Railing Rebuked, Title page – Dedication
Rayling Rebuked: OR, A Defence of the MINISTERS OF THIS NATION: By way of Anſwer to the Vnparrallel'd Calumnies caſt upon them in an Epiſtle lately publiſhed by Thomas Speed Merchant of Briſtol, unhappily become the QUAKERS Advocate.
WHEREIN, Some Scriptures are opened, and diverſe things Objected by the QUAKERS, EXAMINED and ANSWERED.
With an Hortatory Epiſtle prefixed to faſten Chriſtians to Jeſus Chriſt in theſe un-glewing times, wherein ſo many play faſt and looſe with him.
By William Thomas Miniſter of the Goſpel at Ubley.
Mat. 6. 23.
If the light that is in thee be darknes, how great is that darknes? 1 Cor. 4. 13. We are made as the filth of the world, the off-ſcouring of all things.
Luke 10. 16.
He that deſpiſeth you, deſpiſeth me.
Gal. 4. 17.
They would exclude you, (that is, ſhut you out from loving me and all true Paſtors, ſaith Paul) that you might affect them.
Tertull. praeſcript. adverſ. Haeret.
Avolent quantum volunt paleae levis fidei quocunque ad ſlatu tentationum, cò purior maſſa frumenti in horrea Domini reponetur.
London, Printed by T. M. for Edward Thomas, and are to be ſold in Green-Arbour, 1656.
To my reſpected and well beloved Friends and Neighbours, in and about the Citty of Briſtol; thoſe in particular of my own Charge; and in ſpecial, thoſe that by the tentation of theſe times, have ſadly, and dangerouſly declined from the Scripture-path.
THat I do in the firſt place make mine addreſſe to you (my honoured Friends) in that great City, ſhall not be (I truſt) otherwiſe apprehended then as a teſtimony of my Chriſtian reſpect, and deſires of your ſpiritual good. Beſides that the buſineſs in hand ſtands in ſo neer a relation unto you, as to call upon me (as I conceive) to call upon you, and exhort you all, in theſe looſe and leaving times, that with purpoſe of heart you would cleave unto the Lord aActs. 11. 23.. It is the Fate (ſhall I ſay) or rather the great fault of eminent places, to entertaine and profeſſe religion by way of faction, rather then out of election upon ſolid grounds, or with that reverence and awfull affection that is required in religious Undertakings: Hence a new Faction cauſeth a new Defection, I do not mention this as willing to fix an imputation upon you, whereof there is no reaſon, but yet I offer it to your moſt ſerious conſideration and care, that there may not be juſt cauſe of ſuch a cenſure. And, however that be, I hope I ſhall be excuſed in making my application thither where he that will needs be mine adverſary hath his abode, and where many of the ſame erronious and apoſtatiſing way with himſelf, are ſo entertained b2 John 10 11.and countinanced, (I do not ſay by all,) that I cannot but preſent it as a matter of deep humiliation to that (otherwiſe honourable) City; eſpecially conſidering how the infection hath ſpread it ſelfe thence into all adjacent parts. Laſtly, out of that Citty the Pamphlet that I am called to anſwer hath poſted about the Nation: As concerning which, I leave it to all that have any ſenſe of religion, to conſider whether they ever knew ſo ſtrange and ugly a thing, I may ſay, ſuch a Monſter brought to Briſtol-Fair to be ſhewed there firſt, and carried about the Countrey to be ſeen afterward. But be it what it will be, ſince it is come abroad, and that upon my occaſion (though altogether beyond my intention) I cannot but account my ſelfe ſo far concerned in it, as to do mine endeavour that they that fear God may not take hurt from it, (I mean ſome weak ones, for eſtabliſhed Chriſtians deteſt it) and that they that fear not God may not take heart from it, and animate themſelves againſt Gods Ordinances; yea further, that it may not ly as a guilt upon this Nation, that ſuch things are publiſhed to the great diſhonour of God and Religion, without any refutation, contradiction, or pleading for truth. cIſa. 59. 4.If herein my declining abilities may be any way uſefull, I am willing to ſet them all a work (with much deſire of divine aſſiſtance) to ſerve that Citty and Countrey, where (beſide my imployment in my own place) I have divers times beſtowed my paines, now for the ſpace of neer fourty years, to preach and mantaine that Scripture-doctrine, and thoſe Scripture-Ordinances, which this upſtart generation thruſts ſore at to make them fall, but all in vaine, for heaven and earth ſhall paſſe away, but not one tittle of Gods heavenly truth dLuk. 16. 17..
What I have hitherto ſpoken is but preparatory to that which followeth, which will reflect (according to the Title of the Epiſtle) upon two ſorts of perſons, I mean thoſe that have ſtood firm, and thoſe that have loſt their firſt footing and firſt faith.
Unto the firſt of theſe, who have held faſt thoſe things which they have received and heard from their Teachers out of the word of God (among whom, I thank God, I may and do ſpeak to thoſe of my owne Charge) I ſay, to ſuch I have three things to communicate.
Firſt, that they are much bound to bleſſe God for his unſpeakable gift, it being Hee, and Hee alone that 1. …is able aJude. 24.and faithfull b2 Theſ. 3. 3to keep us from falling. Nor can it but much affect them, upon ſerious thoughts that when (in theſe infected and infecting times) ſo many have fallen on the one hand, and ſo many on the other, vet that ſpiritual cPſ. 92. 11.peſtilence hath not come nigh them; eſpecially conſidering how many falſe Prophets have ariſen, and with how many faire ſhews and ſeeming wonders, they have ſet forth their wares, in ſo much that they would have deceived (if it had been poſſible) the very elect dMat. 24. 24.. In that ſo many of you (therefore) are preſerved, O how great cauſe is there to conclude as the Apoſtle in the ſame argument doth, To the only wiſe God our Saviour be glory and Majeſty, dominion and power, now and ever Amen. Jude ver. 25. Secondly, I ſhall ſay further to ſuch as the Apoſtle doth. Dearly beloved and longed for, our joy and our Crown 2.(when Apoſtates crown us with thorns) ſo ſtand faſt in the Lord ePhil. 4. 1., and for that purpoſe put on the whole Armour of God that ye may be able to ſtand againſt the wiles of the Devill fEpheſ. 6. 11., and thoſe profundities gRev. 2. 24., which the old Serpent produceth in theſe laſt dayes, finding his uſual devices h2 Cor. 2. 11.to be ſo well known, that he had need betake himſelf to his new depths: You have put your hand to the plough, look not back. iLuk. 9. 62.Be old Diſciples kAct. 21. 16.Nothing is more ſinfull; nothing more ſhameful then to give off at laſt, and to be befooled and bewitched out of a good way. lGal 3. 13. & 5. 7.Let it never be ſaid, you have, but you doe, your will, you ever will, run well; make it your higheſt deſigne to die in Jeſus m1 Theſ. 4 14.. When you ſee any, when you ſee ſo many fall away, think that your Saviour is now ſpeaking to you in particular, and ſaying (even as affectionately as of old he did.) Will ye alſo go away nJoh. 6. 67.? If ye will go, whither will ye go? to Arians? enemies to Chriſts Perſon, to Ranters? enemies to his Precepts and Purity, to Quakers? enemies to his Ordinances and Officers. If it ſeem evill to you to follow the Lord oJoſh. 24. 15., you may go after ſuch companions; But doth that ſeem evill? Is it evill to follow the chiefeſt good? or can you follow and enjoy him, and not hear his voice pJoh. 10. 27., and attend his Ordinances qPſal. 65. 4? Know that nothing but the words of eternall life will make an eternall Diſciple rJoh. 6. 68. If others be gone, let them return to you, but do not you turn to them ſJer. 5. 19.. Finally, look to your ſelves (and deſire the Lord to look to you) that we looſe not the things we have wrought, but that we may receive a full reward, Joh. 2. 8.
Thirdly, I have one word more; It is eaſy and obvious to obſerve that many poore, profane Creatures, who have nothing of the power of godlineſſe in them, yet bleſſe themſelves in this, that they be not Separatiſts, Anabaptiſts, Quakers, (which they that are ſuch have cauſe to look upon as a ſad fruit of their falling a way) I ſhall therefore earneſtly move thoſe Chriſtians that have not been removed, as others, in theſe tottering times, to expreſſe the power of that truth in their whole ſoules and lives, to which God in ſo great mercy, and with ſo great power hath held their hearts; which I do the rather mention, 1. Becauſe that is the way to keep for ever the truth hitherto kept, for faith that is the doctrine of religion is held in conjunction with a good conſcience; If you put away the conſcience, you will make ſhipwrack of the faith t1 Tim. 1. 19, 20.; It is the life of religion that preſerves the light. 2. This will put to ſilence the ignorance of fooliſh men u1 Pet. 2. 15., whoſe moſt plauſible argument againſt a right religion, is an unrighteous converſation. 3. This is a courſe to confirm thoſe that yet ſtand firm, who ſhall receive the moſt familiar & operative conviction of the ſoundnes of your religion and theirs in matter of opinion, by the efficacy thereof in the holines of your carriage; for that which is the truth of God indeed, is deſcribed to be a truth which is after godlines aTit. 1. 1.. That is, it teacheth to live Soberly, Righteouſly and godly bTit. 2. 12.. They who have been taught as the truth is in Jeſus, put of the former converſation and put on a better cEheſ. 4. 21 22, 23, 24., Yea, 4. By this you may poſſibly regain thoſe that are, inpart departed, for why ſhould not that good converſation that is one meanes to bring an Heathen to be a Chriſtian d1 Pet. 2. 12. & 3, 1., be a means alſo, to bring a revolted Chriſtian to be a right Chriſtian.
And to thoſe who are ſo revolted I am next to ſpeak; which I confeſſe is a very heavy taſk, not only becauſe their going back is ſo godleſſe, (for to be without God, and without a teaching Prieſt and without Law, go together e2 Chron. … 15 3., and how farr they put away the two latter, wherein God is injoyed, their writings ſhew; I ſay therefore not onelyonly becauſe their going back is ſo godleſſe, and thereupon, ſo grievous to think and ſpeak of) but alſo becauſe their return (I meane of the chiefeſt of them) is ſo hopeleſſe and the more hopeleſſe becauſe their hearts are ſo high; In theſe dayes they that have got a new opinion, are like prodigals that have newly got their portion, they go into a far country from their fathers houſe, and when they have done that, think none in a more noble condition then themſelves; But becauſe all are not gone alike, and that God who hath perſwaded Japheth to dwell in the tents of Shem, fGen. 9. 27, can perſwade thoſe that be gon furtheſt, yet to goe their way forth by the footſteps of the flock and againe to feed beſide the ſhepheards tents. gCant. 1: 8.. That is, to walk as they were wont, with the true ſheep after the true ſhepheards; I ſhall therefore offer ſuch aſſiſtance as I can give (and which the Lord can make to take) by opening the cauſes of declining, and adjoyning the remedies.
The cauſes are either within or without.
1. Within I And the great cauſe and ſum of cauſes within is the corruption of nature. If the prince of this World adventured on our Saviour himſelfe in whom hee fonnd nothing hJoh. 14. 30, no marvel if hee preſume hee ſhall be ſucceſſefull with us in whom hee findes ſo much, I meane ſo much of that pravity which makes ſo much for his purpoſe.
In particular, there is within us.
1. An unbelieving heart iHeb. 3. 12. 1., the very character whereof is, that it departs from the living God iHeb. 3. 12.; theſe are the dayes wherein Chriſtians do not only profeſſe that they can live without, but pretend to be above ordinances; which is an height ſo ſtrange, that we may be aſtonied at it; ſo ſhameful, that we may bluſh and be confounded at it; ſo dangerous, that we may feare and tremble at it. What? Above that, which Chriſt himſelfe hath ordained them to be under, and that to the end of the world kMat. 28. 19, 20., as his way to their happineſs! would they ever do this, if they did believe, either the promiſe of life made to hearing lIſa. 55. 3., or the threatning of unavoidable deſtruction denounced againſt deſpiſing mHeb. 2. 3.? But when men be of this minde, that no good or comfort is to be had in ordinancecommunion, (perhaps becauſe themſelves have wanted it, for that they did not rightly, humbly and patiently ſeek it) no marvel if there be ordinance-deſertion; when men change faith into fancy, no mervail if they change Religion into frenſy 2 Tim. 3. 9.
2. An unſtable heart, led away with diverſe luſts n2 Tim. 2. 3. 6. 2 Pet. 3. 16., that is, light deſires; inconſtant and alternant motions; longing after every thing and pleaſed with nothing long. How many be there, whoſe light is weak, but luſts, affections, cupidites, ſtrong? No marvail if with ſuch a new man and a new matter, like new wine, work mightily; and if ſuch Athenian eares be quickly turned from the Truth to Fables 2 Tim. 4. 3, 4.
3. A carnal heart a1 Cor. 3. 3., wherein there is a great deſire to hear Miniſters of parts, for their Parts; not but that parts are to be regarded for their good uſe, and becauſe by greater and quicker abilities, Gods Word is opened more clearly to the underſtanding, or preſt more powerfully upon the conſcience; thus to love parts, that is, for the Word and the good ſervice they do in the things of God, is very good; but on the other ſide, to love the Word for the good Parts; that, in regard of the Chriſtian that is ſo taken & miſtaken, is a dangerous thing, and in-regard of the Word of God, a diſhonourable thing. To have the faith of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt with reſpect of Parts, is much alike as to have it with reſpect of perſons bJam. 2. 1., ſuch are eaſily wafted thether where there is more of the parts, though leſſe of the Word and truth of God, for it is for the great Parts of men that they go, rather than the good Word of God. This is it that undoes great Cities, that people fl…ck to publick Ordinances, as it were in way of recreation, as if Paul, and Apollo, and Cephas, that is, various Miniſters of different gifts, were ſent by Jeſus Chriſt to pleaſe mens ſeveral humours, and that they may run from one to another for their better content; and not (as the truth is) to deliver unto them from God, a …aw of faith and life, which they ought to hear with a trembling ſpirit cIſa. 66. 2., as that whereby they are to be guided here, and accordingly to be judged at that laſt and great day 1 Theſ. 4. 1, 2. Mark 16. 16. John 12. 49.
4. A careleſſe heart; taking the Doctrines of good Miniſters on their words, without obſerving their grounds, and examining (as the noble Bereans did) thoſe Scriptures whereupon they did build the doctrines delivered to their hearers. Hence it comes to paſſe, that though the Word be delivered to them, yet that and their hearts are not delivered to it dRom. 6. 17, but to the Miniſter that is the deliverer of it; upon this followeth that which is worſe; to wit, that when other Teachers ſtep in (eſpecially if they make ſhew of much holineſſe) and deliver contrary things to thoſe they heard before, they take thoſe alſo upon their words that deliver them, and let go the former truths, ſell theſe, and buy thoſe; no wonder, for we may ſay one mans word is as good as anothers; to wit, if the Word delivered, be taken on the bear warrant of the one and the other.
5. A proud heart and a fooliſh e1 Tim. 6. 3, 4. Gal. 3. 1.: Hence the Jewes formerly ſought life in a way of legal righteouſneſſe; to wit, for want of knowledge fRom. 10. 2., and becauſe they were fooles as to ſuffer themſelves to be bewitched; and withall for want of humility, and becauſe they would not ſubmit themſelves unto the righteouſneſſe of God gRom. 10. 3. Papiſts ſince have troad in their ſteps (no mervail, for proud man would fain be his own Saviour) and the Quakers go far this way; for howſoever they ſeem enemies to that pride (which we all condemn) by ſome outward and bodily neglects (wherein the Papiſts go beyond them) yet they and the Papiſts both, diſcover and diſplay a far more dangerous pride, in lifting up as they do, an inward light, and their inherent pretended perfections; yea in all Sects and deviding parties, height of Spirit hath a great part hGal. 4. 17.Gal. 6. 12. 13. John 3. 9.
Theſe are the cauſes within, unto which may be added, Secondly, cauſes and occaſions without; namely theſe,
1. Chriſtians forſaking their fellow Chriſtians: Apoſtacy in Religion begins or at leaſt begins to be ſetled and to ſhew itſelfe in ſeparation and breach of communion i2 Tim. 4. 10., when the Apoſtle ſaith, Let us hold faſt the profeſſion of our ſaith; he ſaith ſoon after, Not forſaking the aſſembling of our ſelves together, but exhorting one another aHeb. 10. 23. 24, 25., for good Chriſtians by mutual exhortations and communications, are not only a comfort, but a guard one to another bMat. 3. 16. It is obſerved that they that Quakers prevail with, are either ignorant perſons and raw profeſſors, or meer Notionaliſts, full of brave words, but that have little of the power of godlineſſe; or elſe men of ſeparating ſpirits.
Hear what he ſaith, that was for a time, and in a great part, one of them: I doe not hear, (ſaith he) nor know any that have been well grown and experienced Chriſtians, maintaining a cloſe communion together, according to the exemplary waies of Chriſt and his Apoſtles, that are thus overcome and betrayed by the ſubtil Wiles of the Devil cThe worlds wonder or the Quakers blazing Star p 33. 54..
2. Their forſaking the Miniſtry: Sheep without a ſhepheard are eaſily made a prey to the Woolf, as Joaſh was, when Jehojada was dead dChron. 24. 7, and the Galatians in Pauls abſence eGal. 1. 6.. Let Chriſtians that have departed from their firſt principles, cōmune with their own hearts, and enquire whether they ſtaid ſo long with their firſt Paſtors, as ſeriouſly to ſeek from them a reſolution of their doubts, and to ſee whether all reaſons of running away, might not have been anſwered: But no marvail if they go out of the way by thoſe that are unfaithful, that never enquire the way of thoſe that are faithful; yea, that forſake their proper guides fHeb. 13. 17.. What would the Deputy have done when Elimas the Sorcerer ſought to bewitch him, if Paul had not ſtood by & come in with his charmes gActs 13. …, 9, 10.? Obſerve therefore that the firſt work of Seducers (that they may prevent all preventions of prevailing) is, to make their new Diſciples abhor their old Teachers; juſt as good-fellowes handle the Prodigal; that is, ſo as to make him deteſt his Fathers houſe, that they may make a prey of him; yea, they do ſo new mould their ſpirits, as that they make them open their mouths in out-cries and curſes againſt thoſe now for whom (to ſpeak in Pauls language hGal. 4. 15.) they would once have pluckt out their eyes; thus as ſomtimes Achitophel counſelled Abſolam, to go into his Fathers Concubines in the ſight of all Iſrael, to make the difference between him and his Father irreconcilable, by that odious act i2 Sam. 16. …1., and thereby to ſecure himſelf: So do Seducers teach their followers a miniſter-reproaching-language and uſage, that ſo they and their former (yea, and all ſound) Teachers, may be at an everlaſting difference, and by that means their hold may be the more firme Gal. 4. 7. Joh. 9. 24.
3. Their forſaking (at length) the ordinance of God, and the outward exerciſe of religion both in the publick congregation and in their own Families. Now when Chriſtians leave the Word, which is the builder up of Saints Acts 20. 32, and the Sacraments that are their Confirming Seals. Rom. 4. 11. And Sabbaths that are the cement of Religion kPſa. 122. 1, 2, 3▪ 4. Iſa. 56. 6. They that joyn themſelves to the Lord & to his ſervants keep the Sabboath.. And that Prayer that is the Chriſtians keeper Jude v. 20, 21. (ſweeping the houſe for the Devil by ſweeping out holy exerciſes, Luke 11. 25.) no marvell if they be ruinous, unſtable, ſhattered, and even loſt creatures.
To adde a little more, now I am engaged in this argument: The precedent diſtempers partly ariſe from, and partly are fomented by ſuch furtherances thereof as I ſhall now ſubjoyne;
To wit,
1. Satan himſelfe; who is as a Murtherer, ſo a Lyar from the begining lJohn 8. 44. 2 Cor. 11. 3., that is, not only a teller of Lies and a maker and moulder of untruthes, but alſo a maker of lyars, and an inſtiller and promoter of all thoſe falſhoods that are in deceived and deceiving men, m1 Kings▪ 22. 21, 22., If there be a man appointed of God to be deceived to his deſtruction, Ile perſwade him, (Saies that Murtherer) If he be aſked where withall? Il'e be a lying Spirit (ſaith that liar) Many talk much of Spirit but Chriſtians muſt not be ſoon ſhaken in mind a2 Theſ. 2. 2, 3., by ſuch Suggeſtions nor ſuffer men to impoſe upon them by the name of Spirit, for perhaps, it may be the ſpirit of Ahabs prophets.
There is a ſaying cited out of Luther, that will give every man reaſon to raiſe a ſuſpicion upon the pretenſions of extraordinary revelation, it is this; Verily God muſt bee inceſſantly implored with feare and humility, otherwiſe truly it may ſoone come to paſſe that the Devil See the Book called A Faithful diſcovery of a treacherous deſign p. 18, 19. 12 Cor. 11. q3.will preſent before our eyes ſuch a fantaſm that we ſhould ſwear it were the true holy Ghoſt it ſelfe, as not onelyonly thoſe ancient Hereticks, but in our time alſo examples which have been, and are ſtill great and dreadfull, doe forwarne.
2. Seducing Teachers, Satans Angels, b who tranſforme themſelves into the apoſtles of Chriſt, and talk (as Apoſtles might of immediate inſpiration; & an infallible ſpirit, who come with new and ſeemingly heavenly lights, and no marvel, for Satan himſelfe that is the deformed prince of darkneſs, is transformed into an Angell of light who uſe good words and fair ſpeeches to deceive the hearts of the ſimple cRom. 16. 18., yea they would deceive (if it were poſſible) the very elect dMat. 24. 24..
3. Evil Neighbours, Satans Agents, as Solomons wives Nehem. 13. 26. And the Arians-wives of Emperiours; for very oft in the wife (as of old) begins the fall; this is true alſo in regard of other infectious company, as in Oſiander Hiſt. Eccleſ. Epit. Cent. 4. ch. 43. lib. 2. & lib. 3 ch. 51.the colloguing Princes of Judah that infected Joaſh after the death of Jehoſada. 2 Chron. 24. 17.
4. The Diſtemper and Apoſtacy of the times, Satans great advantage, dMat. 24. 12.corrupted times are like the infected ayre cauſing a catholike contagion. This is the time wherein old truth (by the knowledge whereof many are now in heaven 1 Tim. 2. 4.) are grown to be out of date, Nor is it ſuch an honour (as of old) to reverence ordinances, but if you walk above them and look upon them as low forms, then you are (with too many) in the higheſt form. The devil formes a great tentation out of ſuch eſtimation.
The Liberty of the times, Satans engine. I meane (as men make uſe of it) it is made great uſe of by Satan for the carrying on of his deſignes, I deny not but it is a mercy which we are greatly to thank God for to have a free liberty to do his will, but liberty of ſuch a latitude as to walk right or wrong in matters of religion without the leaſt feare in any caſe, either of Church or ſtate-cenſure fals into Satans hands as a fit engine, both for the oppoſing conculcating of ſaving truthes, & the ſpreading and cheriſhing of damnable e2 Pet. 2. 2errors, for that old ſerpent knowes, that if he can but obtaine that men may doe what they themſelves will (natural men and hypocrites, which are far the greateſt company, being of his minde and led after his will f2 Tim. 2. 26..) he can eaſily bring them to do what he himſelf will: There John 8. 44.are two reſtraints from evil; government and grace: The former is like hedges and walls to creatures that are wilde: The other is like the gentleneſs and orderlineſs of creatures when they are tamed gIſa. 11. 6.; becauſe ſo few partake in the latter, there is a great deal the more need of the former hPſal. 32. 9..
6. Corrupt and corrupting Books, Satans Library; which yet are not chained and fixed, but flying Books, purpoſely made little, that they may be made nimble, and paſſe with more ſpeed, and at an eaſy rate, to infect the Nation; may we not fear a flying roule will go forth over the face of this God-neglecting Nation, becauſe the wings of ſuch Books are not clipt Zech. 5. 2, 3.
Having been large in the cauſes of declining, I ſhall contract the remedies, the rather becauſe the diſcovery of the cauſes, is it ſelf a remedy; yet for the greater confirmation of thoſe that ſtand, eſtabliſhment of thoſe that ſtagger, and the better raiſing up of thoſe that are fallen down, I ſhall adde theſe enſuing helps.
1. Study the Word of God: There be two Rules and Centers to combine and knit up men in a right way. The firſt, is the Rule and Law of reaſon, that conjoynes men in Civil things and waies of humane wiſdome. Gamaliel was more rational than the reſt of his Society; and to him the whole company agreed, in him the whole Council was concentred aAct. 5. 40.. The ſecond is the Rule of Scripture, that unites men in the things of God, walking by the ſame Rule and minding the ſame things go together bPhil. 3. 16.. By the recited Word and will of God, we finde in Scripture a concurrent and unanimous determination of a great Controverſy cAct. 15. 14, 15, 16, 17, &c. 28. 31. & 16. 4, 5., wherein alſo the Churches of God did with great conſent and content, ſtand reſolved and rejoyce, whatever others think, yet we may ſay as Luther doth dIn his Preface before his Lectures on the Pſalms of Degrees., If our Doctrine be in any danger, it comes of this evil; to wit, the loathing and neglecting of the Word.
For further help from the Word, have recourſe to the Miniſters of the Word, for unity in Gods way, is the work of the Miniſtry. The Prophet Elijah was the great Reducer of the revolted people of God in the old Teſtament e1 Kings 18. 38. 38.. And John Baptiſt (that other Elijah) was the great turning inſtrument in the new Teſtament, to bring in and faſten the Fathers to the Children, the Children to the Fathers, and the diſobedient to the wiſdome of the juſt Luke 1. 17. Seducing Teachers are Removers Gal. 1. 6, 7. but faithful Miniſters are the returners of thoſe that wander f1 Pet. 2. 25., and confirmers of thoſe that are weak, Acts 14. 22. yet not excluding Magiſtrates, who (being pious) are in their way, eminent Reducers into Gods way; as we ſee in Jehoſaphat that dwelt at Jeruſalem, but went out through the people from Berſheba to mount Ephraim and brought them back to the Lord God of their Fathers. 2 Chron. 19. 4.
2. Reverence the Lords Day and all thoſe holy Ordinances, which God hath appointed to be then (eſpecially) exerciſed. It is obſerved that the meeting of the Jewes together in the ſolomn Feaſts, was a great means of uniting them in the knowledge of the CalvinGod of Iſrael, which was then more aboundantly taught gChron. 30. Nehem. 8. 2. 4., and in the true worſhip of God, wherein (then) they were more aboundantly employed.
3. Keep cloſe to good Chriſtians, whoſe character it is to meet together to ſpeak to one another, Mal. 3. 16. and ſo to confirme one another 1 Theſ. 5. 14. If any be unruly, they warn him; if feeble-minded, Pſal. 122. 1, 2, 3, 4.they comfort him; if weake, they ſupport him; and if any of the company do erre from the truth, one or other, if he doth not forſake the Society, will ſet upon him and ſeek to turn him from the error of his way, Jam. 5. 19, 20. It is very obſervable that when Peter was among right Chriſtians at Antioch, he was right himſelf; but when other company came in that were feirce enemies to Chriſtian Liberty, both he (though an Apoſtle) and by his example, divers others, yea, and Barnabas, left their upright walking, Gal. 2. 12, 13, 14.
Now its true that all Sects have their Societies, and they may ſay they keep to thoſe of their owne but its one thing to love & keep company with Chriſtians upon the account of Regeneration & union to the Head (which ſhould be the great reaſon of our love h1 John 5. 1. Pſal. 119. 63., and aſſociating our ſelves with them i) and another to walk with a deviding party in a way of Faction, and becauſe they and we are of one opinion, leaving the company of thoſe in whom there is the ſame gracious work, becauſe there is not the ſame particular way. From this irregularity, it ariſeth that people wander in un-approved wayes without any returne, to wit, becauſe they keep company and correſpondence with thoſe only that are of their own minde, and by whom therefore they are confirmed, but have no intimate and communicative ſociety with others that are of other principles, by whom they might be reſolv'd, inform'd, and (through grace) rectifi'd and reduc'd.
4. Fear and forbear the Society of Seduced and Seducing Perſons; in regard of whom the rule is to turn away aTim. 3. 5, 6., to avoid them bRom. 16. 17., not to go forth at their call and inſtance cMat. 24. 26.: Two great evils accompany the accompanying of ſuch; for either 1. They will be corrupters of thee, Rom. 16. 18. 2 Tim. 3. 6, 7. Or 2. Thou ſhalt be a countenancer of them, whereunto that of the Apoſtle relateth 2. Epiſtle of John 10. 11. If there come any to you and bring not this Doctrine, receive him not into your houſe, neither bid him God ſpeed, for him that bids him God ſpeed is partaker of his evil deeds.
5. Conſider into what extremities they that once looſe their footing, do at laſt fall: Unthrifts that ſell all their Wood from off their Land to maintain vicious courſes, will ſell their Land ſhortly; ſo they that eaſily part with ſome part of that Religion which the Scripture hath eſtabliſht, are like enough (if they be followed cloſe) to fall off from the reſt. O what a long journey have divers Chriſtians taken from their Fathers houſe! who (I believe) never thought of their going ſo far at their firſt ſetting out. Some colour there is for Separation; but then the Separatiſt turns Anabaptiſt; ſome colour alſo there may be for that (and but a colour) but then the Anabaptiſt turns Quaker; and is there any colour for that? for leaving Chriſts colours d2 Pet. 3. 17.? O remember the Rule, Buy the truth and ſell it not eProv. 23. 23.: Part not with any truth, leaſt you part with all; like Chriſtians that pick and chooſe ſome godly Miniſters at firſt, but contemne others, and ſhortly after ſhake off all.
I ſhall here minde you of a double extremity into which they that are called Quakers are fallen, and ſo haſten to a concluſion.
1. Conſider how near they come to Popery, though hoodwincked (its like) and toled into it by a Jeſuiticall ſpirit, which alſo (as this Pamphlet may prove) hath much invaded their writings. Their ſymbolizing Mr. P…yn Mr. Baxter Quak. Catech. p 27.and agreeing with Papiſts, is ſufficiently diſcovered by others, in the particulars; as the contempt of Scripture; pleading for the ſufficiency of the common light, or the light of Nature, that is in all men generally; leaving their callings as Monks and Hermites do, and ſhaking off thoſe to whom they have relation, to ſhift for themſelves; in their pretending to perfection, as if they were without ſin, and to a fulfilling of all Gods commandements, eſpecially in reſting as they do upon an inherent righteouſneſſe, and inſiſting ſtill upon things legall rather than Evangelicall.
It is obſervable (as they ſay that have converſed much Faithful diſcovery of a treacherous deſign, p 12.with them) That there is no mention made in any of their Papers we have yet ſeen, of eternal ſalvation from the wrath to come, or condemnation of hell by any atonement, The Oath of George Cowliſhaw of the City of Briſtol Ironmonger taken Jan. 22. 1654.price, purchaſe, blood-ſacrifice of our mediator without us, but of eternal ſalvation from the dominion of ſin by Jeſus Chriſt, who is eternal life in us.
Of this I need to ſay the leſſe, to thoſe to whom I write, who are by Oath informed of the actings and acceptings of divers perſons in Popiſh Orders, into this deſign, and among this miſerable, miſled company.
Its true (as one ſayes) that Satan transformes himſelf, and theſe men cry out againſt Antichriſt, but what Worlds wonder. p. 40.matter is it if a man call himſelf Knave? its no ſlander: So for Satan to cry out againſt himſelf, is but a ſmall game for him to play incompariſon of ſome other.
2. Conſider further how near they come to Atheiſme; for what is it leſſe than an approach to Atheiſme, not only to forſake, but alſo to be bitterly diſaffected to They who deſire to be acquainted with the myſteries of this way, may be ſatisfied in reading that Book.the Servants and Ordinances of Jeſus Chriſt? For the manifeſtation whereof, I ſhall yet again make uſe of his teſtimony, who being himſelf far gone in the Quakers woful wayes, in the Northern parts, hath more fully than any other that I have read (and that in thankfulneſſe to God for his deliverance from them) made a diſcovery of them.
Firſt then, he demonſtrates theſe men to be led by a ſpirit of Antichriſt, from that ſpirit of enmity, bitterneſſe and prejudice, which is conceived and brought forth in their hearts towards ſuch of the ſervants of God, as walke moſt ſtrictly and orderly in communion together; and eſpecially ſuch as are the Pillars of the truth in the Churches of Chriſt. This I know to be true (ſaith he) by what I obſerved in my own experience, when I was under thoſe Sataniſh-angelical-metamorphoſings; beſide that, I have heard them ſay ſeveral times, their hearts were not drawn out towards the creatures of the world, that they were more tenderly affected Worlds wond q 27.towards ſuch who were meerly Atheiſtical and prophane creatures, then towards ſuch and ſuch Societies, Profeſſions, Profeſſors; to wit, precious, honeſt-hearted men, againſt whom they raile in their Letters to them and yet pretend love.
Secondly, for the Ordinances of God. It muſt needs be (ſaith he) the power of Antichriſt working through See the ſame Book, p 16. 17.deceipt, that robbeth the ſoul of all thoſe former wayes and means wherein the Lord did work faith, knowledge and enjoyments in the hearts of his children, &c.
I have heard them complain exceedingly that they were not wholly taken off ſuch things, but they did finde their hearts hanging upon old deſpenſations, wayes, diſcoveries; all theſe things they ſay muſt be burnt up in them and deſtroyed, and becauſe there is ſo much of them remaining, therefore they be under ſuch agonies. They eſteem alſo that the more the heart is brought off from the meditation and conſideration of Gods former dealing, and the more negligent it is become in reading, hearing, praying, or any ſuch heavenly (and their own once) exerciſe, the more pure and perfect it is become, and if they could altogether ceaſe from them, it would be well with them. They think all acted formerly was the power of the firſt Adam; and therefore being not of Chriſt it ought to be denyed, and thrown away as an abominable thing.
Theſe things and much more you may finde in that Book called, The Worlds wonder, or the Quakers blazing Star, by Edmund Skip, Preacher of the Goſpel to the People at Bodenham in Herefordſhire.
Now can you whom God hath kept from theſe horrible heights hear theſe things, and not exceedingly bleſſe God, by whoſe alone power you have been preſerved? Or, can you that are fallen off throrow your own inconſtancy, facility and ſecurity, read theſe things and not tremble to think what the end will be of ſo dolefull and dangerous a backſliding? O think with your ſelves (each of you) if I that have been guilty of ſo ſad a departing were now a dying. Could I ſay with a good and grounded Conſcience and confidence, Come Lord Jeſus, come quickly? Into thy hands, I commend my ſoule, a ſoule that loves thy Word, thy Sacraments, thy Sabboths, thy Miniſters, thy Saints, far leſſe then it was wont to doe? Will not ſuch things bring thy hoare head with ſorrow to the grave? If ever the Lord be ſo mercifull as to return ſuch (as if they belong to him he will:) O with what weeping and heart-ſmart will they come to ſeek the Lord their God aJer. 50. 4.? And if God do not this, what will become of their poor ſeduced ſoules? Leave this God once, leave this God ſtill, (whom if you do enjoy, you muſt enjoy in Ordinances, Job. 22. 21, 22. Pſal. 65. 4.) and aſſure your ſelves you ſhall never meet with ſuch a God again. The Lord make you to know it, and thereupon make all to know that he hath turned your heart back again. 1 Kings 18. 37.
And this prayer is (after I have been ſo long in this fifth canſideration)
6. The laſt meanes I ſhall propound and way of revocation of revolted Chriſtians. O that they would come again to prayer and faſting! that would caſt out all evils and Devils, Mark 9. 29.
In concluſion, I ſhall advertiſe the Reader, that whereas I write more roundly in this Rejoynder, than I uſe to do, and than I have ever done, (and wherein, if in any thing, I have exceeded in the judgment of wiſe and godly men, I am ready to be reproved) that manner of writting I have been drawn into, not only becauſe the things are ſo groſſe which this Opponent holds, and the ſpirit ſo inſulting with which he holds them forth (a temptation which I have endeavoured to reſiſt) but more particularly for theſe reaſons,
1. Becauſe the Apoſtle directs in ſome caſes *Neque enim ſic cum protervis at indomitis agendum ut cum manſuetis docilibus Calv. in loc.to cutting rebukes, Tit. 1. 13. which I write with fear, leaſt I ſhould take my ſelf, or incourage any other to take a liberty to walk in ſuch a way, unleſſe with a deſire to cure thoſe that are corrupt; or to deter others that are ſuch; or to confirm thoſe the better that are not ſuch, &c. Yet (ſure) all men are not to be dealt with alike, Jude v. 22. 23. and with theſe men both wayes are tryed. I wiſh one or other may doe them good.
2. Becauſe I doubt not but zeale and reſolution is required in pleading for the cauſe of God and againſt the irreligious and injurious uſage of his word and ſervants, eſpeciall when it's covered with ſhews of reaſon and religion.
3. Becauſe it is not reaſonable that by a cold diſcourſe there ſhould be any ſuſpicion that our conſciences accuſe us as this adverſary doth; or that we doubt of the regularity and righteouſneſſe of our calling and carriage, which are here ſo much inveighed againſt: which is the more conſiderable, becauſe ſuch men as he who hath ſet himſelf a work in this Book, are apt to interpret a milde way of Refutation, a ſecret conviction and vertuall conceſſion, that the cauſe is ſuch, that we dare not boldly and ſtrenuouſly give witneſſe to it.
4. That Chriſtians that feare God may not be abuſed and deluded into doubts by the lofty and Thraſonicall Language of this, or any vaunting oppoſite: nor be induced to think by a remiſſe reply that there is ſomething of truth and honeſty in that cauſe of his which is carryed all along with ſo tranſcendent a confidence.
5. Nor is this done without ſome reſpect to Solomon's counſell Prov. 26. 5. that one, that is of ſo great a ſpirit as this writer is (and yet in no wiſer a way) may not be altogether ſo high as otherwiſe he might be in his owne conceipt, or (if he will needs be ſo, yet) that it may be in his owne conceipt only.
I ſhould not have been thus long, but that I account the anſwering of one that declaimes (or exclaimes rather their diſputes far leſs conſiderable than the communicating of ſomething upon this occaſion, (which) (as God hath enabled) I have endeavoured to doe) for the information and conformation of humble, ſincere, and ordinance obſerving Chriſtians.
The Lord give a bleſſing to what I have written, that it may be to thoſe that are firme in their reſolutions for God (as Joſua's ſtone ſometimes was chap. 24. 26, 27.) a ſealing-ſtone: to thoſe that are doubtfull a Touchſtone, yeelding ſome aſſiſtance for a right diſcovery; to thoſe that are fallen away a Load-ſtone, to draw their hearts (if God ſay ſo too) back againe: (1 Kings. 18. 37.) and to none a Milſtone, by rejecting that in ſcorne which is offered unto them in love, and with a ſincere aime at their ſpiritual and everlaſting good.
This ſhall ſtill be the prayer of him whoſe reall deſires are to be.
Your ſervant in his utmoſt capacity for the ſafety of your Soules, WILLIAM THOMAS. May. 21. 1656.
Jer. 3. 22.
Return ye backſliding children, and I will heale your backſliding.
Can any heart be ſo hard as not to Anſwer.
Behold we come unto thee for thou art the Lord our God?
I will go and return to my firſt husband, for it was better with me than then now,
Hoſ. 2. 7.