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 33.

HAving discovered G. Fox his express Negative answer to the Question, Have ye no sin? No, contrary to 1 John 1. 8. If we say we have no sin, we deceive our selves, &c. R. F. * 1.1 stands up here in his fellows defence, and doth not answer to the place of John which I quoted in the first Chapter, but tells me, If his answer was No, it was not con∣trary to such as were in the eternal life, and did abide in Christ, but he (G. Fox) is in the life of truth, and abides in Christ, and therefore his answer did not contradict the Scri∣pture in the third Chap. ver. 6.

Rep. 1. If G. Fox his [No] contradicted but one place of Scripture, it contradicteth the whole Scripture; for Gods truth is uniform, and a sweet harmony there is of every string; break one link of the chain, you break the chain.

2. To say [No] to such a Question, Have ye no sin? is far from agreeing with 1 John 3. 6. in its true meaning.* 1.2

First, The Apostle saith not, whosoever abideth in Christ hath no sin in him: for that he (according as the Scripture elsewhere, 2 Cor. 5. 21. 1 Pet. 2. 22.) onely asserteth of Christ (as God, and God-man) ver. 5. And in him is no sin, to distinguish him from Saints that (while here) have sin in them; and to prove him to be fit and able to take a∣way sin.

Secondly, As there are no such words, so it is not the Apostles scope to hold out R. F. his Doctrine of present Perfection, but to discover all those who abide in Christ to be such as do not abide in sin; and all those who abide in

sin, to be such as have not seen him nor known him.

Thirdly, So far as they stick to Christ (who are in him) and suck vertue from him, they sin not; yet at that time when they abide in Christ, sin dwelleth in them, not in the old regency and power, but as a troublesom in-mate, which they would gladly be quite rid of, from the first moment of conversion (if the Lord so pleased) but it is there, and re∣maineth for their exercise, till the combat of flesh and spirit be at an end; viz. at the end of our days.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Page 17.
• * 1.2

  1 John 3 6. vindicated. See Sect. 14.