The Quaker Converted to Christianity, Treatise · Reply · Defense

The Quaker Converted to Christianity · Treatise · Reply · Defense

p. 140A farther, faithful, and ſober Account of the Experiences of William Dimſdel, now dwelling at Ware in Hartford-Shire; The Perſon whoſe heart God eminently turned from the Principles of the Quakers, to embrace the Chriſtian-Religion.

Being a Defence of his preſent Faith and Principles, againſt the Railings and falſe Accuſations of his Adverſaries, W. Baily, and S. Criſp, Quakers.

Wherein you may ſee the Diſtinct clear ſound Knowledg that the Spirit of God hath taught him, in the Doctrine of Imputed Righteouſneſs for Juſtification; With many profitable Anſwers to Objections. And what the ſeveral groſs Errors of the Quakers are, wherein he was once Captivated: but Chriſt delivered him.

HAving viewed the Book entituled, Rebellion Rebuked; and that part chiefly relating to me, written by Wills Baily and S. Criſ… I could not but think it reaſonable, that I ſhould write ſomething in my own defence; Seeing there are ſo many things contrary to my Spirit, not only concerning my Faith, but Life and Converſation alſo. Seeing I find theſe words as a Caution to the World, pag. 50. viz. Had not Men need to take heed, how they believe him in his words, how they muſt him in his Actions, or how they have to do with him?

p. 141It's but reaſonable (I ſay,) that I ſhould write ſomething for the …ing of my ſelf, and I will do it in as plain and meek a manner as I can according to the ability God hath given me.

I cannot Sir, forget the words of your Friend, which tarried with me after your Departure: (whoſe name I forbear to mention) which were to my beſt remembrance theſe, viz.

Young Man, I would have thee prepare thy ſelf, if it be upon the hearts of any our friends to write, to vindicate the Truth; that thou ſhould'ſt not think they do it out of envy; but in all meekneſs, to reclaim thee.

For your Love and Care of me, I humbly thank you, being willing to learn knowledg in the Goſpel, by any. But your Titles which you put upon me, are not ſuch as ſhould Reclaim me, viz. A Rebel, Blaſphemer, Traitor wicked Perſon, Dangerous to be believed in words, or truſt… in Actions. Had theſe things proceeded out of my Mouth; I have juſt ground to Judg, thou wouldſt have counted them fruits of envy, by what thou toldeſt me of W. Haworth; but I leave it to others to Judg, what they are in you.

After a Repetition of ſeveral of my ſayings, in pag. 27. of my little Book, I find thee W. Baily condemning me for ſetting forth my Condition while I was obedient to the Light in my Conſcience for Life and Salvation; by the ſimilitude of Iſrael's being in Egypt. Which thou l…ſt ſtrained to make Confuſion, and render me odious to the World.

According to this Rule of thine, might I ſay of Paul in Gal. 4.24, 25. That the Covenant of Grace was no more than giving Abraham a Son in his old-Age: And Hagar the Bond-Woman, which bare Abraham a Son, is the very Mount Sindi in Arabia; on which God gave the Law.

Alſo I might ſay from Luke 18.3, &c. That God is unrighteous; and that he will not hear his People unleſs they trouble and urge him with their Cry. Which God forbid I ſhould ſay or think. I know no more wickedneſs in ſetting forth working for Life and Salvation, by Iſrael's being in Egypt, than for the Scripture to ſet forth God, by an unjuſt Judg. Is this abuſing my Similitude in this manner, a Fruit of the pure Light within?

But why may not my Condition in obeying the Light within, be compared to a ſtate of Bondage? Seeing this Light teacheth the things contained in the Law; though not all things contained in the Law as they ought to be taught. As not to kill, not to Steal; not to Commit Adultery, and many more: and ſaith in this Language, viz. Do this p. 142and Live: Which is plainly the Covenant of Works. This Light teacheth That the Man that keepeth his Statutes, (i. e.) the Commandements of the Light, he ſhall live in them. As in Levit. 18.5. Rom. 10.5. Gal. 3. … The Quakers words are theſe, viz. Mind the Light, heed, obey the Light and turn to the Light which reproveth; and ſuch-like expreſſions.

Which words are good in their place; but when Juſtification, Life and Peace with God, are placed herein, they are ſtark naught. For then the Goſpel, and the Honour and Glory of Chriſt are deſtroyed. That Chriſt which was dead, and is alive, and liveth for ever, Revel. 1.18. Which cannot be the Godhead without the Manhood. So then, he that ſubmitteth to the Light and obeyeth it, doth not Steal, as he that heeded the Covenant of Works. And this Light as that Covenant ſhuts up people unto Good works, only to do them for fear of puniſhment. So that, they that are thus obeying the Light, differ not from thoſe that all their Life-time were ſubject to Bondage by reaſon of the fear of Death, Heb. 2. 15.

Now Paul calls it no other than Bondage, to be under the Law for Life and Salvation, Gal. 4.25. Why therefore may not I compare it to ſuch an Eſtate; without ſuch Wickedneſs as you ſpeak of? How often do you ſay there muſt be a cleanſing from all ſin in this Life; elſe no Salvation? Doth not this ſpeak, that the Righteouſneſs in which Man is to live, muſt juſtify him? Is this any other than the Covenant of Works, which is perfectly to be kept, or no Salvation to thoſe that are under it? Where is Goſpel-Repentance now? Where is a freedom of Will, and delight to do good? It is all out of doors. This I remember, upon my own Spirit, when the Lord enlightned me to ſee Juſtification by the perſonal Righteouſneſs of Chriſt; then came in a freedom of will to good: and a Delight and ſweetneſs in doing Good; which I had not before. Neither can this be in any, where this Change is not. There may be in you Quakers, a Legal Repentance; which is a turning from Wickedneſs to Civility; becauſe ye are bound ſo to do, for Life and Salvation, as you think. But Goſpel-Repentance, is an Obedience to the Faith which Juſtifieth without Works. And ſuch an one receiveth thankfully, and accepteth of the Righteouſneſs of (that Perſon,) Jeſus Chriſt, for his Juſtifying Righteouſneſs: And from thenceforth in Love to Jeſus, and for the honour of his Name, liveth ſoberly; as a Son obeyeth his Father; But doth not look to be made a Son, and owned to be a Son; and ſo accepted and received, by theſe works wrought in him, and by him. Which kind of Repentance, the Light within every Man, ſheweth not. So let him which hath the p. 143… Judg of the Tree by its Fruit; (as thou ſayeſt:) If the Spirit the … are in, be not the Spirit of Bondage, which Paul ſpeaketh of in … 15. When as the fear and dread of the Majeſty of God un… the Covenant of Works, is ſuch to thoſe that remember that there eternal puniſhment for ſinners, that they dare not go on in ſin … this. But then it is with them; If I may draw a Similitude once … as with a Merchant on the Sea, loaden with rich Treaſure, which … truly loveth, and is loath to part with; But there ariſeth a Storm … Tempeſt; So that he muſt either part with his Goods, or loſe his …e; and then he ſays farewel my Treaſure, which I ſo dearly loved. … a kind of Will, ſuch a Repentance is theirs, who are ſhut up in … under the Law; and bound to be obedient to the reproof of the … that they may be delivered from the wrath of God, and the puniſhment of ſin.

… farther, becauſe there is a Light in every Mans Conſcience, which … Check for evil; as was in Adam after the Fall, Geneſ. 3.10. un…o which I have been pointed by ſome: And the more it is heeded, the … it will work: So that when going to act ſome evil, this Light …oeth: and the fear and dread of God, becauſe of puniſhment and … of ſhame that will enſue, ſeizeth upon Man; ſo that he hath not … to go on in ſin. Hereupon dark, blind, blockiſh Reaſon, con…deth, this is the Chriſt, and the Power of God to Salvation. By this … of deceit, I came to believe the Light and Power within to be … Chriſt, the Saviour of the World: (As ſome of the Quakers do …nowledg the Light in overy Man to be:) They ſay it is both the …, and the way to the Saviour. Upon this, ariſeth Love to the … (eſteemed falſly to be the Lord;) becauſe by obedience to it, … may be delivered from ſome ſin. And he is ready to ſay, This is … that loved me, before I loved him. Thus, miſapprehending thoſe … words in the Scriptures, which are to be underſtood of the Per… of Chriſt as a Saviour and a Redeemer; As that viz. Walk in the …ight as he is in the Light; and the blood of Jeſus Chriſt his Son, cleanſeth … all Sin. And ye ſhall know the Truth, and the Truth ſhall make ye …. And many more, which might be reckoned up, are all falſly ap…yed to the Light within, and the power that doth accompany it. … ſo, according to the Quaker, the Saviour, the Redeemer, the Blood which …l…anſeth, are all within; changing, renewing, quickning, bringing … perfection. Without which, they ſay, There is no Salvation, ſo that … directly runs to the Tenet of thoſe mentioned, Acts 15.1. and in the Epiſtle to the Galatians, who ſaid, they muſt be Circumciſed, and p. 144keep the Law of Moſes; without which they could not be ſaved … the conteſt was about Circumciſion, yet the Law of Moſes … ſomething more than Circumciſion: this likewiſe, viz. Thou ſhal… … the Lord thy God with all thy Heart, Soul and Strength, and thy … bour as thy ſelf. Which no Man ſince the Fall, was ever … (Chriſt excepted) as appeareth, Acts 15.10. the Law is called … which neither we nor our Fathers were able to bear. And who were … Fathers, but Abraham, Iſaac and Jacob? which were ſaved by … and not by Works, Rom. 4.1, 2, 3.

But thou ſayeſt Baily, that Moſes was a leading-Quaker, when trembled at Mount Sinai, at the terrible appearance of the Lord, in … the Law; Declaring that we are under the diſpenſation of the Cove… Works. But was Moſes ſaved by that terrible Appearance? No … looked unto Chriſt to come in the fleſh. For he had Faith it's … received not the promiſe, Heb. 11.39. (i. e.) They lived not in this … to ſee the accompliſhment of the Promiſe of Chriſt to come in the … Wherefore it appears, that ye believe that the Blood, Saviour, Red… are within; That Perſon that was put to death at Jeruſalem, raiſed … Life again; whom God hath Exalted, Acts 5.30, 31. Which is … born of Mary; (for the Godhead could not dy and riſe again; … he Exalted; but the Manhood) And not only this Perſon, but … wiſe Reconciliation in that Body of his Fleſh; the Peace through … Blood of his Croſs are little worth with you Quakers. And ſo … wel Goſpel; But the Light, the Life, the Power within, as you … it, is all your Juſtifying Righteouſneſs. And ſo the Law, with … become the Goſpel, and the Goſpel the Law, Moſes Chriſt, and … Moſes. Thus the poor Soul is ſhut up in Priſon, to work for Li… Salvation; (as I have ſaid) according to the Quakers Doctrine, … there is an end of Chriſt and the Goſpel. (Not that I deny good … in their place.)

So that your Condition and State; (which I was once in) may … be compared to Bondage. The Lord be merciful to you.

Furthermore, Thou ſayeſt Baily, that in my aſſerting the Light … which I was convinced of ſin, and by obedience there unto, though… ſhould be brought into the Image of Chriſt: and in that Righteo… neſs be accepted with God, and delivered from Wrath to come) … to be the Light of the Spirit; But only the ſame Light by which … Heathens did by Nature things contained in the Law; That I am … a denyer of the Scripture; which Scriptures thou ſayeſt are John … and again in Tit. 2.11.9. p. 29. of thy Book. Both which places … p. 145… you told me were ſpoken of Chriſt; he being called in one place … in another Grace.

… that lighteth every Man, and appeareth unto all Men, is … the ſame according to you.

… ſpeak a little to the firſt Scripture.

… thou art out, for I deny not the Scripture; but your ſence … …uing of the Scripture. And I have good ground to judg and …, that thou mayeſt, with thy friends, corrupt the right meaning the Scripture for your own ends; as thou haſt our words and Wri… notwithſtanding your pure Light. For in ſaying W. Haworth … the Deity and Godhead which the Barbarous people ſaw by, when apprehended Paul to be a Murderer; in pag. 29. and ſaith, I have …dicted my Companion. Which is a Lye; with which you have … the heap of Confuſion. For W. H. doth not ſay, By the … but In the Deity they ſaw it. As I by my eye ſee a Glory in the …. But the Glory of the Sun is not therefore my eye; by which I … God hath placed an underſtanding faculty in the Soul of Man; … he comes to know ſomething of God: It doth not follow …upon, that this faculty is God.

…, thou abuſeſt our Words in affirming, the Faith that juſtifieth … wrought out by a perſon, wholly without Man, as in pag. 35. g… … to make people apprehend that we ſay, Faith is without as well … Perſon Jeſus Chriſt. When as I ſaid in pag. 19. ſpeaking of im… Righteouſneſs: It was manifeſted to me in the Spirit, working … in me. So here is a plain wrong done us; yet we ſay, that Faith … the matter of Juſtification; think of us as thou wilt, but the Inſtru… which we lay hold of the Matter of Juſtification, viz. the …nal Righteouſneſs of Jeſus Chriſt. This Faith God worketh in his … by his Spirit, according as it is written, He ſhall teſtifie of me, … 15.16.

In pag. 51. S. Criſp ſaith, I have caſt of Chriſts Yoke and Burden, … …ot to Sieal, tell lies, ſpeak evil words, &c. and cautioneth the … therefore, to take heed of me, pag. 50. Whereas I ſaid in pag. … the little Book, that I ought to lead a good Converſation, 1. For … of God. 2. To manifeſt my Love to Jeſus Chriſt. 3. To Con… the World of Sin, &c.

Pag. 16. Faith is the Spring, from whence true Chriſtian-works do …

Pag 19. This Faith ingageth to Love the Lord.

p. 146Pag. 20. Holding Faith in a pure Conſcience: hoping to be found … my ſelf.

Thus you abuſe us, turning our words to your ſence and meaning becauſe we will not admit of thoſe Works wrought in us by the Spirit to come in to Juſtification: But dare ſay, ſo to do, is no other but … deſtroying of the Goſpel … a deſpiſing of Chriſt; and making Man ſervice his Saviour. Therefore you would make the people believe tha… we are againſt good-works and Sanctification.

Surely, in this Cenſure you paſs, you did not obey your Light … elſe your Light cannot inform you aright, which ſheweth it to be impure and unſound.

But to the Scripture thou mentioneſt, John 1.9. That was the true Light, which Lighteth every Man that cometh into the World.

1. As to that Phraſe, True Light: I believe it was Jeſus Chriſt … of the Virgin Mary, God and Man united in One. As he was Ma… he was capable of ſuffering Death; To be cut off, not for himſelf. … he was God, he was able to go through the Work he had to do for poo… ſinners: This was he, the Light that John bare Witneſs of, wh… chiefly deſerveth the Name of Light; ſeeing he giveth Light … and receiveth Light of none. Now as he was the Creator of all thing John 1.2. So he Lighteth every one, (we will grant,) that …thing the World, reading that Phraſe as you do. Of which Light … partook before his Fall, yea and after his Fall, though not in ſo great … meaſure, as when he was in the Image of God. The Heathens had th… Light alſo, yet were without God in the World, Epheſ. 2.12. T… Young Man, Matth, 10.20. that came to Chriſt, had it. And Paul before his Converſion; yet both were without the Spirit of Regeneration, as appears plainly.

Alſo there are many things, and ſeveral Conditions to which man may, by this Light of Nature attain, and yet be without th… Spirit of Adoption, viz. to be (touching the Law) blameleſs in the ey… of Man: and ſeeming to himſelf to be Righteous before God, … 9. It was ſo with me when time was; and I ſaw no Bondage … State, though there was real Bondage. According as it was with the in John 8.33. that ſaid, We be Abrahams Seed, and are not in B… to any Man. Where Chriſt did imply that they were not free; they … being ſenſible of their Spiritual Bondage.

If any ſay, that by this Light, a Man may apprehend the Notion … Chriſt, a Saviour, a Goſpel, Why, If that ſhould be granted … if I conſult my own former experience, and the Scripture, it … p. 147turneth the Goſpel into looſneſs that Grace may abound; or it corrupteth it by joyning the Law and Works for Juſtification with Chriſt. It teacheth that the Law muſt be kept perfectly, or elſe thou canſt not be ſaved. Yet I ſtill deny, that every Man that cometh into the World, is Lighted with a Goſpel-Spiritual-Light. This is a Light that every Man hath not. Therefore in Anſwer to your Requeſt pag. 40. viz. to know of us, Whether there be a Light that every Man hath not? And if ſo, how it differs from the other? I ask, Can there be the Light of the Sun, without the Sun? Or the Light of the Fire, without the Fire? Or can there be the Light of a Candle, without a Candle? Then can there be the Light of the Spirit in Man, without the Spirit of God, 1 Cor. 2.9, 10, 11.

Now it is Evident that all Men have not the Spirit, as in Rom. 8.9. If any Man have not the Spirit of Chriſt, he is none of his: Implying, that ſome were without the Spirit. Jude 19. Senſual, not having the Spirit. Gal. 3.2. This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by the hearing of Faith? Then there was a Time before they received it, ſeeing they might remember when and how they received it. John 14.17. The Spirit of Truth which the World cannot receive: Then the World hath it not. And many more Inſtances may be gathered out of the Acts of the Apoſtles; That both Jews and Gentiles had a Light, the Gentiles had the work of the Law written upon their hearts; and the Jews with this Natural Light, the Knowledg of the Law of Moſes; Yet were without the Spirit, not being Converted to the Faith of Jeſus, but oppoſing it. Wherefore, as a Man in outward things cannot lay hold on that which is beyond his reach; no more can any, by that common Light that every Man hath, lay hold on that which is above its reach. For that Light that ſhewed Adam that he had broke the Law of God, Gen. 3. did not ſhew unto him the way of deliverance; but God ſhewed it to him by Revelation. So is it in our Day, none ſeeth any Beauty or Comelineſs in the Goſpel without the Lord reveal it unto him by his Spirit.

Now here comes in the other Query, pag. 41. Whether this Light I ſpeak of, the Light of the Spirit of Chriſt, be another ſort or kind of Light, differing from that which every Man hath?

I Anſwer, Of thoſe that have the Common Light, it's ſaid John 3. 6. That which is born of the Fleſh, is Fleſh.

Titus 1.15, 16. Ʋnto them that are defiled and unbelieving, is nothing …ure; but even their mind and Conſcience are defiled; they profeſs that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable, diſobedient p. 148and to every good work reprobate, or of no judgment. The Natural Man diſcerneth not the things of God, neither indeed can, 1 Cor. 2.14.

But now, of thoſe that have the other, in the leaſt meaſure of it, this is ſaid, 1 Tim. 1.5. Now the end of the Commandment is Charity out of a pure heart, and of a good Conſcience; and Faith unfeigned. 1 Tim. 1.19. Holding Faith and a good Conſcience, which ſome having put away; But how did they put it away? What, by falling into Theft, Murder, and Adultery, and ſuch-like practiſes? Not ſo much by theſe things, if at all: for they became Teachers of the Law; and as I humbly conceive, thought that the Law muſt be kept perfectly, as neceſſary for Salvation; by which Doctrines they did corrupt the Goſpel, and caſt off the Faith which once they pretended to; making an unlawful uſe of the Law, as Paul Witneſſeth, v. 7, 8. whoſe Doctrine did eat as a Canker, as it doth in our day. Therefore the ſum of all is, as to theſe two Scriptures; No Faith in Jeſus, no good Conſcience, no pure Light. For they are always joyned together; never go aſunder.

Furthermore, Paul ſpeaking of himſelf, 2 Tim. 1.3. That he ſerved God at that preſent from his forefathers, (i. e.) as Abraham and Iſaac, &c. that were in the ſame Faith that he had now; only they looked unto Chriſt to come; and he, as already come: With pure Conſcience, How ſo? had he not a pure Conſcience always? No, when-as he ſaid of himſelf before, when a Phariſee he ought to do many things contrary to the Name of Jeſus: Yet lived ſtrictly, as touching the Law. But time was, that when a Phariſee, the Lord met him, and ſmote him to the Ground, and gave him his Spirit: and then he builded up the things that before he deſtroyed: viz. The Faith of Chriſt, and then, and not till then, had he a pure Conſcience, and ſerved God with this pure Conſcience.

Obj. But why ſhould this Common Light be counted impure, or an evil Conſcience; ſeeing it reproveth for ſin? And the Heathens by this, did things contained in the Law, which ſhew the work of the Law written in their hearts, their Conſciences bearing Witneſs? Why ſhould it be ſo called or ſtiled?

Anſw. Becauſe, it doth not ſhew unto Man Obedience to the Will of God, from right ends, and from right principles; from right reaſon and underſtanding and judgment: But is like an unskilful Pilot, that undertakes to Steer the Ship, and yet runs it upon Rocks and Quick ſands. So this, teacheth the things contained in the Law, and yet deſtroyeth the Goſpel, miſſing of the way of Obedience out of Love p. 149to God. There is no Doctrine under Heaven begetteth this Love to God, like the Doctrine of the forgiveneſs of all ſin in the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt.

But is there then a difference betwixt this Light in every Man, reproving for ſin; and the Light of the Spirit, in their Teachings and Operations?

Yea, very much, if I had Words to expreſs my ſelf: though I am … Condemned perſon by a Jury of eleven, and though it be accounted … Divination of my own Brain, it matters not. VVhat is the difference?

1. The Light of the Spirit, eſteemeth, reckoneth, or prizeth the Perſonal-Obedience of Chriſt, 1600. years ago, viz. his keeping of the Law in every point. He having fulfilled the Law in our Nature, that knew no ſin of his own; as the only Righteouſneſs by which we are juſtified before God, Rom. 5.19. And makes the Soul gladly receive it, and imbrace it in all humbleneſs of Spirit, this Perſon, and his Perſonal-Obedience, as the greateſt Treaſure in Heaven and Earth and cauſeth the Soul in all thankfulneſs to walk in Obedience, before and to the Lord.

But the Common Light, looks for a Righteouſneſs within, to be juſtifyed by the Righteouſneſs in which Man liveth, and conſequently the Righteouſneſs of the Law.

2. The Spirit begetteth an eſteem of the Sufferings of Chriſt, the Sacrifice of his Body, as the only means by which we are freed from the wrath of God due to our ſins, he being made a Curſe for us, Heb. 10.12, 13, 14. Iſa. 53.5. Gal. 3.13. But the Common-Light counteth it a Doctrine tending to Looſneſs, as may be ſeen pag. 35. and 50. of the Book called Rebellion Rebuked. And I my ſelf did once ſo eſteem it, but now no ſuch thing.

3. The Spirit makes us eſteem the Croſs of Chriſt, and the carrying forth the Perſon of Chriſt through it, and the penalty of the Law, and raiſing him to Life again; and exalting him into Glory, to be a Prince and a Saviour, Acts 5.31. to be the Power of God to Salvation to as many as thankfully receive it and embrace it.

But the Common-Light eſteemeth that power and dread in the Conſcience, which reſtraineth Man from ſin, binding Man to obey for Life and Salvation, to be the power of God to Salvation. And in many more things there is a difference, in their teachings and directions. Nay, I ſcarce know one Goſpel-Truth, but this Common-Light contradicteth: yet the Teachers of this Light, come with the words p. 150of this Glorious Goſpel. So that word is true, which hath comforted me many a time; and may comfort others, viz. If it were poſſible the very Elect ſhould be deceived: But notwithſtanding all the ſubtilty of Satan, it's not poſſible.

But farther, the Spirit cauſeth a higher Repentance, than the Common-Light. Such a Repentance, ſuch a Change in the Will, that the Saints even loath their own Bodies; they are as it were weary of them, becauſe of the Corruption that dwelleth in them, though the power of it be broken that it doth not Rule and Reign over them. Not becauſe they would be juſtifyed by a Righteouſneſs wherein they would live; as Paul Witneſſeth, 1 Cor. 4.4. But that they might glorify God more in their Generation; that they might be for the praiſe of his Name, that hath redeemed them.

But the Common-Light worketh a Change in the Life and Converſation, to merit Eternal Life by; and to get into the Love and Favour of God. So that there is not ſo clear a Love, nor ſo free a Will to walk in the Commandements of the Lord, as is in the Goſpel-Repentance wrought by the Spirit; As may plainly appear, by what VVilliam Baily ſaith, in the 35. pag. of his Book, viz. If ſo be the Father hath poured out all his wrath upon his Son, there is no need to fear miſcarriages. And again he ſaith, If ſo, the Devil may play what Cards he will. Now, whoever taſted of the Goſpel, that would make this uſe of it, but did count it as their only happineſs?

There is difference in the Motives and Arguments to move to a Holy Life, between theſe two Lights. My experience in this hath been as a ſecond Pillar, which the Lord hath made uſe of, to uphold my Spirit for ſome time. And comparing my experience with John 16.14, 15. I have been relieved; and perhaps it may be a relief to others, if with me now they view the three Diſtinctions in thoſe words, v. 14. He ſhall Glorify me, for he ſhall receive of mine, and ſhew it unto you.

1. I conſidered, who that was that ſhould be glorified: Whom I conceive is Jeſus, born of the Virgin Mary; the Mediator or middle-Perſon betwixt God and Man; having the Nature of both, that he might accompliſh the work that he had to do; and that he might hear and defend his people, when they cry unto him, ſeeing he was touched with the feeling of our Infirmities, Heb. 4.15. But is now Exalted in the Heavens in that very Body which he took of the Virgin, Acts 5.31. Heb. 4.14. This is he that was to be Glorified. For he doth not point them unto that within him or within every Man; but to his Perſon, v. 16. ſpeaking of his departing a little while after, ſignifying his Death, which filled them with ſorrow.

p. 1511. Who that was, that ſhould receive of his, which is plain; the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, whom he ſaid, he would ſend, v. 7. in his perſonal abſence. Whoſe office is, to take of Chriſt's things, and ſhew them to his people. For though the Spirit be the ſame in Eſſence, yet it hindereth not but they may be, & are, two in Office and Perſonality. The Spirit thus taketh of Chriſt's Righteouſneſs, Sufferings, the Travel of his Soul, to redeem his people, and ſheweth them unto his people.

The 3d. thing, To whom theſe things were to be ſhewed. They were the eleven chiefly there mentioned: But ſurely as well to all his people, in all Ages and Generations. For none ſeeth them but by the Spirit; as it pleaſeth God to reveal them to us. And this Spirit he giveth to all his people. Now Jeſus Chriſt being born of a Woman, was made under the Law, Gal. 4.4. who in all things did fulfil the Law in all reſpects, and at all times, in all caſes and conditions: So that he knew …s ſin, neither was Guile found in his Mouth, 2 Cor. 5.21. By which Obedience, Righteouſneſs, and Holineſs of Chriſt, we are made Righteous, Rom. 5.19. Therefore he is called by the Prophet, The Lord our Righteouſneſs, Jer. 23.6. A Saviour and a Deliverer. Now the Comforter taketh of theſe things and ſheweth them unto us; When we ſee our miſerable and wretched Condition, under the Wrath of God, and our inability to keep the Law of God. And this is the Language of the Spirit to us, viz. Chriſt is the end of the Law for Righteouſneſs to every one that believeth, Rom. 10.4.

Now it is not the Office of the Spirit the Comforter; much leſs of the Light within every Man; (which deſerveth not the Name of the Comforter:) to work Righteouſneſs in us to juſtifie us; though it doth lead to Holineſs: Neither to bring us to fulfil the Law in our perſons to be juſtified thereby before God; 1 Cor. 4.4. Though I once was entangled with an opinion of this Nature, viz. That it was Chriſt by the Spirit which wrought in me: therefore it was not my Righteouſneſs but his, and this for Juſtification. Jeſus was put to death, Crucified, cut off, not for himſelf, he was an Offering for ſin for ever, Heb. 10.12. A ſacrifice well pleaſing to God: And he roſe again for our Juſtification, Rom. 4.25. Signifying ſo much, that he had ſatisfyed the Juſtice of God for the Sins of his people; and could not be held of Death. Now the Spirit taketh of theſe things, when Man is, (as we have ſaid before:) under the ſence of the wrath of God, and applyeth them unto his heart; giving him Faith herein, ſaying, Chriſt was made a Curſe for thee; Gal. 3.13. (i. e.) in thy place, room, and ſtead. He was in a bloody Agony; he was forſaken of God; and all for the ſake of his p. 152people. His Blood therefore cleanſeth from all ſin. Now the Blood is not within us, (as the Quakers ſay:) Any Sacrifice, any Crucifying withi… Man, to purge, to purify, to make Reconciliation with God. But the Spirit doth apply the Merit of the Sacrifice, the Bloodſhed of that Perſon Jeſus Chriſt, which was 1600. years ſince. He it was, not the Light within every Man, that is often called the Redeemer, in the Prophets. And as Paul calls him from thence A Deliverer to come … of Zion, Rom. 11.26. when the time of his Birth drew nigh, he was pointed at to be the Perſon, Mat. 1.21. Luk. 1.31, 32. to accompliſh the Work. This is ſaid, he gave his Life a Ranſom for many, Mat. 20.28. Now the Spirit, as we ſaid, taketh of theſe things, and applyeth them to his people, and ſaith, he hath; (not he will redeem, but hath) Redeemed us from the Curſe of the Law, Gal. 3.13. and hath made them Sons through Faith, Gal. 4.6. though they had infirmities, and had need of Reproofs and Exhortations to good works; as may be ſeen in the Epiſtle; he having obtained everlaſting Redemption, through the means of his Death, entring into the Holy Place once, with his own Blood, Heb. 9.12, 15.

Theſe things I ſay, doth the Spirit Preach to the Souls of poor Men; As an Ambaſſador receiveth of the King his mind, and declareth it is a far Country; ſo the Spirit receiveth of Chriſt's Love, his Riches Care for his people; and gives them to underſtand them, for themſelves for their own Comfort.

But to the laſt, viz. He ſhall glorifie me. So is it indeed; the Spirit doth mightily exalt the Perſon of Chriſt, it proclaims him to the Soul to be the faireſt among ten thouſand, to be altogether Comely. No deformity at all in him; How excellently is he ſet forth in the Book of the Canticles! And when the Spirit doth thus reveal Chriſt in his lovelineſs and Beauty, they cry out. O what a wretch was I, that I ſhould ſin againſt ſo Gracious a God! That ſuch as Jeſus Chriſt muſt d… for my Salvation! We that ſtood in the ſtou…neſs of our Spirits, and ſlighted, and ſcorned to accept of his perſonal Obedience 1600. years ſince. Now do melt in the remembrance of our hard hearts. And thus is … got likewiſe in the heart of Man, a Love, to live to the praiſe of the Name of Chriſt for ever; becauſe of a Rebel, he hath made him a Son, becauſe he hath made Reconciliation by the Blood of his Croſs; from henceforth he would fear him, and ſerve him as a Father, that hath done ſo much for him that he cannot do ſo much for Chriſt, never require or make amends.

p. 153So then you ſee, it is not (as the Quakers ſay;) Obey the Light within, and ſubmit to the power thereof; that your peace may be made; that ye may get into the Love and favour of God; that you may be made the Sons of God, by the Righteouſneſs which the Light hath wrought in you; according to that I have read, that George Fox the younger hath writ. Theſe are his words, viz. If ye would believe and wait in me, or obey me the Light in you, I will purge out all your iniquities, and forgive all your Treſpaſſes; and I will change your Natures, and make you New Creatures, if you will hearken to me, and obey me, the Light in you.

Ye ſee the Motive of one and of the other Light to Obedience, is different.

Again, another difference is, that the Light of the Spirit of Chriſt, layeth a Man more humble and low in his own Soul, than the Light the Quakers plead for. It ſheweth him, that he hath nothing to boaſt or glory in, but all is freely given him: Nay, if God ſhould deal in Juſtice with him, that he is a wicked perſon, in that he hath ſin dwelling in his fleſh, a corrupt nature; if God ſhould look upon him as in himſelf; this might juſtly befal him, to be condemned.

So that he cannot vaunt it over his Neighbour, and ſay, I am Righteous, thou art Wicked; I am good, thou art evil; I have done Righteouſneſs, thou haſt done Wickedneſs: and thou mayeſt be Righteous and hold on, and do good, if thou obey the Light in thy Conſcience, the voice of the Lord, calling unto thee in the inward parts (which thing the Quakers ſay by their Light) and I have ſaid it in heart many a time, before the Lord humbled me to accept of the perſonal Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, for my Juſtification as I am a poor ſinner.

Again, there are things which the Light of the Spirit diſcerneth to be ſin, which the Light in every Man cannot diſcern to be ſin. As Firſt, to ſeek for and look for Juſtification, Reconciliation, Acceptance with God, in, with, or by the Righteouſneſs in which we live, acted in our perſons: It ſeeth not this to be a Deſpiſing the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt; a corrupting the Goſpel, eclipſing the Glroy of Chriſt a contradicting God in his Way and appointment for the Salvation of poor ſinners. It ſeeth no evil in this which yet makes Chriſt of no Advantage, not ſubmitting to the Righteouſneſs of God. Yet I am not ignorant my Adverſaries will ſay, They are juſtified by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt; and they do not deſpiſe the Goſpel; with many more good words, as they have writ; which would to God were true.

But I would here Anſwer a Queſtion or two; and then proceed. If it ſhould be in the mind of any to ask,

p. 154Queſt. What ſhall we do, that we may attain to this Goſpel-ſaving Spiritual Light?

Anſw. I know thou wilt count that which I am about to Anſwer, a notorious Lie; except the Lord lead thee to experience it, yet dare I ſpeak it, viz. That you muſt unlearn all that you have learned; and pull down that fair building of Righteouſneſs: and deny that great progreſs you have as you think, made towards Heaven, by your doing that which is Good, and abſtaining from evil. (Which yet is of uſe in its place:) and to deny all that you think is of Chriſt in you, the Light, Life, Peace within you; it muſt all become as nothing, in the point of Juſtification, or to deſerve or merit Salvation; (not that they ſhould be left off in their place.) And notwithſtanding all your Righteouſneſs, you muſt be ſenſible that you are miſerable ſinners; and you muſt be as a Man that hath not a bit of Bread to eat, nor a rag to cover his nakedneſs. I have ſaid before, and ſay again, I mean not that you ſhould turn to a vain Life and Converſation,

Queſt. But if there be ſuch a Low eſtate to come before we attain th… Saving-Light, which way ſhall we come to it, that we may have the other?

Anſw. Thou muſt not think, that if thou art Righteous in thy own ſight, that thou art ſo in Gods alſo. Neither if thy Conſcience do not Condemn, is it enough: but apply thy ſelf to the Glaſs of the Law; for by the Law is the Knowledg of ſin, Rom. 3.20. Remember that God looketh not at the outward appearance, but upon the heart, 1 Sam. 16.7. and ſee if thou doſt not break the Holy Law of God every day by thought, word or deed. If there be not wandring Thoughts ariſing in thee; or ſome evil deſires in thee; ſome envy to thy Neighbour, or ſome Covetous deſire, at ſome time or other; Then remember, He that offendeth in one point, is guilty of all, James 2.10. And if thou ſhouldſt commit ſin in ignorance, thy ignorance will not excuſe thee; but thou ſtandeſt guilty before God, Luke 23.34. Neither yet ſay in thy heart, though I do not keep it, I ſhall come up to it in time, and ſo reſt here. When-as thou knoweſt not but death may ſeize on thee the next hour. Again, forget not this, that God requireth a continual keeping of his Law, Gal. 3.10. Deut. 27.26. And much more might be ſaid as to this. Try now thy ſelf by this written Law; and ſee if thou doſt not break it frequently; and by all the power thou haſt, canſt not keep it as thou oughteſt. This is the way for thee to ſee thy ſelf poor and naked, miſerable and undone without the perſonal Righteouſneſs of Chriſt to juſtify thee.

p. 155Obj. But you ſay, If the Righteouſneſs by which we are juſtifyed be wholly without, and ſatisfaction made 1600 years ago, for all ſin, the De… may play what Cards he will, there is no need to fear the loſs of Salvation through Miſcarriages, pag. 35. Thus indeed did I think once, as well as you; as you may ſee pag. 16. of my Book.

Anſw. And as I ſaid in that my Book, in Anſwer, ſo ſay I here again from my own experience: Whoſo counteth it a Doctrine tending to …y Unrighteouſneſs, they never truly knew the want of a Saviour. But this Objection is no new thing. For after Paul had ſpoke of being made Righteous by the Obedience of one, Rom. 5.19. in Chap. 6. v. 1. … brings in this very Objection preſently, What, ſhall we continue in ſin … Grace may abound; he meeting with what was in their Spirits, v. 2. … forbid, how ſhall we that are dead unto ſin, live any longer therein? As if he had ſaid, is it poſſible? can this be? Will it not be abhorred? If Chriſt dyed for the ſins of his people, that ſo many as believe on him are buried with him, and as he had victory over Death, ſo have they by Faith; Will not this Influence their Spirits ſo, as to live to the praiſe of his Glory? What, if they are delivered from the loſs of Salvation, which the Scriptures ſpeak, Iſa. 55.3. Acts 13.34. Jer. 31.3… John 6.37. Pſal. 89.30, 31, 32, 33. Doth it therefore follow that they ſhould go on in wickedneſs, and not love and fear God? Though their Life and Salvation conſiſts not in it, or their Reconciliation or acceptance with God. They ought to fear and love him, but it is as a Father, not as a Condemning Judg: But as being taken into Everlaſting Covenant with him, as having the Inheritance ſure to them; and not for fear of loſing it, and being caſt out. If they transgreſs his will preſumptuouſly, he deals with them as a Father with Children: in love Ch…ſtiſeth them, which way he pleaſeth, Heb. 12.5, 6, 7, 8. Prov. 3.12. Now a Son loveth his Father becauſe he is his Father. So it is with the people of God; yet the Relation of a Father and a Son ſtandeth …re: So doth the relation of God and his people through Faith.

So that when they ſin, as we ſaid, he correcteth them; becauſe he loveth them, and delighteth in them. And how great a difference is there, betwixt the Correction of a Father, and the Sentence of a Judg?

But W. Baily, Thou Objecteſt, That was a needleſs Doctrine to bid his Diſciples watch and Pray leſt they entred into Temptation: and of Peter, who bid them, Give all diligence to make their Calling and Election ſure, Mat. 26.41.2 Pet. 1.10. as in pag. 35. of thy Book.

p. 156Anſw. O no! Though the matter of Juſtification be ſure on God's part, viz. the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and the Merit of Chriſt his fulfilling the Law, and being the end of it; and this he doth manifeſt to his people by degrees working Faith in them. Our State is ſure and certain on Gods part. His foundation is ſure, yet as to us it is brittle, and very uncertain, conſidered in our ſelves, by reaſon of our Corruption that dwelleth in our Fleſh, and the many Enemies we have, within and without: carnal reaſon gets up, and it contendeth in our Breaſts, ſaying, what Fooliſhneſs is this, to truſt to the Righteouſneſs of another? What, muſt ye not be Righteous in your ſelves and can ye be Righteous elſe? and unbelief gets up, and ſaith, what, will ye believe that the promiſes of God are true? That ye are made Righteous by the Obedience of Chriſt? That he for you hath overcome Sin, Death and the Devil? how can this be; when ſin dwelleth in your Fleſh to this day, and the Law cometh with its Threatning, to bring trouble upon the Spirit? The Devil accuſing, and ſtirring up the Enemies of the Goſpel to lay falſe Notions, and errors, and ſtumbling-blocks in the way: and the half of our ſelves Warring againſt the other, The Fleſh againſt the Spirit; and ſo hinders the view and ſight of the Goſpel for a time: and our Faith is very weak and low. As I may ſay by experience, How many dark and gloomy hours have I met with in my life-time? What ups and downs? What ſtruglings in my Spirit very often? ſometimes toſſed in my Spirit to the works of the Law for Juſtification; Sometimes to the other falſe and ſtrange fooliſh Opinions. Therefore ſurely it was no needleſs thing, to bid the Chriſtians beware of temptations; and to ſtir them up to make their Calling and Election ſure: ſeeing they had many Enemies to meet with, and had but little Faith; but like Children when they firſt go alone are ready to ſtumble and fall at a ſmall thing.

But becauſe it is my deſire to help others, if it may pleaſe God; I would proceed, before I leave this, a little further according to the Knowledg God hath given me.

Queſt. What Comfort hath a Chriſtian in theſe Conflicts with his Enemies, which are ſo many?

Anſw. This is one Comfo… …hat God will never leave him nor forſake him: his loving kindneſs he will not take away from him, but will preſerve him and defend him to his Heavenly Kingdom.

2. That Jeſus Chriſt doth Intercede for his people, as he prayed for Simon, that his Faith ſhould not fail, Luke 22. 32.

3. That he that hath begun that good work, Faith in us, is able to carry p. 157… on to the end; and to perfect it to the day of Glory, John 10.28,29.

4. That there is a Promiſe of Victory over ſin and Death, and all … Enemies. So that we may ſay, they ſhall not always overcome us, … there is a ſtronger than they, Rom. 6.14. Heb. 12.5, 6.

5. That we fight againſt vanquiſht Enemies, ſuch as are overcome in our Head already, John 16.33.

Surely Paul had a ſtrong Faith in theſe things, when he Preached the Goſpel, meeting with many difficulties, and dangers from his Enemies; yet his perſwaſion we ſee, did not fail him, but the Lord ſtood by him and ſtrengthened him, and he was delivered out of the paw of the …on; and he ſaith in confidence, that the Lord would deliver him from …ry evil work, and preſerve him to his heavenly Kingdom, 2. Tim. 4.18.

Obj. But W. Baily ſaith, Who among the ungodly would turn their ears from this kind of Doctrine? pag. 35.

Anſw. What if the ungodly make a wicked uſe thereof? Is it therefore falſe? and is it unlawful to Preach it? If a Man walk with a ſtaff … his hand in the Road, with which he Murdereth a Man; is it therefore unlawful for me to walk with a Staff by which I am ſupported, and my Life preſerved? If any make that bad uſe of it, as to continue in ſin, let them remember the Lord's dealing with Iſrael in the Wilderneſs, treated of 1 Cor. 10. and the 12 verſe.

But now on the other hand, the ſelf-Righteous, the Juſt before Men, … proud in their Spirits, and they ſcorn this Reconciliation by the Obedience of the Perſon of Chriſt, and his Death and Sufferings; and …e no need of it, or them; no Beauty, no Comelineſs in Chriſt. Therefore according to that which Chriſt ſaith, he came not to call the Righteous, but ſinners to Repentance.

So that I may bring in your Objection here.

Obj. But if all Men are not Lighted with the true Light, then ſome have no true Light: Then why ſhould they be Condemned? is this equal? pag. 41.

Anſw. That all Men are Lighted by a Light that is true in its kind, by Jeſus Chriſt, as he was the Creator of all things, I deny not.

But that all Men have a ſaving-Light from him as Mediator, I do deny. And if thou ask, Is this equal?

Anſwer. Is it not lawful and equal to with-hold relief from him that ſcorneth to receive it, and yet is in want?

2. Is it not equal for a King to withold a Pardon from a Murderer, when he ſcorneth to accept of it, yet is at the point of Death? Why then ſhould it not be equal with God, to with-hold a ſaving-Light p. 158from ſuch as thoſe I have been ſpeaking of? that ſay in their hearts, they have no need of it?

Many more things might be ſpoke, but I paſs them by, and ſhall not meddle with them, but leave them to others, whoſe buſineſs it is, more properly to contend for them, viz. As to the powerful work of God without, and the Righteouſneſs that juſtifies being without, and other things which I am ſatisfied in; yet deny not the inward workings of the Spirit, neither a Holy Life and Converſation: but ſay as before often, that good Works muſt be maintained, upheld, and taught, but, in their time and place; and not ſo as to deſtroy the Goſpel, and bring Mens Conſciences into ſlavery & Bondage, under the Law.

The next thing is S. Criſp, his expreſſions concerning me; how he hath ſet me forth, which I could not but wonder at, when I viewed it, that any pretending to an infallible, and an unerring Spirit, ſhould write ſo many falſe things.

Firſt, pag. 50. Oh horrible Canaan! Such a Canaan God never led hi… people into, nor ever will; Where theſe tasks are not laid upon them. Th… is a Canaan for the Sons of Belial, who are Men without any Yoke. I teſtify in the Name of the Lord, that made the Heavens and the Earth, and all that is in them, that the true Name of this Canaan, is Sodom and Egypt.

What ſhall I Judg of this! I have not met with the like Expreſſion! That Canaan, the Kingdom of Chriſt, given unto his people, being Juſtifyed by Faith without the Deeds of the Law; and from thenceforth acting in Love to him, living to his Glory; That this ſhould be called a Canaan for the Sons of Belial! And to be ſo confident to ſay, He teſtifyeth in the Name of Jehovah, that the true Name of this Canaan is Sodom and Egypt! It made me even tremble when I conſidered it; That any Man ſhould teſtify in the Name of Jehovah, and ſpeak ſuch Ʋntruths! Why might not this Man ſay of Paul as well, where he ſaith, Galat. 5.13. Brethren ye have been called unto Liberty; that he told the Galatians, that they might Steal, and Lie, and Kill, and Commit Adultery, and do all manner of Evil? Seeing he was Treating as we are, about the Law and the Works thereof. And likewiſe, why did ye not ſay, that Paul allows it to be lawful to Kill, Steal, and Commit Adultery, &c. when he ſaith in 1 Cor. 6.12. All things are Lawful unto me; And ſo Chap. 10.23?

It may be thou wilt ſay, not ſo, becauſe Paul ſaid to them in the Gal…t. Ʋſe not your Liberty as an Occaſion to the Fleſh, but by Love ſerve one another. And in the Corinthians ſaid, All things are not expedient. And beſides Paul lived a juſt Life.

p. 159In like manner did I ſay, that I ought to go on in Holineſs.

1. For the Glory of God.

2. To manifeſt my Love to Chriſt.

3. To convince the World of ſin.

4. It is my Duty in God.

Pag. 19, 20. To be found in doing juſtly between Man and Man, according to the Light. And yet he ſaith, This is a Canaan for the Sons of Be… and declareth it to be the Wickedneſs of my Principles.

Pag. 50. he ſaith, The Latitude of my Judgment and Faith is, that if I do Lie, Steal, ſpeak evil words, &c. that I am not a whit the leſs approved of God for ſo doing.

Take notice Reader, he doth not ſay, that it is the Conſequence of the Doctrine I laid down, neither ſaith he, that in all probability, I may grow to ſuch a Faith; but ſpeaketh in the preſent Tenſe, that it is thus with me; and thus I did believe at this very time.

Now I remember, I have read 1 Cor. 2.11. What Man knoweth the things of a Man, ſave the Spirit of a Man that is in him? I know no ſuch thing by my ſelf, that my Faith and Judgment is ſuch, (Yet this he ſaid of me,) yea notwithſtanding all that I ſaid to the contrary in pag. 14. and elſe-where, viz. That Faith ingageth to ſerve the Lord. So that I know not what to make of it, but ſuch a ſlanderous Report as Paul met with, Rom. 3.8. when ſome affirmed that he taught that Men might do evil, that good might come of it. Therefore as it is a ſolemn thing, ſo I do ſolemnly declare, that I know no ſuch thing by my ſelf is … would make me Guilty of: But ſay as before, that I believe that in caſe a Son do offend God his Father, by falling into ſin, God will Correct, and that ſharply; but his loving kindneſs will be not take away from him.

But further this Man ſaith of me, pag. 51. Thou haſt caſt off Chriſt's Yoke and Burden, and endeavoureſt to betray him into the hands of Prieſts and Phariſees.

What he meaneth here by this, viz, betraying Chriſt, caſting off his Yoke and Burden; which I conceive he accounts the denying of the pure Light, (as he calleth it,) in every Man to be the Saviour of the World, is.

As to this Yoke and Burden, I confeſs I have caſt it off; and that likewiſe, viz. looking for Juſtification and acceptance with God by the Works commanded by the Light, and by Obedience to that Light; yet do I walk in Obedience to my Conſcience as my Duty. As to my Converſation, I may ſay with Paul, Acts 24.19. Thoſe that have p. 160known it ought to have Objected againſt me, firſt, if they had whereof … ly to lay to my Charge, and not a Stranger.

So this is the Reward, or part thereof, for ſpeaking the things I experienced upon my heart; but I matter not ſuch Reproaches, I look for them; only this I beg of God, a ſupport under them, and a right Carriage through them. If it be my Lot and Portion, even ſo be it. It is a ſmall matter, as Paul ſaith, to be Judged by others, whethe… have been faithful or no, in what I have writ. Yet I know not … may lead as ſober a Life as S. Criſp, though I do not expect to be Juſtified, or to have my Peace made; or to get into the Love and Favour of God, by theſe Good things wrought in me: But believe they are the Fruits of that juſtifying Love and Favour of God to us, through Faith in Chriſt, without the Deeds of the Law. So that if I be counted a Lier, a Thief, a Blaſphemer, a wicked Perſon; not fit to be believed in Words, or truſted in Actions; it is I ſay, a ſmall matter, it is no more than what was their Lot which went before. And the Scripture hears Witneſs to it, viz. That all manner of evil ſhall be ſpoken of the people of God falſly, for Chriſt's Names ſake: The ſame that comforted Paul, comforteth me; 1 Cor. 4.3, 4. in this Caſe.

Again, I ſay it is a ſmall matter to be Judged by W. Baily, or 8. Criſp, or by a Jury of eleven. I call them a Jury, becauſe a Jury Judgeth according to their Evidence, not knowing the Perſon that Committed the Fact. And ſuch were ſome of theſe. Yet I do not know that I have acted any thing contrary to that which God hath given me in my inward parts.

And therefore, as theſe things have been falſly declared concerning my Faith with what elſe ſoever; I have only this to ſay as my deſire. The Lord lay it not to their Charge but forgive them, and embrace then in the Arms of his Pitty and Compaſſion; Even ſo be it: Amen, and Amen.

I have one thing or Queſtion more to Anſwer, if it be upon the hearts of any one to ask me.

Whether I was of the Quakers Faith and Principle or no?

Which I ſhall Anſwer by way of Querie, and leave it to others to Judg. Though it's poſſible, my Adverſaries may have five words for my one. Yet in this I have rejoyced, that in an hour when they came to try me, my Faith did not fail me, which is more to me than thouſands of Words. Though good Words are good in the place.

p. 161…ther he be of the Quakers Way, Faith and Principle, who Believeth the Light in every Man, which reproveth for ſin, is Jeſus Chriſt the Saviour of … World?

Then was I of their Way, and Principle, according to that I mention… pag. 3. of my Book. But do now ſay, it is a rotten corrupt and …ound thing or Principle, as to the leading or guiding into the know… of the Goſpel, or the way of Salvation that God hath appointed Jeſus Chriſt.

… it will be asked, How can I prove it?

Anſwer, By my own Experience. I found it ſo, as to my ſelf. Of which, I could ſpeak more; but omit it at preſent. And prove it to … unſound thing; (I mean the Light within every Man) to reveal … Goſpel: Becauſe it hath led theſe Men to ſay, in pag. 29. which I … before, viz. That W. Haworth ſaith, It was the Godhead by which … Barbarous people ſaw the Vengeance, when they apprehended Paul to be …e a Murderer.

He ſaith, I have contradicted my Companion.

3. Pag. 5. Criſp ſaith, The Latitude of my Canaan, is to have none of theſe Burdens laid upon me, which burdens, he before reckoned up; is not to Lie, Steal, &c. Which Burdens he ſaith, I have caſt off; And cautions Men how they believe me, and truſt me, &c. Notwithſtanding I had ſaid, in pag. 19. It was the Duty of every Man to walk in the Commandements of God.

4. The ſame Criſp ſaith, It is my Judgment, to believe, that if I do Lie, Steal, &c. or any ſuch wicked thing; I am not a whit the leſs approved of God. Though I had declared my Judgment in my Book to the Contrary. Now I would ask any one to give a Juſt reaſon, why this pure, an infallible, an unerring Light, may not as well lead aſide into ways of Damnation, as to prompt them into the miſunderſtanding of our words; and the Declaration of our Faith? I farther Querie.

Querie, Whether this pure infallible unerring Light, (as they call it,) may not ſuffer a Man to reſt in a Righteouſneſs ſhort of the Righteouſneſs which is ſufficient to compleat and perfect Man every way, and to Juſtifie before God, and to bring to everlaſting Peace; as it hath ſuffered theſe to fall into the breach of that Commandement, viz. Thou ſhalt not Bear falſe Witneſs; As they have done, in the four laſt Inſtances. Which things are utterly falſe.

Obj. But if any yet Object againſt all I have ſaid here; and ſay in their hearts; which I queſtion not but many do ſay, That they can & do …ll themſelves upon the Lord (i. e.) The Light within: and their hearts do p. 162not conde… them. They have boldneſs towards God; and that if they …y in this Condition they ſhall be bleſſed.

Anſw. Let theſe but well conſider, Galat. 3.10. Curſed is every … that continues not in all things written in the Book of the Law to do them. Now I Reaſon thus with you; Either ye continue in all that the Law requireth, or no: If you ſay yea; then are you abſolutely perfect, without the leaſt ſin, or ſpot, or preſence of ſin; If ye do not continue, and be not thus, and yet have peace, and your hearts condemn ye not; (as you ſay:) It muſt be from one of theſe two things, which are both falſe, viz. Either becauſe God accounteth that to be ſin to one which he doth not account to be ſin to another; Or that God will not Condemn a Man for ſin committed in Ignorance. As if a Man Commit Adultery in his heart unawares, if his Conſcience ſmite him not for it, but he dyeth without trouble in his Conſcience for it; that ſuch an one goeth to bleſſedneſs, whereas Chriſt deſired forgiveneſs of his Father for them who knew not what they did.

Obj. If any will ſay, that our words are darkly ſpoken, and ſo that they could not be otherwiſe underſtood.

Anſw. They were not ſo dark, but many have underſtood them aright, which pretended not Immediate Revelation, nor Infallibility, as ye do: Is it not ſtrange then, that Men that pretend not to obey the Light as their Rule, ſhould underſtand them aright; and God, (as ye call the Light) ſhould not inſtruct ye aright in theſe things? Seeing all things are naked and bare before him, and there is nothing too hard for him to know. The ſum is this then, viz. That which erreth in the leſs will ſurely err in the greater; Or that which inſtructeth amiſs in thoſe of ſmaller, will inſtruct amiſs in thoſe things that are of a higher Concernment; and therefore it is unſound. But, as I have ſaid, this pure Light in every Man hath inſtructed theſe men amiſs, as to the underſtanding of our words, and demonſtration of my Faith and Judgment; therefore it doth certainly miſlead, as to the right underſtanding of the Goſpel, and the Principles pertaining thereunto; and therefore it is corrupt. And as we ſaid before, that which will ſuffer a Man to reſt in the breach of any one Commandment, will ſuffer him to reſt in the breach of any other of them; and conſequently, ſuffer him to reſt in the Righteouſneſs which will not Juſtifie before God: But the Common Light in every Man, hath ſuffered theſe Men to do the Firſt, therefore the ſecond likewiſe, to take up in a Righteouſneſs wherein they live; and which was wrought in them by the Light which they call the Spirit. But to return to my buſineſs in hand.

p. 163Quer. 2. Whether he be of the Quakers Faith and Principle, who Believeth that the power which accompanieth the Light and reſtraineth Man from …ng ſome evil, is the power of God unto Salvation, if it be obeyed? If ſo, … was I one.

Quer. 3. Whether he be of the Quakers Faith and Principle, that ex…eth to be Juſtifyed, accepted with God: and to have reconciliation made, in with, or through that Righteouſneſs in which he liveth; acted in … perſon: wrought by Chriſt; (as they ſay; i. e.) The Light and Power within? Then was I of their Faith.

Quer. 4. Whether he be of the Quakers Faith and Principle, that yield…th ſubmitteth, hearkneth to, or obeyeth that Light and power in him for that very end, viz. to be Juſtified, to be brought into the Love and Fa…ur of God, to have his Peace made by thoſe Works wrought in him? Then, … I a Quaker?

Quer. 5. Whether is he of the Quakers Faith and Principle, That believeth, that the Waſhing, Cleanſing, the Purifying, by with or through the Blood of Jeſus Chriſt, is only that Life, and Light, and Power that is within Man, when he gets any ſtrength by attendance hereunto, over any … and iniquity, and is led into any thing that is good. In which ſence, I … prayed that I might be waſhed in the Blood of Chriſt, and cleanſed from all my ſins. Yea many a time when I was in my diſtreſſed Condition. If ſo, then was I a Quaker.

Quer. 6. Whether he be of the Quakers Way, Faith, Spirit and Principle, that believes that no Man of himſelf is able and ſufficient to keep the Law of God; it being weak through the Fleſh, to bring to Eternal Life therefore Chriſt the Light, Life, and Power within, doth work in him to change him from darkneſs to Light, and from the Power of Satan to God, to fulfil the Law in us; (i. e.) in our Perſons, to make an end of ſin, and to bring in everlaſting Righteouſneſs, viz. the Righteouſneſs wrought in us. So reconciling man to God, breaking down the middle Wall of Partition; deſtroying the Works of the Devil, Sin and Wickedneſs, all within, no where elſe, and in no wiſe elſe. Of this kind was my Faith for ſome time.

Quer. 7. Whether he be of the Quakers Spirit Way, Faith, and Principle, that through Chriſt, (i.e.) the Light, Life and Power within Man, thinks he ſhould be carried up, freed from ſin, and live in holineſs before Chriſt, as the perſon of Jeſus Chriſt was 1600 years ſince, for an example to us, being obedient to the Call of the Lord, as they ſay, in my inward parts. So I believed formerly.

p. 164Quer. 8. Whether he be of the Quakers Faith and Principle, who Believeth, yea the Frame of his Spirit is, to ſay, when he ſeeth Man go on in wickedneſs, Thou mayeſt be Righteous if thou wilt; if thou wilt but obey the voice of the Lord in you: (i. e.) The Light which calleth to you in your inward parts, he will deliver you from ſin; for he delighteth not in the death of a Sinner.

Theſe I once held, with ſeveral others, which I paſs by for brevity ſake; as concerning the Taking an Oath, the Sabbath, the Law of Moſes, &c.

Now, if he be of the Quakers Faith, which thus believeth, then was I. For the declaring whereof, I have ſuffered Reproach, and that none of the leaſt, becauſe of a ſimilitude uſed by me; inſomuuh, that I am declared to be a Lyar, a Thief, a Wronger of my Neighbour, and ſeveral more, as may be ſeen; When they ſay, I have caſt off Chriſt's Yoke and Burden: and the Latitude of my Canaan, is to have none of theſe things laid upon me. He muſt of neceſſity mean that I am become a Thief, and a Lyar, &c. Otherwiſe there would be no need to give notice unto Men, how they believed me in my words, or truſted me in my actions, &c. But my Reproaches are not at an end; but I do look for more day by day, Knowing it is my Lot and Portion; and ſo would reſign up my ſelf to undergo them. What they may be, the Lord knoweth.

William Dimſdel. From Ware in Hartfordſhire, June the 20th. 1674.

An Index of ſome Scriptures, opened in this Treatiſe.

FINIS.