Quest. How do men come by this righteousness and everlasting life?
Ans. By faith men lay hold upon it, and apply it to their own souls in particular (Gal 2:20). For it is by faith they are justified, as also saith the scripture (Rom 5:1). That his faith lays hold on and applies, that which this Christ of G.o.d hath done, and is a doing, and owns it as his own.
Quest. What is this faith that doth justify the sinner?
Ans. It is a gift (Eph 2:8), fruit (Gal 5:22) or work, of the Spirit of G.o.d, whereby a soul is enabled, under a sight of its sins, and wretched estate, to lay hold on the birth, righteousness, blood, death, resurrection, ascension and intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thess 2:7), and by the a.s.sistance of the Spirit, whereby it is wrought, to apply all the virtue, life and merit of what hath been done and suffered, or is a doing by the same Lord Jesus Christ, to its own self in particular (Gal 2:20; Rom 7:24,25), as if itself had really done all that the Lord Jesus Christ hath done: I do not say that the soul doth any thing for justification, but it doth know, that whatsoever Jesus Christ hath done in point of justification, is given to, and bestowed upon it (Rom 3:22) and G.o.d finding the soul in him, that is in Christ, doth "justify it from all things, from which it could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts 13:39).
Quest. Well, but is there no way to come to the Father of mercies but by this man that was born of the virgin? Is there no way to come to G.o.d but by the faith of him?
Ans. No, "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). And Jesus himself, that was born of the virgin Mary, said, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6).
Quest. And where is this man, that was born of the virgin, that we may come to the Father by him?
Ans. He ascended away from his disciples in a cloud, into heaven, as we may read (Acts 1:9-11).
Quest. What doth he there?
Ans. He ever lives to make intercession for all that come unto G.o.d by him (Heb 7:25). That is, they shall come out of themselves to him, and venture their souls on what he did and suffered when he was on earth, and is doing now in heaven; shall certainly be saved: For he ever lives to save them, that do thus come to the Father by him. And it is, because he spilt his blood for all that shall by the faith of G.o.d"s elect lay hold upon him. And thus it is written where he saith, "Being justified freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, [Mark this] whom G.o.d hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness, [that is, to declare G.o.d"s righteousness] for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of G.o.d; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth [or layeth hold] in Jesus" (Rom 3:24-26).
Quest. But did this man rise again from the dead, that very man, with that very body wherewith he was crucified? for you do seem, as I conceive, to hold forth so much by these your expressions.
Ans. Why do you doubt of it?
Quest. Do you believe it?
Ans. Yes, by the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, for he hath enabled me so to do.
Quest. And can you prove it by the scripture?
Ans. Yes.
Quest. How?
Ans. First, From that scripture in Luke 24:39, 40 where Christ himself after he was crucified appeared to his disciples, (who having seen him) supposed they had seen a spirit. But he said, Why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself, and do not think you see a spirit; handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as you see me have. This he spake after he was crucified (Luke 23:33) and buried (v 53) and rose again from the dead (24:6,7), many other scriptures could I give for the proof hereof, as Acts 10:40, 41. And Acts 13:30, 31; 1 Thessalonians 1:10. Only read Acts 2:29-32 where the apostle proveth the same, bringing in the words of the prophet David for a testimony thereof, saying, He "being a prophet, and knowing that G.o.d had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; [saith] he seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in h.e.l.l, neither his flesh did see corruption." Mark it, his flesh did see no corruption (v 31). But if he had not risen again, his flesh had seen corruption. But he rose again from the dead, that very man, that very body; for his flesh did see no corruption.
Quest. Why did he rise again from the dead, with that very body?
Ans. (1.) Because it was not possible he should be holden of death.
(2.) Because in his human nature he suffered for sin; and if he had not recovered himself from that very curse, even from under death, and all other things that lay on him, which he had through the sins of his children subjected himself unto, he had not overcome sin, h.e.l.l, death, the law, and the devil (Acts 2:24): but had been overcome by them; and if so, then had not redemption been obtained for sinners; for it was at his resurrection from the dead, that G.o.d said unto him, "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee": (As saith the Apostle) "And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that the promise which was made unto the fathers, G.o.d hath fulfilled the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again"; as it is also written in the second psalm, "Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee" (Acts 13:30-36). And it is this, namely, the resurrection of that Man from the dead, that doth give us ground of hope; as in 1 Peter 1:3 where he saith, He "hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead."
(3.) Because G.o.d intends to redeem the bodies of his saints out of their graves in which they have lain many a year (John 5:28,29; Rom 8:23; 1 Cor 15:52) and to possess them with his own glory; and when this comes to pa.s.s, then shall that scripture be fulfilled, that saith, He "shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working [of his mighty power] whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself" (Phil 2:21). And he hath given us a.s.surance thereof, in that he hath raised up Jesus our Lord again from the dead (Acts 17:31).
Quest. But do you think, that these our bodies that we do carry about with us in this world, after that they are dead and buried, and rotten, shall rise again out of those graves into which they are laid; when the scripture saith, flesh and blood shall not inherit the kingdom of G.o.d? (1 Cor 15:50).
Ans. Flesh in scripture is taken more ways than one: As,
It is taken for the works of the law; where the Apostle saith, "Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Gal 3:2,3). By flesh here, he means the law; as is clear, if you compare it with verses 10-12.
Again, sometimes flesh is taken for sins (Rom 8:1,5). And sometimes it is taken for the bodies of the saints, as subject to distempers, to pain, sickness, corruptions, to death; by reason of sin (2 Cor 4:11, 7:5). Now the Apostle in that place, where he saith, "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom [of heaven, or] of G.o.d," his meaning is, sinful flesh and blood, or the sin, with any imperfection that is in the bodies of the saints, shall not inherit the kingdom; and that you shall find to be the mind of the Holy Ghost, if you read with understanding the latter end of the same verse, where he saith, "Neither doth corruption inherit incorruption." That is, sin, or any imperfection of the body, shall not inherit eternal life; for, saith he, in verse 53, "This corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality." Mark here, I pray you, though he saith, "Flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of G.o.d"; yet he saith, "This corruptible must put on incorruption." For the trump shall blow, and the dead shall be raised (as Christ saith) "They that are in the graves shall hear his voice" (John 5:28). And shall come forth of their grave incorruptible (1 Cor 15:52). And shall "all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" (2 Cor 5:10; Rev 2:12,13). See also that scripture (Phil 3:20,21) where the Apostle saith, He waited for Christ the Saviour from heaven. And what shall he do when he comes? why, He "shall change our vile body." Mark it, it must be our vile body that must be changed. But if it be changed, then how can it be the same? not the same in respect of sin, or bodily infirmities, but the very same in respect of substance: For, saith he, It is our vile body that must be changed; and it is the very same, It shall be "fashioned like unto his glorious body." And if you ask, How is it possible that this should be done? He answers, "According to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."
Quest. But do you think this is certain? methinks the scriptures seemingly hold forth so much, yet I cannot believe it, for it is contrary to all reason.
Ans. Truly the scriptures do not only hold forth so much seemingly, but they do most really, and plainly, hold out these things to all those that have received the Spirit of the Lord Jesus Christ.
For it is it, and it alone, that can reveal these things. "For the things of G.o.d knoweth no man, but the Spirit of G.o.d" (1 Cor 2:11). Now if thou wouldest know these things, thou must first receive the Spirit of the Son of G.o.d, without which, thou canst not know so much as one of the fundamental truths of the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Quest. But there are those in our days, who reject this doctrine that you lay down, concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, as you lay it down, and they are for a Christ within, for a cross within, for a resurrection, and intercession within; and they do not hold as you do, a Christ without, and a resurrection of Christ without; and intercession of Christ without; Ay, and they have very much scripture for that which they say too: And therefore what shall such as we do, that stand tottering and shaking in these distracted and dangerous times? For our poor souls are in very much doubt what way to take.
Ans. Therefore I will speak a few words to you by way of discovery of the falsity of such opinions; and a word of direction, how you should understand the truth.
Therefore, he that cries up a Christ within, in opposition to a Christ without, that man instead of having the Spirit of Christ in him, is possessed with a spirit of delusion; for where the Spirit of Christ is in truth, that Spirit causeth the soul to look to the Christ that was born of the Virgin, for all justification; as it is written, "Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come," mark the next verse, "He [saith the Son of the Virgin] shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you"
(John 16:13,14). He shall take of mine; What is that? Why surely it is, he shall take of my G.o.dhead, my humanity, my birth, my righteousness, my blood, my death, my resurrection, my ascension and intercession, my kingly, priestly, and prophetical offices, and shall shew you the life, merit, and value of them. And this was it which was revealed to Paul by the Holy Spirit, here spoken of (1 Cor 15:1-8). "Moreover brethren, [saith he] I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." But what is this doctrine? why, "I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received." What was that? Why, "How that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: [there is his death and resurrection preached]. And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve; after that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the Apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, [saith Paul] as of one born out of due time." This is it, I say, that the Spirit of Truth doth hold forth to poor sinners, a Christ crucified without the gates of Jerusalem (Luke 23:33), buried in Joseph"s sepulchre (53), risen again the third day (Luke 24:6) ascended away from his disciples in a cloud into heaven, as in Acts 1:9-11.
And there ever liveth, that very man, with that very body, to make intercession for all that receive him (Heb 7:24,25). This is, I say, the doctrine of the Spirit of truth, whatsoever is the spirit of error.
Quest. But do not the scriptures make mention of a Christ within?
(2 Cor 13:5; Col 1:27).
Ans. Yes, And he that hath not the Spirit of Christ, is none of his (Rom 8:9). But he that hath it, is led out of himself by it; and as I said before, it shews the soul, what the blessed Son of the Virgin Mary hath done and suffered, and is a doing for it. Therefore hereby know we the Spirit of truth from the spirit of error (2 John 7). "Every spirit that doth confess that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of G.o.d" (1 John 4:2). That is, that spirit that doth confess, that Jesus Christ took flesh upon him and in that flesh did bear our sins (1 Peter 2:24; Col 1:20-22; 1 Peter 3:18, 4:1). And after he was taken down from the cross, and laid in a sepulchre, rose again from the dead; that very Man with that very body, wherewith he was crucified: That spirit that doth believe and confess this, is of G.o.d, and is the blessed Spirit of Christ, whereof he spake, when he was yet with his disciples touching his bodily presence: For "he [saith the Son of Mary]
shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine and shew it unto you" (John 16:13,14).
I have answered this already in my epistle to the first treatise.
Therefore believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they be of G.o.d, for many false spirits and prophets are gone out into the world, therefore have a care how thou receivest the voice that speaks to thee, but try whether they are according to the truth of G.o.d"s word as it is written, "To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them" (Isa 8:20).
(1.) Therefore try a little, Do they slight G.o.d"s Christ, which is the Son of the Virgin? that spirit is of the devil (1 Cor 12:3).
(2.) Do they say that that blood of his which was shed without the gates of Jerusalem, doth not wash away sin, yea, all sin from him that believes? That is a spirit of antichrist (1 John 1:7).
(3.) Do they say, that that Man that was crucified without the gates of Jerusalem, is not risen again (with that very body wherewith he was crucified) out of the sepulchre? (Luke 24:38,39). That is a spirit of antichrist.
(4.) Do they say that that very Man that was crucified with that very body, is not now in the presence of his Father, absent from his people touching his bodily presence, though present in Spirit?
I say whoever they be, that say he is not there, they are of the devil: for the proof of this see Acts 5:30 and 31 and compare it with Hebrews 7:24, 25. "The G.o.d of our fathers [saith the Apostle]
raised up Jesus." But what Jesus? "he whom ye slew," saith he to the Jews. "Him [the very same whom ye slew] hath G.o.d exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."
And indeed, here is my LIFE, namely, the birth of this Man, the righteousness of this Man, the blood of this Man, the death and resurrection of this Man, the ascension and intercession of this Man for me; and the second coming of this Man to judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). I say, here is my LIFE, if I see this by faith without me, through the operation of the Spirit within me: I am safe, I am at peace, I am comforted, I am encouraged, and I know that my comfort, peace, and encouragement is true, and given me from heaven, by the Father of mercies, through the Son of the Virgin Mary (Matt 1:21) who is the way to the Father of mercies (John 14:6), who is able to save to the uttermost, all that come to the Father by him (Heb 7:25). Because he, that very Man, with that very body wherewith he was crucified, is ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11), and there ever lives to make intercession for them that come to G.o.d by him. This is the rock, sinner, upon which, if thou be built, the gates of h.e.l.l, nor Ranter, Quaker, sin, law, death, no nor the devil himself, shall ever be able to prevail against thee (Matt 16:16-18). And here I leave thee to the wisdom of the great G.o.d, who if he hath chosen thee in his Son, and brought thee to him; and hath made thee by faith to lay hold on him, thou needest not fear the devil with his siftings, snares, wiles, and fiery darts, wherewith he doth destroy thousands; but mayest with the Apostle (if thou live in the power and life of the love of G.o.d towards thee) cry out, "I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor princ.i.p.alities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of G.o.d which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Rom 8:38,39).
And now reader, if thou be a true Christian, I am sure that these be the things that appear to be the glorious substantial truths to thy soul, and thou doest not care for that comfort that doth not make this Man, the Son of the Virgin, precious to thy soul (1 Peter 2:7) for thou knowest, that it is he, that hath delivered thee from the wrath to come (1 Thess 1:10). But as for you that are disobedient, except you mend your manners, you will stumble "and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken" (Isa 28:13) and wonder and perish because you believe not (Acts 13:41).
A few words more, and so I shall have done, and they are words of counsel to thee. Have a care thou receive not every Christ that is proffered to thee, though it may appear very excellent to thy foolish heart: for under the name Christ, are men deceived, as it is written, "many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many" (Matt 24:5). But have a care that thou receive that Christ, that was born without thee, fulfilled the law in his human nature without thee; spilt his blood without thee, is risen again and ascended without thee, and maketh intercession without thee: And that he that very Man that was born of the virgin, will come again in the clouds without thee; and this truth must thou receive by that Spirit that he hath promised to send and give to them that ask him: And that shall dwell in thy heart, and shall shew thee what the Son of Mary the virgin, the Son of man, the Son of G.o.d, the true G.o.d hath in his body done for thy soul (John 16:13,14). And if thou receive him in truth, then though thou do not boast, nor brag of thy holiness, as those painted hypocrites called Quakers do: yet thou wilt do more work for G.o.d in one hour, than they, even all of them, can do in all their lifetime.
Take my counsel, and the Lord Jesus Christ have mercy upon thy soul and body. Farewell.
SOME QUESTIONS TO THE QUAKERS, OR A FEW QUERIES TO THOSE WHO ARE POSSESSED WITH A SPIRIT OF DELUSION IN THIS GENERATION.
"Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you," (1 Peter 3:15). And I beseech you do it in sincerity.
1. If thou sayest that every one hath a measure of the Spirit of Jesus Christ within him, why say the scriptures that some are "sensual having not the Spirit" (Jude 19). And when Christ tells his disciples of sending them the Spirit, he also saith, The world cannot receive it (John 14:17).