Whitehead is not this Language of thy Brother R.S. more like thy Devil Incarnate and more like the Raging Waves of the Sea foaming out your own shame than any thing wrote by any of us whom thou so terms Yet for the sake of the simple I may hereafter take notice of a few more passages therein And among the rest that of thy trumpeting G. Whiteheads to be such a meek such a tender and pretious Man But in England we do know him especially of late a very evil Agent in the carrying on by his stiff imposing and Lordly Behaviour the Devisions on foot this day amongst us and there are few in England that will give him such a Character as thou hast done neither amongst us nor Professors under any Denomination with whom he hath had Contest after Contest so that it was high time for a Scotchman to come and do that for him which no man that understands what he doth or rather ought to do will do for him it is true he will talk of Condiscention and Accomodation and pretend fair a while but we have long observed his Drift hath been to assert their own Churches Authority And saith he She doth not give forth Precepts and Commands doubtfully but in Faith and full Assurance that the tender hearted will receive and accept or conform to them For he hath affirmed in Apostate Incendiary c. p. 16. That the true Church is in the true Faith that is in God and we must either believe thus as the true Church believes or else it were but both Folly and Hypocrisy to profess our selves Members thereof c. This compared with his Practice shews how near of Kin he is to that Position Believe as the Church believes practice as the Church Practices which is in order to bring in Implicit Faith and Blind Obedience Of which more hereafter Samuel Cater I have also read thy Letters which thou hast sent me being many of late several of them threatning me that if I would not call in my Book De Christianá Libertate and condemn it publickly that thou wouldst come out with a Narrative yea saist thou A plain Narrative of the whole Matter I do now intend to give forth But withal tells me in another Letter That if I will call in my Book and as publickly own my Condemnation as I have given Offence thou thou and others will stop your further Proceedings against me c. To which Letters I gave thee Answer which I think expedient to cite that both at the beginning of this Relation and at the end it may appear how loath I was to proceed What Samuel didst thou want Matter wherewithal to answer my Book that thou thus threatens me with a Narrative of a Controversy long since ended and since thou hast revived the same I have offered thee a hearing over again if thou dare refer it to honest men What will nothing do but Print Print a Narrative yea a plain Narrative To which Letter I sent this following Answer a little abstracted for brevity sake This day I received thine dated the 26th of December 1682. And if thou art not willing to stand to the Agreement made at our Quarterly-Meeting in Hadenham the first day of the 10th Month 1680 and then recorded in their Quarterly Book that all Controversy betwixt thee G. Smith and my self should cease I say if thou art not willing to stand to the said Agreement but finds thy self uneasie under it I will as I wrote thee word consent and agree that thou shalt have a hearing de novo by Persons indifferently elected by us both Viz. each of us four six ten or twelve Persons and to their Determinations we will again be bound to stand As for the calling in my Book I am willing on condition the Orders upon Record in our Quarterly Book which say that for time to come no Marriages are either to be suffered or permitted except the Parties publish their Intentions twice before the Mens and Womens-Meetings they being as thou knowest distinct and apart each from others and the Record against J. Ansloe for not taking his Wife according to the Order of Friends be raced out and made void that so those that have freedom to publish according to the said Orders may and those that are otherwise minded may be left to their Christian Freedom and also the Book Entituled The Accuser against W. R. be called in I say on condition that these things may be done I am willing to call in mine and use any Christian means for a thorow Reconciliation and healing of the Breaches But whereas thou threatens me with a great talk of a further Publication of a Narrative of which I have heard much it doth not trouble me neither do I believe it would have been thus long detained from publishing in Charity or good Will to me hadst thou not been conscious to thy self that the Publication thereof would have been a further means to have unmasked thee and such as thou art This is my sense and as speedy an Answer as I can well give who am thy well-wishing though much abused Friend The 6th of the 11th Month 1682. Francis Bugg But truly long ere this time I expected to have seen thy notable Non-such Narrative but as yet cannot G. W. gives an Account of the Expectation of it and in the Front of R. S's Book there is Advertisement of it by all which a notable noise is made of it in order to publish it and without doubt great expectation of it there is but yet no Printed Narrative that I can come at it being four Months since thou wrote me word that it was ready for the Press so that thou canst not reasonably expect that I can give a full Answer to it yet by the sight of G. W's Book called Judgment Fixed and thy Letters which I have received from thee since August last which are about ten Sheets of Paper and with the help of some Letters and Papers that I have lately obtained since thou and I burnt our Papers at Ely Prison pursuant to the Agreement and in concurrence therewith from some Friends to whom I formerly wrote about the said Controversy I say by the help of these Instruments I shall God willing attend thy Motion and at a venture shoot an Arrow at the dark Body of thy obscure Narrative and doubt not but shall hit between the Joints and Harness of the drooping Cause of you the Disguised Ahabs who are joyned to that corrupt Principle of not telling your Names and Habitations unless a Magistrate come and demand it or a Constable with his Staff which perhaps may not be once in the Countrey in seven years whereby that your self-saving and other oppressing Principles and Practices may throughly be discovered by and through which you have long like the Pharisees or Fair-sayers of old layed heavy Burthens on others but will not ease with one Finger no that 's below you or beside your
without curtailing and for proof let the Reader compare page by page and sometimes they 'l say I lye I lye tho it be as really true as a man can write What Opponent have they yet ever had and not served them so But let them know that for my Book Entituled De Chr. Lib. which shews your Innovations and Errours in your Church-Discipline and this Entituled The Painted Harlot c. discovering their Ministers and their Errours in Church-Goverment and I shall offer to prove the truth of them and if ever they give me cause to examine the Q. V. M. and the Authors therein quoted I may set forth their base Temporising and abominable Traducings of People more righteous than themselves and as I cautioned them in De Chr. Lib. p. 213. about the sixth Branch c. so I do again but shall wait until their own wickedness corrects them not desiring any thing more than their Repentance and Amendment yet the Man of Sin and Jezabel that deceive the Nations must be discovered with her fine guilded Cup of Purity Sanctity Self-denyal and Humility as if they could not hurt a Worm when the poyson of Asps is under their tongue and the Venom of Malice vents it self through them without measure c. Here follows the Letter of S. C. that he sent me Francis Bugg THis is to let thee know that if thou wilt not make thy Cozen G. S. and my self Satisfaction and also call in thy wicked Book which thou hast caused to be Printed in which thou hast belyed abused and misrepresented Friends to the World THEN we shall make thy ungodly Actions and fraudulent Proceedings more manifest than ever we thought to have done whereof we have a Narrative ready for the Press But if thou wilt call in thy Book and as publickly own thy Condemnation as thou hast given the offence and thereby clear Friends of the Reproaches then we shall stop any further Proceedings To this I desire thy speedy Answer from him that hath been much wronged and long abused by thee The 26th of the 10th Mo. 1682. S. Cater By which the Reader may observe that altho he joyns my giving him satisfaction for the wrong done him and G. S. meaning the Fine with the calling in my Book yet the Condition of that Obligation is such by the latter part thereof that if I will but call in my Book and CONDEMN it PUBLICKLY which is the main String that both G. W. and this S. C. harp upon that then they would proceed no further with the Narrative See the Copy of my Answer I wrote the same day and sent it away to him S. Cater THis day I received thine dated the 26th of the 10th Mo. 82 and I am not sensible I have wronged thee nor my Cozen G. S. neither hast thou therein said wherein I have So that in Answer I do say if either of you can make it appear where I have wronged either of you I will readily make you satisfaction but if thou means the Money that my Cozen as thy Wives Messenger paid me in satisfaction for the Fine I suffered for thee Anno 75 and art not willing to stand to Agreement made at our Quarterly-Meeting the 1st of the 10th Month 80 as there recorded in their quarterly-Quarterly-Book that all Controversy betwixt thee my Cozen and me should cease c. I say if thou art not willing to stand to the said Agreement but find thy self uneasie under it I will as in August last I wrote thee word very willingly consent and agree that thou shalt have a Hearing de novo by Persons indifferently elected and become bound to stand to their Award c. And as for the calling in my Book this I am willing to let thee know that on CONDITION the Orders upon Record in our Quarterly Book which says That for time to come no Marriages are either to be Permitted or Suffered unless the Parties publish the Intent thereof twice before the Mens-Meeting and twice before the Womens-Meeting distinct c. And the Record against J. A. for not taking his Wife according to the Order of Friends c. be RACED OUT AND MADE VOID That so those that have freedom to publish according to the said Orders may and those that are otherwise minded may be left to their Christian Liberty And also the Book called The Accuser and others against W. R. c. be called in I say on condition these things may be done I am willing to call in mine and shall be willing to use any Christian means for a thorow Reconciliation But whereas thou seemest to threaten me with a Narrative yea a plain Narrative as in the Letter dated the 3d. of the 8th Mo. * * There he tells me that he hath given a full and true Narrative from the beginning 82. of which I have long since heard of it doth not trouble me neither do I believe it would have been thus long â–µ â–µ The beginning was the 6th of November 75. detained from publishing in Charity or good Will to me hadst thou not been conscious to thy self that the Publication thereof would have been a further means to have unmasked thee and such as thou art This is my sence and as speedy an Answer as I can well give who am thy well-wishing though much abused Friend The 6th of 11th Mo. 82. F. Bugg By which Letter the Reader may see that I promised that if they make it appear that I had wronged them I would make them satisfaction and that I renewed my offer to referr things to honest men such as we should choose but nothing accepted which is another reason that my Book was the cause of their rehearsing old Matters long since ended Nay G. W. was so revengeful that he would have made my mentioning the Kings Clemency that I compared to their Severity De Châ— Lib. p. 179. and set it as an Example to them little better than petty Treason because perhaps I was not so well skilled in wording the manner and methods of the Kings expressing himself when he remits Offences c. But let G. W. know that if I deserved his Displeasure for that what will become of such who mark the Actions of Magistrates and record them to Posterity to their Ignomy and Shame and the Casualties and Accidents that befall them as Gods Judgments in defence of the Catholick Faith and so must in After-times be accounted Miracles yea a heap of Miracles will come out whereof they have given us an Intimation Judas and the Jews c. p. 41. VIZ. Our Faithful Chronicles of the bloody Tragidies of that Professing Generation will tell Future Ages other things And why Future Ages What are you ashamed to bring it to light in the same Age least it should be detected A notable crafty way indeed what keep it close until none are alive that remember those Passages and then it will look like a fine glistring Chronicle among all such
THE Painted-Harlot Both Stript and Whipt Or the Second Part of NAKED TRUTH Containing A further Discovery of the Mischief of Imposition among the People called Quakers by reason of a certain Law or Edict made by G. Whitehead S. Crisp and others of the Leaders and Preachers of G. F's Party at a Yearly-Meeting or General Council held at London the 27th of the 3d. Mo. 1675 strictly requiring us neither to FORSAKE DECLINE nor REMOVE our Meetings like WORLDLY FEARFUL and POLITICK Professors Whereby their Usurpations are manifest and how they begun to exercise Dominion over the Consciences of their Brethren like the Gentiles of Old contrary to the Example of Christ Jesus his Holy Apostles and the whole Current of Scripture Testimony and like the fair-pretending fair-saying Pharisces are laying heavy Burthens and cruel Yoaks of Bondage on the Disciples Necks but will not ease with one Finger as this Treatise will fully manifest BEING ALSO A Brief Answer to a part of G. Whiteheads Book called Judgment Fixed c. and S. Caters Narrative Of which R. Sandiland's Book gave Advertisement that it was long since in the Press Entituled The Lib. of an Apost Cons c. Wherein the Liberty and Freedom that the said S. C. for bimself and his Brethren the Preachers of G. F's Party stand for and vindicate is manifested to be both Vnchristian Immoral and Injurious and as great an Oppression to many of their Hearers as that of Tythes so much by them disclaimed By a Lover of Justice F. BVGG Mildenhall the 16th of the 5th Month 1683. Therefore have I also made you to be despised and vile before all the People because ye have not kept my Ways but have been partial in the Law Mal. 2.9 Hear this I pray you ye Heads of the House of Jacob and Princes of the House of Israel that abhor Justice and pervert all Equity Micah 3.9 LONDON Printed by J. Gain for the Author Anno 1683. and are to be sold by F. Smith at the Elephant and Castle in Cornhill where also may be had the Authors former Book Entituled De Christiana Libertate c. which was Printed Anno 1682. THE Preface to the Reader Friendly Reader I WOVLD not be understood to write against the People called Quakers in general for I know that many of our Ministring Friends as they have not concerned themselves at these Monthly Quarterly Yearly nor Second-day-Meetings in making Laws Orders Directories and Prescriptions to bind the Consciences of their Brethren to the Observation of this that or the other Ceremony or Practice in Religion nor to impose doubtful Things upon them contrary to their Faith and Perswasion as knowing what is not of Faith is Sin SO ALSO in Suffering Times I have observed them to be as ready to Suffer and bear their own Burthen as to exhort others to Constancy and Patience and thereby have been good Examples to the Flock c. Neither would I be understood to charge G. F's Party with the grosser sort of Popery held by some Papists that I may quote as very unfairly and unjustly G. W. would insinuate W. R. to have done See Judgment Fixed c. pag. 53 54 55. Viz. Blood-Suckers c. No W. R's words will bear no such sence as to compare them to these or the like Practices neither would I be understood to intend any such Comparisons nor yet that they hold any Personal Correspondency with the Church and See of Rome or any of their Priests Jesuits c. Or that they have any design to advance the Interest of a Pope at Rome But if that which hath been reproved as Popish-like Doctrines by such called Quakers with whom my Adversaries were at Unity be practised by them then I may safely charge and reprove G. F. and his Party as guilty of Popish-like Practices Now see what such have told the Church of England and others to be both Romish and Antichristian First To accept any Principle or Practice as fundamentally true or Orthodox that is not laid down and avoucht to be such by the plain Text of Scripture See W. P's Caveat against Popery p. 37. more at large Secondly Jo. Cole says The Church of Rome doth not admit that every one should walk act as they are perswaded in their Consciences which is a Popish Practice See the Whore Vnvailed pag. 71 72. Thirdly R. Hubbertborn says That to impose any thing upon another Mans Conscience either to do or Practice is not to do unto another as he would have another do unto him and therefore is contrary to Christ's Doctrine and Antichristian See his Works pag. 188. And many such Places I could quote out of our Antient Friends Writings Now if I do not make it appear that such Orders have been made amongst us as cannot be avouched by the plain Text of Scripture and that G. F's Party like the Church of Rome will not admit that People should walk and act as they are perswaded in their Consciences and not only so but impose upon their Consciences both to do and Practice then indeed I am blame-worthy c. First then in order to prove See the Cannon and Directory made at a Quarterly-Meeting at Hadenham in the Isle of Ely and County of Cambridge the 1st of the 10th Month 1675 about publishing the Intention of Marriage as it stands Recorded in their Book Verbatim Viz. It is ordered and agreed upon at this Quarterly-Meeting that no Friends for time to come may permit or suffer Marriages without the consent of Friends at two Men's and Women's Meetings they being distinct and apart and the Man and Woman to come both to the said Meetings to receive the Answer of Friends that so no disorderly or indirect Proceedings may be carried on any more contrary to the Unity of Friends Where is now the plain Text of Scripture to avouch this or a President for it and the distinct Womens-Meetings unless in the Pope's Nunnery Where R. R. in his Few Ingredients says there is something like it Do they not by this Order say plainly That none shall walk or act as they are perswaded in their Consciences who are not perswaded thus to publish the Intentions of their Marriage and their Practice hath also declared the same Do they not by this Law or Cannon declare plainly that they impose both to do and Practice which is at once both Romish-like Papist-like and Antichristian And what we would not have the Church of England Men do unto us And for a Proof of their Executive Power and Practice as well as their Legislative see the Condemnation of J. A. who could not conform to their Orders who at Hadenham in the Isle of Ely and County of Cambridge was tryed and by Vote adjudged worthy of this Sentence following Viz. Hadenham the 4th of the 7th Month 1678. We at this Quarterly-Meeting having the business of J. A. his taking his Wife contrary to the Orders of Friends brought before us and Friends
having several times spoke to him about it and he not giving Friends Satisfaction we do testifie that we have no Union with him in this his so doing See my Book De Chr. Lib. pag. 60 61 62 more at large Here is Proof of your Popish like Practice and Presidents both of your Legislative and Executive Power in your Church-Government about this particular namely publishing Marriages But by R. S's base way of Writing his Reader that believes him may think that J. A. did then marry when the Woman was not with him which was false for he about two months after his Publication took her to Wife in a large Meeting according to the Antient Practice of Friends of which hereafter I may speak more at large as well as to other particulars in the Books of R. S. and G. W. shewing their fallacious Dealing c. And were I minded to draw a History of some of the Principles and Practices of some of the Papists and compare them to some of the Practices of G. F. and his Party I think I could do it to a Hairs breadth but that would exceed the bounds of a Preface so that I rather referre the Reader to the History of Malmsberry Huntingdon and Hovedon which was Printed at Frankford by Wichelus Anno 1601. The last Edition of Goodwin's Catalogue of Bishops Fox his Acts and Monuments The Compleat History of Independency Prin's Antip c. Where he may find mention made of T. Becket Successor to Theobald Archbishop of Canterbury who was a great Innovator an Enemy to Christian-Liberty c. Also Hubert the 42d Bishop of Canterbury who in Arrogance and Pride was Eminent also S. Langâ—hon another Prelate whose Treachery wass sufficiently manifest as also Pandolf the Popes Legate who whispered K. John to resign his Crown and Kingdom to the Pope and of him to receive it again Likewise S. Edm. another Bishop who was Canonised by Pope Innocent the IV. And what shall I say of Boniface Stratford Courtney T. Arundel Cuthbert Tonstal S. Gardener Bonner Cardinal Woolsy together with the pranks of Hugh Peters and his Brethren who made their Pulpits ring with Curse ye Meros Curse ye bitterly c. I say what shall I say concerning these whom G. F's Party too much resemble only take a short review of some of their Practices and leave my Reader to observe what Coherence and Harmony they bear with the Practices of G. F's Party c. Did not the last rehearsed by their Preaching stir up Strife and Contention and sow the Seeds of Division Strife and Discord c So have the Ministers of G. F's Party who since the Orders for Womens-Meetings and other Innovations have been introduced have made it their business both by Printing and Preaching to magnifie the said Orders stiling them the good Ordinances of Jesus Christ Christ's Goverment the Established Order of the Gospel Blessed Things from the Oracle of Divine Breath And such as could not fall in accept and conform to these new fashioned Ceremonies but have conscientiously testifyed against them they have termed to be Informers Judases Raging Waves of the Sea enemies to Zion's Glory Wolves Dogs Devils yea Devils Incarnate with abundance of other Vnchristian Names c. By which they have shewed themselves to be the Evil Seedsmen of our Time whose Practices have been as pernitious to the peace of the Church as the recited Doctrine of such as lived in former Times c. Did any of the recited Papists interrogate their people whether they owned â—his or favoured that Opinion c. And did they love singularity and affect great Attendance c So do G. F. and his party who frequently ask us if we own W. R's Book I was once called out of a Quarterly-Meeting at Hadenham by S. Fulbig and asked whether I owned W. R's Book and so G. W. and others of G. F's â—arty have asked several Friends Likewise this we have for many years observâ—d unless it be very lately amended that when G. F. is minded to speak first â—n a Meeting he will soon begin and when he hath ended his Speech thouâ—h the Meeting be not half spent yet he goes out likewise if he intend to speak last he very seldom comes into a Meeting until it be half spent as if he was above the state of waiting or receiving Benefit by others Preaching which manifests his Singularity and as to G. F's Attendance it far exceeds his fellow Preachers in divers respects c. Did any of the recited Papists make Laws Cannons and Directories for the People to observe and had they Councils Synods and Convocations to determine them So have G. F's party See my Book De Ch. Lib. p. 61 62. and this Treatise p. 13 15 17 55. c. See also for a president the Hadenham-Order above recited and J. A's Condemnation for Nonconformity And to compleat and confirm these their Rules and Cannons c. they have Yearly and Second-day Meetings in London and Monthly and Quarterly-Meetings in the Countrey Did any of the recited Papists receive and accept of Gifts given to Holy Church or to themselves when not given by Name And did they by vertue of their sacred Function Degree or Order receive such Bequests so bequeathed So do G. F's Party witness the last Will and Testament of John Mason of Whitlesea-Cotes who bequeathed 20 l. to be distributed to Friends of the Ministry of which S. Cater by vertue of his Ministry got a good share not given to him by Name as S. C. For then what had any Man to do with it since a man may give his Estate to whom he pleases no but it was Samuel's Ministry which entituled him thereunto And notwithstanding this and his other Gifts Prison-Treats and other Priviledges which have abounded to him even beyond his Equals yet he will make a sad noise against the poor Priests for taking Money Gifts and Rewards for or by reason of their Priestly-Office and Function as if they were all gone after Baalam and himself poor innocent Man an utter Enemy to all Gifts and Rewards c. Did any of the recited Papists persecute or excommunicate any for dispersing the Books of Luther Zuinglius Bucer Hus Tindal Frith Barns and others See Fox's Acts and Monuments pag. 248. And Spir. Mart. Reviv'd pag. 213 as at large in my De Chr. Lib. pag. 204. c. So do G. F's party who excommunicated J. B. for selling and dispersing W. R's Book as at large recited in De Chr. Lib. pag. 197. A short Abstract whereof is as followeth Viz. From the Monthly-Meeting at Devonshire-house the 4th of the 11th Month 1681. Viz. Whereas there have been some unruly Spirits gone out from Truth Writing Printing and Publishing Things hurtful and prejudicial to Truth by corrupting of Peoples Minds * * At the same time B. C their Bookseller sold Ballads Gypsy-Books and Papist Books yet not Excommunicated that I hear of c. tending also to draw
Cost and Charges and to do business for the Service of Truth and its Professors freely without Money or Hire pursuant to our Pretentions give to all Collections freely relieve such as stand in need liberally serving the Lord with their Substance as well as in Words being unwilling to offer a Sacrifice at another mans Cost c. OR such as will not bear their own Burthens in Sufferind times except forced to it go as they pretend on Truths Errand but on others Charge sometimes with their Wives and Attendants under pretence of good Devotion until they grow so oppressive that the Widdows Substance is devoured S. C. knows that the Widdow Moor at the Seven-Stars nigh Bishopsgate London hath understood what I mean that some have been constrained to break up House and such as pretend to preach freely yea freely by all means and yet can take 10 l. at a time 3 l. at a time These three Summs I offer to prove Samuel guilty of if they reckon it guilt which they should do because they pretend to the contrary and 2 l. at at a time And such as can receive Broad Pieces of Gold Pieces of Hair-Camblet Silver Watches Beavers Casters Cloaks fine Linnen Cloths Holland Shirts Silk Caps and pritty Crevats with many other fine Trinkets Now the great Question is though I think 't is out of Question which of these two sorts of People most manifest their love to Money Mildenhall the 9th of the 10th Mo. 79. F. Bugg This Letter I sent him with much more that was in the former part which for brevity sake I pass by and a little added in the latter part which I have put into Parenthesis for distinction c. To which I never had Answer which since it is there great business to render me a man so bad often terming me Informer Iudas a Lover of Money False Treacherous Fraudulent and the like I am the willinger to recite the same in hopes that when it meets with a man endued with Charity Reason and Moderation he may say What is this the man you stigmatise and traduce in Print to the ruine of his Reputation among all that believe as the Church the Second-days Meeting believes Come bring forth your Evidences against him and prove your Matter of Charge for I will not give credit to your Imagination The Memory of John Story Revived called Sence and if you have any real ground for these your scandalous Detractions and Pernitious Defamations why did not you bring your Action against him at common Law If you say as that they must if they will say true you have no Evidence why then did you not exhibit a Bill in Chancery against him and there crave Relief c. for to publish your Imaginations and devised Stratagems against a Man at this rate in a Case that never was yet tryed before the legal Judges it is a shame to your Profession and it makes you odious to all that hear it for should every man take your Practice for his Example the Printers would have the best Trade Nay every Village had need have a Press going so that it looks like a piece of meer Revenge because by his Book published De Christiana Libertate he hath manifested the Naked Truth of your Errours and Innovations Thus by reason I cannot come at a sight of the Narrative which they told me was ready for the Press four or five Months since I am constrained to carry on the Matter the more large by Letters and Circumstances formerly transacted that so the difference and the nature of it may be the more explained to the unbyassed Reader but as to the true Sons of the Second-days Meeting I expect not their Examination for by an Epistle or Caution put forth by C. Taylor and approved by them their People are cautioned to the contrary Viz. Not to read such Books as are wrote by W. R. my self and others c. Which is not a Protestant Tenate I am sure nor a doing as they would be dealt by and they who obey such Doctrine must at the same time deny the use of their own Sence Sight Reason and Understanding and so come into the Papists exact Path of Implicite Faith which is tho a Man see his Horse is white yet if the Church say it is black he must deny the truth for the Church cannot err she is gifted with an Infallible Spirit and say as they say in their Book Entituled Judas and the Jews p. 58. WE NEED NONE TO GIVE US DISCERNING OR JUDGMENT CHRIST HATH FURNISHT US ALREADY AND DOTH ON ALL OCCASIONS So that what need have we of Proof or of such Evidence to prove Matter of Fact Let the poor Protestants use those beggerly Rudiments at their Judgment Seat at their Assizes and Sessions who are so cautious so mean spirited and unbelieving that they cannot say Christ hath furnisht them with Discerning and Judgment UPON ALL OCCASIONS no how should they for they are the World but We are THE yea THE CHURCH and there is none besides us except our holy Sister and therefore since we cannot send this Heretick to the Lollards Tower we will write a Book against him and tho the naughty Protestants will not let us burn him yet we will murther his Reputation for what we write and approve on our People they 'l believe and if he or any for him write any thing in his Vindication we will command or caution our Sons not to to look into their Venemous Dangerous and pernitious Books and that they may be throughly deterred from any such Examination for Examination We nor our Elder Sister could never abide we will tell our Sons that F. B. W. R. and T. C. c. are Iudases Informers Beasts Dogs Wolves Enemies of all Righteousness Children of the Devil yea Devils Incarnate and they ought to believe as We G. W. c. and the Church believes WE NEED NONE TO GIVE US DISCERNING OR JUDGMENT CHRIST HATH FURNISHED US ALREADY AND DOTH ON ALL OCCASIONS And G.W. Assirms That the True Church i. e. Themselves is in the true Faith that is in God and we must either believe thus as the True Church i. e. they believes or else it were but both Folly and Hypocrisy to profess our selves Members thereof Thus says G. W. I hope the Reader need not be told who he accounts the True Church and upon these two Positions 1. Christ having already and doth at all times furnish Vs both with Discerning and Judgment We upon that foot may judge and call them Wolves Dogs yea Devils Incarnate or what we please and who shall controul us We are sure we have both Discerning and Judgment given us at all times and upon all Occasions Christ may now sit still Judgment being given to us we are resolved to make use of it Christ called Judas a Devil and why should not we call F. B. W. R. and T. C Devils and others who shall interrupt us
our Complaint for all our late Divisions Distractions and the Consequences of them And I deny that I came by the 15 l. fraudulently but it was paid me by thy Wives Messenger G. S. of which I have fully treated Thus having answered S. C's Reason-less Reasons I come now to take a little notice of G. W's dis-ingenious and base way of traducing me in Print whose method is so abominable as that the very Heathen would be ashamed of the like Practice and if I seem sharper than some think it meet let them blame G.W. and his Approvers and Abettors for I find my self concerned in point of my Reputation both as a Man and Christian to put off the Bears-Skin which they would wrap me in if I were so tame as to wear it but I ever hated to be Priest-ridden when amongst them and shall I now submit to a few Usurpers in their Extra Judicial Proceedings For if ever man had cause to take up a Complaint against a sort of Tyrannical Usurpers and Arbitrary Rulers under the Notion of Church-Governours I am surely the man as well as some others I remember a Saying by King Charles the First There is no Proceedings just against any man but what is warranted either by Gods Laws or the municipal Laws of the Countrey where he lives And now I will appeal to any Judicious man whether it be according to the Law of God to condemn a man without a hearing Nay which is worse by G. W. who is a Stranger to what past betwixt G. S. and my self and is so confident that he upon G. S's bare word without any other evidence of the matter prints and exposes me to be a fraudulent over-reaching man which I take to be scandalous and do intend further to examine the same and this is both against the Law of God and the municipal Laws of my Countrey where I dwell and such dealing as these my bitter and malitious Adversaries use against me the Heathens would be ashamed of the Saints abhor them the Practice of all the Reformed Churches condemns them for The common Law of England relieves all that suffer Damages by Trespasses committed or done where there is good evidence and where evidence is lacking as oft times it is in divers Cases Provision is made in the Court of Chancery that the Oppressed may be relieved and the Oppressors repelled but these are Punishments too too slender for this envious man G. W. or else they feared that I had so much right of my side as that I could have pleaded to their Declaration or replyed to their Bill but that which renders their Proceedings yet more abominable the matter betwixt S. C. G. S. and my self was ended and finally determined at our Quarterly-Meeting the 1st of December 1680 that no more Controversy should be c. But as soon as I had put forth my Book De Chr. Lib. they presently set it abroach and by their Practice seem to manifest it is their Judgment No Faith was to be kept with Hereticks Well as soon as I perceived that I forthwith sent S. C. a Letter that if he was not satisfied with the said Agreement that I would grant him a Hearing again by Persons chose to arbitrate the Matter betwixt us that so he might make his wrong if he apprehended the Quarterly Meeting wronged him known and be capacitated to relieve himself which is the best and most proper Expedient we have amongst us to decide matters All this took no place for my Book had so disturbed them that they sought all occasion against me they could c. Object But by this time some may be ready to object and say If they have revived that business about the Fine which was ended and would not accept of an Arbitration the second time when proffered to them nor yet proceed legally in any of the Kings Courts but expose the Name and Reputation of their Adversaries in Print then it looks like a meer piece of Malice and Revenge as if they wanted other Matter wherewithal to answer thy Book This is a Practice so hateful to all Judicious Persons that it will turn greatly to their Dis-repute Contempt Shame and Confusion of face and loar their Topsail greatly since amongst us Protestants 't is never known that a Case is Printed and exposed to publick view upon every mans own bare words and thoughts until Judiciously heard and a Verdict pass upon it and then some eminent Cases are printed for the help and information of young Students c. Ans I find the strength of this Objection is placed or bottomed upon the occasion that moved S. C. and G. W. to publish their Relation or Narrative about the Fine and I do say that it was my Book for until I had printed my Book De Chr. Lib. I heard no noise of a Narrative I was not called upon the Stage at London but as soon as I perceived their Intent to revive the said Controversy I sent to S. C. the offer of a new Election But that took no place though I sent it to G. W. also But soon after I had a large Letter came from G. W. chiefly as Printed wherein he said as in his Judgment Fixed p. 252. And I desire to know if after the reading and perusing of this my large Letter thou art at all minded to relent and retract thy BOOK or any part of it and accordingly to give forth a plain CONDEMNATION or RECANTATION as publick To this I expect Answer shortly from thee otherwise trouble me not with any dis-ingenious or scurrilous Letters And after he had waited for my Recantation a while and saw it not then he soon went to printing as scurrilous and as defaming as he could Judgment Fixed But by his before recited words it is plain that if I would have condemned my Book and made a publick Recantation I might have had Room enough and been received into Mother Church and absolved from the sin of the 15 l. And no further Process had been issued out from our Exchequer in Temporals and Church Triumphant in Spirituals namely the Second-days Meeting in London c. All which may serve for great part of an Answer to the Objection But by reason I may carry things very plain I will recite a Letter wherein the like Pardon was proffered and my Answer to the same by which it will yet more plainly appear to be a piece of Revenge by reason I did so Annatomise their Image of Church Government in my former Book But let me be never so plain and demonstrative I doubt not but they will evade these things what in them lye and say either they did not mean so or that I took but part of their Letters and left out either the foregoing or subsequent and explanatory words altho sometimes I print their whole Letters which I do not find them so fair by me c. Or else I take an intire Paragraph or Sentence which they seldom do
them into disesteem of many of the Lords Servants * * Note this is a Preservative for their Ministers decaying Reputation c. Upon Consideration of these things we find our selves CONSCIENTIOVSLY concerned to take notice of something of this kind befaln J. B. who was Formerly a Member of this Meeting who having dispersed into several parts of this Nation divers of those pernitious Books in Print wrote by W. R. called The Christian-Quaker distinguished from the Apostate and Innovator c. So that now we being wholly clear having used our utmost Endeavours to reclaim him do not only testifie against that Spirit which hath as aforesaid led him into that disorderly Practice but also against him while joyned thereunto Δ Δ Reader observe that J. B. and his Spirit too are both at once excluded sad News for J. B. Nor can we have Spiritual Communion or Fellowship with him until unfeignedly he shall return unto the Truth by Condemnation of that Work Spirit Did any of the recited Papists break Faith and League and make void their solemn Agreements and firm Covenants with such as they account Heroticks So have G. F's Party witness the Agreement made at Hadenham Quarterly Meeting that no more Controversy betwixt S. C. G. S. and me should be and yet as soon as I put forth my Book De Chr. Lib. G. W. and S. C. by print revived the same which occasions this Reply c. See p. 51 52 64. of this Treatise Did any of the recited Papists so over-rule the People as that none dare to call in question the Pope's Holiness or reprove his Ministers or examine their Preachers but like poor tame Asses must believe all that is said and take all on trust c So do G. F's Party for whosoever speaks against any of his Ministers or examine their Doctrine or reprove them for their evil Behaviour or Imperious Carriage let them look to it they are in danger of Excommunication to the utmost of their Power And for a Proof and Presedent of this their Church-Procedure I may recite their Record made against me as it lyes in their Hadenham Quarterly Book for writing to G. W. wherein I impeached him as an Enemy of Christian-Liberty in certain Letters wrote to him and offered to prove it and told him and his Fellow Preachers of the Second-days Meeting of their Vsurpations as at large recited in De Chr. Lib. p. 150 172 180. Viz. At a Quarterly-Meeting in Hadenham the 7th of the 4th Mo. 82. Whereas this day there were inferred Notable Schollars inferred into our Meeting several Papers subscribed by F. B. wherein he hath unrighteously and ungodly reflected upon Antient Friends and greatly abused Faithful Ministers of the Gospel □ They may speak what they please of any Ministers but none must speak to them and also amongst the said Papers was one subscribed by 12 Persons directed to the Second-days Meeting in London wherein Friends are misrepresented and greatly abused which said Paper we believe ▵ And that is enough they being always furnisht with discerning and Judgment or else they would have sent for me to have confessed it or proved it If J. Lilburn's Judges had been thus confident and his Jury thus Implicit he must have been hanged when he was tryed at Guild-Hall in October 1649 for writing the Naked-Truth in O. G's Time c. the said F. B. promoted Now we being greatly grieved in our Spirits and truly sensible of his herein going from Truth do testifie we have no Unity with him nor can have while he is thus acted Did any of the recited Papists give and attribute to any of the Popes such Names as was due only to God and Christ So have G. F's Party given and attributed to G. F. these Names and Titles following Viz. One greater than Moses a Prophet indeed It was said of Christ He was in the World and the World was made by him 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 one day as heavy as a Milstone upon thee and although the World knows him not yet he is known Again they stile G. F. The Father of many Nations whose Life hath reached through us thy Children even to the Isles afar off whose Being and Habitation is in the Power of the Highest in which thou lives and governs in Righteousness and thy Kingdom is established in Peace ◠and the Increase thereof is without End c. And for more of this nature let the Reader peruse the 5th Part of Babels c. by T. C. p. 7. and the 5th part of the Christian-Quaker distinguished c. per W. R. pag. 77. which for brevity I pass by leaving my Reader to weigh and consider these things and the manner of their Church-Government by recording their Sentences and comparing them with other their directions from their Second-days Meeting in London and Yearly-Meetings as hinted in my last Letter to the Second-days Meeting printed at the latter end of this Treatise and other places both in this Treatise and in my former Book De Chr. Lib. And if ever he was sensible of the swee◠Harmony that was amongst us in the Beginning of our Christian-Liberty that w◠then both pleaded for and admitted to each other and how God alone was in tha◠day exalted and Man abased the Holy Scripture esteemed and Man's Orders Directories and Cannons disclaimed and I think he hath cause to take up a Lamentation to behold the Change the Apostacy and vast Declension from our Primitive Principles and Practices that hath befall'n the Leaders and Teacher among us c. Object But some may object and say That also what is here inserted i◠chiefly what is upon Record amongst them yet to lessen thy Testimony they bespatter thee and represent thee as a fraudulent Man as an aggravation of thy Guilt they say that the 5 l. which the Justice gave thee towards thy Charges in prosecuting the said three Appeals mentioned p. 10. one for J. Folks and two for thy self c. was an abatement of S. C 's Fine of 15 l. and so you suffered but 10l for him c. This is frequently spread abroad Answ All this I cannot help the Servant is not greater than his Lord if their Predecessors the Pharisees called Christ Belzebub and said he had a Devil and that by the Prince of Devils he did those Miracles c. what shall these not say to such as endeavour to follow his steps so far forth as he shall inable them in reproving and discovering the Formality and Hypocrisy of such manifest Innovators as we have to do withal Did not the Apostles meet with something of this nature and the Martyrs also Nay did not we in our day meet with the like Treatment from the Priests and high Notionists I could give many Instances thereof only I should exceed the bounds
of a Preface c. But as to the 5 l. I do say their Insinuation is false and to make it appear so I offered J. B. S. C's busie Agent to go along with him to E. S. their Author but he refused to go but wrote me word to send him my Defence in 3 days time c. yet did not let me see the Priests Certificate nor gave me a Copy thereof So then I wrote a large Letter to the said J. B. shewing evidently that I took the said 5 l. of the Justice towards my Charges for 3 Appeals for 3 Fines mentioned P. 7 9 10. And perceiving they thirsted as much after my Reputation as bloody Bonner did after the Lives of them he accounted Hereticks I offered J. B. in the said Letter to bring that or any other Accusation that he or any else had to lay to my Charge to the then next Quarterly-Meeting where I intended God willing to be and to make my Defence But nothing was then said to me until I there testifyed against their Proceedings with J. L. and then two or three of the self-chosen Arbitrators p. 21. chid me for not standing to their Award which had they been legally chozen I should have refused and justifyed it too in that they would not give me a Copy thereof as at large treated on p. 25 26. Also I made several Exceptions against the Priest and Informer their Evidence as we sometimes do when before a Magistrate telling him an Informer being Party swears for himself and so no legal Evidence c. My Exceptions were these 1st E. S. is both Priest Informer and Party so no legal Evidence 2dly He that gives Evidence on Payment of Money ought either to tell the Money rendered or hear the Party declare his Satisfaction in the summe received neither of which E. S. ever did 3dly In that he was not upon his Oath and considering that I had sued him and got an Execution against him for Money which was due to me upon Bond which he refused the Payment of because I was Excommunicated c. I say these and other Circumstances that I in my said Letter signified to J. B. doth shew him the said E. S. not like to be a true Witness against me c. considering he was the Informer too See pag. 7. Also in my said Letter to J. B. I told him that these were not all the Pranks that E. S. their beloved Evidence had plaid for he was not only Informer against the said Lakenheath Meeting but when the Warrant came to the Constables he went along with them and with them took away what G. Friend had at whose House the Meeting was to his poor Wives Pattens and not only so but as a fresh Manifestation of his cruel Enmity he not long after laid Felony * So no marvel if he lays a false accusation to me who am the man that sued him as I have hinted to the said G. F. and arraigned him at the Bar in Bury-Sessions where the Justice did not follow the Example of S. C. and G. W. in printing a book presently that G. Friend was a Felon a very Thief c. to the ruine of his Reputation no no but they heard him to the Full in his defence And when the said E. S. though a Minister of their own Church failed of Evidence to prove his malitius Charge though against a poor Quaker and such an one too as had in other Cases Viz. by suffering Meetings in his House transgressed the Known Laws yet they acquitted him of the said Accusation of Felony to the Honour of that Episcopal Bench be it spoken and to the Shame and Infamy of our Learned and Vnlearned Rabbies Preachers of G. F's Party G. W. and S. C. be it recorded for ever and that it still may appear how averse my Adversaries are to examine the Truth of this their Accusation I may recite a Letter which I sent to G. W. and those concerned offering a Hearing and Referrence Viz. To G. Whitehead and others concerned FRiends I have lately proffered S. C. to referr the Difference betwixt him and me often since he revived the same to Arbitrators indifferently chozen c. which he hath refused and it being reported that I received 5 l. as an Abatement of S. C's 15 l. So that by consequence I as seems to be suggested suffered but 10 l. for him Which I deny for the Justice gave me that 5 l. on consideration of my withdrawing my three Appeals two for my self and one for J. Folks and towards my Charges I received the same as I have at large signified to him And this is to let you know that if S. C. will referr this Matter of the 5 l. also by Arbitrators indifferently chozen by us I will do the like and be equally bound to stand to their Award Thus desiring to shew my willingness to a Complyance to Justice and Equity I rest desiring an Answer in fourteen days time The 8th of the 4th Mo. 1683. F. Bugg And the like I proffered S. C. by Letter dated the 22d of the 4th Mo. 83. but no Answer have I received from either of them by which their Averseness to Justice their Design to defame me and their Envy and Malice because I tell them the Naked Truth is evidently manifest And having thus answered the Objection I am willing to let my Reader know that I do not lay all this blame upon poor S. C. for 't is not as he will he must have an Eye to the Brethren or else 't is to be feared the Brethren will not have an Eye to him and then what will become of him he is loth to carry a Budget of Tools again 't is hard Labour to use the Ax and Long Saw so that he is to be a little excused in not permitting a Referrence as well as suffering the Title of his Book to be Printed nigh a Year before the Book it self I confess 't is a strange preposterous way of Proceeding to print and publish a Controversy for on the 3d. of the 8th Mo. last he sent me a Letter that he had given I suppose to his Brethren for I could never see it a full and true Narrative from the beginning c. And by another Letter on the 26th of the 10th Mo. 1682 that his Narrative was fit for the Press and if so 't is strange why it is not printed by July 83. unless they intend ONLY to print the Title of his Book as an Advertisement to the Nations that such a thing there is in being somewhere and reserve their notable Narrative for an Appendix to their holy Chronicle that they say will tell After-Ages notable Things c. Yea how they will and what the Brethren will that S. C. must submit to and if they be so qualified with Discerning and Judgment as they pretend to be who can blame S. C. who so mistook his Interest in J. N 's time being a Leading
Man he durst no more trust his own Judgment he must have his Eye still to the Brethren and move as their Lordships please to move believe as they believe they by their Practice pretending to be the Eye for the Body thus inconsistant have I found Samuel in divers Transactions in our Difference sometimes he would not give a Penny and soon after proffer me 5 l. Sometimes he resolved to go no farther then the Quarterly-Meeting in Hadenham and yet soon after when W. P. required him to admit of a Referrence he sent me word by J. M. that I might have a Hearing when I pleased and met me at Soham also when the Agreement was made that no more Controversy should be but he should burn his Papers he did consent and concur therewith but when the Brethren saw it necessary and for the Honour of Holy Church that the same should be broke and no Faith kept with F. B. then he soon broke all Bonds and printed the very Title of his Book and yet I hear he hath the Confidence to say that I revived the same but the Date of G. W's Judgment Fixed and R. S's called Righteous Judgment c. spoil his Pretentions The 16th of the 5th Month 1683. F. Bugg A Table of the principal Matters contained in this Treatise IN the loss of 13500 l. the Ministers where Strangers lost not 50 l. p. 5. Records of Conviction for the 3 Fines levyed on F. B. J. F. p. 6 9. G. W's creeping and skulking in Suffering-Times manifested p. 15. Noble T. Jolly and Ignoble W. Bennet and J. Moon their Practices inconsistant p. 16. 17. An Expostulation and a Law of G. F's Ministers making p. 12. 13. A Word of Reproof to several Self-chosen Arbitrators p. 21. How E. Hickeringall and R. R. agree in one p. 30. 31. S. C's Receipt for 15 l. and of F. B's Proposition to S. C. p. 36. F. B's Answer to G. S's Letter p. 38. G. F's Party their vain pretentions to Discerning and their Infallible Confidence reproved p. 42. S. C's Lying Lawyer T. R. rebuked p. 47. T. Becket's Example become W. G's and S. C's Practice p. 51. S. C's reasonless Reasons for their Preachers Liberty examined p. 55. A Second Caution if they can observe it p. 59. S. C's Letter to F. B. and F. B's Answer to it p. 60. G. W's base Insinuation about the King's Clemency observed p. 61. Their Faithful or Defective obscure Chronicle observed p. 62. Athanasius his Apology for his Fleeing in time of Persecution when the Church of Alexandria was be set with armed Souldiers p. 65. A weighty Objection answered and F. B's Letter to the Second-days Meeting p. 68. 69. A few of the most remarkable Errours that escaped the Press through the Authors Absence corrected the rest are left to the Friendly Readers Charity ERRATA Pape 4. Line last read as I can p. 6. l. 6. r. they having l. 37. f. the of r. of the. p. 7. l. 25. f. 20 s. r. 20 l. 26. f. 10 l. r. 10 s. p. 9. l. 3. r. and Fines for l. 26. f. 1676 r. 1675. l. 31. f. 1676 r. 1675. p. 10. l. 36. f. but r. for p. 13. l. last r. pen c. p. 27. l. 24. f. seven r. severe l. 34. f. was afterwards made r. was made p. 28. l. 35. f. Prinn r. Prime p. 51. l. 41. f. those r. these p. 35. l. 15. f. kept r. keep p. 37. l. 28. f. 3 r. 2. p. 26. l. 14. f. 4th r. 1st p. 55. l. 9. f. unspiritual r. unscriptural p. 63. l. 21. f. at the stake r. at stake l. 25. f. how the r. how p. 69. l. 23. f. these r. who p. 70. l. 39. f. wrought r. wrote The Painted Harlot STRIPT and WHIPT The Introduction GEORGE WHITEHEAD I have perused thy abusive Book called Judgment Fixed wherein I find thee so false and perfidious that Humanity and the Law of Charity condemns thy detracting Insinuations and abominable Defamations in which at this time I purpose not to trace thee particularly for that is needless since my Book De Christianâ Libertate c. stands and remains unshaken by all thy Attempts as the ingenious Reader will soon observe when he compares thy Book with mine neiâ—her shall I altogether pass thee by but as thou comest in my way I shall observe thy scurrillous Treatment which if thou wert such a tender meek and pretious Spirited man as thy Brother Robert Sandiland in his Book falsely called Righteous Judgment c. p. 89. hath Printed and trumpeted thee to be surely thou wouldst have shewed more meekness and tenderness than therein can be found But his Trumpet sounds so much of G. Whiteheads Pretiousness Worthiness Meekness and Tenderness and sounds thy Fame so much abroad that some think 't is a Silver one it sounds so often meek G. W. tender and pretious G. W. yea as if the Scotchman had skill in such an Instrument for some say Silver Trumpets make the best noise and thou being one of the Second-days Meeting and no doubt approved of his said Book Why then should it give offence to thee that the Moderation of H. N. should be spoken of Is it not as lawful to take notice of the Moderation of men in Authority who extend their Kindness and Clemency to those of a contrary Opinion to themselves as for Robert Sandiland to sound such a false-Alarum of thee as to call thee meek pretious and tender G. Whitehead who art well known to be a Proud Envious Self-exalted and a Bitter-Spirited Man they that will not believe me let them look into the Introduction to the Accuser and thy Judgment Fixed where they may find thee calling W. Rog. T. Cr. my self and others of a rending tearing dark jealous Spirit of a loose gainsaying proud contemning Spirit degenerate without natural affection raging Waves of the Sea Apostate Informers treacherous Hippocrites Wolves Dogs betraying Judases Devils Incarnate with much more such Billing sate Raillery I say let the Reader but observe thy Fruit for out of the abundance of the Heart the mouth speaketh and then let him tell me whether he thinks thee to be such a meek pretious and tender man as R. Sandiland hath sounded thee to be c. Robert Sandiland I have also perused thy Book called Righteous Judgment c. but find it such a miserable piece so lame and defective so full of Forgeries Pervertions gross Lyes and Absurdities yea so false and persidious that it is no marvel a Scotchman one of another Nation is the Author of it and what I have said the Impartial Reader upon his compaing my Book Viz. De Christianâ Libertate with thine falsely called Righteous Judgment c. may find it so to be See some of thy Sccurrility p. 97. Team Ro. Cr. Pe. Bu. and Bugg Dark Devil-Driven Dungy-Gods desperately lugg That are tyed to the Tail of their separate Schism Pap Libertin Heathen Iuda A the ism Consider G.
cast out his Floods with what Vehemency he is able yet Babylon must fall and Wo to the Crown of Pride in that day c. The Instance I offer to vindicate the Professors by is this that followeth See the 4th Part of the Conformist's Plea for the Nonconformists pag. 58 59. Where 't is said that Thomas Jolly was fined 20 l. for Preaching and when the Officers could not come at his Goods the Justice granted two Warrants to take Distress of two of his Hearers and when this was done the said T. Jolly redeemed the Hearers Goods and paid his Fine of 20 l. himself this is the Practice of such as G. W. c. term Cowardly Fearful and Worldly but S. C. was so far from redeeming my Goods and paying his Fine himself as T. J. did that he would pay nothing like his Brother John Moon who as I am credibly informed altho he among others of George Fox's Preachers pretend to high Dignities yet when some Friends were fined for him he advised them to appeal but being askt if he intended to stand by them if they suffered for him he answered No not a Groat c. Now let the Tree declare by the Fruit it bears whether it be good or bad and the Reader judge whether T. Jolly or S. Cater and J. Moon acted most Christian-like and not by the Leaves for the fair Florishes of deceitful Leaves have we been too much deceived and these covetous Practices shew in what the Ministers of G. F's Party must be all of one Mind Viz. To save themselves And though this be somewhat a Digression from what is before me yet I am willing to shew how short our Ministers of the Ruling Party are of the Nobility of the Professors notwithstanding their high Pretences to Purity Sanctity Perfection Infallibility c. So that by the Letter sent me and the Advice therein not to mention G. W's Name and T. J. keeping his Hearer Indemnified and S. C. and J. M. on the contrary will bear no part I hope I have answered the Objection c. Now G. W. S. C. and your Abettors consider of these things and let shame cover your Faces you lofty Professors of high Attainments which seem by your Eloquence to exceed Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite Job 4.1 and 8.1 and the rest of Job's miserable Comforters who measured Job by a wrong Measuring-Line even because God had touched him as he often doth his Chosen People that their Faith and Confidence in God may be tryed as Job's was whose Patience ought to be an Example for you who like them Job 12.2 think that ye are the People only Wisdom must dye with you c. But I have Vnderstanding as well as you and am not inferiour unto you and in the words of Job I may truly say How long will you vex my Soul and torment me with words Job 19.23 Ye have now ten times reproached me and are not ashamed you are impudent towards me Now hear my Disputation and give ear to the Arguments of my Lips Job 13. Will you speak wickedly for Gods Defence and talk deceitfully for his Cause c. Come I say let us reason a little Have not I suffered for S. Cater c. See my Answer to G. Smith's Letter which you force me to mention If any one should deny what I there relate I can prove what I say How comes it then to pass that you can be so bitter so enviously mad against me as to call me Iudas Informer Beast Child of the Devil yea Devil Incarnate c. And truly some that see your Books and believe them might think me to be some Informer that disturbed a Conscientious People and gave Evidence to the Magistrate against them and that way got my Living Oh Impious and Inhumane Dealings c. For shame for time to come be more like T. J. that Professor and if any body be fined for you make them Restitution that no Complaint may be made of you and do not conceal your Names and Habitaâ—ions on pretence that the Magistrate doth not come or send his Warrant as W. Benet did when he had a Meeting at my House who would not tell his Name and Place of Abode to the Constable nor J. Petet the Informer by reason whereof J. Burgis and oâ—her poor men were distrained for his Fine and J. B. was so disabled thereby that J. Mason and my self were constrained to lend him Money to relieve his Necessity who to this day hath not been in a Capacity to repay us again though I was my self Fined 20 l. at the same time and destrained for the same c. And is not this a shame to you ye sturdy Oaks Do not these things lower your Topsails and turn to your Confusion of Face Consider of it you tall Cedars and restore to all that you have oppressed in this manner c. But before I go any farther it may be necessary to answer several Objections which may serve as an Answer to great part of S. C's Narrative when it comes forth if it be not yet come forth c. Objections Answered I. But some may say Is it not fit that Ministers should be left to their freedom in telling or not telling their Name and Habiation c. No by no means unless their Fine did terminate in them or indemnifie who suffer for them if able seeing their Fines where they are Strangers and keep themselves unknown may by Law be transferred to the Auditors it is not equal they should have their Liberty herein except they were willing to bear such harmless that suffer for them through such their concealing their Name and Habitation for at that rate having once obtained that Liberty they may or may not suffer for their Testimonies how much soever others suffer for them II. But some may say The Informers will not ask the Ministers Name and Habitation what reason is there then for their telling the same since it is an Old Maxim and common English Right That no man is obliged to accuse himself c. Still the same reason that there would be if the Informers did ask which is that he may thereby set himself in a like suffering Capacity with his Brethren seeing his Fine centers not in him as I have said Indeed if the Law by which we suffer did say That if when the Informers have asked the Minister his Name and Habitation then if the Minister refuse to tell it him it shall and may be lawful for the Justice to impose the Fine of 20 l. on the Hearers present then I grant there would be good reason for this Objection for then there would be no Forfeit until the Informers had performed their part of asking and the Minister his part of denyal But behold the Law requires no such thing wherefore the Informers may choose whether they will ask or not ask moreover it is greatly against the Interest of the Informers to ask
answereth as in a Glass Face answers Face you see 4. Even in a Tryal now on Foot Where Justice finds no place But Will and Power bear it out This is the very Case 5. But worthy William Penn Hath drawn so fair a Scrowl ' Gainst arbitrary force of men Which none can back recall 6. Where Property he vindicates And each mans Right maintain And partial Dealings then he hates As nothing worse so vain 7. But why should I or any one proceed to Tryal then If Judgment true be fled and gone And loathed by such men 8. Surely 't is vain for to expect A full and ample hearing When Evidences they reject As good for nought but fearing 9. Yet put on Courage once again And call them to account who gave away what 's not their own Who chose themselves to mount 10. The Place of Arbitrators great 'Twixt those that differ'd much As if resolved to do right But it was nothing such 11. For Judges all both great and small Thereunto lyable are As Empson small and Dudly tall Who went beyond their Sphear For what is more arbitrary than your Proceedings What more partial than your Dealings When was there more need of a Law to limit illegal and arbitrary Government than at this time according to your Principle in your Book entituled Truth 's Principles p. 50. and E. B's Work p. Answer me instead of saying But how dar'st thou or any one Thus speak thus write or say Yea some may Query hereupon Saying Is there Cause I pray For any one thus to rebuke Men who pretend to Judge Infallibl'r than ever Luke Paul Peter James or Jude Let such receive an Answer short And search the Matter well If President then they find not Their 's Cause enough to tell And to be bold for to unfold Such falsifying Tricks As Man thereof hath not been told Nor read the like in Hicks So why should I or any other Such Partial Dealings hide Or such Injustice go and smother Such things I can't abide Neither could Micha Paul nor John The Scripture witness bear Silent keep but must go on Saying House of Jacob hear Wherefore let no man think I pray That such a Fool I am As to be scar'd or fray'd away For wrong me no man can As I keep to the Truth in which I Preservation have And therein trace a constant Path Where none can me bereave Of Blessings and of Peace also Whatever some may fear Tho Sufferings great and many too I therefore must endure Like them of old which practic 't not Soft Pillows for to Sew Who witnest Suffering's their Lot By the Self-saving Crew Whereof sometimes the Leaders they Greatest Politicians be Tho they profess another way More Noble Just and Free Yet do but look within the Vail And there you may behold Of being Valiants some to fail Which seemeth to be bold So after I had sent these Verses and several other explanatory Lines to the said Arbitrators calling them to account upon their own Principles viz. that the Governours are accountable to the People And none would have regard to Justice I then wrote this Epistle and sent it to W. P. wherein I offered to leave the Matter to J. C. R. B. and him if S. C. would chose other three Men I may recite part of it I am willing to leave things as intelligible as I can both to shew my Right there Partiality and my Desire all along for Peace if I might have had it upon any fair terms It is true J. A. and E. L. were two of these twelve but the other cunningly burnt my Writings and they not rightly understanding the Matter did like two well meaning Jury-men yield too far to the other for which I blamed them but not for any Design of Injustice c. Here follows part of the Epistle I sent to J. C. R. B and W. P. having never before then spoke a word to the former two Friends VIZ. Dear Friends YOu at this time are the men to whom I dedicate these Lines by way of Introduction to this following Narrative hoping there dwells in you as Noble a Principle as did once in the Bereans which may move you to a Search whether these things be so or no which is impossible you should do except you will admit me a hearing and therein resemble good old Moses who in all Cases Controversial between Brethren as well as Solomon and divers other good Judges recorded in Scripture SAID Hear to the full search diligently Judge impartially And inasmuch as I find by many of your Writings and declared Principles that you are like-minded with them I write these few Lines to you yea and the rather because I believe you came forth at first in true Self-Denyal and never sought your selves otherwise to what end shall I write to you for it is a true Saying The World loves its own And if I should write to such as came into the Profession of the Truth possest with little and are now grown Great and High and can Lord it over their Brethren as that too many such there are amongst us What acceptance should my words find surely none but retorts of Severity Wherefore let such as are like them choose them who may expect help by them for so it was in former Times and altho I never spoke a word to two of you directly nor indirectly yet this I say that if S. C. will choose three others I will choose you three and to your Determination I will abide and why this should be denyed me I know not except to gratifie some eminently guilty otherwise methinks a Hearing should not be denyed me it being such a reasonable thing c. And much to this purpose I wrote to them and sent to W. P. but as yet could not obtain a Hearing S. C. being a Preacher and had the Ruling-Party on his Side and so had the Opportunity from Countrey to Countrey to spred his own Fame and my Reproach that at length I was resolved to appeal from our Chief Lords to the Episcopalians for a Hearing and then I soon got a Hearing as afterwards I shall signifie but first I would give a short Description of the Behaviour of our Monthly and Quarterly Meetings who endeavoured to put me by writing for I was Clark to the Meeting for many years tho never for Salary as in some Places they have but they could not put me by until I laid it down of my own accord c. At a Monthly Meeting in Sutton in the Isle of Ely the 2d day of the 3d. Month 1677. S. Fulbig said to W. Wright Come and write for us to day W. W. What is the reason that F. B. is put by I have no freedom to write except F. B. be willing F. B. I have as much willingness that thou shouldst write as any man but first let me understand the reason why you would put me by seeing I have been Writer many years S. F.
the which I never had cause nor did I ever believe his Pretensions to be real but to my grief have I beheld him in his blind Zeal for S. C. as free to sacrifice the good Name and Christian Reputation of his near Kinsman to the Avarice Pride Scorn and Contempt of that Proud and Self-conceited man S. C. and his Abetters as the Heathens of old were their Children to their God Molech But I must say with W. P. in Judas and the Jews p. 4. It is an Age grown to that degree of Impiety that there is no Friendship so strait no Relation so near no Truth so evident nor Life so innocent that some men are not so hardy and wicked enough to break violate and slander to avenge some supposed wrong or gratifie some emulous Spirit And for vindicating our Religion and Christian Liberty to fall foul upon our Persons and those chiefly who are most active in that Service We maintain our Principles that angers them c. I am now come to recite part of my Letter which is in Answer to his that so the Reader may have the better Intelligence c. Mildenhall the 9th of the 10th Month 1679. Cozen George I Have read thine What dost thou 1st proffer me 5 l. then 7 l. 10 s. and then rail on me for taking it saying there is none due to me why then didst thou proffer me so much But thou sayest Thou wert necessitated to give such a report lest the Parties concerned should think thâ—â— wert too much byassed in joyning with me Alas Cozen I am sorry thou shouldst serve such a mistrustful Governess who will not believe thy diligent Service except thou wrongs thy Antient Friend and near Relation Again thou saist Thou art ingaged to give an Account of the Business without thou wouldst bear all the 15 l. * * And now thou hast obtained the 15 l. through those thy false reports it seems by thy own Confession thou hast not peace in it but must return it or else thou saist thou shalt not die in Peace Poor man see what it is to give a false report for Money But then it should have been a true Account and if that would not have given them satisfaction thou hadst better to have lost 15 l. than wrong thy own Conscience which thou hast now done also thou tells me The Love of Money it the Root of all evil I grant it in the Apostles sense But why then dost thou not tell those of it that are notoriously guilty of it who preach against the Priests for taking Gifts and Rewards and yet take Gifts and Rewards both for Suffering and Preaching and this I can prove against thy dear Friend S. C. for whom thou thus drudgest But Cousin as for me it s well known that for many years I have manifested the contrary and since I find that Paul upon perhaps almost a like occasion told of his Sufferings and how many Stripes he received I may shew thee some signes and tokens against thy suggestion or there can be none given First I suffered more than three years Imprisonment at Ely and Wisbech together and sometimes in very great hardship both for want of a Fire in the Winter Season and also in bad Rooms and since I was at Liberty from Bonds I have suffered distress for three ten pound Fines for the Non-ability of G. T. when I dwelt at Ely and a distress of a 10 l. Fine for the Non-ability of J. W. of Mildenhall Comber and a Fine of 20 l. for W. B. having a Meeting at my House besides seven other Fines for my own Offences against the Cenventicle-Act for which I made no Complaint but with patience did both bear and suffer the loss of about 100 l. which if I had loved Money so as thou suggests I had an opportunity to have prevented the same and all this besides the Fine for S. C. Likewise I laid my own business aside and faithfully served our Monthly and Quarterly Meeting many years in writing for them freely and not for Sallary as E. H. M. K. and divers others did and do untill I saw that the service of those Meetings was translated in to Ceremonies and serving each other in love into Uniformity and Conformity to certain Ceremonies which had no foundation in Scripture and then of my own accord I laid it down as I have signified in your Monthly Book and my House was a House of Entertainment for Ministring Friends and their Attendants for many years All this shews not the truth of thy Suggestion but the contrary as I have a witness in the Consciences of my bitterest Enemies c. Likewise when I was nominated by our Quarterly Meeting to go to London about our Sufferings I went at my own Charge and took my Inn there And when I went to Yearly Meetings I did the same And for all Collections for many years in our Meeting I was nigh a fourth part and often more by reason many Friends here were then very poor Neither have I spared any pains to prevent suffering to come upon Friends although perhaps I have been destrained my self yet my care hath been for them insomuch as all the Friends in our Town besides my self have not suffered the loss of Ten pounds over and besides that which I have either lent them and never had it again or given them c. And to such Friends in the Ministry as I have been sensible have stood in need I have not only given them Money but Clothed them with the best my Shop afforded And when we in this Town found it convenient to build a Meeting-House we set to it heartily which cost us about 75 or 80 l. of which I gave 20 l. at the building thereof besides something it hath cost me thereupon since not only in Repairs but being once fined as a Cottage I defended it from Damage which was not without Cost to me which being collected and put into the Numeration-Table will shew A fellow Traveller in the like Sufferings and Services that something hath been in my eye besides the Love of Money in the sence of the Apostle in that place cited by thee and misapplied too And to them do I refer the sence of these things and not to such as know not what these things mean c. And now I am minded to ask thee a few Questions let not the Man behind the Curtain hinder thy answering them for if he can I presume he will because in a great measure I know him to be guilty in the things Queried c. 1st Whether is the Tree to be known by its Fruit now a days If yea then I do further query Which of these two sorts of People following since two such sorts there are among us most manifest their Love to Money in the sence the Apostle then spake FIRST Whether such as are willing to bear their own Burthens in Suffering Times TO go on Truths Errand at their own
Now we are got into the Judgment Seat and if our Sons will not believe as we believe for we believe that Christ hath and doth furnish us with Discerning and Judgment at all Times and on all Occasions and to be sure we are the True Church or else he would never gift us with these Ornaments and Jewels Therefore we have given it out and do averr that for any to profess themselves to be of us Viz. of the True Church and will not believe as we believe 't is both folly and Hypocrisy to profess your selves of our Society so that if F. B. should call for Evidence at our hands and expect to have us stoop to those low and beggarly Traditions that the silly Protestants use Viz. Witnesses Juries Judges that will go according to the Evidence he is greatly mistaken For Christ that is Lord of Lords and King of Kings he hath given us both discerning and Judgment nay he furnishes us therewith on all Occasions and we cannot err having this infallible Spirit and therefore it is more safe for our Sons to have an eye to the Brethren and to believe as we believe than to adhere to the uncertain Judgment of the Fallable Protestants for sometimes notwithstanding their Evidences their Juries their Learned Judges their great Lawbooks their Clarks to preserve Records their Counsellors to open their Cases yet for all that they are some say sometimes mistaken in their Judgment and as for us Christ who is infallible hath furnisht and doth furnish us not only with DISCERNING but with JUDGMENT too not now and then by fits and girds BUT ON ALL OCCASIONS So that the Premises rightly considered none of you need to concern your selves to read what F. B. c. may write in their Vindication nor calling for Evidence for that signifies little we have an inward sence and from that we judge and not only judge but report what we there from conjecture where-ever we go and that for the Reasons aforesaid c. Oh G. W. and the rest of your Ruling and Over-Ruling Elders who have caused the People to erre Whether will you go Is not this the natural consequence that your erronious and pernitious Doctrine and Practice of late lead to Have we not found it by too woful Experience and for several years endeavoured to warn you of the same as in my Book Entituled De Chr. Libert and W. R's Chr. Qua. c. in 5 Parts and his 7th and 8th Part and T. C's 1st 2d 3d. 4th and 5th Part of Babels c. Wherein we shew what means we have used and what Patience we have exercised towards you how many Warnings you have had from time to time also view the Book lately Printed by many antient Brethren who have kept their Integrity and not endeavoured Lordship and Dominion over others Faith and Consciences the MEMORY OF JOHN STORY REVIVED c. And there see how tenderly you have been dealt withal nothing would prevail but like a Queen you would Sit Reign and Tyrannise over the Consciences of your Brethren insmuch as that I may now say to you as you say in your Book called Truth 's Corrector of Professors p. 14. And know assuredly that if you come to be dealt withal as you have dealt with others then shall those things which you have done to the Innocent become your Burthen And as you have sought to make others ridiculous even so shall you become contemptible in the eyes of those which you by your Flatteries have fawned upon c. I could say more but the time is not yet come c. I say George Whether wilt thou and G. F's Party climb Why are you so vehemently bitter What is the cause of your rage that you have the Impudence to call us all these bitter Names Viz. Informers Apostates Iudases Dogs Beasts Wolves Children of the Devil Betraying Iudases Devils Incarnate and other vile terms says G. W. that tender meek pretious man in R. S's esteem for so he hath Trumpeted him to be in order to sound his Fame abroad and the reason that this G. W. renders why he calls us thus is because Christ called Judas a Devil Come George answer me plainly is that all the reason thou canst render for calling me and others that oppose your Innovations these Hidious Names What because that Christ Jesus to whom all Power in Heaven and Earth is committed called Judas a Devil who betrayed the Lord of Life and Glory doth it therefore follow that G. W. may call F. B. W. R. and T. C. Devils Incarnate who profess Christ Jesus to be their Lord and Master and desire to serve him according to the best of their Apprehensions and this in Chariry thou ought to believe since we profess so in words and have given Testimony thereof both by doing and suffering but suppose thou beest never so uncharitable and conclude us not so good Christians as thou could desire we were what hath Christ surrendred his Judgment-Seat to G. W. and given him the Keys and made him Vicegerent on Earth What is this Pretious Tender G. W. and meek G. W. Surely the Scotchman is mistaken herein and his Silver Trumpet gives an uncertain Sound for when did F. B. W. R. and T. C. c. speak a word against Christ Jesus or his Death and Sufferings and Glorious Resurrection or any of his Divine Attributes When did we ever undervalue his Doctrine his Sermons or Miracles or slight his Holy Commands and Precepts which he gave forth Oh! thou presumptuous man not much short of the M nians Surely the Lord will reckon with thee and thy Brethren for these your ungodly words and Actions and to him I leave you who hath said Vengeance is mine and I will repay it not desiring to render railing for railing nor Judging for Judging no I dare not I will leave thy State and Condition between God and thy Soul to God only yet I have leave to discover thy Fruits to others which are manifest to me that others may be aware of the sower Grapes which grow on your Vines c. Well perhaps thou mayst say that altho we have not spoken against Christ yet we have spoken against your Orders Ceremonies Traditions and Innovations and your compelling to a Conformity to them Very well if that be all why then didst thou not lift up thy voice a little higher and stretch the compass of thy words a little larger and fetch in the Prophets that opposed the revolting Israelites and the Primitive Christians that would not submit it to the Jewish Yoak and all the worthy Protestants and holy Martyrs that opposed the Whore of Babylon your ELDER SISTER and condemn them all as Iudases Informers Wolves Dogs Enemies of all Righteousness Children of the Devil yea Devils Incarnate I say how comes it to pass that your Presumption did not lead you so high since the Liberty we stand for we offer to justifie by their Doctrine and Example and our
was to be kept with Hereticks c. So then I wrote to S. C. this Letter following to prevent all occasion of a further Controversy if possible Samuel Cater I Understand that since I published my Book Entituled De Chr. Lib. several Friends have brought up the old Concern betwixt thee and I about the Fine I suffered for thee Anno 1675 for which my Cozen G. S. as thy Wives Messenger made me Restitution and the Controversy depending thereupon betwixt thee my Cozen G. S. and my self which was ended and finally determined by Friends whereof 5 or 6 were of the Ministry at a Quarterly Meeting at Hadenham the 1st of 10th mo 80 and there recorded in their Quarterly Book and lest thou shouldst be the Wheel within the Wheel or the moving cause of reviving the same so long after it was ended I thought my self concerned to write a few lines to thee in order to let thee know that if thou art not willing to stand to the Judgment of Friends of the said Quarterly-Meeting * * Which Priviledge cost me many a weary and tedious Journey before I could get that Priviledge granted me I will very willingly consent and agree that thou shalt have a hearing de novo by Persons indifferently chosen by us both Viz. each of us 4 6 10 or 12 Persons and be bound again to stand to their Award and final Determination in a Bond of 30 l. to each other as we were before and this thou need not to fear if thy Cause will abide the Test of Truth Justice and sound Judgment Or otherwise I have often proffered thee both before I had the Money and since thy Wife sent my Cozen G. S. to end it And do thou take which Proposition thou pleasest and likest the best That is to say Upon condition thou wilt sign a Paper like this which followeth in a different Character I will return the whole 15 l. that my Cozen G. S. by thy Wives Order paid me in satisfaction for the Fine I suffered for thee as aforesaid and can as freely give it as the Commons of England gave to King Henry III. the fifteenth part of their Moveables in consideration of Magna Charta or the great Charter of the Liberties and Priviledges of the People of England See 9. H. 3. and confirmed the 28. E. 2. And certainly there is as much reason to be offered for our Ministers who usually appoint the Meetings and incourage others to be valliant and give up All for their setting themselves in a like suffering Capacity with the Hearers whom they thus incourage as for the Commons of England to have their share in those great Priviledges therein granted and yet there is reason enough in that too SINCE THE LAW IS SO MADE that if the Minister refuse or neglect to tell his Name and Habitation where he is a Stranger his Fine of 20 l. except the Justice be the more moderate unavoidable falls upon the Hearers nay if he please he may lay it upon any single Person present of the Hearers * * See the Records of Conviction by which I suffered for S. C. that is a tryed Case and by as good a Lawyer as G. W. And if so what an intollerable a thing is it for our Ministers who pretend to be mighty zealous and for giving up All should stand in one Capacity wholly free from Sufferings by that Act against Conventicles where they are Strangers as that I affirm they do if they refuse to tell their Names and Habitations as aforesaid and we the Hearers in another Capacity always lyable to Sufferings not only for our own Fines but for the Poor for the Meeting-Houses and for our obscure Ministers too albeit one Priviledge thou hast which I neither have nor desire for thou didst never suffer but one Fine and through the moderation of thy Neighbours for which they deserve Commendation some think thou never lost 5 l. by it nay I think so too for as often as I mention it I never find thee deny it and yet notwithstanding thou hadst ten pound presently sent thee out of the Treasury * * This G. W. hath denyed as Stated and bid me prove matter of Fact as stated Notably done George as stated no I will not pretend the words PRESENTLY and TREASVRY was used at the dedicating this Gift but I will prove that he had ten pound sent him by John Peacock of St. Ives and that it was in consideration of his said Suffering This I can prove from London notwithstanding worth hundreds of pounds at the same time which doubtless was â–µ â–µ Though not long before thou got the knack of Preaching thou went to Days-works and had scarce wherewith to pay thy debts This I can prove but thou wert always a leading Man I know what obtained through such kind of Augmentations since thou hast confessed to me under thy hand as well as to others by word of mouth that it was but a few years since that thou hadst not much more than would pay thy Debts I say it was but a few years before thou wert a Preacher that this was thy low condition and truly if all thy Sufferings have such a plentiful Reward I do not know but Sufferings may be as beneficial to thee as of old they were to Bishop Wren * * For it hath been said that in Ely Prison by Treats and otherwise they believe thou fairedst as well as Persons of much higher Degree So that there is great need for such as thee to stand in a like Suffering Capacity with the Hearers and not to make such a stir about a little Money The Paper I mean is this MEmorandum that I S. C. do hereby testifie that it is my Judgment that all Friends of the Ministry where they are Strangers ought to tell their Name and Habitation upon apparent sight of Informers coming into the Meeting taking Friends Names in Writing or otherwise in order to convict the Meeting that so we may all stand in a like Suffering Capacity relating to Sufferings or if any have not freedom thus to do that then they ought to make satisfaction to such who suffer for them through their concealing their Names and Habitations And to such as refuse to perform their part in either of these two Propositions ought from thence forth to be reputed blameworthy and noted as such Witness my hand per me I say sign this Paper or one like it and I will return the 15 l. for the reason aforesaid and if this be not a Condiscention sufficient enough to please thee let me know what thou wouldst have me to do c. and much more to the same effect which being already in substance treated on I am loath to be too repititions So away I sent it to him and when he percived from whence it came he sent it to me again and never opened it as conscious to himself of guilt I suppose or else
came to pass being pursued by men fled away and hid themselves in secret and solitary Places but being taken they valliantly encountred with their Adversaries and ended the Combat with Martyrdom These were the Reasons Athanasius laid down in his Apology the which he wrote in the defence of his Departure from his Bishoprick in time of Persecution Gen. 17. Exod. 12. 1 King 18. to 25. King 3.17 18 19. Mat. 26. Act. 9. 2 Cor. 11. Deut. 4. Jos 20. Mark 13. Luke 21. Joh. 8. Joh. 11. Joh. 2.7.11 Thus do we see the manner of the Sufferings and the manner of the Saints Meetings was various and therefore the holy Apostle did not say you must neither Forsake Decline nor Remove your Meetings but his Exhortation was not to forsake the Assembling themselves together as the manner of some was and so as to the manner he left it to them who were to be exercised therein who were to wait upon God and to Worship him as he should order them by his Holy Spirit and the Guidance thereof and according to the measure of Faith they had received of him to bear up their heads in Suffering Times and if some met privately for fear of the Jews and other met in an upper Chamber yet the Apostle was far from calling them Night-dippers Skulkers and Creepers Cowardly Bass and Timerous Carna Policy Occult creeping creeping into Garrets Cheese-Lofts Coal-hoals and such like Mice-walks By-holes c. as G. Whitehead and W. Penn detractingly charge the Professors withall because they rather follow the example of the antient Christians than the Peremptory Decree Law or Cvnnon to be observed by us See the Preface to the Chr. Quak. and his Divine Test Vindicated the 333 334 pag. if the 2d Part by G. W. if we would be owned in the Church of Christ as before recited and yet who more Creepers Sculkers Timorous Occult and Cowardly Meeter than G. W. and some of his Brethren as is here sufficiently manifested especially if they get such Letters sent as was sent to me not to mention his Name to any particularly no by no means that doth not sute since this Act came out Objection By this time some may be ready to object and say That altho it cannot be denyed but your Ministers of the Self-saving and others-oppressing Principle have given just occasion for a publick Reproof not only by their making a Law for their Hearers that they should meet and not decline the same contrary to the very nature Tendency and Example of that Christian Liberty which was taught by Christ and practised by his holy Apostles and Primitive Christians as is evident by Scripture and by Athanasius his Apology and that themselves walk and Practice contradictory thereunto but also by their publick Defamations and scurrilous Invectives whereby they expose not only W. R. F. B. T. C. J. S. and those of their own Society to be Judases Beasts Dogs Wolves Children of the Devil yea Devils Incarnate c. but also every other Profession of People with whom they happen to controvert as if all others besides themselves were of old predestinated to Eternal Destruction and themselves the only Electives c. yet however for the sake of some amongst them a more private way ought to have been first used c. Answ In answer to this Objection I do say that I have wrote to them about these things for these seven or eight years and sent great part of what is here printed in Manuscript one Paper which I called A Cry for Justice another called A Prescript and Postscript another Speeches and Passages with divers other Letters endeavouring to let them see their Errour if possible c. And now at last I wrote to the Second-days Meeting the 10th of the 2d Mo. 83 signifying that if six of them i. e. of the Second-days Meeters would shew their publick dislike and non-approvement of G. W's Book called Judgment Fixed c. and R. S's called Righteous Judgment c. and the Advertisement prefixt thereon and signed by their Clark R. R. that then I would forbear any Reply to the said Books notwithstanding they had defamed me in a gross manner and all this for the sake of the honest-minded among them but no condiscention they can admit of nor no Answer have I received c. And if the said well-meaning People will sit down and consent to the perfidious Dealings of that Meeting and be more tame than the Nobles and Barons in the Reign of King Hen. II. Ed. II. Hen. III. c. who often called the proud Prelates to account and shewed what Enemies the Prelates were to the Peace of the Kingdom I cannot help it Nay the Women in London knocked at the Parliaments Doors in Olivers Time and called for Justice Justice on the behalf of J. Lilburn and others And if the People called Quakers will allow a few Usurpers Viz. G.W. St. C. G. Fox Ch. T. R. R. and a few others who neither consult Events nor fear Effects to sit Tyronising over the Consciences of their Brethren and never call them to an account and knock at their door and say What mean you to sit here What business have you here Why do ye give occasion for these Controversies Though you fear no Effects that may hereupon ensue yet we have cause though you study no Events yet we that are as much concerned as you do think that it stands us in hand to study the Events of these things Why do you approve of the Printing and Publishing of Books scandalous to Truth and the Professors of it and why do you deal thus treacherous with the People Why do you thus exalt your selves and make your Nest among the Stars and sit as a Queen saying I am and there is none besides me And that it may yet more plainly appear that I have wrote to them to the same purpose above recited I may transcribe my Letter Verbatim that I sent to them To the Second-day Meeters in London FRIENDS Forasmuch as those of Party with G. F. These look upon you to he the Eye for the Body and that altho any may say they are moved by the Lord to write an Epistle Message or Warning to a Nation or People yet say you by your Practice they ought to acquiesce in your adding diminishing and altering the same c. And thereupon you may remember that before I put forth my Book Entituled De Chr. Lib. c. I wrote to you not for your sakes or that I ever owned you to have any such Power conferred upon you or delegated to you above the rest of your Brethren by Christ Jesus who is Head of the true Church but for the Peoples sake who many of them mean well altho zealous for the Traditions of the Elders least Sufferings should be augmented to them through these publick Proeeedings c. signifying that if you who assume to your selves the sole Power in Affairs Ecclesiastical among the
and to blast them for Persons partial and unjust has not a President but with Persons Runagade from their Society which F. B. would not be accounted Besides that F. B's NEIGHBOVRS and they FORREIGNERS to S. C. should be partial and against F. B. when his Case called not for it is a thing not easily believed F. B. I dare not say thou art hired to lye because I cannot prove it but this I say I never heard the like of thee among all the Runagades that I have read of Thomas how darest thou say they were my NEIGHBOVRS and to S. C. they were FORREIGNERS for of the twelve that chose themselves there was never a man that lived nearer me than 10 miles some 14 some 18 and some nigh 30 miles off me but S. F. and W. B. two of the 12 lived in the same Town of Little-Port where S. C. dwelt and his own very Disciples and about four or five more of them lived at Douneham in the Isle of Ely and at Eley and Sutton and yet thou hast the Confidence to say they were my Neighbours as if they lived all round about me and absolute Strangers and Forreigners to thy Clyent Surely if his Case did not call for partial Judges false Witnesses Lying Lawyers and such a Tribe of Perverters he would be ashamed to own them c. And so I shall conclude with a word of Use and Application c. A Lawyer and a Friend can he be found Professing Truth I say on English Ground Who Truth will speak upon Occasion free From lying words and base Partiality If not the WOE was not pronounc't in vain Since to such Lawyers it doth appertain Who can pervert and wrest an honest Cause Their Refuge being Lyes and not our Laws After all these turnings and twinings with his Lawyer his Friend G. S. his Reverend Friends the Preachers of the Ruling Party on his behalf from time to time to assist him at every turn and I had nothing but Equity and Reason the Custome of valiant Ministers in former Ages and some few in this Age and the Scriptures on my side I say after all these several Transactions G. S. and I met at a Quarterly Meeting in Hadenham the 1st of the 10th month 1680 where were G. B. T. B. J. W. S. G. T. H. and I think J. B. all Ministers besides about 30 or 40 other substantial men who after a long and tedious debate G. S. bringing all his Arguments in the defence of S.C. and himself and I offered what then I had to say in my defence in my Prosecution of S. C. And when all was done it came to that issue that an end thereof was concluded and firmly settled not barely by word of mouth but RECORDED in our Quarterly-Book a Copy whereof followeth Verbatim At this Quarterly-Meeting being the 1st of the 10th Month 1680. All Differences betwixt F. B. S. C. and G. S. were ended and that all Papers by all Parties Viz. F.B.S. C. and G. S. be brought to Ely Prison on the 1st of the 11th Month 1680 to be burnt and all Controversy to cease by and betwixt them all c. But let the Reader note that as G. S. hath been false to me so he was not true to the said Meeting tho he then assented to Friends in the said final conclusion for when S. C. and I at Ely Prison in S. C's Chamber pursuant to the said Agreement and in concurrence therewith burnt our Papers G. S. never so much as met us there nor did I see him burn a Paper which when I aftewrards considered it I thought there might be a Snake in the grass and then altho I burnt every Paper I had in my Custody yet when I came where I had sent and disperst Manuscripts amongst my Friends I got what I could of them again c. Well but however things rested very quiet for nigh two years and very still we were until I put forth my Book De Christianâ Libertate in the year 82. And I being then in London N. L. told me there was a discourse raised about a Fine and my taking 15 l. which as represented did not look well or to that effect and asked me if I was free to appear in it to whom I replyed yea I am willing to appear but that matter is ended and that upon Record too in our Quarterly Book but I am willing to defend my self if they begin where wouldst thou have me to come and when he said to morrow about the 9th hour in the Forenoon to R. M. So the next morning I went and with me L. and J. E. and after a little time there was T.B. S.H. S.W. E.M. J. B J.H. and others so N. L. opened the matter and told us that R. M. was his Author for what he said which was about my taking 15 l. of G. S. c. in a fraudilent way and manner the words I cannot now well remember So R.M. told me that so he heard and if I could clear my self I might So I asked R. M. over and over time after time who was his Author but could not get it out of him do what I could as if he had vowed Secrecy so then I told him that whoever it was they had broke Covenant and acted contrary to the Agreement made at our Quarterly Meeting where were 6 or 7 Friends in the Ministry and about 30 or 40 substantial men in our Country where both our Allegations came under Consideration were fully heard and at last resolved into a final end and agreement pursuant and in concurrance therewith I my self and S. C. burned our Writings and Papers yet since thou hast raised it or at least set it on foot again I may say something in the defensive part altho there is little need for those Friends cannot but conclude that if it was ended there were reasons and grounds to believe that those who had the hearing of it and assented to the said Agreement were satisfied therewith c. So I run through the heads of several Passages c. Whereupon E. M. in their presence did affirm that he would make it appear that if a Minister refused to tell his Name and Habitation and another suffered for him by means thereof if then the said Minister should not repay the said Sufferer it was as bad as if a man should borrow 20 l. on a Bond and refuse to pay it again this he offered to make good against any man in London and which was to the great satisfaction of the Auditors so we parted And when I came home here was the same News a Friend that came from Ely Prison namely T. B. who first spake about my Book and then fell upon the Fine and said I had no right to it So then I clearly perceived that they had a purpose to quarrel with me and to break the Bond of their Agreement and snap the Cord of their Quarterly Book Record as if no Faith