. 16. 33. Though the gifts be divers yet all given by that one and the self-same Spirit that lifts up and glorifies Christ according to the faithful record 1 Cor. 12. Rom. 12. Yea all those gifts distributed and set in the Church since the first Apostles who also opened the Prophets and were last in respect of that their peculiar Office or work of giving another manner of and fuller revelation of the Gospel than had been given before and that for obedience to the faith among all Nations for his name I say all gifts distributed and given unto beleevers since who through their word beleeve they are for the comparing and opening Scriptures or shewing the things of Jesus Christ to others by and according to them and to what is written and already revealed in them The holy Scriptures especially as now compleated since the dispensation of the fulness of times came forth by the Apostles being able to make wise to salvation though faith which is in Christ Jesus c. And throughly to furnish the beleever to all his service in exercise of those gifts he hath received from God for the profit of others Thirdly We come now to consider how or wherein any may be said to deny the Alone sufficiency of Gods teaching surely that may be seen in the forâ—er considerations 1 That they deny the Alone sufficiency of Gods teaching that either deny the Lord that bought them or acknowledge and confess him not according to the testimony God hath given of him Do not lift him up â—â— magnifie him in his Cross with the ends and vertues thereof as declared in the Apostles Doctrine as the ground and foundation of all Faith and Hope the matter of our song the fountain of all our teaching do not acknowledge that vision of God in Christ to be indeed as now revealed The Vision of all visions and sufficient in the light and power of God in and with it to teach and open all Doctrine and lead into all Truth I say such do therein deny the Alone sufficiency of Gods teaching that being as before the summary matter of his teaching and the way of his teaching all things and leading into all truth 2 They that deny slight or throw by the holy Scriptures either in their authority or clearness certainty agreement truth or sufficiency as not being able to make wise to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus and throughly to furnish the man of God to all his service c. as before without some additional helps of mens learning or art or without the imaginations of their own spirit or some other spirit than what is in and with them to give the meaning and lead to the use of them they that come not up to those sound words as delivered by them that have spoken to us in the name of the Lord in which the righteousness of God is revealed from Faith to Faith as it is written They to whom the pen of the Scribe is in vain for opening and interpreting the mind or meaning of the Holy Ghost what wisdom is in them surely they have therein rejected the word of the Lord while they render that as a dead letter and so vain and empty fallible and uncertain without the addition of their gloss or fancy which they have not seen heard or met with in that word of the truth of the Gospel And therefore not by the Spirit Jerem. 8. 8 9. Col. 2. 18. 3 They also that dispise and slight as fleshly and of man the Instruments and Means of Gods appointing the Posts or Pillars of his setting up for these his teachings to be conveyed and brought near unto us in or by and for us to waite upon him in Prov. 8. 34. 9. 3. Zach. 7. 9-12 2 Tim. 4. 1-5 They despise not man but God who hath also given us of his holy Spirit 1 Thes 4. 2. 8. They are sensual what spirituality soever they pretend not having the Spirit Jude 19. 1 Joh. 2. 18 19. Hebr. 10. 24 25. And of this sort I fear they are that had a hand in the forementioned Queries But hoping some of them may not yet be given up to Delusion and however for the benefit of those that desired it and of others I shall yet adde something farther in Answer to the Queries many of them being answered in this already said 1 Query What and where that New Jerusalem is which John saw â—â—â—â— down from heaven c Rev. 21. Answ 1 It appears not yet come down in or unto you for you profess yet to be travelling with pain and grief of heart and bowels yerning for the miseries others are like in your apprehensions to fall into And that Christ might be formed in them But though such pity pain and grief towards objects in misery or in evill wayes leading to it as you pretend be in truth in the hearts of such as indeed love the Lord Jesus Christ and hold fast his name and grace therein in the time of this mortality yet in that New Jerusalem when come down from heaven there shall be no more crying pain nor tears they shall be all wiped away All former miseries and occasions of weeping shall be forgotten Isa 25. 6 7 8 9. Rev. 21. 4. They shall even rejoyce when they see the smoke of their torment rise up for ever whom before they pitied Rev. 19. 2 3-7 with Chap. 14. 2 3 10 11. 2 But for farther Answer It is not yet come down from God out of heaven unto any It is yet as our life is hid with Christ in God when Christ who is our life shall appear then shall we appear with him and be like him in glory That it is not yet come down from God out of heaven though beleevers by faith do come unto it in and through the Gospel especially as now come forth Heb. 12. 22. This appears 1 In that it s shewed in the vision then to come when he makes new heavens and new earth and all things new Rev. 21. 1-5 which are things that he will make not hath made Isa 66. 22. And which all beleevers in this corruptible state of the world all the time of their mortality are yet looking and waiting for 2 Pet. 3. 12 13 14. Tit. 2. 12 13. Phil. 3. 21. 1 Thess 1. 10. Isa 25.
but took it in writing as matter of accusation against me shewing what Generation you are of such as ever sought accusation against the Son of God where hee is manifest to salvation but who are ignorant of his salvation could never bear the confession of his name And when I confessed the flesh of Christ your carnal reason stormed at it like the blind Jews saying How could I have his flesh in me which one of you after confessed too when he saw the letter declared of it so that further than your carnal reason can read in the lâ—tter You will not beleeve what a Generation would you have been had you lived in the times of the Apostles who preached down Circumcision Temple and Sacrifices without such things as the letter said should continue for ever yet they preached them down without and confirmed them within in spirit which is the ground and bottom of all and in which all must end And that the word which became flesh which is ascended they knew to be the Bread of life which they broke and fed on who was their Rule and Mediator But the ground of your Faith is seen and what testimony you bear who say The Scripture is the absolute rule and medium of Faith as thou Thomas Moore didst before the people And when I asked thee if God could not give Faith without it then thou wast forced to deny what thou hadst said But such Doctrine as this thou makest people beleeve who are ignorant and not able to try thy spirit Oh shame with thy preaching If the Scripture be the absolute Rule and medium then Christ is not the absolute Rule unless thou say the Scripture is Christ And thus thou not knowing Christ to rule thee thou settest the letter in his stead for the Rule of Faith But of Abrahams Faith thou are not nor knows it who had an absolute Rule before the Scripture was But this Doctrine excludes all from faith who have not the letter so thou that art a Minister of the Letter preachest another Rule and Faith than ever any of Christs Ministers preached who preached the Word and Faith in the heart of them to whom they preached and Christ in them who is the absolute Rule and ground of Faith and the Law written in their hearts and the Spirit of Truth their rule and guide into all truth and the light in their hearts which gave them the knowledge of God and his glory which never was known by the letter without and Christ saith the Kingdom of God is within you which the Pharisees durst not deny Rom. 10. 8. Hebr. 8. 10 11. Joh. 16. 13. 2 Cor. 4. 6. Luk. 17. 20 21. But thou art more brazened against the truth and wouldest exclude God out of his Kingdom and perswade all thou canst not to look for him within but without lo here lo there But Christ saith Go not forth to such Teachers and thou art found to be one of those he forewarned of and in that work he foretold of which is against him and with the same spirit thou art seen to be an enemy to his Appearance who is the eternal life of his people which is not without the knowledge of God in his Temple for death reigns in the creature where God is not present and this word of Reconciliation thou withstands and all that are led by thee will have cause to curse thee when it is too late and time is spent to no purpose and the day of visitation passed over And from the immediate call which I witness wherewith I am called I do testifie against thy false Doctrine who denies That any have been immediately called since Christ ascended onely those who saw him bodily upon earth and when I instanced Paul thou saidst he saw Christ personally with his bodily eyes when he was called And when I said then must he be come personally again since he ascended then thou saidst Paul was in Heaven and saw him there with bodily eyes when the Scripture saith he was fallen to the earth and saw no man with his bodily eyes being blind three days and such confused stuff thou utteredst forth to uphold thy lyes wherewith thou keepest blind people in Babylon but with the light thou art comprehended thy ground root off-spring and end praised be our Redeemer for ever and in thy paper thou tellest of his seeing Christ after the same manner the other Apostles did Then must it either be bodily upon earth or the other went bodily into Heaven to be called both which are yet unproved by plain Scripture And thy implying is no ground for me to beleeve that which I know is alye and here thou art found preaching another Gospel which no plain Scripture will warrant and all that know God in them sees thee acoursed and thy Antichristian Doctrine who denys the Father and the Son and fellowship with them who hath spoken to his people in all ages and does at this day where the â—ar is circumcised but the serpents seed could never hear him whose ears are open to that wisdom yet canst thou not be content to speak thy own condition but in thy busie mind wouldst exclude others and this is thy work to shut up the Kingdom and deceive the Nations that are without but we are entered and the Elect is witnessed which cannot be deceived and we know him that is in us and we in him onely they who will not own the light such are made to be deceived and over such onely hast thou dominion for a season But thy time is coming to an end that makes thy rage great And thou are forced to utter what testimony thou bearest such as none of Christs ever preached That God is not known in his people Is this thy word of Reconciliation and to what must they be reconciled if not to God And how must they all be taught of God if they must never hear his voyce more but thy Ministry begets not such children nor such sheep thou knows not but opposes who have seen him and heard him such thou callest false witnesses so thou appearest to be a witness to that which thou hast never seen and many such witnesses there are in the Nation who preach up separation instead of reconciliation which pains might be spared amongst them you preach to all having that by nature but that the Devil fears his Kingdom which is onely upholden by ignorance of God in his people whose eyes are blinded but whose eyes are open and have seen him bear witness of him and what we have seen and heard we declare against all false witnesses who have nought but by hear-say from others who have eyes and see not ears and hear not a heart that doth not understand who knows not the spiritual man his eyes and ears and so judge of God to be like themselves as thy companion did say That God had neither eye nor ear nor heart and thus with your carnal imaginations you will judge of
and 2 Tim. 4. ult The Law or Doctrine of the Lord is perfect Psal 19. 7. even as spoken out by the one mouth of his holy Apostles and Prophets from the beginning of the world those that have spoken to us and left things on record in the name of the Lord Act. 3. 21-25 Jam. 5. 10. 2 Pet. 1. 19 20. 3. 1 2. And who those are that have so spoken and what those things are that are so delivered in his name as the certain and infallible Oracles of God we in these last daies are thus helped to know and understand First To all those things written afore time which we are to look upon as the Oracles of The Scriptures of truth as Rom. 15. 4. Dan. 10. 21. our Savior and the Apostles in their preaching and witnessing to the Truth have directed us And that by 1. Expressing by name most of those holy men of God by whom any of those things were spoken and written or concerning whom any thing material for our instruction is left on record and that with evident reference to the things written in their Books by them or of them as to instance a little Moses Joh. 5. 45 46 47. Moses and Samuel and all the Prophets that follow after Act. 3. 22. 24. note they are mentioned in such order as we have them so Luk. 24. 27. 44. and Act. 13. 33. 35. David Act. 2. 25-30 4. 25. Rom 4. 6. Matth. 12. 3. Mark 1â— 36 37. Solomon Matth. 12. 42. Act. 7. 47. Isaiah Matth. 3. 3. 4. 14. 8 17. 12. 17. 13. 14. 15. 17. Luk. 4. 17 18. Act. 8. 28. 30. 28. 25. Rom. 9 27-29 10. 16. 20. 15. 12. Jeremiah Matth. 2. 17. 16. 14. 16. 14. 27. 9. Daniel Matth. 24. 15. Hosea Rom. 9. 25. Joel Act. 2. 16. Jonah Matth. 12. 40 41. Zachariah Son of Barachiah mentioned as one of the last of the Prophets before Christ Matth. 23. 35. Job Jam. 5. 11 Time would fail me to tell of those many Prophets and righteous men expressed by name with reference to the things written of them in those divine Oracles as Abel Enoch Noah Abraham Isaack Jacob Joseph with his Brethren Joshua Gideon Barak and others See Act. 7. Heb. 11. 2 By quoting or alluding to all the things or matters contained in their books as through the merciful providence of God and on the account of his righteousness they are preserved to us as the certain and infallible Oracles of God even to the matters and sayings contained in their books whose names are not expressed by them as well as in those whose names are expressed the Apostles having said nothing but what the Prophets did say should come and so demonstrated and confirmed their further Revelation of the mystery which they have given for obedience to the faith among all Nations out of the Scriptures of the former Prophets Act. 26. 22 23. Rom. 1. 2 3. 16. 25 26. 1 Pet. 1. 10 11. 2 Pet 1. 19-21 I might give manifold instances of this also but I shall content my self with a few of many The Doctrine of the Creation Gen. 1. 2. and particular sayings therein quoted and alluded to 2 Cor. 4. 6. Matth. 19. 4. 5. 1 Cor. 11. 8 9. Of Gods resting the seventh day Gen. 2. 2. Heb. 4. 4. Of the sin and fall of all in one offence and death passing on them thereby Gen. 2. 16 17. with chap. 3. tot See Rom 5. 12. 14 18. 1 Cor. 15 21. â—2 Of the promised seed of the woman and the destruction of Satans works thereby Gen. 3. 15 with Isa 7. 14. See Gal. 4. 4 5. Heb. 2. 14 15 1 Joh. 3. 8. Matth. 1. 22 23. The passages concerning Abel Cain Enoch Gen. 4. 5. Heb 11 12. 24. 1 Joh. 3. 12. Noah and his preaching and the Spirit thining therein and in other means with men Gen. 6. 1 Pet. 3. 19 20 21. The wickedness of the old world and their destruction by water Noah and his family being saved in the Ark. Gen 6. 7 c. See the forecited place and 2 Pet. 25. 3. 6. 7. The several passagâ—s concerning Abraham his fearing and walking with God Gods â—ovenant with him confirming it in his seed in which blessing to all Nations was promised calling that seed in Isaack giving him Circumcâ—sion aâ— an outward Seal of it his following the call of God into a strange Land his offering up his onely Son as at large in Genesis See those in severall places by our Savior and his Apostles quoted and alluded to as the certain and infallible Oracles of God Heb. 11. Rom. 4. Gal. 3. with divers more The like we may say of the pâ—ssâ—ges concerning Isaiah Jacob Josâ—ph and his Brethren their envy and selling him Gods delivering him Israels going into Egypt their affliction there Gods deliverance of them his Judgements on Pharoah his leading his people through the Sea and Wilderness his giving the Law by the hand of Moses their evil manners and his judgements on them in the Wilderness his bringing their seed into Canaan giving them Judges and afterwards Kings the erecting him a house by Solomon c. Act 7. with 1 Cor. 10. 1-11 and divers others and so the whole â—aw and the Prophets as the witness of Jesus and Gods righteousness in him was held forth in them Rom. 3. 21. how oft and severally they are in the whole and in each part alluded to by our Savior and the Apostles would be a work too long in this place otherwise it might be shewed as to every particular of the narrative doctrinal part of their writings and Prophecies and not onely so but likewise in their predictions of things to come some discovered to be accomplished as they said they should come as Matth. 1. 22 23. Act. 26. 22 23. Others more distinctly and fully opened and assured to be accomplished in the second Appearing of Jesus Christ as Act. 3. 20 21. 1 Cor. 15. 54. So Ezekâ—els Daniels Zacharies Haggaes and other Prophecies alluded to and opened to John in his Revelation as might be seen by comparing them our Savior and the Apostles have so directed us to all those which through Gods merciful Providence are preserved to us as such of all the things written afore time Secondly Those following Narrations and Declarations of the mystery as now come forth and manifested in Christ which were given us from the mouth and person of Christ the great Shephard and confirmed and left on record to us by them that heard him and were of the first and immediate trusters in him as so manifested and received their whole Word and Doctrine immediately from him as Heb. 2. 3. Ephes 1. 9-12 Joh. 17. 6. 8-18 Act. 1. Gal 1. 1 Cor. 15. Those also are the same and no other that were foretold and prophecied of as so to come forth on the appearance or coming of the Messiah no onely
put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself had been manifested and accomplished in him yea that Death in which it is appointed to men once to dye was past in him Christs second appearing without sin to Salvation manifested and accomplished in him with much of that nature and that hee that could not witness that with him was Antichrist and did deny Christ come in the Flesh In Answer to which we oft-times offered and desired liberty to manifest and prove to the people That the one offering of Christ to bear our sins and to put away sin by the Sacrifice of himself it was accomplished and finished in one Person not in many and once at one time or Age of the World nor at divers times and that the Second appearing of Christ is not yet accomplished in or to any person nor shall be in this day nor till to all together but we could get no liberty but were filled with Raylings Reproaches and Revilings from divâ—rs of them together in such manner as I never heard from any so we last them and what hath passed since with the sum of what was then asserted and maintained by us I have published in the following Discourse with some Queries I had from others of them and the Answers to them annexed for these Reasons 1 They did then as we have shewed here and in the following Discourse grosly slander us almost in all we said and would not suffer the people to hear what was said in answer to their slanders and have still persisted in managing them against us and the truth pleaded for by us where they come by word and writing as may also be fully seen in J. N. his Letter with my Answer to it in which Answer I have largely opened our Principles as to the things discoursed of that they that read may understand what they are and how falsly charged by them 2 As also that it may appear how they stand in direct opposition to and shew the vanity falseness and evil of the bottome principles of both Quakers and Ranters in which they are both one Which I have the rather done to vindicate the Doctrine of the grace of God in Christ that bringeth salvation to all men from those foul aspersions cast on it by some yea I have seen them in print in which it s charged with laying or administring foundation for those filthy and ungodly principles the falseness of which charge is manifest in the following Discourse yea it appears that which is in express terms fought against and reproached by them is the asserting the great benefits prepared for men in Christ and redounding to them by Christ while yet lying in their wickedness and thence directing them to look to a Christ crucified for them while they were yet sinners and in their filthiness The truth is They acknowledge not the grace of God in the Death and Resurrection of Christ as accomplished in that his own body â—â— being the foundation of or bringing salvation to men all or any but would lay another foundation or overthrow that though they can do neither by directing men to look into themselves and to what is witnessed or wrought in them for all their consolation rejoycing direction c. yea it s their counsel to all men I have often heard it and seen it in many of their Papers even to such as they then judged to be yet wallowing in their filthiness turned out from the presence of God murdering the just one in them â—igh to cursing c. yet to turn the eye inward to look and take diligent heed to the light in them to the book of their conscience c. and that in opposition to and to take them off from looking unto Jesus and the works wrought in his body for them without them and to such looking or attention to him in and through the testimony â—â—â— hath given by the one mouth of his holy Apostles and Prâ—phâ—ts and left on record for us They in their foolish and vain imaginations while professing to be wise being so besotted as to imagine that one person of the Son of God in the nature of man and the works done in his own body and the manifestation of God in him and therein testified to be but some farther types and figures of the true light the very Christ and that to be something naturally in every man naturally I say for so it must be if affirmed to be in every man while yet none of them have received nor are they ever directed by them to look to or for any supernatural grace whether they talk of first or second nature yet both are natural to the man and naturally in him and of him according to their principles only the best or second nature which they direct to look to that in the witness and operation of it as in them they may have righteousness strength and direction is something dis-appearing they say through the fall yet not much dis-appearing it seems when if they do but turn the eye inward they shall presently see and meet with it as the first mover and teacher appearing and yet such a thing too as no man hath benefit by till he can witness it in him they are indeed foolish and inconsistent apprehensions as well as most Antichristian and ungodly but their folly and evil is not so manifested and detected by any other spirit or doctrine as by the testimony of Jesus as the Son of God the Saviour of the world and that doctrine of the grace of God in him bringing salvation to all men when rightly held according to the Scriptures Tit. 2. 11 12. For as that holds forth that very Jesus the only immediately begotten Son of God that was before us all even from everlasting with the Father by whom and for whom all things were made which in the fulness of times was sent forth made of a woman made under the Law for us in that one body c. and therein delivered to death raised and exalted according to the Scriptures to beindeed the very Christ The Savior of the world the true light that lightens every man that comes into the world that with his vertues and influences fills all things for the good and salvation of mankind and so instructs and directs al the ends of the earth to look to him and the grace of God in by through him bringing salvation to all men and be saved so it therein in the same light of the Lord cryes concerning them All flesh is grass surely the people is grass Isa 40. 6 7. Men are altogether strangers to that wisdome and strength by which they might be reconciled to God the way of peace they know not yea thaâ— wisdome is not to be found in the land of beliâ—ing Rom. 3. 10 11-19 Job 28. 12 13 c. They are without God in the world and strangers to the life of God Eph. 4. 18. and 2. 1â— They are dead in sins and
foundation of their Faith and rejoycing to bee a little more sleighted and the rejoycing that was before placed in some works or Imiginations of their own now to bee placed in some other of the like kind Yea surely all that are so principled will and do presently close with them on their coming to them only such of them as are kept off by tradition that are resolved to believe as the Church believes and hold the traditions of their Elders and Fathers right or wrong And the Devil hath so sure possession for the present of them he cares not for troubling them much with any thing to their disturbance but if they be such as have been in any measure taken off from leaning on tradition c. and yet retain those Principles they casily elose with such Spirits as fore mentioned and that without any great turn or alteration They are still but growing and going on upon the same bottom-Principles where as those that have been truly acquainted with the forementioned Doctrin of the Grace of God that brings Salvation to all men they cannot go out from their Brethren in the acknowledgement of that Grace to close with such spirits as fore-mentioned but they must first fundamentally recede from and renounce the fundamental Prinples that therein they have been instructed into 1 Joh. 2. 19. as also hath appeared in some of them that I could mention which they are not so rightly or easily perswaded to yet through the retaining some lust or lusts always reproved by that Grace too many even of such as have been going right on their way have been moved with distaste at the Doctrin or Instruments by which they are reproved and then to listen to such as promise liberty or seem to close with them or come in a way suitable to such lusts whether more grosly worldly or more Spiritually Antichristian and ungodly and yet pretend mortification too And truly by such evil Documents and Principles or by such divers Lusts retained after the lifting up or magnifying something of Self this part of the Christian World in my apprehension is so prepared for such Atheistical and Antichristian Principles coming under forms of godliness that there is very great likelihood of their spreading under one vizor or another especially considering the Predictions concerning the latter days therefore in the next place I have taken this pains 3 Because I conceive the things discoursed of are very profitable and needful to be understood and diligently beeded by all Christians especially in these days in which Sathan with so much subtilty and as an Angel of Light and in his Ministers as Ministers of Righteousness endeavours the undermining and subversion of the great things of Gods Law in which are contained both the foundation and end of our faith and hope And in such a case see the Apostles example 2 Cor. 11. and how he admonisheth Timothy 2 Tim. 2. 3. total 4. 1-6 yea minde well how he propounds example admonition and instruction to us Phil. 3. when such as pretended Circumcision and so Zent Mortification Humility and as Col. 2. yet endeavoured to cut them off from Christ to make faith in him voyd he then beseecheth to be followers together of them and mark them that walk so as wee have them for an example who may be known and distinguished by the end of their conversation which is Jesus Christ yesterday and to day and for ever the same Heb. 13. 7 8 9. rather than by the particular acts simply as appears by what follows therefore more need of a diligent and right consideration that we may know who we are to joyn and walk with as Brethren for there are many walk then they are not Sots nor Talkers only but walkers also zealous in conversation as if they would not touch taste or handle any thing unclean concerning whom the Apostle had told them often and did then tell them weeping as intimating their hardness to receive his testimony and character of such spirits which shews they were not such grosly appearing and indeed if so they had not been so dangerous to Beleevers They are saith he the enemies to the Cross of Christ their end namely in their pretended walking or conversation is destruction even the marring the Visage of the Son of Man Isa 52. 14. The casting him down from his excellency as in his testimony and in the heart of the Beleever and so the Beleever from his faith and hope in him Psal 62. 3 4. Their design to overthrow the Faith to corrupt from the simplicity in Jesus 2 Cor. 11. Gal. 1. and to that purpose serving and magnifying their belly some light spirit or lust in them some internal or external operations of them as Col. 2. 1 Thes 2. 9 10. therein glorying in their shame minding earthly things as Jude 19. though under pretence of spirituality but such as worship God in the Spirit and so are directed to walk as they have the Apostles for an example they think to have their rejoycing in Christ Jesus and have no confidence in the flesh their conversation is in Heaven in Christ their Treasury there from whence they look for him the Saviour the Lord who shall change their vile body in that his appearing that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious Body according to the working of his mighty power by which he is able even to subdue all things to himself The Lord mercifully pardoning my unworthiness afford his blessing with such weak endeavours that they may tend to his glory and the good of others is the prayer of the most unworthy of all so favoured of God From my house at Lin Aug. 15. 1655. Tho. Moore junior A Lying and Antichristian Spirit discovered in some of those called Quakers And therein some opening clearing and vindicating of the great things of Gods Law or Doctrine mainly struck at by them as concerning the person of Christ the works done in that person the infinite and abiding vertue of them and of them onely for taking away our sin His Second Appearing and the glory then to be revealed here to be waited for by all beleevers In the relation of what passed in writing between them and Tho. Moor jun. after and upon occasion of a meeting at Glentworth THe Charges framed by James Naylor against Thomas Moor after the meeting at Mr. Wrayes the last of May 1655. and sent to the said Thomas Moor that evening requiring Answer to be returned in writing Charging the said Thomas Moor to have affirmed in Discourse with them that day as follows That God is not manifest in the Creature That none have their call to the Ministry immediate but mediate only the Apostles but not Timothy That he had not the same testimony as the Apostles had That the Scriptures are the absolute rule and medium of Faith That Paul saw Christ personally with his bodily eyes after his Ascention That Naylor was a false witness in saying That he
to death for our offences and raised again for our justification In him as so considered God was manifest in the flesh justified in the spirit seen of Angels preached to the Gentiles beleeved on in the world and received up into glory And that this Scripture speaks of these great things of the mystery of godliness as done onely in that one person I propounded this consideration for one That the word that is immediately prefixed and especially applicable to the first clause is in the Preterperfectense or in the time past God was not God is he was manifest in the flesh yea the phrase of the last clause renders that as a thing also done and finished in the person spoken of He is received up into glory And surely In that person and in him only this is absolutely true God is in the nature of man even in the flesh in which he descended received up into glory not now receiving or to be received but now already received up into glory set down on the right hand of Majesty on the Throne of glory in the heavens Consider I pray you how suitable to this understanding of the last and first clauses is that which is affirmed of this person Heb. 9. 24 25 26. Christ is not entred into the holy places made with hands which are the figures of the true But into heaven it self now to appear in the presence of God for us nor yet that he should offer himself often as the former high Priests entred into the holy place every year with blood of others hee needeth not daily to offer up sacrifice for this he did once Heb. 7. 27 for then also must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world but now once in the last Ages of the world he hath appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself even as it s appointed unto men once to dye so Christ was once offered not in many Ages or divers times but once in the last Ages when men were multiplied into many whereas they were but one when the ordinance of death passed on them yet in that one it passed on the whole kind so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many even of all of that kind all men every of the nature he took then when they and their offences were multiplied into many he saith not to bear sins in many for then indeed he must often have suffered But now once he was offered in his own body even that so and then prepared him Chap. 10. 5-10 to bear the sins of many Then was God in Christ condemning sin in the flesh yea then and therein when one dyed not in but for all and rose again Then was God in Christ reconciling the world not imputing their trespasses to them but causing them to meet together on him 2 Cor. 5. 14. 15 19. with Isa 53. 6. Rom. 8. 3. 1 Pet. 2. 24. And raising him and giving him glory as the publick man that by and through him our faith and hope might be in God 1 Pet. 3. 18. and 1. 21. with these and that 1 Tim. 3. 16. compare that Joh. 13. 31 32. See how our Savior there directs us to the person in whom the time and works in which God was so manifested and glorified in the flesh and did straightway after the finishing of these works glorifie it in that person even then faith our Savior when Judas was gone out to betray him when he was presently to finish those works the Father gave him to do on earth yea his soul was already in trouble Joh. 12. 27. now saith he even in that his being made an offering for sin is the Son of Man glorified and the Father is glorified in him If God be glorified in him God shall also glorifie him in himself and shall straightway glorifie him Then and therein was the Son of man glorified in his being appointed and set as the surety in that publick place that by the grace of God he should tast death for every man he was therein said to be crowned with glory and honor above all other persons among Men or Angels for no man could redeem his Brother nor give to God a ransom for his soul the Redemption of the soul is more precious neither was there any other thing or person in Heaven or Earth that was counted worthy but this Holy One Herein was the Son of man glorified And so in Gods supporting him and carrying him through so great sufferings when all our sins met together on him Psal 40. 11 12 16 17. Heb. 5. 7 9. Likewise in Gods giving so glorious a testimony to him at his death Mat. 26. 50 54. And in his Resurrection from the dead This Jesus who was made of the seed of David according to the flesh was declared to be the Son of God with power according to the spirit of holiness Rom. 1. 3 4. In these things the Son of man was glorified and â—o the Father glorified in him in the exercise and agreement of all his holy and glorious Attributes his Wisdom Holiness Truth Mercy Goodness Power c. for manssalvation God was manifested in the flesh condemning sin and yet therein preparing Attonement and Propitiation for sinners and straight-way after the finishing of these works in his own body the father who glorified him in himself in his own Power Name and Glory declaring himself satisfied in and for what he delivered him raising him from the dead in which he was justified in the Spirit or according to the Spirit of Holiness did further and fully and perfectly glorifie him in the same body in receiving him up to glory and setting him on his own right hand in the Heavens far above all Principality and Power Might and Dominion and every name that is named not onely in this world but in that to come and hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be the head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulness of him then distinct from him in his personal body now raised and glorified yet they in that to be done in and upon them are the filling up or compleating of him in the ends and vertues of his cross who as so considered namely in the ends and vertues of his cross filleth all things as Ephes 3. 8 10 but he gave himself for hâ—s Church for all that through his grace to man-ward come in to him That he might wash them with the washing of water by the word that so he might in the issue present it to himself as he now presents it in himself before the Father a glorious Church without spot or wrinckle Eph 5. 25-27 and ch 1. 20 21 22 23. 1 Pot. 3. 22. Phil. 2. 6-11 Joh. 17. 1-5 Col. 2. 9. Read these Scriptures and compare them and see how they explicate and agree with the explication given of that 1 Tim. 3. 16. And after some little Discourse to this purpose demonstrating
that Scripture to speak of the manifestation of God in that one person and not in divers in and through whom onely the Fathers goodness and glory is preached and the preaching of it in the Gospel now fully made known from the Jews to the Gentiles in and through whom truly and onely the Father is beleeved on in the world John 12. 44 45 46. Rom. 1. 16 17 19. and 2. 4. with Act. 4. 10 11 12. and 17. 24-31 I say after this I added that indeed it could not properly be said That in a ful or absolute sense God was or is manifested in the flesh of any natural Son of Adam in the time of this mortality nor so as he was in that person who was not naturally of us but made so by a work of new creation and now through sufferings for us entered into his glory to this purpose were my words to which also I then added as follows or to this purpose contrary to what thou hast falsely charged me with That it is true God hath said he well dwel and walk in his people that through grace beleeve in him according to the testimony given of his Son but that the spirit of the beleever primely and chiefly is the subject of his indwelling or habitation which is said to be made alive for righterusness sake while yet the body is dead because of sin and to serve the Law of God while yet the flesh is much inslaved by the law of sin remaining and warring in the members and the body of death remaining on them even in the best of beleevers while here in those in whom Christ dwels in his Spirit and by faith Rom. 8. 10. and 7. 23. 25. whence the Apostle saith he knows that in him that is in his flesh dwels no good thing Rom. 7. 18. yet the fountain of all goodness being received into the mind spirit oâ— inner man by faith as Ephes 3. 16 17. that also springs up and acts forth through the mortal body moving and strengthening it to all its service and suffering whence also the body is said to be the Temple of the Lord it being the Tabernacle of that mind spirit or inner-man in which God primely and chiefly dwelleth and manifesteth himself in and through the testimony of Jesus there received 2 Cor. 5. 1-5 8 14 15. and chap. 4. 6 7. as well as also more generally because that also is bought with a price to be his as in that 1 Cor. 6. â—0 yea the bodies of beleevers are so the Temples of the Lord as not onely bought with a price but taken possession of owned and accepted in his Son with whom they are united by faith That God will also manifest himself fully and gloriously in those bodies when he that raised up the Lord shall also raise us up by his own power a in that 1 Cor. 6. 14. Then shall he change our vile bodies that they may be fashioned like unto his glorious body by that mighty working by which he is able to subdue even all things to himself Surely James hadst thou any fear of God before thy eyes thou wouldst be ashamed of thy gross ignorance that can see no difference or distinction between the body being the Temple of the Lord and so being also holy as being redeemed called accepted devoted to be his and for him And the Lord being fully and glorioufly manifested in his holy Temple Hast thou not read indeed I fear thou dost give very little attendance to reading the Scriptures because I find in thy discourse and papers they are slighted as a dead letter and most of them as quoted by thee have a false reading put upon them But I say hast thou never read that then was the time once in the last ages of the world when Christ appeared in that body then and so prepared for him as before and was once offered to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself even then was the Son of man glorified and God was glorified in him and he did then straightway glorifie him carrying him through sufferings into glory in a full and absolute sence as in the Scriptures fore-mentioned But that the day of the manifestation of all the residue of the Sons of God of mankind even the day of the redemption of their bodies when the glory of God shal be revealed in the Saints fully and so he glorified and admired in all them that now through grace beleeve because the Apostles testimony was received by them in that day that this is yet to be waited for til the end of this world in this corruptible state of it till the Lord himself personally come again and in the glory of his Father and with his holy Angels and bring all those that sleep in Jesus with him and so till they shall all be gathered together unto him to the injoyment of it till that day in which their enemies shall be all troden down aâ—mire in the streets who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power when he shall come to be glorified in his Saints c. Then shall the righteous shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of their Father when all the tares are plucked up and cast into the fire which cannot be done by any of the servants in the world that now is nor shall be done by the Angels till the end of it and while they remain among them they as well as this body of death upon them do hinder the glorious manifestation of the Sons of God Surely then even we saith the Apostle as well as our expectation of the whole Creation to be then restored or renewed we also that have the first fruits of the Spirit do wait or tarry for the adoption that is the redemption of our bodies and so for the manifestation of the Sons of God If thou hast not read this or hast forgotten having too much I fear suffered the knowledge faith and hope of it to slip out of thy heart Or however I pray thee for thy own good if it may be read consider and compare these Scriptures comparing them with that fore-cited concerning that manifestation of God in the flesh in the person of Christ Joh. 13. 31 32. Rom. 8 18 19 23-25 with 2 Thes 1 5 6 7-9 10. and ch â— 1 2. Mat. 13. 28 29 30. with ver 37-40 42 43. Psa 37. 6 7. Mal. 4. 1-3 1 Thes 4. 14-16 17. Tit. 2. 12 13. 2 Tim 48. Again dost thou not remember that when at first thou didst charge me with denying God to be manifest in the flesh of the Saints which were the expressions of thy charge on its first appearance though much altered and higher after in thy paper and since in thy Letter that then I denied thy Châ—rge and told the people over again what I said suitable to what I have now and before written as much as I could gâ—t liberty and what
in it in the sense spoken of while yet it is mortal than that equivalent Scripture Rom. 8. 11. doth signifie That the body shall be mortal when raised or that the resurrection shall be made in any in the time of this mortality where he saith He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal body by that spirit that now dwelt in them But that he speaks there of such a quickening or raising from the dead as in which their mortal bodies shall be made immortal is plain in that he compares it with the raising Christ from the dead having also affirmed before that now the body is dead because of sin while yet the spirit is made alive for righteousness sake And to that death that is now or still upon the body even after we have the first fruits of the Spirit he opposeth that quickening of the mortal body spoken of all which plainly shews that he speaks there of the blessed and first Resurrection which more properly than the other is called a quickening because it is a resurrection to life of which they in their bodies that sleep in Jâ—sus shall all be made partakers together at his Second Appearing speaking of that he saith He shall quicken your mortal bodies yet this mortal shall then and therein put on immortalâ—ty 2 This further Answer That if it should be granted you that the life of Jesus might be in some sense truly said to be manifested in the mortal flesh now while mortall yet it makes nothing against what was said about Gods being manifest in the flesh for this we had then at first laid down That the Spirit of life in Jesus being received into and dwelling in the mind or spirit of the beleever in that word or testimony of Christ received and abiding there doth also shew forth it self and act in and through the mortal body moving and strengthening it to such service and suffering as the renewing of the mind leads to Yet all this saith not That properly and in a full and absolute sense God is manifested or glorified in the flesh of his Saints in the time of this mortality much less that he is so manifested either in such manner or in or to the accomplishing of such works as he was manifested in the flesh in that one person that now in mans nature is received up into Glory which were the things denyed Secondly To your Charge in its last form with reference to those two Scriptures Col. 1. 27. 2 Cor. 13. 5. Truly I do not remember that those two Scriptures were at all mentioned in any Discourse by way of conference that was between us at least not so mentioned as you might have any answer to what you would have made them say I remember indeed Rich. Farnsworth in continued speech abused them But there was nothing said to him untill he had finished his large witness concerning himself after which the time being shore there was but little said by mee though more than could all bear without storming that we did not rather fall down and worship him and admire his words as some of your company did as the words of the eternal God and not of a man more highly blasphemous than that Act. 12. 22. but that which was said was not with reference to his abuse of those Scriptures but to his abuse of those two other Scriptures Ro. 7. 23. and 8. 10. which occasionally falling upon we shall briefly mention Hee witnessed that he was delivered from the Law of sin in his members that it was not remaining or warring there and from that body of death there mentioned with allusion to those expressions as signifying that Paul witnessed the like concerning himself whereas Paul complains of both as yet accumbring him speaking in the present time not in the time past I find then a law in my members warring Oh wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from the body of this death He was not yet delivered but wretched by reason of it remaining Though yet hee could thank God through Jesus in whom he had perfect deliverance which he injoyed by faith and therein also freedome from under the condemnation of that holy Law of God which discovers sin and sentenceth the sinner to death and daily victory in the combate over the dominion of sin and fear or horror of death yet still it remained and warred in him and so in all beleevers while here as to that purpose was then told the people Again he witnessed largely of his body being wholly mortified and dead to sin as the fruit of Christ being in him and therein and so God manifested in his flesh And this he said also with allusion to those expressions Rom. 8 10. If Christ be in you the body is dead because of sin c. which expressions he changed thus The body is dead unto sin To that also I told the people that the bodies being dead unto sin as it was not therein the expressions so neither could it there be meant because he saith The body is dead because of sin now its being crucified or dead unto sin is no part of the fruit of sin nor happens it to any because of sin but because of and as the fruit and vertue of Christs righteousness where in any sense or measure it s truly found But that here spoken of is something of misery still remaining on the beleever because of or as the fruit of sin though Christ be in them and so the spirit alive for righteousness sake yet the body is dead because of sin yea it is yet in it self a wretched vile body as Rom. 7. 23. Phil. 3. 21. though redeemed and taken to be the Lords yet not in it self while here wholly subdued to him nor conformed or made like to his glorious body untill the Resurrection and then it shall certainly so be we wait for the Adoption That is the redemption of the body You did indeed discover your selves in these and the like passages to be of no judgement concerning the faith and of the same spirit with those 2 Tim. 2. 18. that say The Resurrection is already made or past in them and so overthrow the faith of some that did not cleave so close to the foundation of God in giving earnest heed to the things they had heard in the Doctrine of the Death and Resurrection of Christ which foundation yet standeth sure against all your Batteries having this seal for its confirmation The Lord knoweth them that are his hee owneth approveth standeth by to the saving preserving and strengthning in all service and suffering all them that having received the Spirit in that hearing of faith do keep that in beleeving remembrance and abide in it as the fundamental doctrine they therin abide in unior and fellowship with and protection of the Son and so of the Father in him 2 Tim. 2. 19. 1 Joh 2. 24 25 26 27. 2 Joh. 7. -9. Joh. 10. 27-29 and
14. 21. 23. and 15. 1-4 5 7 c. though such as were never firmed in that foundation especially being kept from firmness therein through retaining divers lusts and such as after knowledge of the truth received do wilfully sleight reject and turn away from that preaching of the Cross as foolishness having itching ears to listen or inquire after any thing that may be plausible and also suitable to some lust of their own yet secretly retained and pursued though such I say may be and are turned aside to fables and led captive by such spirits Therefore let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity 2 Tim. 2. 19-22 and 3. 6 7. and 4. 1-4 Joh 15. 6. But to return to our present business in that which was said to the discovery of his abuse of these Scriptures and against his witness concerning himself yet there was no mention of his abuse of those two Scriptures fore-mentioned nor at any other time in our discourse with you that I know of but being in this false accusation thus propounded as those in which so great strength lyes for you that you have thought fit for them to wave that in 2 Cor. 4. 10 11. as more inconsiderable to your purpose we shall a little consider what they say That Col. 1. 27. saith That Christ in or amongst the beleevers The hope of glory And indeed he is so amongst them all and in or unto all of them for they are all called in one hope of their calling both in respect of the ground and foundation of their hope and in respect of the end of it the things hoped for And truly Jesus Christ and so the Father in him is the original summary and fundamental matter of it in both respects but it is that same Jesus Christ and not another which they had preached in the Gospel to every man see vers 28. and indeed there is but one Lord and not another Jesus not one in the heavens sitting on the right hand of God and another dwelling in us but that same Jesus that is in our nature in that body then and so prepared for him as before set down on the Right hand of Majesty in the heavens even he that person that is personalâ—y absent from the beleever is dwelling in the beleevers heart by faith of and in him and so the Father in and through Christ 2 Cor. 5. 6. 7. Eph. 3. 17-19 1 Pet. 1. 8. Joh. 12. 45. Yea it is that same Jesus after that consideration of him also as in that his own personal body He was delivered to death for our offences and raised again for our justification And so in the vertues thereof is become a perfect Saviour Propitiation High Priest c. And so able to save to the utmost all that come to God by him even as he is preached in the Gospel to every man That is even so in the beleevers heart by faith for he is yesterday and to day and for ever the same And after the same consideration of him he is being received by faith which is the evidence of things not seen in and to the beleever the only bottome ground and foundation of all his faith and hope in God both in respect of the promise of this life and that to come yea the thing hoped for he in through and with whom all things are expected as he is now given virtually and spiritually in the testimony of him so all things pertaining to life and godliness are given in and with him in a like manner and to be enjoyed by faith in him and in the first fruits of the Spirit And when he shall appear again personally in the glory of his Father and with his holy Angels then all things fore-mentioned to be given with him in such manner as to be enjoyed by way of actual possession in fulness and glory and in such enjoyment of his personal presence for ever even the fulness of all spiritual blessings which now we are blessed with in Christ our Treasury and the total and eternal redemption of the body of this glory Christ is in and to our hearts the hope not the possession nor do we possess the glory for then hope should cease but if we hope for that wee see not which indeed we do when Christ our fore-runner is our hope as aforesaid then do we with patience wait for it Surely this Scripture is far from telling us That the glory glorious rest Kingdome and enjoyment of promises which the Fathers dyed in the faith and hope of not having received them was now revealed in and upon them it signifies fully the contrary in saying Christ was in and to them the hope of it Like to this is that 2 Cor. 13. 5. A rule given to prove themselves by whether they be in the faith in that one faith of Gods operation and in which they should be accepted and approved The Rule is Jesus Christ is in you or else yee are unapproved yea stand as disallowed disowned in the Apostles Doctrine and so in Heaven as being not in the faith The thing here to be considered is How Christ is in them If thâ—y be indeed in the faith surely that is easily understood if we consider this Rule of Tryal as it hath relation to the thing to be tryed or proved which is Whether we be in the faith not Whether we be in the actual possession Sure then or for that there will be no need of such trying and proving nor to say one to another know the Lord when tâ—ey shall all know him from the least to the greatest even as they are known which they shall do in that day when that Covenant which is now given them in and with Christ and as he is given shall be fully performed But now while they need to try and prove themselves whether they be in the Faith which is the evidence of things not seen and the confidence of things hoped for that is thus to be proved If Jesus Christ â—nd there is but one Christ and after the same consideration as before if he be in them that can be no otherwise than as before as in his testimony declared the ground and foundation of their faith and hope the matter beleeved and object beleeved in then their faith is of God and centuring in God even the Father for he that seeth him seeth him that sent him and he that beleeveth on him beleeveth on him that sent him he is come a light into the world that whosoever beleeveth in him should not abide in darkness Joh. 12. 44-46 3 Thy third Slander is That I said Paul was in Heaven when he saw the person of Christ there with bodilyeies Truly this also is wholly without any colour of ground from any thing I said or writ That Paul had an immediate demonstration of the person o Christ even of the glorified body in the Heavens and did hear the word of his mouth even receive
in respect of the Declarations but in respect of the declarers also as Isa. 40. There is a clear Prophecy of the Fore-runner and of his work and message vers 3-8 Then in the following verses of the more full coming forth of the glorious Gospel by Jesus Christ and his Apostles So Isa. 44 26. He shall confirm the word of his Servant and perform the councel of his Messengers with apt allusion to which see Heb. 2 â— speaking of the great salvation he saith which began to be preached by the Lord himself who is that servant Isa 42. 1. and was confirmed by them that heard him which were his Messengers or Apostles for obedience to the faith among all Nations Rom. 1. 5. So Isa 8. speaking Prophetically of the first Personal Appearing of the Messiah both in that Chapter and Chap. 7. 14. and how therein he should be born of a Virgin c. And then be also a Stone of stumbling and Rock of offence to both houses of Israel as he was in that his Appearing coming in such a despicable manner as they looked not for With reference to that time he saith the testimony of him should be bound up among his Disciples the Law or Doctrine sealed and confirmed among them and so by them and in their records to us all Nations â—ince as appears in that with reference to that testimony and doctrine so bound up and sealed among them he by and by admonisheth us To the Law and to the Testimonie with every spirit if they speak not according to that Word it is because there is no light in them And it farther appears it is to be applied to his immediate Disciples in his personal ministration and to those that were immediately begotten by him and received their message and furniture immediately from him in that concerning himself and them together he saith Behold I and the children which God hath given me are for signs and wonders in Israel which in like expreâ—â—ions is peculiarly applied to those Apostles that peculiarly and immediately was given him out of the world for children Job 17. 6 8 18. and 21. 5. And so he and they together in their ministration and records left and setforth as it were men appointed to death For they are made a spectacle to the world to Anâ—els to men c. 1 Cor. 49. Likewise other where they are prophesied of as to the Nation or Family of which they should proceed even of the Jews that should bâ—ing the last and fullest revelation of the Gospel unto all Nations That they should be of the Tabernacles of David that should be reared up among the Gentiles Amos 9. 11. with Act. 15. 13. c. That Saviors should come upon mount Sion to judge the mount of Esau Obad. last So saith our Saviour also Salvation is of the Jews the Gospel came intirely and wholly out from them and was by them brought to the Gentiles 1 Tim. 3. 16. nor are we to listen to or wait for any new or farther revelation to be given forth in the time of this mortality or from the Gentiles for the word of the Lord came not nor cometh first or immediately from them but to them only 1 Cor. 14. 36 37. And that these Scriptures of the Prophets written aforetime and commandments of the Apostles of our Lord and Saviour are the infallible and things contained in the Scriptures may use this as an argument but themselves destroy the validity of it for they cannot see the streightness and agreement of his words but set them together by the ears and being unlearned and unstable in the great things of his Doctrine do necessarily pervert things hard to be understood and mangle the word of God to their own destruction Isa 28. 12 13. 2 Pet. 3. 16. But the word of God is true from the beginning and demonstrates its excellency of truth rightness and harmony from the original of it the testimony of Jesus which is the Spirit of Prophesie and every one of his righteous judgements indureth for eveâ— He that beleeveth shall neither make haste nor be ashamed Psal 119. 160. Isa 28. 16. with 1 Pet. 2. 6 7. 2 All things standing and continuing to this day according to the Ordinances therein set them Psal 119. 89 90 91. 3 Their perfect and acute declaring the end from the beginning as in their several times they have come and do come to pass Isa 46 9 10. with Chap. 41. 22 23. and 43. 12. Joh. 16. 4. with Chap. 14. 25 26. 2. Pet. 1. 12 13. to the end with Chap. 3. 1 2 3. 1 Tim. 4. 1. Matth. 24. 25. We might have demonstrated the truth and validity of these Arguments in divers instances to each of them but it would make this work too tedious I am ready by Gods grace to do it when it shall bee required by any I might also have mentioned many more secondary Arguments of like import which God himself useth for confirming and strengthning the beleever and furnishing him to stop the mouths of gain-sayers with that faithful word but I forbear In these Scriptures of truth God hath written to us excellent things in counsels and knowledge that he might make us know the certainty of the words of truth that our trust may be in the Lord according to them and that we may have them to answer all sent to us with Prov. 22 17-21 In them hath he made known the mystery of his will the whole counsel of God that is to be or may be revealed unto mortal men even in those Scriptures that Timothy had been instructed into and known from his youth 2 Tim. 3. 15 16 17. Eph. 1. 9. Act. 20. 27. Rom. 16 25 26. But then also 3 For bringing this teaching of God contained in these books near unto us in a way suitable to our need and weakness God hath provided another â—xpedient namely By giving gifts to men in the hearty beleef of his testimony and receiving the love of it so as to save them though yet they are of like passions and infirmities with others yet therein furnished them with such gifts as may be for the profit of others to every one of those that are in any measure truly or throughly reconciled to God by Jesus Christ is given grace some gracious gift for the benefit of others the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every one of them even some distinct understanding of the Spirits testimony concerning Christ so as they are helped to discern and know what God hath given them in Christ and this for the profit of others that they may each according to his measure be useful one to another and to others through the Spirit in administring some gift for teaching opening or stirring up in the Grace of God Jesus Christ now being ascended on high And having received all immeasurable fulness of gifts in the man and for men that in or through the dispensation of them men might be prepared