Page [unnumbered]
POSTSCRIPT.
Q. What esteem do you beare to the Scriptures of the old and new Testament?
A. We account of them the very best of all writings, and as they issue forth from their Original Authors, they then were the pure wine of God; but as they have passed through the hands of many Copies, and since them again of many Translators and Printers, these Scriptures have in length of time passing through the Antichristian chanel, contracted some Rust, and are now helped by the Spirit in the saints, which is no other but the same spirit, by which at first those Scriptures were declared to the world.
Q. But for that they were declared to several people, and that upon several ocasions, of what use are they now of to another people, and that also in another generation?
A Of great use, if applied by the same spirit to others to the same end for which at first they were given forth, then are they profitable for doctrin, reproof, correction & Instruction. 2 Tim. 3.16.
Q. But are they not also profitable to himself that hath the spirit?
A. Not for these ends; for he needeth them not, be having the unction that teacheth him all things. 1 Joh. 2.20. Yea the deepe things of God, 1. Cor 2.10. And needeth not that any man teach him; for he hath the Anointing faith, that text that teacheth him all things, 1. Joh. 2.27. so that for a particular mans salvation that hath the Anointing, the written Scriptures profit him nothing.
Q. Why then do they preach by Scriptures or in Scriptures phrases? this argueth that ye need the help of Scriptures to preach by.
A. It is for the sake of others who so highly esteeme of Scriptures we are forced to use that they so highly esteem, to convince them by; and moreover in this we seem weak with the weak that we might save some, 1. Cor. 9. and in this kind did Humphry Woulridg as he said condesend to rebaptise a woman, not that he regarded baptisme, but that the woman had a minde to be dip∣ped, he condescended to her weakness, that thereby he might bring her out of the water unto the Rock; this be mentioneth in his book which he Intitleth, The unlimited God.
Reply.
This is the very answer that Josiah Carbrane the pretended prophet to John Roberts who made himself God; he that writes heard him speak it, that they used not Scrip∣tures for their own sakes, but for the sakes of others, and moreover that they would deale with any men even with their own weapons, viz. Scriptures; so he spake there were six or seven that fell down before Justice Hubberts. Face & worshipped this Roberts for a God, as the woman worshipped Naylor for a Christ; but as Naylor was worshipped and Pillered for his blasphemy; so was Roberts and his worshippers sent by Justice Hubbert to the prison in Sr. Joane's. But why was it said the woman worshipped James Naylor for a Christ, and Roberts by his followers was worshipped for a God? why not the Christ and the God, but a Christ and a God?
Ans. James Naylors answer was that in whomsoever the light viz. Christ is eminent. the same is a Christ or Saviour; Obadiah ver. 21. Saviours shall come on mount Sion to judge the mount of Esau, and in the same sence would Roberts prove himself a God. Thus we see how horribly the Scriptures are abused.