We also believe, the Holy Scriptures contain a clear Teftimony to all the Effentials of the Chriftian Faith; that they are the only fit outward Judge of Controverly among Chriftians; that whatever Doctrine is contrary unto their Teftimony may therefore be justly rejected as falfe; and that whatsoever any do, pretending to the Spirit, which is contrary to the Scriptures, ought to be accounted a Delu-, fion of the Devil, for 'tis impoffible that the Spirit of GOD, which we believe all Chriftians fhould be led by, fhould contradict it felf, or any of its former Revelations in the Holy Scriptures: Hence, we are far from equalling, much lefs preferring, our Suppolitions, Speeches, Pretences, Writings, Acts or Facts to the facred Writings, that we fubmit all to them, as the only fit outward Judge of Controverfy. See R. Barclay Wherefore our Sermons, and Practical Difcourfes are moftly deliver'd in Scripture-Stile, (c. d.) conftantly confirmed by the Sacred Text, never proved by Authorities of our own Writers, which, tho' produced in this Tract, is with Delign to obviate a common Objection, that our Antient Friends were neither Orthodox, nor of the fame Opinion with us now in Being. Wherefore I have collected and compared them to fhew not only their Harmony, but the Agreement of both, with the Holy Text. And if at any time a Paper from any Friend be read publickly, 'tis gene rally in Meetings for Difcipline about the Affairs of the Church, and rarely in thofe for Divine Worship, and then either before, or after, by way of Advertisement to fuch, who meet not at thofe Meetings appointed for Difcipline; even as in moft places of Worthip fome Religious Acts of Parliament, &c. at certain Times are appointed and read publickly; as that against Profane Swearing, Swearing, Sabbath-breaking, &c. And the Paper that I have oftnest heard read in publick, is against loofe and difor derly Walking abroad on the first Day of the Week, and an earnest Exhortation, and hearty Recommendation to the conftant and diligent Reading the Holy Scriptures, as the best of Books, which we account one Religious Act of Family Duty: Tho' Publick Worship, in this Evangelical Difpenfation, is a more Inward and Spiritual Exercife of the Mind towards GOD; ac cording to our LORD's Inftitution, John iv. 24. They that worship the Father muft worship him in Spirit and Truth. And even, according to the Queritt's own Definition of Spiritual Worship; § 6. which con fifts in thofe honourable adoring Thoughts of GOD; and thofe devout Inclinations and Affections towards him, which by the Affiftance of the Holy SPIRIT, are excited in our Minds, &c. That the Spirit (without the leaft Affront to Holy Scripture) is the primary and most general Guide and Rule of Faith and Practice is plain, becaufe it was, 1. The Rule of the Patriarchs before Scrip ture was. 2. The Rule of the Infpired Pen-men, because they wrote, as they were moved by the HOLY GHOST: 3. By this we are enabled to understand the great Myfteries therein contain'd, and without it, they are a Sealed Book. 4. "Tis this Spirit alfo that confirms the Truth and Certainty of the Holy Scriptures to us, and will to all fucceeding Generations. Wherefore feeing the Apoftle affures us, As many as are the Sons of GOD, Rom. viii. 14. are led by the Spirit of GOD. 'Tis of abfolute Neceffity for all that would have an Infallible Guide to Salvation, 16. to attend the Guiding of this Spirit, which only can In infallibly Witness to their Spirits, that they are the Children of GOD. The Infallibility then, or Certainty (e) in Divine Matters, not Omniscience in us, we attribute, and ever did, to the Manifeftation of the True Light, and certain Reve lation of the Spirit of Truth, which leads into all Truth; all and only those who attend unto, and obey the infallibile Dictates thereof, and not to our felves, or any elfe, not a jót further, or a minute longer, than we are taught by the Bleffed Spirit of GOD, to whom we afcribe Ómniscience, and an Abfolute Infalli bility, but to us only a Conditional Infallibillity fo far, and no farther than he is pleafed to reveal, and we attend and obey its Certain and Divine Teachings. SCRIPTURE PROOFS. (a) Rom. 15.4, I Cor. 1o. II... ¿ Tim. iii, 15. to 18. F% COR whatfoever Things were written aforetime, were written for our Learning, that we thro' Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures might have Hope. Now all these things happened unto them for Examples} and they are written for our Admonition. And that from a Child, thou hast known the Holy Scriptures; which are able to make thee wife unto Salvation, thro' Faith which is in Chrift Jefus. All Scripture (is) given by Infpiration of God (and) is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Inftruction in Righteoufnefs, that the Man of God may be perfect, throughly furnish'd unto all good Works. 2 Pet. i. 20. 21. Holy Men of God 1 Pet. i. 11. Gen. vi. 3. Knowing this firft, That no Prophecy of the Scripture is of any private Interpretation for the Prophecy came not in old time, (or at any time) by the Will of Man, but fpake, as they were moved by the Holy Ghoft. Searching what or what manner of time the Spirit of Chrift, which was in them, did fignifie when it teftified before hand, the Sufferings of Chrift and the Glory that Should follow. And the Lord faid, My Spirit fhall not always ftrive with Man, for that he alfo is Flefb. The The Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy Mouth and in thy Heart, that thou may ft do it: which the Apostle Paul repeats, Rom. x. 8, and calls the Word of Faith which we Preach &c. Thou gavest alfo thy good Spirit to inftruct them. But they rebelled and vexed his Holy Spirit, therefore he was turned to be their Enemy.. Ofend out thy Light and thy Truth: let them lead me, let them bring me unto thy Holy Hill, and to thy Tabernacles. Weep not: behold, the Lyon of the Tribe of Judah, the Root of David hath prevailed to open the Book, and to loose the feven Seals there of. But all thefe worketh, that one and the felf fame Spirit dividing to every Man feverally as he will. But we will not boast of Things without our Meafure, but according to the Measure of the Rule which GOD hath diftributed to us. Tho' we or an Angel from Heaven preach any other Gospel unto you, than that which we have Preached unto you, let him be accurfed. For the Holy Ghoft fhall teach you in the fame Hour, what ye ought to fay. (e)Lukexii.12. John xiv. 16. 17.26. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. Even the Spirit of Truth, whom the World cannot receive, becaufe it feeth him not, neither knoweth him: But ye know him, for he dwelleth with you, and fhall be in you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghoft, whom the Father will fend in my Name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have faid unto you. Howbeit, when the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into Truth: for he fhall not speak of himself; but whatsoever be fhall bear, that shall be fpeak, and he will fhew you things to come. He hall Glorifie me, for he shall receive John xvi. 13. of mine, and shall fhew it unto you. But ye have an Unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.But the Anointing, which ye have received of Him, abideth in you, and ye need not, that any but as the fame Anointing teacheth you of all Things, and is Lye, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. 14. John2.20.27. Man teach you, Truth, and is no Autho Authorities from our own Writers. W (a) (b) (c) Brief Apology, P. 5, 6. E think it more reasonable and fafe to content our felves with that Drefs of Language, in which the Holy GHOST thought fit to hand them in the Holy Scriptures, thofe moft excellent and divine Writings, which, above all others in the World, challenge our Reverence, and moft diligent Reading thofe Oracles of GOD, and rich Chriftian Treasury of Divine Saving Truths, which were written for our Learning; that we through Patience and Comfort of them, may have Hope, and are profitable for Doctrine. Reproof Correction, and Inftruction in Righteoufnefs, to the perfecting and throughly furnishing of the Man of GOD to every good Work making him wife unto Salvation, through Faith, which is in CHRIST JESUS. containing all Chrifian Doctrines neceffary to be believed for Salvation, and are a fufficient external Standard and Touchstone to try the Doctrines of Men; and we fay. with the Apoftle, whofoever shall publish and propagate other Gofpel and Faith than is therein teftified of to us by thofe infpired Penmen, who were the firft Promulgators thereof, though he were an Angel, let him be accurfed. All which, and whatfoever is therein contained, we as firmly believe as any of you do; and as it is the Duty of every fincere Christian, we are heartily thankful to GOD for them, who, through his good Providence. hath preferved them to our Time, to our great Benefit and Comfort. any William Penn's Works. Vol. II. $.878. יכי Because we affert the Holy Spirit to be the first. great, and general Rule and Guide of true Chriftians; as that by which GOD is worthipped, Sin detected Confcience convicted, Duty manifested, Scripture unfolded and explained; and confequently the Rule for understanding the Scriptures themselves, fince by it they were at first given forth. From hence our Adverfaries are pleafed to make us Blafphemers of the Holy Scriptures, undervaluing their Authority, preferring our own Books before them, with more to that Purpofe: Whereas, we in Truth and Sincerity, believe them to be of Divine Authority given by the Infpiration of GOD, through Holy Men. they peaking or writing them as they were moved by the Holy Ghost that they are a Declaration of thofe Things moft furely believed by the Primitive Chriftians; and that as they contain the Mind and Will of GOD, and are his Com mands to us, fo they in that Respect are his declaratory Word, and therefore are obligatory on us, and are profitable for Doctrine, Reproof |