The Quaker Converted to Christianity, Treatise · Reply · Answers to arguments 2
Arguments that Baily offers; to prove, That every Man hath the True Saving Light: And that the Light that every Man hath, and the Spirit of Regeneration, differ not in Kind.
HE ſaith, That John did teſtifie, That it was the true Light that Lighted every Man that cometh into the World, John 1.9. and adds. That all Men through him might Believe.
Reply. We have opened this Scripture, and given the ſenſe of it: and it's nothing to the Quakers purpoſe.
2. The next Scripture for Proof, is Tit. 2. The Grace of God appeareth unto all Men. Here Baily ſaith, Paul is as large in his Teſtimony as John.
Reply. I think ſo likewiſe: they do agree in their Teſtimony every way; and one is as large as the other. But neither of them in theſe Scriptures that have been brought, ſpeaks a word of the Light within, that every Man hath. As to this laſt Scripture, this infallible Man is utterly miſtaken in the reading of it, as before p.
3. Scripture, This is the Condemnation, That Light is come into the World, &c.
Reply. This is ſpoke of the Perſon of Chriſt; the Fountain of all Light; and of his coming into the World; when the Eternal Word took Fleſh.
Argument 4. And the wicked Sloathful Servant was not condemned becauſe he had not a Talent; but for not improving of it, according to his Maſters requiring.
Reply. The Concluſion from hence muſt be this; Therefore every wicked and ſloathful Servant, hath a true and ſaving Light, and it is of the ſame kind with that which the beſt Believer hath. Then is the wicked and ſloathful Servant a true Believer in ſome Degree. But let us ſee what Talents theſe were, that are ſpoke of, in thoſe three places, Matth. 25. Mark 13. Luke 19. Are we not to underſtand by theſe Talents, thoſe Offices that Chriſt did appoint in his Church; and Gifts to diſcharge thoſe Offices? This will appear if you conſider in Matth. 25. For the Kingdom of Heaven is as a Man Travelling into a far Country, who called his Servants, and delivered to them his Goods. Mark 13.34. it's ſaid, Taking a far Journey, and left his Houſe, and gave Authority to his Servants, and to every Man his Work. What could this going a far Journey be, but Chriſt's leaving this World, upon his Aſcenſion, going to Heaven? And compare Epheſ. 4.8. with this, It's ſaid, He Aſcended and gave Gifts, and tells us there, of what kind; viz. Prophets, Apoſtles, Paſtors, Teachers, &c. Officers in the Church, as we ſaid before, and Gifts to diſcharge thoſe Offices: So then theſe Servants to whom he diſtributes theſe Goods are not all Men in the World, as thou Baily wouldſt have it: For he calls them his own Servants; his Houſe; but they were ſuch certainly, that were in a profeſſion of the Goſpel; and had Evangelical Gifts beſtowed from Chriſt upon them, for the uſe of their Brethren. That theſe Talents cannot be any Natural Gifts, which all have, and of which ſort the Light within is, will appear preſently:
1. They were ſuch Talents, upon the Improvement of which there was Eternal life given: v. 21, 23. But now Eternal Life is not given upon the Improvement of any Natural Gifts. For then, that which is Natural would be ſaving which we have diſproved before. p. 112.
2. In v. 30. It's ſaid, That the Servant that did not improve the Talent was caſt into utter Darkneſs: Was not that Hell, think you? to be damned? Yes ſurely. But now God doth not damn all, and ſend them to Hell, that do not improve their Natural Gifts, the Light within, &c. No, for the Lord we read, converted many that finned againſt the Light of Nature and Conſcience; and doth ſo daily, by his Grace. To worſhip Idols, Stocks and Stones; to abuſe themſelves …th Mankind; to be Drunkards, &c. are all againſt the Light of Nature: But theſe things the Corinthians were Guilty of; 1 Cor. 6.9. yet upon the Grace of God coming, they were Converted, Waſhed, Juſtified, Sanctifyed; and were not thrown into utter darkneſs. This Word was done for them when they were not improving the Light within; but ſinning againſt it to the utmoſt.
3. It is ſuch a Talent, that this is ſaid of it, viz. From him that … not ſhall be taken that which he hath. Now if this was to be underſtood of the Light within every Man, then it muſt be taken away upon the non-improvement of it; and if ſo, then muſt every one it's taken from, ceaſe to be a Man, or become a Mad-Man. For if the Light be Nature; and if Nature be taken away, Man ceaſeth to be a Man, and is not fit for any Society of Men; will become as a Bruit, not diſcerning betwixt Good and Evil; and be a Fool or Idiot. But this we do not ſee: many ungodly Men that do not turn Quakers, yet are not Fools; many that have been Quakers fallen from them to Looſneſs and Debauchery, yet not Idiots. Why then Baily, this Scripture is nothing to thy purpoſe. The Slothful Servant was Condemned, and that Juſtly, becauſe he did not improve his Talent; but it will not therefore follow — That this Talent was the Light within every Man; and the very ſame in kind with the Spirit of Adoption and Regeneration, as thou ſayeſt.
I have, Reader, more fully opened this Scripture, becauſe it's a Scripture that they often make uſe of, and pervert.
Baily. But if all Men are not Lighted with the true Light, then ſome Men have no true Light.
Reply. All Men we grant, are lighted with the Light of Nature, which we ſpeak of; and that it is in its kind a true Light, we have granted: So that the Inference ſhould have been this, viz. Therefore ſome Men have no true ſaving Light; and that we have proved to be true.
Baily, Then why ſhould ſuch be Condemned, that are ſo miſerably deceived? Is this equal?
Reply. Who art thou, poor crawling Earth-Worm, that ſhould reaſon with God; and call him to an account for his matters? I ask, in order to ſatisfy this bold Queſtion, whether any carnal Man doth, to the utmoſt height, at all times, obey the Light within? If not, God then is Righteous in Condemning him. If thou Object, viz. That we ſay, It is not ſufficient for Salvation, ſo that one will be miſerably deceived if he truſteth to it, and hath not a better Guide. I … God is not bound to give his Good Spirit to any one: no Law o… geth him: He certainly may do with his own as he will.
Object. But Man hath not power to come up to that which God requireth.
Anſw. If Man hath loſt his power of obeying, God hath not loſt his power of Commanding: and he may juſtly demand that of a Man, which he hath wilfully loſt, and deprived himſelf of. In a Word, God condemneth none but thoſe that have freely run on in ſin and impenitency to the laſt. And this, Baily, is Equal and Juſt.
Baily. But if all Men are lighted with the true Light (as I Believe,) then by your Doctrine, ſome have two Lights; another Light beſides the True Light.
Reply. It's no abſurdity at all to ſay, that two Lights of two kinds and natures, may be in one and the ſame Soul, at one and the ſame time: As the Light of the Sun and Moon are ſeen at one time in the Air.
Baily. If it be of another kind; (ſpeaking of the Light that the Saints have;) then it muſt be a falſe Light, becauſe the other is a tr… Light.
Reply. We have granted, that the Light every Man hath is a true Light, in its kind; and ſo is the other true, in it's kind: both true, yet differ in Kind from one another. The Light of the Moon, ſome apprehend, differs in Kind from the Suns Light: Yet the Light of the Sun is not falſe, becauſe the Moons Light is true. An Aſs differs in Kind from a Man; yet he is as true an Animal as a Man. Here is all the ſtrength of Argument I can find. Let the Reader now judg, who is guilty of confuſion and blindneſs.
Baily. And after thy confuſed Prayer, p. 11. to Chriſt in thee, and to Chriſt in the Heavens, and by and in the Spirit, (as thou thoughteſt) th… ſayeſt; ſeveral weeks was I in this trouble, making my Condition known to no one; becauſe I would not be perſwaded to any thing, but did wholly rely upon the inward inſtruction of the Lord: Thus did my hope periſh. How did thou rely upon the inward inſtruction of the Spirit; when thou prayed in that confuſed manner, as aforeſaid? Conſider it.
Reply. He did rely upon them in the ſame way, as the ignorant Quaker doth: for he was one at that time; and ſo this Lord was no other than the Light within: and the inſtructions of the Lord, (that he ſpeaks of;) no other but the Dictates of Nature. No wonder he wandred: Nature will not teach the right way of Prayer: neither can … will it ſhew, that the Father, through the Mediator Jeſus, is to Worſhipped. All may ſee by this, what darkneſs ye be in, in your …ſhip, and what Confuſion, and that you follow the dictates of … Light of Nature; and leave the Inſtructions of the Spirit in the Holy Scriptures. It's very lately, a Quaker acknowledged, ſhe Worſhipped Chriſt within: and being aſhamed of what ſhe had ſpoke, afterwards ſaid, ſhe Worſhipped Chriſt without alſo: May not we ſay; … worſhip ye know not what?
Baily. Did any ever rely upon the inward Inſtructions of the Lord, and their hope periſh? Bring one Example for this.
Reply. The Hypocrites hope will periſh: and every one that makes not Chriſt Jeſus, God and Man, his Hope, is a Hypocrite. … Tim. 1.1. Which is our Hope. The inward Inſtructions of the Spirit lead to this Jeſus Chriſt, God and Man; and whoever depends upon them, in the … of hearing the Word preached, and reading the Scripture, (For the Spirit teacheth in the Uſe of theſe means;) their hopes ſhall be ſtrengthned: But this dependance was only, (as he thought,) upon the ſpirits teachings. That expreſſion, viz. [As I thought] ſhould be ta…n in here. But he was miſtaken in that they were but Natures Dictates, he was guided by; when the Spirit came, that led him to Chriſts Righteouſneſs from his own. And an Example, (as thou demandeſt,) I give thee, in this ſame Caſe, in Paul before his Converſion, Acts 26.2…. I verily thought with my ſelf that I ought to do many things contrary to … Name of Jeſus of Nazareth. He had the Light within at this time; be thought this his Duty; to Act againſt this Religion: he reſted in his Law-Righteouſneſs: he ſurely would have anſwered any that would have blamed him, that he did all by the inward Inſtructions of the Lord; for he followed his Light: he verily thought, &c. it's ſaid, yet in that State of Law-Righteouſneſs, his Hope periſhed.
Baily. Thou ſayeſt thou had'ſt peace of Conſcience by the powerful work of God without thee. Is this like Scripture-Language.
Reply. Yea, the Spirit doth every-where teſtify, what the young Man inſtanceth in there, viz. That the Fathers preparing a Body for Chriſt, was the Work of the Omnipotent Power of God, ſixteen hundred years ſince; his bearing ſins in that Body, and the Curſe of the Law: his dying in that Body; and yet could not be held of Death, but roſe again: God's upholding him in, and through all thoſe things, was the wonderful work of God without us, before thou and I, and this young Man had our beings. Let the Reader take notice that —
In Pag. 42. Baily acknowledgeth this, that here he ſnarles at; his Wo… are, viz. We deny not the Work of God and Chriſt, without. And likewiſe, doth not the young Man own a work within? This Doctrine he ſaith, was manifeſt to him in the Spirit, that was within ſurely.
His next Words are, viz. Working Faith in me; by this I had Pe…s of Conſcience: All this was within. Yet all this Work was not the Righteouſneſs that juſtified him; but that was by the powerful work without us; in giving Chriſt for us. Near the end of pag. 41. He threatens the young Man with trouble; and concludes thus.
Baily. The Lord hath ſpoke it.
Reply. Doth he not pretend to as high an Inſpiration as the Apoſtles? And yet in the next Paragraph bewrays himſelf to be a weak fallible Man; in that he ſaith,
Baily. The Yoke which W. H. calls the burdenſome Yoke.
Reply Whereas, it was the young Man himſelf alone, without the leaſt intermedling of mine, that gave this Title to the little Book, (as I have Witneſs,) calling that bondage he was in to the Law of Works, when a Quaker, the Burdenſome-Yoke.
Baily. Page 42. But did not the Saints and People of God in all Ages, witneſs their Salvation and Peace of Conſcience by the powerful work of God within them?
Reply. Yea, We heartily own it: and the young Man owns it; as before. And thou art in this page and the next about a needleſs work; none denying this: If withal thou wilt but ſay that theſe Saints and People of God had ſome things within them, of another Nature than the Light that every Man hath, that did thus work in them; which did ſtill lead them forth to glory in the perſonal Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt, for their Juſtification: Therefore the firſt Scripture ſpeaks for us; not againſt us.
Baily. 2 Cor. 4.6. God who commanded the Light to ſhine out of Darkneſs, hath ſhined into our hearts.
Reply. It appears by this plainly, that they had not this Knowledg by any Light before; but by ſome Light ſuper-added, and ſhining into them. It follows, to give the Light of the Knowledg: See, ſtill they had it not in them before. Again, of the Glory of God in the face of Jeſus Chriſt: Now look into thoſe that are well acquainted with the Greek Language, they will tell thee, this word, foreign ſignifieth properly a Perſon; Anſwering to that Hebrew word uſed in Levi…. 19.15. Thou ſhalt not reſpect the Perſon of the Poor. And it is uſed in … 1.11. by the means of many Perſons. Now was no the Per…o… Chriſt without them? That which in 1 John 1. they had ſeen … their eyes, it was external to them. And moſt of the Glory of … did ſhine forth in Chriſt's perſonal coming: Therefore when he …; (which is the next Scripture thou bringeſt,) We have this Trea…e in Earthen Veſſels: It was the Knowledg the Apoſtles had in their … of the Perſon without. Pag. 42. Parag. 2. Thou owneſt the Work of God without; If thou waſt plain-hearted and honeſt, we would thank thee: And we do ſay, with thee, there are none knoweth the things of God aright, but by the Spirit. And it's the ſame Spirit that raiſed Chriſt from the dead, that dwels in his people; and will at laſt quicken their Mortal Bodies: But thou haſt a reſervation in all this. Is it any leſs than Blaſphemy to ſay, that the Light within raiſed Chriſt from the dead; and ſhall raiſe the Saints Mortal Bodies, in the day of the Reſurrection? As that Scripture, Rom. 8.11. i… to be underſtood.
All diſcerning ones by this time ſee, that the Quakers deny the Reſurrection of the Body; and ſo conſequently, Chriſt's Reſurrection. Then this quickning of the Mortal Bodies mentioned by Baily, is no more than what, (as the Quakers apprehend,) is attained by attendance to the Light within. Are the Quakers Chriſtians?
Baily. Next quoteth Rom. 8.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. to prove the Apoſtle preached Chriſt within.
Reply. Not for Juſtification, thoſe Scriptures ſpeak of Sanctification.
He had ſpoke of Juſtification before, which is the Cauſe of this; and this an evidence of the other.
Baily. And Chriſt Preached the Kingdom of Heaven within people, Luke 17.21.
Reply. This place is much made uſe of by the Quakers. Now it's plain, he ſpeaks to the Phariſees; whom he calls there Vipers, Hypocrites; ſaid Satan was their Father. Is it likely that Chriſt would give a Specimen of what his Kingdom was, by it's being in the Phariſees? What, Children of the Devil and Unbelievers, and yet the Kingdom of Heaven within them? What, the Holy Ghoſt's Sanctification, Faith, Love, Holineſs, Peace and Joy: (For the Kingdom of God conſiſts in theſe things:) what, all theſe in the Phariſees?
The Quakers Light, I grant, was in them; but is this any where called, the Kingdom of Heaven? What, is Nature the Kingdom of Heaven? Then this foreign is but intra vos, or apud vos (i. e.) with you or among you; uſed by the Greeks in their Tranſlation of the Old Teſtament, … for foreign among you; there is no more in it, than … 1 John 26. There ſtandeth one among you. Theſe Phariſees dreamed … an Earthly Kingdom, in Earthly Glory: Therefore, he ſaith … Kingdom cometh not with Obſervation. Their Eyes were blinded … this Conception of theirs; and they ſtumbled at the lowneſs and … verty of Chriſt, and would not believe that he was the Meſſiah, … were inquiring for the Kingdom. Now he tells them, It cometh … with Obſervation, but it was come, he being come, and it was among them; he in Perſon being among them, working Miracles in the midſt of them. They ſought for the Meſſiah, as abſent, when he was preſent, and very near them. We ſtill grant Sanctification within; but here, the Kingdom of Heaven is taken for the perſonal coming of Chriſt, that is without.
Baily. And the True Worſhip of the Father is in Spirit and in Truth.
Reply. But had not the Father an exiſtence of himſelf, without … before any had their beings? Do ye Worſhip the Father within, by the Light or Spirit (as ye call it,) within? And was not the Fathers powerful work in ſending his Son? And the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt without, notwithſtanding this Worſhipping of the Father in Spirit and Truth.
Baily. And ſaid, what and if ye ſhall ſee the Son of Man aſcend … where he was before? John 6. It is the Spirit that quickneth; the Fleſh profits nothing, When they cryed, How can this Man give us his Fleſh … eat? Whoſe Minds were wholly without; like many of yours.
Reply. Theſe Jews did not believe that Chriſt was God; but did deſpiſe his low eſtate. He is convincing them here, that he was God as well as Man, though he did vail his Glory thus in the Fleſh, for the preſent. Therefore he aſſerts his Original, that it was from Heaven, and his Eternal exiſtence before he took Fleſh; and ſaith here, the Son of Man was in Heaven before he took Fleſh. He uſeth a Phraſe that is common in Scripture; Attributing that to his humane Nature, which was proper to the Divine. Otherwiſe, as the Son of Man he was not in Heaven, before his Aſcenſion from the Earth. It's well if thou and thy Brethren did Believe that he is now Aſcended into Glory, as he is the Son of Man: But is evident ye do not. That of his Fleſh profiting nothing, muſt be underſtood thus; viz. That his Manhood is nothing for Salvation, taken alone and apart from his Deity; called the Spirit there. And they believed him not, (as we ſaid) to be God. The reaſon why they ſtumbled at that ſaying; viz. That he would give them … to eat, was becauſe they were ignorant of the way of Faith, … groſs Conceptions of eating his Material Fleſh, with their Ma… Teeth. We Glory in the Fleſh of Chriſt, and know that it pro… (i. e.) the Son of God taking Mans Nature into Union with him… and therein fulfilling the Law, and bearing the Curſe of it, Of…ng that Body on the Croſs: Thus he is the Bread of Life, and by … in this, (as done for us,) we have Life, and entrance into Glory … New and Living way, which he conſecrated for us through the Veil, … to ſay, his Fleſh, Heb. 10.20.
Baily. And ſaid 2 Pet. 1.19. We have alſo a more ſure Word of Pro…ty, to which ye do well to take heed, as unto a Light that ſhines in a … place, until the day dawn, and the day-Star ariſe in your hearts. … Jeſus is the Bright and the Morning-Star.
Reply. Remember Reader, that theſe Scriptures are brought to prove …, the Apoſtles did Preach Chriſt only within. Now let us ſee, whether in this Scripture, Peter doth not point them to the Perſon of Jeſus Chriſt; and this day dawning, and day-Star ariſing in their hearts, was but a more clear knowledg of Jeſus Chriſt. Certainly he is preſſing them to get into their hearts a more diſtinct knowledg of Jeſus Chriſt's Perſon, and of the end of his Coming; and the import of his Death: and tells them the way and means, viz, By attendance to the Prophecies of the Old Teſtament: which they being Jews did reverence; and he ſaith, they did well to take heed to them, for this end. The Light within every Man, cannot be meant by any Word or Phraſe in this Scripture: But it's the Knowledg of the Perſon of Jeſus. He is called a Star, by Balaam; that was then in a Spirit of Prophecy, …, 24.14. There ſhall come a Star out of Jacob: Foretelling his … and Incarnation. But where is the Light that every Man hath, called ſo? Beſides, this people had enjoyed and poſſeſſed the Light with… from the Womb. What need he ſpeak of its ariſing, and the day dawning in them? If thou Baily ſay, Though it be in Man, yet it ſhi…th not, it ariſeth not in any brightneſs, till attended to, and obeyed, which is commonly replyed by the Quakers:
Let this be conſidered, in Anſwer; That this people had before this …ime of Peters writing, obeyed it: For they were converted. In the beginning of the Epiſtle it's ſaid; they had like precious Faith with the Apoſtles. Now Faith and Converſion is nothing elſe, according to the Quakers, but a higher riſing of the Light within.
The other Phraſe, To which ye do well to take heed, as to a Light that …ines in a dark place: Can this be the Quakers Light? If ſo, then is the Quakers Light, and the dictates thereof, a more ſure Word than a Voice from Heaven; ſuch an one as Peter heard in the Mount: For of that he ſpeaks here. But which of the Quakers themſelves will ſay ſo? Again, If ſo, that by this Light in a dark place be meant the Quakers Light within, then is there ſuch a ſtate to be attained in this Life by attendance to the Light, in which there needs not be any more heed given to it: For it's ſaid, To which ye do well to take heed, until the day down, and the day-Star ariſe. If we take the word (until) in that ſence, (as ſome would have it;) ſo that after a while, ſome muſt leave off being Quakers, advancing into a higher Form. As it was with Merchant Rich; who ſtiled himſelf, one of the Church of the Firſtborn.
By this the Reader may ſee, what little ground they have to make uſe of this Scripture for their way of Preaching; pointing people to the Light within; taking them off the Scriptures and from the Perſon of Chriſt, the bright Morning-Star; to follow Fox and Nayler, Wandring Stars from the North, Blazing Comets full of Malignancy, portending much evil to the Inhabitants of this Nation: As we have ſeen, what a Plague of Error hath followed.
Baily. And Jeſus Chriſt bids people believe in the Light, that they might become the Children of the Light.
Reply. Which place is not as pointed in John 6.62. but in John 12.36. Now thou ſayeſt Chriſt bid people believe in the Light. I query, Whether this Light was not himſelf? Whether he pointed the people to believe in any thing, or perſon, but himſelf? Anſwer: We ſay, It was not to believe in the Light that every Man hath: For he ſaith in the ſame ver. which thou omit'ſt, While ye have the Light; and v. 35. yet a little while is the Light with you: Now the Light the Quakers ſpeak of is always with every one, never extinct as long as Nature remains. It was then Chriſt's Perſon, that was about to depart out of the World: As he in this Chapt. ſpeaketh, v. 33. of his being Lifie… up. This he ſaid ſignifying what death he ſhould dy. When Chriſt Jeſus departed out of the World, the greateſt Light that ever was departed: Never any Preached as he, wrought Miracles as he. This fellow would make people think, that Chriſt Preached in the ſame way that the Quakers Preach, viz. That he bid the people believe in the Light of Nature within, not in himſelf. Whereas he had ſaid of himſelf, I am the Light of the World: he that followeth me ſhall not walk in darkneſs. Is this Baily a Chriſtian?
Baily. He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit ſaith unto the Churches.
Reply. I cannot find, that this Spirit ſpeaketh one Word of a Light, that every Man hath as a Guide to follow: But much in every place, doth it ſpeak of the Perſon of Jeſus Chriſt. The next Scripture we ſhall have an Occaſion to mention ere long.
Baily. And ſaid the Apoſtle, if we walk in the Light —
Reply. To walk in the Light, is to walk in Goſpel-Holineſs; As he is in the Light: Holineſs is a likeneſs to God. But it cannot be underſtood of the Light of Nature. This may be walked in, and yet no true Holineſs; and ſo no fellowſhip: In that one may have that and be deſtitute of the Spirit of Adoption and Grace.
Baily. Then have we fellowſhip one with another.
Reply. Baily cites it thus: but it's not ſo in the Greek; nor in the Tranſlation, the Word then, is not there. This walking in the Light doth not procure or cauſe this friendſhip, reconciliation, or fellowſhip with God, (as the Quakers Dream:) Neither this, nor any Purity or Holineſs, can be the firſt Cauſe. For indeed, there is no Holineſs, without firſt there be friendſhip and Communion with God. Only this Walking in the Light, is a token that we have fellowſhip, becauſe it's an effect of it.
Baily. So they were to drink his Blood; and that was it, by which they were cleanſed from ſin; and had Eternal Life: and if they drank it, was it not within them?
Reply. There was a purging of ſin, when Chriſt ſhed his Blood, and ſuffered Death; Heb. 1.3. Who when he had by himſelf purged our ſins, ſate down, &c. All the ſins of all the Elect were virtually purged, or cleanſed then: A price laid down to expiate them all, by the Sacrifice of Chriſt. This was ſixteen hundred years ſince. The drinking of the Blood, is but the Application of it in time. Then is it manifeſt that it was done for ſuch. But ſtill thou confounds Juſtification and Sanctification. We are not forgiven our ſins by reaſon of any works wrought in us; No, theſe works in us, are but effects of forgiveneſs: But by the vertue and worth of the work and ſufferings of Chriſt without us. And whereas thou askeſt, Whether the Blood be not within, if it be drunk? So I ask thee, If any eat the Fleſh of Chriſt, is it not within him? If Chriſt dwells in our hearts by Faith, is not the Perſon of Chriſt in our very hearts? and ſo the Man Chriſt? Now by the Blood, who underſtands any thing, but all the Sufferings and Death of Chriſt; his offering up himſelf as a Sacrifice? Can theſe be drunk but by Faith? So then, as far as by Faith, the Sufferings of Chriſt and his Death can be within us, they are, viz. We have all the benefit and vertue of them, for procuring of all good for us; Pardon, Peace, Holineſs, Eternal-Life. This word Drink, is but a Metaphorical word; implying, that we can have no Benefit nor Good by Chriſt, except there be an Application by Faith.
Baily. For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, and Mark 7.21, 22, 23. From within, out of the heart of Men proceed evil thoughts, Adulteries, and defile the Man. Now muſt not theſe evil thoughts be purged out? But how, and by what means muſt theſe evil thoughts be purged? Seeing they are within? Muſt not the Antidot be taken inwardly when the Poiſon is within. What is it that muſt cleanſe, but the precious Blood of Chriſt?
Reply. This is the ſum of what thou ſayeſt in Pag. 43. We grant that ſin comes from within: therefore is there a Fountain within, from whence theſe evils flow; which we call Original ſin. Every Man is tempted, Jam. 1.14. When he is drawn away of his own Luſt, &c. Rom. 7. Sin wrought in me all manner of Concupiſcence. This the Quakers deny: Now Man in his Natural ſtate, can do nothing elſe but ſin; Gen. 6. The Imagination of the thought of his heart is only evil continually; notwithſtanding all the Light he hath within. Hereupon muſt there needs be great defilements upon his Mind and Conſcience, 1 Ti… 15. Their Mind and Conſcience are defiled. This defilement conſiſts in the guilt of Sin: and in the power and preſence of ſin. Theſe defilements muſt be taken away; and there is nothing will do it, but the Sufferings and Blood of Chriſt. Now the guilt of ſin is taken away, by God's Act of not imputing ſin to us, upon Faith: Which Faith is wrought in us by his Spirit; in that Chriſt was made ſin for us, 2 Cor. 5.21. As for the power of ſin, this is broke in us, by the New Creature and Sanctification; which begins in Faith on Chriſt. Now as this work is carried on in the Soul, ſo the preſence of ſin is more removed. But it's the will of God, that the work of Sanctification ſhould not be ſo abſolutely perfect in this Life: So that Sin hath ſome preſence in the beſt of Saints; yet no condemnation to them, becauſe they are in Chriſt. See then, we are for an inward work upon the heart of Man; a work of Sanctification, which the Light of Nature will never produce; but there is a neceſſity of the Spirit of Grace to be given; This work is but the Fruit of the ſhedding of the Blood of Chriſt. Thereupon it is, that we have Faith given, as well as pardon, Phil. 1.29. To you it is given foreign on the behalf of Chriſt, not only to believe, &c. All this pains Baily, that thou haſt taken, is only, (the Reader now ſeeth;) to throw down Chriſt's glorious Perſon; and ſet up corrupt Nature, in his place. And by Blood and purging, &c. is nothing meant, by you, but the Light within, and Obedience to that. I would not omit any thing that hath the leaſt ſhew of Argument; and deſire thee Baily, if thou write again, to do the like by me.
The next Scripture is 1. Pet. 1.19.
Baily. Speaking of the Blood. Did it not Redeem people formerly from their vain converſation?
Reply. Yea, it did, and it doth now; and nothing elſe. It was not the Light within. Many had this, the Jews had it, the Fathers of theſe he is writing to; yet they walked in vain Converſation (i. e.) in error and ſuperſtitions, after Traditions; as he there ſpeaks. And ſo multitudes of Heathens at this day, and many in this Nation. But whoever Chriſt hath died for, ſhall effectually be called from ſuch a Converſation. The offering up of himſelf was the Meritorious cauſe of all Holineſs. Whoever then walk in the vain Converſation of error, falſe Worſhips, Superſtitions, Wickedneſſes, to the end; manifeſt, Chriſt never dyed for them. They were not Redeemed, nor bought with his precious Blood.
In the laſt Parag. of the 43. pag. thou ſpeakeſt of the Indwelling of Chriſt in his people by his Spirit, 2 Cor. 6. I will dwell in them, &c. And of his preſence in the Goſpel-Churches; walking in the midſt of his Golden Candleſticks.
Reply. Both theſe ſurely, are conſiſtent with Chriſt's being a perſon without; and all his ſuffering without; Theſe all are but Fruits of Chriſt's dying for his Church. But before I leave this, one Scripture in Prov. 16. thou haſt, viz. By Mercy and Truth Iniquity is purged. What meaneſt thou by this? I am afraid thou art a down-right Papiſt. The Papiſts ſay, that by Alms-giving, Iniquity is taken away; Doſt thou think ſo? For that is Mercy. So, by doing to others as we would be done by, is ſin pardoned, for this is Truth, and Righteouſneſs. Speak out, Is there any thing that Man can do, (which thou doſt here imply:) that can take away his iniquity? Is this the Blood that thou owned'ſt before? Then may many unclean Drunkards have their iniquities purged; yet remain ſo. For ſeveral of them, (it's known;) are merciful to the Poor, and true in their Words and Promiſes; and Righteous in their Trades. Surely then, it is more ſafe to underſtand this Scripture, of the Mercy and Truth of God; his Mercy promiſing forgiveneſs through Chriſt, and his Truth, in making this promiſe good. Thus is Iniquity Forgiven, Redeemed, Covered. In the Hebrew it is, in Mercy, and in Truth, is iniquity redeemed, or covered.
Thou art a very unhappy Man in citing Scriptures.
In the 44, and 45. pag. I find nothing of any weight, or Argument. Let the Reader view it. Much of pag. 44. is the very ſame that he ſaid before of me, and of the young Man: he ſends ſome ſhot in Railing, in Parag. 2. and breaks forth into the Praiſes of the Quakers, and Thraſo-like boaſts in his confidence. And thus goeth on, threatning all but themſelves, as Babylon and Antichriſt. At length, concludes pag. 45. in the 4th. Parag. in Prayer: He begins thus, viz. Ariſe O God, &c. he ends with a Doxology, viz. To whom be everlaſting Praiſes, Glory, and Thanksgiving, from all that know thy Name; God over all Heaven and Earth, bleſſed for ever and ever; Hallelujah. Now I have read over the Prayer once & again, I find not one word of Chriſt in it; nothing deſired in his Name, or for his ſake; and am greatly jealous, and deſire therefore to be ſatisfied in this Queſtion; (having ſaid ſo much before, as thou haſt:) Whether thou doſt pray this Prayer to any other Perſon or thing, than the Light within; which thou calleſt here, God over all Heaven and Earth, bleſſed for ever; giving Halelujahs to it? If thou write again, I pray thee reſolve me, who thou prayeſt to; and why not in the Name of the Mediator Jeſus?
In pag. 46. The Reader may ſee much of the ſame he had before, applying himſelf to me; calling me to an account, for what I have written: appealing to my Conſcience: Where there is this paſſage Parag, 1.
And ſee if thou canſt ſtand by them, when examined to thy Face.
Reply. I have ſaid enough upon this account, in my Epiſtle to Crook and ſay here, in all Calmneſs, I have not wronged the Quakers; but have acted in all things according to my Light and Conſcience, and it doth not in the leaſt upbraid me. If for any thing, it is, that I have not uſed more diligence and boldneſs, in preventing their groſs and damnable errors. And now I am ready to ſpeak with thee Face to Face, or any of you.
Baily. Pag. 47. Whom thou ſayeſt is a Quaker converted to Chriſtianity; as if the Quakers were no Chriſtians. Shewing thy Envy againſt them; and thy Ignorance, or wilful-blindneſs concerning the Scriptures of Truth; in which may be ſeen plentifully, that God's People (whom he hath regard unto, above all people in all Ages:) were ſuch as trembled at his Word. As in Iſa. 66. And Moſes was a leading Quaker, Heb. 12. and Ezekiel was a Quaker: ſee Chap. 12.18. And Daniel, a Man greatly …loved, was a Trembler, Chap. 10.11, 12. And Paul preached in much trembling; 1 Cor. 2. 3. And Paul bid the Chriſtians, Work out their Salvation with fear and trembling, Phil. 2. 12. And exhorted Servants to obey their Maſters, with fear and trembling, Epheſ. 6.5. And the true Chriſtians received Titus with fear and trembling, 2 Cor. 7.15.
Reply. I wiſh for thy own Credits ſake, thou hadſt forborn theſe …nes. Every Babe in Chriſt ſmiles when they read them: ſeeing the weakneſs and impertinency of them. I find that the Quakers are very much diſtaſted, that we allow them not to be Chriſtians. Now how on they be Chriſtians, if they hold not the Head, the Perſon of Chriſt, …ut make the Light within, the Head of the Church? I wiſh, not on…y they, but all the World, were not almoſt, but altogether Chriſtians! Were you but ſound in the Faith, had ye but the Vital Eſſential part of Chriſtians, what a good addition would there be by you, to the Church of Chriſt? Ah! have ye ſuffered ſo many things in vain in this Nation? But it is not amiſs to call a Spade, a Spade. Ye muſt (I dare ſay,) change your Religion from top to bottom, before ye be owned Chriſtians by God's people in this Nation. But to the thing;
Thou wilt prove them Chriſtians thus, viz. If the Chriſtians of old …ere Quakers, then the Quakers now are Chriſtians; But the former is true, thou ſayeſt, by many Scriptures, which thou haſt quoted.
Before we come to examine the inſtances, let me but Query, How this people came to be thus called? Was it not upon their ſtrange fits of bodily Tremblings, which they had in their firſt Riſe, wherein all their fleſh and bones would tremble? I take it for granted, having ſpoke with ſome that have ſeen them thrown upon the ground in this poſture. Now that ſuch bodily Tremblings as theſe are eſſential to Chriſtians, and to the people of God as ſuch, I deny; they never had ſuch, except it was upon ſome dreadful Viſions or Appearances, as you in the leaſt can by no claim to. This is no part of Chriſtianity. Though we do not cenſure the Quakers as no Chriſtians, becauſe they trembled thus: but becauſe they deny Chriſt himſelf, from whom that Name is derived; and the Chriſtian Doctrine. So that your Religion, is a Religion of another kind and ſort and Species; much more like Mahumetaniſm, or Judaiſm, or Heathen-Philoſophy, than Chriſtianity.
Now to the Scriptures, which prove the people of God of old, Quakers.
Iſa. 66. v. 5. Such as tremble at my Word. This is the firſt Scripture.
Reply. Was this bodily Trembling here ſpoke of? Is there not in the ſame verſe a contrite Spirit mentioned? Was it not in Spirit, having a Holy awe and Child-like fear of the threatnings of God?
2. Moſes was a Leading Quaker, Heb. 12. This may be ſpoken of Moſes, ſome think, not as if it were verified in his own Perſon, as if he did quake; but he is brought in as the Mouth of the people, ſpeaking in the Name of the people; Moſes ſaid, (i. e.) in the Name of all the people: he being a Mediator betwixt God and them. See Exod. 19.19, 20. that for all this, it's ſaid there, he ſpake to God — and God called him, and he went up to the Mount. But be it ſo, Was it not upon an Extraordinary occaſion? Had you ever the like Viſions as the burning Mount? Did you ever hear the voice of God? Was your Doctrine among the Mountains in the North, delivered with that Auguſtneſs as the Law at Mount-Sinai?
But again, grant he did quake, was it any part of his Religion, o… Chriſtianity? Nay, it only argued this, that he was imperfect; a ſinner, legal in part. It's ſaid, in that Chapter, that it ought not to be thus with Chriſtians, viz. to fear thus and tremble; nor be diſcouraged. For they are come to Mount-Sion; and to the Blood of ſprinkling; being delivered from a curſing fiery Law: and are come unto a State, where there ſhould be nothing but Peace, Joy and ſweetneſs.
The next is Ezekiel, He was a Quaker; in Chap. 12.17, 18. The word of the Lord came to me, ſaying, Son of Man, eat thy Bread, with Quaking, and drink thy water with trembling.
Now, have you the ſame Reaſon for yours, as this Prophet for his? Any immediate Viſion, or Revelations by Angels, Spirits, Voices, &c. prove it to us.
Then the next Quaker that is brought, is Daniel, Chap. 10, 11. in a …. you read of a marvelous Viſion Daniel had; which you dare not ſay you have any ſuch amongſt you, which was the cauſe of his Trembling.
As for Pauls trembling, prove it ſuch Bodily trembling as yours. We deny it, and ſay it was not ſuch.
That in Phil. 2. 12. was not Bodily Trembling; but an holy fear and reverence of God, in their Spirits rouſing them from ſecurity upon conſideration of the Decrees of God.
So the other two mentioned; as to Servants and Titus.
But is't not a ſtrange Argument, whereby to prove the Quakers Chriſtians, becauſe the Prophets did upon ſome extraordinary Viſions, tremble in their Bodies? and becauſe others in their Miniſtry of the Word, and ſervants in their places were not proud and ſecure, but tender and modeſt; and had a Child-like fear of God in their hearts: therefore all Chriſtians …are Quakers, and all Quakers Chriſtians. But excepting theſe extraordinary Caſes, what do theſe Tremblings ſignifie, …t horror and deſpair? Who trembles more than Devils, who believe … tremble? Doth it not argue, that you rather come with the Doctrine of the Law, the Covenant of Works; (which indeed you Preach) …an the Goſpel? As if you had been only at Mount-Sinai? The Goſpel Spirit is not a Spirit of ſuch fear; but of power, love, and of a ſound …. And the more we get into a Spirit of Love, the more is this … caſt out.
But to conclude, I wonder not that any that are found upon the …aw of works, not owning the Mediator, his Death, Suffering, Obedience; as having Eternal Vertue in them, for the taking away of ſin; appeaſing Juſtice, making his whole Church compleat; I wonder not, …at any ſuch ſhould Quake, and Tremble: In a dying hour they will …mble more; In the day of Judgment, moſt of all. Any that will …ave no Saviour but the Light within; and no Righteouſneſs but what … in Obedience to that, to Juſtify them in God's ſight; ſuch will call for the Hills and the Mountains to cover them in that day.
In the end, he caſts out, like the Dragon, a flood of Railing; but I muſt not, will not, return Reviling: but have learned to bleſs them … that curſe me, and to pray for this Man, that the Lord would not …y this ſin to his charge, viz. of ſpeaking evil of the Truth, and of me; …ut forgive him; for he knoweth not what be doth. Let not the Goſpel, O Lord be hid unto him. Let not the god of this World blind him; that the Light of the Glorious Goſpel may ſhine into him. Give him the eye…e, open his dark Ʋnderſtanding. Let the Spirit of Wiſdom and Revelation be upon him in the acknowledgment of the Myſtery. In thy Light …et him ſee Light. Hide Pride from him, bring down every high thing in him: every thing that exalteth it ſelf; every thought, into Captivity to the Obedience of Chriſt; that he may come as a helpleſs Sinner, to be reconciled to God through Chriſt: and not any longer deſpiſe the Croſs of Chriſt; and count the Doctrine of it fooliſhneſs; through a Confidence in the fleſh: leſt he wonder and periſh. Amen.
WILL. HAWORTH.