This is an answer to John Wiggans book, spread up and down in Lancashire, Cheshire and Wales, who is a baptist & a monarchy-man wherein may be seen how he exalts himself, against Christ the light, that doth enlighten every man : and also some of his, and his peoples erronious principles, and assertions, which he and his people held in a dispute, with some Quakers ... / from the prisoners at Lancaster, whom he then opposed being then a prisoner, Thomas Curwen, William Houlden, Henery Wood, William VVilson ; also here is an answer to his appendix annexed to the book by Margaret Fell.

This is An ANSWER TO John Wiggans BOOK , Spread up and down in Lancashire , Cheshire and Wales , who is a Baptist & a Monarchy-man . Wherein may be seen how he exalts Himself , against Christ the Light , that doth enlighten every Man . And also some of his , and his Peoples erronious Principles , and assertions , which he and his People held in a Dispute , with some of the Quakers . And also an Answer to his Queries in his Book . And also some Queries which was propounded to him , which he would never Answer to this day , and also some of his assertious , which he could never make good , and likewise an Answer to a second Challenge , which Book we would have all in patience , and meekness read over , with a single eye , wherein you may see the wicked , ( according to Scripture ) is grown worse and worse , who with fair words and fained speeches deceives the hearts of the simple ; who are wise discernes these things . From the Prisoners at Lancaster , whom he then opposed being then a Prisoner , Thomas Curwen , William Houlden , Henery Wood , William VVilson .

Also here is an Answer to his Appendix annexed to the Book by Margaret Fell.

LONDON , Printed in the Year , 1665.

To the Reader . READER ,

HEre is something in Answer to John Wiggan's assertions , and also to his Book , which thou art desired patiently to read over , and to read the Scriptures which we have quoted , and also his , and also his words , and our Answers , for simple peoples sakes was it answered , that they might be no longer deceived , for we were all satisfied before with Christ who is the light of the World , the way , the truth , the life , and he is our satisfaction ; Never-the-less John Wiggan hath taken some of our papers , and private letters writ to him , but left out the occasion , wherefore they were written , and so in this he hath not done honestly , neither as he would have been done by , and as for all his bad letters , he hath writ to us , we shall not set them down all , nor part , for some of them are out of the bounds of Christianity . Our Book is somewhat large , the most of the heads and strength of his Book being spoken too particularly , but take it throughout , and I believe , thou will find such a pack of confusion as thou hast not heard , and malicious spitefull words , against God , and Christ the light , which may be found in his Book , we have not wronged it , but he hath not paged his Book , therefore we could not quote it here .

And these things which he hath asserted and laid down , he is to make good by Scripture , without ading or diminishing , for we will have plain Scripture , also an Answer to his Challenge , for him to make good all his assertions by Scripture without ading to it , and also some Queries here is for him to Answer , and to clear himself if that he can by Scripture , which we believe it will not clear him , and so farewell .

From them that loves truth and peace to all Mankind .

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour who will that all Men should be saved , and come to the knowlege of the truth , 1 Tim. 2. 34. and this is contrary to John Wiggan , who saith , God denies faith to some Men.

You might have had an Answer sooner , but it was long before we had his Book , and when we had it , was fain to take it in pieces , and many perticuler Persons were concerned in it , who some of them lives 60. miles one from another , and the Book being called for so hastily again ; he boasted , that we could not Answer it , but that was but little to us , for it was truth that we mind .

The 2d . of the 5th . Month , 1664.

This is An ANSWER To JOHN VVIGGANS Book , &c.

WEE hearing of a Book that John VViggan had given forth against us , in which are many lies and scandals , and he the said John Wiggan , directing one of them to Randal Hunter and Thomas Hardy Deputy-Goalers , as he calls them , but he might have said to the Head-Keeper and Under-Keeper .

And also this Book being disperced abroad in the Country through him , it was hard for us to get a sight of it ; but at last it was given to us by the Under-Keeper , and after a while fetched it away , it concerns many Friends , some that are 60. miles of , and some above 20. yet this John VViggan , nor none of his Company , ( who sayes he give it forth to convince us of some of our errors , and also a Challenge in it ) were not so civil , as to give us ever a Copy of it , or the thing it self , and when that friends asked him for the Book , he replyed , if we would pay for writeing it over , we might have a Copy of it , who hath not forgot his old Priest tricks , to make people to pay him for his lies , and by this all sober people , whose minds stands without partiality , may judge of this Mans works , who pretended to convince us of our errors , ( as he sayes ) and gives forth a Challenge , and publisheth part of a private letter , and what he pleaseth , and never directs it , nor his Book , to the Authors , and whom it doth concern .

And now whether or no this man , hath not lost the very common civility , and understanding that is amongst Men , and boasts of his works , which he kept hid from us , though through great difficulty we have gotten a Copy for a little time , wherein all Men may judge by this carriage , and practice of his , in boasting of his works abroad , and keeping them from them they do concern , they may see it is the work of darkness , and of error , and one that is afraid of the light , and a great part of his Book ( as the Reader may read and see ) is against the common salvation to all Men contrary to Jude ; and to be one that denyes the Lord that bought them , as in Peter ; and all his force and strength is to the denying of John's Doctrine and Testimony , and that which he came to be a witness of , the true light which enlighteneth every Man that cometh into the World , John the first .

And also the force of his matter is , to throw away the prophecy of the Prophets concerning Christ the salvation to the ends of the Earth , to Mankind , to poor lost Man , and also to deny the promise of God to poor Creatures , which saith God will give him for a Covenant of light to the Gentiles , ( speaking of Christ ) who shall be his salvation to the ends of the Earth , and a New-Covenant to the House of Israel , and the House of Judah ; and this was to all people , both Jewes and Gentiles , and this light and Covenant , is by him denyed ; but to some as he sayes , and so he is one that makes Sects amongst the Creatures of God , and divides , being in the errour and darkness himself ; being void of the mind of God , his Prophets and Apostles , and also denying the love of God to the World ; who so loved the World , mark , take notice poor people , that God gave his only begotten Son into the World , to save the World , and not to condemn the World , ( as he doth , who saith they have not a light to save them , and they have not the spirit of God ) but that the World through him might be saved ; and moreover Christ saith , I am the light of the World , now he doth not say , I am the light of the Saints only , ( as John Wiggan saith ) but of the World which be in darkness .

And Christ saith believe in the light , whilest ye have the light , shewing that they have the light before they are believers , that they may be children of the light , John 12. and also he John Wiggan makes void the grace of God ( as may be seen in his Book ) which hath appeared to all men , as the Apostle speaks to Titus , which brings salvation , and this grace is sufficient , and so his work is to prove , that the World and wicked Men have not a saving-light , nor have not the Spirit of God , contrary to the Scriptures of Truth , as will be proved hereafter ; and so ●● makes people believe through this , that Christ did not come to save the World ; so is of that race that would frustrate the grace of God , and of them that forbid the Apostles to speak to the Gentiles ; but hath not John Wiggan had one Hundred pound a year of the States , and taken Collections of such as he looked upon to be wicked people , and had not the Spirit , nor a saving Light ; yea , and preached the Scriptures to them , which are the things of God , and all people you know , that no man can know the things of God , without the Spirit of God , you know the Scriptures saith so .

And whether all men will not judge , whether this man is not grown sensless , or he hath cracked his Brain through his foolishness : Nay , would not this John Wiggan preach , if the Powers would give him two or three Hundred pounds a year , to preach the Scriptures , which are the things of God to the World , which he saith hath not the Spirit of Christ , nor a saving Light , hath he not the conscience to take this , and bless them though the World did not understand the things of God , and what do you think of all the Independants that he preached too , and hath left , and now turned Baptist , it may be he thinks that is a better Commons and Pasture , to maintain him in ; for hath John Wiggan restored that which he had of them at Manchester , and other places ? for we say that it is but just , that he should do so .

For to preach to a people that hath not a saving light , nor the Spirit , the things of God , they that cannot understand them , without the Spirit , and to take money of them , is it not a robing of them , and a cheating of them ; and ought he not in justice to make restitution , for we do not know a greater enemy to Christ and his Apostles , and plain Scriptures , this day in England then he is , as his practice hath made it manifest ; and as for all his slanderous expressions in his private papers , we shall not send abroad , but let them lie upon him together with his lyes , nor lay open his nakedness , we need not , for he hath laid it open in his own Book sufficiently , as will be manifest to every impartial Reader .

First , That Paper which was sent unto Thomas Hardy by Thomas Curwen , it was not sent up and down in the Country as his was , but if he had sent for a Coppy of it , he might have had one ; so we did not serve him , as he hath done us ; and if there had been any errors , they should have been made manifest , ( but he hath not ) that the Reader might have read them , for we are not afraid of our deeds coming to the Light .

And our Paper was neither partial nor confused , as it will manifest it self , and it is to the honour of truth .

And it s he that swallowes up the simple in errors , ( as he speaks of , ) and hath vomited out the same again ; how many hath he vomited out about Manchester , but swallowed them up but for gain , and that which he hath vindicated is error .

And whereas he saith , he was provoked to this debate with the Quakers ; that is false , for it was his own Challenge ; for friends would have discoursed with him in a Christian way , in his own Chamber , which he denyed , and bid them depart his Chamber ; and when Friends have come up in a Christian way to him , he hath threatned them by calling for the Jaylor ; and another time when Thomas Curwen came up in a Christian way , he shaked him by his Coat , as though he would have tore it from off his back , to thrust him out of his Chamber , though often he came into our Chamber , and we never served him so , but discoursed as long as he would . But this is the thing , Major Wiggan in calling the Jaylor he wanted his Magestrates Sword , like a persecuting Jew , Help men of Israel against the Apostles , for these are the men that turnes the World upside down . And this is John Wiggans patience and Christian spirit , as he calls it ; and he being a Prisoner we would never have brought him to publick shame , but he himself hath brought it , therefore he may blame himself .

And whereas he speaks of being provoked , to the debate in defence of truth . Nay John , thou art out of love , that art so soon provoked ; and its truth that torments thee , because thou canst not defend thy errors , thou canst not chop and change with truth , as thou didst with the people at Manchester .

And what thou hast set down afterward will appear . And the contention of the Meeting was through thy self , for thou wast the first man that brake the order , ( which was that all might speak one by one ) and burst out into a laughter , ( when others were speeking of the things of God ) in an uncivil and immodest way , which begot thy own people into the same , and so raised up the rude and uncivil spirit in thy own people , that some was fain to rebuke thee , who were speaking of the things of God ; for the things of God are weighty , and ( as the Scriptures saith ) the fools heart is filled full of Laughter , and that is the mark of a fool ; and thou wast too hot and passionate to talk soberly : And dost thou not remember what a passion thou was in , when thou discoursed with Richard Hubberthorn at Manchester , when one of thy own people did reprove thee ; and doest thou not remember what violent hands thou laid upon John Abrams , when he and James Harrison came to discourse with thee of the things of God in a Christian way , and what a rage , fury and passion thou wast in , is not this a mark of a Novice , soon angry , and are not these unclean hands lifted up to God , will God accept them ?

And whereas thou speaks of Boasting , that is thy own , & the Principle that thou would discourse upon was thy own chusing , though nothing thou hast cleared to this day by the Scriptures of Truth , but manifested thy self further in error ; and as for detecting our persons and carriages thou canst not , but thy own carriage is detected ; and so thou maist take shame that pleads against Truth , but God will honour his Truth , and them that stands for it , and happy would it be for thee if a place of repentance were found for thee , though thou maist have had many Esaus Tears proceeded from thee through thy Agonies . And the unsavory fruits thou speaks of , is thy own , by which thou deceives the Ignorant , and the least that is simple in the truth discernes thee , thy spirit and principle , and are reclaimed from the error of thy way , and that makes thee so rage against them .

And as for thy additional accompt thou hast given forth , by discourse concerning the Light in every man , and thy interpreting the Scriptures , which indeed is perverting the Scriptures by thy addition , as will be further manifested and proved . And as for thy saying , if any of them shall yet persist to maintain their error , here you will find an offer further to debate the difference betwixt us before any person in Authority .

Answ. It 's Truth we maintain , against thy errors , as we have done to all thy Brethren before thee till this day , who are all come to nought , who have made such havock upon us and our Goods ; we have maintained it , and shall maintain it with our Lives to Death , against thy errors before what Magestrate thou wilt , as after will be manifest , or when thou wilt , or where thou wilt , for its truth we stand for , and suffer for . And as for the perticulars , that thou wilt suffer for as well as we , and art not in the same Principle , Bower and spirit , as the Saints be in , in that thou suffers but as an evil doer .

And whereas thou talkest of a measure of the Spirit of God given unto thee , this is but to cover thy lies and errors , and to deceive withal ; for if thou wert in the measure of the Spirit of God thy self , thou wouldst not deny it in others ; and so in this thou art an enemy in thy Spirit to every thing that we stand for , because thou art not in the Spirit .

And whereas thou sayest , This is a relation of the occasion & manner of a debate had in the Castle at Lancaster the 17. day of the 1. Moneth , ( ●●●monly called March ) 1664. between me John Wiggan , and George Fox , John Stubbs , and many other of the people called Quakers , about the Light within .

Answ. The dispute was not George Foxes , nor John Stubbs , but Thomas Curwens , and William Wilsons , but George Fox , and John Stubbs , liberty being granted , George Fox hearing such gross errors laid down by John Wiggan , he spake something to contradict them by Scriptures , they being so gross and manifest ; and so this Book of Wiggans is not only a relation of that , but of many other things of his own addition , and private things sent-abroad by him , and the truth of it all may be seen in the following answer .

And what I Tho. Curwen said to thee as thou passed through the great Hall , thou being a deceiver of the people , I bid thee leave of thy deceiving ; as yet thou couldest never clear thy self of being a deceiver , nor hast not done in thy Book : And whereas thou sayest , thy answer was mild , to this purpose said thou so , Consider well what thou hast said , and whether thou canst make good thy words , and tell me as I come back whom I have deceived , and wherewith I have deceived any , or how thou canst prove me a deceiver ?

Answ. Here thou praises thy self of thy mildness , if another had done it , it had been better for thee ; what was thy mildness to me in thy Chamber , when I came to discourse with thee of the things of God , thou laid violent hands upon me , and like to have torn my Coat off my back , to haile me out of thy Chamber , and this was not Christian like ; and whereas thou ( lyer ) bid me tell thee as thou came back that is a lye , and thy voice I knew to be the voice of a stranger , and now thou hast made it manifest who denies Christ the Light to be saving ; and whereas thou wouldest know whom thou hast deceived , there came a Woman from London to thee , to declare against thee , whom thou hast long deceived .

And there came a Man from Stopphed , whom thou had deceived , to cry against thee , and there came James Parke to cry against thee and to discourse with thee of thy deceivableness , who saw thy deceit , and turned away from thee , when they came to the light of Christ Jesus which manifested thee , and saw thee to be a Preacher against Christ the light ; and all may see herein what is the end of thy Preaching , when thy work is to bring people from the Heavenly light of Christ Jesus within them ; and lead them into imaginations and whimsies , and fancies of thy own brain , and many others about Manchester which might be instanced , which some of them hath been with thee here , which thou long kept from the light of Christ Jesus within them , who now praise the Lord that they are come from under the bondage , and have found Christ their Saviour and Leader and Light which thou denyest .

And whereas thou sayest that I was rash , & my censures groundless in saying thou taught the way , and know it not thy self .

Answ. Thou hast manifested thou dost not know the way , for there is but one way to God , who is Christ , the Light that doth enlighten everyman , who doth enlighten the Gentiles , & is the glory of Israel , and the Salvation to the ends of the Earth ; and Christ saith , I am the Light , and I am the way to the Father , and no man comes to the Father but by me . And this Light in every man thou denies to be saving , which we say it is saving or condemning ; to them that love it , it 's saving , and to them that hate it , it 's condemning : and so it 's manifest that thou art a confesser of him , and a teacher of him in words as other Sects are ; and the Devil could preach Christ in words without him , ( and said thou art the Son of God ) as thou dost who denies him to be a Light in all men savingly , and so doth all the Sects in Christendom that preaches Christ in words for an end , and their gain , as thou did at Manchester at thy Chapels , and preached up thy Independant way ; and thou left the people in delusion ; didst thou know Christ then , though thou preacht him in words , and so doth all these before mentioned know Christ the way , and such as held forth the Doctrine of Devils ; Commanding to abstain from Meats , and forbiding to Marry , who went about to deceive ( the Christians and people of Christ the way , ) in words for some end , but not in truth ; and Antichrists are not they , such as pretend to preach Christ in words , and yet knows him not , who is a mystery . Answer me plainly , didst thou ever hear Christs voice at any time , or hast thou seen his shape ? for if thou hadst known him the way , thou would not have deny'd his Light to be saving to the World . And hast thou not read Collos. of some that intruded into these things they never saw , which neglected Christ the body and head , who is the way and Light , &c. And whereas thou sayes it is not possible to teach the way , and know it not , Mat. 2. 4 , 5. 27 , 28. 12. the Pharisees and the Priests preached Christ to come to Herod ; and told when he should be born , by the Scriptures , and yet knew him not to be the way when he came , but persecuted him when he came , as thou may know by the Scriptures when Christ rose , and yet thou knowest him not to be the Way , the Truth and the Life , but denies him to be the saving Light spoken of in Joh. 1. And my words was not harsh nor rash censure , but in plainness and truth , as thou hast made it appear .

And as for me William Wilson , I know nothing else thou livest in but beggarly Rudiments , who denies Christ to be a saving Light , who enlightens every man ; who shuts up the Gates of Heaven against men , and will neither go in thy self , nor suffer others to go in . And shew me by plain Scripture where Christ calls taking of Bread and Wine an Ordinance ? for we do drink of the Vine , and and eat of the Bread that comes down from Heaven : And my words were neither harsh nor rash , therefore thou dost us wrong to say so , and to blame us , and exclaime against us

These Queries as followeth were sent to John Wiggan to answer by me Thomas Curwen , and are unanswered to this day ; and he complaines he wanted time , and hath had them above halfe a year , when such a man as he is looked upon , might have answered them in halfe a day .

1 Query . Whether thy way never fell ?

2 Where be all the daubers ?

3 Whether all the Ministers of Adam's house in the fall , daubed not with untempered morter ?

4 Whether a man while he is upon the Earth , shall be made free from the body of Death and sin while he is on this side the Grave ?

5. And whether Christ doth not enlighten every one that comes into the World with a saving Light ?

6. Whether is Bread and Wine Christ the substance , yea , or nay ?

7. And how long hast thou taken Bread and Wine in Remembrance of Christs Death till he come ?

8. And whether or no when he is come thou will take it in Remembrance of him .

9 And which is the nearest , to take a thing in Remembrance of his Death , or to come into his Death ?

10 And whether or no thou thinkest to come any nearer to Christs death , then taking Bread and Wine in Remembrance of him ?

11 And whether or no doth thou think to come any nearer to Christs death then to take Bread & Wine in Remembrance of his death , and so keep alive in the old nature ; and is not this the deceiver ?

12 Hast thou known the death , the pangs , and the sorrow , and art thou become a fool for Christs sake , and is the wisdom of the world become foolishness to thee , and in what place boundest thou thy own ?

13 And how comest thou to receive that which is foolishness to the world , and how was thou awakened out of sleep , and when did the Grave open , and when did the Prisoner shew himself forth ?

14 And when did the tongue of the Dumb sing ?

15 And when was the tongue of the first birth silent ?

16 And when was thou come to thy wits end ?

17 And how hast thou watered thy Couch ?

18 And what is the tongue of the Learned ?

19 And what is the Gray Hairs ?

20 And what is it that Anti-Christ and the false Prophets ravened from , and where was it ?

21 And when did the Keepers of the House tremble , and the strong man bow himself ?

22. And hast thou the same power and spirit to baptize , and give Bread and Wine as the Apostles had , and hast thou heard the voice of Christ as they did ?

23 And seeing thou took offence at me for calling thee a deceiver ; what is the true way , & where is it , & whether all Mankind be enlightened by it , and whether it be within man , or without ?

24 And whether or no thou hast seen it , or hear it , or heard the voice of God at any time , or seen his shape ?

Answer these Queries in a Scripture way in writing , and bring forth thy deeds to the Light , or else I do intend to stick a Coppy of them on thy Door tomorrow . From thy friend Thomas Curwen the fifth day of the first Moneth 1664. directed for John Wiggan these .

And these Queries were sent to John Wiggan to be answered by him ; and because I said if he would not answer them I would stick them on the door tomorrow , he sayes he has but a short time and yet in this half year he hath not answered them , but he hath published them in his Book to his shame , without an answer , manifesting his insufficiency to resolve doubts and Questions in weighty matters to shuffle them off to the Reader ; he calls them frivilous , and they stand still unanswered by him , for if he had told us that he had been uncapable or unable of answering them , we would so have taken it ; but he being a man so much looked upon , and professing such high things he was able to resolve doubts and questions , which if he had been a man as he is looked upon , he would have been ashamed to have published them to the Reader unanswered ; and we did not boastingly send the Queries to thee , nor sought advantage against thee , but that the plain truth might have been manifested by thee if thou hadst had it , but its manifest to the contrary ; and the Queries are pythy and full , and some of them Queries about mans Salvation ; but thou scornes and scoffes at them , and calls them frivilous , and sayest thou had some weighty matter which we do not know any thou hadst , without it was to study something against the saving Light , to preach to thy people , which was not a thing of so great weight , who runs one while to thee , and another while to other Priests , who are unestablisht like thy self .

And in thy Letter to my first paper thou seems to be offended , because that I said that thou was offended for calling thee a Deceiver of the people , &c. it manifests thou art offended by thy speaking of it so much abroad . And as concerning my saying thou taught the way to others , and knew it not thy self , that is answered before , and I did speak forth the words of truth and soberness to thee , as being often burthened with hearing thy strange voice , & savouring thee to be out of the Spirit that gave forth the Scriptures .

And for making it appear whom thou hast deceived that I have done before , and whom thou hast deceived , and how , in drawing them from the pure Light of Christ , which is saving , which enlightens every man ; and for thy saying there will be but little truth found in saying thou taught thy way to others , and it will be hard for me to prove or any of my friends , thou hast proved it thy self , and I have proved it sufficiently here before , and also it was proved in the dispute , but that thou art more minded to cavil then obey the truth , and it s no matter of thee saying my words are improper , when thou wilt not believe plain Scripture , when as thou bids me tell thee where the Apostle said some preached the way , the truth , and the life , and yet knew him not , such as professed him in words , and denyed him in life , such as the Apostle calls evil doers , evil beasts , and slow bellies , and teaches for filthy lukre , as thou hast done who is a sayer and not a doer , and such as preacht Christ of envy as thou dost , and added afflictions to the Apostles bonds , those knew not Christ the way and the life , neither was in it , for they were in the envy and strife , as thou art ; and those are unlike to know him ( though they may preach him in words , for envy blinded them as it hath done thee , Philip. 1. 15. but did not those false Apostles , deceitfull workers transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ , preach Christ in words as thou doest ; how could they have gone about to deceive the Saints which believed in Christ , and were they not despisers of the Apostles and Ministers of Christ as thou art ; nay , did they not boast that they were Ministers of Christ , as thou doest , and denyed his life as thou doest , 2 Corinth. 11. from the 13. to the 23. and did not Christ speak of such who preached in his name , and in his name cast out Devils , and I do not believe that ever thou came to see so far as these did ; and yet he said depart from me ye workers of iniquity , and the false Prophets in the 24. of Matthew , who said loe here is Christ , and loe there , these was Preachers of Christ in words , under a pretence to bring them to a false Christ , and Christ said go not forth after them , for he would come and dwell in them , and this thou cannot abide to hear spoken on , of Christ being in men a saving Light , and dost thou not know that many has a form of Godliness , Tit. 3. 4. and what form is that , is it not the Scriptures that speaks of God and Christ , and denies the power , wherein I feel thee to be one , who are to be turned away from , who withstand the truth , and many of thy Hearers turned away from thee , whom thou led away Captive : And what wise man cansay I have wronged the Apostles words in this , for I have not wronged the Apostles words , but thou wrongest me , and thou dost not preach the Love of Christ , who denies the Light , Christ , to be saving that enlightens all men , and Christ is the way , the Truth , and the Life , who ever preach him , or for what ever end they preach him for , and we set up the Christ Jesus the Apostles preached , and set up , the Light of the World which the Prophets prophesied of , but thou preachest another as was said before , who denies his Light to be a saving Light in all men ; though some men neglect their Salvation , as thou may read in the Scriptures , and we have the same Gospel the Apostles had , and preached ( to wit ) the power of God which I do believe thou was never yet in , for if thou had thou would not have changed so , and have left thy people for what hast thou left that Christ thou preached to the Independants , or hast thou restored the Money which thou got amongst them , so confess the truth ? for I never changed since I knew the Truth , the same Christ the Apostles preacht ; and the true Religion I believe thou hath to seek it , who denies the Light , and so in meekness and fear I declare to thee , we own no other Christ Jesus , then the Apostles preacht , and set up , and this Christ Jesus I am not ashamed to confess before all , who is the Light that enlightens all men that comes into the World , who is the Salvation to the ends of the Earth , who tasted death for every man and this is Gods Love to Mankind .

And whereas thou sayest , thou will not answer my Queries , nor satisfie me , nor any Querist ; in this thou hast manifested thy self and spirit what it is ; and hast denyed a Christian Spirit , who should be ready to give an answet to any that asked them a reason of the hope that was in them , and my questions tends to edification and not to strife , and confessing the working of God in their hearts and what they past thorow , and the acquaintance with God , hearing and seeing of him and things concerning Salvation , and Scripture words that declares of the same ; and this is not edification to thee , and yet thou contradicts thy self , and sayest thou would give a reason of the hope that is in thee , and yet doth not answer my Queries concerning-Christ the hope , and other workings of the Spirit of God : Truly John this manifests thy emptyness and shallowness of the things of God and that which concernes mans Salvation .

And thou sayest thou hast in readiness to answer in love ; those Queries was in Love sent to thee , but this is but a shift and a boast ; for if thou hadst not answered them in love to us , who thou accounts thy enemies , though thou hast called us thy friends , thou might have answered them for their sakes thou sent thy Book too , if thou hadst no love to enemies .

John Wiggan thou sayest that the Light wherewith every man is lighted that comes into the World , is not a saving Light ; and this thou say'st thou shalt thorough the strength of Christ be ready to maintain against me , or any of my friends who hold the contrary , when and where a meeting may be had in a peaceable and quiet way before competent Witnesses .

Answ. Thee and all thy Witnesses at the meeting by all your opposing the Scriptures and us , that stood for them ; could not make good that Christ was not the saving Light that enlightens every man that comes into the World , though yee broke out into a rage and broke your own order , ( which was ) that none should speak while another was speaking , and thou was the first man that brake it , both when G. F. and W. W. was speaking , and neither love or humility proceeded from thee but abundance of pride , rage and envy , when thou was plung'd and could not make good what thou hadst asserted , which was contrary to Christ and the Prophets , as in Esaiah and John the 1. 8 , 12. And that which moved me to stick the Paper on the Door proceeded from the Holy Spirit ; which hath caused thee to vent forth so much against the Light of Christ , and hath brought that forth which hath been so long hid in thy heart under a feigned humility , and now is brought to light , ( Praises to the Lord God for ever ; ) for thy disputing is against Christ the Light , &c. to be saving ; so thou art not like to be a true Preacher of Christ .

And Thomas Curwens second Paper , wherein he shewes John Wiggan he has not answered his Queries , and how that he would come into his Chamber to discourse about one Query , which John Wiggan had chosen out , that Query which speaks of Christ being the saving Light that doth enlighten every man that comes into the World , and this Christian way of discourse John Wiggan denyed , though before he had spoken of a meeting betwixt him and our Friends , when and where a meeting might be had in a quiet way ; and when we came into his Chamber ( he having put it to us before when and where , which we looked upon his own Chamber to be the best and civil'st ) he contradicts his own words , and again challenges us down into the Shire-Hall ; and thou disputing about this Query , did not satisfie me , concerning all the other I stuck the Paper on the Door according to my word , which thou hast neither answered in Writing nor word to this day , and my word is made good to thee or any rational man . Concerning such as get the form of Godliness , and preaches Him , and knowes him not , and thou geting the Apostles words , and out of their life and power , thou art he that wrongest the Apostles ; and whereas thou sayest the Apostles useth no such words ; that is cleared before .

And my second Paper which was brought to thee was not with that purpose to disturb thee , but that thou might have seen thy self , if thou would not have shut thine eyes , and here I clear things over again to thee , if thou wilt not hide thy self from the Light thou may see , and that I neither wrong the Apostles nor thee , but am one with the Apostles against such as thou art .

And whereas thou faith thou art not inclined to multiply words to occasion strife , and yet thou contradicts thy self , and multiplys many words to no purpose against the saving Light of Christ , and which is saving , who said he would give for a Covenant of Light , and is the peace between God and man ; and that which thou multiplys is against him , which occasions nothing but strife and confusion , and not peace , for the Peace is in Christ , the Light which thou canst not abide to hear on , that every man has a saving Light ; because it marrs thy trade , and thy great Diana would be taken away ( to wit ) thy Gain ; for preaching Christ the Light , mar'd the great Diana and all the Workmens Gain , as thou may read in the Acts : And thou said thou would meet us in a spirit of Love and meekness , but it proved otherwise , when thou appeared at the dispute . And whereas thou sayest in thy Answer to Thomas second Letter , that thou wouldest treat with Thomas about the Light , and any other point , and saith I was over confident in saying I was mistaken , if thou thinkest I should leave it to thee to appoint time and place , and had left it to me before , both when and where , as may be seen in thy Letter , and here is thy contradiction ; and when I had appointed the Meeting when and where according to thy own Challenge , when now thou say'st after thou had left it to me , when and where ; and we appointed thy own Chamber , then thou deny'st us coming there except thou hadst invited us , thou camest often into our Chamber without inviting , and thou denyed us for appointing the place , and said we were over confident , and so forsook thy own proposition , and appointed another place ; and so this is no honour for to publish abroad such things : and this is thy seeking after truth , which was but a pretence , and not in reality , and friends did meet with thee , and did discourse with thee , and when the day came thou stood not to that neither , but found some excuse , and when thou didst come , Friends spoke to thee concerning thy own words and promises , and how thou didst not stand to thy words , promises and time , in thy Challenge , but shuffled and altered , and as thou sayest falsly that thee was challenged by us first , that is false , for the Queries was sent to thee to answer in Writing , or else we would stick them on the Door , and thou vapoured and challenged , and left it to us , and then denyed it again , said this day and the other day , and brake thy own word and promise , which caused many to come out of the Country to see thy own folly , and thou was the occasion of the Dispute , for we would have discoursed with thee in a Christian way , which thou denyedst it in thy Chamber , which we would have granted thee to have come into Ours , if thou hadst desired it ; and all thy dayes work was to stand in opposition against Truth , Christ the Light that enlightens every man ; and instead of bringing people to the Light thou turns them to darkness from the Light : And whereas thou say'st because I did not set thy Letter by mine upon the Door , therefore I savour of a fleshly spirit in divers Circumstances .

That which thou has particularized I answer , for not setting it upon the Door , because it was not an Answer to my Queries , therefore thou savours more of a fleshly spirit , who did not answer them , nor convinc'd me wherein I had done wrong .

And whereas thou sayest , Thomas Curwen and William Wilson when we came to conferr with thee about the Meeting according to thy former Challenge , which thou villifies us , and sayes we came to provoke thee , and with many heavy censures , as John Cowert can witness ; now ye people of Lancaster may see what a sufficient witness he hath brought to be a witness for him , who is a common Drunkard ; this you may judge what spirit his Book came from , for thou at that time in thy Chamber didst lay down for Doctrine and Principles , that the Scriptures was the Author of thy faith ; who art ignorant of the Scriptures , and of the Ministers who taught the Christians that Christ Jesus was the Author and finisher of their faith , and as for hard or heavy censures we deny them , for we speak the truth in plainness , and thou wouldst not meet according to thy own Challenge , but puting us off from time to time , that was the occasion of our coming unto thee , to thy Chamber ; but thou should have set down thy own carriage and behaviour in envy and malice towards us in thy Chamber , who sweld , and puft , and bid us go out of thy Chamber , why did we come there , after thou had challenged us , for we came to thee about thy Challenge , and the Meeting , and thou in a fury cryed get you out , get you out of my Chamber , what do you do here ? As though we could not be admitted into thy presence thou was so high , and scornful , and for thy saying thou was forced to intreat us to go out of thy Chamber , thou was past intreating , thou had like to have laid violent hands upon me , as thou didst afterwards ; and if thou hadst not given us a meeting being thine own Challenge , how could we judge otherwise , but that-thou dar'st not stand to thy word , & it 's a lye in saying we provoked thee to it , it was thy own Challenge , and then thou speaking with R. C. and R. J. about the Meeting , and appointed when the day and hour should be , and that thou was willing to give Thomas Curwen and others a meeting according to thy former Challenge and thou would dispute about Christ the Light , that enlightens every man that comes into the World , by the Lords assistance ; but this Lord failed thee , for poor old Henry Wood a labouring man that cannot read a word on a Book , gravelled thee so , that thou was not able to answer him ; and as for R. C. and R. J. what language dost thou give them now , who accounted them sober men before ; thy mind is soon altered and changed ; John Wiggan disprove that Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the World with a saving Light , or that the Light where with every man is enlightened is not saving ; Mark people , the Light in it self is not saving , and then the insufficiency is in the Light according to his judgment ; but we say there is sufficiency in the Light , for God saith my Grace is sufficient , which none can deny but that the Grace is this Light ; and secondly that Christ the Light which doth enlighten all , &c. that , that is not saving is contrary to the Scriptures , which saith Christ is the Salvation to the ends of the Earth ; Christ saith I am the Light , John 1. 8. 12. and this Light Christ is sufficient to save and to give the knowledge of God , Cor. 2. 4. but as Christ saith in John 3. 20. Some hates the Light , and as Job saith , some rebell against it , in whose steps John Wiggan thou art found .

And whereas thou sayest first , that nothing be asserted but what may be proved by Scripture , and that nothing be determined but according to the Scriptures ; & in thy Answer thou could make nothing good that thou didst assert against the Light of Christ which thou opposes ; for that which thou didst assert was against the plain Scripture and the words of Christ in which thou confutes thy self , whose determination if it had been possible was to oppose the Scripture , instead of asserting by Scripture , what thou did'st assert .

Secondly , Whereas thou sayest , that the Meeting may be peaceable and quiet , without railing or reproachful speeches , and that the whole dehate may be carried on with a spirit Love and meekness .

Answ. John thou and thy people quickly broke this order , dost thou not remember what a heat and passion thou was in , cocking up thy Hat like a Ranter , and thy people of such a heat , that John Berley was fain to stand up and reprove one of them , and G. F. often bid you be sober , for the things of God was weighty , and should be spoken of in the fear of God , and that he should not be so rash and hasty .

Thirdly , The Meeting may be orderly and without confusion , that is that one may have as much time allowed to speak as another , and that but one speak at once , and that none disturbe him that is speaking .

Answ. I wonder John Wiggan that thou shouldest not be ashamed to publish such things in the sight of men ! for thou was the first man that made a disturbance , that spake when another was speaking , ( to wit ) William Wilson , and afterwards when George Fox was speaking , and afterwards thy people ran into the same , and so broke your own order , and run into confusion , and when thou should have answered to the people to the matter , thou fell a preaching to the people , and when I Thomas Curwen would have stood up and have spoken , thou would not let me ; so that I see thou art nothing but a man of fair words , so thou didst not give time but thou brakest the time , and therefore was we forced to cry for order so oft' amongst you .

4ly . And whereas thou sayest , that the Meeting may continue three houres , and at the most not exceed four , because of the occasions of friends afterwards , if these be concented unto , let him that is appointed to treat with me , subscribe his name , &c. and what we could not agreed to R. C. R. J. let him know .

Answ. Most of this was done according to his desire , and let him take what time he would to oppose Christ the light which lightens every Man that comes into the World , and though he had his will granted , all he did was to no purpose .

And all people may see whether this was a rational Letter or no , and how that we would not limit the truth to an hour , ( as he did before ) for the Spirit of truth is not to be limited , though that we let him take his own proffer , and go away when he would , and thou should not have spoken of points wherein this paper differed from thine , but thou should have perticularized them , that the Reader might have seen them and whereas thou saidst , we said that thou durst not meet us , therefore thou sentest another paper ; why if thou had said thou would not have met us , thou might have said so , for it was thy own Challenge at first , and not ours , and thou should have named them that said so , for no Man put thee upon it at first to speak against the light of Christ , but thy own mind , and thou sayest in thy next Letter , about the third hour , in the fore-part of the Day , which I call the ninth hour ; and Jo. Wiggan , was it but three houres since it was Day to the ninth hour , I pray thee answer me these natural things , for thou hast not answered me the spiritual .

And so , afterwards when thou hadst denyed thy first Proposition to us , that we should appoint time and place , we left it to thee to appoint time and place , and so took thy own , who had contradicted thy former , who would not grant to us that which we granted to thee ; and whereas thou sayest , my friend , and I urged thee to dispute against the Light of Christ , thou say'st not true , for it was thy own Challenge , for we but bid thee make good thy Challenge , and that which thou had so boldly asserted against Christ the Light .

And as for thy saying , thou would maintain in the strength of the Lord thy assertion ( to wit ) that Christ did not enlighten every Man that comes into the World , with a saving light , neither that the Light wherewith all Men is enlightened , is saving ; and this neither thee nor all thy people , with all the strength you had could do , but that which thou did maintain , was to your own shame .

And whereas thou sayest thou would do it through the strength of the Lord , that was false , for all thy strength was to fight against the Lord , who is the Saviour of all men , especially of them that believe ; so saith ahe Apostle .

1. And whereas thou say'st over and over again , that all things should be proved by the Scripture ; and thou proves nothing to the matter . 2. And whereas thou say'st again and again , that the Meeting may be peaceable and quiet ; and thou was the first man that disturbed it .

And whereas thou say'st , the words were left out as railing and reproachful speeches ; ( we thought thou would call the plain truth rayling ) and thou hoping that the thing would be so carried on ; it was so on our part , but thou and thy people brake out into disorder , and scornful speeches , that thou was often reproved for thy immodesty ; and as I said before thou was the first man that was disorderly as thou speaks on over again ; as also thou was the first man that very uncivilly brake the order of one speaking at once , neither didst thou observe it ; and as for limiting time and hour , that is answered before , and seeing the Meeting was put off with a pretence by the Jaylor as thou sayest , we met with thee another day according to thy appointment , and we know thou didst make an Oration before the meeting , and then propounded that which thou could not maintain , That Christ doth not enlighten every man with a saving Light , that comes into the World , &c. And I John Stubbs stood up and told thee , that Christ did enlighten every man that comes into the World with a saving Light ; and Richard Cubban did not alter what thou had spoken and written , as the Reader may see in thy Book ; and why dost thou say that I Richard Cubban was perswaded with much ado , for when thou would not stand to what thou had written and spoken , then I stood to what thou would agree to , and this was but a shift from thy own words , we lookt thou should have made every word good , thou had writen and spoken , but thou shifts from thy own words , and therefore we let thee have what words thou would stand to .

And whereas thou sayest , I ( John Wiggan ) proceeded to prove , premising first that the Question was not , whethere there be some Light that comes into the World , nor whether Christ do not enlighten true Believers with a saving Light , forasmuch as I denyed not but did affirme there was some Light in every man that comes into the World , and true Believers was enlightened with a saving Light .

Answ. In thy assertion there was no mention of unbelievers as all may see in thy Book , but thy assertion is , Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the World with a saving Light ; then Believers are not according to thy words , for thou sayest , the Light wherewith every man is enlightened withal ( which we say is the Light of Christ ) is not saving ; and yet again thou contradicts thy self , and saith Believers are lightened with a saving Light ; but and if Believers be enlightened with a saving Light , and unbelievers be not , how are they then condemned for their unbeliefe ; this Question neither thee nor thy people could answer .

For thy proof that Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the World with a saving Light , thou sayest , that Christ doth not enlighten no man but by his Spirit ; but Christ doth not give his Spirit to every man that comes into the World , therefore he doth not enlighten every Man that comes into the World with a saving Light . These words proves nothing at all but thy own ignorance of the Scriptures ; for God saith by his Prophet , that he would pour out his Spirit upon all Flesh in the latter dayes : And the Apostles saw those dayes come in their time , as in Acts 2. and so this being proved that God pours out his Spirit upon all Flesh , then he enlightens every man that comes into the World with a saving Light according to thy own assertion ; and so this overthrows thy opposing assertion ; And the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal , 1 Cor. 12. 7. Now thou contradicts the Apostle here , the true Minister he saith every man , but thou gives him the lie , and saith , not every man , God gives his Spirit unto ; but we say with the Apostles and the Prophets that God hath given his Spirit to all , as in Joel 2. Acts 2. 1. Cor. 12. and they that do not profit in the Spirit , are such as grieves it and quenches it , and rebells against it ; as in Nehem. 9. and many other Scriptures which might be mentioned : and as for the many Scriptures thou hast quoted they are to no purpose .

And thou sayest , that thy first Proposition is clear , from Isai . 59. 12. this contradicts thy Proposition , this speaks of the New Covenant Christ ; and in the 60. Chap. ver. 3. and the 11. 12. how that the Gentiles that wicked people should come to the Light , speaking of Christ ; and this quite makes against thee ; that saith Christ , doth not enlighten every man with a saving Light ; and John 4. 16 , 17. but thou shouldst have read the 16. of John as well as that , where thou may read they have the same Comforter , the spirit of truth , which leads the Saints into all Truth ; and how can thou or the World receive this Spirit , which will not believe in the Light but hates it ? so this proves that all men have the Spirit , and overthrowes thy assertion , and Christ the Corner-stone breaks thee to pieces , who opposes him and the plain Scripture , which all people may read ; and leaves out that which makes against thee , and Ephes. 1. 17 , 18. because the Saints had the spirit of Wisdom , and the eyes of their understandings was enlightened ; this thou brings to oppose Christ the Light , and the Apostles Doctrine and Testimony , that Christ did not enlighten every man that comes into the World , and his Light is not saving ; which thou might as well deny Christ and say he is not saving , who is the Light ; for none of these Scriptures doth say that Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the World with a saving Light ; and John 16. 13. makes nothing for thy purpose ; and whereas thou sayest , Neither is there any other way by which Christ doth infuse a saving Light into any man but by his Spirit , 1 Cor. 2. 10 , 11 , and 12. vers .

Answ. I pray you all people read this Scripture over , and see whether there be any such word as Infusing a saving Light into any man , but by his spirit ; you may see how he wrongs the Apostles words , with his own words , and wrongs John's words also ; for we know that the natural man knows not the things of God , but by the Spirit they are understood ; for the Natural man quenches and grieves the spirit of God , and so walks despitefully against the spirit of Grace , therefore this is no proof that he hath it not , because he cannot discern the things of God , for the things of God are opened to him as he obeyes the Spirit of God .

And thou saith , the assumtion is proved by Jude , that some are natural , not having the spirit : this of Jude proves that they had it , and went in the error of Ballaam from the Spirit ; and these could speak the high words , but it was in hypocrisie ; and so this Scripture clearly overthrowes thy argument , which thou takes for a proof against John's Doctrine , who saith , Christ doth enlighten every man that comes into the World ; And John the 14. 17. which thou brings to prove that Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the world with a saving Light ; which saith no such thing , but proves thy own weakness and ignorance ; for how should the world know Christ , or see him ; when they hate his Light that comes from him , and will not come to it because it doth reprove them , and there Christ the Light testifies against the World , because their deeds be evil ; read John the third , and other places . Again , thou bringest Romans the 8. 9. to prove thy assertion , and sayes , some men have not the Spirit of Christ : Now people , see if this Scripture doth say in plain words that some men have not the spirit of Christ , and see how he has wronged the Apostle , and perverted his words ; and whether the Apostle did not tell them ( in the first of the Romans ) who were wicked people , That , that which might be known of God was manifested in them : yet they Reprobated from it , and so their hearts were darkened , and so was not led by the Spirit as the Saints was , and so they that quench the Spirit , and will not have it to lead them , how are they Christs ? and so mark , the same Chapter in the following words , They that are led by the Spirit of God they are the Sons of God . And so thou may see how thou goes about to overthrow the Apostles words and Christs Doctrine ; thou hath a strange Doctrine and Preaching of thine , to preach to the world , and tell them they have not the spirit , nor a saving Light . And so all thy Testimonies thou hast brought doth not prove thy Proposition to be true , that Christ doth not give his Spirit to every man that comes into the World , which the 16. of John overthrowes thee .

And I disliking thy assumption , ( as thou callest it , but many ignorant people doth not know what thou meanest , but thou would cover thy self by thy dark words ; ) for no proof that thou brought was to purpose ; for that of Jude which speaks of such as went in the way of Cain ; I say Cain had talked with God , and heard his voice though he was a wicked man ; and this thou brings to prove , that wicked men have not the Spirit , and doth not know the things of God , but Cain knew God , for he talked with him , and that must be by the Spirit ; and those that Jude speaks of were such as had been with them , and went from them into the way of Cain ; or how could it have been said they had err'd , and had not the spirit and the way .

And here people may see thou neither knows the Scriptures , nor the power of God , as wise as thou thinks thou art , for my words were not , that they lost it , but that they err'd from it , according to the Scripture ; and why could thou not put in all my words I spoke , but perus'd my words , and so left out that which pinched thee ; for I have borne my Testimony amongst many of your people , both in England , Scotland , and Ireland , and other places , which many is come from you , and sees your deceitful wayes of darkeness opposing the Light ; for I my self was one of you , and now walkes in the light of the Lamb , Glory for ever to the Highest ; And why doth thou wrong me , for I denyed thy Proposition , and held forth Christ the Saving Light .

And whereas thou sayest by the way , If a Scripture pinch us , we will not stick to give a meaning to it , and such an one as may best suite our purpose .

Answ. This is false , for I gave no meanings to the Scriptures but as they are , and there is no Scripture that thou brought which pinched any of us , but they nipt and pinched thee as thou callest it : And thou say'st , thou replyed , that it could not be that those in Jude ever had the Spirit , because they were sensual and natural , and went in Cains way : and here all may see , thou left out the word how they went in the way of Cain , and error of Ballaam ; and Cain talked with God , and that must be by the Spirit , as I said before ; and God said , should he not be accepted if he did well , &c. therefore Cain had the spirit of God ; and they that went in his way from the Christians err'd from the spirit , the righteous way , and so became natural , and sensual , in the self seperation from the spirit where thou art ; and that in the second of Corinthi . is answered before ; and now people see if Jude and the first of Cor. 2. c. doth say that natural and sensual Men had never the spirit , and you may see how this man perverts the Scriptures and wrongs them for his own ends ; for these Scriptures speaks no such things as he doth ; and how can the natural man discern the things of the Spirit of God when that he grieves the spirit of God , by which he should receive them , and errs from it , as in Jude , and is not led by it , Cor. 2. and Rom. 8. and they that quench the spirit of God in themselves , will oppose it in others , as thou dost ; and those that are led by the spirit of God , they are they that discern spiritual thing and they that quench it doth not ; and thou repeats the 2. of Cor. 2. to no purpose for thee , and they cannot decern the things of God that quenches the spirit , and errs from it , but they can decern the things of God that are led by the spirit of God , as in the 1 Cor. 2. and this doth not say , he hath not the spirit of God , thou wrongs the Scriptures in that , and adds to the Apostles words , for all people may see that reads thy words and the Scriptures , what a pittiful meaning thou gives to the Scriptures here , and speaks thy own words , and would make people believe they are the Apostles words , and so wrongs and belies the Apostles .

And as for thy charging us with disorder as I said before , thou was the first man that was disorderly , and thou spake when another was speaking , and thy people many of them spake together ; and why dost thou complain and say some of us spake , one after another , for this was the agreement that one should speak after another ; and that thou could not have time to answer , and thou had more time then any , but it s thou that did not speak to the matter in hand , but fell to preaching to the people ; and thou wrongest us , for we spoke orderly one after another , except we spoke when you were speaking disorderly , and of your speaking unreverently of the things of God , and our asking the questions was to have thee make good the thing in hand , which thou could not do ; and this is thy shift , to say , thou was obstructed ; but tell me who obstructed thee , for not answering T. C. and old H. W. their Queries this half years time , but thou would have had all the talk to have held what errors thou would , and none to oppose thee ; and it seems M. F. and G. F. the truth that they spoke there tormented thee ; and where thou say'st G. F. coming in about that time thou was replying to J. S. this is false , for thou was speaking to M. F. and held the debate ( a good while after G. F. came in ) with her , and then G. F. ( many people standing upon the Formes ) upon which he stood up upon , and set one foot upon the edge of the Table , for thou was gotten to the uppermost end of the Table , in the highest place , Priest like , and what a great advantage hast thou taken here , because G. F. stood up upon the Forme , did not thou and the other Priest stand upon the Table before George Fox , and was so unruly not to be gotten off the Table , and thy own people stood upon the Formes scoffing and revileing , and because that G. F. stood but the one foot upon the Forme , and the other upon the Table leaning upon his Knee ; this thou could publish in thy Book as a great transgression .

And whereas thou sayest thou was standing ; that is false , for thou was siting ; and when G. F. spoke to thee thou cockt up thy Hat , more like a Ranter , and a Player in a Tavern , then one imployed in the service of God , and G. F. reproved thee , and told thee the things of God was weighty , and that thou must not be leght ; and all the serious people beheld thy vanity and weakness , and perverting the Scriptures .

And whereas thou sayest , where thou and others were standing on the ground ; that is false too , for many of you were siting , we did not see you so reverend , though some its true were standing , and stood there where thou should not have stood , and G. F. did take off the strength of the Scriptures alledged by thee , and made it to appear contrary to that end thou brought it , and made it to appear that thou confounded thy own assertion , and did prove that every one that came into the World had the spirit of Christ according to their measure ; and thou falsly belies G. F. for he neither used undervaluing , or taunting expressions , and I believe that none will say so but thy self , except it be some scoffers , or scorners like thy self ; and G. F. needed not undervalue thee , for thou under valued thy self in speaking against truth , and against the plain Scriptures of truth .

And as for G. F. as thou saidst , went several times from the Table and said , the least Babe there , was able to answer thee , the dispute being not his ; liberty being granted , upon which occasion he spoke something to thee , who spoke that thou couldst not make good by the Scriptures , as after will be manifest ; and it did appear there that one of the least babes in the truth thou could not answer , ( to wit ) H. W. and G. F's . presence who is in the truth , was not so needful , whom thou scoffingly termes their Leader , or rather their misleader ; but the weakest amongst us saw , and doth see thee that thou was , art , and hath been a misleader to many of our Friends , who now see thee , who has Christ now to be their Leader , Praises to the Lord God for ever ; and G. F. did not miserably wrest nor abuse the Scriptures as thou say'st , but spoke them as they were , but thou makes no conscience of lying , who sayes he miserably wrested them , but that which he spoke was in defence of the Truth , against thy error ; and he would have the people to understand the Scripture thou brought to oppose thy self , and the meeting was to that end that truth might be manifest to them , for we were satisfied before , and we are very well acquainted with these Scriptures that thou brought to pervert the Truth ; And thou was seen long ago for what end thy Preaching was .

And whereas thou say'st , that which G. F. spake was not to the purpose then the Scripture thou brought was not to the purpose , and herein thou hast confuted thy self , for that which he spoke was to the Scriptures thou brought to oppose the Truth ; but it seems thou art offended because G. F. spoke to the people , and opened the thing to them , which makes thee complain , manifesting that thou would keep and lead them in blindness and darkness , that thou might make a prey upon them still .

And the thing that thou laid down before the people was , that some men that comes into the World hath not the Spirit ; and thou would prove it out of Jude ; and when the Scripture was read , there was no such words , and yet he affirmed the same thing , though he could not prove it , perverting many Scriptures , and yet could not make any to suite his purpose , and when G. F. let him see the same , he broke out into a rage , and fury , and spoke when he was speaking , and so brake the civil order of speaking one by one ; and whereas he saith , that in the Corinthians the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal , was spoken to the Saints , or Church of God at Corinth , and not to the wicked .

The Apostle doth not say it was to the Saints only , but to every man , and Christ saith , what I say unto you , I say unto all men , watch and pray , and how can they pray without the spirit ? and people , you know it was the false Prophets that limited the Holy one ; and if the Corinthians , every one , had a manifestation of the spirit , here is an [ If ] it seems thou questions this , whether they had or no ; and say'st thou , Every man that cometh into the World hath not a manifestation of the Spirit , as before it s proved out of Acts 2. and John 16. and the Apostles words was every man , and not every Saint ; dost thou not pervert the Apostles words here , and also them that were Baptised by one Spirit , into one body ; which were Saints ; and this thou brings to prove , that the world that quenches , and grieveth , and rebelleth against , and errs from the Spirit of God , hath it not to reprove them ; which any that reads , but Scriptures may see thy ignorance and darkness ; and whereas thou gain-sayest , that the Apostle speaks only that the manifestation of the spirit of every man that was Baptized by one spirit , into one body ; and made to drink into one spirit and not to every man that comes into the world .

Now people look this Chapter thorow , 1 Corinthians 12. whether ye do find these words of John Wiggan's in it or no , that it is onely to them that believe and are Baptized , and whether the Apostle has these Limits , as he hath , and whether his words be onely to them that are baptized , and made to drink into the one spirit , and doth the Apostle say to every Saint , and every one that is baptized into the spirit , and not to every man that comes into the World , doth the Apostle say these words , but are not his words every man , and not every Saint ? and for the same words used in the 11. of Corinthians , makes nothing for thy purpose , that all men have not the spirit , for that is spoken to them that came together into one place , there the Apostle distinguishes his own words ; what shifts art thou put too for to pervert the Truth .

And whereas thou sayest , this is said to every man of them and not every man that comes into the World ; and now people see whether the Apostle saith , the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every one of you only , and see how he contradicts himself with the Scriptures he brings , and would pervert it ; for the Apostle saith , the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man ; and not to every one of you , 1 Cor. 12. 7. and it s given to them to profit withal , whether they do or not , and Gods spirit is poured upon all flesh , and so this Scripture makes nothing for thy purpose .

And as for Exodus 19. 5. this doth not oppose Gods pouring out of his Spirit upon all Flesh Acts 2. and Nehem. 9. was brought , how that God gave his good spirit to such as rebelled against him ; which thou affirmed that wicked men had not the Spirit of God ; and we know that the Jewes was called the Church and people of God , though many of them fell , for their wickedness ; but these that rebelled against it , had it , that were wicked people , which thou denyed , and said , that no wicked people had the Spirit of God , which after thou confessed , and so hast overthrown thy Assertion ; and so thou saith and unsaith .

Secondly , Thou saith , though it be said he gave them his good Spirit , it will not follow that every particular or individual Israelite had this good Spirit , but such as were Israelites indeed .

Ans. Thou hast confessed that the Righteous hath the Spirit of God , so thou art to prove that the wicked hath it not , and in Joshuah the first , there is nothing spoken in that Chapter , that God doth not pour out his Spirit upon all Flesh , and that wicked men hath not the spirit ; there is nothing at all for his purpose ; all that reads it may see : And as for Romans 2. 28 , 29. this confounds thee ; all that reads it may see , for this brings people to the spirit of God in them , that they may be Jewes in the spirit ; and the Romans its known , they had been Heathens and wicked people , yet they had the Spirit ; and all being not Israel that be of Israel , Rom. 9. 6. we know that neither are all true Christians that saith they are Christians ; but are such Israelites and Christians that quench the spirit as thou dost ; but thou denies that all men have it , and so opposes the very Doctrine of the Apostles and Prophets .

And whereas thou say'st , that saying in the 9. of Nehem. must be reserved thus , Moses had that good Spirit , and God promised to take off that good spirit that was upon him , and put upon the seventy Elders , Numb. 11. 17. thus Joshuah was a man in whom was the Spirit , Num. 27. 18. and had another spirit than many others had , and was fitted thereby for the conduct of the Congregation , Numb. 27. 16. but it cannot hence be inserted , that all or any of the fleshly seed of Abraham , or such as were born after the flesh had the spirit , but such onely as were born after the Spirit , Gall. 4. 23 , 29.

Ans. This is John Wiggan's conclusion , and meaning upon these Scriptures which he hath brought to prove , that every man that comes into the world hath not the Spirit ; which are not to that purpose at all , and doth the 9. of Nehem. speak that Joshuah had the spirit , and Moses , and that it was put upon the Elders , and was these them that Rebelled and slew the Lords Prophets , and turned against him ; what Prophets of the Lord did they slay because thou sayest that in Nehem. must be reserved that Moses had the good Spirit , &c. and they after the flesh , or any of the fleshly seed of Abraham , or such as were born after the flesh had not the spirit , but such as were born after the spirit , &c. and Nehemiah said generally he gave his good spirit unto them , not only to Moses and Joshuah , but such as turned their backs on the Lord ; which thou cannot prove that ever Moses or Joshuah slew the Lords Prophets , &c. and that God deliver'd them into the hands of their enemy , to be vexed and troubled ; and as for Numb . 11. & 17. doth not prove that the Children of Israel had not the spirit of God ; nor Numb. 27. 16 , 18. for that saith , God is the spirit of all flesh ; that proves against thee ; for the Children of Israel had heard the voice of God , and knew the power of God when thy came out of Egipt , and knew his Law , and so he was called their God ; and so they knew the things of God , which they could not have done but by the spirit of God ; and Moses said they were the Children of God , and were a holy people , Deut. 14. and they were to hearken diligently to the voice of God , &c. and he had set his people the Jewes the seed of Abraham after the flesh above all Nations of the Earth , Deut. 28. and yet thou fayest , all Israel , nor any after the flesh , had not the Spirit ; and Gall. 4. 23 , 29. doth not prove that Israel after the flesh had not the Spirit , because , they were not born after it ; for those that persecutes them that are born after the spirit , grieves the spirit of God in themselves ; as Christ said , the Kingdom of Heaven was in the Pharisees that persecuted , and the Jewes that stopt their Eares , and shut their Eyes , and would not hear , nor see , least they should have been converted and healed ; and that which they stopt their Eares , and shut their eyes too , plainly appears it was the Spirit , else what did they backslide and erre from , and quench , and grieve ; so it is evident that all these Scriptures thou hast brought , is to no purpose to prove that all men hath not the spirit : And whereas , thou brings Gall. 4. 6. of such as were Sons of God , they may , and oft do grieve the spirit of God , it doth not say they may , and oft do grieve the Spirit , in the Ephes. 4. 30. but this thou brings that the Sons of God grieves the Spirit of God , and quenches it , and not the wicked ; was there ever the like heard , for we say , and the Scriptures saith , it is the wicked that grieves the Spirit of God , and thou sayest , it is the Sons of God ; and as for Acts the 7. 5. which we alledge , which speak of their rebelling , vexing , and resisting of the Holy Spirit ; and by this it is manifest that they had the holy Spirit , agreeable to that in the 16. of John , and these were they that opprest Christ , as a Cart under Sheaves , and such vexed the Spirit , as in Eccles.

And whereas , thou sayest , all that do grieve , vex , and resist the Spirit of God , have it not ; but they resist the Spirit of God in the Prophets : This is thy meaning , we know they resist the Spirit of God in the Prophets , when they first grieve it in themselves , as thou dost ; and as in the fourth of John the World receives him not ; how should they ; when they hate the Light , and resist it , as thou dost ; but the Spirit reproves them , therefore , they have it , though they cannot receiveit , nor receive Christ , but hate him , and so it is thou that grieves Gods spirit in his Servants .

And whereas , thou sayest , when Steven said they do resist the holy Ghost , it was the Spirit in him , by which he spake , as in Acts 6. 10. as in like manner they resisted the spirit in the Prophets , as Acts 7. 52. which of the Prophets have not your Fathers persecuted , &c. This again is thy meaning , but the Scriptures doth not say as thou saith , for those that resisted the Holy Ghost in Stephen had received the Law of God by the disposition of Angels , &c. Acts 7. 53. now the Law of God was the things of God , and the Angels ministring Spirits ; so these that had the things of God had the spirit of God , and when they kept not the Law of God they quenched and resisted the spirit of God , both in themselves and others .

And whereas thou sayest , when the mighty power of God was put forth in signes and wonders in Egypt , and the Wilderness , Numb. 14. 11. 22. and they believing not his Spirit not in them , but put forth those mighty workes ; and speaking in Joshuah and other faithful Witnesses for God in that day ; thus the spirit of God was vexed in Noah and Lot , by the wickedness of the Old World , and not in the wicked , who being strangers , and without God in the world .

Answ. None of these Scriptures doth say as thou say'st , that the wicked had not the Spirit of God to grieve , but that it was only grieved in Joshuah , Noah , and such like ; as for Numb. 14. such as had seen the wonders of God ten times , and yet did not hearken to the voice of God , and therefore they erred in their beliefe , as vers. 11. now how can these hear the voice of God and have not the spirit of God .

And the Apostle said , they did all drink of the spiritual Rock , and all eat of the spiritual Meat , and the Rock that followed them was Christ ; and yet thou say'st , they had not the Spirit of God to grieve in them , 1 Cor. 10. 3 , 4 , 5. and when they lusted and tempted God , and murmured against God and fell , then they grieved Gods spirit ; and yet thou say'st , they had it not to grieve , but it was only grieved in others ; and had it been Righteous with the Lord in one day to cause 23000. to fall , if they had not grieved his Spirit which he gave them , and so they griev'd him : and dost thou not believe that the Apostle and those Corinthians had the spirit of God , who sayes , let not us tempt God , as they tempted him , nor murmur as they murmured ; and Heb. 3. the Apostle sayes to day if you will hear [ his voice ] harden not your hearts as in the provocation in the day of temptation in the Wilderness , when your fathers saw my works , I was grieved with that generation they do always erre in their hearts , and what did they erre from in their hearts , if it was not from the spirit , for when they had heard God , they did provoke him , though all that came out of Egipt did not provoke him , for as the Gospel being preached to all Nations , the word was preached to them , but the word did not profit them , not being mixed with faith in them that heard it , Heb. 3. and Heb. 4. and in Rom. 10. The word of faith which they preached was in the mouth , and in the heart , which all had heard , and can any hear the word , and have not the spirit , and is not the word spiritual , for doth not the Apostle say to the Romans , which had been Heathens , and Moses to the Jewes , Deut. 30. from the 10. to 15. vers. which saith , It was not far off , nor hidden from them , which saith , they need not say , Who shall ascend up into Heaven , or beyond the Sea to bring it , but the word is very nigh , even in thy heart , and in thy mouth , that thou maist do it , so good , and evil , life , and death , was set before them , and this was spoken as well to those that did disobey God , and for their wickednesse , should be scattered among the Nations ; if hap'ly thence they should turn from their wickedness , and turn unto the Lord , and then they need not say , who shall go up to Heaven , or to beyond the Sea to bring the word , for it was very nigh them , in their hearts , and in their mouths , that they might obey and do it , and the Scripture witnesses the fulfiling of this upon many of them .

And whereas thou sayest , That the spirit was vexed in Noah , and not in the old World , this is contrary to the Scriptures , for the Lord said , My spirit shall not alwayes strive with man , and how that the Sons of God saw the Daughters of Men , and took of them Wifes of all that they chose , and how that all flesh had corrupted its way , which shewes they had a way before they corrupted it ; but thou sayest they had not the spirit , doth not the Apostle say , 1 Pet. 3. 18 , 19 , 20. vers . That Christ preached to the spirits in Prison , which sometimes were disobedient , when the long-suffering of God waited in the dayes of Noah ; and what Prison is this , and what Prison is it that the Prisoners of hope must shew themselves forth , and as it is written , Sodom gave its self over to fornication , &c. wherefore God brought his vengeance upon them , who judges the World in righteousness ; this shewes a transgression , that they went from the good , and gave themselves up to wickedness , as spiritual Sodom does now , and if wicked Men have not the spirit , ( as thou saist ) how then can God , who is a spirit , judge the World in righteousness , and doth not the Apostle justifie the Heathen Phylosophers for saying , We all live and move in God , Acts 17. 27 , 28. that if hap'ly they might feel after God , and finde him , though he be not far from every one of us ; and how can they feel after him and have not his spirit , which thou ignorantly with thy mind puft up , sayes , they have it not ; and because the Saints was a habitation of God through the Spirit , therefore , thou asserts wicked men have not the spirit to vex and grieve it ; but this proves it not , that such as be without God in the World , and strangers have not the spirit of God in themselves to grieve and vex , thou saith ; for that which may be known of God , was manifest in them , and when they knew God , they did not glorifie him as God , but became vain in their imaginations , and changed the truth of God into a lye , such becomes strangers to the life of God , Rom. 1. so these Scriptures overthrowes thy assertions , and proves that wicked men grieves the spirit of God in themselves , as well as in others .

And whereas thou saist , Joh. 16. 7 , 8. if I depart , I will send the Comforter , &c. thou saist by this promise Christ makes , is to send the holy Ghost after his departure ; it is evident enough that this Scripture can be no proof of thy assertion , ( to wit ) that every man that comes into the world hath not the holy Ghost ; for if every man had him when he came into the world , what need was there he should be sent to them , after Christs Ascension ? nay rather , this shews they had him not before he was sent , and so not till after Christs departure , which destroyes thy opinion ; yet thou grants the holy Ghost is come after Christ ascended , to the Apostles , and to reprove the World ; so by this thou hast overthrown thy own opinion and assertion ; and we say that Christ doth enlighten every man that comes into the World , and is a Saviour , and the Light is saving ; and the holy Ghost is given to reprove the World , and lead the Saints ; and it s proved before that the wicked resisted the holy Ghost , before Christ came in the flesh , and the holy Ghost was given to the Disciples after Christ was ascended , and he should reprove the World ; but thou denies it , and sayes , they have it not ; and so demes plain Scripture , and perverts our Words ; for our Words is , That Christ doth enlighten every Man that comes into the World ; and sayes , believe in the Light , and the holy Ghost reproves the World for their unbelief in the Light which leads the Saints unto all Truth .

Secondly , Thou sayes , this promise is made particularly to the Disciples of Christ , I will send him to you , and not unto the World .

Answ. Why dost thou wrong the Scriptures , doth it not say , when he comes , He shall reprove the World of Sin , Righteousness , and Judgment ; of Sin , because they believe not in him ; was he sent then only to the Disciples , and not to the World ? read Iohn 26. 7 , 8 , 9 , 10. over again , and see thy own ignorance and darkness ; and it s sufficiently proved that the wicked resisted the holy Ghost before Christ came ; as also they that killed the Prophets , and also it s proved that Christ did send the Comforter to his Disciples after his Ascension , which Spirit should reprove the World ; and though the Disciples were led into all truth by the Spirit , by which they was to preach the Gospel to all Nations , that the name of Christ might be spread over all ; this doth not disprove the spirit of reproving the World ; which thou in thy ignorance brings to prove that the World hath not the spirit to reprove them ; and in the 17. of John Christ saith , that they all may be one as thou Father art in me , and I in them , that the World may believe that thou hast sent me : Now how can the Worldbelieve , if they have not the Light and the Spirit in them to believe in , seeing Believers hath the witness in themselves ? and as for Christs Miracles and signes which some believed , and some gain-said ; for some said , he did Miracles by the Prince of Devils , such stop their eares and closed their eyes , least they should be converted ; as Acts 27.

And thou sayest , the holy Ghost was poured upon none but who repented and believed ; this is thy saying , who art ignorant of the Scriptures , which saith , God would pour out his Spirit upon all Flesh , Acts 2. Joel 2 , Joh. 16. and such as repented and believed received the holy Ghost , and others resisted it , and quenched it , so that here is a difference betwixt the Believers and Unbelievers , for the one receives it , the other rejects it , though it be powred out upon all , as Christ saith , The Word was sowne in the Field ( which is the World ) it was sowne upon all Grounds , upon the Thorney , the Bryrie , the High-way , and the stony Ground ; but who brought forth fruit , but the good Ground , Mat. 13. and this sufficiently proves that the spirit is powred upon all flesh , and Heb. 6. which speaks of such as were once enlightened , and had tasted of the Heavenly gift , and was made partakers of the Holy Ghost , and tasted of the good Word of God , and if they shall fall away , it were impossible to renew them again to repentance , seeing they crucify ( the Lord of Glory ) the Son of God afresh , and put him to open shame ; and now Priest Wiggan sayes , these wicked men had not the spirit , nor was not enlightened , yet they crucifyed Christ afresh , and put him to open shame ; and thus with his wisdome he abuses the Scriptures , though he hath long made a Trade of them .

And whereas thou makes a preamble upon our words , wherein we replyed to thy assertion ( to wit ) that no wicked man had the spirit of God , but only the Saints , and thou did affirm that Balaam had not the spirit of God ; and we proved that Balaam had the spirit of God , and heard the word and voice of God , as Numh. 24. and now thou hast overthrown thy own assertion , and confesses that Balaam and Saul had the spirit of God , which thou confesses was wicked men , and thus thou hast split thy self upon the Rock , and overthrown thy Foundation , for before thou affirmed none had the spirit of God but believers ; and Balaam prophecyed of great things to the Jewes , and God spoke to him , and we know there is a difference betwixt those that grieves the spirit , and those that walks in it ; and before thou was ignorant of these Scriptures , as Balaam and Saul having the spirit of God , and now thou confesses that wicked men may have it upon some occasions , but sayes all wicked men hath it not , read over again Joh. 16. Acts the 2d . That the Holy Ghost should reprove the World ; and God would powre out his spirit upon all flesh , which before thou would limit only to Iohn Wiggan ove throwes his assertions . Believers , with thy dark imaginations ; and how darest thou preach the Scriptures , which are the things of God to wicked people ; who sayes they have not the spirit of God , and here again thou overthrowes thy assertion , and thou sayes it is the spirit of God in the Ministers of Christ that must convince the World ; and when as we bid thee , ( who lookes upon thyself to be a Minister of Christ ) convince us of any evill we have done , thou shufled it off , and said God must convince us , and so confuted thy Assertion ; and whereas thou wrests and perverts the Scriptures , and sayes , Balaam did not see the Starr of Jacob , which it is said at a full stop , by Balaam , there shall come a Starr out of Jacob , and a Scepter shall rise out of Israel : Now how could he prophesie of it , if he did not see it ? and this overthrowes thee and thy Assertion , who never saw so far as Balaam did .

And whereas thou sayest , they shall see him when every eye sees him ; by this thou confounds thy own assertion , for none can see God or Christ without the Light of the Spirit ; and thou confesses every eye shall see him ; and we may help thee a little further , for every tongue shall confess , and every Knee shall bow , at the name of Jesus ; if thou knew what his Name is , then thou mightest know that the Light of the body is the Eye , which sees God .

And whereas thou brings Job , who said , when I see for my self , and with my eyes , and this thou brings to prove that Israel and Balaam should not see till the latter day ; and thou maist read Job , and confute thy self , Job 42. who saith , I have heard of thee by the hearing of the eare , but now my eye seeth thee , here Job was a true Prophet , for before he said he should see him , now he sayes he did see him , and thus thy ignorance ( knowes not Scriptures ) appeareth , and we know what the Believers saw , and are satisfyed , and we believe thou hast not come so far as Balaams Asse , nor heard the voice of God as he did , though thou would sit as a Judge of the World , and in the Saints conditions .

And whereas thou sayest , that the Spirit of God dwelt no more in Balaam , then the Angel of the Lord dwelt in the Asse ; and one of thy people said , ( which thou say'st is no Baptist ) that Balaam had no more spirit then his Horse ; he was one of thy followers , and took thy part , and thou didst not gain-say him then ; and now thou say'st in effect the same that he did .

And that the spirit of God dwelt no more in Balaam then the Angel did in the Asse ; then let all people read Numb . 22. Numb . 23. Numb . 24. did Balaam's Asse praise the Tents of Jacob , and bless Israel , and prophesie to many people ; and will God bring Balaam's Asse to Judgment as he doth Balaam ; for Balaam erred from the Spirit , ( but thou cannot say his Asse did so ) and loved the wages of unrighteousness , and hast not thou been there , to run greedily after the error of Balaam for gifts and rewards ; does not thou remember a difference bewixt 40 l. and 100 l. for preaching about Manchester , and who should have had this , John ; and God testified against the error of Balaam , but not against the Asse , as in Jude ; and here it s proved Balaam had more spirit then his Horse , ( as you called him ) which overthrowes the assertion of thee and thy fellowes : And whereas thou makes a great transgression , because , we said he was a Baptist , if thou be a Baptist he maintained thy Principle , and was one with thee , and why dost thou deny him now .

And whereas thou sayest , there is a Light or Law in every man , which convinceth and reproves of sin , and this made Judas bring the money back again , and this ( thou sayest ) doth not reprove of unbeliefs Judas was made a partaker of the Ministry , and had he no more then a natural man , is this according to thy knowledge of the Scripture ? did this which convinced Judas not reprove him of his unbelief ? did it not make him confess he had sinned in betraying the Innocent blood ? did he not see his unbelief and wickedness here , Mat. 27. and to prove thy assertion thou brings Rom. 2. 14 , 15. which sayes the Gentiles that have not the Law , do the things contained in the Law , shews the work of the Law written in their hearts , their consciences bearing witness , &c. and if thou read the 16. vers. thou may see that this witness speaks , in the day that God shall judge the Secrets of Men by Jesus Christ ; hereby it plainly appears that in the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ , this spirit which lead the Gentiles to do those things contained in the Law , will justifie them ; and this uncircumcision the Apostle saith , shall be counted Circumcision , as vers. 26. and doth not this Light which judges the secrets of all hearts by Jesus , convince of unbelief ; so here thou hast belyed the Apostle , and whereas thou sayest , this was before that promise in the 16. of John , we know that — and whereas thou sayest , that this spirit of truth was to convince the World of Sin , as in the 16. of John , and unbelief ; here thou hast overthrown that which thou asserted in the publick meeting , for therein thou asserted that none had the spirit but Believers , and this Scripture was to convince thee , for that which convinced the Gentiles was within , by which they knew God , and was not that by the Spirit ? else how came they to be baptized in the spirit , and circumcision in the spirit , and thus one while thou confesses , and another while denies , and so is in confusion ; and goes about to bring one Scripture to overthrow another , to thy own destruction ; for when the Holy Ghost was come , when the Apostle preached to the Romans and the Gentiles , which he spoke of , and preached to , was become the true Circumcision in the spirit , and the Holy Ghost was come then which was promised .

And in all thy Answers , it doth not disprove the Scripture , which saith , the World hath the Holy Ghost to reprove them ; but Christs words which is our assertion stands , and thou and thy assertion by thy former arguments is shaken , and so it is proved that the wicked and unregenerate hath the Holy Ghost , which thou confesses is the spirit of Christ , though they grieve it , and all the Scriptures thou brought proves nothing to the contrary , but overthrowes thy assertion , and John 14. 17. is answered before , for the World and thou art unlike to receive the spirit of truth , when you reject and oppose the Light , and will not receive it , which you should believe in ; for if you receiv'd it , it would not reprove you , but you would have fellowship in it ; & why dost thou judge the World hath it not , when thou confesseth thou hath it , and is in the same nature of the world , in envy , malice , and revenge ; and Rom. 8. 9. proves nothing to thy assertion , but saith , the Saints was not in the flesh , and they that quench and grieve the spirit of God , and will not have the spirit of God , but it reproves them for their sin , &c. how can they be said to be Christs , when they will not have the spirit of Christ to lead them ; and Jude 19. is clear against thy assertion , which speaks of such as had the spirit , and erred from it , and so became like Sodons , and Cain , and Core , and Balaam , these thou brings to prove that wicked men has not the spirit of God over and over , Balaam had the spirit of God , that is proved in Numbers ; and in Genesis it is proved that Cain talked with God , and heard his voice , and he could not do that without the spirit ; and Core knew the power of God that brought him forth of Egipt , and was not he of the tribe of Levie that ministred in the Priests office , and was he like to medle in the things of God without the spirit ; though these err'd from the spirit , as in Jude , and so became sensual . And thou had more liberty to hold forth thy errors , then others had to hold forth Truth ; and as the Serpent led Adam and Evah from Righteousness and Holiness to the Tree , by which they fell , so thou his Messenger leads people from the spirit of God within them , to something without them .

Whereas thou say'st in thy second Argument , whom Christ lighteth with a saving Light into their hearts , he causeth the Glorious light of the Gospel to shine , 2 Cor. 4. 4 , 6. but he causeth not the Glorious light of the Gospel to shine into the hearts of every one that comes into the World , for the Gospel is hid to some , to whom the God of this world , hath blinded the mind of them that believe not , &c.

Ans. This doth not follow nor prove that all are not enlightened with a saving light , because , the God of this World hath blinded the minds of them that doth not believe ; nor it does not overthrow the promise of God , who said he would give Him for a Light to the Gentiles to enlighten them , who was the Glory of Israel , Luke 2. 32. and he should be Gods Salvation to the ends of the Earth , Isa. 42. 49. 6. and Isa. 52. 10. where the Lord said , Is it a light thing that he should be his servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob , and restore the preserved of Israel ; but saith the Lord , I will give thee for a Light to the Gentiles , that thou may'st be my Salvation to the ends of the Earth : and when Christ came , he said , I am the Light of the World ; and he that followes me shall not walk in darkness , but shall have the light of Life , Joh. 8. 12. & John which came to bear witness of the true Light , saith , That , that was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the World , ( and he sayes ) that all men through him might believe : and Christ saith in the 12. of John , Believe in the Light ; and he that believed is saved ; so this proves that the Light is saving ; and though some be darkness , and the God of the World hath blinded their eyes , because , they do not believe ; yet this Light shines in darkness , and the darkness comprehends it not , Joh. 1. 5. so this clearly overthrowes thee and thy assertion , to be in the darkness , and not to comprehend the Light which shines in thy darkness , for he that believes in the light is saved by it , and he that does not , is condemned ; and Christ who is the Light , is the Saviour ; so this proves that the World is lightened with a saving Light ; though they neglect their Salvation and God is just , in judging of them ; and the Saints that believe i● the Light , and becomes Children of the Light , it shines in their hearts , and gives them the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ , 2 Cor. 4. but them that hate the light , John 3. comes to be darkened , and does not know the Father and the Son as the Saints do , for they become haters of their Salvation ; and as thou and the Pharisees hating the true Light , and seting up your own wisdom , instead of the Light , then if the Light which be in you is darkness , how great is that darkness , when you stop your eares from the true Light of Christ in your selves , and set up your own way , and denies Christ Jesus the Light to be the way ; and Ephes. 4. 18. nor Math. 6. neither of these places sayes that the Light in them was darkness ; but saith , Ye were sometimes darkness , but now are you light in the Lord , &c. and Christ saith , If the eye be single , the body is full of light , but if it was double or evil , it was full of darkness ; and to the double or evil eye he questions , if that light that is in them be darkness , how great was that darkness ; and this shewes there was two eyes , and the double went from the single eye which would fill the body full of light ; but the double fills it full of darkness , and then calls darkness light , and denies the Light of Christ as thou dost , Isai. 5. 20. so all the Scripture thou brings and perverts is to no purpose , for they do not disprove the light to be saving .

And whereas thou sayes again , Such as are lightened with a saving light are new Creatures , and are Regenerated , and such as the light is , such is the life , and it is implanted in them , and they have eternal Life ; but Christ doth not quicken , Regenerate , make new Creatures , and give life to every man that comes into the world , but some are in the flesh , born and are created in sin , have not life , yea die in their sin .

Ans. Here thou goes about to lay the fault upon Christ , that men are not regenerate , and hath not life , &c. when the Scripture plainly tells thee that it is because they do not believe , and they that do believe are regenerated , born again , and have Eternal Life , and do know the effects of the Light , and such as the light is , such is their Life ; but they that doth not believe in the light , does not become Children of the Light , but remaines in the flesh , and the birth of it , in an unregenerated state without life , hating the Light , so hating the life , not because they have not a saving light , but Christ saith , Believe in the light while you have it ; shewing they have it , before they are children , Joh. 12. Heb. 3. and they that dyed in their sins , ( poor man were in thy condition ) they did not believe that Christ the light was he to believe in ; and all the Scripture thou brings is nothing to oppose the light of Christ to unbelievers , which was spoken to the Saints , which thou perverts , for we know what was spoken to Believers , and what to unbelievers ; and Joh 8. 24. where it 's said , if they did not believe that he was the Christ they should die in their sins : and the Apostle said , all was gone astray , both Jewes and Gentiles , that God might have mercy upon all , Rom. 11. 32. and so this mercy of God to the World thou denies , and God respects no man's person , as in the Acts , &c.

And whereas , thou brings many Scriptures to prove , that the Saints by the Light had faith , had gift to trust in him ; had power to become Sons of God , and had Christ dwelling in them by his Spirit , and by Faith , &c.

Ans. All these is nothing to the matter in hand , for the Dispute was not about the Saints having the Light , for because Believers had it , and was grown to such conditions , this doth not make out that the Unbelievers had it not ; for God sends Rain both upon the just and unjust ; and God so loved the World that he gave his onely begotten Son into the World to enlighten the World ; that whosoever believed in him should not perish ; and such as do believe in him have faith , and comes to be Sons , and comes to receive Christ to dwell in them , and rule in them ; but those that hate Light , will not have this man to rule over them ; and hath not God dealt to every man a measure of faith through the Grace that is given ; and doth not the Grace of God which appears to all men , bring Salvation ? which is sufficient and justifies ? read Timothy , Tit. 2. Rom. 12. and had not the unprofitable servant a Talent to improve , and was not that Talent , saving as well as the talent of the other two , that did improve them , if he had improved it , and doth not some that 's wicked , make shipwrack of Faith , and of a good conscience , and turn the Grace of God into wantonness , 1 Tim. 1. 19. these departed from the faith , and erred from the faith , and cast off their faith , and Tim. 5. 8. and the 16. 10. now by thy assertion thou sayes , these had not faith , &c.

And whereas thou sayes , We brought nothing to weaken thy arguments but that Scripture in the first of Iohn 9. which saith , That is the true Light that enlightens every man that comes into the World ; which we say is saving : but many other proofes we brought ( but thou regarded none ) out of Iohn and Esaiah , to prove that Christ was the Light and Salvation to the ends of the Earth ; and so thou are not only ignorant of Scripture , but darker then the Common-Prayer Book , for it saith , Almighty God which sheweth unto all men that be in error the light of thy Truth , to the intent they may return into the way of Salvation , &c. and as for thy accusing us for wresting the Scriptures and hard censures , we speak them as they were , but it was thou that wrested Scriptures to maintain thy assertions , but could not ; and when thou manifested thy ignorance , M. F. told thee of thy ignorance , and as it did , and yet doth appear , and by denying and opposing the light , thou manifested thy self to be a miserable Creature , and an enemy of God , and denyed the Lord that bought thee ; and Rich. Cubam proved thee out of 2 Peter 2. 2. and Jude , to be the man that denyed the Lord that bought thee , and to be that false Prophet that brought in the damnable heresie , and through covetousness and feigned words made merchandize of people , and by such as thee the way of truth was evil spoken of ; and then ye were all in a noise and disorder , and went away in a tempest ; and that which thou didst assert in plain words , [ that God denyed faith to some men , ] which error thou hast left out of thy Book , it is like thou was ashamed of that , and when thou was put to prove it , and give us Scripture for it , thou seems to bring many , perverting them , but would not make it good by any , which yet it stands unmade good on thy head ; and it is proved before that the Righteous had the faith , and such as was wicked had made shipwrack of it , which by the Scriptures overthrows thy assertion ; and one of thy Brethren said in the open Dispute , [ that Christ did not shed his blood for all men ; ] which is contrary to the Scripture , that saith , He tasted death for every man ; and is a propitiation for our sins , and not for ours only , but for the sins of the whole World 1 Fpist . Joh. 2. and as in Adam all dyed , even so in Christ all shall be made alive ; which thou hast denyed , 1 Cor. 13. 22.

And thou manifested that thou was not a rational man , as George Fox could thee , both in thy practice and carriage in the Meeting ; who brake the Order amongst us , which was , that all might speak one by one ; and thy laying violent hands upon Tho. Curwen ; and what Margaret Fell spoke of , thou hast made manifest that to the full , and my words , Io. Berley , will stand over thee , for Drunkards and Swearers will not deny the Light , as thou dost ; it was the Pharisees , and the Chief Priests that were most against Christ the Light , as thou art , as thou may see in the Evangelists , and when it was put to thee to make good that Christ did not shed his blood for all Men , thou didst not then , nor yet make good ; but the Scriptures is against thee and thy Disciple , Heb. 2. 9. That he by the grace of God , should tast Death for every Man ; The Love of Christ constraines us , because we thus judge , that if Christ dyed for all , then all were dead , and he did dye for all ; that they that live should not henceforth live unto themselves , but unto him that dyed for all , 2 Cor. 5. 15. and here thy judgment is contrary to the Apostles , as thou may see , what error thou and thy People are in , contrary to the Scriptures .

And whereas thou hast Published some part of ( I ) Iames Parkes Letter , what was thou ashamed to Publish it all , that the People might have seen the whole Letter , but thou serves my Letter , as thou dost the Scriptures , take part , and leave out part , as thy Father the old Deceiver did , Mat. the 4. and my Letter is true to thee , for thou long deceived me , and led me Captive in Error and blindness , where thou art thy self , and also many others , from the Light of Christ Jesus ; and I told thee , and writ this to thee in private , which thou hast made publick ; and it is well thou hast , that others may see thy folly and madness , who keepest people from the light and salvation , but praised be the Lord I have escaped thy error . And it seemes thou art offended , because I Henry Wood called thee Priest Wiggan , was thou not Chapel Priest about Manchester , doth not the Country know it , I must not call thee Captain , nor Major , for thou hast not thy Belt , and I cannot Master and Sir thee as thy hearers does , and it is like thou will be offended if I call thee John Wiggan , and art not thou a Priest still , hast thou not many Collections about Manchester , dost thou not live better now than thou could do out of Prison ; for many of your Priests have but bad Tradeing , and are broken Merchants , and whereas thou sayes thou art taught not to strive , nor to render railing for raileing , 2 Tim. 2. 24. but to be gentle to all men , how was thou gentle when thou laid violent hands on John Abrams , and was ready to tear Tho. Curwen's Coat off his back , so that he cryed out to thee , what , a Minister of Christ , and wilt thou fight , and yet thou praises thy self , thou art gentle and will not strive , when thy actions testifies against thee , that thou hates the light , and when thou said , the Plagues of God was upon Thomas Curwen ; this is not rayling with thee ; and said , the spirit of the Devil spoke in him , when he spoke truth to thee , and this was thy fury and madness , who art not fit to talk of the Saints conditions ; and so it is manifest thou knows not what spirit thou art of , who dost not know the light of Christ to be saving , neither hast thou shewed forth the fruits of the spirit of Christ , with its workings : And whereas , thou would know , where any of the Ministers of Christ , or Christ called any strange birth of the flesh , &c. it seems thou art ignorant of the Scriptures as well as others , as long as thou hast been a Merchant , for did not Christ tell the Pharisees , they were of their Father the Devil , Iohn 8. and the Apostle said to Elimas the Sorcerer , thou full of all subtilty , who perverts the right way of God : as thou dost , hindering people from believing in the light , Ioh. 12. Acts 13. and so we speak truth to thee , as thou art , we do not falsly accuse thee ; and now see thee where thou art , who long deceived us , but praised be the Lord we are come to Christ the saving Light , which thou denyes , and its manifest what thou art , and what thy suffering is , in the darkness against the light ; and thou proves thy self a Thief and a Robber , who enters not in by the door Christ , the Light , but climbes up another way ; and therefore , the sheep knows thy voice to be the stranger , Iohn 10. and we know what thy compassion is ; but thou wants power : thou hast manifested in this Book , and the Letters thou hast sent up and down to Manchester and Stopperd ; and thy deeds are manifest in the light which thou hates so much ; and the Lord is rebuking the evil spirit , and judging it , and thou wilt feel the weight of his hand for thy maliciousness to his people ; and it is thou that hath mislead and misguided the simple , who brings forth arguments to no purpose , to strike at the Corner-stone Christ the Light , it being fallen upon thee ; therefore , thy Arguments is manifest to be to no purpose ; and therefore , thou art thus tormented ; and whereas thou savest , our Corner-stone being struck at , then the building must needs fall to the ground : but I say , our foundation is Christ the Light , Ioh. 8. which we know that thou , and all the Generation of Priests have struck at , till you are all tumbled down your selves ; but Christ our Corner stone , and Foundation , and Light , never fell ; but thine is fallen , and therefore thou ragest : And we do affirm in our words and printed Books , that Christ , who says he is the Light , in Joh. 8 , he is the Dore , Joh. 10. he is the quickning Spirit , and he is the Corner stone which God hath laid in Sion , he is the Truth , and he is the All , and in all and above all , according to Scripture ; and to be believed in , And hath enlightned every man that comes into the world ; and he is the Redeemer and the word ; and this thou denyest , Christ the Light , the Quickning Spirit , the Way , the Truth , the Corner stone , the Word , the Foundation , the Redeemer and the All ; And here indeed , thou hast denyed the Corner stone , and Christ Jesus , which the Prophets , Christ , and the Apostles testified of ; so thou hast manifested thy self against them : So never take their words to make a Trade of any more .

And thou canst not call Christ the Light , a Quickning Spirit , the Way , the Truth , the Word , the Foundation , the Corner stone , the Redeemer , this thou canst not call the True Jesus thou sayst , We do believe thee , and that thou art an Enemy to him , and them that walk in his light are manifest : and therefore have I Richard Gubbam proved thee a false Prophet and Antichrist , according to thy own-words , and we are come to Repentance , and the knowledg of the Truth , and thy ways be detected , whereby many simple hearts be turned from them , and so now we are many of us undeceived from such deceivers as thee , who calls Christ the Light , the Word , the Way , the Truth , deceiving , but the Lord rebuke thee who strives to keep Ignorant simple people from the Light , and in darkness thou wouldst aspire up as a Judge of all conditions , and knows not thy own to be miserable , blind and naked , Rev. 1. yet thou tell'st the Reader what the Light is , and what it can do , and what it cannot do ; and of what use it is , when thou in the darkness cannot comprehend it .

And whereas thou tellest us of the Light of the first Adam , and the Spirit of man is the Candle of the Lord , Proverbs 20. and Genesis 2. Adam was made a living soul , 1. Cor. 15. and thou sayest , this Candle of the Lord , or Light in every man , is inferior to other Lights , and is lower than the Angels , and is limited and bounded , &c. And now would not this Light have justified the Jews , and Adam ; and the Candle of the Lord , would not that have directed them in his way ; and did not David call the word of God A Lanthorn to his feet , and a Light unto his path : And is this thy Spirit which is under the Bonds and Limits ; for where the Spirit of God is joyned to , there is liberty ; and we do not tell thee of the Light of Adam , thou art gone from the matter ; but we speak of the Light of Christ Jesus , the second Adam , the Lord from Heaven : For our dispute was not about the earthly Adam , the Spirit of a man ; but our discourse was about Christ the Light of the world , the Saviour ; and thou tel'st us of the Light of Adam ; this is thy dark Wisdom , and like thy knowledge and experience of Christ .

And whereas thou say'st , the Spirit of a man , or Light in every man is understood to be the Reason , or the understanding of a man , whereby he is adopted to know his Creator ( viz. who made him according to David , Psalms 59. 6.

Answ. Here thou hast confuted thy self ; for can man be adopted to know his Creator with his own Spirit and Reason , and his own Light which thou call'st Natural ; For the Natural man knows not the things of God , and the Spirit of man knows the things that be of a man ; even so the Spirit of God knows the things that be of God ; and if all Nations must know the Lord God that made them , and serve him , and they are his people , and the sheep of his Pasture , and they must worship and kneel before the Lord their maker , and keep his Laws , then they should have the Spirit of God ; for natural men cannot discern the things of God , nor hear his voyee , nor worship him , as thou said'st before , so these Scriptures over throws thy assertion , Psal. 95. 6. And whereas thou say'st of this Light , we may understand Christ to speak . Mat. 6. 23. Therefore if the Light in thee be Darkness , how great is that Darkness ? Together with this Light set up in every man , which shows him his Creator ; that he is to be served , and how he is to be served ; of necessity there must be a Law Implanted in him ( which Law is called Light , Prov. 6. 23. whereby the will and mind of his Creator , which is imprest upon him , and made known unto him ; so that he by the Spirit or Light set up in him , could reflect this Law , and understand the reason and reasonableness of it ; this was the fullest Light in man before the fall ; he could look his God in the face , and come to his presence with the Light , and serve him with Gladness .

Answ. What error and confusion is this , if the Light , which is Darkness , shewed Adam the face of God , and is that which shews the Creator , and is the Law in the heart which reflects upon people ; for that which is spoken of in the 6 of Math. where Christ saith , if that light that be in you be darkness , how great is that darkness ? which he spoke to the double Ey'd State , which if the Eye be single , the whole body is full of light .

And Adam before he fell , had no darkness in him , and if the Law in the 6 of the Prov. be darkness in men , with Mat. 6. as thou comparest it , in thy blind & erroneous meaning , and so perverts the Scriptures to thy own distruction , for the Law is light , and the Reproofs of Instruction is the way to life ; and this we affirm to be saving , and not the Light which is called Darkness ; And the Law of God which is placed in the heart , whereby the will and mind of God is known Spiritually , and the things of God are known only by the Spirit of God , and this is above mans Reason , or Spirit , or darkness , and keeps men in Reason , out of darkness , and orders mens Spirits to know the Lord ; and herein thou hast manifested thy error and Ignorance ; for men in the light which is called darkness , knows not God , nor in their natural estate as they are err'd from the Spirit of God ; and Adam was above that state before he fell , of men in the Natural estate in the fall , whose light is darkness , and this is thy darkness and ignorance , in paralleling them together .

And whereas thou sayst , since the fall this Candle of the Lord in man , is become exceeding dim to what it was , so that his understanding was darkned with blindness and Ignorance , Ephes. 4. 18. yet it is not wholly Extinct , for then he could not Exist , but would cease to be ; and the Law which was written in mans heart , now is not so plainly to be read ; yet there is sufficient left to render God Righteous in his proceeding against man , who hold the measure of knowledg left in them ( that is to say , of his eternal power and God-head ) &c.

Answ. By this thou hast contradicted thy self , and granted that every man hath the Spirit ; for can any know the eternal power of God and his God-head , without his Spirit .

Then do they not know Christ , in whom the fulness of the God-head dwells in ; and before thou calls it natural , and Darkness , and Reason , and mans Spirit , who art ignorant of the new Covenant , Christ Jesus the Light , which is given to all man-kind , who is beyond the first , which thou art groping in , & making nothing of , in thy dark understanding ; and yet thou compares it [ this Candle ] to the light before the fall , and with darkness , one while is the Spirit of a man , and another while is the Spirit of a man , and another while is Reason ; and where there is Reason , there 's the Spirit of Faith ; and thus intrudes into those things thou never saw , which puffs up thy fleshly mind .

2. Thou sayst What use is this light of , or what can this Light in every man do since the fall .

And again thou saist , this Light or Spirit of a man , searcheth all the parts of the belly , Prov. 20. 27. or as the Apostle saith , it medleth with the things of a man , 1 Cor. 2. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man , save the Spirit of man which is in him , that manifests every action of man , it looks upon every thing done , or to be done , with a direct Act of the understanding ; and this singly considered , makes not any thing that is done to be good or evil .

Answ. All may see how thou hast contradicted thy former words , which thou said , it manifests his eternal power and God-head , and it was the Law in the heart ? And now it makes nothing to be good or evil [ thy light doth not ] and in this thou hast contradicted thy former sayings ; And how can God judge the world in Righteousness , if the light that is in man shews him neither good nor evil . And this is contrary to Rom. 2. 20. For that which may be known of God , is manifested in them , for God hath shewed it unto them ; by which they know Good and Evil , and doth the Candle of the Lord search all the inward parts of the belly , and manifests every action of man , and looks upon every thing done , or to be done , with a direct act of the understanding ; and yet the evil that a man doth , manifested to his understanding ; what contradictions and blindness is this , for if every action that a man doth is manifested , then sin is manifested , or else every action is not manifested ; and if this light manifests in man what is done , and what is to be done , this makes him a Prophet , According to thy words , who has manifested thy self to beignorant both of the old Covenant and the new : And that which is spoken of 1 Cor. 2. the which thou brings to oppose the Light in every man .

And whereas thou say'st , when this light , or mans spirit reflects upon the Law written within , according to which it is done , or not done , the evidness of the actions discovered , these reflects are of the Soul , and is called Conscience ; that is a knowing together with some else ; thus the Law discovers the quality of the action , according to Rom. 3. 20. by the Law is the knowledge of Sin ; now according to the conformity , or non-conformity that a man's actions bears to the Law , such will its sentence be , and answerable to the sentence the Law pronounceth , will be the excusations , or accusations of the person ; according to Rom. 2. 15. which shews the work of the Law written in their hearts ; their Consciences also bearing witness , and their thoughts the mean while excusing or accusing one another : this is that witness which the Lord hath left for himself in men , that he may be just when he judgeth the World , and every mouth stopped at the great day , Rom. 2. 5 , 6. this manifested to Adam his transgression , which made him hide himself , Gen. 3. 13. this manifested to Judas his sin , and caused him to bring back the money , and confess he had sined ; this may answer Henry Wood's Query ; neither is this light only exercised in manifesting the things of man , even the secret and hidden things of the belly ; but it is also able to feel and seek after God his Creator , Acts 17. 27 , 28. and is in a capacity of knowing much of him as a Creator at least , his eternal power and Godhead , by the things that are seen , Rom. 1. 19 , 20. thus far the light and Law within every man may go .

Ans. What jumbled stuffe is this , and confusion , and contradictions ; can the light the spirit of man as thou callest it , know his Creator at least , his eternal power and Godhead , and to feel and seek after God ; when thou saidst before , the natural man knew not the things of God , nor the spirit of a man knew but the things of man ; now if all those knew the Creator and the eternal power and Godhead , and to feel and seek after God ; thou hast proved then that all have the spirit of God ; and by this , overthrown thy own assertion , as thou hast done often before ; and if they know the Law of God , which soul and conscience effects upon , as thou faist , then they knew the things of God ; for the Law of God is the things of God , and they are known by the spirit , and so thou brings the spirit of Man , and the old Covenant which thou calls light ; to oppose the new Christ Jesus , with thy dark wisdome ; and that in the Rom. which saith , That which may be known of God was manifest in them , by which they did the things contained in the Law , which was spiritually ; shewing the work of the Law written in their hearts , which was spirituall ; and this was beyond the spirit of a natural man ; and when they transgressed this ; God did judge them in righteousness , by which every mouth was stopped , they were guilty before the Lord , for that which God had manifested in them , witnessed against their actions and made them to confess Gods judgments to be just ; and that which made Adam to confess and hide himself , was beyond a natural Mans spirit , for he knew God , and so he had the spirit of God to discern him ; and after he knew the promise of God concerning Christ , which the faithfull and his posterity trusted in it ; Christ the Covenant of Light to the Gentiles , which thou fights so against . And Judas was made partaker of the Ministry of Christ , and confest he had betrayed the innocent blood ; and so he had knowledge of the Covenant , who is the end of the first Law and Covenant , and this knowledge of his , was beyond the Light , which thou calls the spirit of a Man , and beyond thy ignorance ; for David saith Let another take his Bishoprick ; mark that , and this is no Answer to my Queries H. W. as thou saist it is , neither hast thou done honestly in not puting my Querie down , nor all my Queries , that people might have seen them ; its like thou was ashamed , and afraid of that ; and therefore here are my Queries , that all people may see them , and the Paper I stuck upon the Door when thou would not answer them .

John Wiggan , For the Seed sake I cannot be silent , Therefore as touching the Queries which I spoke to thee of , face to face , and was not satisfied from thee , but thou slighted my Query ; therefore I call upon thee to Answer me , either face to face , or by writing , for thou maist remember , that thou yielded unto me , that he that did believe had the witness in himself ; but thou did not satisfie me where the witnesse was that did condemn , that is the thing I would know from thee , and in thy discourse that day , thou said all had not the spirit , and thou instanced Judas ; now I would have thee tell me what that was , that caused Judas to bring back again the silver , and confessed that he had sinned in that he had betray'd the Innocent blood , I would have thee to write a distinction , that so I may know a difference between that which caused Judas to confess , and the spirit ; and thou seemed to prove out of Jude , that some had not the spirit ; but Jude said , those were such as separated themselves , and seeing thou holds separation , and dost gather a people after thee ; therefore , clear thy self that thou be not one of those ; and further , one of thy hearers spoke with a loud voice , and said , That Balaam had no more spirit then his Horse . Therefore consider , how thou and thy Hearers perverts the Scripture , read the 24. Numb . and the 2 , 3. v. and when thou hast read them , then tell me when the spirit of the Lord came on Balaam's Horse ? And thou John Wiggan said , That faith was denyed to some ; and Christ sent forth his Disciples to teach all Nations ; Now , if they must teach All , then none was exempted ; but the Pharisees said , Have any of the Rulers believed on him ; but these people that know not the Law are cursed . So thou and thy Hearers it seems doth not much let to oppose the Apostles Doctrine , which saith , the Grace of God which brings Salvation hath appeared to all men . Therefore , I would know of thee whether this Grace be a Teacher , yea or nay ? and if any refuse to be taught by it , whether the cause be his own , or in the Grace which hath appeared to all , as aforesaid : And thou or some of thy Hearers said , That Christ did not shed his blood for all , and that Christ dyed not for all : Clear thy self of these things , and see how thou canst make them good , and answer them in Writing ; and then if thou present any Queries to me , I shall not refuse to answer , so far as the Lord opens it in me , Henry Wood.

These Queries have been unanswered at least a quarter of a Year .

And whereas thou saist it is a great Light , and yet but a Candle Light , a created Light , springing up with Man in his natural birth , leading him to know something of his Creator , and of his duty to him ; also discovering transgressions against the Law of workes , which he was under ; the Tenor whereof is this ; doe this and live , Rom. 9. And this it may doe , where Christ the way , the truth , and the life , is not so much as heard of ; thus it was in Adam when he had sinned , as before the promise of grace was held forth in the seed of the Woman , Gen. 3. 15. the Light and Law within him discovered sin unto him , but mark the effect , horrour and amazement seized upon him ; I was afraid and hid my self , Gen. 3. 10. for this Law speakes nothing but wrath to all , that are in the fall , Rom. 4. 15. notwithstanding amendment , and the most exact future obedience they can yield to it .

Answ. Where , Dost thou read in the Scriptures of a created Light , God created the Sun , Moon , and Starrs , and was this the created Light that made Adam to hide himself ; and did this created Light springing up with man in his natural birth , which thou calls the candle and spirit of the Natural man , which knowes not the things of God , Cor. 12. and this thou brought before , and is this created light the Law of works ; do this and live ; and is this created light the spirit of man , that leads him to horror and amazement : Nay , it is a divine Light that lets a man see himself ; and all those Scriptures doth not speak of a created light , or a Candle light , which is the spirit of a Natural man , leading him to know something of his Creator , and of his duty to him : when the Scripture saith , the Natural man knowes not the things of Gods how ignorant and carnal art thou , was the Law of works the created Light springing up , with the Natural man ; for that was the Law of God which is spiritual , which saith , do this and live ; as in the Romans . And how was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world ; if Adam had no more but a natural light springing up with man , and is the Image of God , Righteousness and Holiness , which he was made in , a Created light , and the Candle and Spirit of the Natural man , as thou saist formerly ; in this thou manifests both thy ignorance and contradictions : For , that of God in all men , by which they knew their Creator , and the things of him ; it is by his spirit by which thou hast said , they may know their Creator by a Created Light , and by a Candle , which is the Spirit of a Natural man . And thus , thou hast overthrown thy own Assertion , and opposes the Covenant of Light , Christ Jesus , and art contrary to the Scriptures , Cor. 2. 11. and what is this to the purpose , as all being concluded under sin , we know that , and we know that the Law is spiritual , and what it can do ; but we own Christ the end of the Law , for it served , till Christ the seed came , who gives Life .

And whereas thou saist , the Light which thou called natural , and making no distinction in this place betwixt that which is natural , and that which is spiritual , but saith the Light flowes from the principles of Nature , rightly called natural , and not spiritual ; and this thou would set up in opposition against Christ the Light , for the Apostle spoke to the Romans , how they were from the Light , and from the Law , and while men be in that which flowes from the Natural Man , they know not , neither the Law that is Spiritual , nor the Light of Christ ; and Men obeying the Light of Christ , or the Law of God ; it is not by that which flowes from nature , but from that which gives them a spiritual understanding ; for the natural man doth not know the things of God , and all those Scriptures in the Romans , Galatians , and Corinthians , is nothing to the matter of thy purpose , concerning the Light of Christ that doth enlighten every man .

And whereas thou sayest , This Light knowes nothing of the pretious Gospel ministry , hid in God , nothing of Redemption by Christ , nothing of Gods good pleasure , and purpose of Grace ; nothing of the Law of faith , the tenour whereof is this , &c.

This all may see how thou hast contradicted thy self , by thy former words , for thou sayes , that this Light is able to seek or feel after God his Creator , and is in a capacity of knowing much of Him , as a Creator , at least his Eternal power , and Godhead ; and can this Light let them know the Eternal Power and Godhead , and nothing of Christ , who is the power of God ; and nothing of the Gospel which is the power of God ; and can a man know something of the Creator , and nothing of his Favour ; for is not his grace his favour ; and they that lived in the Law was justified ; and they that were obedient saw Christ the end of the Law , and came to him who is the end of the Law ; and beyond the Natural man's spirit which thou talks of , so fast to no purpose , but manifests thy confusion , For to know God is Eternal Life , Joh. 17. 3. and that is beyond thy Natural Man's Light ; and we do know that they that believe in Christ Jesus the Light ( which thou opposest ) shall have Eternal Life ; and we know that the Law of Faith is not natural , nor the Light of Christ that doth enlighten every man , nor the Law of God , nor the promise of God with all the rights held in the Faith ; and the seed Christ shall bruse the Serpents head ; and he is come a Light and Salvation to the ends of the Earth , that enlightens every man ; and we know the Law of Faith is Spiritual ; and whereas thou say'st , the Law of Works springs up with Man's Nature ; and the Law is Spiritual , and then this Natural springs up with the Spiritural : Why how now John , where finds thou this in the Scripture , the Law is receiv'd from God , and not springing up with man ; what non-sence and confusion is this , what a Mechanick man art thou .

And thou saist , the Law of Faith was added because of Transgression , and out of mere grace was founded on Christ in the gracious promise . Gen. 3. &c.

Answ. We say , neither the Law of Faith , nor the Law of God , sprung out of mans nature , And the Law which was added because of transgression , was not called the Law of Faith ; so thou errs , and art as wide in this as thou art about the Light of Christ ; I believe thy brother Price would not say , that the Law which was added because of Transgression , was the Law of Faith ; and so thou art the vain man that would be wise , as thou say'st ; which is born like a wild Asses Colt , Job 11. and Gods thoughts are not as thine , but are as far different as the Heaven is from the Earth . And whereas thou say'st , Man is not able by all his Candle-light to know Christ ; and yet thou said , before he could know the Eternal power and Godhead by this Candle light ; and now thou sayes , the Natural man cannot deser●e the things of God , because , they are spiritually discerned ; and before thou said , he might know much of his Creator , and of the Eternal power ; How now John , dost thou not think the least babe seeth thee here , thou needs not an Aoster to discern thee . And whereas thou say'st , that this Light is not able to discover or convince man of unbelief in Christ , and yet thou sayes , this light will shew the Eternal Power and Godhead , which fulness of the Godhead dwels in Christ ; and we know that the spirit of truth doth convince the World , which thou opposeth , the Comforter and he is come , and why dost thou tell us of a natural Light , or Created Light , or Mans Spirit , which it manifests thou knowes no more , but Heathen like or Athist like ; for it is the Light of Christ Jesus the new Covenant , which farre exceeds thy natural Lights , and created Lights , and Man's Spirit , and thy meanings ; and Acts 13. 47. I have set thee to be a Light to the Gentiles , that thou should be my salvation to the ends of the Earth ; And this overthrowes thy Principles , for he the Light is the salvation to the ends of the Earth , who lightens every man , which is saving ; and Galla. 3. 19 , 20. and 1 Tim. 2. 5. This proves that Christ the Light is a Mediator , which thou before deny'd , and Christ the Light hath manifested the love of the Father to Mankinde , and they that walk in the Light sees it ; but thou that hates it , and talkes so much of thy natural light , and spirit of man ; knows it not , nor cannot comprehend it in thy darkness , though it shine in it ; and dost thou own that in Mat. 11. Revelation of the Son , ( thy Generation us'd to deny Revelation ) For no man knowes the Father but the Son , &c. and yet thou saist man may know by the natural and created Light , and natural man's spirit , the mind of his Creator , and much of the Eternal Power and God-head , and so thou contradicts thy self and contradicts Christ , and the Apostles words , For the natural Man perceives not the things of God , and that which may be known of God , is manifested in them , by which they know God , and No Man knows the Father but the Son ( and is not the Father the Creator ) and he to whom the Son will reveale him , Ephes. 1. 17. Joh. 3. 5 , 6. Titus 3. 5. Jo. 1. 12 , 13. Gal. 4. 6. 1 Cor. 6. 17. Ephes. 2. 15. 1 Cor. 15 , &c. These Scriptures are spoken to such as received Christ the Light , through which they came to be the Sons of God regenerated and born again , Jo. 1. 7 , 8 , 9. and by this Light manifest in them , they came to have the new mind , by which they were joyned to the Lord , and Eph. 5. And thou speaks of a new Light , here thon perverts the Scripture , and whereas thou saith , 2 Cor. 4. which saith God commanded light to shine out of darkness , which shined in darkness , and the darkness comprehended it not , Jo. 1. which shines into the Saints hearts , ( and this light thou seemes to have denyed before ) which shines in our hearts , and gives us the knowledge to see thy confusion , the least Babe of us , for this light gives us the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ , and this thou strikes at , with thy Candle-light , and Created light , and Natural light , which thou calls the spirit of a man ; but to no purpose is thy tempest risen , against the Lord , and against his Anointed , for it is the Lord Jesus Christ , who is the Councellor and Leader of the people , whom we follow ; and such as follows him receives the spirit of Adoption in their hearts , and can call God Father : But what is this to thee , who denies his Light , and calls it Natural and Created ; and is not that Light saving according to thy own judgment , and will bring a man to know the Creator , and the Eternal Power and Godhead ; thou calls it natural mans spirit , which knows not the things of God ; and thou thus art confused ; but we tell thee Christ Jesus is the Saviour of all men , who is the light of the World , and did not come to condemn the World as thou dost ; but that the World through him might have Life , and to save the World ; and is the Saviour of all men , especially , them that believe : And all these Scriptures was spoken to the Saints condition , ( and not to thine ) such who walked in the Light which thou fights against .

And whereas thou say'st It may appear by what thou hast said , how gross their mistake is , who call the Light in every man , Christ , and worship this as the Redeemer , and the Lord that bought them .

Ans. All that thou hast spoken hath been against Christ , and it is to no purpose , and clears nothing , but hath made thy self darker , concerning Christ the Light : Joh. 8. and Joh. 1. which saith , That was the true Light that lighteth every man that comes into the world ; and as many as receives him [ the Light ] he gives them power to become the Sons of God . And this Light thou calls ( maliciously ) Created and Natural ; when didst thou ever hear any of us say , we worship a Light within us ? this is thy gross mistake , we Worship God in the spirit and truth , and Christ is the Truth ; and the Apostle who was a Minister , preached Christ in people ; and was not he the Lord that bought them , Col. 1. 27. and this thou scoffest at , because , we confess it , and enviously calls it a Natural light .

And whereas thou say'st , It hath been cleared , that this Light in every man is but the spirit of man , and the Law written in the heart .

Ans. How darest thou say , that Christ the Light , that doth enlighten every man that comes into the World , which John came to bear witness of , is a Natural light , then John came to bear witness to a Natural light ; and the spirit of a Natural man which knowes not the things of God , 1 Cor. 2. and this Natural light and spirit of man is the Law , written in the heart , this is contradiction to the Scripture , which saith , the Law is Spiritual .

And whereas thou say'st , Christ came to deliver from the terror and condemnation of this Law written in the heart ; which thou calls natural light , and spirit of man .

Ans. Doth Nature terrifie , and condemn Nature ? The Jewes Law was written in Tables of Stone ; the new Law or Covenant is written in the hearts , and Christ did not come to redeem from the latter , but from under the Jewes Law ; and we never called the Natural Light , the Created light , the Natural man , Christ , nor worshipped it , but thou must write to them that doth so ; yet thou art slack enough to do that I believe ; but it is Christ the light that doth enlighten every man that comes into the World ; that 's it thou calls , a fictious Christ , and an Idol , if thou would speak plainly ; who is given for a Covenant , a light to the Gentiles , and the Glory of Israel ; whom we witness , and have the Testimony of , Luke 2. 32 ,

And whereas thou speaks , of denying the true Jesus Emanuel , God and man in union , whom his own person without us , not ours , hath by one offering once for ever wrought eternal Redemption for us , and is the alone object of Faith .

Ans. Thou who hast denyed Christ the light , that doth enlighten every man , that through him all might believe , Joh. 1. 8. 12. thou hast denyed the true Jesus , God and Man in Union , the Emanuel , and the one offering which perfecteth for ever , them that are Sanctified , Hob. 10. So thou hast denyed thy Salvation , and the object of Faith , and Christs Doctrine , which saith , we must believe in the Light , &c.

And whereas thou say'st , It will follow that whosoever affirmeth and teacheth that the Light in every man is Christ , is a Deceiver and an Antichrist , 2 Joh. 7.

Ans. Here thou hast perverted , wronged and wrested the Scripture to thy own destruction ; for the Scripture saith , Whosoever confesseth not , but denyeth Christ come in the flesh , that 's the Anti-christ , the Deceiver : and doth not say , that Christ the Light that doth enlighten every man that comes into the World , is an Anti-christ and Deceiver ; but here Priest Wiggan hath called John an Antichrist and Deceiver , who came for a witness , to bear witness of the true Light that lightens every man that comes into the world ; and I am the Light , said Christ , believe in the Light , I am come a light into the world , Joh. 8. 12. and they that did believe in the light had fellowship in it , and the light that shone in their hearts , gave them the knowledge of the Glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ , 2 Cor. 4. 1 Ioh. 1. and so thou hast proved thy self to be an Antichrist , and doth deny Christ come in the flesh ; who enlightens every man that comes into the world ; and thou calls the true light of Christ , which the Saints and we walk in , the Natural mans spirit , and a Created light , and a Natural light .

As to thy Objection which is against John , who saith , this is the true light that enlightens every man that comes into the World : Would John have bid them believe in it , except it had been Christ , Joh. 1. 7 , 8 , 9. and this is an invincible proof against thy assertion , and all the people thou dost deceive ; and John was a true Witness , but thou art a false ; and John bore a true witness to the Light , but thou bears false witness against the light ; and so thou turns people from light to darkness ; and the true Apostle turned them from darkness to the light , Acts 2. 6.

And whereas thou say'st , We write in several Books , as may be seen , this light Christ is God , the Lord God , and the Lamb , the Object of Faith ; and this true Light which is Christ , enlightens not some , but every man coming into the World ; and therefore , it must needs be saving , and that this light can be meant for no other then of Christ , they further alleage John 3. 12. & 12. 35 , 36. where it is plainly exprest that Christ is the Light .

Answ. In this thou hast manifested thy ignorance of the Scriptures , and of the Saints Testimony ; and thou scoffs , because we say , Christ hath not enlightened some , but all , and so thou art he that makes Sects amongst the people , in saying , he doth not enlighten them all ; thou may as well say , his love was not to all , in giving his Son for all ; and we say , Christ the light is the object of Faith , the true light that enlightens every man that comes into the world , by whom the world was made ; and this is our Testimony to all men , for the Lord ; and Christ is the light , and the Lamb , and God is light : And this is our Message which we have heard of him , that God is light , and in him is no darkness at all ; and Christ and God will dwell in man ; whom we witness , Glory to him for ever , through which we see over thee , who hath long deceived some of us .

Whereas thou say'st , We have perverted many Scriptures ; That is false , for we speak them as they are , but it is manifest thou hast per verted many , and quoted many false ; and many people that doth not know thy subtle devices , but takes all things for granted , without any trial , such thou may deceive ; for thy Book manifests it self sufficiently , if it had not been answered ; but only for the sake of the simple , which thou keeps under thee in thy error and delusion , that they might see thee , and come from under thy snare ; for we are satisfied as to our selves ; for thy work is only to keep people in darkness from the light ; and we are come from under thy Captivity , and see thy subtlety and snares , and know what thou can say , and long enough since saw thy confusion .

And thou say'st , when it is said , that was the true light which enlighteneth every man that comes into the World , It must be considered , first , who this true Light is ; secondly , how he doth enlighten every man that comes into the World : for first , the Scriptures do witness that this true Light is the word God , by whom the World was made ; thus it is said , Joh. 11. In the beginning was the Word , and the Word was God ; all things was made by him , that is , by the Word God : John was sent to bear witness of the Light , that is , of the word God , that was the true Light , that is , the word God ; even he by whom the World was made , he was in the World , and the World knew him not , which was the Creator and former of all things .

Ans. In this you may see how he hath perverted the Scriptures , and overthrown his Assertion , and his former Writings in his Books ; for he saith , that the light which lighteneth every man that comes into the World , which John bore Testimony of , is the word God , by which all things was made and created , which men was to believe in , this was not a saving light saith he , though it be Divine ; and doth he not call it a Created light , a Natural light , and the spirit of a Natural Man , and now it is God , and not saving ; for the Scripture saith , the Word was with God , Joh. 1. and this speaks of Christ , and Christs Name is called , the Word of God , Rev. 19 & 13. and the Word was with God ; ( that thou hast left out , ) and this Word became Flesh . So he goes about to prove that Christ was not the Word with the Father before the World began , which is contrary to the Scripture , which saith , I was with him in the beginning , as Solomon saith ; and Christ saith , Glorifie thou me with the same Glory which I had with thee before the World was , Joh. 17.

And again thou say'st , The Word God thus considered , is the true light , the fountain , and original of all lights , according to the Scripture , 1 Joh. 1. 5. God is light , and in him is no darkness at all ; this is he in whom was life , and the life was the light of men , in whom we live , move , and have our being , we are his off-spring , and he is the fountain both of light and life , to all beings according to their capacities , as their Creator ; and thus we may see what this true light is , the word God .

Answ. And yet thou saist before , this was not saving , this true Light , this word God , how dark art thou , is not Christ called God , and his Name the Word of God , Emanual God with us , and 2 Pet. 3. 7. the Heavens and the Earth , which are now by the same Word , are kept in store , &c. And Heb. 11. 3. Through faith we understand , that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God , &c. And Christ is the Light and Life of Men , and not saving , and is not he saving , and is not he spiritual and saving , whom all has a being in , and moving in ; didst thou not call him before a natural Light and a created Light , and a natural Mans spirit , and would prove it out of Cor. 2. and now it is God , and Creator , and not Christ , contrary to the Scripture , which saith , he is the light of the World , and in the begining was the Word , and the Word was with God , and his name is called the Word of God ; and so people may see how thou would divide God and Christ with thy dark wisedome .

And thou saist 2ly . How doth he enlighten every man that comes into the world ; and saist in another place , the word God , or God the word , as Creator of all things doth enlighten every man that cometh into the World , by setting up in every man a spirit and Law in his heart , by which he lives , which is called the Candle of the Lord , Prov. 20. 27 of which Spirit and law I have spoken before .

Ans. This light which thou callest the Law and Spirit of a Natural Man , and a Created light ; this thou hast not proved before , as thou saist , but it s perverted before ; for by this thy proof John came to bear witness of a Natural light , and of a Natural mans spirit , which knows not the things of God ; and by that John bid people believe in this ; so this is thy dark wisdom , and like unto thy Preaching , and it is no wonder people forsakes thee , and that thou shouldst be unestablished , thou needst not be offended for babes seeing thee , for thou caust not be hid ; for John came to bear witness of the true light Christ , and not of a natural Created light , as thou imagines ; but of him the Prophets testified of , he that was preferred before John , Joh. 1. 3. the light of the Gentiles , and the Glory of his people Israel ; and thou may see in the 15. vers. which proves , and 16 , 17. that was the Christ ; John bore witness of him , and cryed saying , this was he of whom I speak , He that cometh after me , is preferred before me ; and called Christ , the Lamb of God that took away the sins of the World ; and this Light by which all things was made and Created , He came unto his own , and they received him not ; some hated the Light , and stopt their ears , and shut their eyes , and would not see , lest they should be converted ; ( as thou dost ) But to as many as received him , he gave power to become the Sons of God ; them that believed in his Name , and his name is the Word of God , Rev. 19. And John saw , and bore Record that this Light was the Son of God , Joh. 1. 12 , 15 , 34. So , this is an unfaithful and untrue account of the Light which thou hast given of the true Light , Christ , that doth enlighten every man , John 1. 9.

And whereas thou say'st , It may be further observed that Christ is not once named in all , or any of the first nine Verses of the first of John , but only the Word .

Answ. See how ignorant this man is of the Scriptures , for it saith , the Word was with God ; Mark that ; and doth thou deny this to be Christ , whose Name is called , the Word of God , Rev. 19. Heb. 1. how God hath spoken in these last dayes unto us , by his Son , by whom the World was made : And so here again , he would make a difference betwixt Christ and God , and because the word Christ is not there , see how he shuffles , and how ignorant he is ; for , Christ is called , the Light , Life , Truth , and Word , &c. and Christ is called , the Lamb of God , Joh. 1. and John doth expresly say , That he is the Light of the World , Joh. 8. and doth enlighten every man that comes into the World , which true Light John bore witness of , that all through him might believe : And thou has denyed Christ to be the Word , who is the Light of the World , and doth enlighten every man that comes into the World : There is three that bears Record in Heaven , the Father , the Word , and the Holy Ghost ; so thou hast denyed this Record in Heaven , who saist , the Word is not Christ , who was with the Father ; spoken of in John , the Word was with God ; and 1. John 552. VVe are in him that is true , in his Son Jesus Christ , this is the true God , and Eternal Life .

And so thou goes about to make people believe Christ is not God ; and we know the VVord was made Flesh , and dwells in Men ; which thou saist , he Tabernacled amongst Men , as though he did not now ; which we must tell thee he doth now , by the light which shines in their hearts , Cor. 2. 4.

And whereas thou saist , Christ the word being imbodied in Flesh , he is thenceforth called Christ the Lord , or the Lords Christ , and no otherwise doth he bear that Name , but as he is the word made Flesh , to be seen and believed on , it is not the word alone , nor the flesh alone , but the word and flesh in union , that is called Christ ; and is a Light to lighten the Gentiles , till then there was no such thing as a Christ , or a Light to the Gentiles , but only in a promise .

Ans. Whereas thou saist , there was no such thing as a Christ , till he was imbodied in flesh , nor light to the Gentiles , but only in a promise . Then what was that Light which let Nebuchadnezzar see the Stone cut out of the Mountain without hands ; and let Job see his Redeemer ? and doth not Stephen say that was Christ they thrust from them , and turned back again in their hearts into Egipt ? Acts 7. And was not that Christ the Word which Moses spoke of to the Children of Israel , that they should hear , and need not say , who shall ascend , or who shall descend ? and did not the Apostle say , that was Christ , in Rom. 10. And this the Righteousness of Faith that Moses spoke of to the Children , Deut. 30. 12. the VVord was in their hearts and mouthes ; and doth not David call him the Anointed ? as in Psal. 2. 2. and is not the Anointed Christ ? And Daniel calls him Messiah , which is Christ , Dan. 9. and saw him before he came , and is not the Word , Christ ; which is according to the Law and Testimony , Isa. 8. And how was he a Lamb slain from the Foundation of the World ? and is it not said in Gen. 3. 15. the seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpents heads ; and is not the Seed Christ , Gal. 3. 16. and Christ said , Before Abraham was I am ; and thus saith the Lord to his Anointed to Cyrus whose right hand I have upholden to subdue Nations before him . And what thinks thou by this , what is Anointed ? is Christ no where spoken of before he was imbodied in Flesh ? and we believe he was made flesh , and know it , and are of his flesh according to the Scripture ; and we do know the Union of Christ , and the Word that was made flesh ; but thou believes not in this Christ , the Word which was made flesh , who is the Light of the Gentiles , and the Glory of Israel ; and he could not be Christ without God , who is manifest in the Flesh , which is a mistery to thee ; and we know that Christ thorow the Gospel has brought life , and immortality to light , And the Son of God is come . And what dost thou talk of Grace , and denies his Light ? And what dost thou talk of the love which was in the Fathers bosome ? for thou who denies him , who is the Light of the world , and that dost not believe in him [ the light ] how should thou have Everlasting life , but perish in thy gain-saying ?

And thou saist , That Christ did not come to enlighten every man that comes into the world , but only those that believe on him , and brings Ioh. 3. & 19. & 8. 12.

Ans. This is thy saying , and not Iohns , thou hast wronged those Scriptures , for none of them doth say that Christ did not come to enlighten every man that comes into the world , but only those that believe , thou hast not proved this by the Scriptures , though thou hast perverted many : for Iohn 1. said he was the true light that lighteth every man that comes into the world ; And thou saist , but only those that believe : And Christ says , I am the light of the World , and believe in the light , And Ioh. 3. 19. 8. 12. doth not say there , he hath only enlightned some , but all good and bad , such as hate the light and would not come to it , lest the light should reprove them whose deeds be evil , this is thy condition ; And the Condemnation is because that light is come into the world , and men love darkness rather than light , because their deeds be evil , but he that doth truth , cometh to the light , that his deeds may be manifest , that they are wrought in God ; but thou art not come to the light , whose deeds be evil , and so manifests that they are not wrought in God , but fights against it .

And whereas thou speaks , The word made flesh is he that was promised to be a Covenant to the people , and a Light to the Gentiles , who brings into the world a Life and Light far exceeding the Light that was set up in every man that comes into the world , by the word Creator .

Answ. This word made flesh , and Covenant of Light , which the Prophets gave testimony of , as in the 1 of John , thou denyes , And in Joh. 8. and Luk. 2. A Light to lighten the Gentiles , And this was Christ , for John saith , he was not the Light , but came to bear witness of the Light , that was the true Light , that lighteth every man that cometh into the World . And this is above thy natural Light , and created Light , and made Light ) And doth give life ; And dost thou not mean the Scripture , when thou speaks of the word Creator ? For we have good reason to suspect thee , seeing thou said to me ( Thomas Curwen , and to William Wilson ) in thy Chamber , That the Scriptures were the Author of thy Faith ; for the rest of thy Generation used to tell us , That the Scriptures was the word , and the Light of the Creator , is a Natural and a created Light , and the Spirit of a natural man ( that knows the things of God ) And this is the Light that John came to bear witness of , saist thou .

And this thy miserable darkness , in saying Iohn came to bear witness of a created and natural Light , and Spirit of a man , and a natural mans Conscience , That he should be sent of God , to bear this witness ; For as many as received him , ( this light which did enlighten them ) became the Sons of God , but they that hated this light , it became their Condemnation Joh. 3. Joh. 1. 12. And thou , nor none will never receive Life nor Son-ship , but as they receive the Light which thou hates , & makes such outrage against , but that Light which Iohn bore witness of , which thou bears witness against , has ript off thy covering , & manifested thy deeds , & turned thy inside out : And the Light is a stumbling block to thee , and a Rock of offence , for it seems , it has offended thee , an thou that would not have the Light , will not have the Son , and so has denied thy self of Life , yet thou wilt bow the knee , and spit in his face , and say , is not this the Carpenters Son , the natural Light , like the Jews : And where doth the Scripture say ( which thou hast perverted ) that Iohn came to bear witness of the Light , the Word , Creator , and not of Christ the Ligh the Word ; Make this good , by plain Scripture , without thy immaginations , and before they be born again , they must believe in the Light , Iohn the 12th .

And so men are in Death and Darkness , and hates the Light as thou dost , and remains in the Natural State , while they hate the Light , for that which makes manifest is the Light , Ioh. 3. Ephes. 5. 13.

And thou saist , The neglect of this distinction of the word Creator , and the Word made Flesh ( which is so plainly laid down in the Scripture as hath been shewed ) is the ground of the great mistake of many , who not considering what is testified of the word as Creator , do confound that light which is set up by him , ( as such ) in every man , with that Light which he gives as he is the word made flesh , and so call the light saving , which is but Natural , springing up with him in his Creation ; yea , hence they call that Light , Christ , which is but the Law written in the heart , whereas Christ is the Law-giver , and so cannot be the Law .

Ans. Here thou holds forth two Words , and was it not the word that became flesh ? and doth not John , Revel. 19. say , that he is the Alpha and Omega , and his Name is called the Word of God ? so here is one word , but thou hath not found another word , and so to make two words ; and here thou goes about to divide Christ , when the Scripture saith , I and my Father are one , Joh. 17. And there is three that bear Record in Heaven , the Father , VVord , and Holy Ghost , and these Three are one ; ( he doth not say two words , ) Joh. 5. 7. And is not the New Covenant Christ , the Law in the heart , Hob. 8. 9 , 10 , 11. And it is false , for we do not call the Natural Light springing up with man in his Creation saving ; but we say , Christ is the Light and Salvation to the ends of the Earth .

And the light which is Natural , that comes from the word Creator , by which they may know the Eternal power and God-head , as thou saist before , by which they may seek and feel after God , and brings Cor. 2. which saith , The Natural man doth not know nor perceive the things of God .

Was there ever such confusion as this ? for they that had that which let them see the Eternal Power and God-head , was by that which might be known of God , which was manifest in them ; for that which brings people to know the Eternal Power and God-head , and to feel and seek after him , and to know much of the Creator , is not a Natural light , as thou saist doth , but it is a Spiritual Light ; and it is thou that confounds thy self with thy own imaginations , and distinctions , and wrongs and abuses the Scriptures , and is not fit to take them into thy mouth ; for thou hast made a trade of them too long , and the Light Christ Jesus , who ends the Law . And where doth the Scripture speak of a Natural light , and a Created Light , from the word Creator , springing up with people in their Creation ? for a Natural light makes him but a Natural man still , by which he cannot know much of his Creator , who is Spiritual as thou saist , nor seek and feel after God , nor know his Eternal power and Godhead , For the natural man perceives not the things of God , but they are foolishness to him , for they are spiritually discerned ; but it is Christ the true light which Iohn came to bear witness of ( which thou calls natural ) which men are to believe in , so thou leads people from the true light Christ Jesus , and so to hate Christ ; And so thy self and them both into Condemnation , Ioh. 3. And the light will be thy condemnation , fight against it as long as thou wilt , for it is the Saints Armor ; For , Put on the Armor of light , saith the Apostle to the Saints .

And whereas thou writes to thy people to keep them from the Light Christ Jesus , which light thou art afraid of coming to , but many is come to it : And further thou tells thy people of trembling , nay they are far off that ; thou and thy people are rather in scorn against the Light of Christ , and calls it natural : And whereas thou saist , How destructive and pernitious will the light of Christ which we speak of ( and Iohn bore testimonie of ) prove to pretious souls ; And thou saist , Admit this grand lye for the Corner stone , and the whole superstructure will consist of lyes .

Answ. This is thy Envy against Christ the Light , and foundation which destroys the Lyer and Lyes , for there is no lie of the Truth ; And thy foundation consists of nothing but lyes against the truth , for thou and thy Generation of Priests , has long prophesied falsly against Christ our Rock and Foundation ; and that we should fall , untill you be all tumbled down your selves : And many of your Merchants are turned Bankrupts ; Oh that thou wert but in Authority , thou wouldst shew other weapons against them that walks in the light of Christ ! But God has broken thy horn , and Truth remains the same as ever , and shines over all your heads , Glory to the Lord God for ever .

And thou saist , Open this as the first door of entrance ( as they do ) and it leads into a Babell of Confusion and Errors , no sooner is a man entred in at this deadly Gate , but he is in the City Tohn where first ( if his eyes be anointed with Eye-salve by the true Iesus ) he may behold this Image of Iealousie , viz. the light that is in every man that comes into the world .

Answ. Thou calls the Light of Christ , which Iohn came to bear witness and testimony of , an Image of Jealousie , that leads into the City Tohu , and into a Babell of Confusion , &c. What doth Iohn come to bear testimony of such a light as this is , that people was to believe in as he saith ? Doth the Scripture speak any such words in John 1. 9. What railing expressions is here against the true Christ Jesus , who enlightens the Gentiles , and the Glory of Israel . This is just the Jews , who said , He had a Devil : Might not Margaret Fell justly call thee a Blasphemer ? And what dost thou talk of the true Jesus , and Eye salve , when thou deniest him the true light who is the door Ioh. 10. But you are all seen who deny the light to be gone into Tohu and confusion , and the least in the light of Jesus , sees your Images of Jealousies fall down one after another . And you are also faln with them in darkness , who denies the light with the earthly wisdom .

And whereas thou saist , Set up and worshiped in prayers and praises , all the Honour and Attributes due to the true Redeemer alone , being ascribed to it , which is an Idolatry so much worse than that of Ieroboams and the Papists , by how much it is the more Mysterious , and in shew the more spiritual , and so less diseernable , whence it comes to pass , that multitudes are insnar'd by it , according to that in 2 Pet. 2. 2 Many shall follow their pernicious ways ; The falling down to this Image , is that whereby every particular Person is matriculated or Registred into their Society of Friends ; for now , and not before ( as they say ) he hath received the truth , and notwithstanding many defects , is accepted as a friend .

Ans. Here thou hast manifested thy lyes , Envie and Malice , not only against us , but against Christ the light , and the Prophets and Apostles testimonie , for it is God we worship in the Spirit , and in the Truth ; And God is well pleased with us in him ( Christ ) And they that followed Christ the light , was his Friends ; And so we which believe in the light , and walk in the light , are children of the light : And because many is come to walk in the light , and have fellowship in it , this makes thee to rage against us and our fellowship in the light , and in it one with another ; And what are the defects thou slanders our Friends withall ? for we can call all people Friends , but they that be in the truth are friends in the truth , [ Christ ] who is the Redeemer ; And thus to pray to Christ , thou saist is an Idolatry , and worse than that of Ieroboams , and of the Pepists . Mind the spight and envy , and malice of this man , and what mischief he utters forth against the Light of Jesus , and them that pray in the light , & in the spirit to Christ & God , as the Saints did ; and this is become an Idolatry with I. VV. worse then that of Ieroboams & the Papists ; & he saith this leads people into pernitious ways , but that is false , and an error ; for Christ the Light leads none into pernitious wayes , but thou art deep in them ; who causeth the way of Truth to be evil spoken of ; and speaks evil of the right way , and makes lyes thy Refuge ; and art compassed with a Cloud of Error , fighting against the Lord and the Lamb , but he will have the victory ; for we matter not what thou can speak against us , but when thou speaks against the Lord we are bold , and valient , to declare against such , who art promoting thy permitious wayes against Christ the Light , the way , who is a mystery to thee , and whom thou saist is a pernitious way , because many goes in at it ; was there ever such error uttered ? but it will fall upon thy self ; and this makes thee to rage because Babylon is fallen , and she is loosing some of her Children : And because we praise God in the Truth , and will not follow the Priests , but followes Christ the Light , and honours the Lamb ; this thou calls an Idol , and worse then that of Jeroboams , &c. And as for Papists , dost thou not know that two Baptist Preachers in Essex are turned Papists , who were Railing against the Light of Christ as thou dost , who art fallen in the dark , that the very words in the Common-Prayer may judge thee , who in thy pride looks to be far above that .

Before thou saist , that the Light would lead people to see much of their Creator , and of his Eternal Power and God-head , and bring people to seek and feel after God . And now thou saist , it is an Idol and an Image of jealousie , and worse then that of Jeroboams and the Papists , and leads into pernitious wayes , and into the City Tohu , and into a Babel of confusion and errors : How now John , thou hast sure forgotten thy former words , was there ever the like confusion heard ? it could not be believed that ever such wickedness had ever been in a man covered under a feigned Humility .

And whereas thou saist , VVe Pray and Sing , and teach all , or many together , with loud voices contrary to 1 Cor. 14. 33 , 40.

Ans. Thou makes no shame of lying , and to publish them abroad to villifie the Truth , for all people that knowes us , knowes thou art a lyer ; for neither thou nor any hath heard us speak , or pray , all together in words with loud voices ; neither hath any of us in our Meetings been heard speak seldom , but one by one ; but if others have praised the Lord when they heard others speak , and sung praises to the Lord God ; ( which thing torments thee , ) and if others have lifted up their voices to the Lord God when others have been praying together , shewing the lively power of the Lord God amongst us ; which torments the deadness of thy Assembly , and makes thee thus rage , for in the 1 Cor. 14. they might speak two or three , and the rest might judge , and this is decent Order ; but it is disorder in thy dark Assembly ; thou would say 24. Elders that fell down together and praised the Lord was a confusion , Rev. 4. and make a joyfull noyse , as David saith often ; but these Corinthians were in a confusion about their Bread and Wine , as thou and thy Priests are ; but thou art like to the Jewes at Pentecost that said , the Apostles were drunk . And Acts 24. in a Meeting when they lifted up their voices with one accord , and said , Thou art worthy Lord God of Heaven and Earth , who hath made the Heavens and the Earth , Sea , and all things that is in them : but this thou will sure say was confusion ,

And whereas thou saist , we call our selves a Meeting , not a Church , and the particular Members , Friends , not Brethren and Sisters :

Ans. Here thou hath manifested thy self to beignorant of the Scriptures , Isa. 1. 13. which calls the Assemblies of the Church , a Solemn Meeting ; and the Lord gives it the name of a Solemn Meeting ; the Church was met together , and the Brethren met with the Apostles , Acts and Amos 4. 12. prepare to meet thy God ; and they met with Jesus crying Hosanah , with Palm-Trees and Branches in their hands , Joh. 12. 13. and thou would say this was a confused Multitude . And further , thy ignorance is manifested in the Scriptures , because we call one another Friends , thou art troubled , Acts 29. 3. Paul had liberty to go see his Friends , And Christ saith , ye are my Friends , and I have called you Friends , Joh. 3. Epist. ver. 14. our Friends salute , and greet the Friends ; and so because we say Friends , and Meeting ; this is to set forth a new Jesus thou maliciously saith ; but thou art a manifest lyar , both by our words and Writings ; for , we call our Meetings , Churches , and our Friends , Brethren and Sisters ; and so here it will be seen , that we do not characterize our selves by new Names , which thou hast falsly , and maliciously charged upon us ; But , thou hast given thy self up to forge lies , and work wickedness ; for no other Jesus but him , who is the same to day , yesterday , and for ever , do we own ; who is the Light of the World , and enlightens every man that comes into the World , which hath been proved before ; whom John was sent of God to bear witness of , that all through him might believe ; and as many as receives him he gives power to become the Sons of God ; which thou blasphemously calls Christ the Light an Idol , and Natural light .

And whereas thou saist , VVe cannot find the Names or Offices of Pastor , Elder , Deacon , Teacher , which Christ set in his Church .

Ans. Here the very common people will witness against thee that thou lyest ; for the work shewes it by the care and order that nothing is lacking ; for we have more in our Church then the Names of those Offices , we have the fruits of them , for nothing is wanting amongst us ; we have the Great Bishop , & are taught of God , & do know the Lord from the greatest to the least , Heb. 8. But what is become of your Teachers and Pastors , and Deacons , who made such a noyse against us a few years ago , who had the Name but out of the life and power .

And whereas thou saist , VVe do not alledge Scripture for our Doctrine for proof , but VVomen speak in our Meetings .

Here again thou adds lyes , to lyes , and delights in lyes , Psal. 62. 4. and art a deceitful witness speaking lyes , Prov. 14. 25. and hast bent thy tongue like a Bow for lyes , Jer. 6. and so speaking lyes in hypocrisie , 1 Tim. 14. for we had never meeting nor discourse with people , but we prov'd our Doctrine by Scripture ; and at the last dispute thou had Scripture brought to prove the truth against thee ; and out of Peter and Jade , proved thee to be the man that denyed the Lord that bought thee .

And as for thy denying Womens speaking , thon has herein manifested thy ignorance of the Scripture ; for Christ seat Mary Magdalen first to declare his Resurrection unto his Disciples , Marke 16. and that the Daughter of Phanitel she declared of Christ to all that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem . Luke 2. And. Phebe a Servant of the Church ; which in some Translations is a Pastor ; And Priscilla and Aquilla Instructor's ; and Philip had four Daughters Prophesied ; And women were Labourers with the Apostle in the Gospel , Read Acts and Romans 16. Women prophesied 1 Cor. 11. And Acts 2. & Joel 2. Sons and Daughters prophesie .

And thus John Wiggan can make no distinction between those women that are forbibden to speak , and those who are incouraged and commended ; his envy hath so blinded him , but limits the holy one , that his folly might be manifest to all men , for Christ in the male and female was not to be limited , nor prophesye to be despised , 1 Thes. 5. but thou hast manifested thy self to be contrary to Christ and his Ministers , and so proved thy self to be a false Minister , and one of the false Teachers , that puts no difference between the pretious and the vile , and a walker in lyes , Jer. 23. And so it is thou that teachest lyes in the name of the Lord ; And was Mary Magdalen a Jezabel , and Priscilla , Phebe Anna , the rest of the Women the Apostle forbids speaking as in Tim. &c. How ignorantly dost thou apply the scripture , and wickedly , but this Manifests thy Judgment of them , but thou art more ignorant than some of the Baptists , for some of the Baptists would allow women to speak , but thy envy hath eaten out thy sight , and the least of our Disciples sees thee to make lyes thy refuge , and who lives in the truth sees thee .

And whereas thou saist , We say the Scriptures are not a rule of Faith and Conversation to walk by , hence it is that Christs Water Baptism , and Supper , and his Censures are rejected .

Ans. If the Scripture be thy rule for thy life and Conversation , then why dost not thou obey it ? For if the Scripture be thy rule , then thou must burn offerings , and sacrifices ; and if but part of it be thy Rule ; why didst not thou set down what part it is ? But we say Christ is our rule ( which doth also the Scriptures ) Math. 2. 6. Where it is said he shall rule the people , and he is the author and finisher of our Faith . And give us that Scripture that saith , the Scripture is the Author of mans Faith , and mans rule ; And as for thy Bread and wine and outward washings , thou knowst little more than that , nor hardly that , for if thou didst , thou would'st have answered my queries , but thou darest not confess to the power the Apostle was in , And we look at things that be Eternal , 2. Cor. 4. And not at the things which are seen ; And such as are risen with Christ , seek those things that be above , Col. 3. And as for the outward things , we know them where they be , and do not deny nothing in its place , but our life is in Christ ; but thou shelters thy self in outward things , to keep alive in thy old nature , out of the Baptism into the Death of Christ , Rom 6. 3. And as for thy Censures ; you have censured one another , till you are broken to pieces ; And where doth the Scripture speak of Christs Censures ; And Christ being within , he is the Rule and Ruler , and King , ( this is Scripture ) within the Saints , 1 Col. 27. Christ in you , 2 Cor. 4. Canst thou not see this Scripture within , but thou hast made a trade of them so long , that thy gain hath blinded thee , and was not all the Scriptures given forth from the Spirit of God within , by inspiration of the Spirit , 2 Tim. 3. and is not the new Covenant , the Law written in the heart , the Scripture within , Heb. 8. Jer. 31 , 30. and this Scripture within , thou makes a mock and scoff at .

And the same Gospel as ever was , the power of God we own , and are not ashamed of Rom. 1. 16. VVhich Gospel of Christ is the power of God to Salvation , And Christ saith , the spirit of truth should lead them into all truth ; And was not that their Rule , and if the Scripture be the Rule , what was the guide into the Rule to know the things of God , for thou sayest the Natural man know not the things of God , for they are spiritually discerned ; then the Spirit must be the Rule ; and they that are the sons of God are led by the Spirit of God , 1 Cor. 2. and Joh. 14. And is not the Law written in the heart , the perfect Law of liberty , the Law of Love , the Law of faith in the heart ; dost not thou see this is a Scripture Jam. 5. 25. Heb. 8. Rom. 3. 17. And is not this faith within to be obeyed , Rom. 10. dost thou not here manifest thy darkness to all people , and is not this faith held in a pure Conscience , which the just lives by , 1 Tim. 1. 19. Thou mightst be asham'd to scoff at the practice of the Saints , and at the Scriptures ; but in thy dead faith thou calls Light darkness , and darkness light , as in Isay : Who makes such an outrage against the Light , because we say the light is in the heart , and the Spirit of God to guide us , is within , according to Scripture which speaks of the Rule of Faith , Let Christ Rule in your hearts by faith . Thou hast put him out of his place , & preferred the Scripture before him : And what Rule had Abraham and the Saints in the old world before the Scripture was written .

And whereas thou speaks falsly , accusing and speaking untruths , and persecuting with the tongue and Acts of injustice , and thou sayes this we do in obedience to God , and to our Guide .

Ans. Thus thou further vents thy lies and malice ; for , the Lord God who is pure , and Christ our Light leads us to no such thing but we speaking truth to thee , and tells thee what thou art without flattery ; therefore , makes thou thy complaint of persecution with the Tongue ; but , thou hast the persecuting tongue ; and when thou proves thy other slanders against us , then may thou have a further Answer , for we own no injustice .

And whereas thou saist , we say the Light in every man is the object of faith , and a common sufficient Light , that it is Salvation to all that obey it , and that we teach free Will , &c.

Ans. Here again thou adds lye to lye , perverting our words as thou dost the Scriptures , and speaking thy own , for we say Christ is the Light of the World , and his Grace is sufficient for all , and hath appeared to all men , Tit. 2. and believe in the Light , saith Christ , Joh. 1. 8 , 12. and Christ the Light is the Author of faith , and we say it is not he that wills or runs , but that God shews mercy , which none is to abuse .

And whereas thou saist , We teach and set up an inherent legal Righteousness , denying the imputed Righteousness of Christ wrought in his own person without us ; that Christ fulfilling the Law in us , or his spirit , mortifying , or sanctifying , and fulfilling the Law in us , is Justification ; therefore , no coming of Christ but that within , and so deny the 2d . coming of Christ , contrary to Scripture , & these & many more Arminian , Popish & long since profligated errors is laid upon their sandy foundation .

Ans. Here thou adds more lies , for Christs second coming we do not deny , and he the Righteousness of God we own , and never denyed , and it is a false slander of thee to say otherwise ; and our foundation is Christ , which thou wickedly calls Sandy , Isai. 28. who is a tryed stone , 2 Tim. 2. and the legal Righteousness is thy own , it s none of ours , 1 Cor. 1. and the Righteousness of Faith which saith the word is nigh thee in thy heart , and in thy mouth , we own ; which thou enviously calls an inherent legal Righteousness , Romans 10. And that which Christ wrought and did in is own person , and suffered without the Gates of Jerusalem for Mankind we own , and never denyed which thou maliciously slanders us with the contrary , and he is revealed within us , and that makes thee to rage ; and all our Books which thou speaks of , are according to the Scripturea of Truth , and to Christs and the Apostles Doctrine ; but thy principles are according to the old errors thou speaks of .

But thou saist thou hast done with our Principles , thou needs not enlarge upon our Hay , Wood , and Stubble , being assured the removing of our Foundation , which thou saist thou hast done , will bring down our whole building .

Ans. We are Gods building , 1 Cor. 3. And we have a building of God , Ephes. 2 , and Christ is our Foundation , which remains and stands sure , 2 Tim. And we are built upon the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles , Christ himself being the head Corner stone , the Lord hath laid our foundation , and no other foundation can any man lay , 1 Cor. 3. 11 , 12. Zach. 8. 12. Eph. 2. 2. Tim. 2. And as for hay , wood , and stuble , it is thy own , and will be burnt up , who has denyed Christ the Light , the foundation ; and called him a natural , and created Light , and Idol ; but thy foundation and building is down together , it 's hard to know where it stood ; And where are all your Builders and Daubers ; and now after all thy slanders and raylings , thou wouldst make people believe thou lovest our persons , And when thou hast uttered all thy lyes and malice , thou in hypocrisie and feigned humility , would make people believe thou pittiest us ; But we know what thy pitty is ; But we are come to the true Jesus , who takes pity of our souls ; though thou long deceived many of us ; I believe that few people would hardly have believed that there had been so much poison & venom in thee , & thou hast denyed Christ , the Light , the way , truth & life , & calls him natural and created , and so art in the error thou speaks of , and thy bowels is the belly of Hell , Jonah . 2. And what hast thou to do to take the Lords name in thy mouth , and hates to be reformed ; But thou art one of them that uses thy Tongue , saying ; Thus saith the Lord , when he never spoke to thee , Jeremiah 23

Thou saist , Thou hast born thy Testimony against us , in that which appears in us , against the mystery of Christ crucified .

Ans. Christ Jesus which was crucified , which thou slanderously saist we deny ; but him we own , it is thou that denies him to be crucified , in denying his Light , for we preach Christ crucified , 1 Cor , 1. 23 2. Cor. 2. And him that the Jews crucified , who were in the same envious Spirit with thee , against the light , Jo. 1. Mat. 20. 19. and Mark 15. 13. Luk. 23. 23. Rev. 11. 8. we are crucified with Christ , Gall. 2. 20.

And if thou hadst written fewer errors , it had been better for thee ; but praised be the Lord God , thy deeds are brought to light and this is a poor shift for thee to come off so , after thou hast laid down thy assertions and cannot maintain them , nor canst not make them good ; for our questions was learned questions and tended not to strife , and yet stands on thy head unanswered ; and thou and all which thou hast declared , hath been against God and Christ , so that thou art one that bears false witness against him , not for him : And thou hast manifested the error of thy judgment , for thy understanding is error , Psal. 19. Mat. 22. 22. 1 Tim. 6. 10. and that which thou hast done hath been against Christ the Foundation of the Prophets and Apostles ; and thy Commendation of us is reviling , and slandering , for it is manifest thou hast a double tongue unbridled , Jam. 1. Tim. 3. 8. and with thy tongue thou thinks to prevail , Psal. 12. but a lying tongue , ( Prov. 12. 19. ) is but for a moment , and he that uses slanders is a fool , Prov. 10. 18. but we cannot walk with slanderers , Jer. 6. 20.

And thou saist , Our principle hath had its growth and advantage from these means ; from the pride , covetousness , formality , idleness , and cruelty , corrupt oustomes , Idolatry , superstition of Parish Priests , and the generality of their Hearers .

Ans. And John Wiggan Trencher Chaplain shall be put in amongst them : And thus , when you were in your wickedness as thou speaks of before , and mocked God with your Religion , as the end of it hath manifested it self , God hath overturned it , and stained your glory , and your pride , which went before your destruction , Prov. 16. 18. then the Lord had compassion upon us in your day , when no eye pittied us ; and revealed his Son in us , who is our Shepherd and leader , and Salvation , Ezekiel : And thou with the rest Railed against us in your idleness and pride , and carnality ; and who was mader against Truth then your separated Congregations in railing against the Light and Spiritual Teaching ; and who were taught of God , and Christ , and followed him , and would not follow your pernitious wayes ; and when we prophesied to you of your down-fall , both in your Towns and Cities , and Army , you abused us , prisoned us , and persecuted us ; though all the things is come to pass upon you which we then spoke , and yet thou in thy envy and malice art railing against the Truth , the Light , Christ , that it should spread , but thou had rather the evils before mentioned should spread , Idleness and Pride , &c.

And our Testimony was born against your pride and hypocrisie , in the truth , and spirit , and power of Jesus , against all your false Worships , and Churches , and Teachers , which God hath thrown down according to our Testimony ; and you were found treacherous to your own Principles in all things ; for we faithfully bearing our Testimony for the Lord God to you , as he gave to us ; and for standing faithful to him , we were prisoned , and had our Goods spoyled by you ; and now you are murmurers against us , because truth stands , and your foundation is fallen to the ground ; and thou wickedly termes the true Christ who is Light to be Antichrist .

And whereas thou saist , Antichrist doth never oppose Christ more then when he appears in a mystery , when he comes in the name of Christ , and pretends to be all for Christ , reproving much that is evil , and pleading for many commendable things : thus our Saviour tells us many false Christs shall arise , Mathew 24. 24. in Sheeps cloathing , Mathew 7. 15. in so much that if it were possible they should deceive the very Elect.

Ans. This is directly thy own condition , who appears in a mystery to oppose Christ the Light ; but we cannot say of many commendable things thou hast done , or sins reproved ; and neither Mat. 24. nor Mat. 7. saith that Antichrist shall do many commendable things , or reprove sins , for that which reproves sin is the spirit which Antichrist is gone from ; Christ said Antichrist and false Prophets should come to the Disciples , and John saw they were come , 1 John 2. and they went forth from them into the World ; and as in the Revelations the whole World went after them , and they inwardly ravened from the Spirit ; and so keeps people from the Spirit and Light within them , as thou dost ; and these have the Scriptures , ( the Sheeps Cloathing ) and if it were possible would deceive the very Elect ; but , John who saw they was come , said , the Saints had the Anointing within them to teach them , and they needed not any man to teach them , but as the Anointing teacheth them ; and the Apostles brought them to the Light within them , and the Law within them ; and Christ bid them not to follow the false Prophets , but he would dwell in them , and his spirit should lead them into all truth , Joh. 14. and 2 Cor. 4. Heb. 8. 1.

And whereas thou saist , We have cryed against the Priests and Teachers , as Hirelings , and deceivers , coveteus , scandalous , &c. and their Hearers as ignorant , superstitious , formal ; and that every charge hath much of truth in it .

Ans. Here thou art made to confess something to the Truth , as the Devil did to the Son of God , and hath judged thy self too ; for thou was one that we cryed against at Manchester , and our testimony stands against thee as it did , who professes what thou art not ; dost thou not remember Elizabeth Hulme , John Abraham , James Harrison , and what a rage and madness thou was in when they came to thee to declare the things of God , and how thou lift up thy Fist of wickedness against John Abraham , and could not hold thy violent hands , and the guilt in you all have answered our testimony , and thou yet was never able to stand to truths face , nor answer the truth , if thou had , thou would have answered the Queries e're now : And we are not of them which cries , loe here is Christ , or loe there is Christ , but as the Apostle saith , Col. 1. 27 , 28. Christ in you the hope of Glory , whom we preach , warning every man , and teaching every man , that we might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus ; and Christ was not like to be found amongst you when you denyed the Light , and they that were innocent that had received the Light , quickly saw you ; and this Light hath , and will stop all your mouthes that denies it ; and the Light is not a shew but the substance ; And thou would seem to hide thy self , from the carnal , proud professors , as if thou wert not of them ; but they that knows thee , knows what thou hast been , and what thou art yet , and all thy Congregations which thou hast gathered , where hast thou left them now ? so that which thou ( who denies the Light ) hath been doing , is but to beat the Air.

And all that were sober and feared God , seeing you persecuting us , and reviling against the Light , and against the Spirit ; and what unchristian actions they used against us , was a cause through quiring into truth , to cause them to forsake you , who denyed the Light of Jesus , who broke into confusion amongst your selves , and biting at truth , and biting at one another , till you were consumed one of another ; And so the good meaning people that did not make Godliness a game , as you did , imbraced the Light of Jesus , and came into the fellowship of the Light and the Gospel which is the power of God , Rom. 1.

And whereas thou saist , The well meaning people easily fell into their Net , to do homage to their new God , in the mean while the ignorant rash Priests and people who dealt with them , lost themselves , and injured the truth , and gave this people ground to glory over them .

Ans. If the well meaning people fell to us , then the ill meaning people staid with you , and this manifests you are fallen from truth , when the well meaning forsook you : And whereas thou saist , they did homage to their new God , Nay , it s that God and Christ which 〈◊〉 ever was , and will be , whom you forsook and denyed ( as thou denies still ) and mocked with your words like them that opposed the Apostles , and called it a new Doctrine , a setter forth of strange Gods , Acts ; and so you did injure the truth , as thou dost now , and it is Christs Net which they were catched in , which kept the good , and threw out the bad , according to thy own Words ; and as you have injured the truth , so hath God brought his judgments upon you ; and thou hath given us as much cause to glory over thee as ever any did ; but our glorying was , and is in the Lord God , and his Son Jesus Christ , who hath dearly bought us with his Blood ; and thou that denies the Light , crucifies Christ afresh , and puts him to open shame .

And whereas thou saist , the right course to deal with us , is to distinguish between good and evil .

Ans. This thou hast not done , as is manifest in thy Book , but like one of the false Prophets , who follows thy own spirit , and sees nothing , but puts darkness for light , and light for darkness ; and thou hast manifested thy unrighteous dealing to us , in all thy Book , and thou dost not own the good , nor imbrace it , nor cherish it ; how canst thou when thou denies the Light of Christ ? for , that which doth make manifest and reproves is light , and all things is manifest by the Light , and this Light thou hatest , and chofest the darkness , Ephesians 5. and loves it more then the Light , John 3.

And whereas thou saist , Thou will joyne issue with us to bear witness against hireling Priests , against Tythes , against superstitious carnal Worship , against swearing , against corrupt worldly customes , herein joyne with them , are they at least in shew for the power of Godliness as well as the forme , for worshipping in spirit and truth , for justice , for Righteousness , sobriety , mercy , gravity , and whatsoever is excellent in life and conversation , so am I ; yea , whatsoever they can make appear to be evil ; that I would east off with as much indignation as they ; and what further good they can shew , that I have not learned , that would I gladly imbrace .

Ans. When did John Wiggan bear Testimony against Hireling Priests , and Tyth-takers , should not John Wiggan had Tythes at Manchester to make up his Wages , and was not he a Priest at his Chappels ; where he put off his dark Ware , denying the Light of Christ ; and now when John hath lost his Chappels , he will cry against them , and their formality , now when he cannot get them ; Oh , subtilty , but would he cry against them if he had 100. or 200 l. a Year given him , nay , would he not bless them for it ; and how can thou worship God in spirit & truth , who denies Christ the Light & spirit of God to be in every man ; Thou art a false Worshipper , & thy Worship is false ; & the Lord moved us to cry against thee ; and that in thy high dayes , and must thou talk of crying against corrupt Customs , and be in them thy self ; for thy evil words hath corrupted thy manners , and thou art not for the power of Godliness ; and thou art far from the modesty , gravity , or justice , or righteousness , thy language bewrayes thee , as thy lyes and slanders , with mocking , scoffing , reproachful words ; and thy sawey language to Friends , and especially to Margaret Fells ; which shames both Learning and Breeding ; and that most excellent thing in life and conversation thou hast denyed , which is the Light of Christ Jesus , and if thou would cast off thy evil , cast off thy lying , slanders , reproaches , mockings , scoffings , and if ever thou wilt learn or imbrace good , thou must imbrace the Light of Christ Jesus , which hitherto thou hast reproached ; and wilt thou learn of us , which thou callest Antichrist , thou manifests thy self , this is but one of thy flattering scorns .

And whereas thou saist , Through the Riches of Grace having cast out those Beams which dims the eyes of many , I can better discern the meates that lyes deep in the bottom of their eye .

Answ. Thou denying the Light of Christ Jesus , and not owning the grace which brings salvation , which hath appeared to all men , as in Titus : Thou art far off the Riches of the Grace , who calls Christ the Light , an Idol , and instead of casting out Beams and Moats , thou art fighting against Christ the Light , Truth , and Covenant , and Salvation to the ends of the Earth .

And whereas thou saist , Being of equal ground with them , can tell them that all their fair pretences , and high expressions , are found to be a covering too short to hide their nakedness and deceit .

Ans. It is Truth we hold forth , and fair pretences is thy own condition , in words , but out of life ; and so thy nakedness is seen to all that fear God , and thy deceitful covering which is now taken off , and thou art manifest , and thou art not upon equal ground with us , who denies Christ to be the Light .

And whereas thou saist , While they call others Deceivers , they themselves are the more subtle Deceivers .

Ans. In this thou hast declared thy own condition , for we are saved by Christ , and hold him forth , and declare what we have heard and seen , Iohn 1. 3. and declares aginst all such Deceivers as thou art , who is an Enemy to Man's Salvation , Christ Jesus the Light , John 8.

And whereas thou saist , While they call others Babylons Merchants , and charge them for selling Christs , the Prophets , and Apostles words , they themselves do the some , and that none sells more Babylonish then they , nor at higher rates then they , as might be instanced in several Persons , that I forbear to mention .

Ans. We are come cut of Babylon where thou art , and all your confusions , and have recived the Lord Jesus Christ , whom we declare freely , as we have received , without money , or price ; and we do abhor thy lyes and slanders , as to declare Babylons Merchants , and such as makes a Trade upon Christs , the Prophets & Apostles words , & then to do the same things our selves , which no honest man can charge us justly with such things , but such as thee , who sells thy self to work wickedness ; and the Lord will rebuke thy spirit , for charging that upon his innocent Lambs which they are not guilty of ; and we do charge thee to mention those particulars , and their Names that hath sold such ware at so great a rate , and what was the rate , and who and what are their Names that bought it ?

And whereas thou saist , while thou endeavours to discover their deceits , thou intends not to hurt any thing that 's good in them .

Ans. It is the good in us that thou strikes at , and in that thou hast discovered thy own deceit , as may be seen all along in thy Book , together with thy contradictions .

And thou saist , Hosea 14. 9. who so is wise , and he shall understand these things prudent , and he shall know them , for the wayes of the Lord are right , and the just shall walk in them .

But John wiggan hath fully discovered his foolishness , and that he walks not in the way of the Lord , which is Light ; for Christ saith , I am the Light , I am the Way , the Truth , and the Life ? and this Light he hath denyed .

A POSTSCRIPT .

How hath thou lived in sloath and idleness , that thou hast not convinced those that turned from thee , which was thy Heareis all these many Years , that thou begins but now , alack for thee , they are on a Foundation above thee , and so thy Sandy Foundation , and darkness , and enmity , and making gaine of the Apostles and Christs Words has been thy own condition ; and keeping People alwayes in Teaching , that they may alwayes be Paying thee ; And now , that thy Goin as gone , thou grumbles and mutters against those that be innocent , and judgeth them in the practice of thy self , and so measureth them with by own Earthly Spirit , and judgeth them with Earthly judgment , which cometh not near them .

Something in ANSVVER To JOHN WIGANS APPENDIX , Wherein he Compares the Evil Language of the Quakers , with the False Prophets .

Answ. TO tell a man he is a Lyar , if he find him so , is not a Mark of a false Prophet , for Jeremiah did so , Jer. 23. And the Apostle was no false Prophet when he told them they spake lyes in hypocrisie , 1 Tim. 4. And Jeremiah was no false Prophet when he said , They bent their tongues like a how , to speak lyes , Jer. 9. Nor David was no false Prophet when he said , They turned aside after lyes , Psal 40. And the Apostle was no false Prophet when he said , Satan had filled their hearts , Act. 5. as he hath done thine , else would thou not have uttered so many lyes against us ; but we are not afraid of thy Reproaches , Psal. 51. 2. neither do we matter thy mocks , for fools make a mock at sin , Prov. 14. 16. And knowing that mockers was to come in the last times , Jade 18. Though we have undergone the trial of cruel mockings , but God will not be mocked with thy Religion and vain words , Gal. 6. for what thou sowest thou must reap , and our words that are spoken to you are truth ; who makes no distinction when the truth speaks to the wickedness , and unrighteous state of man , which the wicked may get the words , as thou dost , and throw upon the righteous .

And whereas thou compares us to the false Prophets , and the unclean spirits in the Revelations , which came cut of the mouth of the Dragon , and were proud boasters , false accusers , and incontinent , fierce , despisers of those that are good .

Answ. John , this is thy own condition , thou hast directly read it ; yet before thou said , thou would learn of us , and thou said they were the better meaning people that came to us , thus thou foamest out thy own shame like unto the raging waves of the Sea .

And whereas thou saist , We boast of persection and sinless life , and are the servants of corruption .

Answ. This is false , the Lord rebuke thy spirit , for our perfection is in Christ , the crown of our rejoycing , who thou saist is an Idol ; and Christ we serve , and not corruption : And see if any of our Friends have spoken such words to thee as thou hast spoken against the truth , and thou denying the spirit and Light in men , by which they should see their salvation , thou can be no otherwise but as a wave of the Sea , as a Well without water , and a Cloud without rain ; as in Jude : manifest to be in the false Prophets steps , 2 Tim. 3. Tit. 1. 10. 2 Pet. 2. Art thou not here in these steps ? Evil beasts , slow bellies , &c. all that read the Scriptures may see thee .

And whereas thou saist , Thou hast had Converse with several Christians in several Nations this thirty years .

Answ. This thou may speak to thy shame , who knows no more of God and Christ , then now to call him an Idol ; and where did any of all these Christians teach thee that Christ was an Idol ? I do not believe that any sect in all Christendome would say so , but thy self ; no not the Papists whom thou likens us to , and saith we are as bad : and so thou art like unto them in the Revelations , Who blasphemeth God and his Tabernacle , and them that dwell in Heaven . And that which thou did affirm in thy assertion , was contrary to God , Christ , Scripture and Truth , and all people might see them , if there were no answer to them , if they could but read Scriptures .

And whereas thou saist , It behoved some of them , at least G. F. who was called , as Margaret Fell affirmeth &c.

Answ. Margaret Fell said G. F. was called from his lawful Calling , as thou reports ; thou thy self didst report it : That was the occasion of her words , which if it was so , if his Calling had been meaner , it was better then Butchering people as thou hast done , with the sword ; any of these trades had been better then thine , for thou hast been both a Priest , and a Butchering Major ; so thou might have two Trades , and has lost them both , which makes thee ●ail so . Alss , for answering thy book it did not so much concern G. F. but many particulars which were some of them 60 miles one off another ; and thy book which we had with much adoe from you , which ye were afraid should have come to the light , it was such a work of darknesse ; and it was but a few dayes time in our hands , which they were not likely to answer it in so short a time , besides called on often to be taken from us , it was an uncertain thing for us to come to answer it , or go about that work , but at last we were fain to take it in pieces , and get it Copyed over in pieces , there was such haste with you , and this shews you were afraid to have it answered ; whereof John Wigans Wife , and some of his mis-led people , made a boast as though we could not answer it , before we could have it , which he hath small reason for , as they that reads it in mecknesse sees his folly , 2 Tim. 2. And that which we writ was true to thy condition , thou hast proved it . And whereas thou art grieved because the Goalers and Prisoners should see thy fruits laid open , because we sent Letters to them to give unto thee , when thou thy self would not take them of us ; and we did not send for our Letters again , as thou didst thy Book , or some through thy means ; not being afraid who see them or read them . And herein thou condemns thy self , for thou directed thy book to the Goaler , and sent it into the Towne before it came to us ; so in this thou hast judged thy self , for thou didst not so much as direct that a Copy of it should be given to us , and so thou renders thy self both obnoxious and odious in thy Book and practice . And what thou hast been is known , and there is things yet to be manifest , which is a shame to mention : and so thou hast thy self begotten in many men a true opinion , that thou art a hainous offender , in speaking such words , and writing such things against Christ the Light . And we know none that hath sent thee any Letters sealed , but there hath been a name subscribed to them . And as for scorning , jearing , and frothy expressions , that 's thy own condition John , and not ours ; and why didst thou not put those letters ( sent without names ) into thy book , that the wise Reader might have seen them ( if there were such ) and have judged of them .

And as for me Thomas Curwen , who sent several papers to thee , being burthened with thy wickednesse , who had published thy lies abroad in the Name of the Lord , and wast ashamed and afraid that we should have them , though thou promised often we should have them in words , and now that we have it , it must but be a fortnight , being a short time for them who are above 60. miles from one another : and thou hast done unjustly in that thou hast not put down my whole letters , and the occasion of them , for there is no wise man will judge but that there was some reason why I should send such words to thee : And did not froth , and rage , and fury appear in thee , when thou laid violent hands on me , and pull'd my coat like to tare it off my back ? and canst thou lift such unholy hands and fists of wickednesse unto the Lord in prayer ? and will God accept thy sacrifice which is like Cains ?

And when I did peruse thy book , I found it did not prove thy assertion , viz. That Christ the light is not saving : It therefore is but as Chaff and dirt ; and thou perverts , and wrests , & adds to many Scriptures , seemingly to prove thy assertion good , which thou couldst not , for which , I say , the plagues of God shall be added unto thee , according to the Scriptures , Rev. 22. To which John Wigan , in his wonted fury and rage said , The plagues of God was upon me , and we all spake from the spirit of the Devil . yet this man before his companions would seem to be humble , and a meek man , through his feigned words would seem to Justifie himself .

And for thy sawcy language , and ill-bred behaviour , and unmannerlinesse , if thou had put all my letter down , the Reader might have seen why I charge those things upon thee . And therefore I had good ground to speak these words through all thy words and carriages towards me , and also thy abusive and slanderous , and sawcy expressions to my Esteemed friend in the truth , M. F. which if thou hadst had either civility , or the reason of a man , or any regard to virtue , thou would have been ashamed to utter or have written such things as thou didst ; but thou hast abused her letters as thou hast done mine , and taken that which thou thinks may be for thy advantage , and wrests our words as thou hast done the Scriptures , and left out that in our letters which was the cause we spoke those things unto thee , and plainly shew the cause , which if any desire to know the cause , we have them to shew , for if we should put them in our book they would make it too great a volume , too great , together with thy slanderous letters , and that thou should vomit so many slanders in thy book , which thou would not let us have but only a few dayes , and then thou glories and boasts , in which time thou knew we could not answer them , the particulars concerned in it being so far distant one from another .

And John , if Thomas Curwen Husbandman , which is a better Calling then thy Trade , who hath often been moved of the Lord to write to thee , is able to indict letters , having been often burthened with thy hypocrisie and vain deceit , and fleshly performances , which thou hast charged falsely upon me in a letter . And here thou publishes that which thou knows not , slandering us both with that which thou art ignorant of , not knowing but another might do it , and so hast published thy ignorance . Dost thou think this will stand amongst wise men ? And thou hast said thou will never learn in my Masters School , which is Christ the Light , nor come to the Law which is the Schoolmaster until Christ , which thou art ignorant of both . And within all this time thou might have answered my Queries , if thou had been in the meeknesse , but it is manifest thou art choaked with evil , and envy , and possest with a bitter spirit , that thou hast not power to do good .

And as for thy dreaming , it is manifest if thou hadst been awaked , thou would have answered my . Queries , and cleared thy assertion , and convict me if I had opposed my self ; but thou hast denyed this office and work , and in stead of giving satisfaction herein , thou hast published thy own shame . I would not have thee to envy me so much , for the good I have to thee , for which of those things dost thou thus deal with me ? Is it not because I have told thee the truth ? for which of those good deeds dost thou rail of me so fast ? Was it not a good deed , to tell thee thou was a Deceiver , knowirg thee to be so ? for now thy fruits makes thee manifest to be a deceiver , and whom thou hast deceived , 2 Pet. 2. Mat. 7. 24. And whereas thou hast picked a few lines out of James Parkes private letter sent unto thee , whom thou seems to pretend love to , and now publishes them , and this was thy love ; was it not time for me to forsake thee , being long deceived by thee , and has known thy Principles and thee long , and thy feigned love : but should thou not have put all my letter down , that the Reader might have seen it , and judged with thy words , which was the occasion of it : and the words which thou slanderously spoke in secret , but thou wilt manifest thy self , that thy folly may appear , which cannot abide plainnesse ; but my letter is true to thy condition , and thou wilt find it so . And I tell thee it was a fraudulous part of thee to publish a part of my letter , and not all , or other Friends letters either , and far off the truth , and below a wise man , but it is well that thou hast published so much as thou hast done , that people may read thy book , and see the words come true upon thee .

John Wigan , this in Answer to part of thy Appendix .

WHerein thou mentions Margaret Fells Letters , and has therein falsifyed my words , as it is the usual manner of thee and such deceivers as thou art , for you do so with the Scriptures , who makes a trade of them , and teaches for filthy Iucre , you take here a piece , and there a piece , such as will make for your own ends , and for your advantage , and for the setting up of your Image you make , and so leaves poor people dark and ignorant of the Scriptures , and also of your deceitful dealings with them , and so keeps them in darkness , and preaches unto them , that they must carry a body of fin with them as long as they are upon the earth ; and they are no other like , so long as they that are blind follows thee , and such like that are blind , and so you all go into the ditch together , which is your place , and shuts the kingdom of heaven against men , and neither enters in your selves , nor suffer them that would go in to enter , Mat. 23. 13.

But thou hast intended in taking pieces of my letters here and there to make them seem more odious to the Reader , and also thou has intended thereby to cover thy own nakednesse and ignorance of God and his truth , in leaving out the cause and ground of my speaking those words , which is nothing but truth to thee according to the Scriptures , where they stand written to thee , though thou endeavours by thy overskipping , and taking words here and there to make them non-sense to the Reader ; yet as they stand , and as thou hast set them , any rational man of truth and honesty , that knows what thou hast written and spoken to me and others , will judge them to be truth to thee ; Therefore for the further manifestation of thy wickednesse , I shall by plain Scripture convince the Reader that reads with an impartial eye , and prove thee a blasphemer against God and his truth , as it is in Jesus , and when I have done so , then let the Reader judge whether thou be not guilty in truth and reality , and of all I have writ to thee .

The cause of my first writing to thee was from thy blasphemous book , which thou put out against Christ Jesus the Light , our corner stone , which thou boastingly saies thou strikes at , and I can truly say , and the Lord that judges all hearts knows , that I had no delight to meddle with thee , seeing thee a conceited man , only in deceit and ignorance , but I was moved of the Lord in the vindication of his truth , to bear my testimony for his truth , and to write to thee , and to leave thee without excuse .

( 1. ) In thy Book thou saith , Whoever calls and worships this ( the Light in every man ) as the John Wigans Blasphemy . Redeemer worships an imaginary and fictious Christ , and indeed an idol , and in another place of thy book thou saies , That the Light in every man that comes into the world , set up and worshipped in prayers and praises . All the Honour and Attributes due to the true Redeemer alone being ascribed to it , which is an Idolatry so much worse then that of Jeroboams , or of the Papists . In a third place of thy book thou saiest , Admit this grand lie for the Corner stone , and the whole super structure will consist of lies .

These with many other such blasphemous speeches thou hast uttered forth in thy book , which I shall forbear to trouble the Reader with , they being answered before .

Again in thy second letter to me thou hast sent writ these words ; its likely thou hast never been so plainly told that thou sets up an idol , if thou call the light that is in every man that comes into the world , Christ the Redeemer , and if thou worships that light as the Redeemer , that thou art an Idolater : It seems by these words , that thou hast writ these words in thy former letter , which I sent back with the answer , and so hath not the words there written here to produce , but here is enough and sufficient to manifest thee an absolute blasphemer against Christ and the holy Ghost .

Answ. The Light of Christ Jesus which we bear witnesse of , which hath lighted every man that 's come into the world , is the same light which John bore witnesse John Wigan proved a Blasphemer . of which was a man sent of God for that purpose , before Christ Jesus came to prepare the way before him as the Scripture doth testifie , which prophesied of him before he came , and which prophecies he bore witnesse to when he came , as Isa. 40. 3 , 4 , 5. the voice of him that cryeth in the wildernesse prepare ye the way of the Lord , make straight in the desert the high way of our God . Read on to the fifth verse , and Malachy the 3. and 1. Behold I send my messenger , and he shall prepare the way before me , and the Lord whom ye seek shal suddenly come to his Temple , and according to these prophecies the Angel Gabriel came to Zacharias , and told him that he should have a son , and Luke 1. 19. and the Angel answering said , I am Gabriel that stand in the presence of God , and am sent to speak unto thee , and to shew thee these glad tydings , and in the sixth month after the Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a Virgin , espoused to a man , named Joseph , which testified of the birth of Christ , as you may read in the of Luke at large , and the Angel said unto Zacharias when he told them of the birth of John , he said , fear not Zacharias , for thy prayer is heard , for thy wife Elizabeth shall bear a son , and thou shalt call his name John , and thou shalt have joy and gladnesse in him , and many shall rejoyce at his birth , and he shall be great in the sight of the Lord , and he shall be filled with the holy Ghost ( even this is he that bore witnesse of the Light which Iohn Wigan calls an Idol ) from his mothers womb , and after this child was born , his fathers mouth was opened in praises unto the Lord , being dumb since the Angel spoke to him , because he did not fully believe , and his father Zacharias was filled with the holy Ghost , and prophesied of Christ saying , Blessed be the Lord God of Israel , who hath visited and redeemed his people , and so to the end of the Chapter , as you may read , ver. 76. and the child shall be called the Prophet of the highest [ to wit Christ ] and thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his waies to give knowledg of salvation unto his people , by the Remission of their sins ; and Christ himself bore witnesse of John , Mat. 11. and said , he was more than a Prophet , and said , of all that were born of women , there was not a greater then John , and said he was a burning and shining light , as you may read . For this is he of whom it is written , Behold I send my messenger before thy face , which shall prepare thy way before thee , ver. 10. and if ye will receive it , this is the Elias which was for to come ; for all the Prophets and the Law prophecyed until John , He that hath an ear to hear let him hear , ver. 13 , 14 , 15. and the Apostle bore witnesse of Iohn , and said , as John fulfilled his course Acts 13. he said , Whom think ye that I am , I am not he , but there cometh one after me , the shoes of whose feet I am not worthy to loose .

Thus far we have proved unto you what Iohn was , that he was sent of God to bear witnesse of Christ by these Scriptures , with many more which might be instanced concerning John . Now we shall go to Johns testimony , and witnesse which he bore of Christ Jesus , John 1. In the beginning was the Word , and the Word was with God , and the Word was God , the same was in the beginning with God ; All things were made by him , and without him was not any thing made that was made , in him was life , and this life was the light of men . This is he which John bore witnesse of , this same John came for a witnesse to bear witnesse of this Light , that all men through him might believe , as you may see proved by all the foregoing prophecies of him ; he said , He was not the light , but was sent to bear witnesse of the light that was the true light , which lighteth every man that cometh into the world . This is the light and no other which we witnesse , and bear testimony of , which John Wigan saith is an idol ; He was in the world , and the world was made by him , and the world knew him not , but as many as received him , to them he gave power to become the sons of God , even to them that believed on his name , not to such unbelievers as John Wigan , who denies him , which was born not of blood , nor of the will of the flesh , nor of the will of man , but of God ; This John Wigan calls an idol . And the word was made flesh , and dwelt among us and we beheld his glory , as of the only begotten son of God , full of grace and truth ; John bore witnesse of him , and cryed , saying , This is he of whom I spoke , he that cometh after me , who is preferred before me , ver. 15.

Now here the reader may see J. W's . blasphemies , and lyes in his book where he saith , that the light that John bare witnesse of , that lighteth every man that comes into the world , is the word creator , and not the word made flesh , Christ ; so let the reader read John . 1. 14 , 15. and this is the record of John , when the Jews sent priests and levites from Jerusalem , and asked him , who art thou ? and he confessed and denied not , I am not the Christ , and they asked him , and said unto him , who art thou ? and he said , I am the v●ice of one crying in the wilderness , make straight the way of the Lord , as said the prophet Isaiah , 1 John . ver. 23. They asked him , why baptizest thou then ? and John answered , saying , I baptize with water , but there standeth one among you , whom ye know not , he it is , who coming after me , is preferred before me , &c. Jo. 1. ver. 26. 27. Here John beares witness of him , according to the prophesies ; the next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him , and said , Behold the Lambe of God which taketh away the sin of the world . This is he of whom I said , after me cometh a man which is preferred before me , for he was before me , ver. 29. 30. This is he whom we worship as our redeemer , whom J. W. saith , to worship is to set up a greater Idolatry then that of Jeroboams , and of the Papists , and John saith further , that he should be made manifest to Israel , therefore am I come baptizing with water , and John bore record , saying , I saw the Spirit descending from Heaven like a dove , and it abode upon him , and I knew him not , but he that sent me to baptize with water , the same said unto me , upon whom thou shalt see the spirit descending and remaining on him , the same is he that baptizeth with the holy Ghost . And I saw and bare record that this is the Son of God ; and this is he whom J. W. saith , whoso worships , worships an Idol . And the next day John saw Jesus walking , and looking upon him said Behold the Lamb of God ; and so this is a part of Johns Record and witnesse which he hath borne of the Son of God , the light of the world that hath lighted every man that cometh into the world ; with severall more , as the scripture will testifie , who Baptizeth with the holy Ghost ; and this is he which J. W. desires the people with whom he has to do , and all others with fear and trembling to consider how injurious this opinion is , and how pernicious and destructive such a sandy Foundation will prove to pretious soules ; for admit this Grand lye for the corner stone , and the whole superstructure will consist of lyes , saith he , and open this as the first door of entrance ( as they do ) and it leads into a Babel of Confusion and Errors ; no sooner is a man entred in at this deadly gate , but he is in the City Tohu , where first , if his eyes be anointed with eye salve by the true Jesus , he may behold this Image of Iealousie ( the Light that is in every man that comes into the World . )

Answ. Here I desire the reader but soberly , and seriously to consider of this mans doctrine , and compare it with the foregoing proofes , with what shall be hereafter , and let him Judg whether it be not as absolute blasphemie as a man can speak , and that according to the full proofe of the scriptures , for Christ Jesus . Jo. 8. 12. where Jesus saith , I am the light of the world , he that followeth me shall not abide in darknesse , but have the Light of life . And again , in Jo. 12. Jesus cryed , and saith , he that believeth on me , believes not on me , but on him that sent me , & he that seeth me , seeth him that sent me . 45. I am come a light into the world , that whosoever ●eleeveth in me shall not abide in darkness , 46. and in the 36. while ye have light , believe in the light , that ye may be children of the light . These words spake Jesus , who Baptizeth with the holy Ghost , which J. W , saith , If this lye for the corner stone , all the Superstructure will consist of lyes . If any man walk in the day , he stumbleth not because he seeth the light of the world Jo. 11. 9.

Now I desire the reader will seriously consider , whether J. W. be not highly guilty of Blasphemy , and one with those Pharisees who was grieved when Christ wrought miracles , and cast out Devils , and turned and converted many unto God , when he entred into the strong mans house , and bound the strong man , and spoiled his goods , ver. 29. So J. W. is grieved that there should be so many turned unto God , and afraid for the time to come , lost there should be more , and therefore he strikes at Christ Jesus , the Light and Corner stone , which he calls a lie , as those Pharisees did against Christ formerly ; But Christs answer is , If I cast out Devils by the power of God , then the Kingdome of God is come unto you ; else how can one enter , & c ? which J. W. denies , that the Kingdome of God should be come unto the Pharisees , or unto the world , ver. 28 , 29. blasphemously against Christs own words . But Christ saith , all manner of blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men , but the blusphemy against the Holy Ghost shall never be forgiven ; which J. W. is guilty of , in his wicked blasphemous words and writings , it is past my knowledge how often . And therefore Christs words are fully manifested upon him , who saith in the 32. verse . Whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man , it shall be forgiven him , but whosoever speaketh against the holy Ghost , it shall never be forgiven him , neither in this world , nor in the world to come , Mark 3. 28 , 29. Luke 12. 10. This stands good upon J. W. for ever , if Christ be God who baptized with the holy Ghost , J. W. is a blasphemer against him . And so I desire the Reader to consider without prejudice of what is proved , and furthermore whether he be not one with those Jews that were filled with envy when they saw the multitudes , and spake against those things that were spoken by Paul , Contradicting and Blaspheming , Acts. 13. 45. And also one with Elimas the Sorcerer who withstood Paul , and went about to turn the deputie from the faith . ver. 8. And also one and the same with those Jews whom Paul was pressed in spirit to testify unto , that Jesus was the Christ , and when they opposed themselves and Blasphemed , he shook his garment and said unto them , your blood be upon your own heads I am clean , &c. Acts. 18. 5 , 6. And also whether he be not one of those which the Apostle speaks of , in Rom. 2. 21. Thou that teachest another , teachest thou not thy self ? Thou that preachest a man should not steal , dost thou steal ? And thou that abhorrest Idols , dost thou commit Sacriledge ? for thou hast Blasphemed against the worthy name of God , the Light . Rom. 2. 2. Jam. 1. 7. And so now thou art proved such a Blasphemer that I am forced to compare thee to the beast spoken of in the Revelations : I am sure thou art one that worships him , and gives thy power to him , for thou hast spoken great things and Blasphemies against the Lord and his anoynted , the Light Christ Jesus . Rev. 13. 6.

And hast opened thy mouth against God , to Blaspheme his name , and his tabernacle , and them that dwell in heaven . And so now thou art perfectly proved a Blasphemer against God , and now thou mayst see if thou can clear thy selfe of these things , or any that takes thy part against Christ the Light , who inlightens every man that comes into the world , which John bore witnesse of , and thou hast given thy power to the beast to make warre with the Saints .

So now I am to prove thee to be a minister of darknesse , who hath affirmed , That the light in every man is not a saving light , which I have proved already is Christ Jesus , which John bore testimony to the true light that enlightens every man that comes into the world , and which is the saviour of all mankind , Tit. 3. 4.

2. Thou hast asserted , That God has not given a measure of the spirit to every man , contrary to the Apostle , in 1 Cor. 12. 4 , 7. who saith , The manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal .

And thou goest about to make the light of Christ Jesus , with which he has enlightened every man , a Created light , and a dim light , and a natural light ; and spirit of a natural man . And here I shall prove thee an Idolater , and a graver up of an Image in thy dark divining , where thou art one with all the ministers of Antichrist , who studies an Image in your brains , and the dark imaginations of your hearts ; for though thou seems to be a separated Priest , yet it is but in the sensual , and carnal , and devilish , not in the spirit of God , for thou crucifies that in thy dark deceitful heart , while thou art making and setting up another spirit and light which thou calls natural , and not the light of Christ . And here thou art worse then Surplice-men , or Homily-men , for they will confess that the light in them which shews them sin , is the light of Christ ; and yet thou seems to confess that the light in every man is the Law written in the heart , and if so , the new Covenant .

Answ. All this heap of confusion which thou hast heaped together , doth but manifest thy darkness , and thou ministers out of it , and art an enemy to the light of Christ , and so thou must needs be a minister of darkness . Though thou hast been a minister long , I ask thee this question , Didst thou ever preach the light of Christ to people , or didst thou ever turn peoples minds to the light of Christ in their Consciences , or didst thou ever turn any from the power of Satan to the power of God ? If thou hast , set us out some of thy flock that they may be tryed ? but there are a great deal that will cestifie against thee , that has been of thy flock , that is turned from thy darkness , to the light of Christ , which thou art an enemy to , and with it they see thy deceit and darkness , wherein thou didst deceive them , and can praise the Lord for ever , that they are turned from thy darknesse .

But now for the proof of thy false Doctrine .

And 1. Is not the light which is in every man , the light of Christ that convinceth a man or woman of sin and evil ? and is there another Saviour besides Christ that takes away the sin of the world ? And what was that Image of God in which Adam was Created ? wilt thou not have Christ to be God ? And thou sayes , there remained a part in Adam after he had transgressed , which made him hide himself , but thou calls this the spirit of a natural man , and a created light . Is the light that is in man a created light ? and is the law which is written in mans heart , and the spirit which is put in the inward parts , created ? and was that Image of God which was in Adam a created Image ? How was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world , Revel. 13. 8. Rev. 5. 12.

But in plain words , Did God create any light in the beginning but what he set in the Firmament of Heaven ? Is an invisible light created , which sees God which is invisible ? It s pitty to put these things to thy gross darkness ; but that for the Seed's sake it may be serviceable to others . And dost thou say , The Law of God that he writes in the heart , and his spirit which he puts in the inward parts , is this a created light ? Oh the gross darknesse that is in thee ! How dare thou take upon thee to teach ? Is not God Light ? and is the Image of God in man a created light ? and is that created and natural ? and is not Christ light , and his spirit light , and is not the Law light , and is not the Law spiritual ? and did not Moses say to the children of Israel , Deut. 30. 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , & 15. For this commandement that I command thee this day , is not hidden from thee , neither is it far off , &c. but the Word is very nigh thee , in thy mouth and heart , to hear it , and to do it : See , I have set before thee life and death ? Was this , that would have led them into life , natural and created ? and is not this Law righteous , and spiritual , and just , and good ? as the Apostle witnessed of it , Act. 7. 5. 3. Rom. 7. 12. who said , They received the Law by the disposition of Angels , &c. And did not Christ Jesus say , He came not to destroy the Law , but to fulfil it ; and that one jot or title of the Law should not passe till it was all fulfilled ? and is not Christ the end of the Law for righteousnesse ? and is this the spirit of a natural man that knows not the things of God , that Christ is the end of ?

Art thou not in this a minister of darknesse , and an Idolater ? And doth not the Apostle say , Rom. 7. 4. That they were become dead to the Law by the body of Christ : wherefore he saith , the Law is holy , and J. W. Proved a Minister of darkness , and an Idolater . the commandment holy , just , and good , ver. 12. But this dark Doctrine of thine , makes thee clearly manifest that thou art in the flesh , and the motions of sin works in thy members , which brings forth fruit unto death , and never knew the life of the Law yet , nor the life of the Commandment , but art alive without the Law , and so art alive unto sin and wickednesse , and knows it not , not having the Law to be thy Schoolmaster , to correct thee for thy wickednesse , which would revive and set thy sins before thee , that thereby thou wicked might die . But thou has not been at this School yet , for all thy learning and divining it has been all in the darknesse , thou has never come to the Law yet which is light , which is the schoolmaster unto Christ . This thou sits judge upon , and sayes its spirit of a natural man , and so living without the law , is dead in thy sins and darknesse , and so never knew what it is with thy mind to serve the law of God , as the Apostle did , he delighted in the law of God according to the inward man ; but this is too mean for thee , this thou calls Created and Natural , and so lies drowned in darknesse , and sin and wickednesse , thy mind and all thy members committing sin , and drinks up iniquity as the Ox drinks up water . How should thou do other , being thou art an enemy both of Christ , and his Law , and his Light , and his Spirit ? and what ? art thou not a minister of darknesse in all this ? and the Apostle who was obedient unto the law of God in his heart , and the spirit of God in his inward parts , by this he saw the body of death , which made him to cry out , &c. But he also saw his Redeemer Christ Jesus , for he was a minister of the light , and turned people from the darknesse to the light in them , and so could confesse then , the Law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus had made him free from the law of sin and death . So the Apostle doth not make such a separation bet wixt the Law and Christ as thou dost , who saist , it is natural and created ; but this is but the Judgment of thy dark spirit , for the Apostle saith , That God sent his only begotten Son in the likenesse of sinful flesh , and for sin condemned sin in the flesh , that the righteousnesse of the law might be fulfilled in us , who walk not after the flesh but after the spirit , Rom. 7. 8. God sent forth his Son , made of a woman , made under the law , Gal. 4. 4.

I desire the Reader to take notice of this mans darknesse and ignorance of this Light , and Law , and Spirit of God , and also of his Idolatry , who has made and framed another Image which he calls a Created light , and a natural light , and a dim light , and the spirit of a natural man .

And whether this Law and Spirit of God , which was given unto the children of Israel into their hearts be natural , and also hath been the guide and teacher of his people in all ages ; for Christ himself saith unto the Jews , It is written in the law , you shall all be taught of God , and the prophet Isa. said , That all the children of the Lord should be taught of the Lord . And how should they be taught , and be established in righteousness , but by the Light of righteousness , the righteous Law of God written in their hearts ? and this is none of J. W's . Molten Image which he has set up , which he calls created , and naturall , and dim Light , and spirit of a naturall man &c. And so here the reader may read by what is here proved by plaine scripture . J. W. first to be a minister of darkness by his denying the Light of Christ to be the law of God , the pure new covenant which he hath lighted every man with , and his law which is written in every heart since the new covenant ; and also he may read him an Idolater in that he has made a molten and graven Image , which he calls created and natural , and the spirit of a Man , which is neither Light of Christ , nor Law of God , nor new Covenant ; and now I. W. thou hast raced thy self out , both from the knowledge of the Law , and the Law-giver : So thou art proved , by the plain Scriptures of Truth , (1) A Blasphemer . (2) A Minister of Darkness . (3) An Idolater .

(4) I am now to prove thee an Antichrist , which was to come in the last time , which denyes Christ come in the flesh .

And that is to say ,

(1) Thou goes about to prove , and has laid it down in thy Book , as though Christ which lighteth every Man that comes into the World , were not God and the new Covenant , or Covenant of God which was before the Foundation of the World .

(2) Thou laies down , that Christ is not that Word and Light which John Beares witnesse of , but saith , it is the word Creator . And ,

(3) Thou makes a difference between the Father and the Son , and so sets up two Lights , and two Words , and so two Gods , except thou denyes Christ to be God .

Answ. And first in answer to that thou dost oppose , which is , that Christ the Light is not Gods Covenant , was not the Covenant which God made with Abraham in Christ Jesus , did not the Apostle say the same , Gal. 3. 16. Now to Abraham and his Seed was this promise made , he saith not unto Seeds , as of many , but as of one , unto thy Seed which is Christ , and this I say , that the Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ , &c. here the Apostle doth not say as thou dost , that Christ is not Gods Covenant of Light , and also the Apostle saith that Christ hath redeemed us from under the Curse of the Law , that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles , here Christ brings the Gentiles into Covenant with Abraham and the Jews ; but this is a mystery thou never saw ; and is he not the God of Abraham , the God of Isaac , and the God of Jacob , in his Everlasting Covenant Christ Jesus : And is not the Covenant of the Lord with David & his Seed for ever in Christ Jesus ? And hath not the Prophet Isaiah said in the 42. and 6. I the Lord have called thee in Righteousness , and will hold thine hand , and will keep thee , and give thee for a Covenant to the people , and for a Light to the Gentiles , to open blind eyes , and to bring out the Prisoners out of Prison , and them that sit in darkness out of the Prison-house ; who is this that should do this , if it be not Christ Jesus , whom wilt thou have it to be ; and again , Isa. 49. 8. It is a light thing that thou should be my servant to raise up the Tribes of Jacob , and to restore again the preserved of Israel , I will also give thee for a Light to the Gentiles , that thou mayest be my salvation to the ends of the Earth , who is this thinkest thou ? this torments thee , this that reaches unto all the ends of the Earth ; Light shining in all , this torments thy dark spirit , thou makes accompt in thy Book this is a created Light as thou saist in thy Book , where thou quotes 2 Rom. vers. 14 , 15 , 16. who hath the Law written in their hearts , which accuses or excuses them in the day when God shall judg the secrets of Men by Jesus Christ , according to my Gospel : Let the Reader judge whether this be a natural created Light , which judges the secrets of Mens hearts by Jesus Christ ; Is not this Gods new Covenant of Light to the Gentiles , which he has written in their hearts : and doth not the Apostle say in Hebr. 8. 6. speaking of the old Covenant and Priesthood , but now hath he obtained a more excellent Ministery , and by how much also he is the Mediator of a better Covenant , which is established upon better promises , is not this Christ ? for the Jews broke their Covenant and their Law that was written in Tables of Stone , which gendered to bondage , and there was then a Law added because of Transgression , until the Seed Christ came , Gallat. 24. 25. yet the promise and Covenant that was made to Abraham in Christ Jesus stands still , and is the same , and cannot be disanul'd , as the Apostle saith , Gal. 3. 19 , 16 , 17. Hebr. 8. 10. The Law that was added 430. years after the promise was made , could not disanul it , for the Apostle saith , if the first Covenant had been faultless , then there had been no place found for the second , and so this is the Covenant of God , writing his Law in their hearts , and puting his spirit in their inward parts , for the Jewes had outward Laws written in Tables of Stone , which Laws they broke , but now Christ Jesus the everlasting Covenant of God , which is Light made unto Abraham never can be broken , but is an everlasting Light in the hearts of his people , and an everlasting Law written in their hearts , and an everlasting Covenant of life and peace , and so brings all into unity and fellowship , for there is neither Jewes nor Greeke , there is neither bond nor free , there is neither male nor female , for they are all one in Christ Jesus , and if they be Christs , then they are Abrahams Seed , and Heires according to the Promise , Gal. 3. 28 , 29. And so here thou art proved thus far an Antichrist , and a denyer of Christ Jesus ( the Light ) to be Gods Covenant , who according to the flesh is the Son of Abraham , the Son of David , Rom. 1. 2 , 3 , 4. and according to the spirit the Son of God , Paul was made a Minister of that Gospel which was promised .

But these things is a mystery to thee , and thou knows nothing of them but what thou knowes naturally as a bruit Beast , for thou cannot believe the Apostles Testimony that he gives in the 13. of the Acts , when he is speaking of Saul , vers. 22. and when he had removed him , to wit Saul , he raised up David to be their King , to whom he gave Testimony , &c. Of this Mans Seed hath God according to his promise raised , vers. 25 , unto Israel a Saviour Jesus , when John had preached before his coming ; and as John fulfilled his course , he said , whom think ye that I am , &c. Men and Brethren of the stock of Abraham , and whosoever among you that feareth God , to you is the word of this Salvation sent , vers. 26. So let the Reader read this portion of Scripture , and see whether Christ Jesus be not Gods Covenant of Light , and Promise unto Abraham , and unto David , and also whether this be not that which John bore Testimony of , and so now thou art sufficiently proved thus far , not only a breaker of Gods Covenant and Promise unto Abraham and his Seed for ever , in whom the Apostle saith , all the promises of God are yea and in him Amen , 1 Cor. 20.

The next is , wherein thou has denyed Christ to be that word which John beares witness to , which was in the begining with God saying , the neglect of this distinction of the word Creator , and the word made flesh , is the ground of the great mistake of many , thou saist , who not considering what is testified of the Word as Creator , do confound that Light which is set up by him in every man , with that Light which he gives , as he is the word made flesh , and so calls that Light saving , which is but natural , springing up with him in his Creation , yea hence they call that Light Christ , which is but the Law written in the heart .

Answ. I desire the Reader to read over the 1st . of John , and seriously consider what distinctions he findes made there from the word that was in the begining , and the word that 's made flesh , and the light that lightens every Man that 's come into the World , and whether all these be not Christ , which John beares witnesse of , and whether John and the Spirit of God , there have separated them as the blacknesse and darknesse in J. W. hath done ; and let the Reader judge whether this Man be not possest with an Inchanting Spirit of Sorcery , and Witch-craft , and even as it were given up to work wickednesse to his own destruction , being filled with envy and malice against the Truth , which has overthrown his rotten and sandy foundation , and causes him so to rage , that he even blasphemes against the God of Heaven , that he even dares to separate the God-head , and would not have Christ Jesus to be the true Light and Word of God , which was in the begining , in whom the fulnesse of the God-head dwells , and that bodily , Gal. 3. 9. And so as thou hast denyed Christ to be the Covenant of God , thou has also denyed him to be the Word of God , and also has denyed him to be the Light that lighteth every man that comes into the world , and so has denyed his God-head as he is a Saviour , by which all the Fathers were saved , and dyed in the faith of him , and the Patriarchs , and the Prophets that had his word in their hearts , and thou has denyed him to be the Light of Israel , and thou has denyed him to be the first fruits of them that sleep , and the first begotten from the dead , and the first born of every Creature , thou has denyed his very life and substance , and the laying of his life down thou has denyed , for thou said , he denyed faith to some , and one of thy Brethren said , that his blood was not shed for all ; and thus you spake despight against the spirit of Grace , and counts the blood of the Covenant an unholy thing , and so Christ is of little value to you , and you are not worthy of him , but for the Seeds sake , and that people may not be blinded with thy wickedness and blindness , and darkness , and that people may come to an understanding of the Truth .

I desire the Reader seriously to consider these following Proofes , that is to say , first of John , That Word which was in the beginning with God , by which all things was made and Created , which was before man was made or Created , and was glorified with the Father before the World began , whether this be not the word Christ the Saviour of mankind according to the Apostles words in the 1. of Heb. 2. ver. and so on , hath in these last dayes spoken unto us by his Son , whom he hath appointed heir of all things ; by whom also he made the World , &c. And whether this Son of God by which all things was made and Created , is not the Saviour and the Word in the beginning , and the Redeemer of all Mankind , and whether the Word which Moses spoke of to the Children of Israel , Deut. 30. 14. when he said , The Word is very nigh thee , in thy heart & mouth , that thou may do it ; and said then , he had set Life and Death before them ; which the Apostle in the 10. of Hebrews bears testimony to , who saith , Christ is the end of the Law for Righteousness to every one that believes : And when he rehearses Moses Words he saith , Who shall ascend into Heaven , that is to bring Christ down from above , or who shall descend into the Deep , that is to bring Christ up again from the Dead : But what saith it , the Word is nigh thee in thy mouth , and in thy heart ; this is the word of Faith which we preach , that if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus , and believe in thy heart that God has raised him from the dead , thou shall be saved . Doth not the Apostle say , that this Lord Jesus is the Word , this is the Doctrine the Apostle preached the same Word in the heart , as Moses did ; But , I. W. denies this Doctrine , and this Word , and this Jesus , that is very nigh in the heart , that preaches Righteousness , he preacheth him afar off , it vexeth him to hear of him nigh in his heart , for his heart is filled with hypocrisie and darkness , and Gods Word and Witness lyes slain in him ; and so all his Preaching is of Christ without him crucified at Jerusalem , but he knows him not , nor where he is , and so all his separation is but in the darkness , talking of a Christ without him , and denying Gods Covenant of Light within , Isa. 49. 8. and denying Christ the Word in the heart , which was that which the Apostle preached ; and likewise the Apostle Peter , Acts. 10. 36. The Word which God sent unto the Children of Israel , preaching peace by Jesus Christ , the Word I say you know , which was published throughout all Judea after the preaching of the Baptisme of John , and hew God anointed Jesus Christ , &c. vers. 43. to him all the Prophets gave witness , and while Peter spoke these Words , the Holy Ghost fell on all them that heard the Word . And what Word was this they heard when the Holy Ghost fell on them , was it not the word the Apostle preached Christ ? Oh , thou enemy of God , how should Christ be preached , if that word which the Apostles preached was not Christ , and were not they the Ministers of the Gospel and of the Spirit , 2 Cor. 1. 18. But as God is true our word towards you was not yea , and nay , for the Son of God Jesus Christ who was preached amongst you by us , even by me , and Silvanus and Timotheus was not yea , and nay , but in him was yea .

Here the Apostle clearly manifests that the word which they Preached was the Son of God Christ Jesus ; and was not the word of Reconciliation which the Apostle preached , was not this Christ ; doth he not say , All things are of God , who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ , and hath given unto us the Ministry of Reconciliation , to wit , that God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself , not imputing their Trespasses unto them ; and hath committed unto us the word of Reconciliation , and we are Embassadours for Christ , as though God did beseech you by us , we pray you in Christs stead be ye reconciled unto God , for he hath made him to be sin for us that knew no sin , that we might be made the Righteousness of God in him .

This message is a torment to J. W. he is none of those Embassadours , he carrieth no such message as this , this is contrary to his Doctrine , for he will not have God and Christ to be one , nor he will not have the World reconciled , for he saith , The Light that lightens them is not saving ; and how can they be reconciled unto God , if they be not saved from their sin ? he makes account that Christs Blood is not shed for all ; and the Apostle saith , He is the Propitiation for the sins of the whole World ; But J. W. saith , that this Word is not Christ , and the Apostle did commend those that he preached to , and committed them to the word of his Grace , which is able to build them up , and to give them an Inheritance among all them that are Sanctified .

But for the Readers satisfaction , we shall prove something out of the Old Testament ; Did not Abraham see Christs day , and was glad , and believed , and it was counted to him for Righteousness ; was not this by Christ the Word , which was in the beginning with God , who said , before Abraham was I am ; did not Moses write of him , as Christ saith , and saith , A Prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren like unto me , him shall you hear in all things . Did not Moses see this by the word that was in his heart , which he preached to them ; and did not David Prophesie and saw Christ set up a King upon the Holy Hill of Zion , and said , he would declare the Decree of the Lord , the Lord hath said unto me , thou art my Son , this day have I begotten thee , aske of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thy inheritance , and the utmost parts of the Earth for thy possession , Psal. 2. But J. W. would not have Christ to have none of these , nor such large possessions , he will not have him the Light , nor Saviour of the World , nor have the Heathen for his Inheritance , and David saw Christ a Priest for ever after the Order of Melchisadecke , and did he not see this by the Word that was in his heart , that was a Light unto his pathes , and a Lanthorn unto his steps , and he said , he had hid his word in his heart , Psal. 119. And thy Word is sweeter then the honey or the honey-combe : And Solomon saith , Pro. 8. 27. The Lord possessed me in the begining , I was set up from everlasting , from the begining , or e're the Earth was , was not this the word that was in Solomon's heart , from the begining , and the word that Isaiah the Son of Amos saw concerning Juda and Jerusalem , It shall come to passe in the last dayes , that the Mountain of the Lord's House shall be established on the top of the Mountains , Isay 2. from the 1. vers. to the 5. where he saith , Oh yee House of Jacob come yee and let us walke in the Light of the Lord , was not this the Light of Christ , by which he saw the Mountain of the Lords House that was to be in the last dayes , and was not this the Word Christ that was in the Prophet , who said that their root should be rottennesse and their blossomes should goe up as dust , because they have cast away the Law of the Lord , and despised the holy one of Israel , which Law the Prophet saw goe out of Sion , and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem , was not this Christ Jesus the light , and word of God , and the Lord sent a word unto Jacob , and it lighteth upon Israel , and is not this Christ Jesus Gods Covenant .

And the Prophet Isaiah , when he spoke to the people , he told them their eares should hear a word behind them , when they turned to the right hand , or to the left , and their eyes should see their Teacher , and he should never more be removed into a corner , and who is this that is given for a Leader , and a Guider , and Teacher , is not this Christ that the Prophet calls to , when he saith , Ho , every one that thristeth come and buy , &c. where he saith , Incline thine ear and thy Soul shall live , and I will make an Everlasting Covenant with thee , even the sure mercies of David : Is not this in Christ , and is not this Call to every one that will come and incline their ear to the Light of Christ in their hearts and consciences , and hearken to the word in their hearts , which is given for a leader and a teacher of all people ; But , such Ministers of darkness as J. W. never directed to this teacher and so keeping them in darkness , keeps them in sin , in wickedness , but the Lord is coming , and is come already , blessed be his name , to redeem , and has redeemed many thousands out of their mouthes , and from under the tyranny of the oppressor which they have long kept poor people in , and Ier. 15. 16. where Ieremy said , Thy word is myjoy , and the rejoycing of my heart . Was not this word Light in his heart , which is sown for the Righteous , and joy for the upright in heart ? And again , Ier. 20. 9. But his Word was in my heart as a burning fire , shut up in my bones , and I was weary with forbearing , and I could not stay . And again , Ier. Is not my Word like a Fire , saith the Lord , and like a hammer that breaks the Rocks in pieces , Chap. 23. 29. Did not all these Prophets and Holy men of God speak and prophesie with many more , which the Scripture makes mention of , from the Word of God in their hearts that was in the beginning ; has thou not here denyed the Emanuel , God with us , that the Prophet Isay testified of ; and so has denyed Christ come in the Flesh , whereby thou has clearly manifested thy self to be an Antichrist indeed , for thou hast set thy self to oppose Christ ; for , Christ Jesus himself when he preached to the multitude , he said , Mat. 13. 3. &c. A Sower went out to sow , and the Seed that he sow'd was the Word of God , and the field that he sow'd in was the World , and the ground that brought forth fruit to God was the honest and good heart . And he saith again , Ye are clean thorow the Word , &c. Ioh. 15. 3. And again , Sanctifie them thorow thy truth , thy word is truth , Ioh. 17. 17. And again , Heb. 3. Who being the brightness of his Glory , and the express Image of his person , and upholding all things by the word of his Power , when he had by himself purged our sins , sate down on the right hand of the Majesty on high , was not this Christ .

But thou wilt say , it may be , if he be of the Majesty on high , he is not in the hearts of people then .

Thy blindness , darkness , and ignorance of God looks so ; But , the Apostle Peter his Exhortation was , That as new born babes , they should desire the sincere milk of the Word , that they might grow thereby . And the Apostle James exhorted them , To receive with meekness the ingrafted word which is able to save the Soules , Chap. 1. 21. And again , in Peter 1 epist. 2. 6. Behold I lay in Zion a chief Corner-stone , elect , & pretious , and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded , unto you therefore which believe , he is pretious , but unto them which be disobedient , the Stone which the Builders disallowed the same is made the head of the corner , and a stone of stumbling and a rock of offence , even to them that stumble at the word , being , disobedient , whereunto also they were appointed , 1 Pet. 2. 7 , 8.

Now I. W. thou art this man , for thou has stumbled at the word , and art fallen , and shall never rise again , this stone shall grind thee to powder ; this is our Corner-stone , which thou sayes , thou will confound ; but , the Apostle sayes , he that believeth in him ( and we believe in him therefore ) shall never be confounded ; and so here thou will be found a lyer : And thou saith in thy Book , thou will remove our foundation , which is the light in every man ; which is sufficiently proved , that it is Christ Jesus the foundation of all the Prophets and Apostles ; and here thou strives with that which is too strong for thee , the weighty stone must needs fall upon thee . And in 2 Pet. 1. 19. where Peter exhorted them to take heed to the more sure word of prophesie , and to the light that shined in a dark place , and to the day-star that would arise in their hearts ; but thy dark preaching is contrary to that ; and 1 Joh. 1. 1. That which was from the beginning , which we have heard , which we have seen without eyes , which we have looked upon , and our hands have handled of the word of life , &c. Let the serious Reader but read this Chapter , and see if by it he may not in his own understanding judge of the wickedness of this man , and also in the 2. Chap. where the Apostie saies , He writes no new Commandement unto you , but an old Commandement which ye had from the beginning , the old Commandement is the word which ye have heard from the beginning .

Again , a new Commandement I write unto you , which thing is true in him , and in you , because the darkness is past , and the true light now shineth . Here the Apostle manifesteth the word and the light to be one , in that he writes unto them in the word , and in the Light that now shines , glory be to the Lord for evermore , which the whole power of darkness hath long mustered up and stood against ; but he that is upon the white Horse , who is called faithful and true , in Righteousness he doth judge and make war , his eyes are as a flame of fire , and upon his head many Crownes , he was cloathed in a vesture dipt in blood , and his name is called the Word of God , Rev. 20. 11 , 12 , 13.

Now I have done with thee as concerning this head , and thou will find that this word will judge thee in the last day , who hath punctually denyed Christ Jesus to be the Word of God , which is his name , so he stands upon thee thy condemner for ever , and so thereby thou art manifest to be the Antichrist .

So the next head that I am to manifest to the Reader , is , that thou makes a distinction of God and Christ , and through thy denying of Christ to be the Light that comes into the World , and thereby denies Christ to be come in the Flesh , and thereby art the Antichrist ; for thou saith , that Christ is not the word and Light which John bears witness of , but saist , it is the word Creator ; and so makes a difference betwixt the Father and the Son , and so art just in the Arrians Principle in dividing the Father and the Son , which brought in Heresies of old into the Churches ; and contrary unto the Angels testimony unto Joseph and Mary , who said , She should bring forth a Son , and shall call his name Jesus , for he shall save his people from their sins ; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophet , saying , Behold a Virgin shall be with Child and bring forth a Son , they shall call his name Emanuel , which being interpreted , is , God with us . And so contrary to this , thou would divide Christ and God .

So here thou hast denyed Christ of his propriety in the Father , and hast blasphemed against the God-head , contrary to Christ his own words , who said , I and my Father are one ; and so here thou has joyn'd with the Jewes in taking up stones to stone him with . And also , in the 8. of Iohn and the 16. ver. And yet if I judge , my judgment is true , for I am not alone , but I and my Father that sent me . And again , in the 14. of Iohn and the 10. ver. Believes thou not that I am in the Father , and the Father in me the words that I speak , I speak not of my self , but the Father that dwelleth in me , doth the works ; believe me that I am in the Father , and the Father in me . And in the 2. vers. before , Philip saith , Shew us the Father , and it sufficeth us , Iesus saith unto him , hast thou not known me Philip ? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father .

And again , Ioh. 17. 11. Keep them thorow thy own name , that they may be one as we are : And again verse 21. That they may be all one as thou O Father art in me , and I in thee , I in them and thou in me , that they may be made perfect in one . And so thou that hast divided the Son from his Father , and the Saints from them both ; thou hast committed Sacriledge indeed , who has denyed the great work of Salvation and Redemption of Mankind , which the Apostle admired at , that God should send his only begotten Son into the World , that whosoever believeth in him should not perish , but have Everlasting Life . But this Christ thou has gain-said , and resisted , and denyed , and so is never like to have benefit by him , but he will be thy condemnation for ever .

And here thou hast fulfilled old Simeons prophesie in the 2d . of Luke , Vnto whom it was revealed by the Holy Ghost that he should not see death before be had seen the Lords Christ , who took him in his Armes and blessed God ; and said , Lord , now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace according to thy word , for mine eyes have seen thy Salvation which thou hast prepared before the face of all people , a Light to lighten the Gentiles , and the Glory of thy people Israel ; and behold , this Child is set for the fall and rising of many in Israel , for a signe which shall be spoken against . And here thou art the man that has set thy self against him , and is fallen , and so has denyed Christs coming in the flesh , and also has denyed God being in Christ reconciling the World unto himself ; which the Apostle said , 1 Tim. 3. 16. Was a great mystery , God manifested in the flesh , justified in the spirit . And so thou that denies the Light of Christ , and his Spirit , which opens and reveales the mystery , thou art not like but to be ignorant who has denyed Christ in his God-head , Ioh. 5. 7. for the Apostlesaith , There are three that bear Record in Heaven , the Father , the Word , and the Holy Ghost , and these three are one ; and this Record thou has denyed , for first thou has denyed Christ to be the Word ; and secondly , thou has denyed Christ to be one with the Father ; and so thou has denyed Christ to be God , except thou will have two Gods , for thou has created already two Lights , and two Words ; thou will neither have Christ to be the Light of the World , nor thou will not have him to be the Word which was in the beginning with the Father ; nor thou will not have him to be Gods Covenant of Light with Abraham and his Seed ; and also , the promise of God unto Adam , where the Lord said , The Seed of the Woman shall bruise the Serpents head .

And now let the Reader judge whether thou be not a perfect Antichrist , who hath denyed Christ come in the flesh , both in his Light , wherewith he lightens all people that comes into the World . Secondly , he denies him to be the Word which was in the beginning , by which all things was made and created , which is the Word the Apostle directed people to in their hearts , Rom. 10. 45. Thirdly , He denies him to be come in the Covenant of God , which is light , by which he reconciles all things to himself , both of things in Heaven , and of things in Earth , Ephes. 1. 10. And fourthly , thou has denyed him to be one with his Father ; and so I believe here the Reader will confess that J. W. is perfectly proved an Antichrist ; for the Apostle saith , Joh. 4. 3. Every Spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God , and this is the spirit of Anti-christ , whereof you have heard should come , and now is in the World . And again in the 2 Ep. of John and the 1. Many Deceivers are entred into the World , who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh , this is a deceiver and an Antichrist . And so as for I. VV. he doth not only not confess Christ , but hath denyed Christ to be come in the flesh , as hath been manifestly proved , and so is he of whom the Apostle saith , VVhosoever transgresseth , and abideth not in the Doctrine of Christ hath not God , but he that abideth in the Doctrine of Christ hath both the Father and the Son . Here the Apostle joynes them together , and puts them not asunder , as I. VV. doth ; And therefore , we are not to receive him into our Houses , neither bid him God speed , but deny him as he hath denyed Christ , and has proved himself an Antichrist compleat .

And whereas thou speakes in thy Book , That multitudes are ensnared for want of dividing , or making distinctions between God and Christ , and brings the 2 of Peter 2. 2. many shall follow their pernitious wayes .

Answ. Let the Reader read the portion of Scripture ; in his own judgment , and truth of his heart , let him judge whether this Scripture be not a true Character of thee , and thy Generation of Priests , or whether he can judge the Quakers to be such a People as this Scripture holds forth , and by this he may judge the falsity of thy judgment , and thy envy and malice , which breaks forth in lying ; The next words following are , Many shall follow their pernitious wayes , by reason of whom the way of truth is evil spoken of , and through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandize of you ; who is this the Quakers , or it is I. W. and his company of Priests ? thou breakes off betime , if thou had written any further in Peter , it would have come upon thy own head ; But there is a verse before , which saith , That there would be false Prophets that would bring in damnable Heresies , even denying the Lord that bought them , and bring upon themselves swift destruction .

Here thou art perfectly set forth , for I believe never any denyed him more wickedly then thou hast done , as is manifestly proved , and so art that false Prophet there spoken on . But again , verse 15. They were such as followed the way of Balaam , for the wages of unrighteousness , Art not thou one of these ? Again there were such as walked after the flesh in the lust of uncleanness , must not thou needs be he who denyes the Light that manifests sin and uncleanness , thorough the obedience of which they may be preserved out of it ; but they were to receive the reward of unrighteousness , and so wilt thou , who art reserved unto the day of judgment to be punished .

And now thou being thus manifested and proved to be what is before mentioned , that the words in my Letters will fall of necesity upon thee , though thou have endeavoured to cover thy self by thy setting my words in thy own frame , and thereby to make them seem as if they were railing Speeches , and spoken without ground .

And 1. Where as thou saith , that I writ in my Letter to manifest thy gain-saying Spirit Core - like , Let the Readers judge whether this be not manifestly proved upon thy head before in gain-saying the Truth Christ , who is the Light that lightens every man , &c.

2ly . Thou saist I said , Thou art without God in the World , my words are thus , The Light in every one as it is obeyed , makes the separation from the World , which Light thou denyes , and so art without God in the VVorld , who is Light , and in him is no darknesse at all .

3ly . Thou saist I said , Thou hast manifested thy self to be out of the first step that leads to Christianity , and art a Priest of Darknesse , These words are true upon thee , for the Light Christ Jesus , the VVord ( which thou hath denyed ) is the entrance into life , and Christ is the VVay , the Light , and the Truth , and the Dore , which thou hast denyed , and so by Christs own words , thou art a Thief that enters not in at the Dore , the Light , but climb'st up another way , Jo. 10. And so thy Prayers , and all thy fleshly performances must need be abhominable , who art without the Dore , Christ the Light , amongst the Theeves and Robbers , and of thy commiting Sacriledge , that is proved before sufficiently , and also thy blaspheming against the holy Spirit of God ; There needs no more to be said to that , it is sufficiently proved before .

And in my second Letter thou saith 1. I said thou begins with a lye , and ends with the Devil , and sets J. W. next to him . Thy own Letter which thou sent to me , which I sent thee back again , will testifie that to be true , as it is there written . And is thou offended that I should mention thy own words to thee , art thou ashamed of them now , and art thou offended at me because I writ of that which thou had writ with thy own Pen , thou art so muddeld that thy own actions torments thee .

2ly . Thou saist , I spoke of thy black defiled heart and conscience :

Answ. They are so , and blackness and darkness thou art filled with , who doth deny and gain-say the Light of Christ in thy own conscience , and that is the cause thou art such an inveterate enemy against Christ , the Light , in every man , but his witness in thy own conscience will be a Worm that will gnaw thee , and Fire that will never be quenched one day , though thou make slight of it now : but did not thou say in a Letter to me , thou had received my blacke Lines , not that I writ these words to thee , rendering railing for railing , but my words are true upon thee in thy present condition .

3ly . Thou saist I said thou was a Child of darkness , what hast thou to do to take the name of God and Christ in thy mouth , thou enemy of God .

Answ. My words are these , Thou enemy of God that knowes him not , whom none knowes but the Father , and none knowes the Father but the Son , and whom the Son reveales him to , and thou that hath not a Revelation of him art a Thief , that takes his name in thy mouth , but the cause of my writing these words was , that thou had writ in thy Letter to me , That I ought not to judge before Christ Iesus be revealed .

4ly . Thou saith I said , Thou art no Believer in Christ , thou art yet in thy sins , &c.

Answ. But my words are these ( thou said ) thou was in the light of Christ that enlighteneth all Believers , and my Answer to those words was , Thou art no Believer of Christ that abides not in his Doctrine , for they that believes abides not in darknesse , where thou art , but is past from death to life , which thou art an enemy to ; and therefore do not deceive thy self , for thy hope will perish , and thy faith is vain , thou art yet in thy sins , and art thou offended because I said thou art yet in thy sins , and is it not thy Doctrine that none can be free from sin while they are upon the Earth , and art thou not a sinner , that 's proved a blasphemer against God .

5ly . Thou said I said , Thou was a man separated from God .

Answ. By his Light , which thou art an enemy to .

6ly . Thou sayes I said , Thou never knewest nothing of the worship of God .

Answ. My words were these , God is not worshiped but in his spirit which reveales him , and so thou that has not the Revelation , thou never knew the worship of God .

7ly . Thou sayest I said , Thou envious poysenous heart .

Answ. But my words are these , And for thy uncivil termes that thou has invented out of thy envious poysenous heart , as calling me the VVhore of Babilon , and a Woman drunk , and Iessabel , with many other such like termes as these ; and so now the Reader may see thy deceitfull and theevish dealing , though thou would hide and cover thy self , this manifests thee to be a Child of darkness indeed . Thou art ashamed of thy own words , and conceales them for these forementioned termes .

Thou writ to me in thy Letter , when thou was drunk with fury , and takes mine in peeces , and perverts them , and belyes them , if thou had had any dram of honesty , thou might have set some of thy own foule words down which thou writ to me , or at least have set mine down in order as they were writ to thee , but to wrest , and pervert , and lye for thy own ends and advantage , has been the Trade thou has followed all thy life time with the Scriptures .

8ly . Thou saist I said , Thou art under the Chain of it , it is over thee , a fighter against God and his Truth , and the Reward thou will be sure to have , and never look that that which is cursed will be blest .

But thou hast left these words out , and thou hast preached another Gospel then the Apostles did , this thou hast left out , Thou art accursed , and no other portion can thou have , and this is Scripture and Truth to thee .

In my third Letter thou saist I said , Thou can do something in writing a Book of thy own Dreames , and thy Imaginations and brain studies , and telling of lyes , which thou hatcheth out of darkness , but thou art a meer sot and Ignoramus , thy evil and unclean heart , thy malitious , darke , envious spirit , thy weakness , inability and ignorance in the things of God ,

But my third Letter began thus , J. W. Thou has now made a poor end of thy boasting words , and thy Assertion thou hath very meanly proved . Thus far , and thy way of Answering thus far , for what is written to thee manifests thy weakness , and ignorance , and darkness sufficiently , thou can do something in writing a Book of thy own Dreames , and thy Imaginations , and brain studies , and telling of lyes and stories which thou hath hatched out of darkness , when there is none to contradict thee ; but to Answer any thing which is plain Truth and Scripture , thy spirit and doctrine , and practice is so contrary to the truth , and the spirit of God that gave forth the Scriptures , in this thou art a meer sot and Ignoramus , and so framed thy Answers of lyes , scandals and reproaches , and foule language , which comes out of thy evil unclean heart , for if any man should but read my two Papers which I have written to thee , and thy Answer of them , they may thereby read thy malitious , darke , envious speeches , and also thy weakness , inability , and ignorance of the things of God .

And again thou saith , I having told her , that if she called the Light that is in every man that comes into the VVorld Christ , she set up an Idol , and if she worshiped that Light as Christ , she was an Idolater ; She answered thus , I never heard such words but from an Infidel , and an Idolater , and a Blasphemer against God and Christ : Thou art an Enemy of God , thou art worse then the Jewes , thou art a fit man to joyne with the Turk to set up Mahomet , oh thou Infidel , oh thou child of darkness .

My Answer to his was thus , I did never hear such words but from an Infidel and a Blasphemer against God and Christ ; and I do not know that ever I heard any that ever owned the Scriptures to be true , that ever denyed so much of the truth there written , as thou hast done , never take Christ Iesus into thy mouth , who hath said Himself he is the Light , Thou enemy of God , thou art worse then the Jews that denies he is come , thou art a fit man to joyne with the Turk to set up Mahomet ; dost thou think that Christ hath many such enemies as thou in England ? Oh thou Infidel ! who wilt thou have for thy Redeemer , wilt thou not have him that is come a Light , who hath said , while you have the Light believe in the Light , that you may become the Children of the Light ; Oh thou child of darkness , what dost thou believe in ? where will thou appear when the Righteousness of God is revealed in flames of fire upon the head of the wicked ? then thou will know Revelation , which thou dost not yet .

And again thou saith , speaking of Christ , She saith I am a witness for him against all such Antichrists , and deceivers , and blasphemes , as thou art , thou art a Minister of the night , and of the darkness in the Apostacy , thou art a night Bird , the curse and the judgments that 's written therein , ( speaking of the Scriptures ) Christ Jesus and the Apostles hath pronounced it upon thee , thou art the man .

My Answer was , and is thus , where thou saith in thy Letter to me , If ever I was of good savour , I have lost it by the abuse of the 〈◊〉 Jesus , and miserable wresting of the Scriptures .

My Ans. was , I am a Witness for him , he hath raised me up from the death to the Eternal Life , which is the Record and Image that I bear of him , and for him against all such Antichrists and deceivers , and blasphemers as thou art , which John saw was entring into the World in his day and time ; which spirit of Antichrist hath lived in you and amongst you untill this day , and hath descended upon you from Generation to Generation in this dark night of Apostary , and thou that art a Minister of the night , and of the darkness in the Apostacy , thou art now tormented that the Light is come , and the day hath sprung from on high upon thousands , Glory be to the Lord for evermore ; so that many can say , that the darkness is past , and the true Light now shineth , and this torments thee , who is a night Bird.

And whereas thou saist in thy Letter to me , I wrest the Scriptures .

My Answer was , and is , my Paper where it stands will testifie against thee to be a lyer , where the plain Scripture is set down without any wresting , and the curse and judgment that is therein written , Christ Jesus and the Apostle hath pronounced it upon thee , and thou art the man which is guilty of the same , which they are pronounced against , and thou cannot hide thy self from them , thou wilt be sure to find them true upon thee one day , when thou cannot cover thy self , as thou hast endeavoured to cover thy nonsence with my name .

And again thou saist , because I asked this question , thou asked me , what Parish Priest in England had got more money with his Tongue then George Fox had done since he was Journey-man Shoomaker in Manchester ; and where thou saist , my Answer was , Thou art a wicked , proud , disdainful spirit , a heathenish spirit which torments thee and many more such night Owles as thou art .

Let the Reader judge whether thou be not a wicked lyer in these words thou hast set down , and whether my Answer in my Letter was as thou hast set them down , for in thy Letter to me , thy words stands thus , I think thou would not take it wel that thy friend G. F. should be call'd a Priest ; and yet what Parish Priest in England has gotten more money with his Tongue then he .

Where thou said , I would not take it well if my friend G. F. should be call'd a Priest .

My Answer was thus , he was never of such a deceitful trade as to cheat people of their money , or to make people believe that he would bring them to God , and yet keep them in darkness and sin , and preach down the Light of Jesus , which they should believe in , Joh. 12. as thou and such deceivers hath done ; for he was of an honest true Calling , according to thy Report , and he was called from it of the Lord into his work and service , as the Apostle was , and to lay open , and manifest such deceivers as thou art , &c.

And here I charge thee to be an open and manifest lyer to all that reads these foregoing words , who hath set down in the first page of thy Appendix , That M. F. affirmeth that G. F. was called from the Shoomakers trade .

Now let the Reader see whether ever I mention that G. F. was a Shoomaker , for if I had , I had spoken that I did not know , and has thou that boldness and impudence as to say , I affirm , when I do but Answer to thy Words , and according to thy Report he was of an honest Trade , and that he was called of the Lord unto his work and service , I am a witness , and many thousands more , Glory be to the Lord for evermore ; which is the cause of thine and many such night Birds of your torment , and makes you fret your selves , and curse your King and your God , and looks into the Earth , but beholds nothing but trouble and anguish , Isa. 8. 21 , 22. and this is your portion that is come upon you .

And whereas thou saist , I said thou was an impudent , a wicked , ungodly lyer , thou lyer , a proud disdainful spirit , a heathenish spirit which torments thee , and many more such night Owles as thou art .

My Answer is this , Thou said G. F. is not as he was when he first came to Lancaster : My Answer was , thou lyer make it to appear , wherein did thou see him then what he is not now , is this the Answering of the Letters that was sent to thee to turn into lying and slandering , and villifying ; this is like thy frothy spirit indeed , that instead of Answering my Papers , thou tells of G. F. that he is not as he was before as above , and why art thou so envious and malitious against G. F. whereas thou saist I call'd thee a Heathenish Spirit , thou said in thy Letter , thou hadst read of a Monk , and tells a story about him , my Answer was further , such things is the fittest for thy Heathenish Spirit to read on , thou hath more knowledge and unity with them then thou hath with the Scriptures , and the spirit of God that gave them forth ; therefore it is time for thee to give over deceiving the people , and making a Trade of Tradesmens words , ( which was the Saints ) for thy belly , &c. This thou would shufle off instead of Answering me , and whereas thou saist further in thy Letter , What Parish Priest in England hath got more money then he , my Answer was , here thou art a wicked , ungodly , impudent lyer , and I charge thee to bring one man in England that will say they gave him one shilling for Teaching , or else let thy mouth be stopped for ever , if thou do not send some particular whom he hath taken money of , or else thou manifests thy self to be an envious spirited man , and I shall look upon thee to be so , &c. and the lye remains upon thee . And thou said further in thy Letter , That G. F. having caught the fish , is likely will cast off his Leather-cloathes . My Answer was , he was moved to put them on , when he went to cry against such bryery spirits as thine , and thou may see his Leather-cloathes yet , if thy pride and envy will suffer thee , thou thinks he has gotten as much with his Leather-cloaths as thou hast done in thy Chappels , Shops , and with thy Leather Belt , he hath caught that which torments thee , and many more such night Owles as thou art ; who hath fished long , but it hath been in the night , and so thou hath catch'd nothing , but thy own Gain thou counts for Godliness . And whereas thou said in thy Paper , That the Quakers trade is a very gainful way , which hath gained Multitudes to the likeing of them even for advantage sake .

My Answer was , the Multitudes that is gained torments thee , because it manifests thy dry , husky , false , deceitful Ministry , which hath beat thybrains all thy days to feed the Swine with , I believ thy Flock would soon be counted that thou hath gathered , for Babilon is loosing her Children dayly , praises to the Lord for ever , and the Spirit and the Bride saith come and see , those that gathers multitudes to the Lord , is like to vex and torment thee ; But what gain or advantage hath the Quakers got , thou wicked lyar , except thou counts Whippings , Prisons , Stockings advantage , and the spoiling of their goods , and rifling of their Houses , and stealing their Corn , as many of thy Generation hath-done ; and now thou art out of power , now thou smitest with thy slanderous tongue , with lies slanders , and false accusations ; But thou sayes thou aimes at a greater thing then getting money in opposing the Quakers , which is the glory of thy God , which is the Devil , the God of the World is thy God , and thou hath done what thou canst in opposing the Quakers to get him glory , but now is the time that both thou and he is judged , and cast out , blessed be the Lord , and the Son of Man who is the Light and Truth , and way to God Christ Jesus is lifted up from the Earth , which shall draw all Men after him , and him thou villifies , blaspheames , and speaks against , and so thou is like to speak against us that beares testimony for him .

And whereas thou saist in thy Appendix , That I said thou hast a great measure of the Spirit of envy , malice , and cruelty , and blood .

And thou said in thy Letter to me , Thou hath a true measure of the Spirit , and aime of that envy and malice , &c.

My Answer was , thou hath a great measure of the Spirt of envy , malice , cruelty and blood , and thou hast done well to confess it , but there is none of this in my Lines , but the very plain truth to thee , and upon the which is thy condemnation for ever , this stands upon thy head , and thou canst not get from under it , and so here is an end of the substance of my Letters which he mentions here a word , and there one in his Appendix , some of them being an Answer to two Letters he sent to me .

And here the Reader may read the folly and ignorance of this man how he glories in his own shame , and who speaks great swelling words of vanity , and has manifested his own shame , J. W. so long as thou has made a cover for thy self of lyes and false accusations to hide thee under , which is all the refuge thou can take to , as thou hast done in thy Appendix , in thy taking pieces of Sentences , thinking thereby to hide the truth , and verity , and also thereby would cover thy own shame and nakedness ; but when this refuge of lyes is swept away , then thy shame and nakedness doth appear , and thy lying and wickedness returns upon thy own head , and thy nakedness appears : Thy Pen had better been still , and thou silent , then to have spoken and written against Christ Jesus our Corner-stone , which thou saist , thou will remove ; but thou art too light , he was before ever thou or thy Father was , which was a Lyer from the beginning , the weighty stone that is burdensome to the Nations , is too heavy for thee to shake , and thy foundation is shaken , and crusht , and broken already , for thou art here proved to be a blasphemer against him , and an Antichrist against him , and these things here before written are charged upon thee , and proved against thee , and except thou can clear thy self of the charges here charged against thee , stop thy mouth , and stay thy Pen , and lay thee down in the darkness , and stop thy boasting mouth ; and thou saith in thy Appendix boastingly , What feeble shifts are these , my Assertions strikes at their very foundation , and before they make that good , they would run into other matters , but though they seem to be weary of their cause , I must told them to it till their Corner-stone and mine be so thorowly tryed , that it may undoubtedly appear whether of them is the true Rock Christ Jesus .

Answ. Thy Rock is a poor Rock , an old Image that thou hast digged and graven out of thy dark-brain and study , where all the Conjurers and old divining Priests in the Apostacy , ever was , and is , this is thy Rock , a natural created Light , and spirit of a Natural man , and has denyed Christ Jesus , which is the Rock , the Church of God , is built upon ; but thou hast split thy self of this Rock , and is fallen in the pit . And thou boastingly saith further in this Appendix , That thou art willing and ready again to debate the point in controverse with G. F. or any of his friends before the high Sheriffe , or any in Authority if they should require us to come forth for that end .

Answ. Here is a crack indeed , thou durst not have said this , but thou thinks the Sheriffe would not send for thee , thou puts it upon the Magistrates and the Sheriffe that thou thinks will not trouble thee , or else thou durst not have ventured on this boast , for I believe that on equal termes thou durst not ingage with old Henry Wood and William Holden , not before the people to make good thy Assertion that thou boasts so much on , which thou hath no cause to boast on , but to be ashamed of , for this is manifest of thee already in that thou hath not Answered Old H. W. Queries yet , nor cannot do , and what dost thou talk of G. F. meeting thee , there are thousands in England that would turn and overturn thee and thy Assertions ; and thou art grieved that old H. W. and W. H a Blacksmith should engage with thee to Answer thy Challenge , for I believe they are of ability , for did not old Hen. W. stop thy mouth before the people that thou could not answer him ; and now thou goes and calls for G. F. to shuffle it of thee , thou sure thinks that would be an honour to thee , and by that thou thinks thou could shuffle of answering H. W. and W. H. of making good thy Assertion , it 's an easie matter to overthrow thee and thy Assertion , any babe in the truth may soon manifest thee that never was in the truth , and so never mention G. F. coming to thee before thou has done with others that thou art engaged with , for there is a cloud of witnesses against thee , all the Saints in the Scripture bears testimony against thee , and all that knows truth , or ever will know it , doth and will witness against thee , and all of thy spirit and principle , and before thou make any more boasting , see if thou can clear thy self of what is here charged against thee , and proved upon thee , and by the Scripture of truth that is to say ,

(1) of being a Blasphemer against the Holy Ghost . (2) of being a minister of darkness . (3) of being an Idolater . (4) of being an Antichrist .

See if thou canst cast this of thee before thou talk and boast that thou chiefly desires to deal with G. F. and such others as say they are Apostles , that their Doctrine and deeds being brought to the light , it may be truly known whether they be true Apostles indeed , or false .

Answ. Poor conditioned man what wilt thou try with , with thy dim , dark , Natural created light ? thou art tryed and proved already , and weighed , and found too light , and so thy trying is little worth , the false Apostles know more of the truth then ever thou did , and yet thou art so impudent , that thou talks of trying true Apostles , but this is like thy former folly , but all has been to manifest and bring to light thy rotten hypocrisie , with which thou has deceived people , but thou will proceed no further , thy folly is so manifest , and thy filth is so uncovered that now people will see thee and thy deceitful wickedness , that with thy lying tongue can speak of Regeneration , and new birth , and of trying true Apostles and false , with many other words which thou has stoln out of the Scriptures , or else thou could not have spoken them who denies the first Principle of truth Christ Jesus the Light of the Truth , and the life , and the way to God , and therefore he stands upon thy head , thy condemner for ever , for I have heard many Ministers and Teachers , and seen their Works , but I never saw nor heard such a humble jumble confused piece as this of thine , of dividing God and Christ , and such distinctions of the Light and Word , but proves nothing of what thou intends , but leaves it confused like thy self , and sits as Judge upon the Son , and sits as Judge upon the Saints , and sits as Judge upon the World , &c.

And now J. W. since thou has taken upon thee withal thy might and main to push with thy horn against the Lamb and his Followers , and has engaged open war with him , and has boasted as though thou would remove him out of his place , and that in a publick testimony , let us now prove and try thy foundation , and let us see how thou will demonstrate thy strength , and manifest thy ability to performe this that thou has undertaken , that is to say , to wit , to remove our Foundation , or we thine , which may be manifested to the Reader by thy Answering these following Queries .

1st . Query . Whether the Light that is in thee be not darkness , but thy asserting , to wit , that the Light in every man is not a saving Light , as also considering what is here proved before for the confuting of thy Assertions ?

2dly . Whether thy eye be not evil , and so thy whole body full of darkness , since that Christ hath said , that the Light of the body is the eye , and by thy Assertion thou hast denyed that eye , and put it out ?

3dly . Whether dost thou believe that thou thy self has the Light of Christ in thee , since thou has asserted that he has not inlightned every man , yea , or nay ?

4ly . If thou have the Light of Christ in thee , how comes thou by it , or where had thou it more then other men , and if thou was one of the World , and now is not , how came thy change , and when , and where , didst thou receive that which makes thee to differ from other men ?

5ly . Thou has taken upon thee to teach people , how was thou called to it , or by whom was thou made a Minister , didst thou ever hear the voice of God , hast thou the Revelation of Jesus , as the Apostles had ?

6ly . Dost thou turn people from the Darkness to the Light , and from the power of Satan to the power of God , art thou no Minister of the Letter , but only of the Spirit , as the Apostles were ?

7ly . Where is thy Flock that thou has gathered from the power of Darkness unto the marvelous Light , as the Saints in the Scriptures were , is thy Flock in unity and fellowship with all the Saints in Light , how is it then that thou denyes Christ Jesus the Corner Stone , and Rock on which all the Church of God is built ?

8ly . And how came thou and thy Flock to be Saints , since yee deny Christ Jesus the Foundation , which is the Stone is laid in Sion , and how came you to differ from the rest of people since God is no respecter of Persons , and what has made the difference betwixt thee , thy Flock , and the rest of all other people of the World , shew it and manifest it forth wherein yee differ , and how yee came by that which makes yee to differ ?

9ly . Thou saith in thy Book , thou would have us to return to the true Christ , and thou lookes upon our Christ to be an Idol , and has left us without direction to the true Christ , thou speaks on , so my Query is where this Christ is thou calls the true Christ , and what he is since thou has denyed him to be the Light ? 2ly . Thou has denyed him to be the New Covenant , and Law written in the heart . 3ly . Thou has denyed him to be the Word in the Beginning . 4ly . Thou has made a separation betwixt him and his Father , so what is this true Christ of thine , being thou saith who worships all these ( before mentioned ) worships an Idol , being thou hast told us of a true Christ , and has left us without knowledge of him , and without direction how to know him , thou wilt be in danger here to be one of the blind Leaders except thou manifests to us what he is , and where he is , which thou has not done in all thy Book , but all thy work has been to strike at ours , and called him an Idol , and yet has found us no better .

10ly . Thou seems by what thou hast writ in thy Book as though thou were a tryer of Spirits , and makes distinctions of Lights , and speaks of two words ; and also , thou speaks as though thou could judge of Regeneration , or new birth , and who has the spirit of God , and who has it not ; and not only so , but as though thou could try true Apostles from false , and true Doctrines from false , so thou has taken upon thee a high seat of judgment , when thou has taken upon thee to divide the Father from the Son .

Therefore , I charge thee in the presence of the Living God , and as thou wilt answer it before the Lord and his Elect Angels , to answer to these things , when and where , and how didst thou receive the word of Life which was from the beginning , when did thy eyes see it , when did thy hands handle it , that word of Life that was with the Father , which the Apostl . did see & bore witness of ? Jo. 1. 1 , 2.

11ly . When and where didst thou receive the power of God , which is , the Gospel , the Apostle preached , which is Salvation to every one that believeth .

12ly . When and where , and how was it , that the Son of God was revealed in thee , when he was revealed in the Apostle he was to preach the Gospel to the Heathen , didst thou receive thy Ministery by the inspiration of God , and conferred not ( as the Apostle did not ) with flesh and blood , yea , or nay ?

13ly . Was thou not made a Minister of men , neither by men , neither was thou taught by men , but only by the Revelation of Jesus Christ ?

14ly . When and where was the Holy Ghost poured upon thee as it was upon the Apostles when they were met together , as also Peter bears witness ? Acts 5 : 30 , 32. who were faithful witnesses of Jesus Christ that he was a Prince and a Saviour ; and so also saith the Holy Ghost whom God hath given . Heb. 10. 14 , 15 , 16. Whereof the Holy Ghost is a witness to us , &c. Now if thou hast received this Holy Ghost manifest when , and where , and how , if thou dost not stop thy mouth of thy tryings , and of thy distinctions of God and Christ , and shut up thy treasures of darkness and sorcery , out of which thou hast blasphemed against God , and those that Worships Him .

And in thy Book thou saith , speaking of the Priests , and of the World , being cloathed with guilt , were never able to this day to look this people in the face , to wit , the Quakers .

Answ. Prove and quit thy self of being one of these Priests and people by answering of those Queries above written , as also Thomas Curwen's 24. Queries , and also Henry Woods Queries which all stands unanswered , and thy Assertion stands false yet , and unproved , and thou stands proved and charged a Blasphemer , a Minister of Darkness , and an Idolater , and an Antichrist , by plain Scriptures of truth , which never can be broken , thou art proved to be all these , so see if thou and all thy flock and confederates can wipe this away off thee that is laid upon thee .

And , answer all the Queries that is sent to thee by plain Scripture , without wresting or turning , or adding , or diminishing , left the plagues of God be added unto thee , and if thou dost not , thou and thy followers and all thy companions will be found amongst those that are not able to look the Quakers in the face , for thou has as much guilt upon thee as ever man had , which may well cause thee to turn thy back , and stop thy mouth .

And so this is but an Answer to a part of thy Appendix which concerned me .

Margaret Fell.

AND whereas thou saist , another writes thus , thou opposes the truth , art an enemy to Christ , an opposer of the Gospel , the power of God , and several other truths : the substance whereof is plain truth , and to thy condition every word , as thou hast manifested in thy Book .

And whereas thou writes , that another writes thou art in thy Will-worship , carnal Ordinances , thou hardens thy self against the truth , thou art an enemy to God and his truth , &c.

Ans. But if thou hadst been an honest man thou would have put in all my words to thee in thy Book , and their names who they were , but they have hit thy condition , therefore art thou tormented .

And whereas thou saist , this is William Houldings Paper ; thou speaks falsly , for it was mine Henry Wood , and as for mine William Houldings Paper thou hast not put it in thy Book , which speaks about George Foxes Leather-Breeches , which thou having lost Religion , God and Christ , hast made such work about his Leather-Breeches , but G. F. likes them better then thy cloak of Hypocricy ; and so its like thou was ashamed to put my Letter in thy Book , or thy own Letter either , in which thou made such work about them , now this is Henry Wood's Reply : I put thee in mind first , that Thomas Curwen and I Henry Wood did write some Queries to thee , expecting to have them Answered by thee , which were the occasion of the Dispute , as the record of the Dispute will make manifest , and whereof there was no end made of the assertion which was put forth , has caused many Papers to pass and repass , and according to my freedom I passed thy Paper upon this account , because I had been an eye witness , and an ear witness of some proceedings there , and of thy joyning with William Barret a Cheshire man , and this was about nine years ago at Manchester at John Maddocks House in a Dispute with our Friends ; another time there was a Dispute held at the same House between thee and Richard Huberthorn , at that time thou made thy self manifest , for thou broke into passion , and said he was a publick person , so that thou was reproved by one of thy own Auditors Edward Gaythorn by name , but not withstanding , thou rose up and went away , uttering these words , That if thou had known that so many would have been present , thou would not have been there that time , although thou had said before that thou was a publick person ; I knowing these proceedings gave forth this Paper that the Reader may know the ground wherefore I thus write ; because , I had known thee thus long to oppose Christ the Light , therefore those Queries sent by old Henry Wood and Thomas Curwen were as Pills to thee sent for this end , that they might work out that old leaven of bitterness which I have known lying so long within thee , as I have made mention of before , and this I may say , truly was done in love to thy Soul ; now this not being so taken , it caused thee to spew out these words , and to be so large in writing against Friends and the truth , and for the reason of calling them dogs the Scriptures are very plain , for they were called greedy dumb dogs who sought for gain from their quarter ; and yet there was many to lick up their vomit ; likewise , they were called Dogs which were without as thou may read in the Revelations .

And for thy Challenge to us we were willing to meet thee , but thou was not willing to meet us , although thon before challenged to meet G. F. or any of his friends ; what is the cause , dost thou not condescend to men of low degree , for if I meet thee it is not with hoasting my self in other mens lines made ready to my hand , but in the name and power of the Lord , in the Light of his Son Christ ; for this I say unto thee , if thou had not used deceit thou would have written down my whole Paper , but I shall cause it to be written down my self that all may see it ; and do not charge George Fox with it ; and since thou hast given a second Challenge , but hast not answered the first , which we did call on thee to do , and to make good thy assertions , but thou shuffles off from it , and names G. Fox , and flees from us , and will make it good to neither , the Paper is as follows , we desire thee with patience to read it over .

Oh friend John Wiggan it seems old Henry Wood's and Thomas Curwen's Pills which they gave thee to work out that old Leaven that hath layn so long within thee , but this hath wrought of the contrary part , and hath caused thee to vomit and spew out upon a piece of Paper , and sent forth for the Dogs to lick up , and they being eager doth take so much of this thy filthy spewing that it causeth them to vomit as thou dost ; therefore it was high time to call for it that no more be made sick with it ; thou hast used so many friends names in it , that by the reason that it was taken away so suddenly and unexpectedly that they cannot reply unto it ; thou saith , thou hast answered Henry Wood's Queries , but it appears that they remain unanswered ; and likewise thou put down 24. Queries of Thomas Curwen's unanswered , therefore Henry Wood and Thomas Curwen will meet thee to answer thy Challenge which thou hath put forth , and saith , thou would be answered before the High Sheriffe , for we are not careful to answer thee in this matter , although thou useth the name of Christ , thou doth not depart from iniquity as it doth appear by thy smiting at the Corner-stone , which is the Light ; thou art far behind the woman of Samaria , for she said , is not this the Christ that hath shewed me all that ever I did ? it appears to me that thou esteems this at a low value , which shewes thee all things that ever thou did , and calls it Natural , although it testifie against those things that are natural and carnal , where thou art worshipping the God of the World , which blinds the eye of the children of disobedience , the vaile of darkness is so thick that thou cannot see thorow it , nor comprehend the Light , that giveth the Light of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ , which shineth in the heart : And whereas thou saist , thy assertion is made good ; it appears to all that are wise that it is not made good at all ; for thou hath challenged another Meeting , so appoint the place and time , and Thomas Curwen , and Henry Wood , and William Houlding , or any of them will meet thee , and hear what thou can say against Christ the saving Light .

Now whereas thou saist , not a word in all those Papers discovers the unsoundness of thy Assertion .

Ans. Thou should have published the Papers to the Readers , and then they might have judged of it , whether thou hast spoken truth or no , but thou art afraid to publish that which makes against thee , but takes here a word , and there a word , thinking thereby to villifie friends , but they are made manifest in the hearts of people , and all thy slanders nor any thing thou canst do will hurt any of us , for was there a worse word spoken to thee , which was spoken in the truth , then thou thy self did speak to me and other friends faisly and unjustly , and why didst thou not publish in thy Book those four sheets of Paper that the Reader might have seen them , and our expressions in our Letters ; had they been light , vain , and frivilous , thou would have made advantage upon them and not have hid them , but have published them in thy Book , as thou hast done some few lines of them , but they are true unto thy condition , and will stand on thy head , and it doth become Saints to bear testimony against deceit , and there is much in thy Papers that contradicts thy Assertion , and my Paper was true and overthrew it which thou publisht a few lines of ; and then tells the Reader of four sheets , and never a word to discover thy assertion , and thus thou loves thy deeds of darkness and hates the Light , and thus thy folly is made manifest to all men , 2 Tim. 3.

And whereas thou saist , thou hast not published this abroad , but we have done it first ; which is false , for we did publish nothing in the Town , for the Letter which I gave to the Jaylor thou hadst , but I did not send it into the Town , but gave it to Thomas Hardy , but thou sent thine into the Town , and abroad , and was not so honest as to give us a Coppy of it ; and thy assertion was answered by plain Scripture , but was never proved by plain Scripture ; but is thy chaffie imaginations , and wresting the Scriptures , which is nothing but spewing from a child of darkness , which hates the Light , Joh. 3. Rev. and hath not God spewed thee and thy Religion and Worship out of his mouth , Levit. 18. 28.

And whereas thou speaks , how we cursed thee with the plagues of God ; the Scripture saith , the plagues of God is to thee who adds to the Scripture , as thou hast done ; and it was thou that said , the plagues of God was upon me , but thy curses are causless ; so what we have writ and spoken to thee it was from the Spirit of God , and the Lord hath judged between thee and us in this matter , and his judgment is clear , and thy hidden things of darkness is come to Light , 1 Cor. 4. and there is no Communion between Light and darkness , 2 Cor. 6. and the mist of darkness is over thee , 2 Pet. 2. the darkness hath blinded thy eyes , Joh. 2. Reserved under the Chains of darkness , Jude 6. and Rev. 6. read that and see thy own condition .

Whereas thou saist , Had it not been a more easie and commendable work in one sheet plainly to have discovered and refuted error , ( if any such be in my Writings ) then to have filled 3. or 4. sheets with such stuffe as this , surely a right spirit would have lead them this way .

Ans. Those three or four sheets was most of them particular Letters sent to thee by many persons , so as I said before thou shouldst have published the whole Letters , not part of them , and let them have spoken themselves to the Reader , and thy errors are sufficiently manifest in thy Book , and thou would have a sheet of Paper written to thy Book five sheets , in a few dayes time , which concerns several friends 60. miles distance one from another , this was Jahn Wiggan's policy and his peoples , to get the Book again , and to boast that it could not be answered .

And thy next words , concerning Antichrists fair speeches and allurements , while there is hope to make merchandize of them ; is directly thy own condition , for now thou being stirred up and opposed , rages , who did appear to ignorant people like a Lamb , but thou was known to us before , for now thou art loud and clamorous , and falsly accusing when thou canst not get thy will about , like to the Whore in Proverbs 7. and Josephs Mistress , Genesis 39. and 2 Pet. 3.

And whereas , thou speaks of owning Preachers not sent , but denyes the Lord that bought them , and preaches not the same Jesus , and Gospel as Paul did , such thou saist thou ownes not , but denies .

Ans. Then thou denies thy self and thy own Assertion , for the Apostle preached that Jesus , which said , he was the Light of the World , Joh. 1. and Joh. 8. so thou art the man that Christ never sent , Rom. 10. 15. and Jer. 23. 32. and thou art proved the Antichrist that denies the Lord that bought thee , 2 Pet. 2. and Jude . 4. and so art one of them that crept in unawares , who preaches another Jesus , another Gospel then Christ the Light .

And whereas thou saist , we boast of gifts , &c. and that it s reported to thee that G. Fox had the gift of Tongues , and by such like pretences we gain a multitude , and it is a certain Character of Antichrists last coming that many shall follow their pernitious wayes .

Ans. Our boast is not in gifts nor tongues , as knowing they begin at Babel , but our rejoycing is in the word Christ Jesus , and in his Light , Truth and Spirit ; and we would have all men and women come to the same in themselves , which thou denies , by which they might know the Lord , by which a multitude is come to follow the Lord , and to walk in his way the Light , which thou enviously calls a pernitious way , and a mark of Antichrists coming ; and thou Antichrist like would draw people from the Light , and spirit of God within them to thy own way , but God hath overthrown , and is overthrowing thy pernitious wayes , and many who have been followers of thee , now comes to follow the Lord ; and that makes thee thus to rage , Mathew 24. 5. 1 Pet. 2. 2. and our way is Christ , and he is our guift of God .

And after this thou sends 12. Queries abroad , and thou thy self couldst not answer my Queries , nor Henry Wood's ; is this the part of a man of Wisdom , or Reason ? Nevertheless , I shall not let thy Queries pass unanswered , though these Queries are not to us chiefly . Thy Queries are as followeth ;

1 Query . Whether it can be found in all the Scriptures that any of the true Prophets , or Christ , or his Apostles ever used such language as is before mentioned in any person professing Repentance towards God , and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ ; or whether it be not clearly the spirit of an Antichristian spirit , as hath been hinted .

Ans. Thou that has denyed Christ Jesus to be the Light of the World , and calls him an Idol , and hath denyed Christ the Light to be saving , contrary to the Scriptures , Luke 2. 38. thou hast denyed Repentance and Faith in Christ , for thou hast denyed that which thou should believe in ; and therefore thy words bears the mark of Antichrist , 1 Joh. 2. 18 , 22. Joh. 4. 3. Joh. 2. 7. And what we speak of thee is true upon thee , and the Apostle used such language to such like , as Acts 13. 10. where the Apostle called Elimas an enemy of all Righteousness , a child of the Devil , which perverted the Deputy from the right way of God , as thou dost people : And read Timothy and Titus , and there see what words the Apostle gives to evil beasts and slow bellies , Titus 2. 1.

2. Query . Whether there can be any other gain in the aforesaid censures , then to cast an odioum upon , and to cause a disesteem of the persons opposing them , and whether this was not the practice of the false Prophets and false Apostles , thereby to gain more credit to their own cause .

Ans. This is thy own condition , for what gain is it , by all thy former slanderous words which thou cast both upon Christ and us , that Christ should not be believed in , and that we should be of disesteem among people , that holds truth forth to all people that they might believe in him who enlightens them ; and this was the work of the false Prophets and false Apostles , to disesteem of Christ and the Apostles , that people should not believe in him , nor receive their Doctrine ; as Mat. 28. 12 , 13. and 2 Cor. 10. and did they not say , Christ deceived the people , read Mathew ; and did they not say , Jeremy deceived the people ; but the false Prophets and false Apostles could get the true Christs , Prophets and Apostles words , but was out of the life , and not being in the spirit , the true Apostles alwayes judged them , as thou art now , 1 Peter 2. and Jude .

3. Query . Whether it be not a manifest abuse of the Scriptures , and a presumptuous introduction into the office of Christ , positively to affirme that the sins of any man shall never be forgiven in this World , nor in that which is to come , meerly because he denyed the Light that is in every man that comes into the World to be saving , in as much as the Scripture no where saith thus , that the Light is saving .

Ans. Thou doth not only deny Christ the Light to be saving , but thou denyest the Holy Ghost to reprove the World , &c. And Christ saith , all sin may be forgiven but that which is against the Holy Ghost ; and thou dost also blaspheme and sin against him , not as he is a man , but as he is the Light and spirit , Mat. 12. 36. and whereas thou saith , the Scripture no where saith , that the Light is saving , the Scripture saith , Christ is the Light , and he is the Salvation , John 8. and the Lord shall be to thee an Everlasting Light , and the Lord is the Saviour of his people : And Joh. 12. I am come a Light into the World , saith Christ ; and he is a Saviour : And Psal. 27. 1. and David saith , the Lord is my Light and Salvation . And here thou lyes against that which the Holy Ghost hath said , in saying the Scripture saith , no where the Light is saving ; and in Isai. 49. 6. where the Lord speaking of Christ , saith , I will give thee for a Light to the Gentiles , that thou mayest be my Salvation to the ends of the Earth : and God is Light , and he is a Saviour : and here thou may see how thou denies the Scriptures .

4. Query . Whether this people do not censure all Men and Women in the World ( as well as the Author of these Papers ) to be out of the first step that leads to Christianity , to be Infidels and to be accursed , if they deny the Light that is in every man that comes into the World to be saving , and whether is not this as much as to say , that they only and none besides themselves are Christians , and whether is not this a great appearance of pride in them thus highly to esteem themselves above all others .

Ans. There is few people of the World will deny that the Light of Christ ( which enlightens every one that comes into the World ) is saving but thou ; and such Priests as thou art who contends against the truth , and it is not pride to confess Christ the Light to be saving , and deny them that denies it , and say they are out of the first step , for Christ being the Light , Life , Way , and Salvation , thou , and those that denies him to be saving , are out of the first step to God , for Christ is the way to him .

5. Query . And whether are not all those censures directly contrary to the Saints , and such as make them lyable to greater Judgments , Mat. 7. 1 , 2. Jam. 3. 1 , 2.

Answ. That which hath been spoken to thee hath been truth , and Mat. 7. speaks to thy own condition , who judges unrighteously of Christ and us , and thou art in that condition where many masters is , Jam. 3. 12. from the one Master Christ , Mat. 23.

6. Query . Whether do not these clamorous and evil speakings for which there is no Scriptural warant , manifestly flow from bitterness , anger , wrath and malice , as the Apostle intimates , Eph. 4. 31.

Ans. We do not know of any that hath spoken more clamorous and evil speeches against Christ and his people then thou hast from thy Earthly , sensual , devillish wisdom below , Jam. 3. 16. & Eph. 4. 31. in the malice , wrath , envy , clamor , and evil speaking that thou art in against Christ the saving Light , &c.

7. Query . Whether any wise experienced Christian can judge of this people to be in a perfect sinless state , who appears with these open sinful railings , cursings , judging in their mouthes ; nay , since this they boast and glory in this their shame , whether is it not evident that they are the servants of corruption ?

Ans. Railings , Curfings , Boastings and Glorying , and such like we deny , but we speak the truth to thee , as in Rev. 22. as the plagues added to them who adds to the Scriptures ; and our rejoycing is in the Truth ; and the Apostles did not Raile when they told such false Teachers as thee , 〈◊〉 what was their properties : and its manifest by thy Railings against us that thou seems corruption .

8. Query . Whether this hath not been their manner all along , to strive to overcome with these carnal weapons , threatnings , censurings , cursings , revilings , &c. and since no Scriptural weapon is yet imployed in the management of their cause supported thereby .

Ans. Our Weapons are Spiritual , and by Scripture weapons we have overthrown thy Assertion , as may be seen in the Book , and the rest of thy fellow Priests ; And censuring and revilings , &c. hath not been our Weapons to overcome with , but Truth hath been our weapon , by which we answer that of God in every one ; but railing , revilings , and persecutions hath been your weapons against us , the Nation knows it , when you were not able to resist the Light of Chrisi Jesus , and the Spirit by which we spoke : And here thou belyes us in saying , we use no Scripture weapons , but it hath been by the Scripture and the Spirit of God all along we proved you to be deceivers , our Writings and Bookes will witness against thee .

9. Query . Whether it be not abominable wickedness to father all their evil speeches upon the Holy Ghost ; and to say where they curse , raile , revile , speak falsly and frothily , that it is by his inspiration and command .

Ans. This is thy own condition , when Christ and the Apostles spoke to the Pharisees they did not flatttr them , nor smooth them up as the false Prophets did , Ezek. 13. 14. and the Holy Ghost leads us to speak truth to every man according to their conditions without flattery ; read how many woes Christ pronounced against thy generation in Mathew 23. so in this thou hast wronged us , and belyed us as thou hast done before .

10. Query . Whether can any man rationally conclude that these people bear any true love to that person whom they judge to be the enemy of God and accursed , and whose sins shall never be forgiven in this world , nor in the world to come , or rather when they profess love , and say they desire his welfare , is there not just ground to believe they speak lyes in hypocrisie as its said Apostates should do in the latter times , 1 Tim. 13.

Ans. Our love is to all Mankind , and we would not have had thee to have run into such sins against the Holy Ghost , telling thee plainly what would come , and relating to thee the portion due to thy condition , as in Rev. 22. And herein stands our love as from the Lord , who rains upon the just and unjust , and causes his Sun to shine on both ; and herein we do shew the Mark of our Father , and that we are the Children of our Father which is in Heaven ; and so our love is not partial like thine , which thou enviously and maliciously termes to lyes in hypocrisie , which was spoken for loves sake to thee ; But bray a fool in a Morter and he will not forsake his folly , as Solemon saith : and 1 Tim. And an enemy to God thou hast proved thy self ; and for that cause we cannot flatter thee , Acts 13. 2 Thes. 2. 3. Phillipian . 3. 18. Psalm 7. 5. Psalm 80. 6.

11. Query . Do they not plainly discover a persecuting spirit in the aforementioned reviling , and may not any man in reason conclude that whom they judge an enemy of God , and accursed , they would use as such , if that they had power .

Ans. Cain is afraid where there is no fear , and thou being in his spirit manifests the same , for when did any of us lay such violent hands upon thee as thou didst upon Thomas Curwen and John Abraham , when they came to discourse with thee of the things of God ; so that hath been spoken to thee in love and kindness , as was told thee before , that thou might have turned from thy wickedness ; that was the cause why thou thus accuses us , and as for the persecuting spirit , and reviling that is thy own .

12. Query . And last I leave it to be considered by such as will take the pains to read the account which I have given of the Light within , whether they do not speak all this evil of me , meerly because I have told them the truth and not for any other cause , &c.

Ans. That which thou hast spoken hath been against the truth , and is lyes , and the Reader may see , thou calls Christ an Idol , a natural Light , a created Light , and spirit of a Natural man , contrary to the Scripture ; and so thou being against Christ , the Scriptures , and Gods people , therefore have we writ to thee , and spoken to thee , being according to thy own Challenge , in love and in a Scripture way ; and it is for Christs sake thou hates us . And whereas thou speaks of another sheet that thou will present to discover the mystery of iniquity . Bring out all the strength thou hast , for it will further discover thy own iniquity , and thou shalt not find Christ Natural or Created , nor an Idol , but in his strength we shall answer thee .

And whereas thou saist , to the inquirer and weak , Take heed of the Religion that begins with a lye , for it is certain , a great judgment of God to be given up to believe lyes , 2 Thes. 2. 10. and that the first step to this peoples Religion is an abominable lye ; and that every one is taught and required at his enterance into this Religion to believe this lye , I have shewed in my former Paper .

Ans. It is thy own Religion which is begun with a lye , therefore all people are to take heed of it , who denies Christ the Light , Joh. 1. 8 , 12. and art given up to believe lyes , and utter the same , 2 Thes. 2.

And whereas thou maliciously saith , To turn people from the darkness to the Light of Christ , being our first step is a lye .

Ans. In this thou hast proved thy self a false Minister , and contrary to the Scripture , and the Apostles Ministry , which was the same , which is the first step ; in this thou hast manifest thy envy , as all yong people may see who enquireth after the Lord , Acts 2. and the abominable lye is thy own , and little else but lyes in thy Book , and so thou may expect the judgment of the Lord to be thy portion .

And whereas thou bids them take heed of that spirit that denyes Christ come in the Flesh , least they be partaker of his evil deeds by biding him God speed .

Answ. This is thy own condition , thou art the Man who denyes him to be come to enlighten all Men , and denyes his Light to be convincing , and so has denyed John's testimony ; a Man sent from God , John 1. And so none that feares God can bid thee God speed in thy evil work , therefore thou art offended , and we shall not be partakers with thee of thy evil deeds , for no other Christ do we own but he who dyed at Jerusalem , above sixteen hundred years since , who sits at the right hand of God , and is revealed in us according to his promise , who saith I will come and dwell in you , as in Joh. and the Cor. 1. Cor. 3. 16. Act. 3. 20. and Collo. 1. 26. 27 , 28. and all who are called Christians confess Christ to be come , but deny the end of his coming , to destroy the Devil and his works , 1 Ioh. 3. 68. and to take away sin , but they must have sin while they be upon the Earth , this is your general Doctrine , and denyes Christ to be come a Light into the World according to both the Prophets and Apostles .

And whereas thou saist , Take heed of that people who have no better weapons , then censures , cursings , judging , threatnings .

Answ. Our weapons are spiritual , and we have related over to thee thy due according to the Scripture , as the Scriptures threatens thee , and pronounces these Plagues to be due to thee , who addes to it , and we teach that people might follow Christ Jesus the Light of the World , and not follow thee who saist he is a natural Light , and an Idol , and a created Light , and James 3. 9. is thy condition , and so thou art the Man that deceives people with vain words , Ephe. 5. 6. and with fair speeches the hearts of the simple , Rom. 16. 18.

And as for giving satisfaction thou art not likely , who denyes the Light Christ Jesus , and any who reads thy confused Book may see there is no satisfaction given in it , though thou hast perverted many Scriptures ; and as for thy further debate , upon thy assertion we tould thee we were ready , and tell thee so now again , who hast challenged us twice in this thy Book to meet us before the Sheriff , which thou might have spared this Challenge in thy Appendix ; for we had given thee an Answer before ; we would meet thee ; to wit , Thomas Curwen Husbandman , William Houlding Blacksmith , William Wilson Taylor , and Henry VVood a dayly Labourer ; Seeing thou art the Man who hath challenged us , we shall in the strength of the Lord meet thee when thou wilt , and appoint a time and place , for we were the Men whom thou hadst first to deale withall in this place ; and what dost thou scoffingly put Shoo-maker in , which was not in , which is a word of thy own forging , as though thou was not able to Answer us , or durst not stand to thy own assertions ; but shuffles from them : And one would have thought John . Henry VVood had given thee disputing enough before , when thou was so gravel'd and stopt , thou fled away from the Table , and now it seemes thou hast put it of , till the Magistrates call us out , as though they had nothing to do , but to medle with thy Antichristian wayes ; Nevertheless it stands on thy head , and do not say we provoked thee , for it was thy own Challenge , for thou hast taken that in hand thou canst not make good by the Scriptures , without adding or diminishing , we know that before hand .

And whereas thou saist , He that saith and affirmeth the Light in every man to be Christ is a deceiver , and an Antichrist .

Ans. The Light that lighteth every man that comes into the World , he that affirmed this was no Antichrist , Joh. 1. who said , As many as receives him , he gives them them power to become the Sons of God ; and here thou hast shewed forth thy malice against Christ and against the Apostle , who bore witness of him , and in plain words calls him an Autichrist , and against us who are in the same Doctrine , and teach the same thing , and thou hast proved thy self to be an Antichrist , 2 Joh. 9. for Christ is the Light and Salvation to the ends of the Earth , who doth enlighten euery man that comes into the world , Joh. 1. Joh. 8. Luke 2. 32.

And thou saist , what feeble shifts are those , my Assertion striks at their very foundation , and before they make that good they would run into other matters , they seem to be weary of their cause , but I must hold them to it , till their Corner-stone and mine be so thorowly tryed that it may evidently appear whither of us be of the true Rock Christ Jesus .

Ans. Thy Rock which thou so calls , is tryed and found to be no Rock but confusion , who denies Christ Jesus the true Rock , which the Prophets prophesied of , should come , whom the Apostles witnessed was come ; and for thy false saying that we grow weary , and before thou complained we urged thee on , how stands thy confusion together , with reasonable men , let them judge , and we do not shuffle with thy assertion , neither are weary of our cause , ( which thou saist we are ) for we need not , for we know what thou art who is wholly bent against Christ , it is thou which is weary of thy cause , and shuffles as thou hast reason ; for we relate some other of thy Assertions which thou hast laid down , art thou now ashamed of them , and yet saist , thou will hold us to it , and yet answers nothing to the purpose , and it is Christ the foundation which thou strikes against , as the Jewes did , but to no purpose , and thus thou and thy fellow Priests hath strucken at him , who is our foundation , till you be all fallen into the ditch , and leads the people thither too , it is manifest to the Nations .

Thou saist in thy Appendix again , Thou art willing to debate the point in controversie before the Sheriff , or others in Authority , and saist let not G. F. thinke to shuffle himself out , and put his taske upon others , for he must know because it is affirmed that he was called of the Lord from his Trade as the Apostles were , my desire is to deale with him chiefly in this matter , and such others as say they are Apostles , that their Doctrine and deeds being brought to Light , it may appear whether they be true Apostles indeed or false , and preach another Gospel then Jesus and Paul did , as I have cause to suspect them , and doubt not to prove them to be , if they adhere to the Principles laid down in their Printed Books , and maintained in their late debate .

Answ. This is thy shuffle and base charge , whereas thou saist G. F. would shuffle from it , and lay it upon others , that is false , it s thou would shuffle from those which thou hast begun withall , it seemes we gave thee enough the last time , thou needs not call of G. F. for the least of us in the Truth is able to Answer thee , and to see if thou can make good thy assertions , which thou could not make good in the last Dispute , nor hast not done yet , which we yet call on thee to doe , which by the Scriptures of Truth thou canst not prove , without adding or diminishing ; and the same Jesus and Gospel whom Paul preached , whom we own , which thou saist thou will prove an Idol , and prove us Antichrists who affirme this ; and as for all our Books , which are given forth from the Truth we own , and our deeds are brought to the Light , and by this thine are seen , and thou too , to be one of the false Teachers , and thy deeds to be deeds of darkness , and why dost thou pervert M. F's . words , in saying G. F. was called from his Trade , when her words was , he was called from his Calling , as thou reports and thou talkes of trying Apostles , and denyes the Light Christ , in thy dark spirit , and calls Christ an Idol and natural Light , and as for G. F. whose name thou hast publisht abroad in thy Letters up and down beyond the Sands , and towards Manchester , and to M. F. and sometimes scoffing at his Leather-Breeches , sometimes at one thing , sometimes at another , and never was so civil as to write to him , so we do look thou should make thy assertions good to us , before thou medle with him , for they concern us , and we are the Men that will encounter with thee , as before mentioned , according to thy Challenge , whom thou in scorn calls Meckhanike Men ; and as for me Thomas Curwen , I nor none of us are no more Mechanicke then thy self , nor never had collection yet John . Though I have been a Prisoner above four yeares , canst thou say so John ; and as for me G. F. I never spoke with thee but three times since thou came hither , and once at London , and I heard such euil language from thee as I never heard from man ; & I coming into the last dispute with friends , and then there being liberty granted , I hearing thee lay down thy Assertions , and affirming them together with thy people ; first , That some men that came into the world had not the spirit of God ; which was put to thee to make good , ( being thou was the mouth for them ) by plain Scripture , without adding or diminishing , which thou seemed to prove out of Jude , which thou couldst not ; and that God denyed faith to some men , and that Christ did not shed his blood for all men ; and that Balaam had no more spirit then his horse ; and that wicked men had not the spirit of God : These things with several others which you asserted was put to thee to make good , which thou hast not done to this day ; Nevertheless , thou hast challenged to meet me G. F. and having disperst my Name in several Papers in a slanderous way ; and thy brother Price which came down to M. Fell's Chamber , and Challenged me out , which I presently came up , and sent William Houlding to thee , and bid thee come down to me in the Hall , but thou would not come at me .

And whereas thou challenges me G. F. to meet thee before the Sheriffe .

My Answer is , send me word when thou wilt , and that thou will make these Assertions good , by the plain Scriptures without adding or diminishing , which thou hast laid down to me , for I am ready to meet thee through the power and strength of Almighty God , and if I have liberty , according as thou hast challenged : and many things more I have of thine for thee to make good ( which I shall not here put to Ink and Paper ) by plain Scripture , for truth remains over all deceit . G. F.

And why dost thou flatter me William Houlding , dost thou now own Mechanicks ; but thou owned none when thou writ to M. F. but jeared at G. F. in this report , and lost thy Religion to talk of his Leather-Breeches , and thus Fools will be medling with that which doth not concern them , busie bodies in others matters : And when thou had abused M. F. in thy Papers , she sent for thee to speak with thee about the abuse , but thou would not come at her , and manifested herein thy guilt and uncivility ; and dost thou not make a noise abroad against us , amongst ignorant people , and keeps them from the Light , that so thou maist get some Collections of them ; for thy Letters to M. F. signifies something of a false fear and jealousie , that something should have gone besides thy mouth , cruly I think that is the cause of thy rage against us , who owns Christ Jesus the Light .

W. H.

Here followes a Coppy of a Paper which was given to John Wiggan of his Assertions .

FRiend John Wiggan , we hearing of a Book thou hast given into the Town before we had a Coppy of it , another Challenge to us to meet before some publick Magistrate , and the Sheriffe , we William Houlding Blacksmith , and Henry Wood a daily Labouring man , who cannot read on a Book , and Thomas Curwen Husbandman , and William Wilson Taylor ; who in the strength of the Lord desire to give the said John VViggan a meeting before the Sheriffe , as he hath challenged us , and hath sent his Challenge into the Town and not to us , with many villifying and slanderous words in the said Book which he hath sent amongst the people ; so let all the wise in heart judge of this man whether he hath carried himself like a Rational man yea or no.

The Assertions are as followeth .

1. For John VViggan to prove and make good out of the Scriptures of truth . 1. that Christ doth not enlighten every man that comes into the World with a saving Light , contrary to John 1. 9.

2. That the Light wherewith every man is enlightened that comes into the World is not a saving Light .

3. To make good that which thou hast laid down , that there is some men that comes into the World hath not the spirit , contrary to Iohn 16. 8. Acts 2. 7.

4. That Christs blood was not shed for all men , contrary to the 1 Epistle of Iohn 2. 2.

5. That Balaam had no more of the spirit of God then his Horse , and which was held forth in the dispute against us , contrary to Numbers 24. 17.

6. That Balaam did not see the Starr of Iacob , contrary to Numbers 24. 17.

7. And that wicked men hath not the spirit of God , nor the Holy Ghost , contrary to Gal. 2. Neh. 9.

8. That the Light before faith is not pure , contrary to Rom. 7. 12.

9. And that Christ the Light that lightens every one that comes into the World is an Idol , contrary to Ioh. 1. 9. 22. 13 & 46.

10. That the Grace of God is an Idol , contrary to Ephesians 2. 5 , 8.

11. And that there is no mercy with God , contrary to Psalm 13. 6.

12. That Christ is not the Word , contrary to Revel. 19. 13.

13. That the Light is a false Christ , contrary to Ioh 12. 33 , 46.

14. And that Light doth not shine in darkness , contrary to Iohn 1. 5.

15. And that God who is the Word , doth enlighten every man that comes into the World , is not saving .

16. And that the Light Christ that enlightens every man that comes into the World , is a Natural Light .

17. That some are in the flesh , and hath not the Spirit : This is he to make good and prove how they can quench it , and grieve it , that hath it not .

18. That some that comes into the World have not a saving Light .

19. Some there are that are in the flesh , and never had the spirit , contrary to Rom. 10.

20. That the time must come that men must break their Plow-shares into Swords and Speares , which his brother Price justifies in a Book , and John Wiggan was offended because we marked it out for error ; and these things we would have the said John Wiggan to stand to , and make good before the Sheriffe ( as he challenged ) by plain Scriptures of truth in the New Testament .

For both the Scriptures and Common-Prayer testifies against thy Principles .

Some more of John Wiggan's Assertions , which are not many of them , in the former above written .

1. THat the Light in every man that comes into the World , is not the Door , nor the Mediator , Saviour , nor Redeemer , nor the Way , Truth , the Life , the Lord that bought them , nor the Corner-stone , nor the infallible spirit .

2. That it is not the true Jesus , but an Idol , the Light wherewith every man is enlightened , or the Light that lighteth every man .

3. To follow Christ the Light is to follow a pernitious way .

4. That the Light was natural , and spirit of a natural man , and was that in Adam which let him see his sin .

5. That Light which is darkness spoken of in Math. 6. 22 , 23. le ts man see his Creator .

6. And this Light looketh upon every thing done , or to be done of man , and yet this Light maketh not any thing that is done , to be good or evil , and yet this Light sheweth the Creator , and this Light in man will render God Righteous in his Proceedings against man .

7. That Christ doth not give his spirit to every man that comes into the World .

8. That they in Iude spoken of , as Cain and Cora , and Balaam had not the spirit .

9. And this Light with which every man is enlightened is Natural , and its gross to say , that the Light which enlightens every man is Christ .

10. That the Light in every man is but the spirit of a man , the Law written in the heart .

11. That who so worships that Light that enlightens every man that comes into the World , as Redeemer , worships an imaginary and fictious Christ , and an Idol , denying the person of the true Jesus .

12. That whosoever saith , that he that is the Light in every man is Christ , is a deceiver and an Antichrist , and Iohn Wiggan will prove them so .

13. And it is the subtle deceiver , and adversary Satan , that saith , the Light which doth enlighten every man that comes into the World , is the Lamb , and the Lord , and the object of faith .

14. And the Light that doth enlighten every man is the Word , and before he said it was the Natural man's spirit , and an Idol , &c.

15. That the Light , the word God , which enlightens every man is natural , and man by it knows nothing of Christ , though he confess by it , he knows the Eternal power and God-head , the fulness whereof dwells in Christ bodily .

16. And the word God , the true Light , which doth enlighten every man that comes into the World ; he saith , is darkness , Mat. 6. 22 , 23.

17. And the word God doth enlighten every man that comes into the World , by setting up a Light and spirit in man , which is called the Candle of the Lord , and writing a Law in his heart , and the Light which doth enlighten every man , is not the word which was in the beginning .

18. And Christ came a Light into the World not to enlighten every man that comes into the world , and this light is able to seek and feel after God his Creator , and by it man may know his Creator , and the Eternal power and Godhead , it is a created Light , a great Light , it is but a Candle Light , but it discovers man's transgressions , and this Light springeth up with mans spirit , and this Light is the Spirit of a Natural man , ( which doth not know the things of God ) and this Light discovered Adam's sin , and this Light is Natural and not Spiritual .

19. But this Light knows nothing of the Gospel mystery hid in God , nor Redemption by Christ , nor of Gods good purpose , and Grace , nor of the Law of faith .

20. This Candle-light , to wit that Light wherewith every man that comes into the World is enlightened , is not able to discern the mystery of God in Christ .

And so make good these things by Scripture , or stop thy mouth for ever , for thou Challenged us first , or give over Challenging ; for we would have discoursed with thee privately in a Christian way in thy Chamber , but thou in great rage denyed it ; And another time Thomas Curwen came into thy Chamber in a Christian way , and thou took hold of him and shook him by his Coat , and like to have torne it off his back , and laid violent hands on him , and would have thrust him out of thy Chamber : for , it s very well that the discourse be before a Magistrate to keep thee civil , for thy carriage in the last dispute was not so hansome .

So provided that thou keep thy people in order , and thy self also , that you may speak one by one , and so speak as many as will on both sides , that the spirit need not be limited in any , for thou was the first man that broke the order in the last Dispute , and spake when another man was speaking , which was taken notice of by all the wise and sober .

And also provided that thou keep down that foolish spirit of Laughter , and be more modest and civil then thou was in the last Dispute when we were discoursing of the things of God , and answer these things by Scripture according to thy Challenge before the Sheriffe , and in the strength of the Lord we will meet thee , if liberty may be had , and when thou hast made good these things by Scripture ; if thou have any thing to say to any else they will answer thee .

These Principles he hath laid down , and spoken to friends , and some were in Books , which his brother Evan Price sent to us , and Iohn Wiggan was offended because we did mark them for errors ; which you may see how contrary they be to the Scriptures of truth .

William Houlding Blacksmith , Henry Wood who is a daily Labouring man , who cannot read a word on a Book , and Thomas Curwen Husbandman , and VVilliam VVilson Taylor , dointend to give Iohn VViggan a meeting before the Sheriffe according to his Challenge , if the Lord will : And these things and also worse things in the Book we desire to be brought forth to the light at the Dispute , and there they may be proved ; for he did Challenge us first , though our Lives be out of disputes , yet we shall give him a meeting , and for him to make these things good by plain Scripture .

And also besides all the scandals , slanders , and villifyings , and lyings , and unsavory sawcy language , and scornful , reproachful speeches , in a jearing , scoffing , and villifying way against us ; and these be some of his notorious Principles , which he could never make good by plain text of Scripture , which he has long made a trade upon to get his living by , and in a feigned carriage and humility to go up and down , and insence and sow discord , and to make the minds of the simple envious against such as honours God and loves virtue , but his rage and violent hands hath been known upon Richard Huberthorn , Iohn Abraham , Thomas Curwen , and others ; who may seem to be simple , and in an outward appearance to be a humble man to those who swallow down all , without any question , proof or tryal , but when he comes to be tryed , his rage , and passion , and violent hands comes to be felt and seen by such as Reasons with him in a Christian way .

We desire thee I. VV. that thou would send for the Book which thou and thy brother Price was grieved , because we marked them for errors , which was so contrary to Scripture .

Here followes some Queries for J. W. to Answer .

1. WHether I. VV. is a fit man to preach the Gospel of peace , that layes violent hands on people ?

2. And whether or no that he can preach the Gospel of peace , and be not in the peace himself to all men .

3. And whether or no this was the spirit of Christ in I. VV. when Thomas Curwen went to reason with him of the things of God in a Christian way , and like to have torn his Coat off his back , that T. C. was faine to cry out , what a Minister of Christ and fight ?

And also Iohn Abraham , when he went to him to be satisfied in the things of God ; he laid hands of him , and thrust him away ; Whether or no these be the fruits of a Minister of Christ , and whether or no these be not the fruits of a Natural man ; and whether or no this spirit can give satisfaction in the things of God , but only with his Natural spirit , make use of the Scriptures for his own end ?

4. And whether or no such a persecuting spirit ( both with tongue and hands ) be not alwaies blind .

5. And whether or no the blind leads any whether but into the Ditch , so whether or no he that leads into the ditch doth know the things of God that leads to Heaven .

6. And whether or no this blind spirit may not give forth many Queries for others to answer , and yet answer none proposed to him , and lay down many Assertions , and make none good by the Scriptures of truth , as you may see Henry VVoods and Thomas Curwens Queries lyes unanswered yet , and his own false Assertions not proved by the Scriptures without adding or diminishing .

7. And so whether ( a striker , a railer , a fighter ) Christ sent such to preach the Gospel of peace , and such as disdaines and scornes Tradesmen , and calls them Mechanicke men , as Iohn VViggan doth ?

8. And whether or no he doth not go in the high Priests rode , scorning the Apostles , as being Tradsmen & Fishermen , & unlearned ?

9. And whether or no these simple Tradesmen did not bring more Glory to God then all the wise men ( such as Iohn VViggan ) in the Earth , or Pilat with his Greek and Latin ; yea , I say Abel , Iacob and David , Keepers of Sheep , and Elisha called from the Plow , and Amos a Herdsman , and Peter and Iohn Fishermen , and Paul a Tentmaker ; Nay , did not the Iewes mockingly call Christ a Carpenters Son : And what think you now of Iohn VViggan who has called and Challenged us Mechanick men , twice to meet him before the Sheriffe , that he would make good his erronious Assertions , and when we laid down his Assertions , and said , we would meet him , he now disdaines us as Mechanick men .

10. Whether these hands that will thrust and pull , and hale , and like to pull peoples Cloaths off their backs , be the holy hands that are lifted up in Prayer , 1 Tim. 2. 8. or the fifts of wickedness spoken of in Isa. 48. 4.

Thomas Curwen . William Houlding . Henry Wood. William Wilson .

ERRATA .

Page the 3. line the 2. for some read so . p. 6. l. 10. f. the r. thy . p. 24. l. 22. f. thing r. things , p. 25. l 22. f. not as r. as not . l. 32. f leght r. light . p. 43. l. 4. f. the spirit of a man , r. the spirit of a natural man . l 27. f. is r. not . p. 52. l 3. f. springing r. spring . p. 54. l 16. f. deserve r. discern . p. 64. l 8. for knows the things of God , r. knows not the things of God . l. 28. f. ligh read light . p. 66. l. 36. f ligh r. light p. 73. l. 36. f. is r. his . p. 78 l. 4 f. game r. gaime . l. 15. where ever is twice , blot out the one . p. 87. l. 9. f. overshipping r. overskippng p. 88 l 31. f. Luke the tenth , r. Luke the first . p. 103. l. 10. f. sad r. said . p. 105 l. 23. f. without r. with our . p. 130 l 34. blot out deserves line 36 for seems read serves .

THE END .

Some Scriptures which overturns John Wiggan's Assertions .

GOD so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son , Joh. 3. 16. that whosoever believes on him should not perish , but have everlasting Life .

I have no pleasure in the death of him that sinneth . Ezek. 18. & 33. 11.

I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked .

If any of you lack wisedome , let him ask of God , who giveth to all Men liberally , and upbraideth no Man . James 1. 5.

God hath made of one blood all Nations of Men , perverse disputings of Men of corrupt mindes . Evil Men shall wax worse Acts 17. 26. and worse . 2 Tim. 3. 13. Christ is a Light to lighten the Gentiles . 1 Tim. 6. 5. Luke 2. 32. Salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles .

The grace of God which brings salvation hath appeared to all Men. Titus 2. 11. 2 Tim. 3. 13.

They turned the Grace of God into Lasciviousness . The Worlds Jude 4. were made by the Word of God . By the Word of God the Heavens were of old . As many that corrupted the Word of God . Heb. 11. 3. 2 Pet. 3. 5. 2 Cor. 2. 17. Colos. 2. 9. Joh. 1. 9. Joh. 1. 5. In Christ dwells all the fulness of the God-head bodily . The true Light which doth enlighten every Man that comes into the World . I am the Light of the World saith Christ , so Christ is that Light which shines in darkness , and the darkness comprehends it not .

God commanded Light to shine out of darkness , and shined in our hearts to give us the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of 2 Cor. 4. Joh. 8 12. John 12. 36. Job 42. 14. God in the face of Jesus Christ . I am the Light of the World ( saith Christ ) they that fellowes me shall not abide in darkness , but shall have the Light of Life , believe in the Light while yee have the Light , that yee may be the Children of the Light .

Such as Rebels against the Light , Men love darkness rather then Light , Every one that doth evil hates the Light , neither doth he bring his deeds to the Light , lest his deeds should be reproved , And every one that doth truth , brings his deeds to the Light , that he may see whether his deeds be wrought in God , but Jo. Wig. saith , the Light is not salvation , contrary to David , Psal. 27. The Lord is my Light and my Salvation , who then shall I fear .

Jo. Wiggan saith , the Light doth not reprove the sin of unbelief , contrary to Paul to the Ephesians ( who saith ) whatsoever is reproved is manifest in the Light , and so this is plain that unbelief is manifest by the Light .

But there is a spirit in Man , and the Inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding . Job . 36. Psal. 104.

The dust turn to the Earth , & the spirit to the Lord that gave it .

They also that have erred in spirit shall come to understanding , Eccles. 12. they that murmured shall learn Doctrine . Thus saith the Lord , he that created the Heavens and stretched them out , he that spreadeth Isaiah 42 6. forth the Earth , and that which cometh out of it , he that giveth breath unto the people , and spirit to them that walk therein . Gods saving health among all Nations , let all people praise the Psal. 67. Lord , let all people praise the Lord , let all Nations praise the Lood and sing , but Jo. VVig . speaks contrary to David , how can Gods saving health be among all Nations when they have not the Saving-Light . Look unto me all the ends of the Earth , and be saved , for I am God , and there is none else . but Jo. Wiggan saith , they have nothing but a created Light , that is darkness , Mat. 6. 22.

Oh Jerusalem wash thy heart from wickedness that thou maist be saved , how long shall thy vain thoughts lodge within thee . All flesh shall know that I am thy salvation , but how can all flesh know his salvation , when they have not the spirit , as J. Wig. affirmeth . This is good and acceptable in the fight of God our Saviour , who will have all Men to be saved , and to come to the knowledge of the Truth , but Jo. Wiggan saith , God denyes faith to some Men : and so gives God the lye , and saith Christ doth not enlighten every Man that comes into the World with a saving Light . And with all deceiveableness of unrighteousness in them , that perish because they receive not the truth in the love of it , that they might be saved . But how can they obey the spirit and truth , when they have it not , may Jo. Wiggan say , I will that Men pray every where lifting up holy hands . But were thy hands holy J. VV. when thou laidst such violent hands upon me , Tho. Curwen , and thy spirit of God . Turn yee at my reproof , and I will pour out my spirit unto you , I will Ezek. 11. 36 , 37. put my spirit within you .

I will put my spirit within you , and will make you a new heart , and a new spirit — Such as vexes the spirit — The 37. 14. flesh lusteth against the spirit , and the spirit against the flesh — But Jo. VVig . maniests that he knows nothing of this warfare , who saith some hath not the spirit to war with , he that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption , but he that soweth to the spirit , shall of the spirit reap life everlasting . — Jo. VVig . that would not have the spirit in every Man , its plain he soweth to the flesh , & not to the spirit , for he saith it is not within them : Quench not the Spirit . They erred in Spirit . 1 Thes. 5. Isai . 29. Jude 11. They have erred from the faith . And Balaam erred from the spirit . Shall receive a Recompence of their error . Rom. 1.

The spirit of the Lord came upon Balaam . The Spirit of the Lord came upon Saul . 1 Sam. 10. The Spirit of the Lord came 1 Sam. 19. upon the Messengers of Saul . And so this overthrowes John VViggan's Assertion , who saith wicked Men have not the spirit . — All the while my breath is in me , and the spirit of God is in my Nostrils , Christ is the Saviour of the World , and Job 27. John 4. 6. 33. giveth unto the World . — My flesh I will give for the life of the VVorld , Joh. 6. 15. Go yee into all the VVorld , and preach the Gospell , Mark 16. They that believe shall be saved , but they that believe not shall be damned . I am the Light of the VVorld . I am not come to judge the VVorld , but to save the VVorld . Ioh. 12. John 8. 9. Chap. John 17. That the VVorld may believe that thou hast sent me . — God was in Christ reconciling the World unto himself , 2 Cor. This is condemnation , that Light is come into the World , and Men loved darkness rather then Light , because their deeds are evil . I am come a Light into the World . Joh. 9. Done despite against the Spirit of Grace . Hebr. 10. But they rebel'd and vext his holy 3. John John 12. Spirit , therefore the Lord became their enemy . Ifai . 63. 10. vers. Zach. 2. The Spirit of the Lord remain'd among the Children John 2. Acts 2. Mal. 2. 15. of Israel . I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh , for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel , saith the Lord God .

So here thou may see they that erred from the faith , and erred from the spirit , and hated the Light , had it . — contrary to John VViggan's Doctrine aforemention'd . — Did not I make one ? yet had he the residue of my spirit , that he might seek a godly Seed , therefore take heed unto the spirit . The Gospel which yee have heard , which was preached to every Creature under Heaven . — Warning every Man , that they might Colo. 1. 23. Heb. 2. 1 Joh. 2. 2. present every Man perfect in Christ Jesus . — That by the Grace of God Christ should tast of Death for every man . — Christ is the propitiation for our sins , and not for ours only , but for the sins of the whole World . — And many more Scriptures might be aledged , which doth overthrow Jo. Wiggan's Assertions that proves wicked Men had the light , and the spirit , and Christ dyed for all Men.

John VViggan , In stead of Answering to the Assertions , thou tels us of a natural and created Light , springing up with Man's nature , and natural Man's spirit , which is an Idol worse then Jeroboams and the Papists ; nevertheless thou saist this light will let them know much of God , and of the eternal Power and God-head .

Now that this Light which is an Idol will shew the Eternal Power and God-head , and yet shew nothing of Christ in whom the fulness of the God-head dwells . — How stands this together John — And can a natural Light , an Idol know the Eternal Power and God-head , know much of God , and seek and feel after God — Idols are dumb , Haba . 2. and hath eyes and sees not , as the Scriptures faith , and was this natural Light an Idol , which reproved them for their sins ; Doth not the Scripture say Adam was made in the Image of God , in Righteousness and true Holiness , and was this an Idol he was made in , which reproved him for sin : And Judas who was made Partaker of the Ministry , and the Light which John was sent to bear witness of , was a created Light , and an Idol , worse then Jeroboams , which as many as received him ( that thou calls an Idol which cannot hear nor see ) he gave them Power to become the Sons of God ; by this natural Light and Idol the World was made , by thy account ; and this which thou calls a natural Light and Idol , was in the World , and the World knew him not , and this Light which thou thus calls , shines in the darkness , and the darkness comprehends it not . This is John Wiggan's Assertion , but my Queries I sent unto thee , which thou shufles of , and dost not Answer them , since thou talks so much of Bread and Wine ; whether it be Christ or no ? seeing some of thy fellow Baptists Teachers are turned Papists , who were wrangling against the Light , and now say the Bread is Christ , after they have blest it , and therefore we suspect thee , seeing thou art posting on the same Rode against the Light , so fast .

And instead of Answering , thou hast taken upon thee to be a Judge of Christ , a Judge of the World , and a Judge of the Saints conditions ; and confusedly patches all together , and thou divides God and Christ , and calls Christ the Light a natural and a created Light , and an Idol worse then Jeroboams , and the Papists , which all sober people may see what a pack of confusion thou hast heaped together in thy Book , for a natural light and Idol cannot bring people to seek and feel after God , nor know the Eternal Power and God-head , neither was it a natural Light and Idol that shewed Judas his sin when he had betrayed Christ , neither was the Image of God which Adam was made in ; and God the word that enlightens every Man that comes into the World , a natural light and an Idol .

John Wiggan , thy eye is blinded , it is time for thee to give over thy Trade , with thy erroneous principles and doctrine . And Christ when he bid them Believe in the Light , Joh. 12. It was not an Idol he bid them believe in , but it was in Christ the Light , and in Christ was life , and the life was the light of Mon , and this was not an Idol , and this is the same principle and doctrine which we suffer for , there was a Man sent from God whose name was John , he came for a Witness , to bear witness to the true Light , and that was the true Light which enlightens every man that comes into the World , that all through him might believe , and as many as received him ( to wit ) the light wherewith all be enlightned , he gave them power to become the Sons of God , Joh. 1. to the 12. vers . And so this Light which doth enlighten every Man that comes into the World , shines in the darkness , but John VViggan's darkness cannot comprehend it , and thus he judgeth the things of God with his darkness , in calling the Light of Christ , and also that which convinc'd Adam , &c. a natural and created Light , and an Idol , and the spirit of a natural Man which knows not the things of God , and also he compares the Light in every Man to the state of the 1 Cor. 2. natural Man there spoken of , 1 Cor. 2. calling Light darkness , and to the natural and sensual state in Jude , for nature being subjected , is in it self not sensual , but being gone out of its course , becomes sensual ; but this is like to the rest of his meanings he hath given to other things in his Book , but we do intend to put him to make them good by plain Scriptures , without adding or diminishing ; for our foundation for ever stands sure , for we speak not of the natural Mans spirit , but of Christ the Light , the second Adam , the Lord from Heaven , nor do we speak of the Law of works , nor the first Covenant , but we speak of the new Covenant in the heart Christ the light our Foundation , whom all the Prophets foretold of , who is come to teach his people himself , who Joh. VViggan pretends to remove , and so hath run himself into further confusion .

And Ioh. VViggan saith , that the Light which doth enlighten , &c. is the word Creator , and yet he saith it is natural and created , and an Idol worse then Ieroboams : And thus all may see he confesseth that the Light is the word Creator , and and yet he saith it is an Idol : Joh. Wiggan saith , God the Word enlightens every Man that comes into the World , and a more excellent light and life comes in by the Son , which none receives but who receives the Son , and are born again .

Answ. They which receives this Light which thou call the word Creator , ( in thy own assertion ) becomes the Sons of God ; for John said this was the true Light which lighteneth every Man that comes into the World , and as many as receives him to them , he gives power to become the Sons of God , and this word is Christ , as it is plainly proved ; And God was in Christ , but thou goes about to divide God and Christ : By the word of God was the Heavens of old , 2 Pet. 3. 5. We understand that the Worlds were framed by the Word of God , Heb. 11. 3. And that by this Word they became the Sons of God , according to the Scriptures , before laid down , what difference then dost thou make betwixt this word Creator , and that which comes in by the Son , as thou speaks of , what can the Son do more then make them Sons : So herein thou hast quite overthrown thy self ; what further excellency , or what more Redemption can be had by Christ , then to become the Sons of God .

And whereas thou saist that we are Adulterers , but we see that thou art adulterated from the spirit , which causes thee to vent forth such language as thou dost and thy hearers ; for whereas thou scornfully told William Houlden , that he was an unfit Man to meet thee before the Sheriffe : Thy Assertions are so gross and so erroneous that I do not question but in the strength of God , I , or any other that were named to thee , to meet thee before either the Sheriff , or any other in Authority in England , that thou may make them good by Scripture without either adding or diminishing , which thou canst not doe but over-throw thy own assertions :

And whereas Tho. Rushton one of thy Hearers said , I was a silly Man , and was not fit to Reply to what thou had written against me , but I having had perfect knowledge of thee this nine yeares , and how thou hast stood in opposition against the Truth , Christ the Light ; that in his strength I stand to Reply to thee , or to appear before the Sheriff or any other in Answer to thee .

I fear the Lord , and am not afraid of your great boasting and scornful reproachful words .

Henry Wood.

A POSTSCRIPT .

HOw now John Wiggan , didst not thou pretend at Lancaster that thou couldst not swear , because it was a Command of Christ and the Apostle which forbids swearing : And why could thou not bear Testimony before the Judge , but that then thou would have time to consider of it — Though before thou had laid down thy Reasons and Arguments which thou intended to produce , which thou shewed to John Stubs and others — And where was thy Arguments and Reasons when thou came before the Judg hadst thou forgot them , that they stood thee in no stead , but that thou must have time to consider of it ; it seemes thy Arguments and Reasons did not satisfie thy self , or else thou jugled , or durst not confesse Christs Doctrine openly , or otherwise fainted Esau like , and so was ashamed of Christ and his Doctrine before men : And did not John VViggan enter his Recognizance for his appearance at the next Assizes at Lancaster And what is the matter John — how hast thou given the slip from under sufferings ? hath the heat of persecution scortched thy Blade . Furthermore did not John Wiggan enter into a promise before the Judg that he would preach no more , and that he might have time to consider of the Oath : And so upon this condition he was set at Liberty , and to appear at the next Assizes : And then did not John Wiggan give the slip and goe to London ; And when he should have been at the Assizes , he lay there in holes and corners , and preached and published his lyes against the Truth : But Truth hath sunk thee into the Sea , and will meet with thee where ever thou goest .

G. F.

The Copy of this last Sheet was miscarried , and came not to the Printers hand till the rest of the Book was finished .

THE END

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