Glory Honour Power Might Majesty and Dominion for evermore Amen Now Noble Berean whether Christian or Quaker for some such I hope their are in every Society If thou doubt or question the soundness of this recited Creed pray examine and read these following Scriptures for thy Information and Satisfaction Luke 2.10.11 Acts 5.30 31 32. and 10.39 to 40. Acts 1.9 Micah 5.2 Psal 2.7 and 16.10 Zeck 9.9 and 11 12 13. Mark 1.10 Acts 2.22 to 32. Numb 24.17.19 Duet 18.15 Isa 9.6 7. Luke 24.4.51 John 20.12 Matt. 28.2 Acts 3.13 to 32. and 4.10 11 12. Heb. 7.25 and 9.24 John 17.20 21. 1 John 2.1 2. And here thou wilt find that he that was born of the Virgin the Glorious Angels call'd Christ the Lord And you will find that the holy Apostles said him that you slew and hanged on a Tree him hath God exalted to be both a Prince and a Saviour yea and Christ the Lord whose Body was not of a Perishing Nature for it saw no Corruption And that all the Prophets gave witness to this Jesus Christ the Saviour of the World Now if on the contrary you find in the Quakers Creed that they believe and say that they cannot call him Christ who thus was born of the Virgin who was by wicked Men slain and hanged on a Tree if you find them to say his Body was of a perishing Nature and if you find as you may perceive p. 78 79. of this Treatise that the Quakers Prophets give witness to G. Fox instead of this Christ that they call him G. Fox the Branch the Star the Son of Righteousness and put the North of England for the Town of Bethlehem then maist thou have cause to think that their Notions invert the Faith and seek to overturn the Christian Religion Read Try and Judge The Quakers Creed I. A Question to the Professors p. 33. NOW the Scriptures do expresly distinguish between Christ and the Garment which he wore between him and the Body in which he came between the Substance which was vailed and the Vail which vailed it Lo I come a Body hast thou prepared me 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 But that Heavenly Treasure which appeared and dwelt in the Body Remark Come into the Light and see if this Creed of theirs be not contrary to the Testimony of the Blessed and Glorious Angels Holy Apostles Blessed Martyrs and true Confessors for these 1600 Years here you may see if you will but come into the Light I mean to the holy Apostles Writings wherein they differ from all Christians they cannot call his Body Christ only a Garment a Vail a Vessel What! Did the Prophets fore-tell that a Virgin should conceive and bring forth a Garment Is this their Scripture Language they so often call for in Opposition to the Trinity and Sacraments Oh horrible Blasphemy But to this agrees John Whitehead's Doctrine in their Book The Quakers Refuge fixed c. p. 37 38. viz. Nothing which was Mortal was called Christ The Quakers Creed II. A Quest c. p. 22. IF I or any one else have felt the saving Arm of the Lord revealed in us If we have felt a measure of the same Life Power and Anointing revealed in our Vessels as was revealed in his Is it not of the same Nature Is it not the same thing Is not Christ the Seed And is not this Seed sown in the Heart Now if this Seed spring and grow up in me into a Spiritual shape and form Is not Christ then formed in me If I be ingrafted into and grow up in it Am not I ingrafted into Christ And do I not grow up in him And is not this the same Christ that took upon him the Body of Flesh and offered it without the Gates of Ierusalem Is there any more than one Or is there any other than he Is Christ devided is there one Christ within and another without Remark Come and see thou searching Berean and behold the Quakers Creed They cannot as in the first Branch of their Creed call him that was born of the Virgin Christ him that by wicked Hands was slain and hanged on a Tree Christ And no marvel if the same Christ that offered up that Body or Garment or Vail or Figure as they frame it be in them as they say it is even the very same that suffered Death at Jerusalem Oh horrible Blasphemy The Quakers Creed III. A Quest p. 20. TO whom do the Names and Titles of Iesus and Christ chiefly and in the first place belong Do they belong to the Body which was took by him or to him who took the Body For that which he took upon him was our Garment even the Flesh and Blood of our Nature which is of an Earthly perishing Nature And p. 27. Is not the Substance the Life the Anointing called Christ where-ever it is found doth not the Name belong to the whole Body and every Member in the Body as well as to the Head so that the Name is not given to the Vessel but to the Nature to the Heavenly Treasure to that which is of Him in the Vessel Remark From the Premises pray observe though they propose this Branch of their Creed by way of Query yet do but turn it and you shall observe the true and natural consequences of it is 1. That the Name Iesus and Christ do not so properly belong to the Body as to the Treasure in the Body here they seperate that which GOD hath for ever joyned together See their Book viz. The malice of the Independant Agent p. 23. Confusion and whereas they say that His Body was of an Earthly perishing Nature read Acts 2.27 and 13.35 and their Error soon appears And the Name Christ say they belongs to the whole Body as well as to the Head yea and to every Member of the Body so that they having the Light the Treasure the Life of Christ in them even the same that suffered Death at Jerusalem to be in them And the Name Christ not properly belonging to that Body which suffered Death at Jerusalem as aforesaid c. The Name by their Logick belongs to every believing Quaker so that there is as many Christs by their Doctrine as there is believing Quakers Oh horrible Blasphemy Read Matt. 24.24 The Quakers Creed IV. G. F.'s News coming up out of the North p. 14. 15. 34. A Word to all you Deceivers who deceive the People and Blasphemers who utter forth your Blasphemies and Hypocrisies that tell People of a Sacrament and tell them it is the ordinance of God Blush blush and tremble you who live in the Witchery and bewitch People Page 14. So Dust is the Serpents Meat their original is but Dust which is but the Letter which is Death their Church is Dust and their Gospel is
a Dispensation for then I doubt not but you would have construed the words AS YET to relate to time and ought not to be render'd tamen viz. Nevertheless and that you was but to do things freely for the present viz. until you could get money for doing it then Adhuc had been the Grammatical Sense of the words As Yet and not Tamen And who knows but your minds may alter when you see it for your purpose We see your Interest will lead you to change and who knows but W. P. in PENSILVANIA may understand both the Latin and English Sense of that your Declaration which says viz. We have chosen the Son of GOD to be our King and he hath chosen us to be his People and he might command Thousands and Ten Thousands of his Servants TO FIGHT in his CAVSE But yet his Kingdom is not of this World Neither can we YET believe that he will make use of us in that way But for the PRESENT we are given up to bear and suffer c. I say if in G. Fox his Order that nothing about Marriages and Church-business should be done for money he had said That AS YET let nothing be recorded for money but FOR THE PRESENT do things FREELY c. Then you might have lawfully taken 50 l. per Annum according to G F. his infallible Law But since there is no such words of Exception in the recited infallible Order you are found Transgressors thereof and do take money contrary to your Pretences If you say the Business is more now then there is more Persons to do it But if you can thus alter then who knows but the word YET may in time be rightly understood especially in PENSILVANIA as 't is in your said Declaration G. Fox also said in his several Papers given forth about the Year 1658. Friends you ARE to do the Nations Business freely and that is the way to get into the hearts of the People * See Painted Harlot c. p. 47. c. A notable Stratagem indeed and as well improved but says G. W. †The Contentious Apostate and his One Blow c. p. 22. We think this is not true we know no such Order printed in that Year if at all Here is another of his Equivocations for tho' in my Book One Blow c. p. 6. it is said to be printed in 1650 which is an Error in the Press and corrected by an Errata in p. 14. viz. 1659. Thus he shuffles and seeks ways to evade the matter which is certainly true for I have the Book by me and still contrary to his Pretensions for in Judgment Fixed p. 365. he thus saith For I examin the Errata's even of my Adversaries Books as they are noted before I answer the matter c. Now this is either true or false i. e. he either examins the Errata's or he does not If he does not then he proclaims himself a Lyar to the whole World in Print If he does and yet takes no Notice of the Correction of an Error but publish the Error as he hath done this of 1650 instead of 1659. then is he still the more like himself A grand Deceiver one that pretends fair yea so fair as that he pretends to examin the Errata's even of his Adversaries Books before he answer them And yet behold it is no such matter thus deceitfully false do I find him in many places too large to recite and therefore I do hereby resume my Charge as in Battering Rams p. 11 12. viz. In this you deceive your People in that you pretend to Teach Preach Suffer and Record Marriages and other Publick Offices freely without Money Gifts or Rewards And by reason of this fair Pretence you not only have deceived the Simple but also taken occasion thereby to vilify and speak contemptuously of all other Publick Preachers First the National for taking Tythes and other Dues as a setled Maintenance by Law Established which is not so burthensom as you are to many of your Hearers notwithstanding your smooth Pretences to the contrary And next the Presbyterians and Independents whom you bespatter about their Bason c. wherein perhaps their Hearers put their free Contributions for their Ministers Subsistence and all this while VALVE your selves upon your FREE PREACHING FREE SVFFERING FREE WRITING c. And at the same time you know 't is common for all these Church-Officers amongst you to take money c. These things discover your Hypocrisie and you cannot abide to hear of them but T. Ellwood hath confessed them W. R. manifested them the recited Letter suggests them and I do affirm them CHAP. XI Shews that the Forsaking the Quakers is no Apostacy from the Articles of the Christian Faith BY this time it may be expected That whereas in my former Books I have made some distinction between the Foxonian Party and the Storian Party amongst the People call'd Quakers sometimes terming the one Christian Quakers the other Antichristian the one Protestant the other Popish c. And that if there be a real difference in their Principles I should and ought in point of Justice to continue the distinction and not to condemn the Innocent with the Guilty c. To all which I do say there is great Reason so to do and in order to it as I have set forth the Principles and Practices of the Foxonian Party so now I shall set forth what the Storian Party holds and shew it to be sound And that tho' they do dissent from the established Religion yet they hold the true Faith at least for substance as may be seen by the Articles of the Faith of John Cox whilst he was a Minister amongst the Storian Party which I call the Christian Quakers in a little Book printed Anno 1689. intituled The Articles of the Christian Faith believed and written by me John Cox c. And I never heard that any of his Hearers contradicted the said Book or any part of it and therefore in Charity I am oblig'd to think they hold the same Faith First in his Epistle to the Reader he thus saith And to explain my self I agree in every Particular with those called the Apostles Nicene and Athanasius Creeds c. OF JESUS CHRIST ARTICLE II. P. 6. I believe in one Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ the onely begotten eternal Son of God the Father conceived by the Holy Ghost manifested in the Flesh born of the Virgin Mary and suffered and dyed for our Sins without the Gates of Jerusalem and rose again the third day for our Justification And I believe all else concerning him according to the Holy Scriptures OBSERVATION The difference betwixt the recited Article in this fundamental Point and their Article set forth in their 2d and 3d Principle in the first Chapter is obvious I shall recite some few passages more and so leave it with some few Observations c. OF THE SACRED SCRIPTURES ARTICLE IV. P. 7. I believe
Truth and Equity of his cause might appear that his Name and Fame his Estimation and Reputation in this World both as a Man and Christian might not be blasted by the slanderous Tongues and Pens of the malitious Papists who then as their off-spring now studied how they might blast the Name Fame and Reputation of such as opposed them and himself to live no longer in Obloquy or Scorn under the Name of Heretick or a self-condemned Apostate as he had for Nine or Ten years together In whom also he found his Family and Kindred rebuked and under some reproach for his sake and he no way able to clear himself unless his Prince would grant him Audience And as this was his case so have I found something of the same Nature from Geo. Whitehead Sam. Cater and the rest of that Tribe who in most things so far as their power reaches follow the Track of the Papists And for proof of what I here lay down I must refer the Reader to my Book Intituled The Painted Harlot Whipt and Stript c. and other Books of my Writing where I have defended my self from the venome of their poysoned Arrows For first they printed me an Informer as hateful a Name as was then in being And when I obtained the Certificate before recited and that they saw that would not do then they call me in print Beast Dog Woolf Enemy of all Righteousness Child of the Devil Devil Incarnate Fool Novice and what other ill-bred Language their Tongues could invent Then in my Book The Quakers Detected c. I made them also ashamed of such Billingsgate-Language And now the Crime they would fix upon me is An Apostate A self-condemned Apostate An Apparent Apostate which are the worst of Names and had they power to their Wills I might justly fear the Fate which others met with from their Predecessors the envious Papists But as it hath pleased God to enable me to graple with the Lyon * viz. Their Term Informer and the Bear †That it is their railing Language as Devil Beast Dog Woolf and the like so I trust he will enable me to overturn this great Philistine I mean this Bullwark of theirs raised against my Name and Reputation I mean the charge of a self condemned Apostate I have read of M. Luther's Resolution Zeal and Christian Courage against the Pope and his pretended Infalibility and other holy Cheats saith the Historian He charged the Pope not with Life but with Learning not with his Doings but with his Doctrine not picking at the Rine but plucking at the Root not seeking the man but shaking the Kingdom yea and charging him with plain Heresie And still urging and reducing things to the Foundation and Touchstone of the Scriptures * See Fox's Acts and Monuments p. 402 to 417. opened the Eyes of many c. How far my weak endeavours may be said to bear the same Complexion with Respect to this People I will not determine but this I am sensible of there is as much need now to unmask their Leaders and to let their Hearers see their crafty Jugglings whereby they mislead them as there was in the days of Luther and under a sense thereof I am willing to lay out my Talent assuredly believing that though what I now write may not prevail with their present Infatuated Disciples yet both in this Age and Ages to come It will be a means to prevail upon the examining Bereans even such as will search the Scriptures whether what they hold and teach be according to them yea or nay Obj. But 't is objected by G. Whitehead in his Third Charge in his Book stiled The Conten Apostate recharged c. p. 5 6. That Francis Bugg is neither Conscienciously a Religious nor Ingenuous in his writing c. for that he makes no conscience of writing malicious Lyes notorious odious Forgeries and Slanders to villifie and defame others c. And for particular instances to evince his charge he cites sometimes four words in a line then skips to another part of a line taking a bit here and a bit there without the least demonstration or Convincing Argument Thus he jumpeth and leapeth this way and that way floating as a Ship without either Helm or Anchor still shewing himself like the Papists great Champion Mr. Harding against Bishop Jewel as you may read in the Preface to the Defence of the Apology of the Church of England c. where Mr. Harding saith Mr. Jewell is the open Enemy of the Church Mr. Jewell is worse than Ananias that condemned St. Paul Mr. Jewell playeth the part of Antichrist Mr. Jewell is proud Mr. Jewell is Lucifer and serves the Devil Mr. Jewell is a Forger Mr. Jewell is a Lyer an Impudent Lyer Mr. Jewell most falsly corrupteth c. But as I believe Mr. Jewell was clear of the Papists foul Charges So have I been very careful not to mis-represent these People or their Principles much less to forge a Lye a thing I abhor for truth is plain and hath no need of such wicked acts to uphold it and therefore good Christian Reader peruse what is writ on both sides endeavour to know the cause thorowl◠and then judge uprightly And if after a thorow Examination thou dost not find that they pretend to have a Spirit beyond the Fore-Fathers and thereby know who are Saints who are Devils and who are Apostates and that none need to give them discerning or Judgment but that by vertue of this extraordinary Spirit they pretend that on all occasions and at all times they are sufficiently furnished c. Then I have wronged them and mis represented them which would indeed be both disingenuous and unconscionable But if they do thus pretend and set these things out as their principles in print and thereby deceive the simple and by vertue thereof and of the like prodigious errors then I think it my duty publickly to Reprove them when all private means will not reclaim them Again If after a thorow Examination thou findest that they deny the second person of the Trinity that they do not own Him that was born of the Virgin Mary that sate upon Jacob's Well that was spit upon smote with the Palms of their Hands thrust a Spear into his Side hanged on the Tree wrapt in the Linnen Cloths Died was Buried and rose again the third day to be the Christ of God Then wilt thou see it high time for a Testimony to be born against such false and erroneous Doctrine and dangerous Principles which are Pernitious to the very Foundation of the Christian Religion Again If upon a thorow Examination thou shalt find that they set it forth in print as their principle that the Name Christ belongs to every Believer as well as to him that was born of the Virgin as aforesaid Then wilt thou find Christ's words fulfilled who said Mat. 24.5 Many shall come in my Name saying I am Christ and shall deceive
even the Protestants began with blood for meer Religion and taught the Romanists in succeeding times how to deal with them See also Judgment fixed p. 259. by Geo. VVhitehead more of this hereafter c. 11. The Quakers Principles 11. That the Martyrs were Persecutors and asserted corrupt Doctrine 12. The Quakers Books 12. The Apostate Incendiary by Geo. VVhitehead p. 16. In Answer to VVilliam Mucklow 's Liberty of Conscience Asserted c. 12. The Quakers Principles 12. I affirm that the true Church is in the true Faith that is in God and we must either believe this as the true Church believes or else it were but both a folly and Hypocrisie to profess our selves Members thereof G. VV. Apostate Incendiary p. 16. CHAP. II. Shewing that the forsaking the Quakers is no Apostacy from the Articles of the Christian Faith BEfore I proceed to shew the dangerous Consequences which these erronious Principles produce as in the first Chapter set forth I may speak something to their uncharitable sensure of me calling me an Apostate but had they left off there I could have born it because 't is not equal with Heresie and something must be born by any body that hath to do with them but when I see by their last two Books that they expose me to the World a self condemned Apostate an apparent Apostate a contentious Apostate c. with all the aggravating Circumstances which they could possibly invent and all this publick besides several private Letters sent me by Post both in Verse and Prose as full of cursing Language as Muggleton could have filled them withal calling me Julian the Apostate * Which are said to be Stephen Crispâ—'s but had no Name to them for which there deserves another Hue and Cry which all put together gives me just cause to vindicate my self since my Name Credit Estimation and all that is dear to me and my Relations are under a very severe sensure For a self condemned Apostate in plainer English is an Heretick and if so had they the power that the Papists had in King Henry the VIIIth's time I might rationally expect the same fate which Doctor Robert Barns and others met withal But thanks be to GOD as 't is no Apostasie from the Christian Faith to separate from them neither have they now a Popish King to animate and incourage them neither do I fear what they can do and therefore am bold to call them out of their holes and challenge them into the Field and bid defiance to all their Weapons of War and all their Malice they can invent either publick Print or private Letters Well however to justifie my self from this their sensure of Heresie or self condemned Apostate I would premise to the Reader that according to the Judgment of St. Augustin every Error doth not make a Man an Heretick or a self condemned Apostate for says he errare possum hereticus esse non possum in an error I may be but a Heretick I cannot be for their is says he three things necessary for just proof of Heresie First That it be an Error that I hold Secondly That it be an Error against the Truth of God's word for otherwise every Error maketh not a man an Heretick Thirdly And that it be stoutly and wilfully maintained otherwise an Error against the Truth of God's Word without wilful maintenance is no Heresie Object But G. W. objects by his Book The content Apost recharged p. 1. viz. The charge is evident by his own Confession to the Principles Foundation Doctrine Ministry Faith Love spiritual Testimony of the said People as in the beginning being that Church whereof Christ Jesus was the Head and Law-giver c. And consequently that the said People called Quakers were once a true Church the People of God in the true Faith and bore a true Testimony according to Fra. Bugg's ample and solemn Confession in the second part of his Book de Chr. lib. c. printed 82. c. and seconded in his Book The Quakers detected c. Answ Having taken in enough out of Geo. VVhiteheads Book to shew what my Mind and perswasion was once of them and for that Reason G. VV. no doubt quoted them I do still say whatever were my Thoughts of them in the beginning they were not so of them at the time when I wrote them Books as the ample Testimony against their walking and acting contrary to what in the beginning they pretended too as will sufficiently appear out of the same Book quoted by G. VV. see * Part of my Book The Qua. detected c. is recited Qua. detect an abstract whereof followeth viz. And having thus mounted the seat of Government rich and poor high and low bond and free must submit to their Church Government And it became a vain thing to plead the sufficiency of the Light of Christ to lead direct or guide us thus have they by their late Doctrine and Example rendered their Ancient Doctrine and Example a meer Decoy to catch simple Souls by and being once caught it is altogether in vain to pretend the Sufficiency of the Light of Christ to Lead Teach and Guide no no the Church now hath given forth Rules Laws and outward Directory and by Vertue of her Apostolical Authority as she pretends she imposes them on her Members whether they believe that what she imposes be a Duty incumbent on them to practice yea or nay And your Edicts must be obeyed whether motion or no motion nay tho a motion against the observation of it or else they cannot be looked upon in the Unity These Commands of yours are binding and obligatory upon all though the Scripture commands to one See their 5th Principle you say are not binding to another Thus do you make the Commands of GOD of none effect throw your Traditions What shall I say unto you Oh ye Leaders of this People Who would impose your unscriptural Practices upon your Brethren and record such out of your Unity that are not conformable thereunto for I have surveyed your Old and New Doctrine and measured your past and present Practices and I have compared your fair pretences with your foul Hypocrisies and when I have done all this I want words to set forth your deep Hypocrisies Deceit and Self-contradictions who sometimes are against giving Respect to your Superiors but by and by your own Servants and Apprentices in your own Houses and Shops must stand bare-headed before you This piece of Hypocrisie I testified against near 18 years since which was before S. Cater's difference for as I saw Errors arise amongst us so I withstood them and testified against them sometimes you are for Preaching freely and Teaching and Instructing people freely and for Suffering and Recording Marriages freely but now they can take Three Pounds at a time for Preaching Ten Pounds at a time for Suffering * Sam. Cater took Ten Pound for his Suffering a Fine and though his
their Quarterly Book in Hadenlam in the Isle of Ely viz. It is ordered and agreed upon at this Quarterly Meeting that no Friends for time to come may permit or suffer Marriages without the Consent of Friends at two Mens and Womens Meetings and the Man and Woman to come both to the said Meetings to receive the Answer of Friends c. as more at large in my Book de Christ Libert p. 60 c. And it was against this and the like Orders which they imposed upon their Brethren as terms of Communion which had no Authority from Scriptures nor yet a President from any Christian Church the Papists only excepted that I brought this Testimony not to accuse the Martyr no surely but approving of his Doctrine I quoted him in vindication of Christian Liberty For if the leaving out the word SUCH being but an over-sight be so ill what art Thou that in thy Books leave out the word OTHER which is the distinguishing word c. and that knowingly and as such G. W. opposed the same and called the said Quotation Ranterism Loosness And for which I charged him as an Enemy to the Doctrine of the Martyrs which maintain Christian Liberty against Implicit Faith and Blind Obedience which they like the Papists endeavoured to introduce tending to enslave the People See a Recital out of G. W's Book Judgment Fixed c. p. 259 260. viz. I must tell thee Francis that this Position makes void all Christian Discipline Good Order and Church-Government leaving all loose and uncertain and we are sure thou hast here asserted corrupt Doctrine tending to practical Ranterism itself See now if this be not sordid Ranterism this loose gain saying Spirit leads thee into Come G. W. is it not plain That thou hast accused the Martyrs recited Doctrine to be loose to be sordid Ranterism to be practical Ranterism Thus have I Re-charged thee and leave it upon thy head until thou dost retract the same Object But some may say That tho' the Quotation of Dr. Barnes is sound and Orthodox in itself fairly quoted and rightly applied the recited ORDERS of the Quakers consider'd and their Imposing them and Recording or Excommunicating such as do not conform to them c * See my Book de Christ Libert p. 36. to p. 70. where the said Orders and the Authority given them at a yearly Meeting 1675 is at large recited c. And that G. W's terming it Ranterism as by the last Recital is manifest and thereby have accused the said Martyr according to my Charge c. yet possibly G. W. passed this Sentence on the said Martyr and his Doctrine as a Man in his own single capacity Answ No that he did not tho' possibly he upon occasion may so pretend for it came forth in Print in his Book styl'd Judgment Fixed c. which was printed as their Books generally are viz. by the Authority and Approbation of the 2d second days Meeting viz. by their Church Authority And to confirm that they in this their Doctrine of imposing the Observation of and exacting Conformity to their Orders whether their People believe it a Duty incumbent upon them yea or nay agree with the Papists See a Book put forth by W. Penn Intituled A brief Examination and state of Liberty spiritual * It might rather have been styled An Antidote against his former Book Intituled An Address to Protestants For 't is as much contrary to that as Popery is against Protestantism or Imposition to Christian Liberty c. c. where he says p. 3. It is a dangerous Principle and pernicious to true Religion and which is worse 't is the Root of Ranterism to assert that nothing is a Duty incumbent upon thee but what thou art persuaded is thy Duty c. The Papists say viz. We tell you that you ought to eat Fish and Flesh on those days the Church appoints on pain of deadly Sin You ought to have shaven Crowns long Beards c. And the Quakers now say Womens distinct Meetings as set forth by their Church that the rise practice setting up and establishing of Womens distinct Meetings is according to the Councel of God and done by the leading and ordering of his eternal Spirit †See de Christ Libert c. p. 36 43 44. to p. 70. And this tho' we produce not one Verse of Scripture to confirm it you ought to believe for we viz. the Quakers and Papists agree in this fundamental Point i. e. THAT YOV OVGHT TO BELIEVE AS THE * See your 12th Principle in Chap. 1. but more largely amplified in the first Part of the Christian Quaker distinguished c. p. 9 10 11 12. CHVRCH BELIEVES And if you refuse Conformity on pretence you are not persuaded that 't is your Duty to obey the Church and shall dislike our Position That Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion And shall tell us That Conformity ought not to precede or go before Conviction nor Force before Persuasion We now tell you that it is a dangerous Principle and very pernicious to our Design and therefore and for that very Reason we will and have given it out That it is Ranterism sordid Ranterism tending to lay waste our LAWS and GOOD ORDINANCES as our Brother Solomon Eccles called Womens Meetings Thus Reader thou mayst perceive my Charge made good upon and against G. W. First by the Quotation I brought of the Martyrs words against their Impositions 2dly that the said Quotation as it is sound in itself so it is fairly done against which he brings his heavy Charge and grim Sentence OF CORRVPT DOCTRINE TENDING TO PRACTICAL RANTERISM YEA SORDID RANTERISM c. 3dly that it is rightly applied against their unscriptural Traditions and then imposing the observation †See The Quakers Detected c. p. 5. of their Womens Meetings which as John Hogg in his excellent Book Intituled An Answer to several material Passages in a Book published by W. Penn call'd A brief Examination of Liberty Spiritual c. p. 12. says MAY NOT WE SAY THIS BEARS FOR ROME c. Yea surely and the very Complexion of Rome too in many Parts Principles and Practices to which excellent Book which overturns all their Popish Subterfuges and unlocks all their secret Mysteries and close Juggles relating to their Impositions and displays their Errors to every Capacity I refer the Reader * This J. Hogg is a Minister amongst the separate Quakers a Man of good Parts and of good Repute It s true G. Whitehead makes a noise at the word SUCH being left out by my Printer or Compositor as a distinguishing word but then G. W. is more to blame in leaving out the word OTHER as I have said which word OTHER with the foregoing and subsequent words did sufficiently distinguish and set forth that I only intended them as a Protestant proof against their Romish imposing different things as necessary and as terms of Communion And
your printed Books as in the first Chapter quoting Book and Page c. And with respect to what you have wrote which is false and which I charge upon you and recharge you again as in One Blow c. according to the terms in the first Chapter taken out of Edward Burroughs's Works even the words of your own Propositions then let me have Notice of it a Month and GOD willing I shall readily wait upon your motion And if you will be plain and retract what is false and erroneous and vindicate only what is sound I shall be glad of it but if the contrary I may deal with you accordingly Now if you still shall refuse to come out of your Dens and lurking places and think it your most secure way to save your self by keeping your People in Ignorance then my Advice to you is that you answer my Queries propounded in Battering Rams c. p. 20 21 22 23 24 25. and those referred too in the 9th Query p. 21. and Mr. Archer's Query above recited and as yet unanswered and the Jacobites Query in this Treatise and at the end of them this which followeth viz. Query Whether 't is not possible to write against you who are called QUAKERS and not to write against Truth And lastly Whether it be not possible for a Man to leave and forsake you and write against you but that the Consequence of his so doing renders himself a Self-condemned Apostate which is only a softer word for an Heretick Answer these things fairly and you may hear more from me but if not you may rail forge pervert invert lye and slander I shall rest satisfy'd in that I have thus far discharg'd my Duty to GOD and my Country at this time Milden-Hall April 3. 1692. FRA BVGG THE CONCLVSION SInce I writ the foregoing Treatise I have seen George Whitehead's Book Antichrist in Flesh Vnmasked c. in Answer to a Book Antichrist in Spirit Vnmasked Or Quakerism a Great Delusion c. wherein G. W. seems to hold forth the Principles of the Christian Religion And had I a good ground to believe what he therein sets forth in the Quakers Name to be really so indeed I would stop the Publication of what I have at this time writ against their Errors But until they by some Publick and General Act first Renounce and Condemn under the Hands of some of their principal Leaders and Teachers their manifest Errors laid down in Print and hitherto owned by them a few whereof I have herein related I have no reason to believe that they mean as they say but like deceitful Workers they transform themselves into the likeness of what they really are not that is to say into the likeness of the Ministers of Christ and true Professors of the ancient Faith and thereby deceive the simple with their feigned words and jugling tricks who like our Enemies at Sea either to defend themselves from our stroke or to draw us into their snare will put up the English Flag So these now make a shew of their owning the Scriptures to be Holy which formerly they frequently call'd CARNAL LETTER (a) West Pet. Answ p. 13 23. News out of the North p. 14 35 39. and Truth 's Defence p. 28 56 60. EARTHLY LETTER (b) Idem p. 14. the HVSK (c) Idem p. 53. and Way to the Kingdom p. 8. DVST (d) Discovery of Antichrist p. 9. and DEATH (e) Idem p. 9. and G. Whitehead's Ishmael p. 10. but now tell us they are Holy What! Is that which is Carnal and Earthly Holy Is the Husk Dust and Death Holy This is Jugling with a Witness but blessed be GOD these Jugles and these Juglers are discover'd daily even so Amen They own the Humanity of Christ his Death Suffering Resurrection and Ascension and hoping for Salvation through the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness and meritorious Death and Passion * See their Paper stiled The Christianity of the People commonly called Quakers c. But when I look into their former printed Books and especially their Epistles which they frequently sent to their Friends to be read in their Church Assemblies there is not a word of any such Confession so that what G. W. hath now writ is but like the French Men when they put up the English Flag merely a Trick and Sham and ought not to be taken notice of any otherwise than as such And therefore to make this evidently appear I may first recite part of George Whitehead's Book aforesaid and secondly two or three Passages out of one of their Epistles wrote by two of the most eminent amongst them when living namely Edward Burroughs whose Works they Reprinted in Folio of whom Josiah Coal in his Testimony for him hath this passage viz. That he Edward Burroughs was a Man endued with the ALMIGHTY Power of GOD which lived and reigned in him c. Yea and that He was a Man in whom the FVLNESS dwelt of Grace and Vertue * See the Testimony of his Life c. put forth 1662. by G. Fox G. Whitehead and Josiah Coal c. p. 24. c. The other was Francis Howgil whose Works they also Reprinted in Folio of whom great things are also spoken in the Testimonies writ in favor of him which by the Consent and Approbation of their Church are prefixed to his Works These two Sons of Thunder and Consolation as the Titles of their Books do bespeak them wrote from Ireland to the Camp of the Lord in England called Quakers which they thus Intituled viz. THIS IS TO GO ONLY AMONGST FRIENDS By which the Reader will easily perceive that what G. W. hath lately wrote by way of Confession and in the Quakers Name is only to amuse his Reader and delude the World For in the whole Epistle containing 23 pages in Quarto there is not a word which sets forth the Scripture to be profitable for Doctrine not a word by way of Confession of Sins to GOD or asking Pardon for Christ's sake not a word about their owning or valuing the Incarnation of our blessed Saviour his Sufferings Death Resurrection or Ascension not a word of their hopes of being saved through the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness and Merits as G. W. would now insinuate which sufficiently shews that they are of a different Faith to what the Holy Apostles and blessed Martyrs were of And Thirdly I shall make some Observations or Animadversions upon the said Epistles in order to shew the Fallacy of the seeming serious Confession of G. Whitehead and how Janus-like they look two ways viz. when they write to their Friends certain Epistles to be read in their Church Assemblies to inculcate their Principles and wild Notions into their unsteady Heads and unstable Souls and another thing when they write to be seen of Men and to be viewed by the true Professors of Christianity And now to the first viz. A Recital of part of G. W's words in his
New Rome Vnmask'd AND Her Foundation Shaken BY A farther Discovery of the Grand Errors Deep Hypocrisies Popish Practices and Pernitious Principles of the Teachers and Leaders of the People call'd QUAKERS Containing also A Brief Answer to three Books wrote by G. Whitehead one of her chief Cardinals in Nine Months time against Fran. Bugg The 1. Entituled Innocency against Envy c. The 2. The contentious Apostate and his Blow c. The 3. The Contentious Apostate Recharged c. As also a brief Narrative of the Conference between the said G. Whitehead and Fran. Bugg whereby his notorious Lyes are manifest his Errors and deceitful practices confuted and detected All which is plainly demonstrated to the Capacity of every Impartial and Intelligible Reader by one who was more than 25 Years a Member of their Society being carried away with their Dissimulation By FRANCIS BUGG Her Foundations are fallen her Walls are thrown down for it is the Vengeance of the LORD to take vengeance upon her As she hath done do unto her Jer. 50.15 Rase it Rase it even to the Foundations thereof Psalm 137.7 Licensed May 4. 1692. London Printed for the Author 1692. And are to be sold by John Gwillin Bookseller in Bishopsgate-street over against the Royal-James and John Dunton at the Raven in the Poultry and Sam Manshi◠〈…〉 To the Honourable Sir H. N. Barronet Honoured Sir THE Apostle Paul being Accused by the Malicious Jews and many grievous Complaints laid against him saying he was a Pestilent Fellow a Mover of Sedition or Contention And that before Felix the Governour and Agrippa the King yet in this the Apostle comforted himself and thought himself happy in that those Noble Persons gave him leave to speak for himself and to make his Christian Defence And in like manner do I think my self happy Honoured Sir in that I have the Benefit of my Pen and the Press to make my defence against the loud out-crys and heavy Clamours of this People who have in Print exposed me under as odious Names as their Tongue can invent And altho' my defence against their causless Accusations may not hold parallel with what that great Apostle made for himself and his Christian Profession which the Jews accounted Heresie Yet have I adventured to spend some leisurable hours to set forth to the World some reasons why it is no Apostasie from the Christian Faith to separate from the Quakers Be pleased therefore That under your Name and Patronage they may appear as a Covert to vail their Imperfections for Defective they must needs be in many respects First For that I am not endued with that Spirit the Apostles had Secondly I am not Accomplish'd with Parts and Learning sufficient to graple with such Schollars as are some of the Chieftains of the Quakers Thirdly My Trade and other Business which I have upon me are great Impediments and Hindrances from that study which is requisite to such a work And Fourthly My distance from the Press occasions many Omitions and Mistakes Yet forasmuch as when I first appear'd publick against their Errors in Anno 1682. I presum'd to Dedicate the same to your self in hopes of your favourable sensure and meeting then with no reproof gives me ground to presume this once more to present you with what followeth in hopes still to obtain your favourable Construction of whose Goodness Moderation and Impartial Justice I have had more than Twenty Years experience as well as your bearing with and forbearing me in some scruples I have had whether by reason of my long time of Education among that People or other Infirmity I cannot tell God knoweth yet such has been your Christian Condiscention to me therein as well as to others that should I enlarge upon it it might rather diminish than add to you In the Eyes of some who are not that way inclined and therefore it doth sufficiently suffice that I have reaped the benefit of it which as it ever did so it ever will Oblige me to your Service with all Respect and Grateful Acknowledgments of your Especial Favours I am Sir Your Devoted And most Humble Servant FRAN. BUGG Milden-Hall September the 3d. 1692. To the Noble Bereans of this Age. Christian Friends SInce there are none Recorded in holy Scripture on whom the Holy Ghost conferr'd so Honourable a Character as the Bereans of that Age In that they searched after truth Impartially and when they found it Embraced it readily and for which they were justly accounted Noble Therefore it is that to you the Progeny of that worthy Stock and Noble Bereans of this Age that I chuse to Dedicate the ensuing Discourse and therefore I beg of you not to degenerate from the Example of your Progenitors if you do you are no longer true Bereans And to such I do not Design this work if you do not I may assure my self of the justice of a fair Inquiry and an equal Judgment I remember the Athenians June the 14th 1692. by their Tenth Question demanded of the Quakers where to find their Creed or an Account of their Religion Will you said they Subscribe to any of the three Creeds Nicean Athanasian or Apostolical If not Will you give us one of your own that the World may know what to make of you To this I find Geo. Whitehead and others in their Answer stiled The Doting Athenians c. saying Come and see come into the true Light and see and you may find our Creed c. Now lest the way to find out their crooked Creed which lies dispersedly in their Pamphlets should prove too hard a Task for the searching Bereans I thought it needful to lend them my hand and that it may the more plainly appear not to relate either to the Nicean Athanasian or Apostolical Creeds I think it necessary to recite the sum of the Apostolical Creed which includes the substance of the other two and which is believed by all Christians whether called Episcopalians Presbyterians Independants and Baptists for when contraries meet their disagreement does the more manifestly appear viz. The Christian Creed I Believe in God the Father Almighty And in Jesus Christ his only Son who was born of the Virgin Mary who suffered under Pilate was Crucified Dead and Buried Rose again the third Day from the Dead And Ascended into Heaven and sitteth on the Right Hand of God in Majesty on High As an Advocate making Intercession for us And I believe that from thence he shall come to judge both the Quick and the Dead I believe in the Holy Ghost the Lord and Giver of Life who proceedeth from the Father and the Son who with the Father and the Son together is Worshipped and Glorified who spake by the Prophets And I believe one Catholick and Apostolick Church I acknowledge one Baptism for the Remission of Sins I look for the Resurrection of the Dead And the Life of the World to come Amen To God the Father Son and Holy Ghost be
Christ and art blind Saul's Errand c. p. 8. He that hath the same Spirit that raised up Jesus Christ from the Dead is equal with God See also G. F.'s great Mystery p. 78 127. 283. where their being equal with God is not denied * Saul's Errand p. 14. but strongly implyed Christ is the substance of all Figures and his Flesh is a Figure All that do study to raise a living thing out of a Dead to raise the Spirit out of the Letter are Conjurers and draw Points and Reasons and so speak a Divination of their own Brain they are Conjurers and Diviners and their Teaching is from Conjuration which is not spoken from the Mouth of the Lord the Letter of the Scripture is carnal and the Letter is Death and killeth p. 7. And as for any being moved of the Lord to take away your Hour-Glass from you G. Fox's great Mistery p. 77. by the Eternal Power it is owned The Priests of the World are 1. Conjurers 2. A brief Discovery c. p. 7.8.9.10 Thieves and Robbers 3. Antichrists 4. Witches 5. Devils 6. Lyars 7 A Viperous and Serpentine Generation 8. Blasphemers 9. Scarlet coloured Beasts 10. Babylon's Merchants 11. Whited Walls and painted Sepulchres 12. Ravening Wolves 13. Greedy dumb Dogs 14. Eminent and Ambitious Pharisees Remark Come and see once more this dark dismal Antichristian and Uncharitable Creed of these deluded Souls the Contents of this sixth Branch thereof followeth viz 1. They like the Pharisees hold a sinless Perfection yea G. F. said he witnessed being come up to the Measure and Stature and Fulness of Christ 2. If ever we own Christ or his Apostles we must necessarily own them yea and their Writings too they being equivalent with the Apostles Writings 3. They affirm that as Quakers they are elected and chosen before the Foundation of the World And contrarywise they Sentence and Condemn their Opposer the Querist being of a contrary Opinion and as such without shewing any other Cause to be a Reprobate ordained of old for Condemnation and Perdition one that is Blind and a Hater of Christ 4 They do assert such as have the eternal Spirit to be equal with God which Spirit they say they themselves have and by it they give forth their Papers and Printed Books 5. They assert the Flesh or Body of Christ to be but a Figure which elsewhere they call'd a Garment and say they cannot call him Christ 6. They say the holy Scipture is Carnal Dust Death and Killeth and that studying therein is Conjuring 7. They Justifie Fellony under a pretence of being moved by the Spirit of God 8. It s lamentable to behold their Incharity in calling the publick Ministry without exception restriction or distinction Conjurers Thieves Robbers Antichrists Witches Devils Serpents Vipers Blasphemers Wolves Beasts Dogs c. Surely 't is needless to enlarge especially in an Epistle since their erroneous Creed is manifest and that by this time the Athenians and all wise Men who are not wilfully blind may know what to make of them for the Tree is known by the Fruit least I make the Porch bigger than the House Thus Courteous Reader I have as it were led thee by the Hand thro' the crooked Paths and by ways of the Quakers intrioate Wilderness and be wildred wild and unheard of extravagant Notions dangerous Errors and pernitious Principles Not to have thee in Love with them no that it is not my design but to beware of being Insured by them as I once was And thus much touching the Quakers Creed which is neither Nicean Athanasian nor Apostolical but I affirm it to he Antichristian Blasphemous Idolatrous if not a Compound of all Heresies For If as they write they do believe indeed Then I affirm this is their Creed Who can with safety them believe Who Write and Print the Simple to deceive Object But some may say its true their Creed is very well set forth from the words of their own printed Principles and you give them a fair opportunity to meet you to make their exceptions against what you charge upon them and their Principles yet this Method I presume they will not take but rather chuse to use their old Method of Printing thinking by their false glossing and Jugling tricks to cast a Mist over the Minds of the Simple as in their Answer to the Quak. unmask'd c. They think they have done and therefore I desire to know what Method is best to use when I come into their Company Answ What you say is very true they can write fair and plausable holding forth one thing to their People and another thing to the World See p. 78. to the end and by the Authority of their Yearly Meeting impose these Controversial Books upon their Countrey Friends I was the last Month at Melton-Mowbery The Quaker's Book-seller in George-yard in Leicester-shire where one Thomas Earl a Quaker dwells and he told me that Thomas Northcot sent him some Books wrote against me but he sent them back Tho. Northcot sends them to him again tells him his Commission viz that the Yearly Meetings Order was that two of a sort should be sent to every Meeting He returned them again and would not be imposed upon for which he is to be commended and all such manly Men. However by this we may observe that their own People begin to be weary of their Books and that the Press begins to be Burthensome notwithstanding their publick Purse c. Well but to the Method I know of no better Method to advise to And to use my self than what William Penn did once excellently chaulk out in his Book styled A Caveat against Popery c. which is first to shew the Papists their Errors as I have done the Quakers next to shew their double dealing viz. one thing to the World and are indeed another to themselves and their under Graduits all which I have set forth as the practice of the Quakers and lastly call them to recant and condemn them to their errors before he will either take their words for what they say or trouble himself more with them whose Methods I purpose to take pray here W. Penn to his late Friends the Papists p 5. Tho' to argue against a Tribe of Men who esteem all reason carnal and Scripture imperfect might rightly be judged a meer beating the Air. Yet to prevent those who may be deceived and if possibly to reclaim such as are and lastly to clear my own conscience most of all in my Eye c. Now how far my old Friends the Quakers resemhle Will. Penn's late Friends the Papists in accounting both Scripture and Reason both Carnal and imperfect I leave to the Judgment of all Christians who shall read their Creed and other passages in this Treatise which I have fairly quoted and kept to the sence of what they write Again p. 3. of his Caveat c. They are grown so complisant
as none seem more exasperated at Persecution than themselves whilest the very Fathers of it decrying the fierceness of some Countreys whose Incendiaries they were and still are Nay for all their venerable esteem of the Pope's Infallability they have not stuck to censure his roaring Bulls though procured by their own means That many unacquainted with their practices are ready to believe them what they say themselves to be whose Morral is to have two strings to their Bow to be Ambo dexter and furnisht with meanings to suit the compass of all occasions Now As this was a most grand piece of Hypocrisie in W. Penn's now Friends the Papists so it is the same in my old Friends the Quakers of which for these three Instances of his I could give Thirty had I room to inlarge See p. 78. to the end of this Treatise to avoid repetition Next for his method a Caveat c. p. 35. To conclude If we would not receive a Thief until he has Repented let the Papists yea and Quakers too first recant his volumnious Errors not known in Scriptures nor ever heard of for 300 nay respecting the Quakers we may say 1600 Years together after Christ c. And altho' I do not approve of all W. Penn hath writ who sometimes have writ against Popery so warmly as no Man did exceed him yet when 't was like to be Rampant here his Applause thereof was too apparent yet in this case I like his method and do intend to abide by it Object But some may say if their Tenents be thus bad as their own Books sets forth would it not be a proper Method to go to their Meetings and there to make it manifest to and before their young Disciples Answ I sent a Letter to them sometime in July last of the same Import and though I have a Propriety in their Meeting-House as set forth p. 51. yet they not only refused to grant that I might freely come but in that they have their Religion as they call it established by Law as they Dream they gave me threatning words c. An Abstract of the Letter they sent me is as followeth viz. FRAN. BUGG Thine received I conceive that neither thy Twenty Pounds in the House nor the Covenant with our Friends dated 1688. will justifie thee for taking up the time by us set apart to worship God In controversie either as a Subject under the present Government or as a Christian For darest thou say that the Settlement by Law of an undisturbed worship to all Dissenters is not good and commendable and that a penalty upon the Violators thereof is not just Francis beware of such consequences and disturb our Meetings no more least such thy pretended Vindication proves thy great disadvantage both as a Man and as a Christian c. To which I returned this Answer Joshua Bangs I dare not say but that a Settlement by Law of Gods worship is good and commendable And I am glad you so deem it and begin to own your Establishment by Law though I must tell you that yours is rather indulg'd than establisht and you stand upon your good behaviour And as to your second Proposition i. e. That a Penalty upon the Violators of it just I agree with you also but withal I must tell you that neither that Law that thus settle and establish you of which you make a great boast nor yet your License either doth or can take away my Right in the Meeting House c. But if you according to your new Opinion did always account it commendable to have God's Worship establisht by Law and a Penalty upon Violaters of it is just do not you therein condemn your Brethren whose ancient practice was frequently to disturb the establisht Worship of God And do you not therein justifie the practice of such as Whipt Stockt Imprisoned and Fined your Brethren for violating and disturbing such a Worship so establisht by Law Yea you acquit them of the Sin of Persecution with which you formerly charged them but now you begin to threaten me to beware of the consequences which may fall on me both as a Man and a Christian c. By which Letter from Josh Bangs 't is plain what they would be at had they Power which God grant they never may But if they had so long as my property in the House remains so long God permitting me Life and Health I shall at times visit them in order to shew them their Errors still resuming my frequent Challenge That if they will give me a Months notice I will meet any four six or ten of their ablest Preachers in Milden-Hall and prove them guilty of the Errors in this Book laid to their Charge Thus Noble Bereans have I finished my Epistle to you in which I have truly and fairly stated the Quakers Creed shewed the way how to deal with them and by their recited Letter what they would be aâ— had they Power so that unless they publickly recant of their Errors and under the Hand of six or more of their Chieftains condemn their pernitious Principles have nothing to do with them beware of their gilded Pills and remember Ireneus 's saying Whilst Hereticks speak like the Faithful they not only mean otherwise than they say but clean contrary and by their Tenents full of Blasphemy they destroy the Souls of those who with their fair words suck in the Poyson of their foul Opinions See his third Book against Heresies c. and now shall conclude with these words I writ in 1668. viz. To write no more I long since did intend But none but God knows now when I shall end For still I find when I think all is done As much to write as when I first begun Sept. the 7th 1692. Francis Bugg The Contents of this Book IN the Epistle to the Bereans the Christian Creed the Quakers Creed Remarks upon them and a Method prescribed to deal with the Quakers In the Introduction the Quakers against the Quakers Martin Luther's Resolutitn and Dr. Barns his Example pursued desiring to read both sides THE Quakers Proposition to dispute page 2 Twelve Errors charged on the Quakers Doctrine p. 3 Separation from the Quakers no Apostacy p. 8 Arch-Bishop Cranmor once mistaken in the Papists p. 12 Hugh Latimer once mistaken in the Papists p. 14 Martin Luther's Humility manifested p. 14 The Quakers deny Christ p. 16 Dr. Barns Martin Luther and John Bradford's Confession of Sin p. 18. 19. The Name Christ the Quakers attribute to themselves p. 20 The Quakers make their Writings Equivolent to the Scripture p. 21 The Quakers render the Scripture uncertain and fallible p. 23 The Quakers and Papists agree in not reading Scripture in their Worship p. 24 The Quakers not Addressing nor Praying for King William and Queen Mary p. 27 The Conference between F. B. and G. Whithead p. 33 A large Quotation of Dr. Barns against Imposition p. 37 G. Whitehead's Narrative confuted p. 50
F. Bugg's property in their Meeting-House maintained p. 51 Sam. Carter's Sufferings a Sham and Trick p. 55 A Challenge propos'd about Wives against Husband p. 57 The Quak. common Bankers or Purs-mongers p. 61 Thom. Ellwood's Confession that their Ministers take Money p. 64 The Quak. preach for Money Hirelings amongst them p. 62 The Christian Quak. Creed differ from the Foxonians p. 69 Mr. Archer's Query which Silensed G. Whitehead p. 74 As the true Prophets bear witness to Christ Acts 10. 39. to 43. so do the false Prophets with one Mouth bear witness to G. F. p. 78 An ERRATA Redar My distance from the Press and other Accidents have occasioned some Errors in this Treatise both in points Letters in spelling and Words the most material whereof are here noted which thou art desired both to Excuse and Correct The Introduction Page 1. line 18. for lote read late p. 1. l. 25. for thus r. the. p. 2. l. 10. for Rolick r. Pollitick p. 2. l. 14. for surely r. sorely p. 2. l. 23. for Cuter r. Cater p. 3. l. 24. for stroke r. strike p. 4. l. 27. for bids Commmand r. Bids or Command p. 4. l. 35. for this r. his p. 4. l. 36 for as craved r. and craved p. 6. l. 40. for Qua Volumne r. Quae Vnmaskt p. 5. l. 33. for pole r. pale p. 6. l. 44. for Ludam r. Ludum p. 8. l. 24. for first r. false p. 9. l. 13. for be noe r. be more p. 9. l. 14. for the r. by the. p. 10. l. 10. for matter r. Martyr p. 12. l. 6. so a Rinn r. Rind The Book Page 2. line 6. for at every read at any p. 2. l. 23. for race r. foot p. 2. l. 28. for discorded r. discovered p. 3. l. 31. for Rayment r. Garment p. 6. l. 5. for Quak. Chal. p. 6 r. p. 3. p. 8. l. 28. for either r. either by p. 10. l. 32. for omnis r. omnes p. 18. l. 36. for stratched r. stretched p. 22. l. 34. for rine r. Rind p. 23. l. 8. for Imposture r. Imposter p. 25. l. 13. for proclaim r. practice p. 25. l. 18. for Advice of r. A device of p. 26. l. 2. for Pologitico r. Pologetico p. 26. l. 20. for Apostate r. Apostasie p. 40. l. 13. for different r. indifferent p. 42. l. 36. for mundam r. in mundum p. 43. l. 14. for Audland r. outland p. 45. l. 13. for S. B. r. F. B. p. 45. l. 15. for make r. made p. 45. l. 27. for transcribe r. subscribe p. 45. l. 34. for freely r. fairly p. 50. l. 10. for as r. at p. 51. l. 18. for the forth r. near the fourth p. 53. l. 32. for Defame r. Defamer p. 53. l. 32. for Dornham r. Downham p. 66. l. 18. for the primer r. A primer p. 73. l. 9. for And meer r. And that for meer in l. 10. for And the r. And taught Advertisement Several Books wrote by the same Author and Sold by Mr. Gwillim in Bishopsgate-street against the Great James Book-seller in London viz. The I. Entituled De Christiana Libertate c. The II. The Painted Harlot both stript and whipt c. The III. Reason against Railing c The IV. The Quakers detected c. The V. Innocency vindicated c. The VI. Battering Rams against New Rome c. The VII One Blow more at New Rome c. The VIII New Rome unmaskt and her Foundation Shaken c. THE INTRODUCTION Friendly Reader HAving already wrote several Books against the Errors and evil Practices of the People call'd Quakers and finding their Answers so Evasive and Remote from the Point in Question so filled with Railing and Abusing Language Equivocations Pervertions and Forgeries That were it not to make a further Discovery of their dangerous Principles which are very Pernicious to the Christian Religion I should rather chose to be Silent and bear all their Reproaches Slanders and Scandalous Defamations with which their Books are filled Then to trouble my self or my Reader with any Reply to their Contentious Pamphlets For though G.W. charges me to be Contentious yet he hath Wrot Three Books against me to my one against them viz. in nine Months time especially Considering that by several Books already Extant they are very much unmasked And their Vizard in a great measure is taken off particularly by that Excellent Book Intituled The Quakers Unmasked their Double Dealing and Falshartedness Discoverd c. in Quarto Printed Anno 1691 which doth Amply set forth their Temporizing As well as their Writing and Printing against the Presbyterians and Independants for being engaged in the Lote Wars in the most Revengful and Aggravating Terms their Pen could Express Notwithstanding they themselves were equally concern'd with them in the same Cause and Quarell Exhorting and Incouraging Oliver his Army and Officers Not to leave off till they had set up their Standard at the Gates of Rome let your Soldiers go forth said they with a free and willing Heart that you may Rock Nations as a Cradle * Bat. Rams p. 5. and the Qua. Vnmasked p. 5 6 7. Thus next Book I refer to is that Intituled A looking Glass for the Quakers in two Columns which sets forth their two fast Practice in writing against the Papists when under and on their behalf when uppermost viz. in the Reign of the Late King James c. both which Books are Sold by Mr. Gwillim Bookseller in Bishopsgatestreet and stands unshaken by their Answers And remain firm Testimonies against their Temporizing their turning with the Times their Base Insinuations against others more Righteous then themselves c. The next Book I Refer too is that of mine Intituled Battering Rams against New Rome c. And that Intituled The Painted Harlot both Stript and Whipt c. The first reciting Ten Instances of their deep Hypocrisie which they have not been able to confute The Second discovers the Imperiousness of their Ministers and the mischief of their Impositions who in the Year 1675 made an Un-Scriptural Law or Ordinance at their Yearly Meeting that their hearers should constantly meet And Neither forsake nor Remove nor Decline their Meeting like Worldly Fearful and Rollitick Professors And they themselves Refused to stand in a like suffering Capacity with them By telling their Names and Habitation See Paint Harlot p 5. insomuch as that in the loss of 13550 lib. Odd money their Ministers never lost 50 lib. But this Book did surely vex these Mediantes for it touched their tender part as Erasmus once said of the other Monks and to be Revenged on me they Printed and Exposed me to be an Informer though at the same time they knew me to be no such manner of Person But so far from it as that they knew me to be one of the greatest sufferers by Informers in all these Parts yet such was their Implacable malice that they therein followed the Example of the Jesuites whose
many c. I say when thou seest this their erroneous Princiciple and considers that they reckon none Believers but themselves thou wilt begin to see a necessity for a Testimony to be born against them tho' they rail and rave because thereof like their Predecessor Mr. Harding I say when these erroneous Principles and the Consequences of them come to thy view thou mayest then consider whether I have been vainly contentious yea or nay I know if thou wilt observe G. Whitehead and his Brethrens Advice they would like their Elder Sister have thee Read but one side burn and consume such Books as rip up their Errors for Errour loves obscurity they would have you believe as the Church viz. as they believe without any farther Examination and to pin your Faith on their Sleeves But if you obey then know that you are upon the Borders of Rome let their pretences for their direction and yours for your blind Obedience be never so fairly gilded and curiously painted And therefore I beseech thee and that for thy Souls sake search thou the Scriptures as Christ biddeth thee Learn to know the Will of God as St. Paul himself adviseth thee have pleasure in God's holy Word as the Prophet David warneth thee and thou shalt never be deceived But be able to try all things and inclined to hold fast that which is good Which that we may all do is the Desire and Prayer of thy Faithful Monitor MILDEN-HALL January 12. 1691. Fran. Bugg New Rome UNMASK'D AND HER Foundation Shaken c. CHAP. I. Shewing that the forsaking the Quakers is no errour from the Articles of the Christian Faith AS a Preface to what I have set forth from their own Writings to be their Principles I think it needful to incert the Terms upon which I offered to dispute with them in order to prove them erroneous and the rather because I took them out of Edward Burough's Epistle in the Front of his Works which they printed in Folio and in the Works of G. Fox his Great Mist c. which I also left with the Quakers at their publick Meeting in Milden-Hall November 22. 1691. referring them to Book and Page out of which I collected their said Principles giving them a Months time to appear in their defence that so neither for want of time nor yet the knowledge of the Books they might plead a surprize or that they had not fair dealing c. I also then did signifie to them that if they did not appear in their Vindication I should print them All this like a fair Antagonist I have done leaving them without Excuse And so gladly would we be made manifest to all the World (a.) Deceit for if so you would have met and not declined a dispute that we may freely and chearfully 4 10 20 30 more or fewer of us give as many of the wisest and ablest of the Priests and Professors A Meeting for dispute (b.) A very sham your declining the dispute hath discovered you at every place in England (c.) If so why then at Milden-hall at what time and for what continuance as they shall ascribe and consent unto And to dispute and controvert between us and them any such thing and eveâ—y such particular (d.) Are not the following particulars of Moment for you to make out if you can work a Miracle as shall be objected That by such dispute and opening of such causes objected Full and Real and total satisfaction may be given to the whole Nation and every particular Member therein (e.) If you indeed meant as you make shew of in your boasting why did you not appear and answer my challenge defend your selves your Tenents and Principles otherwise let the Priests and Professors or any of them Object what they can against us in our Principle Faith Practice and our whole Religion (f.) That 's a grand lye spoken in deep Hypocrisie for your guilty Conscisciences will not suffer you to meet And they shall have free liberty to give Proof and Reason for what they affirm and alledge and upon this race will ingage with them and with any of our Enemies (h.) Another lye spoken in Hypocrisie or what Sect and Profession soever to the intent only that Truth may be manifest (g.) What a plain Evasion is this I know not what mental Reservation they had or could have and imbraced and Deceipt and Error discorded and denyed And let such whether them or us that cannot prove our selves to be the true Church of Christ nor of the true worship and true Religion but 't is found to be in the errour and out of the Truth let such deny their Religion and Church and Renounce their Faith and confess to all the World under their hands that they are and have been deceived and freely upon these Issues and Conditions we will joyn Tryal with them let them appoint Time and Place What are you not ashamed Did I not appoint time and place according to your own Conditions and Proposals this is as Hypocritical as G. Whitehead's seinged Prayer in his Book Judgment fixed p. 356 357. and profer Terms at their own pleasure c. These Proposals of theirs having a fair countenance I carried them read them and the Principles as I have observ'd which were as follows And because they shall have no occasion to complain of any wrong I shall in this Column set down their own words verbatim out of their own Books quoting Book and Page In this Column I set forth their Principles unmask'd in their Native Complexion that they as in a glass may behold their own Tenets and others beholding them may be caution'd to be aware of them 1. The Quakers Books 1. Geo. Fox his great Myst p. 89. c. being charged that they pretended to a high pitch of discerning of Knowing who are Saints Devils c. made Answer Here thou hast shewed that the Quakers have a Spirit given to them beyond all the Fore-fathers which we do witness since the days of the Apostles in the Apostacy And they can discern who are Saints who are Devils and who are Apostates without speaking ever a Word 1. The Quakers Principles 1. We have a Spirit given to us beyond all the Fore-fathers since the Apostles days And we know and can discern who are Saints who are Apostates and who are Devils without speaking ever a Word 2. The Quakers Books 2. Judas and the Jews p. 58. We need none to give us discerning or Judgment Christ hath furnish'd us already and doth in all occasions 2. The Quakers Principles 2. We need none to give us discerning or Judgment Christ hath furnish'd us already and doth in all occasions 3. The Quakers Books 3. A Question to the Professors p. 33. viz. Now the Scriptures do expresly distinguish between Christ and the raiment 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 Loe I come a Body hast thou prepared me 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 And his flesh is a figure c. says G. F. Saul's Errand p. 14. 3. The Quakers Principles 3. He that was born of the Virgin Mary He that sat upon Jacob's Well He that wept when Lazarus was raised He that hungered after he had fasted forty days in the Wilderness He that was peirsed with a Spear crowned with Thorns Spit upon smote with the palms of their hands crucified dyed and was buried is not the Christ the Saviour of the World but they say a Figure a Garment a Vail c. Oh horrid Blasphemy 4. The Quakers Books 4. A Question to the Professors per Is Penington p. 27. Is not the Substance the Life the Annointing called Christ where-ever it is found doth not the Name belong to the whole Body and every Member in the Body as well as to the Head and are they not all of one yea all one in the Anointing and in Saul's Errand c. p. 8. G. F. says He that hath the same Spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead is equal with GOD. What an Abominable Assertion is this 4. The Quakers Principles 4. The Name Christ belongs to the whole Body as well as to the Head And to every Member of the Body the Name is not given to the Vessel but to the Nature to the heavenly Treasure to that which is of Him in the Vessel And he that hath the same Spirit which raised up Jesus from the dead is equal with God In short all the Members of Christ's body deserve the Name of Christ as well and as authentickly as He that suffered without the Gates of Jerusalem and as certain that every such an one that hath the same Spirit that raised Him from the dead every such an one is equal with GOD. O horrid 5. The Quakers Books 5. Edward Burrong's Works p. 47. That is no Command from God to me what he Commands to another neither did any of the Saints which we read of in Scripture act by the Command which was given to another not having the Command to themselves 5. The Quakers Principles 5. That is no Command to me which was a Command to another neither did any of the Saints act by a Command that was given to another 6. The Quakers Books 6. Serious Apology by Geo. Whitehead p. 49. verbatim also Truths Defence by G. F. and R. H. p. 90. 94. 269. 6. The Quakers Principles 6. That which is spoken from the Spirit of Truth in any is of as great Authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are and greater c. The Letter of the Scripture is carnal is death and killeth Serpent like thou feedest upon Dust which is the Letter 7. The Quakers Books 7. Truths Defence c. p. 104. For our giving forth Papers or printed Books it is from the immediate Eternal Spirit of God p. 2. You might as well have condemned the Scriptures to the fire as our Queries 7 The Quakers Principles 7. We say you may as well condemn the Scriptures to the fire as our Papers and Queries our giving forth Papers or printed Books it is from the immediate Eternal Spirit of God 8. The Quakers Books 8. Now he that is not infallible in his Judgment Counsel and Advice is not he in errour And are not the Ministers of Christ the Ministers of the Spirit And is not that out of the errour which is infallible in Counsel and Judgment This I say None be Ministers of the Spirit nor none be in the Spirit nor none have the Spirit of Christ nor the Holy Ghost nor the Spirit of the Father speaking in them but who have that which is infallible And thou sayest That the holiest man is not able to give an infallible Character of another man hast not thou in this discovered thy self to be no Minister of Christ or of the Spirit who cannot give an infallible Character of another mans state how canst thou minister to his Condition Geo. Fox his Great Mystery c. p. 33. 82. 107. 8. The Quakers Principles 8. None are Ministers of Christ but such as are infallible none are Ministers of Christ but such as can give an infallible Character of another mans state none are Ministers of Christ but such as are infallible in their Counsel Judgment and Advice 9. The Quakers Books 9. The Quakers Challenge p. 6. Edward Burroughs Epistle to the Camp of the Lord in England c. p. 16. Truths Defence c. p. 81. 92. Be astonish'd Oh Reader when thou readest these blasphemous Assertions And what good things G. Fox assigns without Condition or Terms but absolute for themselves And what misery woe and horror for others without any Terms or Repenting or Mercy of God Oh dreadful And yet these are but little of what might be collected But the consequences of this Luciferian Pride is abominable and pernicious to the Christian Religion 9. The Quakers Principles 9. The Quakers are in the Truth and none but they Above all the Families of the Earth the Tabernacle of God is with you and his dwelling Place is among you and only among you is God known We are elected to Salvation we have the Witness within us Praises be to the glorious Lord God for ever who hath elected and chosen us before the foundation of the World But thou art ordained meaning the Minister of old for Condemnation and for Perdition among the ungodly ones and art a Reprobate Thou Enemy of God and man of Sin for Destruction thou art ordained to go therein thy fear of it doth begin and the Lake that burneth and the Pit thou art for to be turned into Eternally G. Fox 10. The Quakers Books Josiah Cole's Letter to G. F. from Barbadoes 21. 12. Month 1658. Dear Geo. Fox Who art the Father of many Nations whose Life hath reached through us thy Children even to the Isles a far off to the begetting many again to a lively hope for which Generations to come shall call thee Blessed whose Being and Habitations is in the Power of th Highest in which thou rules and governs in Righteousness and thy Kingdom is established in Peace and the Increase thereof is without end This is vindicated by W. Pen. See Judas and the Jews c. p. 44. and in Innocency against Envy p. 18. excused by Geo. Whitehead 10. The Quakers Principles Idolatrous and Blasphemous 11. The Quakers Books 11. Good Advice to the Church of England Rom. Cath. and Protestant Dissenters by W. P. p. 39. Edw. VI. succeeded a Prince that promised Vertues that might more than ballance the Excesses of his Father and yet by Archbishop Cranmar was compelled to sign a Warrant to burn poor Joan of Kent a famous Woman but counted an Enthusiast Thus
Goods was Distrained yet not a Penny worth sold and he kept this Ten Pound and never returned it and yet this is not all but in their Quarterly Book it was not long since Recorded as a Suffering Such Cheats there are amongst them and Thirty Pounds at a time for Writing five or six Sheets of Paper Fifty Pound per Annum for Clarks Wages as standing yearly Sallery and Twelve Pence for Writing a Marriage Certificate of Ten or Twelve Lines sometimes your people might publish their Intentions of Marriage at the Market-Cross or before a Magistrate if they were free so that here is Ambo-dexter indeed sometimes Liberty and by and by its taken away again by these Infallible Legislators so that when all comes to all it s no Body knows what but the Leading Quakers are all in all tot quot omnis Thus the Quakers Priests who talk for self Is fangling talk against it self ' Gainst Truth a prate a pitious preachment That can't make good its own Impeachment As Penn 's and VVhitehead 's Doctrine do Who heeds not well which way they go Fox and Sam. Cater dances round And round again in th' self same ground It staggers to and fro and reels Skips up and down and runs on wheels Starts aside like some broken Bow Crosses Christ like Cris-cross in the row Who so can feel in it may feel As 't were a wheel within a wheel A net gin trap a snare's in 't A whirlpool gulf a bottomless pit Wind dusk husk chaff no stable steeple A tale that takes unstable people A toy a cloud mist smoke a fog Right Quakerism yea a quavering bog A quick sand a quagmire that sucks Who 's in 't his feet out-seldom plucks Himself who 's in get seldom out It 's self's more seldom in than out It flutters like some night-blind batt Now here now there this way now that Now it is one thing then another And now and then nor t 'one nor t'other Sometimes it 's this sometimes it 's that Sometimes it 's this and this and that Sometimes it 's either this or that Sometimes 't is neither this nor that Now this not t'other anon it 's either Then by-and-by both both and neither One while it looks like so not no Another while like no not so One way it seems or so or no Another way nor no nor so Some way it shews both so and no So 't is a mere endless no and so Postscript To write no more I long since did intend But none but God knows now when I shall end For still I find when I think all is done As much to write as when I first begun Jan. 1. 1686. Fra. Bugg Reader I have transcribed the more of this former Book of mine Intituled The Quakers detected and their Errors confuted c. by reason George Whitehead in his Book styled The Contentious Apostate c. recites the first Point then under Consideration which was How I came to be a Member of their Society But the second Point under Consideration which was How I came to see and perceive their Apostacy and leave them And the third Point under Consideration which was How and by what means I came to have satisfaction in going to the Publick I say these two last Points G. W. takes no notice of For I having in the first Point acknowledged what I then apprehended he represents it as if I was of the same Judgment when I went to the Publick for if that be not his intent he speaks in the Air and to no purpose Now if I at the time of my going to Church was in the belief that the Quakers were in the true Faith true Worship spiritual Testimony attended with that Simplicity c. which I in 86. thought them to be in as I did in 1660 c. Then I grant I had gone self-condemned because I had acted contrary to my belief But to answer that so long as I had those thoughts I kept to them nay longer But when I went to the publick that part of my Book now recited shews my mind sufficiently and my judgment concerning them to which I refer the Reader Obj. Well but still George seems to object that I did once own them to have been the true Church and therefore to leave them is SELF-CONDEMNED APOSTACY Answ I marvel G. W. should think that to be Apostacy for if that be sound Arguing then I will prove most of the Ancient Quakers self condemned Apostates since they have separated from the Church of England or some other Protestant Churches which they once owned to be a true Church And to confirm this my opinion and judgment I will produce a good Author in my Esteem whatever he be in G. W.'s and that is Archbishop Cranmer that Innocent Martyr whose life is worthy to be had in Imitation by all English Protestants for he was the principal Instrument under GOD and the King that threw off the Popes yoke of Supremacy c. Foxes Acts and Mon. p. 1488. Well let us hear what he says In the beginning the Church of Rome taught a pure and sound Doctrine But after the Church of Rome fell into a new Doctrine of Transubstantiation I marvel that any man would allow it if they knew what it is But whatsoever they bear the people in hand that which they write in their Books have neither truth nor comfort Now George was this Martyr a self-condemned Apostate let me have your opinion in your next He said as much in commendation of the Roman Church as I ever said of yours and by the way I believe upon better grounds For I must tell you I am not of the same mind I was in in 1686. concerning you in the beginning since I have of late examined your ancient Errors and observed the consequences of them but of that more anon I say was this Arch-bishop an Apostate for that he owns she was once a true Church And yet he separated from her and says there is neither truth nor comfort in their Books though perhaps she pretended like her youngest Daughter See your 6 principle that she gave forth her Papers and Printed Books from the eternal and immediate Spirit of GOD and that they were of greater Authority than the Scriptures yet you hear Dr. Cranmers opinion that there is neither truth nor comfort in their Books And I am of the same opinion concerning most of yours and do as much marvel that the people will allow your Books many of them at least which you pretend to be of such Authority so immediately given forth by GOD's holy Spirit when they are filled much with nonsense lyes forgeries false doctrine blasphemies yea I do as much wonder at your People Defence of the Apology of the Church of England p. 460 461. as this good Man did at the Papists your Ancestors since the Papists could not be worse And if you will see the 460 and 461 Pages in the
Spirit contrary to the Prophets contrary to the Apostles contrary to the Ancient Fathers and contrary to the Spirit Faith and Principle of the blessed Martyrs but such hath been the art of these Deluders that as they have undervalued Christ calling him a Garment a Vail a Figure c. So have they undervalued the Holy Scriptures by calling them Carnal Death Dust the Serpents Food and the like Antichristian names as anon I shall shew so that it will be hard to perswade their Disciples to read the Scriptures cited And if they do yet not to yield them that Authority which G.W. gives to their speaking by the Spirit who says That which is spoken from the Spirit of Truth in any is of as great Aurity as the Scriptures and Chapters are and greater c. Ser Apoll. p. 49. Oh the consequence of this monstrous opinion if HE that was born c. be not the Christ but a Garment a Vail a Figure c. Then why did not the Prophets foretell that a Virgin should conceive and bring forth a Garment That a Virgin should conceive and bring forth a Vail a Figure c. Oh monstrous So that it s no marvel that you do not pray in the Name of Christ beg pardon in the Name of Christ since you own Him only as a Garment which waxeth old or as a Figure c. Object But perhaps some of your own People may say is it indeed such a Christian duty to make Confession of our Sins to God and to beg Pardon for Jesus Christs sake If we indeed believed it a duty we would notwithstanding the practice of our Teachers who we know does not practice the same c. Answer I hope then there is some such Bereans still left how thin soever they be amongst you and for their sakes in my book The Quakers detected and their Errors confuted c. I laid down many precepts to which I refer you as also to the Scriptures in the Margin and if you read the Scriptures you shall not read one book from Genesis to the Revelations but you shall find some precept which may strengthen you in this your duty And that I may not leave this point without warrantable proof I will add to the Testimony of the Prophets and Practice of the Apostles and the Precept of Christ who has taught his Disciples and in them all that follow them in the same Faith to say Forgive us our Sins c. The Practice and Judgment of the blessed Martyrs who unanimously as a Cloud of Witnesses concur with the Judgment and Practice of the primitive Chistians And against the singular opinion and singular practice of your Ministers who though they pretend and make you believe they have a Spirit beyond all the Forefathers it is indeed being rightly interpreted a Spirit contrary to all the Forefathers of the Christian Race First then hear Dr. Robert Barnes viz. The whole Church prayeth LORD forgive us our Sins See his works p. 254. wherefore she hath spots and wrincles But by acknowledging them through the Merits of Christ her wrincles be scratched out c. Next hear what Martin Luther says touching this particular duty viz. But thou wilt say the Church is Holy the Fathers are Holy it is true notwithstanding See his Commentary upon Gall. p. 36. albeit the Church is Holy yet is she compelled to pray Forgive us our Trespasses so tho the Fathers are Holy yet are they saved through the Forgiveness of sins These two have given joint Testimony that 't is the Churches Duty nay she is compelled to confess and beg pardon of her Sins I come next to holy Bradfords practice that humble and constant Martyr of Jesus Christ in his Epistle to his London Friends which for the excellency of it I could willingly have recited the whole but brevity forces only an Abridgment viz. To all that profess the Gospel Fox's Acts Monuments p. 1176 1177. and true Doctrine of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ in the City of London John Bradford an unworthy Servant of the LORD But with THEE is Mercifulness that thou mighst be worshipped Oh then be mercyful unto us that we might truly worship THEE help us for the Glory of thy Name be merciful unto our Sins for they are great Oh heal us and help us for thine Hoaour let not the wicked people say where is their GOD On this sort my right dearly beloved let us heartily bewail our Sins repent us of our former evil Life and heartily and earnestly purpose to amend our Lives in all things continually watch in Prayer diligently and reverently attend hear and read the Holy Scriptures By which you may perceive Firrst This holy mans humility acknowledgeth himself unworthy Secondly The like is not to be found in any of the Quakers former books His acknowledging his Sins Thirdly That he begged pardon for His Mercy sake Fourthly His holy Resolution and heavenly Exhortation And now to finish this Chapter I shall conclude in the words of Dr. Barnes whose Faith in Christ does as much differ from the Faith of and Principles of the Quakers as Light from Darkness See their 3d. and 4th Principle in the first Chapter For in Him which they call a bodily Garment and which they say they can never own to be Christ did this blessed Martyr at the Flames confess to be his LORD and Saviour also his practice of asking Pardon of Sin is directly contrary to their practice pray hear him Dr. R. Barnes his protestation which he made at the Stake concerning his Faith in Christ Jesus I am said he come hither to be burned as an Heretick and you shall hear my Belief Acts and Monuments p. 610. whereby you shall perceive what erronious opinions I hold and now hearken to my Faith I believe in the Holy and Blessed Trinity * I have often marvelled why the Quaker would not own the word Trinity but now I do not since they deny the 2d Person that created and made all the world I believe that without mans will or power Christ Jesus was conceived by the Holy Ghost and took Flesh of the Blessed Virgin Mary That he suffered Thirst Hunger Cold †Which he could not do as he was God but as he was man viz. the man Christ Jesus and other Passions of our bodies Sin excepted according to the saying of St. Peter I belive that this his Death and Passion was the sufficient Ransom for the Sins of all the world * Then surely he was more than a Garment or Vail or Figure and the Quakers saying they can never own this bodily Garment to be Christ as their phrase is t is as much as if they had said they do not own the Christ of GOD. And I believe that thorow his Death he overcame Sin Death and Hell And that there is no other satisfaction unto the Father but His Death and Passion only Mind this ye
Remark at present I come next to shew what Slight and Contempt they have cast on the Scriptures in order to invalidate their Certainty and Authority and therein to shew G. W. how they value their unwrit Traditions above the Scriptures both in words as well as in practice as I shall shew anon for I am not picking at the Rine now but plucking at the Root And tho I must confess they are sturdy Oaks yet the Ax that is laid will level them unless they repent which I pray GOD they may if it be his Will Amen First That which is spoken from the Spirit of Truth in any is of as great Authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are and greater Serious Apology page 49. By G. Whitehead in his Serious Apology p. 49. G. Whitehead's Ishmael p. 10. Secondly That which is written is the Letter which is Death and killeth Way to the Kingdom p. 8. Thirdly The Scriptures are a declaration of the Word the Husk Fourthly The Letter of the Scripture is carnal Saul's Errand to Damascus p. 7. and the Letter is Death and killeth In one of their Books * The Quakers Refuge fix'd on the Rock of Ages p. 17. they thus query viz. Whether the first Penman of the Scriptures was Moses or Hermes Or whether both these or not one Or whether there are not many words contained in the Scriptures which were not spoken by Inspiration of the Holy Spirit Whether some words were not spoken by the grand Imposture some by wicked Men some by wise Men ill applied some by good Men ill expressed some by false Prophets and yet true some by true Prophets and yet false Now Reader setting aside the Contempt George Fox George Whitehead and others anciently threw upon the Scriptures as Carnal Dust the Serpent's Meat Husk not of that Authority with what is said to be spoken from the Spirit of Truth and the like I say setting aside THAT what can be the natural Tendency of these Queries but to prejudice the weak Readers against the Authority of the Scriptures especially such who take Examples of them in that they never read a Chapter in their Meetings for the Worship of GOD. If what the true Prophets spake be FALSE If what good Men spake be ILL EXPRESSED If what wise Men spake be ILL APPLIED Then what is there left besides what was spoken by true Prophets good Men and wise Men If there be any as you seem to suggest that 't is spoken by the grand Impostor and by wicked Men and false Prophets c. And if there be some little left that was spoken by true Prophets and is true some by good Men well expressed some by wise Men rightly applied Yet you not having made any distinction who shall know what is true from that which is false that which is well expressed and rightly applied from the contrary since you have left these three wretched Questions unresolved and the Scriptures doubtful ambiguous and uncertain robbing them of that Authority which GOD's People from Age to Age have justly attributed to them As for the five Books of Moses who wrote them Moses or Hermes is now put into the world as a Question Yea whether either or neither be the Author of those Books Yea these very Writings of Moses which I never heard question'd before are now proposed whether Moses or Hermes be the Author of them Now if Moses and Hermes be all one then why is the Query put unless you would have Moses to be Hermes and not Hermes to be Moses And so Moses being lost and Hermes only a Philosopher in Egypt being found the Books going under the Name of Moses's shall be lost also If this was not your mind why do you fill the world with such Atheistical Queries c Christ himself often quoted the Writings of Moses * See Mark 12.16 Luke 16.29 Luke 24.27 Acts 3. Luke 26.27 44. and so did the Apostles I never till now took so much notice of this your wretched Design to bring the Scriptures into Contempt that so you might exalt your own unwritten Traditions and therefore there is Reason enough in this to shew that forsaking the Quakers is no Apostacy from the Christian Faith CHAP. V. Shews that the Forsaking the Quakers is no Apostacy from the Articles of the Christian Faith IN my Book One Blow more at NEW ROME c. I gave six Reasons why I compared the Quakers to New Rome Rome's Sister c. Amongst which one was That they value their unwritten Traditions above the Scriptures five of those six G. W. never touches But that of their valuing their unwrit Traditions above the Scriptures he says is a Lye without giving any one Demonstration c. And therefore to justifie my Charge That you value your unwrit Traditions above the Scriptures I prove thus First it never was from first to last your practice to read any one Chapter of the Bible nor any one Epistle of Paul Peter or any of the Apostles in your Meetings for Worship of GOD when as you have read the Epistles of Robert Sandyland Samuel Cater William Penn George Whitehead and Stephen Crisp with as much Attention and Devotion as the Papists do their Legends and this with what is writ in Chap. IV. is sufficient to prove the Point for I take all which is written in opposition to or in competition with the Scriptures to be unwritten Traditions Now if I can make it first appear that it is a principle of the Papists not to read the Scriptures in their Churches And secondly That it was and is the practice of Protestants to read the Scriptures in their Churches and Assemblies for the Worship of GOD then I hope Geo. Whitehead will not blame me for calling them New Rome who in almost every point follows their Example And also I hope it will be a caution to many of the Quakers to look about them who shall find themselves led by their Teachers into the very Road and High way to Rome before ever they so much as thought of it nay that they are in her very Borders and Territories when they thought all had been well and that they had been as their Teachers tell them and would make them believe even in the Heights of Sion in the Truth and none but THEY and that amongst them ONLY is God known elected before the world began and the like First Then to shew that it was against the principles of the Papists to read the Scriptures in their Churches Mr. HARDING against JEWEL By the Instinct of Satan Defence of the Apol. of Ch. of England p. 580. ye have brought the People from Devotion to careless Idleness from speaking to God with Hearts and Lips to a spiritual Dumbness from Prayers to Chapters from holy Think or silent meeting to unprofitable Hearing Thus much from one of the ablest the Pope had to defend his Errors by which the Reader may observe that
that the Prosperity of his Affairs and our peaceable Fruition of the Exercise of our Consciences beareth the same Date Dated June 1637. Thus Reader you see that from England to Scotland and from Scotland to England they sounded his Fame in the Highest strain of words praying GOD for his Preservation and praising GOD for defeating his Enemies But alas Has King William been without Enemies Hath their been no Plotting against him I will not say by some of themselves No Contrivance nor no Conspiracies against his Royal Person Yea against the Kingdom that they cannot afford one Prayer for his long Life one Praise to God for his Deliverance Hath not he granted all they can reasonably desire of him I know they will be angry at me for reminding them of these things but why should they be hid that never hid any body Why should not they be discovered and known to be really what they are that for 30 years have made it their business or a great part of it at least to render all sorts of People as odious as they could and what they really were not and their end could be nothing but to exalt their own Horn c. But Providence hath so ordered it that the same Pit they digged for others they are justly fallen into themselves and are left as Mr. Baxter says in his Penitential Confession p. 63. 1691. viz. A disgraced broken Sect as the Quakers be amongst us now c. A broken Sect indeed divided wholly in many places One sort shut up the Meeting-house against the other divided in Cities and Towns yea almost in every Village The Foxonian Government is in many places quite thrown off See J. Hogs book and in others weakening every day Well but to return see another of their Addresses viz. The Humble Address of the People called QVAKERS to K. James II. from their Yearly meeting in London The 6th Day of June 1688. WE the Kings loving and peaceable Subjects from divers parts of his Domimions being met together in this City after our usual manner to * * Rather inâ—ect inspect the Affairs of our Christian Society THROVGHOVT THE WORLD think it our Duty humbly to represent to him the blessed Effects the Liberty he has gratiously granted his People to worship God according to their Consciences hath had both on our Persons and Estates For as formerly we had ever long and sorrowful Lists brought to us from almost all parts of his Territories of Prisoners and the spoil of Goods by violent and ill men upon account of Conscience We bless God and thank the King the Goals are every where clear except in cases of Tythes and the repair of Parish Churches and some few about Oaths And we do in all Humility lay it before the King to consider the hardships our Friends are yet under for Conscience sake being in the one chiefly exposed to the present anger of the Offended * * Oh! They knew how taking this would be cunning Foxes Clergy who have therefore lately imprisoned some of them till Death And in the other they are rendred very unprofitable to the publick and themselves both in reference to Freedoms in ††They thought this a good motive that so their Voices c. Corporations Probates of Wills and Testaments and Administrations Answers in Chancery and Exchequer Tryals of our just Titles and Debts Proceeding in our Trade at the Custom house serving the Office of Constable c. they are disabled and great Advantages taken against them unless the King's favour do interpose As we humbly hope he may relieve so we confidently assure our selves he will ease us what he can Now since it hath pleased thee O King to renew to all thy Subjects by thy last Declaration thy gratious Assurance to persue the Establishment of this Christian Liberty and Property upon an VNALTERABLE Foundation And in order to it to hold a Parliament in November next at furthest we think our selves deeply ingaged to renew our Assurances of Fidelity and Affection and with Gods help intend to do our parts * * To Vote c. for the effecting so blessed and glorious a work that so it may be out of the power of any one Party to hurt another upon the account of Conscience And as we firmly believe that God will never desert this Just and Righteous cause of Liberty NOR THE KING in maintaining of it so we hope by God's Grace to let the World see we can honestly and heartily appear for LIBERTY of CONSCIENCE * * And yet at the same time great Oppressors of it in your dissenting Friends but Hypocrisy will have its reward and be inviolable true to our own Religion whatever the Folly or Madness on that account may suggest to the contrary Thus Reader you see here is nothing wanting but bended Knees Here is in ALL Humility in ALL Fidelity with ALL Affection yea ALL ALL ALL All Prayers for him for long Life for prosperous Raign Laud and Praise in the highest for his deliverance for the defeating his enemies yea it would be too long to enumerate them besides Book after Book in favour of the Government and one Epistle after another and printed Letters first second and third sounding his fame throughout the World But since King William and Queen Mary came to the Crown as in the Letter to the Quakers was well observed NO Salutation NO Message NO Prayer for nor NO Address to K. W. and Q. M. made Publick NO Book writ in favour of him NO In all Humility NO In all Fidelity NO In all Affection NO Publick Prayers for his long and prosperous Reign NO Laud and Praise that his enemies are defeated here is all NO NO NO NO Tho thanks be to GOD he is now settled peaceably in his three Kingdoms COME what can you say for your selves Are you like those 1 Sam. 10.27 The children of Belial who said How shall this man save us And they despised him See your 12th principle and brought him no presents no Prayers no Addresses I know you have too much espoused the Romish principles some of which are 1. We must believe as the Church i. e. your Church believes 2. That the your Church cannot err 3. That she hath power to bind and loose 4. And that it is abominable Pride not to submit to her i. e. your Judgment You may remember you have had many Favors by Their Majesties particularly Liberty of Conscience established by Law which is one and not the least and yet having had three Annual Meetings in London not one Address c. Nay worse than so And as an aggravation of your Ingratitude you made an ORDER for the calling in the Widow Whitrow's Books she being formerly of your Society which was writ but in favour of this Government what Scripture had you for that You say that Christ and his Apostles did not require you to pray for Kings by Name I say so too
But since you prayed for and addressed your selves to King James by Name why can you not as well pray for Their Majesties by Name Well but since you can bring the Scriptures to cover and excuse your not addressing or praying for them by Name where do you find any Text for calling in and hindering the Sale of the Widow Whitro'ws Book aforesaid That is the Question which in your next you are desired to answer And tho I hope you did not order it to be burned as I am told and that by one of your own People too that George Whitehead ordered my Books to be burnt throughout all his Dominion I am sure therein he followed Rome exactly The way is first condemn the Man then condemn his Books but first burn the Man then his Books And sometimes when she cannot help it she do's otherwise and so do you you have first condemned me as a Self-condemned Apostate next my Books you have order'd to be burnt But I have not as yet heard that you have ordered a Stake to be prepared for me I do thank GOD you cannot 't is an old saying 'T is good that curst Cows have short Horns You that burn my Books if you had power which GOD grant you never may I would not trust you to burn me I tell you what thoughts soever I had of you in 1686 I have worse thoughts of you now And G. W. is one principal Man that hath raised these thoughts First By his defaming me endeavouring to destroy my Reputation according to the Jesuits Morals and the Papists Practises to the Martyrs all along Secondly By charging me in divers things as a great Criminal where his Conscience tells him I am clear * Particularly his second Charge in his last where he finds no Cause And Thirdly That instead of seeking Peace in the way of Peace he acts as contrary thereto as light is to darkness And tho he writes three Books against me in nine Months time yet he exposes me the Contentious Person And thus he goes on and says He neither consults Events nor fears Effects And the People his Disciples love to have it so if they did not they would not suffer such a Make-bate such a peevish waspish Man to sit and scrible one Book after another and yet will not come forth to prove his Accusation nor defend his Charge wherewith he and his Brethren stand charged And now by this my Book I do hereby challenge four or six of their ablest Preachers to come forth in the vindication of their Twelve Principles in the first Chapter if they can giving me a months notice and I will GOD permitting meet them in Milden-Hall and prove them erroneous and pernicious to the Christian Religion As also accept of the Three Charges exhibited by George Whitehead against me in his last Pamphlet styled The Contentious Apostate recharged c. And this will be better than everlastingly to print And tho in 1682 you would take no notice of what is said de Christiana Libertate p. 213. nor in the Painted Harlot c. p. 70 71. Yet if you look therein you may perceive my then Resolution in case you proceeded in that base and unworthy way in which S. Cater began tho indeed I always took G. W. to have a hand in that Book I say I was resolved to spare no Arrow which might light on the skirts of this well-favour'd Harlot tho I can say I have been slow and if I could any way have prevailed with them in the least to have acknowledged their Faults wherein they had done amiss it would have abated the edge of my Pen which has been severe upon G. W. as his just Demerit for his great Injustice and base way of writing Thus at present I only refer him to his Grandfather's practice Pope Leo X. * and others see Fox's Acts and Monuments Fox's Acts and Mon. p. 238 416 417 483. p. 238 416 417 483. But to return I remember George Fox put forth 2434 Queries to all the Scholars and Doctors in Europe to answer and bid them come out of their Holes Dens and lurking places into the Fields we shall see said George whether you can draw your weapons c. The said Questions consist chiefly in these and the like words viz. Quest What is a Genetive Case What is a Dative Case What is a Participle What is a Dipthong What is a Noun Why are these Declined And why is the word called Declined Who was the first Author of it And by whom it came And why is the word called Adverb And what is an Adverb the word itself and where was its rise c See for more of them in Battering Rams c. p. 18. This Book G. F. intituled A Primer for all the Doctors and Scholars in Europe printed 1659. And now what if I for once thrust in a Query amongst these or at the end of them as I found it the other day in an untoward Book intituled The Jacobites Catechism p. 5. to George Whitehead * He and three more deliver'd this Address at Windsor to King Charles the Second wherein they shewed what they were for who about the time of the Execution of the Lord Russell presented to King Charles the Second an Address crying out extremely against all HELLISH PLOTS AND TRAYTEROVS CONSPIRACIES The meaning was against the Lord RVSSELL the Lord Essex Sidney Cornish Bateman c. The knotty Query is this that followeth c. Query What made the Quakers no more concerned for the loss of those brave Patriots of your Country Essex and Russell c. who lost their Lives in defence of your Country and its Liberties c Come George this is as I said a knotty Question it will be difficult for you and W. P. to answer for all your subtilty and cunning tho many observe you are much fill'd therewith as most of the Jesuitical Race Well I will not insist too much on this Point lest you say I expose you But why should you talk of Exposing I only tell you your Duty And are you so proud having had the Rein to propose Questions to Bishops Ministers Presbyterians Anabaptists and all sorts caling them Witches See Edw. B's Works p. 54 55. A just Rebuke to 21 Divines c. The Way cast up c. Saul's Errand c. Truth 's Defence c. Plain and peaceable Advice c. Rusticus c. Devils Sots Conjurers Beasts Tinkers Moll 's Lizards Fiery Fighters such as can defend their Religion with the Sword to be turned into the Pit eternally Blood-thirsty Tyranical Projects c. Now if I should call you so then you might say I expose you but I only tell you of your Duty and remind you of the Leaven of the Pharisees which is Hypocrisy CHAP. VII Shews that forsaking the Quakers is no Apostacy from the Articles of the Christian Faith I AM now come to the Conference I had with George Whitehead
chief Bishop and is placed in Peter's Chair he cannot err c. Thus doth the Pope and G. W. stand in a double Capacity upon which Bishop Jewel made this Observation which I think may not be amiss to be incerted viz. And thus as the Heathens in old times imagined their Centaurus to be half a Man and half a Horse the one behind and the other before or their Janus to have two Faces the one behind and the other before EVEN SO have you imagined two Popes in one Body the one going backward the other forward the one bearing light the other darkness the one deceived the other not deceived the one speaking truth the other falshood and yet both these Popes or G. Whiteheads incorporate together in one Person Give us leave therefore Mr. Harding to say now as the whole Vniversity of Paris once said not long since unto Pope Leo viz. We appeal from our Lord the Pope that hath so shamefully erred unto the Pope that cannot err The Defence of the Apology c. p. 635 493 581. THE SECOND CHARGE viz. THAT G. WHITEHEAD IS A FALSE ACCVSER OF THE MARTYRS CHARGING THEIR DOCTRINE WITH RANTERISM SORDID RANTERISM c. Reader this being charged upon G. W. he in his Book styled The Contentious Apostate and his one Blow c. p. 13. says What Doctrine held by the Martyrs did G. W. accuse but only F. B's misapplication of the words which he saith were Doctor Barnes viz. THAT ALL OVTWARD WORKS BE THINGS INDIFFERENT AND MAY BE VSED AND ALSO LEFT When my Quotation of the Martyr's words run thus THAT ALL THESE WITH ALL OTHER OVTWARD WORKS BE THINGS INDIFFERENT AND MAY BE VSED AND ALSO LEFT Now the word OTHER which stands in opposition to things commanded or prohibited in Scripture G. W. hath left out on purpose to pervert my words viz. OTHER than what is commanded OTHER than what GOD hath prohibited c. as the Doctor 's words set forth And as to the MISAPPLICATION of them which was all the Fault he finds in that Book that is left to the Reader to judge For I brought the said Martyr's words as a Testimony against their imposing the Observations of their Womens distinct Meetings as set up by George Fox * See my Book de Christiana Libertate p. 30. to 70. where their Original is set forth and G. F. the Founder and their yearly Meetings Grant and Confirmation Anno 1675. which I judged as indifferent as the eating Flesh or Fish observing this or that day yea or as shaven Crowns long Beards or the Collar of a Fryer's Coat and this is clear from the Coherency of the place alledged But G. W. in his Book The Contentious Apostate recharged c. p. 2. Recharges me with accusing the Martyrs which is such a piece of Art as none but a Man void of Conscience Honesty and Reason would be so Fool-hardy to do His Charge runs thus viz. That F. B. is a false Accuser of the blessed Martyrs in charging that to be their Doctrine which is none of theirs but a gross Perversion Forgery and Abuse of his own both against them the Martyrs and us called Quakers Now from the Premises what indifferent Reader would imagine otherwise but that First F. B. had falsly accused the Martyrs or their Doctrine or at least accused them Secondly That F. B. had wrote a Story of his own or some other Man's and said it to be the Martyrs when it was none of theirs Thirdly That F. B. forged this Quotation both against the Martyrs and Quakers c. Oh the Impudence of this Jugler For I never did either of these And that it may appear so I shall first recite at large my Quotation which I took out of Dr. Barnes's Works p. 298. intituled Mens Constitutions not grounded on Scripture bind not the Conscience c. And as set forth in my Book de Christiana Libertate c. 2d Part p. 122 123. And then let the Christian Reader judge whether I have not faithfully quoted the Doctor and rightly applied his Doctrine viz. as a Testimony against imposing indifferent things as things necessary and to be indispensibly obeyed as was the Case of their Womens Meetings when I wrote that Book wherein I vindicated Christian Liberty which the Foxonian Quakers did then as much withstand as ever the Papists did And as such G. Whitehead charged the Martyrs Doctrine with Ranterism sordid Ranterism as will more largely appear from what he says in the 259 260 pages of his Book Judgment fixed c. But first see the words of Dr. Barns which are as follow viz. Mark that all TRADITIONS of Men which are against or not according to GOD's Law must be destroyed Therefore let every man take heed for it belongeth to their Charge for both the blind Guides and they also which be led shall fall in the Ditch It shall be no excuse for him that is led to say his Guide was blind but let them hear the Word of GOD by his holy Prophets WALK NOT in the Precepts of your Fathers NOR KEEP THEIR JUDGMENTS but WALK in MY PRECEPTS and keep MY JUDGMENTS The OTHER manner of Statutes be when CERTAIN THINGS that be called INDIFFERENT be commanded as things to be done of NECESSITY As for Example To eat Flesh or Fish this or that day is indifferent and free These with all OTHER * The word Other George hath left out in the 13th page of his Contentious Apostate and One Blow And page 2 3 of his Contentious Apostate Re-chargd'd And yet blames me for leaving out the word Such which word Other I suppose my Compositor thought a distinguishing word sufficient outward works be things INDIFFERENT and may be used and also left Now if the Bishops or Ministers will make Laws or Statutes that these indifferent things shall be determinately used so that it shall not be lawful to leave them undone but that we must do them and not the contrary under the pain of deadly Sin here they must be WITHSTOOD and in no wise obeyed for in this is hurt our Faith and Liberty in Christ whereby we are free in all things and unto all Men at all times and in all manners EXCEPT it be in SUCH a Case whereas brotherly Charity or the common Peace should be offended Therefore in all these Cases we be free and we must withstand them that will take this Christian Liberty from us with this Text of Scripture We are bought with the price of Christ's blood we will not be the servants of Men c. Thus have I quoted Dr. Robert Barnes that innocent Martyr faithfully without any Forgery or wronging his Words And it still stands a good Witness and firm Testimony against the Quakers Impositions and forcing Obedience to their Laws and Orders for the observation of their Womens distinct Meetings And that they do so impose and have such Orders I may recite one as it stands Recorded in
in their quarterly book as in Painted Harlot p. 60 62 63. Yet not being under Hand and Seal when I put forth my Book De Chr. Lib. c. They wrote me word that if I did not call in and condemn that book that they would come out with their Narrative c. By which I saw the popish Maxim fulfilled viz. No Faith or Covenant to be kept with Hereticks And when they saw me thus resolved not to trust their Promise nor to take their Words they then chose rather to give me a Deed to secure me under the Feoffees Hands and Seals and Jos Bangs and Philip Cranniss are witnesses to it which being large I shall only recite a few words out of it shewing that I have power to hold a Meeting to appoint a Meeting to speak in a Meeting to write in the Meeting in a word whatever in former days I did my Power is the same So that I fear not G. W's other CONSEQVENCES I am provided against their Arbitrary Wresting my Property out of my Hands as they have done to too many viz. Memorandum That on the 15th day of August 1678. We who are Feoffees for the Meeting-House in Hallowel-Row in Milden-Hall in the County of Suffolk do by this our present Writing acknowledge That Fra. Bugg of the same Town and County gave towards the purchasing the Burial Place and building the said Meeting-House with the out House appertaining to the same the Sum of twenty-Pounds and five Shillings And thereby hath as great an Interest in the Meeting House as any of US or any OTHER PERSON WHATSOEVER * What think you George had not I as good a right as you that never gave penny to it viz if you will keep Covenant And we do by these presents as well in Consideration of the said twenty pounds towards the Purchase aforesaid as also for divers other causes and considerations according to the Power resting and residing in us do Covenant grant and agree to and with the said Fra. Bugg That he the said Francis Bugg shall from time to time and at all times hereafter have possess and enjoy the same Ingress Egress and Regress Vse and Possession which he the said Francis Bugg formerly enjoyed †Mark that without the Let Hinderance or Molestation of the People called Quakers § Be sure you keep Covenant I shall tell you of it else Now George I think I am out of the reach of your other CONSEQVENCES yea out of your power of thrusting me forth of your Meetings as you have done others and then call them distracted and the like I will assure you they had not need be distracted that deal with you but have their wits about them or else they shall soon feel the effect of your other CONSEQVENCES but I now am past the fear of your Councel-Table your Friend Penn's Interest or Geo. Whitehead's other Consequences Obj. Well but some may say what will they go to Law or what other Consequences can G. W. mean We thought them to be great Sufferers and not so subject to go to Law Answ That they will go to Law and upon small Trifles too I can shew it their Judgment For Tho. Crisp in his books had but mentioned 2 of the Letters of the Names of some of their Ministers that lived in some immoralities and Richard Richardson their then Clerk to their second days meeting who wrote for the Church viz. their Society and on their behalf sent him a Letter to consult his interest c. The Abstract of which follows c. Tho. Crisp London the 31 5 Mon. 1682. Thy Book I have not read others have them only thy Letter remains by me wherein I find thee charging Friends with Whoredom Theft Cheating Breaking and other Immoralities thou mayest consult thy own safety this is not matter of Religious Controversy but civil Moralities the Church will require no such satisfaction from thee But they cannot restrain men in their civil concerns from seeking Justice in a legal way ††G. W. If that be your opinion that 't is lawful to seek Justice in a legal way what makes you so angry with me for getting a Justice Warrant for you to the intent that I might get you to own your scandalous book Judgment fixed c. Did not I seek Justice against a publick Defame in a legal way which I have in part obtained viz. Your owning your Book c. which is in order to farther satisfaction You seemed very kind to the Justice in omitting his Name but you have pointed at him saying there ☞ he dwells viz. at DORNHAM IN SUFFOLK which is all one to telling his Name which when he saw it he saw through your Sophistry and gave a right Character of your temper in that Affair c. c. And if so that the very mentioning 2 Letters of a Name put them in such a Fret and Passion I hope they will bear with others if they seek a Remedy against them for their slanderous Tongues and Pens Neither did I think it necessary to trust to their promise whom I have found so false in so many cases for my security if I had I should soon have felt G W's other CONSEQVENCES And as to their being great Sufferers I know that many of their Hearers are but it was ever the way of their Ministers to save themselves as my book the Painted Harlot c. sets forth But yet I remember one thing which will discover how they love to magnify their Sufferings and account such great Sufferings which indeed are no Sufferings at all as the next Chapter will sufficiently make appear so that it is no Apostacy from the Articles of the Christian Faith to separate from the Quakers and their Errors CHAP. IX Sheweth that the forsaking the Quakers is no Apostacy from the Articles of the Christian Faith SAmuel Cater one of their insignificant Preachers had a Meeting at Phakenham in Norfolk which as it stands in their Quarterly book will tell after ages that Sam. Cater was fined 20 l. and distrained * See their Quarterly Book at Hadenham in the Isle of Ely c. and that for Preaching too And this will look great and exalt his Name and crown his Memory tho indeed he did not suffer one Shilling however there it stands as an honourable and valiant Suffering unless it be lately cancelled and blotted out as it ought to be The Passage which I having a providential opportunity took out of their Quarterly book stands thus Samuel Cater for being at a Meeting at Phakenham in Norfolk on the 4th day of the 5th Month called July Anno 1670. preaching and publishing the Gospel of Peace One Ann Wats a Woman Informer told the Officers who came with a Warrant and had him before one Christopher Colthorp a Justice who fined him Twenty Pounds which Warrant and Conviction was sent to the Justices in the Isle of Ely namely John Laney Henry
that they would not let them come within their Houses * * They were the wiser for they and their Offspring do more hurt than good commonly If the Maid be a wise Woman and of Age to dispose of herself she will not let any of our Preachers meddle with her Concerns of choosing a Husband for her that is none of their business * * That is very true but they will have a Hand in it for the most part and if they be not pleased or any other self Interest sway them they will as certainly break it and do mischief as ever the Jesuits did this many are witnesses of S. B. for one and Jonathan Lamball another cum multis aliis They should ONLY meddle with their own business and let honest Friends make their choice themselves We have no Law nor Custom among us for such as defame or obstruct lawful Marriages the Church of England is honester upon that account than we they make such as obstruct or defame Marriages either to make good their Charge or to make sufficient Satisfaction to the Parties wronged c. Thus Reader you see that there hath been Testimony after Testimony both publick and private against these PVRSMONGERS and COMMON BANCKERS their DAGON and great Idol against their Reckoning such the best Christians who brought in most MONEY into their BANCK against this private way of their maintaining their Ministers Their Cabinet counsel is disclosed whilst they exclaim against the publick Ministry as Hirelings c. as well as against their Jesuitical practice of medling with Marriages wherewithal they as this Letter very well observes have nothing to do nor seldom do any thing but mischief as also against their Popish Practice of publishing in print the Testimony of Wives against their Husbands whom GOD hath set Head over them and by whose Authority their sayings ought to be concluded Thus do they walk hand in hand with their Elder Sister having received a Spirit contrary to Moses and the Prophets Christ and his Apostles Saints and Martyrs and by it are leed into these errours And that it may more evidently appear that there hath been Publick Testimony against their Common Banks and Private Pursemongers their Dagon as the Letter rightly calls it I may transcribe a few of W. Rogers his Lines in his Poem intituled A second Scourge for G. Whitehead an Apostate Quaker c. viz. Where Pride seems no Disgrace And yet when she ROME's Sister is but call'd She winches like touch'd Horses that are gaul'd Confusion her attends next follows Woe For thus she whirls but God knows where she 'll go Who when they wanted Money to proceed The Church her Cash then did supply her need And therefore when her Cash was empty'd she Crav'd MONEY * This Dagon will fall for to serve the MINISTRY At length her Papers like to Briefs did cry For MONEY MONEY for the MINISTRY And when that Practice was dislik'd by some †Viz. The Author of the recited Letter and some others who hated their Hypocrisy in crying out against others as Hirelings when they had their Banks and Pursemongers privately c. She seem'd like one whose Downfall's near to come This Church will fall her Load will be her Guile If you oh Flock keep Purse strings fast a while When that Spring fails by her you 'l not be priz'd Usurpers then o're you you 'l see despis'd And Woes may long attend such Prating Preachers As for Preferment turn'd deceitful Teachers Fox is term'd Head yet Whitehead steers the Course Till both was scorn'd and they grew worse and worse Thus the Reader may perceive how plainly these hypocritical practices have been made appear and how their Hypocrisy hath from time to time been discovered both privately by some of their own People and still eminent amongst them only they abhor the Deceit and Falshood amongst their Teachers and Preachers and some who are justly separated from them upon a sight of their grand Errors and deep Hypocrisies amongst which was W. Rogers who hath wrote divers books against them intituled The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator c. in 5 parts bound together very eminent and serviceable in the discovery of their Intreagues to which I refer the Reader * And surely I may as wel as G. W. refers to Tho. Elwoods Antidote c. And his Brother Robert Sandilands Pamphlet and with a great deal of more Reason See his Judgment fix d p. 260. as well as to his 6th 7th and 8th parts of the Christ Quaker disting c. published singly and also to his Poem stiled A second Scourge for G. Whitehead an Apostate Quaker c. Out of which I took the foregoing Verses which did so perplex this Well-Favoured Harlot that G. W. being not able to return an Answer to it out came Thomas Elwood to his Relief and to rescue his Brother Whiteheads decaying Reputation puts forth a Book stiled Rogero Mastix c. by which instead of helping them by hiding them he told more Truth tho poor man he could not well help it things are so plain than forty of them would do See my book Bat. Rams p. 13 14 15. saying Amen to great part of what William Rogers charged them with And therfore good Reader mark well what this Tho. Elwood set forth in his book which is licensed and came forth by the Consent and Approbation of their Church and is kept in their Library viz. But that Christs Ministers should be supply'd a Here is a Confession that their Ministers are supplyed then it seems they do not go at warefare at their own Charge as you have pretended With Necessaries by the Church His Bride Is such a known and certain Truth as none Perhaps has e're oppos'd but thou alone b Yes you have frequently denyed that Ministers should have Money to supply their Necessities c. That 't is the Church's duty to supply The needful wants of all her Ministry And Truth it is too plain to be deny'd Christs Church should for Christs Ministers provide What carps thou at then William would thy Muse Plead that St. Paul did not this Priviledge use (c) No St. Paul did use that Priviledge 't is you that pretend not to use it nor that no such reward should be found amongst you for said you FREELY we have receiv'd and FREELY we give That what was lacking to him privately The Macedonian Brethren did supply Thus it appear'd the Apostle did partake Of that Provision which the Church did make Christs Ministers to furnish and their need Supply when they want MONEY to proceed (d) Then it seems you do supply them with Money to proceed then that 's enough there is no body charges you with taking Tythe if you have Money for preaching is it not as good as Tyths What Reason is there then for you to exclaim against others who do the same thing
others are as justifiable as the Protestants separation from Rome and upon the same bottom in many things so will their Understandings increase in the Knowledge of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ who is GOD over all blessed for evermore Amen The next books I refer to are Dr. Hammonds and Bp. Sandersons c. which W. Penn says were of his mind in his book Good Advice to the Ch. of England Roman Catholick and Protestants c. p. 22 23 24. Where he highly commends them for their Principles when he was their most invetterate Enemy and grand Temporiser as may be seen in the Looking-glass for the Quakers c. in two Columns Yea and in that very Book of his p. 39. Charged Archbp. Cranmer with compelling Edw. VI. to sign a Warrant to burn Poor Joan of Kent a famous Woman for meer Religion which I do not believe but charge it upon him G. W. and the rest of his Adherents as a Lye until they prove it by a Protestant Author ending his Paragraph thus Thus even the Protestants began with Blood for meer Religion and taught the Romanists in succeeding times how to deal with them Thus when he had flatteringly spoken well of the Protestant Principles as Christian-like saying certainly those Gentlemen as Dr. Hammond and Bp. Sanderson c. were of my Mind and yet a few Pages off tells the World that their Principles are so very wicked and their Practices so abominably Antichristian as that they began with Blood and meer Religion too yea and the very Teachers and Instructers of the Papists how to deal with them and how to exercise their bloody Projects Oh shamefully wicked and base Flattery which meets with a just Recompence May it not justly be said He sitteth in the lurking places of the Villages he lyeth in wait secretly as a Lyon in his Den Psal 10. VVell notwithstanding this digression I still refer to the said worthy mens books and to Bp. Brownrigg's and other Divines of the Church of England who have so excellently set forth the Principles of the Church of England That should I put Pen to paper after them upon the subjects they treated on it would be but like lighting of a Candle at Noon-day when the Sun shines bright in its Lustre And whatever may be suggested by G. W. c. I bless the day in which I went into Cripplegate Parish to hear Mr. Smythies I find their Principles to be more Christian than his or his party more charitable more humble more self denying Not having in 6 or 7 years in which I have frequented the Public heard so much railing Language and hard Speeches in all the Sermons against the Quakers and Dissenters as I have heard in one Month nay I may say I think in one Sermon against the public Ministry I Remember G. W. in his Content Apostate and one Blow c. p. 11. says thus viz. Now Isaac Archer thou having thus far appeared an Abettor and Assister of F. B. and he being one of thy Flock and Church we may take it for granted that he hath secret Incouragement from thee to divulge his Books against us Now serious George I perceive you are fallible and need that some body give yoâ— discerning and that you may have somebody to furnish you with discerning and judgment I do tell you that you have taken an absolute Lye for a certain Truth and what a sad thing is this You that pretend None need to give you discerning or judgment Christ hath furnisht you already See Judas and the Jews p. 58. and doth on all Occasions Here you see you are not furnished in this small occasion and for want thereof presumptuously take for granted an arrant Lye for a certain infallible Truth oh that you could measure your self by these Delusions And I would to GOD that your Hearers would take these your erronious principles into their serious Considerations and Berean like examine whether they have any likeness and bear any Relation to the Writings of the Apostles Prophets Martyrs Professors of any Christian Society of Protestants whatever and if like none but contrary to all And that notwithstanding your pretence to Infallability perfect discerning c. yet you are fallible and as subject to err as any nay more subject in that many times as in this instance you upon that principle of Infallibity think you know all things when the truth is you are ignorant For I must tell you in order to let you see your mistake and give you a clear discerning that Mr. Archer did never put me upon writing against you in all his Life-time nor until this time see a Sheet of my Writing against you in Manuscript nor no other Clergy-man and now he hath not added nor yet diminished two lines that I perceive see now whence your discerning is Come G. W. did you write this Book as a Man in your own single Capacity And as for the Position in the same Page which you say is Mr. Archers he denies it as laid down by you and that what he said he is able to make good and that by the concurrent Testimony of the Scriptures and the learned Fathers But until you have answer'd his Query I have desir'd him to have nothing to do with such a contentious person as you are who writ three Books in nine Months time and yet charge your Opposer with your own Crime as if you were such a peaceable Man and yet have been a contentious Scribler these 40 or 50 Years against almost every man like Ishmael of old and that the World may see Mr. Archer's Query and your pretended Answer and how remote and evasive it is I may recite the substance of both viz. Mr. Whitehead I challenge you to shew me a Precedent for Womens distinct Meetings apart from the Men J. A's Query as by you set up since the days of the Apostles Come G. W. this is the knotty Question which Mr. Archer proposed to you in the publick Meeting the 30th of April 1691. G. W. not able to answer Mr. Archer's Query which put you to silence as not able to answer it which you left out of your Narrative as you did much more spoken by him that day as not for your purpose And when I reminded you of this you had the face to deny it under your hand but Mr. Archer resumed the Question and recharged you as well as let you know that he proposed the same in the Meeting c. And it stands over your head unanswer'd only thus much you tell him in page 8. of your last Book stiled The Contentious Apostate recharged c. That in the City of Blois there was in the time of Martyrdom nine Women met together with their Daughters and prayed with and for each other c. which is as remote as if you had told us of Queen Hester and her Maids and the like which no body ever disputed But had they a Clerk Did
its Nature and Properties Now the Query is WHICH was the appointed Saviour of the Father Which was the Anointed of the Father chiefly and in the first place WHETHER the BODY prepared or HE for whom the Body was prepared c By which 't is plain that they deny notwithstanding G. Whitehead's counterfeit Confession HIM that was born of the Virgin HIM that was pierced HIM that was Crucify'd and hang'd on a Tree and by wicked hands slain to be the Son of GOD the Saviour of the World whereby they declare themselves not to be of the Prophets and Apostles Creed read these Scriptures Zach. 9.9 11 12 13. Micah 5.2 Acts 2.22 23 36. 3.13 4.10 10.43 Luke 2.10 11 12 13. Mat. 2.5 6 7. and you will perceive the Faith of the Apostles and Evangelists and the Testimony of the blessed and glorious Angels to differ as much and as clearly from this Faith and Testimony of the Quakers as light from utter darkness c. But because G. W. in his recited Book makes such a serious Pretence to own the Man Christ Jesus his Death and Sufferings c. I may recite another Passage out of their great Doctor Is Penington's aforesaid Book p. 20. Quest 7. What is Christ's Flesh and Blood which we are to partake of Is it the Flesh and Blood of the Body which was prepared for and taken for HIM wherein HE tabernacled and appeared OR is it the Flesh and Blood of HIM who took tabernacled and appeared in the Body For that which HE took upon HIM was our Garment even the Flesh and Blood of our Nature which is of a perishing Nature c. Now what is more plain than that they deny the true Christ his Humanity yea his Merits Death and Sufferings especially if you add what is in pag. 33. said by this their Champion in defence of their Faith which is as followeth viz. Now the Scriptures do 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 * Yes we believe you are all of that mind and shall until these and other of your pernicious Errors be publickly condemned notwithstanding G. W's Pretence to the contrary c. But having before spoken largely to this Point I shall at present pass it by desiring the Reader still to peruse the recited Epistle and to consider of it for that being directed TO GO ONLY AMONGST THE QVAKERS there you may see their inside for to them their Leaders and Captains as they stile themselves unbosom themselves telling the truth the whole truth and nothing but the truth of what they believe if there be that sincerity in them which they pretend to And then you shall hear a loud noise of strange Acts great Miracles viz. the Prison doors opened the Dead raised unclean Spirits cast out Yea a wonderful noise of War of Leaders and Captains and Commanders mighty hewing cutting killing going into the Field to Battel as if all the World were now at an end and that they would drive all before them * And yet are themselves got now so close into their Holes Dens and lurking places where they lie skulking to deceive the simple as that 't is impossible to get them out into the Field c. But not a word as I have observed setting forth the Divine Authority of the Holy Scriptures not a word of the Humanity of Christ not a word in all the 23 Pages of the Incarnation Birth Sufferings Death Resurrection and Ascension of our LORD and Saviour Jesus Christ not a word of their hopes of being saved through the Imputation of Christ's Righteousness No how should they if they would speak their minds truly since they cannot call that BODY which suffered at Jerusalem CHRIST but a Garment a Vail a Figure And therefore what ever they pretend when they write publickly since when they write privately they write the contrary they are not to be believed for saith Ireneus in his third Book against Heresies viz. Whilst that Hereticks speak like the Faithful they not only mean otherwise than they say but clean contrary and by their Tenents full of Blasphemies they destroy the Souls of those who with their fair words suck in the poyson of their foul Opinions c. I have divers others of their Epistles by me as particularly Robert Sandilands * One of George Whitehead's Select Friends by way of Vision and Revelation Richard Huberthorn Josiah Coal both in Print and Manuscript which bears not the least Resemblance to what they now seemingly set forth as their Faith and Belief But the recited Epistle with their dark-lanthorn Title viz. THIS IS ONLY TO GO AMONGST FRIENDS is sufficient to set forth how they applaud and speak smooth things to their own People like the false Prophets of old who healed the Wound deceitfully who daubed with untempered Mortar and surely never was Mortar worse tempered than in this Epistle wherein Darkness is put for Light and Bitter for Sweet viz. the North of England for the Town of Bethlehem George Fox for Christ and almost all the Prophesies and Sayings of the holy Penmen inverted and turned into an affected Rhetorick and mystical Allegories as well as in many of their other Writings which both amuse and puff up their Hearers And as I have elsewhere herein observed make them believe that they are got into the Holy Land even spiritual Canaan when indeed they are but in the Borders of Egypt and posting to OLD ROME think themselves rich full wanting nothing when they are poor blind miserable and want all things through their mistaken Zeal and following the Dictates of their blind Guides who instead of setting forth the solid Principles of Religion have so leavened them into their Pharisaical lump that they have erred concerning the Faith of our Lord Jesus Christ who was born of the Virgin who suffered was dead and buried who rose again the third day and ascended up into Heaven above * This G. W. begins to confess too but when he says above according to his and their own Principles he means beneath viz. in their corrupt Bodies let him deny it if he can at the Right Hand of GOD where he sits in Majesty on High as our Advocate and Intercessor as the Second Person of the glorious Trinity And who will come in like manner as He was taken up which G. W. acknowledges was visibly seen to judge the Quick and Dead And then the Graves shall give up their Dead and there shall be a general Resurrection of the Bodies out of the Graves both of the just and unjust But alas All this and much more in this recited Epistle of theirs