Parnell for Fox said he was before Abraham in that he said he was before Languages were Parnell was before Abraham in that he was before Arguments were for between Abram and Lots Heardsmen there were Arguments And for the Humanity of Christ the Quakers deny it as clearly as the Socinians deny his Godhead read Sect. the xviii thus I hope I have proved the first part of the Paragraph And now to the second which is that G. Fox works counterfeit maricles and not in the Name of Jesus Christ for proof of this see his Journal p. 170 171 30 370 373 503. and there you will find G. F. spake to a woman and the Lord he says raise her up in 171 I find there is two miracles and which to take I cannot tell but one of these two it must be viz. A Woman married a Man in Debt and she went distracted sent for G. Fox he spake to her she mended The other was two men fighting whom G. F. being a stout man parted but neither in the Name of Jesus In p. 167. he tells us of many Miracles the Quakers wrought but mentions not where nor upon whom Likewise Cley Pool had a fit of the Stone and G. F. laid his hand on him and afterwards he mended One in Maryland said to be a Parliament Man tho I am informed there is no Parliament there and that spoils this Miracle healed In short they are all feigned counterfeit Miracles and none done as Erasmus well observes of Simon Magus in the Name of Jesus of Nazareth But to read the story of Jo. Isays broken Neck 't would make a melancholy man laugh oh G. F. stand by him and pity him and his Family Well to work went G. F. and throws away his Gloves and Stick saying I got to him assoon as I could I took hold of his hair I took his head in both my hands and set my knees against the tree I raised his head mark Reader here was all I I I and my my not a word of Prayer not a word like the Apostle in the Name of Jesus be thou healed no what can Whitehead say to this is he not ashamed of their horrible delusions I have said enough to wise men and bray a Fool in the Mortar and they will not be wiser SECT IV. 2. AND the Foxonian Quakers gave héed unto G. Fox from the least to the greatest believing all he taught saying he is the power of God 1. That they gave heed to him in all he taught 't is demonstrable from divers reasons but for brevity sake I shall mention this viz. of all the Blasphemy that ever G. Fox spake or wrote never a Quaker of his Party ever condemned one passage but either justified it or if that could not be done then excuse it see W. Pen in his Book Judas and the Jews p. 44. Tho to do the dissenting Quakers justice who meet in Harp-lane they did by their Book An Answer to several passages c. p. 10. condemn G. F.'s words in the Battledoor as High Blasphemy and p. 6. said Geo. Whitehead as guilty of the aforesaid charge i. e. of being a contentious Scribbler of giving base names c. and in part of cloaking gross errors Indeed when I saw this come forth I was in hopes of a Reformation but alas this was no sooner come to my hand but I had another sent me which justifies G. Fox and G. Whitehead in all their abomination signed by Edw. Brush Waller Miers Tho. Cox Gilbert Laity Charles Bathurst Tho. Lower William Phillips Tho. Mincks John Vaughton Nath. Marks John Cooper Tim. Emmerton John Feild Michael Russel John Knight Hen. Goldney Will. Bingly Charles Marshall Will. Sanders Geo. Bowles John Tomkins Tho. Hutson John Evered Dan. Wharly So that when all these came out in the name of the rest I concluded the Foxonian Tribe from the highest to the lowest believed all G. F. taught how Blasphemous soever it was And now to the second part of the paragraph that they say he is the Power of God for proof of this see the third Table or Index to G. Fox's Journal under the Letter M for Miracles where 't is thus said Miracles wrought by the Power of God And when I turned to p. 370 371 where one of the profoundest Miracles he did is recorded and as a Miracle too there is nothing but I George Fox threw away my Stick and Gloves I I I c. If G. Whitehead say 't was the life of Christ in him I tell him No it must be G. Fox for the life of Christ in him need no Stick and Gloves from whence 't is plain they hold parallel with the poor deluded Samaritans calling G. Fox the power of God SECT V. 3. THat G. Fox got a name of great estimation to be an excellent Prophet until his Followers adored him as God The fifth part Christ Qua. disting p. 77. That G. Fox is blessed with honor ahove many Brethren and that thousands will stand by him in a heavenly record That his Life Reigns and is Spotless Innocent and still retains his Integrity whose Eternal honour and Blessed renown remain still yea his presence and the dropping of his tender words in the Lords love was my souls Nourishment c. for more of this see New Rome unm from p. 42 to 48. Yea so dreadful was G. F. 's name to the people beyond Sea that they published it to the world viz. That mentioning the name Geo. Fox did prick them to the heart c. See their book A true Account c. p. 42. The Quakers Challenge c. p. 6. Stand up Muggleton who calls thy book a Looking-glass for Geo. Fox whose name thou art not worthy to take into thy mouth who is a Prophet indeed and hath been faithful in the Lords business from the beginning This Sel. Eccles who wrote the Quakers Challenge is the Prophet who prophesied that John Story should die within one year being then very ill who lived 4 years after and as G. Fox said that neither himself nor his name was known see Sect. 3d. Yea a Prophet equallized with Christ a right Samaritan c. it was said of Christ he was in the world and the world knew him not so it may be said of this true Prophet whom John said he was not but thou shalt feel this Prophet i. e. G. F. one day as heavy as a Milstone upon thee and altho the world knows him not yet he is known Next see an Abstract of a Letter sent to Gâ—o Foâ—â— in his Life time from Barbadoes by Josiah Coâ—l one of their eminent Preachers dated the 21st 12th month 1658. and every word of it vindicated by William Pen in their book stiled Judas and the Jews c. p. 44. viz. Dear Geo. Fox who art the Father of many Nations whose life has reached thro us thy childen even to the Isles afar off to the begetting many again to a lively hope for which
Christ c. Which is as large an Excommunication as the Pope himself or his Infallible Council ever pretended to for they have not only by their Bull of Excommunication cut him off as they dream from the fellowship of the Quakers in London Wales c. but off from the whole Church of Christ And as this is a great arrogancy in the Quakers and presumption too so do they thereby differ from the French Protestants And in regard this their Bull of Excommunication was denounced against G. Keith for that he did not effectually call in his Books writ against the errors of the Quakers and thereby clear the body of the Quakers from those errors charged upon the Quakers in Pensilvania which in Conscience he could not do in regard he knew them Guilty thereof This is a plain demonstration that W. Pen's averring that they never endeavour to hinder the sale of their Adversaries Books is a great untruth See the next proof Instance III. In the year 1693. I put forth a Book entituled New Rome Arraigned c. which the Quakers by an Officer seized and carried 60 of them to a Quakers house and Indicted me in the Old Baily London An Abstract of the said Bill of Indictment is as followeth London ss At the General Quarter Sessions of the Peace holden for the City of London at the Guild-Hall of the said City on Monday the ninth of October 1693. before Sir J. F. Knight Mayor of the said City Sir P. W. Kt. Sir J. M. Kt. Aldermen Sir S. L. Recorder of the said City the King and Queens Justices to hear and determine the transgressions of Felons and other enormities committed within the said City The same Sessions is adjourned by the foresaid Justices until Thursday the 12th of the same month of October 1693. at 7 of the clock in thâ— forenoon at Justice-hail in the Old Baily London to be holden before the foresaid Justices and their Associates according to Custom c. And now passing by most of the form I come to set forth the Aggravating terms of their said Indictment c. Ut supra A certain Bill of Indictment against one Francis Bugg then and there brought before B. B. G. B c. Jury-men then and there sworn and charged to enquire for the said King and Queen and the body of the said City And was returned by the Jury thus Indorsed Ignoramus Which Bill follows in these words The Jury for our Lord the King and Queen do present upon their Oaths That Francis Bugg late of London Yeoman being a person of an unquiet and turbulent disposition devising practising and intending falsly unlawfully seditiously and maliciously Geo. Whitehead Ja. Park Ben. Antrobus Sam. Waldenfeild c. faithful Subjects of our Lord and Lady the King and Queen now of this their Kingdom of England extremely to scandalize to prâ—curâ— and bring to Infamy and Reproach amongst their Neighbours and other Subjects of our said King and Queen As also to move stir up and cause discords tumults and miserâ—â—â— slaughters between the Subjects of this Kingdom of England on the 18th day of September in the 5th year of our Lord and Lady c. And upon divers other days and times as well before as after at London aforesaid to wit in the Parish Church * * T is not a Steeple-house it seems now however neither I nor the Quakers wear there of St. Christopher in Farringdon-Ward he falsâ—y maliciously seditiously and illegally made composed and printed published and dispersed amongst the Subjects c. a certain scandâ—â—ous mal cious and defaming Libel against the said G. Whitehead c. The same English Book or Pamphlet not being first Entered in the Register-book of the Cmpany of Stationers of * * No more do the Quakers of London and also not being Lycenced by Act of Parliament ††Why does not G. W get his Books Lycenced by Act of Parliament Proclamation or added to the Book this may be Printed by vertue of any Warrant under the Seal c. or one or both the principal Secretaries of State c. nor Lycenced * * I hope the Quakers will Lycence their Meetting-houses now they thus severely persecute me for not Lyceâ—cing my Book Canes timidi vehementius latrant nor Authorised by any person whatsoever against the form of the Statute in that case lately made and provided to the bad example of all that shall offend in that case and against the Peace of our Lord and Lady the King and Queen their Crown and Dignity Ignoramus Goodfellow Reader I have transcribed enough to shew their indicting me and that for no other crime than not Lycencing my Book If they say I put up a mock-Pillory to shew what they in reality deserved who as in the same Book I have set forth offered to suffer as in the case of Perjury if they falsify their word which they did do in the Case of Evidence and that in the Name of the Lord which amount to an Oath But suppose the form of a Pillory was not easy to them must I therefore be tried and judged to move stir up cause discords tumults and miserable slaughters c. Well however as this shews what the Quakers would do had they power so it is a sufficient proof that they did endeavour to hinder the Sale of my Books also this their indicting me shows what an envious and lying spirit they G. Whitehead and his Brethren are of SECT XVIII AS I have shewed how contrary the Principles and Practices of the Quakers are to the Principles and Practices of the French Protestants and indeed to all other Christians I am now about to shew their disparity in the Articles of their Faith setting forth an Abstract of the French Protestants Confession of Faith containing 40 in number which was presented to several French Kings as judging it a most proper way to obtain their Liberty as at large in the 1st Volume of J. Quicks History stiled Synodicon in Galia Reformata p. 6. to 15. And likewise what the Quakers believe if they believe as they write for by reason they have not given forth distinct Articles of their Faith like the Christian Churches in all ages I must collect some select passages out of their Books in one Column and the French Protestants in another viz. The Quakers Faith A Declaration to all the world of our Faith and what we believe who are called Quakers Concerning God and Christ Burrows works p. 439. We believe there is one only true God who is a Spirit and his presence filleth heaven and earth and he is eternal and everlasting the Creator and Preserver of all things Sauls Errand to Damascus c. p. 8. He that hath the same spirit that raised up Jesus from the dead is equal with God The Sandy Foundation p. 12 16. The vulger doctrine of satisfaction being dependent on the Second Person of the imagined Trinity of distinct persons
of receiving them and their Testimony you have caused them * Here Sam. thinks to blind the poor Quakers and make them believe he was a 20 l. sufferer when he lost not a groat to suffer And them also that did receive them and their Testimony The Lord forgive you is the desire of him that chuses rather to suffer Affliction with the people of God than to live in the pleasures of this world Sam. Cater I have laid a snare for thee and thou art taken O Babylon and thou wast not aware thou art found and also caught put your selves in array against Babylon round about all you that bend the Bow shoot at her spare no Arrows for the Lord hath opened his Armoury and hath brought forth the weapons of his indignation for this is the work of the Lord God of Hosts Jer. 50.14 24 25. SECT XVI Fr. King WE do forbid you to print any Books in any place whatsoever concerning Religion which are not Attested i. e. Licensed by two Manual Certificates at least under pain of losing the whole Impression Prot. Nor as his Majesty hath demanded of us will we suffer thâ—se Canons of our National Synod concerning the Approbation i. e. Licensing of Books that shall be pâ—inâ—â—d on matters of Religion to be violated it being our sincere and most fixed Resolution to obâ—erve in the precisest and strictest manner their Majesties Edicts and under the benefit of them to lâ—ad a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty Quak. Epist ibid. p. 3. It 's desired that the monthly and quarterly meetings respectively takes notice of all Friends Books that are or may be sent to them according to former agreement and take care for the dispersing the same for the service of Truth c. and take care to advise the Correspondents for the Counties to write only to your Correspondents in London about their sufferings lest their suffering case be delayed Renewed advice to the respective Monthly and Quarterly Meetings in England and Wales and for the preserving and spreading Friends Books for Truths service Dear Friends THese are to let you understand that our Friends have at several yearly Meetings had under their serious consideration hw all those Books that are printed for the service of Truth and the unity of Friends might most effectually be spread for a general service to Truth and Information unto Friends and others And at the last yearly Meeting it was left unto this meeting who have settled as followeth viz. That those that print friends books shall the first opportunity after printed within one month at most send to one of the Correspondents in the several Counties viz. For each Monthly Meeting two Books of a sort if under Sixpence and one of a sort if above Sixpence for these reasons 1. For Friends to have general notice of what Books are printed 2. That they may send for what other quantities they may see a service for 3. That the Printer may be encouraged in printing for friends 4. That one Book at least of a sort that shall be printed except Collections may be kept in each Monthly and Quarterly Meeting for the service of Friends and Truth as there shall be â—ccasion for the future 5. It 's agreed that the Printer will allow two pence in the shilling for all such Books 6. It 's Agreed That some here shall be appointed to examine the Printer to see that they send no Books but such as are appointed by Friends 7. It 's Agreed and Advised that the Printers account be fully cleared once a year at least by those Friends the Country shall send up to the yearly Meeting 8. It 's Agreed That the name of the Printer imployed by Friends should be sent with directions how to write to him Dear Friends and Brethren it 's tenderly advised and recommended to you that you be careful and diligent in the spreading of all such Books that are printed for the service of Truth and are written either in defence of it or Christian Doctrine or Holy profession or by way of Epistle Warning Caution Exhortation or Prophecy that so we may not be remiss or negligent in promoting the holy truth that nothing may be wanting on our parts to promote it and the spreading of it that the Nations may be informed and brought into the knowledge of it that in the end we may give an account with joy An ancient friend the Printers name is as follows to whom direct thus For Andrew Soale at the Crooked Billet in Holy-well-lane in Shoreditch London Or to Thomas Northcoat at his Shop in George-yard in Lombard-street London And this we think needful you should record in your Quarterly Books and sometimes read it for remâ—mbrance and notice Signed in the behalf of the Meeting the 18th of the â—â—th mâ—nth 1693. by Benjamin Bealing The yearly Meeting Epistle the 27th of the 3d month 1675. It is our Sense Advice Admonition and Judgment in the fear of God and the authority of his Power and Sprit to Friends and Brethren in their several Meetings that no such slight and contemptible names and expressions as calling men and womens Meetings Courts Sessions or Synods that they are Popish Impositions useless and burthensome And that faithful Friends Papers which we Testifie have been given forth by the Power and Spirit of God are mens Edicts or Canons or embracing them bowing to men Elders in the service of Truth Popes and Bishops with such scornful sayings be permitted among them But let Gods power be set upon the top of that unsavoury Spirit and them that use it Signed by George Whitehead William Pen and others I am the larger in this Citation to convince the world that the Quakers prefer their own Books before and above the Scripture contrary to their pretence in their sheet they delivered to the Parliament as also to shew the impudence of some amongst them that tell people they have no Epistles read amongst them as Francis Bugg sets forth which I know they can no more be ignorant of than of the Suns shining at noon-day And in order to a further discovery thereof I shall recite the Titles of some of their Epistles as I did in New Rome Arraigned p. 41. which to this day they have not denyed c. 1. Two General Epistles to the Flock of God where-ever they are dispersed by M. Fell and J. Park printed 1664. 2. To Friends in England Ireland Scotland Holland New England Barbadoes or any where else where the Lord shall order this to come c. 3. A General Epistle to be read in the fear of God in the Assembly of his people by W. D. 4. The word of the Lord to Syon the New Jerusalem the Bride the Lambs Wife the excellency of all the Glory that is amongst the people by W. D. printed 1664. 5. An Epistle to Friends every where to be read distinctly in their Meetings by K. W. printed 1681. 6. All Friends every
where this is the word of the Lord unto you all this you may read amongst the children of the light and of the day per G. Fox 7. This is only to go amongst Friends 8. An Epistle to Friends in England to be read in their Assemblys 9. An Epistle to the Remnant of Friends per G. Whitehead concluding thus Let this be read distinctly in the life and authority of God from whence it came among Friends in and about the City of London and elsewhere as any Friends are moved in the same Life 10. To all people who meet in Steeple-houses in England and elsewhere p. 2. A message from the Lord Jesus Christ in England or elsewhere into all the Steeple-houses to be read 11. To the Children of Light c. I desire this Epistle may be read in your several Meetings William Pen. 12. Several papers given forth for the spreading of truth c. I charge you in the presence of the Lord God to send this Epistle among Friends and Brethren every 〈◊〉 to be read in all Meetings to you all this is the word of the Lord God Geo. Fox SECT XVII HAving in the foregoing Section proved from plain matter of fact that the Quakers prefer their nonsensical Pamphlets before the Scriptures being compared with the contemptible expressions they give them as beastly ware death dust and serpents meat c. notwithstanding their Hypocritical Sheet they delivered to the Parliament and as a proof it will stand against them beyond all their glossing I think I need to make no other Remark or Observation having largely shewed their practice from their own works and therefore I come now to answer an Objection viz. Object Possibly some may say that tho they take the liberty of the Press to spread their Heretical Doctrine and defamatory Libels as the Battledoor for the Magistrates Teachers and Professors in the form and figure of a Childs penny horn book to learn the English of tu and vos As likewise their Primmer put out by G. Fox formerly a Journeyman Shoemaker containing 2434 Queries as what is a Noun a Pronoun a Participle an Adverb c. as at large recited by me in my book Battering Rams against New Rome c. p. 16 17. yet they often pretend to moral vertues and they pretend they do not hinder the Sale of your Books as in W. Pens Rejoinder c. part 2. p. 404. I do aver says W. Pen in the name of the Quakers we never endeavour any such thing as to prevent the sale of an Adversaries Books Therefore in so many words they who say we do have certified an absolute Lye c. Answ Now for proof that the Quakers do hinder the Sale of their Adversaries Books I will give you three instances whereby it will appear how false William Pen is in this case as well as in many more that might be mentioned but what will they not say for holy Church Oh the deceit the fraud and religious cheats that are to be found amongst the Teachers of this people but as he himself observes in a little Pamphlet of his stiled A Brief Answer to a false and foolish Libel c. p. 25. But the truth is error can only be maintained by error And what can we expect from W. Pen who has vindicated as gross Idolatry wrote by Jos Coal to G. Fox as ever Muggleton uttered in his Book Judas and the Jews c. p. 44 to 47. I say what can we expect of such men as Pen and Whitehead who will say and unsay this to day and that to morrow and by and by stand to neither well but let me proceed to prove W. Pen a Lyer for once since he avers in the name of the Quakers that they never hinder the Sale of their Adversaries Books c. Instance 1. About the year 168â— William Rogers put forth a Book against the Foxonian Quakers Usurpation of their Womens Meetings c. intituled The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovate in five parts This Book John Barnard a dissenting Quaker sold and for which thing only they excommunicated him as at large set forth in my Book de Chr. Lib. c. part 2. p. 179. An Abstract thereof I shall recite viz. From the monthly meeting at Devonshire-house the 4th of the 11th month 1681. Whereas there have been some unruly Spirits gone out from the truth and the unity of the blessed power of God writing printing and publishing things hurtful to truth by corrupting of peoples minds tending also to draw them into disesteem * Mark the two things this excommunication are bottomed upon viz. first corrupting of peoples minds next tending to weaken the esteem the pâ—or ignorant Quakers have of such Deceivers of many of the Lords Servants we find our selves concerned to take notice of some of this kind befaln Jo. Barnard formerly a member of this Meeting who hath dispersed into several parts of this Nation divers of those perniâ—ioâ—s Baâ—ks in print wrote by W. Rogers called The Christian Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovater So that now we being wholly clear having used an utmost endeavour to reclaim him do not only Tâ—stifie against that Spirit which hath led him into that disorderly practice but also against â—i while joyned thereunto nor can we have Spiritual communion or fellowshiâ— with him until unfeignedly he shall return unto the truth by condemnation of that Work and Spirit c. By which 't is plain that the Quakers do endeavour to hinder the Sale of their Adversaries Books as this excommunication out of their Fellowship and Spiritual Communion for selling the said Book is an evidence and sufficient proof c. Instance II. Whereas G. Keith wrote several Books against the errors of the Quakers in Pensilvania and for which they persecuted him as their Book stiled The Tryals of Peter Boss George Keith Tho. Budd and William Bradford before a Court of Quakers at the Sessions held at Philadelphia in Pensilvania c. at large set forth But the said Geo. Keith coming into England was examined by the yearly meeting June 1694. Where they advised G. Keith in these words And therefore it is the tender Advice and Counsel that Geo. Keith should either call in these Books or at least publish something effectually to clear the body of the people called Quakers and their Ministers from those gross errors charged on some few in America c. This continued until May 1695. And G. Keith not calling in his Books nor clearing the body of the Quakers from those gross errors which G. K. had charged on them they excommunicated the said G. Keith May 17. 1695. As acted by an unchristian Spirit and it is the sense and judgment of this méeting say they that the said Geo. Keith is gone from the Blessed unity of the peaceable spirit of our Lord Iesus Christ and hath thereby separated himself from the holy fellowship of the Church of
THE QUAKERS Set in their true Light In order to give the Nations A Clear SIGHT Of what they hold concerning Jesus of Nazareth the Scriptures Water Baptism the Lords Supper Magistracy Ministry Laws and Government HISTORICALLY COLLECTED Out of their most approved Authors which are their best Construing books from the year of their Rise 1650 to the year of their Progress 1696. By Francis Bugg Senior But evil men and Seducers shall wax worse and worse deceiving and being deceived For as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses so do these also resist the truth Men of corrupt minds reprobate concerning the faith whose mouths must be stopped who subvert whole housholds but they shall proceed no farther for their folly shall be made manifest unto all men 2 Tim. 3.8 9 13. Titus 3.11 LONDON Printed for the Author and are to be Sold by C. Brome at the Gun at the West End of St. Pauls and J. Guillim Bookseller in Bishopsgate-street 1696. TO THE RIGHT REVEREND HENRY L. Bishop of London My Lord I Humbly conceive it my duty to discover to your Lordship what I apprehend may be of dangerous consequence either to Church or State And this emboldens me to offer the ensuing discourse to your Lordships pious consideration I must humbly confess 't is a great presumption upon your Honours Patience and Patronage But that which amongst other things gives me encouragement hereunto and which I hape may plead my excuse at least extenuate my offence is the Quakers frequent Dedications and Presentations of their Books to the King Lords and Commons and other Magistrates from year to year one Sessions of Parliament after another for thirty or forty years together beseeching begging and craving their aid support and authority whilst in their Books to their Disciples they utterly disclaim any such seeking to outward authority But instead thereof when not suiting their Interest they 'll Impeach and Condemn their proceeding as Antichristian and Arraign Try and Condemn the Learned Protestant Clergy as inconsistent to Christianity Thus like the Camelion they can turn themselves into all colours their Books being of two sorts carrying two different faces And it was by this method that the Arians of old deceived the Emperor Constantius who at last made Laws in their behalf against the Orthodox And that this is no new Artifice your Lordship may observe from the book of Exodus that notwithstanding Moses was divinely inspired and gifted witb Miracles to confirm his Commission yet the Magicians by their Magick Act and cunning Intreagues came very near him in shew likewise Simon Magus Acts 8. by his Sorcery and Juggling Tricks so bewitched the Samaritans that they gave great heed to all he said And History sufficiently informs us what hard work the Protestants had to confute the Papists whose Books were like the Quakers of two sorts professing in one sort what they utterly rejected in the other sort And this made Bishop Jewel in his Defence to the Apology c. propose to his Reader viz. Good Reader if thou wilt examine our doings I beseech thee search and prove what hath been wrote on both sides and do not suffer thy self by shews and shifts to be beguiled for what man will seem to deal so uprightly as a Juggler he will strike up his sleeves make bare his arms and open his hands and fingers and bid thee behold And thou wilt think him to be a good plain man and marvel thou shouldst possibly be deceived and yet indeed his whole design is nothing but to deceive thee and the more simply and plainly he would seem to deal so much the more he will deceive thee otherwise he were no Juggler c. And to this agrees that notable saying of Ireneaeus in his third Book against Hereticks viz. Whilst Heretick speak like the faithful they not only mean otherwise than what they say â—â—â— clean contrary And by their Tenents full of Blasphemy they destroy the Souls of those who with their fair words suck in the poyson of their foul opinions And no marvel saith St. Paul for Satan himself is transformed into an Angel of Light therefore it is no great thâ—ng if his Ministers also be transformed as the Ministers of Righteousness whose end shall be according to their works 2 Cor. 13.14 And my Lord being sensible of the Quakers method not only of their unwâ—â—y'd sollicitation of the Members of Parliament both Lords and Commons for many years but also in sending their Books into all Counties Shires Cities Towns and Villages in England and Wales as well as parts beyond the Seas I thought it my duty to let the World know their principles from their Printed Books For as simple as they look and as innocent as they seem to appear for deep subtilty they outstrip both Jew and Jesuit and notwithstanding their many and great pretences to meeknesâ— charity and long-suffering there is not a more uncharitable and censâ—◠〈◊〉 people under heaven I am My Lord Your Lordship 's most humble and obedient Servant Fr. Bugg An Apologetical Introduction to the History of the Rise Growth and Progress of QUAKERISM Friendly Reader IF Athanasius made an Apology for his writing against the Arians and other of late for their exposing the errors of the Socinians nay if the Church of England thought herself oblig'd to Apologize in the Reign of Queen Elizabeth for writing against the errors of the Papists 't is but reasonable for me to think myself under the same Obligation for writing against the dangerous errors of the Quakers for surely there has not appeared a more compleat Monster upon the Stage since the days of Simon Magus than George Fox was in his day nor did Simon Magus more applaud himself nor more of his Followers adore him nor take greater care to continue the Memory of him than the Quakers have done of G. Fox witness the reprint of his Labours his Travels his Miracles and Wonders Insomuch that what many Ages have perplexed the Church withal singly we are assaulted with at once as if the scattered Limbs of Heresy had rallied and reinforced themselves for a fresh Battle I have seen Muggleton's Transcendent Spiritual Treatise c. and I cannot find that he holds pace with George Fox in his Books Truths Defence c. Sauls Errand c. A Threefold Estate of Antichrist c. and divers other Books wrote formerly and which they â—â—ill own commend and recommend to their Disciples as Books wrote by divine Authority yea from the Eternal Spirit and Power of God see Sect. the XVI Nay in many things Muggleton and the Quakers seem to be Twins For Muggleton says 't is not lawful to fight with a Sword of Steel so say the Quakers at least until they get power into their hands as in Pensilvania where they can both fight with a Carnal Sword fine imprison and persecute their Brethren as the Trial of G. Keith and others sets forth at large Muggleton denies the Blessed Trinity
speedily it being by our Assent Robert Smith Rob. Letchworth Jeremy Rose Joseph Nun Edw. Wingfeild Robert Barber And thus much by way of Introduction Mildenhall Jan. 15. 1695. FRANCIS BUGG Sen. A Brief HISTORY of the Rise Growth and Progress of QUAKERISM SECTION I. THe first rise of Quakerism was in the year 1650. For George Fox coming to Derby and going into the Church to disturb the Minister was by the Justices committed to Prison for that and his other blasphemous principles and to this agree Edw. Burrough's Epistle on the front of Geo. Fox's Great Mist c. And this Justice Bennet was the first that ever call'd them Quakers This I can prove by other Books but you may read it in Geo. Fox's Journal p. 32. to 40. And that it may plainly appear with what principles the Quakers came into the world withal at their first entrance you may read a Copy of the Warrant by which they were justly imprisoned viz. To the Master of the House of Correction in Derby We have here sent you the Bodies of Geo. Fox and John Fretwell brought before us this day and charged with the avowing uttering and broaching divers blasphemous opinions which upon their examination before as they have confessed These are therefore to require you forthwith upon sight hereof to receive them the said G. Fox and J. Fretwell into your Custody and them therein safely to keep during the space of six months without Bail or Mainprize or until they shall find sufficient security to be of the good behaviour or be thence delivered by order from our selves Hereof you are not to fail Given under our Hands and Seals this thirtieth day of October 1650. Ger. Bennet Nath. Barton I was once minded to have set forth more particularly what principles they came into the world withal as I find them even by the Quakers themselves put forth in a Book stiled Saul's Errand to Damascus p 1 2. which tho they have in the same Book pretended to answer the said Petition yet I do positively affirm that their said Answer looks more like a Confession than a sincere Denyal As also the said Petition and their pretended Answer being with other their Time-serving Treacherous principles fully spoken to in that excellent Book lately put forth by a Divine of the Church of England entituled The Snake in the Grass or Satan transformed into an Angel of Light Discovering the deep and unsuspected subtilty couched under the pretended simplicity of the principal Leaders of the Quakers Printed for Charles Brome at the Gun at the West End of St Pauls 1696. containing about 600 pages insomuch that should I write after him to shew their facing about to every power even as the Weather-cock sometimes for the Parliament sometimes for the Rump sometimes for the Committee of Safety sometimes for the Council of State and then for Monarchy and to shew their encouraging Oliver against the Royal party it would be like lighting a candle at noon-day Their temporizing being so excellently set forth in the said Book yet that the World may see with what principles they prest into the world against all Rule Law and Government I may transcribe the said principles because by what follows it may be seen what foundation they went upon which was under pretence of magnifying the Light in themselves to deny Jesus of Nazareth to undervalue his death and sufferings contemn his Laws contained in the holy Scriptures despise his Ordinances revile Magistrates reproach Ministers In a word they not only by these principles hereto annexed but by their whole proceedings have not only verified what I have already said but manifested their principles to be Antiscriptural Antimagistratical Antichristian unreasonable and irreligious An Abstract of the said Petition is as followeth Saul's Errand to Damascus c. p. 1 2. To the Right Honorable the Council of State the Humble Petition of several Gentlemen Justices of the Peace Ministers of the Gospel and People within the County of Lancaster Humbly sheweth THat Geo. Fox and James Nailer are persons disaffected to Religion and the wholsom Laws of this Nation who have broached opinions tending to the destruction of the Relation of Subjects to their Magistrates Wives to their Husbands Children to their Parents Servants to their Masters Congregations to their Ministers particularly 1. Geo. Fox professed that he was equal with God 2. He professed himself to be the eternal Judge of the World meaning the Light in him 3. He said he was the Judge of the World still with the same Inuendo I suppose 4. He said he was the Christ the Way the Truth and the Life still meaning the Light This I can prove from his Writings extant amongst the Quakers 5. He said that whoever took a place of Scripture and preached from it was a Conjurer and his preaching Conjuration this is frequent in the Quakers Books yea an approved piece of Doctrine 6. He said the Scripture was Carnal yea Death Dust Serpents meat Beastly ware the Husk this G. Whitehead hath vindicated Thus much respecting Geo. Fox what is relating to Ja. Nailer is spoken to in the recited Book The Snake c. But G. Fox being their great Apostle and the founder of Quakerism I was willing to set down the principles upon which he set up and for which he was imprisoned as you see And the rather because Geo. Whitehead and his followers have published a Journal of his Noble and Ignoble acts of his disturbing Ministers of magnifying himself of his pretended Miracles and other deluding Charms on purpose to bewitch the people like Simon Magus his Predecessor Wherefore in this contest there can be no Neuters if God be God serve him if Baal serve him who can have patience to see the Name of God thus openly Blasphemed he that can is no Christian he has not zeal for God nor love to the souls of men The Papists will not have the Pope called Antichrist nor spoken disrespectfully of the Turk will not hear Mahomet blasphemed as we are Christians let us stand for Christ and the Christian Religion I have read how dangerous it is to foster Hereticks and shall England now become a nursery of Quakerism which spread itself like a Leprosie far and near even to Nations beyond the Seas And therefore since G. Whitehead c. have printed the Acts and Monuments of Geo. Fox which the poor silly ignorant Quakers run a whoring after as the Idolatrous Israelites did after the Golden Calf I am zealously concerned to unmask the head of this Foxonian Tribe of Quakers i. e. G. Fox and in a remembrance of what I was once my self and that for many years I can do no less And in this short Treatise I shall shew how Geo. Fox resembleth Simon Magus and Ignatius Loyola for the tree is known of the fruit SECTION II. SImon Magus lived in the Apostles time as saith S. Luke Acts 8.9 10. There was a certain man called Simon which in fore
that he who is not infallible in his judgment council and advice is no Minister of Christ that the Quakers are the only Ministers of Christ And as a further proof that G. Fox and his followers are Ignatius his dear Children read the Works following and a hundred more of their Books and you shall not find one passage wherein they make confession of their sins to God and beg pardon for Christs sake according to the example of the Prophets Apostles Saints and Martyrs in all ages neither if you go to 1000 Meetings shall you hear one of their Preachers have such an expression in their mouths viz. as confessing their sins and begging pardon for Jesus Christs sake And for example I have read great part of these Books following and cannot find such a passage I was also a Quaker 25. years and in all that time I do not remember such a passage If any think I wrong the Quakers let them read and search as I have done and shew me such a passage if they can The Books by me most examined are thâ—s Edw. Burroughs in folio containing pages 896 Sam. Fishers Works in folio pages 954 Read Qua. detected p. 8. to 12. and New R. unmaskt p. 18. Fr. Howgillt Works in folio 709 Geo. Fox his Journal in folio 632 Geo. Fox his Great Myst in folio 407 Will. Smiths Works in folio 565 W. Pens and Geo. Whiteheads Christ Qua. in folio 555 W. Baylys Works in quarto 774 Rich. Hubberthorps Works in quarto 374 W. Pens Invalidity in quarto 451 Â 6317 Thus I have given you a sample of their Books and read as many of them as you please and if thou art a Quaker and has but a spark of Christianity left in thee I admonish thee and that for thy own Souls sake read these Scriptures Luke 11.4 1 Joh. 1.8 9. Cap. 2. v. 5. Psal 38.18 51.1 2 3. Isa 64.6 Lam. 3.41 42. Job 7.20 Dan. 9.4 5 20. Jer. 10.25 Luke 18.10 11. 1 Kings 8.47 Prov. 20.9 Eccles 7.20 1 Tim. 1.15 And then compare the practice of the Saints of old to the practice of the Quakers and they do no more resemble each other than black does white Here you will see that Moses that meek and good man David a man after Gods own heart Isaiah Jeremiah John Job Nay so far are they from this practice that one of their Preachers In the Book A Musick Lect. c. says p. 22 I do affirm that if John the Apostle had said he had been a sinner he had Lyed c. Oh Impudence Daniel the beloved of the Lord Paul the great Apostle they all acknowledge themselves sinners they begg'd pardon for Christs sake But you can never hear that G. Fox Sam. Fisher Ed. Burrows W. Pen G. Whitehead W. Smith Fra. Hawgil Wm. Bayly nor Richard Hubberthorn in all these 6317 pages that they make the least confession of sin and that they ever beg pardon for the same And this I take and have done for many years to be an Argument that they are of a different faith and practice to the Apostles the Prophets the Martyrs and all true Christians to this day And if any be desirous to be further satisfied read my book The Quakers detected c. p. 8 to 12. New Rome unmasked c. p. 16 to 20 where I have largely treated on this head I also recommend an ingenious piece called The Quakers Quibbles which to this day they have not been able to answer SECT VIII THe Invalidity of John Faldo's Vindication c. part 1. page 103. cap. 5. I find William Pen making a piteous moan against John Faldo And begging like a poor Fryer of his Reader to do a poor people right for once viz. Reader I beseech thee for truths sake on whose side soever thou shalt find it to be to examine with all impartiality his Charge our Answer his Reply and our Rejoynder if his Honesty Reason and Justice hold any proportion to his great Confidence we yield But if upon an impartial consideration he shall be found to clip and pervert our matter and to shuffle with us in his own once do a poor people Right William I have read both sides and do say that he hath contracted yours fairly and taken in the sense fully and what you add to it is but your gloss Edward Burroughs Doctrine is plain and positive which teach That is no command from God to me what he commands to another neither did any of the Saints which we read of in Scripture act by the Command which was to another not having the command to themselves I challenge to find an example for it they obeyed every one the command to themselves c. See his works p. 47. And Mr. Faldo repeats so much of your Answer as carries the strength of your Argument which is this viz. No Command in Scripture is any further obliging upon any man than as he finds a conviction upon his Conscience otherwise men should be engaged without if not a-against Conviction a thing unreasonable in men Thus far Pen. Observation The Observation I make is this that your Friend Burroughs Doctrine is perfect Ranterism and that by the Doctrine of William Pen too A brief examination of Lib. Spiritual c. per W. P. p. 3. For it is a dangerous principle and pernicious to the true Religion and which is worse 't is the root of Ranterism to assert that nothing is a duty incumbent upon thee but what thou art perswaded or convinced is thy duty Again p. 11. The enemy is at work to scatter the minds of friends by that Loose Plea what hast thou to do with me leave me to my freedom and to the Grace of God in my self this is a deviation from and a pervertion of the antient principle of truth if any one shall say I see no evil in paying Tythes I see no evil in marrying by a Priest I see no evil in keeping my Shop shut upon the worlds holy days and Christmas days and fast days which is confusion it self c. I say my Observation is this the Quakers will impose as an indispensable duty an absolute conformity to their orders to their laws to their canons and decrees and if any plead to stay till they be convinced of the reasonableness of their commands this is Ranterism yea downright Ranterism altho it be to pay Tythes which the Law commands to observe such days commanded by Authority and which as such the Scriptures enjoyn which say be subject to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake c. But to obey the Scripture commands as such that 's no obligation by Wm. Pens doctrine unless a man be convinced thereof or unless he have the command anew and as immediately as the inspired Apostles and Prophets had see my Book de Christiana Libertate c. p. 30 to 45. where the Quakers imposition about things of indifferency are at large handled But Mr. Faldo
Meeting held in London the v. vi vii and viii â—â—ys of the 4th month 1693. p. 2. Several other Epistles from forâ—ign parts as Barbadoes Maryland Pensilvania Virginia Scotland and Holland were read an Epistle from Amsterdam in Holland Ja. Dickinson and Tho. Wilson at this Meeting gave an account of their Travels in Barbadoes East and West Jersey Pensilvania Maryland Virginia New England North Carolina Rhoad Island Long Island Antego Nevis c. Four Epistles from Ireland one from the last year Meeting in Dublin another from Ulster Province another from Munster Province the fourth from Conought Province Meeting An account was given of Dantzick friends A Letter also from Jamaica that there are a People rais'd up and increased in Germany from among the Lutherans called Pietists by some called Quakâ—râ— persecuted by the Duke of Saxony and the Priests several of our Friends Books have been spread amongst them Again p. 3. Friends appointed to view the â—ccounts report that they find they are truly stated and right kept and friends are again advised to bring up with them the tâ—tal sum of each Counties Collection Query did Wm. Crouch not forget the 5 l. he disbursed Again p. 4. the six friends of the City appointed and intrusted this Year with the accounts are William Crouch John Staploe William Macket William Chandler William Beech Nathaniel Marks Observation Reader A small Remark will serve 1st 'T is plain they hold a Correspondency with and receive Letters from Foreigners return Answers spread their Books into foreign parts pretending to spread truth as if the Scriptures were deficient 'T is also plain that they have a Fund or Bank and a yearly Tax collected to maintain their Teachers Travellers and Spies both at home and abroad see my Books Battering Rams against New Rome c. p. 14. New Rome unm p. 60. 'T is also plain that they have Common Bankers with whom the keeping of the Exchequer is intrusted their Names are W. Crouch J. Staploe W. Macket W. Chandler W. Beech Nath. Marks See W. R.'s Second Scourge for G. Whitehead c. on this Head SECT XIV French King YOu are not to meddle with State Affairs or matters of Justice Protest Nor will we debate about State Affairs or make any orders in relation to them The King and Parl. of England An Act of Parliament made the first year Gulielmi Mariae intituled An Act for exempting their Majesties Protestant Subjects dissenting from the Church of England from the Penalties of certain Laws c. Numb 308. Provided always that nothing herein contained shall be construed to exempt any of the persâ—ns aforesaid from paying of Tythes or other parochial duties or any other duty to the Church or Minister nor from any prosecution in any Ecclesiastical Court or elsewhere for the same Quakers Yearly Epist p. 1. And therefore that all due and godly care be taken against the Grand Oppression and antichristian Yoak of Tythes that our Testimony born and greatly suffered for be faithfully maintained against them in all respects and against Steeple-house Rates as also against the burden and imposition of Oaths that Friends at all their Monthly and Quarterly Meetings be reminded to call for the Records of Friends Sufferings to see that they be duly gathered truly entered and kept and accordingly sent up to London as hath been often advised both of what Tythes are pretended to be due and for how long a time and the time when taken and by and for whom and what goods are taken by distress for non-payment and the value thereof as well of those not exceeding as those exceeding the sums or quantities of Tythes demanded it being a suffering in both for Truths sake They the said Monthly and Quarterly Meetings being in these particulars found defective and imperfect in divers Counties which is an obstruction to the General Records of Friends Sufferings and therefore the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings are desired to take more care for the future that all Friends Sufferings for truths sake may be brought up to London as full and compleat in all Respects as possibly may be A complaint being made that some that profess truth carry Guns in their Ships 't is therefore recommended to the Monthly and Quarterly Meetings to deal with them c. Observations Reader the disparity between the Quakers and the Christians in their practice behaviour gratitude and duty is obvious 1st The French King commands his Subjects not to meddle with State Affairs the Protestants with all complacency answer him no they do not desire it neither will they so much as make orders about State matters as not being their present station being Dissenters from the Religion by Law established Thus you see the harmony of the French King and his Subjects and so much for that next you see in the first year of his present Majesty he with the advice and consent of his Parliament indulged the Quakers the free exercise of their perswasion from the penalty of poenal Statutes but in the same Act for their Indulgence there is a clause as above told which ratifies and confirms the payment of Tythes and all Church dues as firm as ever In the next place you see what the Quakers say of it They tell you That Tythes are a grand oppression and not only so but which is worse an Antichristian Yoak yea such a yoak as that whoever receives or pays Tythes does therein deny Christ to be come in the Flesh by their doctrine And thereupon by this Epistle which is to go through England and Wales and elsewhere they warn their Disciples to maintain their Testimony against the payment of Tythes in all respects the like against Church-wardens Rates and withal stoutly to oppose the Imposition of Oaths Nay this is not all yet but being sat in state to hear the grievances of the Nation there is a Complaint come up to the yearly Meeting that some who profess truth as if there were none who profess truth but the Quakers carry Guns in their Ships Well they hear this Complaint but refer that business to the Country Sessions I mean their Quarterly Meetings for they have business of great moment and thus instead of thankfully enjoying the Governments kindness they are privately undermining it by alienating the Kings Subjects from their active obedience to the known Laws of the Land for this Epistle alias Edict is to go through England and Wales and elsewhere this elsewhere is through the world for as Rome is the Papists Metropolis whose Decrees reach to the ends of the earth where Papists live so is this yearly Meeting in London the Quakers Metropolis and from thence goes forth their Law which is obliging and binding as far as there are any Quakers And if any desire to stay until they be convinced Oh no! says W. Pen away with this loose plea for it is a dangerous principle and pernicious to the true Religion And which is worse The Examin
in the unity of Essence Refuted The Sword of the Lord drawn c. p. 5. Your imagined God beyond the Stars and your carnal Christ is utterly denied and testified against by the light to say that Christ is God and Man in one person is a Lye A Question to Professors c. p. 20 27 33. To whom do the Names Jesus and Christ chiefly and in the first place belong do they belong to the body which was took by him or to him who took the body Is not the Suâ—stance the Life the Anointing called Christ whereâ—ver it is found doth not the Name Christ belong to the whole body and every member in the body as well as to the dead Now the Scriptures do expresly distinguish between Christ and the Garment which he wore between him that came and the body in which he came between the substance which was vailed and the vail that vailed it Lo I come a body hast thou prepared me there is plainly he and the body in which he came there is the outward vessâ—l and the inward life this we certainly know and can be â—er call the bodiâ—y â—arment Christ but that which appeared and dwelt in the body c. Thus do they deny Christ which the Apostles preached saying Acts 5.30 35. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom ye slew and hanged on a tree him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins Acts 2.36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God hath made the same Jesus whom ye crucified both Lord and Christ c. The Christians Faith WE believe and confess there is but one God only whose being only is simple spiritual eternal invisible immutable infinite and incomprehensible And that the Holy Scripture teacheth us that in that one simple divine being there be three persons subsisting the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost the Father to wit the first cause in order and the beginning of all things the Son his everlasting word the Holy Ghost his vertue power and efficacy the Son begotten of the Father from everlasting the Holy Ghost from everlasting proceeding from the Father and the Son these 3 persons are not confounded but distinct and yet not divided but of one and the same essence eternity power and equality and to conclude we allow of that which those four ancient Councils have determined and we detest all other Sects and Heresies condemned by those holy Doctors St. Athanasius St. Hillary St. Cyril and St. Ambrose Now if the Light only be Christ and as they say they can never call the Body Christ then are the Apostles found false Witnesses and the Quakers acquit Judas and the Jews for they never did hang the Light or Spirit upon a Tree they never Crucified the Light see Quakerism withering and Christianity reviving c. p. 15 to 30 for more of this Will. Bayley's Works p. 300 307. He being asked What Body Christ hath and where is it seeing its said to be at the Right hand of God he replies saying A Body hast thou prepared me mark the distinction thou me and a body This me that spake in the body was the Christ Again p. 307. For they his Disciples loved his person for the sake of the frame and quality of the Spir t that dwelt in him or else what was his person to them mâ—re than another person but for the sake of that which dwelt in him they loved him The Christ Qua. and his Dev. Test p. 98. The Se-pent is a Spirit now nothing can bruise the head of the Serpent but something that is Spiritual as the Serpent is but if that body of Christ were the seed then could he not bruise the Serpents head in all because the body of Christ is not so much as in any one And consequently the seed of the promise is an holy principle of Light and Life that being received into the heart bruiseth the Serpents head And because the Seed which cannot be that body is the Câ—â—ist as saith the Scripture the Séed is one and that Séed is Christ Touching the Scriptures Geo. Whitehead's Serious Apology p. 46. That which is spoken from the spirit of Truth in any is of as great Authority as the Scriptures and Chapters are and greater G. W. s Ishmael p. 10. That which is written is the Letter which is death and killeth Saul's Errand to Dam. c. p. 7. All that do study to raise a living thing out of a dead to raise the Spirit out of the Letter are Conjurers the Letter of the Scripture is death and killeth Several Petitions answered p. 30. If ever you own the Prophets Christ and the Apostles you will own our Writings which are given forth by the same power and spirit Truths Defence p. 2 102. You might have as well condemned the Scriptures to the fire as our Writings for our giving forth Papers and Printed Books it is from the immediate eternal Spirit of God The Quakers Refuge fixed c. p. 17. Whether the first Penman of the Scriptures was Moses or Hermes or whether both these are not one or whether there are not many words contained in the Scriptures which were not spoken by Inspiration of the Holy Spirit whether some words were not spoken by the Grand Impostor some by wicked men some by wise men ill applied some by good men ill expressed some by false Prophets and yet true some by true Prophets and yet false c. Davids Enemies discovered c. per G. Whitehead and Christopher Atkinson p. 7. And these the Apostles do not call the Letter the Rule and the four Books Matthew Mark Luke and John the New Testament and Gospel as thou and thy generation the Priests do and thy Ministry is in the Letter which killeth News coming up c. per G. Fox p. 14. Your Original is carnal Hebrew Greek and Latin and your word is carnal the letter and the light is carnal the letter and your Baptism is carnal and your Sacrament is carnal and their Communion is carnal A little Bread and Wine so dust is the Serpents meat their original is but dust which is but the letter which is death their Church is dust so the Serpent feed upon dust and their Gospel is dust Matthew Mark Luke and John which is but the letter Touching Ordinances P. 34. A voice and a word to all you Deceivers who deceive the people and Blasphemers who utter forth your Blasphemy and Hypocrisy that tell people of a Sacrament and tell them it is the Ordinance of God blush blush and tremble before the Lord God Almighty you who live in the Witchery and bewitch the people c. Burroughs Works about Water Baptism p. 518. We do utterly deny and do say it is no Ordinance of God but it is an Institution of the Whore of Rome and England received it by a popish Institution