Antichrist's strongest hold overturned, or, The foundation of the religion of the people called Quakers bared and razed in a debate had with some of them in the castle at Lancaster and in an additional account of the light within ..., here also is shewed the occasion of their rise and growth, together with the right way of discovering their secret delusions ..., hereunto is annexed an appendix wherein their evil language is discovered ... / all which is published ... by J.W.

Here follow two LETTERS from several Friends to the Author, desiring the Publication of this Dispute, &c.

Dear Friend and Brother,

WE received yours with the inclosed Manuscript, containing a relation of a Debate you had with the Quakers, An ac∣count of the Light within, and An Appendix: all which we have as we could perused, but yet not so as we intend and desire; onely did hastily run it over, being willing as many as could conveni∣ently might see it or hear it, before we set upon the transcribing of it, for then it must of necessity lie still a while. And lest we might either discourage, or not comfort you in so good a work (as we can bless the Lord for from our hearts) by making no return till we have got it writ over; we thought it meet to give you a few Lines from a few of us, so signifie the receipt of it, also our acceptance of it, and hearty agreement with you in it; and do believe the good hand of the Lord was in it, to make your condition a necessity upon you, by his wise-or∣dering providence, to encounter this strong man in his strong hold (the light within) with which this spirit of delusion hath run thorow the dark world, and by it kindled some sparks upon the reliques of old Adam, but brought nothing to light of a crucified Saviour, nor of the bloud of his Cross, by which we have peace with God: but con∣trariwise, hath reviled us in making mention of this way of peace, ra∣ther glorying in their own cross, then in the Cross of Christ, keeping a catalogue of their own wounds and sufferings, filling all places with Prints of them; but never mention the sufferings, wounds and death of him through whose stripes we are healed; which hath been to us as another Gospel then that which our Lord brought to light, and was afterwards preached by his disciples, and glorified in by good Paul, when others glorified in the flesh: this is that Gospel we have heard and received, (through the workings of his grace) how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the Scriptures, and

ascended far above all the heavens of this creation into heaven it self, there to a ppear before God for us our blessed high-Priest, and onely Advocate, to whom we desire always to look, that we may not sin against him: this is our Kings high-way, in which the way faring man, though a fool, shall not erre. We confess there is a righteousness that is more agreeable unto man, unto which he is more enclined (as that liquor which this vessel of the natural man had first in it) we hope without offence we may say) not onely then this righteousness of Christ by faith, but then unrighteousness: and upon this spark may this light fall, and make man to walk in the light of it, but shall never place man again in that garden of Gods presence with him, making all things delightful to him, out of which after mans fall God drove him, and hath ever since placed such a guard as shall for ever keep man from coming that way. Nay, an as it were in this matter may not be admitted under the administration of the Gospel; nor is there any name given by which we shall be saved but that Name which is above all names, unto which all things shall bow: this is the Fathers Christ, and our Jesus, who when he came in the flesh was not ministred unto, but did himself minister, and became a servant: but our God, who also is Christs God, hath highly exalted him.

This Gospel we have never heard nor felt from these folks, but on the contrary derided with scornful expressions, when we have gone a∣bout thus to argue any thing with them; and in stead of words of so∣berness, in the evidence of Scripture-light, we have had such returns as you have met with, as many in this County can evidence clearly for us, as their own Papers do for you, under their own hands. Nor are we willing to rip up the remembrance of things upon any other ac∣count, then if it be the Lords will some among them might be redu∣ced, and the Lord may give them repentance unto life; and do hope there may be such a blessing in this Labour of yours, God having di∣rected you not to insist upon any thing less then their All, viz. That the light with which every one is enlightned that comes into the world, is not a saving light: this is that which we have believed, but have not had ability to bring it forth in so orderly a way, fit for pub∣lick view, as we finde the Lord hath enabled you; but rejoyce to have this opportunity to set to our assent to what the Lord hath given forth by you, and further desire you would permit it to the Press. And these two things move us to desire this from you: partly, that we have not seen any thing in Print that hath met with their Master-piece as this doth; as also the persons undertaking have one way or other had something of disadvantage, as you have hinted in your Appen∣dix:

nor have they owned those good things in them, which ought to be owned: and we can say we could wish not onely for our selves, but for all that call upon the Name of our Lord Jesus, that our con∣versations among men might more glorifie our Father in heaven. And then the other reason is, inasmuch as the Lord hath made you instru∣mental, and given you utterance for us in this place, where these peo∣ple (so far as we can understand) had their first gathering into a com∣pany. And if they may yet hear, or others fear, and that spirit of Antichrist discovered, that the Lord alone may be exalted, and our glorying may be together in the Cross of our Lord Jesus, whom we may designe to exalt together, though we be made but as a foot∣stool to this end, we have the desire of our hearts.

Excuse this unintended tedious Scribble, and pass by the Errata's of it, which are many, and accept of our thankfulness to your for your pains: and we hope we shall not be negligent to acknowledge the grace of God to you in this matter, and continue to present you to the Lord in that liberty he hath given us of access to the Father through him, in whom we are

Your faithful Brethren, though weak ones, in the faith of him who is the Head of all things, and true Heir,

• W. L.
• J. R.
• J. S.
• R. S.

Mo. 6 the 1 day, 1664.

Dearly Beloved in our Lord Jesus,

HAving with much satisfaction perused the Papers of your dispute at Lancaster, with the people called Quakers, we desire hereby heartily to bless the Lord on your behalf, owning his singular goodness in that his gracious leading in this service of truth, whereby beside your suffering and witness for your holy profession he called you to, we now see the further ends of the Father in sending you to that place; that even there, where as we have heard this people had their first rise in this Nation, they should receive so eminent a discovery and foyl; having also by his good Spirit so directed and enabled you to deal with the very spirit and Principle, and that with the principal of their party (then prisoners with you) whereby that mystery of iniquity, and spirit of Antichrist is (blessed be his Name) very much detected, and that not onely by the un∣controllable evidence of truth from the light of his holy Word, but by that arrogant, proud, frothy, raging, ridiculous, vain, erring spirit, so abun∣dantly discovered all along herein from themselves; which we intreat you for the Truths sake to make publike with all speed, that word being wor∣thy to be weighed by you for encouragement, 2 Tim. 3. 8, 9. where the A∣postle prophetically speaking of such corrupt mindes, reprobate concer∣ning the faith, like Jannes and Jambres resisting the truth, saith (for encouragement) They shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be made manifest, as theirs also was: the making manifest of whose folly being the way to stop••t the proceeding and growth, which we are perswaded is as acceptable service as any of the Lords servants can engage in; and the rather, because under the specious pretences of humility, self-denyal, justice, righteousness, moderation, patient suffering, they have abundantly gained ground & reputation to the spreading of their detestable errors, & by their fair words, and feigned speeches, have greatly deceived the hearts of many simple ones; & more especially in such an evil day as this, wherein the pride, vanity, formality and apostacy of too too many professors of truth has appea∣red: but we have a long time through grace been enabled to discern their deceivings, and to see through the depth of their cheat, and fully satisfyed that these following Scriptures evidently foretel them, and that accor¦dingly

they are now sadly manifest to the fulfilling thereof, Viz. 2 Cor. 11. 13, 14. For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the Apostles of Christ: and no marvel, for Satan him∣self is transformed into an angel of light; therefore it is no great thing if his ministers be also transformed as the ministers of righte∣ousness: whose end shall be according to their works. Matth. 24. 4, 5. And Jesus said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you: for many shall come in my Name, saying, I am Christ, and shall de∣ceive many. And there shall arise false Christs and false Prophets, and shall shew great signes and wonders, insomuch that if it were pos∣sible they shall deceive the very elect. Behold, I have told you before. 1 Tim. 4. 12. Now the Spirit speaks expresly, that in the later days some shall depart from the saith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils, speaking lyes in hypocrisie, having their consciences seared with a hot iron. 2 Pet. 2. 1. But there were false prophets also amongst the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring up∣on themselves swift destruction: and many shall follow their perni∣cious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 1 Joh. 4. 1, 2, 3. Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God, because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is of God; and every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh, is not of God: and this is the spirit of Antichrist, whereof you have heard that it shall come, and even now already is in the world. 2 Joh. 7, 9. For many deceivers are entred into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh: this is a de∣ceiver and an Antichrist. Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God, &c.

Oh how visibly manifest are these Scriptures fulfilled in this generation now among us! who under pretence of Christs Apostles, Ministers of righ∣teousness, Angels of God, men immediately inspired with the Spirit, in the very state of perfection, crying up Christ within, they blaspheme, tra∣duce, deny the man Christ Jesus the Son of God, both in his name, na∣ture, offices, doctrine. How do they introduce another Gospel, Ministery, Spirit, other Ordinances, another justification, Salvation, Resurrection, another Heaven, Hell, then the Scriptures witness to! Nay, how many have called themselves Christ the Son of God, and have undeniably these chara∣cters of the Antichristian spirit foretold by John upon them, denying not

onely the doctrine of Christ, but Christ himself to be come in the flesh, un∣der pretence of his being come in their flesh; and have eminently manife∣sted themselves to be the sons of Hymeneus that blasphemer,* 1.1 who said the resurrection was past already, overthrowing the faith of some: which Hymenean doctrine was attested not many days since by some of their number, to one of us, in a Conference with them, and that before several witnesses, saying, The dead bodies that lie in the graves are not to rise again, neither are we to expect any other resurrection, heaven, hell, judgement, then what is within us, and past upon us here. To whom it was replied, that then their faith and hope was vain, and they were yet in their sins, and in a damnable estate: and why then did they suffer, if the dead rise not? and that such doctrine undeniably led to sensuality, to eat, drink, and play, &c. wholly razing out all principles both of mora∣lity and Christianity: which is well known to be their principle, though the cunning among them subtilly gloss it over, knowing what offence it general∣ly gives. Oh that the poor deluded sincere among them might see the gulph they are plunged into, and that your endeavour might be blest to the open∣ing their eyes, and undeceiving them. Surely if that one Scripture was weighed by them, it might be of use, That men may give their bodies to be burnt, and all their goods to the poor, and profit not, and be but as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal: and that is the princi∣ple from which, and the end whereto every work is done, that renders it acceptable.

And Oh that this may be blest to keep all upright hearts from falling in∣to* 1.2 this ditch. It is the express word of our Lord, Go not after them, neither follow them. Prov. 19. 27. Cease, my son, to hear the in∣struction that causeth to erre from the ways of knowledge. Surely principles, spirits and doctrines are to be weighed and tryed as well as conversation:* 1.3 and them would these seeming Angels appear Devils; for Satan can come forth as an angel of light. But how do they rage, and like the waves of the sea foaming out their own shame, when brought to the Word for tryal! which is no small discovery of their spirit: this is one of the tryals God has suffered to come upon his people, as Deut. 13. 3. to prove whether they will love the Lord their God with all their heart and all their soul. How long hath the Pope by all his power and policie endeavoured to get the Bible from Professors, and not prevailed! but this spiritual Antichrist doth it speedily and effectually. But let grace be magnified, that keeps any out of their snares: and let it be seriously laid to heart, that so many are snared and taken in their net.

And lastly, since Singularity and Conversation is so taking to propa∣gate Errour, and such damnable Errour too; how should it provoke the

children of Truth, that prize and would promote it, to press more after an excellent conversation, that the poor world seeing their good works, viz. the humility, love, patience, meekness, zeal, courage, temperance, holi∣ness, wisdom, gravity, may glorifie their heavenly Father. And let such a foolish people shame and provoke his people therein at this day, Phil. 4. 8. and, as you well observe, let the good in them be owned and imitated, and their evil detected and avoided.

And that the good Lord who has so far guided and blest you herein, may still continue so to do, to the advancement of his glory, and further∣ance of truth, as you have designed, and we heartily desire, is and shall be the prayer of

Your unworthy Brethren, fellow••labourers, and Companions with you in the Faith, Kingdom and Patience of our Lord Jesus,

• J. D.
• N. S.

London this 10 day of the 1 month, 1665

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 Tim. 3. 19, 20. with 2 Tim. 2. 17, 18.
• * 1.2

  Luke 17. 23.
• * 1.3

  1 John 4. 1.