speedily it being by our Assent Robert Smith Rob. Letchworth Jeremy Rose Joseph Nun Edw. Wingfeild Robert Barber And thus much by way of Introduction Mildenhall Jan. 15. 1695. FRANCIS BUGG Sen. A Brief HISTORY of the Rise Growth and Progress of QUAKERISM SECTION I. THe first rise of Quakerism was in the year 1650. For George Fox coming to Derby and going into the Church to disturb the Minister was by the Justices committed to Prison for that and his other blasphemous principles and to this agree Edw. Burrough's Epistle on the front of Geo. Fox's Great Mist c. And this Justice Bennet was the first that ever call'd them Quakers This I can prove by other Books but you may read it in Geo. Fox's Journal p. 32. to 40. And that it may plainly appear with what principles the Quakers came into the world withal at their first entrance you may read a Copy of the Warrant by which they were justly imprisoned viz. To the Master of the House of Correction in Derby We have here sent you the Bodies of Geo. Fox and John Fretwell brought before us this day and charged with the avowing uttering and broaching divers blasphemous opinions which upon their examination before as they have confessed These are therefore to require you forthwith upon sight hereof to receive them the said G. Fox and J. Fretwell into your Custody and them therein safely to keep during the space of six months without Bail or Mainprize or until they shall find sufficient security to be of the good behaviour or be thence delivered by order from our selves Hereof you are not to fail Given under our Hands and Seals this thirtieth day of October 1650. Ger. Bennet Nath. Barton I was once minded to have set forth more particularly what principles they came into the world withal as I find them even by the Quakers themselves put forth in a Book stiled Saul's Errand to Damascus p 1 2. which tho they have in the same Book pretended to answer the said Petition yet I do positively affirm that their said Answer looks more like a Confession than a sincere Denyal As also the said Petition and their pretended Answer being with other their Time-serving Treacherous principles fully spoken to in that excellent Book lately put forth by a Divine of the Church of England entituled The Snake in the Grass or Satan transformed into an Angel of Light Discovering the deep and unsuspected subtilty couched under the pretended simplicity of the principal Leaders of the Quakers Printed for Charles Brome at the Gun at the West End of St Pauls 1696. containing about 600 pages insomuch that should I write after him to shew their facing about to every power even as the Weather-cock sometimes for the Parliament sometimes for the Rump sometimes for the Committee of Safety sometimes for the Council of State and then for Monarchy and to shew their encouraging Oliver against the Royal party it would be like lighting a candle at noon-day Their temporizing being so excellently set forth in the said Book yet that the World may see with what principles they prest into the world against all Rule Law and Government I may transcribe the said principles because by what follows it may be seen what foundation they went upon which was under pretence of magnifying the Light in themselves to deny Jesus of Nazareth to undervalue his death and sufferings contemn his Laws contained in the holy Scriptures despise his Ordinances revile Magistrates reproach Ministers In a word they not only by these principles hereto annexed but by their whole proceedings have not only verified what I have already said but manifested their principles to be Antiscriptural Antimagistratical Antichristian unreasonable and irreligious An Abstract of the said Petition is as followeth Saul's Errand to Damascus c. p. 1 2. To the Right Honorable the Council of State the Humble Petition of several Gentlemen Justices of the Peace Ministers of the Gospel and People within the County of Lancaster Humbly sheweth THat Geo. Fox and James Nailer are persons disaffected to Religion and the wholsom Laws of this Nation who have broached opinions tending to the destruction of the Relation of Subjects to their Magistrates Wives to their Husbands Children to their Parents Servants to their Masters Congregations to their Ministers particularly 1. Geo. Fox professed that he was equal with God 2. He professed himself to be the eternal Judge of the World meaning the Light in him 3. He said he was the Judge of the World still with the same Inuendo I suppose 4. He said he was the Christ the Way the Truth and the Life still meaning the Light This I can prove from his Writings extant amongst the Quakers 5. He said that whoever took a place of Scripture and preached from it was a Conjurer and his preaching Conjuration this is frequent in the Quakers Books yea an approved piece of Doctrine 6. He said the Scripture was Carnal yea Death Dust Serpents meat Beastly ware the Husk this G. Whitehead hath vindicated Thus much respecting Geo. Fox what is relating to Ja. Nailer is spoken to in the recited Book The Snake c. But G. Fox being their great Apostle and the founder of Quakerism I was willing to set down the principles upon which he set up and for which he was imprisoned as you see And the rather because Geo. Whitehead and his followers have published a Journal of his Noble and Ignoble acts of his disturbing Ministers of magnifying himself of his pretended Miracles and other deluding Charms on purpose to bewitch the people like Simon Magus his Predecessor Wherefore in this contest there can be no Neuters if God be God serve him if Baal serve him who can have patience to see the Name of God thus openly Blasphemed he that can is no Christian he has not zeal for God nor love to the souls of men The Papists will not have the Pope called Antichrist nor spoken disrespectfully of the Turk will not hear Mahomet blasphemed as we are Christians let us stand for Christ and the Christian Religion I have read how dangerous it is to foster Hereticks and shall England now become a nursery of Quakerism which spread itself like a Leprosie far and near even to Nations beyond the Seas And therefore since G. Whitehead c. have printed the Acts and Monuments of Geo. Fox which the poor silly ignorant Quakers run a whoring after as the Idolatrous Israelites did after the Golden Calf I am zealously concerned to unmask the head of this Foxonian Tribe of Quakers i. e. G. Fox and in a remembrance of what I was once my self and that for many years I can do no less And in this short Treatise I shall shew how Geo. Fox resembleth Simon Magus and Ignatius Loyola for the tree is known of the fruit SECTION II. SImon Magus lived in the Apostles time as saith S. Luke Acts 8.9 10. There was a certain man called Simon which in fore
Parnell for Fox said he was before Abraham in that he said he was before Languages were Parnell was before Abraham in that he was before Arguments were for between Abram and Lots Heardsmen there were Arguments And for the Humanity of Christ the Quakers deny it as clearly as the Socinians deny his Godhead read Sect. the xviii thus I hope I have proved the first part of the Paragraph And now to the second which is that G. Fox works counterfeit maricles and not in the Name of Jesus Christ for proof of this see his Journal p. 170 171 30 370 373 503. and there you will find G. F. spake to a woman and the Lord he says raise her up in 171 I find there is two miracles and which to take I cannot tell but one of these two it must be viz. A Woman married a Man in Debt and she went distracted sent for G. Fox he spake to her she mended The other was two men fighting whom G. F. being a stout man parted but neither in the Name of Jesus In p. 167. he tells us of many Miracles the Quakers wrought but mentions not where nor upon whom Likewise Cley Pool had a fit of the Stone and G. F. laid his hand on him and afterwards he mended One in Maryland said to be a Parliament Man tho I am informed there is no Parliament there and that spoils this Miracle healed In short they are all feigned counterfeit Miracles and none done as Erasmus well observes of Simon Magus in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth But to read the story of Jo. Isays broken Neck 't would make a melancholy man laugh oh G. F. stand by him and pity him and his Family Well to work went G. F. and throws away his Gloves and Stick saying I got to him assoon as I could I took hold of his hair I took his head in both my hands and set my knees against the tree I raised his head mark Reader here was all I I I and my my not a word of Prayer not a word like the Apostle in the Name of Jesus be thou healed no what can Whitehead say to this is he not ashamed of their horrible delusions I have said enough to wise men and bray a Fool in the Mortar and they will not be wiser SECT IV. 2. AND the Foxonian Quakers gave héed unto G. Fox from the least to the greatest believing all he taught saying he is the power of God 1. That they gave heed to him in all he taught 't is demonstrable from divers reasons but for brevity sake I shall mention this viz. of all the Blasphemy that ever G. Fox spake or wrote never a Quaker of his Party ever condemned one passage but either justified it or if that could not be done then excuse it see W. Pen in his Book Judas and the Jews p. 44. Tho to do the dissenting Quakers justice who meet in Harp-lane they did by their Book An Answer to several passages c. p. 10. condemn G. F.'s words in the Battledoor as High Blasphemy and p. 6. said Geo. Whitehead as guilty of the aforesaid charge i. e. of being a contentious Scribbler of giving base names c. and in part of cloaking gross errors Indeed when I saw this come forth I was in hopes of a Reformation but alas this was no sooner come to my hand but I had another sent me which justifies G. Fox and G. Whitehead in all their abomination signed by Edw. Brush Waller Miers Tho. Cox Gilbert Laity Charles Bathurst Tho. Lower William Phillips Tho. Mincks John Vaughton Nath. Marks John Cooper Tim. Emmerton John Feild Michael Russel John Knight Hen. Goldney Will. Bingly Charles Marshall Will. Sanders Geo. Bowles John Tomkins Tho. Hutson John Evered Dan. Wharly So that when all these came out in the name of the rest I concluded the Foxonian Tribe from the highest to the lowest believed all G. F. taught how Blasphemous soever it was And now to the second part of the paragraph that they say he is the Power of God for proof of this see the third Table or Index to G. Fox's Journal under the Letter M for Miracles where 't is thus said Miracles wrought by the Power of God And when I turned to p. 370 371 where one of the profoundest Miracles he did is recorded and as a Miracle too there is nothing but I George Fox threw away my Stick and Gloves I I I c. If G. Whitehead say 't was the life of Christ in him I tell him No it must be G. Fox for the life of Christ in him need no Stick and Gloves from whence 't is plain they hold parallel with the poor deluded Samaritans calling G. Fox the power of God SECT V. 3. THat G. Fox got a name of great estimation to be an excellent Prophet until his Followers adored him as God The fifth part Christ Qua. disting p. 77. That G. Fox is blessed with honor ahove many Brethren and that thousands will stand by him in a heavenly record That his Life Reigns and is Spotless Innocent and still retains his Integrity whose Eternal honour and Blessed renown remain still yea his presence and the dropping of his tender words in the Lords love was my souls Nourishment c. for more of this see New Rome unm from p. 42 to 48. Yea so dreadful was G. F. 's name to the people beyond Sea that they published it to the world viz. That mentioning the name Geo. Fox did prick them to the heart c. See their book A true Account c. p. 42. The Quakers Challenge c. p. 6. Stand up Muggleton who calls thy book a Looking-glass for Geo. Fox whose name thou art not worthy to take into thy mouth who is a Prophet indeed and hath been faithful in the Lords business from the beginning This Sel. Eccles who wrote the Quakers Challenge is the Prophet who prophesied that John Story should die within one year being then very ill who lived 4 years after and as G. Fox said that neither himself nor his name was known see Sect. 3d. Yea a Prophet equallized with Christ a right Samaritan c. it was said of Christ he was in the world and the world knew him not so it may be said of this true Prophet whom John said he was not but thou shalt feel this Prophet i. e. G. F. one day as heavy as a Milstone upon thee and altho the world knows him not yet he is known Next see an Abstract of a Letter sent to Gâ—o Foâ—â— in his Life time from Barbadoes by Josiah Coâ—l one of their eminent Preachers dated the 21st 12th month 1658. and every word of it vindicated by William Pen in their book stiled Judas and the Jews c. p. 44. viz. Dear Geo. Fox who art the Father of many Nations whose life has reached thro us thy childen even to the Isles afar off to the begetting many again to a lively hope for which
where this is the word of the Lord unto you all this you may read amongst the children of the light and of the day per G. Fox 7. This is only to go amongst Friends 8. An Epistle to Friends in England to be read in their Assemblys 9. An Epistle to the Remnant of Friends per G. Whitehead concluding thus Let this be read distinctly in the life and authority of God from whence it came among Friends in and about the City of London and elsewhere as any Friends are moved in the same Life 10. To all people who meet in Steeple-houses in England and elsewhere p. 2. A message from the Lord Jesus Christ in England or elsewhere into all the Steeple-houses to be read 11. To the Children of Light c. I desire this Epistle may be read in your several Meetings William Pen. 12. Several papers given forth for the spreading of truth c. I charge you in the presence of the Lord God to send this Epistle among Friends and Brethren every 〈◊〉 to be read in all Meetings to you all this is the word of the Lord God Geo. Fox SECT XVII HAving in the foregoing Section proved from plain matter of fact that the Quakers prefer their nonsensical Pamphlets before the Scriptures being compared with the contemptible expressions they give them as beastly ware death dust and serpents meat c. notwithstanding their Hypocritical Sheet they delivered to the Parliament and as a proof it will stand against them beyond all their glossing I think I need to make no other Remark or Observation having largely shewed their practice from their own works and therefore I come now to answer an Objection viz. Object Possibly some may say that tho they take the liberty of the Press to spread their Heretical Doctrine and defamatory Libels as the Battledoor for the Magistrates Teachers and Professors in the form and figure of a Childs penny horn book to learn the English of tu and vos As likewise their Primmer put out by G. Fox formerly a Journeyman Shoemaker containing 2434 Queries as what is a Noun a Pronoun a Participle an Adverb c. as at large recited by me in my book Battering Rams against New Rome c. p. 16 17. yet they often pretend to moral vertues and they pretend they do not hinder the Sale of your Books as in W. Pens Rejoinder c. part 2. p. 404. I do aver says W. Pen in the name of the Quakers we never endeavour any such thing as to prevent the sale of an Adversaries Books Therefore in so many words they who say we do have certified an absolute Lye c. Answ Now for proof that the Quakers do hinder the Sale of their Adversaries Books I will give you three instances whereby it will appear how false William Pen is in this case as well as in many more that might be mentioned but what will they not say for holy Church Oh the deceit the fraud and religious cheats that are to be found amongst the Teachers of this people but as he himself observes in a little Pamphlet of his stiled A Brief Answer to a false and foolish Libel c. p. 25. But the truth is error can only be maintained by error And what can we expect from W. Pen who has vindicated as gross Idolatry wrote by Jos Coal to G. Fox as ever Muggleton uttered in his Book Judas and the Jews c. p. 44 to 47. I say what can we expect of such men as Pen and Whitehead who will say and unsay this to day and that to morrow and by and by stand to neither well but let me proceed to prove W. Pen a Lyer for once since he avers in the name of the Quakers that they never hinder the Sale of their Adversaries Books c. Instance 1. About the year 168â— William Rogers put forth a Book against the Foxonian Quakers Usurpation of their Womens Meetings c. intituled The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovate in five parts This Book John Barnard a dissenting Quaker sold and for which thing only they excommunicated him as at large set forth in my Book de Chr. Lib. c. part 2. p. 179. An Abstract thereof I shall recite viz. From the monthly meeting at Devonshire-house the 4th of the 11th month 1681. Whereas there have been some unruly Spirits gone out from the truth and the unity of the blessed power of God writing printing and publishing things hurtful to truth by corrupting of peoples minds tending also to draw them into disesteem * Mark the two things this excommunication are bottomed upon viz. first corrupting of peoples minds next tending to weaken the esteem the pâ—or ignorant Quakers have of such Deceivers of many of the Lords Servants we find our selves concerned to take notice of some of this kind befaln Jo. Barnard formerly a member of this Meeting who hath dispersed into several parts of this Nation divers of those perniâ—ioâ—s Baâ—ks in print wrote by W. Rogers called The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovater So that now we being wholly clear having used an utmost endeavour to reclaim him do not only Tâ—stifie against that Spirit which hath led him into that disorderly practice but also against â—i while joyned thereunto nor can we have Spiritual communion or fellowshiâ— with him until unfeignedly he shall return unto the truth by condemnation of that Work and Spirit c. By which 't is plain that the Quakers do endeavour to hinder the Sale of their Adversaries Books as this excommunication out of their Fellowship and Spiritual Communion for selling the said Book is an evidence and sufficient proof c. Instance II. Whereas G. Keith wrote several Books against the errors of the Quakers in Pensilvania and for which they persecuted him as their Book stiled The Tryals of Peter Boss George Keith Tho. Budd and William Bradford before a Court of Quakers at the Sessions held at Philadelphia in Pensilvania c. at large set forth But the said Geo. Keith coming into England was examined by the yearly meeting June 1694. Where they advised G. Keith in these words And therefore it is the tender Advice and Counsel that Geo. Keith should either call in these Books or at least publish something effectually to clear the body of the people called Quakers and their Ministers from those gross errors charged on some few in America c. This continued until May 1695. And G. Keith not calling in his Books nor clearing the body of the Quakers from those gross errors which G. K. had charged on them they excommunicated the said G. Keith May 17. 1695. As acted by an unchristian Spirit and it is the sense and judgment of this méeting say they that the said Geo. Keith is gone from the Blessed unity of the peaceable spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ and hath thereby separated himself from the holy fellowship of the Church of
Christ c. Which is as large an Excommunication as the Pope himself or his Infallible Council ever pretended to for they have not only by their Bull of Excommunication cut him off as they dream from the fellowship of the Quakers in London Wales c. but off from the whole Church of Christ And as this is a great arrogancy in the Quakers and presumption too so do they thereby differ from the French Protestants And in regard this their Bull of Excommunication was denounced against G. Keith for that he did not effectually call in his Books writ against the errors of the Quakers and thereby clear the body of the Quakers from those errors charged upon the Quakers in Pensilvania which in Conscience he could not do in regard he knew them Guilty thereof This is a plain demonstration that W. Pen's averring that they never endeavour to hinder the sale of their Adversaries Books is a great untruth See the next proof Instance III. In the year 1693. I put forth a Book entituled New Rome Arraigned c. which the Quakers by an Officer seized and carried 60 of them to a Quakers house and Indicted me in the Old Baily London An Abstract of the said Bill of Indictment is as followeth London ss At the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace holden for the City of London at the Guild-Hall of the said City on Monday the ninth of October 1693. before Sir J. F. Knight Mayor of the said City Sir P. W. Kt. Sir J. M. Kt. Aldermen Sir S. L. Recorder of the said City the King and Queens Justices to hear and determine the transgressions of Felons and other enormities committed within the said City The same Sessions is adjourned by the foresaid Justices until Thursday the 12th of the same month of October 1693. at 7 of the clock in thâ— forenoon at Justice-hail in the Old Baily London to be holden before the foresaid Justices and their Associates according to Custom c. And now passing by most of the form I come to set forth the Aggravating terms of their said Indictment c. Ut supra A certain Bill of Indictment against one Francis Bugg then and there brought before B. B. G. B c. Jury-men then and there sworn and charged to enquire for the said King and Queen and the body of the said City And was returned by the Jury thus Indorsed Ignoramus Which Bill follows in these words The Jury for our Lord the King and Queen do present upon their Oaths That Francis Bugg late of London Yeoman being a person of an unquiet and turbulent disposition devising practising and intending falsly unlawfully seditiously and maliciously Geo. Whitehead Ja. Park Ben. Antrobus Sam. Waldenfeild c. faithful Subjects of our Lord and Lady the King and Queen now of this their Kingdom of England extremely to scandalize to prâ—curâ— and bring to Infamy and Reproach amongst their Neighbours and other Subjects of our said King and Queen As also to move stir up and cause discords tumults and miserâ—â—â— slaughters between the Subjects of this Kingdom of England on the 18th day of September in the 5th year of our Lord and Lady c. And upon divers other days and times as well before as after at London aforesaid to wit in the Parish Church * * T is not a Steeple-house it seems now however neither I nor the Quakers wear there of St. Christopher in Farringdon-Ward he falsâ—y maliciously seditiously and illegally made composed and printed published and dispersed amongst the Subjects c. a certain scandâ—â—ous mal cious and defaming Libel against the said G. Whitehead c. The same English Book or Pamphlet not being first Entered in the register-Register-book of the Cmpany of Stationers of * * No more do the Quakers of London and also not being Lycenced by Act of Parliament ††Why does not G. W get his Books Lycenced by Act of Parliament Proclamation or added to the Book this may be Printed by vertue of any Warrant under the Seal c. or one or both the principal Secretaries of State c. nor Lycenced * * I hope the Quakers will Lycence their Meetting-houses now they thus severely persecute me for not Lyceâ—cing my Book Canes timidi vehementius latrant nor Authorised by any person whatsoever against the form of the Statute in that case lately made and provided to the bad example of all that shall offend in that case and against the Peace of our Lord and Lady the King and Queen their Crown and Dignity Ignoramus Goodfellow Reader I have transcribed enough to shew their indicting me and that for no other crime than not Lycencing my Book If they say I put up a mock-Pillory to shew what they in reality deserved who as in the same Book I have set forth offered to suffer as in the case of Perjury if they falsify their word which they did do in the Case of Evidence and that in the Name of the Lord which amount to an Oath But suppose the form of a Pillory was not easy to them must I therefore be tried and judged to move stir up cause discords tumults and miserable slaughters c. Well however as this shews what the Quakers would do had they power so it is a sufficient proof that they did endeavour to hinder the Sale of my Books also this their indicting me shows what an envious and lying spirit they G. Whitehead and his Brethren are of SECT XVIII AS I have shewed how contrary the Principles and Practices of the Quakers are to the Principles and Practices of the French Protestants and indeed to all other Christians I am now about to shew their disparity in the Articles of their Faith setting forth an Abstract of the French Protestants Confession of Faith containing 40 in number which was presented to several French Kings as judging it a most proper way to obtain their Liberty as at large in the 1st Volume of J. Quicks History stiled Synodicon in Galia Reformata p. 6. to 15. And likewise what the Quakers believe if they believe as they write for by reason they have not given forth distinct Articles of their Faith like the Christian Churches in all ages I must collect some select passages out of their Books in one Column and the French Protestants in another viz. The Quakers Faith A Declaration to all the world of our Faith and what we believe who are called Quakers Concerning God and Christ Burrows works p. 439. We believe there is one only true God who is a Spirit and his presence filleth heaven and earth and he is eternal and everlasting the Creator and Preserver of all things Sauls Errand to Damascus c. p. 8. He that hath the same spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead is equal with God The Sandy Foundation p. 12 16. The vulger doctrine of satisfaction being dependent on the Second Person of the imagined Trinity of distinct persons
in the unity of Essence Refuted The Sword of the Lord drawn c. p. 5. Your imagined God beyond the Stars and your carnal Christ is utterly denied and testified against by the light to say that Christ is God and Man in one person is a Lye A Question to Professors c. p. 20 27 33. To whom do the Names Jesus 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 Is not the Suâ—stance the Life the Anointing called Christ whereâ—ver it is found doth not the Name Christ belong to the whole body and every member in the body as well as to the dead 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 that vailed it Lo I come a body hast thou prepared me there is plainly he and the body in which he came there is the outward vessâ—l and the inward life this we certainly know and can be â—er call the bodiâ—y â—arment Christ but that which appeared and dwelt in the body c. Thus do they deny Christ which the Apostles preached saying Acts 5.30 35. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom ye slew and hanged on a tree him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins Acts 2.36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made the same Jesus whom ye crucified both Lord and Christ c. The Christians Faith WE believe and confess there is but one God only whose being only is simple spiritual eternal invisible immutable infinite and incomprehensible And that the Holy Scripture teacheth us that in that one simple divine being there be three persons subsisting the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost the Father to wit the first cause in order and the beginning of all things the Son his everlasting word the Holy Ghost his vertue power and efficacy the Son begotten of the Father from everlasting the Holy Ghost from everlasting proceeding from the Father and the Son these 3 persons are not confounded but distinct and yet not divided but of one and the same essence eternity power and equality and to conclude we allow of that which those four ancient Councils have determined and we detest all other Sects and Heresies condemned by those holy Doctors St. Athanasius St. Hillary St. Cyril and St. Ambrose Now if the Light only be Christ and as they say they can never call the Body Christ then are the Apostles found false Witnesses and the Quakers acquit Judas and the Jews for they never did hang the Light or Spirit upon a Tree they never Crucified the Light see Quakerism withering and Christianity reviving c. p. 15 to 30 for more of this Will. Bayley's Works p. 300 307. He being asked What Body Christ hath and where is it seeing its said to be at the Right hand of God he replies saying A Body hast thou prepared me mark the distinction thou me and a body This me that spake in the body was the Christ Again p. 307. For they his Disciples loved his person for the sake of the frame and quality of the Spir t that dwelt in him or else what was his person to them mâ—re than another person but for the sake of that which dwelt in him they loved him The Christ Qua. and his Dev. Test p. 98. The Se-pent is a Spirit now nothing can bruise the head of the Serpent but something that is Spiritual as the Serpent is but if that body of Christ were the seed then could he not bruise the Serpents head in all because the body of Christ is not so much as in any one And consequently the seed of the promise is an holy principle of Light and Life that being received into the heart bruiseth the Serpents head And because the Seed which cannot be that body is the Câ—â—ist as saith the Scripture the Séed is one and that Séed is Christ Touching the Scriptures Geo. Whitehead's Serious Apology p. 46. That which is spoken from the spirit of Truth in any is of as great Authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are and greater G. W. s Ishmael p. 10. That which is written is the Letter which is death and killeth Saul's Errand to Dam. c. p. 7. All that do study to raise a living thing out of a dead to raise the Spirit out of the Letter are Conjurers the Letter of the Scripture is death and killeth Several Petitions answered p. 30. If ever you own the Prophets Christ and the Apostles you will own our Writings which are given forth by the same power and spirit Truths Defence p. 2 102. You might have as well condemned the Scriptures to the fire as our Writings for our giving forth Papers and Printed Books it is from the immediate eternal Spirit of God The Quakers Refuge fixed c. p. 17. Whether the first Penman of the Scriptures was Moses or Hermes or whether both these are 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 Impostor 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 c. Davids Enemies discovered c. per G. Whitehead and Christopher Atkinson p. 7. And these the Apostles do not call the Letter the Rule and the four Books Matthew Mark Luke and John the New Testament and Gospel as thou and thy generation the Priests do and thy Ministry is in the Letter which killeth News coming up c. per G. Fox p. 14. Your Original is carnal Hebrew Greek and Latin and your word is carnal the letter and the light is carnal the letter and your Baptism is carnal and your Sacrament is carnal and their Communion is carnal A little Bread and Wine so dust is the Serpents meat their original is but dust which is but the letter which is death their Church is dust so the Serpent feed upon dust and their Gospel is dust Matthew Mark Luke and John which is but the letter Touching Ordinances P. 34. A voice and a word to all you Deceivers who deceive the people and Blasphemers who utter forth your Blasphemy and Hypocrisy that tell people of a Sacrament and tell them it is the Ordinance of God blush blush and tremble before the Lord God Almighty you who live in the Witchery and bewitch the people c. Burroughs Works about Water Baptism p. 518. We do utterly deny and do say it is no Ordinance of God but it is an Institution of the Whore of Rome and England received it by a popish Institution
THE QUAKERS Set in their true Light In order to give the Nations A Clear SIGHT Of what they hold concerning Jesus of Nazareth the Scriptures Water Baptism the Lords Supper Magistracy Ministry Laws and Government HISTORICALLY COLLECTED Out of their most approved Authors which are their best Construing books from the year of their Rise 1650 to the year of their Progress 1696. By Francis Bugg Senior But evil men and Seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived For as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth Men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole housholds but they shall proceed no farther for their folly shall be made manifest unto all men 2 Tim. 3.8 9 13. Titus 3.11 LONDON Printed for the Author and are to be Sold by C. Brome at the Gun at the West End of St. Pauls and J. Guillim Bookseller in Bishopsgate-street 1696. TO THE RIGHT REVEREND HENRY L. Bishop of London My Lord I Humbly conceive it my duty to discover to your Lordship what I apprehend may be of dangerous consequence either to Church or State And this emboldens me to offer the ensuing discourse to your Lordships pious consideration I must humbly confess 't is a great presumption upon your Honours Patience and Patronage But that which amongst other things gives me encouragement hereunto and which I hape may plead my excuse at least extenuate my offence is the Quakers frequent Dedications and Presentations of their Books to the King Lords and Commons and other Magistrates from year to year one Sessions of Parliament after another for thirty or forty years together beseeching begging and craving their aid support and authority whilst in their Books to their Disciples they utterly disclaim any such seeking to outward authority But instead thereof when not suiting their Interest they 'll Impeach and Condemn their proceeding as Antichristian and Arraign Try and Condemn the Learned Protestant Clergy as inconsistent to Christianity Thus like the Camelion they can turn themselves into all colours their Books being of two sorts carrying two different faces And it was by this method that the Arians of old deceived the Emperor Constantius who at last made Laws in their behalf against the Orthodox And that this is no new Artifice your Lordship may observe from the book of Exodus that notwithstanding Moses was divinely inspired and gifted witb Miracles to confirm his Commission yet the Magicians by their Magick Act and cunning Intreagues came very near him in shew likewise Simon Magus Acts 8. by his Sorcery and Juggling Tricks so bewitched the Samaritans that they gave great heed to all he said And History sufficiently informs us what hard work the Protestants had to confute the Papists whose Books were like the Quakers of two sorts professing in one sort what they utterly rejected in the other sort And this made Bishop Jewel in his Defence to the Apology c. propose to his Reader viz. Good Reader if thou wilt examine our doings I beseech thee search and prove what hath been wrote on both sides and do not suffer thy self by shews and shifts to be beguiled for what man will seem to deal so uprightly as a Juggler he will strike up his sleeves make bare his arms and open his hands and fingers and bid thee behold And thou wilt think him to be a good plain man and marvel thou shouldst possibly be deceived and yet indeed his whole design is nothing but to deceive thee and the more simply and plainly he would seem to deal so much the more he will deceive thee otherwise he were no Juggler c. And to this agrees that notable saying of Ireneaeus in his third Book against Hereticks viz. Whilst Heretick speak like the faithful they not only mean otherwise than what they say â—â—â— 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 And no marvel saith St. Paul for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light therefore it is no great thâ—ng if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness whose end shall be according to their works 2 Cor. 13.14 And my Lord being sensible of the Quakers method not only of their unwâ—â—y'd sollicitation of the Members of Parliament both Lords and Commons for many years but also in sending their Books into all Counties Shires Cities Towns and Villages in England and Wales as well as parts beyond the Seas I thought it my duty to let the World know their principles from their Printed Books For as simple as they look and as innocent as they seem to appear for deep subtilty they outstrip both Jew and Jesuit and notwithstanding their many and great pretences to meeknesâ— charity and long-suffering there is not a more uncharitable and censâ—◠〈◊〉 people under heaven I am My Lord Your Lordship 's most humble and obedient Servant Fr. Bugg An Apologetical Introduction to the History of the Rise Growth and Progress of QUAKERISM Friendly Reader IF Athanasius made an Apology for his writing against the Arians and other of late for their exposing the errors of the Socinians nay if the Church of England thought herself oblig'd to Apologize in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth for writing against the errors of the Papists 't is but reasonable for me to think myself under the same Obligation for writing against the dangerous errors of the Quakers for surely there has not appeared a more compleat Monster upon the Stage since the days of Simon Magus than George Fox was in his day nor did Simon Magus more applaud himself nor more of his Followers adore him nor take greater care to continue the Memory of him than the Quakers have done of G. Fox witness the reprint of his Labours his Travels his Miracles and Wonders Insomuch that what many Ages have perplexed the Church withal singly we are assaulted with at once as if the scattered Limbs of Heresy had rallied and reinforced themselves for a fresh Battle I have seen Muggleton's Transcendent Spiritual Treatise c. and I cannot find that he holds pace with George Fox in his Books Truths Defence c. Sauls Errand c. A Threefold Estate of Antichrist c. and divers other Books wrote formerly and which they â—â—ill own commend and recommend to their Disciples as Books wrote by divine Authority yea from the Eternal Spirit and Power of God see Sect. the XVI Nay in many things Muggleton and the Quakers seem to be Twins For Muggleton says 't is not lawful to fight with a Sword of Steel so say the Quakers at least until they get power into their hands as in Pensilvania where they can both fight with a Carnal Sword fine imprison and persecute their Brethren as the Trial of G. Keith and others sets forth at large Muggleton denies the Blessed Trinity
Clergy as the fountain of wickedness the issue of prophaneness and the deceivers of the Nation and to lay them open that all people might see their shame and turn from them And now my work I am entered upon is to thresh down Quakerism as the pest of the Nation the fountain of wickedness the issue of prophaneness the deceivers of the people and the broachers of damnable heresies and to lay them open that all people may see your shame and in abhorrence of your abomination to turn from you Come G. W. look for the same measure for you are like to have it heaped thrust down and running over Come George remember your Brother Pen who in his Book The Skirmish defeated c. being told that the womb of Iniquity was in the Quakers Writings said p. 10. He has invaded my body and soul religion and life for I am said W. Pen by my doctrine if the Priest may be believed an Heretick a Blasphemer an Atheist c. And what remains but that the Dogs or the Lyons devour me the Rabble or the Government sacrifice me c. And I pray good Mr Pen what are the Priests if the Quakers may be believed are they not Witches Devils Blasphemers Antichrists c. I say if what you say may be credited what are they good for but the Dogs or Lions to tear them to pieces the Rabble and the Government to sacrifice them saying there ☞ goes a Witch read Exod. 22.18 which says 't is death here ☞ goes a Blasphemer stone him to death Lev. 24.16 Here goes a false Prophet who is not to live Deut. 18.20 knock him down thus in every Town where you come to get credit you have invaded their Soul and Body Religion and Life Come smooth G. W. is not this seditious in the nature of it You know Westmorland Petitioners told you so 2. That my shéet delivered to the House of Commons Dec. 1693. was malicious Answ Reader I will give you some account of the reason of it I having occasion to attend the Parliament by way of sollicitation about our Trade 1693. there was every day 4 or 5 Quakers up and down attending also at last they presented a fine smooth printed paper stiled The Case of the People called Quakers humbly offered to the tender Consideration of the House of Commons to incline them to grant the Petition of the said People c. The Petition was to have their Word pass for an Oath that they might be Rivals with the Peers of the Realm But when I saw it and considered how they but a little before had indicted me for printing a Book unlicenced when I was 60 miles off and they got them seized and taken from my Bookseller notwithstanding they frequently print and publish without Licence and also considering how by little and little they are getting ground and knowing what a litigious People they would be if there was not that Barr to keep them out of Government I took their printed fine wheedling sheet and answered it and did immediately deliver the Answer to it to the Members as I think it was my duty and it was as kindly accepted by the Members and the very same day I delivered my said Answer to their Case their Petition was thrown out to the great joy of all Christian People and notwithstanding G. W.'s belying Mr. Goldwell I had his leave and hearty ascent to deliver it and never had of him a word of dislike for all I have writ nor of none such as he was 3. That my Impeaching their yearly méeting was presumptuous Answ If so But why then did you teach me the way See Burroughs works printed by the order and approbation of Geo. Whitehead Anno 1672. p. 793. stiled Persecution Impeached as a Traytor against God Now all your wilful sufferings for your obstinate disobedience to the Laws of the Land by you are called Persecution and that you have the presumption to Impeach all the Judges Justices and Inferiour Officers under the odious Name of Persecution why may not I for once Impeach you who sit at Devonshire-house to null make void and repeal as unlawful what the King Lords and Commons make lawful at Westminster And whether I be most presumptuous for telling you of your faults or you in committing them for that 's the great case between you and me I will leave the Reader to judge when I have recited the said Impeachment and Proof as in the said sheet viz. The IMPEACHMENT That Geo. White and his Brethren at a Convocation at London the 5th of May 1693. ending the 8th day of the same month did contrive make and promulgate several Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical containing in them divers matters and things contrary to the Laws and Statutes of the Realm against the Rights of Parliament against the property of the subject and matters tending to Sedition and of dangerous consequence as may appear by the recited Epistle A few instances thereof as proof I shall recite The IMPEACHMENT PROVED The Quak. Yearly Epist 1693. p. 1. And therefore that all due care be taken against the Grand Oppression and Antichristian Youk of Tythes that our Christian Testimony born and greatly suffered for be faithfully maintained against them in all Respects and against Steeplehouse Rates as also against the Burthen and Imposition of Oaths that Friends at all their monthly and quarterly Meetings be reminded to call for the Records of the Sufferings of Friends to see that they be duly gathered truly entered and kept and accordingly sent up to London as hath been often advised both of what Tyths c pretended to be due and for how long a time and the time when taken and by and for whom and what Goods are taken and the value thereof as well of those not exceeding as those exceeding the sums or quantities of Tythes demanded it being a suffering in both for truth sake they being in these particulars found defective and imperfect in divers Counties which is an obstruction to the General Record of Friends Sufferings c. Observation From whence we may conclude that the main reason why the Quakers refuse to pay their Tyths and Church Rates and other things which the Government calls for at their hands is the Authority of their Yearly Meetings and not Scripture Proof and where is there a Parish in England but feel more or less the sad effects and evil consequences of these their Antimagistratical Incroachments besides it looks very ill and ungrateful to charge the Government with Persecution for Tythes which is a civil right established by Law Yea even in that very Act of Parliament which gave them their Tolleration and which some if not all these Anti-Lawmakers know well enough 't is in fol. 308. thus Provided always that nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt any of the persons aforesaid from paying of Tythes or other Parochial Duties or any other Duties to the Church or Minister or from
any Prosecution in any Ecclesiastical Court or elsewhere for the same And I knowing these things and considering their calling part of the Parliaments proceedings in the very same Act of Parliament grand oppression yea an Antichristian Yoak of Bondage and as such warn their Disciples not to pay them thereby acquitting and absolving the Kings Subjects if the Quakers be such from their active obedience to the Laws of the Land and which is still worse to cause them to bring up to London a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the distresses taken for their non-payment of Tythes Church-Wardens Rates c. and all this disobedience is in a great part owing to the usurpation of this Anti-magistratical Synod or Convocation Nor is this all but if their yearly Epistles which they keep as close as possibly they can were all seen you would see a hundred Instances of the like kind one more I may shew viz. In the 22d Year of King Charles the 2d there was an Act of Parliament made to prevent seditious Conventicles and that no Meetings above the number of four besides the Family were to beheld under pretence of Religious Worship in other manner than according to the Liturgy of the Church of England But in direct opposition to this the Quakers made a Law at their Yearly Meeting or Convocation held at Devonshire House the 27th of May 1675 viz. So it is our Advice and Judgment that all Friends Gathered in the Name of Jesus keep up those publick Testimonies meaning their Meetings in their respective places and not decline forsake or remove their Publick Assemblies because of times of sufferings as worldly fearful and politick Professors have done meaning the Presbyterians Independants and Baptists because of Informers and the like Persecutors Signed per G. Whitehead William Pen c. Whereby it may be seen that their Principles and Doctrine are Anti-magistratical and Unscriptural too for said Christ If they persecute thee in one City flee to the next And his Desciples met privately for fear of the Jews as more largely handled in my Book The Painted Harlot both stript and whipt c. Thus much by way of Apology for my Impeaching the Quakers presumptuous Proceedings in their Synodical Assembly 4. That what I have wrote hithetto or great part of it is not of my own doing but by the Assistance of Learned Persons Answer I know it has been the way and manner of the Quakers from the first day I wrote against their Errors to use all the ways and means they can to blast my endeavours and by lies and false insinuations to weaken my Testimony sometimes I write say they like a Fool a Boy of 11 Years of Age will laugh at it when that will not do then I write so much otherwise that it cannot be my own but some of the wicked Priests as they account the Clergy help me c. And this being bruted abroad several Gentlemen have desired me to give some account thereof which is as follows When G. W. in his charitable Essay p. 2. charged me with Socinianism saying Why did not thy Minister stop thee from running into such Socinianism c. I went to Mr. Archer our Minister and shewed him the passage and desired his assistance all answering that particular He read Whitehead s Essay and my Book to which his was pretended to be an Answer and he told me that what I had wrote was found and he immediately took his Pen and wrote part of the 3d and 4th pages in the Introduction of New Rome Arraigned c. And which I also in the same page acknowledge in these words And this my Minister tells me is not Ignorance nor Socinianism but your Books teach it c. And except this I do not know that ever I had any Clergyman or other Scholar by me an hour in all I have wrote nor six lines added or diminished by any such a one nor has any Man so much as seen this before I sent it to London for the Press I do say that my Book New Rome Unm. c. and New Rome Arraigned c. I did show to Mr. Archer and to another neighbouring Minister a very worthy and learned person in Manuscript and both of them might alter here and there a word which in the whole in both Books might contain 3 or 4 lines but they altered no matter neither by adding or diminishing but very well approved of what I had done considering my capacity as to Learning and my business as a Tradesman But what if I had assistance I am not the first better men than I am and fitter for such work have had assistance I could if it were for my present purpose shew that the very Quakers who pretend they write by the Eternal Spirit immediately from Heaven they not only have assistance but when their Books come at their second days Meeting in London for Approbation they then will take out and put to what is said to be thus wrote in the Name of the Lord which is a most horrible cheat for their message so wrote is either so or not so if so how unfaithful are these Seers to alter what was given forth in the Name of the Lord if not see what Impostors are these Elders to approve of what they believe is false And yet how frequent is it with their Quaker Teachers to question the truth of all mens sincerity but their own charging the Clergy to be False Prophets c. And now I do challenge G. W. and W. P. to produce one Clergy-man in the Nation that ever prophesied in the Name of the Lord and the thing came ot to pass But G. W. and W. Pen know that 't is frequent with their Preachers so to prophesy and are found false Prophets in that the thing comes not to pass witness Sol. Eccles who prophesied that John Story should dye within a year he being at that time ill yet it pleased God he lived about 4 years after But why should they render me such an Ignoramus as that I should not be able to deal with the Quakers who are not such Conjurers themselves I know they did not always account me so when they chose me to be their Representative to go to the London meeting about Sufferings about the year 1670. Nor when I was Clerk to their monthly and quarterly meetings 16 or 18 years together Nor when they had their Register-book to new model and to add Ely sufferings to it which old Records being by me serve to shew me many of their Intrigues particularly Sam. Cater's sham-suffering for preaching at Plakenham in Norfolk where pretending he lost 20 l. yet got 10 l. clear by it See Sect. 17. c. as this Licence shews viz. Fra. Bugg we desire thee to draw out the sufferings out of the monthly Book and record them in the Publick Register-books and add Ely and Littleport sufferings to the rest Let them be done carefully and
Generations to come shall call thee Blessed whose being and habitation is in the power of the highest in which thou Rules and Governs in Righteousness and thy Kingdom is Established in Peace and the Encrease thereof is without end Next a Letter to G. Fox from John Audland out of the West of England somewhat abstracted c. Dear and pretious one in whom my life is bound up my strength in the stand by thy breathings I am nourished by thee my strength is renewed life and strength come from thee holy one daily do I find thy presence with me which doth exceedingly preserve me for I cannot raign but in thy presence and power pray for me that I may stand in thy dread for evermore I am thine begotten and nourished by thee and in thy power am I preserved glory unto thee holy one for ever c. See this Letter at large in The Discovery of the accursed thing enlarged c. p. See their book stiled This is to go only amongst Friends And thou oh North of England who art counted as desolate and barren and reckon'd the least of the Nation * Mich. 5.2 Matt. 2.6 Joh. 7 42. yet out of thee did the branch spring †Zech. 3.8 and star * Numb 24.17 19. arise which gives light to all the Regions round about In thee the Son of Righteousness appeared †Mal. 4.2 with healing c. and out of thee the terrors of the Lord proceeded which makes the earth to tremble and be removed out of thee Kings Priests and Prophets did come forth Lift up your voices blow the Trumpet sound an Alarum out of the holy mountain proclaim tbe acceptable year and the day of vengeance of our God gird on your sword on your loyns put on the tried Armor Note this is one of their books the worlds people is not to see it 's to go only amongst Friends ride on ride on my brethren and fellow soldiers make all plain before you make the heathen tremble and the uncircumcised fall by the sword spare none neither Ox nor Ass neither old nor young kill cut off destroy bath your sword in the blood of Amalek and all the Philistins and Egyptians hew Agag to pieces break down the Rocks cut down the Ceders make the Devils i. e. the Priests subject cast out the unclean spirit i. e. that pay or receive Tyths raise the dead shut up in Prison bring out of Prison cast in your Nets launch into the deep bind the tares in bundles cast them into the fire the good Angel i. e. G. Fox is come thrust in your Cicles reap the earth silence all Disputers and Diviners for ever triumph upon all the chaff the mire and dung for ever prepare your selves to battle for the Nation doth defie our God saying Who is the God of the Quakers A rebellious people that will not come under our Law c. and so on see New Rome unm c. p. 85. more at large And thus you see that as 't is written Acts 10.34 To him gave all the Prophets witness c. so you see that all the Quakers Prophets being 400 in number give witness to Geo. Fox and adore him as the Branch the Star the Sun of Righteousness whose being and habitation is in the power of the highest ruling in his Kingdom the increase of which is without end as say the Quakers his Idolatrous Adorers by which 't is clear he outstrips Simon Magus SECT VI. 4. THat G. Fox was a slighter of the Scriptures a denyer of the Law of Moses and ordinances of Iesus Christ and a Blasphemer of the Blessed Trinity News coming up c. p. 14. Your original is carnal Hebrew Greek and Latin and the light is carnal the Letter and your Baptism is carnal and their Sacrament is carnal and their Communion is carnal so dust is the Serpents meat their original is but dust which is the letter which is death so the Serpent feeds upon dust and their Gospel is dust Matthew Mark Luke and John which is the letter p. 34. A voice and a word to all you Deceivers who deceive the people and Blasphemers who utter forth your Blasphemy and Hypocrisy that tell people of a Sacrament and tell them it is the Ordinance of God blush blush and tremble before the Almighty for dreadful is he that will pour out his vengeance upon you who live in the Witchery and bewitch the people and these things i. e. Baptism and the Lords Supper that God never commanded are given forth by you who are brazened with deceit and no Witch must live in Israel i. e. no Priest The Quakers Refuge fixed c. p. 17. Whether the first Penman of the Scriptures was Moses or Hermes or whether both these are not one or whether there are not many words contained in the Scriptures which were not spoken by the Inspiration of the Holy Spirit whether some words were not spoken by the Grand Impostor 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 c. Now this being proposed as doubtful overthrows the certainty and authority of the Scriptures for if what the true Prophets spake was false and what wise and good men spoke was either ill applied or ill expressed and what the false Prophets spoke be true what certainty is here this put to the Quakers practice in laying aside in their Families as well as in their Worship the use of the Ten Commandments Lords Prayer and the Apostles Creed together with what is above recited is plain that Geo. Fox and his Followers are Slighters of the Scriptures Now to the 3d part of the Paragraph viz. A Blasphemer of the Blessed Trinity one of his Sons books The Sandy Foundation shaken c. p. 10. No one substance can have three distinct subsistencies and preserve its own unity for granting them i. e. Trinitarians the most favourable definition every subsistence will have its own substance so that three distinct subsistences will require three distinct substances or beings consequently three Gods p. 16. The vulgar doctrine of satisfaction being dependent on the second person of the imagined Trinity refuted from Scripture c. says W. Pen but I say neither he nor all the Sons of Simon Magus are able to refute that Article of the true Christian Faith SECT VII I Am now coming to Ignatius Loyola the first Founder of the Jesuits and to shew that as G. Fox was one with Simon Magus in Doctrine yet in Discipline he very much resembles Ignatius Loyola and before I proceed I shall shew that I am not alone in this opinion and that from the judgment of two Learned Divines of the Church of England out of two books the one intituled The Good Old Way c. p. 121 122. But of all the Sects which are among us undoubtedly the Quakers have been
that he who is not infallible in his judgment council and advice is no Minister of Christ that the Quakers are the only Ministers of Christ And as a further proof that G. Fox and his followers are Ignatius his dear Children read the Works following and a hundred more of their Books and you shall not find one passage wherein they make confession of their sins to God and beg pardon for Christs sake according to the example of the Prophets Apostles Saints and Martyrs in all ages neither if you go to 1000 Meetings shall you hear one of their Preachers have such an expression in their mouths viz. as confessing their sins and begging pardon for Jesus Christs sake And for example I have read great part of these Books following and cannot find such a passage I was also a Quaker 25. years and in all that time I do not remember such a passage If any think I wrong the Quakers let them read and search as I have done and shew me such a passage if they can The Books by me most examined are thâ—s Edw. Burroughs in folio containing pages 896 Sam. Fishers Works in folio pages 954 Read Qua. detected p. 8. to 12. and New R. unmaskt p. 18. Fr. Howgillt Works in folio 709 Geo. Fox his Journal in folio 632 Geo. Fox his Great Myst in folio 407 Will. Smiths Works in folio 565 W. Pens and Geo. Whiteheads Christ Qua. in folio 555 W. Baylys Works in quarto 774 Rich. Hubberthorps Works in quarto 374 W. Pens Invalidity in quarto 451 Â 6317 Thus I have given you a sample of their Books and read as many of them as you please and if thou art a Quaker and has but a spark of Christianity left in thee I admonish thee and that for thy own Souls sake read these Scriptures Luke 11.4 1 Joh. 1.8 9. Cap. 2. v. 5. Psal 38.18 51.1 2 3. Isa 64.6 Lam. 3.41 42. Job 7.20 Dan. 9.4 5 20. Jer. 10.25 Luke 18.10 11. 1 Kings 8.47 Prov. 20.9 Eccles 7.20 1 Tim. 1.15 And then compare the practice of the Saints of old to the practice of the Quakers and they do no more resemble each other than black does white Here you will see that Moses that meek and good man David a man after Gods own heart Isaiah Jeremiah John Job Nay so far are they from this practice that one of their Preachers In the Book A Musick Lect. c. says p. 22 I do affirm that if John the Apostle had said he had been a sinner he had Lyed c. Oh Impudence Daniel the beloved of the Lord Paul the great Apostle they all acknowledge themselves sinners they begg'd pardon for Christs sake But you can never hear that G. Fox Sam. Fisher Ed. Burrows W. Pen G. Whitehead W. Smith Fra. Hawgil Wm. Bayly nor Richard Hubberthorn in all these 6317 pages that they make the least confession of sin and that they ever beg pardon for the same And this I take and have done for many years to be an Argument that they are of a different faith and practice to the Apostles the Prophets the Martyrs and all true Christians to this day And if any be desirous to be further satisfied read my book The Quakers detected c. p. 8 to 12. New Rome unmasked c. p. 16 to 20 where I have largely treated on this head I also recommend an ingenious piece called The Quakers Quibbles which to this day they have not been able to answer SECT VIII THe Invalidity of John Faldo's Vindication c. part 1. page 103. cap. 5. I find William Pen making a piteous moan against John Faldo And begging like a poor Fryer of his Reader to do a poor people right for once viz. Reader I beseech thee for truths sake on whose side soever thou shalt find it to be to examine with all impartiality his Charge our Answer his Reply and our Rejoynder if his Honesty Reason and Justice hold any proportion to his great Confidence we yield But if upon an impartial consideration he shall be found to clip and pervert our matter and to shuffle with us in his own once do a poor people Right William I have read both sides and do say that he hath contracted yours fairly and taken in the sense fully and what you add to it is but your gloss Edward Burroughs Doctrine is plain and positive which teach 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 to another not having the command to themselves I challenge to find an example for it they obeyed every one the command to themselves c. See his works p. 47. And Mr. Faldo repeats so much of your Answer as carries the strength of your Argument which is this viz. No Command in Scripture is any further obliging upon any man than as he finds a conviction upon his Conscience otherwise men should be engaged without if not a-against Conviction a thing unreasonable in men Thus far Pen. Observation The Observation I make is this that your Friend Burroughs Doctrine is perfect Ranterism and that by the Doctrine of William Pen too A brief examination of Lib. Spiritual c. per W. P. p. 3. For it is a dangerous principle and pernicious to the 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 perswaded or convinced is thy duty Again p. 11. The enemy is at work to scatter the minds of friends by that Loose Plea what hast thou to do with me leave me to my freedom and to the Grace of God in my self this is a deviation from and a pervertion of the antient principle of truth if any one shall say I see no evil in paying Tythes I see no evil in marrying by a Priest I see no evil in keeping my Shop shut upon the worlds holy days and Christmas days and fast days which is confusion it self c. I say my Observation is this the Quakers will impose as an indispensable duty an absolute conformity to their orders to their laws to their canons and decrees and if any plead to stay till they be convinced of the reasonableness of their commands this is Ranterism yea downright Ranterism altho it be to pay Tythes which the Law commands to observe such days commanded by Authority and which as such the Scriptures enjoyn which say be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake c. But to obey the Scripture commands as such that 's no obligation by Wm. Pens doctrine unless a man be convinced thereof or unless he have the command anew and as immediately as the inspired Apostles and Prophets had see my Book de Christiana Libertate c. p. 30 to 45. where the Quakers imposition about things of indifferency are at large handled But Mr. Faldo
tells the Quakers and I think not without good reason that this Doctrine of the Quakers springs from such a pernitious principle as carry all iniquity in the womb of it c. But as W. Pen desires beseeches and begs that I should for once do a poor deluded people right so I will answer his request and the way to do it is to set down Burroughs Doctrine and W. Pens Answer at least so much of it as carry the strength of his argument viz. Burrows Works p. 47. That is no command from God to me what he commands to another diâ— any of the Saints which we read of in scripture act by the command which was to another not having the command to themselves Whereas from the recited Doctrine of Burroughs Mr. Faldo charges the Quakers to teach that no commands in Scripture as such are binding to us which he accounted as such a pernicious principle as carried all iniquity in the womb of it c. to salve which pray hear Mr. Pens answer To this saith he I answer briefly and plainly no commands in scripture are any further obliging upon any man than as he finds a conviction upon his conscience otherwise men should be ingaged without if not against conviction a thing unreasonable in a man Now I cannot see how W. Pens argument can answer the end proposed since 't is very hard for the Quakers nay impossible to be convinced of the reasonableness of their obedience to Scripture commands as such if they adhere to the Quakers Doctrine and names of contempt they frequently cast upon it First for names viz. Beastly ware carnal letter the husk dust death serpents meat some of it spoke by the grand Impostor some by wicked Men some by true Prophets yet false some by wise and good Men yet either ill applied or ill expressed And that whether Moses or Hermes was the first Penman remains a question c. I say here is no ground to hope that these Teachers will ever convince their Hearers of their duty of obedience to Scripture commands as such Again that the people may as well burn the Scriptures as their Books Again If ever you own Christs and the Apostles you will ever own our Writings say the Quakers which are given forth by the power and spirit of God Again What is spoken from the spirit of him in any is of as great authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are and greater and very much to this effect as in this Treatise as also in New Rome Arraigned is plainly proved from the Books of their Teachers of greatest note Insomuch that there seems no possibility for the conviction of their followers who adhere and believe such doctrine of their duty of obedience to Scripture commands as also may appear from their practice as for example Christ said go teach all nations baptiâ—ing c. do this in remembrance oâ— me c. here is two positive commands which the Quakers have quite thrown off upon their principle that no commands of God which he commanded to others are binding now unless they have a command from God as the Apostles had at least until as Pen saith they are convinced 't is their duty to obey which is impossible if they tell them 't is Conjuration to preach out of the Scriptures that they are beastly ware serpents meat dust and deaths c. Again hear what one of their most noted Teachers says A Musick Lecture c. p. 35. Where they the worlds people are I was in performances in ordinances in hearing in reading in prayers and fasting but when I came to bend my mind to that of God in me viz. Quakerism I durst not give God thanks for the Victuals set before me c. And the reason is plain he not having the same command the Apostles had for if Scripture precept had been binding he had not only the command but example of Christ and his Apostles and the like may be urged for their disobedience to the Laws of the Land particularly about Tythes which W. Pen and the Quakers make criminal in their hearers to pay as likewise to shut up their Shop-windows on Fast days commanded by Authority these are made capital sins in the hearers But for non-submission to their own humane inventions they charge them with Ranterism thus have they like their Predecessors the Pharisees who strained at a Gnat and swallowed a Camel made void the commandments of God and precepts of the Gospel of none effect by their tradition Thus 't is apparent that this Doctrine That no commands of God in Scripture are any further obliging upon any man than he finds a conviction upon his conscience is so pernitious that it carries all iniquity in the womb of it And that this position opens the Flood-gates to all error atheism impiety and wickedness for if conviction be all the ground of obedience to the commands of Scripture and that no man until he is convinced that he is obliged to obey the commands of God laid down in the Scripture then all rational Laws Orders and Governments both divine and humane are overturned and from the date of this position a stop is put so far as 't is received and imbraced to all Religion and Piety towards God and upon this bottom as their principal foundation and corner stone the Quakers first rose in the North breaking all Law Order and Government disturbing the Ministers in their Churches and all other Societies for they were not convinced that they ought to obey Magistrates nor their Laws and how far they still retain this principle this Treatise will shew tho I grant for self-ends they are somewhat reformed and to maintain their Grandeur their Trade and to get into the favour of the Government that in time they may come to be Justices of Peace For it is certain that this position together with their other doctrine take away and rob the Scriptures of their divine Authority leaving all loose and uncertain and where this doctrine will end were it generally embraced God only knows for the Quakers conscience being hardened by the Doctrine of their Teachers against the Ordinances of Jesus Christ Obedience to the Laws of the Land the Papists the Jesuits the Turks the Arians the Socinians the Antitrinitarians all may as well plead to be left whether to obey Scripture commands as the Quakers and the Hearers of them all in all probability as like to be convinced by their Teachers as the Quakers c. who yet at the same time injoyn their Hearers not to pay Tythes not to marry unless they publish their intention before their Womans Meeting not to marry by a Priest not to shut up their Shop on a Fast day but to keep it open in Testimony against the command of the Magistrate and his Authority and a hundred things more and for non-submission to these injunctions there must be no plea nor liberty given nor forbearance until conviction but the Scripture commands
are not say they obliging unless a man be convinced c. SECT IX HAving by the foregoing shewed W. Pen to be for and against himself for conformity to the laws orders and decrees of G. Fox conviction or no conviction against conformity to the commands of God in Scripture unless convinced shewing himself thereby to be tot quot omnis every thing and nothing I am now coming to the latter part of the paragraph wherein you sorely complain of Mr. Faldo But if upon an impartial consideration he shall be found to clip or pervert our matter and to shuffle with us in his own Once do a poor people right c. Mr. Pen I am loath to provoke you but if I should I do not fear you you complain of Mr. Faldo's clipping and perverting your matter and shuffling with you in his word a crime no people upon the face of the whole earth more guilty than your selves and at which none better than your self G. Whitebread and G. Fox in his time and I must tell you G. W. hath stood in great need of you and does still one that can make a black thing appear white but I fear the Quakers will not yet depute you and my reason is Mr. Meads aversness to your Preface to Fox his Journal being bound up therewith but like some Lackey it is forced to run shrugging afoot in a poor thin blue coat waiting at the Readers Elbow like A Noun Adjective wanting a word to shew its signification as well as why it 's left to shift for it self c. Well William I have not forgot your complaint I am now coming to do right between you As to Mr. Faldo I have not read all he writ but so far as I have I find him fair and ingenuous leaving out your glosses wiping off your paintings and discovering your fallacies but William cast an eye upon G. Fox s Gr. myst and compare it with the Books which he pretends to answer and you will find it the greatest Mystery of Iniquity that ever appeared in the world under pretence of a religious contest of which Mr. Crisp has made a clear discovery in his Book entitled The Discovery of the accursed thing in the Foxonian Quakers Camp enlarged c. and An Essay c. to allay G. F. s Spirit Oh the horrible clipping mincing and shameful pervertions cutting sentences in two taking the middle of a line and leaving both ends altering the sense laming the argument and defacing the whole matter and if you please to do me right for once against his Son and your Companion that stood up stoutly for you when time was i. e. G. W.'s answer stiled The content Apost recharged c. to mine entitled Battering Rams against New Rome c. where he took one line here another there and sometimes five words out of the middle of a line sometimes but one word in a line and leaves the next and take the next and leap two or three lines off and take two or three words more see New Rome unmaskt p. 75. where this is fully discovered it may be some may think this is not worth the mentioning but if they do but consider first how they have prevailed with these people to believe that what their Teachers say is by an infallible spirit they will not err a jot but do right to all impartially next that they hinder their Hearers from reading the Answers or selling Books that are against them together with their way of spreading their own Books which suggest this and I do say it is one of the cunningest stratagems that Satan has assisted them in and a deep design to misrepresent their Adversaries I could write a Folio on this head but Fox his Book stiled The Great myst being examined and compared is a sufficient demonstration and if they will not examine but the blind will follow their blind Leaders be it upon themselves for what can a man say to such as are willingly ignorant and resolve to oppose conviction I remember one little pretty story in Fox's Journal see the 3d Table or Index Treachery against Geo. Fox his Horse Alas treason for W. Pen knows G. F was a King if he that has a Kingdom be a King see Judas and the Jews p. 44 45 46. of his own justifying too Well however it was either Treachery or Treason that 's certain as you may find it printed in the 255 page And I looked back and the Hostler was filing his Pocket with the Provender that was giving to my Horse c. I confess it was a naughty trick and the worse considering whose Horse it was but whether it deserves to be chronicled I leave the Reader to judge But Friend William if you please to look into the 77 page of G. F. his Great mystery there you will find him justifying Felony upon pretence of a motion which shew that the 8th Commandment Exod. 20.15 was not binding to the Quakers at least to G. Fox their great Apostle and Prophet and Jacob of the age well pray hear him And as for any being moved of the Lord to take away your the Ministers hour-glass from you by the eternal power it is owned c. Here you see he owns Theft in the Quakers with this proviso That if they be moved to it And what Thief will not to save his Bacon as the Proverb is say he is moved But the poor Thievish Hostler did but steal 2 or 3 handfuls of Oats and he must be upon Record to posterity for a Thief only G. F. was so kind as not to write his name down no more than he did the names of several upon whom he wrought his Miracles nor indeed where they dwelt only some in Maryland some in Barbadoes and some in Ireland But as to G. F. owning the Felony 't is not strange for if he was not convinced at that time of his duty to Gods command in the 8th Commandment he is by W. Pen justified and that this position is of a dangerous tendency and doth indeed carry in it all iniquity I shall yet further observe SECT X. HAving already treated of the Quakers Doctrine particularly that position which says That no command in Scripture is any further obliging upon any man than as he finds a conviction upon his own conscience c. which is such a pernicious principle as Mr. Faldo said that it carries all iniquity in the womb of it and indeed is the very floodgate by which Quakerism was first let in among us which came in as a mighty stream flowing over all our Banks of Laws Order and Government both divine and humane overturning the very Ordinances instituted by our Lord Jesus Christ the authority of the Scriptures to the great scandal of our Christian Religion and in the mean while valuing their own Papers Laws and Orders as superior to them And therefore as I have begun with the first planting of Quakerism which was in the year 1650.
and shewed by what arts they have come on and advanced their Errors I am now coming to shew the way of Lucius the first Christian King as History saith that the world ever knew to propagate the Christian Faith he did not stay at this place and that to write Papers and Books to spread truth nor did the Bishop of Rome at that time order him so to do as was the practice of Geo. Fox no to the Law and to the Testimony this was the way that every planter of the true Christian Faith took of which I will give you a noble instance * Eng. Chron. by John Heath p. 19 20. This Royal King Lucius being mindful of Religion that dearest part of Government more than any other consideration the better to prosper the work so prosperously begun sent two learned men to Elutherus then Bishop of Rome to be farther instructed in the Christian Faith who thereupon sent him Fagarius and Damianus with his Letter in the following words as saith the Historian viz. You have received in the Kingdom of Briton by Gods mercy both the Law and Faith of Christ you have both the Old and New Testament out of the same thro Gods Grace by the Advice of your Realm take a Law and by the same through Gods Sufference rule your Kingdom of Brittain c. Having such a good example from this Learned Bishop and Religious King I shall first set down some Scriptures which have been both by Kings and Subjects thought special commands and binding and obliging all men whether all have been so perswaded yea or nay yet I say the faithful Christians in all ages and generations have taken them as their Rule of Obedience and to be of that authority to quell and subdue all those diabolical delusions which will suggest the contrary viz. Mat. 22.21 Render therefore unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods St. Paul to Tit. 3.1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers to obey magistrates to be ready to every good work 1 Pet. 2.13 14 17. Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake whether it be to the King as supream or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well Honour all men love the brotherhood fear God honour the King Rom. 13.1 2 3. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers there is no power but of God the powers that be are ordained of God whosoever therefore resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation for rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil Wilt thou * G. F. heed not a Cart Load of Warrants then not be afraid of the power do that which is good and thou shalt have praise of the same †W. Tyndals works i. e. of the obedience of a Christian man p. 111. For God hath made the King in every Realm judge over all and over him there is no Judge he that resisteth the King resisteth God If the Subjects sin they must be brought to the Kings judgment if the King sin he must be reserved unto the judgment of God and as it is to resist the King so is it to resist his Officers which are set or sent to execute the Kings commandment for it is written let every soul submit himself unto the authority of the higher powers * G. W. what think you of this Doctrine here is no man exempt but all souls must obey Thus I have given a brief account of the Christian Faith First what Christ who is the Head of the Christian Church and Author of the Christian Faith he said Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and his Apostle Paul bid Titus put the believing Christians in mind to obey Magistrates and to confirm this point St. Peter is very express Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake not so much that he favours us or is kind and governs gently by wholsome Laws these things indeed are good and great mercies to a people but our submission ought to be for the Lords sake who hath ordained Magistracy and Government for so saith St. Paul the powers that be are ordained of God and whosoever resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God Likewise you may read the Doctrine of W. Tyndal in his Book entitled The Obedience of a Christian man and see how the blessed Martyrs espoused and maintained the same delivered by the Apostles SECT XI NOW in order to give a right understanding and that from plain matter of fact of the difference between the faith and practice of the Quakers of the one part and the faith and practice of the Christians in all ages since the days of Christ I have a purpose to set forth as a particular instance the practice of the Reformed Churches of France in regard they live under a Popish King rather than the Church of England and chiefly for this reason beeause the Quakers are so prejudiced against our Clergy Tho I believe there is not sounder men nor a better disciplined Church in the world yet I say they having always been so prejudiced against them as to call them Beasts Dogs Baals Priests Witches Devils Antichrists Blasphemers and a thousand such unchristian and horrible names on purpose to beget an ill opinion in the people of them as Burrough in his Epistle to Fox his Mystery confesseth that so they might leave and forsake them also considering how frequently they have in their Books arraigned impeached and condemned the Magistracy of England under the odious names of the Beast which carry the Whore the Persecuters of Gods People the Antichrists c. That I think it more proper to take a foreign parallel that if possible they may at last be brought to a confession of their Errors burn their Books renounce their Religion and bethink themselves where they have been what they have been doing and how scandalous their antimagistratical principles have been to the Christian Religion not that I have leisure or parts to set forth this matter as it ought to be done but am content to be as a Carpenters Man to hew off the knots and make the work fit for better Workmen to compleat what I leave imperfect and in order to this I shall abstract some few passages of the 28th Synod held at Charenton in France viz. The Acts of the 28 Synod of the Reformed Churches of France assembled by his Majestys Permission at Charenton near Paris on Monday the 26th day of December 1644 and ended Thursday the 26th of January 1645. See the Acts Decisions and Decrees of the Reformed Churches of France per John Quick vol. 2. p. 425. First Monsieur Drelincourt opened the Sessions with Prayer and then the Lord Marquis of Clermont General Deputy presented
Manual Certificates of two Ministers at least under pain of Confiscation of the whole Impression nor may you denounce any Excommunication against any Ministers and others who shall change their Religion for that of the Roman Catholick nor treat them reproachfully neither by word nor writing †{inverted †} †{inverted †} Hark G. W. then they were not to call such Beasts Dogs Wolves Children of the Devil Devils incarnate Enemies of all Righteousness Apostates self-condemned Apostates as you have called me and others for our forsaking you and conforming to the Religion Establisht Moreover when they speak of the Pope they are not to call him Antichrist ††But you call both Ministers and People Parliaments and Magistrates who either pay or receive Tythes Antichrist Oh hetrodox in all points c. nor to treat him disrespectfully nor shall they tax the Roman Church with Idolatry nor the Sacraments and Ceremonies thereof us humane Inventions and Idolatry c. * * But you tell the Protestants their Sacraments are dust and that they rose from the Pope c. And treat the Dispencers thereof as Witches Devils Antichrists and what not that is odious nor to make collections of Money c. And now I come to shew you the Christian Frame and Temper of the French Protestants in their Obedience to the Kings Commandment by their Moderator c. The Lord Commissioner having ended his Speech the Deputies returned their Answer by their Moderator Monsieur Garrissoles The Moderator's Answer WE thankfully acknowledge the great Goodness and Mercy of God Almighty in answering the Prayers of his poor Churches with his heavenly Blessing and their Majesties Condescention in accepting our most humble Petitions presented by the Lords of our General Deputies and granting us this Privilege of holding this Synod and committing the Inspection of it unto a person most illustrious for his Vertues and well deserving that high place of Dignity and Honour in the first and chiefest Parliament of the Kingdom all these and many other considerations more do enforce our Souls with a sweet and pleasing violence to break forth into enlarged Praises and enflamed Thankfulness unto their Majesties yea and in most ardent supplications unto our God for the preservation of their sacred persons his Benediction upon their Government the Glory of their Crowns under whose comfortable Shadows the Churches enjoying a sweet Peace will never have any other desire or thought than to practice faithfully and conscientiously that most express Command of our Lord and Saviour by his Apostle St. Peter To fear God and honor the King and that with a most entire and sincere Obedience And as we have no design to do it so we shall never admit any person to sit as a Member of our National Synod who hath not a Deputation c. Nor shall we hold any Correspondency nor receive any Letters coming from Foreigners ††See G. W the Quakers practice and how different herein as anon I shall shew nor return any Answers to them unless that my Lord Commissioner who represents his Majesties person shall have first perused them nor will we debate about Matters of State nor make any orders in relation to them * * Hark G. W. read your Edicts and compare them which resemble theirs as black does white nor shall we set up Proivincial Councels in opposition to his Majesties will Nor as his Majesty hath demanded of us will we suffer those Canons of our National Synods concerning the Approbation of Books that shall be printed on matters of Religion to be violated ††See and behold an Example the Protestants have regard to the Laws the Quakers none nor shall we excommunicate any of those persons who quit the Communion of our Churches for we do not arrogate to our selves any Jurisdiction over them from that minute in which they left us nor shall we tollerate any Sermons fraught with any injurious and reproachful Language against the Members of the Church of Rome whether in general or particular nor suffer that Moneys be collected c. From all which 't is self-evident from Scripture Reason and approved Authors that Christ and his holy Apostles commanded subjection and obedience to the higher powers their Commands are positive and not with a Proviso i. e. until you be convinced of this your duty c. No they are Scripture Commands and as such ought to be obeyed and so the Martyrs believed and practised and set examples And you see how these worthy Christians the French Protestants obeyed that wholsom doctrine they did not answer the French King that no Commands in Scripture are obliging unless a man be first convinced that what is there commanded ought to be obeyed as Burroughs and Pen teach and as the Quakers practice who run counter to the practice of Christ his Apostles Martyrs and all Christians to this day c. SECT XII AND thus the Quakers may see as in a Glass That first the French King was humbly sought by the Protestants to grant them leave to hold a National Synod upon which he answered their request provided first that he might have a Commissioner in whom he could repose trust and confidence to be resident there to hear and observe that their discourse did not tend to alienate the hearts of his Subjects from their obedience to him as their King and Governor Secondly That they did not meddle with State matters tending to beget disobedience to the Laws of the Land all which they as readily submitted to they promised they would not meddle with State matters nor excommunicate and revile his Magistrates and Ministers nor hold a Correspondency with Strangers to let other Nations espy the Fashions and Customs of their Government and thereby take measures against it that they would observe his Laws in not printing Books without Licence nor gather up Money to weaken the Subjects to carry on designs against the Government But how far the Quakers differ in this point from the Christian both at home and abroad I leave the Reader to judge and that not from my bare say so but from plain matter of fact But still to make it more plain if more plain can be I shall in a few instances set 1st The French Kings method in commanding his Subjects 2d The manner of his Subjects Obedience and ready Compliance altho not of his Perswasion as to his Religion 3d. The Quakers Practice and Principles relating to Government 4th Some brief Observations from the Premisses SECT XIII French King YOu shall have no Communication with Strangers you shall neither read Letters from them in your Convocation nor return Letters to them other than what my Commissioner approves of Protest Nor shall we read any Letters coming from Foreigners nor return any Answer unless my Lord Commissioner approve thereof ut supra Quak. 〈◊〉 Epistle to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings of Friends in England and Wales or elsewhere from our yearly
Meeting held in London the v. vi vii and viii â—â—ys of the 4th month 1693. p. 2. Several other Epistles from forâ—ign parts as Barbadoes Maryland Pensilvania Virginia Scotland and Holland were read an Epistle from Amsterdam in Holland Ja. Dickinson and Tho. Wilson at this Meeting gave an account of their Travels in Barbadoes East and West Jersey Pensilvania Maryland Virginia New England North Carolina Rhoad Island Long Island Antego Nevis c. Four Epistles from Ireland one from the last year Meeting in Dublin another from Ulster Province another from Munster Province the fourth from Conought Province Meeting An account was given of Dantzick friends A Letter also from Jamaica that there are a People rais'd up and increased in Germany from among the Lutherans called Pietists by some called Quakâ—râ— persecuted by the Duke of Saxony and the Priests several of our Friends Books have been spread amongst them Again p. 3. Friends appointed to view the â—ccounts report that they find they are truly stated and right kept and friends are again advised to bring up with them the tâ—tal sum of each Counties Collection Query did Wm. Crouch not forget the 5 l. he disbursed Again p. 4. the six friends of the City appointed and intrusted this Year with the accounts are William Crouch John Staploe William Macket William Chandler William Beech Nathaniel Marks Observation Reader A small Remark will serve 1st 'T is plain they hold a Correspondency with and receive Letters from Foreigners return Answers spread their Books into foreign parts pretending to spread truth as if the Scriptures were deficient 'T is also plain that they have a Fund or Bank and a yearly Tax collected to maintain their Teachers Travellers and Spies both at home and abroad see my Books Battering Rams against New Rome c. p. 14. New Rome unm p. 60. 'T is also plain that they have Common Bankers with whom the keeping of the Exchequer is intrusted their Names are W. Crouch J. Staploe W. Macket W. Chandler W. Beech Nath. Marks See W. R.'s Second Scourge for G. Whitehead c. on this Head SECT XIV French King YOu are not to meddle with State Affairs or matters of Justice Protest Nor will we debate about State Affairs or make any orders in relation to them The King and Parl. of England An Act of Parliament made the first year Gulielmi Mariae intituled An Act for exempting their Majesties Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalties of certain Laws c. Numb 308. Provided always that nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt any of the persâ—ns aforesaid from paying of Tythes or other parochial duties or any other duty to the Church or Minister nor from any prosecution in any Ecclesiastical Court or elsewhere for the same Quakers Yearly Epist p. 1. And therefore that all due and godly care be taken against the Grand Oppression and antichristian Yoak of Tythes that our Testimony born and greatly suffered for be faithfully maintained against them in all respects and against Steeple-house Rates as also against the burden and imposition of Oaths that Friends at all their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings be reminded to call for the Records of Friends Sufferings to see that they be duly gathered truly entered and kept and accordingly sent up to London as hath been often advised both of what Tythes are pretended to be due and for how long a time and the time when taken and by and for whom and what goods are taken by distress for non-payment and the value thereof as well of those not exceeding as those exceeding the sums or quantities of Tythes demanded it being a suffering in both for Truths sake They the said Monthly and Quarterly Meetings being in these particulars found defective and imperfect in divers Counties which is an obstruction to the General Records of Friends Sufferings and therefore the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings are desired to take more care for the future that all Friends Sufferings for truths sake may be brought up to London as full and compleat in all Respects as possibly may be A complaint being made that some that profess truth carry Guns in their Ships 't is therefore recommended to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to deal with them c. Observations Reader the disparity between the Quakers and the Christians in their practice behaviour gratitude and duty is obvious 1st The French King commands his Subjects not to meddle with State Affairs the Protestants with all complacency answer him no they do not desire it neither will they so much as make orders about State matters as not being their present station being Dissenters from the Religion by Law established Thus you see the harmony of the French King and his Subjects and so much for that next you see in the first year of his present Majesty he with the advice and consent of his Parliament indulged the Quakers the free exercise of their perswasion from the penalty of poenal Statutes but in the same Act for their Indulgence there is a clause as above told which ratifies and confirms the payment of Tythes and all Church dues as firm as ever In the next place you see what the Quakers say of it They tell you That Tythes are a grand oppression and not only so but which is worse an Antichristian Yoak yea such a yoak as that whoever receives or pays Tythes does therein deny Christ to be come in the Flesh by their doctrine And thereupon by this Epistle which is to go through England and Wales and elsewhere they warn their Disciples to maintain their Testimony against the payment of Tythes in all respects the like against Church-wardens Rates and withal stoutly to oppose the Imposition of Oaths Nay this is not all yet but being sat in state to hear the grievances of the Nation there is a Complaint come up to the yearly Meeting that some who profess truth as if there were none who profess truth but the Quakers carry Guns in their Ships Well they hear this Complaint but refer that business to the Country Sessions I mean their Quarterly Meetings for they have business of great moment and thus instead of thankfully enjoying the Governments kindness they are privately undermining it by alienating the Kings Subjects from their active obedience to the known Laws of the Land for this Epistle alias Edict is to go through England and Wales and elsewhere this elsewhere is through the world for as Rome is the Papists Metropolis whose Decrees reach to the ends of the earth where Papists live so is this yearly Meeting in London the Quakers Metropolis and from thence goes forth their Law which is obliging and binding as far as there are any Quakers And if any desire to stay until they be convinced Oh no! says W. Pen away with this loose plea for it is a dangerous principle and pernicious to the true Religion And which is worse The Examin