Keâ—â—â— â—â—med Reâ—â—â—◠〈◊〉 p 3â— p. 9 The Romanists make it difficult to be understood and dangerous to be read to make way for the Proposals and Expositions of their Infallible Head And the Quakers do use the very like Expressions and Exceptions giving great Reason to suppose that they both are Hammer'd on the same Anvil We find it to hurt and weaken and deaden us to think any thoughts even from the Scriptures but as the Life and Spirit of God influencete and concurreth If any time we do it we find our selves rebuked and chastised by the Lord for it And elsewhere Scripture words are but as a â—ounding brass and Tinkling Cymbal a killing Letter it is only the words that Christ himself speaks that are Spirit and Life and they who sâ—eâ— Life in the Letter seek the Living among the Dead for it declares of the Life but it is not therein but in him Among others Thomas Ellwood in a late Book which he calls Truth prevailing and detecting error c. makes it his profest business Chap. 8. To draw a Veil and obscurity over the Scriptures questioning and at last denying the Bible to be the Word of God p. 249. calling the Bible a dead thing the Scriptures dead letters p. 250. whereas they dare call their own Printed Works Living Divine Testimonies And T. E. upon his Principles The Works of William Smith cannot give the same Title to the Book of God which he gives to his own viz. Truth prevailing c. He further tells us that the Scriptures are not sufficient to Salvation p. 241. nor the Rule ibid. and the like Contempts are most subtilly insinuated Withal he disbands humane Learning from all Religious Concerns affirming that the Bible is a sealed Book needs the same Revelation to understand it that the Apostles had to Write it And all this is designed to usher in his partyes pretended immediate Inspirations as the only certain means of understanding any thing in Holy Writ This seeming Dishonorable to God Disgraceful to his Word Dangerous to Souls and the quiet of Kingdoms and the whole being wrongfully stated by him I have herein endeavoured an Examination of his Notions concerning this matter G. Whitehead acquaints us concerning the Quakers Writings That some of their Titles have not been strictly but figuratively placed upon their Books The Quakers plainnes detecting fallacy p. 91. a Confession which if pursued gives us great Latitude he neither naming what those Books nor Figures are a rare Art of Equivocation in the Frontispiece what figures may he pretend their Books to have within and by this sleight they may evade the most pressing Arguments And should I by this figure call Ellwoods Book Falsâ—hood prevailing and protecting Errour I should do no Injustice for it is but a pursuance of their own Concessions But to view a while his self pleasing title why it is not less Humble than Truth prevailing is this given strictly or figuratiâ—â—ly or â—â—â—oâ—ed by his so 〈◊〉 boasted of Inspiration The World is too wise to begull'd with a book that bears â—â—â—ther in its top it is truth we loâ—â— for wiâ—hin not anticipating Tâ—â—â—s without Modesty and 〈…〉 â—â—â—dred such sounding 〈…〉 prevailing c. so sound some other of their works Truth exalted and Deceit abased Truth lifting up its head above scandalls c. But he may know that enemies to God and truth have given such titles to the Creatures of their Brains which he doth to his Work Antiphon the Philosopher writ a Book against the very Providence of God Orig. Con. Cels Lib. 4. p. 176. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which he denyed and attempted to take out of the World and yet he had the Confidence to call it a Discourse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Concerning Truth Celsus that bitter Enemy of the Christian Religion wrote a tract against it which he named The true word or saying 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Idem Lib. 1. p. 17. 31. In his Fragments out of Eusebius p. 26 5. Hierocles also no mean person composed one against the Christians which he intituled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the lover of Truth So that bad lying Books may through confidence wear good names and yet all these three concerning Truth the True word the lover of Truth are more modest than Truth Prevailing alias Rampant but it is well Books can get Titles for T. E. is shy in giving them to men his new Heraldry and learning orders they must now have Epithetes and Adjuncts p. 45. By Thomas Elwood why Thomas he doth disown his Baptism why hath he not changed that name which is the memorial of it why nothing but Thomas Ellwood one while they were at another pass * In the plain Answer to his 18 Queries called of the World John Whitehead ‡ In his Answer to the 15 New castle ministers by one whom the World calls James Naylor †A shield of the Truth Lib. 2. Refert nosse ingenium mores ejus eum quo velis congredi written from the Spirit of the Lord by one who is known to the World by the name of James Parnell of late such alias's are omitted for they continue changing and are but yet going on unto perfection It is a Rule in the Recognitions ascribed to Clemens to know quibus sit moribus quibus artibus c. To understand the remper of that Person with whom you have to deal which must be observed and I desire the freedom of inquiring a while into the Quakers particularly into our present Author by way of Introduction and then shall address to the main Concern His Repeated Immediate and Expository Revelations and his other Notions of the like Mold For the Quakers in general two things are not unfit to be considered Their Original or standing And their Temper First for their Original It may seem more difficult to discover where Sects are not called from their Founder but some property c. It may be harder to trace them to their Head The Quakers Original In 1652 their beginning is supposed and then abouts they were so called and known but they themselves raise it four years higher John Whitehead fixes it in the year 1648. and Hâ—bberthorne in 1660. told the King that they were then twelve years standing In Mr. Faldoes Q. no Christi Discourse be the King and Hab. p. 3. p. 16. In that black year to these Kingdoms their pretended light appeared Considering these things I am inclined to affirm them an off-set of the Levellers and anon shall tender strong probabilities for it proposing them to such whose Age Experience or Circumstances have qualified them for a further Discovery onely premising somewhat which seem'd preparatory towards their appearing In the North parts of England where the Quakers were first known There were Grindletonian Familists who taught that Scripture is but for Novices The White Wolf p. 39. that their Spirit is not to be
these are so gross and palpable that an easie Learning might detect them and in a matter of such moment which the poor Quakers do implicitely believe and hug he was obliged to the severest Caution not to impose upon their tame and easie Credulity And as to us who know our selves fallible and in Gods extream account very imperfect it must be allowed for an excuse But as for him who defends perfection pleads for Immediate Revelation which his Master extends to many things which are not in Scripture so much as by Consequence Keith Im. Rev. p. 6. 2d Quib. p. 11. Others of them challenging Infallibility in all things and cases and he as a Believer pretending the Unction whereby they know all things p. 229. and yet in many discovering and in some confessing his Ignorance I know not p. 227. to him this Plea can be no Advantage it pulling down that very thing which he is building up For if there be such a standing perpetual Ordinance as Immediate Revelation Gods Veracity and Goodness is concern'd at that time to let them be Infallible when they are pleading and become the Advocates for it But it is a good Confutation when a Champion proves an Instance against himself T. Ellwood's Courage 2. As to his Courage and Confidence they are high enough shewing great dis-esteem to the Sacred Scriptures as will appear in a proper place by a Catalogue of his Rules of Exposition such certainly as the Sun never saw especially by such a pretended intimate of Heaven We shall onely now consider his Carriage to most Orders of Men in the Kingdom for he presumes to Tax our World like Augustus Caesar The King must be plainly Thou'd and the Head covered before him The Turkish Fashion they esteem most proper and the tuissare or thou'ing which in Erasmus's time was opprobious among the English is dubb'd into both Religion and Manners My Lord the King is no pleasing Dialect to these new Saints it is Old Testament Divinity Dread Sovereign and Sacred Majesty must not now be used p. 46. Who must have the Majesty then Not the King I 'le warrant you it is taken from Him to be appropriated to their own dear selves take a few of their Expressions having spoken against Magistracy and for the Destruction thereof he proceeds * Fire in the Bush p. 39. If you would find true Majesty indeed go among the poor distressed ones of the Earth †Parnel's shield of the Tr. p. 25 27. Here is the ground of all true Nobility Gentility Majesty Honour No more after the Flesh but after the Spirit Quakers are sprung of the Noble Gentile Seed ‡ In his Noble Salutation to thee Charles Stewart from the Council and Nobility of the Royal Seed the Lion of the Tribe of Judah the Everlasting King of Righteousness who reigneth in George Fox the Younger â In the Testimony from the Brethren The Quakers Ministers are the Dignities and Government and Dominion The King must not write in the Plural Number We p. 27. though he be a Publick Person and Act by Advice of his Council all that is sprung from Pride and Flattery Besides this he saucily and pragmatically medleth with the Kings Revenues the Office for first Fruits Tenths offends him p. 355. No Flower can be fair in an English Crown which was taken out of a Popes Mitre if nothing else could be said against it but that it once stuck in the tripple Crown that alone were enough to make it unworthy to be worn in an English Diadem It seems he hath more than this to Object against it such like things are frequent in their Books which stealing out into the World are apt to leaven mens Spirits with bad Principles One of them acquaints us * Parnel's shield of the Truth p. 19 25. What Magistrates they do not own but deny and testifie against and to make their Negative Power better Armed he saith The Kings and Nobles of the Earth shall be bound in Chains and Fetters of Iron This was Printed 1655. but lest it should be onely Serviceable in those times †Some Principles of the Elect People of God called Quakers p. 89. Isaac Pennington a Name deep enough certainly in Royal Blood to make it currant Quaker Doctrine now re-prints that Book in 1671. leaving out the beginning and end of it but he hath the Conscience and Confidence to re-print those very words out of what design let our Superiours Judge But lest since then so beloved a Doctrine of binding Kings should be forgot they keep up the Memory of it ‡ The true Christians Faith and Experience by Williâ—m Shâ—wen p. â—36 Another Book Printed 1675 speaks home Christ Reigning in the heart gives Power to bind Kings in Chains and Nobles in Fetters of Iron This Hâ—nour havâ— all thâ— Saints To the like contempt of Authority write several of them Howgils glory p. 107. Kings and Magistrates as Christians have no Priority but as they stand in the growth of Truth that is in Quakerism Parnel's shield p. 41. Will. Smith passim Fire in the bush p. 21 22 23. I charge you all by the Lord to take heed of medling about Religion meddle with such Affairs as you are set about Meddle not with Religion keep within your bounds And Winstanley the Instituter of their Order speaks roundly to all Four Idolized Powers must down The Imaginary Teaching Hear-say Book-studying Power or the Ministry The Imaginary Kingly Power must be shaken to pieces in all Nations The Imaginary Law of Justice which is but the declarative Will of Conquerours and buying and selling the Earth and being enslaved one to another must all be destroyed at the Resurrection of Christ and that he saith was then beginning and therefore the pretence to Revelation looks a-squint upon the safety of Kingdoms had not the Magistrates the Sword they might meet with as Reproachful words as the Ministers and had some Persons strength their Principles might carry them to repeat the Munster Tragedy If this Measure be dealt unto the Prince what will not be unto the Subjects The Peers and Lords must expect the like treatment from these Levellers Plough-men James Parnel's shield p. 24 25. Fâ—sher-men Herds-men Shepherds are Noble-men sprung of the Noble Seed here the true Honour is no more after the Flesh but after the Spirit He that boggles at using Sirs p. 46. will stumble at higher Titles and if this new Critick may be credited Titles are to cease and Epithets and Adjuncts are to succeed in lieu Which Men are at Liberty to give or not to give according to their prejudicated or capricious fancies He quarrelleth at several things established by Act of Parliament as the Book of Ordination is spurned at by degrading the Clergy the Confessing of our selves miserable Sâ—â—ners is Chastised by his Ferula p. 53. Tithes an Ancient payment of at least 800 years usage in this Nation Sir
Edw. Sandys his view of Western Religion Sect. 39. are Declared by him Popish whereas the non-payment of Tithes is grounded upon Papal exemptions And in Italy the Popes Countrey under his Nose praedial Tithes are not paid but their Clergies Maintenance consists in Glebes and Farmes which T. E. quarrels not at p. 323 324. so little is a Quaker offended with an Italian usage This Free-born Man also quarrels high that none can bind their Posterity with Tithes which strikes as fully upon Hearth-money or any descending Impositions The Judges and Courts and all Judicial proceedings lie in his way they sin and repeat sin and establish sin by Law An Oath of God must not be administred to end Strife but the Quakers Yea and Nay must be the Deciders and yet so uneven is their temper that for Interest they will take an Oath Witness the Cases of Mead Osgood and several so that their equivocating justly deserves that Brand Quakers can take an Oath and yet do not swear at all The Clergy as far as in him lieth are run down their Orders are taken away Chap. 1. Their Imployment Chap. 2 8. Their Maintenance Chap. 9. with stripes and buffettings all the way thorow Not so much as a Gentleman or stranger that ought to be called Master or Sir except in Law or Nature p. 43. but by his Model a breach of Gods Law is committed Thus is our Blessed Religion mis-represented such disservice is by Dreams done unto it excellent temptations do these propound to incline any to turn Christians when they would thus degrade and depress Men and set the Tenant on breast with his Landlord To draw Controversies to a speedy issue is good as hath been done in singling out the Romish Supremacy and Infallibility because upon the Fate of them lesser Differences depend so 't is not worth the while to stand upon thou'ing and such affected singularities the shortest cut is to examine their Revelations Infallibility Immediate Commission c. for the rest will stand or fall with these and it may prove most successful to shew that at the best they stand but on an equal level with other Men and what lower they may have depressed themselves by belying the Holy-Ghost and saying they are Prophets and are not deserves to be the matter of their sad and serious enquiry Taking then for granted That God hath revealed himself to Mankind That much thereof is committed to writing and is upon Record in the Bible as T. E. owns p. 238. That the latest of these Books have been written upon 1600 years since I shall proceed upon this and the Principles of Reason and the Judgments and Practices of the Quakers themselves extracted out of their own Works and the Works of others whom we have all the reason to believe the things being matters of Fact and the Parties offering to make good their Charge before the Lord Mayor of London Tyranny and Hypocrisie detect p. 48 49. or any Alderman on the Bench or any one of the twenty Common Council-men And the Dispute being whether the Quakers have any real Divine Revelations or not I durst refer it to the Judgment of indifferent Persons though Heathens if they understood the concern as Debates between Christians and pretenders thereto have been so ended CHAP. I. The state of the Case and the manner of proceeding THomas Ellwood in the Name of his Party claims such Communications and Heavenly Visits as good Christians are not Conscious they receive nor dare tempt God in desiring The proofs thereof he fetcheth from Scripture wherein I neither read his Name nor that of Quakers but if they conclude for him they conclude as strongly for me I profess my self a Believer in that Jesus who made those Promises and whom T. E. strangely over-looks So that of the two I am the more likely to have the greater share And untill he hath proved me no Believer which to do will exercise his Faculty of discerning of Spirits I might set my Revelation to answer his and hereby his Cause reaps no Advantage His Ghostly Father from whom his Spirit hath received much light and yet he is not so ingenuous as once to acknowledge it Declares Keith's Universal Free Grace p. 48. no Man can be bound to believe in that which comes not in a sufficient way so that it is but reasonable we should be allowed to pursue that Rule and to demand an Evidence proportionable to their soaring Claims Where our Assent is required to any thing God is pleased to afford us means for our Conviction and is satisfied with such a degree thereof as the Evidences will carry When matters of Fact are concern'd the Testimonies of our own or other Persons sences conclude us When matters of Reason thereupon using our best Faculties such a measure of Assent is sufficient as those Reasons will enforce But when one tells me He hath received Divine Inspirations thereby I am Arrested for I must not dispute any thing that is spoken by God my onely enquiry is whether God hath really so spoken as is pretended Which being a matter of great moment God hath abundantly provided that we should not be imposed on by giving us both Caution and Security And the more diligent we are in examining and trying such Claims the more is he delighted with us and will bless that Industry Wisdom and Obedience The Old and New Testament give us many warnings about Dreamers false Prophets c. Command to beware of them not to believe but try them And for matter of Security God hath abounded in that by furnishing his Messengers with such extraordinary Powers that thereby mens belief was both Commanded and Secured Mark 16.20 as they Preached every where the Lord wrought with them confirming the Word with Signs following or accompanying Nor did it seem consistent with Gods Wise Dispensation to give Immediate Revelations and not to furnish the Receiver with such Divine Testimonials as might truly satisfie him that God spoke and also command Faith and Obedience from others Gods immediate Voice hath not used to come so precariously into the World to be mis-pent and wasted for want of Evidence and it might be an intangling thought to an Inspirado would he consider it why the former old Revelations should not at this day be as good to convey the Doctrine and meaning of Christianity as the former old Miracles were and are still sufficient to settle and seal its Truth or that Miracles should be set as Seals to confirm such revealed Doctrines and yet those Doctrines in After-ages need as fresh Revelations to convey and expound them and in the mean time have no Miracles to attest the Truth of those Expositions especially when different pretenders to Revelations bring as different Expositions these do more and more ensnare but we may extricate our selves by allowing as the old Miracles to be the Seals so the old Revelations thereby attested to be the Objects of our Faith But
The Several KINDS OF Inspirations and Revelations Pretended to by the QUAKERS Tried and found DESTRUCTIVE TO Holy Scripture AND TRUE RELIGION In Answer to Thomas Ellwood's Defence thereof in his Tract Miscalled TRVTH PREVAILING c. Rev. 2.2 Thou hast try'd them which say they are Apostles and are not and hast found them Liars LONDON Printed for C. Brome at the Gun at the West end of St. Pauls 1698. The Epistle To the READER THere coming lately to my hand a Book called Truth Prevailing and detecting Error c. written by Th. Ellwood pretending to be an Answer to a certain Tract named a Friendly Conference between a Minister and a Parishioner of his enclining to Quakerism c. Composed by a Respected Friend of mine and understanding how that by the Quakers it was esteemed as one of their strongest pieces and by them thrust into the hands both of some Magistrates and other persons of several Qualityes into whose acquaintance they could insinuate I set my self to the perusal of it The Cavils Sleights false Quotations and Untruths in several parts thereof were easily discoverable but the Pretence to Immediate Revelation and Inspiration did most nearly affect me that being a tender matter which ought not to be claimed without the Greatest Certainty nor so much as mentioned without the Highest Regard because the Glory of God the Authority of the Scriptures the state and welfare of Humane Societies The Souls of all especially of those who are so facil as to Believe such pretences and the interest of the Christian Religion are all deeply Ingaged and Concerned in those Demands And having observed these and the like things 1. That Bad men Evil Designs Inward Heats Melancholy Fancies Satans Suggestions the want of better Arguments or the like have frequently in all the Ages of the Church taken Sanctuary under so Sacred a cover as by the Catalogue given Chapter the Sixth doth sufficiently appear Which if necessary might be inlarged in those several Periods downwards to our own late licentious times when Inspirations and Heavenly Impressions were made the Common stale for many purposes 2. That the same Grounds which can induce any man to incline to Quakerism do as strongly ingage him both to Believe and own the several other Persons and Sects which make use of the very same claim both with an equal right and with an equal confidence for where the Demands Proofs and Reasons are alike the Reception and Entertainment thereof should be Answerable 3. Having Considered Th. Ellwoods manner of Stating the Case viz. That all Believers in all Ages in some Degree or other p. 228. 229. have inward Teachings and Immediate Revelations from the Spirit of God which dwells in them By which way of procedure he hath done as much disservice to that Cause he designed thereby to support as if he had been Hired professedly to subvert it for until he hath proved all other Persons in the World to be no Believers either not to have right Articles of Faith or which is more difficult to discover That their Hearts are not sincere and true in the Belief of them he hath argued them into Inspirations as good as his own and there are many such men who do profess and will make out themselves to be as True Believers as he is or can be and so at least by his own Rule they must have an Equal share of Inspirations with him whereby the Revelations of one side will be endlessly clashing against the Revelations of the other and in such Contests men will not know which party to adhere to Such things as these being weighed I determined to Examine his Pretensions in this matter and in Order thereto cast some thoughts together chiefly in reference to the Person and Prophetick Office of our Lord Jesus which by their Conceit of the Light sufficient within every man and a perpetual Flux of Inspiration from without are destroyed or rendred unnecessary This being done I was not satisfied merely from Thomas Ellwood to take my measures nor by one Writer to judge of an whole Sect though we may justly fasten upon such a Party as challengeth Immediate Revelation both to the whole Body and every Believer and Member of it whatever is written in matters of Religion especially in this highest part thereof by any of their number They also using such Caution about Licensing and Printing their Books as will appear from their 5th Constitution I therefore resolved to discover the Doctrine of Thomas Ellwood's Brethren and accordingly searched into such of their Works or those they were concerned in as in this Country I could obtain it was some trouble to learn their Names and then procure them and when had it was but small pleasure to peruse them for whereas other Discourses do improve delight and reward these did little better than amuse Their Tearms were so wrested and their Style so forced and improper that we may apply to them what Martial said of Sextus his Books Non Lectore tuis opus est sed Apolline Libris St. Irenaeus took the pains to Discourse with In Praef. ad Libr◠1. to Examine the words and opinions of the Valentinians and such like Hereticks and even to read Commentarios ipsorum the very Books in which their Doctrines were contained though they were of so strange and disgustful a composure that as Erasmus observes in his Dedicatory Epistle before it none could read them without weariness unless he was armed with a mighty Patience quos nemo nisi patientis stomachi poterit absque toedio revolvere Whereupon Tertullian saith Adv. Valent. p. 287. That he was omnium doctrinarum curiosissimus explorator And as those Fathers observe some Opinions are so Monstrous so Trifling and contrary to sound Doctrine that they do offend and jade the Reader but withal the very opening of such Ware is a sufficient discovery of its Vileness and I think it is as easy a Work to understand the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. of the Valentinians these were their Tearms of Art and taken from the Scriptures also but most horribly wrested and perverted by them as to apprehend some of the first Books of the Quakers which are full of such Scripture words but new molded into their Sences The Result of that Search with Respect to the Subject matter is here presented and their Doctrines did prove much worse than I expected to have found them greater depths of Satan higher Mysteries of Iniquity more Equivocations and un-Christian Tenets did appear than my Charity thought them guilty of Amongst other pieces I think I have hit upon that which may be called their New Gospel and have discovered their very Head and Founder but if they like him not for their Father I think we need not to be much at a Loss to find out others For besides some few Singular Fancies there is not very much that is New in their Opinions and yet there is but little of the
True Old Christianity neither Satan we may reasonably think hath long ago canvassed every word in the Sacred Book from thence to form Heresies and having run his round he doth oft new dress old Obsolete ones turning them into other shapes by some slender Additions to make them be the less discernible but whosoever will compare the Doctrines the Quakers with many of the rotten Condemned Hereticks with some Fancies of the Monks in later times of the Anabaptists Familists c. about the Reformation of the Seekers Antinomians Ranters Dellists and those other swarms of Locusts in this Kingdom will be forced to acknowledge that not only their Foundation is the same but that also many of their Opinions even their Phrases Words and Tearms proceed from the same Fountain Learned men do look upon them as so unreasonable and others do esteem them so Obstinate that either they are not worth medling with or that the attempts will prove fruitless But the Interest of true Religion and the good of those Souls for whom Christ dyed are so Sacred that no Endeavors to justify the one and to save the other ought to be Discouraged And whereas Hereticks have one while questioned about God at another time about Christ or the Holy Spirit sometimes the Holy Scriptures sometimes the Church the Sacraments or single Articles have been debated Quakers do ly under those sad Circumstances of having licked up the Vomit and imbibed the Errors about most of those Denying the Trinity and yet dividing the Godhead Denying Christs Body and Bodily Presence now in Heaven and our Redemption by him Confounding Christ and the Holy Ghost ingrossing Christianity to themselves so as to Paganize all other Christians and instead of them taking in the Heathen World to fill up those Vacancies they have thrust us from they being much more favourable to them as having Christ within them looking upon the Scriptures as dead Letters not the Rule either of Faith or Manners that they signify nothing to us without a new Revelation to impose them and a further one to Expound them With many the like Prevarications in the most Fundamental Articles of Religion and such Poysonous Doctrines require Warning and Antidotes from all hands This I have Related to shew the Occasion of this Tract and shall more particularly address my self to such of the Quakers as are well-meaning Persons like Absaloms men 2 Sam. 15.11 in the Simplicity of their Hearts following their Leaders but yet in Preparation of Mind being ready to embrace the Truth when fairly proposed and as I hope abhorring those Abominations which ly concealed under their Doctrines or are the direct Consequents of them The great prejudice those poor Souls ly under is That they are kept under with an Implicite Faith and scarce permitted to read Tracts against them which are supposed to be but Temptations to remove them from the Truth But if any such well designing Quakers shall meet with this I desire them seriously to lay to Heart these few following things which are not here set down to anticipate but either Briefly to represent what is proved in the following Papers or what might be more fully shewed especially in reference to that dangerous Delusion That the Light within every man is the Lord Jesus 1. That other Sects whom you Disown and Condemn have given out themselves to be Inspired as much as you do have spoken as well have continued as long have been as numerous have given as convincing Proofs as you can do and yet have been first Wandring then Fallen Stars and have come to nothing If you say That theirs were Counterfeit but yours True Lights that is a pittiful Begging the Question or If you say that their Light at first was Right but that they mistook in its use this still concludes nothing by what Arguments you would confute your Corrivals by the like we may confute you they falling as forcibly upon your selves as upon any others else 2. Consider that great Disservice which your trifling Expositions attempt to do unto Religion a tast of which we may take from your Inspired Allegorical Interpretations Recorded in Chapter the 8th The Everlasting Gospel The Tabernacle of David God Christ The Angels The Devil The Bottomless Pit The Beast with seven Heads Babylon The Mystery of Iniquity The Man of Sin The Mystery of Godliness Michael and the Dragon Fighting Antichrist The Third Heavens The Father of Lyes c. All these are made internal things so that a Quaker is well provided having within and carrying about with him all those certainly he must be an empty House that can entertain so many both things and persons and such a mixt Assembly 3. That other Nations have had their Enthusiasts there being a kind of Circulation of Errors Germany had its Anabaptists c. In the last Century and its plenty of Revealers in late times France had its Libertines Holland its Familists and what not and other Countryes had their share but the Scene at present of Fanaticism lies most in England for the Inquisition and Edicts suppressing as 't is likely the Alumbrados or Quakers in Popish Countryes they were I mean their Doctrines transplanted hither where in a Soil at that time well prepared for their reception and increase they took good Root and thence shot forth their Branches into other Nations nor must we think that Quakerism is the last Sect for though the very Dregs of many of the former are squeezed into it yet their own Divisions perpetual Changings the doating of some persons upon Novelties and the Craft of the great Enemy give us Reason to suppose that when men are grown weary of this he will prepare a new one for them 4. That you would Consider your own Alterations generally observed both in point of Doctrine and Behavior for they are a clear acknowledgment that you were mistaken at the first to challenge Divine Motions for many things and yet in a few years to recede from those Commands reflects upon the Spirit as changeable or your selves to have been Imposed upon but if you were truly Wise it would engage you unto a strict Examination both of your Foundation and the several things erected on it The old Marcionites changed thus Cottidie Reformant illud Tertuâ—â—l adv Marc. prout à nobis cottidie revincuntur daily altered their Opinions as the Arguments of the others discovered their weakness and indefensibleness So do you daily lick and new mold many of your Doctrines as you are beaten from Hold to Hold though you continue still enthralled in the main 5. That you would throughly examine the Truth or even Possibility of those two by you called Fundamental Principles 1. How your Light within can be the Christ the Savior of the World for it destroys the Reality and Truth of his Humane Nature and hereby you proclaim your selves to be Antichristian in denying or destroying his coming in the Flesh How can his Body or his Soul
rest being chosen receive such or such an impress and are brought in to speak to such a purpose This Old Art Irenaeus well Illustrates by the semblance of such as transformed the Picture of a King into the likeness of a Dog or Fox by changing the scite and posture of the Gemms and Parts Quomodo si quis Regis Imaginem c. Lib. 1. C. 1. As if any should take the Picture of a King well made by a Wise Artist out of Precious stones and destroying the Figure of the Man should transfer these Jewels and by altering them make it into the form of a Dog or Fox and when they were so badly disposed yet still to say this is that good Picture of the King which such a Wise Artist made shewing those Jewels which at the first were well made up into the Picture of the King but were badly afterwards chop'd and translated into the Image of a Dog c. In like manner do these transgress the Order and context of the Scriptures and as much as in them lieth do dissolve the Members of the Truth and by such chopping and mangling do make one thing out of another and so seduce many Several also of the words used by the Valentinians and their Predecessors are used by the Quakers as terms of Art with their Signature upon them as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. Irenae Lib. 1. Cap. 1. Epiphan Haeres 31. Word Life Power Spirit perfect or perfection so they called themselves The Seed of Election man Earth and Mankind are frequent and synonimous in Winstanley stilness depth silence which are Mystical words among the Quakers entring into the stilness meeting God in silence and the like See Mr. Faldoes Key They had also unscriptural terms of Art Achamoth Jaldabaoth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. And the Quakers have choice of theirs as Ravend ravening brain inwardly ravening from the Spirit Vulturous Eye the Seed in Prison invisible Miracles or Miracles in Spirit the Royal Noble Gentile Seed taking away the Tables and many such like 2. From them we shall now pass to make a few Remarks in the entrance upon Thomas Ellwood both as to his Honesty and Learning and also his Courage and Confidence in striking blind-fold about him As to his Honesty and Learning T. Ellwood's Honesty Learning There is a Vein of Sophistry and tripping that runs through his Tract and when the paint is off it is full of furrows and deformity there are many gross escapes which look ominously in a Treatise for Immediate Inspiration so that his search seems not to be after Truth but Victory I had thought that after his Book had been several Months Publick some Friend or himself might have observed the great unfaithfulness in many parts of it But meeting the 30th day of March with a Letter â— in which he seems well satisfied with his Atchievâ— that is Glories in his shame I found it conveâ— hasten the Examination of part of his Work â— the Letter is here inserted as a specimen of hâ—per Some thou sayest will needs have me to be a â— and why Because of a little Learning Must nâ— have Learning but they and Jesuites This is the oâ— but poor shift of Priests hard beset When they cannoâ—â—tain their ground they cry out their Opponent is a â— as if none could be too hard for them but Jesuites iâ— to be worsted they are not ashamed to think it noâ— the more shame for them Well Truth is too hard and Jesuites too But whilst with some I pass for a with others it seems I am but a Counterfeit The they think is feigned there 's no such Man c. were true what then There 's such a Book to be â— there were no such Man as bears that name yet the needs be such a Man as wrote that Book for the Boâ— not write it self But a third sort I perceive wâ— allow me to be a Quaker and why Because they â— Quaker could not have given such an Answer Tâ—â—ceeds from their Ignorance of Truth and the poweâ— And indeed the contrary is most true Had I not Quaker I could not have given such an Answer at that rate he goes on ascribing his imaginaâ—â—umphs to that powerful Arm which gave both thâ— I and therewith skill and strength to use it Now tâ— is a down-right Fathering Lyes upon God will â—dent from three or four Instances out of many 1. He deals unfaithfully with St. Basil Sirnaâ— Great p. 165. bringing him into the Council â—cedon refusing to swear and commending Cliâ— the like denyal Whereas if the thing had beeâ— it had not much pressed us for what signifieth â—ample of one Pythagorean Philosopher to the Laâ— Christian Empire Or what availed one Basil â— Great to a whole Council of six hundred anâ— Bishops Geo. Bishop in his Looking glass p. 168. Though a Quaker cry out against that â—cil What cluttering what clamouring what beiâ— like a company of Geese gigling their noises than â—cil of grave Men and sober Christians But the self is untrue for St. Basil was dead about seventâ— years before that Council He flourished in thâ— of Valens dyed about the year 378. The Coâ— Chalcedon was held say some Anno Christi 45 the soonest by Justell's and Beverig's Computatiâ— under the Emperor Marcian if he had looked into his Brother Geo. Bishop as much as I have done by comparing p. 122. and 166. together it might have revealed something better to him But poor George was one of the Nonconforming Quakers Dr. Lightfoots Harm of the O. T. and so his works are out of Vogue Now this is a lying Wonder to purpose Christ raised Lazarus four days dead the Witch of Endor brought up a supposed Samuel nigh two years after the Death of the true one But T. E. haleth St. Basil out of his Grave where he had rested between 70 and 80 years and brings him into the Council with a Quaker-like sullenness speaking against the Laws and Constitutions of the Empire He deals as dishonestly with the formers dear Friend St. Gregory Nazianzene whom he quotes p 186. thus in his Dialogue against swearing whereas the very Title of that Jambick 20th is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 adversus eos qui frequenter jurant against those who swear Frequently Customarily often not against Judicial swearing before Authority as he belyeth the Title so also he abuseth the Dialogue it self and that Eloquent Father who there expressly allows swearing 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. B. when dost thou allow the liberty of an Oath A. Then when its necessary B. But when is it necessary declare is it that thou mayst deliver any from great dangers A. it is then lawful B. or to free thy self from some grievous crime A. then it is also lawful c. and in his Jambick 15. He defines an Oath 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a making faith to a thing by placing of God a Witness
present in the middle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the swearing truly or performing what you swear that is good or right sâ—â—earing P. 114. having quoted a saying of Solon one of the Sages of Greece he adds to him Sosiades another of those seven wise men and quotes Stobaeus Serm. 28. whereas there is a heap of untruths in those few words For First 1 Edit Tiguri 1543. if I have Eyes in my Head there is not such a man named in that Sermon nor is it likely the Discourse being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 De Ocio Concerning sloth no nor in the 25. Sermon concerning Swearing nor in the 26. concerning Perjury is such a person once named Much less was he one of the seven wise men of Greece take what Catalogue he will he will scarce find such a person the late one in Schâ—evelius gives seven other names but I suppose T F. had seen Sociad set down in the 13 Quakers Book against Oaths and for the better Grace he dubbs him another of those seven wise men Let him raise Hue and Cry to discover if ever there was such a Wise man and search with a Candle for him Suidas names none such Diogenes Laeâ—tâ—us where he is purposely reckoning them all up in his proaemium owns no such person nor do my Circumstances give me Information let him try if his Rider quoted p. 169. will befriend him Pag. 20. He calleth the Martyrs our Godly Martyrs as if they were the Quakers Martyrs when as they suffered upon an 100 years before his party appeared this is a most invidious saucy and unjust pretension to rob the Church of England of the Glory of her Martyred Reformers and withal to cast dirt upon the present Church as receded from her former Constitution But this he hath from his inspiring Tutor The new Protestant G. Keith Im. Rev. p. 132. the degenerate Protestant for the pure Primitive Protestants owned the true foundation with us though their Discovery of it was but little But why our Godly Martyrs are Quakers Protestants that they disown abundantly * Eccles his Challenge p. 2. from the Protestants to the Familists the Quakers deny you all †Keith Vniversal free Grace p. 5. all these how much soever pretending to a Reformation are the Daughters of Babylon ‡ Smiths Spiritual Glass opened p. 83. c. from the Pope to the Baptist they are all Born in one Womb. ‖ Barclay in Q. no Popery p. 103. Papists and Protestants are in the Root and Spring * Howgils Glory of the true Church p. 12 and 23. Protestants are in the Suburbs of the City of Rome †Parnells shield of the truth p. 39. Papists and Protestants spring from one Root And we Protestants wholly deny Quakers the having Communion with us and he cannot but know that strong Proofs are offered by several to evince that the Quakers are not so much as Christians Mr. Faldo Hicks Russel c. whose Service therein to the common Faith is commendable And it concerns all who hold the Lord Jesus the head Col. 2.19 to strive for that Faith once delivered Jude v. 4 against the Quakers who as far as in them lyes do take away our Lord Jesus and do not tell us where they have laid him giving us a suppositious Saviour a dead instead of our living Child Jesus an Image and Bolster of Goats hair in room of our true David and thus and Novatians both united against the Arians Socrat. Ec. H. L. 2. Sozo Ecc. H. L. 4. C. 19. and afterwards against the Macedonians But had T. E. designed to shame himself he could not have made an apter choice than to call such men our that is the Quakers Godly Martyrs to rescue them from such a Rape I might give an account of their Dignities and Callings in the Church that they compiled the Liturgy the Book of Ordination c. Dr. Heylins Ecclesia Restaurata p. 125. But the shortest way to discover their judgment will be to look upon the Articles of Religion drawn up and prepared much by Arch-Bishop Cranmer and agreed upon by the Bishops and other Learned and Godly men in the Convocation 1552. Several of which were Martyred and Suffered for those and the very like Articles And they are drawn up as it were in a foresight of and defyance of Quakerism there is as great a gulf between them as that between Heaven and Hell Article 1. Of Faith in the Holy Trinity 2. That the Word or Son of God was made very man 4. Christ sitteth in Heaven untill the last day 5. The Doctrine of the Holy Scriptures is sufficient to Salvation 6. The Old Testament is not to be refused 7. The three Creeds received any of which will stick in a Quakers Throat 11. Our Justification is by only Faith in Jesus 14. No man is without Sin but Christ alone 18. Eternal Salvation only by the name of Christ 20. Of the Church 21. Of the Authority of the Church 24. Of being called by men to Minister in the Congregation 26. Of the Sacraments 27. The Wickedness of Ministers takes not away the effectual operation of Gods Ordinances 28. Of Baptism 29. Of the Supper of the Lord. 30. Of the perfect Oblation of Christ made upon the Cross 36. Of Civil Magistrates and their Authority 37. Christian mens goods not common against Father Winstanley 38. Christian men may take an Oath 39. the Resurrection not yet brought to pass Vltim All men not to be saved against Winstanley also Never could man that observed the truth of what he wrote have called the Compilers of such Articles the Quakers Godly Martyrs But the man who went naked Faldo vind of Quaker no Christ p. 36. said his body was all forhead T. E. needs as much Brass to face out these Worthyes for Quakers Martyrs These few I have singled out as a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or tast what measure may be expected from such complexions The case of the Q. relating to Oaths stated p. 37. His other Authorities do much labour of the like Disease as is evidenced in a late sinewy Tract But why should they bring in some partial dismembred sayings of the Ancients seeing they will not be concluded by them in other matters So true is that in them which Mr. Chillingworth applyed to the Romanists You account them Fathers when they are for you and Children when they are against you Let him stick to his indemonstrable Revelation and play in and out there rather than meddle with Humane Learning thus unsuccessfully and worse But his talk of Inspiration confutes it self and his own Example is the best proof that as yet it hath not advanced beyond a Dream But if that be pleaded which he suggests That in the Country for want of Books In the Preface he was forced to take some few Quotations upon Trust but yet using much Caution in his Choice It is Replyed that
the order or Profession of Christianity used by your City he writes that an Angel Commanded him whereas thou dost not profess the Christianity of thine own City but that of the whole World wherefore if that Angel had stood besides thee whom he by a Crafty Novelty as we think doth feign to have stood by him for thy sake and if the Angel had spoke those words to thee which he saith he doth at the Command of him insinuate or convey to thee thou oughtest to have been mindful of that Apostolical Sentence though an Angel from Heaven c. It was their usual saying Gal. 1.8 Oravit Donatus ei respondit Deus è Caelo God from Heaven gave an Answer to the Prayers of Donatus his Intimacy therewith made him to be the Oracle of those times and the Circumcellions a branch of them were mad with a fanatick Zeal These Instances are sufficient for the first Period whereby we may discern that bad Designs sheltered themselves under this cover and T. Ellwood is either not Learned or not Faithful in affirming that in all Ages the Saints have had Revelations in some Degree or other for true Christians disowned them pag. 237. and only Hereticks or Schismaticks had recourse to them but whilst new Heresies were superinduced over the former Euseb Hist Ecol L. 4. C. 7. which got the Custom but were still subdivided into new Branches and several kinds the true Church increased in Vnity and Glory and if I be obliged to believe T. E's Inspiration because he Witnesseth he hath it I am equally concern'd to Credit the Proposals of a Donatist or a Messalian c. 2. The Church of Rome hath Plowed much with this Heifer several Religious Orders and Doctrinal points have been hereby entertained Dr. Stillingfleet's Collections concerning this are Copious but I shall Observe some few received by such as belonged to our Country Thomas Becket Divinâ Revelatione confortatus est In the Breviary of Sarum upon his day c. was Comforted or Strengthened by a Divine Revelation a Sign from Heaven being shewed unto him that he should return unto his Church with Glory and then by the Crown of Martyrdom go unto the Lord two Catholick Maids were cast into Ecstatical Raptures Jo. Gee Foot out of the Snare p. 59 and possessed with the Virgin Mary Michael the Arch-Angel John the Baptist c. and those Glorious guests did enter into them and inhabit them this is somewhat like the Light within but the next speaks home Edward Hanz said he was Corporally possessed with the Blessed Trinity Idem p. 60. 61. he received Oblations suffered others to kneel before him and said I God the Father I God the Son do give you my Blessing and do command you to adore me he relateth that he was in a Trance and his Soul did see very supernatural and admirable Joys Vnless God Almighty do take the Creature and speak in him and then it is Gods own Word and not the Word of the Party Here was Revelation Light and the Worship of it like the Hosanna to James Naylor The Virgin Mary appeared to Thomas Newton P. 63 64. about the Oath of Allegiance he was a very Holy man and had other Visions besides that and Mary Wiltshire saw a strange Vision many of their Revelations are put together called Admirable and Notable Prophecyes P. 109. uttered by 24 Roman Catholicks Printed 1615. and Mr. Burton in his Book of Melancholy gives the Reason whence they are so Subject to such Conceits Besides these we may take a Tryal of some few others St. Hildegard is learned whatever she wrote ex Revelatione Divinâ she did not speak or write ought that should be called into Question Trithemius she spoke Latin by the Spirit Her Writings were Publickly read and approved by Eugenius the third in the Council of Tryers which Eugenius seems also to be chosen Pope by Revelation The Cardinals being Divino nutu perciti made choice of the most Holy Eugenius Platina in ejus vita to take a tast of her Revelations In her Letter to Eugenius O mitis Pater c. O mild Father I a pityful poor form have written these things to thee in a true Vision in or by a Mystical breathing as God would teach me O bright Father In the Bibliotheca patrum Tom. 15. in thy name thou camest into our Land as God predestinated and thou sawest of the Writings of true Visions as the living Light taught me and thou heardest that Light with the Embraces of thy heart now is part of this writing finished but still the same Light hath not left me but burns in my Soul as I have had it from mine Infancy c Good Quaker like Language This Inspirado Lady in an Epistle to Pope Alexander determines for the Popes Supremacy tibi specialiter Idem verbum claves Regni coelestis concessit And to a certain Priest she determines for Transubstantiation In vera Visione vigilantibus oculis de Sacramento Dominici Corporis haec verba audivi vidi c. Another Holy Maid called Sister Katharine of Jesus had many Revelations and strong Exstacies Dr. Causabons Enthusiasm p. 162. 163. which held her 3 or 4 hours she thought her self sometimes to be in Heaven and often saw and sometimes suffered through fright the pains of Hell she saw the Soul of Christ in its purity which drew her into an operation of the Holy Trinity she said God doth put his Power in me God doth put his Wisdom in me and his Knowledge John Waldesso in his Divine Considerations Rutherfords Survey of the Spiritual Antichrist p. 191. saith a Christian having served himself with Holy Scriptures as with an Alphabet he afterwards leaves them to serve for the same effect to Beginners he attending to the inward Inspirations having for his proper Master the Spirit of God and serving himself with Holy Scriptures as with an Holy Conversation and which causeth Refreshment to him altogether putting from himself all these Writings which are written with an Humane Spirit The Alumbrado's before named held vocal Prayer and all other outward dutyes of Religion Superstitious or unprofitable Dr. Causabons Enthus p. 174. they thought those Quakings which they did find in themselves were a sufficient Token of Grace and ours have called it that Holy Duty of Quaking and Trembling and that they needed nothing else Fisher in 3d. Quib. p. 3. that had attained unto them they pretended that they might see God visibly in their exstacyes c. that all things ought to be done by Immediate Motions and Inspirations c. The Church of Rome proves her self the Temple of the Living God from these Revelations Borius de Signis Eccles L. 6. C. 2. in Dr. Spencers Prophecyes p 15. Keiths Im. Rev. p. 99. or the voice of his Oracles heard therein she hath she tells us the Spirit of Prophecy called the Testimony
stumbled at this freedom of the Spirit in our days as well as in the days of Christ and yet her Inspired Doctrines were contrary to the Quakers God spoke to her p. 3 4 9 16. 36 49. shewed her Visions and the new Jerusalem a light shone she was taken into the Mount of God She was anothers voice a voice within a voice Gods Heavens came down into her Earth 5. 7. 76. she fasted 9 11 14 days c. was told by the Spirit of the Soldiers coming to London p. 4. 6 7. had a Vision of the Scots over-throw before Dunbar and of the Fight with Holland of the dissolving the long Parliament 10. calling the Jews of the breaking up the Representative had a Vision against Rowse the Chair-man 13. 30. and several Visions to inform her that Oliver would be Protector which she was troubled at and fore-told Gideon's that is his being laid aside with many the like No Quakers have come nigh her Tyran detect p. 38. A Visitation of Love to the King c 4 5 p. 58. 73. p. 20. p. 35. p. 15. for Ebbit's fore-telling the Firing of London was not believed by his Friends And Burroughs attempts to shew that the Quakers fore-saw the Kings Restoration came not near it She was for the Reign of Jesus destroying the fourth great Monarchy fore-told that all the Monarchies are going down Jesus was at hand Among the rest she fore-told we must have no more Kings and yet she was swallowed up of the Glory of the Lord. 9. The gifted Brethren who with the next are the most orderly of all the Pretenders else made use of this Engine by their Zealous Advocate c. Their Request was the most modest Not to lay aside the Ministers nor destroy Church-Order Blake's Embassage from the Kings of the East to his Highness Oliver Lord Protector p. 45. p. 47. they onely pleaded for an hour before or after Sermon wherein they might exercise their Gifts they allowed the usefulness of Study that three hours in a day close employed therein would make a brave Preacher they offer to give Security to Preach sound and Peaceable Doctrine and begged but the liberty of a Tryal how beneficial their Model would prove offer upon misdemeanour to call in p. 42. and take back the Offenders Commission with a Dehortation to exercise any more for the present would have themselves not taken for absolute Ministers but Assistants they engage not to meddle with Administring the Sacraments or other proper Ministerial Offices with many such fanciful things in their Plat-form and yet the conceit of Inspiration together with acquired Abilities was the cause of it We leave Christs Work with you In the Epistle Churches the Spirit bid us do it the Word and Spirit and God himself is for us my Sons and my Daughters shall Prophesie p. 11. 23. hear this day what the Spirit saith unto the Churches None must Preach by Notes p. 58. we love to drink from the Fountain and yet they are for short work strive not to speak beyond the breathings of the Spirit p. 61. Hear what the Spirit saith to the Churches in England in this day of their Visitation p. 70. And the Socinians come somewhat towards this Model though they deny Enthusiasms Divine Miraculous Inspirations Cateches Eccles Polonicar in Praefatione or Prophetical Authority to be claimed by them yet they allow a great liberty of Prophecying that any one may Interpret who hath the gift of Revelation 10. The Congregation or People commonly called Considerers had recourse to this Trayte de la vaye c. A Discourse of the way to the Kingdom though as sparingly as any of the others They were very much taken up in studying the Book of Nature saying that alone is enough for all men and that the study of the Prophets lay therein p. 76. That Consideration was the Royal way to the Kingdom They acknowledge the Trinity and Christs Incarnation p. 80. p. 52 90 100 used the Sacrament and the Lords Prayer meddled not with Worldly or State Affairs p. 74. were thrifty of their time Married such as they loved upon first sight 92. p. 52. were against the inclosing the Holy Spirit to any particular Sect of Men looking on the Creed as a sufficient instrument of Vnion among all Christians p. 4. 88. But Immediate Inspiration was owned by them p. 4. The Voice of God that I heard said unto me Immediately God himself opened me by his Spirit p. 6. the way to the Kingdom resounding in my Heart Monck Rogers being so taken up with God p. 50. as not to remember the words a man just spoke to him is highly commended the Spirit of Wisdom and Vnderstanding hath appointed me to tell you and such lights as God infused into any of their hearts p. 72. they thought themselves bound to communicate to others p. 94. Here are Competitours sufficient that agree in one bottom though they build different and contradictory Doctrines upon it and all these likely an hundred to one and in this very Kingdom of late ten to one being the far greater number are all against the Quakers and therefore suppose the Scripture did not please me which of these Pretenders must I give Credit to The others whether old or late produce as good Proofs as T. E. can do and if I favour one side where the Evidences are equal I become partial and hold the Faith with Respect of Persons Do the Quakers say and witness their Inspirations The others do the like with an equal confidence Do they Experience it The rest come not behind them If their Refreshings perswade the Leveller and the late named Whore can use the same Topick and the Ranter is as brisk as any If some Scriptures befriend their Fancy the rest and all Hereticks and the Devil himself do bait their Hooks with wrested parcels of it In case then of different Revelations to which must I adhere Or shall I not suspend untill a third Revelation do determine which side is in the right Must we believe men meerly because they say so Or are yea yea and a few Solemn looks or wrings by the hand Evidences that the Spirit is secretly whispering They lay no Obligation on us to trust them rather than their Rivals In their Words Lives and Writings they seem at least Fallible like other men Thomas Ellwood must then produce better Evidences than the rest otherwise we are Innocent And he hath cut himself out work sufficient 1. To prove that perpetual Inspiration is certainly promised by God to all Believers 2. He must prove that all other pretenders do ly in their claims 3. That such as deny Immediate Revelation have no share thereof 4. He must by some undoubted Evidences prove that his party are solely intrusted with this Ministration and when this is done he must
leave to us the power of Tryal and the Liberty â—â— Judgment For if each must follow the Light we are Innocent who do but follow our own Convictions and our case is infinitely more safe for all partyes agree that the Light of Scriptures by which we are guided is Divine but your new Light may prove false or Darkness for any assurance you can yet give us to the contrary There are all these Co-claimers who both say and shew as much as Quakers and so each single party are an equal ballance to them much more all of them together do strangely out-weigh the Quakers next to youngest claims unless the Rule be now inverted verum quodcunque prius and what is latest must necessarily be truest which could only hold until a fresher Sect suppose the sweet Singers of Israel or any such pretty name do start up and out-date the Quakers but though all the other Competitors were in the wrong that doth not infer T. E's Friends to be in the right for they may be equally mistaken with the others in the like Bottom unless they can produce some indisputable Divine Amulet or Preservative which the others cannot Nor can I find any solid Reason why I should belive the English and disbelieve the Spanish Alumbrados when their Doctrines are much alike and their Evidences are exactly equal And further one of these who can set as good a face on his cause and use as brisk a confidence and who excels Thomas Ellwood as much as one of the two Witnesses in the Revelations exceeds the Witnesses in general viz. Lodowick Muggleton from his supposed Spirit pronounceth a Sentence and a Curse upon the Quakers 3d Q. Quibbles p. 32. Because I saith he have passed Sentence upon the Quakers they shall never grow to have more Experience in Vision and Revelation but shall wither which Curse from their Proteus like changing the Disciples of Muggleton may conclude to have seized on them Others that are Juniors or Co-temporary with the Quakers from their Spirit Condemn the Quakers The cry of a Stone p. 20. So Anna Trapnel Let them tell him viz. Oliver of his Sins and tell him with Humility and tears not as those deluded Spirits that go running about the streets and say We have such Visions and Revelations who come out with their great speeches of Vengeance Judgment and Plagues Oh but thine that come from thee thou givest them Humility Meekness Bowels Tears Thou art called only a Form they call thâ—â—ves a Christ Oh p. 50. some poor Creatures call themselves Christ because of this Oneness with Christ when thy sweet wine comes forth then they bring in their false Wine p. 68. The Secretary of the Confiderers prayed God to preserve him Discourse of the way c. p. 62. p. 68. for ever having the Spirit of the Quakers he had high thoughts of their way at the first till he did discern the tracts of the evil Spirit that guided them several Instances of which he enumerates and saith The Spirit of Wisdom appointed him to tell those things to make them better advised in the choice of true ways and in the distinctions of Lights p. 72. And I have heard of a single Devoto herded with none of the former with the greatest Confidence affirm That God had Revealed to her that the Quakers would leave their Errours and return to the Church and Truth again But beyond these because we in these Kingdoms may be interested and partial not passing right judgment the Illuminados in another Country who not being engaged against ours deserve more regard do expressly declare the Quakers to be Impostors and I suppose their Opinions in other points of Religion to be more sound in that they deluded the Learned and useful John Amos Comenius The late German Enthusiasts are the persons His Revel edit per J. A. C. 1659. p. 189. In Dr. Spencers vulgar Prophecyes p. 6 7. and their Condemnation of the Quakers I shall transcribe from a worthy hand my Circumstanstances not affording me as yet a sight of the Book They tell the World that by how much the nearer that great day of the Lord is the more evidently and familiarly doth he excite his Prophets and that they understand the frequent possessions Witch-crafts and fanatical Enthusiasms of the Quakers Satanicas esse praestigias quibus opera Dei obfuscare nituntur ut olim James Jambres Mosi resistêre to be the delusions of the Devil whereby they endeavour to obscure the works of God as James and Jambres withstood Moses of old all these Condemnations of the Quakers from the Spirit should have force with them who acknowâ—ed Revelations at this day What if the Quakers be more numerous than some others of the like Kidney That is no Argument of Truth else others would soon wrest it from them as some places so some times are more prepared for productions of Monsters than others and the late unhappy times had piled up such Materials that it was easy for the Quakers to arrive at that Height by starting up as the scum and froth of them all Montanus spread his Poyson through Phrygia Donatus through Africa the Messalians through Syria Pamphylia c. And Arius through the World The Familists T. E's Grandfathers are next to gone and I hope his Inspirations will run the same Fate and expire like theirs and the Company called Considerers foretell your extinction Traite de la Voye Au Royaume p. 18. time shall make you of the number of things past CHAP. VII Concerning their own contradictory different and designed Revelations WOuld a man be tamely satisfyed with Keiths Confutation that the Enthusiasts against whom Luther wrote were not true Enthusiasts as the Apostles were Quakerism no Popery p. 20. but such as under a pretence of Enthusiasm both taught and practised evil things and baffle each in the former list thereby he must allow me with equal reason to turn it upon themselves that Quakers are not right Enthusiasts as the Apostles were For it confutes themselves as much as others and is a Conviction on either hand equal with mentiris Bellarmine But supposing my temper or other motives incline me to overlook the rest and become favourable to T. E's Friends so as to Fancy or Wish that they really have what they pretend my next Inquiry is to whom must I turn to the Conforming or Non-conforming Quakers to some single teachers or to the Body of Antient Friends and how can I infallibly know where that supposed Body lodgeth or who are the Members of it or when these little talkative Oracles speak by Inspiration and when by their own afflatus I would have a Reasonable Religion understand what to believe do and pray and then proceed accordingly but if the Spirit that guides be inshrined in such a Body against which so many prejudices lie the case of those Souls is very sad whose Directions flow from so foul a
but that which was delivered by the Apostles as certain eye and ear Witnesses of it and to confirm that certain Testimony of theirs God superadded the Demonstration or Evidence of the Spirit and Power which by an Hebraism may be conjoyned Evidencing the Spirit by Power Theo. in loc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Power of Miracles were an Evidence that the Spirit owned and confirmed their certain Testimony or we may take Spirit and Power as two distinct Proofs of their outward attestations 1. Spirit the Evidence of that consisted in shewing the Old Testament Prophecyes were fulfilled in Christ this Origen makes the demonstration of the Spirit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 L. 1. con Cels apud Dr. H. in Loc. c. Prophecyes that are able to give assurance of the things that belong to Christ and thus Rev. 19.10 the Testimony of Jesus is the Spirit of Prophecy the Series of all the Prophecyes so wonderfully fulfilled are an Evidence for him or it may take in the New Testament Prophecyes which are an Evidence for Christ The Revelations were by him committed to an Angel and so to John or Spirit may refer to those visible Demonstrations when the Blessed Spirit visibly descended upon Christ and the Apostles and so are that Immediate Evidence the Spirit gave to Christ Dr. Ham. or that Record the Spirit bore so clearly explained in Dr. Patricks Witnesses to Christianity Power that hereby are meant Miracles is indisputable 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Origen ubi Supra those Miraculous stupendious actions whose footsteps yet remain per figna virtutes c. by the Holy Spirit and by the Signs and Powers done by him we bring you Arguments or Evidences that we speak the truth Oecum in loc Ita. Grot. c. that by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is meant either sanationes healings in particular or Miracles in general will be evident by a little observing its use Mar. 9.39 no man which shall do 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Miracle in my name spoke with reference to such as did cast out Devils in the Name of Christ and did not follow him Mat. 7.22 in thy name have done 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 many wondrous Works answerable to those preceeding Prophecying and casting out Devils Luke 10.13 if the mighty Works 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 had been done in Tyre and Sydon 1 Cor. 12.28 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 after that Miracles As Mat. 11.21.23 13.54 58 14.2 Mar. 6.2 5 14. 9.39 Luc. 5.17 6.19 19.37 Act. 2.22 8.13 passim in all which and many other places too long to be set down it signifieth Miraculous Works or that Divine Power which was the Evidence or Seal of the Holy Ghost The word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is not only set single but with others that do expound it Rom. 15.19 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 through mighty Signs and Wonders by the Power of the Spirit of God that is those Signs wrought by the Power of the Spirit and Evidences of it Better Signs of his Divine Commission than the Bells and Pomegranates were to the High-Priest c. 2 Cor. 12.12 Truly the Signs of an Apostle were wrought among you in all Patience in Signs and Wonders 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and in mighty Deeds These are the Signs of an Apostle and yet our new Apostles and their Successors do no such things and fully 1 Thes 1.5 Our Gospel came not to you in word only but also in Power and in the Holy Ghost and in much assurance that is in the Power of the Holy Ghost which is a plerophory or which gives much assurance by transposing the words of which many instances are in Grot. on John 35. But Quakers have words meerly without Signs or Wonders or certain Sensible Testimonies or Humane Learning One of them acknowledgeth they can give no outward Evidence seeing our Opposers require of us Q. no Popery p. 62. 63. to show or evidence unto them some Infallible 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that we have the Spirit of God I would have J. M. to know that the same difficulty recurreth as to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Scriptures it being a thing which cannot be shown or made to appear by any Evidence unto the carnal mind which yet is evident unto the Spiritual that is like the old Hereticks they are the Spiritual others not of their mind are the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Animal or Carnal but his Evidence for Inspiration is far inferiour to the Scriptures Authority And in that very Text Rev. 14.6 produced by T. Ellwood of the Preaching the Everlasting Gospel after the Apostacy there is no mention of Demonstration or Inspiration c. nor was there any need thereof the corrupt Church among much dross preserving those very Books whereby her Errors were detected and that was when all Learning began to revive true Religion and Learning moving in equal lines 2. But Quakers have the demonstration Qu. looking glass A true Narrative though they slight the Miracles thereby implyed some attempts have been made thereto by Charles Baylyes stroaking Richard Andersons Cursing the Womans pretending to raise the interred Corps which were reinterred when her folly had appeared In Mr. Jenner p. 93. Nicholas Kate of Harwell said That when the fulness of time was come Sober Answer to Speed p. 76. New Law p. 37. he should work Miracles which yet is not come to pass but the fulness of time with such bears a strange date the fulness of time is when the first man hath filled the Creation full of his filthiness and all places stink with unrighteousness but visible Miracles failing they turn it another way they work Invisible Miracles or Miracles in Spirit so did Ignatius Loyola and doubtless to reach to the Soul to quicken it to cure its Diseases Pennington's naked truth p. 28. is greater than the outward and was signifyed by the outward They work Miracles in a Spiritual way T. Ellwood makes Tongues to be be but mediums to convey their Message to others p. 231. 3d. Qâ—il p. 75. as if he durst out-face the Apostle who declares them to be a Sign to such as Believed not 1 Cor. 14.22 Keith prettily daubs it over that they witness the Power working Miraculously in their Hearts Im. Rev. 〈◊〉 200. raising to Life the dead Souls c. and these are the greatest Miracles of which the outward were but a figure William Shewen almost bids defiance to them we read not of very many converted by outward Miracles which are not of absolute necessity in the Church True Christians Faith p. 150. 157. but the inward are the greater Miracles which Christ promised that those who believed in him should do So that they do no Wonders Title of a Book Truth exal p. 11. yet have Silent meetings which are a Wonder to the World and do Preach the Gospel
again with the Holy Ghost sent down from Heaven And at this Rate they may say or be any thing Demonstrate though they cannot shew having the Power but not the thing 3. Supposing the Quakers Principles true Miracles are more necessary now than ever For 1. God wrought Miracles to convince Unbelievers and in the Quakers Charity we are no better come you un-Christians saith the curious Pen of Fox William Shewen calls us 2d Quib. p. 66. Pennington concerning peâ—â—ec Prof. Barclay in Q. no Popery p. 106. titular and nominal Christians through his whole Book Christians according to the Letter who are as great Enemies to the Spirit and Power as ever the Jews were Worldly literal Christians both Papists and Protestants now being such Miracles are infinitely necessary to disabuse and to remove us from the Letter into the Spirit a mistaken Christianity being more obstructing and prejudicial than meer Heathenism 2. If Miracles were necessary when the Scriptures were Writ which are a dead Letter a Sealed Book and worse then are they much more necessary when Inspired Expositions thereof are given To allude to T. Ellwoods terms of shell and kernel c. God would not give a Demonstration the shell was his and leave us at a loss whether the kernel was his also if he send Evidences along with the bark rind c. he would do the same much more with the Substance The Apostacy continuing 1548 years we need signs that this is the same Doctrine with the old especially if the Scripture the Repository of that Doctrine cannot be understood without Inspiration there being many Pretenders we need a Sign more at the unsealing than at the sealing of that Book if to receive the Letter much more to understand the Spirit the sence when given as from God needs most of all his Attestation to it for the pretending to give an Inspired Exposition of the Scriptures is more than the bringing new Scriptures and needs greater Attestations as much as the sense is better than the Letter And Thomas Ellwood knows not what he hath but if he have Revelations they must be new ones for Revelation being necessary to understand the Scriptures those Expositions Thomas Ellwood receives must be new the Repetition is the reacting the old but then the Expounding is the conferring new which are not to be found within the Bible 3. The debate being whether or no they be Inspired upon their grounds nothing can end it but the interposing of Gods Power For to say They Witness it is a begging the Question and to credit those Witnessings will expose to delusions to produce Scripture disowned by them as the Rule is improper and concludes nothing being it cannot be understood without Inspiration when produced or if it could still it concludes as equally for any other Pretender as for them 4. He who abrogates a Divine Law must produce greater Authority for so doing than that by which at first it was instituted Thus Christ taking down or altering that way of Worship which had been set up by a Power of Miracles in Moses produced greater Evidences than Moses that he was sent from God And that Quakers do abrogate Christs Commands is evident from slighting his Sacraments c. Thus Shewen concerning Baptism and the Disciples and Apostles having Baptized some proceeds not discerning the times and seasons True Christians Faith p. 79. and the divers Dispensations of God towards mankind since the fall nor perceiving the end of them lays hold of the shadow and figure instead of the Substance c. Allegorizing and abrogating Christs Institutions 5. He who brings a newer and an higher Dispensation must produce visible Evidence for so doing in this indeed the Quakers are much divided Some making theirs a new Dispensation new Heavens and a new Earth Pennin Conc. Persecu Pref. Idem in Faldo Quak. no Chris p. 17. New Law p. 14. the former Dispensation was swallowed up by the breaking forth of a more Lively Dispensation This Fancy runs through the Works of Winstanley the Ministration of the Spirit is now rising up claims its due right by course And having received it from God he thus writeth there are seven Dispensations 1. to Adam 2. the Seed of the Woman from Adam to Abraham Mistery of God p. 21. 3. From Abraham to Moses 4. From him to Christ. 5. God in Christ. 6. God in the Flesh of his Saints as before in Christ which holds till the day of Judgment which is the 7th these he contracts into three Moses New Law p. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 120. Christ the Spirit and as Moses gives way to Christ so that single Body Jesus gives way to the Holy Ghost or spreading Power in Sons and Daughters and this begun in 1648. and every such Dispensation is a full period or term of Time Mistery of God p. 38. 40. Im. Rev. p. 18. p. 49. others makes theirs to be an higher Improvement of the former Dispensation the more Gospel times that were to come in the latter daies A spiritual Ministry a Gospel Ministry a powerful Ministry is come and coming or they would have it a reviving the Dead or a restoring of the former lost Dispensation Universal free Grace 92. Christs Spiritual inward and powerful appearance is now again revealed in this day after the Apostacy but every several way of stating makes it high Howgils Glory of the true Church 32. for the Everlasting Gospel was a thing beyond above and before the Writings of the new Testament and it requires the Spirits owning it before any should entertain it for it is a mighty alteration from a Bodily Christ without to an Invisible one within and if the Man Christ wrought Miracles much more should Christ the Spirit Act. 2.22 the visible Christ was a man approved of God by Miracles Wonders and Signs which God did by him in the midst of them as they also knew the new Invisible Christ hath nothing to approve him but words and fancyes but either at bringing as Moses at reviving as Elias or at changing as Christ of a Dispensation Miracles were necessary and though John the Baptist wrought no Miracles yet his coming was Prophecyed of by Esaias and Malachy nor did he bring in a new Dispensation only he prepared for it but the Quakers pretending to the highest Dispensation that of Christ in the Spirit which is never to be out-dated are to do greater works than Christ in the Body and Miracles being the Work of the Spirit they being more necessary to it than to the Dispensation of Christ Quakers are to have its Demonstration both to usher in its Dispensation and also to assure us that they are the sole Persons intrusted with the bringing of it But whence had they this Notion there are Presidents enough for what is evil Montanus and Mahomet made use of this Weapon David George took himself for the true Spiritual David sent to Restore the House
of Israel by Grace and that all Dispensations before were literal and carnal Henry Nicholas made seven several Dispensations but differently computed from Winstanley which likewise he shrinketh into three but the last the highest and most glorious was that which he brought by Grace and Love Jacob Israel made three Dispensations under the Emblem of three Suns the highest is Gods being in Sons and Daughters at the new Jerusalem Keith makes four Dispensations Moses and the Prophets Christ in the Flesh the Evangelists and Apostles and the Revealing now Christs inward appearance Univer Gra. p. 92. like that which the Apostles had in their day but the fullest President is that of Abbot Joachim and the Franciscan Fryars who about the year 1253. Published a Book Evangelii aeterni nomine set forth by Johannes de Parma the Design of which was to change the Gospel of Christ into the Gospel of the Spirit that as the Sun excells the Moon Bp. Vsher de Chpist Eccles p. 277. 279. or the kernel the shell Thomas Ellwood's Comparison so that of the Spirit excells the Gospel of Christ they said The Sacrament of the Church was nothing that the Gospel of the Spirit was the only Gospel ◠280. that the New Testament is to be evacuated like the Old that then men shall be in the State of the Perfect p. 281. that the Spiritual Sence of the New Testament is not committed to the Pope but the Literal p. 282. p. 283. that when the Spirit comes former things shall be counted old that the Preachers in the end of the World shall be of greater Dignity and Authority than the Apostles with much such stuff These are Thomas Ellwoods Antecessors and the Pope condemned the Books writ against this Devilish Doctrine p. 287. CHAP. X. Concerning their Experiences V. THE Quakers know the Word of God and their Revelations by Experience so Thomas Ellwood we know that the Word of God is quick and lively by Experience p. 249. but his Inspiration misinforms him about the direct sense of that place Heb. 4.12 For it concerns Gods Oath v. 3. Of Unbelievers not entring into his Rest which took hold of the Israelites and we are warned to take heed of the like Unbelief because the word of God is Powerful c. that is his threatnings are not high ineffective words but will seize on the impenitent it concerns Thomas Ellwood not to despise the teaching of Jesus least his Experience of this commination prove sad and irreversible thus Dr. Hammond from the Scope expounds it and so St. Chrysostome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 c. the same word which punished them will punish us apud Theoph. in loc for it liveth always and is never extinguished but Thomas Ellwood as formerly mistakes his ground work yet let it pass there is not one word of Experience there but when other Arguments fail they cry out We bear our Testimony We Witness it We Experience it c. who matter 's that the term Experience is un-Scriptural and indemonstrable concerning Revelation and but rarely used concerning Graces the Pharisees had that common sense John 8. 13. thou bearest Record of thy self thy Record is not true a rule that is owned by Christ Jo. 5. if I bear Witness of my self my Witness is not true and John 8.14 But Quakers can only Witness for themselves or at the farthest one for another William Shewen in 19 Chapters conjoyns their Faith and Experience whereas the one is matter of Perception the other the substance of things hoped for Heb. 11.1 the Evidence of things not seen what is seen is not hope and what is Experienced is not Faith but such sensual Spiritualists may say and have any thing by such Confusion Jesus declared in general terms leaving it to every Son New Law p. 11. and Daughter to Declare their particular Experiences the Scriptures are but Christ in the Letter lying under the Experimental words of those Pen-men Keith saith We know that Immediate Revelation is not ceased From the blessed Experience given us of God therein Im. Rev. Preface passim but what Experiences are these not outward and sensible but inward and indiscernible wherein Fancy Natural Enthusiasm and Satan can all play Legerdemain to purpose Christian Experience in matters of Duty is usefull to support in their Practice but it is to be an after Argument come in ad corroborandum for mans nature is of a strange Composition Comforts have much Dependance on the temper of the body they are the more usual portion of Weak and young beginners nor should we hanker so much after those real sweets or fancyful gusts but be diligent in our Christian calling Inward Experience is no bottom for Inspiration Christianity was setled in an outward sensible way to forestal this Inward Wile of Satan Moses though he saw the bush burning and had outward Evidences too yet was not hasty in believing The Apostles I think demurr'd some while upon the Suggestions they received Act. 16.10 Beza in loc in Act. 9.29 Assuredly gathering from the Vision collates argumentis colligentes conferring and fitting as Artificers do piece to piece Sancti non temerè Visionibus quibusvis crediderunt they examined their very Visions and were not hasty in Entertaining them Their Experiences also consist in Comfort the meanest argument whence to infer Gods voice We know the Spirit of the Lord in his Shinings Im. Rev. p. 28. Warmings Quicknings Waterings and Refreshings from and by himself sometimes a day they could Feelingly and Experimentally speak of what God had wrought in their Souls could tell of sweet hours of fellowship his Revealing the hid Invinsible but others of different Judgments are as high in Experiences and Comforts p. 45. New Law p. 64. Myst of God pref Mary Gadbury was full of singing and joy The Leveller for that Doctrine of Working in the Common had peace of Spirit and from that very thing his Joy and rest in God he was convinced of his Inspiration The Ranters have store of quiet Silent Meeting 5. Exomologesis p. 631. W. B. had more Refreshings in a dum Meeting than in an hundred Sermons The Hearers were refreshed at the Dutch Womans ununderstood Preachment Newton had much Joy in his Visions and the Ravishment and Spiritual Embraces injoied by the Carthusians were a great Motive to Mr. Cressyes Revolting Flashes and affecting Warmths are no Evidence of Truth the Mass or a Turkish Mosque will afford such stirrings of the lower Powers He who from them approves or choses his Religion is fitter to be a Palpitating Disciple of Marcus then a well-grounded Servant of the Lord Jesus But though they had true Experiences that is no satisfaction to another for as God requires a Reasonable Religion so a man should be able to Render a Reason of his Hope Christianity consists not in sensible Consolations which do ebb and flow and are oft
which are out of the Unity with the Body of Friends Print or cause to be Printed or published in Writing any thing which is not of Service for the Truth but tends to the Scandalizing and reproaching of faithful Friends or to beget or uphold Division and Faction then we do warn and Charge all Friends that do love Truth as they desire it may prosper and be kept clear to beware and take heed of having any hand in Printing republishing or spreading such Books or Writings And if at any time such Books be sent to any of you that sell Books in the Country after that you with the Advice of good and serious Friends have tryed them and find them faulty to send them back again whence they come And we further desire from time to time faithfull and sound Friends may have the view of such things as are Printed upon Truth 's account as formerly it hath used to be before they go to the Press that nothing but what is sound and Savory and that will answer the Witness of God even in our Adversaries may be exposed to publick Vieu 6. We do advise and counsel That such as are made Overseers of the Flock of God by the Holy Spirit and do Watch for the good of the Church Meeting together in their Respective Places do set and keeep the Affairs of it in good Order beware of Admitting or Encouraging such as are Weak and of little Faith to take such Trust upon them for by hearing things disputed that are doubtfull such may be hurt themselves and may hurt the Truth not being grown into a good understanding to judge of things Therefore We exhort That you who have received a true sence of things be diligent in the Lord's Business and keep the Meetings as to him that all may be kept pure and clean according to that of God which is just and equal We also advise That not any be admitted to order Publick business of the Church but such as have felt in a Measure of the Universal Spirit of Truth which seeks the Destruction of none but the General good of all and especially those that love it who are of the Houshold of Faith So Dear Friends and Brethren believing your Souls will be refreshed in the Sence of our Spirits and Integrity towards God at the reading of these things as ours were while we sate together at the opening of them and that you will be one with us on the behalf of the Lord and his Pretious Truth against those who would limit the Lord to speak without Instruments or by what Instruments they list and reject the Counsel of the Wise-men and the Testimony of the Prophets which God sanctifyed and sent among you in the day of his Love when you were gathered and would not allow him liberty in and by his Servants to appoint tâ—me and place wherein to meet together to wait upon and worship him according as he requireth in Spirit and calling it Formal and the Meeting of Man We say believing that you will have Fellowship with us herein as we have with you in the Truth we commit you to God and the Word of Life which hath been Preached to you from the beginning which is neither limited to place nor time nor persons but hath Power to limit us to each as pleaseth him that you with us and we with you may be built up in our most holy Faith and be Preserved to Partake of the Inheritance which is Heavenly amongst all them that are Sanctifyed Richard Farnsworth Alexander Parker George Whitehead Josiah Coale John Whitehead Thomas Loe. Stephen Crispe Thomas Green John Moon Thomas Briggs James Parkes The Summ of the Particulars handled in the preceeding Treatise DIvisions are no argument against the Truth of Christianity p. 1. The Holy Scriptures are by some thought too plain and by others too obscure p. 2. Quakers give better names to their own Books than to the Scriptures p. 3. Their beginning was in 1648. p. 4. Winstanley the Leveller was their Father p. 5. 6. They have a great resemblance to Rome p. 7. 8. The many disadvantages in Treating with them p. 9. Their unchristian temper in Controversies pag. 10. 11. They misapply Scripture words as the old Hereticks did p. 12. 13. T. Ellwood's Ignorance and Impudence about St. Basil p. 14. About St. Greg. Nazianzene and Sosiades p. 15. And in calling the Martyrs our Godly Martyrs p. 16. 17. Quakers deny themselves to be Protestants p. 16. Thomas Ellwood's sauciness towards the King p. 18 19. Quakers have dangerous Doctrines about Kings and Magistrates p. 19 â—â— Their degrading of the Nobility p 20. And contempt of other Orders of men p. 21. Thomas Ellwood's manner of claiming Inspirations concludes as much for others as for themselves p. 22. God affords sufficient means of Conviction p. 23. Immediate Revelation should be attested with Evidences p. 24. Revelation is a more easy thing than studying p. 25. The various Claimers of Infallibility confute each other p. 26. Quakers Challenge the Internal work of the Spirit but deny the External p. 27. Thomas Ellwood and his party 's high demands p. 28. His seeming Concessions p. 29. Christ was the Apostles Instructor before the Spirit p. 31. Quakers make Christs Prophetick office to signify nothing p. 32. Or confound Jesus and the Spirit p. 33. The manner of the Apostles Instructions recited p. 34. Quakers differ about the Apostles knowledge p. 35. The Apostles were certain Witnesses of Christ and the Writers of the N. T. wrote upon their certain knowledge p. 36. No new books of Scriptures can now be written 37. The Holy Spirit did inwardly pursue what Christ had outwardly delivered p. 38. Enthusiasm destroys the settled grounds of Religion p. 39. Quakers called themselves Apostles and Prophets p. 40. They make the Apostaâ—y to begin with the second Century p. 41. They are very unlike the Apostles p. 42. Successours cannot receive like predecessours p. 43. The first settling a Dispersation must not always continue p. 44. God is not prodigal of Miracles p. 45. Quakers Inspirations must be as unintelligible as those of St. Paul or others p. 46. The Texts produced by T â—â—â—wood prove against him p. 47. What was promised 〈◊〉 he Apostles shâ—uld not be inlarged to all p. 48. Quakers like Celsus and the Gnosticks pretend much knowledge p. 49 Thomas Ellwood borrows Renewing of Revelations from George Keith p. 51. Their damnable Essential of Religion p. 52. 53. Their great slighting of the Canon of Scripture p. 54. 55. Repetition of Revelation reinforces the Law of Moses p. 56. destroys the Reality of History p. 57. and the determinateness of Prophecy p. 58. Confound the Revelations of Men and Women p. 60. The Spirit doth not repeat what was spoken by himself or by other ways before p. 61. 62. Quakers pretend Revelations for Wordly matters p. 64. Gods Dispensations are Regular and Orderly p. 65. Quakers lose themselves in a Circle p. 66.