work self-denial heavenlynesse faith hope in God and whatever else is amiable and imitable He went about doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil Act. 10 33. He did no sinne neither was guile found in his mouth when he was reviled he reviled not again when he suffered he threatned not but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously 1 Per. 2. 22 23. The real of Gods house did eat him up Joh. 2. 17. It was his meat do do the will of him that sent him and to finish his work Joh. 4. 34. He was the good Shepherd that laid down his life for his Sheep Joh. 10. 11. Having loved his own which were in the world he loved them to the end Joh. 13. 1. Though he were their Lord and Master yet he washed his Disciples feet ver 23. 24. Though he was rich yet for our sakes he became poor that we through his poverty might be rich 2 Cor. 8. 9. Being in the form of God he made himself of no reputation but took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men and being found in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even the death of the crosse Phil. 2. 6 7 8. He pleased not himself but as it is written the reproaches of them that reproached God fell on him Rom. 15. 3. The Son of man came not to be ministred to but to minister and to give his life a ransome for many Mat. 20. 28. In all these things and in all other his words and deeds he did shine forth so clearly that even his enemies could not but acknowledge him to have been a holy and just person even before Pontius Pilate he witnessed so good a confession 1 Tim. 6. 13. that Pilate who condemned him yet acquitted him from fault and the malefactor that suffered with him testified that he had done nothing amisse Luk. 23. 4 14 41. 3. Christ did inlighten now in this time as the expression is Mark 10. 38. after his resurrection untill the day in which he was taken up by giving Commandments through the Holy Ghost unto the Apostles whom he had chosen to whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs being seen of them fourty daies and speaking of the things pertaining to the Kingdom of God Act. 1. 2 3. 2. After his departure out of the world into Heaven he was and is an inlightening light now in this time mediately 1. By sending of the Holy Spirit whom he promised to send to the Apostles from the Father even the Spirit of truth which proceedeth from the Father and that he should testifie of him Joh. 15. 26. And guide them into all truth that he should not speak of himself but whatsoever he should hear that he should speak and would shew them things to come he should glorifie Christ for he should receive of his and should shew it to the Apostles that all that the Father had were his and therefore he said he should take of his and shew it to them Joh. 16. 13 14 15. Which was accordingly accomplished when the holy Spirit was given to them and those Prophets and other Teachers whom Christ gave to his Church were endued with the Holy Ghost after his ascension To whom and to the rest of Believers the holy Spirit is given as the earnest of their Inheritance and thereby the eyes of their understanning are inlightened that they may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his Inheritance in the Saints Eph. 1. 14 18. Who receive not the spirit of the world but the Spirit which is of God that they might know the things which are freely given them of God 1 Cor. 2. 12. Because they are Sons God sends forth the Spirit of his Son into their hearts crying Abba Father Gal. 4. 6. 2. By the sending of Apostles and other Teachers into all Nations of whom in that respect he said Mat. 5. 14 15. Ye are the light of the world A City that is set on an hill cannot be hid Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel but on a candlestick and it giveth light to all that are in the house Ephes. 3. 8 9. Paul saith of himself To me is this grace given to inlighten all men as the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies being the same which is used Joh. 1. 9. And indeed Christ when he ascended up on high led captivity captive and gave gifts to men some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastours and Teachers Eph. 4. 8 11. who were Angels of light and being placed on high hills in great Cities and on Candlesticks in many Churches were eminent lights in the world So that was said of the Heavens Psal. 19. 4. was verified of them Their sound went into all the earth and their words unto the ends of the world Rom. 10. 18. By which light the unfruitfull works of darknesse to wit the wâ—les of the powers of darknesse in their Idolatries and other wickednesse was discovered and innumerable souls brought out of the power of darknesse into the Kingdom of the Son of God From whose light succeeding Teachers by preaching the Gospel and baptizing Believers which the Ancients called inlightening many millions of people through the Romane Empire and other parts of the earth became Christians and were added to the Children of light and these Teachers are termed Starres in Christs right hand Rev. 1. 20. Lastly In the world to come as the phrase of Christ is Mark 10. 30. As the lightening that lighteneth out of the one part under Heaven shineth unto the other part under Heaven so shall also the Son of man be in his day Luk. 17. 24. Then shall he put on his glorious apparel and deck himself with light as a garment and being attended with all the Angels of light shall come in the glory of his Father and raise up the bodies of all the Children of light and bring them to the light so as that those eyes which were boared out for acknowledging him shall see him riding on the clouds of heaven triumphantly and they themselves shine as the Sun in the Kingdom of the Father And then he shall be our noon-light we shall know as we are known 1 Cor. 13. 12. Sect. 7. Christ inlightens by reason of his own lustre and his Fathers design to to shew him to the world The Reasons why Christ is thus an inlightening light are 1. From his own property he being light of himself is as all light is apt to communicate his light to the world As the property of the fire is to burn and the property of water to moysten so it is the property of light to shine forth Nothing is more diffusive of it self and apt to shew it self to others then light Darknesse hides things but light makes them appear As the Prince of
the Quakers Church if they have any is but about ten or twelve years old at utmost unless the Weigelians Paracelsians Behmenists and the rest of the Fanaticks in Germany or the Familists in England and New-England may be accounted their progenitors And yet their Church will not be found to be of two hundred years continuance Indeed Stubbe Sir H. Vane's egregious Vindicator had neither wit nor modesty nor fear enough to restrain him from telling the world in his malice pag. 36. that it was ignorantly said of me that The Quakers had no being in the world till a few years ago and the Gnostick adds that as to the generality of their opinions and deportment he doth AVOW it out of as sure and good records as any can be produced that they can plead more for themselves from the first two hundred seventy years then Mr. Baxter for the present orthodox Religion laid down in the Saints Everlasting Rest or the Confession of the Assembly But when will the undertaker produce these Records Such a heart and face might have served him to avow that the holy Apostles were railing lying Quakers or whatever filthiness had come into his thoughts Some of their abominable opinions and practices have troubled the world since the Romish iniquity did abound but no times were freer from them then the first and none more unlike to them then Christ and his Apostles however Satan would gain credit to his impieties or discredit to the Gospel by his apish imitations The witness of their late Leader James Nailor is regardable who in his Recantation saith that they are Unclean Spirits gene out from the unity of the truth and light by which we have been called and gathered into one Christ Jesus the Head over all his blessed for ever whose name hath been greatly dishonoured by many wilde actings and his innocent Spirit grieved and many simple souls deceived and that the work of the murderer and devourer is therein against the life of God in his Temple which though they seek entrance under pretence of humility promising some great things and more holiness in that way to steal into simple minds yet being got in exalts himself above the seed of God and tramples the meek spirit under foot And by this saith he you shall all perceive that Spirit whatever it pretends it will secretly withdraw your entire love from the flock of God already gathered and cool your affections and zeal towards their present meetings and if you judge it not there it will grow on with an evil eye to spie out for their failings and to delight to hear of them with an hidden joy whispering them to others and adding thereunto with a desire to see them broken and their nakedness laid open if anything be amiss And thus it hath wrought in a mystery of wickedness in some unjudged untill it be seated in the throne of open enmity and strife against the Lambs of Light preferring the society ef the prophane before them and taking part therewith against them joyning to any who seek to scatter them And whatever pretence this Spirit covers it sellf with this I declare against it having been kept by the good hand of God to see it revealed in its ground and end that it is the old Spirit of the Ranters which now in a new way makes head against the Light of Christ and life of the Cross which is the only thing that stands in its way by condemning its filthiness in every conscience Thus speaks James Nailor after his lamentable experience and the Papers he hath written against me and others for their way And yet his followers will not be undeceived nor follow him in his Recantation Had they their will against the Ministry in this Land would it promote the Gospel and the salvation of the people Who would instruct them publikely and privately As constantly and diligently and soundly as now they are instructed If there were joyin Hell what joyfull tidings would it be to the infernal Spirits to hear of the accomplishment of the desires of the Quakers and their partakers The accusations against us which the grand accuser of the Brethren hath put into their mouthes are partly from our hearts unknown to them and partly from our duties imputed to us for our crimes and partly from our afflictions in which they should rather compassionate us then reproach us Yesterday in the Congregation and the streets a stranger that never saw my face before cryed out The judgement of the Lord is gone out against thee thou hypocrite thou painted Sepulcher that hast an outside of humility but an inside of pride an outside of godliness but within is envy wrath malice and all wickedness in the day of thy misery thou shalt remember me When I heard the man I blessed God that had caused me to be contented with his own approbation and given me the testimony of my conscience that my soul and life and all that I have is devoted to him and that I have a most just heart-searching Judge that yet hath the compassions of a Father And I wondered that sin should ever prevail so far with men as to harden them to so open and impudent an usurpation of the prerogative of God while they pretend to know the hearts of men as soon as they see their faces And I thought with compassion on the state of weak unsetled consciences that are like young Horses among Drums and Guns that are frightened meerly by a noise As if any man that could but repeat a Scripture-threatning and speak terribly and counterfeit himself a Prophet should frighten us from our peace and faith And it is our very preaching and labours for our peoples souls that is the principal thing they hate us for And the more laborious and faithfull any man is the more maliciously do they oppose him being incomparably more patient with a Whoremonger or Drunkard or prophane Worldling then with such So that our diligence so strictly commanded us by God is with them our crime That we do not as the old worldly Readers did follow the Plow and Cart and labour about earthly business when we should be doing the spiritual work that we are engaged in and that our peoples souls require though we are commanded to meditate upon these things and give our selves wholly to them 1 Tim. 4. 15. A good Minister of Jesus Christ being one that is nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine whereto they do attain vers 6. The great word by which they think to make us odious to the people working on their carnal minds and interests is that we are Hirelings because forsooth we bargain for so much or else we will not preach But Satan is a liar By Gods assistance we will preach while we have life and strength and liberty though instead of maintaining us they spit in our faces But we dare not encourage our people to be ungratefull Monsters nor sacrilegious
light of the Scripture and endeavour to make odious the teachers of it If they cannot prevail to keep it from men in a strange language they will corrupt it with false glosses if they cannot suppress Preachers they will render them suspected or infamous if they cannot shut out the light of Scripture and Preaching they will set something else in competition with it as the Authority of the Church a Council Pope tradition light within each or some other thing to hide the light from shining forth Therefore it chiefly concerns men in these times wherein men are exceeding busie to pervert and thereby to darken the truth to be very diligent and circumspect in examining by the Scripture what they hear their doctrine is the fruit by which false Prophets are to be known Mat. 7. 15 16. If they speak not according to the Scripture it is because there is no light in them Is. 8. 20. 4. Use should be made of the Ministers appointed to teach us by him who ascended up on high and gave gifts to men Apostles Prophets Evangelists Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints and edifying of the body of Christ that we henceforth be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every winde of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive but speaking the truth in love may grow up in all things unto him who is the head even Christ Eph. 4. 11 12 14 15. Certainly nothing more prevents the practices of deceivers then learning from a solid Ministry and associating with sober and stable Christians 2. To move us to make use of Christ as the true light it is necessary that we should become sensible of our own darkness If ye were blinde saith Christ Joh. 9. 41. ye should have no sin but now ye say we see therefore your sin remaineth Because thou faist I am rich and encreased with goods and have need of nothing and knowest not that thou art wretched and miserable and blinde and naked I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire that thou maist be rich and white raiment that thou maist be clothed and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve that thou maist see Rev. 3. 17 18. They that apprehend a light within them without Christ are incurably blind such fond imaginations lock men fast up under invincible ignorance As he said that to be incredulous is the sinews of wisdome so may I say that to be jealous of our own darkness is the readiest way to drive us to Christ the true light Experience will tell us that they who talk as if they knew as much as Preachers can tell them are found when tried the most ignorant sots and those who are so well conceited of their own strength and wisdome as to count the counsel and warning of others unnecessary bidding them not care for them are soon caught by cunning deceivers To become a wise improver of Christs light it is of great moment to discern our own blindeness and then a Christian learns most when he findes his own ignorance Such sense of our own emptiness begets an appetite to wholesome doctrine when such as conceive themselves full have no stomack to the most precious truths of Iesus Christ but are filled with windy vanities 3. It concerns those to Whom the light of Christ is held forth not to shut their eyes against it when held before them For this saith our Lord Joh. 3. 19 20. is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light because their deeds were evill For every one that doth evill hateth the light neither cometh to the light lest his deeds should be reproved And indeed it is the signe of a man that is filthy and resolved to be filthy of a man incurable and marked to destruction who shuns that light which should direct him to discerne his errour and to learn his way Nor can there be a greater indignity to Christ then when he is come into the world to be one light to have our minds possessed with a resolution not to receive it 4. If the light shine into thy soul from Christ so as that any convictions or discoveries of truth from Christ get into thee take heed that thou hold it not in unrighteousness nor seek to quench it The wrath of God saith the Apostle Rom. 1. 18. is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men that hold the truth in unrighteousness Where lust imprisons light Where corrupt affections put out the Lamp of truth there is no entrance of the light of Christ into that soul. 5. The light must be believed as our Lord Christ saith John 12. 36. While we have light we are to believe in the light that we may be children of light Believing the words of Christ is indeed the reception of Christ as our light When we entertain the Gospell of Christ we do behold with open face as through a glass the glory of the Lord and are transformed into the same image from glory to glory as by the spirit of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. The more steddily we eye Christ the more assimilated we shall be to him His Doctrine will fashion our minds his example will direct our practise so as that in a good sense we shall be christed with Christ he will be in us and we in him one with us and we with him not we live but Christ live in us Faith is the Loadstone of the soul which drawes the soul to Christ and makes a man to be as he was in this world crucified risen ascending up with him dead to the world living unto God 6. There must be a love of the light It s the greatest sign of a man willfully evill when he hates the light and its a good sign of a man truly good when he can delight in that light which discovers his own evils Christ hath therefore determined this to be the great condemnation that men love darkness rather then light for that 's the sign they side with the Prince of darkness and that men that do the truth come to the light that their deeds may be manifest that they are wrought in God John 3. 19 20 21. The more light is rejected the more purely voluntary any sin is when men are willingly ignorant they are incurably evill But the more love and delight there is in the light of truth the more freely it is chosen and more fully imbraced Light is a most delightfull quality unless it be to illaffected eyes and so is truth to all but such as are of vitiated spirits the more Heavenly the light is the more pure and so the truth of Christ the Lord from Heaven is the clearest truth and most amiable Moses gave a Law but in shadowes Christ the only begotten Son which is in the bosome of the
the soul assures its happiness but he that knows not the way of Christ nor whereto it tends is afraid of death and judgement to come is doubtfull whether he have any interest in God fears the mention of Hell of the Devil of the coming of Christ turnes Quaker at the sight of an armed man whines like Adrian the Emperour when his soul was departing 6. A man without the light of Christ can do no spiritual work as he should As he that is in the dark can neither thresh corn nor make his clothes nor plow nor sowe nor do other necessary usefull works So it is with him that 's not enlightened by Christ he can neither pray nor praise God nor do any other holy work or manage any business that pertains to Gods glory and Christs kingdome A dark Dungeon is a miserable place to live in and no less or rather a thousand times more miserable is it to be excluded from the light of Christ. 2. If Christ be light then should our eyes be towards him Light is attractive of our eyes It is a pleasant thing to behold the Sun it is that which Infidels adore as God Should not we magnifie the Lord Jesus as the Sun of Righteousnesse Should not our eyes and our hearts be drawn after him Sould not our souls adore him He is the Son of his Fathers love Col. 1. 14. and should he not be of ours The Church the Spouse of Christ saith he is all desires Cant. 5. 16. and so doth every soul that knows him He is the highest born Prince of great Majesty of most noble disposition of most loving nature of incomprehensible beauty of superlative power of largest Empire of most ample riches there 's not the thing to be named which is desirablé which is not Christs Oh then that we could fall in love with Christ long after him remember him with delight hearken after all the tokens of his appearing inquire into his walking places Shall people travell far throng much be at much cost to see a gracious Queen Shall besotted Papists take a long and dangerous pilgrimage to see Christs pretended Vicar though sometimes a most horrible monster more like the Devil then Christ and shall not our hearts travell after Christ and converse with him Sure no excuse will be taken sith there can be no reason alledged for it for those that dote on men and women and gold and pearles and yet forget Christ are inamoured on pictures and neglect the living beauty of Heaven the Lord of Glory Be wise therefore O ye Princes and people of the world kiss the Son worship love rejoyce in wait on follow the Image of the invisible God the Heir of all things in comparison of whom let all sublunary beauties be as dirt and all the precious things of the earth be as dung to you Christ the True Light SERM. II. Joh. 1. 9. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world Sect. 1. Christ no counterfeit Light HOw Jesus Christ is Light hath been shewed how he is the True Light is next to be cleared It is said of him whose Name is called the Word of God Revel 19. 13. that he was called faithfull and true ver 11. And in reference to him it is said 1 Joh. 2. 8. The true light now shineth Now Christ is said to be the true light 1. In respect of his being which is usually termed Metaphysick truth 2. In respect of his sayings which is Logick or Moral truth In the first sort of truth Christ is said to be the true light 1. To distinguish him from those which were counterfeits and feigned lights For true is opposed to that which is only in pretence but not really such Our Lord Christ saith Joh. 10. 8. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers that is were not true lights meaning this not simply of all not of Moses of whom it is said Isa. 63. 11. Then he remembred the daies of old Moses and his people saying Where is he that brought them up out of the Sea with the shepherd of his flock Nor of David of whom it is said Psal. 78. 72. That he fed Israel according to he integrity of his heart But of such as the Prophet Zechariah ch 11. 17. saith We to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock Such as were the false Prophets among the Jews the Scribes and Pharisees and Lawyers in and asore Christs time who instead of being sent by God came of themselves ran and he sent them not yet pretended a Mission from God In like sort Paul saith 2 Cor. 11. 13 14 15. For such are salse Apostles deceitfull workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ. And no marvell for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light therefore it is no great thing if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of righteousnesse But the Lord Christ came from the Father John 16. 28. was sent by him Joh. 17. 3. He spake not of himself but the Father which sent him gave him Commandement what he should say and what he should speak whatsoever he spake therefore even as the Father said unto him so he spake Joh. 12. 49 50. So that he was not a light by usurpation imposture disguise or transformation but by a true Commission as sealed by his Father Joh. 6. 27. sanctified and sent into the world Joh. 10. 36. Sect. 2. Christ more then a typical Light 2. Christ is the true light in contradistinction to those which were only Types or Shadows representing Christ to come The word true is used in this sense Heb. 8. 2. A Minister of the true Tabernacle that is not only of that shadowy Tabernacle which was only a parable or figure for the time present as the expression is Heb. 9. 9. but the reall Tabernacle for an Image of which that Tabernacle was made Again Heb. 9. 24. it is said Christ is not entered into the holyes made by hand which were figures or antityps of the true but into Heaven it self where the holy place of the Tabernacle is made the antitype and representative and Heaven the true holy place In like manner there were lights in the Tabernacle there were lamps and lights of pure oyl burning in the Tabernacle there was fire at the Altar which at first came down from Heaven and these were shadows of things to come but the body is of Christ Col. 2. 17. And in this sense also truth came by Jesus Christ Joh. 1. 17. There is mention of seven lamps of fire burning before the throne which are the seven Spirits of God Rev. 4. 5. But this hinders not but that Christ might be shadowed by the lamps in the Tabernacle and the fire on the Altar sith that which was signified by them the inlightning the people of God who are the holy Priesthood of God and the making ready the Sacrifice that it might be accepted with God was
not Christ did in his Name cast out Devils Luk. 10. 49 50. And by this he refuted Luk. 11. 19. the Pharisees who imputed his casting out Devils to an assistance of the Prince of the Devils 2. By the concomitants and consequents of his lifting up which was his death on the crosse Joh. 11. 32 33. For 1. The prediction of it with the fulfilling thereof shewed he spake from God whose property it is to foretell future contingents as certain 2. The things themselves proved him to come from God 1. The wonderfull accidents that hapned at his death Mat. 27. 54. the renting of the Vcil of the Temple and of the rocks and the quaking of the earth and opening of the graves made the Centurion and his Souldiers say Truly this was the Son of God 2. His Resurrection not withstanding all the obstruction used by Pilate and the Jews with the rising of many bodies of the Saints which slept and appeared to many in Jerusalem manifest by the many and undoubted signs thereof to many persons many times proves his descent from God 3. The giving of the Spirit on the great day of Pentecost in the sight of Proselytes from all Countries which was also done by Apostles in other places together with many Miracles in his Name proved that he taught the truth he received from the Father 4. The dispossessing of Satan of his Empire in the worship of Idols and the giving of Oracles as from them and the drawing of the Gentiles to him as he foretold Joh. 12. 31 32. in which was part of the great mystery of Godlinesse 1 Tim. 3 16. which we at this day see accomplished together with many other Prophecies of the destruction of Jerusalem its treading down of the Gentiles the Preaching of the Gospel over all the world the calamities of the Jews the persecution of the Christians with other things Matth. 24. Luk. 21. and elsewhere abundantly demonstrate that he was the true light which came down from Heaven in respect of the Doctrine he taught and words he spake His words also appear to be the true light from the matter of them and the ends whereunto they tend and the effects of them For 1. The matter of them is pure like God containing holy Precepts not amorous Poems or sophistical quirks of wit or curious devices of art or cunning maxims of State policy or glorious atchievements of war or any thing that tends to exalt man but such Precepts and Revelations as make man spiritual heavenly wise like unto God There is nothing vain and fabulous like to the frothy wit of men nor deceitfull like to the wily old Serpent but solid and weighty concerning peace with God conversion unto him denying our selves taking up our Crosse following of Christ in patience contentednesse meeknesse humility and such like things as shew faith in God and hope of a reward in Heaven all plain without flattery of men to induce them to follow him in hopes of earthly preferment and worldly wealth or pleasure or praise of men but the clean contrary yet are they such things as when declared appear so necessary for sinners so full of goodnesse and congruity to Prophetical Predictions that the conscience of men not listed up with pharisaical concei's of self-righteousnesse nor obstinately addicted to their own lusts will assent to and embrace them 2. The ends of them and the effects are the salvation of man and the glory of God All that Christ spake it was to comfort the humble and afflicted soul Luk. 4. 18. to ease the burthened Matth. 11. 28. to direct them to God to reform the evils in Gods worship to take men off from covetousnesse hypocrisie and such evils as are pernicious to believe in God to love each other to lay up our treasure in Heaven not to be excessively carefull for the things of this life with whatever else might bring men nigh to God and alienate them from this present evil world And accordingly so were and are the effects regeneration or new birth rejoycing in God mortification of the deeds of the body comfort in tribulation a life of faith love to the Brethren in Christ and everlasting consolation and good hope through grace All which with inumerable other Characters and Symptomes of Christs Doctrine and Testimony do shew that he was the true light and that what he spake to Pilate Joh. 18. 37. was right To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world that I should bear witnesse unto the truth every one that is of the truth heareth my voice Lastly That in respect of his sincerity or moral truth he was the true light it is manifest in that as he said to the Jews he sought not his own will but the will of the Father which sent him Joh 5. 30. That he sought not his own glory Joh. 8. 50. Which appears in that he sometimes forbad the spreading of his fame withdrew himself when they would have made him King Joh. 6. 15. was content to be deprived of ordinary conveniencies Luk. 9. 58. In a word made himself of no reputation or emptied himself and took upon him the form of a servant and was made in the likenesse of men and being in fashion as a man he humbled himself and became obedient unto death even to the death of the crosse Phil. 2. 7 8. that he might give Testimony to the truth Sect. 8. Application by way of Vindication of our selves from the Accusation of Quakers as if we denied the Light John 1. 9. and warning to shun false Lights From that which hath been said 1. It may appear that those who go under the name of Quakers do unjustly accuse publique Preachers as if they did deny the true light which inlighteneth every man that cometh into the world that they deny Christ the light for so in their speeches and books they do frequently charge them None that I have seen is more profuse and frequent in these charges then G. F. that is George Fox in his Catechism who saith p. 7 Toat neither the Jews nor Christians do believe in the light which doth inlighten every man that cometh into the world though they professe some of Christs and the Apostles words which the Jews do not P. 9. he saith Teachers by the will of man meaning publique Preachers in England and Professors say that Christ doth not inlighten every one that cometh into the world and they deny Christ. P. 13. That none can confesse Christ but who confesse the light which every man is inlightened withall But frequently in the same paper he terms such as acknowledge not the light which he imagins every one hath Antichrists Deceivers not Teachers of Christ but deniers of him p. 15. But this crimination is but the raving of men that are used to make clamours and outcries without any proof Though the text plainly enough distinguisheth the light inlightening and the light in every man from that true
have access to God must be thus transformed renewed put off the old man as the Texts shew Therefore they have not a light within them as a safe sufficient guide to lead them to God 9. Arg. From Psal. 81. 11 12. But my people would not hearken to my voice and Israel would none of me so I gave them up to their own hearts lust and they walked in their own counsels Act. 14. 16. Who in times past suffered all nations to walk in their own wayes Whence I argue That light in man cannot be a safe sufficient guide to a man in his way to God to which the leaving a person by God is reckoned as the greatest curse and judgement for refusing to hearken to God but to leave a person to his own imagination lust to walk in his own counsel in his own way which is all one as to leave him to the light within him is reckoned as the greatest curse and judgement to a man from God for refusing to hearken to Gods voice as the Texts shew Therefore the light within each person is of it self no safe guide The Quakers prescribe to men that as their rule which God counts their curse 10. Arg. From Rom. 16. 25 26. Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the world began but now is made manifest and by the Scriptures of the Prophets according to the Commandment of the everlasting God made known to all nations for the obedience of faith 1 Cor. 2. 7 8 9. But we speak the wisedome of God in a mystery even the hidden wisedome which God ordained before the world to our glory which none of the Princes of the world knew but as it is written Eye hath not seen nor ear heard neither have entred into the heart of man the things which God hath prepared for them that love him Eph. 3. 9. And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God Col. 1. 25 25. Whereof I am made a Minister according to the dispensation of God to fulfill the word of God even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations but now is made manifest to his Saints 2 Tim. 1. 9. The purpose and grace of God is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath brought immortality and life to light by the Gospel Whence I argue They had not a light in them as a sufficient safe guide to God from whom the mystery was hid which concerned the grace and purpose of God into whose heart the things which God had prepared for them that love him entered not to whom life and immortality was not brought to light But from the Gentiles the mystery of God was hid life and immortallity was not brought to light nor did the things God had prepared for them that love him enter into their hearts Therefore they had not a light within them as a sufficient guide to God 11. Arg. From 1 Cor. 2. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man save the spirit of a man which is in him Even so the things of God knoweth no man but the Spirit of God Rom. 8. 9. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ the same is none of his Jude 19. Having not the Spirit Joh. 14. 17. The Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive Whence I argue They have not light within them sufficient to guide them to God who have not the Spirit of God because they cannot know the things of God without the Spirit But every man hath not the Spirit of God Therefore every man hath not a light within sufficient to guide him to God 12. Arg. From Mat. 11. 27. All things are delivered unto me of my Father and no man knoweth the Son but the Father neither knoweth any man the Father save the Son and he to whom the Son will reveal him Joh. 14. 6. Jesus saith unto him I am the way the truth and the life no man cometh unto the Father but by me Whence I argue They had not a light within them to guide them to God to whom the Son did not reveal the Father who did not go by the Son as the way to the Father But the Son did not reveal the Father to every man nor did every man come to Christ Joh. 1. 5. 10. 12. 38. 5. 40. 43. Therefore every man had not a light within him sufficient to guide him to God 13. Arg. From Mat. 11. 25 26. At that time Jesus answered and said I thank thee O Father Lord of heaven and earth because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent and hast revealed them unto babes even so Father for so it seemed good in thy sight Mat. 13. 11. It is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdome of heaven but to them it is not given Whence I argue If God hide the things of God which concern the knowledge of himself from some and reveal them to others if to some be given to know the mysteries of the kingdome of heaven not to others then every man hath not a light within him as a sufficient guide to direct him to God But the antecedent is true as the Texts shew and the consequence is evident of it self Therefore the consequent is also true 14. Arg. From those Texts which speak of Christ as a light come into the world Joh. 12. 46. I am come a light into the world that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness Joh. 8. 12. Then Jesus spake again to 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 Joh. 9. 5. As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world Joh. 3. 19. And this is the condemnation that light is come into the world and men loved darkness rather then light because their deeds were evil Luk. 1. 78. Through the tender mercy of our God whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us to give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death Luk. 2. 32. A light to lighten the Gentiles which would have been needless if every man had a light within him befoâ—e Christ his coming into the world sufficient to guide him in the way to God Yea the Text supposeth persons in darkness before to sit in darkness and in the shadow of death and to have need of another light without them to guide their feet into the way of peace and that the Gentiles were without light Whence I argue That opinion which makes the coming of Christ into the world to be the light of the world needless is an errour But the opinion of the Quakers concerning a light
which is the Gospel To which I answer the Gospel is not the light within each person but that word without them which was preached to them of which Paul was a Minister The light within each person is by creation and inward work of the Spirit but the Gospel is the word brought to our ears by Preachers without us which is never received by many of those to whom it is preached And when it is said to be preached to every creature the meaning is not that every particular person heard it but as when Christ bids them preach the Gospel to every creature Mar. 16. 15. the command is not that they must preach it to every particular person even to Infants for that had been an impossible work but that they should preach it to any indefinitely not restraining them to the lost sheep of the house of Israel as he did formerly Mat. 10. 5 6. In which sense the Apostle saith Col. 1. 28. He warned every man and taught every man that is any without difference who occurred whether Iew or Gentile It is often urged that it is said Col. 1. 27 Christ in you the hope of glory therefore it is Christ within a person which is the hope of glory which some of them have made their Saviour and not he who was crucified at Jerusalem and this fancied Christ within them they seem to confound with the light within them and the Gospel But I answer 1. That this is a meer phantastick delusion to imagine a Christ in themselves different from that Iesus Christ born of Mary who is the Saviour of the world nor is there in the words Col. 1. 27. any ground for such a distinction For the term rendered in may as well be rendered to as it is vers 23. If not the meaning is Christ is in them the hope of glory that is Christ who is in them by faith or Christ who is the hope in them that is their hope of glory 2. However this is certain that Christ in them cannot be meant of the light that is in every man for that is by generation but this Christ in them was only in the Saints vers 26. And by Preaching whereby God made it known which had been hid from ages and generations vers 25 26 27 28. It is alledged that Jerem. 31. 34. God promiseth And they shall no more teach every man his neighbour and every man his Brother saying Know the Lord for they shall all know me from the least unto the greatest of them Therefore every man hath a light in him and needs no Preacher To which I answer 1. That it is manifest from Heb. 8. 10 11. that this is not a declaration of what all men have upon their birth but what some shall have under the new Covenant by special grace and therefore is not meant of the light within each person whatsoever for that was as well under the first Covenant but those who are specially called under the Gospel 2. The meaning is not that they shall have no more teaching at all then Gods word had been broken when Paul taught the knowledge of God 2 Cor. 4. 6. But either the meaning is they shall not teach by such obscure shadows or predictions as they did before but so plainly as that they may with unveiled fact behold the glory of the Lord 2 Cor. 3. 18. which seems the most genuine meaning by Vers. 9 10. Or in a comparative sense their knowledge shall be so abundant as that each person who hears the Gospel and believes it shall be able of himself to know the Lord. It is urged that Isa. 54. 13 it is said All thy children shall be taught of the Lord therefore every man hath a light within him Answ. 1. All thy children cannot be meant of every one that cometh into the world Our Saviour hath taught us Joh. 6. 45. to expound it of one sort of persons those that have heard and learned of the Father not all 2. Nor can it be meant of that teaching which is by the light within a man common to him with every man besides but that peculiar teaching of God by his Spirit and his Gospel whereby a person cometh to Christ that is believes in him which is never by the meer light which each man hath in him by humane birth It is yet further urged that it is said 1 Joh. 2. 27. But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you and ye need not that any man teach you but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things and is truth and is no lie and even as it hath taught you ye shall abide in him Whence they would gather that each mans light within him or at least each persons light within him who hath the Spirit of God is sufficient to teach him without Scripture or Preacher which is the thing they aime at that there may be some colour to make Scriptures and Preachers seem needless To it I answer The speech is in opposition to those that seduced them Vers. 26. who were the Heretiques of those times whether Ebionites Cerinthians Nicolaitans or Gnosticks whom he terms Antichrists Vers. 18 and 22 23. He mentions their heresie the denying the Father and the Son which was done by pretending a more sublime and refined doctrine then the Apostles taught of another Creatour then the Father of the Son as only in shew and appearance come in the flesh crucified risen again in opposition of whom he tells them they were armed by the anointing and its teaching and so they need not any that is any of those seducers mentioned Vers. 26. should teach them nor that any other doctrine upon any pretence whatsoever should be taught them but that which they had been taught by that anointing Now how did that anointing teach them Undoubtedly by the Apostles as is manifest by Vers. 24. Let that therefore abide in you which you have heard from the beginning which is expressed plainly to be that which he and other Apostles taught and declared unto them Chap. 1. 1 2 3 5. To which he saith The Spirit beareth witness 1 Joh. 5. 6. And saith 1 Joh. 4. 6. We are of God be that knoweth God heareth us be that is not of God heareth not us hereby know we the Spirit of truth and the Spirit of errour Whence it is apparent 1. That they only not every man have no need that any teach them who have received the anointing 2. That it is not meant that they have no need of any mans teaching any thing at all but that they have no need of the seducers doctrine pretended to be more exact and sublime 3. That the teaching of the anointing was not by peculiar immediate revelation but by bearing witness to what the Apostles taught 4. That they only that receive the doctrine of the Apostles are taught by the anointing 5. That when it is said the same anointing taught them of all things it is
themselves Their reviling but their disturbed passions and impatience of gainfaying Their affected speech looks carriage but a desire to hide their falshood and to insinuate into the affections of those unwary souls whom they would ensnare What do all the devices of Jesuits Popes and their agents tend to but either by force or subtility to set up the monstrous power of the man of sin and their own domineeting over mens consciences under him What is there in their conclave but policy In their Council of Treat but deceit In their Iesuits and Casuists but juggling Have not the Jansenists proved them so versatile in their determinations as to make their resolutions such as might fit all humours What is there but fraud in their doctrine and practice about keeping faith with Hereticks deposing destroying Princes excommunicate by the Pope equivocating answers upon oath with mental reservations And shall we go after such Masters and leave Christ Remember we that one is our Master even Christ Mat. 23. 10. And when any shall sollicite us either not to adhere to Christ as our teacher be it under pretence of being Christs infallible Vicar or not to read or hear his Gospel preached be it under pretence of a sufficient light within them or a new revelation reject them Forget not that Christ hath warned you that if any shall say unto you lo here is Christ or there believe it not Mat. 24. 23. Say as Paul Gal. 1. 9. If any man or Angel preach any other Gospel then is taught by Christ let him be accursed We will not venture our lives upon Mountebanks and will we venture our souls upon deceivers Shall we follow our own conceits which so often prove foolish and neglect Christs doctrine which alwayes proves wise and safe No no let us answer as Peter did for the rest of the Apostles Lord to whom shall we go thou hast the words of eternal life and we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ the Son of the living God Ioh. 6. 68 69. Oh that I could finde your mindes so established in the truth so armed against all the wily methods of the Devil so instructed in the truth that you may not be as children tossed to and fro and carried about with every winde of doctrine by the sleight of men and cunning craftiness whereby they lie in wait to deceive but speaking or seeking the truth in love may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ Eph. 4. 14 15. Alas what can we expect but if we follow blinde leaders as all are that teach the things of God otherwise then Christ and his Apostles did we should fall with them into the ditch into everlasting perdition On the other side there is so much plain and clear light in Christ his doctrine as will guide our feet into the way of peace Away then with all such obtruded or insinuating teachers us endeavour to hide from us the light of Christ shining in his doctrine recorded in Scripture Let the word of Christ dwell richly in us in all wisdome Col. 3. 16. Let 's say as that blessed Martyr did None but Christ none but Christ That Christ which preached died at Hierusalem that word of his which is written in my Bible shall be my light to the testimony of Iesus to his everlasting Gospel I stick if men speak not according to it it is because there is no light in them Isaiah 8. 20. To this end it will concern you to take with you and observe these Directions 1. To take heed of false lights under what disguise soever they come The Lord Christ foretold his Disciples Mat. 24. 24. That there should arise false Christs and false Prophets and should shew great signs and wonders insomuch that if it were possible they should deceive the very elect concerning whom he saith Vers. 23. If any man shall say unto you Lo here is Christ or there believe it not Of these he had forewarned Christians Mat. 7. 15. Beware of false Prophets which come to you in sheepes cloathing but inwardly they are ravening Wolves Paul had foretold Act. 20. 29 30. that after his departing grievous Wolves should enter in among them not sparing the flock and that of the Ephesian Christians themselves should men arise speaking perverse things to draw away Disciples after them and thereupon warns the Ephesian Elders to take heed to themselves and to the flock over which the holy Ghost had made them overseers Vers. 28. Paul tels the Corinthians 2 Cor. 11. 13 14. of false Apostles deceitfull workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ and no marvel for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of light And of such he admonisheth the Romans I beseech you brethren mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned and avoid them for they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ but their own belly and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple Rom. 16. 17 18. Peter also tells 2 Pet. 2. 1. that there were false Prophets also among the people even as there shall be false teachers among Christians who privily should bring in damnable heresies denying the Lord that bought them 1 Ioh. 2. 18. And as ye have heard that Antichrist shall come even now there are many Antichrists 1 Ioh. 4. 1. Beloved believe not every Spirit but try the Spirits whether they are of God because many false Prophets are gone out into the world All which passages do demonstrate the great danger of Christians being beguiled by deceivers who are cunning in transforming themselves as their master Satan doth into Angels of light that they may seem Ministers of righteousness Wherefore it concerns all such as regard the safety of their souls not to be facile in entertaining such as pretend to hold forth light but to examine what they suggest and to try afore they trust To which end it will be needfull 1. That we be of discerning Spirits to know the disposition of persons that pretend light whether they be proud arrogant self-seeking vain-glorious covetous more vehement then considerate obsequious for advantages but otherwise wilfull 2. Concerning their proceedings whether they deal with the weakest afore they argue with the ablest whether they affect more shew of holiness then proof of doctrine whether they love not to conceal their opinions till they have ensnared men by raising a high esteem of their persons whether they practise not to disparage others that they may engross the esteem and affections of men whether they be not much in talk little in deed These and many more enquiries may much prevent the deceits of those that with feigned words make merchandize of weak souls But 3. The chief way is to try what they obtrude upon us by the Scripture Such Owles will not endure this light but as Tertullian terms them they are Lucifuga Scripturarum they fly the