{Second Part 1}
The SECOND PART
OF THE
Christian-Quaker,
Distinguished from the
APOSTATE & INNOVATOR, &c.
CHAP. I.
The Introduction
Wherein is manifested, That there is but One Way, whereby the things appertaining to the Kingdom of God, and Salvation of Mankind come to be revealed, though the Manifestation thereof seems various.
In the first part of the Christian-Quaker, distinguish’d from the Apostate and Innovator; Several Subjects are treated on relative to the matter intended: Viz. To manifest a part of those things, touching which the Faithful were at Unity, and by what Ways and Means the Unity came to be broken, &c.
And now that every Reader, who is desirous to be informed, in these Dividing Times, what those Children of Light (unto whom the Lord hath revealed of the Mysteries of his Kingdom) own, with respect to the other Doctrines, {Second Part 2} and Practices, whereon little or no occasion is taken to treat in the First Part, it is at this time upon us to add a farther testimony to the Ancient Truth, according as the Lord in his Mercy hath, through the Appearance of his Son Christ, by his Light (or Manifestation of his Grace) and Testimony of his Faithful Servants in the Scriptures of truth, opened; wherein our intent is not to treat largely on every Subject, because the ensuing Discourse is Chiefly to manifest, What a remnant stand for, who (being faithful unto their first principle) cannot in a temporizing spirit change their way.
The Desires and Breathings of our Souls unto God, are, that every Reader may be serious and unprejudiced in the perusal of this our Testimony, and then we do not doubt but ‘twil be reaching unto the Consciences of such, as that which is not inconsisting with the Testimonies given forth by Inspiration (recorded in the Scriptures of Truth) and spirit of God, or Appearance of Christ by his Light (which is that by which the Lord doth see, and is seen in the Conscience) where with every man coming into the world is lighted; for that the Lord by his spirit hath opened, that there is not any other way, by which all things relating unto the Kingdom of God, and Salvation of mankind comes to be revealed, and this appears agreeable to the Scriptures of truth, John 14.26. 2 Cor. 4.2,3,4,5,6,7. 2 Tim. 3.15,16.
We are now sensible, that some, who may peruse the foregoing Scriptures, may be ready thus to say, You seem to propound two ways by which the things appertaining to the Kingdom of God, and Salvation of Mankind have been, and are revealed, viz. the Spirit of Truth or Appearance of Christ by his Light, as One Way; and the Scriptures of Truth as Another Way.
To this we answer, The Way we propose is but One, (though the Manifestation thereof may seem various to {Second Part 3} Man;) viz. Sometimes through Instruments, and sometimes through Himself: For though Paul wrote unto Timothy (unto whom he was made an Instrument, and therefore called him his Son) telling him, That the holy Scriptures were able to make him wise 1 unto Salvation; and that they were profitable for Doctrine, for re proof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; yet ‘tis spoken with respect to those Scriptures, that are given forth by inspiration of God, and with this limitation, viz. Throw the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Where on we observe, that the Scriptures given forth by inspiration, are but as an Instrument made serviceable to the Reader through the Spirit, whereby faith in Christ comes to be raised; even as a Man indeed with the Spirit of God, may in the hand of the Lord be an Instrument through sound Doctrine, and wholsom exhortation, to open the inward Eye of the Mind (which hath been darkened) and to awaken the Conscience (which hath been defiled;) that so man may come to be renewed in the spirit of his Mind unto God, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Conscience purified from Dead works through the blood of the Covenant, to serve the Lord in Truth, and Righteousness; and therefore we reasonably conclude, That there is but One way (though various in Operation and Manifestation) through which the Things appertaining to the Kingdom of God, and Salvation of Mankind comes to be revealed, which is by the powerful appearance of Christ by his spirit and light, convicting the Conscience, converting and renewing the Mind unto God; sometimes through Scriptures given forth by inspiration, sometimes through Man as an Instrument, and sometimes by the appearance of the Spirit and Light in Man, without the Assistance of such Instruments: but yet the end of all is, that Faith in Christ may be raised; wherein (as the Evidence of things not seen {Second Part 4} by the Carnal Eye) the Light of the Knowledge of the Glory of God, in the face of Jesus Christ, is beheld, which is that Treasure, whereof the Apostle spoke, that is hid in our Earthen Vessels, that the excellency of the Power might be of God, and not of man.
These things being duly considered, this Testimony doth naturally arise, that neither the Scriptures of Truth, nor any other writings whatsoever (though given forth by the Spirit of God itself) can properly be termed so profitable a Rule unto us, as the Light and Spirit from which they were given forth; and therefore the Eye of the Mind ought chiefly to be unto the Spiritual Appearance of Christ by his Light, and Spirit in us, as the Unerring Guide, which never can be removed into a corner.
Besides, we find the Scripture itself testifying, That no Prophecy of the Scripture is of any Private interpretation;2 that is, it ought not to be interpreted but by the Holy Ghost, through whose motions ‘twas given forth, for all other interpretations may truly be termed Private.
From whence we observe, that if the Prophecies in the Scriptures of Truth should be read unto us from Morning to Evening, and from Evening to Morning again, we might receive little Benefit or Profit thereby, unless the Eye of our Mind come to be stayed in the Unchangeable Light, and the Spirit of God, whereby the meaning of the spirit through them (out of all Private Interpretations) hath been and is signified unto Man.
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