read a Page thereof but to tell them all are Lies all is Malice c. and they are bound to believe you * * True for never were a People held more Captive but the Blind lead the Blind according to my Doctrine in these VVords It was for your sakes and the Truth 's that I was pressed in Spirit thus to appear against this deceitful Worker VVilliam Mucklow which hath shewn his Enmity against the Truth and Us the Church of Christ and Elect People of God called Quakers And p. 16. I affirm That the true Church as above described is in the true Faith that is in God And we must believe thus as the true Church believes or else it were but both a Folly and Hypocrisie to profess our selves Members thereof c. The Apost Incendiary c. p. 3 16. So that my tender Lambs you see first That we are the true Church of Christ next That you are to believe as the Church believes and there lyes G. Fox's Journal on the Table which you have in all Quarterly Meetings and ought to have it in all Schools ††They have got it in some Schools already where their Youth read a Portion of it every Day c. yea in private Families for as our Brother Mead hath well express'd himself it is the best Book in the VVorld for our keeping up our Ancient Testimony yea better than the Bible said he And now to conclude this Head look into the Book of Canons * * Look into the Book of Church-Canons made Anno 1675. which lyes before you on the Table and turn to those Church Canons which were made Anno 1675 at a Yearly Meeting or a Convocation where in order to corroborate all that hath been said on this Head it is thus written It is the Sense Advice Admonition and Judgment in the Fear of God and the Authority of his Power and Spirit to Friends and Brethren in their several Meetings That no such slight and contemptible Names and Expressions as calling Men's and Women's Meetings Courts Sessions or Synods that they are Popish Impositions useless and burdensome that Faithful Friend's Papers which We TESTIFIE have been given forth by the Spirit and Power of God are Men's Edicts or Canons or Imbracing them Bowing to Men Elders in the Service of the Church Popes and Bishops with sueh scornful Sayings be permitted among them but let God's Power be set upon the top of that Unsavoury Spirit that uses them Subscribed by us W. Penn Steph. Crisp Tho. Salthouse Jo. Bunyeat G. Whitehead Alex. Parker c. Thirdly and Lastly Let me apply what has been said Friends I am now come to the last thing proposed to speak to on this solemn Occasion and it shall be by way of Use and Application for your Comfort and Consolation and that by way of Inference drawn from the foregoing Two Heads And First Respecting Confession of Sin shewing your Exaltation above the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Primitive Christians Saints and Martyrs and all the Christian Churches to this Day Secondly Respecting the Observation of the Ten Commandments which are not binding to you unless you receive them anew as the Inspired Prophets and Apostles did Edward Burrough's Works p. 47. Quakerism a New Nick-name c. p. 71. Thirdly Respecting the Ordinances of Baptism and the Lord's Supper And First You being the true Ancient Apostolick Church of Christ and as Quakers elected thereto and that the Quakers are in the Truth and none but they as our Brother Sol. Eccles from the Spirit of Truth hath written See the Quakers Challenge c. p. 3. hath no need to make any Confession of Sin in our Prayers to God as our Practice for near Fifty Years do confirm nay nor all the Apostates that ever went from us nor all the Priests our Adversaries cannot prove from any one of our Books wrote by my self G. Fox Ed. Burrough Fr. Howgill Father Penn Sam. Fisher W. Smith W. Baily Richard Hubberthorn and others of our Friends in the Unity that ever we made Confession of Sins to God and asked Pardon for Christ's sake nor that ever we recommended such a Practice to our Disciples notwithstanding our Books wrote by our Friends above-named contain more than 5555555 Pages in Folio Quarto and Octavo Now Friends VVhat cause have we to Rejoice and to Magnifie our Light within which hath led us to such a State of sinless Perfection And therefore I exhort you to keep up our Ancient Testimony in all its Parts of which this is not the least For let me tell you that Jacob that worthy and godly Patriarch he was so sensible of his sinful Imperfections that when he prayed to God he acknowledged himself unworthy of the least of God's Mercies Gen. 32.10 And Isaiah the Prophet said But we are all as an unclean thing and all our Righteousness are as filthy Rags and we all do fade as a Leaf and our Iniquities like the Wind have taken us away Isa 64.6 And Jeremiah the Prophet cried under a sense of his Sins We have Transgressed and Rebelled Lam. 3.41 Yea Job that Man of God said I have sinned what shall I do unto thee O thou Preserver of Men Job 7.20 Yea David a Man after God's own Heart said For I will declare mine Iniquity I will be sorry for my Sin Have mercy upon me O God according to thy Loving Kindness according unto the Multitude of thy tender Mercies blot out my Transgressions wash me thorowly from mine Iniquity and cleanse me from my Sin for I acknowledge my Transgressions and my Sin is ever before me against thee thee only have I sinned and done this Evil in thy sight that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest and be clear when thou judgest behold I was shapen in Iniquity and in Sin did my Mother conceive me c. Psal 38.18 and 51.1,2,3,4,5 Again Solomon said For there is not a just Man upon Earth that doth Good AND SINNETH NOT Eccles 7.20 Prov. 20.9 adding by way of Interrogation Who can say I have made my Heart clean I am pure from my Sin * * Besides the Quakers and the Gnosticks Yea that good Man Nehemiah Fasted Prayed and VVept before the Lord God of Israel saying O Lord God of Heaven the great and terrible God that keepeth Covenant and Mercy for them that love him and observe his Commandments * * Not G. Fox's Commandments Let thine Ear now be attentive and thine Eyes open that thou mayest hear the Prayer of thy Servant which I pray before thee now Day and Night for the Children of Israel thy Servants and confess the Sins of the Children of Israel which we have sinned against thee I and my Father's House have sinned Nehem. 1.5,6,11 Yea Daniel that Beloved of the Lord he said And I prayed unto the Lord my God and made my Confession and said O Lord the great and dreadful God keeping the Covenant and Mercy to them
Sectaries and their Bibles and their Ministers whose Cause as aforesaid p. 28. I am not engaged in therefore it does not concern me i. e. J. Coale to answer his Charges against them but shall leave them to answer for themselves c. Thus does the Harmony of the Quakers and Papists agree and for Confirmation read pag. 222 to pag. 248. herein VII About Vnwritten Traditions That the Papists value their Unwritten Tradition above the Scriptures has been sufficiently proved by our English Divines that the Quakers value their own Epistles above the Holy Scriptures is as plainly proved in p. 34 and 142 to 149. And this is the Seventh Point in which the Quakers do not hold a Negative Doctrine to the Romish Church which both the Clergy of England Protestant Dissenters do VIII Touching Idolatry If any doubt whether the Romish Church be guilty of Idolatry let them read Dr. Stillingfleet late Bishop of Worcester his Book Intituled A Discourse concerning the Idolatry of the Church of Rome c. and many other Books wrote by our English Divines and they may meet with Satisfaction And that the Quakers do not hold a Negative Doctrine to the Church of Rome in this Point read p. 42 to p. 48. p. 206 to p. 266. IX Pope of Rome and Pope Fox I have read what the Papists say in defence of their Popes * In the Defence of the Apol. of the Church of England viz. Papa Lux venit in Mundum The Pope is that Light that is come into the World Our Lord God the Pope In the Pope is all manner of Power A Divine Power is in the Pope A certain Divine Power in the Pope beyond the Natural State of Men. Mr. Harding said of the Pope Thou art the chief of Bishops thou art the Heir of the Apostles for Primacy thou art Abel for Government Noah for Patriarchship Abraham for Holy Order Melchisedek for Dignity Aaron for Authority Moses for Judgment Samuel for Power Peter and for thy Anointing Christ c. Now to shew that the Quakers do not hold a Negative Doctrine to the Papists in this Point read p. 42 to p. 48. p. 253 to p. 267. And by way of Corroboration let me add this I am said Fox the Light of the World him by whom the World was made and doth enlighten every one that cometh into the World * The Teachers of the World unvailed c. p. 27. See also his Book News coming up out of the North c. p. 15 41. which is very large on this Head X. The Quakers the One Only Church A. S. having said the Roman Church is the One Only Church of Christ Josiah Coale denies it saying The Quakers are the One Only Church of Christ and so do not hold a Negative Doctrine to the Romish Church And this I shall prove by the same number of Instances by which I have shewed that they are One with the Romish Church in the Affirmative And 1. The Whore unvailed c. p. 40. But for all that has been said says J. Coale some may say the Grand Question propounded by A. S. in his second Chapter is not yet answered viz. Which is the True Church I answer says Josiah that is the True Church and no other whose Fruit makes manifest that they are governed by the Invisible Head Christ i. e. their Light within but the People called Quakers are such Therefore the Quakers are the true Church * Pray read p. 266 to p. 284. and by their Fruit you shall know them 2. P. 41. ibid. The People called Quakers continue in the Doctrine of Christ saying Be ye perfect c. And the People called Quakers do Preach the Doctrine of Perfection as Thousands can bear Witness Therefore they are the True Church c. But Reader for the Disproof of what they boastingly say read as in the Margin and see what manner of Perfection they are found in 3. Again p. 43. ibid. * This Josiah Coale was a most Eminent Quaker yet a grand Idolater See p. 261. therefore I put him into the Cage among his Fellows Which being considered it appears that Perfection or Freedom from Sin is attainable in this Life which by the Quakers is Preached Therefore the Quakers are the True Church 4. Again p. 44. ibid. The Ministers of Christ were ordained not of Man nor by Man nor of the Letter but of the Spirit and so are the Ministers of the Quakers Therefore the Quakers are the True Church 5. P. ibid. The true Church in the Primitive Times was taught by the Grace of God that denying Vngodliness and Worldly Lusts they should live soberly c. And the Quakers being taught by the same Grace do deny Vngodliness †See the Cage of Vnclean Birds p. 249 to 284. for a Proof of what they boast of Therefore the Quakers are the True Church 6. P. 41. ibid. Christ commanded saying Whatsoever ye would that Men should do unto you even so do ye unto them which Command the Quakers observe as Thousands can bear them Witness Therefore they are the True Church For Proof of the contrary see the last Instances of this Preface touching their Breaking and Cheating 7. The Apostate-Incendiary c. p. 3. It was for your sake and the Truth says George Whitehead that I was pressed in Spirit in a Godly Zeal thus to appear against this deceitful Worker i. e. William Mucklow and treacherous Spirit which at length hath shewed it self against the Truth and Church of Christ and Elect People of God called Quakers 8. The Anarchy of the Ranters c. That as the true and pure Principles of the Gospel are Restored by the Quakers Testimony so the Ancient Apostolical Order in the Church of Christ is Re-established amongst them and Settled upon its Right Basis and Foundation * For more of R. Barkley see p. 40. all which shew they do not hold in this a Negative Doctrine to Rome 9. The Quakers Challenge c. p. 3. The Quakers are in the Truth and none but They consequently the Quakers are the only True Church for this is the Testimony of one of their deceased Prophets Sol. Eccles That the Quakers are in the Truth and none but they †See pag. 261. where this Bird Sol. Eccles lyes in the Cage for his Idolatry 10. See Burroughs's Works p. 64 318. who writing to the Quakers thus said The Tabernacle of God is with you and his Dwelling-Place amongst you and only amongst you is God known all that ever own God and Salvation shall own us * See pag. 261. where this Burroughs is the second Bird in the Cage for his gross Idolatry Having by this time shewed Ten Instances that the Quakers do not hold a Negative Doctrine to the Romish Church in the most Fundamental Errours in that Church and yet agree with her in as many Instances that she is the Only Church out of which there is no Salvation
Fundamentals of the Christian Religion as it is for G. Whitehead to Address himself by Dedication to the Clergy and Universities personating a Schism which professes such Doctrine as tends to overthrow the Christian Faith Come George Answer me this Question how came you to be such a Man You know I could shew Books of your Friends Burrough Fisher Fox and others who tho' as great Imposters as any in the World ever knew yet they have Dedicated and Addressed and not only so but Dictated to Kings Lords and Commons Come G. what was your birth Whence came your breeding Were you not Rambling Pilgrims who like Gypsies lay in Barns lived upon Alms with your Feet at other Mens Tables See E. Burrough's Epist to his works What must none Address now but you Must none apply themselves to the Government but you Surely George you are a Pegg too high Come George let us reason together what power have you to summons all Ecclesiastical Courts and Officers more than I have to summon you What Power have you to Dialogue the Bishops and the whole Church more than I have to Dialogue you What Authority have you to Arraign Try Judge and Condemn all the Clergy in a Kingdom more than I have to Arraign you and Try you by your Fruit I tell you George I cannot see you mount the Stage and thus Insult Domineer and Exalt your selves not only above the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Saints and Martyrs and all Christians with respect to your so much boasted-of Sinless Perfection but above all the King's Subjects as if you and you only had right to Address Dedicate and Present Papers to the Parliament and that it were Treason to confront you I tell you as above noted that you are a pegg too high But George before you had Addrest your selves and Dedicated your Books to the King and Government you ought to have condemn'd your Books mentioned p. 154 157 167. And before you had Dedicated this Book to the Clergy you ought in prudence to have retracted your Books mentioned p. 217 249 250. And as to G. K's Book it was approved by the Quakers and you ought to have retracted the Doctrine of it as G. K. has and likewise W. Penn's and Alexander Skien's mentioned in p. 168 170. But your Temporizing is both seen and discovered to be seen by others And now for your Dedication to the Clergy A Rambling Pilgrim p. 3. An Epistle Dedicatory to those of the Clergy and of the two Universities whose kindness Fran. Bugg boasts of 30 th of the 4 th Month 1629. By George Whitehead Now George to shew you what a kind Reception your Dedication met with from my Benefactors I shall though I have no order present you with part of a Letter which one of them sent me which take as follows viz. March 11. 1699. Mr. Bugg I Cannot but thank you for the service you have done especially among the Common People by your way of Writing and for the plentiful materials you have furnish'd out to imploy others with respect both to the Principles and Practices of the Quakers and your laborious Attendance at Parliament as a Check to the Insolencies of the Quakers in their presenting their deceivable Papers in which they have been too much neglected wherefore be not dishearten'd but go on and Charge the Quakers Party through and through with their Blasphemies against the Blessed Trinity their Doctrine of Infallibility and Sinless Perfection their denying the Fundamental Articles of our most Holy Religion viz. The Incarnation of Christ the Resurrection of the Body and the Day of Judgment For to talk of Lenitives and Gentle Applications is like the old way of sowing Pillows under their Arm-holes and you may as well give Opium in a Lethargy as to fancy to cure some Men into their Senses by your mild and tender Remedies And therefore to deal plainly is the best way to work their Conversion from the Infidelity of Quakerism to the Faith of Christ Crucified which God of his Mercy grant them if it be his Will It was a notable Confession of St. Paul when he drew up an Indictment and Arraigned himself in the Murther of St. Stephen for his standing by and consenting unto his Death and holding the Garment of them that slew him I wish the Quakers were Humble enough to follow his Example whose malice I am afraid is greater and the dignity of the injured Person higher for they have Spirited away our Blessed Saviour and have left us nothing but a Notional and Chimerical Christ so that we may take up the Lamentation of Mary Magdalen They have taken away the Lord and we know not where they have laid him That was well noted in the Spirit of the Hat For I am perswaded there cannot be an Instance made in any Society of Men of that bigness that have gotten more Bastards and more unnaturally dispos'd of them that have drank deeper Draughts of stoln secret Intemperance that have fed higher and fared more deliciously every Day than have some of these Perfectionists in their shining brazen disguises of Religion I am heartily sorry for the poor Quaker I heard lately of who hanged himself * * viz. Will. Rust a Preacher at Chaterice in the Isle of Ely who opposed G. K. with G. K's Narrative in his Pocket and the more for the exact parallel I must make between him and Judas both in his Life and in his Death I pray God give them Grace to lay it to Heart and humbly to confess their Sins to God and to beg pardon by the Merits of Christ that God may give them Repentance unto Life SIR Your most Faithful Friend to Serve you c. It may be some may say why did you not Print his Name to it To which I Answer suppose I had a Friend in my Parlour and knew that if I did open the Door that the Dogs would come in and worry him can any think that if I lov'd my Friend I would not secure him from their Rage yea and with Just Lot rather venture my self out among the Sodomites than suffer my Friend to be torn in pieces And besides that I have Muzzled some and put others of them in a Cage so that they can only Grin Bark and shew their Teeth POSTSCRIPT To the Sincere amongst the Quakers whether they be Thousands Hundreds Fifties or peradventure but Ten who are of the true Berean Race FRIENDS BEsides the forenoted Six Books of the Quakers I have herein Examined and Refuted Four more at least in their principal parts VII Their Anguis Flagellatus or A Switch for the Snake VIII A Rambling Pilgrim c. by George Whitehead IX A Just Censure of F. B 's Address to the Parliament c. X. A Sober Reply c. in Answer to F. B 's Modest Defence To all which you will find in the foregoing and following such an Examination and Confutation as will give you some light into the
Chap. 11.4 See also The Picture of Quakerism drawn to the Life Part 1. Page 60 to 70. Well I say let us hear what the Commands of the Quakers are That whoever amongst them pleads for their Liberty whether to obey or not to obey are Ranters Rebels and what not See his Brief Examination c. Page 11. And this I affirm from the Understanding I have received of God not only that the Enemy is at work to scatter the Minds of Friends by that loose Plea What hast thou to do with me Leave me to my Freedom and to the Grace of God in my self and the like But this Proposition and Expression as now understood and alledged is a Deviation from and a Perversion of the Antient Principle of Truth For this is the plain Consequence of this Plea If any one shall say I see no Evil in paying Tythes to Hireling Priests in that they are not claimed by Divine Right but by the Civil Laws of the Land I see no Evil saith another in marrying by the Priest for he is but a Witness I see no Evil saith a third in declining a Publick Testimony in Suffering-Times for I have Christ 's and Paul 's Example I see no Evil saith a fourth in respecting the Persons of Men for whatever others do I intend a sincere Notice that I take of those I know I see no Evil faith a fifth in keeping my Shop shut upon the World's Holy-Days Fast-Days for I would not willingly give Offence to my Neighbours c. Reader I have been the larger on this Quotation because it may evidently appear beyond all their Glossing that like the Pharisees their Forefathers they make void the Commands of God by exalting their own Traditions above them saying None are any further obliged to obey the Commands of God in the Holy Scripture than they are convinced or perswaded by their Light to obey but their own Commands such as not paying Tythes not marrying with a Priest not putting off the Hat not shutting up their Shop-Windows on Holy-Days and Fast-Days this is highly Criminal to plead their Liberty in these Things is Ranterism and Rebellion To confirm this George Whitehead said in Answer to a Minister's Question i. e. Is the Moral Law or Ten Commandments a Rule to the Christian's Life or is it not Truth defending the Quakers c. p. 18. I answer says G. W. thou might as well ask If the Moral Law be a Rule to Christ For the Christian's Life and Rule is Christ c. meaning the Light within Quest to Professors c. p. 27. And this is much like Is Pennington who said That the Name JESUS and CHRIST belong to every Member as WELL as to the Head and if so Whitehead is in the right on 't they might as well indeed carry the Ten Commandments to Christ as to the Quakers For on their own Hypothesis there is as much Reason for the Quakers Love to be equal with Christ if not above him See p. 10. What is attributed to that Body meaning the Son of Mary we acknowledge and give to that Body in its Place according as the Scripture attributeth it which is THROUHG and BECAUSE of THAT which dwelt and acted IN IT but that which sanctify'd and kept the Body pure (e) Mark kept Christ's Body pure and made all acceptable in him was the Life Holiness and Righteousness of the Spirit and the same THING which kept his Vessel pure it is the same THING that cleanseth us the Value which the Natural Flesh and Blood of Christ had was from THAT in its coming from THAT in its acting in THAT in its suffering thro' THAT p. 33. Now the Scriptures doth expresly distinguish between CHRIST and the GARMENT which he wore between HIM that came and the BODY in which he came between the SUBSTANCE which was VAILED and the VAIL which VAILED it there is plainly HE and the BODY in which HE came there was the OUTWARD VESSEL and the INWARD LIFE This we certainly know and can never call the BODILY GARMENT CHRIST (f) Viz. They can never call the Son of Mary Christ but THAT which appeared and dwelt IN the BODY Now if ye indeed know the CHRIST of God tell us plainly what THAT is which appeared in the Body whether THAT was not the Christ before IT took up the Body after IT took up the Body and for ever I am the larger on this Head to shew first George Whitehead's Pride in saying That the Commandments of God might as well be carried to Christ as the Quakers next that the Christ which the Quakers own only is the Light or Spirit which was in Christ and is in them lastly that they can never call him that was born of the Blessed Virgin Mary Christ but a Vail or Garment an Outward Vessel and the like Compare the last Quotation to G. W.'s Sermon And for more of this Tendency I refer to George Whitehead's Sermon hereafter expressed c. Having by this time shewed That the Quakers have rejected the Government and Guidance of the Light in the Particular to be sufficient but that the Light in the Particular must vail to the Light in the Body or Church I am now come to set forth their Authority for it which was the Sentence and Judgment of their Synod held at London May 1666. The Sentence of their London Synod 1666. Contracted First We having a true discerning of the Working of that Spirit which under a Profession of Truth leads into a Division from or Exaltation above the BODY of Friends who never Revolted from their Principles from the constant Practice of good ancient Friends who are sound in the Faith once delivered to US (h) (h) 'T is well they tacitly confess it is not the Faith once delivered to the Saints We do unanimously declare and testifie That neither that Spirit nor those that are joined to it ought to have any Dominion Office or Rule in the Church of God Secondly We do declare and testifie That the Spirit and those who are joined to it who stand not in Unity with the Ministry and Body of Friends have not any true Spiritual Right nor Gospel Authority to be Judges in the Church and of the Ministry so as to condemn them or their Ministry neither ought their Judgment any more to be regarded by Friends than the Judgment of any other Opposers which are without for of Right the Elders and Members of the Church ought to judge Matters and Things which differ and their Judgment which is given to stand good and valid amongst Friends And we do further declare and testifie That it is abominable Pride which goeth before Destruction which so puffs up the Mind of any PARTICULAR that he will not admit of any Judgment to take place against him FOR HE THAT IS NOT JUSTIFIED BY THE WITNESS OF GOD IN FRIENDS IS CONDEMNED BY IT IN HIMSELF New Rome exactly Thirdly If any Difference arise
their Ancient Principles and they cannot quit them or retract them in their own Books but tell us their Principles are now no other than they were then only they can word the Matter otherwise I grant they hate abhor and detest these things of my reciting c. But as they lye snug in their own Books they read them in their own Meetings they are sweet Morsels of Quaker Consolation read A Modest Defence c. Part II. p. 22. for more of this where I have Reprinted their whole Book Ishmael c. to avoid their Cavils of Curtailing and Splitting Sentences as well as to shew Quakerism in its Native Complexion In their Sober Reply c. p. 11 14 15. in Answer to the Norfolk and Suffolk Petition c. they say To the first we say It is strange you should fear the Christian Religion should be polluted by the Quakers who of all that go under the Protestant Name are generally acknowledged to be furthest removed from and most averse to Popish Superstition so we always offer our Doctrines and Principles to be examined by the Scriptures To the second we say They desire they may Enjoy their wisht-for Happiness of a peaceful Life we envy it them not but God forbid they should swim into it through a Sea of Innocent Blood c. 1. In Answer to the first That the Quakers are furthest removed from Popish Superstition than any that go under the Name Protestant this I deny in their Name and have made it appear from their Doctrine in their Books as in the Preface to my Pilgrim's Progress 2d Edit c. and that from these following Instances in which they do not hold Negative Doctrines from the Romish Church they only differ which of them twain is the true Church to which these Qualifications are duly attributed c. I. That the Quakers are the One Only Church of Christ II. They agree in the Doctrine of Infallibility III. And that none can be Saved out of the True Church IV. They both agree in the Doctrine of Miracles V. Also about the Judge of all Controversies in Matters of Faith VI. They agree in their Contempt of the Protestant Ministers VII They agree in their Contempt of the Holy Scriptures VIII They agree in the Authority of their Unwritten Traditions IX Also in the Pope of Rome and Pope Fox X. They agree in their Idolatry to each Pope 2. That they always desired their Doctrine and Principles might be examined by the Scriptures this is false in Fact when they did in the Face of the World deny it to the Norfolk Clergy at West-Dereham to George Keith at Turners-Hall being thereunto Invited Four Years one after another to my Self at Milden-Hall See New Rome Unmasked c. p. 1 to p. 9. as also at several other times notwithstanding their false and bold denial A Just Censure c. p. 7. 3. They desire they may Enjoy their wisht-for Happiness of a Peaceful Life We envy it them not say the Quakers but God forbid they should swim into it through a Sea of Innocent Blood If it be to swim through a Sea of Blood only to desire that the Quakers Errors and Blasphemous Principles which contemn the Scriptures deny that Jesus of Nazareth who suffered on the Cross to be the Son of God and damn to the Pit of Hell the Ever-blessed Trinity should lye Censured and Condemned and their Books that so teach Burnt by the Common Hangman then indeed they are guilty But if this be not Persecution but agreeable to the Law of the Land the Votes of Parliament His Majesties Royal Will and Pleasure declared in his Proclamation then they are not guilty of Persecution nor of running through a Sea of Innocent Blood in the Defence of Christianity as the Quakers would impose upon their Readers to avoid the dint of an Examination notwithstanding their pretence A Reply c. p. 11. We are ready to undertake the Proof of every Doctrine we hold by and from the Scriptures I have read in St. Jude's Epistle that as in ver 3. he exhorts us to contend earnestly for the Faith which was once delivered to the Saints so ver 9. That Michael the Archangel when contending with the Devil he disputed about the Body of Moses durst not bring against him a Railing Accusation but said The Lord rebuke thee And now I am Disputing with the Quakers his chiefest Emissaries and immediate Servants I hope I shall not bring a Railing Accusation But as it is Natural for a Worm when trodden upon to turn again and for an Englishman to set the Saddle on the right Horse so I hope I shall as long as Life last especially when St. Jude has so rightly described the Men as ver 8. saying Likewise also these filthy Dreamers defile the Flesh despise Dominions and speak evil of Dignities as I have shewed in my Modest Defence c. Part I. p. 10 13 14 15. But say they A Just Censure c. p. 1 2. The Man he and his Abetters are ill Men. P. 11. It were greatly to be wished that these Zealots would turn their Spleen against Sin what fair Quarter all sorts of Enormities meet with from some of them But that none allow fairer Quarter to Vice and Immorality than the Quakers and Leaders of the Quaker Church is plain See Pilgrim's Progress c. p. 244 to p. 284. And one Reason I take to be is their own Guilt which would make their Reproofs sound like the Kettle calling the Pot Black-A and therefore 't is the Inconsideration of their Hearers that supports the Credit of such Vicious Hypocrites who are upheld by their Character rather than their Vertue and are become much less loved than feared for I demand an Instance of any one Book wrote against their Vicious Teachers and Hearers provided they keep Fox's Commandments about the Hat Thee Thou not Marrying or Burying with us and the like unwritten Traditions but I can give you an Account of Hundreds of Books wrote against such as dissent from them and conform themselves to the Church of England calling them Apostates Betraying Judasses Malicious Informers Renegadoes Beasts Dogs Wolves Children of the Devil Enemies of all Righteousness Devils Incarnate and a Hundred other Names And they call the Publick Ministry for endeavouring their Conversion Witches Devils Thieves Robbers Antichrists the Bane of Soul and Body threatning them with all direful Vengeance and this if rightly considered is not the least part of their Insolent Behaviour to the Government Now whether your Just Censure c. was in Answer to my former Sheet with a Scheme of your Yearly Meeting or to my Modest Reply c. or both since 't is said to be a Just Censure of my Address to the Parliament and I presented none under that Title I will not determine since it seems to the first tho' given in since my last yet I cannot but admire at your Impudence in your Reply c.
in Answer to my Modest Defence where you say p. 7. But sure we are and always ready to make it appear that neither are our Books Blasphemous nor our Principles Pernicious Again p. 11. We are ready to undertake the Proof of every Doctrine we hold by and from the Scriptures this is False in Fact and a Notorious Lie in the Face of the Government First In that you knew I had presented to the Parliament the Reprint of an entire Book of yours stiled Ishmael c. which is both pernicious to the Fundamentals of Christianity and horridly Blasphemous Secondly In refusing to prove any one Doctrine you held at West Dereham Thirdly In refusing to meet Geo. Keith upon any of his Invitations Again p. 10. We sincerely own all that is written in the Scriptures concerning Christ respecting his Conception Birth Life Miracles Doctrines Death Burial Resurrection Ascension Mediation and Future Coming to Judgment when in reality you own not one of those Articles rightly nor as all Orthodox Christians own them as G. Keith's 4th Narrative has from your Books made evidently to appear Again p. 6. ibid. That we assume Rules of Discipline in Church Matters they are for our selves only Powers in Matters of Religion for and among our selves only Nor say they do we see how those Acts could be truly called Acts of Toleration to Dissenters if they did not tolerate each sort of Dissenters to assume Rules of Discipline Power in Matters of Religion and Forms of Church Government for and amongst themselves c. Again p. 11. And if it relate to Religious Performances as it seems to do by the next words i. e. having their Monthly Quarterly and Yearly Meetings c. From whence it is plain that these Monthly Quarterly and Yearly Meetings then when it suit their turn they own to be Religious Meetings and as such tolerated by the Act of Toleration and without allowing them the Act could not be called An Act of Toleration Yet to shew that Liars had need to have good Memories they in Contradiction to themselves when pinched from another Quarter for keeping their Doors Lock'd Barr'd or Guarded to prevent Inspection they in their Just Censure c. p. 26. confess saying These Meetings are not intended for Worship what then What For Government and to assume Rules of Discipline and Forms of Church Government which is more than the Establish'd Church can legally do without His Majesties Licence and therefore worse and more dangerous their Doors being kept Lock'd or Guarded and expresly against the very Act of Toleration in which is this Clause viz. Provided always and be it Enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if any Assembly of Persons Dissenting from the Church of England shall be had in any place for Religious Worship and such only the Act tolerates with Doors Lock'd Barr'd or Bolted during any time of such meeting together all and every such Person or Persons that shall come to and be at such Meeting shall not receive any Benefit from this Law but be liable to all the Pains and Penalties of all the aforesaid Laws recited in this Act for such their Meeting notwithstanding his taking the Oaths and his making and subscribing the Declaration And likewise as the Learned in the Law say Such Meetings with Doors Lock'd c. to assume Rules of Discipline and Forms of Church Government are expresly against the Rights of Parliaments the King's Prerogative and Liberty of the Subject and these Statutes following viz. 28 H. 8. c. 19 21. 27 H. 8. c. 15. 37 H. 8. c. 17. 3 Ed. 6. c. 10 11. 1 Eliz. c. 12. 5 Eliz. c. 1. 1 Ed. 6. c. 2. 8 Eliz. c. 1. 1 K. W. Q. M. Magna Charta c. 29. Pet. Right and that such as so meet run themselves into a Premunire But the Quakers being a united Confederacy a Body Politick Incorporated and having a Fund or Common Bank to support and propagate their Principles they are too powerful for any single Person and thereupon the Government is prayed to take it into their Consideration And that these Meetings are not within the Act of Toleration but obnoxious to the Laws and of a dangerous Consequence I have more fully shewn in my Pilgrim's Progress from Quakerism to Christianity c. 2d Edit in Octavo wherein I have more largely set forth their Monthly Quarterly Second-day Six-week and Yearly Meetings shewing they are not only for Government as themselves now confess but a Government Imperium in Imperio But one thing I cannot but observe in these Meek Harmless Quakers viz. in their representing the Justices Grand Juries and Burgesses of Norfolk and Suffolk as a Bloody-minded sort of Tyrants and that to the Right Honourable and Honourable the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons Assembled in Parliament then no wonder they treat me at that disdainful rate they do and the Reverend Clergy for my sake but as hitherto Thanks be to God the Protestant Magistrates and the Episcopal Clergy have been a Bulwark against Popery so I trust they will against the prevalency of Quakerism and the danger of them which seems to threaten both them and the Nation A just Censure c. p. 12. And consider say they whether it was decent in the Aldermen and Burgesses of Bury c. thus to Impeach the Wisdom and Conduct of the Government P. 13. That all those high Charges in the Petition exhibited against us are grounded but upon their own groundless Jealousies they how mannerly say they let others judge offer the Parliament Hobson 's Choice cut our Throats or knock out our Brains And would they have the Honourable the House of Commons undertake this Inhumane piece of Butchery to defile their Hands in the Innocent Blood of so many Thousands of harmless People to Enact such a Barbarous Tragedy only to remove the groundless Fears of a few Jealous-headed Aldermen Justices Grand Juries c. of Bury c. P. 15. God forbid they should swim into it i. e. a peaceful Life and the Enjoyment of their Religion through a Sea of Innocent Blood c. But why is all this Why 'T is only that they prayed the House of Commons to take these things into their Consideration and that the Principles and Practices of the Quakers might be Examined and their Errors Censured and Suppressed whether by obliging them to Retract their Errors or if not to order their Books to be Burnt by the Common Hangman or any other Method as to their great Wisdom shall appear to deserve c. and for this Noble Act this Generous and Christian Undertaking with that Modesty which highly became them to be thus Censured by the Quakers to Impeach the Wisdom of the Parliament to excite them to a Barbarous Tragedy to cut their Throats that they may swim through a Sea of Blood is not only a False Pernicious and Scandalous Representation of the Petitioners and their Right of Petitioning but it is Imperious in
Power and Authority to Institute and Ordain such a way of Government And in whose Name do you compel to a Conformity and thus to impose your Ceremonies c. Query 6. Whether were not the Bereans accounted noble in that they searched the Scriptures to see whether what St. Paul taught did accord therewith And will it not become us to do the like to see whether what George Fox imposes on us accord with the Scripture If not whether we are obliged to observe his Dictates and Prescriptions Yea or Nay c. To which Queries I never received any Answer And thus it pleased God of his Infinite Mercy to give me Courage and Boldness 22 Years since for it was some Years before †Yea it was May 17. 1675. See Innocency Vindicated c. p. 8. that I wrote to their Yearly Meeting about their forcing their Apprentices to stand bareheaded before them whilst they refuse that Respect to their Superiors to appear against what I saw to be wrong in them even whilst amongst them equally according to my Understanding to what I have done since and methinks I desire no more in the Quakers than to be sincere and that for their own Good too I mean to put on Courage and say What do you tell me of G. Fox or G. Whitehead or any other Man I will stand by no Man nor no Principle nor no People †Such a Man I have not found amongst their Teachers Tho. Vpshot came nearest but when I came to ask him whether he would justifie their Books He flew off saying No he would not meddle farther than they are right at least in my Apprehension no farther than they agree with the Holy Scriptures No I am not yet Ear-bored to this nor the other Man Form or Society for Self-Ends for Advantage in Trade for a Name among Men no I am for Truth and Righteousness so far as I know it I thank God thus it was with me when I was as Famous amongst them as since they have endeavoured to render me Infamous and I desire no more of the Quakers than this let their Errors be never so great and their Understanding never so clouded if they be Sincere and willing to be informed I could heartily imbrace them and for which I have great Reason for I was as erroneous in many things as the most of them But when I find that G. Whitehead teach them first That the Quakers are the true Church next That they are to believe as this true Church believes See his Apost Incend c. p. 3 16. and that the People love to have it so i. e. like Teacher like People the Blind to lead the Blind till both fall into the Ditch of Error and Heresie together this is sad But says Geo. Whitehead No such Matter I challenge Francis Bugg and his Teachers Abettors and Congratulators to produce those Books of the Quakers with the Pages and Words wherein we deny the same Jesus that was Born of the Virgin Mary otherwise Retract and Condemn this Calumnious Aspersion A Sober Expostulation with some of the Clergy c. p. 46. This bold Challenge has been often Answer'd in The Snake in the Grass 3d. Edit p. 129 to 145. Satan Disrob'd c. p. 8 9 13 14. Gleanings p. 2. and so fully as I cannot pretend to yet since this Error of the Quakers denying Christ seems to be the Mother of all their other Errors I shall for this Challenge sake that so his Disciples may see his Impudence herein also prove that they i. e. Quakers do deny the same Jesus that was Born of that Virgin Mary And if I do so I think he is obliged to Retract his Errors and Condemn the Quakers Books which so teach by the same Rule of Arguing viz. That both I and my Abettors ought to condemn the Calumny cast on the Quakers by such a Charge if not true And now to the Matter When Jesus came into the Coast of Cesarea Philippi he asked his Disciples saying whom do Men say that I THE SON OF MAN am Matth. 16.13 Simon Peter answered and said THOU art CHRIST the SON of the LIVING GOD Verse 16. Again And WE believe and ARE SURE that thou art THAT CHRIST the SON of the LIVING GOD John 6.69 That the outward Person that suffer'd was properly the Son of God we utterly deny A Body hast thou prepared me said the Son Then the Son was not the Body tho' the Body was the Son's A Serious Apol. c. by Will Penn p. 146. Here you have the Question proposed by Christ himself Whom do Men say that I the SON OF MAN AM You also hear St. Peter's Answer which is as plain and as home to the Purpose as can be and now you shall hear Christ's Approbation and Confirmation thereof But you see the Quakers Answer is point-blank contrary yea Will. Penn does utterly deny That Person who suffer'd at Jerusalem to be the SON OF GOD. Mark Reader Christ's Reply to St. Peter's Answer to his most Gracious Question viz. And Jesus answer'd and said unto him Blessed art thou Simon Bar-jona for Flesh and Blood hath not revealed it unto thee but my Father which is in Heaven Matth. 16.17 and 17.5 I think I need say no more especially since this Point is so largely handled and so fully proved upon the Quakers by that Reverend Author in the Books above-quoted Only thus much I may add That if St. Peter be Orthodox in this Point then are the Quakers Heterodox and that herein their utter Testimony is levell'd and strikes at the very Foundation of Christianity and as a Reply to G. W. I do offer De Novo to prove the same and I do now affirm That the Quakers by their Books do deny the same Jesus that was Born of the Virgin Mary The Same Jesus to whom the Voice came from the excellent Glory saying This is my Beloved Son in whom I am well pleased hear ye him The Same Jesus that St. Paul preached Acts 17. The Same Jesus that St. Peter testified saying Let the House of Israel know assuredly that God hath made that Same Jesus whom ye have Crucified both Lord and Christ And this I offer to prove to G. Whitehead Vive Voce at any convenient time on Condition he will under his Hand covenant to condemn the Quakers Books which so Teach when proved upon him as by his own Argumentation in the Challenge above-recited he is in Equity obliged too And if I do not prove it I will burn my Books that so charge the Quakers and let this be the Touchstone to try us both in the mean time any Quaker that thinks I am in the Wrong let them look first on W. Penn's Book by me heretofore quoted as well as this before me and the Scriptures following viz. Luke 1.26,31,32,33,35 2.10,11,12,13 Matth. 16.13,16,17,20,27 cap. 17.5,9,12,13,26,29 cap. 26,27,38,50,67 cap. 28.6 Mark 9.7 John 5.22,27 cap. 6.69 Acts 1.10,11 cap. 5.30,31 cap.
Conversation answer their Holy Profession neither do I bring these Testimonies to excuse my self from my own Infirmities I am not without Sinful Imperfections I do acknowledge Here follows the Contents of the several Certificates above-mention'd Viz. First That he Fr. Bugg neither is nor never was distracted or discomposed since any of us can remember him or that ever we heard of Secondly That in all his Time he has been moderate both in his Meat Drink and Apparel and never by any of us known to be Drunk as is reported nor yet inclined to Drinking in Excess Thirdly That he ever was a good Provider for his Family a Lover of his Wife an Indulgent Father to his Children forcing none farther than Perswasion to a Comformity to his way of Worship Fourthly That we believe he never left his Wife and Son amongst the Quakers to introduce him to them again this is a Malicious Report to render him a Hypocrite which his whole Life and Conversation has declared the contrary to his Cost Fifthly The Press being open and both Parties having equal Priviledges we look upon it utterly wrong to make use of such Indirect Methods And some of us are sorry we have no better way to confute his Arguments Sixthly That we are ready to enlarge on any of these Heads to any Man's Face that shall question the Truth hereof Subscribed by William Belsham Matthew Belsham Philip Cranniss Fran. Bugg Junior Reader As I could not pass by such Publick Mercies and Benefits as I have received without some Publick Acknowledgment without great Ingratitude both to God and Man so would I not be too particular lest thereby I do offend yet with St. Paul I can say That as Sufferings and hard Usage formy Testimony-sake abound so do not only Inward Consolation but Outward Benefits abound also 2 Cor. 1.5 and as a Proof thereof I shall add but one Instance more which is That since I came to London an Ancient Friend of mine to whom I did owe a certain Debt upon Bond who considering the hard Usages I have received from the Quakers in which he himself has had a deep share and finding me still conscientiously concern'd without my asking or once thinking of or expecting brought me the Bond and forgave me the Debt resting due to him upon it without any Covenant or Promise on my part Thus hath God opened the Hearts of his Servants and moved them to Compassion Blessed be his Holy Name for ever and Humble Thanks to all unto whom I have been oblig'd CHAP. XVI A Word of Encouragement to all who are Sincere amongst the Hearers of the People call'd Quakers who begin to be weary of the Yoke of Quakerism and are willing to embrace the Christian Faith FRIENDS HAving given you a Brief Account of my Travel in this Pilgrimage and shewed you the many Turnings and Windings which I have gone through and the many Quicksands and Quagmires that I have passed without sinking tho' oft-times in great Danger what by Enemies within and Enemies without as also in some Places pointed to Israel's Rock the Man Christ Jesus I am now come to remove one Stumbling-block which Solomon Eccles has laid in your way namely That there is as great a Gulf fixed between you and the Christians as there was between Dives and Abraham insomuch that if you would come from them i. e. Quakers you cannot his Words are these Viz. I testifie in the Spirit of Truth * Viz. By Authority greater than the Scripture Truth defending the Quakers c. p. 7. by G. W. that there is as great a Gulf between the Baptists and consequently other Christians that are NOT in Christ that is NOT in the Quakers Light and those Quakers that are in the Truth as there was between Abraham and Dives See his Music Lecture c. p. 23. Again as an Explanation of this Doctrine he saith Come Protestants Presbyterians Independants and Baptists the Quakers deny you all The Quakers are in the Truth and none but they c. The Quakers Challenge c. p. 2 3. And from this and the like Doctrine spring that Aversion in you that it is impossible to prevail with many of you either to hear a Sermon preach'd by the Publick Ministers or to read their Sermons So that when the Quakers once catch any in their Cobweb it is very hard and difficult to get you out unless here and there one that is resolv'd to observe the Apostle's Advice who said Prove all things holdfast that which is good 1 Thess 5.21 And I am not doubtful but that as there has been a Remnant that has taken this Advice and has forsaken the Quakers Errors so will there many more follow their Example For this Doctrine of theirs which alludes to Christ's Parable is falsly applied for that Parable relates to the Final Estate of the Blessed and the Damned after this Life as you may read at large Luke 16. And as for the Quakers denying all the Professors of Christianity affirming themselves to be in the Truth Only or the Only Church of Christ as in my former Writings viz. The Picture of Quakerism c. Part first I have made to appear from their Books this is all Pride yea Spiritual Pride and Self-Conceit and ought not to be any Hindrance to you in your Examination and Tryal of your selves but rather as a Spur to your Zeal lest you should be in the Wrong And if you come once sincerely so to do I no way doubt but you will soon forsake Quakerism I well remember that when I first heard it Rumour'd that G. Fox was looked upon as a second Moses to give forth Laws and Orders for us to walk by and Methods and Forms of Church-Government I presently wrote Six Queries touching Church-Government in the Year 1678 * 22 Years since which went in Manuscript far and near as Printed in my Book intituled De Chris Lib. Part 2. Page 72 80. the Tenor of which was Query 1. Whether Jesus Christ be Head of the Church or George Fox Query 2. If you say Christ then whether he be not Lawgiver to his Church Query 3. If you say that Christ is both Head and Lawgiver to his Church then whether we ought not to Follow and Obey the Commands and Precepts of Christ which are laid down in the Scripture by the four Evangelists and his Apostles rather than the Commands and Precepts of G. Fox Query 4. If you say that the Commands and Precepts of Christ ought rather to be obey'd than those of Geo. Fox then I further Query whether Christ or any of his Apostles ever commanded the Observation of Womens Meetings apart and distinct from the Men Query 5. If you say that neither Christ nor his Apostles commanded nor left any Example or President for Womens Distinct Meetings to be set up Monthly any way to intermeddle with the Government of the Church then I further Query where have George Fox or you your