The sandy foundation shaken, or, Those so generally believed and applauded doctrines ... refuted from the authority of Scripture testimonies, and right reason / by W.P. ...

A Post-script of Animadversions upon T.V's Contra∣dictions, delivered in his Sermon from 1. John 5.4. at his evening Lecture in Spittle-Yard; For whatsoever is born of God, over∣cometh the World.

Whatsoever Person is born of God, overcometh the World.

There is a two-fold Victory,* 1.1 the first Compleat, the second In∣compleat.

This is as well a contradiction to his Text and Doctrine,* 1.2 as com∣mon sence; for besides that they neither of them say, He that's born of God, cannot perfectly overcome the World, but much the contra∣ry; I fain would understand his intention by an incompleat victo∣ry: If he means not such a one as is obtained by the slaughter of every individual, but that which onely does subdue the force and lead captive their enemies, yet will the Victory prove compleat; for if they be so far overcome as to be disarmed of farther power to mis∣chieve,

the dispute is properly determined: but whatsoever is incom∣pleat, is but overcoming, or in the way to victory, and victory is the compleating of what was before imperfect.

* 1.3Such overcome as are born a∣gain, who are in Christ, that have cast off the old Man, and known a change altogether new.

Worldly lusts can't be extirpa∣ted out of God's People in this World.

* 1.4If sin must have a place in them, how can they be born of God, and have a place in Christ, or cast off the old man, and know a change altogether new?

* 1.5Gods Children are the greatest Conquerors; Alexander and Cae∣sar were Conquerors, but these overcome their lusts.

God's Children can't perfectly overcome the lusts of the World, they sometimes take them cap∣tive.

* 1.6What strange Divinity is this! that God's People should be Con∣querors, and yet Captives; overcome the World, and yet be over∣come thereby.

* 1.7Sin may tyrannize over Belie∣vers.

But not have dominion; it's in captivity, it's in chains.

* 1.8Who is so absolutely injurious and incontrolable, as a Tyrant? and notwithstanding that he should have no dominion, but be in captivity, and in chains, at best are Bedlam distinctions, and conse∣quently unworthy of any mans mouth that has a share of common sence.

* 1.9You must kill or be kil'd; either you must overcome the World, or the World you. If ye fight, ye shall overcome.

2. Incompleatly; he overcomes, when he breaks their force, leads them captive, and puts them into chains; but they are not at all slain, they sometimes take him captive.

To kill or be kill'd, admits no middle way to escape;* 1.10 yet that both Sin and Gods Children should lead one another captive; and that he which fights shall overcome, and yet in danger of being led captive, because incompleatly a Conqueror; to me seems very strange Doctrine.

However he goes on to tell them, Whosoever is born of God, over∣comes the lusts of the World, and he that overcomes the lusts of the World, overcomes the Devils of Hell; God's Children have to do with a conquered Enemy. Yet he would all this while be understood in an incompleat sence; and to excite all to fight for this incompleat Victory, he recommended to their consideration the excellent rewards of Conquerors, that is, To him that overcometh, will I give to eat of the Tree of Life, the hidden Mann•• I will give him a white Stone, a new Name, Power over Natons, whi••e Rayment; yea, I will make him a Pillar in the Temple of my God; he shall go no more out, and I will grant him to sit with me in my Throne. Admirable priviledges, I acknowledge! but are they promis'd to incompleat Con∣querors? I judge not. Reader, by this thou mayest be able to give a probable conjecture of the rest; and ••s I have begun with him and his Co-disputants, with them Il'e 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who notwithstanding all their boasts and calumnies against us, have so evaded those many op∣portunities we have offered them by Letters, Verbal Messages, and Personal Visits, that had they any Zeal for their Principles, love for their Reputation, or Conscience in their Promises, they would have been induc'd to a more direct and candid Treaty.

But as it hath occasioned the publication of this little Treatise, so am I credibly inform'd, through the too busie and malitious inquisi∣tion of some concerning it, (which have amounted to no less than po∣sitive Reports) its currantly discours'd, How that a certain Qua∣ker hath lately espoused the controversie against R.F. and therein has perverted the Christian Religion, to that degree, as plainly to deny Christs coming in the flesh; with much more then was fit to be said, or is fit to be answered.

But Reader, I shall ask no other Judge to clear me from that most uncharitable accusation, since first I am altogether unacquainted with R.F. nor never did design directly such a thing, being unwil∣ling to seek more Adversaries than what more nearly seek the over∣throw of Truth, although I doubt not but this plain and simple

Treatise may prove some confutation of his Sentiments.

And lastly, as concerning Christ; although the slander is not new, yet never the less false: for I declare, on the behalf of that de∣spised People, vulgarly called Quakers, the Grace of which we te∣stifie hath never taught us to acknowledge another God then he that's the Father of all things, who fills Heaven and Earth; Nei∣ther to confess another Lord Jesus Christ, than he that appeared so many hundred years agoe, made of a Virgin like unto us in all things, sin excepted; or any other Doctrine than was by him declared and practised: therefore let wery mouth be stopt for ever opening more, in blasphemy against God's Innocent Heritage, who in Principle, Life and Death, bea•• an unanimous Testimony for the on∣ly True God, True Christ, and Heavenly Doctrine, which in their Vindication is openly attested by

William Penn, jun.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Doctr.
• * 1.2

  Animad
• * 1.3

  Cont.
• * 1.4

  Anim.
• * 1.5

  Cont.
• * 1.6

  Anim.
• * 1.7

  Cont.
• * 1.8

  Anim.
• * 1.9

  Cont.
• * 1.10

  Anim.