THE Book thou hath Printed, is seen with the light that returned an Answer to thy first Queries; and for the truths sake, and it to clear, from the lies, slanders, and aspersions cast upon it, in the light here is writ, to wit­nesse against the falshood and untruth, which thou hast charged us withall, that answers thy Queries, which to that of God in all consciences, who it minds, will give them to discern, that what thou hast charged against the people, who in scorn are called Quakers, is false, and on thee is returned, as the lines following make manifest, wherein is writ what thou hast charged them with­all, and to clear the truth, an answer thereunto is returned.

In thy Preface as thou calls it, which thou presents to the Rea­der, thou hast not much of it exprest, before thou begins falsly to accuse us, charging us with drawing people aside, and intangling them with dark Diabolicall snares, &c.

And thou saith, The answers thou received to thy ten Queries, were so obscure, deceitfull, and confused, that it constrained thee to Reply. To which thou saith, an Answer thou hast received, &c. and hath now undertaken to give the sense of what thou under­stands of what is writ to thee, and hath given it forth publickly to the world, that we have accused thee of slanders, in things that are too grosse in plainnesse of speech, to publish to the world, &c.

[Page 2] Reply: Darke diabolical snares we deny, the word of the Lord God we witnesse which was in the beginning, which word is life and the life is the light of men. John. 1. 1. 4. which word we preach to turn the mindes of people from darknesse to light; from the power of Satan to the liveing God, Acts. 26. 18. in the light of his liveing word, which discovers the thoughts and intents of the heart: Heb. 4. 12. to waite in his light, on him for power, to lead out of all the waies of darknesse, into union with the fa­ther of life, in Christ the light, who in him walke, there is no oc­casion of stumbling; Jo. 2. 10▪ but who deny to be guided by his spirit is none of his; Ro. 8 ver. 9. but in darknesse walke and stumble at noon day, and it is truth we declare, as it is recorded in the Scripture of truth, he that can receive it, let him, and for thy charging the answer to be obscure, deceitfull, and confused, seeing the deceit in thee, hath published that they are deceitfull, and could not publish them to make manifest what the deceit is and some of them which thou hast published thou hath both ad­ded and diminished, for the truths sake, the queries with their answers is published, that the answer may witnesse for it self a­gainst the falshood thou hast charged on it, he that hath an eye to see let him see;

And for thy giveing thy sence of what thou understands of our writeing and saith we accuse thee of slandering &c.

Reply Thy sence thou gives of our words with thy dark un­derstanding we deny, and slandering we deny, it is thy owne practise, proved to thy face, by thy owne words, as followeth. Second false accusation.

2. Thou sayes, that we judge our novices, and all others besides our selves u [...]c [...]peable to receive some of our principles, as yet, and therefore we study to darken the sence, by subtill glozing, equi­vocating expressions, and shuffles.

Reply, Thy false accusation we deny, we doe not judge Novices besides our selves uncapeable to receive our principles, we know Christ the true light hath lighted every one that comes into the world, and the Gospel we preach, is to turn the mindes of people, from darknesse to light, and who it minds it will give them an un­derstanding the principle of pure religion to know, Christ the light in whom we stand cleare of thy slanders, in his light we [Page 3] plainly speake as moved of him, and doe not study to darken the sence of our wordes, as thou dost falsely accuse us, the Lord is Judge between thee and us.

3. The third accusation charging us with damnable heresies, &c. and further thou sayest, what thou hast charged us withall is upon such rationall grounds, that thou art sure we are convin­ced in the secret of our hearts and Consciences that thou lyes not; In the presence of God I charge thee to be a lyar, in the slan­ders and lyes before written, what followeth will make thee more manifest; thou sayest we frequently judge men by the light which gave forth the Scripture, even while we are opposing the authority of Scriptures, as they are the only rule of knowing God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, &c.

Reply. Thy charge is false, in saying we oppose the authority of Scriptures which Christ the light who gave forth the Scripture, who spake as one haveing authority and not as the Scribes, Mat. 7. 29. and the Scripture is a true testimony of him who is the way to the father, none knowes the father but the son and he to whom the son reveales him, Mat. 11. 27. so thou in the light art seene to be guilty of what thou chargest us withall, in denying Christ the light, within, to be the authority of Scriptures, and the per­fect rule of faith and obedience, therefore let flesh be silent, and the lying mouth be stopped, for Christ we own, which was before the Scriptures, and is the authority of them, for when he spoke them forth he spoke as one haveing authority and according as Christ speaketh of the Scriptures, we them own in their place; a true testimony of him, Jo. 5. 39, 40. who is the way the truth and the life, and no man cometh to the father but by him. Jo. 14. 6.

So none comes to the knowledge of the father by reading the Scriptures though they think to finde life there, they shall not, if they come not to Christ, of whom they testifie, and in whom the life is, who saith search the Scriptures for in them ye think to have eternall life, and they are they which testifie of me, and he re­proves all who will not come to him that they may have life. So what thou charges us withall, thou art the man that denys the authority of Scriptures, and found guilty of slandering the Chil­dren of light, as what is written makes manifest and what as followeth will make thee more manifest to all that have eyes to [Page 4] see the many falshhoods and lyes thou hast begun the booke with­all, in that thou calls the preface to the reader, so out of thy owne mouth thou art condemned.

4. The fourth false accusation, thou sayst we are so drunk with delusion and impudency, that we will rather charge the Scripture with deceit then question our owne deceitfull hearts.

Reply. In the presence of God we witnesse against thee, we owne the Scripture to be the Scripture of truth and do not charge the Scripture with deceit, but with the light of Christ that gave forth the Scriptures, and discovereth the deceit of the heart, with which light we judge the deceit of the heart, and witnesse against thee in the light, which makes known to us the Scripture in the truth as it is in Jesus Christ the light God is our witnesse.

5. The fifth false accusation, thou sayst we rite and speak the L [...]nguage of Scripture as if we were for it, and is not, which is rancke hypocrisy and done of purpose to deceive.

Reply. We in the light speak as moved of the Lord 2 Pet. 1. 21. whose Language is according to Scripture, and doing any thing in hypocrisy we deny, as to deceive any the Lord is our witnesse, who will rebuke the lying spirit, and stop thy lying mouth.

6. The sixth false accusation, thou sayst we boast, that we are as perfect as Christ that dyed at Jerusalem.

Reply. Thy charge is false, boasting we deny, or any perfection that is of self, our righteousnesse without Christ is as a filthy ragg; and a menstruous cloth, Christ our righteousnesse, who is the true light, that lighteth every one that comes into the world, Jo. 1. 9. we witnesse him the same Christ, as was in that body that suffered at Jerusalem; and every one of the Children of light in the mea­sure of growth in him, the same minde is in them, that was in Christ Jesus, Phil. 2. 5. who is the brightnesse of the fathers glory, Heb. 1. 3.

7. The seventh false accusation, thou sayst we say, that he that trusts in Christ that dyed at Jerusalem, for Salvation, shall be de­ceived.

Reply. This charge is false as the other, in the presence of God we witnesse against thee, no other Christ we bear testimony of to be the salvation of lost man and woman, but that Christ accor­ding [Page 5] to Scripture testimony, who was born of the virgin and bore a good confession before Pilate, and suffered at Jerusalem, and rose again the third day, and ascended into Heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, and this Christ we witnesse the true light, who lighteth every one that comes into the world, and saith I stand at the door and knock, who opens, I will come into him and sup with him, and he with me, Rev. 3. 20. and we witnesse him faith­full: and as many as receives him, to them he gives power, to be­come the Sons of God, and this is the condemnation of all, because they beleeve not in him. Jo. 1. 12.

8. The eight false accusation, thou sayst we reproach Christs institutions and holy ordinances, with the odium of mens tradi­ditions, outward observations inconsistent with Gods Kingdome, and compares them to Nebuchadnezzars great Idol, &c.

Reply. Thy Charge is false, Christs institutions, and holy ordinances, we owne in the dispensation of time they were to be continued, and what is now in this dispensation of time known in the administration of his spirit, we owne, but who upholds any Idolatry, in observing any thing by tradition, and not guided by the Spirit of Christ, and so walke contrary to the perfect Law of God in the Conscience; and though their words be never so glo­rious in outward appearance, in crying the Ordinances of Christ, while they deny to be guided by Christ, they are no Ordinances of Christ, but an Image, set up in the proud exalted nature, which Nebuchad nezzar set up his Image in which with the power of God shall be throwne downe and thou with the rest of the Idol worshipers shall be broken to peices and lyes shall not save thee, for the Lord will exalt his name and his Children that ob­serve his holy ordinances shall reigne in his his spirituall power, that preserves them therein to observe the moveings of his spi­rit, which doth lead to worship the father, in spirit and truth, ac­cording to testimony of Scripture, Joh. 4. 23, 24.

And when thou John Timson hast presented thy false accusa­tions and lyes to the Reader, in the preface of thy Booke, that they might receive the falsehoods, and lyes that are written there­in, and these lyes and slanders, which are here laid before thee, and witnessed against, in the answer there to returned will suffi­cienly prove to thy face, and be manifest to that of God in every [Page 6] ones Conscience, that thou hast spoken unadvisedly with thy lips, when thou sayst thou lies not, and all these lies found in thy mouth, given forth publiquely for all to read and thou declares to the Reader that the Lord knows, what diligence and tendernesse of bowels, thou hast had to prepare it for them, &c.

Reply. Blush for shame O vain man to appeale to the Lords knowledge of thy d [...]l [...]gence and tendernesse of bowels, to prepare so many lyes and falshoods for people to read thou shalt certainly know that the Lord takes notice of thee, and he wil lay thee open, and make thee manifest, and lyes shall not cover thee, nor be thy refuge; Isa. 28. 17. when our God will clear his truth, and thy tongue, and all others, that rise up against him, shall fall in judge­ment, the day shall declare it.

Further thou goes on saying, as for those persons that have answered me who have charged me with bringing forth many lyes and slanders, and have made a noise thereof, as if I were some carnall lying wretch, that matters not what I write.

Reply. To that of God in every ones conscience I appeale, that lyes proceed from a Carnall wretched heart, and the Lord is making thee manifest, who would make lyes thy refuge; which with the light thou art seen, and thy lyes turned upon thee, that in the light thou mayst be read what thou art, and in the light our Books are known, and no such thing is in our Books as thou falsely charges us with, and would make people believe is written therein, in giving the sence of our words in thy dark mind, and for the Simples sake, an answer is returned, to clear the truth of God in what he hath given out by his spirit, both in word and writing, and whether thou wilt receive it yea, or nay, thou shalt know and all others, that Christ is the authority of the Scripture, and when he spoke them forth, he spake as one having authority and not as a Scribe, & who in his light walk, cannot be perswaded to turn from him, by any lyes and reproaches thou can cast upon them, who sayst we are wholly turned from the truth, which against thee witnesse it is not so, let God be judge, and in his day make manifest what we are in whose will we rest, as moved of him to witnesse against the falshoods, thou hast further char­ged upon us in what followeth.

Thou hast not done justly nor honestly in that thou hast not [Page 7] Printed the questions as given forth by thee, and answers as retur­ned by us, and in an answer to what is of thee required, to prove the charge thou charges us withall, in thy reply to the answer to the first Question, and the false accusations, lyes and slanders is not proved in all thou hast writ.

The one baptisme we owne Eph. 4. 5. and the watch in the Church we owne, in the spirit of life, which in order doth keepe, in obedience to the pure God, who is the God of order, and not of confusion, but keeps his Children in himself purely to live, accor­ding to what is pro [...]est.

Further thou goes on and queries, what proofe would we have, is it not our owne prophane language, both in papers and con­ference, it is no ne [...]es to hear most of their way, dispute against water Baptism, the Lords Supper, a settled fixed Ministry over particular Churches, and queries, further, what Quakers admini­ster water baptisme, the Lords Supper▪ and constantly watches over a particular flock, or else for shame thou sayst we must own the charge, and confesse our sin, in telling the world these are thy lying slanders.

Reply. Prophane Language we deny, and shadowes and figures we witnesse done away, the substance being come, water baptism was in its time a figure of the substance, as John witnesses, to whom that dispensation was committed, Mat. 3. 11. I indeed baptize with water unto Repentance, but he that comes after me is mightier then I, whose sh [...]es I am not worthy to bear, he shall baptize you with the Holy ghost▪ and with fire. And Johns baptisme we deny to be in force, he did decrease and Christ must increase whose bap­tisme we own, according as is recorded in the Scripture of truth, and since he ascended, there is no Scripture doth witnesse his sen­ding any to baptize with water, Paul who was sent after he ascended, what he did in the liberty given him, his liberty he knew, when he circumscised Timothy, and baptized Crispus, and Gaius, and the household of St [...]phanus▪ besides I know not th [...]t I baptized any other saith Paul, for Christ sent me not to baptize but to preach the Gospel, not with wisedome of words, least the crosse of Christ should be of none effect, 1 Cor. 1. 16, 17. And John who bare record, of the word of the word of God, and testimony of Jesus Christ, Rev. 14. 6. [Page 8] saith I saw an Angel in the midst of Heaven, having the everlasting Gospel to preach to them that dwell in the earth, and to every Nation, and Kindred, tongue and People, John did not say, he did fly through the midst of heaven preaching the everlasting Gospel, and baptizing with water, we know John faithfull in his testimony of Jesus Christ, who is now revealed, and the Angell is come, and the Gospel preached and the shadowes done a­way.

And Bread and Wine were the Supper of the Lord, in the dis­pensation of time, a figure of his death, which were fulfilled, when he had suffered and rose again, and now he is known to stand at the door and knock, if any man heare my voice, and open the door, I will come in and Sup with him, and he with me, saith Christ, Rev. 3. 20. And we being many are one bread, and one body, &c. 1 Cor. 10. 17. and knows the wine renewed in our fathers Kingdome, Christ the substance we now witnesse, shadows and figures done away, he that can receive it let him.

And the Churches set up by the will of man, we deny, and the fixed ministry set up over them by the will of man, that watch for the fleece, beare rule by their means, and seeks their gain from their quarter, these we deny; Jer. 5. 31. Isa. 56. 11.

And those in scorn called Quakers, doth watch over the flock of God, every one as the Lord them calls, and not for filthy lucre, as the Priests that bear rule by their means do, neither by constraint, but of a ready minde 1 Pet. 5. 2. in obedience to the spirit of the Lord, as he them moves, and thy slanders thou hast not yet pro­ved, our conscience doth witnesse it, that what thou hast accused us with is a lye, and not the truth.

And thou further sayes that Will. Deusberry in a lying paper, as thou calls it, which is entituled A true prophecy of the migh­ty day of the Lord already risen in the North of England, &c. in which paper he makes it his worke, to slander the Ordinances of Gospel worship, under the notion of outward observations, which Christs Kingdome comes not in, Luke 17. 20. and thus he accounts of all the ordinances and institutions, prescribed by Christ himselfe, in the Apostolical Churches, and accounts all the strict observing of outward formes of worship, is but immitating the Saints practices, in their Babilonish and heathenish wisedome, [Page 9] all these outward forms, is the outward Court without the tem­ple, Pa. 1. 2.

Reply. The lye will be found in thy owne mouth, in calling that a lying paper, a true prophecy it is of the mighty day of the Lord, and for thy saying, William Deusberry makes it his worke &c. as before written thy charge is false, and the truth is witnes­sed against vain man, who in his dark minde seeks the Kingdome of God in observations where it comes not Luke 17. 20. neither shall men say loe here or loe there, he called by name as before written doth witnesse they are not the Ordinances of Christ, ac­cording as is declared of them, they will be found and made mani­fest to the shame and confusion of their face, who in their owne wisedome immitates the Saints practices in forme, which they did practice in life and power in the dispensation of time they ser­ved their generation, in the manifestation of the spirit, according to the will of God.

And whereas thou sayst in the 4 Pa. it is more clear, that he prophanely compares the holy ordinances and institutions of the Lord to that great Image set up by Nebuchadnezzars proud na­ture, spoken of by Daniel, and that that Image was but a tipe and figure of this which now shines gloriously in forms and observati­ons.

And thou sayst, that in his speaking to the Anabaptists and Inde­pendents, he tells them they have set up a finer Image in the Gos­pell ordinances (as they call them) and what other ordinances (thou sayst) doth these or you set up, but what vvas practised in the Apostolical Churches, thus you may see hovv this Impostor, doth reproach the holy things of God.

Reply. Blush for shame vvho sayst William Dewsberry com­pares the holy ordinances and institutions of our Lord to that great Image, &c. Holy Ordinances, and Institutions of the Lord is not there exprest by him, where thou sayst he them so compares; he vvitnesses against the Image you have set up in your minds, of the truth as you conceive vvhere you are in confu­sion that doth you divide into forms and observations as before written to looke for the Kingdome of God to come, and though you call them the Ordinances of Christ you denying Christ the light you to guide in the daily crosse, you are in the same nature, [Page 10] wherein Nebuchadnazzar cast the Lords servants into the fiery furnace, because they witnessed against his Image so do you who walke in your imaginations and deny Christ the light, cause the servants of the Lord that walks in the life, and cannot bow to your Image but witnesse against it, to be haled out of your meet­ing places, beaten, stoned, whipt, stockt, imprisoned, which are the fruits of Nebuchadnezzars nature as is manifest this day a­mongst those, against whom he witnesseth and who is the Impost­or and reproaches the holy things of God, the fruit makes mani­fest, he that hath an eye to see let him see.

And further thou sayst that he in the height of his insolent rashnesse and madnesse, saith thus the word of the Lord came un­to me saying, I will gather my people out of all forms and obser­vations, and out of all Kindreds, Tongues and Nations, and I will power out my spirit upon them. And this thou sayst he writes in a different Character, as if it were all Scripture, by this you may see it proved what I have accused them with, in denying the Ordinances, and Administrations of the Gospel Churches true, and yet this impudent lyar tells me its a lying slander they would render me a lyar, for telling them the truth, but it seems they can rather, and with more ease deny the accusation then prove them­selves Saints, and stand to it, thus when they are pincht they will say and un say, and any thing to evade.

Rashnesse and madnesse is thy owne, in speaking evill of that thou knowest not, the day will declare, the Lord will gather his people together according as is declared, Rev. 5. 9. And the lye and false accusation will still rest on thee, for charging W. D. as before written, and the impudent lyar he will not be found, when the Lord will seperate between the precious and the vile then shall it be known, who walke in outward forms and deny Christ the light and those that live in the light, life and power of Christ, them to lead in the daily crosse, which keeps them in a pure life, and holy conversation, and thy false accusations doth not us pinch, neither doe we any thing to evade, but witnesse the truth, against thy false accusations, and in patience doe finish our testimony in sufferings, and all with us that in the light walk, are in the ordinances of the Gospel Church and wit­nesse the everlasting Gospel where all types shadows and figures are done away, which thou so much cryes up and the Lord will [Page 11] throw thee and all downe and a day of tribulation shall come upon thee, and thou shalt not escape except thou repent.

And whereas thou reviles us for saying that the spirit is the only rule of faith and life, Joh. 16. 13. which thou sayst that pro­mise was made directly to the twelve.

Reply. Who art thou that limits the holy one, the promise of his spirit is to all who waite on him in the manifestation of his spi­rit, according to the Testimony of Scripture, 1 Cor. 12. 7, 8, 9. the manifestation of his Spirit is given to every one to profit withall, for to one is given by the spirit the word of wisedom to another the word of knowledge by the same spirit, to another faith by the same spirit, to another the gifts of healing, by the same spirit, &c.

And for thy unsavory words which in reproach calls us proud worms that vilifie and diminish from the Scripture, &c.

Reply. Pride is thy owne, we doe not vilifie nor diminish the Scriptures, we witnesse them a true testimony of Christ the life, and who in his light walk knowes the truth of the Scriptures as it is in Jesus, Eph. 4. 20, 21.

And whereas thou sayst in confession to what was declared to thee that Abel, Enoch, and Noah had saith before the Scriptures was written, to which thou quotes Heb. 1. 1. God who at sun­dry times, and in divers manners spake in times p ast unto the fa­thers by the Prophets, hath in these last dayes spoken to us by his son, and thou sayst before there was any thing commit to writeing the Lord did more visibly reveale his will by voice, vision, Angels, &c. But since he hath committed his whole will unto writeing by the Prophets and Apostles, these former manners are ceased, and thou sayst to look for the same discoveries, still by voice, vi­sion or inspiration, is madnesse we run into.

Reply. Thou vain man, who dare to say the Lord hath ceased makeing himselfe known to his people, by voice vision or inspira­tion, holy men of God did speak, and doth speak, as inspired by the spirit of God, and mooved by the Holy Ghost, 2 Pet. 1. 21. An [...] the Lord hath promised in the latter daies I will power out my spirit upon all flesh, Joel. 2. 28, 29. Acts 2. 17, 18. Jer. 31. 33, 34. Heb. 8. 9, 10, 11. Isa. 54. 13.

All the Children of the Lord, who are led by his spirit, doth witnesse these Scriptures fulfilled and knoweth the Lord is fatith­full [Page 12] according to his promise, who will recompence into thy bo­some thy just reward, for speaking evill of his truth, and whiles thou denys the manifestation of his spirit, which the Lord mani­fests to his people as is recorded in the Scripture of truth, thy pride and confusion thou hast made manifest, and neither knows Moses ministry nor the Apostles, which thou in a buisy minde speaks of, in thy dark understanding, which leads thee to fill thy Book with false accusations, as in thy 10th Pa; where thou sayst we doe not make any clear difference, between the outward declara­tion and the word of faith.

Reply. For the Simples sake as we have declared the truth, we doe declare it, which is witnessed with all the Children of light, the word of faith is in the heart and in the mouth, and who are guided by it their hearts are kept pure, faith purifyes the heart Act. 15. 9. whether they have the outward declaration yea, or nay, and they that have the outward declaration, and though they read it, if they minde not the word which is life and light, which gave forth the Scripture, they do not live according to the Scripture, for they are without faith, who are not guided by the word, faith comes not by reading, the outward declaration, faith is the gift of God, Eph. 2. 8 given to his Children, who diligent­ly hearken to his word, which is life, and the life is the light of men.

And for thy chargeing us with contradictions, confused non­sence, bitter censures and shuffles, and how notorious false it is wherein we say, that not any doth know the Scriptures by the out­ward declaration.

Reply. To the light of Christ in all Consciences we appeale, let the righteous judge, a naturall man knows not the things that are of God (though he read the outward declaration) for they are spiritually discerned, 1 Cor. 2. 14. and none is found worthy to open the seales of the Book, but the Lyon of the Tribe of Juda, &c. Rev. 5. 3. 5. and then thou denys Gods speaking to his people, by voice vision or inspiration, and sayest they run into madnesse that expect any such thing, here thou art found in the Contradictions confused nonsence, bitter censures and shuffles, and notorious falshoods, which thou hast falsely charged us withall, and its turned upon thy owne head, and proved out of thy owne [Page 13] mouth, that while thou art makeing a shew in words to maintain the Scripture authority, thou denyes both the dispensation of the spirit of God in Christ, the light, and the Scriptures which beare testimony of him, as is manifest in the reply to what thou hast writ in the 6. and 8. Pa.

And whereas thou in the 11 Pa. calls us deceivers and saith to those thou calls thy friends, we have them abused by the deceite and cheats of our owne hearts, &c.

Reply. Deceite and cheats thou art proved to be in, and what thou endeavors to doe in the deceit of thy heart against the truth, thou wilt see thy hope faile thee, and not a blessing but a curse upon thy endeavors; which to thy face is proved, in what is be­fore written to be contrary to the dispensation of the spirit, and Scripture, for which the terror of the Lord shall take hold on thee, for thy uttering words without knowledge, and speaking evill of the things thou knowest not, as in the 12. Pa.

And whereas thou appeals to them thou calls thy friends how their hearts have been heated, and warmed by the power of the word and Sacraments &c. Which is now in contempt and re­proach, by those that seduce you: Which thou charges upon us, and sayest thou hast clearly discovered our slanders, shifts, and shuffles, and our reproaching the Ordinances, and Ins [...]tutions of our Lord as Heathenish by compareing them to that great Image of that heathen King, Dan. 3. 3. and how we deny the Scripture to be a perfect rule of knowing God beleeving in him, and liveing unto him, and reproach thee to be a lying slander for chargeing us with that which is an apparent truth, as thou sayst thou hast proved by our lying papers, and that we have reproacht they falsely, and the lyes are returned upon our owne heads, whilest thou sayst we witnesse our selves perfect and without sin, and have entred the new Jerusalem into which none shall enter that makes a lye, &c.

Reply. Them thou calls thy friends, who are in the light, with all the Children of light, doe witnesse, that their hearts were ne­ver warmed in Sacraments, no such words is found in Scripture, and thou that art pleading for the authority of Scrip­ture, is with the light of Christ in all his Saints denyed and thy Sacraments, which is not found in Scripture, and in the light thou [Page 14] art clearly seen the slanders shifts and shuffles is thy owne, as is manifest in the answer to the same reproach and accusations, in the 2. and 3. Page of thy Book and what we witnesse is according to Scripture, which we owne, and in many things thou hast writ, as before is manifest by thy owne words, the Scripture thou de­nyes, so on whose head the falshood remains, to the Children of light is made manifest and the day will further declare it, where­in Christ our King shall be exalted over all, in whom our perfecti­on and cleansing from sin is, and lead us into new Jerusalem, into which nothing enters that works abomination or makes a lye, but who enter therein are led by the spirit of Christ in whose mouth is found no guile, he that hath an ear to heare let him heare.

And whereas thou sayst to some of them thou calls thy friends, some of you have heard W. Dewsberry say of himself, that he, was as perfect as that Christ hat died at Jerusalem, this is witnes­sed by one of credit and fidelity amongst your selves. I forbear his name. In Dewesberry new birth he thus witnesseth of him­self.

Reply. Thy spirit in the light is seen, who hath published what thou hath received from a namelesse Author, and thy acusation is false, which thou hast published to the world, there were never any heard W. Dewesberry say of himself that he was as perfect as that Christ that died at Jerusalem, and that thou calls his new birth will be a witnesse against thee, There is no such word ex­prest by him, as thou sayest this namelesse Author hath re­lated of him. In the presence of God He (called W. Dewesber­ry.) doth witnesse that self is imperfect, and selfe righteousnesse as a filthy ragg and a menstruous cloth, &c. Isa. 64. 6. And he doth witnesse Christ Jesus the true light which lighteth everyone that comes into the world, Joh. 1. 9. which discovers the imper­fection and filthynesse of self, with all its righteousnesse, and his perfection is in Christ, the light, which he doth witnesse, the same Christ and no other, but he which suffered at Jerusalem, who is the brightnesse of his fathers glory, &c. Heb. 1. 3. 13. 8. which he thou falsely accuses, as before written, which all the Children of light doth witnesse, the Righteousnesse of God in Christ the light, 2 Cor. 5. 21. which for the Simples sake the [Page 15] truth is witnessed forth in the presence of God, which the Lord will clear, from the lyes and slanders cast upon it, and he shall be known what he is, whom you call a proud polluted worme, that dare exalt himself to a perfection equall with God, which are thy owne words and what thou hast gathered up from other who falsely accuse as thou dost, which words were not spoken by him, thou cals a proud polluted worme, who can bear thy revile­ings, but for the truths sake, that the Simple do not stumble, at the way of truth, doth witnesse against thy false accusations and revileings, which thou hast filled thy Book withall.

As in the 14. and 15. Pa, Speaking to them thou calls friends whom thou sayst is seduced, and thou declares that those whom thou charges with seducing them doth teach them to cease from all religious duties of commanded worship, without scruple or checke of Conscience, before they can enjoy God, or be taught immediately what to do, first put out the true light, and power of Conscience to do his office, by de spising the means of enlight­ning, and convincing it to act in the soul, and then resolves to follow the immediate commands of Conscience, without questi­oning the Author of those Lawes at all.

Reply. Thy accusation is fals, we do not teach any to cease from all religious duties of commanded worship, neither put out the true light, we teach all to be obedient to the commands of God, who saith this is my beloved Son in whom I am wel-pleased, hear him, Mat. 17. 5. And we bear testimony of him that he is the true light that lighteth every one that comes into the world, Joh. 1. 9. and convinces the world of sin, Righteousnesse and Judgement, Joh. 16. 8. and he alone commands in the Consci­ence for God, and is the Author of the perfect Law, handed in the hand of a mediator, to whom we exhort all to be subject, and in whom all the Children of light walk, Col. 2. 6.

And for thy expressing, a depth of deceit and delusion, which thou charges upon us, which is found in thy self who hath made lyes thy refuge to slander the innocent which is further manifest in thy 16. Pa.

Thou sayst we take no notice of Scripture authority, as if they were altogether out of date, which false accusation is witnessed against in what is returned in answer to the preface of thy Book.

[Page 16] And in the 17. and 18. Pa. thou charges us with impudent fore­heads to make a shew of one thing, and intend another, purpose­ly minded to deceive, and yet they tell us often that as they write so they meane, and speak the truth in plainesse, most hor­rible hypocrisy and deceit, which nothing but a lying and a kna­vish head, dare goe about to excuse, &c.

And all those unsavory words as before written, wherein thou sayst we have discovered to purpose the deceit of our answer, in saying the revelations of Christ are according to Scripture, and where the new Covenant is witnest, the law is written in the heart, and the witnesse and testimony of Jesus within bearing witnesse with our spirits, that we are the Sons of God.

Reply. Doing any thing of purpose to deceive, through hy­pocrisye or knavish heads, we deny, and in the presence of God we speak the truth in plainesse, and doe witnesse there is no de­ceit in saying the revelations of Christ are according to Scripture and all in the new Covenant do know, the law of God written in their hearts, and the witnesse or testimony of Jesus, within, 1 Jo. 5. 10. bearing witnesse with their spirits that they are the Children of God. Ro. 8. 16. and this declared is neither deceit­full nor knavish, which is the unsavory words thou charges on us, let the truth of God in all Consciences judge, to whom they be­long, the Scriptures we are not against, they bear testimony of Christ the light whom we witnesse the way to the father. Mat. 1. 27. None knows the father but the Son, and he to whom the Son will reveale him, by the revelation of the Spirit of God, is the things of God knowne to his people, 1 Cor. 2. 9. 10. 13. Ro. 8. 11. 16. according as is recorded we witnesse the Scrip­tures, fulfilled in Christ the light who is our life, Col. 3. 3. 4.

And whereas thou queries, did ever any read of the law and testimony in the heart, and that the law and testimony in the heart, is the law of the new Covenant.

Reply. Who hath read the Scripture in the fear of God, hath read what the Lord hath promised as declared, Isa. 8. 16. Bind up the testimony, seal the law, among my Disciples, and Jer. 31. 33. This shall be the Covenant. I will make with the house of Israel, in those daies saith the Lord, I will put my Lawes in their inward [Page 17] parts, and write it in their hearts, Heb. 8. 10 11, 12. and the law written in the heart we witnesse, and the Lord faith­ful in performing according to his Promise in the new Cove­nant.

And thou goes on in the 19. and 20. Pa, calling us impostors and pervertors of the new Covenant, and to be in Idle proud fancyes, and itching humors of our owne brains in our Apostate Condition.

Reply. We in the light can bear thy reproach, and have wit­nessed the truth that it may stand a witnesse against thy revileings, and in the Lord we rest, who will make manifest, whether thou or we be the perverters of the new Covenant, and guilty of what thou charges us with.

And whereas thou in the 22. Pa. sayes that W. Dewesberry. tells us that the mighty day of the Lord is appeared in the North of England, and is riseing towards the South, and shall o­verspread this Nation, and all the Natious of the world, &c. what the mans fancy and designe is in bruiting and makeing such a noise of the appearance of the mighty day of the Lord judge ye, I am sure he hath sufficiently discovered his owne folly in blazing abroad such dreams of his owne lying heart, &c.

Reply. In thy 2. Pa. thou hath enlarged thy self concerning that Book calling it a lying paper, &c. and the truth is witnessed in answer to thy charge, and this in answer to what is here writ­ten, fancies, bruitishnesse, folly dreams, and lyes, W. Deusberry denys the truth he hath declared, as the Lord hath him moved, in faithfullnesse to the souls of all people, that they be not found the sloathfull servants, putting the day of the Lord a farr off, in this his day wherein the houre of his righteous judgement is come, (Rev. 14. 7.) to all that wait on him, the truth is decla­red, that all men may prepare in the light the Lord to meet, and no longer in sloathfulnesse remain, least he come upon them as a theife in the night, and if the day of the Lord do not arise over all the world, and the kingdoms of the world, become the king­domes of our Lord and his Christ, and the Lord, performe not as is declared, then say the Lord harh not spoken by me who is known to the world by name William Dewsberry.

And in the 22. Pa. thou says we have set our selves in the [Page 18] Throne of Christ judging the whole world.

Reply. Thy accusation is false, self we deny, to Christ we are snbject who sits on his Throne, and is come and comeing in his Saints to judge the world, Jude 14, 15. 1 Cor. 6. 2. and 2. 5.

And in the 23. Pa. thou sayst, why do not we command the dead to rise, and appear before us, and many other unsavory words are there exprest.

Reply. A wicked and adultrous generation, shall seek after a signe, and there shall no signe be given it, but the signe of the Prophet Jona, Mat. 16. 4.

And whereas thou charges Howgill, and Burrough (as thou calls them) with pernitious blasphemous opinions.

Reply. Thy accusation is false, they are faithfull men, serveing their generation in the light, Ministers of Christ, in whom is wit­nessed the God head dwelling bodily, Coll. 2. 9. and in him were one in God, they that joyne to the Lord are one spirit, 1 Cor. 6. 17. he that can receive it let him.

And whereas thou in the 29. Pa. saith that the Revelations of Christ that are according to Scripture, are either texts of Scrip­ture, expressed, or rationall deductions consequences and conclu­sions; that naturally flow from particular passages of Scriptures, and not any other revelations can be pleaded for as rule.

Reply. Thy dark minde is shut out from knowing the revela­tions of Christ, and though thou say that answer that was retur­ned to these words was not to purpose, it stands a witnesse against thee, and will be found to purpose in the light, when thy reward thou shalt have, for all thy unsavory words exprest in thy Book.

And in the 33. Pa. where thou falsely accuses us, that we will allow of no Laws of God nor Scripture, but the Revelations and edicts of our owne bewitched hearts, &c. And when thou hast reviled us with false accusation as before written, thou beseeches those thou call, thy dear friends to be serious in their thoughts of what thou hast written, in discovering our deceits and blasphemies denying the rule that all things are to be tryed by, and make themselves the absolute rule, and we must not question what they say though it be never so insolent, and to be abhorred of all sober [Page 19] Christians &c.

Reply. Thou hath brazned thy face to slander the truth of God, with lyes and blasphemies, which is the foundation of all heresy, and there thou art found and thy accusation is false, Christ the rule that all things is to be tryed by, we owne and our selves deny, and to the light of Christ in all Consciences, we appeale, whether thou or we deny the rule, thou that sayst the revelations of Christ, are either texts of Scripture expressed, or rationall deductions consequences, &c. as before written, or we who witnesse Christ the true light, revealed by the father, and none knows the father but the Son and he to whom the Son will re­veale him, Mat. 11. 27. Luke 10. 22, Let all that are in Christ with sobriety in the light judge.

And for the rest of thy slanders in the 37. and 38. Pa. where thou says, these miserable worms uncovenant themselves and un­Christ themselves, as if they cared not for grace and mercy in stan­ding before God, denying the Scripture, &c. and in the 40. Pa. thou sayst of those in scorne called Quakers, thou can safely say they deny the benefit that comes to the Church, by Christ suffer­ing in that flesh, [...]hat he received from the Virgin Mary, or else deny it to be are all body of flesh and so make it but a tipe and a figure of Christ in the Saints who are his true real body, which he now suffers in, and by his suffering makes satisfaction, for them makeing the death of the Crosse of none effect.

Reply. The miserable worms that uncovenant themselves and un­Christ, themselves, who denys Christ the light thou art found to be one, whom thy dark minde art working abomination, and makeing lies, which thou hast published to the world, in thy Books, and thy place thou may read as is recorded, Rev. 21. 27. and the rest of thy accusations, recorded in 40. Pa. we witnesse against, and for the Simple sake declare as followeth that bene­fit came to the Church by Christ suffering, in that body God gave which was born of the Virgin Mary, and with one offering hath Christ perfected for ever, them that are sanctified, Heb. 10. 14. and these are his Saints in whom he is now revealed, who are his body, Eph. 1. 23. which now suffered by thee, and all that are of the murdering generation, who bore false witnesse against Christ, when he was in that body which they crucified at Jeru­salem, [Page 20] and thou hast manifest thy self to be of the same murder­ing generation, who hath published to the world the false wit­nesse against the innocent, to perfect thy evill intent, towards the body of Christ, if the Lord prevent thee not, but thou shalt know the Lord faithfull, that thou and all that formes your tongues against him shall fall in judgement, Isa. 54. 17.

And what is charged upon thee in answer to thy reply to the answer to the third question, that thou sets at nought the corner stone, and prefers the testimony of him before him, limitting the eternall son of God as thou hath in what is Printed in the 55. Pa. where thou speaks of the Scripture that they are designed of God, to be the only instrument and vessel of his spirit, to convey the knowledge of Christ as Redeemer to lost man, and without them Christ is not knowne at all to any saveing ends.

Reply. Who art thou that dare thus utter words without knowledge, Christ is knowne where the Father reveales him to be the souls life, whether they have the Scripture yea, or nay, accor­ding to the will of God▪ he makes knowne his minde of his peo­ple, who wait upon him in his feare, and the secrets of the Lord are with those that fear him, Psal. 25. 14. And the spirit of the Lord is witnesse with our spirits that we are the children of God, O man repent, least the Lord cut thee off, and thou perish in thy gainsayings.

And further what thou hath written in Reply, to what was returned in answer to the question before mentioned, the most of the false accusations is answered, in what was returned to the former part of the Book and all thy false accusations and reproa­ches denyed with the light, and for the Simples sake there is retur­ned in answer to thy questions which thou hast propoun­ded.

1. Qu. Where we read of a perfect law of God in the heart, and where it is made the Rule and Ground of the Saints obedi­ence.

Ans. The Law of God is perfect, Psal. 19. 7. and is the rule to which the Saints are to walke in obedience to, and to be gui­ded by, Psal. 119. 12. and the Law to be in the heart is proved, Psal. 40. 8. I delight to do thy will O God, yea thy law is within my heart.

[Page 21] 2. Qu. Whether the law in the heart be under another Co­venant, distinct from, the perfect law of God declared in Scrip­ture.

3. Qu. What were to understand by the law of God i n the heart, which is the same with Scripture, whether the 10. Com­mandements written in Tables of stone onely, or all those posi­tive Precepts of Gospel worship and obedience conjoyned with them also.

Ans. To thy 2. and 3. Question in the old Covenant the Law was written in Tables of stone, which Law haveing a shadow of good things to come and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. Heb. 10. 1. And when he came who saith, Lo I come to do thy will O God, he ta­keth away the first that he may establish the second, ver. 9. by which will we are sanctified thorow the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all, ver. 10. and by one offering he hath perfected for ever them, that are sanctified, whereof the holy Ghost is a witnesse to us, as he said before, this is the covenant that I will make with them, saith the Lord, I will put my Lawes in their hearts, and in their minds will I write them, ver. 14, 15, 16. Jer. 31. 33.

4 Qu. Whether the Law in the heart, without the use of Scriptures make any Evangelical discoveries of the person, na­tures, and Offices of Christ, as he is Redeemer of lost man?

Ans. Thy feigned words we wave, the truth we witnesse, the Law in the heart witnessed in the New Covenant, Christ is known to be King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, 1 Tim. 6. 15. And the faithfull High Priest, Heb. 2. 17. 3. 1. 4. 15. 5. 6 7. 26. 10. 2 [...]. who hath made us Kings and Priests to God and his Father, &c. Rev. 1. 6.

5 Qu. Whether all shall be saved, that have the Law of God written in their hearts, by virtue of the New Covenant, or any be saved that live to years of discretion, that know not Christ, as the Scriptures testifie of him, in order to his coming to the world to save sinners?

Ans. All are saved, who are guided by the righteous Law of the Spirit of life in Christ, which sets them free from the Law of [Page 22] sin and death, Rom. 8. 2. And what years soever any live unto, they have no discretion to know Christ, as the Scriptures testifie of him, but they who in his light waits upon him, to be guided by him; for who hath not the Spirit of Christ, is none of his, Rom, 8. 9.

And for the rest of thy aspersions, and revilings thou hast writ, calling us deceivers that fear the Authority of man, or else we would deny Christ himself.

Reply. Christ we do not deny, but him we own, who respects no mans person, Rom. 2. 11. and in him no fear of man is, and we in him Reigns over thee, and all the authority of the power of darknesse, that stands in opposition to Christ, the Son of God, to whom every knee must bow, Phil. 2. 10. the day shall declare it.

And in what thou hast replied, to the Answer to the fourth Question, which thou charges to be untrue, to say That man in the fall, as he stands in the state of corrupt nature, hath not there­in any light without Christ, to doe any thing acceptable to God, &c. Which thou goes about to prove the contrary, and saith there is the light and use of reason, and understanding faculties, though corrupted.

And further thou sayes, This light of corrupt reason, as be­fore exprest, presents to the conscience good and evill, &c.

Reply. In the light thou art seen to be in the corrupt Foun­tain, from whence all these corrupt words hath come, which thou hast Printed in thy Book, and thy words are not true. Corrupt reason of man doth not present to the conscience, things good and evill, a corrupt Tree cannot bring forth good fruit, Mat. 7, 18. There is nothing makes manifest darknesse, but light, Ephes. 5. 15. which all men in the Fall is gone from, out of the way, and there is none that doth good, no not one, Rom. 3. 9, 10, 11, &c. And the naturall man receives not the things that are of God, nor can he know them, because they are spiritually di­scerned, 1 Cor. 12. 14. And all the righteousnesse of man in this state, is as a filthy rag, and a menstruous cloath, Isa. 64. 6. And this is the state of man in corrupt nature: And the light that convinces man of this dark and corrupt estate he is in, is the light of Christ that convinces the World of sin, righteous­nesse, [Page 23] and judgement, John 16. 8. So we that were sometimes darknesse, are now light in the Lord, Ephes. 5. 8. And who walk in the light, there is no occasion of stumbling, 1 John 2. 10.

And whereas thou sayest, Thou knowes we will lye, as thou hast made it manifest.

Reply. It is not so, thou hath not made yet manifest any lye that we have spoken, by any truth thou hath declared.

And thou goes on, as in thy 89 Page thou sayes, The rational soul of man corrupted, is called the candle of the Lord, which we invent to be Christ; which is false, we deny that the corrupt soul of man is the candle of the Lord, or Christ.

And further thou sayes, It was thy intended work to goe thorow all the Answers to the ten Questions, but for want of thy paper, which thou sa [...]es we detained from thee, contrary to our Promise.

In which thou says not true, for the promise was to thee thou should have a coppy of thy paper which thou sent to us when it was ready for thee, which was not then written, neither was any time set down of thy haveing it, and as way was made, a coppy according to our promise, came to thy hands.

And in the close of thy Book, thou goes on as thou begun, saying we deny Scriptures as to the end they were intended, and reproach the Ordinances of the Lord Jesus, which the Scriptures teach, under the notion of heathenish worships, &c. which is answered to in the truth declared, a witnesse to stand against all the reproaches, that thou hast cast upon the truth of the liveing God, and the God thou art pleading for cannot crown thee with honour, in the day wherein the liveing God will exalt his son, and clear the innocency of his people, then shall the God whose worship thou art defending, be confounded, and confusion and shame shall stop thy mouth, and if this come not to passe as declared, then say the Lord hath not spoken by me.

And in that thou calls thy Post-script in the end of thy Book, the things therein thou falsely accuses us with, and calls them the Rocks which we are to manifest how we shall escape, which is clearly made manifest in what is written in answer to thy Book. Only this, where thou sayes we make no difference between the [Page 24] visible professing Church, and the Pagan world, all may be saved alike if they will, &c.

Reply. They that make a visible Profession of Christ, and deny to walk in the light of his Spirit, are of the world that lies in wickednesse, 1 John 5. 19. Mat. 7. 21. as well as them thou calls the Pagan world; and not any can be saved by what they doe in their own wills, all that is done in that nature is abomina­tion to God, as is plain in the Answer to what thou hast writ in the 70 Page. It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that shewes mercy, Rom. 9. 16. which he makes ma­nifest in the riches of his grace, in Christ the light, who leads all that obey him, in the strait way of self-deniall, and the daily crosse, in obedience to the will of God, which is our sanctificati­on: And he that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified are one, Heb. 2. 4. 1 Thess. 4. 31. He that can receive it, let him.

For the truths sake, that the simple be not turned out of the way, by the false accusations, reproaches, and aspersions thou hast cast upon it, what is before written in Answer to thee, the truth doth clear, and the Answer to thy ten Questions, which thou charges to be deceitfull, that they may witnesse for themselves against what thou hast cast upon them, that all that desire to know the truth may them read. The Questions and Answers are as followeth.

1 Qu. Whether the writings of the Scriptures are a declaration of the Holy will and mind of God, that necessarily oblige the servants of God that professe them, to believe and observe whatever is revea­led therein, to be believed and done; and whether the Scripture alone be a perfect Rule of faith and life, unto all of years amongst us▪ yea or nay?

Ans. The Scriptures is a true declaration of the things be­lieved amongst the Saints, and a true testimony of Jesus Christ, but not any doth them know, neither can believe what is written therein, by the outward declaration and testimony of Scripture, but by the word of Faith, which is in the heart, and in the mouth, which is the word of Faith which we Preach, Rom. 10. 7, 8.

2 Qu. Whether any other Revelations and Observations, not to be found in the Scripture, be binding to the consciences of those persons that have the benefit of the Scripture, or whether such [Page 25] revelations or dictates within a mans heart and soul, be as bind­ing to the conscience, and to be urged to a mans self, or others, as the Scriptures are.

Ans. The revelations of Jesus Christ, is according to Scrip­ture, which Revelations binds up the Testimony, and seals the Law in the hearts of his Disciples; and what dictates is in the conscience or heart of man, contrary to the Law and Testimony, is not to be regarded, but disowned and judged with the light which comes from Christ, the Saints life, who guides them in a pure life, and holy conversation, according to Scripture, Isa. 8. 20.

3 Qu. Whether any thing besides the Scripture, is constitu­ted of the blessed God to reveal Christ as Redeemer and Savi­our, to the spirit of miserable lost man, to bring man unto hap­pinesse, or whether corrupt man without the knowledge of Scrip­ture, may ordinarily attain unto salvation, yea or nay?

Ans. No man can come to the Son any other way, but whom the Father draweth by the power of his unlimited Spirit, and never any shall know the Father, but he to whom the Son reveals him; and he that thinks to attain the way to eternall life, by reading the letter of the Scripture, and regards not the light that comes from Christ, that witnesseth for God in the se­cret of the heart and conscience, he deceives himself, for the my­stery of eternall life is sealed up in the sealed Book, from all the Sons and Daughters of men; and none shall ever know it by the outward testimony of Scripture, but by the inspiration of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, who is found worthy to open the seals of the Book, and is the way, the truth, and the life, to all that in his light wait, his power them to guide, in faithfull obedience to the righteous and perfect Law of God, written in the heart, for the exercise of the conscience, which keeps them void of offence towards God, and towards men, according to testimony of Scripture, Acts 24. 16. 23. 1.

4 Qu. Whether that light of conscience which is more or lesse in all since the fall, be the remains or some reliques left of the first Adam, in reference to the Covenant of works, or whe­ther common to all, from the redemption of the second Adam, as flowing from the Covenant of grace, or how else? I desire [Page 26] you would clearly expresse your thoughts in this.

Ans. Man in the fallen estate hath not any light remains in him, to guide him to doe any thing well pleasing to God, as he stands in the state of corrupt nature; for all his righteousnesse is as filthy rags, and as a menstruous cloth, the light that convin­ceth man and woman of the evill of their hearts, and discovers the filthinesse of all their own righteousnesse, is the light that comes from Christ, the true light that lighteth every man that comes into the world, John 1. 9. And this light is not common to man by nature, it is the great gift of God, his grace that hath appeared, and teacheth all that are guided by it, to deny all un­godlinesse▪ and worldly lusts, and to live godily and soberly in this present evill world; and all that walk contrary to the light, this is their condemnation, the light, John 3. 19.

5 Qu. Whether the end of God in giving and continuing this kind of light to all men in the world, was not to be a re­straint and curb to the exorbitant lusts of so corrupt a creature as man, and so made subservant to God in the Government of the world, in order to the peace and continuance of the same, and to leave all without excuse, Or what besides this the end of God was, that this kind of light should be minded and improved ac­cording to the power of man by what he is from creation or uni­versall grace or redemption, in order to eternall happinesse; and the not heeding this light in all men, shall be the only condem­nation of the world. Or whether this light be the Gospel, or Christ, or his Spirit, or whether it be a light either equall with, or inferiour to, or of a different kind with the Scriptures?

Ans. The light which comes from Christ is given of God, to guide the creature out of its own strength and power, to Christ the mighty power and wisedome of God, the creature to guide with moderation, in the use of all creatures, and to or­der and govern the creation to the praise and glory of God: And this light is of the pure nature of God, and leads to Christ the everlasting Gospel. And this is the condemnation of the world, that hates the light which comes from Christ, because they believe not in him, John 3. 18.

6. Qu. Whether the light of Conscience the light of Scrip­ture, the light of providence, the light of grace, ought not to [Page 27] be prest upon all, to reforme them, and draw them up to a high­er pitch of Christian obedience, according to the written word of the Lord.

Ans. Thou with all who are in the light is seen to be in thy wisedome, querying after many lights, but as is formerly written, in answer to thy 4. Quest. the [...]e is but one true light, Christ who lighteth every one that comes into the world, and all his ministers turnes the mindes of people from darknesse to Christ the true light, in it to waite on him for his power to destroy the power of Satan, and to lead in the straite narrow way of self denyal and the daily Crosse, which is the way into the Kingdome of God, who ever will be my Disciple, (saith Christ) he must deny himself, and take up his Crosse daily, and follow me, Luke 19. 23.

7. Qu. Whether a sinner condemned by the Law, is made just before God, unto eternall life, by an inherent power within, or worke of Sanctification, or whether by the satisfaction, and suffering of Christ in mans nature, and behalfe,, rested on by faith.

Ans. The Creature whose Conscience is awakened by the light, the righteous Law of God in the heart, which shews it, its sinfull state, and stands condemned before the Throne of God for disobeying the light, shall never be justified by any self righte­ousnesse, for it is uncleannesse in the sight of God, for justification is through faith in the Lord Jesus, but this faith which layes hold on Christ for justification, is not attained by any power the crea­ture hath of its self, neither can any know it, who receive honor one of another, Joh. 5. 44. How can ye beleeve who receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that comes from God onely, faith is the gift of God, given to the Children of light, who waits in the light on the Lord, in the way of his judgements, Isa. 26. 8. till judgement be brought forth into victory, that the creature be brought into true poverty, of spirit, for ever to perish, without free redemption in the Lord Jesus, which the father in his appoin­ted time, reveales the son to the soule, that stands condemned before him, and by the arme of his mighty power, creates it to a lively hope, and he that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure, so whom he justifieth he sanctifieth, and he that saith he is justified and liveth in sin deceiveth himself, for [Page 28] faith purifieth the heart, and purgeth the Conscience from dead works to serve the liveing God, which is witnessed in the Children of light, according to testimony of Scripture. Heb. 9. 14.

8. Qu. Whether the person or essence of Christ, or his spi­rit dwell in any upon earth, or whether by his gifts and graces onely, or whether all those that have Christ in them, must forsake all outward teaching of men, and whether the Scripture be but a dead letter, and of no use, otherwaies then Christ within doth witnesse unto them.

Ans. He that knows not Christ to be in him is a reprobate, for he that hath not the Spirit of Christ is none of his, and he that is guided by the spirit of Christ, needs not any teaching of man, (for you shall not neede to teach one another, for all my Chil­dren shall be taught of me, saith the Lord God,) and the Scripture is but a killing letter, but of use in its place,d testimony of Christ, but not any knows Christ by it, for Christ is known by the light of his spirit, which gave forth the Scriptures, and all that are gui­ded by his spirit knows the Scripture in the truth as it is in Jesus, [...]ph. 4. 21.

9. Qu. Whether the conversion that was wrought upon the souls of many, under the ordinary outward ministry of the word, in our publique assembles, turning men from darknesse to light, from prophanesse to true Godlinesse, be true unto salvation, and whether those that have been thus converted were in the state of salvation, before they joyned themselves unto your soci­ety, or whether can none be converted, and saved, that never came under, nor gave their assent to the dispensation of your way, and how you will justifye yours to be in the true and good old way, that all have and shall be saved in, you may do well to make it out by some evident demonstration.

Ans. Who can witnesse a true conversion by the power of the spirit of God, in turning their mindes from darknesse to light, that comes from Christ, and in his light waite to receive the sen­tence of death in themselves, to destroy all self confidence in any thing below Christ, and in the state of death to wait till that they heare the voice of the Son of God, and by his power was raised up to a liveing hope in Christ to walk, who throw his blood do [Page 29] witnesse their garments washed and made white, to reigne Kings and Preists upon the earth for ever, to worship the father in spi­rit and truth, and who ever can witnesse this conversion whether it were wrought when they frequented your publique assemblies, or absented from them, this conversion we owne who it can witnesse, and of our way they are, and will to us come, and all shall know the truth we witnesse is the good old way, that all souls that came to God walked in, Christ the way the truth and the life, the ancient of daies, which was before time, but manifest in time in all the Children of light, who doth them lead in the narrow way of self denial, and the daily Cross, with him to enter, thorow the strait gate, into the holy City, new Jerusalem, where the soule hath union which the father of light, and beholds his face, and his name is written in their foreheads, and there is no night there, neither need of Candle, nor light of the Sun, for the Lord God giveth them light, and they shall reigne for ever and ever, Rev. 22. 5.

10. Whether any of your way attaine unto perfection in this life, that they can truly say that they do all that God commands, without failing, either in matter or in manner of obedience, no not in thought, word and deed, and whether the persons of any stand just before God, that are not thus perfect.

Ans. All that are in the way we are in, which is Christ the way to the Father, in whom all in their measure are pressing on to the fulness of stature in Christ the perfect man, and who in him is grown to the fulnesse of stature, in his power doth stand, which doth them guide, that in their mouthes is found no guile, for they are without fault before the Throne of God, Rev. 14. 5.