DAMNABLE HERESY DISCOVERED, AND THE Head of GOD'S CHURCH UNCOVERED, AND THE Spirit of Man from the True Light DISTINGUISHED, According to the Scriptures of TRUTH, AND Testimony of SAINTS.  
Every plant that my Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up, and every plant that beareth not fruit in Christ, shall be taken away, saith the Amen.  Mat. 15. 13. Joh. 15. 3. 
Printed 1672.   

THE EPISTLE TO THE READER.  
Reader,  
Lthough the Earth is full of the Majesty of the Lord, and his presence is in every place, etc. Yet in the Vision of the Lord I see, as it is noted in the Scriptures of Truth, that the Lord is as a Stranger in the Earth, despised by man, and abhorred by the Nations; Yea by them that do evil is he hated now, as in the days of old, etc. Jer. 14. 8. Isa. 53. 3. Isa. 49. 7. Joh. 3. 20. and although now to many his light is come, and his glory is now revealed, which is for Salvation to the ends of the Earth; Yet darkness covers the Earth, and gross darkness the People: yea them which profess much love with their mouths, and draw near with their lips in a profession of God and Christ, without them, etc. Yet because of their denying Obedience of Faith, to that which may be known of God within themselves, even the life of Jesus in their mortal bodies, that is the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, Jo. 1. 9 and the Salvation of all that obey that holy thing, Luke 1. 34. I say again, for their not Obedience of Faith to that holy thing, darkness covers them, etc. In the days of old, the Holy One was in the midst of the people, Jer. 14. 9 as he is now, and the holy Prophets called them to the most high, but none at all would exalt him, Hos. 11. 7. Yea the Lord himself testifieth, as Scripture witnesseth, that he was the Holy One in the midst of them, Hos. 11. 9 Behold at that time they were Idolaters, sacrificing to Balaam, and burning Incense to graven Images, Hos. 11. 2. etc. Now this may serve to prove, that the Lord is in the midst of them that are Idolaters. Mark that, etc. It hath been, and now is the manner of the Sons of men, when true Prophets call them to that the Lor testifieth unto, as Scriptue witnesseth, (to wit) that he is the Holy One in the midst of them, and that that which may be known of God is manifest in them, Rom. 1. 19 etc. to belie him, saying, it is not he, Jer. 5. 12. Isa. 65. 2. Rom. 10. 21. But these were false Prophets that were amongst the people, that belied the Lord, 2 Pet. 2. even so now there are false Teachers amongst the people, as may appear by this following Treatise, that deny and belly the Lord, saying, that the Light which every man is lighted withal, is not Christ, but man's spirit. Mark, the holy Scripture testifieth, that John bore testimony to the Truth, and his testimony was that that was the true Light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, and that he was in the world before me, saith he, John 1. 15. And Christ saith, as Scripture testifieth, John 8. 12. Mark, By world understand men in wickedness: And Solomon testifieth, that the poor and deceitful man the Lord lights both their eyes, etc. Now this may serve to prove, that Christ was in the world before John the Baptist, and that the light which every man was enlightened withal, was Christ the Holy One in the midst of them, etc. Now is not this most damnable Heresy to deny the Lord? The Apostle Peter foreseeing the false Teachers that should be amongst the people, saith, they shall bring in damnable Heresy, even denying the Lord that bought them, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. Which thing is now made manifest, (to wit) the folly of them that deny the Light within to be the Lord: That so they may proceed no farther, are thesE lines written, etc. I knowing from the Lord the deceivableness of such Teachers, would persuade men from hearing those instructions, which cause them to err from the words of knowledge, Prov. 19 27. Jer. 23. 16. etc. and to hearken to God's wisdom, and her teachers, who call to men to turn from darkness, (to wit) false Ministry, and to turn to the light within, which is the true Ministry, and from the power of Satan unto God, even to that of him in them, that Holy thing, that he may turn them from the evil of their ways and do, which is a blessed State, etc. For without Repentance all shall perish, Luke 13. 3. etc. For friends, know, that though Christ tasted death for every man, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the First Testament, etc. Yet no Scripture saith, he tasted death for every sin; because that Repentance and Remission of sin is to be preached in his name for obedience of Faith unto Repentance, without which there is no Remission of sins, nor an Inheritance amongst them that are sanctified through Faith in Christ Jesus, nor knowing the Lord, whom to know is life eternal, John 17. 3. But such knowledge is not to be attained unto whilst men are in sin, or in such a Faith, that they cannot be freed from sin on this side the Grave, or that Revelation is ceased, because without Repentance there is no Remission of sins, and without Revelation there is no knowing of the Lord. It is written no man knoweth the Father but the Son, and he to whom he will reveal him. Again, there is no promise that Christ will manifest himself to them that are in sin, but on the contrary, John 14. 21, etc. Adam for one sin was driven forth of Paradise, and certain it is; Mark it, that no man in sin shall enter into it again (to wit) Paradise, etc. The seed of Abraham after the Flesh, when Repentance for remission of sins was preached, than they said, we have Abraham to our Father, Mat. 3. 9: Joh. 8. 39 denying obedience of Faith to Repentance. And do not many, called by the name of Christians, now say, we are Christians from being Baptised with water, which never knew obedience of Faith to Repentance, etc. Behold Abraham's Son in the Parable is in Hell, yet he was a Rich man, etc. and was not that for denying obedience of Faith to Repentance, Luke 13. 3. etc. Lazarus that was a Beggar, is in Abraham's bosom. A word to the wise is sufficient, etc. Finally the Lord hath sworn, and an Oath was for the confirmation of an end of strife, touching them that do always err in their hearts and do not know God's ways, they shall never enter into his Rest, Psal. 95. 11. Heb. 4. 5, etc. Know Gods decrees are not now to making, although now declared, etc. That which is required of all men, and all men bound to it, upon the penalty of perishing, etc. is Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, according to the Order of the God of Order, Luke 22. 24. As the Apostle Paul testifieth, when he said, I have kept back nothing which is profitable unto you; testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, Act. 20. 21. Selah.   

Here followeth a Demonstration of the Affirmation of Thomas Hicks, that was a Baptist Teacher in the Borough of Devizes, at a Meeting in that Town, touching the Light in man; with the Reasons why his Affirmations are to be opposed and denied.  He that is first in his own cause, seems just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him out. Them that sin, rebuke before all, that others may fear. Prov. 28. 17. 1 Tim. 5. 20. 
THomas Hicks then and there affirmed, that the Light within was man's Spirit, which did convince them of Sin, and that God breathed it into Adam, and that it was in every man: And that they which did worship the Light within, were Idolaters and breakers of God's Commandments; for said he, the Light within is not Christ's, but man's Spirit; for whilst Christ was figured out in Types, he was not actually in being: and said, that the word by which God made the world, was not the Christ. This Affirmation I had given me in writing by his approbation, by another Baptist Teacher one J. W. at the same time, which afterwards in a short time I put in Print, in a Book called [The Cause of Causes declared] and never by him denied, etc. His Affirmations consisting of many particulars at that time of their Meeting, I only denied this particular, (to wit) Whilst Christ was figured out in Types, he was not actually in being: And then I brought these say, noted in holy Scriptures, as a Reason why I did deny that particular: First, Christ saying, (to wit) Before Abraham was, I am. Secondly, John the Baptist witnessed, (to wit) he was in the world before me. Thirdly, Stephen's testimony, This is he that was in the Church in the Wilderness. Fourthly, the Apostle Paul saying, (to wit) They did all eat and drink of the Spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ, etc. These Scriptures I brought, to prove that Christ was in being, when he was figured out in Types; Joh. 8. 58. Acts 7. 38. 1 Cor. 10. 4. And then I concluded, saying, That their say were true, but his was false. Then he said, that he would prove it: using many words of what he had taken notice of in James naylor's Book, [called Love to the Lost] by which he darkened the people by words he uttered without knowledge for a long time; and then said, that he had proved his Affirmation, etc. I than denied it, and said, I should oppose it in Print; but was hindered hitherto by reason of my being persecuted and imprisoned. But now according to my promise I have committed it unto the Press, for the Truth's sake, and the people's information. I have divided his Affirmation into eight particulars, and shall through God's assistance touch upon each briefly. And first, to the first Affirmation, (to wit) the Light within is man's Spirit, this I do deny for these reasons.  
First, because the holy Scripture saith, the Spirit of man is the Candle of the Lord, Prov. 20. 27. Secondly, no holy Scripture saith, that the Light within is man's Spirit. Thirdly, it is written, that the wicked rebel against the Light, Job 24. 13. Mark, over man's Spirit man hath power, except he be like a City without Walls, or broken down, Prov. 25. 28. If so, then man cannot rebel against his own Spirit. It is written, Take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth, Mal. 2. 15. Mark, it cannot be properly said to a man that hath a wife, if he be unnatural to her, that he rebels against his wife, because she is his Inferior. Even so to a man that deals treacherously with his own Spirit: It cannot be properly said, that he doth rebel against his Spirit. Therefore the Light that the wicked do rebel against, is not man's Spirit, but a holy thing that is above man in its excellency, or man's Spirit, because rebellion is a rising up against a Superior in Authority, etc. Again, man's Spirit is the Candle of the Lord: Mark, a Candle singly considered is darkness, and but a receptible subject to receive light, which when it hath received it, giveth of what it hath received, (to wit) Light. Again, the light which the Candle receiveth may be put out, and yet the Candle remain as before it was lighted. Even so the Spirit of the Lord by man may be put out or quenched, and yet man's Spirit remain in his body, and the Light too, as a Candle whose light is put out, etc. How often is the Candle of the wicked put out, Job 21. 17. By what is written it may appear, according to holy Scriptures, for of them we are to think above men, 1 Cor. 4. 6, etc. That the Light within is not made Spirit, but it is the Lord, as saith the Prophet David, the Lord is my light and my salvation, Psal. 27. 1. That was the true light which lighteth every man that cometh into the world, of which John bore witness, that was before him, John. 1. 10, 15. as David witnessed before, etc. By what is written it may appear, that Thomas Hicks hath spoken evil of the holy thing, Luk. 1. 35. and that he knoweth him not by his first particular, etc.  
I shall now touch upon his Second Particular (to wit) that men's spirit did convince them of sin. This I do deny: First, because no holy Scripture says so: Secondly, because the holy Scripture saith, that the Spirit (speaking of the Holyghost) shall convince the world of sin, that is, meaning wickedness. Thirdly, That the Law is Spiritual, by the Law cometh the knowledge of sin, and that the Law of God is light; And that all things when they are rebuked are manifested by the light, Eph. 5. 13. Prov. 6. 23. Psal. 19 7. And that the Law of God is perfect, converting the Soul, making wise the simple, etc. Mark that which convinceth of sin and converteth the soul, etc. Must be of a Divine Nature, for there is nothing beneath, God's Nature can convert a soul and make wise the simple, But this the inspiration of the Almighty doth; Job. 32. 8, etc. It is that which giveth understanding for that is perfect, and it is in man as a Law to its work, convincing man and converting the souls of them that believe, etc. By what is written it may appear in his second particular, he knoweth not the second Adam who is a quickening Spirit, 1 Cor. 15. 45. From the spirit of man, etc. Much more might be said, but I will pass to his Third Particular (to wit) that God breathed it (to wit) man's spirit into Adam. This I do deny for this reason, no where the Scripture saith so. Secondly, The Scripture testifieth that the Spirit of man was by God given to man, and that man hath power over it, (as is before excepted) Eceles. 12. 7. Prov. 25. 28. Therefore man's Spirit cannot be that Spirit which God breathed into Adam by which man became a living soul, for these Reason's man's Spirit is mutable and may be defiled and imprisoned, etc. Captivated by man's submitting to the Devil, and treacherous dealing with it, Mal. 2. 14, etc. But man hath not power over the breath of God that God breathed into Adam, by which man became a living Soul, neither can the wicked one touch that (to wit) the Breath of God: By it were the Heavens made and all the Host of them, Psal. 37. 6. The breath of our Nostrils the anointed Lord, Lam. 4. 20. by which man became a Living Soul, that is the true light which lighteth every man which cometh into the World: Adam was a man, and his Spirit the candle, and he was lighted as it is employed by holy Scriptures, for every man is lighted, etc. By what is written it may appear that man's Spirit was not breathed into Adam, but given of God to man, and that the breath that God breathed into Adam was another Spirit, etc. By what is written it may appear, that Thomas Hicks knoweth not that Spirit by which man became a living Soul or the second Adam that's made a quickening Spirit, 1 Cor. 15. 45, etc. Fourthly, He saith it was in every man, in every man is man's spirit, or else man's body would be dead: But man's spirit is not the light within, as hath before been proved, and yet the light shineth in man, for it shineth in darkness and is through all, and the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal, 1 Cor. 12. 7. If it be hid it is hid in them that are lost, 2 Cor. 4. 3. Yea, in the midst of Idolators is the holy One, as before hath been proved, Hos. 11. 8, etc. Fifthly, Thomas Hicks saith, That they that did worship the light within, were Idolaters and breakers of God's Commandments. This I do deny for these Reasons, No holy Scripture saith so. Secondly, Those Gentiles that had not the Law in a Book, without them, did by nature the things contained in the Law, and then they knew God, whom no man can know, except he keepeth his Commandments, saith John, He that saith he knoweth God and keepeth not his Commandments is a Liar, 1 Joh. 2. 4. Now Paul saith, the Gentiles knew God, Rom. 1. 21. because, saith he, That which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath shown it to them, Rom. 1. 19, etc. If so, than they did by nature the things contained in the Law, and at that time they were Disciples of the Lord: For the promise of the Manifestation of the Lord is only to the Disciples, not to the world, Jo. 14. 21, etc. To this Thomas Hicks must confess, for the Scripture cannot be broken, etc. Again, It is written that when they knew God they glorified him, not as God, neither were they thankful, neither did they like to retain God in their knowledge, but changed the truth for a lie, (to wit) for false gods and false worships, etc. And then they were Idolaters: But when they did things by nature contained in the Law, than they knew God and were no Idolaters, etc. By what is written it may appear, that they which worship the light within, when they worshipped the light or divine nature were not Idolaters, etc. Sixthly, Thomas Hicks saith, that the light within is not Christ, but man's spirit. That the light within is not man's spirit before is proved. That Christ is the light, and that the light is come into the World Christ testifieth himself, John 3. 19 and many are witnesses that do believe, for he that doth believe hath the Witness in himself, 1 John 5. 10. That the Son of God is come and hath given us, yea thousands of us understanding to know him, etc. And this is life eternal to know the Only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, John 17. 3. Glory be to God for ever, and for evermore, Amen. Seventhly, Thomas Hicks saith, That whilst Christ was figured out in Types, he was not actually in being. This I do deny, for this Reason. No holy Scripture saith so. Secondly, Christ saith, before Abraham was I am, and John saith, he was in the world before me, as before is proved. And David saith, Why do the Heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing, the Kings of the Earth set themselves, and the Rulers take Council together against the Lord, and against his anointed, Psal. 2. 12. Again, he saith, the Lord said unto my Lord, sit thou at my right hand until I make thine enemies my footstool. Who is this that David in spirit calls Lord, if not Christ? Again, Peter speaking of Christ, saith, he went and preached unto the spirits in Prison, which sometime were disobedient in the days of Noah. Again, it is written, he is the head of the Church, and that all things are made by him: If so, by what is written it may appear, that Christ was before the World was, and was actual whilst he was figured out in Types, etc. Oh! Is not this man a great Lyar. Eighthly, Thomas Hicks saith, That the word by which God made the World, was not the Christ. This I do deny, for these Reasons; No holy Scripture saith so. Secondly, Because God made the Worlds by his Son, Heb. 1. 2. Again, It is written, by the Word of the Lord were the Heavens made, Psal. 33. 6. Again, his name is called the Word of God. Again, In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God; all things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made: In him was life, and the life was the light of men, etc. Mark then, the light of men was from the beginning the Word, by which God made the Worlds, etc. It is written, the Father, the Word, and the Holyghost, are One. Oh! The Ignorance of this man: he denyeth the light within to be Christ. Again, he denyeth Christ to be actually in being whilst he was figured out in Types. Again, doth he not deny the present being of Christ in the World, in denying the light within to be the Christ? Again, doth he not deny the everlasting being of Christ, in saying the Word by which God made the Worlds is not the Christ? Again, doth not he deny him that all the Prophets give their Testimony to? that whosoever believeth on him shall not perish, but have everlasting life, etc. Thou wand'ring Star Repent, or else for thee the midst of darkness is reserved for ever. Remember me, a Friend to thy soul hath warned thee, whom thou knowest to have been a great sufferer for bearing my Testimony against deceit, Robert West, etc. This following Question I do propose, with the consequence that will follow, to the end that the Nations may be no longer deceived by the Antichristian Teachers.  
Quest. If the life of Jesus Christ that lighteth every man that cometh into the World, was not the head of God's Church and the salvation of it, but the flesh and blood that he partook of; then whether from the beginning until the time that he took on him that flesh or vail, Heb. 10. 20. the Church of God had any head or salvation? Again, if that flesh or vail of Christ was the head of God's Church and salvation of it, then when that was put to death, whether the Church had either head or salvation, etc. if the life of Jesus Christ was not the head and salvation of it? For Christ was put to death in the Flesh, but quickened in the Spirit, and raised again, and is ascended up into Heaven, where he was before, even the second Adam that is made a quickening Spirit, that he might fill all things, and now is he as he was before, the searcher of all Hearts, 1 Chron. 28. 9 even Jesus that was dead and is alive, and behold he liveth for evermore, Revel. 2. 8. To him give all the Prophets Witness, That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. This is the Root of Jesse, and Offspring of David, the bright and morning star, whose go have been from everlasting, which now is the Ensign of the Gentiles that is lifted up. To him shall be the Gathering of the People, and his rest is glorious, as is written, Isa. 11. 10. To him be Glory for ever, and for evermore, Amen.   

Council for all those whose simplicity is betrayed by subtlety.  

REturn, O friends, unto your rest,  
And cease from errors; that is best.  
No peace without the tree of life,—  
In false conceivings stands the strife.   

Be not of them who strike at flame,  
For to have their desire;  
Such often like the flies consume,  
By striking at the fire.   

God doth his Angel's Spirits make,  
They Minister to man;  
His Ministers are flames of fire;—  
See, strike you not at them:   

Lest as the Flies that strike at flame,  
For to have their desire,  
You like the Flies consume yourselves,  
By striking at the fire.    

POSTSCRIPT.  
A word of Advice to all Teachers, that so they may take heed of what Spirit they follow; and also to Hearers, that they may take heed to what words they hear.  
Friends,  
THere are three Spirits in man, and they are three movable Powers or Substances singly considered, (to wit) the Spirit of God, that is the Light; and the Spirit of Man, that is the Candle; and the Spirit of the Devil, and that tempts to Sin, etc. It is a high knowledge to know the motion of the Lords Spirit, from the motion of Man's Spirit, and the Devil's motion from them both. Mark, Man may speak, as Paul did, when the Lord speaks not, nor Satan moves Man to speak, 1 Cor. 7. 12. Now if the Teacher believes there are but two Spirits in Man, than he may follow his own Spirit, as the foolish Prophets did, Ezek. 13. 3. saying, Hear the word of the Lord, when he hath seen nothing: For know, man's Spirit openeth not the mysteries of the Lord, nor the holy Scriptures, but the Spirit of the Lord doth, etc. Now when men shall Teach, that have not received the Spirit of the Lord, as that no man can receive that is in sin and wickedness, because the Holy Spirit will not be touched by the wicked; It is written, the wicked toucheth him not, 1 John 5. 18. Again, the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; and for his not receiving the things of the Spirit of God, he cannot know them: the reason is, because he denyeth Obedience of Faith to that which may be known of God, that is within himself, by which all that do yield Obedience of Faith to, do come to Repentance, as it is written, Turn at my reproof, and I will pour out my Spirit upon you, and make known my mind unto you, Prov. 1. 23, etc. I say again, when men shall teach, before they have yielded Obedience of Faith to that which may be known of God within themselves, by which true Repentance is wrought, than they do utter words without knowledge, and then the Spirit of the Lord, which is the Testimony of Jesus, and Spirit of Prophecy, etc. will stir in the Lords Servants, and witness against them, and then the Servant of the Lord for so doing they will hate, and account him a man of a contentious Spirit: Of this I am a witness. Therefore take heed what Spirit you follow, and what Doctrine you hear: For every plant that my Heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up, and all Cedar works shall be uncovered, and the Lord himself shall alone be exalted. For the Ministry of the fullness of the dispensation of Christ is come, and the light of the Moon shall be as the light of the Sun, and the light of the Sun as the shining of seven Days: Yea the Lord will now be the light of his people, and the days of their mourning shall be ended, Isa. 60. 20. Amen.   

WE who in scorn are called Quakers, oft times are denied to be reasoned with, except we will own the holy Scriptures to be the ground of faith and rule of life; for all such are these lines written to consider of. Do you own the Holy Scriptures to the ends whereunto they were written? and to the ends whereunto the Lord appointed them to serve? We do, etc. If you do, let them be Witnesses between us, who are in scorn called Quakers, and you, touching the ground of Faith and rule of Life, etc. The holy Scriptures testify, that Jesus is the Author and Finisher of the Faith of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph and Moses, with so great a Cloud of Witnesses, as the Author to the Hebrews Witnesseth, Heb. 11. 12 2. And as other Scriptures testify to him, give all the Prophets Witness, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Now is there any holy Scripture saith, that Scripture is the ground of Faith; if so, bring that Scripture, ye Baptised people, or be silent for ever; for it is written, We are not to think of men above that which is written, and the Spirits of the Prophets, are Subject to the Prophets. What Scripture was the rule of the life of Abel, Enoch, Noah, and Abraham? I know not of any Scripture that they had; It is employed by holy Scripture, that they were lighted by the true light; for every man was lighted that came into the World, and that Abraham saw Christ's Day, and that the light from on high did visit men to guide their feet in the way of peace: Was not that the rule of life, and guide of their youth, etc. The Jews said to Christ, that they were Moses his Disciples, and Christ said, there was one that did accuse them, even Moses in whom you trust: So say I to you, that do say the Scripture is your gro●nd of Faith, and rule of Life. The holy Scripture testifieth against you: You say to a single person You 〈◊〉 and call the Months and Days of the Week not as the holy men of old did: What rule have you in Scripture to say to a single person, You: and the Months of the Year and Days of the Week as you do? Do you not follow the Custom of the Heathen, of whom the Lord hath said, Learn not the way of the Heathen. It's written, When the Lord shall assemble the Kingdoms, to pour upon them his Indignation, than he will return to the People a pure Language, that they may call upon the Name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent, said, Zeph. Chap. 3. verse 9   
FINIS.