The nature of Christianity in the true light asserted in opposition to antichristianism, darkness, confusion, & sin-pleasing doctrines : being a looking glass for sin-pleasing professors of all sorts / written upon particular occasion herein signified, by a servant of Christ, G. Whitehead.

AN Epistle Explanatory To the Unprejudiced READER·

COntention, especially with perverse spirits, that de∣sire it, and seek occasion for it, is not a thing desire∣able to me; howbeit, for the living and precious Truth's sake, and that living effectual faith which was once deliver'd to the Saints, I am one necessitated earnestly to contend, being brought forth and rais'd up by the Power of the Living God for that end, against perverse Gainsayers and peevish Opposers: One of whom I find one ROBERT GORDON, in a second piece of Antichristianism, stuft with Confusion, Perversion of Scriptures, Abusing and Be∣lying the People call'd Quakers; though he hath given it the Title of Christianity Vindicated, but therein hath discover'd a great deal of his own, and of his Tutor's Ignorance of the very Nature of Christianity, as concerning those weighty mat∣ters of Salvation; to wit, Reconciliation, Justification, and Re∣demption; which in the true nature and sense thereof are in this Treatise unfolded, according to the holy Scriptures; although this man hath grosly wronged divers of us, by accusing us, as if we did oppose and seek to overthrow the plain Testimonies and Voices of all the Prophets and Apostles, concerning the True Saviour, or the Man Christ Jesus, whom we have frequent∣ly confessed, both as to his Divinity, and as to his taking up∣on him the Body, prepar'd for him to do the Will of God in,

according to the Scriptures of Truth; yea, both his outward and inward Appearance, his Suffering Nature, and Glorified State, and his Divinity in both we have always truly believ'd and confess'd; even his Dignity, Spiritual Out-go∣ings from of old, from everlasting;* 1.1 as also his outward Birth, and coming in the fulness of time in that Body, wherein he shew'd forth Innocency, Preacht Righteousness, wrought Miracles, suffered Contradictions, Crucifying, and Death, by wicked hands; together with his Glory, Dignity, Resurrection, and glorious Triumph; as a Captain, as a Conqueror, Leader, and Example through all: These things have a Spiritual and Divine Impression upon us, and a place in our hearts; through that eternal Spirit, by which Christ offered up himself a Lamb without Spot, and a Sacrifice of a sweet smelling Savour to God; which things be∣ing so openly and frequently own'd by us, according to the Scriptures of Truth: We cannot but look upon it as a wilful Perversion and wicked Abuse in this R. G. or any others, con∣trariwise to represent us, when (as to him) we have only op∣pos'd his confus'd dark Testimony, which is without Life, and much of it without Sense or Reason; although pervertedly he hath interwoven some Scriptures, abus'd by him in it: Howbeit, he saith, He hath testified to what he received of the Lord, and witnessed through and under the Ministry of those I ca••l Presbyte∣rians and I••dependants. Now seeing he hath learn'd his Testi∣mony or Religion of such, and yet hath pirked up, as if he were ••ome-body, or could do more against us then his Tutors or Fraternity (although he falls short of many of them, in the manage••ent of their Cause) I should think it were more Prudence in the Presbyterians and Indepen••ants, to stop such shallow Cavellers and forward Novices, as can scarce write three Pages, without manifestly contradicting themselv••s, as this their Disciple R. G. hath done, who will never bring any Honour to the Cause of Presbyterians and Independants: He should have let us known, whether they do approve of this his work against us, yea, or nay; which it he write again, we desire him to signifie, whether he is own'd, and his work ap∣prov'd of, by the Presbyterians and Independants, yea, or nay?

Some suppose it probable, that what he hath writ against the Innocent and Suffering People of God in this nature, hath some Self-interest and End, as either of some Preferment, or Ap∣plause at least; who though he be dismounted with the Times, from his former Place and Preferment, yet is not content to live quietly in that obscurity he is in, but he must Villifie, Reproach and Slander an Innocent People, who have appear'd (and do stand up) for God, and the Testimony of Jesus, in his Divine Power, where such peevish, pittiful, underly Cavellers as R. G. dare not shew their Faces for Christ (nor yet for their own Directory and Church-Faith) for all their pretended Zeal for him, though he and they can carp and quarrel against us, who are under Sufferings: And he having shown himself both an Antinomian, a shatter'd Presbyterian, and Independant, he is the more fit man to insinuate into such, especially the more ignorant sort of them, for some Applause or Name to himself, like many of his selfish Teachers before, who being dismounted from their parochial Bishopricks, Pulpits & Tythes, are now for the rattling of the Platters, which have been v••ry beneficial to many such fain'd Preachers and Temporizers, who can make a florish in fair Weather; but ei••her ••lee, Sculk, or Comply, when a Storm or a Pinch comes; or otherwise, drive a Trade more privately, and have the Platters rattle more secr••tly, with their Watchers and Spies at ea••h Corner, to give them warning, lest they should be surpriz'd for driving a Trade unlicens'd, that they may escape out at Back-doors, ••or By-wayes, which hath been the manner and practice of such as R. G's. Tutors, notwithstanding their severely pressing their Hearers to Faithfuln••ss, and to Stand fast, &c. when they are no Example thereof themselves; but on slite Occasions ready to flee like Hirelings—and ready to give their ••locks the ••••ip.

And now as to the Doctrinal part of his Book, he having affirm'd a Justification a••d Redemption of men, even while no good is wrought in them by any Light or Spirit whatsoever; and when no qua∣lificat••on is wrought in man by any Spirit whatsoever (to mend the

matter he adds) in order to the perfecting the Purchase of Redemp∣tion, &c. Which word, purchase, he thus explains, in an Un∣scriptural and Nonsensical stile, viz. That God man purchased and compleated Reconciliation, Justification, &c. with God, at once, without us (which is as good sense, as to say, God Purchas'd them of God) and for Proof thereof, he very many times over repeats that Scripture, Rom. 5.10 If when we were Enemies, we were recon∣ciled to God, by the death of his Son (not so much minding the fol∣lowing words) much more being reconciled, we shall be sav'd by his Life: And verse 11. We have now received the Attonement, &c. This he hath made a Cloak for his justification of men, even while no good is wrought in them (one while saying, they are reconcil'd to God; another while, God to them) Now though plenteous Redemption, Salvation, and Peace were in being in Christ for us, while Enemies; and that God com∣mended his Love towards us, in that while we were Sin∣ners, Christ died for us, vers. 8. which doth explain the intent of the words [If when we were Enemies we were reconcil'd to God, by the death of his Son &c.] yet it is not the nature of Recon∣ciliation for men to be Enemies to God: I appeal to the Con∣science of both R.G. and all other Professors, Whether Enmity and Reconciliation do not differ? And whether, while Per∣sons are at enmity, they be then actually reconcil'd? Though while we were Enemies, we were reconcil'd, by the death of his Son; intentionally on God's Terms, but not actually in our selves, till the Enmity was slain in us; as God, with reference to his Purpose, speaks to Abraham, I have made thee a Father of many Nations (before he was actually so made) For Paul, in the following words, saith, God, who quickeneth the Dead, calleth those things which be not as though they were, Rom. 4.17. And also Zacharias, being filled with the Holy Ghost, he Prophesied say∣ing, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his People, Luke 1.67, 68. and to the end of the chapter: Now though this [Redeemed] be spoken of as a thing done, yet it was spoken of in the Prophesie, of Christ the Horn of Sal∣vation; whose Salvation is Deliverance and Preservation out of the hands of our Enemies, that we may serve him, without

fear, in Holiness and Righteousness before him all the dayes of our life: This was not witnessed when the Enemy rul'd, and no good was wrought in us.

Further, If Reconciliation and Redemption had been actu∣ally finish'd without us, when no good was wrought in us, what needed the Apostle so earnestly beseech and pray them in Christ's stead to be reconciled to God? 2 Cor. 5.20. They might have said, that is done and complated already: Or to say, Tbat Jesus Christ gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all Ini∣quity, and purifie unto himself a peculiar People, &c? Tit. 2.14. They might have said we are redeem'd at once already without us, while no good is wrought in us; What needst thou to tell us of redeeming from all Iniquity, or of being purified? We do not expect any such thing while we live here, and yet we are redeemed, justified, and perfect in Christ. This is according to R. G's. Doctrine and Sense; but the Apostle's Sense is contrary, as where he saith, You that were sometimes alienated, and Enemies in your minds by wicked works; yet now hath he reconciled in the Body of his Fl••sh, through Death, to present you Holy, and Vnblameable, and Vnreprovable in his sight; if ye continue in the Faith grounded and se••tled, Col. 1.21, 22, 23. Mark here the nature and ten∣dency of a reconcil'd state•• and how it differs from that of Enemies in the mind, as you were sometimes Enemies, yet now re∣conciled, viz. Ye Saints and faithful Brethren in Christ, which are at Coloss, chap. 1.2. But the mind of him that is an Enemy in his mind is not reconcil'd to God or his Truth. Drun∣kards, Swearers, and Ranters, are not in a reconcil'd State, nor justified State; neither is God reconcil'd to them, nor in Union with them.

Again, The words Purchased and Redemption, are us'd by R. G. in an Unscriptural Sense, while he doth so nonsensical∣ly render it as God man, having purchased all of God without, and so justified man, when no good is wrought in him by the Spirit of God; and as if Christ's Works without, were the previous pur∣chasing cause of the Love of God; and also, states man's Justi∣fication and Redemption, as only without, and preceeding the work of the Spirit within; whereas redeeming from all Iniquity

and Bondage, under which man was sold, is not wrought with∣out the opperation of the Spirit of God within; but it is a Work to be fulfilled within, where Sin and Bondage have ru∣led? and being Washed, Sanctified, and Justified by the Spirit, are plac'd in their proper order, 1 Cor. 6.11. Sanctified being plac'd before Justified. And the Apostle Paul saith, You are seal'd with the Holy Spirit of Promise, which is the earnest of our Inheritance (note that) until the Redemption of the purchased Possession, unto the Praise of his Glory, Eph. 1.13.14. So mark here, The Holy Spi∣rit of Promise was the Earnest of their Inheritance, until the Redemption, &c. (And grieve not the Holy Spirit, whereby you are s••aled until the Day of Redemption, Eph. 4.30. But with R. G. the Day of his Redemption was long since over, many years before he was Born; he was redeemed and justified above Six∣teen Hundred Years ago; but then he must suppose or con∣ceit himself an Elect person before that, or else the whole World is as much justified as he) See how plainly these Scrip∣tures refute R. G. as also, God purchased his Church with his own Blood, Acts 20.28. So his chosen People were a purchas'd Possession, God was in Christ reconciling the World unto him∣self; but the Saints (who are hi•• Friends) are actually recon∣cil'd, he hath fulfill'd it in them.

And now because those terms in Scripture, relating to Christ and his Works, are mis-understood, and p••rverted by many Pro∣fessors and Priests, as this man hath done, I shall state them with the natural and simple sense thereof, as followeth, viz.

Jesus, a Saviour, who saveth from sin, of whom it was said by the Angel, Thou shalt call his Name Jesus, for he shall save his People from their sins, Mat. 1.21.

Christ, is Anointed; for he was anointed with Power from on High.

Propitiation, a Sacrifice well-pleasing, which is to purge away sin, and (in Scrip∣ture sence) to make nigh to God * 1.2 and which imports Forgiveness, Reconciliation, Favour, Mercy, Kindness, &c. as Propitious is favouable, merciful, &c.

Sacrifice, an Oblation or Offering, which is to Consecrate or make Holy.

Reconciliation, an Agreement, a Peace-making between them that have been Friends, and afterwards Foes, a setting at One.

Covenant, an Accord, Agreement, a Contract, a Treaty, a Condition, &c.

Attonement, Peace, Quietness, &c. between them that are re∣concil'd or in mutual Friendship.

Redemption, a Ransoming, Buying again, Rescuing or Reco∣vering such as were under Bondage, or sold under Slavery.

Salvation, a Saving, Preserving, or a making Safe from the hand of an Enemy, Destroyer, or Oppressor, &c.

Imputation, an Ascribing, Attributing to, laying to the Charge of, or an Accounting, Reckoning, or Thinking.

Justification, a making Righteous, Just, Upright, Vertuous, Good, Perfect, &c. and also, an Adjudging, Pronouncing, and Sentencing one that is made Righteous to be so.

Now if Professors come not to feel and experience these things (or works of Christ) fulfill'd within them, they are but meer empty Professors and Talkers of them, without the true Life and Power of Christianity and true Religion.

Certain Scriptures, touching the Saviour, Redeemer, Redemp∣tion, and Salvation, &c.

Thou shalt know no God but me; for there is no Saviour besides me, Hos. 13.4. Deut. 6.4.

I, even I, am the Lord, and besides me there is no Saviour. Isa. 43 11. and 44.6, 8. and 45.15. And all Flesh shall know, that I the Lord am thy Saviour and Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob, chap. 49.26. and 60.16. Jer. 50.34.

I will mention the Loving-kindness of the Lord, &c. for he said, Surely they are my Children, People that will not Lye: So he was their Savi∣our, Isa. 63.7, 8. Thy People shall be all Righteous, &c. chap. 60.21.

O the Hope of Israel, the Saviour thereof in time of Trouble, Jer. 14 8.

He Saved them from the hand of him that hated them, and redeem'd them from the hand of the Enemy (by this he made his Power known) Psa. 106.8, 10, 21.

With the Lord there is plentious Redemption, and he shall Redeem Is∣rael

from all his Iniquities, Psa. 130.7, 8. See also Psa. 19.14. and 20.6. and 28.8. and 34.22. and 49.8.

Draw nigh unto my Soul, and Redeem it, Psa. 69.18.

He shall Redeem their Souls from Deceit and Violence, and precious shall their Souls be in his Sight, Psa. 72.14.

The Redemption of their souls is precious, Psa. 49.8.

And Mary said, My soul doth Magnifie the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour, Luk. 1.46, 47. see also, 1 Tim. 1.1. & 2.3. & 4.10. Tit. 1.3. & 2.10. God so loved the World, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosever believeth in him should not pe∣rish, but have everlasting Life, Joh. 3.16.

Our Saviour Jesus Christ, gave himself for us, that he might Redeem us from all Iniquity, and purifie unto himself a peculiar People, Tit. 2.14.

But after that the Kindness and Love of God our Saviour, towards man appeared, not by Works of Righteousness which we have done but ac∣cording to his Mercy he Saved us, by the washing of Regeneration, and re∣newing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us aboundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour, Tit. 3.4, 5, 6.

I and my Father are one, Joh. 10.30. Jesus of Nazareth was a man approv'd of God by Miracles, and Wonders, and Signs, which God did by him, Acts 2.22.

The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do, Joh, 5.19, 30.

We have seen, and do testifie, that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World, 1 Joh. 4.14.

He is the Propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole World, 1 Joh. 2.2.

Lord, thou wilt ordain Peace for us; for thou also hast wrought all our Works in us, Isa. 26.12.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mica. 5.2.
• * 1.2

  Propitio ex pro & pio (non imp••o) Propiti us ex pro & ito.