Truth Held Forth and Maintained, Part 1 · Chapter 22 – Chapter 23
CHAP. XXII. Concerning Wars and Fightings, being contrary to the Command of God by Jeſus Chriſt, and Example of his holy Apoſtles.
IF People would but follow Truth and Righteouſneſs, they would do to one another as they would be done unto, which is the Law and the Prophets, Mat. 12. Luke 6.31. then would there be an end of all Wars and Fightings, which until men come to the firſt Miniſtration of the Law and the Prophets, to do even as they would be done unto, they are far from the Covenant of Life, Light and Grace by Jeſus Chriſt, whoſe doctrine to his Diſcip…es, by many is not minded, as they ought to do, or elſe they would put up the Sword; for Chriſt hath ſaid, All they that take the Sword, ſhall periſh with the Sword, Mat. 26.52. whoſe Doctrine is in general for all men to obſerve and do, that thereby they may perform the command of God, and live the Life of Obedience unto him, who hath ſaid, all they that take the Sword, ſhall periſh with the Sword; by which People may ſee and know, (beſides what daily experience teacheth) that they which take the Sword, periſh with the ſword; by which they may ſee the woful effect of their uſe of means, as they call it, which is, according to the ſpirit of God by his Prophet, …urſed b… the man, that truſt th…in man, and maketh Fleſh his Arm Jer. 17.5. Then is not man departed from the command of the Lord, when he takes the Sword, with which Chriſt hath ſaid, they that take it; ſhall periſh with it? Can there be a more plainer ſaying in the holy Scriptures for People to underſtand, then the ſaying of Chriſt to Peter, Put up the Sword, for all they that take the ſword, ſhall Periſh with the Sword; which doth manifeſt …he uſe of the Sword, to deſtroy the lives of each other, not to be the …rdinance of God; for Chriſt came not to deſtroy mens …ves, but to ſave and make alive. And his holy Apoſtle …ueries, Do not Wars and fightings come even of mens Luſts, …hat war in their members? Jam. 4.1. which notwithſtanding Chriſt, and his holy Apoſtles their ſayings, People …un back in their minds, as Iſrael, when in diſtreſs, turned …heir minds to Egypt for help; even ſo do People diſtruſt … this day, as if there was no God in Iſrael to ſave, but … run back in their minds to what Abraham and David, and divers others of Gods faithfull Servants did againſt the Enemies of God in the time of the Law, which is no way lawfull for Chriſtians to do in the time of the Goſpel; for the holy men of God, in the time of the Law, did deſtroy People by Curſing them in the Lords Name, and deſtroyed m…n, others by fire from Heaven, which if ſuch things were lawfull in the time of the Goſpel, as was lawfull in the time of the Law, then every falſe Preacher is to be deſtroyed now in this Goſpel day, even as they were deſtroyed in the time of the Law; for though they do not preach up a falſe God, yet they preach the true God in a falſe way, which no whit differs in ſin againſt God in this Goſpel day, no more then the ſin of Baals prieſts did in the time of the Law; but as the Lords People are to pray, and do pray, that the Lord may turn the hearts of all ſuch to preach the true God in the true way of living unto him in Truth and Righteouſneſs, with uprightneſs of heart and mind, according as of God, by Jeſus Chriſt, they are commanded to do, then would they preach againſt the uſe of the Sword, and pray for the return of their Enemies, which is according to the command of Chriſt, who directs not any of his true begotten Children, to follow Abraham, David nor any other of the Lords Servants, with the uſe of the Sword in the time of the Law, which was to cut down, and lay waſte their Enemies Country, that it might be an outward holy Land for the Lords People to remain in, and ſerve him in Truth and ſincerity of heart and mind, according to the Commandments of God which they had received ſo that all what was done in the time of the Law, in reſpect of wars and fightings, they were all to end in the time of the Goſpel; for Chriſt is the end of all war, ſtrife and contention, for Chriſts day was before Abraham, who trained up his Servants to fight the Lord Battel againſt the outward Ennemies of Gods Truth, which is fulfilled by Jeſus Chriſt, who hath commanded us to pray for Enemies; for he ſuffered Death for all, and doth not deſire that any ſhould periſh, but that all might turn and live, and for that end, he doth not with-hold the Sword of his Spirit from his Servants and Children, but trains them up to fight the Lords Battel againſt the ſpiritual Enemies, which oppoſe his Truth, and ſtrive to hinder the proſperity of his Peoples peace, towards the holy Land or ſpiritual abode in heavenly Reſt, which Enemies are the World, the Freſh and D…vil, and all whatever elſe doth tend to hinder the ſoul of true enjoyment (with …he Lord) of Reſt; ſo that now in this Goſpel day, it is by the Sword of the Spirit, by which the Kindom of God is advanced in the hearts of his People, who pray to the Lord o… Life to teach their ſpiritual hands to right the Lords Battel againſt the Enemies of their Peace with him, ſo as Iſrael of old were to deſtroy all Gods outward Enemies with the outward Sword, for the outward advancing the outward Kingdom of Iſrael, in the outward La…d of Canaan, ſo are the People of God in this day, with the inward Sword of his ſpirit, to maintain now in their inward Travail to the heavenly Canaan, againſt all the inward Enemies which would hinder the advancing of Gods Kingdom by Jeſus Chriſt in his People, by whom they receive ſtrength to fight the Lords ſpiritual Battel againſt the Enemies of their ſoul; and as Iſrael of old, did not perform the command of the Lord by the mouth of his Prophets, to deſtroy all them outward Enemies out of their Land, for which cauſe they remained as Thorns in their ſides, ſo will it be with them, that reſerve alive any one inward Enemy to Gods Truth; for every Enemy to his Truth, ſeeks to draw the heart and mind from ſerving God in the true and living way, even as in the outward with Iſrael, in that day of the Lords command, to deſtroy all them that were outward Enemies to his Truth, which Iſrael, not fulfilling the word of the Lord, them Enemies were as ſnares and gins to draw their minds from ſerving the true and living God, by which they not obeying the word of the Lord, they by their enemies were drawn into Idolatry to worſhip the gods of the Nation, which were no godds to ſave Iſrael from the juſt hand of God, through whoſe juſt Judgments they received their reward from …he Lord, which ſuffered them, for their diſobedience, to be deſtroyed by the hand of their outward Enemies, ſo as Iſrael was to fulfill Gods command to deſtroy their outward Enemies, by, or with the outward Sword of the Lords outward Battel, againſt them that were outward Enemies to the true Worſhip of God in that day, even ſo are the inward Enemies of mans ſoul to be deſtroyed by or with the ſpiritual Sword, which is to fight the Lords ſpiritual Battel, againſt the ſpiritual Enemies, which would hinder the inward man of the true inward Worſhip of God in the Spirit and in the Truth, ſo as the Rebellion in dayes paſt, did not regard the Sword of the Lord, who of long time after did ſtrive with his People in that day of their outward War, againſt their outward Enemies, and they would not hearken to obey the Word of the …ord by the mouth of his Prophets, but beat one and deſtroyed another, till at length, through unbelief and hardneſs of heart, they crucified the Lord of Life, whom they put to open ſhame without their City gates, for which cauſe, their day was over, and their Houſe became deſolate, even ſo will it be with the Rebellious in this day, who reſerve Gods ſpiritual Enemies, by keeping them alive whom God hath appoynted to be deſtroyed, which for not obeying the command of God by his Son, the Lord of Li…e, but refuſe the tenders of his Grace, by his gifts of divine Light and Word of his Spirit, which keeps ſtriving from day to day, and from time to time, until their day be over, and Houſe be left deſolate; for the Spirit of God vvill not alvvays ſtrive vvith man; which is matter of great vveight for all to conſider, that they may ſo live in obedience to the manifeſtation of Gods Spirit, that they may come to vvitneſs every evil Luſt of the heart, and corrupt deſire of the mind, vvhichwhich are the invvard Enemies to God and mans Soul, that they may not reſerve or keep any one alive, but keep all dovvn vvith the ſpiritual Svvord of Gods Povver, in and through the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, vvho vvith-holds not from any that are vvilling to take up the Croſs to their natural will, and follovv him, to gain the Crovvn, vvhichwhich is far from them that luſt after War and Fighting vvith the outvvard Svvord, vvhichwhich hath no relation tovvards the promoting of Gods Kingdom by Jeſus Chriſt, vvho hath ſaid, all they that take the Sword ſhall periſh with the Sword; vvhichwhich is according to the Apoſtles Query, From whence come Wars and Fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your Luſts, that war in your Members? ye luſt, and have not, ye kill, and deſire to have, and cannot obtain; ye fight and war, yet ye have not, becauſe ye ask amiſs, that you may conſume it upon your Luſt, Jam. 4.1, 2, 3. Then they vvhichwhich ask cannot receive, becauſe thay ask that vvhichwhich God hath forbidden; they luſt to kill, and ask. Victory, that they may ſpend it on their luſt, but their reward is to be according to Chriſts vvords, all that take the ſvvord, ſhall periſh vvith the Svvord.
But ſome vvill ſay, If the Spirit move the Quaker, he will ſell his coat and buy a Sword to fight for his Religion.
To which I Anſwer,
That Chriſt ſent his Diſciples vvithout Purſe, and Scrip, and Shoos, yet they lacked nothing, notvvithſtanding he ſaid unto them, He that hath a Purſe, let him take it, and likewiſe his Scrip and he that hath no Sword, let him ſell his Garment and buy one, for I ſay unto you, that this that is written, muſt yet be accompliſhed in me. So he that had no Svvord, vvas to ſell his Garment and buy one, that the uſe of the Sword, according to the Righteouſneſs of the Lavv, might befulfilled by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, vvho ſaid unto them that two Swords were enough, Luke 22.35, 36 37, 38. Then ſeeing that tvvo Svvords vvere enough, for the Diſciples of Chriſt, by vvhom the uſe of the Svvord vvas fulfilled by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, as to the Lavv, then vvhoſe Unrighteouſneſs is that, vvhichwhich the many Svvords are fulfilling in this day? for the uſe of the Sword, as to the Righteouſneſs of the Law, is fulfilled by the Righteouſneſs of Chriſt, which ſuffered his Body to be pierced for the ſins of the People, that all might witneſs him to be the end of all War, Strife and Contention; for if his Kingdom had been of this World, he could have prayed to the Father, and the Father would have ſent him more then twelve Legions of Angels, and this was in full ſatisfaction to Peter, which was after Peter had put up the Sword, when Chriſt ſaid to him, all they that take the Sword, ſhall Periſh with the Sword, which doctrine is true, as by the Spirit of God, and holy ſcripture, with daily experience, which teaches the ſame; but Faith and Patience of the Lords People, witneſs the Kingdom of Chriſt, not to be of this World, for which cauſe, they cannot fight for him with the carnal Sword; for the Spirit of God doth not change in his People, to command them from a thing that is evil one time, and another time move them to do it; for the Spirit of God, by Jeſus Chriſt, moves his People in the way of holineſs, in which holy Way of Righteouſneſs, they have born their faithful Teſtimonies for Gods holy Truth, againſt Fighting, to defend their Faith by or with the carnal Sword, or to take up any ſuch like evil Practice again; for Gods way of bringing his People nearer to him, is by Jeſus Chriſt, whoſe Kingdom he will more and more exalt in the hearts of the ſaithful, and not with the uſing of any carnal Weapon, but by the Power of his own Spirit, Ezek. 4.6. in which ſtate they deſire the wellfare of all men, both Soul and Body, and not as many do, to kill the Body and ſay, they deſire the wellfare of their Souls, whoſe Bodies they have deſtroyed; for the Spirit of God meaneth not any ſuch thing, as to deſtroy mens Bodies with the carnal Sword, and ſay they deſire the wellfare of their ſouls; for according to Chriſts Doſtrine, he that deſtroyes the Body of his Enemy cannot love the Soul of his Enemy, for Chriſt came to ſave both Soul and Body, and through the Power of God in him, are many redeemed, which by nature were Enemies …nto him; then what more can be ſaid, are not men by rature Enemies to one another? then come to the Law and the …rophets, and do even as ye would be done unto, for if you will be beloved of God in Chriſt, you muſt love both Soul and Body of your Enemies, even as Chriſt hath done unto them which have been Enemies unto him, for Love covers a multitude of faults, and Love leads them that are faithfull to God, to keep the ſayings of Chriſt, who hath commanded to pray for Enemies, and to do good unto all men, by which they may be the Children of their Father which is in heaven, in which ſtate the Kingdom of this World may become the Kingdoms of Jeſus Chriſt, that the Prophets ſaying may be fulfilled, that Nation ſhall not lift up Sword againſt Nation, neither ſhall they learn War any more, Iſa. 2.4. Mich 4.3. untill which time, the ſaying of Chriſt is fulfilled, upon them that take the Sword, which muſt periſh with the Sword; then happy are they that are yet living in the Body, and have known the end of all War, Strife and Contention, for unto their Number Will be the gathering of them that ſhall not lift up the Sword one againſt the other, neither learn war any more, of which Number are the deſpiſed of this day, who ſtrive to maintain Peace, by denying all Wars and Fightings with the carnal Sword, or of the like Nature.
CHAP. XXIII. Concerning Conſcience, which juſtifies the Ways of the Righteous, and condemneth the unrighteous Works of the Wicked.
MAny People talk of Conſcience, among vvhom ſome there are vvhoſe Hearts are ſo hardned, that their Conſciences are ſeared, as vvith a hot Iron, ſuch are in the depth of Iniquity againſt God and his Chriſt, and many are they that have ſo little regarded Conſcience, that they have ſinned out the Day of Gods Grace, and many more are travailing in the broad Way of Deſtruction, and fevv there be that knovv vvhat Conſcience is, or the Nature of a good Conſcience tovvards God and all men; for the Righteouſneſs of God is held in a pure Conſcience, by vvhichwhich the fruits of their righteous Works are manifeſt in the ſight of God, and in the ſight of men; but the Righteouſneſs of the World is Unrighteouſneſs vvith God; for their Righteouſneſs is held in a corrupt Conſcience of their own Unrighteouſneſs, vvhichwhich is to themſelves for Deſtruction; but vvhere there is any thing of Life in heart, mind and ſpirit, as to the things of God, vvhichwhich concern the Wellfair of the Soul, there is Conſcience at vvork, either excuſing or accuſing, according as their vvords, thoughts & actions are before the Lord, vvhichwhich ſearcheth the heart, and giveth to every man according to the Fruits of his ovvn Works, vvhether of Faith and Obedience, or of Unbelief and …iſobedience, vvhichwhich the Witneſs of God vvith every and …iſobedience, vvhichwhich either juſtifie or condemn; for all men ſhall be tryed by their Deeds done in the Body, and accordingly they ſhall receive from the Lord, the righteous Judge of Heaven & Earth, vvho vvill call all to an Account in the great Day of his Coming to judge the Quick and the Dead, then happy vvill it be vvith them vvho have made good Conſcience in all things of this Life, towards God and all men; for the Day is coming, in which Fear and Dread ſhall come upon all the Ungodly, vvho have not made Conſcience of Obedience to the Name of the Lord Jeſus, vvho is largely manifeſted, and many have and do believe and confeſs, and ſhevv their Deeds, as many have already …one, vvho have brought out their Books of curious Arts, …nd burnt them in the preſence of men, the loſs of which to …hem vvas gain, though the price thereof amounted to fifty thouſand pieces of Silver, Acts 19.17, 18, 19. and ſuch vvere they, that by believing made good Conſcience before God in the ſight of men, vvhichwhich if all vvould live up in obedience to the Witneſs of God, they vvould come to the improvement of the like Conſcience before God.