OF

TO THE READER.

SINCE it hath pleased the Lord to work in my soul by his Holy Spirit, and hath translated me in some measure from darkness to light, I have seen and heard that such things have been done by those who did once pretend themselves to be the servants of Jesus Christ, that it hath made me marvel; partly, while I have beheld the vile conversation of some, and also the seeming legal holiness of others, together with their damnable doctrine, which have, notwithstanding their professions, made shipwreck of the faith, both to themselves and their followers. I having had some insight into such things as these, was provoked to publish a small treatise touching the fundamentals of religion, supposing that God might add his blessing thereto, both for the establishing of some and the convincing of others, which things I doubt not but they have been accomplished, and will be still more and more. But as it was in former days, so it is now-that is, some in all former ages have been on foot in the world ready to oppose the truth; so it is now, there are certain men newly started up in our days called quakers, who have set themselves

against the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and do in very deed deny that salvation was then obtained by him when he did hang on the cross without Jerusalem's gate. Now these men do pretend that they do verily and truly profess the Lord Jesus Christ; but when it comes to the trial, and their principles be thoroughly weighed, the best that they do is to take one truth and corrupt it, that they may thereby fight more stoutly against another; as, for instance, they will own that salvation was obtained by Christ; this is truth, that salvation was obtained by Christ; but come close to the thing, and you will find that they corrupt the word, and only mean thus much, --that salvation is wrought out by Christ as he is within; and by it, though not warranted by the scripture, they will fight against the truthnamely, that salvation was obtained for sinners by the man that did hang on the cross on Mount Calvary between two thieves, called Jesus Christ; I say, by what he did then for sinners in his own person or body, which he took from the Virgin Mary, according to the Word of God.

2. They will own the doctrine of Christ within. This is truth, that Christ is within his saints. But this doctrine they will take to fight against

the doctrine of Christ without, ascended from his disciples into heaven, by whom salvation was obtained, "neither is there salvation in any other," Acts, iv. 12.

3. They will own the resurrection of the saints; but their meaning is only thus much, that the saints are raised from the state of nature to a state of grace, and herewith they will fight against this truth-namely, the resurrection of the bodies of saints out of their graves, into which they were laid, some thousands, some hundreds of years before. And if they do say they do own the resurrection of the saints out of their graves, they do mean, out of the grave of sin only, and nothing else.

4. They will say they do own the second coming of Christ to judge the world; but search them to the bottom, and you will find them only to own him in his coming in Spirit within, in opposition to the glorious coming of the Lord Jesus the Son of Mary from heaven in the clouds, with all his mighty angels, to raise the dead, and bring them to judgment, according to the scripture. And so for the intercession of Christ, and the truths of the gospel, they only own them to be within, in opposition to the glorious intercession and mediation of the man Christ Jesus in his own person without, now in the presence of his Father, between us and him, pleading and making intercession for his children. These things, together with many more, I might mention, but now I forbear, knowing that none shall be lost, nor altogether carried away by them, nor any heretics, but the sons of perdition. Now that they might the better make their doctrine take place in the hearers, they endeavour to make a fair show in the flesh, that thereby they might now, as did their fathers in time past, compel and constrain them who are not by the Lord's right hand planted into the truth of Jesus to follow their covered errors, as it is written, Gal. vi. 12, "For as many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh," that is, according to works of the law," do with good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple," Rom. xvi. 18. And indeed it doth clearly appear that those that are carried away are such as are not able to discern between fair speeches declared by heretics, and sound doctrine declared by the simple-hearted servants of Jesus.

Now I shall lay down several grounds, not only why errors are broached in the world, but also why so many are carried away with

them.

1. One ground why so many errors do from time to time come into the world is, because those that are not indeed of the planting of the Lord's right hand might be rooted out, Matt. xv. 13. Now these are many times carried away by deceivable doctrines. And truly in this our God hath both a care of his own glory and of his church's welfare; for, first, should they not be swept away by some heresy or other, there might be great dishonour brought to his name by their continuing among his people; and, secondly, that he might take away such grievances as such may bring had they continued still in the society of his children.

*These things I am an ear-witness to.

2. Another ground why the Lord doth suffer such errors to come into the world is, because those that are Christians indeed might be approved and appear-1 Cor. xi. 19, for there must be heresies among you, that those that are approved may be made manifest." Should not the Lord go this way to work sometimes, there would be many that would make people believe that they are Christians, and yet are not. And again, that he might make it appear that though there be heretics, yet he hath a people, enabled by his Spirit to contradict and oppose them, and plead to the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ and his glorious gospel against them.

3. Another ground why the Lord doth suffer, yea, even send delusions among the people is, that those who were so idle and slothful as not to seek after the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity might be taken away, and violently possessed with error, and be made to run greedily after the same, that they might smart the more for their neglect of the truth; for always those who were lazy in seeking after the truth when it was proffered, and afterwards hasty after the doctrine of devils when that is declared to them, shall be sure to have their latter behaviour to rise up in judgment against them, in that when the truth was proffered to them they were idle and did not receive it, and yet when delusion did proffer itself they were industrious and labouring. Now mark, "that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness; because they received not the truth in the love of it, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they might believe a lie, and be damned," 2 Thess. ii. 10-12.

Now, in the second place, why so many are so easily carried away with errors in this day; the grounds are these that follow

1. Because men count it enough to be professors of the truth, without seeking to be possessors of the same. Now, because men are but only professors of the truth, not having it in their hearts in reality, they are carried away with an error, if it come in never so little power more than the truth they profess. And this is the reason why so many are carried away with the errors that are broached in these days, because they have not indeed received the Lord Jesus by the revelation of the Spirit and with power, but by the relation of others only ; and so having no other witness to set them down withal but the history of the Word, and the relation of others concerning the truths contained therein, (though the knowledge of the truth this way shall abundantly aggravate their damnation,) yet they having not had the Spirit of the Lord to confirm these things effectually unto them, they are carried away with delusions.

2. Another reason why so many are carried away with delusions is, those differences that are among the children of God about smaller matters. O friends! how is the hand of the enemy strengthened by our carnality; while one saith, "I am of Paul," and another, "I am of Apollos," many a poor soul is carried away with delusion. And why so? They are not satisfied that this is the truth, because the children are at difference

among themselves about some outward things. And again, it makes those that are not so desperately possessed with a spirit of delusion as are others, but are mere moral men, I say it makes them to say within themselves, and one to another, There are so many sects and judgments in the world that we cannot tell which way to take. And therefore, you that have the Spirit, pray that these things may cease, lest you blush for your folly at the appearing of Jesus our Lord.

3. The pride, covetousness, and impiety of hypocrites and carnal professors are great stumbling-blocks to the poor world, and the cause why many at this day do drink down so greedily a deluding doctrine, and especially if it come with a garment of pretended holiness. But as for these, they shall go to their place in their time, with the curse of the Almighty poured out upon them, for their casting of stumbling-blocks before the simple by their loose conversations, if they do not hastily repent of their wickedness, and close in reality with our blessed Lord Jesus.

4. Another reason why delusions do so easily take place in the hearts of the ignorant is, because those that pretend to be their teachers do behave themselves so basely among them. And indeed I may say of these as our Lord said of the Pharisees in another case, All the blood of the ignorant from the beginning of the world shall be laid to the charge of this generation. They that pretend they are sent of the Lord, and come, saying, Thus saith the Lord; we are the servants of the Lord; our commission is from the Lord, by succession, and the like; I say, these pretending themselves to be the preachers of truth, but are not, do by their loose conversation render the doctrine of God and his Son Jesus Christ, by whom the saints are saved, contemptible, and do give the adversary mighty encouragement to cry out against the truths of our Lord Jesus Christ because of their wicked walking. Now shall not his soul be avenged on such a nation as this, who pretend to be teachers of the people in goodness, when as for the most part of them they are the men that at this day do so harden their hearers in their sins by giving them, even their hearers, such ill examples, that none goeth beyond them for impiety. As for example, Would a parishioner learn to be proud? he or she need look no further than to the priest, his wife, and family; for there is a notable pattern before them. Would the people learn to be wanton? they may also see a pattern among their teachers. Would they learn to be drunkards? they may also have that from some of their ministers; for indeed they are ministers in this, to minister ill example to their congregations. Again; would the people learn to be covetous? they need but look to their minister, and they shall have a lively, or rather a deadly, resemblance set before them, in both riding and running after great benefices and parsonages by night and by day. Nay, they among themselves will scramble for the same. I have seen that so soon as a man hath but departed from his benefice, as he calls it, either by death, or out of covetousness of a bigger, we have had one priest from this town, and another from that, so run for these tithe-cocks and hand

fuls of barley, as if it were their proper trade and calling to hunt after the same. O wonderful impiety and ungodliness! are you not ashamed of your doings? If you say, no; it is, perhaps, because you are given over of God to a reprobate mind. Read Romans, i., towards the end; as it was with them, so, it is to be feared, it is with many of you, "who knowing the judgments of God, that they who do such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have (as I may so say) pleasure also in them that do them." And now, you that pretend to be the teachers of the people in verity and truth, though we know that some of you are not, is it a small thing with you to set them you say are your flock such an example as this? Were ever the Pharisees so profane, to whom Christ said, "Ye vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell ?" Doth not the ground groan under you? Surely, it will favour you no more than it favoured your forerunners. Certainly, the wrath of God lies heavy at your doors, it is but a very little while, and your recompence shall be upon your own head.* And as for you that are indeed of God among them, though not of them, separate yourselves. Why should the righteous partake of the same plagues with the wicked? O ye children of the harlot! I cannot well tell how to have done with you, your stain is so odious, and you are so senseless, as appears by your practices. But I shall at this time for bear, having in some measure discharged my conscience according to the truth against you, hoping, if God do give me opportunity, and a fair call, that I shall a second time in this world give testimony against your filthy conversations, though now I shall say no more, only thus much-Be ashamed of your earthly-mindedness, if you can, and be converted, or else you shall never be healed.

Here might I also aggravate your sin by its several circumstances, but I shall rather forbear, supposing that you may entertain wrong and harsh thoughts of me, though I have spoken the truth; therefore I shall at this time rather keep silence, and wish you to amend, than to rake in your sores; for thereby would your stink go more abroad in the world. Therefore, I say, I forbear. And now to the reader; I beseech thee to have a care of thy soul, and look well to the welfare of it. And that you may do so, have a care what doctrine it is that thou receivest. not contented until thou in deed and in truth, in the light of the Spirit of Christ, see thy sins washed away in the blood of that Lamb who did offer up himself a ransom on the cross on Mount Calvary for the sins of thy soul and body, together with the rest of the saints of God.

Be

And let not the legal holiness of the one, nor the loose, profane conversation of the other, beat thee off from pursuing after the truths of Jesus, as the truth is in Jesus, and so laid down in this my discourse; neither let the plausibleness of the other beguile thy simple heart. And now to you that are carried away with the delusions at this day broached in the world by the instru

* Read Ezek. xiii., the whole chapter, and you will find it as it were a looking glass by which thou mayst notably see them with their marks and discoveries.

ments of Satan, and that after a profession of the truth; I say to you, Turn again, if you can, peradventure there may be hope, and that you may escape that wrath which justly you have deserved. But if you shall still refuse the Lord that speaks now from heaven in mercy to you, you shall not hereafter escape the Lord that in his own time will speak to you in his wrath, and vex you in his sore displeasure.

And now a few words to you that have indeed closed in with the Lord Jesus Christ the Son of Mary, and they are these that follow - First, Be of good cheer, all your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake, 1 John, ii. 12.

2. Know," he that hath begun the good work of his grace in you will perfect it even to the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ," Phil. i. 6.

3. Know that though your Lord Jesus, who is in you by his Spirit, be absent from you touching his bodily presence, yet he is not forgetful of you, but is preparing a place for you, John, xiv. 1-3. 4. Consider that he is also at this very present in his very person in the presence of his Father now in the heavens, praying and making intercession for you, that you may be brought safe to glory-Heb.vii. 25, “Father, I will (saith he) that those that thou hast given me may be where I am, that they may behold my glory," John,

xvii. 25.

5. Know also that he hath overcome in his own person, when he was in the world, devil, death, sin, hell, the curse of the law, the power of the grave, and all other evils, in the body of his flesh for you, Heb. ii. 14.

6. Believe also that while you are in the world all things shall fall out for your good at the end, whether they be temptations, doctrines of devils, workings of corruptions, all things shall fall out for your good who love our precious Lord Jesus, Rom. viii. 28.

7. Be assured that all your enemies shall very suddenly be under your feet, even Satan and all, Rom. xvi. 20.

8. Consider that there shall no temptation befal you in the days of your pilgrimage but God will enable you to bear it; ay, and make a way also for you to escape the destroying danger of it, 1 Cor. x. 13.

9. When the time of your dissolution shall come, your Jesus will deal with you as he did with blessed Lazarus-that is, he will send his angels to fetch your souls away to glory, Luke,

xvi. 23.

10. Believe also, and know assuredly, that at the last day he will also raise your bodies out of their graves, and make them also for ever vessels of his glory, Rom. viii. 23, compared with John, v. 28 ; 1 Thess. iv. 1419.

11. And, lastly, consider that though now by the world and heretics you be counted as not worth the looking after, yet you have your day a coming, when as the Dives's of this and all other ages would be glad if they might have but the least favour from you, one drop of cold water on the tip of your fingers. O you despised, begging Lazaruses, (as in Luke, xvi. 24;) for the world, for all their stoutness, must be forced to come to judgment before your Lord and you, 1 Cor.

Now, seeing that these things be so, I beseech you by (those) the mercies of God, that you do give up your bodies, as hands, tongue, strength, health, wealth, and all that you have and are, to the service of God, your God, Rom. xii. 1.

2. "Let your moderation in everything be known to all men, (for) the Lord is at hand, " Phil. iv. 5.

3. Study to walk as like the Lord Jesus Christ as ever you can for your lives, Matt. xi. 29.

4. Let that you strive for be the faith of the gospel of your precious Lord Jesus, (Phil. i. 27,) and not any earthly advantages.

5. "Let your conversation be as becometh the gospel," Phil. i. 27.

6. Let your hearts be always in heaven, where our Lord Jesus is, Col. iii. 1-3.

7. Forbear and forgive one another, in love, and with all your hearts, as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you, Ephes. v. 2.

8. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven," Matt. v. 16.

9. You are the salt of the earth, have a care you lose not your savour, Matt. v. 13.

10. Be forward to distribute to those that are in want, for this is well-pleasing to your most glorious loving Father, Heb. xiii. 16.

11. Learn all one of another the things that are good, for this is the command of God, and also commendable in saints, Phil. iii. 17.

What!

12. And, lastly, O brethren, consider what the Lord hath done for you; he hath bought you, and paid for you with his blood, and he doth now also make it his business to pray for your safe conduct to glory, Heb. vii. 25. He hath delivered you from those that would have been your ruin, and hath promised to you everlasting life. Let the love of Christ constrain you, let the love of God win upon your souls. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all; how shall he not with him freely give us all things." Hold out, my brethren, hold out; for you have but a little while to run; hold fast unto the death, and Christ will give you a crown of life, Rev. ii. 10. Farewell, dear brethren; the mighty God of Jacob preserve and deliver you from every evil work; and all the days of our pilgrimage let us pray one for another that our God would count us worthy of this rich and glorious calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power, to whom be glory

now and ever.

And now, reader, before I make an end of this discourse, I think it meet to let thee understand that though there hath been a book put forth by Edward Borrough, in seeming opposition to that of mine, called "Some Gospel Truths opened according to the Scripture," yet the substance of my discourse then published by me standeth uncontrolled by scripture as from him or others. I do not say he doth not wrangle with them, but I say he doth not by any one plain scripture contradict them.

As, for instance, the first great thing that I do hold forth in that discourse is this-That that

babe that was born of the Virgin Mary, and that at that time did give satisfaction for sin, was the very Christ of God, and not a type of anything afterward to be revealed for the obtaining redemption for sinners within them; which thing my adversary can find no ground in scripture to build an opposition upon, (see his book, p. 12 ;) but is forced to confess it in word, though he do deny the very same in doctrine, (see his book, p. 29, at his sixth query.) And p. 27, where in answer to this question of mine-Why did the man Christ hang on the cross on Mount Calvary? all the answer he gives is this-Because they wickedly judged him to be a blasphemer; and as in their account, saith he, he died as an evil doer. And this is all the ground he giveth. See his answer to my second query in this my book, taken word for word as he laid them down.

2. The next thing I do prove in that book is, that that light which every one hath is not the Spirit of Christ, because the scripture saith, some have it not, Jude. 19. But Edward Borrough saith, it is given to every one, (p. 18 of his book ;) and he saith they have it within them too, (p. 26 of his book,) in answer to my first question, though he have no scripture to confirm the same, as I have had to contradict it, (see his book.)

3. The next thing I prove is, that Jesus Christ did fulfil the law in his own person without us for justification, and that his blood then shed hath washed away the sins of the children of God, as aforesaid; which thing he would oppose, but finds no footing for his discourse. See his book, p. 12, where he saith, The law is not fulfilled (read the latter end of that page) contrary to scripture, Col. ii. 14; Rom. x. 4, which saith, "He did fulfil all the law for justification for every one that believeth." Another thing I prove in that book is, that Christ is ascended into that heaven without, above the clouds and stars; and that I prove by eight several scripture demonstrations, of which not one is confuted by scripture, though secretly in his book smitten

against. Read his whole book.

4. The next thing I prove is, that the same Jesus that was born of Mary, laid in the manger, who is the Saviour, is at this day making intercession in that body he then took of Mary; which thing also is not confuted by him by the scripture, though cunningly smitten against in

his discourse where he saith, it is only necessary to salvation to preach Christ within, laying aside all that Christ did when he was in his own person in the world. See p. 29 of his book, query 6.

5. Another truth I prove is, that the very same Jesus that was born of Mary, that very man that was also hanged on the cross, will come the second time, and that shall be to save his children and to judge the world at the last day, that great day of judgment. And though they will not own that he shall so come as he went away, which was a very man without, yet they could not at all by the scripture contradict it. But the very sum of his discourses is a wrangling with the thing laid down, as a dog with a bone, but hath not, nor cannot, by scripture overcome the same. This I have written, that the reader into whose hand this book may come may have the more certain information concerning the things before published by me, and also concerning the opposition made against them by the adversary. And here, because I am loath to be too tedious, I do conclude, and desire thy prayers to God for me, if thou be a Christian, that I may not only be preserved to the end in the faith of Jesus, but that God would enable me to be an earnest contender for the same even to the last, and rest, the servant of the Lord Jesus, JOHN BUNYAN.

READER,

WE, whose names are here underwritten, having, through grace, some blessed faith and experience of the truths declared in this book, and knowing them so to be, having tried them by the Scriptures in the light of the Spirit, thought it our duty to bear witness thereunto, together with our brother, desiring the blessing of God may go along with these endeavours of his for the doing good to our Christian brethren, or any other who may read it. Farewell. Yours in the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, for which faith we desire to contend,

RICHARD SPENCLY. JOHN BURTON. JOHN CHILD.