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.

12. Head of Self-contradiction. Concerning the Fruits of the Spirit.

Section 27.

I Had observed how they seem to own the fruits of the Spirit, and yet walk in the manifest fruits of the Flesh. R. F. * 1.1 queries cunningly at the first branch (as he did before) Art thou offended also at that?

Rep. My offence is not at real owning of the fruits of the Spirit, wheresoever it is found; but at their contradiction in words and practise to that which they profess they own. Then he querieth at the second branch; Doth the old Serpent teach thee to lye against the Spirit with the fruits of it, and them that are guided by it? and falsly accuse them, saying, they walk in the manifest fruits, and works of the flesh; in that all that fear God, and knows their godly conversation may witness against thee; and herein thou hast manifested thy Spirit of error and deceit, and to be one that regards not what thou sayes.

Rep. 1. The godly conversation of the persons, called Quakers, is in a new form, not known by the most that fear God, except a few mis-led people, who were captivated to some errors before they heard of Quakerism, and now they (meeting with some Abettors to their opinions concerning ordinances of Christ who were got above them, and turned Seekers) think they have found, in the doctrine and carriage of the Quakers, but will be at a loss, and to seek again, I am confident, (if they be godly in the main) within a short time.

2 That it may appear I regarded what I wrote, when I* 1.2 gave intimation of their works of the flesh, let the Reader take some instances;

1. Of their strife and debate, a work of the flesh, from their many jangling Pamphlets, and wrangling at the Scripture, as a dead Letter, and none of the word of God: and from

the maner as matter of their Answers unto Questions put to them.

2. Of their Emulation, from their high-towring thoughts of their Apostleship, and of their immediate Callings and Teachings.

3. Of Hatred, from their spirit of Contradiction to the Scriptures, to the external parts of Gods worship; and from their bitter Words and Execrations, Thou art of Cain, and of the Devil; and Imprecations, Let him be Anathema, Maran-atha, &c.

4. As to their turbulent contestations, with Ministers in publique, and others in private, the whole Island of Britain swarms with instances. I shall not need to mention that of J. P. at Coggeshall, nor that at Terling, when he came ri∣ding up to the Ministers door (after he had talked to the people for an hour or more in a private house) with two or three more on horseback, and above twenty on foot at his horse heels, &c.

5. Of Scoffs, although R. F. dis-owns them* 1.3 in these words; [As for scoffing at Scottish Priests, or others, that we deny; but your raising Motives, Tryals, Points, Reasons, and Ʋses out of other mens words, and speaking a divination of your own brain, for your own ends, by plain Scripture you cannot it justifie.]

Rep. 1. The very use of the terms, Scottish Priest, and Priests, so often (in this his Pamphlet that I deal with) is enough to render R. F. a Scoffer, or a Railer.

2. Let the Reader that peruseth the place (where I first found the exception against our taking a Verse, and raising Motives, Tryals, Uses, Reasons, and Points from it) judge whether it be not full of scoffing and reviling; I shall give his words out at large* 1.4

"Who are they that are got up in∣to the chiefest places in the assemblies? and act as in a stage-play? and have a glass to act their hour? and make a trade of Christs words, the Prophets words, and the Apostles words? and act in the chiefest places of the As∣sembly, taking a Verse, and raising Motives, Tryals, Uses, Reasons, and Points from it? and then say the people, He hath handled his Text well, and made good matter of it.

Is not this a Sarcasm, a bittter scoff?

3. To collect a truth, any such way, for our own ends, (which was not mentioned before, nor objected till now) if we did so, we could not justifie; but such a collection of truth, by Points, Reasons, Ʋses, &c. we can justifie from Scripture, and Scripture-precedents (onely let the Reader* 1.5 first take notice how slightly again he speaks of the Scri∣pture with Francis Howgil, (where first I noted it, Part 1. Section 2.) calling it, Other mens words) and thus I argue:

• First, That which the whole Scripture was given for, and serveth for, that improvement, the man of God is to make of it, 2 Tim. 3. 17.* 1.6
• But the whole Scripture was given for Doctrine, in Points and Reasons, and serveth for Ʋse of reproof, correcti∣on, instruction in righteousness (in which is compre∣hended, Motives, Tryals, &c.)
• Therefore, the man and minister of God, is to make this improvement of the Scripture.

• Secondly, That which the Scripture tells us, Christ, the Apostles, and Prophets have practised in their mini∣sterial teachings, that we may act, and justifie when we have done:
• But the Scripture shews us how Christ, the Apostles, and Prophets have taken Texts, and raised Motives, Try∣als, Points, Reasons and Ʋses, out of, and according to the Scripture;
• And therefore, we may do so, and justifie the practice against gain-saying R. F. and ten thousand such as he is.

The major, or first of the premised propositions, I may strengthen from Mat. 7. 29. Christ taught as one having authority: From 1 Cor. 11. 1. Paul followed Christ: From Titus 1. 9. Holding fast the faithful word, as he hath been taught, ('tis spoken of the Bishop or preaching Elder) that he may be able by sound Doctrine, both to exhort, and to convince gain-sayers, Chap. 2. 15. These things speak and exhort, (saith Paul to Titus, an Evangelist) and rebuke with all authority. So as if Christ taught with Scripture∣authority, in a way of Reason, Ʋse, &c. and the Apostles after him, both practised and enjoyned this way to them, that succeeded them in after ages, we are to do the like. The

minor, or second premised proposition, might be abundant∣ly cleared; and for conviction of gain-sayers, I shall give a few instances. Christ himself took a Text from Isaiah* 1.7 61. 1. and 2. verses, as we have it recorded, Luke 4. 18. and applying it to the people at Nazareth; he gave them so much searching Doctrine and Use from it, that (as many of our hearers) some wondered, others were filled with wrath, none scoffed at his handling the Text so well, or that he had made so good matter of it, but they bare him witness, &c. Let R. F. or his Reader for him, peruse Mark 12. 26. and see if he dare condemn our Lord for raising the Doctrine of the Resurrection, from the words to Moses, I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Ja∣cob; let him read the Reason to demonstrate these words, as a proof of the Resurrection, ver. 27. He is not the God of the dead, but the God of the living; let him minde the Use of confutation, Ye therefore do greatly erre: Or, let him read Christs Sermon upon the mount, Mat. 5. &c. and see if he gives not Reasons for the Beatitudes, or blessed state of the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, &c. and the Ʋses of all, ver. 12. Rejoyce and be exceeding glad; with the Motives, For great is your reward in heaven, for so persecuted they the Prophets, &c. Let him read Chap. 7. ver. 1. The Point, Judge not; the Reasons, 1. That ye be not judged. 2. With what judgement ye judge, ye shall be judged; The Tryal, ver. 3, 4, 5. which amounts to thus much, That he passeth not right judgement abroad, who begins not first at home, but lets the beam continue in his brothers eye. Let him read the book of Ecclesiastes, and observe how Solomon first takes it up as his Text, Chap. 1. 2. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity; agreeable to that in Job 15. 31. and thence collects his main Point, Happiness is not to be obtained by any thing under the Sun, which he proveth all along the Book; and then winds up with the general Ʋse of all, Chap. 12. 13, 14. Fear God, and keep his command∣ments; with the Motive, For God shall bring every work into judgement, &c. even R. F. his censuring, and dispara∣ging of this kinde of teaching, whether it be good, or whe∣ther

it be evil. Let him read Acts 8. 35. and he shall finde Philip beginning at the Scripture out of Isa. 53. 7, 8. (which the Eunuch was a reading) and preached unto him, Jesus, not without Reason, and Ʋses; nor Motive, that the Eunuch might believe Christ exhibited in the flesh; and Tryal, whe∣ther he did believe or no, as appears by the sequel of the story. Let him read Acts 10. 34. and there he may finde the Apostle Peter taking a Verse, or part of it, out of Deut. 10. 17. God is no respecter of persons; there is his Point already raised to his hand; the instance and proof at hand also, Cornelius and his company, (of the Gentiles) himself at least, with his house, already believers, and fearing God; The Reason of Gods irrespective dispensation, ver. 36. The Gospel of grace, and grace of the Gospel, is free to all, Jew or Gentile, by Jesus Christ; The Ʋse, ver. 43. Whosoever believeth on him shall receive remission of sins. Or let him read Pauls Epistles a little better, and he shall meet with plenty of Motives, Tryals, Points, Reasons and Ʋses, as paterns for our Sermons: In every Epistle we have the Doctrinal part, and the Applicatory part; instance we but in that to the Romans, Chap. 1. ver. 2. Paul writeth (as he preached) no other Gospel of God, but what he had pro∣mised afore by his Prophets in the holy Scriptures. The great Point of the Gospel, which the Apostle holds forth eminently in that Epistle, is the Doctrine of Justification.

1. Negatively, not by the works of the Law, (written in the heart, or in the Book) for all are sinners against it, Gen∣tiles, Chap. 1. and Jews as Gentiles, Chap. 2. and part of the third; and thence he concludeth, Chap. 3. 20. That by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified: But,

2. Affirmatively, By faith in Jesus Christ, and his righte∣ousness, the price of a sinners redemption, Chap. 4, and 5. The great Ʋse of this is, Chap. 6. 1. Therefore we are not to continue in sin, &c. Another Point floweth from the for∣mer, viz. of the necessity of Sanctification; and the inse∣parable connexion of it, with a justified state, though it is no ingredient to constitute a justified person. Chap. 6. and 7. are full of spiritual Reason, in the asserting of the neces∣sary presence of holiness, in every believer, although sin be

present in the same heart, warring and fighting, the believer must abide the conflict. Of both the Points, viz. of Justifi∣cation and Sanctification, the Apostle makes singular Ʋse, Chap. 8. for consolation of believers, both against sin, and sufferings: Against sin, in respect of the guilt, that is con∣demned and abolished; in respect of in-dwelling corrupti∣on, that reigns not, though it remains; against suffer∣ings and afflictions, they shall all work to good, shall not separate from the love of Christ, &c. A third main Point is touching Election and Rejection, (in Chapters 9, 10, 11.) of whom the Lord pleased (before good or evil was in them) to chuse, or pass by, as a Potter, who hath power over his clay, &c. leaving it as a depth not to be far waded into, but swim over it we may, with the arms of faith and admiration. And of all this Gospel-doctrine (and what dependeth thereupon) he makes the Ʋses from Chap. 12. to the end of the Epistle; exhorting unto Holiness toward God, Righteousness toward men, Chap. 13. Love to the Saints, and to all men, Chap. 14. and 15. calling, &c. for the practice of all the duties of the Moral Law▪ and that by way of Motive, Chap. 12. 1. By the mercies of God (justifying, sanctifying mercy, the mercy of God, in calling and glori∣fying, according to eternal predestination) I beseech you, &c. And by way of Tryal, Chap. 15. 14. I am perswaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, &c. Chap. 16. 17. I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions, and offences, contrary to the Doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. If this suffice not, let R. F. (who must be tryed and judged by the Scripture) read any of Pauls Sermons mentioned in the Acts, or pitch upon that, Chap. 13. ver. 15. The Apostle (he will finde) after the reading of the Law and the Prophets, was desired to say on; The Scripture-Text was laid as the foundation, the Jews expect (as all their true Prophets and Teachers, since God gave his written word, were wont) he should build upon that foundation, and say on; neither do his work beside it, nor without it, but say on; as if they had thus exprest themselves, We have the whole Scripture, and every part of it as the Doctrine, improve it now, give us a

word of Exhortation for our use and improvement. Paul doth both, he preacheth upon the Point of Gods dispensa∣tion to his people Israel of old; and of the promise made to David of a seed; and of Christs death and resurrection (the accomplishment of that promise;) he proves Christs resurrection by Reason, as by Scripture, because Christ saw no corruption in the grave, ver. 37. and was seen many days of them which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, &c. ver. 31. He preacheth the Doctrine of Justification, by re∣mission of sins, to all that believe, ver. 38. and from all, makes Ʋse, to call them to faith in Christ; and ver. 40. to cau∣tion, and warn them (who did not believe) lest that come upon them, which is written in the Prophets; (a Motive from the Scripture) Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, &c. Such an Ʋse I wish R. F. and his followers, and leaders, may make of all this discovery of Scripture-warrant, (which himself called for) for raising Points, Reasons, Ʋses, &c. Let him beware of despising such a way of teaching, by which God hath wrought wonders upon the mindes and consciences of men, to their conviction, conversion, conso∣lation, &c. If R. F. had ever known experimentally, and savingly, the power of Sermons, by Doctrines, Reasons, and Ʋses from Scripture, or had felt the force of Gospel as Le∣gal Motives, and soul-searching Tryals, would he have put me or any man upon justifying this practice? surely his own heart and conscience might have been a witness for the truth, and not his pen a scoffer against it. I pity such men in the North, as South, who either have not heard, or regard not to hear some Boanerges, or other; some plain, power∣ful Perkins, Rogers, Hooker, Price, Preston, Bolton, or other, to pronounce the word Damnation in their ears, that it may echo in their consciences. Let R. F. and his brethren, attend to what I say, He that believeth not our Points soundly rai∣sed from Scripture, I must tell him from Christ, he shall be damned. He that stands not convinced by our Reasons from Scripture, will lose his reasonable soul and perish. He that despiseth our Ʋses deduced from Scripture-doctrine and Scripture-reason, will inevitably be ruined. He that is not moved by Scripture-motives, is a man of a cauterized con∣science,

and will be shut up in the lowest prison. He that declineth Scripture-tryals, shall (will he, nill he) be judged and condemned according to the Scripture. What will be∣come then of R. F. his bold daring words that follow? Therefore against you, and such deceivers as profess Scri∣ptures to be your rule, and act contrary to them, we declare, and against you testifie, but as words of wind, that vanish like smoke out of the bottomless pit: no fruits of the Spi∣rit can I finde in all this their Self-justification, with their Scripture and Self-contradiction.

Section 28.

HƲmility and Love are precious fruits of the Spirit, which they pretend to own, (as I noted) but this I desired might be observed withal; they deny common courtesie to equals, and due outward respect to superiors; and I may adde, while they call for it to be given to inferi∣ors, (such as themselves most of them are) And if they say they honor all in their hearts, who will believe them, till it hath power to express it self outwardly in words, and ge∣stures of honor and of love▪ which, doing nothing unseemly, will do what is comely and honorable? With an Exhorta∣tion to love, the Apostle stirs up to humility and common courtesie, 1 Pet. 5. 5. and Chap. 3. 8. Be subject one to an∣other; be clothed with humility, i. e. in minde and conver∣sation, as in apparel: Love as brethren, &c. be courteous. Peter learnt this of his Master, who was loving, and lowly in spirit and carriage; bowed to the feet of his servants, even to wash them, John 13. and spake with words of en∣treaty, where he might have commanded; Luke 5. 3. entring into Simons ship, he prayed him that he would thrust out a little from the land.

R. F. hath nothing to salve their Contradiction, unless it be this * 1.8, (for a flourish, to skin it over, not to cure the wound) As for your forms of deceit, we deny, but a form of sound words the Scripture doth justifie, being spoken by the Spirit of truth, which we own: and now the time is come, that deceivers, and such as you are, cannot endure sound Doctrine,

but utters your folly, to make your selves manifest; and what generation you are of, even of him, whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish, 2 Thes. 2. 2 Pet. 2.

Rep. I leave all this, with the former, to the judgement of the intelligent Reader, and of the righteous Lord; onely I advertise, that he may refer (in these words) to Section 26. as to this in hand, and then by our forms of deceit, he mean∣eth our putting off the Hat; and against that, we must set their putting off the Hat-band; and by their form of sound words, he must be construed of Thou and Thee; and I still leave it to the Lords judgement, where deceit is harbored and acted; where Humility and Love is lodged, and at what Sign it dwells, good men may, in time, understand by Scri∣pture-marks; this for one, 1 Cor. 11. 16. If any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the Churches of God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Page 29.
• * 1.2

  Fruits of th•• flesh in ma•• called Qu¦kers.
• * 1.3

  Page 29.
• * 1.4

  R••turn, or Reply to the Priests about Beverley by R Farnworth, pag. 8.
• * 1.5

  Teaching by doctrine, Rea∣son, use, mo∣tive, tryals, justified by plain Scri∣pture.
• * 1.6

  1. Demon strati∣ons.
• * 1.7

  2. Instances.
• * 1.8

  Page 29.