A Paper being come to my hand, which is full of deceit, under pretence of Religion and a Forme of Profession, striking at the life of all Religion, which is obedience to all the commands of God in the spirit; and under pretence of the Letter, which he calls the Word, he goes about to reproach, and scorne, and sleight the teachings of Christ in the spi [...]it whereby he rules in the consciences of his Saints, and by which light he reveales the Father in them, and thereby declares himselfe to be the Eternall Word, and Witnesse within his: which Word first was known within them, a free gift of the Father, without any Letter, or humane Learning and then declared out in the Letter. But they who (as the Jews) thinke they have salvation in the Letter, are enemies and persecutors ofJohn 5. 3 [...]. them who have the Eternall Witnesse of salvation in the Spirit:Gal. 3. 2 [...]. And from that spirit hath this Paper its foundation; for God having put the enmity between the carnall and the sp [...]rituall Seeds there can be no agreement. Now though I abhorre striving for Master-hood in words or writing; yet for the sake of the simple ones, who not yet having the true judgement and salt in themselves to discerne of spirits, are subject to take great swelling words of mans wisedome, for the power of God unto1 Cor. 2. 5. 6. salvation. I am therefore moved to lay open some of the deceits in this Paper, that where truth and simplicity is in the heart, it may more cleerly judge of truth from dece [...]t.
The Paper is Titled, A Discourse concerning the Quakers.
It is no new thing for the dearest servants and children of GodPsal. 69 12. Psal 31. [...]1. to be a discourse a reproach, a taunt, and by-word, a wonder andPsal. 22 6. a scorne to fooles, and wicked men: and to have the belly-god, and drunkard to make songs of their sad and afflicted conditions;Psal 60 12. and to be called by nick-names, such as it pleaseth Ishmaels Iohn 10. 20. brood to cast upon them▪ to be called Devills, Deceivers, Heretickes, Franticke, Madd men, Quakers, and such like; but it is, [Page 4] that the same Scriptures may be fulfilled in the Saints, that were in Christ their example; As they have done unto me, so willLuke 23. 31. they doe unto you; If they keep my sayings, they will also keep yours; If they have called the good man of the house Beelzebub, how much more them of his houshold.
Thou sayest, Its plainely fore-told, that in the last dayes shall be the greatest Deceivers, and worst of Hypocrites, men extraordinarily inspired with a spirit of lyes and delusion.
It is above sixteen hundred yeares since those were foretold, and they have had so long a time since, to broach their deceits▪ and strengthen themselves in the earth, that the deceit is now growne a monster, and hath got many heads and hornes; religionsRevel. 13. 1. and formes one at warre with another, striving with words, and weapons, who should be greatest. But now that Christ is arisen in his Saints, to reveale this man of sinne by his2 Thes. 2. 7. 8. light, and to destroy him with the sword of his mouth. AllEzek. 38. 18. 19. formes of Religions, the Beast and the false Prophet, Gog andActs 4. 26. 27. Magog, are joyned together to strike at this light; and no wonder, for that deceitfull spirit knowes, that that light which discovers him in one forme, will discover him in all. And now the Devill would passe Judgement upon that light, which is come to judge him where he is, and so set any whom he can prevaile in, to cast reproach upon it, under many odious names, that so he may keep people at a distance from so much as owningLuke 6. 22. it; for he knowes, if any owne it, there he is discovered, and dis-owned; and this is his way in all in whom he speaks, to cry out against those that walke in the light in generall, calling them, Deceivers, Heretickes, Hypocrites, denyers of Scriptures Acts 24. 14. Acts 6. 13. 14. and Ordinances, and many such words, as he thinks may make the truth most odious to others, but not once shew in what particular; such walke contrary to the Scripture, for the deceit knowes that if it come to tryall, it selfe will be found that which walkes contrary to the Scripture; for the same light that gave out the Scriptures, leades not contrary to it. And now who will be the greatest deceivers, whether a poore, despised, persecuted, reproached people, whom God hath called out of the worlds wayes, words workes, worship, riches, and pleasures, and so are become strangers and wanderers to and fro, seeking a [Page 5] City whose builder and maker is God, Heb 11. 26. 27. 28. and for this obedience, being counted the off-scouring of the world, 1 Cor.1 Cor. 4. 9. 4. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. and suffering all with patience, as the Saints10, 11, 12, 13. did, who declared this in Scripture; or they who professe that Scripture which witnesseth these things, but still are in theirTit. 1. 16. lusts, pride, covetousnesse, exaltations over others, living likeMat. 23. 11. 14. fat Swine in the Earth, differing from the world in nothing, but onely in notions and long Prayers, whereby they appeare to be great deceivers then the world, who professeth nothing but what they are? And for the worst of Hypocrites, for they who professe the highest things, and most like to Saints, which they live not the life of, nor are sanctified, as they were, whose conditions they professe; these are the worst of hypocrites. And for the great traine thou speaks on, would not thou have been as much offended at those many thousands that followed Christ and hisMat. 14▪ 21. Disciples, when they Preached the same Gospel; if thou hadst lived then, they who were of thy spirit, were as much disquieted at it then, as thou art now? Thou sayest, It hath been an old project of the Devill, to destroy the Letter, the supreame authority of the Scripture; Thou art blinde, which sayest that the Letter is the supream authority of the Scriptures; for that which gave it forth in parables to the Serpents Seed, and opens it againe inIohn 14. 26. the Saints as they grow in their measures▪ and opens the Scriptures in and to all, is the supreame authority of Scriptures, which is not the Letter, but the Spirit, 2 Cor. 3. 6. And they who waite to have the Scriptures fulfilled in them by Christ, goe not about to destroy the Letter, but to establish it. And for the judgements of men thou talkes of, what is their judgements worth, where the practice is wanting, God is not served with words? There are two sorts of people, which thou conceivest to be most odious to all people; and thou would ranke these whom thou would reproach amongst either of them; but come to tryall, and thou wilt finde thy selfe farre neerer either of these then they. And first for Papists; which of the Idolatrous worshipps and traditions of the Papists, or that are ordained for Popish ends, doe these practice? but it may be, thou thy selfe art yet in the Idols Temple, builded by the Papists for Idolatrous worship, never commanded by God, and for such worship is kept up [Page 6] and used at this day; if thou be not yet in many Popish Customes as observing dayes, and times, and seasons, and persons,Gal. 4. 10. and outward Traditions of men, not commanded of God which these whom thou reproachest doe all deny. And the Papists are one with thee in reproaching, and scorning and persecuting these to their power. And for those thou callest Raunters, is there any people in the Nation, that more differ in practice then they? and if thou would looke at thy own pride, fulnesse, and the satisfying of thy lust, thou would see little difference between thee and them, but in judgement. And thou art offended at the knowledge of Christ within the Saints; art not thou ashamed to professe the Scripture, and deny what they witnesse? Which of the Saints did witnesse any other knowledge of Christ after his Ascention, but as he was revealed in them? and all that know him in spirit, knows him within them; and is there anyGal. 1. 16. Coll. 1. 17. Christ but one? because thou sayest, they know no other Christ, 2 Cor. 13. 3. 5. but a Christ within them; and thou that knowes no Christ butIohn 14. 20. & 15. 4 & 27. 23. without, ye know him not, but by heare-say; and then art not thou that Notionist thou speakes on. Reade these in the Margent,Gal. 2. 20. & 4. 19. and see who denyes the Scriptures, and the Saints conditionsEzek. 38. [...]9. 20. & 12. 18. And thou sayest, That their quakings are either counterfeit, or comes from the power of the Devill. How art thou not afraidHag. 2. 6 7. to speake against the holy Ghost? search the Scriptures, and thouAmos 8. 8. 10. shalt finde, that God hath said, All Fl [...]sh shall quake and tremble Psal. 110. 24 25. before him: and the holy men of God doe witnesse That the way by whi [...]h they came to know God was through quak [...]ng and Ezra 10, 1 Mat. 12. 24. trembling, fasting and weeping, which thou that art in the Flesh, and the earthly part in thee stands unshaken, knowes not, and therefore scornes it. But its no new thing for this Generation, to render the works of God, under the name of the Devill Thou sayest, they will goe in raggs; doest thou now speake truth, how many hast thou seen deny whole cloathes to goe in Raggs; art not thou inspired with a lying spirit thou spokest on before: butIsay 2. 20. & 31. 7. it may be thou art displeased th [...]t they pull off their pride, as Gold and Silver: that which they doe in obedience to God, thou would render it onely as a shew. But see what spirit that is thou speakest from: And why art thou offended at a meaneDan. 10. 2. 3. Diet, or punishing the body, as thou calls it? Did not Daniel refuse [Page 7] all pleasant meats for three full weeks. And David afflictedPsal. 69. 9. 10. his soule through Fasting▪ and it turned to his reproach, with such as thou. And why art thou offended, they should care for no more then meat, drink and cloathes, when Christ forbids hisMat. 6. 31, 32, 33, 34. to care for so much. And the Apostle exhorts, Having Food and 1 Tim. 6. 8. Rayment, be therewith content. And why art thou offended atHeb. 12. 5. selfe-deniall, and taking up the Crosse, to their own lusts. DothLuke 9. 32. Gal. 5. [...]4. not Christ say, He that will be my Disciple, must take up his Crosse dayly, and follow me. And had not the Saints, the lusts of the flesh crucified on the Crosse? Why wilt thou professe the Scriptures, and not owne the practice of it, but wrangle with them that doe? Thou sayest, they are above Ordinances▪ above Scriptures, and Col. 2. 20▪ cryes down all as Formes. But what Ordinance of Christ are they above? It is the Traditions and Inventions of men they are above, as those you call Ordinances have been often proved, and will more appeare upon further tryall. And for being above Scripture, if thou wert not blinde, thou might see them live in the life of Scripture, in their measures, as they did to whom it was given. Thou art offended that they should owne an infallible Mat. 12. 8, 20. light in them, which the light of Christ is, whosoever hath it.1 Cor. 2. 15. Now then, that cannot witnesse an infallible light, how wiltIsay 42. 3, 6, 7. thou be a guide to others, and what hast thou to doe to judge any? But he that hath the light of Christ, hath an infallible light, which whosoever followes, shall not walke in darkenesse,Iohn 8. 12, & 1. 9. but shall have the light of life; and as this light ariseth, judgementPsal. 36, 9▪ is brought forth; for all judgement is given unto theMat. 5▪ 14▪ Ephes. 5. 13, 14. Sunne; and in that light all his see light, and are led into all truth; and this light shewes all things in measure: and ten1 Iohn 5, 6, 7. thousand being gathered by this light, and not runne before it, shall be all taught one way, be of one heart, minde, and soule; but all who stumble at this light, are in darkenesse, confusion, and at a jarre among themselves. And whereas thou would make people beleeve, that this light they walke by, will not endure the light of the word; that is deceit in yee, for it is the word, which is nigh, in the heart, and in the mouth, and dothRom. 10. 8. not oppose it selfe, but is one with Scripture, as all they are who walke in it; onely it opposeth all the twinings and wresting2 Pet. 3, 1 [...] ▪ of the Serpent, whereby he would wrest the Scripture to deceive [Page 8] with. Thou sayest, the Saints have a glorious light in them, but Ephes. 4▪ 18. imperfect. Is there any glorious light, but the light of Christ, and thou that calls that an imperfect light, art blinde, and not able to judge of light? It is true, the light is but manifest in theEphe. 4. 7. creature by degrees, but the least degree is perfect in its measure, and being obeyed, will leade to the perfect day▪ and is perfectJohn 17. 23. in it selfe, and leads up to perfection all that perfectly follow it. And thou that so often would put the externall Letter, that had a beginning, in stead of Christ the Eternall Word, by whichRom, 2, 29. all things were made, and who dwelleth in the Saints, and liveth in them, and enlightneth them, doth sufficiently cleare thy selfeIohn 12. 46. that thou knowest him not in thee. And whereas thou talkest of trying the light by the Letter, If thou hadst him who is the Eternall Witnesse within thy selfe, thou wouldst see thou needest1 Iohn 5. 10. not to try the inward substance, by the outward declaration; the living by the dead. The Apostle saith, The Word is powerfull, sharper then a two-edged sword, &c. and this thou twines to deceive the simple, and saith the Scripture is so; why wilt thou wrest the Scripture to thy own destruction, thou hast long had the Bible by thee; but what hath it cut downe, or divided in thee, or hath it discerned the thoughts and intents of thy heart, thou and thy sinns are not yet divided. Thou sayest, Owles fly the the light▪ but see who cannot owne the light, and they are suchIohn 3. 20. 21. who love the works of the night. And thou that speaks lightly, vildely, or accursedly of the light of Christ in his Saints, speakest evill of that thou knowest not, and shall account for thyIude 10. blasphemy. And thou deceitfull spirit, that gathers up the working power of Christ in the Saints, and would attribute it to the Letter, art about to make poore ignorant people beleeve, that2 Cor. 3, 6. the the Letter is the Spirit, and that the Letter is the Word,Rom. 7, 6. & 2. 29. which is but a declaration of the Word; and it selfe saith plainly, Christ is the Word; but the Letter is not Christ; and thisIohn 1. 14. Rev. 19. 13. would make people beleeve, that he that hath the Letter, hath the Spirit; when both thou, and many more, may have the Letter, and persecute the spirit, and blaspheme against the holy Ghost, as was in the Jews, and is at this day. Thou speakes of the Word of God, in which Christ and the Spirit speakes, and thus thou would make them who are blinde beleeve it is the Letter; [Page 9] and to prove it thou brings these Scriptures, Heb. 1. 2. but was that the Letter by which God had spoken to them, which he calls the Sonne of God? is the Letter the Sunne? And that in the Revel. 2. 17. he doth not say, Heare what the Letter saith, but Heare what the Spirit saith; or that in Ephes. 6. 17. is it there called, the Sword of the Letter, or the Sword of the Spirit. And thou wilt make people beleeve, that God doth all in the hearts of his people by the Letter without. Thou sayest, by it he sanctifies, enlightens, comforts, seales, witnesseth, teacheth, &c. which if thou meane the Letter, which thou callest the Word, then theIude 1. Iohn 14. 26. Letter it selfe shall witnesse against thee in all these, that it is notEphes. 4. 30. the Letter, but the Spirit that doth all this, where they are indeed.Rom. 8. 14. 16. Thou sayest, Without the Word he doth nothing in us, speaks 1 Thes. 4. 10. nothing in us, in the highest revelations; it is the ground of Faith, 1 Cor. 2. 10. and without it Faith cannot act, and the Faith hath no bottome but the Word; which if thou meane the Letter of Scripture; I answer, wherein thou sayest in us, here thou shewest thy selfe a stranger to the works, word, revelation and faith that the Saints did witnesse, as is plaine in the Letter, for they witnesse the works of God in them in spirit, and not in Letter; the word from Gods owne mouth in spirit, and revelation in spirit, butGal. 1. 12. Ephes. 1. 17. never any in the Letter. And thou art ignorant of Abrahams Gal. 3. 6. 7. 9. & 3. 16. Faith, and the ground of it, which had a ground when there was no Letter, and acted when there was no Letter; but they who are of Abrahams Seed, witnesse Abrahams Faith grounded on the Promised seed, which is Christ, and is acted in him, and not on the Letter, which works, word, revelation and faith I witnesse in me in the spirit, and not in the Letter, and that faith which is in Christ, stands not in Volumes. Thou sayest, this is a more sure word of Prophesie, and to prove it, thou quotes, 2 Pet. 1. 19. where the Apostle speaks not of the Letter, but of the light of Christ shining in the darke hearts, to which they were to give heed that by it they might be led to the day, & this is in their hearts, and not in the Letter, which light thou scornes, and calls it an Ignis fatuus, a satannicall fallen light; but thou yet knowest not what thou speakest, that blasphemes the trueIohn 1. 9. & 19. light that is come into the world, and lighteneth every one that comes into the world; yea▪ them which never saw Letter, which [Page 10] is the condemnation of those who obey it not, but love their evill deeds. Thou sets downe many benefits the Saints have in the Word, which is true; but thou that would ascribe them to the Letter, knowest them not, but in the notion. Thou sayest, that those that have glorioser discoveries, and revelations of Christ to boast on, then ever any of those men knew; yet doe cast downe the glory of their light before the Scriptures, and are in subjection to Scriptures and Ordinances: And thou dost instance the Disciples who saw Christ ascend. I answer, Whether is it a more glorious discovery and manifestation of Christ, to see him appearing in them the second time in the spirit without sinne unto salvation, or that to see him depart in the flesh, seeing Christ tells them, lt Heb. 9. 28. 2 Tim. 1. 10. is necessary that he goe away in the Flesh, that he may come in the Spirit, thou dost sufficiently cleare thy ignorance, measuringIohn 14. 28. 1 Cor. 15. 8. others who witnesse him, with thy selfe, who knowes no more of him, but what thou hast found of him in the Letter. And for that subjection to the Scripture and Ordinances, and waiting thou speakes on; did they waite in the letter, and in those formes and customes, and Idols temples that you waite in; they waited together for the appearance of Christ in spirit, praying in that measure of spirit they had received? Thou goest about to make people beleeve, that the light of Christ which is Acts 1. 14. given to enlighten every one that comes into the world, is a naturall, or fallen light; but if thou didst know, owne, and obey it, it would leade thee out of the fall; and for that end art thou and others so often checkt and reproved by it: for your pride,Iohn 8. 12 covetousnesse, envy, scornefulnesse, and other sinnes, which though you now disobey, as a thing too low for your high notions; yet this light shall remaine for an eternall witnesse against all that hate and disobey it. And whereas thou would scandall this light, to leade into exorbitances deceit and miscarriages, and many such things, they are falsly cast upon this light for all these are amongst you who hate the light; but who so obeys and loves the light, it discovers these, and leades all who follow it into one minde heart, and soule; and if ten times ten thousand that are guided by it, yet not a word of dispute,Acts 4. 32. but all speake the same things. And thou calls the Scriptures, A standing Rule, but it is not so to you, who cannot beleeve that [Page 11] ever it shall be fulfilled in you, as it was given out by the holy Ghost; neither will you so be tryed by it, but you will wrest and twine it to make it meet your wills, where your profits, pleasures, and lust will not suffer you to take up the Crosse, and come up to it: but if it be a Standing Rule, let it stand as it is, not confounded with the Serpents Wisedome, and then prove thy selfe by it; and those people thou reproaches and mis-calls, whether thou or they owne it in practice? Thou calls the Word of God, the Sunne of truth, and yet thou would make people beleeve it is the Scripture Letter. Is the Letter the Sunne of truth? may not all that looke on yee see thee in Babylon? Thou sayest, How could it be knowne that there is a God, and Christ, and holy [...] Iohn 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. Ghost, with their works and worships? I answer, If thou know notIohn 4. 22, 23. 24. the Father, Sonne, and Spirit one God, and the way of his worship, other wayes then thou hast found in the Letter, thouPhil. 3. 3. knows but that in letter and notion, which all the Saints of God knew in spirit and power, and thou worships in letter and forme thou knowes not what, who doth not know and worship in spirit; and herein thou shalt have Christ, & all the holy men to witnes against thee. Thou sayest, the holy Ghost interprets Scripture by Scripture, und reveales Christ, the Father, the holy Ghost, the soules union with them by Scripture. I answer, The holy Ghost where he2 Pet. 1. 21 is needs no Scripture to interpret Scripture by who gave forthIohn 14. 26 Mat. 13. 10 11. all the Scripture, and opens it againe; for the holy Ghost did not give out the Scripture in Parables to its own seed, but to the Serpents seed; and as that spirit ariseth, it opens and bringsIohn 16. [...] all that is spoken in Scripture to remembrance, and leades into all truth in its measure; and when any in whom the spirit was, have made use of Scripture in such like cases, it hath not been to open the meaning to themselves, but to convince others, who had not the spirit, or would not owne it. And for sovles union,2 Cor. 3. 3. which of the Saints had the witnesse of their soules union, to seek in the Letter? but he that beleeveth, hath the witnesse in himselfe1 Iohn 5 10. Rom. 8. 16. in spirit, and not in the letter; and for trying and judging,1 Cor. 2. 15. it is not the litterall, but the spirituall man that judgeth all things, and no visible thing can judge him. Thou would have them to suspect this light; those who have no light to walke by but what they by their wisedome and learning have gathered [Page 12] out of the letter, have cause to suspect it; but they who have the infallible light of Christ, by which all is tryed and judged, and discerned, and judgement brought forth into victory, in themselves by it, they have no cause to suspect it, but waite to walke in it. Thou art offended, that they should say, they pray 1 Thes. 5. 17. alwayes, have the Baptisme of Fire, eate the Flesh, and drinke the 2 Thes. 1. 11. blood of Christ, that they were once as others, Hypocrites; now whyMat. 3. 11. wilt thou thus wrangle that the cōmands and promises of ChristJohn 6. 53. should be witnessed, fulfilled in the Saints now, as they have bin in Scripture witnessed. Doth not the Apostles exhort to pray alwayes, without ceasing; and are any Baptized into Christ, who are not able to witnesse the Baptisme of Fire, and the Spirit, without which, Water Baptisme availes not to salvation? And doth not Christ plainely say, that whosoever eats not his Flesh, and drinkes not his blood, hath no life in them. And have not the SaintsRom. 6. 21. witnessed a time wherein they were hypocrites, and in the world without the true God. And thou sayest, they can give no Scriture account of the estate they are now in, and yet dost blame them for owning the Scripture fulfilled in them in these things; but that nature could never be satisfied with Christ, nor any of his, nor any account from them; though they could not convince them of sinne, yet they would tempt, hate, and persecute, even till death, if they had power. Thou would make people beleeve, that these deny the rule of the Gospel, and the divine inspiring of the holy Ghost, the infallible rule of all obedience and worship, and judgement of all actions; but come to tryall and see, whether they that owne the light of Christ in spirit, and follow it; or they that call it an Ignis fatuus, deny the rule of the Gospel? And whether they that witnesse the same spirit, and the inspirationRom. 8▪ 5, 6, 7, 9. of it, without humane helps, letter or learning, as the1 Cor. 12▪ 4. to the 14. verse. Saints in all ages have done▪ every one in their measures of that free gift given to profit withall; or they that would make people beleeve, that all such divine inspirations and gifts of the spirit were now ceased, and now the letter is all the spirit they must look for, deny the devine inspirations of the holy Ghost, the infallible rule of all obedience and worship, and judge of all actions; and for the denying of O dinances, thou so much chargethMat. 15. 9. them with, if it come to tryall, they will be found onely [Page 13] to deny your tradition, temples, and humane inventions, never commanded by Christ, nor practised by any that ever he sent, and Christ never annexed the promise of his presence to thatRom. 6. 2▪ 7. 18. 22. which he never commanded. Thou art offended, that they should be set free from, or have sinne taken away from them: Now thou1 Iohn [...] ▪ 8. 9. 10. shewest plainely whose Kingdome thou wouldest uphold: And thou sayest, that by denying sinne to be in them they overthrow repentance; but here thou shewest thy blindnesse For he that forsakes his sinne, doth establish his repentance; but he that returnes unto sinne againe, overthrowes it. Thou tells of being Heb. 6. [...] ▪ godded with God, but see what spirit that is that thou art led by,2 Cor. 7. 10. who dare take the holy name of God so scornefully in thy mouth, to cast as a derision upon others. Thou art offended, that Heb. 10. 14 Ephes. 4▪ 11. 12, 13. those should witnesse perfection; And is it not the end for which Christ came into the world, suffered▪ sent out his Ministers intoCol. 1. 28. the world? And why dost thou professe Christ, and the Scripture, and thus opposes the end of his comming? and what he did worke in his Saints, which is to set free from sinne, and bringRom. 8. 10. to perfection, which Christ commands, and which the Scriptures witnesse in the Saints? but there is nothing more opposed byIohn 17▪ 23. the Devill, and his Instruments, then to have the worke of mans Redemption perfected. Thou sayest, the many ridiculous practises of their franticke mould, be too much to relate, And hereby thou wouldest render them as vile as thou canst to others; but the wayes of Christ were no worse, for such as thou saying he was mad; for the wayes of God have alwayes been counted madnesse and folly to that generation: what thou intend in that word many, I know not; for where nothing is mentioned in particular, I cannot answer. But for those thou namest are these, they will not put off the Hat to any, not to a Magistrate. That they thinke it a speciall Badge of their profession to say and write Thou and Thee, and by no means say Sir or Master to any, and that some will not answer, or speake to any question and thou quarrells at some for forsaking the world, and giving over their Callings. I answer, When wilt thou cease wrangling at their obedience of the commands of Christ witnessed in the Scripture? Hast thou nothing amongst all those many ridiculous practises thou tells on▪ to charge on them, but are according [Page 14] to Scripture? Where doth God require putting off Hats, orMat. 4. 10. Iam 2, 1. 9. worshipping any creature, Magistrate, or others? And why mayPsal. 40, 4. it not be a badge, if thou so call it of their profession, to use theIob 13. 10 the Scripture Language? and where dost thou finde any otherIohn 5, 44. Language in the Scripture, but thou or thee, to a particular, whatsoever he was that was spoken to? And no wonder that thou stumble, that any should witnesse the power of the Scripture, when its taken for such an offence with thee, to witnesse the outward Language, which all holy men of God have used in Scripture; and yet thou calls the Scripture a standing Rule; but thou wilt neither make it thy Rule, nor suffer them that would. And for refusing calling Master, is it not the command of Christ,Mat. 23. 7, 8, 10. and dost thou deserve the name of a Christian, who would make it an offence to obey his commands, because it crosseth thy pride? And for their silence, Is there not a time to speake, and a Eccl. 3, 7. time to be silent? And was not Christ asked many questions, and Mat. 27, 12. answered nothing? And doth not the Scripture say, Answer not a Foole according to his folly? And when Christ did answer the tempters, it was either with silence, or contrary to what theyLuke 14. 26. would have had: And for for forsaking the world, must not all that will come to Christ forsake the World? And were they not inMat. 10, 37. their Calling, who left their Ships, their Fathers, and receit of Custome, and Wife, and Children, and Lands, to follow the commands of Christ? Oh thou enemy of all obedience to Christ, dost thou reproach that which thy carnall heart will not suffer thee to follow? thou shalt sinde it true, that whosoever will not forsake these for Christs sake, cannot be his Disciple; but it seems, the neerer to Christ that any comes in obedience, the greater is thy malice to such, thou showest thy generation. And art thou not ashamed when thou hast done, to charge these with disclayming Scripture-light; thou loves to talke of the Scriptures, but art an enemy to the walking in them. Thou sayest, of those uncleane birds, thou hast heard of none that have returned to the Arke; by which, if thou meane your Temples, or carnall Ordinances, I tell thee, they make a bad returne, who have knowne the Lord in spirit, and worshipped in spirit, if they returne into Formes and Customes againe, to be made perfect. Thou sayest, seperate not betweene Word and Spirit, between [Page 15] Graces and Ordinances; but the Apostle doth deny theGal. 3. 3. 2 Cor. 3, 6 ministration of the Letter, and ownes the Spirit. And he that cannot distinguish between the graces of Gods spirit, and your outward Formes you call Ordinances▪ he knowes but little yet as he ought to know. Thou tells of Praying and Mourning for sinne, bewayling the Heart, Reading the Word, and Meditating in it Night and Day: And thou sayest▪ Its impossible for such an one to fall into this condemnation of the Devill; but I tell thee, though these may be done, and in as much zeale as the Pharisees did them; yet if there be pride, envy covetousnesse, selfe love, exaltation, slandering, false-accusing, deceit, dissimulation and hypocrisie, and such like▪ which are the workes of the Devill: all thy outward pretences shall not keep thee from the condemnation of the Devill, for it is that which leades out of the works of the Devill, that brings from under the condemnation of the Devill. Thou puts much upon Church-Ordinances, but fee if thou be distinguished from the world, otherwise then in notion, and thy owne conceit, which will deceive thee, and all the covetous oppressors in the world in the day of tryall. Therefore prove thy selfe if thou be a Saint, sanctified▪ Iude 1. Iohn 17. 9▪ 14. come out of the worlds pleasures, riches, wayes and worships, and fashions, as they were whose conditions thou talkest on, or else thy crying, the Temple of the Lord, will but stand thee in little stead; which if thou deale plainely in, and let truth speak in thee, thou wilt see a great distance between a Saints life and thine, as between a Saints spirit, and thine, which is plainely discovered. Thou sayest, It is observable, that where Churches are, these Owles dare not appeare: These reproachfull names beseems that spirit from whence they come; but which of them have refused to come, where they have been sent, for feare of your Churches; or what corners are they in, except it be such as you have shut up in prisons or dungeons; doe not these that are at liberty meet in the middest of common Streets and Fields, where God calls them; and many of the most conscientious of your Churches owne them, and frequents their meetings; others, who have the feare of God before them, dare not persecute them in word or deed: but the day is come, that all spirits must shew themselves. Thou advisest to doe all according [Page 16] to Scripture; it is good advice, but dost thou that teachest anotherMat. 7. 12., teach thy selfe? dost thou as thou would be done by in all things? dost thou forsake pride, and covetousnesse, which is Idolatry, and not to be so much as named among Saints? dost not thou seek great things for thy selfe; having food and rayment,Jere. 45. 5. Iam: 4, 4. art thou therewith content? art thou out of love with the world, which is enmity with God? dost thou not take thought for to morrow, for food and rayment? hast thou crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts, and put off the body of sin? art thou not a scorner, reviler, and false accuser? dost thou feed the hungry, cloathe the naked, and let the oppressed goe free?Iam. 1 27, hast thou forsaken all to follow Christ? art thou hated of allMat. 15. 10. 11. men for the name of Christ? hast thou denied to be called Master? art thou come to yea and nay in thy common occasions?Mat. 23, 8. 10. dost thou love the Brethren with the same love Christ hath loved his withall? art thou set free from thy sinne, and rash passions?Mat. 5, 37 Rom. 6, 18. dost thou hold thy Faith in a pure Conscience, voyd of offence1 Tim. 1, 5, 19. towards God and Man? dost thou walke as Christ walked? And many other the commands of God set down in Scripture, inActs 24, 16. which the Saints walked, as is plaine in Scripture, which if thou [...] Iohn 2, 6. walke iu, there thou dost all according to the Scripture; but if thou take but some part of Scripture to performe as it is given out by the holy Ghost, to wit, that which will most fit thy forme and please thy owne will, and not crosse thy lusts, profits and greatnesse in the world; and for the rest, either let them stand by, or wrest them by subtill meaning and exposition, to bring2 Pet. 3. 16. them to bend to thy disobedient minde; shall not God find thee out, and plague thee for thy adding and diminishing, alteringRev. 22. 18. and changing that, which was perfectly given forth, to be read and fulfilled as it is? And whereas thou would charge the light of Christ shining into the Conscience, which teacheth into onenesse, to be the cause of all the errors in the world; It is false, for the light of Christ is but one, and all that are led byRom. 8. 14 it, walke after Christ as he walked; but the cause of all errors comes from the Serpents subtill twining and wresting the Scriptures, every one for their owne Formes, ends, and carnall traditions; but none of them will owne it to live the life of it as it is, and so have it fulfilled in them, as is was in those that spoke [Page 17] it forth. Thou sayest, Be sure the Christ, the Faith, the Hope, the Baptisme, the Worship, be that which is in Scripture. Now that Christ which the saints witnessed in Scripture, is the light of theIohn 8. 12. world, given to enlighten the Gentiles, and lighteneth everyIohn 1. 9. one that commeth into the world; which light is in the saints;Iohn 1. 7. and whosoever walkes in it, hath fellowship with God, and one with another, and thereby are cleansed from all sin, in which light all Sriptures were spoken forth; which light thou denyes to be equall with the Scripture, but scornes and reproaches with nick-names, as Ignis fatuus, a naturall light, making it plainely appeare, that thou art one of those the Scriptures speaks on, who hates the light. And the Scripture Faith is that, by whichIohn 3 20. 1 Iohn 5. 4, 5. the saints overcame the world, sinn, and the Devill, and gets victory; which Faith, thou in this Paper, canst not owne, but denyes, and would reproach in them, in whom it hath overcome sinne, and brought up to perfection; and he that hath the Scripture hope, purifies himselfe, even as he is pure: and the Baptisme1 Iohn 3. 3. of Christ, is with the holy Ghost, and with Fire, which thouMat. 3, 11 in thy Paper speaks scornefully of in others that owne it. And the Scriptures-worship is not in Idolls Temples, Formes and Letters; but in spirit and in truth; and God seeks such to worshipIohn 4, 24. him. And thou ranks up a number of Raunters, Notionists, Papists, and such like, that are most odious to people, and with these thou puts in those called Quakers, and tells of their opinions; but those thou so callest, denies all opinions, and lives in the light and practice of Scriptures; but thou, when thou art proved, will be found more in opinion, then practice: And thou that denies the infallible spirit to be in thee, art but in opinions at the best. And for the Purgatory thou speakes on, thou that sayes, None can ever be perfected, and set free from sinne while they are here, had need to own a Purgatory; but they who are Redeemed, and set free from sinne by the Lambe of God, need it not, but have received the earnest of their eternall inheritance. And for the word Baptisme, which is but Water1 Pet. 3. 21. without, but not that of the spirit, the answer of a good Conscience, and observing of Holy dayes; First cleare thy selfe, and then finde fault with them that deserves. Thou talkest of pittying, and praying for these; but the spirit of scorning, slandering, and deceit, [Page 18] and the spirit of pitty and Prayer, cannot stand in one; and where the first is, I cannot owne the latter. Thou sayest, Prayse the Lord, that hath delivered out of the snares of Sathan. And itIam. 3. 11. is true, they who are so, can delight in nothing else but Prayses; but whilest thou commit sinne, thou art in his snares and a servant to him. Thou sayest, Worke out your salvation with feare Iohn 3. 9. and trembling, but scornes quaking, and sayes, It is from the power of the Devill; but it is in this, as in all thy Paper; thou wilt owne the Scripture in notion and letter, but scornes and persecutes the power and practice of it. And now friend, a word to thy present condition, as thou art revealed; thou art in the world, in thy fleshly will, pride of heart, and rash anger, exalted above thy brethren, and the spirit of persecution acts in thee; thou denyest to walke answerable to a light in thy Conscience, which would leade thee out of these things, up into obedience, love and meeknesse; and thy love to the deeds of darkenesse, makes thee hate the light: I speake to that in thy Conscience, which shall eternally witnesse me at the great day of the Lord, when all secrets shall be layd open, where thou shalt account for all thy hard speeches, against the spirit of God in his people. Wherefore repent, and take heed how thou speakest evill of the things thou knowest not, or opposeth the spirituall Kingdome of Christ in the Consciences of his owne poore despised little Flocke; but turne in thy high minde, and see what thou hast been doing, and who thou strivest against; If he fall upon thee, he will grinde thee to powder, let not thy high mind scorne that, which may be for thy eternall good. Search the Scritures, and see if any of the holy men of God ever acted such things: Now thou hast time, prise it, least thou harden thy selfe against God, and so be for destruction eternally; thou knowest not what spirit thou art of: Thy Name I know not, but where thou livest I know; and what spirit acts in thee, Oh that thou knewest in this thy day, the things that belong to thy Eternall Peace.