Page images
PDF
EPUB

Calv. Every thing may be twirled into a whirlwind, when it affects or disturbs our inward man.

Mof. You cannot extricate yourfelves but by giving up the new fcripture and come into my bofom.

Luth. & Calv. We do not know what you would be at; to quit Ifaac for Ishmael, your invitation is ungrateful.

Mof. At all events it is better be fomething than nothing, your prefent condition.

Calv. The fpirit moves me, and will fet forth my promifed fimilitude. We will fuppofe the creation of things vifible and invifible to be this nut; we will fuppofe this creation on the surface as the out-fhell of the nut covered with inhabitants, and but one fmall number through the fword of the spirit had pierced into the inward receffes, or kernel, which, according to the fpirit, is the one then neceffary, or fruit of the fpirit. Would not you think it as defireable a banquet as that of Mafters. Confider things properly; and fhould I be fo happy as to compel you to this fpiritual banquet of Mount Sion, you and all Ifrael have been fo long thirsting after, I fhall think myself intitled to the name of your father and deliverer, in transforming you from a fleshly Ifraelite to a fpiritual Calvinist, the fruit of the spirit.

Mof. I fhould be edified if you will enter fully into the gifts of the fpirit.

Calv. A fpiritual Calvinift, or inward man, is no other than an angel of light; he brings all things under fubjection, and feeds, nourishes

and

and invigorates the liberty and power of the fpirit, by gratifying, palling, filling and fickening the flesh, which teaches, tires, overcomes, and vanquishes the works of the flesh in all its diffembling poftures or vicious habits and unruly defires. Mark this, an enemy is never more fully vanquished than when it is furfeited, as Luther, yourself and I were yesterday with the boar's entrails.

Mof. I understood that an empty stomach was more fit for prayer.

Calv. Your experience will convince you that whatever your fleth covets, more powerfully wars against your fpirit in time of prayer, and will not be gainfaid until your benevolent heart compaffionates and relieves it in order to obtain tranquility of fpirit.

Mof. Suppofe your fleth or outward man fhould oppofe the commandments?

Calv. The fpiritual man acts purely; his motive is celeftial and in no wife comes under the cenfure of the commandments; the law was given to keep the fenfual man in fubjection, bpt not to reftrain the spiritual chriftian.

Mof. For example; fuppofe your defires to quit the body?

Calv. I fhould efteêm and grant its meritorious and angelical wifhes; this we confider greatnefs of foul.

Mof. The act of adultery, fornication, stealing, murder, the breaking of the Sabbath, and other fins ?.

Calo. The whole is comprized in this one word; there is no evil in nature, therefore no fin.

Mof.

Mof. Why was the law?

Calv. To keep the carnal Jew in awe; but this no way interferes with the liberty of the inward man, who has full power over his body, against whom there is no laws. Man is compofed of two parts, the outward and inward. man, which, according to reafon, fhould coincide in friendship with each other. Both forming the complete man, he can in fpirit claim. nothing more, befides food and raiment, and what will keep up harmony within himfelf. By the law, I cannot offend my neighbour, if I do not injure or hurt himself.

Mof. If I have a wife, riches, or other poffeffions, you hold it no injury to poffefs yourfelf of what is mine?

Calv. You can claim nothing your's but yourself. We have an equal right in common to what we brought not in, or will take out of this life.

Mof. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's house. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour's wife, nor bis man fervant, nor his maid fervant, nor his ox, ncr his afs, nor any thing that is thy neighbour's.

Calv. This, and the other commandments are binding to thofe, as you are, under the law; but to new-born chriftians we are a law to ourfelves, and live by the fpirit.

Mof. By the new chriftian law you are free without controul. This is a fleshly liberty not granted either to Jew or chriftian, before your new chriftianity.

Calv. The first chriftian church knew not the liberty of the fpirit, therefore put them

felves under them. This we prove by the different epiftles and maxims, and other writings of the New Teftament and primitive chriftians, they being as yet in their infant ftate; for, according to the courfe of things, time is neceffary to bring matters to a perfect state; first an infant, then a youth, after which the perfect

man.

Mof. Has chriftianity then arrived to her perfect state?

Calv. Without doubt, in us new chriftians. Luth. Moft certainly the Reformation is the candlestic of the fpirit, which gives light to

the world.

Mof. You grant no other branch of chriftendom this advantage but your's.

Luth. & Calv. When they were in honour they did not know it, which loft them their birthright, and became as yourfelves.

Mof. But do you grant this bleffing to the whole reformation, or to a part?

Luth. To the whole; we are all included. Calv. Nothing carnal can have part in the new refurrection, which excludes you Lutherans and all other fects of proteftants. Prefbyterians, being the fpiritual, pure, and unblemifhed inward man, without fpot or wrinkle, (feparated from the drofs) who only fhall inhabit the land of Promife. New Sion, fweet Jerufalem, these are the one hundred and fortyfour thousand virgins who follow the Lamb and fing a new canticle, which no other can fing; these are purchafed from the earth, and are not bound by the laws of the earth. This

is

A

is the portion of us Prefbyterians or Calvinians. Your greatest Doctors confirm this to us. late one, Dr. Newton, bishop of Bristol, does us great honour, in his explanation of the prophecies, which coft him twenty years hard labour, to establish our claim to the above prophecy; and though your bishop rejecting, reprobating and branding you Lutherans, church of England and all co-operators with images, paintings, pictures, prints, figures, and all likeneffes whatfoever, with the odious name of idolators, yet, the unhappy man was not found worthy to be feparated from thofe he held in the greatest deteftation; but ended his life deteftable contradicting and nourished, gainfaying and feeding, reprobating and wallowing in the mire of his own filth and deftruction; he carried his zeal as far as a Calvinift, declaring, he held all refemblances in an equal degree of deteftation. The image of Chrift, Aaron's calf, Mofes's two angels, which covered the ark, alfo in Solomon's temple, or any other matter or thing whatfoever.

Luth. The fpirit of perfidy, at all times, has, and will exift, the fole fpirit of Calvinifm.

Calv. The fpirit of Calvinifm is the true prompter, and life of the reformation. Nine to one that call themfelves of the feed of Luther are in principle Calvinifts; but not one in a thousand that goes under the denomination of Calvinift, are Lutherans, church of England, or any part of the feed of Lutheranifm. Make the experiment in England, or any other Lutherans

[ocr errors]
« PreviousContinue »