inseparable from the Scriptures as some suppose Yet would I not be thought to undervalue the Scriptures any whit for I have very Venerable thoughts of them and a Reverential esteem for them as being Holy Writings But I dare not confine all means for mans Salvation in them because the Lord hath not confined himself to them but hath left himself a Witness in every Conscience which Witness is a spiritual manifestation of his Son the Saviour of the World And this the Scriptures plentifully declare of which sometimes they call the Word the Law the Grace the Spirit of God at other times they call it the Light of Iesus the New Covenant a Light to lighten the Gentiles a Rod a Staff a Shepherds Crook the Word nigh in the Heart and in the Mouth the Sure Word of Prophecy the manifestation of the Spirit a Shield a Buckler a strong Tower the Armour of Righteousness All which are one in Nature though diversly exprest according to its distinct Operations in the Soul as the Creature standeth in need sometimes to lighten its Darkness at other times to lead it in the way of Holiness one while it Instructs another while it Corrects sometimes it Counsels other times it Consolates and as its Counsel is heeded and the Soul guided by it it preserves and defends in all exigencies and straights But I pass over its special use intending to shew that in another place only here may be seen the great condescention and matchless love of him who gives unto all Life and Breath and Being in that he hath sent the Holy Ghost down from Heaven with the Revelation of his Son Jesus Christ in the Hearts of the Children of men that whosoever adhereth to the Spirit of his Son within them may thereby know him not only as a Saviour and Redeemer but also to be their Saviour and Redeemer and that not only from the Punishment but from the Power and Dominion of Sin by setting of them free from the Bondage of Corruption and bringing them into the glorious Liberty of his own Children But as for such who will not believe in this Principle of God but instead of owning it as his Power unto Salvation say it is A Satanical suggestion and instead of owning it to be of the Divine Nature of God or Christ they call it the Dim Light of created Nature putting Bitter for Sweet and Sweet for Bitter counting Darkness Light and Light Darkness such may continue in their Bondage and Vassallage under the Prince and Power of Darkness in the blindness of their Minds hardness of their Hearts and deadness of their Spirits notwithstanding Freedom and Liberty Life and Immortallity is brought to Light through the Gospel which it hath pleased the Father should be Preached to every Creature by his Son Sions Deliverer who is his own Messenger see Rom. 11. 26. Mal. 3. 2. For this Principle of Light of which I now write 't is something of the Nature and Being of God himself who as he is a Spirit so he is Light as you may read concerning him Iohn 4. 24. 1 Iohn 1. 5. and therefore 't is by his Light with which we are inlightned It proceedeth from him he being the Ocean wherein the fulness thereof is contained 't is from him through his Son Christ Jesus that we come to be inlighted by the same so 't is in his Light that we see Light even as the Natural Sun causeth its Beams to extend to the Ends of the Earth so this Eternal Son of Righteousnes who is the Ocean and Fountain of Divine Spiritual Light causeth more or less of the streams thereof to descend into all immortal Souls upon it Thus having shew'd the Nature and Quality Original and Fountain of this blessed Principle I come further to shew its Use and Extent that so I may not only tell my Reader What it is and Whence it comes but according to my Promise write something of What it doth and Whereto it leads § IV. In the first place It daily Reproves for Sin even in all men and excites to Holiness during the Time of their Visitation though 't is possible for men to sin themselves into such a state by drinking in Iniquity as the Ox drinketh Water when through custom in sinning their Consciences become seared as with an Hot-Iron that this Principle of God may cease striving with them and so these may not know when they do Evil yet there is a Time in which this Principle of God doth stand as a faithful Witness against all Unrighteousness and Ungodliness in the Hearts of Men and Women and Leads Draws Moves and Enclines their Minds to Righteousness seeking to Leaven them as they yield thereunto into the Nature of it self whereby an inward thorow and real Redemption may be wrought in the Hearts of all Men of what Kindred Nation or People soever notwithstanding any outward Benefit or Priviledge they may Providentially be deprived of yet is the Lord so Gracious as to dispense such a measure of his Grace Power and Spirit unto all the Children of Men to convince them of sin to Reprove them for it and to lead them out of it that as they give up to the Operation thereof in themselves it will thorowly sanctifie and make them clean and so prepare them and make them meet for his heavenly Kingdom yea though they never had the Scriptures amongst them nor never heard Christ outwardly named to them the Name of Christ being often put for the Power of Christ within as in Mark. 16. 17. In My Name shall they cast out Devils saith Christ of his Disciples So in Acts 4. 7. The High Priests and Rulers asked Peter and Iohn By what Power or by what Name they had made the Impotent Man whole For that Name of Christ which heals and saves is his Power that maketh Free from Sin Now whoso knoweth this Name of Jesus to be given unto them and effectually to have wrought in them they can truly witness him to be the Arm of God's Salvation However we do say that the Scriptures in which we have a Declaration of what Christ hath done and suffered for us those do much Facilitate Salvation through Faith in Christ Jesus and therefore they ought thankfully to be received by us and born Witness to when-ever the Lord shall require us so as that we may not be ashamed to own not afraid to confess him to be our Saviour who they make mention of to have been put to Death in the Flesh above Sixteen Hundred Sixty Years past by the Hands of Sinners For we do not believe that this Light Grace and Power of God which is sufficient both to sanctifie and save and able to give an Inheritance among them that are sanctified through Faith which is in Christ Jesus where Christ is not outwardly named I say We do not believe that this is given to any without Christ but we do believe it to be the Purchase and Benefit of
Truth 's Vindication OR A Gentle Stroke to wipe off the Foul Aspersions False Accusations and Misrepresentations cast upon the People of God called QUAKERS Both with respect to their Principle and their way of Proselyting People over to them Prov. 4. 18 19. The Path of the Iust is as the shining Light that shineth more and more unto the perfect Day The Way of the Wicked is as Darkness they know not at what they stumble Isa. 51.7 41. 14. Hearken unto me ye that know Righteousness the People in whose Heart is my Law Fear ye not the Reproach of Men neither be ye afraid of their Revilings Fear not thou Worm Jacob and ye Men of Israel I will help thee saith the Lord and thy Redeemer the Holy One of Israel Also An EPISTLE to such of the Friends of Christ that have lately been convinced of the TRUTH as it is in JESUS Hosea 6. 3. Then shall we know if we follow on to know the Lord his going forth is prepared as the Morning and he will come unto us as the Rain as the latter and former Rain unto the Earth Job 8. 7. Though thy Beginning was small yet thy Latter-end shall greatly increase Printed in the Year 1679. AN EPISTLE TO You Five in particular viz. A.W. E.T. M.I. B.P. E.F. unto whom this is more especially intended to be delivered FRIENDS NOT in Affectation to be Popular for that I do not desire but in Obedience to Christ Iesus my Lord and Master have I pen'd this matter that so the Innocency of his Truth and People may more conspicuously appear Neither have I fondly desired to get my Name in Print for 't is not Inky Character can make a Saint such must be sanctified and cleansed in Body Soul and Spirit through which they come to be prepared God's Kingdom to inherit Wherefore I write unto you my Friends That you may not content your selves barely in an outward Separation whilst not wholely separated from that within which is the Cause of Transgression to wit that Adulterate Spirit of the Man of Sin that 's got not only into the Pontificial Chair at Rome whence so many corrupt Customs both in Worship and Practice are come abroad into the World but doth also sit upon the Throne in the Hearts of many People even in this our Native Land And this Spirit hath led Man into many False Wayes and Forms in his fallen Condition whereby he hath strayed from the Right Way of Restoration which Way being made known to a Remnant whose Minds are turned to Christ's Light within God's saving Power these cannot but call to their Friends and Acquaintance to turn in hither and therefore have I been made to send this Friendly Invitation abroad into the World That People may be invited to that Feast of Fat Things which the Lord hath prepared for them that turn in unto him But more especially doth it lie upon me for you Five to whom I write this Epistle Dedicatory to let you know his Oxen and his Fatlings are ready only come away do not tarry For I well know this is the time of the Lord's Love towards you because of the sounding of his Bowels which I have heard within me I know they are not restrained from you because of the constraint that he hath laid upon me which hath been so powerful that my Heart hath been pained in me and my Soul hath been distressed for you and often have I been bowed down in Spirit yea till I could hardly stand upon my Feet until the Lord who bowed me down raised me up and set before me a Door of Hope whereat his Prisoner in you may be brought forth which is that for which God's Seed in me hath travailed through many Tribulations and now having delivered me from that cruel Bondage of Corruption which once I groaned under this makes me restless in my Spirit that others may believe in that inward Power that 's able to rescue from the Eury of their Soul's Oppressor Yet I write not this by way of Complaint as though I thought it a Weariness to serve the Lord in answering his Requirings no that I cannot think for I must acknowledge so gracious is he in his Condescension that he hath made this my Exercise become also my Divertion yea though I was his Prisoner by Indisposition of Body occasion'd through the Pressure of my Mind whilst the Weight of this Matter lay upon me yet I wished for no Walks of Pleasure nor was I weary of my Pain the Reward given into my Bosome in returns of Peace and sweet Security that my Soul enjoys amidst the disturbing Fears and Perplexities that are abroad is sufficient Recompence for all these light Afflictions What the subject Matter hereof is read and you will find wherein I have first endeavoured to remove the Stumbling-blocks from before you and then to cast up the Way of Truth for you and that by Scripture Road as you may read in those cited Texts which here have been brought unto my Hands without the Help of Humane Concordance Read in Charity what I have written in Humility knowing you are my Elders in years I would address my self unto you in all Christian Manners but I dare not Flatter you nor can I complementally crave Excuses of you accept it therefore from me who can truly say For some time I have not been my own the Lord having made me your Servant in this thing but now the Truth hath in measure set me free which also made me willing to serve you as it gave me Ability that God might have the Glory and you the Profit of these my Spiritual Labours Who am Your Faithful Friend Elizabeth Bathurst AN INTRODUCTION By way of PREFACE TO THE Ensuing Treatise MY former Friends and Acquaintance for whose sakes this is written it is to rectifie your Mistakes about and to inform you in that which some stick not to call A New Religion But though the old Enemy of all Righteousness has found this new opprobrious Term to asperse and undermine the Truth with blessed be the Captain of our Salvation he hath defeated him of his Design and out of the Mouthes of Babes and Sucklings hath ordained Praise to his own Name For let me tell you my Friends True Religion is of great Antiquity 't is as old as Abel who by Faith offered up a more excellent Sacrifice than Cain by which he obtained Witness That he was Righteous God testifying of his Gift and by it he being dead yet speaketh as you may read Hebr. 11. 4. And now I appeal to you What Faith was this by which Abel pleased God Was it not a living Faith which God had wrought in him and not a dead Faith received by Tradition of Man's teaching yet such was the Nature and kind of it that he did not only believe in the true God his Creator but also in Jesus Christ his Redeemer although he was not come in the Flesh then yet
love to their Souls by giving them his Flesh to eat which is the true Bread that cometh down from Heaven This is he that gives true freedom of will to his People whereby they can cheerfully serve him and keep the Word of his patience though in much Affliction and he hath promised to keep such in the hour of Temptation Rev. 3. 10. This is the Lord our Righteousness and he of whom our Righteousness is as saith the Prophet which while we abide in him we have a sure standing But if any go out from him who is a God at hand and whose Salvation is near to be reveald in all that wait for him then 't is no wonder if they fail of the Riches of that Grace which is treasured up in him This is he whose Works and Wayes are all Perfect and in him we are made compleat that is as we are guided by his Spirit which he gives to lead the Saints into all Truth according to his promise Iohn 16. 13 14. Howbeit when the Spirit of Truth is come he will lead you into all Truth for he shall take of mine and shall shew it unto you saith Christ and this his Spirit by which his People are led is an Infallible Spirit Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ which is Infallible he is none of his saith the Apostle Rom. 8. 9. And now if any man have and profess to be led by this Spirit of Christ he is made a Scoff even by the very Professors of this Age. Thus I have again touch'd upon the former Particulars wherein I undertook to Vindicate Truth and its Followers in all which Christ the Light and Life of Men is all in all unto his People For Christianity doth not consist in the belief of so many Doctrines Articles and Principles as some suppose but in conformity unto that one Eternal Principle to wit the Light of Christ manifest in the Conscience and yet leads into a heavenly Order both in Doctrine Principle and Conversation according to the diversity of its Gifts whereby man comes not to be at liberty in his own Will but bound again to God which is the true signification of the word Religion And this Light of the unerring Spirit by which the Lord leads his People in the Way Everlasting it shineth within mark It shineth in the Darkness though the Darkness comprehend it not as saith the Apostle Iohn 1. 5. It shines in the dark Heart of man though man in his dark state cannot discern what it is yet is this that sure Word of Prophecy whereunto we do well to take heed as unto a Light that shineth in a dark place untill the Day dawn and the Day-Star arise in our Hearts according to that 2 Pet. 1. â—9 which is as much as if the Apostle had said This is commendable that you give diligent heed to the least measure of this Light or Grace of God which he hath dispenced to you till he shall see fit to bestow a greater measure upon you For 't is still but one thing that I am describing although rendred by divers Names inasmuch as the sure Word of Prophecy and the Day-Star here spoken of differ only in Degrees not in Nature and Kind both which Expressions denote to us that one gift of Light and Grace through Christ Jesus freely bestowed on all men and according to the improvement that they make of their Measures so an increase thereof is administred to them It was by this Light that Iob walked through Darkness Iob 29. 8. And it is by this Light that we come to see our Darkness but 't is not that we should abide in Darkness but walk through it and come out of it by following the Light of Christ that in his Light we may see more Light and so come to receive the Light of Life as 't is written Iohn 8. 12. Then spake Iesus unto them saying I am the Light of the World he that followeth me shall not walk in Darkness but shall have the Light of life And praised be the Lord there is a Remnant who have experienced it and can say with the Apostle this thing is true in them viz. The Darkness is past and the true Light now shineth 1 John 2. 8. Which Light is a Light of the Spirit of the Lord dwelling in his People and therefore whatever the World may think concerning them 't is no presumption in them to own they are made Possessors of the same For saith the Apostle to the Corinthians Know ye not that ye are the Temples of God and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you For ye are the Temples of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walk in them 1 Cor. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Now since God himself is said in Scripture to dwell and walk in his People why should it be thought Arrogant for them to say Christ in them is the hope of their Glory according to that of the Apostle Col. 1. 27. To whom God would make known what is the Riches of the Glory of this Mystery among the Gentiles Christ in you the hope of Glory And let me tell you this was the Judgment of Dr. Langly which I my self heard from him in a Sermon preach't upon that Text viz. That the great Gospel Treasure is the Lord Iesus Christ and the glory of that Treasure is Christ in us This was his Observation and this I think is Confession clear enough to the Truth of our Assertion viz. That in being guided by the Light which is the Spirit of Christ within us hereby a sure Hope of Eternal Glory is given to us However we do not conclude Christ in our selves only but we say a measure of his Light in order to shew the way of Life every man is or hath been enlightned with Nor yet do we include him in the fleshly Temples of Men and Womens Hearts so as to exclude him from being any where else but as we know his Presence fills Heaven and Earth so we believe that notwithstanding his appearance in our Hearts he is continually at the Right Hand of God at the Right Hand of the Majesty on High ever Living to make Intercession for us and by his Spirit we feel the Signification thereof within us For this Grace of God which is the Light of Jesus 't is a measure of the Divine Spirit and a Manifestation of it is given to every man to profit withal see 1 Cor. 12.7 Yea this Universal Principle which I am describing it is a Measure of the quickening Spirit even of that Spirit which raised up Jesus from the Dead by the Indwelling of which in us we come to be renewed in the Spirit of our Minds and to have our Mortal Bodies quickned so as to capacitate us to serve the Lord with our Spirits and with our Bodies which are his Now if any shall think I have raised this Principle too high
the one Prophet promised to Israel Deut 18. 18. which Promise the Apostle repeateth Acts 3. 22. saying And it shall come to pass that every Soul that will not hear this Prophet shall be destroyed from amongst the people Vers. 23. Thus do they commend themselves to every man's Conscience in the sight of God by turning them to the Light of Jesus the Power of God manifest within which as 't is yielded to and obeyed maketh free from Sin which still is that one thing that I am writing concerning viz. A Principle of Divine Light and Life in Christ Jesus according to the Apostle's record Iohn 1. 4. In him was Life and the Life was the Light of Men And this Light I say however it may be called 't is the shining of the Son of Righteousness in men's Consciences 'T is not Conscience which some have described to be a reflect Act of the mind whereby men view their past Actions the which accuses them for what they have done ill and approveth of what they have done well Though this be more then some there are will allow in this matter yet is this too short to express its noble Nature For this Principle doth as well shew men the Sin of their future Evil Purposes and Intentions as set before them the Iniquity of their former Actions Therefore I say 't is not Conscience for that is but a created Faculty But that of God placed in the Conscience hath its being from all Eternity For he that shewth unto man his Thoughts is the same that Formed the Mountains Created the Winds whose Name is the Lord of Hosts as saith the Prophet Amos Chap. 4. 13. And this is he who is without beginning of Dayes or end of Life The Alpha and the Omega the First and the Last the beginning of the Creation of God the Image of the Invisible God the first Born of every Creature the faithful Witness and the first begotten of the Dead and the Prince of the Kings of the Earth This is he who is the Resurrection and the Life in all that do believe in his Light as 't is Recorded concerning him Heb. 7. 3. Rev. 1. 11. Col. 1. 15. Rev. 1. 5. Iohn 11. 25. Therefore whilst ye have the Light believe in the Light saith Christ that ye may become Children of the Light John 12. 36. And this Light is elsewhere called the Seed even that Incorruptible Seed by which we are begotten to God and Born again by his Eternal Word which liveth and abideth forever see 1 Pet. 1. 23. This is the promised Seed yea that Seed of the Woman spoken of Gen. 3. 15. where the Lord said to the Serpent I will put Enmity between thee and the Woman and between thy Seed and her Seed it shall bruise thy Head and thou shalt bruise his Heel This is the Seed of the Kingdom of Heaven for Heaven's Kingdom is within as Christ said Luke 17. 20. Wherefore this Seed is sown in the Hearts of the Children of men as was set forth by the Parable of the sower Mat. 13. and the beginning He spake many things to them in Parables Behold a sower went forth to Sow and when he sowed some Seed fell by the Way-side c. some fell among Stoney places c. and some fell among Thorns Verse 18 19. Hear ye therefore the Parable of the Sower saith Christ When any one heareth the Word of the Kingdom and understandeth it not then cometh the wicked One and catcheth away that which was sown in his Heart This is he that received Seed by the Way-side c. And in the 31 32. Verses Christ saith The Kingdom of Heaven is like to a Grain of Mustard-Seed which a man took and sowed in his Field which indeed is the least of all Seeds but when 't is grown 't is the greatest among Herbs c. 'T is truly so indeed The Seed or Grace of God is small in its first appearance even as the Morning Light but as it is given heed to and obeyed it will encrease in Brightness till it shine in the Soul like the Sun in the Firmament at its Noon-day height But if People will despise the Day of small things and will not believe in this low Appearance of the Light of Jesus in their Hearts which though it discover to them their Sins and reproves for them yet because its Reproofs are soft and mild and its Voice small and still they out-clamour the sound thereof in their Consciences whereby they reject the Son of God in Spirit as the Iews did in Flesh because he came to them in so mean a manner they would not have him to be their Saviour Will it not be just for Christ to say to these as he did to them Iohn 8 24. If ye believe not that I am he ye shall dye in your Sins and then whither I go ye cannot come For the Lord hath said his Spirit shall not alwayes strive with man Gen. 6. 3. He is a gracious and long-suffering God but though he be Forbearing yet he will not alwayes bear though his Spirit doth strive with some for a long season yet if they continue to resist the same the time will come when it will cease striving with them and then Wo will be unto them but right blessed are they that are prevailed upon by the strivings of the good Spirit of the Lord in the Day of their Visitation to know and mind the things that concern their everlasting Peace before they are hid from their Eyes But if People will shut their Eyes against the Light how just is it for the Lord to withdraw its shinings from them and to cause Darkness to overtake them Wherefore hear ye and give Ear be not Proud for the Lord hath spoken give Glory to the Lord before he cause Darkness and before your Feet stumble upon the dark Mountains and while you look for Light he turn it into the shadow of Death and make it gross Darkness according to the advise of the Prophet Ieremiah Chap. 13. 15 16. For though a measure of this Divine Light is or hath been in every Man in order to save them yet it will not alwayes abide with them I mean as to its saving Efficacy it will continue no longer then during the Day of their Visitation Therefore saith Christ Yet a little while is the Light with you walk while ye have the Light lest Darkness come upon you John 12. 35. Again he limitteth a certain Day saying in David to Day after so long a time as it is said to Day if ye will hear his Voice harden not your Hearts Heb. 4.7 True indeed there is a Day wherein People may know the things that concern their Souls everlasting Peace But if they Sin out this Day afterwards those things will be hid from their Eyes as Christ said when he came near the City Ierusalem he beheld it and wept over it saying If thou hadst known at least in
is well-pleased for 't is no other Jesus concerning whom I write but the same that was born of the Virgin even the Lord 's Christ who hath made himself known unto his Servants by such Peculiar Names as suited the particular Circumstances of their Souls and according to their several Experiences of him so they reported concerning him Isaiah describes him to be as the Shadow of a great Rock in a weary Land a Refuge from the Heat a Covert from Rain and from Storms Chap. 4. Vers. 6. and chap. 32. 2 Again he spake of his being to his People as a place of broad Rivers and Streams Chap. 33. 21 David calls him The Shepherd of Israel which leadeth Joseph like a Flock Psal. 80. 1. He also calls him The Watchman of Israel who neither slumbereth nor sleeps Psal. 121 4. Paul speak of his being our High-Priest yea a Priest forever after the Order of Melchizedeck Heb. 5. 6. And likewise calls him the Minister of the Sanctuary and of the true Tabernacle which God hath pitched Chap. 8. 2. Iohn the Evangelist calls him The true Light that lighteth every man that cometh into the World John 1. 9. The other Iohn or Iohn the Divine saith This is he which was and is and is to come Rev. 1. 8. And now since he is come to a Remnant and they have believed in his Light as manifest in them they are not ashamed to confess that in the mind which gives a discovery of Sin to be the Power of God the Appearance of Jesus and that Light of the Lamb which the Nations of them that are saved must and shall walk forever in according to Rev. 21. 23 24 Neither is this any new Doctrine Opinion or Principle other then that which Abel Seth Enoch Noah Abraham Isaac and Iacob with all the holy Patriarches of Old were led and guided by in things relating both to Faith Life and Worship For what else could be a Rule unto them in matters of Salvation but this divine Principle when as they had no written Laws nor Ordinances amongst them which Principle is Christ the Light and Leader of his People in all Ages of the World who is one in all never was divided though variously described being the same who by his Light sheweth unto the Wicked and condemns them for the Vanity of their Thoughts who also by the same Spirit comforts and consolates his Peoples Hearts that so as many as whose minds are turned to this Light of Jesus and stayed in it though it be but small in its first appearance yet shall they see a growth and increase of it Thus Reader have I according to the Gift communicated to me from the Dispensation of the Most-high described what the Principle of Truth is which is perfect in it self and tends to the Perfecting of those that are gathered into it And now my former Familiars Neighbours Acquaintance and Kindred in the Flesh and all others to whom this may come hereby I invite you all to turn in hither even into the secret of your own Souls to that which there reproves you for your Sins witnessing for God against all Unrighteousness of men both in Thought Word and Action striving in their Hearts to turn them from the Evil of their Wayes and from the Vanity of their Conversations to walk in the newness of Life that so they may be redeemed and restored out of their fallen state of Degeneration into the Image of God again which hath been lost through Transgression O turn in turn in I say before it be too late lest you at last cry with them spoken of in Ieremiah 8. 20. The Harvest is past the Summer is ended and we are not saved Work while it is Day while the Candle of the Lord shineth in your Tabernacle be you workers together with God for the Night cometh wherein no man can Work and who can tell how soon the Sun of Righteousness may go down upon you and the Light thereof obscure it self from you Therefore hear Instruction and be wise while the good Spirit of the Lord is nigh to teach you seek ye the Lord while he may be found call ye upon him while he is near and refuse not to hearken to his heavenly Oracle in your Consciences whereby under this his spiritual Dispensation he is pleased to speak unto the Children of men lest he say by you as he said by some of Old who regarded not his Counsel They shall call upon me but I will not answer they shall seek me early but they shall not find me Prov. 1.25.28 For that in the Conscience which checks for Sin and excites to Holiness is the Voice of the son of God by whom in these last dayes the Father speaketh unto us Oh be ye perswaded to hearken diligently unto him Hear and your Souls shall live and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you saith the Lord even the sure Mercies of David Isa. 55. 3. And then you will come to know that Faith which Jesus is the Author of which stands in the Power of God even in that Power which inables to resist Temptations and overcome Sin and to get Victory over the World and the Spirit of it so will you witness a dying unto Sin and a living unto Righteousness to the praise of his Grace who is calling of you out of Darkness into Light that you may be Holy in all manner of Conversation So now since God's saving Arm is made bare for the gathering many People to himself before your Eyes Beware therefore left that come upon you which is spoken of in the Prophets Behold you Despisers and Wonder and Perish for I work a Work in your dayes which you shall in no wise believe though a man declare it unto you Read Acts 13. 40 41. But Friends my Hearts desire and Prayer to God for you is that you might be saved And therefore have I in the tender Bowels of his Love which he hath shed abroad in my Heart by Jesus Christ sent this Invitation unto you that ye all may make ready and come to the Supper of the great God who hath spread his Table and prepared a Banquet for you whereof whosoever will may eat and drink abundantly as long as the time of Visitation is extended unto you For this I write in the Openings of Life and from the motion of the good Spirit of my God do I declare unto ye viz. That none of ye were absolutely excluded from Eternity well knowing that a measure of his Grace hath been freely tendred to every one of you because his Love extendeth Universally and he is crying Ho every one that thirsteth come ye to the Waters of Life And he that hath no Money come ye buy and eat yea come buy Wine and Milk without Money and without Price Isa. 55. 1. Here is free Grace indeed free Love indeed O do you but yield your selves the Subjects of his Love and he will set your Souls
at liberty that Sin shall not have Dominion over you only obey his Voice and he will soon subdue your Enemies for you and remove that which letteth out of your way and that you may know when the time of Visitation is upon you I 'll leave this mark with you even then when you feel the Son of God knocking at the Door of your Hearts that he may come in and Sup with you then I say is the time when the Year of Jubile is approaching to you when those which are in Bondage may beset at liberty which if you refufe to accept of and will not be set free when the Year of Gods release is proclaimed unto you how can you expect any other but that your Spiritual Task-master will obtain leave to bore your Ears to the Posts of his Doors and make you his Servants forever Therefore bow down to Gods Power in you that he may come in and set up his Judgment-seat in every Heart For For Iudgment saith he am I come into this World John 9. 39. That so after you have felt his Righteous Judgments for every Unrighteous thing you may find him to be near which justifieth your Souls and that you may experience Christ's coming in your selves with Power and great Glory to work Redemption in you as well as that he hath purchased Redemption for you wait for him I exhort you in the way of his Judgments For the Lord is a God of Judgment and blessed are all they that wait for him as saith the Prophet Isaiah Chap. 30. 18. So shall you feel your Souls redeemed out of the Earth and out of the Earthly Nature after which you will witness the Peace of God to be extended towards you like a River But if you rebel against him you shall dwell in a dry Land and shall not see when good comes Howbeit when Calamity overtakes you then shall you know that you had a Time you had a Season you had a Day of Visitation in which you might have obtained Mercy would you have turned unto God he would have turned unto you and put his fear into your Hearts and blotted out your Transgressions for his own Name sake and became a Father to you and you should have become the Sons and Daughters of the Almighty And now once more I invite you all to turn in to the Principle of God which daily visits you in your inwards parts in order to bring you out of a state of Sin and Misery and to make you partakers of his Righteousness and Felicity Come taste and see that the Lord is gracious who long waiteth upon you that he may be gracious unto you because he delighteth in Mercy O! come come away haste out of Babylon while the Deliverer is near you so will he turn back your Captivity like Rivers in the South and conduct you to Canaan the Land of Everlasting Rest where Praises shall spring up in your Souls to the Glory of his Name even to all Eternity and with this I 'll leave you though much more might be said yet when all is said that can be 't is the feeling sense of the inward Operation of this Divine Principle that alone can satisfactorily inform ye which that you may Experience in your selves and to be happy is the hearty Desire of your Souls Friend who writes this unto you Thus having written my Experience of the QVAKERS Principle I shall write something to detect the Erronious and False Opinion that is got up in the Minds of many concerning the Way and Means by which People come to believe therein PART III. A Confutation of Peoples False Opinions concerning the Manner how we have been Convinced of the Principle of True Religion MAny and various are the Reports that have been rumored abroad relating to the Manner Practice of this People in gaining upon others to believe in the Principle of Truth which they bear witness of The Principle of Truth I call it for so my Soul doth witness it although I am not unsensible that such who do despise it will not stick to scandalize it and instead of calling it by its true and proper Name brand it with the opprobious Terms of Heresie and Schism Sullen Separation and the Effect of a Melancholly Brain some of whom not knowing the Way of the Spirit in themselves and yet seeing the evident Change which hath been wrought upon others by Vertue of the powerful Operation of this spiritual PRINCIPLE or POWER of GOD in their Consciences they have hereupon confidently affirmed the same to be effected by the Art of Witchcraft and Diabolical Inchantment which Affirmation though false yet may it truly be said to have been fixed as a Scare-Crow or Ghostly Apparition to affrighten people from so much a looking towards this Religion But albeit it hath been so intended yet through the Mercy of our God there is a Remnant who have not been so affrighted as to flee from but have been drawn near to see and feel whether there were any Substance in the same and such have found to their satisfaction That the Substance of Life hath lain hid under this dark Reflection which through the cloudiness of the Understanding and Prejudice that hath been in the Minds of people against the Principle of Light they have enviously cast upon the Profefsors of it as the Means whereby they Convert and Turn People to it alledging it as matter of Wonder that any should be so strangely altered both in Countenance Carriage and Communication and that on a suddain too as some have been observ'd to be unless it were by the Power of Sorcery or some Satanical Possession And hence have they mocked at and derided that Godly Fear and Holy Trembling that hath been made to appear in some when the Terrors of the Almighty took hold on them by reason of Sin as though this were occasion'd through some Frenzy Humor being the Product of Natural Weakness and Defect or else produced by the invincible force of Magick Art which the Creature can no wayes resist So that this hath been a main Argument why people should not adventure themselves so much as to go into a Quakers Meeting for fear of the great Danger that some suppose there is of being charmed into that Religion which Fear hath so much affrighted the Hearts of some that notwithstanding there are good Desires in them after Satisfaction in Matters of Religion and they have freely confest even in my hearing Thaet this seemeth to be the Way to attain the same yet they never were nor do they dare to come amongst this people to wit the Quakers for fear of being forcibly possest with the belief of their Principle which if they should receive and walk therein every one knows what will follow thereupon this would certainly expose them to the World's Hatred and Scorn which the Servants and People of the Lord in all Ages have born so that for these to be accounted Witches is no
Wherefore I say the first Mistake is Gross for any thing of Force which is that that some conclude to be the cause of my coming amongst the People called Quakers that I do declare I never felt nay I now find it to be Diametrically opposite to that Foundation Principle upon which their Religion is built which Principle is Christ the Prince of Peace who utterly disallows of all Coersive Compulsion Force Constraint or Violence to be used in Matters of Religion and teaches such who learn of him in Meekness to Instruct those that are Ignorant of the Way of Truth and then patiently to wait till he inclines their Hearts to walk in it so that having their Dependance upon and Expectation from the Lord alone they dare not attempt the Propagation of the Gospel of his dear Son by the strength and in the skill and time of man without being guided directed and subjected by him in whom is all their Help found This as to the first Mistake But the second Mistake amounts to thus much viz. That what could not be wrought upon me by Constraint and Force was othewise attempted to be brought to pass to wit by subtil Insinuations and fair Promises by which it hath been said this People use to tamper with those whom they Design to make their Proselites In Answer whereunto I shall make this Reply This mistake is Obvious For Promises of outward advantage and Worldly good availeth nothing that can stand the Soul instead Therefore it were altogether imprudent as well as utterly unlawful to propose any thing of such a kind upon this occasion neither indeed was it outward advancement that I sought after although this is a reproach I have been made to bear the Lord is my Witness herein who subjected me unto himself and made me willing to be at his disposing and to have my Lot cast by him The truth is Corn nor Wine nor Oyll did not esteem nor yet length of dayes to enjoy them for in my solitudes the whole World seemed to me as a very little thing my Soul desiring nothing but a part in Gods Kingdom which made me earnestly intreat him that he would lead me in the Way Everlasting wherefore this was my frequent Supplication unto him viz. O! thou incomprehensible Majesty who hast established thy Throne in the high and holy Heavens yet dost thou graciously condescend to look down upon the Inhabitants of the Earth wilt thou now be pleased to suffer Dust and Ashes to plead with thee and to admit Mortal Flesh to make request unto thee Then this is it O Lord that I would most earnestly implore of thee even that thou wouldst cast up cast up a Way for me and remove all Lets and Stumbling-blocks from me and mark out a plain Path before me in which I may walk straight forward towards thy Heavenly Country and that amidst the various Forms there are for Worshipping of thee my Soul may certainly know how to serve thee aright and wherewith to bring an acceptable Sacrifice unto thee So that this being the Prayer which the Lord often put into my Heart as I then took it to Pray unto him when my Soul was seeking the way to his Kingdom promises of outward promotion had they been proposed could not have given me satisfaction And as for that which hath been termed The Quakers subtil Insinuation I think it must needs intend their sincere and upright Conversation For as to my own particular I do declare There was no way by which they did insinuate into me but by being found real in what they appeared to be the Heart-searching God having then put my Soul upon search to find out a People with whom I might joyn as with a Communion of Saints I looked here and there into many Assemblies but alas still I saw their Conversations so much contradicting their Professions that I could heartily joyn with none of them And then as to their Principles some indeed I did believe when I heard them declared but other some Gods witness in my Conscience did so testifie against that them I could not receive And thus finding no People with whom I could joyn in every thing I concluded my self to be single in the matter of Religion which made me many a time extend my Voice to the Lord in these Words Oh! my God upon whom I have been cast from my Infancy up How long shall my Faith stand alone upon the Earth In Answer whereunto I must acknowledge the Lord was graciously pleased even at those very times to signifie unto my Spirit That he had many Thousands though I knew them not who were sincere and upright before him unto whom he had regard as to his own Children But still I over looked this People of whom I am writing as if it had been altogether unlikely I should find what I sought for amongst them although Natural Affect on had laid a Bond upon me to judge charitably concerning them howbeit at length there was a Way made whereby I was brought to search here also notwithstanding the many false Aspersions which my Ears were fill'd with concerning them For I could not tell but little David the beloved of the Lord might lie hid amongst the Stuff whom God hath anointed to Reign in Self-seeking Souls stead wherefore I then was willing to look amongst â—is People to wit the Quakers and to turn up the foul covering which others had cast upon them under which I soon saw a glorious one lie hid the Form of whose Countenance was like the Son of God And now having not only sought but sound the Lord and his People in the Earth in their behalf do I here set my Probatim Est I have proved them in the thing which they profess They profess themselves the Disciples and Followers of Jesus Christ from whom they derive their Name Christian which Name though it were given the Disciples in scorn at first in Antioch yet did they and so do these esteem it as an honourable Epitaph And therefore have they laboured to answer their Christian calling with such a Meek Patient Holy Harmless Humble Trembling Self-denying Conversation as may be most conformable to the Pattern of Christ Jesus the High-Priest of their Profession So that now I say upon my search amongst them I have found those who are guided by the Principle of Truth in themselves by which they were called for 't is such only whose cause I am Vindicating very careful to walk worthy of their High and Holy Calling like as they have been called by this inward Principle to be Saints so by it have they led a Saint-like Life that thereby they might reach to the same Principle in the Consciences of others And by this their innocent Life I needs must acknowledge I felt my own Conscience powerfully reached for some time before my Judgment was fully satisfied But having those words of our Saviour imprinted upon my mind Iohn 7. 17. If any man will do