The reviler rebuked: or, A re-inforcement of the charge against the Quakers, (so called) for their contradictions to the Scriptures of God, and to their own scriblings,: which Richard Farnworth attempted to answer in his pretended Vindication of the Scriptures; but is farther discovered, with his fellow-contradictors and revilers, and their doctrine, to be anti-Scriptural, anti-Christian, and anti-spiritual. By John Stalham, a servant of the great bishop and shepherd of souls, appointed to watch his little flock at Terling in Essex.

Section 47.

IHad noted how they pretended to be immediately taught. The teaching of God (saith one) is immediate in the least degree: contrary to Dan. 9. 1. 1 Tim 4. 14. R. F. answereth * 1.1 We do not pretend so to be, but we witness that we are so taught, and according to the promise of the Lord.

Rep. 1. But who will believe him, and his fellows, when the witness is of themselves, from themselves, and without proof? They that flee to an experience, and a promise for proof, must first shew the promise, and then the perfor∣mance of it to themselves. I am yet to learn the promise of the Immediate Teachings of God, to be given to all that are to teach others, of which is the question. The promise, John 6. 45. They shall all be taught of God, concerneth all* 1.2 that have truly believed, do, or shall so believe; all the children of Gods election, all the children of the Church-Catholique, and of the new Jerusalem, Isa. 54. 13. which teaching, if God had intended to be given immediately, i. e. without any medium, means, or instrument, then would he not have sent Preachers abroad for them to hear, thereby to be taught and drawn to believing.

2. Had all that the Lord sent forth as Gospel-dispensers, immediate teaching? we grant Paul had it more immedi∣ately,* 1.3 more fully, and more at once, then the rest of the Apostles, Gal. 1. 12. and 2. 6. will R. F. and his Brethren witness the same immediate teaching, with Paul, and the utmost height of his revelation, that nothing can be added to them? We grant the rest of the Apostles had the imme∣diate teaching, and ducture of the Spirit in their preaching and writing: But are all Apostles? 1 Cor. 12. 28. compared with Ephes. 4. 11. There was a second sort of the Ministers

of Christ, who were called Evangelists, (assistants to the Apostles) these had their light and knowledge by mediate* 1.4 ways: Timothy is instructed of Paul, 2 Tim. 2. 2. and 3. 10, 14. (as taught out of the Scriptures, by his mother and grandmother, from his childehood, 2 Tim. 1. 5. with Chap. 3. 13.) Apollos was instructed* 1.5 in the way of the Lord, by the Scriptures, Acts 18. 24, 25. and had the way of God more perfectly expounded to him by Aquila and Priscilla, ver. 26. These Evangelists were of too low a form for R. F. and men and women too of his way. There was a third* 1.6 sort called Prophets; some of which were immediately taught, and inspired with knowledge of things to come; some of these, men, as Agabus, Acts 11. 28. and 21. 10. some, women, as Philips four daughters, which did pro∣phesie, Acts 21. 9. I do not finde that Quaking men and women pretend to this kinde of immediate teaching, recei∣ved about things to come. Other Prophets there were,* 1.7 who were mediately taught; as they at Corinth, and else∣where, who did, out of the old Testament, expound, give the sense of the Prophets writings, and raise Doctrines, con∣firming them by edifying testimonies, and reasons out of Scripture, to edifying use and benefit of Believers princi∣pally and Churches; 1 Cor. 14. 3. compared with ver. 22. latter part. These I cannot call men quite out of office (as the word Office is largely taken, Rom. 12. 4.) Every member hath an office, that is, work and employment in the body mystical, as natural; but as the word is taken strictly, they were, and may be persons out of office, i. e neither Apostles, nor Evangelists, nor Prophets, foretelling things future, nor Pastors and teaching Elders. As they were not Apostles,* 1.8 nor Evangelists, (that is plain enough) so,

First, you will finde them distinguisht from the Prophets, immediately inspired two ways.

1. These might be taken off by one that had a revelation: They might have a Doctrine, ver. 26. who had not a Reve∣lation;* 1.9 which coming immediately for time and maner, when the other was speaking, was to take place and be heard, while the Prophet, who onely hath a Doctrine, or truth collected from Scripture, is to give place and hold his peace.

This onely for order sake; not but that the doctrine from Scripture was as infallible as the Revelation; and the imme∣diate Revelation was to pass the trial, as the doctrine, verse 29. and 32.

2. In so much as women are excluded from this kinde of prophesie, by two or three at a time, verse 29. with ver. 34. But if it had been extraordinary predictions of things to come, they, i. e. women, might have delivered their message.

Secondly, you will finde these gifted brethren (endued* 1.10 onely with a gift of scripture-exposition, and application) distinguisht from Pastors and Teachers in peculiar office, As two or three might exercise at a time, for which a liberty is granted, ver. 29. Now if they had been Pastors and Teachers in office strictly, there was no question but they might have preached at all seasons, when the Church met together, and a necessity is laid upon them, in season and out of season; a liberty onely is granted to these Prophets, and that liberry is limited also, as before. Would R. F. or his Fellowes be content with this low Form among gifted bre∣thren in a Church, who have received their gift, by reading, and study of the Scriptures, together with conference, and observation of their own and others experiences (which being sanctified and blessed by the Spirit of God helps men forth to teach others, till they be called to office, or whe∣ther ever they be chosen to office, or not) it would some∣thing savor of an humble spirit: But as some deem this exercise of the gift of Prophesie too high for a believing brother, so he, and those of his Spirit (not in this guided by the Spirit of God) think it too low for themselves, and all other Teachers: and therefore whosoever are not taught as immediately as the Apostles of the highest Form, are no Teachers with them. Hence he addes,* 1.11 And thou that art not taught of him, shews that thou speaks a vision of thy own heart, and not from the mouth of the Lord. This is his judgement, but erroneous enough, and contradictious to the whole Scripture, as not being the mouth of the Lord. And if I affirm (as I did) the true Prophets studied the Scripture,* 1.12 that is my imagination.

Rep. The true Prophets were either under the Old, or

New Testament, before or since Christ.

1. Before; some of them studied the word, who were at other times immediately inspired, as I instanced in Dan. 9. 1.* 1.13 If Daniel understood by books; he read, and considered what he read in those books; what was prophesied of the captivity, when it began, when it should end: and the writings of Jeremy were the Books, as Daniel himself tells us, by which he understood the number of the years &c. Others were trained up in a ordinary way, in the schools of the Prophets, under Samuel at Ramah, 1 Sam. 19 under Eli∣jah at Bethel and Jericho (although the Lord added impulses and inspirations, more then ordinary, and more immediate∣ly, to some of these afterwards) this is none of my imagina∣tion; If R. F. goes on to charge it, I shall still lay his Scri∣pture-contradiction before him, and at his dore it will lye, till he repents of it, for he chargeth not falshood upon me but upon the word of God, whence I demonstrate what I affirm.

2. Since Christ; the true Prophets studied the word: The Scriptures studied (Gods Spirit going along therewith) made them Prophets in ordinary, of whom Paul speaks, 1 Cor. 14. (as it fitted A pollos and Timothy for Evangelists) what hath R. F. to say against it? no prophesie of the Seri∣pture came in old time by the will of man (then not studied) but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the holy Ghost, and the Scripture is of no private interpretation.

Rep. 1. By prophecy of Scripture, 2 Pet. 1. 20, 21. is* 1.14 meant the word and minde of God declared in writing. God lest it not to mans will, what, and when, and how he should write his Canon; But he did immediately inspire, and dictate to the Pen-men of Scripture, matter, maner, and time. It fol∣lows* 1.15 not because the Secretaries of the holy Ghost wrote by his immediate inspiration, therefore the Prophets, and Teachers are not to teach others, but as they are immedi∣ately inspired: But it will follow from hence, and make a∣gainst R. F. as it did in the first Section, and the sixth; that if there is nothing of the will of man, or private-selfish mean∣ing and sense, in the Scripture, then is it a rule for Teachers, as Scholars; and they that will teach sound doctrine, must

teach from, and according to the Scripture; and therefore had need study, and meditate on the Scripture, that he may be a right man of God (the title of a true Prophet) through∣ly* 1.16 furnished to all the work of a Minister as of a Chri∣stian.

2. This truth is not onely given forth by sound conse∣quence, but directly, and expresly the will of God is laid down, 1 Tim. 4. 15. Meditate upon these things. Timothy an Evangelist must study that Epistle which Paul wrote to* 1.17 him, and be wholly in them, he must be taken up altoge∣ther therewith, referre all his studies, bend all his thoughts to the knowledge of the Scriptures: And 2 Tim. 3. 17. with 16. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God &c. that the man of God, the minister of the Gospel, may be perfect: i. e. have a sacred library to converse with in all ages, and be made a compleat Scholar, able to teach, reprove, instruct and comfort out of Scripture store and furniture. Hence we* 1.18 use to say, A good Text-man, a good Divine, or an able man of God: and he is likely to be a light and treacherous Pro∣phet, who slights the meditation of Scripture-Text, and speaks onely quicquid in buccam venerit, what comes next to his tongues end. A fourth sort of ministers are Pastors and* 1.19 Teachers, who having the grace of God, and gift of pro∣phecy, are called out from among the Brethren to office, and oversight of the flock, as Bishops of the Lords institution. These were not so immediately taught, that I can finde, in the Apostles times; but rather by means and ways of the Lords appointment, they were trained up and fitted for the office; as by the exercise of their gift of Prophecy, before∣hand, 1 Cor. 14. (each Church being as a School of the Prophets, and that of Corinth eminently) so by their submis∣sion to tryal, at election, 1 Tim. 3. 10. And besides, none but disciples, of some years in nature, and standing in grace and profession, were called to the office of Pastor, or teach∣ing Elder: now such disciples were first taught of others, of catechized, instructed in an outward way; hence the * 1.20 Greek word for disciple, comes of another that signifieth to learn by outward teaching. Those that heard John Baptist were first called disciples (whereof Andrew was one, Simon Peters

brother, John 1. 40.) They that heard and followed Christs Sermons were also called disciples, and so we are all believers and members of the Churches, till at Antioch they were also called Christians; disciples, as taught outwardly; Chri∣ans, as anointed with the Spirit, and partakers of Christs grace and gifts: And such being chosen, who were out∣wardly as inwardly trained up, I conclude, immediate teach∣ings did not onely furnish men for a Teachers, or Ministers function, but mediate ways also: which is both a warrant for them that desire the office of a Bishop first to study the Scriptures, and an encouragement also for Churches to co∣vet gifts, and chiefly that they may prophesie; and for University Scholars to give up themselves to present cate∣chizings, and exercises after Sermons (as they have begun in the Colledges) for the better storing of them with grounds of knowledge, and discovery of such disciples as the Lord hath begun to teach inwardly., by and with outward teaching, that they may be issued forth for service in the mi∣nistery; after grounds laid in their understandings, and some experimental work of grace, approved of (if it might be) in some of the Churches of Jesus Christ. And oh that, to this end, all the larger Schools of the Prophets might be∣come little Churches, and all the Churches of the Saints, might become little Schools of the Prophets! that Univer∣sities might emulate the Churches for their holiness; and Churches might emulate the Universities for their know∣ledge in the Scriptures!

If yet R. F. be not convinced, nor contented, but will proceed to say as he doth; * 1.21 thou that denies immediate teachings and saith the Spirit is in the Letter and given by it, thou may well accuse us falsly, that so lyes against God, and his Spirit.

I Reply; 1. He speaks he knows not what, for the assert∣ing of ordinary mediate teachings of them that are to teach others, doth not exclude the other, where God is pleased to give them; but so to cry up what is immediate as to shut out mediate, by ministerial instruments, and by the Scri∣ptures, is contradictory to the minde of God therein, and to the constant series and course of his dispensation from

the Primitive times downwards. Little doth he or others (that de-cry study, and industry, and mediate ways of pre∣paration for the work of the Ministery) either consider what is written, 2 Tim. 2. 2. The things that thou hast heard of me, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also: or know, what depen∣dencies we have upon the Lord, both in our studies, and af∣ter all our travels; having learnt, a little, both to prepare, as if no assistance should be given, and so depend (upon him that called us, and useth us) in our delivery, as if we had not studied nor prepared. Little doth he know how far we can trust the Lord when we have no time for study, or what more immediate assistance we have, after the less or greater use of the means, upon occasion.

2. Less doth he know of the immediate teachings of God (whatever are his janglings about it) who thinks it a lye against God, and his Spirit, to say, the Spirit is in the Let∣ter of the Scripture, and is given by it. Never did any that were most immediately taught, call off, not people onely, but teachers also from the Scriptures, which carry Spirit, Light, and Life with them, for their own interpretation. Never did any but God-slayers, and Spirit-wounders, go about to separate the Words of God, and his Breath, one from the other; but of that passage and string which he harps so oft upon, some account hath been given Sect. 1. and more shall follow in its due place * 1.22.

3. Least of all doth he understand of our Gospel-wide∣effectual doors opened, both for sending and going about our work, when he clamors, thou ran, as the false prophets did; or how far the Lord hath taught us to profit the peo∣ple, and what seals he hath set to our ministerial labors, when he judgeth, and concludeth, and so doth not profit the people at all. Men blinded with malice let fly at all adven∣tures; let R. F. look to his heart, for out of that in his heart, doth he write, be it good, be it evil.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Page 22.
• * 1.2

  John 6. 45. vindicated. All Believers not immedi∣ately taught.
• * 1.3

  Apostles im∣mediately taught.
• * 1.4

  Evangelists taught medi∣ately.
• * 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.6

  Some prophets immediately inspired.
• * 1.7

  Some pro∣phets medi∣ately taught.
• * 1.8

  Distinguisht 1. from extra∣ordinary offi∣cers.
• * 1.9

  1 Cor. 14. 26. & 29. opened.
• * 1.10

  2. From or∣dinary.
• * 1.11

  Page 22.
• * 1.12

  True prophets studied the Scripture.
• * 1.13

  Dan 9. 1. vindicated.
• * 1.14

  2 Pet. 1. 20. 21 vindicated.
• * 1.15

  Scripture is to be studied, because in∣spired of God
• * 1.16

  2 Tim 3. 17.
• * 1.17

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.18

  Bonus Textu∣arius, bonus Theologus.
• * 1.19

  Pastors and Teachers, mediately taught.
• * 1.20

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.21

  Page 22.
• * 1.22

  Part 2. Sect 8.